My Hero Academia: Limitless

The Yaoyorozu library put university archives to shame. Three stories of dark wood shelves stretched toward a glass ceiling that flooded the space with natural light. Reading nooks dotted the walls, each one a perfect spot for losing yourself in literature.

Or hiding from prying eyes.

"This is..." I traced the spine of what looked like a first edition. "Excessive."

"Father believes knowledge should be accessible." Momo's heels clicked against hardwood as she led me deeper into the stacks. "Though I suspect he just likes having somewhere quiet to escape."

"From your mother's parties?"

"Among other things." She glanced back. "The philosophy section is particularly good for avoiding social obligations."

"Speaking from experience?"

"Maybe." Her steps slowed. "Though lately I've found the physics section more interesting."

"Really."

"Mm." She stopped at the end of an aisle. "Did you know there are fourteen different theories about spatial manipulation?"

"Fascinating."

"Very." Her fingers drummed against a shelf. "The mathematical models alone..."

"Momo."

"Yes?"

"Are we actually here to discuss physics?"

"We could be." She straightened a book that didn't need straightening. "The theories about infinite space are quite-"

I caught her hand. "You're rambling."

"I know." She stared at our joined hands. "It's easier than..."

"Than?"

"Than admitting I have no idea what I'm doing."

"Join the club."

She laughed softly. "At least you're honest about it."

"Only because your mother terrifies me."

"Smart man." She squeezed my hand. "Though I notice you're still here."

"You did promise to help me study."

"Did I?"

"Something about chemistry?"

Pink dusted her cheeks. "That was..."

"Yes?"

"I don't usually..." She pulled her hand free to tuck hair behind her ear. "I'm not good at this."

"At what?"

"At..." She gestured between us. "This."

"Hiding in libraries?"

"Being forward." She leaned against the shelves. "That's more Katsumi's style."

"True."

"Or Kaori's."

"Also true."

"I should hate that you're not denying it."

"But?"

"But it's part of why I..." She looked up. "Why I trust you."

"Because I'm honest about being a mess?"

"Because you're honest even when it's hard." Her voice dropped. "Even when it might cost you everything."

I stepped closer. "Everything?"

"Mother could have ended your hero career with one phone call." She pressed back against the shelves. "Still could."

"I know."

"But you told the truth anyway."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"You know why."

"Tell me anyway."

I braced one hand beside her head. "Because you deserve better than lies."

She inhaled sharply. "That's not fair."

"What isn't?"

"Saying things like that when we're alone."

"You picked the location."

"I did, didn't I?" Her eyes dropped to my mouth. "Maybe I'm braver than I thought."

"Maybe."

"Or maybe..." Her hands fisted in my jacket. "Maybe I'm tired of overthinking everything."

"Momo..."

"I kept telling myself to wait." She pulled me closer. "To think it through. To consider all the angles."

"And now?"

"Now I'm wondering what would happen if I just..."

The shelf creaked as she used it for leverage, rising on her toes to press her lips to mine.

For a heartbeat, neither of us moved.

Then her fingers tightened in my jacket, and thinking became optional.

I caught her waist as she swayed forward, steadying her against the shelves. She made a soft sound of approval, one hand sliding into my hair.

Finally.

Someone cleared their throat.

We broke apart like startled cats. Momo's hand flew to her mouth while I tried to remember how breathing worked.

Sebastian stood at the end of the aisle, expression neutral. "Young Miss. Master Yoichi. Lady Naomi requests your presence in the dining room."

"Now?" Momo's voice cracked.

"Indeed." His eyes crinkled slightly. "Though perhaps you'd like a moment to... freshen up first."

She touched her lips. "Oh god."

"I took the liberty of leaving some supplies in your private study." He turned to go. "Five minutes should suffice."

"Sebastian..."

"I'll inform Lady Naomi you're reviewing physics texts." He glanced back. "Though perhaps the chemistry section would be more accurate."

Momo buried her face in my chest. "I'm going to die."

"If it helps, I think he's on our side."

"It doesn't." She looked up. "Your tie is crooked."

"Wonder how that happened."

"Shut up." She straightened it with shaking hands. "This is mortifying."

"Could be worse."

"How?"

"Could have been your mother."

She paled. "We need to fix my lipstick."

"Lead the way."

Her private study turned out to be a cozy room off the main library. Plush armchairs surrounded a mahogany desk, and one wall opened onto a small balcony.

"Here." She grabbed a small bag from the desk. "Sebastian thinks of everything."

"Should I be worried he anticipated this?"

"Probably." She checked her reflection in a compact mirror. "Though right now I'm just grateful."

I watched her fix her makeup with practiced efficiency. "So."

"So?"

"That happened."

She fumbled the lipstick. "It did."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not particularly." She capped the lipstick. "Though we probably should."

"Probably."

"Later?"

"Sure." I straightened my collar. "After your mother finishes interrogating us about physics."

"She won't believe that excuse."

"No?"

"No." Momo tucked the makeup away. "But she'll pretend to."

"Why?"

"Because that's how the game works." She smoothed her dress. "We maintain plausible deniability, she maintains control."

"Sounds exhausting."

"Welcome to my world." She headed for the door. "Ready?"

"For lunch with your mother after she definitely knows what we were doing?" I followed her out. "Not even close."

"Good." She took my hand. "Neither am I."

The dining room could have hosted a small army. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over a table that stretched forever, though only three places were set.

"Ah, there you are." Naomi sat at the head of the table. "I trust your physics review was... enlightening?"

Momo's hand tightened on mine. "Very."

"Excellent." Naomi gestured to the seats beside her. "Though I'm curious why you chose such an... advanced subject."

"The theories were fascinating," I said.

"I'm sure they were." Her eyes sparkled. "Sebastian mentioned something about chemistry as well?"

Momo choked on her water.

"A natural progression," I managed.

"Indeed." Naomi signaled the staff. "Though perhaps we should discuss your extracurricular activities another time."

"Mother..."

"The soup is getting cold, dear."

We took our seats as servers appeared with the first course. The soup was probably amazing, but I barely tasted it.

"Tell me, Yoichi." Naomi dabbed her lips. "What are your plans after graduation?"

"Professional hero work, assuming I pass the licensing exam."

"Assuming?" She raised an eyebrow. "From what I've seen, you're quite capable."

"Capability isn't everything."

"No?" She set her spoon down. "What else matters?"

I thought about the USJ. About choices and consequences. "Intent."

"Interesting answer." She studied me. "And what are your intentions, Yoichi?"

Momo tensed beside me.

"That depends," I said carefully.

"On?"

"On whether we're still discussing hero work."

Naomi's laugh startled the servers. "Oh, I like you."

"Mother..."

"What? I'm allowed to appreciate honesty." She waved for the next course. "Especially when it's so refreshingly direct."

"I get that from my mother."

"Asami always did prefer the straightforward approach." Naomi accepted a fresh napkin. "Though she's learned subtlety over the years."

"You know my mother well?"

"We attended university together." Her smile turned nostalgic. "She was... quite something back then."

"She still is."

"I'm sure." Naomi's eyes sharpened. "Though I wonder if she knows about your current situation."

"Mother, please-"

"It's fine." I set my spoon down. "And yes, she knows everything."

"Everything?"

"Everything." I met her gaze. "Including this lunch."

"How interesting." She turned to Momo. "And you knew about his... complications beforehand?"

"Yes."

"Yet you still..."

"Yes."

"I see." Naomi sat back. "And what does that tell you?"

Momo frowned. "I don't understand."

"Don't you?" Naomi's voice softened. "Think, dear. Why would I arrange this lunch?"

"To evaluate him."

"Partly." She nodded to the staff. "Clear the courses, please. I believe we need a moment."

The servers vanished like smoke.

"Mother?"

"I knew about Yoichi's situation already." Naomi folded her hands. "Just as I knew about your feelings for him."

Momo stiffened. "How?"

"Because I know you, dear." Naomi's expression gentled. "You've never been good at hiding your heart."

"I don't..."

"You chose him despite knowing the complications." Naomi reached for her hand. "Just as he chose honesty despite the consequences."

"I still don't understand."

"No?" Naomi squeezed her fingers. "Then let me be clear. I arranged this lunch to see if you were ready to be honest with yourself."

"About?"

"About what you want." Naomi released her hand. "And whether you're brave enough to fight for it."

Silence stretched between us.

"The library wasn't an accident," I realized.

"Sebastian may have mentioned the best places for private conversations." Naomi's eyes danced. "Just as he may have mentioned your whereabouts at a... convenient time."

"You planned all this?"

"I simply created opportunities." She stood. "What you did with them was entirely your choice."

Momo's cheeks flamed. "Mother!"

"Oh please, dear. Did you really think the security cameras missed your little study session?"

"Oh god."

"Don't worry, I had them disabled beforehand." Naomi headed for the door. "I'll give you two a moment to discuss things. Yoichi, your room will be ready whenever you'd like to retire."

"I..."

"The blue suite, I think." She paused. "Unless you'd prefer something closer to Momo's wing?"

"Mother!"

"Just asking, dear." Naomi's laugh followed her out. "Just asking."

The door closed softly behind her.

"So." I turned to Momo. "That was..."

"Mortifying?" She dropped her head to the table. "Humiliating? The actual worst?"

"I was going to say interesting."

"Interesting?" She lifted her head. "My mother just admitted to orchestrating our entire day, including our... moment in the library, and you think it's interesting?"

"Well, yeah."

"How are you so calm about this?"

"Because she didn't actually orchestrate anything." I caught her hand. "She just gave us chances to be honest."

"But..."

"But what? Would you have kissed me if you didn't want to?"

Her cheeks darkened. "No."

"Would you have brought me home if you weren't sure about us?"

"I..." She bit her lip. "No."

"Then what's the problem?"

"The problem is..." She gestured helplessly. "Everything is so complicated, and I don't know how to..."

I kissed her.

She made a surprised sound before melting into it, her free hand finding my tie again.

I pulled back slowly. "Still overthinking?"

"You can't just kiss me every time I spiral."

"Why not?"

"Because..." She tugged my tie. "It's not fair."

"Seems pretty fair to me."

"Yoichi..."

"Yes?"

"You're still holding my hand."

"You're still holding my tie."

"Oh." She released it quickly. "Sorry."

"Don't be." I straightened it one-handed. "Though we should probably talk about this."

"Probably." She looked at our joined hands. "Though maybe not here?"

"Your mother did mention my room was ready."

She smacked my arm. "Not helping."

"Sorry." I grinned. "Couldn't resist."

"Clearly." But she was smiling. "Ready?"

"Always."

We left the dining room hand in hand, and I decided maybe my tie could survive being crooked for a while longer.

After all, we had some chemistry to discuss.