The lunch period found Ryuu sitting with his usual group, though the dynamics felt different than they had just two days ago.
Sero was telling some story about his morning training session, but Ryuu found his attention drifting to the table where Mina sat with the other girls.
She was laughing at something Ochaco had said, her head thrown back in genuine amusement.
The graceful curve of her neck caught the cafeteria lighting, and Ryuu had to force himself to look away before someone noticed his staring.
"Earth to Kazama" Kirishima said, waving a hand in front of his face. "You're totally spacing out man"
"Just tired" Ryuu replied, refocusing on his food.
"All that resonance stuff must be really draining" Kaminari said thoughtfully. "I mean, connecting with someone else's emotions and quirk at the same time sounds intense"
"It has its challenges" Ryuu agreed carefully.
"Speaking of challenges" Sero said with a grin, "looks like you've got some admirers. Half the girls in class have been asking about your quirk since yesterday"
Ryuu's stomach tightened. "People are just curious about how it works"
"Dude, Yaoyorozu literally cornered me this morning asking about your compatibility with different quirk types" Kaminari said. "That's not your casual curiosity, it seemed more like research to me"
Before Ryuu could respond, a shadow slid across their table.
He raised his gaze to find Momo Yaoyorozu standing beside them, a slight furrow deepening on her brow.
She looked as if she wanted to dissect him, finding out what he was hiding beneath all that skin.
"Kazama, could I speak with you privately" she asked, her mature voice carrying easily over the cafeteria noise.
Ryuu felt his friends' eyes on him as he nodded and stood to follow her. Momo led him to a quieter corner of the cafeteria, near the large windows overlooking the training grounds.
"I wanted to apologize if I seemed too forward this morning" Momo began, her black iris staring at his. "I realize that your quirk requires significant trust between partners"
"It's fine" Ryuu said, though he remained wary of where this conversation was heading.
"I've been thinking about what you said regarding emotional connection being necessary for effective amplification" Momo continued. "It made me realize that I don't really know you very well, despite being classmates for over a year"
She stepped slightly closer, and Ryuu caught a hint of her perfume - something elegant and expensive that suited her perfectly.
"I was wondering if you'd like to study together sometime" Momo said. "I could help you with Hero Law and Economics, and you could tell me more about how Resonance works. It would be mutually beneficial"
The offer was logical and well-presented, exactly what Ryuu would expect from someone with Momo's intelligence. But something about the way she looked at him suggested her interest went beyond academic collaboration.
"I'll think about it" he said diplomatically.
"Of course" Momo smiled, the expression transforming her already beautiful features. "There's no rush. Just let me know when you're ready"
As she walked away, Ryuu couldn't help but notice the confident sway of her hips and the way several male students turned to watch her pass.
Momo Yaoyorozu was objectively stunning, and her interest in him was both flattering and terrifying.
"Making friends with the class vice president" came a familiar voice behind him.
Ryuu turned to find Mina approaching, two lunch trays balanced in her hands. Her expression was neutral, but he could detect a slight edge to her tone.
"She wants to study together" Ryuu explained.
"I'm sure she does" Mina said, handing him one of the trays. "I brought you dessert. You left your table before getting any"
The gesture was thoughtful, and Ryuu felt some of his tension ease. "Thanks. You didn't have to do that"
"I wanted to" Mina said simply. They found seats at an empty table, sitting across from each other. "So, studying with Yaoyorozu. That could be interesting"
"You think I should do it?"
Mina was quiet for a moment, stirring her soup thoughtfully. "I think you should do whatever makes you comfortable. But I also think you should be careful"
"Careful how"
"Momo is used to getting what she wants" Mina said, her golden eyes meeting his. "She's brilliant and beautiful and comes from a wealthy family. Most guys would jump at the chance to spend time with her"
"But"
"Yeah, I get it...But your quirk makes things complicated" Mina continued. "What if she pushes for a partnership during training. What if she experiences the same effects I did yesterday"
The concern in her voice was genuine, but Ryuu sensed something else underneath it. Jealousy, maybe. The thought sent an unexpected thrill through him.
"Are you worried about her, or worried about losing your exclusive access to my quirk" he asked quietly.
Mina's spoon stopped moving. When she looked up at him, there was a slight flush on her face that made his breath catch.
"Maybe both" she admitted. "Yesterday was incredible, Ryuu. The connection we shared, the way it felt when our quirks synchronized perfectly. I've never experienced anything like that"
Her honesty was disarming. Most people would have denied any possessive feelings, but Mina faced them head-on.
"I don't want to be selfish" she continued, "but I also don't want to pretend I'm okay with sharing something that felt so personal"
Before Ryuu could respond, their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Ochaco and Tsuyu.
"Mind if we join you" Ochaco asked cheerfully, though she was already pulling out a chair.
"The cafeteria is pretty crowded today, ribbit" Tsuyu added, settling beside Ochaco.
Ryuu noticed how Mina's expression immediately shifted to her usual friendly demeanor, though her eyes remained slightly guarded.
"Of course" Mina said. "We were just talking about afternoon classes"
"Actually, I wanted to ask Kazama about something" Ochaco said, turning her bright smile on him. "I heard from Iida that there might be inter-class team exercises next week. Different classes working together on rescue scenarios"
"That sounds challenging" Ryuu replied carefully.
"It could be a great opportunity to test your quirk with partners from other classes, ribbit" Tsuyu observed. "See how your resonance works with different personality types"
"Speaking of which" Ochaco said, leaning forward with obvious excitement, "I've been thinking about how your amplification might affect my Zero Gravity. If you could boost my weight manipulation limits, I could lift much larger objects"
"Or multiple objects simultaneously" Tsuyu added. "Enhanced precision control could be very useful"
Ryuu felt trapped by their enthusiasm. Both girls were genuinely interested in the practical applications of his quirk, but he could sense Mina growing tenser with each suggestion.
"Inter-class exercises are still just rumors." He stabbed his spoon into his dessert again. "We should focus on current training first"
"True, but it doesn't hurt to think ahead" Ochaco said. "Besides, after seeing what you and Mina accomplished yesterday, I'm really curious about what other combinations might be possible"
The way she emphasized 'other combinations' made it clear that she wasn't just talking about quirk synergy. Ryuu was beginning to realize that his success with Mina had painted a target on his back in ways he hadn't anticipated.
"Kazama's quirk requires very specific conditions to work effectively" Mina interjected smoothly. "It's not something that can be replicated easily with just anyone"
"What kind of conditions" Tsuyu asked bluntly.
Mina glanced at Ryuu, silently asking permission to explain. When he nodded slightly, she continued.
"Emotional compatibility is the most important factor" Mina explained. "The deeper the trust and connection between partners, the stronger the amplification becomes. It's not just about quirk types matching up"
"So it's more personal than technical" Ochaco said thoughtfully. "That makes sense. The best hero partnerships are built on trust and understanding"
"Exactly" Mina agreed. "Which is why yesterday worked so well for us. We already had a foundation of friendship and mutual respect"
Ryuu appreciated how she was steering the conversation away from the more intimate aspects of his quirk's effects, while still making it clear that their partnership was special.
"Well, I think we have good friendships too" Ochaco said with determination. "Maybe not as close as you and Mina, but we could work on building that trust"
"Definitely, ribbit" Tsuyu agreed. "Friendship is something that grows over time with shared experiences"
The lunch period was winding down, but Ryuu could tell this conversation was far from over. His female classmates had clearly decided that he was worth pursuing, and they weren't going to be easily discouraged.
As they gathered their trays and prepared to return to class, Mina walked beside him while Ochaco and Tsuyu chatted ahead of them.
"This is going to get complicated" she said quietly.
"It's already complicated" Ryuu replied. "Any suggestions"
"Be honest about what you're comfortable with" Mina advised. "Don't let anyone pressure you into partnerships you're not ready for"
"Even you"
She looked at him with surprise. "Especially me. What we have is good, but it only works because it's genuine. The moment either of us starts forcing it, we'll lose what makes it special"
Her maturity impressed him. Despite her obvious desire to maintain their exclusive connection, she was putting his well-being first.
"For what it's worth" Ryuu said as they entered the classroom, "I'm not interested in exploring partnerships with anyone else right now"
The smile that spread across Mina's face was radiant. "Good to know"
As they took their seats for afternoon classes, Ryuu noticed several sets of eyes tracking his movements.
Momo gave him an encouraging nod from her seat near the front. Ochaco waved cheerfully. Even some of the girls from other classes who happened to be passing in the hallway seemed to linger near their door.
Word about his quirk was definitely spreading, and with it, interest from potential partners who saw opportunities for enhanced training and combat effectiveness.
The attention should have been flattering. Instead, it made him feel like prey being stalked by hunters who didn't fully understand what they were pursuing.
Only Mina seemed to grasp the true complexity of his abilities and their emotional ramifications. She was his anchor in an increasingly turbulent social situation.
As Present Mic launched into an enthusiastic English lesson, Ryuu found himself grateful for at least one person who understood both his power and his fears.
The question was whether that understanding would be enough to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.