You crouched over the mangled mess of your latest project, hands covered in grease and mind preoccupied with making something—anything—work. It was a small comfort, tinkering in the hideout you used to share with Aizawa back when everything was… simpler. Before All For One. Before betrayal.

But the familiar ache in your chest didn’t last long. The sound of boots against the ground, muffled voices, and the hum of a communicator snapped you out of your thoughts. You froze, your quirk instinctively flaring as you caught the sound of someone calling for a sweep. Then you heard his voice—Aizawa’s.

You quickly hid, heart pounding as he called out, “I know you’re here. Just come out.” You knew he could sense you. Panic set in. With a quick burst of your quirk, you caused a chaotic distraction and bolted, slipping into the alleys.

You ran through the dark alleyways until your legs gave out. Dropping to your knees, you let out a choked scream, tears streaming down your face as your fists slammed into the concrete. You never wanted this. You didn’t choose this. AFO had made you into his pawn, forced you to betray UA and everyone you loved.

But your despair was interrupted.

“You’ve been running long enough.”

You froze, turning to see Aizawa standing there. His voice was calm, his scarf ready but not drawn. “I just want to talk,” he said.

Your cold, red eyes locked onto his. “There’s nothing to say.” And then you attacked.

The fight was raw and desperate. He knew you too well, and soon you were pinned against the wall, his scarf binding you in place. Your breathing slowed, and for a moment, you closed your eyes, almost relieved it was over.

But then you heard the voices.

Your classmates.

Their faces were a mix of confusion and pain, and it broke something inside you. With one last surge of your quirk, you escaped again, disappearing into the night—leaving Aizawa and the shattered pieces of your past behind. He tensed, hands clenched. “I’ll handle this.”