**Chapter 20: The Calm After the Storm**
The aftermath of the battle left the training building in ruins. The once-pristine halls were now a chaotic mess of melted ice, scorch marks, and shattered walls. The air was heavy with the scent of burnt metal and ozone, a testament to the ferocity of the clash. Law and Yaoyorozu, battered and bruised, made their way slowly toward the academy's infirmary.
Law walked with a slight limp, his torn hero costume hanging loosely from his frame. His burns ached with every step, but he kept his expression neutral, his golden eyes focused ahead. Yaoyorozu leaned on him lightly, her body still trembling from the residual effects of Kaminari's electricity. Her dark hair clung to her face, damp with sweat, and her breathing was shallow but steady.
The infirmary was a stark contrast to the battlefield they had just left. Bright, sterile lights illuminated the room, and the faint scent of antiseptic filled the air. The elderly nurse, Recovery Girl, was already waiting for them, her hands on her hips and a stern expression on her face.
"Honestly, you kids," she scolded, shaking her head as she gestured for them to sit on the beds. "Always pushing yourselves too far. Sit down, both of you."
Law helped Yaoyorozu onto one of the beds before taking a seat on the adjacent one. A thin white curtain separated them, ensuring that if they tried to look at each other, they would only see faint shadows moving behind the fabric. Yaoyorozu let out a soft sigh as she sank into the pillow, her dark hair spilling over it like ink on snow. The strands clung to the fabric, slightly damp from sweat, as she allowed herself a moment of rest.
Recovery Girl turned her attention to Yaoyorozu first, leaning in to examine the girl's pale face and the faint burns on her arms. "You took quite a hit from that electricity. Hold still," she said, planting a firm kiss on Yaoyorozu's forehead. A warm, healing energy spread through her body, easing the tremors and soothing her burns. Yaoyorozu blinked in surprise, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Th-thank you," she stammered, her voice soft.
Recovery Girl chuckled, patting her on the shoulder. "You've got young skin, dear. It heals quickly. Just try not to overdo it next time, alright?"
Yaoyorozu nodded, her embarrassment evident. Behind the curtain, Law sat quietly, his arms crossed over his chest. He could hear every word, and though he tried to maintain his composure, the faint pink tinge on his cheeks betrayed his own discomfort.
Recovery Girl turned her attention to him next, pulling the curtain aside with a swift motion. "And you," she said, her tone sharp as she eyed his injuries. "What were you thinking, taking on two opponents like that? You're lucky you didn't end up in worse shape!"
Law met her gaze evenly, though he couldn't quite hide the wince as she poked at one of his burns. "I had a plan," he said simply.
"A reckless one," Recovery Girl shot back, her hands moving quickly as she applied ointment to his wounds. "You kids always think you're invincible. Well, you're not. You need to take better care of yourself."
Law didn't respond, his lips pressing into a thin line as she continued her lecture. Behind him, Yaoyorozu stifled a small laugh, her hand covering her mouth. Law glanced at her, his golden eyes narrowing slightly, but there was no real annoyance in his expression.
Recovery Girl finished treating his injuries with a final kiss to his cheek, the healing energy washing over him. "There," she said, stepping back. "Now, both of you rest. And no more heroics for the rest of the day, understood?"
They nodded, though Law's mind was already elsewhere. As Recovery Girl left the room, he leaned back against the bed, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. Yaoyorozu glanced at him, her dark eyes filled with curiosity.
"Law-san," she said softly. "Thank you for your help back there. I couldn't have done it without you."
Law turned his head slightly, meeting her gaze. "You held your own," he replied. "Don't sell yourself short."
Before she could respond, the speakers in the infirmary crackled to life, and All Might's booming voice filled the room.
"Attention, students! The second match of today's training exercise is about to begin! Team E, consisting of Yuga Aoyama and Mina Ashido, will face off against Team H, Fumikage Tokoyami and Tsuyu Asui! Let's see what they've got!"
---
In the training building, the atmosphere was tense as the second match began. Fumikage Tokoyami and Tsuyu Asui made their way to the third floor, their footsteps echoing softly in the empty halls. Tokoyami's hands were tucked into his pockets, his expression calm but focused. Beside him, Dark Shadow hovered, its glowing yellow eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Do you think they'll come straight for us?" Tsuyu asked, her large eyes blinking slowly as she glanced at Tokoyami.
"Most likely," Tokoyami replied, his voice low. "Aoyama's quirk is flashy, but predictable. We should be ready."
Meanwhile, on the ground floor, Yuga Aoyama and Mina Ashido stood side by side, their expressions confident. Aoyama adjusted his belt, the sparkling gem at its center gleaming in the light. "Shall we end this quickly, mon ami?" he asked, his voice dripping with charm.
Mina grinned, her pink skin glowing with excitement. "Let's do it! No holding back!"
As the match began, Aoyama stepped forward, his hand raised. "Naval Laser!" he declared, a brilliant beam of light shooting from his navel. The attack raced toward Tokoyami and Dark Shadow, its intensity blinding.
Dark Shadow surged forward, its form expanding to shield Tokoyami. The beam struck the shadowy creature, causing it to recoil violently. The light seemed to sear into Dark Shadow, and for a moment, its glowing eyes widened in fear as it shrank back, its form flickering.
"Dark Shadow!" Tokoyami called out, his voice tinged with concern.
"I-I'm fine," Dark Shadow muttered, though its voice trembled slightly. "But that light... it hurts."
Tokoyami's expression hardened. "Stay close. We'll handle this together."
While Tokoyami and Dark Shadow dealt with Aoyama's attack, Tsuyu had already slipped away. She moved silently, her sticky fingers and toes allowing her to climb the walls with ease. Her large eyes scanned the area as she made her way to the third floor, her mind focused on the task at hand.
*The rocket must be here somewhere,* she thought, her tongue flicking out slightly as she searched. *If I can find it quickly, we can end this before they even realize what's happening.*
She moved methodically, checking every corner and crevice. Her heart beat steadily, her calm demeanor unwavering even as the sounds of battle echoed from below. Finally, she spotted it—the rocket, hidden behind a stack of crates. A small smile tugged at her lips as she extended her tongue, wrapping it around the rocket and pulling it toward her.
"Found it, kero," she said softly to herself.
Back on the second floor, Mina was growing impatient. "Where'd she go?" she muttered, her brow furrowing as she scanned the area.
Aoyama, still focused on his attack, didn't notice Tsuyu's absence until it was too late. All Might's voice boomed through the building once more.
"The match is over! Team H wins!"
Mina and Aoyama turned, their expressions a mix of surprise and frustration. "What?!" Mina exclaimed. "But we didn't even—"
Tsuyu landed gracefully beside Tokoyami, the rocket in her hands. "Good job, kero," she said, her voice calm.
Tokoyami nodded, a faint smile on his face. "Indeed. A swift victory."
---
In the observation room, the students erupted into chatter as they watched the match unfold. Ochaco Uraraka clapped her hands together, her cheeks pink with excitement. "That was amazing! Tsuyu-chan is so quick!"
Eijiro Kirishima grinned, his sharp teeth on full display. "Man, Tokoyami and Dark Shadow are so cool! They handled that light attack like pros!"
Izuku Midoriya scribbled furiously in his notebook, muttering to himself. "The way Tsuyu used her mobility to avoid direct confrontation was brilliant. And Tokoyami's ability to protect Dark Shadow from the light—it shows how much they've grown as a team!"
Mina and Aoyama, now back in the observation room, exchanged sheepish looks. "Guess we got a little too confident," Mina said, scratching the back of her head.
Aoyama sighed dramatically, though a small smile played on his lips. "Ah, such is the life of a hero. We win some, we lose some. But this does not hide the truth of my brilliance, as even the night stars are sometimes hidden by clouds."
As the students continued to discuss the match, the atmosphere in the room was lively and full of energy. Each victory and defeat was a lesson, and they were all eager to learn.
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