章 38: A Quiet Moment
-Narrator POV-
Raio's muscles screamed in agony as he found a secluded spot near the lodge, just beyond the sight of his classmates. The training had pushed him to his absolute limit, and the overuse of his quirk left him raw and aching, the familiar burn of his lightning scars now throbbing with every breath. But showing it—showing any weakness—was the last thing he wanted. He'd been through worse before, he reminded himself. He just needed a moment to catch his breath.
Leaning against a tree, he closed his eyes, trying to will the pain away, though his body protested. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright, refusing to let the fatigue consume him. No one needed to know how bad it hurt.
Footsteps crunched lightly behind him. Raio opened his eyes, expecting to see Aizawa-sensei walking past, but instead, Jirou came into view. She wasn't loud or pushy; she never was. She just sort of… appeared when she knew someone needed her.
She didn't say anything at first, just sat down next to him with a casual air as if she'd planned to rest there all along. The silence between them was comfortable, but Raio knew Jirou was more observant than she let on.
"You're pushing yourself too hard," she said, her tone light but laced with that knowing edge. "I can see it."
Raio shrugged, keeping his voice as nonchalant as he could. "It's fine. Just a little sore, that's all."
Jirou didn't press further, but the look in her eyes told him she wasn't buying it. She fiddled with one of her earlobes, her familiar habit when she was thinking. Raio appreciated that she didn't make a big deal out of it. Jirou wasn't the type to force her concern on others, but her presence—just her being there—helped more than she probably knew. She understood what he was going through better than most. She had been there when his quirk spiraled out of control during the U.S.J raid, when she had helped him in the aftermath, putting his collar back on. She knew this wasn't just soreness.
"You don't have to lie to me." Jirou added with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood. "We still need you in one piece. So take it easy."
"When you say 'we' you mean it 'you'?" The response was met with a left hook to the liver from a flustered red Jirou, who stormed away at large strides. Raio gave a weak chuckle as he followed behind.
...
The sun had just begun to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, orange glow over the lodge as the students of U.A. set out for their next task: making their own dinner. After a brutal day of training, most of them were dragging their feet, but there was a strange sense of camaraderie in the air, thanks to Ilda. Despite their exhaustion, everyone knew that this time, they weren't fighting or training. They were simply together.
Raio rolled his shoulder, still feeling the ache from earlier. He was making a conscious effort to hide it, though—it wouldn't do for anyone to see him in pain, especially now when the mood was lighter. As he approached the makeshift outdoor kitchen area, he saw a few classmates already gathered around, trying to figure out how to work together to make a meal.
Kirishima, ever the enthusiastic one, took charge. "Alright, let's make something manly tonight!" he shouted, slamming his fist into his palm. "We've got rice, veggies, meat, and a whole lotta heart. Who's in?"
"Who said cooking has to be manly?" Jirou asked, rolling her eyes as she grabbed a cutting board. "Let's just make something edible."
Sero and Mina were already raiding the pantry supplies, pulling out ingredients and debating how best to prepare them. Mina was in charge of seasoning, and she took it seriously, sprinkling spices with dramatic flair as Sero tossed a few vegetables onto a grill.
"Careful there, Mina," Sero joked. "Last time you cooked, my tongue was on fire for days."
"Pfft," Mina waved him off with a grin. "That just means you can't handle flavor, bro."
Raio chuckled at the banter, making his way to a nearby table where Todoroki and Yaoyorozu were busy chopping vegetables in a calm and efficient manner. Bakugou was a few paces away, muttering about how everyone else was "useless" in the kitchen but somehow managing to roast the meat to perfection without burning it. Classic Bakugou.
The relaxed atmosphere continued to build as everyone pitched in. Ilda, ever the leader, was attempting to organize the chaos, but even he seemed to be loosening up after the intense training. It wasn't often they all got to do something together without a life-threatening situation looming over their heads.
Eventually, after some mishaps, laughter, and a few close calls with burning food (thanks to Mina and Sero's "experiments"), dinner was ready. The students gathered around a large table outside, the aroma of grilled meat and freshly cooked rice filling the air.
Kaminari took a seat between Kirishima and Sero, feeling the warmth of the fire and the friendly conversation around him. Everyone was laughing, eating heartily, and for a moment, the stresses of the day melted away.
"Not bad." Todoroki said quietly, looking down at his plate with a hint of satisfaction.
Mina smiled proudly. "Told ya. Spices make everything better."
Raio was enjoying the scene in silence, taking it all in. These were the moments that kept him grounded, even when his quirk threatened to overwhelm him. Despite all the training, the pain, and the growing tensions around him, it was moments like this that reminded him why he pushed so hard—to protect these friendships.
Across the table, Kendo caught his eye briefly and gave him a warm smile. She had her own group from Class 1-B, but she was clearly looking his way more often than not. Raio offered a small smile in return before turning his attention back to the food. He tried not to think too much of it, but something about the way Kendo looked at him made his heart race just a little.
"Hey, Kaminari," Kirishima said, interrupting his thoughts. "You okay? You've been quiet."
Raio smirked and shrugged. "Just saving my energy. You guys can handle the talking for a bit."
Kirishima laughed and clapped him on the back. "You better! We'll need it for the next round of training."
...
With the last plate dried, Kaminari once more dwelve into his own thoughts, in a mere two days, he experienced so much it was almost overwhelming. His mind wandered a little more until a friendly voice shook him out of it.
"Never have I seen someone clean a spoon with such razor sharp focus."
Kendo's voice was upbeat, carrying her usual energy despite the clear exhaustion in her step. She, too, had been through a grueling day of training, but she approached with a smile, eyes bright and determined. Raio straightened a little, trying to mask the fatigue that Jirou had already seen through.
"I'm very thorough on my cutlery hygiene." He responded, causing a chuckle to come out of Kendo.
"I saw your training earlier," Kendo continued as she came closer, stopping just a few steps away. "You put an impressive lightshow on top of that hill."
Raio waved off the compliment, though there was a part of him that appreciated it more than he'd admit. "I am glad Aizawa-sensei's attempted murder was enjoyful to watch."
Kendo folded her arms, her expression softening. "Just… don't push yourself too hard, okay? We all need to get stronger, but if you burn yourself out, it'll do more harm than good." She smiled then, encouraging but genuine. "Besides, you've already impressed everyone, no need to wreck yourself to prove anything. Right?"
Her words were well-meaning, and Raio could see the sincerity in her eyes. She had a straightforwardness about her that was refreshing—she wasn't tiptoeing around his pride or trying to make him feel weak. She just saw him as he was and believed in him.
It brought him back to what Jirou said earlier, a clear difference of approach. The quiet understanding she offered was different from Kendo's encouragement, but in their own ways, both girls were showing they cared: Jirou, who saw his pain without needing to ask, and Kendo, who admired his strength and wanted to help him keep going.
"Although I enjoy being impressive... I thank you for your words of advice, Kendo."
She nodded in response, even helped drying and putting away the dishes. They had a joyful banter before she called away by Monoma, 'reprimanding' her for, in his words, "fraternizing with the enemy", only to be met with a swift chop to the neck.
...
The rest of the evening passed with more jokes, light-hearted teasing, and full bellies. The students' weariness began to settle in as the meal came to a close, and soon, they were packing up, cleaning the dishes, and heading to their respective dorms.
...
The lodge was quiet, the soft sound of crickets chirping in the distance. It was nearly 3 a.m., and the boys' dorm was dark, save for a few muted whispers from those who still couldn't quite fall asleep. Raio, however, was wide awake. The pain from overexerting his quirk was still pulsing through his body, and no matter how much he tried to relax, sleep wouldn't come his scars seemed to have reopened again from so much pain, an agonizing discomfort that Kaminari only didn't cry because he didn't have any tears ready.
With a quiet sigh, he slipped out of bed, careful not to wake the others. Maybe some fresh air would help. He needed to clear his mind and push through the lingering discomfort.
The moon cast a gentle glow over the training camp, bathing the forest in silver light. The cool breeze rustled the trees, carrying with it the distant sounds of insects chirping. It was the only noise that accompanied Kaminari as he stood at the edge of the camp, catching his breath after a grueling day of exercises. The day's intensity still buzzed through his body like a current, making sleep elusive.
"Couldn't sleep either?" The voice startled him, but only for a second. He turned to see Kendo sitting a few feet away, arms crossed with a small smile playing on her lips. She had changed out of her training gear and into more casual clothes, her auburn hair still tied up neatly. The moonlight highlighted the glint in her eyes.
"Oh, hey." Kaminari said, trying to mask his surprise with a grin. "Yeah, I guess my brain's still wired from everything today." He shifted, running a hand through his hair and letting out a small chuckle. "Feels like every muscle in my body is still screaming at me."
Kendo chuckled, the sound soft and genuine. "Tell me about it. Today was brutal." He walked over and leaned against the railing beside her, the wood creaking softly under their weight. "But you've got to admit, it's better than being bored, right?"
"Indeed it is." Kaminari agreed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. There was a pause, but it wasn't awkward. It felt like the two were just soaking in the night air, each lost in their thoughts and finding a strange comfort in the shared silence. Finally, Kaminari glanced at her, the breeze brushing past them. "What about you? Why are you up?"
Kendo sighed, her gaze shifting upward to the starlit sky. "I've been thinking about today's training—how much stronger we need to get. Seeing everyone push themselves... it's inspiring but a little intimidating, too. I don't know, I guess I'm just feeling overwhelmed." Her voice carried a touch of vulnerability, a rare glimpse beyond the composed leader she always portrayed.
Kaminari nodded, the understanding in his expression deepening. "Yeah, it's wild how far some people have come. But you're doing great. Everyone in Class 1-B is. You're a strong leader, you know."
Kendo blinked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. The compliment hung between them, raw and genuine. "Thanks, Kaminari-san. That means a lot." She tilted her head slightly, studying him as if seeing him in a new light. "You're different than I thought you'd be."
"Different how?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow and crossing his arms in mock offense.
"I don't know," she admitted, a playful smirk forming. "At the sports festival you gave this aura of... Arrogance as an first impression. But after actually talking to you, I see a totaly different person."
Kaminari laughed, a warm sound that filled the air, cutting through the quiet of the forest. "Sorry about that, I can guarantee it wasn't intentional. It's just that I had a goal to achieve at the Sports Festival, a dream to achieve." His expression shifted for a moment, a flicker of something deeper—pride, maybe, or determination.
"A dream, huh?" She was paying a very close attention to what he was saying, as if she had waited for this moment for a long time. "I guess that explains it why you went all out in the finals, this dream of yours must be worth it."
"Not just a dream of mine, more like a promisse." His immediate response caught her off guard, like he had to make that correction, as if to not create misunderstanding.
"A shared dream just makes it more beautiful of a story, if you ask me." Her enthusiasm was noted, Raio doesn't feel confortable talking about his past yet, but for now, Kendo's genuine personality makes him feel at ease.
Their eyes met, and there was a shared moment of understanding. For a second, the competitive divide between Class 1-A and Class 1-B felt non-existent. They were just two students, both striving to be heroes in a world that demanded so much from them.
"You know..." Kendo said, breaking the silence, her voice softer now, "...it's nice talking like this. Without the rivalry, I mean."
"Yeah." Kaminari agreed. He glanced down at the ground for a moment before looking back at her. "I guess we don't get many chances to just... be."
Kendo's smile softened, a hint of something unreadable in her expression. "Well, we should change that. After all, we're in this together, whether we like it or not."
Kaminari's grin widened. "You know what, you're right." He paused, then added with a teasing lilt, "So, when's the next 3 a.m. meeting?"
She laughed, the sound ringing out in the quiet night, bright and unguarded. "Let's not make it a habit." she joked, nudging his arm playfully. "But who knows? Maybe next time, it won't be so accidental."
The humor lingered in the air, but it was underlined by a sincerity that neither of them felt the need to voice.
With that, Kendo straightened up, a hint of reluctance in her movement. "We should get some rest. Soon there will another round of chaos."
"An unfortunate reality." Kaminari said, watching as she began to walk back toward the cabins. He felt an odd sense of loss as the distance grew between them.
"Good night, Kaminari-san." Kendo called over her shoulder, her voice lingering just a moment longer than usual.
"Good night, Kendo." he replied, the words settling in the space between them.
As she disappeared into the shadows, a cool breeze ruffled Kaminari's hair. He looked up at the sky, stars twinkling in silent witness. A new feeling welled up inside him, anchored by something more than just his goal to be a hero.
That night, as Raio finally found sleep, Kendo's words stayed with him.
...
As Raio and Kendo quietly made their way back toward the lodge, the moonlight casting soft shadows on the path, neither of them noticed the faint shimmer of floating clothes moving stealthily through the trees behind them.
Invisible to the naked eye, Hagakure had been out and about herself, unable to sleep after the grueling day of training. She had slipped out of the girls' dorm, much like Raio and Kendo. But instead of finding solitude, she found something far more interesting—a secret late-night meeting between two unusual figures.
Careful not to make a sound, Hagakure had watched the entire interaction between Raio and Kendo from a distance, her curiosity growing with every word exchanged between them. She knew there was something going on, but now she had real proof.
A mischievous grin spread across her invisible face as she quietly followed them back toward the lodge, her mind already racing with the potential gossip.
Later that night, Hagakure slipped back into the girls' dorm, still giddy with the secret she had uncovered. She tiptoed over to Mina's bed, who, as it turned out, wasn't as asleep as she appeared to be.
"Psst, Mina." Hagakure whispered, tapping her lightly on the shoulder.
Mina, who had been tossing and turning restlessly in her bed, sat up groggily. "What is it?" she whispered back, rubbing her eyes. "It's the middle of the night."
Hagakure giggled quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You are not going to believe what I just saw."
Mina blinked, her curiosity piqued immediately. "Wait, what? Spill it!"
"I was outside, and guess who I ran into?" Hagakure paused for dramatic effect, enjoying the moment a little too much. "Kaminari and Kendo. Together."
Mina's eyes widened, the sleepiness disappearing instantly. "No way! Wait, what were they doing?"
"They were talking, but it was more than that," Hagakure whispered excitedly, leaning closer. "Kendo was all… encouraging him, telling him to take care of himself, and they had this moment! And then—get this—she touched his arm, and I swear, it was like something straight out of a romance drama!"
Mina gasped quietly, her hands flying to her mouth. "I knew there was something going on between them!" she whispered back, her voice filled with excitement. "I've been watching them for a while, and I had my suspicions since he got into that Monoma guy's face, but this—oh, girl, this is big."
Hagakure nodded enthusiastically. "It's totally happening. I just knew there was something up with those two."
The two girls giggled quietly, their voices barely audible as they gossiped under the covers, unaware that someone else in the room had heard every word.
On the other side of the room, Jirou lay awake, her eyes wide open as she listened to the hushed conversation. She had been drifting off to sleep when Hagakure and Mina's whispers reached her, and now, she couldn't unhear what they were saying.
Kaminari? Kendo?… Together? Jirou felt her heart twist uncomfortably at the thought, though she didn't fully understand why. She had known Kaminari for a while now, had shared many personal moments with him. More than that, she knew the strain his quirk put on him—better than anyone else.
But Kendo? Was she seeing something in Kaminari that Jirou hadn't?
Jirou squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to think about it. She didn't know how to react or what to feel. She had never thought of Kaminari in that way before—not really. Or had she?
Her heart was a confusing mix of emotions as she lay there, pretending to be asleep, but her mind raced. She didn't want to feel jealous. She didn't even know if that's what this was. But the thought of Kaminari and Kendo growing closer, of having a connection she didn't share, made her feel uneasy.
No, Jirou thought, shaking her head slightly. I'm overthinking this. It's nothing.
But as she lay there in the darkness, unable to sleep, Jirou couldn't help but replay Hagakure's words in her mind, her emotions stirring in ways she hadn't expected.
Meanwhile, Mina and Hagakure continued their quiet gossip, oblivious to the impact their conversation was having. By the time they finished, both girls were practically buzzing with excitement, ready to see how things might unfold between Kaminari and Kendo.
"I bet there's going to be more moments between them," Mina whispered with a knowing smile. "We've just got to keep watching."
"Oh, totally," Hagakure agreed. "This is just the beginning."
Neither of them noticed Jirou, who remained silent in her bed, her headphones still resting on her pillow as she lay wide awake, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions she wasn't quite ready to face.
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