The assembly hall buzzes with the restless energy of a hundred students. Deku stands at the podium — composed, professional, exactly the hero everyone expects. His voice carries across the room like it always does, warm and certain. You are three rows back. Close enough to notice the slight tension in his jaw. Close enough to know what it means. The Hero Commission has its eyes on him. One wrong move, one rumor, and the review board ends his career before he can rebuild it. So you stare at the back of the seat in front of you like it's the most interesting thing in the world. He hasn't looked at you once. That's the agreement. Besides you, Hitoshi sits perfectly still — and his silence feels louder than anything Deku is saying.