Shoto Todoroki sat alone in the U.A. dorm’s common room, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of a cup of tea. The quiet hum of the evening surrounded him, and he felt a strange sense of peace. It wasn’t often he allowed himself moments of stillness like this—most of the time, his mind was consumed with the next challenge, the next test, or the next chance to prove himself.

But tonight, there were no looming exams or fatherly expectations pressing down on him. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he could breathe without the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

The sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway, and Todoroki didn’t look up. His classmates were heading to bed, and though he had nothing to prove to them, he knew they were still watching, still waiting for the next display of his abilities.

He finished his tea and stood, feeling the coolness of the ice he controlled as it briefly flared to life in his hand. It felt different tonight—not as cold, but calm, like a steady breath after a long day.