A sharp gust of wind swept across U.A.'s training fields, carrying with it the earthy scent of freshly turned soil and blooming trees. The early morning sun peeked through the clouds, casting long shadows on the grass as Class 1-A gathered in full gear.
Today wasn't about tests or battles. Today was about cooperation.
"Alright," Aizawa began, stepping into the center of the group, sleeping bag rolled beside him. "You've shown your individual strengths in the Quirk Apprehension Test and the Battle Trial. Now we see how well you function in a team. Combat alone doesn't make a hero."
Everyone tensed.
"The new exercise is simple: a relay challenge. You'll be split into teams of three. Each leg of the course will test different types of quirks—speed, strategy, and raw power."
The students murmured in excitement.
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly. This sounds easy… but it's not. He's testing synergy. How we interact under stress. He glanced sideways at Momo, who stood with arms folded, lips pressed in thoughtful silence.
He didn't miss how her eyes flickered to him for just a second before quickly looking away.
Aizawa held up a tablet. "First group: Takami Ren, Jiro Kyoka, and Shoji Mezo."
Jiro raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
Ren smiled faintly. "We'll manage."
Jiro gave him a side look. "You better not flirt mid-course."
"Only if we win," he replied smoothly.
She rolled her eyes but smirked just a bit.
Shoji gave a silent nod.
Their goal: traverse a three-zone course. Forest. Obstacle canyon. And a final flat stretch with automated drones firing stun rounds.
Ren took position at the back.
"I'll go last," he said. "I'll clean up."
Shoji spoke calmly, "That makes sense. You're fast in water. The last stretch has flood channels."
"And you have reach for the forest," Jiro said. "I'll handle the canyon."
They broke. The other teams lined up as the course reset itself with mechanical rumbling.
---
First Leg – Shoji in the Forest
The whistle blew.
Shoji sprinted forward on six limbs, leaping into the densely wooded path. His tentacles extended above for early warning, mapping tree trunks and underbrush.
He avoided traps with ease, bouncing from branch to branch, grabbing a relay baton at the checkpoint just before a wall of retractable vines almost caught him.
Time: 1 minute, 8 seconds.
---
Second Leg – Jiro in the Canyon
Shoji tossed the baton to Jiro, who dashed ahead with her earphone jacks plugged into her boots for seismic reading. The canyon path was narrow, filled with moving pillars and sound-sensitive traps.
Jiro's ears twitched as she analyzed vibrations.
A trap sprung. A boulder dropped.
She screamed into the canyon wall, her voice creating a sonic shockwave that deflected it just in time.
She ran. Quick and agile.
Time: 2 minutes, 3 seconds.
---
Final Leg – Ren on the Flat Stretch
He took the baton from Jiro at full speed, launching into a low glide along a shallow stream flowing through the course.
Water surged around him.
He wasn't just running—he was flowing.
Stun rounds from floating drones began firing. Ren twirled midair, summoning a curtain of mist to confuse sensors, then compressed a burst of water into a shield, blocking incoming fire.
A stun round grazed his arm, but Ren absorbed water from the channel beneath, instantly numbing the sting and accelerating his stamina recovery.
Then he jumped.
Fifty feet forward.
Water burst from his boots like rockets, propelling him across the final stretch.
He landed on the pad, water spiraling around him.
Final time: 4 minutes, 37 seconds. Best of the day.
---
"Dude! That water sprint was sick!" Kaminari said, running up to him.
Even Bakugo grumbled, arms crossed. "Tch. Fast bastard."
Jiro walked over, wiping sweat from her neck. "That was actually… pretty cool."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Did Jiro just compliment me?"
She nudged him with an elbow. "Don't get used to it."
Shoji remained quiet, giving Ren a respectful nod.
The class buzzed with energy as other teams completed their runs.
---
Lunch – Cafeteria
Ren sat at a corner table, sipping his water calmly. As usual, he watched everyone.
A camera in the far corner blinked—security. He wondered if Nezu was still watching him.
Suddenly, someone sat beside him. He didn't have to turn.
Momo.
"Your performance today was…" she hesitated.
He glanced sideways. "You can say impressive. I won't get cocky."
She smiled slightly. "Fine. It was impressive."
A moment passed.
He looked at her, serious this time. "What do you want to know, Momo?"
She blinked. "I—what do you mean?"
"You're curious about me. About my quirk. Why I act like this." He leaned forward a bit. "You won't find a tragic tale hidden in my eyes. Not unless I want you to."
She met his gaze calmly. "I'm not here for that. I just think you're someone who needs someone. And I'm trying to figure out if I want to be that someone."
He paused.
Then, unexpectedly, he laughed. Just once.
"Well," he said, raising his cup, "to curious minds."
She raised hers in return. "To quiet powers."
They drank.
That night, Ren passed Jiro in the hallway.
She stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"Hey. What you said earlier... about only flirting if we win?"
He smirked. "Mm-hmm?"
"We won."
She walked off before he could reply, earphones bouncing.
Ren blinked.
Then smiled, just a little.
---
Elsewhere – I-Island
Melissa Shield stared at the screen. The U.A. training footage had just uploaded.
She clicked on Ren's file.
"This guy again…"
She tilted her head. "Hydro Core. But… there's more to it."
She glanced at a blueprint. "I need to meet him. Eventually."
Is this good . Should continue updating ?