Chapter 11

The sterile scent of the hospital room was starting to wear on me. Hours had bled into one another, each tick of the clock a heavy hammer blow against my temples. Izuku lay in the bed, his small frame lost beneath the white sheets. Both his arms were wrapped in bandages, a stark reminder of the fight earlier. The fight I should have stopped sooner.

My hands clenched into fists, the faint tremor of suppressed anger vibrating through me. It was my fault. If I hadn't been so focused on strategy, on leading my class through USJ, maybe I could have reached him before Shigaraki had a chance to land a hit. Maybe he wouldn't be lying here, pale and unconscious. I hadn't even called Mom or Dad. The thought of their faces, etched with worry, was enough to keep my tongue tied. They'd be more of a mess than even I was.

I was about to spiral further into the pit of self-reproach when the door slid open. Axel, my ever-present shadow and best friend, walked in, his perpetually amused grin slightly subdued. Behind him was a girl with long, ink-black hair pulled back into a high ponytail, wearing a meticulously clean red and yellow hero-in-training costume. Momo Yaoyorozu, if I remembered correctly. The class president of class 1A's advisor.

"Anos," Axel said, his voice carrying a hint of concern. "We were worried about you. You practically vanished after the… incident."

I nodded, my throat tight. "I'm fine, Axel. How did you... ?"

"We ran into Yaoyorozu on the way," he said, gesturing with a nod of his head towards Momo. "She said she needed to get a report on what happened from the students involved."

Momo stepped forward, her movements fluid and graceful. "It's true. Principal Nezu requested a full report from all classes involved. My apologies for intruding, but it is necessary." Her voice was calm and collected, a stark contrast to the chaos I still felt churning inside me.

"No need to apologize," I said, pushing aside the wave of frustration. "I can explain what happened."

I launched into the story, starting with the training exercise at USJ. I described the fog, the sudden appearance of the League of Villains, and the sheer panic that had washed over everyone. I detailed how Class 2A, my class, had reacted, taking charge and protecting the group the best we could. A quiet pride resonated in my chest as I recounted the bravery of my classmates, the way they had stepped up to the plate, despite the overwhelming odds.

As I spoke, I noticed Momo's eyes. They were intelligent, taking in every detail, but there was also a genuine concern that shimmered beneath the surface. The way her hair caught the light as she shifted, the delicate curve of her jawline, the sheer confidence she exuded… it was captivating. A strange pang, something I hadn't felt in a long time, flickered within me. It was a long forgotten echo of a feeling I thought I had buried back in my past life.

I quickly pushed the thought away. I had tried that route once in this lifetime. The sharp sting of betrayal, the raw ache of loss… It was a wound I never wanted to reopen. Never again.

"It was… a chaotic situation," I concluded, my voice a little gruff. "But we managed to hold our end, protecting our younger counterparts when our teachers weren't there."

Momo nodded, scribbling notes on a small pad. "Thank you, Anos. This is very helpful. I must say, from what I've seen of Class 2A, you seem to be led by a very capable leader." Her gaze met mine for a fraction of a second, and that pang hit my chest again.

I felt my cheeks slightly flush. "Its a team effort, we all train hard together."

"Still," Axel interjected, his grin back in full force, "Anos is the best! He always manages to keep things cool, even when stuff hits the fan. He basically carried us all during that whole situation."

I shot him a glare, and he just winked back. I could feel Momo looking at me again, studying me. I turned my attention back to my brother, my eyes lingering over his bandaged arms. So fragile, so vulnerable. I couldn't let anything like this happen again. My hands tightened into fists, the anger, the self-recrimination, returning. I had to be better. For him. For Izuku. I would make sure he was safe. No matter the cost.