In the common room, a tactical cringe perimeter had formed. Kirishima sat rigid on the far couch, eyes locked on his phone like it held the secrets to reversing time. Mina was perched on the armrest beside him, scrolling with the intensity of someone trying to ignore a live war crime.

Kaminari and Sero huddled near the kitchen island, whispering like they were planning an escape route.

Tsuyu Asui sat there with a green tea, completely serene, legs crossed, radiating the smug energy of a girl who had committed multiple crimes and would do it again.

And in her lap? Katsuki Bakugo.

The future No. 1 hero. The human explosion. The guy who once told a villain to kill himself and meant it.

He was curled against her chest like a traumatized emotional support animal, face flushed, eyes glassy, completely still.

Tsu dragged her tongue across her upper lip, slow and deliberate, and Bakugo made a sound that could only be described as a whimper.