Five pro heroes sat in various states of defeat across the holding area. Kirishima was slumped forward with his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor like it had personally betrayed him. Ashido was scrolling through her phone with an expression that shifted between horror and amusement. Sero had his head tilted back against the wall, eyes closed. Kaminari was pacing.

The officer at the desk—a tired-looking man in his fifties with graying temples—rubbed his face and slid a desk phone across the counter.

The line rang once. Twice. Three times.

Then a groggy voice answered on the other end. Sleep-thick. Confused.

*

<Narrator>: Katsuki's jaw tightened.

Katsuki closed his eyes. Counted to five. Failed.

Katsuki stood there for a moment, holding the receiver, staring at the wall. Then he slammed it back onto the cradle.