— Ryo's POV —
White...
The ceiling above me is painfully white. My brain boots up one slow pixel at a time.
"…Where am I?"
My voice is dry. My throat feels like sandpaper.
Then it hits me.
Not gently.
Like a freight train.
The Zero Pointer.
Blocking its punch.
Blocking another one.
Destroying half its torso like I was some walking missile.
My heart kicks into overdrive.
"W–wait… I really did that?!"
A stupid laugh escapes my mouth.
"I'm… amazing."
Then I remember something
"MY ARM!!"
I jerk upright and grab my right hand. Panic roars in my chest. Memories flash inside my head.
I remember my gauntlet swelling, plates stacking like living armor, forming that massive crimson shield.
I swallow hard and activate my quirk.
SHRRRKK—
My arm instantly shifts and locks into place into a broad shield that emanates a dull red glow from the light's reflection on the plates.
I inhale sharply.
"This… this is it. The new form…"
My fingers tremble over the surface.
"So it wasn't a dream after all…"
Before I can marvel longer
clack… clack… clack…
The door slides open.
Recovery Girl enters with the exact aura of someone who has zero patience left for teenage recklessness.
"Oh, good. You're awake."
She leans heavily on her cane.
"Saves me the trouble of tapping your forehead until you jolted up."
"Uh… good morning?"
"I fail to see what's 'good' about it,"
She snaps. "You children and your absurd sense of invincibility! Blocking the Zero Pointer's punches!? TWICE?! You should've been flattened like a pancake!"
I instinctively curl into myself like a scolded dog.
"You're lucky your bones didn't turn into powdered chalk!"
"…Sorry."
Then she sighed
Her shoulders soften.
"But… reckless as it was… You saved lives."
She gives me a tired smile and said
"That was brave of you."
Then I ask the question I've been avoiding
"What… exactly happened after I passed out?"
Recovery Girl adjusts her glasses.
"You destroyed the Zero Pointer. Completely."
My eyes widen at her confirmation of what happened
"And then you collapsed, you just have to deal with severe fatigue, mild internal bruising, nothing life-threatening after treatment."
I exhale tremblingly.
"My father…?"
"We contacted him. He was so worried about your condition, but he was relieved to know that you are already ok."
I chuckle softly. That sounds exactly like him.
Recovery Girl continues
"As for your quirk… it has changed. Evolved. If you want, you may stay here longer so we can observe it. Something like this is no small matter."
Then she heads for the door.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go heal a boy who broke his arms because he can't control his power. Honestly…"
The door shuts.
Silence.
Finally alone, I take a moment to breathe… and look around.
My body is mostly normal. My muscles ache, yes.
My bones feel like they ran a marathon. But I can move.
I pick up my phone from the tray beside me and scroll to one familiar name.
Dad.
I dialed him up and he picks up instantly.
"RYO! Are you alright?! What were you thinking?! Do you need me to come—"
"Dad, relax."
I laugh.
"I'm okay dad, just tired, and my quirk… kinda evolved."
"…Evolved?"
He softens immediately.
"I'm proud of you, son. But you don't need to push yourself so hard."
"I won't. Promise."
After the call ends, I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.
My eyes drift to another name that has been saved in my phone.
Yaoyorozu Momo.
My thumb hovers over it.
'Should I…? No, that's dumb. Or is it?… Okay, screw it!'
I typed
Ryo: Hey, where were you assigned during the practical exam? I wanted to ask how it went for you. Lots of crazy stuff happened on my side, haha.
I stare at the message.
Did I sound weird? Too eager? Too casual—?
DING.
Yaoyorozu: Oh! I wasn't part of the practical. I'm in the recommendation system.
I freeze.
'O-oh. So my brilliant plan for a shared battle conversation… just nosedived straight into the ground.'
My pride quietly dies in a corner.
"Okay… plan B."
Ryo: Ahh, I see. That makes sense. would you like me to tell you what happened on my end, haha.
Yaoyorozu: Please do! I'm curious. You seemed very capable.
Capable. She thinks I'm capable.
My ears get warm.
I tell her bits and pieces, carefully leaving out the whole "destroying a giant robot" thing that would be too much boasting.
Ryo: Saved a few idiots who ran toward danger like moths to a flame. Nearly got crushed too, but I'm fine.
Yaoyorozu: That's incredible! I'm so glad you weren't harmed. That must have been frightening… Are you sure you're alright?
She's… worried?
My heart does something stupid in my chest.
Ryo: Just tired. Nothing major. Recovery Girl patched me up.
Yaoyorozu: You're really strong then!
Ryo: I'll take that as a compliment.
Yaoyorozu: It was meant as one.
We keep chatting light, friendly which is surprisingly easy.
She tells me about the recommendation trial.
I tell her about robot-infested nightmares.
She laughs at my sarcastic jokes I told.
When I finally put my phone down, the exhaustion drags me back like a tide…
But I'm smiling.
"…Yeah. Maybe this hero path won't be so bad after all."
—~—~—~—~—~—~—~—~—~—~
If you see any inconsistency comment on it. also send some stones for me :)