[ Right. It was Viktor who checked in with Midoriya after Palamedes understandably abandoned the ill-fated boat-to-beach journey. Midoriya knows they've been fine, but he hasn't offered anything about himself other than his continued presence around town and on the network.

A lot has happened since then. He resists his compulsive urge to say he's fine. ]

Well... recently... a friend left, [ he says in a small voice. ]

Someone I knew well. So... I try to sound like I'm doing all right...

[ But he's not. ]