After the battle, Sam decides to head to the infirmary with Iida, Uraraka, Mineta and Tsuyu. When they entered, he saw a deflated All Might. 'Is this motherfucker really his father?'
Sam personally didn't care. "Izuku, you are one crazy brat. Are you a masochist or something?" The others nearly choke hearing that.
Izuku scratches his cheek with a blush on his face. "N-no! I just am not great at controlling my quirk. So, I'm trying to get better at it."
Sam looks at Small Might, then at Izuku, then back at Small Might. 'Deadbeat. Are all heroes deadbeat dads? Has this mother fucker even paid child support?' Sam shakes that thought off.
"Well…you better get on that." Sam pauses, then adds calmly, "Next thing you know you'll send your power into your neck and literally beheading yourself with it. Be careful." Sam says this calmly and everyone — even Recovery Girl —looks at him in horror.
"Well, take care. I'll head back now."
Sam closes the door, leaving everyone in the infirmary looking at the door in horror. After delivering the news that the next round is delayed due to the damage, they were thrown out by Recovery Girl.
Once alone, Recovery Girl makes one thing clear. "I'm foolish for thinking that it was impossible, but the scenario where he could rip his head off is true. You must be careful. I'm serious!" They look terrified.
"W-wait! I could lose my head?!"
"Yes… but only if you act stupidly and focus it on your neck. Otherwise you'll only suffer arm damage. Which isn't any better!"
All Might and Midoriya had to endure the nagging of this old lady for a while, just thinking to themselves: 'please just heal me/him.'
———
Sam, sitting with the others in the stands, watches as Iida and Ibara begin to fight.
"This should be good." Sam says. Speed, precision, no wasted motion — it reminds him of the drills that he hasn't thought about in years.
'Iida would be a great drill instructor.'
The girl, Ibara, tries to hit Iida with her vines, but Iida zooms past her and pushes her out of the ring without hurting her.
Next was Mina vs Tokoyami, which went as most expected. Tokoyami beat Mina. 'Mina is pretty good. She would do well to learn capoeira. But Tokoyami's dark shadow is a formidable ability. Only if you find its weakness can it be ineffective.'
Tsuyu and Mineta are commenting on Tokoyami's strength. But Uraraka is worried about Deku.
Sam notices it. "He's going to be fine." Uraraka looks up at Sam and sees that he is talking to her.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean Izuku is going to be fine. I can tell you worry about him. He'll push through."
Uraraka blushes more than usual at that as she didn't expect her thoughts to be exposed so easily.
"You're right. Thanks Sam! I believe Deku will be okay!" She shakes off her worries and shows her faith in Deku.
'She doesn't even realize how bad she's got it for him.' He smiles seeing this.
*"Live… Samuel."*
"Sam? Are you okay?"
"Hmm?" He turns to look at Uraraka. "I'm fine. Why?" She looks at him worried and points to her face.
Sam feels it and feels a wet mark. A tear. "It's fine. Some dirt got in my eye. I should go and take a look and make sure I'm ok. Thanks for pointing it out." Sam says as he gets up. He passes Deku who looks at Sam with shock and worry.
Before he could say anything, Sam is already gone.
Sam needs some air. Not wanting to ruin everyone's mood further.
He heads outside the stadium in a grassy area with trees.
He sits under a tree and looks at the ground. He doesn't even register the floral scent in the air or the cool winds against his skin.
"I can't…move on from you. No matter how hard I try…I can't forget you…" Sam lets the tears flow freely. He doesn't even sob. He just lets himself succumb to despair for a brief moment.
———
Izuku looks carefully down the hallway. Sam passed him in a hurry, but he could see clearly that something was wrong with Sam.
His expression was hollow. Izuku didn't know what Sam remembered — only that it was something precious.
It has become an unspoken rule to tread carefully with Sam. They all understand good and well that he suffers PTSD. After all, he went on a delusional rampage in the city, thinking he was in a war zone.
Throughout the festival, it became apparent that Sam is getting a bit better. He is starting to let them in, but his heart is just so badly hurt they don't know if they can heal it. Some wounds don't close.
'But I won't give up. Even if I can't fix his trauma, I want to be his friend! Not out of pity, but because I want to know the real Sam Suzuki!' With these thoughts, Izuku returns to his friends, and continues to watch the matches. Patiently waiting for Sam, not being too invasive.