It was a quiet afternoon in the classroom, the students of Class 3-E diligently working on their various assignments. Korosensei was busy buzzing around, offering guidance and checking in on everyone's progress, when Manami Okuda found herself focused on something else entirely.
Her chemistry textbook lay open in front of her, a blank sheet of paper beside it. Okuda had been thinking about Korosensei's invincibility. His remarkable abilities were always a challenge to the class's assassination attempts. The last time they'd tried to take him down at Okinawa, their plan had failed, and Korosensei had once again slipped away unharmed.
But Okuda wasn't going to give up. Chemistry was her field, her strength. And she knew there had to be a way to use it—something that would work.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Ryu, who had been sitting a few desks away, leaned over.
Ryu was interested in Okuda's ideas in the anime.
"Hey, Okuda. You look like you're about to blow something up again. What's going on in that head of yours?"
Okuda blushed, caught off guard by his comment. Ryu's presence had a way of making her nervous—his laid-back attitude and ever-present grin were always at odds with the seriousness she often felt.
"I... I think I can come up with something," Okuda began, her voice quieter than usual. She looked down at the paper in front of her. "A new poison... or maybe a chemical reaction that can break through his defenses. But I'll need a bit of help. It's… tricky."
Ryu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He leaned in a little closer. "You know, I'm pretty good at getting my hands dirty if you need an extra set of, uh, hands."
Okuda hesitated for a moment, then nodded, her gaze shifting away. "I'll need to create a compound that can destabilize his regenerative ability without causing harm to the rest of us... something subtle. We can't just go in guns blazing, especially not with his defenses the way they are."
Ryu grinned. "And you think I can help with that?"
"Well, yes... but I'm not sure how exactly yet," Okuda replied, her voice still unsure but slowly gaining confidence as she spoke. "I was thinking about combining some elements, maybe a catalyst that could speed up the chemical reaction, but it needs someone who can handle the... the practical side of things. The testing, the timing, the handling. I'll need someone to assist with the physical preparation, the mixing and the delivery."
Ryu scratched his chin thoughtfully, a playful glint in his eyes. "Alright, alright, I can help with that. But only because you're asking so sweetly. Plus, I'm curious to see what you come up with."
Okuda looked up at him then, her cheeks slightly pink from the intensity of the conversation. Her heart fluttered a little—Ryu always had a way of making her feel both nervous and at ease at the same time.
"We'll need to be careful," Okuda continued, pulling her focus back to the task at hand. "If we get the formula wrong, it could backfire. It has to be precise... just like chemistry."
Ryu leaned in closer, giving her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. We're a good team, Okuda. You think up the ideas, and I'll handle the action. Besides, I'll be there every step of the way."
Okuda's eyes softened, her nervousness slowly fading. There was something about Ryu's confidence that made her feel secure, even in the face of danger. His laid-back demeanor, combined with the strength she knew he had, was something she deeply appreciated.
The two worked side by side in the days that followed. They worked in the school lab. Okuda would carefully measure out the chemicals, explaining each step of the process to Ryu, who was all ears.
They'd experiment with different compounds, adjusting ratios and analyzing the effects of each test. Ryu, though not as skilled in chemistry, had an uncanny ability to handle the equipment with precision, his quick reflexes and natural instincts making up for his lack of knowledge.
As they worked together, Okuda found herself growing more comfortable with Ryu. There was something about their teamwork that felt… right. She was still awkward in expressing her feelings, but there was no denying the sense of camaraderie that had begun to blossom between them.
As the final stages of their project came together, Okuda and Ryu stood side by side in the dimly lit chemistry lab, the soft hum of the overhead lights the only sound accompanying their work. The formula they had developed was ready, their plan set. They had done everything right—or at least, they hoped so.
Okuda carefully sealed the final vial of the chemical compound, her fingers brushing against Ryu's as they both reached for the same piece of equipment. The brief touch sent a shiver through her, and she quickly looked away, her face turning slightly red. It had become harder to focus, especially when Ryu's presence was so… intense. There was an air of quiet understanding between them now, more than just classmates working together.
"You did great," Ryu said quietly, a genuine smile on his face as he regarded Okuda's work.
"Thanks," Okuda muttered, not looking him in the eye. Her heart was beating faster now, and she couldn't quite figure out why. "We—We did great. Without you helping me handle the practical side, it wouldn't have worked."
Ryu gave a soft chuckle. "I told you I'm good at keeping things from blowing up. You're the brains, Okuda. Don't sell yourself short."
Okuda swallowed, still feeling the heat in her face. It wasn't just admiration for Ryu anymore—it was something more complicated, something new, a feeling that had been growing the more they spent time together.
Ryu, sensing her discomfort, tilted his head slightly, his usual grin softening. "Hey, you okay? You seem… a little nervous all of a sudden."
"I—I'm fine," Okuda quickly responded, her voice a bit shaky. She took a breath and glanced at him, catching his gaze for a moment before quickly looking away. "I just… this whole thing, it's a lot. And, well…" Her voice trailed off, the words stuck in her throat.
Ryu reached over and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch light but reassuring. "If you're feeling overwhelmed, you don't have to do this alone. I'm here. We've got this, okay?"
She looked up at him then, meeting his eyes for a fleeting moment, her heart racing in her chest. There was something in his gaze—a warmth, an understanding—that made her feel a little braver, a little less unsure of herself.
Without thinking, Okuda found herself closing the distance between them just a little, her heart pounding in her ears. "Thanks, Ryu… I…" She stopped herself before she could say too much, feeling her own uncertainty return.
But Ryu wasn't about to let her retreat. He gave her a soft, teasing smile. "You know," he said, his voice a little quieter, "I've always thought you were amazing. You've got this whole… chemistry thing down, and your determination is something else."
Okuda's heart fluttered again. The way he was looking at her made her feel both nervous and comforted at the same time, like she was standing on the edge of something she wasn't sure she was ready for, but wanted nonetheless.
Ryu's hand slowly slid down from her shoulder to her arm, his touch lingering for just a moment before he gently took her hand in his. He didn't say anything for a moment, simply holding her hand, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. Okuda could feel the heat in her cheeks intensify, but she didn't pull away. She didn't want to.
Their eyes met again, this time with no words between them, just an understanding of what they both felt. The air around them seemed to change, growing heavier, charged with something unspoken.
Ryu leaned in slowly, closing the distance between them, his breath warm against her skin. Okuda's pulse quickened, and for the first time, she realized that maybe she was ready for this—whatever this was.
And then, just as she had closed her eyes, anticipating the moment, Ryu's lips met hers in a gentle kiss. It wasn't forceful or rushed, but soft, as if he was waiting for her to decide to let it happen, to choose to share this moment with him.
Okuda froze for a moment, her breath caught in her throat, but then she relaxed into the kiss, her heart beating wildly in her chest. It felt right, in a way she hadn't expected, like everything had finally clicked into place.
When Ryu pulled back, his grin returned, though it was softer now, more intimate. "I guess that's one way to solve the equation," he teased, his voice laced with humor, but there was something tender behind the words.
Okuda smiled, her cheeks burning as she looked at him, unsure what to say, but feeling an undeniable warmth in her chest. "I—I think we've got this… both the chemistry and the assassination."
Ryu chuckled softly, squeezing her hand lightly. "Yeah. We definitely do."