After the most unforgettable weekend with Katsuki, Valerie floated through the following days, her heart swelling with a mix of excitement and nerves that left her in a constant daze. She'd never imagined how close they would grow, or how a simple camping trip could change everything between them. The intimate moments they'd shared at the waterfall remained a cherished, vivid memory, still etched into her mind and evident on their skin. Valerie's thighs bore the faintest bruises from his touch, and Katsuki wore the marks of her kisses along his collarbone like a secret only they could understand. The memories left them both blushing and smiling whenever their eyes met, causing more than a few curious stares from their classmates.

It wasn't long before Mina dragged Valerie into the girls' dorm for a Friday night sleepover. The air was buzzing with anticipation as the girls gathered, eager to catch up, laugh, and share their latest secrets. The upcoming Hero Gala was just around the corner, and everyone was buzzing with talk about who they'd invite as their date. As the girls swapped stories, Valerie felt her cheeks warm when Mina nudged her, eyes alight with mischief.

"Come on, Val," Mina said, giving her a teasing grin. "What's going on with you and Bakugo? Don't try to deny it!"

The girls leaned in eagerly, waiting for Valerie to spill, and with a shy smile, she finally spoke. "I... I think I'm falling in love with him." The words felt heavy yet relieving, her vulnerability shining through. She hadn't voiced it before, not even to herself, but saying it out loud made everything feel real.

Mina and Jiro exchanged wide-eyed looks, both of them swooning. "Aww, Val!" Mina squealed, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so happy for you. He really does seem different around you."

Jiro chimed in with a gentle smile. "Yeah, you bring out a side of him no one's ever seen before. That takes something special."

Touched by her friends' support, Valerie felt a rush of gratitude for their kindness. "Thank you, both of you. It's kind of scary, but amazing at the same time," she admitted, giving them a warm smile.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Mina leaned closer, and without hesitation, she let slip, "Well, I might have a little crush myself... on Kirishima."

Both Valerie and Jiro erupted into giggles and squeals, immediately encouraging Mina to take a chance and ask him to the Gala. The idea seemed to terrify and thrill Mina in equal measure, her cheeks blazing pink.

"Come on, Mina, go for it! Don't chicken out!" Valerie urged her, grinning widely.

"You know what?" Mina said, taking a deep breath as she psyched herself up. "I'll do it right now! But only if you dare me," she added with a smirk.

Without hesitation, Jiro dared her, "Mina Ashido, I dare you to go to Kirishima's room right now, ask him to the Gala, and give him a kiss on the cheek!"

The girls erupted into excited whispers and laughter as Mina, adrenaline-fueled, tiptoed down the hall with them sneaking behind her. She knocked on Kirishima's door, her heart pounding, and the moment he opened it, his surprised expression met Mina's bright eyes. She stood on her tiptoes and planted a quick kiss on his cheek before blurting out, "Will you be my date to the Gala?"

Kirishima's face turned bright red as he stammered, "Y-Yes! Yes, of course!" His wide, toothy grin betrayed his excitement, even as Katsuki emerged from behind him, arms crossed with a raised eyebrow.

"What's going on here?" Katsuki demanded, his tone edged with suspicion as he took in Mina's pink cheeks and Kirishima's flustered grin.

The girls giggled and sprinted away before Mina could answer, leaving Katsuki to shake his head with a smirk as he clapped a hand on Kirishima's shoulder. "Man, you're as whipped as I am," he muttered, but the gleam in his eyes betrayed his amusement.

---

The next day brought the much-anticipated work-study announcements. Aizawa stood before the class, papers in hand, as he explained the selection process and the heroes that had shown interest in each student. Valerie's heart raced as he handed her a list of heroes she'd admired for years: Gang Orca, Endeavor, Mt. Lady, Power Loader, and many more. It was thrilling, but also overwhelming.

Katsuki took a look over her shoulder and nodded approvingly. "Endeavor's on there too," he pointed out. "I'll be going to his agency with Deku and Shoto, so maybe... you should think about it?"

Valerie nodded thoughtfully, though a thousand questions spun through her mind. She wanted to learn from the best, to be pushed and tested, and the idea of working alongside Katsuki—even under the fiery guidance of Endeavor—was tempting. But it was still a big decision, and she didn't want to rush it.

Later that day, she sought out her father in his office, hoping for a little guidance. Aizawa looked up, a hint of surprise in his eyes as she knocked softly on the door.

"Hey, Dad," she greeted, stepping into the room. "I... I need your advice."

Aizawa set his paperwork aside and nodded, a rare warmth in his expression as he listened. "Of course, Valerie. What's on your mind?"

She handed him the list of heroes, watching as he read through it thoughtfully. "There are so many options, and I feel like each one offers something different. But... who do you think would be the best fit?"

Aizawa's gaze softened as he handed the paper back. "I think each of these heroes could teach you something unique. But if I had to be honest, Endeavor would challenge you. He's relentless, and he'd push you to become stronger than you thought possible. But," he added, "it's ultimately up to you. Trust yourself, Valerie."

She took his words to heart, feeling the weight of the decision lessen just a little. And as she left his office, she knew that no matter which path she chose, she had the support of her family—and of Katsuki.

---

As the day drew to a close, Valerie found herself at peace with the uncertainty. The warmth from her friends' support, her father's guidance, and the memory of Katsuki's steady, confident gaze gave her the confidence to look forward. No matter what lay ahead, she knew she was ready to take on whatever challenges would come her way.

---

The thrill and nerves of Valerie's first day at Endeavor's agency hit her as soon as she stepped through the doors, accompanied by Katsuki, Shoto, and Izuku. The place was buzzing with energy, the walls lined with screens showing real-time city feeds, and every room echoing with heroism in action. As they approached the lobby, Endeavor himself stood waiting, arms crossed with an air of silent intensity. He surveyed them, nodding approvingly at the boys before his gaze settled on Valerie.

"Midoriya, Bakugo, Shoto—join my sidekicks on a downtown patrol," he instructed. The boys exchanged glances but nodded, each throwing Valerie a small wave or smile before heading out. As they left, Endeavor's focus shifted fully to her.

"You stay here, Black," he ordered, gesturing for her to follow him. They moved through a series of high-tech hallways until they reached the state-of-the-art simulation gym, equipped with every piece of training tech imaginable. He closed the door behind them, his expression unreadable as he looked at her.

"I'm impressed by the raw power your quirk has developed," he started, "but raw power is only half the battle. Without understanding the fundamentals, you'll burn out before you reach your true potential." His words were sharp, cutting straight to the core.

Valerie nodded, her heart racing. "I've been trying to work on it, but... sometimes I feel like my emotions get the better of me," she admitted.

"Emotions are fuel," Endeavor replied, "but without control, they'll consume you. Aizawa informed me that your quirk—lightning—is tightly linked to your emotions. When your emotions flare up, your quirk spirals out of control, much like fire in a dry season."

Valerie's brows furrowed as she listened, realizing that Endeavor was drawing a connection she hadn't considered. He walked to a control panel, flicking a few switches, and the room around them transformed, simulations creating a hostile environment filled with jagged rocks and flashing storm clouds overhead.

"Tell me, Black. Do you know what lightning is at its core? It's born from friction. Sparks fly and build when opposites collide until they're forced to discharge. Lightning, in its purest form, is fire evolved," Endeavor said, his voice a rumble. "Your power is wild, but if you learn to direct it, it won't control you—you'll control it."

Endeavour cranked up the intensity of the simulation, ordering her to push herself to the limit. Valerie braced herself as a wall of energy surged toward her, forcing her to summon every ounce of her quirk in defence. Sparks danced over her skin as she pushed herself harder, each strike of lightning feeling like fire pulsing through her veins. But Endeavor wasn't satisfied yet.

"Again!" he shouted, his voice booming. "Keep going, Black!"

Her muscles strained as sweat beaded on her forehead, and her vision started to blur from the intense effort. She felt the friction building within her, like two opposing forces clashing, and with every second she struggled to keep control. Just as she was on the verge of collapse, the boys returned from their patrol, stopping in their tracks as they took in the sight.

Valerie looked like she was coming undone, her aura sparking and crackling wildly. Shoto's eyes narrowed in anger. "What are you doing!?" he demanded. "She's at her limit!"

Katsuki clenched his fists, ready to charge in, but suddenly Valerie let out a scream that shook the gym, her entire body igniting in crackling blue lightning. Her skin seemed to melt into pure volts of energy, her form now glowing and shifting with the power contained within her.

Endeavour's voice cut through the chaos. "You're so close, Black! Don't give up! Embrace the heat!"

Taking a shuddering breath, Valerie steeled herself and reached out with her quirk, feeling it take complete hold. Her body pulsed with blue light, each heartbeat sending jolts through her veins, making her feel like she was lightning itself. She looked down at her hands, her skin no longer visible—just pure energy.

Katsuki's heart swelled with pride as he watched her, unable to suppress a smile at the sheer wonder of her transformation. She looked up, meeting his gaze with a grin that only amplified his pride.

"Alright, you three—get in there!" Endeavour barked at the boys. They froze, exchanging wary glances.

"What, you mean—fight her?" Izuku stammered, eyeing the blazing form of Valerie in disbelief.

Endeavour crossed his arms. "She needs control. And this is how she'll find it."

Katsuki stepped forward, a smirk forming on his face. "Let's go then. You're on, Val."

The gym crackled with tension as Valerie, fully charged and ready, faced the boys, her heart pounding with a new confidence as she prepared to test her power. This was her chance to prove she could harness the storm within.

The simulation gym buzzed with static as Valerie stood, her body still crackling with residual lightning. Katsuki, Shoto, and Izuku prepared themselves as Endeavor watched from the control panel, arms crossed, eyes sharp. The boys exchanged determined glances—this would be no ordinary sparring session.

Katsuki launched forward first, his palms bursting with firepower as he aimed directly at her. But Valerie moved like a blur, lightning zapping her just out of reach as his blast fizzled into empty air. Before he could recover, she was behind him, a flash of blue light crackling close enough to singe his hair as she grinned.

"C'mon, Katsuki! I thought you wanted a challenge!" she teased, disappearing in a streak of electricity before he could respond.

Izuku shot forward, his One For All-powered legs propelling him toward her. He threw a powerful punch aimed to intercept her mid-zip, but she dipped under it, slipping around him in a whirl of blue lightning. He barely managed to keep up as she circled him, her movements unpredictable, her aura flickering like a live wire.

"Too slow, Deku," she smirked, vanishing again.

Shoto raised his hand, combining ice and fire in a fierce display of his dual quirks, creating a smokescreen that filled the gym. "Let's see you dodge this, Valerie," he said, sending bursts of ice and fire to restrict her range. She paused, flickering in and out of the cloud like a lightning ghost. With a sly smile, she zipped to the side and used her quirk to amplify a surge of electricity, the charged static clearing the smoke in a flash.

Katsuki, undeterred, charged again, finding her before she could fully disappear. The two clashed, his explosions sending shockwaves that nearly matched the energy from her quirk. Valerie dodged each attack, though the constant use of her lightning began to take its toll. Her flickering form slowed as she pushed herself to stay in the fight, her breathing becoming laboured.

Izuku saw his moment, using Full Cowling to launch himself straight at her. She dodged again but stumbled, her lightning flickering out briefly, revealing her skin beneath. Unaware, she straightened, readying another strike as her hero suit smouldered from the intense heat.

"Valerie! Look out!" Katsuki shouted, charging toward her.

But it was too late—her quirk fully fizzled out, leaving her standing bare in front of her friends, the remnants of her suit burned away. Katsuki's eyes widened, and he froze. Izuku's face turned bright red, flustered beyond words, while Shoto cocked his head, completely oblivious to the awkwardness as he asked, "Why do you have bruises on your thighs and hips?"

Valerie screamed, hastily covering herself. "Look away!" she yelled, her face beet red.

Katsuki growled, snapping out of his shock. "Oi! Eyes off!" he barked, ripping Izuku's cape off and rushing to Valerie, wrapping it around her with a fierce protectiveness. "Keep your eyes to yourselves, idiots!"

Izuku's face burned as he fumbled backwards, mortified, while Shoto, still confused, blinked in pure innocence. Katsuki's hand trembled slightly as he secured the cape around Valerie, his face as red as his explosions. She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed, and whispered a soft, "Thank you," before hurrying to exit the gym.

As Valerie exited, Shoto turned to Izuku and Katsuki, looking genuinely puzzled. "I am highly concerned about the bruising on her thighs, do you believe her suit was perhaps too tight?"

Katsuki shot him a murderous glare. "Drop it, Icy-Hot or those bruises won't be the only ones you'll see today."

Shoto watched as Katsuki marched off after Valerie.

"Midoriya, remember to get your cape back from Valerie, Your suit is now incomplete." 

Izuku stiffened at the thought of getting his cape back after it was on Valerie, "Nope!! I'll get a new one, I chose life...."

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Plus Ultra