The training grounds of the Hero Academy were a blur of grunts and flying dust. Muscle Hero, a titan of focus and determination, threw a punch that would have leveled a skyscraper. But his mind wasn't on the opponent in front of him. It was on the sidelines, where MoonBeam watched, a hopeful smile gracing her face. Focus, MH, he repeated to himself. Missions, not MoonBeam. Gotta keep it professional. Friends only.
Later, in the quiet hum of the common room, MoonBeam approached him. "Hey, MH! That was a great sparring session. You really took down Thunder Fist!" Her voice was as clear and bright as her name.
He didn't look up from his training manual. "Efficiency protocols dictate maximum engagement with minimal personal investment in training exercises. Opponent analysis complete. Tactical advantages noted." The words felt cold and sterile as they left his lips, a shield he had perfected.
MoonBeam's smile faltered, her hope dimming. "Oh... right. Protocols. Well, I was thinking... maybe we could review the agility drills together tomorrow?"
A close-up of his face would show the battle raging within him. His eyes remained fixed on the manual, but a small, fleeting image of her face flickered in his mind. Say yes, you idiot. Say anything but...
He continued to speak, the protocols his armor. "My current optimization schedule allocates that time for independent study of advanced combat theory and nutritional intake analysis. Collaboration is not currently prioritized for agility enhancement."
Her face fell. "I see. Busy. Of course." She took a step back, the space between them growing into a canyon.
As she walked away, a small voice inside him screamed, MoonBeam, don't go. Say something... anything... But his mouth remained shut. He closed the training manual, the cover a final, heavy seal over his emotions. He sat there, alone, with a single, quiet thought: Distance equals safety. For both of us.