The sun was beginning to rise, casting a pale light over UA High School. The quiet corridors of the school felt emptier than usual, filled with a lingering sense of unease and sorrow. In the common area, the students of Class 1-A gathered, their faces drawn with exhaustion and confusion. The events of the night before weighed heavily on everyone’s minds.
Izuku sat on one of the couches, his gaze fixed on the floor. His thoughts were racing, trying to piece together everything Anderson had said and done. His fists clenched tightly in his lap as he replayed the scene over and over, searching for some clue or answer.
“We shouldn’t have let him go,” Uraraka said softly, breaking the silence. She looked around at her classmates, her eyes full of worry. “We could’ve convinced him to stay, to let us help.”
“But how?” Todoroki responded, his voice calm but laced with frustration. “He was determined. He saw something in his visions—something that convinced him leaving was the only option.”
Bakugo, who was sitting nearby with his arms crossed, scowled. The anger from the previous night had simmered, but it hadn’t disappeared. “That idiot... He just knocked us out and left! How the hell are we supposed to trust him after that?”
Kirishima, sitting beside Bakugo, sighed. “I don’t think he did it because he wanted to hurt us, Bakugo. He was protecting us in his own way. But… it still doesn’t make sense.”
Mina, who had been silent until now, spoke up with a tremor in her voice. “He said we’d all die if he stayed. What did he mean by that? What did he see?”
The question hung in the air, and the group fell into a heavy silence once again. No one had an answer, and the uncertainty gnawed at them. The usually vibrant atmosphere of Class 1-A was now filled with an ominous dread.
In the faculty lounge, Aizawa, All Might, and a few other teachers convened to discuss the situation. Aizawa, with his usual tired expression, leaned back in his chair, trying to mask his concern. “Anderson’s decision to leave without explanation is troubling. His quirk is powerful, and if he believes we’re all in danger because of him, we need to take that seriously.”
All Might nodded, his expression grave. “His departure is a direct consequence of the pressure he’s been under. Anderson has always been quiet, reserved. We should’ve seen this coming, should’ve done more to understand what he was going through.”
Cementoss, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. “We need to figure out what he saw in those visions. If he’s right, if his presence truly puts us all at risk, then the threat must be significant.”
Present Mic, usually full of energy, was unusually subdued. “But how do we even begin to understand what he saw? We can’t force him to come back if he believes it’s for our safety.”
Aizawa’s eyes narrowed. “We have to consider the possibility that he may be trying to take on this threat alone. If he’s willing to leave everything behind, it means he’s desperate. We can’t let him face this by himself.”
Back in the common area, the students were still deep in discussion when the door opened, and Principal Nezu entered, his small stature doing nothing to diminish the gravity he carried with him. He looked around at the somber faces of Class 1-A and spoke with a gentle, but firm tone. “I know you’re all concerned about Anderson, and rightly so. But we must remember that he made his choice out of a desire to protect you.”
“But what are we supposed to do now?” Sero asked, voicing the question that was on everyone’s mind.
Nezu tilted his head slightly, his expression thoughtful. “For now, we must respect his wishes. But that doesn’t mean we should give up on him. Anderson may believe he’s doing the right thing, but isolating himself could lead to even greater dangers—for him and for us.”
Jiro, who had been quietly strumming her fingers against her earjack, finally spoke up. “We can’t just sit here and do nothing. We need to find out what he’s up against.”
Izuku looked up, determination burning in his eyes. “We can track him down. Not to bring him back by force, but to help him. If he’s facing something so terrifying, he shouldn’t have to do it alone.”
Nezu nodded approvingly. “That may be the best course of action. But you must proceed with caution. Anderson’s quirk is incredibly powerful, and if he’s as determined as you say, confronting him could be dangerous.”
The students shared glances, a silent agreement passing between them. Anderson was their friend, their classmate, and they wouldn’t abandon him—no matter how hard he tried to push them away.
As the day went on, the weight of Anderson’s absence was felt throughout UA. In training sessions, during classes, and even in the cafeteria, the students couldn’t shake the feeling that something vital was missing. The bond they shared with Anderson had been forged through countless battles, challenges, and triumphs. The thought of losing him—to anything—was unbearable.
Later that evening, as the sun set and the sky darkened, the students of Class 1-A gathered once more, this time with a plan in mind. They would find Anderson, no matter what it took. They would stand by him, just as they had stood by each other time and time again.
“We’re not just doing this for him,” Momo said, her voice steady and resolute. “We’re doing this for all of us. We’re stronger together.”
As they prepared to embark on their mission, a sense of unity and determination filled the room. They might not know what lay ahead, but they were ready to face it together—just as they always had.
Anderson’s journey had taken a darker turn, but his friends were not about to let him walk that path alone. The aftermath of his departure had left them shaken, but it had also made them stronger. Now, more than ever, they were ready to fight for their friend, no matter the cost.
