Jason stood barefoot in the backyard of the Yaoyorozu estate, sweat glistening across his arms as he launched a kick into a reinforced dummy. It flew back a few feet, wobbling before correcting itself. Momo sat nearby under a parasol, notes in hand, but her eyes weren't on the paper.
"You've been hitting that dummy like it stole something," she muttered.
Jason cracked a grin. "Nah. Just imagining it's the interview guy who said I had 'no future in hero work.'"
Momo raised a brow. "You mean the one who choked on his water when you made your clone dance behind him?"
"Exactly," he said, summoning a double with a flicker of energy. The clone popped into place and immediately struck a silly pose, flexing exaggeratedly. Momo tried not to laugh—and failed.
"I still can't believe that's your Quirk. Infinite Form? Sounds dramatic for a guy who can't even clone a sandwich."
Jason raised a finger. "Technically, that would be food replication. Totally different field."
He dropped to the ground and began pushups while his clone sparred with another dummy. Momo watched for a moment before asking, "Have you figured out a way to make your clones last longer yet?"
"Not really. I either push too much and pass out, or they poof like balloons. Still working on the sweet spot."
Jason's clone suddenly tripped over its own foot, face-planting with a puff of smoke. Momo stifled a giggle. "So majestic."
"Hey, don't laugh at my brother," Jason said, smirking.
"Your clone," she corrected.
He stood and stretched, walking over with a lazy smile. "Speaking of majestic… I heard about what happened at school yesterday. Truth or Dare, right? Someone dared you to flirt with me?"
Momo froze, turning crimson. "Wh-where did you hear that?!"
Jason tapped the side of his head. "My clone may have accidentally wandered past your little game circle before vanishing."
"You—! That's cheating!"
He leaned close, voice playful. "So... was that why you came to the tree?"
"I—It was a dare!" she sputtered.
"I know." Jason winked. "But you stayed a little too long for just a dare."
Momo turned away, holding her notes up to hide her face. "You're insufferable."
"I try." Jason flopped onto the grass beside her, arms folded behind his head.
A long silence stretched between them, broken only by birds and distant traffic. Then Momo mumbled, "You're getting better. At your Quirk."
Jason peeked sideways at her. "You think?"
"I know."
For once, he didn't deflect. He just nodded.