The morning sun filtered through the windows of Class 3-A at UA High School, casting long shadows across the training grounds visible from the classroom. Students filtered in with the casual confidence that came from surviving two years of hero training, villain attacks, and enough near-death experiences to fill several lifetimes.
Ryuu Kazama sat in his usual spot near the window, third row from the back. The position gave him a good view of everyone without being too conspicuous. His violet eyes tracked his classmates as they entered, noting the easy camaraderie between them.
Denki Kaminari was already bothering Kyoka Jirou about something, earning himself a jab from her earphone jack. Eijiro Kirishima and Katsuki Bakugo were arguing about something involving their morning training session.
Everything was normal.
Ryuu's fingers drummed against his desk in a steady rhythm. Third year. Their final year at UA before they became full-fledged pro heroes. The thought should have excited him. Instead it filled him with a familiar knot of anxiety.
"Yo, Kazama!"
Ryuu looked up to find Hanta Sero dropping into the seat beside him with his signature easy grin.
The tape hero in training had been one of the first people to befriend him when he transferred to UA's hero course in their second year.
Sero never pushed, never asked uncomfortable questions. He just existed in Ryuu's orbit like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Morning," Ryuu also voiced out,managing a small smile.
"You see the bracket for today's combat training?" Sero kept the ball rolling in the conversation while pulling out his phone.
"Looks like we're doing randomized partner exercises again. Aizawa sensei is really pushing the teamwork angle this year."
Ryuu's stomach tightened slightly but he kept his expression neutral. "Makes sense. Pro heroes need to work with different agencies and partners all the time."
"Yeah but some of us got really good combos last time," Sero continued, scrolling through his phone. "Remember when you boosted Kirishima during that villain simulation? Dude was practically indestructible. Even Bakugo was impressed and you know how rare that is."
A few seats away, Kirishima's head popped up at the mention of his name. "That was so manly! Kazama, we gotta partner up again sometime. My hardening felt like it could tank anything!"
Several other students turned at that, offering their own comments about Ryuu's quirk. It was always like this.
Everyone wanted to work with 'Resonance'. His quirk was a support type's dream and a combat specialist's perfect boost. He could turn a decent hero into an exceptional one just through physical contact and emotional connection.
The attention made Ryuu's shoulders tense but he forced himself to relax. This was good. Being useful meant being valued. Being valued meant having a place here.
"We should definitely team up again," Ryuu agreed, giving Kirishima a genuine smile. The red-haired hero was easy to be around. He's straightforward, honest, and has no hidden agendas.
"Settle down."
The gravelly voice of their homeroom teacher cut through the chatter like a knife.
Shota Aizawa stood at the front of the classroom, looking as exhausted as ever despite the early hour.
His capture weapon hung loosely around his neck and his eyes scanned the room with the perpetual suspicion of someone who had seen too many of his students nearly die.
"Third years," Aizawa began without preamble. "You have six months until graduation. Six months to prove you're ready for the professional hero world. Some of you will get scouted by top agencies. Some of you will struggle to find internships. The difference will be your adaptability and your ability to work with others."
He tapped a button on the podium and a holographic display appeared, showing a complex bracket system.
"Today's combat exercise will test your ability to synchronize with unfamiliar partners. The pairs have been randomly generated. You'll face simulated villain scenarios with increasing difficulty. Your performance will be evaluated not just on victory but on communication, strategy, and quirk synergy."
Ryuu felt his pulse quicken as names began appearing on the screen. He scanned the list quickly, looking for his own name.
There.
Ryuu Kazama and Mina Ashido.
His breath caught for just a moment before he forced himself to exhale slowly. It was fine. He could do this. He had worked with female classmates before. Just keep it professional. Keep the contact minimal. Don't let emotions get involved.
"Partners, find each other and review the scenario details on your tablets," Aizawa instructed. "You have ten minutes before we move to Training Ground Beta. Don't waste it."
The classroom erupted into motion as students stood and began searching for their partners. Ryuu remained seated for a moment, gathering himself. He could feel his quirk humming beneath his skin, that ever-present awareness of the emotional states around him. It was like standing in a room full of radio signals, each one broadcasting on a different frequency.
He had learned to tune most of it out over the years. Learned to build walls between himself and others. It was safer that way.
"Hey there, partner!"
Ryuu looked up to find Mina Ashido standing beside his desk, her signature bright smile lighting up her face. Her pink skin seemed to almost glow in the morning light and her golden eyes with black sclera sparkled with enthusiasm. She had her hero costume case slung over one shoulder and her tablet in the other hand.
"Ashido," Ryuu acknowledged, standing up smoothly. He was taller than her by several inches, something that became apparent when they were this close. "Looks like we're working together today."
"I know right? This is gonna be so fun!" Mina bounced slightly on her heels, her natural energy almost infectious. "I've been wanting to work with you forever. Your quirk is so cool and I bet it would make my acid even more effective."
Ryuu felt his guard go up instinctively. Mina was tactile by nature. He had noticed it over the past two years. She was always touching her friends, hugging them, grabbing their arms when she got excited. It was just part of who she was.
It also terrified him.
"We should review the scenario," Ryuu said, taking a small step back and gesturing to the tablets. "Aizawa sensei doesn't give us prep time for nothing."
If Mina noticed his subtle retreat, she didn't comment on it. Instead she pulled up the scenario details on her tablet and moved to stand beside him, close enough that he could smell her shampoo. Something fruity.
Ryuu forced himself to focus on the screen.
The scenario was labeled Urban Rescue with Hostile Elements. They would be responding to a simulated building collapse with civilians trapped inside while villain bots attempted to interfere with the rescue. Time limit of fifteen minutes. Success criteria included civilian safety, villain neutralization, and property damage minimization.
"Okay so this is totally my kind of scenario," Mina said, scrolling through the details. "My acid can cut through debris and I can use it to slide around for mobility. What about you? How does your quirk work exactly?"
It was a fair question. Ryuu had only been in the hero course for a year and while everyone knew his quirk was support-based, not everyone understood the specifics.
"Resonance," Ryuu explained, keeping his voice level and professional. "I can amplify a person's quirk through physical contact. The strength of the boost depends on trust and emotional connection. The more synchronized we are, the stronger the amplification."
"So like if we're vibing really well together, my acid gets super boosted?" Mina's eyes lit up. "That's so cool! How much of a boost are we talking?"
"Depends," Ryuu said carefully. "With strangers or people I don't know well, maybe one and a half times their normal output. With teammates I trust, two to three times. With someone I have a strong bond with..." He paused. "Up to five times their normal capabilities."
Mina whistled low. "Five times? Dude, that's insane. No wonder everyone wants to partner with you."
There was no mockery in her tone, just genuine appreciation. It should have made Ryuu feel better. Instead it just reminded him of the responsibility his quirk carried. One wrong move, one emotional surge he couldn't control, and he could hurt someone badly.
The memory flickered through his mind before he could stop it. His mother's face. Her eyes going wide. The way she had collapsed, gasping, overwhelmed by the amplified grief and stress that had poured through their connection. He had been five years old and terrified, not understanding what he had done wrong.
"Kazama? You okay?"
Ryuu blinked, realizing Mina was watching him with concern. He had been silent too long.
"Fine," he said quickly. "Just thinking about strategy. For this scenario, I should probably boost your mobility first. If you can move faster on your acid slides, you can reach civilians quicker while I coordinate with the support bots for extraction."
Mina studied him for another moment before nodding slowly. "Sounds good. Though you know you're not just support right? You've got your own combat skills. I've seen you in training."
She wasn't wrong. Ryuu had trained extensively in hand-to-hand combat and tactical analysis specifically because his quirk required him to get close to allies. He needed to be able to hold his own in a fight.
"I can handle myself," Ryuu confirmed. "But my primary role is making you more effective. That's how Resonance works best."
"If you say so," Mina replied, though she looked like she wanted to argue further. Instead she held up her fist for a bump. "But hey, we're partners today. That means we got each other's backs right?"
Ryuu looked at her outstretched fist. Such a simple gesture. One that most people wouldn't think twice about. But for him, any physical contact was a potential trigger. His quirk didn't discriminate. It responded to touch and emotion, amplifying whatever was strongest in that moment.
Still, refusing would be rude. Would raise questions he didn't want to answer.
He tapped his fist lightly against hers, keeping the contact brief. A spark of something passed between them. Not his quirk activating, but an awareness. Mina's emotions were bright and warm, enthusiasm and determination mixing with an underlying current of something else. Nervousness maybe? Insecurity?
Ryuu pulled back quickly, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Time to suit up," he said, grabbing his costume case. "Training Ground Beta in five minutes."
As he headed toward the locker rooms, he could feel Mina's gaze on his back. She was perceptive, more than people gave her credit for. He would have to be careful.
The last thing he needed was someone getting too close.
---
The locker room was controlled chaos as the male students changed into their hero costumes. Ryuu pulled on his own outfit with practiced efficiency. The design was sleek and functional, built for mobility and support rather than flashy combat. Dark blue and silver with reinforced padding at key points. His gloves were specially designed with exposed fingertips, allowing for skin-to-skin contact when needed while protecting his hands during combat.
"Nervous about partnering with Ashido?"
Ryuu glanced over to find Mezo Shoji standing nearby, his multiple arms making quick work of his own costume adjustments. The tall hero was one of the most observant people in their class, his multiple sensory organs giving him an edge in reading situations.
"Why would I be nervous?" Ryuu asked, keeping his tone neutral.
"You always tense up when you're paired with female classmates," Shoji observed quietly. "I noticed it last year during team exercises. You're professional but distant."
Ryuu should have known Shoji would pick up on it. The guy noticed everything.
"My quirk requires physical contact and emotional connection," Ryuu said carefully. "I just prefer to maintain professional boundaries. It's easier to control the amplification that way."
It wasn't technically a lie. Just not the whole truth.
Shoji regarded him for a moment before nodding. "Ashido is a good person. Perceptive too. She'll probably notice if you're uncomfortable."
"I'll manage," Ryuu said, closing his locker with perhaps more force than necessary. "It's just one training exercise."
As they filed out toward Training Ground Beta, Ryuu tried to center himself. He had done this dozens of times before. Worked with female classmates, maintained his composure, kept his quirk under control. This would be no different.
Except when he emerged into the sunlight and saw Mina waiting in her hero costume, that pink and purple design that somehow perfectly matched her energetic personality, he felt that familiar spike of anxiety.
She waved at him enthusiastically, her entire face lighting up.
This was going to be a long day.