(Flashback: Aizawa's POV)

"Hello?" answered Nezu on the other end of the line.

"Principal Nezu, good evening. It's Aizawa." I said.

"Ah, Aizawa. I wasn't expecting a phonecall this late. What can I do for you? I hope things are well." he said back.

"Fine. Things are fine. Listen, I have a question to ask you. Back in the faculty lounge, I heard you mumbling about a potential third option to get Doe out. What was that all about?" I asked.

Nezu paused for a moment, which made me nervous. Nezu never kept information from me unless it was serious.

"I don't think we can discuss this over the phone." he said, only making my nerves more present than they were before.

"And why is that?" I asked, trying not to sound too impatient.

"Well, for one, it's late. And this discussion could go well into the night." he said gently.

"It's not like I sleep regularly as it is." I interjected, knowing that reason was a bullshit excuse.

"Yes, yes. I know. However, given your clear attachment for the girl, I'm not sure you're even in the right mindset to have this conversation." he said more firmly.

I could tell he really didn't want to have this talk, but I was stubborn.

"With all due respect, Nezu, you're not my shrink. I'm perfectly prepared to hear whatever it is you're about to say." I said, somewhat irritable by that statement. I tried to keep my voice down, as I didn't want to disturb Doe in the other room.

"Are you quite sure about that?" he said back before sighing, "If you insist, I will lend you my theory, but only in person. This is not something I want to discuss over the phone. This needs to be private, out of earshot of the girl." he said.

I paused, considering the offer, even if that meant I'd leave Doe alone for awhile.

"When and where?" I asked.

"Takoba Municipal Beach Park. I can meet you there in one hour." he said.

"I'll see you then." I said as I hung up.

What could this possibly be about that I had to have a secret meeting? Was it that severe? Why did Doe need to stay out of it? Shouldn't she know? Either way, I needed to find out.

I looked at the clock to check the time.

10:34pm.

'Doe should be asleep by now.' I thought to myself, as I got up and walked towards her room. The door was closed, so there was no way for me to check without potentially waking her if she was asleep. My hand ghosted over the door, ready to knock, but I lowered it, thinking it wasn't necessary. I was likely only going to be gone for awhile. There was no point in disturbing her. It had already been a rough day. She needed her rest.

I walked back to the living room and grabbed my capture weapon and goggles before switching my slippers to my boots. Before leaving, I made another note on the table, in case she woke up while I was away.

'Urgent business.

No need to worry.

Will be back shortly.

~ Aizawa'

I heard a faint meow from behind me as I went by the door and put my hand on the knob. Looking down, I saw Cloud had gotten up from the couch and had walked up to me, curious about where I was off to at this hour.

"Watch her while I'm gone, okay, buddy?" I said quietly before opening the door and walking out.

*** Time skip ***

Once I had gotten to the beach, I looked around, not seeing Nezu anywhere. Checking the time on my phone, I knew I was right on time. Now where was he?

"Pssst!" I heard from behind me.

I looked around and saw nothing until I heard ruffling in the sand. I looked down and saw Nezu's head poking out of the sand. I nearly jumped at the sight, not expecting him to be there.

"I would say give a heads up next time, but..." I said, scratching the back of my head in confusion, "What are you doing down there anyway?"

"Just taking precautions is all!" he said with a jolly smile, "I'd rather keep myself concealed from those who are up to no good in the middle of the night. At least before you arrived."

"I see." I said, concealing how amused I was by what I was seeing, "So...what's this about?"

Nezu dug himself out of the sand and brushed himself off.

"I'm sorry for dragging you out here like this, but I couldn't risk Miss Doe hearing this discussion." he said, finally finishing brushing off the last of the sand before standing up straight and looking at me.

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"And why's that?" I asked, "Shouldn't she be aware of this as well?"

"I'm afraid not." he said, his ears lowering, "The possible solution might be so overwhelming or jarring to hear, it could jeopardize the possibility of seeing it through or carrying it out." he said, starting to pace a bit, "I've been thinking about what could be the possible connection that's keeping her here in this world instead of her own. And while her being here could be remedied by healing her, or by using a quirk, there was one option that has me concerned. What if she's still in a coma because she's present in this world? What if her consciousness, her being or life force, is a physical representation in our world? What if by her existing here, she's in a perpetual limbo?"

I could feel myself becoming uneasy with his thoughts, afraid they were leading to a conclusion I wasn't actually ready hear.

"What exactly are you suggesting, Nezu?" I asked, my hands starting to shake slightly.

Nezu stopped where he was, and looked down for a moment before looking back up at me.

"She has to die."