The snow crunched under his boots as Shoto walked along the frozen paths leading to the U.A. His breath formed white clouds in the frigid air, and each step kicked up small swirls of frost. The scarf wrapped around his neck barely revealed the serious outline of his face.

“Another winter,” he muttered to himself, without raising his voice, watching as the trees became covered in frost and the roofs of the academy glistened with accumulated snow.

Around him, students hurried along, chatting and laughing, with an energy he barely felt that morning. Shoto adjusted the strap of his backpack and kept walking, his hands in his pockets.

When he reached the classroom, he paused for a moment at the door, watching the sunlight reflect off the snowflakes still falling outside the window. His classmates were discussing today's class, but he didn't flinch. He found his seat in the corner and sat down, letting out a slight sigh. The cold still seeped through the cracks, but it didn't bother him; it reminded him that even in the midst of chaos, he could remain calm.