[53] Chemical Reactions

The beach echoed with the thud of flesh striking flesh. Camie's palm strike whistled past my ear as I twisted aside, countering with a gentle push that sent her stumbling slightly off balance. Five days into our morning training sessions, and her form had improved dramatically. Still...

"Your weight distribution is off." I tapped her ankle with my foot. "You're leaving yourself vulnerable to sweeps."

She pouted, blonde hair catching the dawn light. "Not everyone can move like water, Izu."

"Which is exactly why we're working on your basics." I reset my stance, gesturing for her to mirror me. "Again. This time, focus on keeping your center of gravity low."

The sun had barely crested the horizon, painting the empty beach in shades of gold and rose. We'd started these private sessions the day after my deal with Midnight, partly to help Camie prepare for the Sports Festival, but also because she'd insisted on "maintaining girlfriend privileges" despite my packed schedule.

Camie lunged forward, her movements more controlled this time. Her strike came in clean, though I still redirected it easily. But instead of overextending, she maintained her balance, flowing into a second attack that actually made me work to avoid it.

"Better." I caught her wrist, using her momentum to guide her into a controlled throw. She rolled smoothly, popping back up with a grin. "You're starting to feel the rhythm."

"Having a good teacher helps." She brushed sand from her workout clothes - form-fitting black leggings and a cropped tank top that somehow looked both practical and instagram-worthy. "Though I still don't get why we can't use quirks."

"Because you rely on them too much." I moved through the next kata slowly, letting her study the movements. "Your illusions are good, but what happens when they fail? Or when you face someone who can see through them?"

She sighed dramatically. "Then I get my ass kicked by my stupidly skilled boyfriend?"

"Exactly." I couldn't help smiling. "Which is why we're building your foundation now. Once you have solid basics, we can work on integrating your quirk more effectively."

The next hour passed in a blur of controlled sparring and technical corrections. Camie was a quick study when she focused, and her natural grace translated well to martial arts. By the time we finished, she'd managed to land several solid hits - though I suspected at least one was because her sports bra had "accidentally" shifted during a particularly aggressive combination.

"Shower time!" She stretched languidly, fully aware of how the motion drew my eye. "Want to join? We've got..." She checked her phone. "Forty-three minutes before we have to leave."

I picked up our water bottles, tossing hers over. "Rain check. I promised to meet Yaoyorozu early to review training schedules."

"Ah yes, your vice president." 

"She takes her responsibilities seriously."

"Mhmm." Camie fell into step beside me as we headed home. "And the private combat sessions?"

"She asked for help improving her close-quarter skills. It's practical."

"Sure, sure." She bumped my shoulder playfully. "Just like your lunch dates with Midnight-sensei are purely professional."

I shot her a look. "You know why I made that deal."

"Oh, I know." Her smile turned wicked. "Doesn't mean I can't enjoy watching you squirm during her classes. The tensionis delicious."

We reached our apartment building, pausing in the lobby. Camie's expression softened as she caught my hand.

"Hey." She squeezed gently. "I trust you, okay? I know you're doing all this for us - for the whole class. Just... don't forget to take care of yourself too."

I pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I won't. Promise."

She hummed contentedly before pulling away. "Good. Now go get cleaned up. Can't have our class president showing up all sweaty and disheveled." She paused. "Well, not unless I'm the one who disheveled you."

I watched her sashay toward the elevator, equal parts exasperated and fond. Then I checked the time and cursed softly. Twenty-eight minutes until I needed to meet Yaoyorozu.

Time to move.

The classroom was empty when I arrived, save for Yaoyorozu already at her desk reviewing notes. She looked up as I entered, a slight flush coloring her cheeks.

"Midoriya-kun! You're early."

"So are you." I set my bag down, noting how she'd spread training logs across her desk in perfectly aligned rows. "How's the data analysis coming?"

"Fascinating, actually." She gestured to the papers. "I've been tracking everyone's quirk usage patterns during group sessions. The energy efficiency improvements are quite remarkable."

I pulled up a chair, careful to maintain professional distance despite the close quarters. "Show me."

She launched into a detailed breakdown of our classmates' progress, complete with color-coded charts and statistical projections. I found myself smiling at her enthusiasm - this was Yaoyorozu in her element, analyzing and organizing with meticulous precision.

"...and if we adjust the rotation schedule here," she pointed to a particularly complex diagram, "we can optimize equipment usage while maintaining balanced group dynamics."

"Impressive work." I meant it. "Though you've left yourself out of the analysis."

She stiffened slightly. "Ah. Well, I've been focused on administrative duties..."

"And avoiding practical combat training."

Her fingers twisted together in her lap. "I... that's not..."

"Yaoyorozu." I kept my voice gentle but firm. "You're one of our strongest quirk users. But you hesitate in close combat. We need to address that before the Sports Festival."

She met my eyes briefly before looking away. "I know. It's just... I was raised to be elegant, controlled. Fighting feels..."

"Unrefined?"

She nodded miserably.

"Then we'll make it elegant." I stood, offering my hand. "Come on. We've got time before class starts."

She blinked at my outstretched palm. "What?"

"Private training session. Just some basic stuff."

"But... here? Now?"

"Why not? The classroom's empty… unless you'd rather wait for an audience?"

That got her moving. She took my hand, letting me guide her to the open space between desks. I positioned her carefully, adjusting her stance with light touches.

"Martial arts isn't about brute force," I explained, demonstrating a simple blocking motion. "It's about efficiency. Reading your opponent's energy and redirecting it. Like calculating a chemical reaction."

Her eyes lit up at the comparison. "A transfer of kinetic energy through optimal vectors..."

"Exactly." I smiled. "Now, mirror my movements."

We spent the next fifteen minutes working through basic forms. Yaoyorozu's natural grace served her well, though she still hesitated on the more aggressive techniques. Still, by the time other students started arriving, she'd begun to grasp the fundamental concepts.

"Thank you, Midoriya-kun." She bowed slightly as we returned to our seats. "This was... enlightening."

"We'll continue tomorrow." I kept my tone casual, professional. "Same time?"

She nodded, a faint blush staining her cheeks. "I'd like that."

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of classes and training coordination. Lunch brought my second "date" with Midnight - this time I'd prepared coq au vin, much to her evident delight.

"My my, Midoriya-kun." She practically purred as she sampled the dish. "You've been holding out on us. Where did a hero-in-training learn French cuisine?"

I maintained my focus on my own meal. "I had an excellent teacher." YouTube. 

"Hmm." She studied me over the rim of her water glass. "You're quite the mystery, aren't you? Perfect manners, combat expertise, and now gourmet cooking skills." Her lips curved. "One might wonder what other talents you're hiding."

"One might." I met her gaze steadily. "Though I believe we were going to discuss training schedules?"

She laughed, rich and throaty. "Always so professional. Very well, let's talk business."

The conversation shifted to gym access and supervision requirements, though Midnight's subtle flirtation never fully ceased. I kept my responses polite but distant, even when she "accidentally" brushed my hand while reaching for the bread.

Still, I couldn't deny she was an excellent teacher once she focused. Her insights into hero psychology and media management would prove invaluable for after I win the Sports Festival.

The afternoon brought more group training sessions in Gym Gamma. I split my time between supervising general exercises and working one-on-one with classmates who needed specific guidance. Watching everyone improve filled me with quiet pride - especially seeing Camie incorporate our morning lessons into her combat style.

"Looking good, vice rep!" Ashido called out as Yaoyorozu successfully executed a throwing technique we'd practiced. "Someone's been getting extra instruction~"

Yaoyorozu's face flamed red, but she maintained her form. Progress.

The days fell into a rhythm. Mornings with Camie on the beach, early training with Yaoyorozu, classes, lunch with Midnight, afternoon group sessions. All while All Might's offer lingered in the back of my mind, a constant pressure I couldn't quite ignore.

One For All. The chance to inherit the symbol of peace's power. To become something more than just the quirkless hero who fought through skill alone.

But was that what I wanted?

I pondered the question during my evening runs, weights heavy against my limbs. The beach stretched empty before me, waves crashing in eternal rhythm. Here, where my journey had begun, I felt closest to understanding my path forward.

After the Sports Festival, I'd told All Might. I'll have my answer then.

He'd accepted that, though I caught him watching me during hero training. Evaluating. 

The week wore on. Thursday evening found me at home, preparing for my first formal training session with Midnight. Camie lounged on my bed, ostensibly helping me pack but mostly providing commentary.

"Bring the compression shirt." She tossed it at my head. "The black one that shows off your arms."

I caught it without looking. "This isn't a fashion show."

"Everything's a fashion show with Midnight-sensei." She rolled onto her stomach, kicking her feet in the air. "Besides, might as well give her something pretty to look at while you kick her ass."

I added the shirt to my bag. "It's a training session, not a fight."

"Uh huh." Her grin turned predatory. "Just don't let that cougar eat you alive, okay? I have plans for you this weekend."

"Camie..."

She bounced off the bed, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. "I know, I know. Professional distance and all that. Just remember who you come home to."

I caught her waist, pulling her closer. "As if I could forget."

Her breath hitched as I kissed her properly, slow and thorough. When we finally separated, her eyes had gone slightly unfocused.

"Mmm." She smoothed my collar with deliberate care. "Keep that up and you'll be late for your date."

"Not a date."

"Whatever you say, cheri." She stepped back, gesturing dramatically. "Go forth and educate our beloved sensei in the ways of combat. Just try not to enjoy it too much when she pins you."

The address Midnight had sent led to a private gym in an upscale district. Clean lines, modern architecture, definitely not cheap. The front desk waved me through immediately - apparently I was expected.

I found Midnight waiting in a private training room, dressed in form-fitting workout gear that somehow managed to be more provocative than her hero costume. She smiled as I entered, eyes gleaming behind red-tinted glasses.

"Right on time, Midoriya-kun." She stretched languorously. "Shall we begin?"

I set my bag down, keeping my expression neutral. "After you, sensei."

Her smile widened. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

Well… whatever happened next, at least it wouldn't be boring.