"You mean Insane and reckless," Momo corrected, though her tone was more concerned than critical. "He completed the mission, but the self-inflicted damage was unnecessary."
"Agreed," Aizawa's voice came through the speakers. "Recovery Girl to Training Ground Beta. Everyone else, remain in observation while I debrief."
Through the windows, they watched Aizawa approach Midoriya, who was trying unsuccessfully to stand on his own.
Ryuu couldn't hear the conversation, but he didn't need to.
He could see Midoriya's disappointment...
And beneath it all, that massive power signature, still crackling with residual energy despite the damage it had caused to its wielder.
'One For All', Ryuu thought, the name echoing in his mind. 'That's what he called it. So it's not just enhancement...One For All huh...'
There was a story there. A big one.
"That was incredible and terrifying in equal measure," Mina said softly, moving to stand beside Ryuu. "He's so strong, but..."
"But he's destroying himself to use that strength," Ryuu finished. "Yeah. I noticed."
Momo joined them at the window. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"That someone needs to help him learn better control before he kills himself in a real fight?" Ryuu shook his head. "Definitely thinking that."
"All Might asked you to look after him," Momo pointed out. "I don't think he meant just socially."
Ryuu watched as Recovery Girl arrived and began examining Midoriya's arm, her stern expression visible even from this distance.
He thought about that moment of contact yesterday, the way their quirks had resonated.
He thought about All Might's careful words about amplification helping with control.
He thought about the responsibility that came with his quirk....the ability to amplify, to enhance, to help others reach their potential.
"I'm going to offer to train with him," Ryuu said decisively. "Maybe even help him work on control and learn when to hold back instead of always going maximum power."
"That could be dangerous," Momo warned. "If your amplification interacts with his quirk the way I think it might, the power levels could be catastrophic."
"Which is exactly why we need to be careful and controlled about it," Ryuu countered. "Better to explore it in a safe training environment than have it happen unexpectedly in the field."
"I think it's a good idea," Mina said, her hand finding his. "Just... be careful, okay? That kind of power, even amplified accidentally, could hurt both of you."
"I know," Ryuu assured her. "We'll start small. No amplification at first, just observation and coaching. Build trust and understanding before we even think about combining quirks."
The three of them stood together, watching as Recovery Girl finished healing Midoriya's arm....though from her body language, she was also delivering a stern lecture about reckless quirk usage.
"He reminds me of someone," Todoroki said quietly, having approached without them noticing. "That determination to prove himself no matter the cost. That willingness to break himself for the mission."
"Who?" Ryuu asked.
Todoroki's expression was unreadable. "Me. A few years ago. Before I learned that raw power without wisdom is just destruction in a different form."
That was surprisingly introspective from Todoroki, and it drove home a point....Midoriya needed guidance, not just training.
"Alright," Aizawa's voice came through the speakers. "Assessment's over. Class 3-A, you're dismissed for lunch. Midoriya, you're with Recovery Girl for the next hour minimum. We'll discuss your performance....and your decision-making...after you've been cleared medically."
As the class began filing out of the observation deck, Ryuu made a decision.
He'd talk to Midoriya after Recovery Girl released him.
Offer to help, frame it as mutual benefit...Ryuu learning to handle extreme power amplification, Midoriya learning better control and tactical restraint.
It wasn't just about following All Might's request anymore.
It was about preventing someone talented and dedicated from destroying themselves before they had a chance to become the hero they were meant to be.
---
Lunch was a subdued affair, with most of Class 3-A still processing what they'd witnessed during Midoriya's assessment.
"That power was unreal," Kirishima said between bites of his meal. "Like, I've seen some strong quirks, but that final punch? That was on another level."
"It's indeed strong, but it's also reckless," Tokoyami said quietly from across the table, his dark eyes thoughtful. "Raw power without restraint leads only to self-destruction."
"It wasn't reckless!" Kaminari protested. "He completed the mission perfectly! All civilians saved, all robots destroyed!"
"The mission success doesn't negate the poor decision-making," Iida said firmly, adjusting his glasses. "As future heroes, we must consider sustainable tactics. Midoriya-kun's approach, while effective, caused unnecessary self-harm."
"Exactly," Tokoyami continued, his voice heavy. "A hero who destroys himself in every battle cannot protect anyone in the long term. That final attack was impressive, but strategically unsound."
Ryuu found himself agreeing with Tokoyami's assessment, even if the bird-headed student's delivery was characteristically dramatic.
"Someone should help him," Mina said pointedly, looking directly at Ryuu.
Several other classmates picked up on the implication.
"You thinking about training with him, Ryuu?" Sero asked.
"Am considering it," Ryuu admitted. "My quirk focuses on amplification and control. Maybe I can help him understand his power better, find ways to use it without constantly injuring himself."
"That could be really beneficial," Momo agreed. "Complementary quirk training often yields unexpected insights."
"Just be careful," Jirou warned. "If your amplification works on his quirk the way it works on others, the results could be dangerous."
"That's why we'd start slow," Ryuu explained. "No amplification at first, just normal training and control exercises. Build a foundation of understanding before we try anything risky."
"That sounds reasonable," Tokoyami said. "Though I suspect All Might would want to be informed if you're planning to work with his personal student."
"Already planning to talk to him about it," Ryuu confirmed....What he didn't mention was that All Might was already in on the idea.
---
After lunch, Ryuu found Midoriya sitting alone in one of the study rooms, his right arm freshly healed but wrapped in compression bandaging.
The green-haired student was scribbling furiously in his ever-present notebook, apparently analyzing his own performance.
"Mind if I come in?" Ryuu asked from the doorway.
Midoriya looked up, surprise and something like shame crossing his face. "Kazama-sen—I mean, Ryuu! Of course, please!"
Ryuu entered and settled into a chair across from Midoriya, noting the pages of detailed analysis covering the notebook.
Combat breakdowns, tactical assessment, annotations about where he'd made mistakes.
"You're pretty hard on yourself," Ryuu observed.
Midoriya's laugh was self-deprecating. "Sensei said I was reckless. That I prioritized mission completion over personal safety. He's right....I should have found a way to defeat that large robot without using One Hundred Percent."
There it was again.
One Hundred Percent.
Not just the name of the attack, but a clear indication that Midoriya's quirk had measurable percentage levels.
"Can I ask you something?" Ryuu said carefully. "Your quirk....One For All...it's not just simple enhancement, is it?"
Midoriya tensed slightly, and Ryuu immediately felt the spike of anxiety through his passive Resonance.
"I'm not trying to pry," Ryuu added quickly. "Everyone's entitled to their quirk secrets. I'm asking because I want to help, and understanding your quirk better would make that help more effective."
"Help?" Midoriya looked confused. "Help how?"
"Training," Ryuu said simply. "Like coaching, control exercises, learning to maximize effectiveness without constantly hurting yourself. All Might asked me to look after you, and I think this is part of that."
Midoriya's expression cycled through several emotions....surprise, hope, uncertainty, and finally a cautious optimism.
"You'd... you'd want to train with me?"
"If you're willing," Ryuu confirmed. "My quirk deals with amplification and enhancement through connection. I might be able to help you understand your power better, find new ways to control it."
"But won't that be dangerous?" Midoriya asked. "If your amplification works on One For All, the power output could be..."
"Catastrophic," Ryuu finished. "Which is exactly why we need to be careful and methodical about it. Start with no amplification at all..... but we'll build up slowly, test the interaction in controlled environments with safety measures in place."
Midoriya was already nodding, his mind clearly engaging with the possibilities.
"That makes sense. And having someone who can sense the quirk's effect on my body through Resonance could help me find my limits more accurately..." He was talking faster now, excited. "All Might can observe from outside, but he can't feel what's happening internally. But you could, couldn't you? Through your quirk?"
"Potentially," Ryuu agreed. "Though we'd need to build a baseline understanding first. Learn what normal feels like before we can identify abnormal."
"When can we start?" Midoriya asked eagerly.
"How about tomorrow morning? Early, before regular classes. We can use one of the smaller training rooms."
"Yes! Absolutely!" Midoriya's enthusiasm was infectious. Then he paused, his expression becoming more serious. "Thank you, Ryuu. Really. I know I have a lot to learn about control and working with others. Having someone willing to help means everything."
"We're classmates," Ryuu said with a smile. "We help each other get stronger. That's what UA is about."
As they discussed logistics and training schedules, Ryuu felt a sense of rightness about this decision.
Midoriya Izuku had incredible potential and an unshakeable heroic spirit.
With proper guidance and support, he could become something truly extraordinary.
And somehow, Ryuu knew that helping Midoriya grow would help him grow too.
---
That evening, Ryuu found himself on the balcony again with Mina and Momo, updating them on his conversation with Midoriya.
"So he agreed immediately?" Mina asked.
"He was excited about it," Ryuu confirmed. "Though I could sense some nervousness too. I think he's worried about losing control and hurting someone."
"A valid concern given what we saw today," Momo said thoughtfully. "That final attack could have caused serious collateral damage in a real urban environment."
"Which is why the control training is so important," Ryuu said. "He needs to learn that maximum power isn't always the right answer."
"You're taking on a lot of responsibility," Mina observed, her hand finding his. "Training with Midoriya, maintaining our relationship, regular schoolwork, your own hero development..."
"I can handle it," Ryuu assured her. "Besides, this is what heroes do. We help each other become better."
Momo smiled at that. "Very true. Though I do think we should establish some boundaries around training time versus personal time. You'll need balance to avoid burning out."
"Agreed," Ryuu said. "Midoriya and I will train early mornings, maybe three times a week. That leaves evenings free for regular class activities and..." he glanced meaningfully at both girls, "personal time."
Mina grinned. "Good. Because I'm not sharing all of my Ryuu-time with an overenthusiastic hero-in-training."
"Speaking of which," Momo said with a slight blush, "we should probably discuss this weekend's plans."
The reminder sent a pleasant thrill through Ryuu. This weekend was supposed to be when Momo had her "turn" experiencing the amplified intimacy he'd shared with Mina.
"Are you still comfortable with that?" Ryuu asked seriously. "Because if you need more time—"
"I'm ready," Momo interrupted firmly. "I've been thinking about it all week, and I want to experience that connection with you."
Mina squeezed Ryuu's hand encouragingly. "It's amazing, Momo. Intense but amazing."
"Though we should establish some ground rules first," Momo continued in her practical way. "Communication signals, safety words, boundaries around what we're comfortable exploring..."
As they talked through the logistics with Momo's characteristic thoroughness, Ryuu marveled again at how well their unconventional relationship was working.
Three people, supporting each other, growing together, finding fulfillment in different ways.
It shouldn't work, but somehow it did.
"Tomorrow's going to be interesting," Ryuu said eventually. "First training session with Midoriya, regular classes, and whatever chaos UA decides to throw at us."
"When is it ever not interesting at this school?" Mina laughed.
Momo's phone chimed with a notification. She checked it and her expression shifted slightly. "Speaking of chaos... we have a message from Aizawa. Class 3-A is being assigned to assist with a first-year training exercise next week."
"What kind of exercise?" Ryuu asked.
"Villain simulation," Momo read. "We'll be playing the role of villains while the first-years attempt rescue operations. It's meant to give them experience against opponents with more advanced quirk mastery."
"Oh, that could be fun," Mina said with a mischievous grin. "I've always wanted to play the villain."
"It'll also be Midoriya's first team exercise with the class," Ryuu realized. "Good opportunity to see how he works with others in a controlled environment."
As they discussed the upcoming exercise, Ryuu felt a sense of anticipation building.
New challenges, new opportunities to grow, new connections forming.
This was what he'd come to UA for—not just to master his quirk, but to become part of something larger than himself.
Whatever came next, he was ready for it.