Finally.
Something normal.
Weights clanked.
Bars lifted.
Shoes squeaked against the gym floor.
"Alright, Ren, your turn!" Kirishima grinned, stepping back from the bench press. "Let's see what you've got!"
"…Yeah, yeah," I muttered, rolling my shoulders as I stepped forward.
No portals.
No fighting.
No chaos.
Just training.
I laid back on the bench, gripping the bar.
"…Okay… focus…"
Lift.
Down.
Up.
Controlled.
"Nice form!" Izuku Midoriya said immediately, already watching closely. "Your stability has improved a lot—"
"Midoriya, he just started," Mina laughed.
I ignored them.
Just focused on the rhythm.
Down.
Up.
Down—
"…Why do I feel watched?"
The Feeling Returns
I paused mid-rep.
"…Do you guys feel that?"
Kaito, sitting nearby, didn't even look up.
"…Let me guess."
I slowly turned my head.
"…She's here again."
This Time… It's Obvious
Everyone followed my gaze.
And there she was.
Perched very visibly on top of one of the high beams again—
Not hiding.
Not sneaking.
Just… watching.
Himiko Toga leaned forward slightly—
Eyes completely locked on me—
"…Wow~"
Mina blinked.
"…Is she…"
Kirishima squinted.
"…Is she drooling?!"
Yes.
Yes she was.
Ren.exe Stops Working (Again)
I slowly sat up from the bench.
"…Nope."
Toga wiped her mouth slightly, not even embarrassed.
"…You look stronger~"
"…I'm trying to work out," I said flatly.
She tilted her head.
"…I can see that."
Mina immediately slid next to me, whispering loudly:
"…She is STARING at you."
"…I can also see that."
Denki (from across the room) yelled:
"BRO YOU HAVE A FAN CLUB NOW?!"
"I DO NOT—"
Toga Commentary (Unfiltered)
Toga swung her legs casually from the beam.
"…You're lifting heavier than before…"
Midoriya blinked.
"…She's analyzing your progress…"
"…Your arms look nicer too~"
I froze.
Mina gasped.
"OHHHH—"
"STOP REACTING LIKE THAT," I snapped.
Toga smiled wider.
"…And you're all focused…"
She leaned forward more.
"…It's kinda cool."
Trying to Continue (Failing)
"…I'm going back to my set," I muttered, laying back down again.
"Good luck," Kaito said dryly.
I grabbed the bar again.
Down.
Up.
Down—
"…She's still staring."
"WE KNOW," Mina whispered loudly.
"…I can hear you."
"I KNOW."
Escalation
Toga suddenly hopped down from the beam.
Everyone tensed instantly.
She walked closer.
Slowly.
Casually.
"…Don't come any closer," I said without sitting up.
She stopped.
Just a few feet away.
Still watching.
Still smiling.
"…You're not running," she noted.
"…I'm lifting weights."
"…Same thing," she said lightly.
The Teasing Gets Worse
Mina leaned toward me again.
"…She's totally into you."
"…I KNOW YOU'RE STILL TALKING," I said through gritted teeth.
Kirishima nodded.
"…Yeah, this is definitely different from before."
Midoriya added:
"…Her behavior has shifted from aggressive pursuit to… focused observation."
"…That sounds worse," I muttered.
Toga's Focus
Toga crouched slightly, still a few feet away.
Watching every movement.
Every rep.
Every breath.
"…You're not scared right now," she said.
I pushed the bar up again.
"…I'm busy."
She smiled.
Soft this time.
"…Good."
I finally racked the weights and sat up again.
Face slightly flushed—
Not from embarrassment this time.
Just effort.
But she was still there.
Still watching.
And not attacking.
Not chasing.
Just… staying.
Mina crossed her arms, grinning.
"…She really said 'I'm staying longer.'"
"…Yeah," I said.
I looked at Toga.
She looked back.
No movement.
No chaos.
Just that same smile.
"…This is gonna be a problem," I muttered.
Kaito nodded.
"…Yeah."
Denki yelled from across the room:
"BRO SHE'S STILL DROOLING—"
"DENKI I SWEAR—"
Toga tilted her head slightly.
Watching me pick the weights back up again.
"…I like this…"
A small giggle escaped her.
"…I'll watch a little longer~"
And for once—
She actually meant it.