The Wraith Within (On Hold Indefinitely)

Following the intensity of the final exams, Class 1-A was given a well-deserved break. The students spent their time relaxing, reconnecting with their families, and enjoying the brief reprieve before their next major challenge—the provisional hero licensing exams. Though the threat of villains loomed in the background, the days passed without incident, allowing the students to focus on their growth and their future.

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At the Mall

The warm afternoon sun bathed the open-air Musutafu Shopping Mall in golden light. Class 1-A had decided to spend the day shopping as a group, taking advantage of the rare downtime. Izumi strolled alongside Uraraka, the two of them chatting and laughing about their most recent training mishaps.

“I still can’t believe you managed to keep your headband in the Cavalry Battle,” Uraraka said with a grin, nudging Izumi playfully. “You were so calm the whole time!”

Izumi chuckled softly. “It was a team effort,” she replied, her piercing, glowing purple eyes soft with warmth. “But I’m glad it worked out.”

Ahead of them, Kirishima and Denki were arguing about the best hero merch, while Todoroki followed quietly, observing the lively crowd. Bakugo walked at the back, his arms crossed and his scowl firmly in place, though he hadn’t yelled at anyone—yet.

The mall was bustling with people of all ages, and the sounds of chatter, laughter, and the occasional cry of a baby filled the air. Izumi found herself relaxing more than she had in months. For once, there were no villains to fight, no exams to worry about, and no looming sense of danger.

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A Friendly Outing

As the group split up to explore different stores, Izumi found herself in a quirky accessory shop with Uraraka and Mina. The two girls were holding up hair clips, comparing them against each other.

“I think this one suits you, Izumi!” Mina exclaimed, holding up a star-shaped clip. “It matches your whole mysterious, otherworldly vibe.”

Izumi tilted her head, looking at the clip. “You think so?”

“Absolutely,” Uraraka chimed in, smiling. “But maybe go for something a little more subtle. You don’t want to scare people.”

Izumi let out a soft laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

As the girls continued to browse, they talked about everything from hero internships to what they planned to do over the break. Izumi found herself smiling more and more. Though her unique appearance and quiet demeanor had once made it difficult to connect with others, she was beginning to feel truly at home with her classmates.

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The Boys’ Antics

Meanwhile, in another part of the mall, Kirishima and Denki were trying on ridiculous hats, much to Todoroki’s quiet amusement.

“Bro, check this out!” Kirishima exclaimed, placing a bright red, spiked hat on his head. “Manly, right?”

Denki laughed, putting on a matching yellow hat with lightning bolts. “We’d be the coolest duo ever.”

Todoroki shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You two have very... unique tastes.”

Nearby, Bakugo was flipping through a display of gloves, muttering about finding something that wouldn’t explode when he used his quirk. Though he pretended not to care, he kept glancing over at the others, making sure they weren’t causing too much trouble.

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A Quiet Reflection

Izumi eventually wandered off on her own, drawn to a quieter corner of the mall where a small bookstore stood. She stepped inside, the scent of paper and ink calming her immediately. Running her clawed fingers along the spines of the books, she felt a sense of peace she hadn’t known she needed.

She picked up a book about the history of hero society, flipping through its pages. The stories of heroes who had come before inspired her, reminding her of why she was on this path. She thought of All Might, of her classmates, and of the battles she had fought so far. Her resolve deepened.

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The Group Reunites

As the sun began to set, the students regrouped at the food court, laughing and sharing stories about their day. Iida was trying to lecture Kirishima and Denki about proper mall etiquette, while Mina and Uraraka compared their purchases. Todoroki quietly sipped on a drink, while Bakugo sat off to the side, looking more relaxed than usual.

Izumi watched them all, a soft smile on her face. For the first time in a long while, she felt like an ordinary teenager, enjoying a day out with friends.

“Hey, Izumi!” Uraraka called, breaking her thoughts. “We should do this again sometime.”

“Definitely,” Izumi replied, her glowing eyes filled with gratitude. She knew that these moments of peace wouldn’t last forever, but she was determined to cherish them while they did.

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A Moment of Normalcy

As the group left the mall, the warm glow of the streetlights casting long shadows on the pavement, Izumi couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope. The challenges ahead would be tough, but with her friends by her side, she knew she could face anything.

Little did they know, the world outside was shifting. Villains were regrouping, plotting their next move. But for now, the students of Class 1-A had a brief, fleeting moment of normalcy—and Izumi intended to hold onto it for as long as she could.