The tension in the room was electric. Neither moved at first—Rumi crouched low like a predator, Izuku upright and relaxed, hands loosely raised. Then, without warning, she launched forward.
BOOM
Her foot slammed against the floor, propelling her body like a cannonball. Izuku barely shifted his head to the side as her leg cut through the air where his face had been.
Whoosh!
"Fast," Izuku muttered, his eyes tracking her every movement.
Rumi landed in a crouch, spinning with another kick aimed at his ribs. He caught her shin with one hand, the impact rattling the room with a sharp THUD.
"Not bad," Rumi grinned, pushing off her planted leg and flipping backwards to free herself. She landed on her hands, cartwheeled out, and then sprang forward again, her heel slicing the air.
SWISH!
Izuku tilted his torso, letting the strike brush past him, his cape-like gym shirt flaring from the force. He stepped in close, throwing a sharp jab toward her stomach.
BAP!
Rumi twisted her body just in time, his fist grazing her side before she grabbed his arm, using his momentum to flip herself upward. Her thighs clamped around his neck mid-motion, trying to drag him down with a scissor lock.
Izuku chuckled. "Again with this?"
He dropped low and rolled with the motion, loosening her grip before she could secure it. Rumi landed smoothly, clicking her tongue. "Tch. Sharp reflexes."
Without giving her a moment, Izuku lunged forward. His fists came in a blur, controlled but relentless.
BAM! BAP! WHISH!
Each strike forced Rumi back, her arms raised in defense as she blocked and parried, her feet barely touching the ground before she was airborne again. She twisted mid-air, using a rabbit-like burst of strength to drive both feet down toward him.
CRACK!
Izuku crossed his arms just in time, sliding back across the mat from the sheer force. Dust scattered from the floor.
"Nice kick," he admitted, shaking off the sting.
"I've got plenty more," Rumi replied with a feral grin, dashing forward again.
This time, she went low, aiming a sweeping kick at his ankles. Izuku hopped over it, twisting his body midair. Rumi anticipated it, blasting upward with a knee strike.
THUMP!
Her knee collided with Izuku's forearm as he blocked, the shock vibrating through his bones. He countered instantly, spinning behind her and landing a clean body shot to her back.
BAM!
Rumi stumbled forward a step but spun with it, her heel lashing out. Izuku ducked beneath it, pivoting on his heel, and rose with an uppercut.
WHAM!
Rumi barely crossed her arms in front of her face, the punch lifting her off her feet and sending her skidding back across the floor. She landed on her knees, panting, her smile never faltering.
"You're enjoying this way too much," Izuku said, shaking his head with a smirk.
"Damn right I am!" she barked out, crouching low again. "You're the first kid I've met who doesn't crumble the second I get serious."
Izuku flexed his knuckles, his stance calm but his eyes sharp. "And you're the first pro who's making me actually think about my movements. Guess we're even."
Rumi's grin widened, her ears twitching. "Then stop holding back, Izuku. I want to see just how far that strength goes."
She darted forward again, faster this time, her movements less predictable—leaping off walls, flipping midair, chaining combos with animalistic ferocity. Izuku kept up step for step, his fists and feet striking with precise rhythm.
BAP! WHISH! CRACK! BOOM!
Each clash echoed through the training room like thunder.
Finally, after one brutal exchange, Izuku stepped into her guard and unleashed a clean, heavy right hook.
BWOOM!
The blow didn't connect with her face—it stopped a hair's breadth away, the force blasting the air hard enough to whip Rumi's hair back. She froze, eyes wide, staring at the fist inches from her cheek.
Izuku pulled back slowly. "If I hadn't stopped… you'd be on the floor."
Rumi blinked, then burst out laughing, her chest heaving from exertion. "Hah! You cocky little bastard. Alright—I'll give it to you. You're the real deal."
Izuku smiled faintly, lowering his guard. "You're not too bad yourself."
Her smirk returned, sharp and wolfish. "Better get used to this. Tomorrow, I won't let you stop short."
After their spar, Rumi and Izuku sat together on the couch, their hair still slightly damp with sweat, a faint hum of exhaustion lingering in the air. The room felt unusually calm after the intensity of their fight, the silence broken only by the faint buzz of the ceiling light.
Rumi leaned back, her toned arm slung across the backrest, while Izuku sat with his hands clasped loosely, still catching his breath. What surprised her most wasn't his strength—it was how natural it felt to talk to him. It was rare for her to enjoy someone's company right from the start, but with Izuku, the conversation flowed like they'd known each other for years.
"...How is life as a pro hero, really?" Izuku finally asked, his voice quiet, eyes tracing the ceiling as though searching for answers hidden up there.
Rumi exhaled through her nose, a small smirk tugging at her lips before softening into something more thoughtful. "It's as hectic as you'd imagine. The work never stops. The missions pile up, the villains get crazier, and you barely get enough sleep. But…" she tilted her head, her ears twitching slightly, "when you finally finish the job and see the smiles on people's faces… it's worth it. That makes everything else fade away. Of course, there are times when you fail, when someone slips through your fingers. But what matters is that you tried your best. That's all anyone can do."
Izuku nodded slowly, letting the weight of her words sink in. He admired the honesty in her tone—it wasn't sugarcoated, but it wasn't bitter either. Just real. He sat there for a moment, thinking, then said, "I guess… yeah, that really is all that matters."
Rumi chuckled, flicking his arm lightly. "Look at you, getting all philosophical on me. Careful, kid, I might start thinking you're secretly old."
That drew a grin out of him, but before the silence could settle again, she pushed herself up and stretched, her long ears flicking playfully. "Alright, enough of the mushy stuff. We should go shopping. We're gonna need extra food if we plan on living together for a whole week."
Izuku blinked. "Oh—yeah, you're right. Let me take a bath first though. I'm still all sweaty from the spar."
"Same here." Rumi smirked, her crimson eyes narrowing with a playful spark. "Wanna bathe together?" she teased, her tone dripping with challenge.
But Izuku, unfazed, just looked at her evenly. "Sure," he said, voice steady, "as long as you're willing to wash my back."
Rumi's smirk faltered for a second before she frowned in mock frustration. "Tch—you're supposed to blush and freak out, damn it. Not throw it back at me."
Izuku only chuckled, standing and grabbing his towel. "Then I guess you'll just have to try harder, Rumi."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, but the corner of her lips curved upward again, her competitive spirit reigniting. "Heh. Fine then, kid. I'll get you one of these days."
The playful tension lingered in the air between them, light and comfortable, like a thread weaving tighter with each word.
TO BE CONTINUED