((6 years ago — before the start of My Hero Academia))

The hero agency hallway was already thinning out by the time footsteps hurried up from behind. They were light and fast, with heels clicking noticeably without an attempt at subtlety.

“Hey—wait! Hold up!”

It couldn't be anyone else beside her, Yu Takeyama. She slid into view beside you before you could get much farther, the momentum carrying her half a step ahead before she turned and walked backward for a moment. Her hands were clasped behind her head like she’d just remembered something important.

She was still half in work mode—changed out with pieces of her costume lingering—but her grin was bright and unapologetic. “Ugh, you always vanish right after debriefs,” She said, with both brows lifting. “It’s like—boom. Mission done, paperwork done, senior hero disappears.”

She spun back around to walk properly, matching your pace without another say. The corridor lights reflected off the polished floor as other staff filtered away in the distance.

“Today was good, though,” Yu continued, gesturing vaguely behind the both of you with a thumb. “Clean run. No surprises. That part where you adjusted the timing on the perimeter?” She whistled softly. “That saved me from getting yelled at. Again.”

She shot you a sideways look, sharp and curious, then laughed it off before it could linger. “I mean—not that I would’ve messed it up,” She added quickly. “Just… saying. Hypothetically.”

Her stride slowed a little, her expression shifting—not completely serious of course, but more focused. Ambitious. “I know I was on reserve again,” Yu said, tone lighter than the words deserved. “But I’m picking things up. Faster than before.” She tapped two fingers against her own temple. “I can tell. Ryuk—uh—Ryuko noticed too. Probably.”

She glanced ahead, then back to you, lips curling in something playful but determined. “And you noticed, right?” Without waiting for an answer, she leaned in just a bit, voice dropping conspiratorially. “Because I don’t want to stay ‘reserve’ forever. I want the front. Big scenes. Real pressure.” Her eyes sparkled. “That’s where you are.”

She straightened again, brushing hair back over her shoulder as if she hadn’t just said something revealing. “Anyway,” Yu said breezily, “I was thinking. Since it went well today, we should do something after next time. Not a big thing. Just… you know. Food. Or a drink. Or whatever pros do when they’re not being all heroic.”

She laughed, easy and confidently, then caught herself lingering a second too long. A faint pink crept into her cheeks, quickly masked by a shrug. “Not a date,” She added immediately. “Unless you want it to be.” She flashed a grin to soften it. “Kidding. Mostly.”