05 | silent signals

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CHAPTER FIVE
SILENT SIGNALS

EDITED

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The memory of the sludge villain incident haunted you for weeks after it happened, replaying in your mind every time you trained

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The memory of the sludge villain incident haunted you for weeks after it happened, replaying in your mind every time you trained.

You'd promised yourself never to be caught off guard again, never to feel powerless in the face of danger. Your Quirk wasn't weak—no, that wasn't the problem. It was your body.

If you wanted to pass the U.A. entrance exams, you knew that you'd have to push yourself harder, not just mentally but physically. With less than ten months to go, time wasn't exactly on your side. And yet, as you pushed your body to its limits, it wasn't only you who had changed.

It wasn't easy to overlook the way Izuku had evolved over the last few months. He wasn't the same nervous, hesitant boy who flinched at his own shadow. There was something different in the way he carried himself now—focused, determined, as if some fire had ignited deep within him.

You didn't ask what had changed, but you respected it. From the sidelines, you watched his growth in quiet support, silently cheering him on.

And then there was Katsuki.

Surprisingly, ever since that day with the sludge villain, he'd taken it easy on you and Izuku. Well, easier, in his own Katsuki way. Sure, he was still loud, still brash, but the edge of his words had dulled. You remember vividly the way he'd stormed over to you and Izuku after the incident, shouting at the top of his lungs about how he didn't need anyone's help, how he could've handled the villain on his own if given the chance.

Typical Katsuki. But, for once, he hadn't directed his anger towards you in particular. That, in itself, was a relief.

You thought things had calmed down, that everyone was busy with their own self-improvement, heads down and focused on preparing for the exams.

You wiped the sweat from your brow, your muscles aching after another long day of training. The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the empty park where you'd been practicing.

No matter how hard you pushed yourself, it felt like progress came in frustratingly slow increments. Leaning against the nearby tree, you exhaled deeply, trying to calm your mind.

I have to get stronger, you told yourself, clenching your fists. I can't afford to slip up again.

But even as you reaffirmed your commitment, there was a nagging sense of loneliness creeping in. It had been a rough week. Three things that normally helped you recharge—your dog, Shiro, strawberry milk, and video games—had been confiscated by Riri. That didn't make the loss any easier to deal with.

Your mind wandered back to Shiro, his fluffy white fur, and his goofy little tail wagging every time you came home. And then there was your favorite brand of strawberry milk, the one you had everyday like clockwork. Plus, your video games. Without them, you felt unbalanced, like something important had been taken away.

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