𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 ⌈𝐈⌔𝐌 ✗ 𝔽!𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹⌋

Chapter 063

CHAPTER 63: A Heart's Reflection

Night had fallen over the factory, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded just hours prior. The dim light flickered overhead, illuminating the exhausted faces of Class 1-A as they regrouped with the civilians they had managed to save. It was a makeshift sanctuary, a blend of hope and uncertainty, where medical staff worked tirelessly to heal the wounded.

You moved through the crowded room, heart heavy with worry as you took in the scene around you. The cries of civilians mixed with the hushed tones of doctors as they worked. In one corner, Momo and Denki were huddled over crates, rummaging through supplies. "We need more medical kits," Momo said, her brow furrowed in concentration. Denki nodded, determination etched on his face as he handed her what he could find.

But it was the sight of Izuku that stole your breath away. You made your way into the healing room, heart pounding in your chest. The moment you laid eyes on him, lying unconscious and battered, a wave of dread washed over you. His body was bruised and bloodied, a stark reminder of the danger he had faced to protect others. The doctors were doing their best, using their healing Quirks to close the wounds, but they could only do so much.

"Midoriya..." you whispered, tears welling in your eyes. How could someone so brave and kind be reduced to this? A sense of helplessness threatened to engulf you.

As you approached him, memories flooded your mind-his unwavering determination, his encouragement, the way he always pushed through adversity. You remembered how he never hesitated to put himself on the line for others, how he believed in everyone's potential, including yours. But now, lying there, he looked fragile and vulnerable. The sight twisted something deep within you, a mixture of fear and concern.

A hand on your shoulder pulled you back to reality. It was Mina, her expression a blend of concern and support. "He'll be okay," she said, her voice steady, but you could hear the tremor beneath it. "He's a fighter."

You wanted to believe her, but the sight of Izuku's injuries gnawed at your heart. The doctors were discussing treatment options, their expressions grave. "Both of them need to be sent to a hospital on the mainland," one of the doctors said, urgency lacing their voice. "We can't treat them further here."

Just then, you spotted Katsuma entering the room with determination shining in his eyes. "I can help!" he declared, rushing forward. "I have a Cell Activation Quirk! I can heal them!"

The doctors exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of skepticism and hope. "If you can, we'd appreciate it," one of them replied, ushering Katsuma closer.

As Katsuma took a deep breath, focusing on his Quirk, you couldn't tear your gaze away from Izuku. Would he wake up? Would he be able to continue fighting after this? A tumult of emotions swirled inside you-fear for his safety, admiration for his strength, and something deeper that you struggled to name.

You thought back to the moments you had shared, the late-night training sessions, the way he had always been there to encourage you. Seeing him like this made your heart ache in a way that was almost unbearable. You realized just how much he meant to you, how much you cared about him-not just as a friend but something more, something you were terrified to confront.

"Come on, Midoriya," you whispered, your voice barely audible. "You have to fight. We need you."

As Katsuma strained against the effort to heal him, sweat dripped from his brow. "Get some rest!" his sister urged, but Katsuma shook his head fiercely.

"I won't give up! They need me!"

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a soft groan escaped from Izuku. Your heart soared, a spark of hope igniting within you. "Midoriya!" you exclaimed, rushing forward, but before you could reach him, Katsuki stirred beside him, both boys awakening slowly from their unconsciousness.

The room erupted in a wave of relief, but the reprieve was short-lived. In a different part of the factory, Class 1-A gathered in a meeting room, faces grim as they discussed their next steps. Momo had been busy creating a drone to send out an SOS to the mainland, but they all knew it would take time for help to arrive.

"We need to figure out what the villains want," Momo said, her voice steady as she presented her findings.

Just then, Katsuma burst into the room, eyes wide with urgency. "They're after me!" he shouted, drawing everyone's attention. "Nine wants to steal my Quirk!"

Gasps filled the room as the weight of his revelation sank in. Some students suggested helping him escape, but Shoto quickly countered. "If we do that, they might retaliate against the civilians on the island."

"No!" Katsuma said, stepping forward. "I can surrender myself! It's better than putting everyone at risk!"

At that moment, Izuku stepped in, his voice strong despite his recent injuries. "You have an amazing Quirk, Katsuma. You should never give it up. We're heroes. We protect people, and we won't let you do this alone."

Katsuki, fully healed now, nodded in agreement. "We crush the villains, plain and simple. There's no way we're letting them take you."

Their words ignited a fire in the hearts of your classmates. You felt it too, the determination surging within you. All the hard work, all the moments spent helping those in need, now came to a head. You couldn't let the villains win.

As the plan began to form, Izuku laid out a strategy to relocate the civilians to Mount Shiroyama, where they would be safe inside the ancient castle's large cave. "We can hold them there. It gives us an escape route if we need it and limits Nine's options," he explained, mapping out the terrain on a nearby table.

"Everyone will need to attack in waves," Shoto added, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Nine can only use his Quirk for so long due to his illness. If we wear him down, we stand a chance."

The plan solidified around you, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of unity with your classmates. "Let's do this together," you said, your voice steady. "We'll protect Katsuma and everyone on this island."

But as the plans were laid out, you couldn't shake the image of Izuku lying helpless. What if he got hurt again? The thought was paralyzing. The feelings you had tried to suppress came bubbling to the surface-a fierce desire to protect him, to keep him safe, and the realization that your feelings for him ran deeper than you had allowed yourself to acknowledge.

---

The next morning brought an eerie silence, the calm before the storm. As the sun rose, it cast a pale light over the island, where Nine, Slice, and Chimera gathered at the entrance. Slice had scouted ahead, and the tension in the air was palpable.

"Let's move," Nine said, determination fueling his every word. "We're going to take Katsuma, no matter the cost."

---

As you prepared for the confrontation, your heart raced. You knew what was at stake. This was not just about stopping the villains; it was about protecting the people you cared for, about standing strong against the darkness threatening to consume everything.

"Stay focused, Y/N," you reminded yourself. "You can do this."

As your classmates gathered their resolve, you took a deep breath, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, you would rise to meet the storm, driven not just by duty but by the bond you shared and the feelings that had grown too strong to ignore.

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A/N: Word Count: ~1300.

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