[21] Barriers, Banter, and Broken Ice

Kaori's grin widened as she launched into a flurry of strikes. Her style was... odd. Familiar, yet not quite right. I blocked a kick aimed at my head, noting the way she flowed seamlessly into a low sweep.

"Not bad," I said, sidestepping the sweep. "But you're telegraphing your moves."

She laughed, a sound that was both playful and dangerous. "Oh? And here I thought I was being subtle."

I narrowed my eyes, watching her closely as we circled each other. There was something about her movements, the way she shifted her weight. It reminded me of-

My thoughts were interrupted as Kaori surged forward, her fist aimed at my solar plexus. I caught her wrist, using her momentum to throw her over my shoulder. She twisted in mid-air, landing gracefully on her feet.

"Nice try," I said. "But you'll have to do better than that to get through my barrier."

Kaori tilted her head, studying me. "Barrier, huh? Interesting quirk you've got there."

I shrugged, keeping my guard up. "It has its uses."

She lunged again, this time feinting left before striking right. I blocked, but she was already moving, her leg sweeping up in a high kick. I leaned back, feeling the air whistle past my face.

As we exchanged blows, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I'd seen this style before. The way she mixed unpredictable movements with sudden, explosive attacks... it was like a bastardized version of Arashi-ryu.

But that was impossible. How could Kaori know even a corrupted version of it?

"You seem distracted," Kaori taunted, dancing just out of reach. "Am I boring you?"

I refocused, pushing the questions aside for now. "Just trying to figure out your endgame here. You know you can't hurt me through the barrier."

She smirked. "Who says hurting you is my goal?"

Before I could process that, Kaori changed tactics. Instead of striking, she darted in close, her hands reaching for my arms. I realized too late what she was trying to do.

The capture tape.

I twisted away, but Kaori was faster than I'd given her credit for. The tape wrapped around my wrist, pulling tight.

"Gotcha," she grinned.

"Not quite."

I activated my quirk, teleporting a short distance away. The tape fell to the ground, no longer connected to anything.

Kaori's eyes widened. "Oh, now that's just cheating."

"Says the girl using knockoff Arashi-ryu," I muttered under my breath.

"What was that?" she asked, her head tilting in a way that was almost predatory.

I forced a casual shrug. "Nothing important. Just wondering why you're up here playing with me instead of guarding the bomb."

Kaori's grin turned sharp. "Maybe I just like the view."

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the way her outfit accentuated every movement. The cropped jacket, the exposed midriff with those straps... it was distracting, to say the least.

Focus, idiot. She's trying to throw you off.

"Well, as fun as this is," I said, "I should probably go help my partner."

Kaori's eyes narrowed. "You're not going anywhere."

She rushed me again, but this time I was ready. I sidestepped, using her momentum to send her stumbling past. As she turned, I activated my quirk, aiming for the roof access door.

I materialized just in time to see Kaori's fist heading for my face. My barrier flared, absorbing the impact, but the force still sent me staggering back.

"How-" I started, then cut myself off. Of course. She'd predicted where I'd teleport.

Kaori smirked. "You're not the only one who can analyze an opponent, pretty boy."

I narrowed my eyes. This was getting interesting.

We fell back into the rhythm of combat, trading blows and near-misses. I kept looking for an opening, a chance to slip away and find Yaoyorozu. But Kaori was relentless, always there to block my path.

"You know," I said between strikes, "I'm starting to think you just enjoy my company."

Kaori laughed, a sound that was equal parts amused and dangerous. "Maybe I do. Or maybe I'm just buying time."

I frowned. "For what?"

Her grin widened. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

I cursed internally. She was right - every second I spent up here was a second Yaoyorozu was alone against Todoroki. I needed to end this, fast.

"Alright," I said, taking a step back. "Let's see how you handle this."

I reached for that infinite space, channeling it into my fist. Blue-white energy crackled around my hand as I charged forward.

Kaori's eyes widened. For a moment, I thought I'd caught her off guard. Then her expression shifted, a look of fierce determination replacing the surprise.

She met my charge head-on, her own fist pulled back. As we collided, I felt a surge of... something. Power, maybe? Whatever it was, it pushed against my barrier in a way nothing else had.

The roof exploded.

We both went flying, debris raining down around us. I hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the impact. When I looked up, Kaori was already on her feet, looking slightly singed but otherwise unharmed.

"Well," she said, brushing dust off her jacket. "That was exciting."

I stood slowly, eyeing her warily. "What the hell was that?"

She shrugged, a playful smirk on her lips. "Trade secret."

I opened my mouth to retort, but a crash from below interrupted me. Ice spikes erupted from a window, followed by the sound of Yaoyorozu's voice shouting something I couldn't quite make out.

Kaori's smirk widened. "Sounds like your partner's having fun."

This game had gone on long enough.

"Sorry," I said, "but playtime's over."

I teleported, aiming for the hole in the roof. Kaori was fast, but even she couldn't react that quickly. I dropped through the opening, landing in what had once been a hallway.

Now it was a winter wonderland gone wrong. Ice covered every surface, jagged spikes jutting out at odd angles. I could hear the sounds of combat echoing from further down the corridor.

I took a step forward, then paused. It was too quiet. Where was-

"Didn't your mother ever teach you it's rude to leave a girl like that?"

I spun around to find Kaori perched on a nearby ice formation.

"How-" I started, then shook my head. "Never mind. I don't have time for this."

Kaori's grin turned predatory. "Make time."

She launched herself at me, using the ice as a springboard. I braced myself, barrier flaring to life. But instead of striking, Kaori twisted in mid-air, her legs wrapping around my waist.

I stumbled back, caught off guard by the sudden closeness. Kaori's face was centimeters from mine, her eyes glinting.

"Got you now," she purred.

I felt something tighten around me. The capture tape. Again.

"Dammit," I growled, trying to shake her off. But Kaori held on tight, using her body weight to keep me off balance.

"You know," she said conversationally, "for someone with such an impressive quirk, you're surprisingly easy to trap."

"I wouldn't get too cocky if I were you."

Her grin widened. "Oh? And why's that?"

I smiled. "Because you forgot one very important thing."

Kaori's eyes narrowed. "And what's that?"

"I can teleport."

Her eyes widened in realization, but it was too late. I activated my quirk, picturing the spot behind her. We vanished in a flash of blue-white light, reappearing with our positions reversed.

Kaori let out a startled yelp as she suddenly found herself wrapped in her own capture tape. I smirked, enjoying the look of surprise on her face.

"Now then," I said, "if you'll excuse me, I have a bomb to secure."

I turned to leave, but Kaori's voice stopped me.

"Wait."

I glanced back. She was struggling against the tape, a mixture of frustration and... something else on her face.

"You're not just going to leave me here, are you?" she asked.

I raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that the point of capture tape?"

Kaori pouted. Actually pouted. It was... surprisingly effective.

"Come on," she said. "At least give me a chance to get free. It's no fun if the game ends this easily."

I watched warily as she began to wiggle against the tape. Her movements were... distracting, to say the least. The way her body twisted and flexed, straining against the bonds...

I took a slow step toward Kaori, watching her movements carefully. 

"You know," I said, taking another step, "for someone who just got caught, you seem awfully relaxed."

Her eyes met mine, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. "Maybe I just like being tied up."

I froze, my brain short-circuiting for a moment. Was she serious? 

I took another step, closing the distance between us. Kaori's breath hitched slightly, her eyes widening a fraction. I leaned in close, my face inches from hers.

"Is that so?" I murmured, watching her reaction carefully.

For a moment, Kaori's mask slipped. I saw a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, a hint of genuine surprise. Then her smirk returned, sharper than before.

"Why don't you find out?" 

I grinned, raising my right hand. "Maybe next time."

Kaori's eyes narrowed, realizing too late what I was about to do. I crossed my fingers, activating my quirk.

"Watch me," I said, and teleported.

I materialized in the next corridor while All Might's voice boomed over the speakers, startling me.

"KAORI SAKURADA HAS BEEN CAPTURED!"

I stepped carefully onto the ice-covered floor, activating my barrier to hover just millimeters above the surface. No way was I letting Todoroki's winter wonderland ruin my new shoes.

"Young Yaoyorozu, time is running out!" All Might's voice echoed through the building.

Ten minutes left. I glanced down at my hand, remembering that strange blue flash when Kaori and I had clashed. My quirk had never done that before. Was I missing something about Limitless? Some application I hadn't considered?

I tapped my earpiece. "Yaoyorozu, status report?"

Static crackled, then her voice came through, breathless. "Third floor, east wing. Todoroki has the entire area frozen. I've created several thermal blankets and heating devices, but-" A crash interrupted her. "She's more aggressive than expected!"

"Playing the villain role pretty seriously, huh?" I navigated around a particularly nasty cluster of ice spikes. "Need backup?"

"I- hold on." More crashing sounds. "I have a plan, but I need time. Can you distract her?"

I grinned. "Distraction's my specialty."

The sounds of combat grew louder as I approached. Through gaps in the ice, I caught glimpses of their battle - Yaoyorozu creating shields and weapons while Todoroki launched wave after wave of frost.

"You cannot defeat me, hero," Todoroki's voice rang out, deadpan as ever. "Your efforts are futile."

I had to bite back a laugh. Someone was really getting into character.

"The only futile thing here is your resistance!" Yaoyorozu replied, and I heard the distinct sound of something metallic being created.

I rounded the corner just in time to see Todoroki dodge a net launcher. She spun gracefully, ice forming beneath her feet, and raised her right hand.

"Time for a dramatic entrance," I muttered, then louder: "Hey, ice queen! Forget about little old me?"

Todoroki's head snapped toward my voice. Even through her stoic expression, I caught a hint of surprise.

"Impossible," she said. "You should be dealing with Sakurada."

I shrugged, casually walking across her ice field. "She's a bit... tied up at the moment."

"You defeated her?" A slight frown creased Todoroki's forehead.

"Don't sound so surprised. I'm more than just a pretty face."

Yaoyorozu was moving behind Todoroki, creating something large. I needed to keep the attention on me.

"Though speaking of pretty faces," I continued, "that villain act needs work. Maybe try adding some maniacal laughter?"

Todoroki's eye twitched. "I do not laugh maniacally."

"Come on, everyone loves a good evil laugh. Here, I'll demonstrate." I cleared my throat dramatically. "MWAHAHAHA!"

"...Are you mocking me?"

"What? No, that was a genuine evil laugh. Here, try it with me."

Ice spikes shot toward my face. I didn't dodge, letting my barrier handle it.

"Rude," I said. "I'm trying to help your performance here."

More ice came my way, faster this time. I noticed Todoroki's movements were getting sharper, less controlled. Was she actually getting annoyed?

"Your barrier cannot protect you forever," she said, voice still monotone despite her increasingly aggressive attacks.

I examined my nails. "You sure about that? Because so far it's doing a pretty good job."

Behind Todoroki, Yaoyorozu had finished whatever she was building. It looked like... was that a tesla coil?

"Your overconfidence will be your downfall," Todoroki declared, raising both hands. "Prepare to-"

"NOW!" Yaoyorozu shouted.

The tesla coil hummed to life. Electricity arced through the ice-covered room, following the conductive path Todoroki had unknowingly created. Her eyes widened a fraction as she realized her mistake.

I teleported behind her just as the electricity reached us. Todoroki tried to dodge, but the ice beneath her feet had already begun to melt. She slipped.

"Got you!" Yaoyorozu's capture tape wrapped around Todoroki's arms, pinning them to her sides.

"HITOMI TODOROKI HAS BEEN CAPTURED!" All Might's voice boomed.

I offered Todoroki a hand up. She stared at it for a moment before accepting.

"Not bad for a practice session," I said. "Though next time, maybe try something besides 'your efforts are futile.' It's a bit cliché."

"I was attempting to embody the archetypal villain persona," Todoroki replied stiffly.

"Yeah, I got that. But you know villains can have personality, right? Look at Kaori - she was having fun with it."

Todoroki's expression shifted slightly. "Sakurada... her fighting style was unusual."

"You noticed too?" I helped Yaoyorozu dismantle her tesla coil. "There was something familiar about it."

"Indeed. It reminded me of-"

"HEROES WIN!" All Might interrupted. "EXCELLENT WORK, YOUNG HEROES AND VILLAINS! PLEASE REPORT TO THE OBSERVATION ROOM FOR DEBRIEFING!"

I glanced at my hand again, remembering that blue flash. "Hey, Yaoyorozu?"

"Yes?"

"When you get a chance, I'd like to run some quirk theories by you. There's something I need to figure out."

She smiled. "Of course. After the debriefing?"

I nodded, following them toward the exit. My mind kept returning to that moment with Kaori, the way our quirks had interacted. There was more to Limitless than I'd realized - I just had to figure out what.

And then there was Kaori herself. The way she fought, the things she knew... 

Who exactly was she?

"Nakamura?" Yaoyorozu's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Are you coming?"

"Yeah," I said, taking one last look at the ice-covered room. "Just thinking."

As we walked to the observation room, I made a mental note to look into Arashi-ryu's history. Someone had taught Kaori that style, corrupted as it was. I intended to find out who.

But first, I had to figure out what that blue flash meant. If Limitless had hidden capabilities, I needed to know about them. Something told me I'd need every advantage I could get in the coming days.

After all, Kaori Sakurada wasn't the only mystery in my life, and I had a feeling things were about to get a lot more interesting.

Ah.. so that's what I was forgetting. 

==========

[Next time on "My Hero Academia: Limitless"]

"And that wraps up my first hero training match! Not bad for a Tuesday, right?" I grinned at the camera. "But don't touch that remote! Up next, we've got Todo and Tokoyami facing off against Bakugo and Midoriya, and let me tell you—" 

"BESTO FRIENDO!" Todo burst through the wall behind me, purple tracksuit somehow immaculate. "You can't preview my match without me!"

"Todo, we talked about this. The wall-breaking budget—"

"Is irrelevant when friendship is on the line!" He struck a pose. "Besides, don't you want to see how I handle Bakugo's explosions? My Boogie Woogie against her—"

"Actually..." A stagehand passed me a note. I squinted at the paper. "Huh. Apparently the author apologizes for the previous chapter being shorter than usual. To make up for it, tomorrow's getting a double release."

"Double the chapters means double the friendship moments!" Todo clapped his hands together. "And double the chances to discuss—"

"We are not talking about my love life on air."

"But Yoichi! The readers need to know about—"

"What the readers need to do," I cut in smoothly, "is drop some power stones and add this story to their library. That way they won't miss the double chapter tomorrow."

"Speaking of missing things," Todo grinned, "like how you missed Kaori's—"

"Anyway," I straightened my tie, "tune in tomorrow for an explosive match that'll—" A distant boom shook the building. "Todo, stop trying to teleport back in! The structural integrity of this place is questionable enough already!"

"BUT BESTO FRIENDO—"

The ceiling started to crack.

"Well, that's all we have time for! This is Nakamura Yoichi, signing off before—" Another boom. "Todo, I swear to—"

[Technical Difficulties - Please Stand By]