The morning after his conversation with Midoriya, Ryuu found himself in Training Ground Delta before sunrise.
The smaller facility was perfect for controlled practice, away from the main campus buildings where they might accidentally cause damage.
Midoriya arrived exactly on time, his hero costume already on and his ever-present notebook tucked under one arm.
"Kazama-senpai!" he called out, then corrected himself. "I mean, Ryuu! Sorry, still getting used to that."
"It's fine," Ryuu said with an easy smile. "How's the arm?"
Midoriya flexed his right hand experimentally. "Recovery Girl says it's completely healed. She also gave me another lecture about reckless quirk usage." He grimaced slightly. "I think she's keeping a tally at this point."
"Can't blame her," Ryuu replied. "I watched you nearly destroy yourself yesterday. That's exactly what we're here to work on. Control, not just power."
They spent the next hour working through basic exercises. Ryuu had Midoriya activate Full Cowling at progressively lower percentages, observing how the green lightning manifested differently at each level.
"Twenty percent," Midoriya called out, the energy crackling around his body in a steady, controlled aura.
Ryuu circled him slowly, taking mental notes. "How does it feel? Any strain?"
"It's comfortable," Midoriya reported. "This is well within my safe range. I can maintain this for extended periods without damage."
"Good. Now, I want you to try something different. Instead of distributing the enhancement evenly across your whole body, try concentrating it in just one limb. Your left arm."
Midoriya's eyes widened with understanding. "Localized enhancement. Like I do for my finishing moves, but at a lower overall percentage."
"Exactly. If you can learn to concentrate your quirk's power where you need it most, you'll be more efficient and less likely to hurt yourself."
The training continued, with Midoriya experimenting with different concentration techniques while Ryuu observed and offered suggestions.
It was productive work, and Ryuu could already see improvement in how Midoriya controlled his power flow.
They were wrapping up when both their phones chimed simultaneously.
"Class message," Midoriya said, pulling out his phone. His expression shifted to curiosity as he read. "Field trip?"
Ryuu checked his own notification. The message was from Aizawa, characteristically brief and to the point.
*"Class 3-A: Field trip to National Quirk Research Institute scheduled for Friday. Educational visit focused on quirk evolution and enhancement technologies. Attendance mandatory. Detailed itinerary to follow. Don't make me regret this."*
"That's interesting timing," Midoriya said thoughtfully. "I just transferred in, and we're already doing a class trip?"
'Hmm?" Ryuu was a little confused. They were supposed to be assigned to help with a first-year training exercise.
"The institute visit has probably been planned for weeks," Ryuu replied, still reading the message details. "Aizawa-sensei likely scheduled it as part of our advanced quirk theory curriculum. We're third-years, after all. This kind of specialized education makes sense."
"What's the National Quirk Research Institute like?"
"No idea, actually. I've never been." Ryuu pocketed his phone. "But if they're giving us access to restricted research areas, it should be educational. Especially for someone like me with an amplification quirk. There might be historical data about similar quirks and how they developed."
Midoriya's eyes lit up with that familiar analytical gleam. "And for me, learning about quirk evolution could help me understand One For All better! The way inherited quirks develop and adapt to new users, the biological mechanisms behind enhancement-type quirks..." He was already pulling out his notebook, scribbling notes.
Ryuu couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm. "You know, that's probably the first time I've seen you excited about something that doesn't involve analyzing pro heroes."
"Quirk research is fascinating!" Midoriya defended, though he was grinning. "Understanding the science behind our abilities makes us better heroes. Plus, who knows what kind of applications we might discover?"
They walked back toward the main campus together, discussing possibilities for what they might learn at the institute.
The sun was just beginning to rise over UA's sprawling grounds, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
"So," Midoriya said after a comfortable silence, "how should we structure our training sessions going forward? I don't want to interfere with your regular schedule or your time with Ashido-san and Yaoyorozu-san."
""Huh? How do you know that?" Ryuu was shocked.
"Hmm? I thought it was something everyone knew—about you two spending time together." Midoriya looked back at Ryuu, confusion written all over his face.
"Ahh, well...we'll figure it out," Ryuu sighed, deciding to change the subject. "Three mornings a week should work. Gives you time to practice what we work on, and gives me time for my own training and, well, personal life."
Midoriya nodded seriously. "I really appreciate this, Ryuu. Having someone who understands high-output quirks helping me with control, it means a lot. All Might is an incredible mentor, but sometimes I need perspective from someone closer to my own level."
"We'll both learn from this," Ryuu said. "Teaching someone else helps me understand my own quirk better too. It's mutual benefit."
They parted ways at the dorms, with Midoriya heading off to shower and change before regular classes started.
Ryuu made his way back to his own room, where he found a message from Mina waiting on his phone.
*"Morning training with your new student? How'd it go? Also, field trip!! We should sit together on the bus! <3"*
Ryuu smiled and typed back a quick response before heading to the shower himself.
The day was just beginning, and he had a feeling it was going to be an interesting one.
---
By the time first period rolled around, the entire class was buzzing with excitement about the upcoming field trip.
Even Aizawa's perpetually exhausted expression couldn't dampen the enthusiasm as students filed into the classroom.
"Settle down," Aizawa said flatly, not even bothering to look up from whatever paperwork he was reviewing at his desk. "Yes, there's a field trip. No, you don't get to skip regular classes just because you're excited about it. The trip is Friday. Today is Wednesday. Do the math."
Several students deflated slightly, but the underlying excitement remained.
"Sensei," Iida raised his hand with characteristic formality, "could you provide more details about the educational objectives of this excursion? Understanding the purpose will help us prepare appropriately."
Aizawa sighed, finally looking up. "The National Quirk Research Institute houses the country's most comprehensive database on quirk development, evolution, and application. As third-year hero students, you're at a level where understanding the science behind quirks becomes relevant to your future careers. This isn't a pleasure trip. It's an educational opportunity."
He clicked something on his tablet, and information appeared on the classroom's main screen.
"The institute has several specialized research wings. We'll be touring the Enhancement Research Division, which focuses on quirks that amplify, modify, or augment other abilities. The Historical Archives, which document quirk evolution over generations. And if you behave yourselves and demonstrate actual intellectual engagement, possibly the Advanced Applications Lab."
Momo's hand shot up. "Will we have access to the published research databases? I've read several papers from institute researchers, and it would be valuable to ask questions directly."
"Yes, Yaoyorozu. There will be opportunities to interact with the research staff." Aizawa's attention shifted. "Kazama."
Ryuu straightened slightly. "Yes, sensei?"
"Your quirk classification makes you particularly relevant to this trip. The Enhancement Research Division has extensive documentation on amplification-type quirks throughout history. I expect you to pay attention and actually learn something useful."
"Understood, sensei."
Several classmates glanced at Ryuu with interest. It wasn't often that Aizawa singled someone out as having specific relevance to a class activity.
"The trip will take most of the day," Aizawa continued. "We'll leave campus at eight AM Friday morning. Buses will transport us to the institute, which is about ninety minutes away. Bring your hero costumes. Not because you'll need them, but because it's standard protocol when leaving campus for any reason."
Kaminari raised his hand. "Do we need to bring lunch, or-"
"The institute has a cafeteria. Your meals are covered." Aizawa's expression somehow became even more deadpan. "Any other basic questions that could be answered by simply reading the detailed itinerary I'm about to send you?"
Silence.
"Good. Check your phones. Read the information. Don't make me regret organizing this trip." He tapped his tablet, and everyone's phones chimed simultaneously with the incoming message. "Now, if we're done discussing Friday, let's focus on today's actual lesson. Quirk Law and Hero Liability, chapter seven."
The collective groan was immediate.
"Yes, I know it's boring," Aizawa said without sympathy. "It's also mandatory knowledge for your provisional licenses. Open your textbooks."
As the class settled into the decidedly less exciting reality of legal theory, Ryuu found himself genuinely looking forward to Friday.
The chance to learn about historical amplification quirks, to understand how his abilities fit into the broader context of quirk evolution, that was actually interesting.
Plus, he thought with a slight smile, a day trip with the class meant time with Mina and Momo outside the usual campus routine. That was always a bonus.
----
The rest of the week passed in a blur of regular classes, training sessions, and preparation for the field trip.
Ryuu continued his morning sessions with Midoriya, focusing on control and efficiency rather than raw power. The green-haired student was a remarkably quick learner, adapting his techniques with surprising speed.
On Thursday evening, Ryuu was out on the common room balcony with Mina and Momo, enjoying the cool air after a long day of classes.
"So," Mina said, leaning against the railing with a playful smile, "excited about Friday?"
"Actually, yes," Ryuu admitted. "Learning about historical amplification quirks could give me insights into my own abilities. Understanding where my quirk fits in the broader evolutionary context might help me develop it more effectively."
"That's very practical thinking," Momo said approvingly. She was sitting on one of the balcony chairs, a thermos of tea in her hands. "I've been reading some of the institute's published research papers. Their work on quirk synergy and compatibility is fascinating."
"Of course you've been doing homework for the field trip," Mina teased gently. "You know it's supposed to be at least a little bit fun, right?"
"Learning is fun," Momo countered with a slight smile.
"You two are perfect for each other," Mina laughed. "Both total nerds about this stuff."
Ryuu reached out and tugged Mina closer, earning a surprised squeak. "Says the girl who spent an hour yesterday testing different acid pH levels for optimal combat applications."
"That's different! That's practical training!"
"And learning about my quirk's history isn't practical?"
Mina stuck her tongue out at him, but she was smiling. "Okay, fine. You got me there."
Momo watched their interaction with warm amusement. "I think what Mina means is that we should also enjoy the experience beyond just the educational value. It's a chance for the class to bond outside of combat training and hero work."
"True," Ryuu agreed. "And it'll be good for Midoriya. His first real class activity since transferring. Low-stress environment to get to know everyone better."
"How's the training going with him?" Momo asked.
"Really well, actually. He's incredibly dedicated and picks up concepts quickly. We're focusing on control right now, teaching him to use lower power levels more effectively instead of always going for maximum output."
"That's probably wise," Momo said. "From what we saw during his assessment, his tendency toward self-destructive tactics is concerning."
"He's getting better," Ryuu said. "Understanding that sustainable power is more valuable than overwhelming force, that's a process. But he's learning."
Mina leaned her head against Ryuu's shoulder. "You're good at this teaching thing. Have you thought about what kind of hero you want to be after graduation? Because you'd make a great mentor-type hero."
"I haven't really decided yet," Ryuu admitted. "Support hero, definitely. But whether that means agency work, teaching, or something else..." He shrugged. "We've still got time to figure it out."
"We'll figure it out together," Momo whispered as she stepped closer.
Ryuu's other free hand slid to her waist, pulling her gently toward him.
They stayed like that for a while, comfortable in each other's presence, talking about small things and enjoying the peaceful evening.
These quiet moments were becoming increasingly precious to Ryuu.
The relationship he shared with Mina and Momo was unconventional, sure, but it worked for them. That was what mattered.
---
Author's Note:...I honestly feel I should leave dem as it is...but...well, what the heck...