Sam is still jumpy after the battle with the League of Villains. Just holding a sniper rifle brings him back to horrible memories. He walks toward the center of the U.S.J., where the teachers have gathered.
"Sam Suzuki, put that gun down," a cop orders, him and several others aiming their weapons at Sam.
Sam blinks, then remembers where he is. This isn't a place where he can just walk around carrying guns. To ease their minds, he calmly dismantles the rifle with practiced precision. By the time he's finished, it's nothing but scattered pieces.
"Happy?" he asks flatly, walking past them.
'They still hate me for shooting them… and humiliating them.'
As Sam passes by, he notices Snipe staring at him with a mix of awe and fear. Sam ignores it and continues out of the U.S.J.
Behind him, the teachers begin talking.
"Is anyone gonna comment on how he had a sniper rifle?" Present Mic asks.
"I have an idea, but I'm not going to press it," Nezu replies calmly.
"Nezu," Snipe says seriously, "those two shots to Shigaraki's legs were perfect. And faster than me. Sam is a better shot than I am."
That stuns the teachers—everyone except Nezu.
"Just what kind of hell did that kid live in…" Vlad mutters.
"That's enough," Nezu says firmly. "No one here could begin to understand his pain. Leave it."
⸻
Sam exits the U.S.J. and immediately spots Momo.
"Thanks for your help," Sam says with a small smile. "Because of you, I was able to save Aizawa and Midoriya."
"It's no problem, Suzuki," Momo replies warmly. "I appreciate you helping us too."
"Yeah, thanks man," Jiro adds.
"Sam!" Suddenly, Mina throws her arms around him. "I was so worried about you! You just disappeared! Dummy!"
She lightly punches his chest with a pout.
"Dude, were you sniping that monster?" Kirishima asks, eyes wide.
"Yeah," Sam answers. "But you guys did good. Especially you, Iida. You acted fast and got the heroes. Well done."
Iida beams, his signature earnest smile shining through. "It was only possible because you helped us! Thank you very much, Sam!"
Uraraka nods enthusiastically. "Yeah! Thanks a lot!"
Sam glances at her cheerful face.
'She looks like mochi… I just want to pinch her cheeks—what the hell am I thinking?!'
He barely manages to suppress it.
"Are you blushing, Sam?" Mina asks with a smug grin.
"I was running around like a dog," Sam replies flatly. "Forgive me if I'm a little red."
"Uh-huh…" Mina smirks, unconvinced.
"Hey, I heard you saved me from that guy jamming the signals," Kaminari says, clapping Sam on the shoulder. "Thanks, man!"
Sam then approaches Asui. She stiffens instantly—her instinctive fear obvious.
"First," Sam says carefully, "I want to apologize, Asui. I had Shigaraki in my sights, and he almost got you. I'm… glad it worked out, but still. I'm sorry."
She listens closely.
"Second," Sam continues, bowing deeply, "I know you're scared of me. Frog instincts, right? So let me be clear—I am not, and will never be, someone who hurts you."
Asui's shaking eases.
"It's okay, Sam," she says softly. "I know that must've been hard for you. You probably lived through worse than any of us… and you still helped. That's admirable. Kero. And please—call me Tsu."
Sam freezes for a moment, genuinely shocked.
"Thanks," he says quietly. "And… I'm sorry if I scared you all when we first met."
"No, we should apologize!" Iida declares, bowing deeply. "We treated you like an outcast out of fear. But you are a good man, and I would be honored to call you my friend!"
The rest of Class 1-A nods in agreement.
"Yeah!"
"Let's be friends!"
"I can show you how to pick up chicks!"
Sam's eye twitches at that last one.
"Thanks," he says flatly. "I'm heading back inside."
As he walks away, something feels different.
For the first time in a long while, Sam doesn't feel completely alone.
'Those kids… aren't bad.'
He returns to his room and lies down, staring at the ceiling.
⸻
Later, the U.A. staff convenes to discuss the incident.
"What we know is that Tomura Shigaraki and Kurogiri escaped," Tsukauchi says. "They're the most dangerous."
"All Might," Nezu asks, "what can you tell us?"
"Kurogiri operates under Shigaraki's command," All Might answers. "Shigaraki himself… is like a man-child. Deeply isolated."
"We found no records of warp or decay quirks," Tsukauchi adds. "They've lived under the radar."
"What worries me," Nezu says, "is how they knew the exact timing of the U.S.J. exercise."
The room goes quiet.
"That suggests a spy," Nezu continues. "But I highly doubt it's staff."
"You're implying a student?" All Might asks carefully.
"It's the only explanation," Nezu replies. "But that's a problem for later."
"And Nomu?" Nezu adds. "That thing wasn't human."
Almost on cue, a knock interrupts them.
"Come in."
The door opens to reveal Sam.
"Sorry to interrupt," Sam says, then pauses when he notices Tsukauchi's glare. "Still pissed, Detective?"
Before Tsukauchi can respond, Nezu interjects. "What did you want to say, Sam?"
Sam exhales. "I was thinking… Why would someone as childish as Shigaraki have access to a biological golem? And why would Kurogiri listen to him?"
Nezu's eyes sharpen.
"This wasn't an attack," Sam continues. "It was cultivation."
"…Like crops?" All Might asks.
Sam stares at him like he's an idiot. "No. Someone is cultivating Shigaraki. Kurogiri isn't following him—he's babysitting. This was a test. A loss meant to shape him."
Silence.
"I've seen what people do to groom someone into a weapon," Sam adds quietly. "This was just the first failure. He'll fail again. Then he'll learn."
Nezu says nothing—but he understands.
"That's all," Sam says, turning away. "I'm heading back."
As he leaves, memories flood him.
Ten kids.
Ten faces.
Ten voices.
Sam lies back down in his room, heart pounding.
'Calm down… calm down…'
But they're still there.
Watching.