"However," Ryukyu said at last, pressing a hand to her forehead, "you should take a short leave from school for now. I'll arrange for a few Pro Heroes to give you some surprise training—lessons on what you might face during the provisional license exam."
Even as she spoke, she sighed softly. Agreeing to Lock's request had left her a little troubled. Finding someone to vouch for him was one thing; convincing another hero to take him as a private trainee was another matter entirely. Both required time, money, and influence.
And besides, he was still only a second-year student. In most people's eyes, attempting a professional hero exam at his age would seem reckless—maybe even foolish.
"Thank you, Aunt Ryukyu. I'm really sorry to trouble you," Lock said, bowing his head slightly. His voice carried quiet determination.
He wasn't doing this just for himself—he wanted to prove himself to Ryukyu, who had cared for him more than anyone else in this world.
"Do your best, Lock!"
That cheerful voice came from the kitchen doorway. Nejire stood there, leaning against the frame with both fists raised in encouragement—clearly, she had been eavesdropping.
Catching both of their gazes, she blinked in surprise, cheeks coloring faintly. "Uh… I-I finished washing the dishes," she said quickly, walking out as if nothing had happened.
Lock chuckled. "You're as kind as ever, Nejire-senpai."
The words seemed casual, but they hit her like a spark. Nejire froze mid-step, her face blooming with a soft pink hue.
"Oh my," Ryukyu said, smiling knowingly. "Lock, you've learned to compliment girls now? You really have grown up. You even say thank you—what an enlightened young man."
Lock scratched his cheek lightly. "Guess I have been enlightened."
At that, Ryukyu narrowed her eyes mischievously. "You know, they say boys usually become 'enlightened' because of a girl. Lock, you're not secretly dating anyone, are you?"
Lock instantly felt a chill crawl down his spine under her teasing gaze. "O-of course not!"
But Ryukyu didn't look convinced. She knew full well that Lock had once had a crush on Nejire—and with how much he'd changed lately, it wasn't hard to imagine the reason. Her eyes shifted between the two of them, expression turning sly.
Fertile water shouldn't flow into another's field, as the saying went.
She had half a mind to push these two together if fate was already hinting at it.
"I… I'm going to the bathroom!"
Flustered, Nejire's face turned bright red under Ryukyu's playful stare, and she practically fled the room.
She wasn't stupid—she knew exactly what her mentor was hinting at. But she'd never once thought about Lock that way before. To her, he'd always been like a younger brother.
Yet tonight, talking to him felt strangely different—like speaking with someone older, steadier. It made her heart flutter in a way she wasn't ready to admit.
Later that night, around nine-thirty.
Lock and Ryukyu sat together, chatting about everyday things—life, training, the future.
Eventually, Lock yawned and stood up. "Aunt Ryukyu, I should head home now. If I wait any longer, the trams will stop running."
"Stay the night," Ryukyu said immediately. "Tomorrow, I'll take you to register your Quirk at the Quirk Administration Bureau."
"Well… alright."
Lock didn't protest. Ryukyu's home was spacious, with plenty of spare rooms, so staying over wouldn't be an inconvenience.
"Nejire," Ryukyu called as the girl came to the entrance to put on her shoes, "it's not safe for girls to walk home this late. You stay here tonight, too."
"Eh?!"
Nejire froze mid-motion, her shoe halfway on. But Ryukyu's tone left no room for argument.
And so, the decision was made. Both of them would stay the night.
Lock showered, brushed his teeth, and stepped into the spare room Ryukyu had prepared for him.
It was a simple, traditional Japanese-style room—no bed, no TV, just tatami mats and a futon on the floor.
He lay down, the faint scent of wood and clean fabric filling the air.
No "unexpected romantic developments" happened, of course.
A pity, perhaps—but Lock would never admit that out loud. After all, not every day in life comes with pleasant surprises.
Before long, he drifted off to sleep.
Morning came quietly.
At half past six, his phone alarm broke the silence.
Lock groaned softly, reached out to silence it, then sat up and stretched. Early morning was the best time to train—when the world was calm and the flow of energy around him was clearest.
The sky outside was still dim, streaked with pale light. No one else seemed to be awake yet.
He slipped out of his room and headed toward the bathroom, rubbing his eyes.
Turning on the tap, he yawned. Only half-awake, his mind wandered. Being in Ryukyu's house felt so natural that he forgot where he was—and more importantly, he forgot to lock the door.
Just as he was about to relieve himself, the door creaked open.
Lock froze.
"…No way."
He looked up—and saw a head of soft, blue curls peek in.
"Lock?"
Nejire's sleepy voice drifted in as she rubbed her eyes, wearing nothing but a thin camisole pajama top. It seemed she, too, felt perfectly at home here.
For a heartbeat, neither moved. Their eyes met.
Then silence.
Thick. Cold. Mortifying.
Lock's brain went blank. He couldn't stop, couldn't move—he could only stare in sheer horror.
Nejire blinked once. Then her drowsiness vanished completely as realization struck. Her cheeks turned crimson in an instant.
She opened her mouth to scream—then covered it quickly, thinking better of it.
Her entire face flushed bright red, heat radiating off her skin as if she were about to combust. Without another word, she spun around and bolted from the room.
Lock finished up mechanically, staring at the wall in silent despair.
"…Why does this kind of thing only happen to me?"
He looked up at the ceiling, utterly defeated.
The embarrassment was so intense, he had no idea how he'd ever face Nejire again.
And to think—just last night, he'd been joking about the lack of "accidents" in his daily life.
Apparently, life had decided to prove him wrong.
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