All Might x Student!Reader (Boku no Hero Academia)

Chapter 8 - When Training Takes a Tumble

You were running side by side with All Might, the silence between you feeling heavier than the morning air. After what had just happened, the fact that he called you by your name left you in a whirlwind of thoughts. You had grown accustomed to hearing him address other students by their last names, so hearing him say (Y/N) felt surreal. It was as if a hidden door had cracked open, allowing a warm rush of happiness to seep in. You couldn't quite understand why it mattered so much to you, but it did. It made you feel special, like you had crossed an invisible boundary that marked you as more than just another face in the crowd.

As the sun began to rise, casting a golden hue across the landscape, a playful breeze tousled your hair. You paused for a moment, reaching into your pocket for a hairband to pull your hair into a ponytail. You glanced at All Might, who was jogging lightly beside you. He looked so energetic, yet you could feel your legs starting to ache from the continuous movement. Despite the fatigue settling in, you were determined to push through. If this training was what it took to show All Might you were more than just a student, then you were all in.

"I know this training might seem tough at first," All Might began, breaking the silence as you both settled into a steady pace. "But trust me, it's only for two weeks. We need to see how your body responds. Just hang in there; you'll thank me later!"

A smile tugged at your lips at his encouragement. "I know, All Might-sensei. You're the Number One Hero; you've got it all figured out!" You felt a surge of confidence as you sped up slightly, wanting to match his energy. It surprised you how easily the words came out, and you couldn't help but wonder where this newfound boldness was coming from. It was a little unsettling, to be so forward with him.

He laughed heartily, the sound echoing in the stillness of the morning. "That's the spirit, (L/N)-san!" You couldn't help but notice that he had just called you by your first name moments ago, and now he was back to your last name. Why the change? You glanced at him, curiosity bubbling up inside you, but his gaze was fixed elsewhere, his expression strangely distant. 

It was as if a swirl of thoughts were dancing behind his eyes.

You decided to let it go; after all, you couldn't read minds. 

Maybe he was just caught up in his own reflections about the training or something else entirely. Whatever the reason, you felt a twinge of disappointment at not knowing more about what was going on in his head.

Instead, you focused on the landscape around you. The sun had fully risen now, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, while the gentle rustle of leaves whispered in the light breeze. The air was crisp and invigorating, each breath filling you with renewed energy.

"I guess I should keep up then!" you said, a playful challenge slipping from your lips. You picked up your pace.

All Might chuckled and fell into step beside you. "Just remember, it's not about speed; it's about building endurance."

"Right! Endurance," you echoed, though a part of you was eager to show him what you could do. "I think I can handle it."

With that, you shared a moment of comfortable silence, both of you immersed in the rhythm of your footsteps. It felt surreal to be running alongside him, your mind buzzing with thoughts of how far you had come since your first day at UA. Each stride made you feel more connected to him, as if the distance between student and hero was slowly narrowing.

But a fleeting thought crossed your mind: What would it take for him to see you as more than just another student? 

The question lingered.