For a second everything was silent after what All Might said until—
"With due respect," Nezu said gently, "perhaps give him space first. Let Recovery Girl assess him. Let his mother see him. There will be time for questions later."
It went against every instinct. Toshinori wanted to be there, to reassure the boy, to promise protection. But Nezu was right. Sometimes the Symbol of Peace needed to step back and let others provide what he couldn't.
"Keep me informed," he said finally. "And double security on all students. If one villain organization targeted Young Kazama, others might try as well."
"It's already in progress," Aizawa confirmed. "Mirko has volunteered to remain at UA as additional security. Several other pro heroes have offered the same."
Toshinori nodded. It wasn't enough. But it was something.
On the display screen, a new notification appeared:
*Search Team Alpha reporting - human remains discovered in section 4-B. Possible identification pending.*
It was Kenji Yamamoto, most likely. A father who'd sacrificed everything to save his son.
Toshinori understood that kind of sacrifice. He also had similar experience in his own life.
But understanding didn't make it hurt less.
"I'll be in my office if needed," he said, turning away from the command center. "Someone should prepare a statement for the media. They'll want answers."
"I've already drafted something," Nezu replied. "We're calling it a terrorist attack on an abandoned facility. No mention of Young Kazama or the true nature of the organization. Better to keep him out of the public eye for now."
It wa a great idea. The media would turn the boy into a spectacle otherwise. Another tragedy to exploit for ratings.
As Toshinori walked through UA's halls, he passed students going about their day. Classes had resumed for those not directly involved in the incident. Life continuing despite the horror that had unfolded.
That was the cruelty of it. Life always continued. Even when it felt like it should stop.
He reached his office and collapsed into his chair, coughing into his handkerchief. The exertion of maintaining his presence in the command center had taken its toll.
His phone buzzed. A message from David Shield:
[David] :Saw the news. Is the student okay?
[Toshinori] : He's alive. But everything else remains to be seen.
Another ping. This time from Gran Torino: Stop blaming yourself. You can't be everywhere.
But that was the problem, wasn't it? He was the Symbol of Peace. He was supposed to be everywhere. Supposed to protect everyone.
And he kept failing...
---
RYUU POV - EMERGENCY SITE TO TRANSPORT
The world felt muted.
Ryuu sat on the ambulance stretcher, shock blanket draped around his shoulders. Someone had given it to him but he couldn't even tell who it was.
He can't even recall much after Mirko found him except the blur of movement, voices asking questions he couldn't answer, hands checking his pulse and blood pressure.
The collapsed facility smoldered in the distance. Smoke rose in thick columns, blotting out the morning sun.
Fire crews worked to contain what remained of the blaze. Search and rescue teams moved through the rubble like ants.
His father was somewhere in there.
Ryuu stared at his hands. They were shaking. Had been shaking since he'd felt the connection snap. That moment when his Resonance had stretched thin across the distance and then just... stopped. Like touching a live wire that suddenly went dead.
"Kid."
Mirko's voice. She'd been hovering nearby since pulling him from that alley. Her red eyes kept scanning the perimeter, alert for threats that weren't there anymore.
"We need to get you out of here," she continued. "The helicopter's waiting. It'll take you back to UA where you can get proper medical attention."
Ryuu's voice came out hoarse. "Did they find anyone?"
"The search teams are still looking."
"But did they find him?"
Mirko crouched down, bringing herself to eye level. Her expression was hard to read. "They found evidence of casualties. That's all I know right now. I'm sorry."
Evidence of casualties.
Also a language for death.
"He saved me," Ryuu whispered. "He stayed behind to fight so I could escape. And I just... ran."
"That's what he wanted you to do."
"I felt him die." The words tumbled out. "My Resonance. It connects me to people I touch, people I amplify. I felt the connection break. He's gone and I—"
His throat closed. Couldn't force more words past the tightness.
Mirko's hand landed on his shoulder. Firm. Grounding. "Listen to me. You survived. That's what matters right now. Everything else, we'll deal with. But first, we get you somewhere safe."
Safe. The word felt meaningless.
A paramedic approached. "Ma'am, the helicopter pilot is asking how much longer."
"We're going now." Mirko stood, keeping her hand on Ryuu's shoulder. "Can you walk?"
Ryuu tested his legs. They were unsteady but functional at least. He nodded.
The walk to the helicopter pad felt longer than it should with the silence...
The helicopter's rotors were already spinning when they arrived. Mirko helped him climb in, then settled beside him. A medical technician started attaching monitors, checking vitals, asking questions Ryuu barely registered.
The aircraft lifted off.
Through the window, Ryuu watched the facility shrink below. Smoke. Rubble. Emergency vehicles scattered around the perimeter like toys.
And maybe...just maybe his father.
The helicopter banked, turning toward UA. Ryuu closed his eyes and tried not to see the violet eyes that matched his own.
"Hey." Mirko's voice cut through his spiral. "Stay with me, kid. Don't go inside your head right now."
Too late.
The flight took thirty minutes. Ryuu spent it staring at nothing,
UA appeared on the horizon. The familiar campus should have brought relief. Instead, it just felt like arriving at a random place.
The helicopter descended toward the medical wing's landing pad. Through the window, Ryuu could see people waiting. Faculty members. Medical staff.
And a woman with familiar features, dark hair and eyes that looked swollen and red with tears streaming unto her face.
His mother.