Morning light slipped through the blinds of the U.A. medical wing.
The room was quiet except for the soft hum of machines and the distant sound of students training outside.
Ren sat up a little in his bed, carefully adjusting the pillow behind his back. His bandages had been reduced since yesterday, but his body still felt like it had been run over by a truck.
Recovery Girl had already come by three times that morning.
"Your body is healing well," she had told him. "But don't even think about moving too much."
Ren stared at his hands.
They still felt… strange.
Like something inside them hadn't settled yet.
Then—
The door burst open.
"RENNNN!"
Mina rushed in first, sliding across the floor dramatically.
"You're alive!"
Before Ren could react, Kirishima and Denki appeared behind her.
Kirishima pumped his fist.
"Dude!! That was the MANLIEST fight I've ever heard about!"
Denki leaned forward with wide eyes.
"You literally punted a guy through a wall!"
Ren blinked.
"…I did?"
Kirishima nodded enthusiastically.
"THREE walls!"
Denki added.
"And part of a staircase!"
Mina leaned closer, studying Ren carefully.
"…you don't remember any of it, do you?"
Ren shook his head slowly.
"No…"
Before anyone could respond—
Another voice came from the doorway.
"That might be for the best."
Everyone turned.
Standing there were several pro heroes.
Ren immediately recognized a few.
His teacher, Shota Aizawa, stepped inside first.
Behind him walked Midnight, arms crossed with a curious expression.
Next came the towering figure of Mount Lady, who had to duck slightly through the doorway.
And finally—
The intense presence of Endeavor filled the room.
Even Denki immediately stood up straighter.
"…uh oh."
Ren blinked.
Why were so many pro heroes here?
Aizawa spoke first.
"We're checking on your condition."
Mount Lady leaned against the wall casually.
"And also because half the city is talking about you."
Ren froze.
"…what?"
Midnight smiled slightly.
"You caused quite a scene."
Kirishima grinned proudly.
"You basically soloed a villain that multiple heroes couldn't stop!"
Ren immediately looked horrified.
"I WHAT?!"
Denki laughed nervously.
"Yeah… it was kind of insane."
Endeavor stepped forward slightly.
His sharp eyes examined Ren carefully.
"You lost control."
Ren lowered his gaze slightly.
"…yes."
Endeavor continued.
"But you protected your allies."
The room went quiet.
Coming from him, that sounded almost like… praise.
Kaito suddenly walked in from the hallway carrying a tray of food.
"Ren, Recovery Girl said you need to eat—"
He stopped when he saw the room full of pro heroes.
"…oh."
Mount Lady waved.
"Hi."
Kaito blinked.
"…hi."
He slowly walked over and placed the tray beside Ren.
Ren stared at the food.
Soup.
Rice.
Vegetables.
Simple.
"…thanks."
Kaito shrugged.
"Doctor orders."
Midnight crossed her arms.
"You know, we've been reviewing the reports."
Ren looked up nervously.
"…and?"
Aizawa answered calmly.
"Your quirk is evolving."
Ren froze.
"…evolving?"
Aizawa nodded.
"What you used in that fight shouldn't be possible."
Denki whispered to Mina.
"That's not scary at all…"
Mina elbowed him.
Endeavor spoke again.
"Whatever power you accessed… it was unstable."
Ren stared at his hands again.
He remembered the scientist's words faintly.
Experiments.
Power.
Potential.
Mount Lady smiled slightly.
"But hey, the good news is you didn't destroy the school!"
Kirishima immediately spoke.
"Technically he did destroy part of the school—"
Denki quickly covered his mouth.
Aizawa sighed.
"…repairs are already underway."
Ren sank slightly into the bed.
"…sorry."
Aizawa looked at him.
"You protected your friends."
He paused.
"That's what matters."
Kaito smirked slightly.
"Also the repairs are coming out of the hero budget, not ours."
Ren laughed weakly.
Then—
There was a soft knock on the door.
Everyone turned.
Standing there was Nezu.
The principal stepped inside slowly.
His usual cheerful smile was smaller today.
But his eyes were sharp.
Very sharp.
"Ah… good. Everyone is here."
Ren looked at him nervously.
"Principal…?"
Nezu walked closer to the bed.
"I'm glad to see you awake, Ren."
He paused.
Then added quietly:
"Because we need to talk."
The room grew slightly tense.
Kaito looked between them.
"…about what?"
Nezu looked directly at Ren.
And said something that made the air feel colder.
"Your name."
Ren's heart skipped.
"…my name?"
Nezu nodded.
"I found something in the archives."
He held up a small folder.
Old.
Worn.
And sealed.
"…and it may explain why that scientist was looking for you."
Ren swallowed slowly.
Because suddenly…
He wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.