The hospital basement smelled like dust and sterilizer.
Old records.
Paper files.
Backup drives that predated cloud systems.
Shota Aizawa stood under flickering fluorescent lights while a clerk wheeled out a cart of archived intake logs.
"Two years ago," Aizawa said. "Mid-summer. Male. Approximate age fifteen to sixteen. No identification."
The clerk typed quietly.
Aizawa watched the monitor's reflection in her glasses.
Search.
Filter.
Error.
"That's strange," she muttered.
"What is?"
"There's a discharge record… but no intake."
Aizawa's gaze sharpened.
"Show me."
She turned the screen.
Patient Name: Ren Calden (unverified)Age: Estimated 15–18Guardian: None listedCondition: Smoke inhalation, superficial burnsDischarge Date: July 9th
But above that—
Where the intake record should have been—
There was blank space.
Not redacted.
Not locked.
Empty.
"When was this file created?" Aizawa asked.
The clerk frowned.
"It says… it was manually uploaded three days after discharge."
"By who?"
She scrolled.
The authorization line read:
Administrator Override – ID Removed
Removed.
Not hidden.
Deleted.
Aizawa's jaw tightened slightly.
"Security footage?" he asked.
"Retention only lasts one year," the clerk replied apologetically.
Of course it does.
"Any emergency responders attached to the case?"
She shook her head.
"No ambulance dispatch logged."
Silence.
"So he appeared," Aizawa said evenly.
"…Yes."
"And then left."
"Yes."
Aizawa memorized the file ID.
Someone had inserted Ren into the system after the fact.
Meaning—
Someone wanted him to exist.
But only just enough.
Later That Night — U.A. Staff Quarters
Back at U.A., Aizawa stood in the dim light of his office.
He opened his phone.
Contact:Nezu
He typed.
Aizawa:I need every student in Class 1-A in your office tomorrow after lunch.
There was no delay in response.
Nezu:Oh? Is this disciplinary or theatrical?
Aizawa:Neither. Operational.
Three dots appeared.
Then:
Nezu:Now I'm interested.
Aizawa typed again.
Aizawa:Ren's listed birthday is July 9th. One month away.I want a controlled distraction.We keep him occupied.Cooking. Cleaning. Training. Anything that holds his attention.
Pause.
Then he continued.
Aizawa:Tell the others privately.No one mentions how we know.Ask if they're willing to organize a surprise.
A moment passed.
Then:
Nezu:Especially Kaito?
Aizawa stared at the screen.
Aizawa:Especially Kaito.
Three dots again.
Longer this time.
Nezu:Is this because you're worried?
Aizawa didn't answer that directly.
Instead:
Aizawa:If someone went through the trouble of inserting him into a hospital database…
Then removed the trail…
We celebrate him before someone tries to claim him.
Silence.
Then:
Nezu:Understood.I'll gather them tomorrow.And Aizawa?
A pause.
Nezu:This is very soft of you.
Aizawa locked his phone.
"…It's strategic."
But even he knew—
It wasn't entirely.
The Next Day — Principal's Office
Class 1-A sat in confusion.
Kirishima.
Mina.
Denki.
Bakugou.
Todoroki.
Ochako.
Kaito.
Everyone.
Nezu stood on his desk, paws folded.
"This is not a disciplinary meeting," he announced cheerfully.
Collective sigh.
"We are planning something delightful."
Mina leaned forward instantly.
"Oooooh."
Nezu smiled.
"Ren's birthday is July 9th."
Kaito froze.
"…What?"
Murmurs erupted.
"He has a birthday?""Wait, that's soon!""Why didn't he tell us?!"
Nezu tilted his head.
"He likely didn't think it mattered."
That quieted them.
Kaito swallowed.
"It matters."
Nezu's eyes softened slightly.
"Yes. It does."
He continued:
"We need everyone's help. For the next month, we keep Ren busy."
He pulled out a small paper list.
Distraction Assignments:
Ask Ren to cook frequently.
Have him help clean common areas.
Extra training sessions.
Gym warmups.
Movie nights.
Anything that keeps him occupied and unsuspecting.
Denki grinned.
"So we're basically weaponizing friendship?"
"Precisely," Nezu said happily.
Kirishima pumped a fist.
"Manly surprise party!"
Bakugou rolled his eyes but didn't object.
Todoroki nodded once.
Ochako clasped her hands.
"We'll make it amazing."
Nezu's gaze landed on Kaito.
"I would especially appreciate your help."
Kaito blinked.
"…Yeah."
His voice was steady.
But his hands were clenched under the desk.
🌙 That Night — Ren's Dorm
Ren stood at the window.
Open.
Air drifting in.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Why does it feel like everyone's acting weird?" he muttered.
Behind him, in the hallway—
Denki loudly asked:
"REN! WANNA HELP ME MOVE FURNITURE FOR NO REASON?"
Ren sighed.
"…I live with chaos."
He stepped away from the window.
Unaware that across campus—
A plan had been set in motion.
And somewhere in a hidden database—
A deleted administrator ID flickered once.
As if accessed remotely.