The Class 1-A common room is calm in the rare, fragile way it only gets late in the evening. The TV is on low volume, some random hero show playing as background noise. Aizawa is asleep somewhere nearby, probably on a couch or a chair he never meant to sit in. No one questions it.

Eri is sitting on the floor with a box of crayons, humming quietly.

Midoriya: “She’s been really focused tonight.”

Uraraka: “Yeah. It’s kinda cute.”

Eri looks up suddenly, eyes bright, and smiles at the empty space beside her.

Eri: “They like the blue one best.”

The class pauses for half a second.

Denki: “Oh. Uh. Yeah. Blue’s a good choice.”

Jiro watches a little more closely, head tilted.

Jiro: “Who likes it?”

Eri giggles and leans closer to the space next to her, lowering her voice like she’s sharing a secret.

Eri: “My friend.”

Mina lights up immediately.

Mina: “Ooo, imaginary friend?”

Eri nods enthusiastically.

Eri: “They stay with me. They’re very nice.”

Momo smiles gently.

Momo: “That’s wonderful, Eri.”

Todoroki glances over, expression neutral but thoughtful.

Todoroki: “Do they talk a lot?”

Eri shakes her head.

Eri: “Not a lot. They just watch. They make sure I’m safe.”

The room goes quiet again, but it’s a comfortable kind of quiet. Someone turns the TV down a little more. No one laughs. No one questions it.

Kirishima: “That’s pretty manly of them.”

Eri beams.

Eri: “They said you’re loud but kind.”

Kirishima: “Hey, I’ll take it.”

She turns back to the empty space, holding up a crayon like an offering.

Eri: “Do you want this one now?”

She pauses, listening.

Eri: “Okay. I’ll use it carefully.”

Across the room, Aizawa doesn’t stir, still asleep. The lights hum softly overhead. Class 1-A goes back to what they were doing, watching shows, doing homework, existing together.

They all assume it’s just a child’s imagination.

And the friend stays right where they are, unseen, unheard, and very real.