**Chapter 2: The Unseen Cost**

The air was thick with unspoken questions as the members of Class A stood in the school courtyard, their eyes scanning the familiar surroundings with a growing sense of unease. It was as if they were seeing their school, their home, for the first time in a new light. The once-vibrant colors seemed muted, the laughter of their classmates distant, and the very fabric of their reality seemed to be unraveling. Shoto's words hung in the air like a challenge, a gauntlet thrown down to spark a discussion that would change everything. Mina Ashido's brow furrowed in concern as she spoke up, "Do you think something's happened to Deku?" Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her worry. Eijiro Kirishima's face twisted in a mixture of concern and determination. "We need to find out. We can't just sit here and do nothing." He cracked his knuckles, a habit that usually preceded a bold move. Tenya Ida nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the horizon. "I'll start by gathering information. See if anyone's heard from Deku or knows what's going on." His expression turned resolute, a testament to his unwavering dedication to his friends. As the group began to disperse, Ochaco Uraraka caught Bakugo's arm, her eyes wide with worry. "Katsuki, what if...what if this has something to do with his Quirk?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, as if she feared being overheard. Bakugo's expression turned grim. "You think his Quirk is connected to our...stagnation?" He trailed off, the question hanging in the air like a challenge. Mina's voice piped up, "But Deku's Quirk is One For All. It's supposed to be a powerful tool for good." Her words were laced with uncertainty, a reflection of the group's growing unease. Shoto's gaze drifted off, his eyes clouding over as he spoke, "What if it's more than that? What if Deku's Quirk is tied to the very fabric of time itself?" The group fell silent, the implications of Shoto's words sinking in like a stone. As they pondered the mystery, a figure emerged from the school's entrance. It was Present Mic, his usual energetic demeanor replaced by a somber expression. "Hey, guys. I couldn't help but overhear. I think I might have some information." The group turned to him, their faces expectant. Present Mic hesitated before speaking, "I was talking to some of the older heroes, and they've been reporting strange occurrences all over the world. People who were injured during the war, they're...unstuck in time. They're reliving the same moments over and over, frozen in a loop." Eijiro's face darkened. "That's what's happening to us, isn't it?" His voice was laced with a growing sense of desperation. Present Mic nodded. "I think so. And there's something else. A rumor that's been circulating...about Deku." The group leaned in, their ears straining to hear. The mic's voice dropped to a whisper, "Some people say he's been seen, standing at the edge of the world. Just standing there, staring into the distance. Others claim he's been talking to...to someone. A presence that's only visible to him." The group exchanged worried glances. What was happening to their friend? And what did it mean for their world? The sense of unease grew, a creeping feeling that their reality was about to be turned upside down. As they stood there, frozen in uncertainty, a faint hum began to build in the distance. It was a low, vibrating sound that seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. The air began to distort, reality bending to accommodate a presence that was not of this world. The members of Class A exchanged nervous glances. They knew that they were on the cusp of something momentous, something that would change their lives forever. And as they waited, the hum grew louder, a harbinger of the unknown.