Cross the Divide

Finding Hope

The days following the meeting with the staff were filled with an intense mixture of hope and frustration. The search for the girl's doppelgänger—or anyone with a similar quirk—had become a priority, but progress was slow. The heroes and students were combing through records, talking to experts, and reaching out to anyone who might have relevant information.

Izuku spent his days training, trying to keep his mind occupied while the search continued. But even the most intense training sessions couldn't fully distract him from the gnawing worry in his chest. Each passing day felt like a lifetime, and the uncertainty of his situation was a constant weight.

It was late one evening when the students of Class 2-A gathered in the common room after a long day. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the television playing in the background. Izuku, Shinso, and the others were lounging around, trying to relax after a stressful week.

"Any news?" Izuku asked, looking up from where he was reading a book.

Hawks, who had dropped by for a brief visit, shook his head. "We're still following up on leads, but nothing concrete yet. It's frustrating."

Aizawa, who had come in to check on the students, sighed and leaned against the doorframe. "We've been reviewing records of quirks related to dimensional manipulation and similar abilities. It's a needle in a haystack, but we're not giving up."

The door to the common room creaked open, and Uraraka walked in, her expression determined. "Hey, Midoriya," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of warmth and concern. "I've been thinking... Maybe there's another way to approach this."

Izuku looked up, curious. "What do you mean?"

Uraraka took a seat beside him, her hands fidgeting slightly. "Well, we've been focusing on finding someone with a similar quirk. But what if we tried a different angle? Maybe we should look into people who have experienced similar phenomena or disturbances. If this girl caused a rift, maybe there are others who have experienced something similar."

Izuku's eyes widened slightly. "You think that could help?"

"It's worth a try," Uraraka said with a nod. "It might not lead us directly to her, but it could give us some clues about how these rifts work or how to reverse them."

Aizawa, who had been listening from the door, nodded in agreement. "That's a valid suggestion. We'll need to reallocate some of our resources and research this angle. It might not yield immediate results, but it's worth pursuing."

The idea gave Izuku a glimmer of hope. Maybe there was a chance to find a solution sooner than he'd expected. He turned to Uraraka, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you. I didn't even think of that."

Uraraka smiled. "We're all in this together. We'll find a way to help you, Midoriya. I promise."

Later that night, as the students settled into their dorms, Shinso approached Izuku, who was sitting alone on the rooftop. The moonlight cast a soft glow over the area, and the city below sparkled with lights.

"You know," Shinso said as he joined Izuku, "I've been thinking about what you said the other day. About how you're not sure how you feel about the sacrifice your other self made."

Izuku looked at Shinso, his face reflecting the weight of his thoughts. "Yeah, it's been on my mind a lot. I mean, I survived in my world. I didn't have to make that sacrifice. And now... I don't know if I should be grateful or guilty."

Shinso sat down beside him, his expression thoughtful. "It's a heavy burden to carry. But remember, you didn't ask for this. You're here because of circumstances beyond your control."

Izuku nodded slowly, trying to process the words. "I just wish I could do more. I feel like I'm not doing enough."

"You're doing everything you can," Shinso said firmly. "And you've got people here who care about you. We'll find a way to get you back to your world, but for now, just focus on what you can do here."

Izuku's gaze drifted to the city below. "I just hope we find something soon. I don't want to be a burden to everyone. And I miss my friends and family so much."

Shinso placed a reassuring hand on Izuku's shoulder. "We'll find a way. I know we will."

As the night wore on, Izuku and Shinso sat in silence, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air. The stars above seemed to offer a small measure of comfort, a reminder that even in the darkest times, there was hope.

The next day, the search continued with renewed vigor. The team focused on investigating any disturbances or anomalies that might lead to answers. They reached out to experts, reviewed more records, and consulted with other heroes who had encountered similar phenomena.

Despite the growing sense of urgency, there were moments of camaraderie and support. The students of Class 2-A rallied around Izuku, offering their encouragement and help in any way they could. The bonds between them grew stronger as they faced the challenges together.

As the days turned into weeks, Izuku couldn't shake the feeling that time was slipping away. But with every effort and every lead, there was a glimmer of hope that they were getting closer to finding a solution.

The journey was far from over, but with his friends by his side and the determination to find a way back, Izuku faced each day with a renewed sense of purpose.