SHIGARAKI HAD DECIDED on a change of plans that day. Originally, he was supposed to use the crowd of reporters as a distraction to infiltrate U.A. and steal All Might's schedule, but he found a far more tantalizing opportunity elsewhere.

Now, he stood in front of the modest Aizawa household, a twisted smirk playing on his lips. The security camera above the back door beeped frantically for a second before crumbling to dust beneath the caress of his decaying touch.

The lock on the door gave way with little resistance, the soft click drowned by the muffled noise of the city outside. As he crept inside, the house was quiet. Shigaraki's four fingers brushed against the walls as he moved up the staircase, his footsteps ghost-like, each touch leaving behind a whisper of decay that he withheld at the last second. He knew exactly where he wanted to go.

The door to your room creaked as he twisted the knob and stepped inside, blinking at the sudden brightness. The contrast from the dark hallway to your room was jarring; sunlight streamed through pastel curtains, illuminating the space filled with an almost sickening amount of plush toys and hero memorabilia.

His crimson eyes narrowed at the sight. Posters of All Might, Hawks, and other top heroes adorned the walls, their exaggerated smiles mocking him. The plushies, especially those of All Might, seemed to glare back at him with defiant little eyes. For a moment, he imagined reducing them to dust, but he held back, fingers twitching.

He moved toward your cluttered desk, eyes skimming over the papers and notes scattered across its surface. One page, in particular, caught his attention—a printed schedule with a red circle drawn around the upcoming Monday. Next to it, in your neat handwriting, was the word: USJ. Beneath it, the names of all your classmates and the supervising teachers were listed: Aizawa Shota and, most importantly, All Might.

A thin smile tugged at Shigaraki's lips, splitting the dryness there. This was it. The perfect moment to strike.

His gaze shifted to one of your My Melody plushies sitting primly on the edge of your bed, its stitched smile as innocent as ever. Shigaraki reached out, the rough pads of his fingers twirling the plush ear with a strange, detached gentleness. The contrast between its soft fabric and the deadly intent coursing through him was almost poetic.

"Soon," he whispered, the word hanging in the bright, innocent air of your room like a curse.

He let the plushie fall back into place, but not before he tilted it slightly, as if leaving behind a mark, an invisible trace of his presence. Without another word, Shigaraki turned on his heel, his footsteps silent as he exited, leaving your room behind, but taking the image of it with him—searing it into his mind like a memory of something he would soon destroy.

Monoma, sick, stepped into his room, rubbing his eyes as he tried to shake the fatigue from his limbs. As he lazily walked to his window, his attention was drawn to a faint flicker—a shadow just beyond the threshold of your room. His brow furrowed in confusion. He knew you and your father were both supposed to be at school, so why was there movement in your window?

His breath caught in his throat as he blinked, the shadow disappearing in the blink of an eye, leaving nothing behind but a sense of unease. He shook his head, trying to brush off the feeling.

Surely, it was nothing more than his eyes playing tricks on him.

//

"I trust Kai, I really do, but after that whole no alarm thing, I'm gonna be extra careful," you muttered to yourself, moving cautiously through the desolate Shie Hassaikai base.  You couldn't afford to slip up, especially not with someone like Kurono lurking in the shadows. He'd jump at the chance to put you in your place if he even caught a glimpse of you.

The silence was almost unsettling. The base, usually crawling with activity, seemed abandoned, and you couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Your fingers grazed the cold metal of the fences as you crept along the perimeter, hoping for some sign of life. But there was nothing. The stillness only fueled your suspicion.

Suddenly, a voice broke the eerie quiet, sending a cold chill down your spine. "Searching for someone, [Name]?" it called out, a playful edge that made your blood run cold. You cursed yourself silently for letting your guard down for even a second.

Your head snapped around, and your body reacted before your brain could catch up. In a blur of instinct, you rushed forward, arms outstretched to hug the person who'd spoken.

"Kai!" you exclaimed, wrapping your arms around him in a quick, tight embrace. You pressed your face into his chest, hoping he wouldn't notice the flicker of fear in your eyes. You couldn't let him see how shaken you were.

Not now.

Kai, as always, was a mystery—calm, composed, and just a little too observant. He didn't respond immediately, but you could feel the weight of his gaze on you as he subtly pulled away just enough to assess the situation. His eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion creeping into his expression. But instead of confronting you, he simply allowed the hug to continue, one hand gently brushing through your hair in an almost absentminded way.

"You're here, huh?" you asked, trying to sound casual, but your voice trembled despite your best efforts. It made your heart flutter—perhaps a little too much.

"Kai, can you promise me something?" You pulled back, meeting his gaze with an intensity that surprised even you. The seriousness of your request made the air feel thicker, almost suffocating. His brow furrowed slightly, and he cocked his head in curiosity. What's going on with you? he seemed to wonder, his lips curling in a barely perceptible smile.

"I know you're busy with the Shie Hassaikai... and you're strong, I get it. But I need you to promise me something," you continued, voice steady despite the surge of emotions in your chest. You needed this, more than anything. Your eyes gleamed, a mixture of hope and vulnerability, and you could feel the weight of your next words settling deep in your heart.

Kai listened, his fingers still tangled in your hair, but his eyes were far more focused now, as if he were searching for the truth behind your words. He wasn't just hearing you; he was studying you—he always did. But you pressed on, despite the growing tension.

"Promise me... promise me you'll never hurt anyone again," you said, each word punctuated with sincerity. "Pops told me you... you once..." you faltered, unsure of how far to push. "You... killed someone," you finished quietly, voice barely above a whisper. The weight of the revelation hung between you like a cloud.

You swallowed hard, trying to control the flood of emotions threatening to spill over. "I don't want you to do that ever again, because... I really care about you. I love you, Kai." You wrapped your arms around him again, squeezing him tightly.

Your cheeks puffed out slightly, the innocence of your gesture trying to mask the gravity of the situation. You wanted him to understand, to see that this wasn't just about some promise—it was about you and your need for him to change. For the both of you.

Kai remained still for a moment. The tension in his body was palpable, and you could see the wheels turning in his head. He knew what you were asking him. He knew how difficult it would be to keep this promise, considering everything he had done in the past.

But as you looked up at him, your eyes shining with hope and unwavering trust, something in Kai shifted. He was reluctant, his lips twitching as if to speak, but the words didn't come. He could feel your desperation, the ache in your heart—and that, more than anything, moved him. He had a choice to make.

"I promise," he said, his voice low, but steady. His hands softened on your back, the weight of his words heavy with the sincerity you so desperately needed. "I promise, [Name]. I won't hurt anyone again."

The relief that washed over you was almost overwhelming. You pulled back slightly, your face breaking into a smile, the kind of smile that only Kai could make you show.

The weight of the promise you extracted from him lingered in the air long after you had left. His mind raced with the implications, but for now, he would honor it. He had no other choice.

As you walked away, his heart clenched. It was a strange feeling, something foreign to him. But there it was, thick and heavy, weighing on him more than any of the decisions he had ever made in his ruthless pursuit of power.

In the dimly lit corridors of his private lab, Kai walked with purpose. The silence pressed in on him, broken only by the soft echo of his footsteps. When he entered his office, he locked the door behind him, and his gaze immediately shifted to the monitors and files scattered across his desk. But his mind wasn't on the work anymore.

"Master?" A voice from the shadows interrupted his thoughts. Kurono stepped into the light, eyes narrowed, waiting for the next command.

Kai's eyes met Kurono's, for a brief moment.

"Kurono," Kai said, his voice cold but laced with authority, "halt all experiments on Eri."

Kurono stiffened, his dark eyes narrowing as he processed the command. "What? Master, we're so close. Just a few more trials, and we'll have perfected everything. We can't stop now." His voice was firm, insistent, but there was a crack in it — one that betrayed his growing frustration.

Kai stared at him, unmoving. His decision was final. "I don't care about Eri. I don't care about any of it." His words cut through the room like a blade, and the finality in his voice left no room for argument.

Kurono's fists clenched at his sides. He could feel the anger boiling in his chest, threatening to spill over. "But we've come so far! You can't just throw all of this away! For what? Her?" Kurono's voice dripped with venom as he spat the word "her," his disdain for you clear in every syllable.

Kurono couldn't stand you. To him, you were nothing but a distraction, a liability. His loyalty had always been to Kai, to the cause, but with you in the picture, things had started to change. You had his attention now, and that was something Kurono simply couldn't tolerate.

Kai's eyes darkened, but his voice remained steady. "Yes. For her. I promised her, and I'm not going back on it."

Kurono's jaw tightened. "You've become soft, Kai. I don't know what it is about her, but you've let that influence your decisions. You're losing focus, and you're letting a child get in the way of everything we've worked for." His words were sharp, cutting, as his eyes flicked toward the lab's monitors — all of it a reminder of the work they had put in for so long. "What's next? Are you going to let her dictate everything we do? Are we supposed to just throw away everything for the sake of a few sentimental promises?"

Kai didn't flinch. His gaze never wavered from Kurono. "It's not sentimental, Kurono. It's real. And I've made a promise to her, and I intend to keep it."

The words hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, it seemed like time had stopped. Kurono stood still, the tension between them thickening, his eyes burning with frustration.

He had known for a while now that Kai's priorities had shifted, but this... this was different. This wasn't just a minor change in direction; this was you.

"I'll comply," Kurono muttered under his breath, though the resentment in his voice was undeniable. "But don't expect me to ever respect that decision." He turned on his heel, his footsteps heavy as he left the room.

Kai let out a deep breath once Kurono was gone. The promise to you was still fresh in his mind, and he couldn't shake the feeling that things would only get harder from here. But right now, that was the only thing that mattered. He had made his choice, and there was no turning back.

And as for Kurono... well, that was a problem for another time.

//

Your fingers twiddled nervously in your lap, a rare sight for anyone who knew you. The rumble of the bus engine and the chatter of your classmates filled the space, but it all felt like background noise as your mind wrestled with two options: would Shigaraki even show up at USJ if he didn't know the schedule, or was an attack inevitable regardless?

Bakugo, perched in the window seat and half-listening to the conversations, didn't miss the way you were unusually quiet. Normally, the class was filled with your sharp-witted remarks or playful banter. Today, you hadn't said a word. It was weird, and it grated on him more than he wanted to admit.

"Well, if anyone in our class has pro-level quirks, it's Bakugo, Todoroki, and [Name]," Kirishima said, his voice carrying a note of excitement that drew you out of your thoughts, if only momentarily.

"Sure, but Bakugo's always angry, so he'll never be that popular," Asui croaked, tilting her head as she glanced at Bakugo with her usual deadpan expression.

Bakugo's eyes shot open, and he lurched forward, glaring daggers at her. "What did you say, you frog?!"

Amidst the commotion, Bakugo's movement caught your attention, and for a brief moment, the tightness in your chest loosened. He glanced sideways at you and scowled. "Oi, what's wrong with you?" he barked, but there was a flicker of concern behind his aggressive tone that only someone who knew him well would catch.

"Oh, erm... nothing, just nerves," you said, forcing a smile that you hoped looked more convincing than it felt.

"Nerves? The hell? You've picked fights with pro heroes before, and now a training session has you scared?" He scoffed, waving his hand in disbelief. His voice was loud enough to make Iida frown and launch into a lecture about bus behavior.

"Bakugo, there's no need to yell," Todoroki said from his seat, his tone as calm as ever but with a flicker of something more in his eyes—a rare, quiet concern aimed at you. "Nervousness is normal, even for heroes."

You caught his gaze and offered a small, reassuring smile, but it did little to erase the storm of thoughts swirling inside your mind. The rest of the class carried on, chattering about the upcoming training session, oblivious to your inner turmoil.

The bus ride passed with a mix of excitement and banter. Kirishima was grinning ear-to-ear, bragging about how this training would finally let him show off his hardening quirk, while Kaminari and Sero swapped jokes that earned eye rolls from Jiro. The moment the bus pulled up to the USJ building, a wave of anticipation swept through everyone.

As you stepped out of the bus, your foot caught on an uneven stone at the entrance. Before you could react, Bakugo's hand shot out, steadying you in an instant. His crimson eyes glared down at you, but there was an undertone of worry that betrayed his usual brash demeanor.

"Watch where you're going, idiot," he muttered, his voice softened by concern.

"Are you alright?" Todoroki's voice came from behind, his arm still half-lifted from where he had instinctively reached out to catch you. His fingers curled into a loose fist when he realized Bakugo had already intervened.

"Yeah, I'm fine," you said, flashing a grin to both of them, trying to lighten the moment. "Oh my god, is that the pro hero Thirteen?" Your eyes widened in excitement, and just like that, you hurried forward, leaving both boys exchanging brief, tense glances.

The rest of the class followed, their collective awe palpable as they stepped into the vast USJ facility. The dome-like structure was immense, with distinct zones meant to simulate various disaster scenarios. It was both a playground and a proving ground for heroes-in-training.

Thirteen, clad in her iconic space suit, stood at the center of the hall. Her gloved hands gestured with enthusiasm as she greeted everyone. "Welcome, Class 1-A, to the Unforeseen Simulation Joint!" she said, her voice warm and inspiring. "Today, you'll be experiencing the true scope of hero work. Remember, your quirks are powerful tools that must be used responsibly, not just for fighting villains, but for saving lives."

Her words settled into your chest, grounding you amidst the nervous flutter that had persisted all morning. The room fell into an attentive silence as she continued, the students hanging on every word.

Before the awe-struck silence could linger, Aizawa, your father, stepped forward and pointed ahead. Just then, a static crackle disrupted the tranquility, and the cascading waterfall at the far end of the hall faltered, revealing a swirling black portal.

A shadow emerged, shifting and pulsing with an ominous energy. Shigaraki Tomura stepped out, his presence suffocating the air with dread. His disjointed grin fixed on the students, but when his eyes—bloodshot and calculating—found yours, it was as though the world narrowed to just the two of you.

"Stay back. These are real villains," Aizawa barked, his arm shooting up to hold the students in place as he adjusted his goggles. His usual nonchalance had hardened into a steely resolve.

"Thirteen, protect the students!" he ordered, urgency coiling in his voice. Your classmates gasped, the weight of the situation settling into their bones. You could see their fear mirrored in their wide eyes as your own breath caught in your throat. It was happening.

From the darkness stepped Kurogiri, followed by the looming, monstrous figure of Nomu. Their eyes scanned the room, seeking one person—All Might.

"According to the schedule we retrieved, he should be here," Kurogiri's deep, echoing voice declared. The realization struck you like lightning. They shouldn't have been able to access any schedule; the distraction with the press hadn't even occurred. This was a horrifying deviation from what you expected.

"If I have to kill a few kids to draw him out, so be it," Shigaraki rasped, his cracked fingers flexing menacingly. Aizawa sprang into action, his scarf coiling like a living whip as he dashed into battle, taking down lesser villains with practiced efficiency.

While the rest of the class erupted into panicked murmurs and questions, your mind raced. You knew what was coming next: Kurogiri's sudden appearance behind the students as they scrambled toward the exit. But this time, something was different. The dark, shifting presence of Kurogiri was already coiling behind the group.

A shiver ran down your spine as his voice broke through the chaos. "It's a pleasure to meet you. We are the