Tea was a stress-reliever; something that easily became Nezu's comfort beverage when he started occupying the position as UA's principal. One couldn't possibly imagine the stress of being in charge of the country's top hero academy-- the number one producer of Japan's peacekeepers. The expectations were borderline absurd!

Any ordinary human would've succumbed to the pressure, at least once, while in the position.

Luckily, Nezu wasn't ordinary. Neither was he human.

But he still likes tea, regardless; his favorite is Earl Grey. It fights stress, gives energy, and it's good for your teeth! Thus, the polite, cheery, smiley personality that people came to know him for exists (with a side of sadism). You can say that tea was something of his personal drug. The potable relaxation; something that he consumes to ease his anxiety when the world would go against him.

The mammal recommends this particular tea; especially to the individuals who need it the most.

That's why Nezu offered some to his long-time friend, Toshinori, when his beady eyes saw the conflicted look on Yagi's worn out face.

"Ah, no thanks," But All Might usually declines his offered tea, unfortunately. If he does, by occasion, accept, he would only take a sip or two before letting it go cold and neglected. "But since you're here, I want to ask--" Yagi paused, his back slouched, and arms crossed-- defensive, the first thought that came to Nezu's mind. Hesitance was evident on Toshinori's usually placid expression. An inner conflict was on-going within his head until he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, eventually finding the will to choose what he decided to do. And like that, his doubtful expression turned into one of steel resolve. "I want to tell you something."

"Is this about your hero work obstructing your duties as a teacher?" Nezu inquired indifferently, his smile still intact, before continuing. "If so, like I said before, I have no qualms with your other profession, as long as you're able to perform your duties here in UA. However, it would seem that you failed to properly align your priorities, seeing that you're here instead of being in a class you're supposed to partake in." The principal took a sip of his tea.

Nezu did not hold back on that, All Might thought, rather discomfited by the subtle reprimand.

Like the principal mentioned, All Might should be with Class 1-A; assisting the other two appointed teachers within the USJ. Instead, he exerted his limit earlier this morning to apprehend lowly criminals (that other heroes could've handled just as efficiently), resulting to his absence.

Yagi really shouldn't test his old friend's exemplary patience.

"It's not that," Toshinori started, his cyan eyes downcast with deep contemplation; finding ways to introduce the discussion of his concerns.

What he's about to tell the principal; what he's about to say about you would mean breaking a word of honor he made a long time ago. He had sworn to secrecy; vowed to you the first time he met you that he will keep your existence a secret to anyone. Yet, here he is: about to taint your already fragile trust-- breaking a promise to fulfill another promise.

To help you find a cure for your condition in exchange of your confidentiality; so that he can properly seek help from the only individual he trusts to may have an answer.

"What I'm about to tell you should not leave this room-- only the two of us may know, as this is sensitive information," Toshinori informed, and for once, Nezu was stunned.

After all, it's pretty rare that Nezu doesn't know the information first, as he's Japan's number one tactician. His opinion was valued very much so, that police investigators would ask for it if they're stumped to help in complicated cases.

Nevertheless, the mammal remained silent as he took another sip of his tea; a wordless agreement to All Might's condition, which signaled Toshinori to continue.

"Are you familiar with the name Seishin (Y/n)?"

~*~*~

"Don't want... to go... Not yet..." Was all the unidentified man managed to utter out before helplessly watching his own body grow transparent until eventually dissolving into nothingness. The other ghosts only gawked at where the missing phantom once stood, before returning back to their nonchalant selves; acting as if their numbers weren't slowly being reduced.

What once were thousands, were now only less than hundreds.

Nevertheless, it would seem that it was that ghost's time; his will no longer strong enough to maintain his place on Earth.

This was the fate of those who lingered too long in this world-- a fate that awaited those who overstayed their welcome within the realm of the living.

Unfortunately, it is not the same as finding peace; the stage of moving on to the afterlife. All there is to it is the void-- the opposite, not of life, but of existence. You're just... not there anymore. You weren't sure what brought you to this conclusion when it first happened, but...

You had found that if you reject Death, Death will reject you back.

That is the future of the spirits if they choose to stubbornly stay. They should realize by now that the goals they wish to fulfill were no longer attainable the moment they died; their will can only be passed onto the living, and even that is out of their control. It's ultimately useless to stay, because the ghosts, no matter what they do, could never affect the world of the living.

The dead will always be stagnant, and the living is constantly changing.

Once you die, that's all there is to it; you can only die satisfied or mournful. You would suggest the former choice, as otherwise would only lead to an afterlife of pointless misery.

Frankly, you don't know if this applies to your situation, as well. You're not really against the status of non-existence; maybe you'd find that there's more to it. A risk you're willing to take, sure, but it's not like you're left with other alternatives.

Although, you wouldn't want such fate to fall unto your only friend.

This was Toshinori's second promise to you-- to die happy; without regrets; move on. The moment he dies, he should leave, as the longer he stays, the more tempting it was to just remain.

It was your wish for him, as you do not want your friend to disappear from existence; giving yourself the most minuscule hope that if you die, you'd see him on the other side-- waiting for you, with your parents.

Thus, he ended up making three promises to you in total, with the first being your secrecy, and the third being the most recent: his resolve to find the cure to your immortality before his time comes.

Heaving out a sigh from your thoughts, you found yourself subconsciously walking out of the Cyclone's Heart's border, arriving at the outskirts of the destruction; the yellow police tapes and small shrines starting to become visible from your position.

There was an inkling of temptation within you to check each of the small monuments to see if Aizawa left anything on your memory, but that desire was easily snuffed out when it reminded you of what Toshinori offered to you so many times.

It reminded you of the yesterday's conversation.

It was then you realized that you were being a hypocrite.

All Might had tried to convince you to live a new life numerous times and you just rejected all his attempts and given opportunities. Self-isolation wasn't mentally healthy, he deemed (you'd like to deny and tell him he's wrong, but your longing for human interaction was a contradiction to your argument); he was convinced that he's trying to persuade you to give you the best desirable options for your future. Despite knowing of his intentions, you still rejected his reoccurring offers.

Yet he didn't grow impatient with you with each declination. Instead, he only grew more determined with each try.

Yesterday, you tried insisting for him to retire from his hero career, which he unsurprisingly declined. You both knew he was getting weaker, and that retiring to prevent further strain on his body was for his own good-- to lessen the chance of him dying so soon; to give him more time.

However, like yours, his decision remained unwavering.

And yet you were frustrated with him, while he didn't react the same to you, when he had every right to be.

Despite what either of you feel for each other's decision, you'd both agree that you just want what's best for each other.

Your mental health and All Might's physical health were slowly deteriorating. You're both messed up pieces of work.

Nevertheless, you're both doing each other's bests to help one another.

Passing by a wrecked clothing store, you caught a glimpse of yourself from the ruined establishment's shattered glass-- the large piece still intact on its foundation; as if standing proudly that it survived your harsh shockwaves on the day of the incident. Albeit dusty and tainted, the makeshift mirror was still able to do its job to show your reflection, though not that clear. It has been a while since you've last seen your appearance, you mused to yourself.

Walking towards the shop's window, you wiped off a good portion of the sleek glass and took a good look on your face-- your own eyes immediately catching your attention.

It was still the same eye color you knew, and yet it looked so foreign; like looking at a stranger's eyes. You didn't recognize yourself; even when your hair stayed the same length; even when your height remained stunted; and even when your face shape did not alter in maturity when you died.

Back then, your eyes would shine with youth and optimism-- a certain glow in them, if you will, but now...

Within your control, black smoke emitted from the bottom of your soles, until it eventually grew and consumed your entire teenage body. Once the thick fumes cleared, a new sight replaced your reflection, revealing an older woman-- both recognizable and unfamiliar.

Your reflection only became more foreign. You never would've guessed that it was your reflection staring back at you, as your mind did not adjust to your slowly changing appearance like normal people would, as they grow up. You discovered this peculiar ability of yours years after The Cyclone.

Your older version would follow through your mental age, you noted as years passed. You were supposed to be thirty, and yet you felt like you were still that deceased fifteen-year-old kid. It was probably because you tried to imitate the dead-- you desired to be stagnant, and stagnant, you remained.

You never really grew up in a way most adults do. You have the age, but not the experience.

Your eyes, alone, held that truth.

Now that you looked closer on the mirror...

Glazed yet gentle, stern yet kind, cynical yet soft-- your eyes were familiar with all of these descriptions. However, you noticed that looking at your eyes was like looking at Yagi's. If your eyes were of the same hues as his, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. You wonder if Toshinori ponders the same thoughts that you have, as well, every time he looks in a mirror and reminisce the look you apparently had everyday.

Did you always look this burdened?

~*~*~

Tsuyu Asui was a straightforward person, with her simple reason of becoming a hero was to be able to protect her loved ones, and by extension, the public. She never had a grandeur reason to be a hero; her family just matters the most. Perhaps, her younger siblings' admiration towards heroes played a small factor on her decision to apply for UA, but other than that, that's it.

Though, admittedly, back then, she was a bit discouraged when she heard of The Cyclone-- a phenomenon that took the lives of many when she was just newly born. She didn't want her family to grieve if she were to perish if an event like such were to reoccur. There were heroes, 'hero-to-be's, and 'hero-wannabe's who sacrificed their lives to save people in need, while The Cyclone's shockwaves did not discriminate on whose lives' to take.

It was a wake-up call to all those who wished to be a hero. It was then that the public was reminded that being a hero wasn't all just about the fame, money and glory-- a hero's life was at stake with every second on-duty, and sometimes, off-duty.

Villains don't always play fair. And they aren't always negligible as petty criminals either.

People often forget that, because it's a lot more common to see heroes succeed than actually fail and die. With how the media paint heroes; mold their online identities, it's easy to forget that they're human too.

Tsuyu knew the risks of the career she wishes to achieve; the dangers of being Japan's protector, as it requires of her to face her country's nefarious criminals. People who want to hurt other people. She won't fail; her family won't be harmed, and she will not die. UA was to prepare her for that, but it shouldn't be this soon.

"Meet the Anti-Symbol of Peace and The Beacon of Fear; the bio-engineered noumus." Shigaraki introduced with such maniacal excitement, as the two new fighting candidates made their appearance, living up to their names.

The Anti-Symbol of Peace was a huge mass of muscle, coated by inky black skin, with a head similar to a bird's, which housed crooked teeth; its dominant hand holding Aizawa's head in place, with the other snapping the ravenette's elbow. The exposed brain and dead, blank eyes were the only similarities it had with its partner.

It was obviously the shield of the pair.

The Beacon of Fear was smaller compared to the first noumu; its thin body colored with shiny silver. Sharp would be the first adjective you'd think of the moment you take a glance at it; its hands being replaced by long, pointed stubs that serve as its weapons-- like giant needles. If you took a good long look at it, it was shinier than what silver usually looks like; as if it was coated by something.

And came with the shield, was the sword.

"So many useful bodies and quirks..! More products from various experiments. The Cyclone truly was a gift to us, villains," Aizawa grunted when he tried to force his head up to glare at the head villain, only to be slammed back down by his captor; the leader being amused by the enhanced hostility of the underground hero. "Oh? Did I strike a nerve?" Shigaraki then stared down at the beaten teacher.

"E-even now, T-The Cyclone is s-still a t-threat..?" Mineta whimpered out with justified fear, as Tsuyu stayed in silence.

"To think, that it would still affect us," Whispered Midoriya to himself, which the part-amphibian still heard nonetheless.

"Master did tell me that The Cyclone was caused by a person. Did you know them? You were there, after all," The villain continued addressing the hero, enjoying himself by further riling up the enemy. "Were they a villain too?"

"N-no..!" Shouta growled defensively, before being shoved back down.

Shigaraki noted how far Eraserhead was willing to go to protect this unknown person's integrity; how much he's enduring just to deny.

That's... interesting.

However, Tomura's provocation was cut short when Kurogiri appeared by his side, informing him of a student that managed to escape to get help. The man-child scowled, muttering something of a threat against his associate, before telling the living portal of their retreat.

Of course, before that, he plans on damaging the Symbol of Peace's pride. And with that, Shigaraki lunged at Tsuyu with his hand outstretched to kill.

Aizawa erased Tomura's quirk on time. The lengths this man would go for his students; very admirable.

It wasn't long when All Might made his appearance by the entrance-- his famous smile absent.

"Fear not! I... am here!"

"Noumu one and two, fulfill your purpose..!" And with their master's order, the two abominations attacked the Symbol of Peace.

~*~*~

"I know you already promised about keeping my existence a secret, but... can you make another promise for me?"

The sky was a clear, baby blue today, with Yagi appearing earlier than the usual afternoon. Whenever he would arrive with his usual schedule, the sun would be setting, giving the heavens a nostalgic pink and orange glow. It was a good change of a color palette with your companion, as the setting sun would often emit melancholic feelings from you, in contrast to the midday's optimistic sentiment.

It's a happy day today.

All Might stayed quiet as he looked at you, your eyes looking blankly ahead, as the two of you lied down on the dead grass that once used to be a park, cloud-watching. However, the closer he looked, the more he could observe that your pupils were following something intensively... something that he can't see.

You weren't looking at the sky; you were trying to watch something from your peripheral view.

"What is it?" Toshinori finally spoke, his reply neither accepting nor denying your request. He can't just promise you anything, no matter how altruistic he was. After all, your request might contradict his moral compass and beliefs.

He expected a lot of things that you might possibly make a promise of him, but he never did expect you to turn your head and softly smile at him, while saying:

"Once you die, don't stay."

Arriving at the abandoned park, you stared at the spot where Toshinori made his second promise to you, your re-imagined memory taking the place of where the two of you once lied down. You briefly smiled at the memory of how Toshinori once thought you threatened his life that day.

Of course, you gave an explanation, which clarified the whole context of the promise you want from him. After that, the two of you just continued your activity of sky-watching.

Looking up, it was now noon, with the sun being ever high, casting its radiant, optimistic light towards everything that it could reach.

Despite the mood it should represent, the midday sky's blue was the blue of sorrow.

It's a sad day today...

~*~*~

"ALL MIGHT, WATCH OUT!" The surrounding students exclaimed, the moment after the Symbol of Peace punched the muscle noumu out of their establishment, leaving only one more abomination left to deal with. The Beacon of Fear did not pause in hesitation to attack its target, despite what happened to its stronger comrade that was helping to protect it the whole time-- the shield to its sword.

Once the overwhelming shockwaves from All Might's one-on-one punches with The Anti-Symbol of Peace stopped, the silver noumu made its move to stab the blonde hero from behind, which the teenagers within the area managed to warn him about in time.

"Gotcha!" All Might managed to catch the sly arm-blade in time with one hand, then used his other to catch the noumu's other attempted swing. The hero watched out for its feet too, just in case, but found that it wasn't as sharp as its arms.

For extra measures, All Might tightened his grip on the creature's appendages, denting its arms that revealed to have the same nature as metal.

Despite the sure defeat of the villains, Shigaraki emitted no tantrums of their loss. Instead, he waited.

Toshinori noticed this, of course, his glare hardening at what could possibly the man-child have left in his sleeves; what trick Tomura had left to show, unaware that he was actually holding the grand finale.

Just when he was about to throw the last of the abomination out of UA's property with his remaining strength, something happened.

'What--' And with that, the Symbol of Peace's thoughts were cut off, when his body registered immense pain.

"ALL MIGHT!" His students cried out, their eyes reflecting visible dread. What once were faces of relief and alleviation were then replaced with fear and apprehension; evident from their voices, alone. He didn't have the heart to look at any of them, and he doesn't think he had the energy too, either.

He didn't expect that, and neither did the youths surrounding him.

No one was able to act on time.

When the blood was slowly pooling underneath his feet from multiple open wounds was when they finally realized what had happened.

The noumu, he was once holding, self-destructed and turned itself into a giant, lethal pin cushion-- the sharp metals of various sizes came from its insides, impaling its own eyes and brain, but with its body's self-sacrifice, it successfully made a significant damage on the target that held it.

Multiple impalement was an agonizing experience.

Yagi felt weaker than usual.

Shigaraki chuckled and chuckled then laughed and laughed, until he was full-out howling with manic glee.

"I FINALLY GOT YOU!" He cackled, overjoyed. "PLAN B WORKED!"

The students didn't say anything; slack-jawed and speechless as they were slowly comprehending that the number one hero was defeated for the very first time. His first loss.

And probably the last.

Pushing the ball of blades away from his body, All Might threw the metal corpse a few distance away, before succumbing to his exhaustion.

With a poof, All Might turned into the emaciated Yagi Toshinori, whilst coughing out that familiar red substance you grew to hate; furthering his students' disbelief.

"Master was right. You grew weaker," Shigaraki remarked, trying to remember every moment of his satisfying win; his red eyes scanning every detail of the Fall of All Might; probably rivaling the historic event of The Cyclone. "The poison was an added precaution, and master had a few poison quirks to spare,"

Ah, that explained the painful stinging.

Finally, the back-ups arrived, the heroes already apprehending the remaining villains, which was Shigaraki's cue to leave with Kurogiri.

They may have lost this battle, but they have won the war.

And with that, the two villains vanished, acknowledging their victory.

Once the enemy was gone, Toshinori dropped to his knees, the 'thud' snapping the students' from their trance. He really did his best to stay strong, but his body gave up the moment the threats were gone. It's not like standing would help him at any way; he was now his alter-ego-- his weaker self.

He only continued standing because it was his wordless defiance towards his defeat; he will not visibly fall in front of his killers.

Midoriya was the first to react: calling out for his mentor's name while running towards him.

"I-i-it's gonna b-be o-okay..! T-the h-heroes--" Izuku did not continue his ramblings; he wasn't able to-- his emotions were already overwhelming him enough. He can only let his tears speak for his worries, as Toshinori let out a few tears of his own. "T-there's so m-much left for y-you to teach m-me..!"

He really didn't want to see the kid cry for him.

Midoriya didn't know what to do. His teacher was soaked with blood, and he mindlessly knelt on the puddle of it; placing Yagi's head on his lap, as the newly-arrived heroes only gaped at their fellow staff member's condition.

They knew the moment that they saw him that there was nothing they could do.

...

When Toshinori thought of the many scenarios he could think of regarding his death, he always imagined that his last words would be something inspirational; motivating; moving. Maybe, his death would revolve around All For One; dragging the devil with him to the afterlife-- a sacrifice.

However, he didn't really expect his death to be this underwhelming; defeated by low-class villains that would soon earn a big name due to his cause of defeat.

Dying was... not as scary as he first thought it would be. Despite telling you many times of his lack of fear for Death, deep-down he was petrified. It's not the unknown aspect he feared, but rather he feels afraid of what would happen in a world without the Symbol of Peace.

Ah, he then realized he broke another promise.

He was supposed to die after you die.

To think I broke two promises in one day... The least I can do is fulfill my second promise but...

Midoriya heard Toshinori say something about how he shouldn't keep someone waiting.

~*~*~

Life was starting to bloom within this once barren park; the green slowly encompassing the earth. In a way, you somewhat felt obligated to care for it; nourish and watch it grow back to its former glory. You can start by watering them.

Just when you're about to lift yourself with your powers to find a good source of water, you heard a familiar voice call out for you-- a greeting, or rather, a farewell.

"I'll see you on the other side, (Y/n)."

You paused. You hesitated.

When you turned was when it was too late; only catching the familiar dissolving, warm light.

"... Toshinori?"

The blue sky's melancholic feel turned into one of mockery.