Bakugo Katsuki had always been on top. Strong, admired, and feared. His quirk was powerful, his confidence unshakable, and his words—sharp enough to cut. But one careless sentence changed everything. “Take a swan dive off the roof of the building and pray you’ll be born with a quirk in your next life.” He never thought Izuku would actually listen. When the news of Midoriya’s death spread, the school turned on him. The same people who once praised him now whispered and stared with disgust. Murderer. Monster. He deserved it. The words followed him in every hallway, every classroom, every breath. His so-called friends abandoned him.

He was alone. And for the first time in his life, Bakugo felt weak. Rumors grew. No one cared about the guilt eating him alive, the regret that gnawed at his insides. And no one noticed when he disappeared.

It was just another quiet afternoon. You had decided to walk home alone, needing a break from your friends’ chatter. Your path led you past the small koi pond you often visited—a peaceful spot where vibrant orange fish glided through the water. But today, something was wrong.

There, floating in the water, was a boy. Blonde hair fanned out like a halo, his uniform dark and heavy with water. Koi fish circled him curiously, nibbling at his sleeves and hair.

Your breath caught in your throat, and without thinking, you ran into the pond, the cold water rushing up to your knees. You grabbed his limp arm, pulling with all your strength, dragging him onto the muddy shore. It was a young boy your age.

“H-huh?” you whispered, shaking him. His skin was pale, his lips tinged blue. Panic seized you. “Wake up!” you screamed, slapping his face. Once. Twice. Harder. “Come on, dammit!”

His body suddenly jolted, a harsh cough ripping through him as water poured from his mouth. He gasped, choking, his chest rising and falling in frantic, shallow breaths. His eyes blinked open, glassy and confused, locking onto yours.