The helicopter touched down with barely a jolt. The moment the door opened, Recovery Girl was there with her medical bag.
"Bring him inside," she ordered, all business despite her small stature. "Quickly now."
Mirko helped Ryuu down. His legs threatened to give out on the landing pad. The older woman caught him with surprising strength.
"Easy, kid. I've got you."
Recovery Girl immediately began her examination. Checking his eyes with a small light. Taking his pulse while asking questions, but he answered like he was on autopilot.
"Any bleeding?"
"No."
"Difficulty breathing?"
"No."
"Pain anywhere?"
"...No."
She frowned at that last answer but didn't push. "We'll do a full workup inside, but preliminary assessment shows dehydration and exhaustion. Fortunately, there's nothing immediately life-threatening."
"Then he can come home?" Then he heard a new voice. A familiar voice...
Ryuu's gaze shifted. His mother stood a few feet away, held back by a staff member who'd probably been instructed to keep the area clear. Her face was pale. Dark circles under her eyes suggested she hadn't slept in a while.
"M-mom?," he managed.
That was all it took. She crossed the distance in seconds, pushing past the staff member who tried to stop her. Her arms wrapped around him, holding tight like she was afraid he'd disappear again.
"Ryuu. Oh god, Ryuu."
He should hug her back. Should say something comforting. He was supposed to be the strong one.
Instead, he just stood there. Numb.
Recovery Girl cleared her throat gently. "Mrs. Kazama, I understand, but I need to get him inside for proper treatment."
Yuki pulled back, hands moving to cup Ryuu's face. Her eyes searched his, and whatever she saw there made her expression crumble.
"What did they do to you?"
"I'm fine." He tried reassuring her...but his voice said otherwise.
"He's in shock," Recovery Girl said quietly. "Let's get him to an examination room. You can stay with him."
They moved inside as a group. The medical wing was familiar territory from previous injuries during training. But this felt different. The staff members who usually greeted him with friendly smiles now looked at him with something closer to pity.
The examination room was small. But clean. Recovery Girl directed him to sit on the padded table while she gathered supplies.
"I'm going to run a full check," she explained. "To make sure there's no internal damage, and check your quirk factor for stress, it's standard protocol, so don't worry. It won't hurt."
Ryuu nodded.
Let her work.
Let her touch his arm, his head, checking for injuries he didn't really have.
"Your quirk," Recovery Girl said after several minutes. "I'm reading unusual activity. Like it's been overextended recently."
"I amplified my 'him'," Ryuu said flatly. "During the escape. He copied three quirks and used them simultaneously with my boost."
Recovery Girl's expression shifted. "I see. And where is—"
"Dead." The word came out harsh. "The building collapsed. He was still inside."
The room went quiet.
His mother made a small sound. Not quite a gasp. Not quite a sob.
"I'm sorry," Recovery Girl said softly. "I truly am."
What was there to say to that? Sorry didn't bring anyone back. Didn't undo the past forty-eight hours.
Recovery Girl finished her examination in silence. When she was done, she stepped back with a sigh.
"Physically, you'll be fine. Rest, hydrate, get proper meals. Your quirk factor will need recovery time before you use Resonance again. I'm recommending at least a week off from any amplification." She looked at him seriously. "But, Kazama, the physical damage isn't what concerns me most."
"I'm fine," he repeated.
"You're not." Her voice was gentle but firm. "You've experienced significant trauma. UA has counselors who specialize in—"
"I don't need a counselor."
"Ryuu," his mother interjected quietly. "Maybe you should—"
"I said I'm fine!" His voice came out louder than intended. "I don't need counseling. I don't need to talk about feelings. I just want to go to my room and sleep."
Then fell the silence again. But heavier this time.
Recovery Girl exchanged a glance with his mother. Some unspoken communication passed between them. They seem to have come to a conclusion as recovery Girl nodded her head in silence.
"Very well," the elderly hero said finally. "You're cleared to return to your dormitory. But I want you back here tomorrow for a follow-up. And if anything feels wrong, physically or otherwise, you come back immediately. Understood?"
Ryuu nodded. Anything to get out of this room.
Mirko, who'd been standing guard by the door, straightened. "I'll walk him to the dorms. To make sure he gets there safely."
"Thank you, Mirko." Recovery Girl began packing up her supplies. "Mrs. Kazama, you're welcome to stay at UA's guest facilities if you'd like to be close by."
"I would. Thank you."
They left the examination room together. The walk through UA's corridors felt surreal. Normal student life continued around them.
There was even some sound of laughter from the cafeteria. The world kept turning even though Ryuu's seem to have just shattered.
His mother walked beside him, occasionally glancing over like she was afraid he'd vanish if she looked away too long. Mirko didn't say anything but kept watch over them.
They reached the Class 3-A dormitory building. The common area was empty, everyone likely in class or training.
"Your room?" Mirko asked.
"It's on the third floor. Room 304."
They climbed the stairs in silence. When they reached his door, Ryuu's hand hesitated on the handle. Behind this door was his space. His belongings.
"Do you want company?" his mother asked softly.
He shook his head. "I just need to sleep."
It was a lie. He wouldn't sleep. Couldn't. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the building collapsing buildings over and over again. And...the connection dying.
But he needed to be alone.
His mother seemed to understand. She pulled him into another hug, this one longer. Tighter.
"I love you," she whispered. "So much. We'll get through this."
Ryuu didn't respond. The words were stuck somewhere behind the numbness.
When she finally let go, Mirko spoke up. "I'll be around campus. If you need anything, ask one of the faculty to contact me."
"Okay."
He opened the door and stepped inside. His room was exactly as he'd left it. Bed unmade. Desk cluttered with school materials. The hoodie Mina had borrowed last week still draped over his chair.
The door closed behind him. Finally alone.
Ryuu stood in the center of his room, staring at nothing. He should change clothes. Should shower. Should eat something.
Instead, he just stood there.
His phone was on the desk, plugged in and charging. Someone must have retrieved it during the whole chaos in UA. The screen showed a lot of notifications which he didn't bother to read.
Until—
*knock* *knock* *knock*