"I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT REASON," you began, fingers twisting a small section of your bangs into a braid. The soft tug of hair between your fingers helped anchor your thoughts as you pinned it back with a bunny-shaped clip. "But Hawks said not to tell anyone about my presence. And honestly? As goofy as he is, I trust him." You shrugged, leaning back on the bench.

Midoriya frowned, his green eyes clouded with worry as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "It's hard to believe... but I guess it makes sense. If anyone had reported us, the repercussions could've been serious. We really got lucky this time."

Iida nodded solemnly, his hands clasped together as he stared at the ground. "Indeed. If it weren't for all of you, I don't know what could have happened. You saved me—not just physically but from myself." He glanced up, his usually rigid posture softened by gratitude. "Thank you. All of you."

"That's what friends are for," Todoroki said matter-of-factly, his tone so blunt that it caught you and Midoriya off guard.

You turned to Todoroki, raising a brow before breaking into a smile. "Looks like Shoto's finally learning," you teased, giving him a light punch on the shoulder.

Todoroki blinked, his lips twitching upward ever so slightly as the tension began to fade from the group.

As the conversation wrapped up, Midoriya and Iida rose to leave. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows on the pavement as they waved their goodbyes. Midoriya paused, turning back to you for one last hug. "Thank you, [Name]. For everything." His arms squeezed tightly before he jogged to catch up with Iida.

With just you and Todoroki left, you started to rise, only for his voice to stop you. "Wait, [Name]. I need to talk to you."

You blinked, tilting your head in curiosity as you settled back onto the bench. "What's up?"

Todoroki hesitated for a moment before sitting beside you, his expression unusually serious. The crisp evening air carried the faint scent of ash and concrete, a reminder of the day's events.

"Do you remember when Hawks—Takami-senpai—came to our school?" he asked, his gaze meeting yours.

"Yeah," you replied, frowning as the memory surfaced. "Why?"

"When I passed him in the corridor, I overheard part of his phone call," Todoroki admitted, his fingers clenching against his thigh. "He was talking about someone's behavior. I didn't think much of it at the time, but after what happened today... I think he was talking about you."

Your heart skipped a beat, your mind racing with questions. The Hero Commission? Watching you? Why? You'd been careful with your abilities, so what could they possibly want?

"[Name]," Todoroki's voice was soft, pulling you out of your thoughts. His hand reached for yours, his touch gentle but firm. "Whatever it is, you don't have to face it alone. I'll be here. Always."

The sincerity in his mismatched eyes made your chest tighten. Before you could respond, he leaned closer, pulling you into a hug. His arms wrapped around you, strong yet careful, like he was holding something precious.

"Shoto," you mumbled, your voice muffled against his chest.

His hand moved to the back of your head, his fingers brushing against your hair as he held you closer. "I want you to know... I'll protect you. No matter what."

Your heart thudded in your chest as the warmth of his words washed over you. Hesitantly, you wrapped your arms around his waist, feeling the steady beat of his heart against yours.

"You're too sweet for your own good, you know that?" you whispered, your voice shaky but tinged with a smile.

His gaze lingered, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade, leaving just the two of you in the glow of the setting sun.

Eventually, the week came to an end, and you found yourself back home. While the familiar comfort of your house settled over you, there was still an uneasy weight in your chest. The unanswered questions about the Hero Commission lingered like a shadow.

As you stepped inside, a small, energetic figure launched itself at your legs. "Big sis!"

You looked down, immediately scooping up Eri as she giggled and rubbed her face against you. "Eri!" you exclaimed, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "I missed you, my little angel!"

Her little arms wrapped around your neck as she beamed up at you. "I missed you too! Did you save a lot of people?"

"You bet," you replied, giving her a playful squeeze. Your father, Aizawa, appeared in the doorway, his expression unreadable. "Eri, can you give us a few minutes? I need to discuss your sister's training progress."

Eri pouted slightly but nodded. "Okay. I'll go work on my family painting!" She jumped down from your arms and ran off to her room, her tiny feet pattering against the floor.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Aizawa's gaze met yours. His usual stoicism seemed heavier, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface.

"Chichi," you interrupted before he could begin. "Why is the Hero Commission after me?" Your voice was steady, but the doubt and unease in your eyes betrayed you.

Aizawa sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping slightly as he gestured for you to follow him. "It's time you knew the truth," he said quietly, leading you to his office.

You dropped your luggage and school coat on the couch, following him with a mix of trepidation and determination. Once inside, he shut the door behind you and sat down across from you.

"Before I say anything, understand this: everything I've done was to protect you," Aizawa began, his tone uncharacteristically heavy.

Your heart raced as you sat down, bracing yourself. "What is it?"

He hesitated, the weight of his words visible in his furrowed brow. "You... you killed your mother."

Your father's words hit you like a tidal wave, the world around you narrowing until all you could hear was the sound of your own racing heartbeat.

"You killed your mother."

The room seemed to blur as his explanation continued, but the details barely registered. Water poisoning... an emergency C-section... her life exchanged for yours. Your breathing quickened, a lump forming in your throat as you tried to comprehend the gravity of it all.

The truth hung heavy in the air, suffocating you. I killed her. It was my fault. If I hadn't existed, she'd still be alive.

Tears welled up in your eyes, slipping down your cheeks before you could stop them. Your hands trembled as you gripped your knees, unable to look at Aizawa. Self-loathing churned in your chest, cold and relentless.

"The Hero Commission wanted to take you into custody," Aizawa continued, his tone hardening slightly. "They saw your abilities as dangerous, unpredictable. But Principal Nezu intervened. He convinced them to let me raise you under the condition that I'd erase your quirk if necessary."

Aizawa watched you sit there, hunched over and trembling, your face buried in your hands as the weight of his revelation crushed you. He sighed deeply, grief, guilt, and above all, love for the girl sitting before him.

"[Name]," he began, his voice low and soft, a tone he rarely used with anyone. "I know this feels unbearable. I know you think you're to blame, but listen to me. You didn't kill your mother. What happened wasn't your fault."

You shook your head, your voice cracking as you choked out, "But it was my quirk, wasn't it? If I hadn't existed—if I hadn't been born—she wouldn't have died."

Aizawa's heart clenched at the self-loathing in your tone. He leaned forward, placing his hands firmly on your shoulders. "No," he said firmly. "You don't get to think like that. You were born because she loved you, because she wanted you to live. And you've done exactly that—you've lived. You've grown into someone she would have been proud of. You honor her memory just by being here."

"No," you whispered, shaking your head, tears welling up in your eyes. "No, that can't be... I-I didn't even mean to exist like this—"

"[Name], stop." Aizawa's voice, calm but firm, cut through your spiraling thoughts. He moved from his chair to kneel before you, his hands resting gently on your trembling shoulders.

Your lips quivered as you looked up at him, your vision blurred by tears. "She's dead because of me, Chichi. How am I supposed to live with that? I didn't even get to meet her, and she—she died because of my quirk. Because of me."

Aizawa reached out, brushing the tears away from your cheeks with his calloused thumb. His usual stern demeanor softened, and his dark eyes were filled with an emotion you hadn't seen before—vulnerability.

"Listen to me," he said, his voice quieter now. "You didn't ask for this quirk. You didn't choose how you were born. But you—being here—saved me, [Name]. You saved me in ways I can't even begin to explain."

Your brows knitted in confusion as you stared at him, your tears momentarily forgotten.

"When Oboro died," he continued, his tone heavy, "I thought I'd lost everything. I lost my best friend, my purpose—hell, I didn't even think about teaching. Then Principal Nezu gave me a choice: to raise you or let the commission take you. And for the first time in a long time, I had a reason to fight for something again."

He cupped your face in his hands, his thumbs brushing against your damp cheeks. "You're not a mistake, [Name]. You've brought more light into my life than I ever thought I'd deserve. So don't sit here and let guilt eat you alive. Your existence—your heart, your kindness—it's not just yours to carry. It's ours. It's mine. And I wouldn't trade you for anything in this world."

Your sobs broke free, raw and unrestrained, as you leaned forward into his embrace. Aizawa wrapped his arms around you, cradling you close as he rested his chin on the top of your head. His steady, calming presence anchored you, even as your tears soaked into his shirt.

The silence between you wasn't empty; it was filled with warmth, with understanding, with the quiet reassurance only a parent could give.

When the storm of your emotions finally began to subside, Aizawa spoke again, his voice low and soothing. "Take your time, [Name]. You don't have to figure it all out right now. But know this—you're my greatest pride. And you'll never face this alone."

//

It had been a few days since you learned the devastating truth. The knowledge weighed on you like a stone, but you found yourself slowly coming to terms with it. Sitting in your room, you looked at your palms as small, shimmering stars and droplets of water danced across them, reflecting the dim light. The Hero Commission had a vendetta against you, and for what? Something as natural as this? The thought made your chest tighten with frustration.

But deeper than that, what haunted you most was the thought of your two mothers. The one from your past life, who didn't exist in this world, and the one here, who'd lost her life before she could even hold you. Your power—something you used to admire—felt like a curse.

As your emotions churned, you glanced over at Eri, peacefully asleep beside you. Her tiny hand clutched your shirt as her soft breaths filled the silence. Her presence grounded you, her innocence a reminder of what you wanted to protect. You realized, then and there, that this was your purpose now. To redeem yourself in this world, to protect those who needed it, and to forge a new path. You didn't think of your biological father because you didn't need to. Aizawa Shota was the only father you could ever need.

But with the turmoil came distraction. During the physical tests to evaluate your internship progress, you'd faltered. Your performance had been lackluster, and though Aizawa didn't call you out on it, you felt his watchful gaze linger a little longer than usual.

You were determined to push yourself.

"The only thing on today's agenda," Aizawa announced with his usual dry tone, "is that the final exams are next week. They'll consist of both a written and practical portion."

The class collectively groaned, and as expected, Mina and Kaminari were the loudest.

"Man, with all the internship stuff, I didn't even look at a book!" Kaminari cried, leaning dramatically on Mina, who nodded in agreement.

"Same! I'm so doomed!" Mina wailed.

Aizawa [Name] – Midterm: 1/21

You smiled to yourself, but the moment was interrupted by the familiar sound of Momo's footsteps approaching.

"Looks like it's another close one, [Name]," Momo said with a smile as she stopped by your desk.

The rivalry between you two in academics was nothing short of legendary. So far, she hadn't been able to beat you in any exam, but the margin was always razor-thin.

Yaoyorozu Momo – Midterm: 2/21

"You're on, girl," you teased, leaning toward her with a smirk. "Done with quadratic vectors?"

Momo stepped closer, mirroring your stance. "Yes. Are you finished with astrophysics?"

The sparks between you two were palpable before both of you burst out laughing. The rest of the class groaned in exaggerated despair.

"Well, [Name]," Momo said, her tone growing more serious. "I don't even know what to expect from the practical part. It's hard to prepare for something so unpredictable..." She trailed off, her confidence faltering.

You softened at her words. Momo was brilliant—perhaps one of the most capable people you knew—but she often let self-doubt get the better of her. Without hesitation, you pulled her into a hug.

"Trust yourself more, Momo. You're amazing," you said firmly, hoping the words would settle into her heart.

Momo blinked in surprise before smiling, her shoulders relaxing. "Thanks, [Name]. That means a lot."

Before the moment could get too sappy, the rest of the class erupted in a chorus of pleas.

"Please teach us, you two!"

"Yeah, share some of that brainpower!"

You laughed, raising your hands in surrender. "Don't look at me—I suck at explaining. Momo's your girl!"

Momo flushed but stepped up to the task, gracefully taking over as the rest of the class gathered around her. You sat back with a smile, watching her shine. Moments like these reminded you that even in the chaos, there were people worth fighting for, friendships worth nurturing, and a future worth chasing.

As lunch rolled around, you wandered through the cafeteria, your eyes scanning for a familiar face. Spotting a blonde head, you grinned mischievously and approached. "Hey there, French boy," you teased with a wink as you caught up to him in the lunch line.

Monoma didn't even glance your way, his nose upturned in mock disdain. "Oh? Did someone say something? Must've been the wind," he said dramatically, reaching for a tray.

"Did you just ignore me?" you gasped, feigning offense as you grabbed a bowl of udon, a pudding cup, and some strawberries.

"Pretentious Class 1-A, always thinking they're better than us," he huffed, piling steak and mashed potatoes onto his plate. "So much so, they forget their old friends."

Your jaw dropped, and you stomped after him like an indignant child. "You did not just say that!"

At a nearby table, Kirishima leaned over to Bakugo with a wide grin. "Oi, Bakugo, you better confess soon or some other blonde's gonna steal her!"

Bakugo, mid-bite, choked on his rice, his face turning an impressive shade of red. "What the hell did you just say, shitty hair?!"

"Yeah, like me!" Kaminari chimed in with a grin, only to yelp as Bakugo started jabbing him mercilessly with chopsticks.

Meanwhile, Monoma continued his exaggerated parade through the cafeteria, ignoring your protests as you trailed behind him.

"I'm sorry, Monoma! Please forgive me!" you begged, slapping your hands together in mock penitence as you finally sat across from him. "There's just been so much going on—USJ, the Sports Festival, internships—I barely have time to breathe!"

Monoma hummed thoughtfully as he chewed on a perfectly cooked piece of steak, clearly enjoying the attention. "Hmm... let me think about it," he mused, tapping his fork against his plate. "Perhaps I'll forgive you if you admit that Class 1-B is superior to Class 1-A."

You twitched, glaring at him. "Gasp! You dare ask me to betray my class?!"

He smirked devilishly, leaning back in his chair. "What's wrong? Can't handle the truth?"

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. Around you, the cafeteria buzzed with laughter and chatter, but all you could hear was Monoma's victorious snicker. Even so, you found yourself smiling.

You peeked through your fingers, glaring at Monoma as he took another bite of his steak with exaggerated smugness. "I'd rather eat a year's worth of cafeteria mystery meat than admit 1-B is superior," you shot back, sitting up straighter.

Monoma's smirk deepened, his blue eyes glinting with mischief. "Ah, I see. Typical 1-A arrogance. Too proud to admit the truth even when it's staring you in the face."

You crossed your arms, leaning forward as if challenging him. "Truth? The truth is, I can beat you in a duel with my eyes closed. Want to test that, French boy?"

His fork paused mid-air, and for a moment, you thought he was going to take the bait. Instead, he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're always so quick to fight, aren't you? It's almost endearing."

Your cheeks warmed at the unexpected comment, but you quickly masked it with a scoff. "Endearing? Coming from you, that's almost an insult."

Monoma leaned forward now, his smirk turning softer, more playful. "Oh, don't be like that, [Name]. You should be grateful. I don't hand out compliments to just anyone, you know."

You rolled your eyes but couldn't fight the small smile tugging at your lips. "What do you want, a thank you? Fine. Thank you, Monoma Neito, for gracing me with your oh-so-rare approval."

He tilted his head, clearly enjoying himself. "You're welcome. But, if you really want to make it up to me..." His voice lowered slightly, almost teasingly. "How about we train together sometime? I could show you what makes 1-B superior."

You blinked, caught off guard. Was that a challenge or something else entirely? "Train? With you?" you echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," he said smoothly, his confidence unwavering. "I could help you... refine your skills. Maybe even give you a chance to learn from someone more... experienced."

The banter continued, your words sparking his competitive streak while the corners of his mouth tugged into a grin he couldn't