My Hero Academia: Limitless

8:55 AM. Perfect timing.

I adjusted my tie in the reflection of my phone, checking for any imperfections. The charcoal Armani fit like a second skin, every line exactly where it should be. Mother's influence had its perks.

The silver Yaoyorozu pin caught the morning light. I touched it briefly, remembering Momo's warning from last night.

My phone buzzed.

Katsumi: Don't do anything I wouldn't do

Me: That leaves a lot of options open

Katsumi: Exactly

Me: Helpful as always

Katsumi: You love it

I slipped the phone into my pocket just as footsteps approached from behind.

"Nakamura."

I turned and stopped breathing for a moment.

Momo wore a deep blue dress that made my suit look like an afterthought. The fabric moved like water, catching light in ways that shouldn't be possible. Her hair fell in loose waves rather than her usual ponytail, and a silver necklace drew attention to her collar.

"You're staring," she said.

"Can you blame me?"

She ducked her head, but not before I caught her smile. "The car should be here soon."

"Good thing. Pretty sure we're breaking several school dress codes right now."

"Only three." She stepped closer, adjusting my tie. "Though I suspect certain exceptions are being made."

"Three? Really?"

"Formal wear outside special events, excessive displays of wealth, and..." Her fingers lingered on the tie. "Distracting attire."

"Distracting, huh?"

"Mm." She smoothed down my lapel. "Very."

"That's funny." I caught her hand. "I was thinking the same thing."

Her breath hitched. "We should-"

A sleek black car pulled up to the curb.

"Saved by the bell." I released her hand. "After you."

The driver opened the door with practiced efficiency. I caught his subtle once-over as we approached. Already being evaluated. Great.

"Young Miss." He bowed slightly. "Master Nakamura."

"Thank you, Harrison." Momo slid into the car gracefully.

I followed, settling into butter-soft leather. The interior screamed old money - all understated elegance and hidden luxury.

Harrison closed the door and returned to the driver's seat. A privacy screen rose silently between us.

"So." I stretched my legs. "First test passed?"

"Barely." But Momo's lips curved up. "Harrison will report to Mother."

"About?"

"Everything." She pulled out her phone. "Your posture, your clothes, how you helped me into the car..."

"I didn't help you into the car."

"Exactly." She typed something quickly. "Mother will note that."

"Seriously?"

"Welcome to my world." She set the phone aside. "There are... expectations."

"Right." I loosened my tie slightly. "Any other tests I should know about?"

"Several." Her hand stopped mine. "And the tie stays exactly where it is."

"It's choking me."

"It's perfect." She straightened it again. "And Mother notices everything."

"You keep saying that like it's supposed to help."

"It's supposed to prepare you." Her fingers lingered on my collar. "Though you're making it very hard to focus on preparation."

"Me?" I raised an eyebrow. "You're the one who keeps touching me."

"I'm adjusting your tie."

"The same tie you've 'adjusted' three times now?"

She pulled back, cheeks pink. "It needed it."

"Sure it did."

The privacy screen lowered slightly.

"Young Miss." Harrison's voice carried no inflection. "Lady Yaoyorozu requests an estimated arrival time."

Momo's phone appeared instantly. "Tell her 10:30, traffic permitting."

"Very good, Miss."

The screen rose again.

"Your mom tracking our location?"

"Among other things." Momo's thumbs flew across her screen. "She's... thorough."

"That word keeps coming up."

"Because it's important you understand." She met my eyes. "This isn't just lunch."

"I'm getting that impression."

"Mother will have researched everything about you. Your family, your quirk, your connections..." She hesitated. "Your relationships."

"Ah."

"I haven't told her about..."

"The complicated parts?"

"Any of it." She set her phone down. "I thought it best to let you handle that conversation."

"If it comes up."

"Oh, it will." She smoothed her dress. "Probably between the soup and fish courses."

"Fantastic." I slumped back. "Can't wait."

"Posture."

I straightened automatically. "This is going to be a long day, isn't it?"

"Depends."

"On?"

She turned toward me, expression serious. "On whether you're sure about this."

"About lunch?"

"About..." She gestured between us. "Everything."

"I thought you needed time."

"I do." Her fingers twisted together. "But after today..."

"After today...?"

"Things might get complicated."

I caught her hands, stilling them. "More complicated than they already are?"

"Much."

"Then I guess it's good I like complicated."

She looked down at our joined hands. "Even if it means dealing with my mother? The family politics? The expectations?"

"Even then."

"Why?"

I thought about last night's conversation. About arcade games and borrowed hoodies and physics calculations for skee-ball.

"Because you're worth it."

She inhaled sharply. "You can't just say things like that."

"Why not?"

"Because..." She pulled one hand free to gesture at her face. "I can't show up to meet Mother with smeared lipstick."

"That would be tragic."

"It would be noticed."

"Of course it would." I released her other hand. "Can't have that."

"No." But she was smiling. "We can't."

"So what you're saying is..."

"After." She smoothed her dress again. "Depending on how today goes..."

"Yeah?"

"I'll have an answer for you." She met my eyes. "About everything."

"No pressure or anything."

"None at all." Her smile turned teasing. "Just lunch with my mother, who will decide if you're worthy of the Yaoyorozu name."

"When you put it that way..."

"Scared?"

"Terrified."

"Good." She patted my knee. "Fear will keep you focused."

"You're enjoying this way too much."

"Maybe a little." She pulled out a compact mirror, checking her makeup. "Consider it revenge for all those times you've made me blush in public."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"The arcade?"

"I was being friendly."

"The library incident?"

"Pure coincidence."

"The time you-"

"Young Miss." Harrison's voice cut in. "We're approaching the estate."

Momo's playful demeanor shifted instantly. "Thank you, Harrison."

I looked out the window as we turned onto a private drive. Ancient trees lined the path, their branches forming a natural canopy overhead. Perfectly manicured gardens stretched in every direction.

"Holy shit," I whispered.

"Language." But Momo's lips twitched. "And this is just the entrance."

The car rounded a bend, and I got my first look at the Yaoyorozu estate proper.

"That's not a house."

"No," Momo agreed. "It's home."

The mansion - because calling it a house would be like calling All Might a gym teacher - rose before us like something out of a period drama. Classical architecture met modern security with seamless precision. Every window, every column, every perfectly placed stone screamed power and old money.

"Your mother's waiting on the front steps," I noted.

"Yes."

"With what looks like half the staff."

"Just the essential personnel."

"Right." I tugged at my tie. "Essential."

Momo's hand covered mine. "Stop fidgeting."

"Easy for you to say."

"Actually..." Her fingers trembled slightly against mine. "Not really."

I turned to her. "Hey."

"Mm?"

"Whatever happens in there..."

"Yes?"

"Thanks for trusting me enough to try."

She blinked rapidly. "Don't. You'll make me cry, and Mother will definitely notice."

"Of course she will."

The car slowed to a stop.

"Ready?" Momo asked.

"Not even close."

"Perfect." She squeezed my hand once before letting go. "Then let's begin."

Harrison opened my door first - another test, no doubt. I stepped out, turning to offer Momo my hand.

She took it, emerging from the car like she'd stepped off a magazine cover. Every movement calculated for maximum elegance.

"Showoff," I muttered.

Her lips curved slightly. "Just wait."

We approached the steps together, and I got my first clear look at Naomi Yaoyorozu.

Well, I thought. This should be interesting.

I kept my posture perfect as we climbed the steps, channeling every etiquette lesson Mother had drilled into me.

Naomi Yaoyorozu looked exactly like Momo's older sister, if Momo decided to become a CEO who moonlighted as a supermodel. Her blue eyes studied me with amused interest, like a cat watching a particularly entertaining mouse.

"Welcome home, dear." She kissed Momo's cheek. "And you must be Yoichi."

"Mrs. Yaoyorozu." I bowed at precisely the correct angle. "Thank you for inviting me."

"Such manners." She turned to the staff. "Harrison, please ensure the car is ready for three o'clock. Momo has training this evening."

"Of course, madam."

"Now then." She gestured toward the entrance. "Shall we? Sebastian is quite eager to meet you."

Momo's hand tightened on mine.

The foyer could have housed our entire apartment. Marble floors stretched toward a sweeping staircase, while priceless artwork adorned walls that probably predated quirks.

"The main house was built in 1875," Naomi said. "Though we've made some... adjustments over the years."

A security camera tracked our movement. I spotted three more before we reached the stairs.

"Mother loves architecture," Momo whispered. "She can talk about load-bearing columns for hours."

"I heard that, dear." Naomi's heels clicked against marble. "And they're fascinating subjects when discussed with the right audience."

We followed her through a maze of corridors. Each turn revealed new displays of wealth - ancient vases, modern sculptures, tech that wouldn't hit the market for years.

"Sebastian prefers the east garden room this time of day." Naomi paused at an ornate door. "The light is better for his roses."

The garden room turned out to be a glass-walled conservatory filled with carefully tended flowers. Sunlight streamed through crystal-clear panels, illuminating a silver tea service that probably cost more than my tuition.

An elderly man stood as we entered, his movements precise despite obvious age. "Young Miss." He smiled at Momo. "Right on schedule."

"Sebastian." Momo released my hand to hug him. "How are you feeling?"

"Quite well. The new medication agrees with me." He turned to me, and I caught a flash of... something in his eyes. Recognition? "Ah, you must be Master Nakamura."

"Just Yoichi is fine."

"Indeed." He gestured to the table. "Please, sit. I've prepared Earl Grey. Unless you prefer something else?"

"Earl Grey sounds perfect."

Naomi claimed the head of the table, every movement effortlessly graceful. "Sebastian has been with us since before Momo was born. He's quite particular about his tea service."

"Quality requires attention to detail." Sebastian poured with steady hands. "Much like heroics, I imagine."

I accepted my cup. "The best heroes I know are the ones who notice everything."

"Including proper tea temperature?" His eyes crinkled.

"Especially that."

"Interesting philosophy." Naomi stirred her tea. "Tell me, Yoichi, what made you choose U.A.?"

Here we go. "The challenge, mainly. U.A. pushes boundaries other schools won't touch."

"And that appeals to you?"

"Growth requires discomfort."

Sebastian's hand paused mid-pour.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"Not at all." He resumed pouring. "That phrase simply reminded me of someone."

"Oh?"

"An old friend." Naomi's smile sharpened. "You know, Yoichi, your mother never mentioned where you attended high school."

"Akudo High."

"Ambitious choice for a general education school."

"I had good teachers."

"Clearly." She set her cup down. "Your performance at the USJ incident was quite impressive."

Momo tensed beside me.

"The footage was quite revealing," Naomi continued. "Especially your combat style."

"Mother-"

"It's fine." I met Naomi's gaze. "You want to know who trained me."

"Among other things."

"My sensei prefers privacy."

"Understandable." She picked up her cup again. "Though perhaps he'd be willing to meet for tea someday."

Sebastian coughed softly.

"Something amusing?" Naomi asked.

"Merely remembering my own training days, madam." He refilled her cup. "Youth has such interesting ways of approaching challenges."

"Indeed." She turned back to me. "Speaking of challenges, I understand you've been helping Momo with her confidence issues."

"Mother!"

"What? It's hardly a secret, dear." Naomi waved her hand. "Your tendency to overthink is well-documented."

I felt Momo shrink beside me. "Actually, Mrs. Yaoyorozu, Momo helps me more than I help her."

"Oh?"

"My memory is terrible for everything except combat. She keeps me organized, focused." I smiled at Momo. "I'd probably still be wandering the halls without her."

"How fortunate." Naomi's eyes gleamed. "Though I wonder about your other... organizational aids."

Shit.

"I'm not sure what you mean," I said carefully.

"No?" She pulled out her phone. "The footage was quite interesting. Particularly your interactions with young Bakugo."

Double shit.

"And of course, there are the rumors about you and the Sakurada girl..."

Triple shit.

"Mother." Momo's voice could have frozen hell. "This isn't appropriate."

"No?" Naomi raised an eyebrow. "I simply want to understand your boyfriend's... situation."

"I'm not-" Momo stopped. "We haven't-"

"Haven't what, dear?"

I cleared my throat. "Mrs. Yaoyorozu, with respect, my relationship status is... complicated."

"Clearly." Her smile would have made sharks nervous. "Care to elaborate?"

"I'd rather not mislead anyone." I met her gaze steadily. "Especially Momo."

"How diplomatic." She turned to Sebastian. "What do you think?"

"I believe honesty deserves recognition." He began collecting cups. "Especially when it would be easier to lie."

"Quite." Naomi stood. "Well, this has been illuminating. Yoichi, you'll stay for dinner, of course."

It wasn't a question.

"I wouldn't want to impose-"

"Nonsense. I insist." Her eyes sparkled with hidden amusement. "In fact, you should stay the night. The guest wing is always ready."

Momo choked on her tea.

"I really couldn't-"

"I insist." Naomi headed for the door. "Sebastian will show you to your room later. For now, Momo can give you a tour." She paused. "The public areas only, dear."

"Mother!"

"What? I'm simply being a good hostess." She glanced back. "Oh, and Yoichi? Do tell your mother I said hello. It's been far too long."

The door closed behind her.

"I am so sorry," Momo whispered. "I had no idea she'd-"

"Your mother knows mine?"

"Apparently?" She pressed her fingers to her temples. "Though that explains a few things."

"Like what?"

"Like why she didn't ask more questions about your background." Momo groaned. "She already knew everything."

"If I may," Sebastian said, "Lady Naomi rarely reveals all her cards at once."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, Young Miss, that lunch was merely the opening move." He smiled gently. "Though I believe Master Yoichi performed admirably."

"You do?"

"Indeed." He gathered the last cups. "Not many maintain their composure under Lady Naomi's full attention. Fewer still choose honesty when deception would be simpler."

"About that..." Momo bit her lip. "What you said about your situation..."

"Perhaps that's a conversation for another time," Sebastian suggested. "The gardens are lovely this time of day."

"Right." Momo stood. "Would you like to see them?"

"Lead the way."

We left Sebastian to his tea service, following a path through the conservatory. The scent of roses filled the air.

"So," I said. "That was intense."

"That was Mother being gentle."

"Gentle?"

"Mm." She stopped by a fountain. "She likes you."

"You got that from her interrogating me about my love life?"

"I got that from her inviting you to stay." Momo traced patterns in the water. "She never does that."

"Never?"

"The last time she invited someone to stay overnight..." She frowned. "Actually, I can't remember the last time."

"Great. No pressure."

"It's not-" She sighed. "Everything's different now."

"Because of what I said?"

"Because of everything." She met my eyes. "I should be furious about your situation. About Katsumi, about Kaori..."

"But?"

"But instead I'm standing here wondering if I'm brave enough to be honest too."

"About?"

She stepped closer. "About what I want."

"Which is?"

"Complicated." Her fingers found my tie again. "But worth figuring out."

"Even with everything else going on?"

"Especially then." She tugged gently. "Though we should probably discuss it somewhere more private."

"Your mother said public areas only."

"She says a lot of things." Another tug. "Besides, technically the library is public."

"Technically?"

"Mm." She smiled. "Want to help me research something?"

"Depends. What are we studying?"

"Chemistry."

I laughed. "That was terrible."

"Made you smile though." She released my tie. "Coming?"

"After you."

She led me back inside, and I decided maybe complicated wasn't such a bad thing after all.