Chapter 64 : A New Alliance and a Different Dawn

My last morning at Ryukyu's agency felt like the dawn of a new, uncertain era. The silence that was usually comfortable among my team now had a different meaning. It was no longer the silence of having nothing to talk about, but a silence filled with things that couldn't be spoken of in front of others. My incredible secret was now ours—mine, Ryukyu's, Nejire's, Uraraka's, and Tsuyu's—a strange bond forged in lies, danger, and an impossible confession.

At breakfast, the atmosphere was lighter than I expected. It was as if after yesterday's storm, they had all decided to accept my new reality, as strange as it was. Nejire, of course, was the first to break the silence with her typical barrage of questions, though this time with a slightly more cautious tone.

"So... so," she said, leaning across the table, her eyes sparkling. "If your story in your world really exists, does that mean I'm in it too? Am I a cool side character? Or maybe a secret character who only shows up in a special edition? I must have a really cool ultimate move, right?"

I laughed, the first genuine laugh I'd had since the Hosu incident. "Sorry, Hado-senpai," I answered. "As far as I can remember, you're an original character unique to this world. That makes you special."

"Oh! I'm an original character!" she exclaimed happily, as if it were a great achievement.

"That also means we don't know if you'll win or lose a fight, because there's no script," Tsuyu chimed in with her flat logic, making Nejire pout for a moment.

"Then... what about us, Tatsumi-kun?" Uraraka asked in a quiet voice, a vulnerability in her question. "Are... are we all okay... in the future that you know?"

The question cast a slightly more somber mood. I looked at them—my new friends, who now knew I carried the terrible burden of knowledge. I chose my words carefully. "The story I remember wasn't finished. But I know the road ahead will be very difficult for everyone. That's why I'm here. That's why I want to get stronger. To try and change some of the worst pages of that story."

That answer seemed to satisfy them for now. They understood. I wasn't an omniscient prophet, but a time-traveler trying to prevent disasters he had once read about. The trust between us, though it had been cracked, was now beginning to be reforged into something stronger: a secret alliance.

After breakfast, I had a final meeting with Ryukyu in her office. She handed me a small device, a communicator that looked like a regular wristwatch.

"This is an encrypted channel, directly to me," she explained, her voice all business again. "Use this only to report things related to... our 'anomaly.' Any echoes you feel, any significant dreams, or any leads from your 'contact.' Do not use it for anything else. From now on, you're not just an intern; you are an active intelligence asset."

She looked at me sharply. "The real world of heroes is far more complicated than what you see on television, Tatsumi-kun. there are politics, there are factions, there's the Hero Public Safety Commission watching over everything. Your victory at the festival and your involvement in Hosu have put you under their microscope. They will be watching you. Don't give them a reason to pull you further into their games."

"I understand," I replied.

Her tone softened slightly. "You've done an incredible job this week. You've faced villains, monsters, and even yourself. You've grown more than any first-year student could be expected to." She smiled faintly. "Go back to U.A. Be a good student. Learn from your friends. And most importantly, keep training to control that dragon. Don't let it control you."

Our farewell in the agency lobby was brief but meaningful. The sidekicks, including Rock-san, gave me respectful nods. They had heard the official story about how my "sensory support" was crucial in the warehouse operation. They had no idea how true that statement was.

The train ride back to U.A. felt much lighter. The four of us sat together, chatting about trivial things. But between us, there was a new understanding. We were a unit, a circle of trust.

When we arrived at Class 1-A, we were greeted by the typical boisterousness of our classmates. Everyone was excited, sharing stories about their internships, which were mostly far more normal than ours. I saw Iida was already back, his arm still in a sling, but his expression was much calmer and more mature. He gave me a deep, grateful nod as I passed.

Of course, the peace didn't last long. I felt a threatening presence behind me.

"YOU!" growled a familiar voice. I turned and came face-to-face with the furious visage of Katsuki Bakugo. "Where the hell were you, bastard?! You were supposed to be my partner for the exam! You had a big plan, then you just vanished off the face of the earth! Were you messing with me on purpose?!"

The whole class fell silent, staring at us. I knew I had to handle this carefully. Meeting his anger with more anger would only fuel the fire.

I looked straight into his red eyes, keeping my expression calm. "There was a sudden family emergency, Bakugo," I said, using the partial lie I had prepared. "It was extremely urgent. I didn't have time to tell anyone, not even the teachers. I'm sorry for leaving you without a partner."

"HUH?! YOU THINK I'LL BELIEVE THAT GARBAGE?!" he roared.

"I'm not asking you to believe it," I replied calmly. "I'm just telling you what happened. I know you're angry about losing the chance to fight All Might. You deserve to be angry. But the situation was out of my control."

My calm demeanor and my straightforward apology seemed to confuse him. He didn't know how to respond to someone who wasn't yelling back at him. He could only let out an angry snort. "Don't think this is over! I'll crush you and damn Deku next time! I'll prove who's really number one!" With that, he turned and went back to his seat, still grumbling. I let out a quiet sigh of relief. The immediate crisis had been averted.

Shortly after, Aizawa-sensei entered the class. "Alright, hero candidates," he said in his flat tone. "Welcome back. I hope your internships were useful, because your break is over." He scanned all of us, his sharp eyes seeming to read every experience we had been through.

"As you all know, the final exams are about to begin. You already know your pairs and your opponents. For the next few days, you are free to use heroics class time to train and strategize with your partners."

He paused, then looked directly at my team and Bakugo's team. "Some of you will be facing opponents who are, in theory, impossible to defeat. Let me make one thing clear. This exam isn't just about power. It's about intelligence. About teamwork. And about the ability to think outside the box to overcome an impossible obstacle. If you cannot work together, you will fail. No exceptions."

The message was aimed directly at me and Bakugo. The whole class could feel it.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. As I packed my bag, I glanced across the room. Bakugo was still glaring at me with a murderous look. I shifted my gaze to Iida's seat, now filled with a quiet sadness, then to Midoriya, who was enthusiastically discussing something with Uraraka. I thought about my task tomorrow: fighting the Symbol of Peace himself, while partnered with a human grenade who hated my guts.

It was insane. It was impossible. But as I felt the calm, steady heartbeat of the dragon in my chest, I could only take a deep breath. This was my world now. Filled with absurd challenges and impossible alliances.

'Alright,' I thought to myself, a calm acceptance washing over me. 'Let's get started.'