The mannequin's panels hissed and shifted as they moved to mimic Jirou's figure. Once each one locked into place, Izuku wrapped her Hero Costume atop of it. The base top was basic – only meant to separate skin from the vest. The vest itself mimicked a military parader's, but with an obvious speaker that laid across its chest. It was segmented to allow for movement while connected by wires that were weaved into the cloth. It also held something similar to epaulets on its shoulders, but the clear slots for audio jacks made their use clear. Belt held a skirt for aesthetic, and the pants weren't anything special. Lastly, there were her boots – fit for combat but rode a little higher to make room for the speakers on their front.

Izuku took a step back, "I can't critique the design too heavily… Though, it does lack protective wear overall…" He shrugged, "I'll have to see if she wants any additions…" He connected one of the epaulets to his laptop, "What I mainly need is wireless signal's frequency…" He began to identify the frequency, "What's a weapon that would benefit Jirou's style and Quirk…?"

He rubbed his chin, stepping back to the costume, "I guess her look is… punk, right?" He scratched his head, "Am I only guessing that because of the skirt…? Maybe the vest, too…?" He stretched, "Well, her Quirk does have a lot to do with sound… Sound and Punk, huh…?" He tilted his head, "To make it a Support Arm…" Izuku's gaze caught something in the corner of his eye – an old project… "Well, axe is another word for a guitar…"

-XXX-

Midoriya: "Swing by workshop before lunch?"

Jirou: "Sure"

Jirou Kyoka was curious – it was partially why she agreed to let Midoriya access her costume. She had a basic make of the guy. He seemed normal: reserved but friendly enough. Though, her opinion had shifted since the Sports Festival – from guilt, to shock, to nearly grieving over him. Then, after all was said and done, he was acting like it barely dented him. She assumed that whatever he was making was his first project since he came back. Questions like "What was he going to make?", and "How would it turn out?", danced in her mind.

With lunchtime called, the heavy metal doors were left propped open as students exited. Kyoka wormed her way through the passerby and within. She peeked about the room and found a certain mop of green hair. He was leaning back in a chair, staring at the running plasma cutter. He was covered from neck to ankle in a thick, baggy jumpsuit with a leather apron atop it. Thick gloves were worn while a welding mask was strapped into place – left a puff of green hair off the back of his head. The lax way he sat made her think he was hypnotized by the sparks and concentrated light.

She stepped up behind him, mindful of the distance between her and the plasma cutter, "Yo, Midoriya?"

His head hung over the back of the chair, causing the mask to fall from his face, "Ah, hey…" He turned out of his chair, beckoning her to follow as he moved towards a workstation. "Thanks for coming in before lunch – I won't hold us up for too long." He stripped off his apron, mask, and gloves, "Thought I'd show you some of the progress I made." He unzipped his jumpsuit, pulling his top down and tying its sleeves around his waist. "Which isn't a lot, mind you – starting on a proof of concept."

He was wearing a tank-top underneath – like a normal person, of course. Though, her eyes couldn't but wander a bit. He was a lot more muscular than she thought, and not the lean kind, leaning more towards bulky. It wasn't something was piquing her interest or something – it was just weird or maybe just unexpected.

"Everything… okay?" asked Midoriya with a tilt of his head.

Her face flushed, forcing a cough, "H-Huh, uh…"

"Oh… okay…" He slowly looked down at himself, focusing at his chest. He sighed and partially groaned, "Look its funny, alright?"

Her eyes drifted again, "Oh my god… His tank-top says 'tank-top'…!"

"Can we just not, please."

Her mind screamed, "Why is it in English…!?" She took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of her nose, "S-Sorry…" Another cough, "Questionable attire aside, uh…" She looked back and forth at his station, hoping to change the topic, "Why does your welding mask have a smile on it?"

"It was one of our first projects," he explained. "Customizing gear that was just ours – these masks are the only pieces of equipment that we don't share."

"Ah, I get it." She scratched her cheek, "I didn't expect the shark grin – Setsuna'd probably be a big fan."

Midoriya clarified, "The one with the 'Split' Quirk, right?"

"Yeah." She clapped her hands, smiling at her success, "So, whatcha got for me?"

"Well… Name's pending, but for time being, we'll just call it 'The Axe'," he said as he unveiled the base blueprint.

Her face contorted as she looked upon it, "A guitar?"

"Yep," he said with a pop.

Kyoka shook her head, "Wait… How did you know I played guitar?" Her mind rattled, "How the fuck does he know about that…!? Probably Mina… Jeez… I don't think I'm chill with the idea of even using that thing…" She rubbed the back of her neck, "Uh, hey, Mid—"

Midoriya blinked, "Oh…" The shock on his face was clear, "You know how to play a guitar! Awesome!" He muttered with a shrug, "I was just gonna make it look like one." He scratched the back of his head, "I-I mean I guess I could make it… a working guitar – um…" He fished out his phone, whispering to himself – not quietly, "How do ya make a guitar?" She could see the screen over his shoulder – he already met his first hiccup: damn internet was spewing about carving wood. "How guitar work…?" It sounded like the struggle just knocked some of his intelligence out of his ear.

Kyoka took another breath, "Look, Midoriya, I know how to play a guitar, but I'm not really… into using one as a Hero." She fidgeted with her jacks, "I don't really want people to know that I know how to play either…"

"Oh, okay…" He blinked, "But, uh, if you don't mind me asking, why?"

"Ugh… Midoriya…" She sighed, wiping her face, "It ain't really Hero-like, dude."

"The guitar?"

"Yeah…" She admitted, "The type of music I like is… Rock…"

Midoriya stared, "…" He clearly expected something further, but when she remained silent, he just affirmed, "Hm."

Kyoka crossed her arms, "It feels like you're not getting this."

"I'm grasping it?" He rubbed the back of his neck, "I mean I don't quite see the issue."

"Heroes don't play rock music." She waved her hand, "They're more into that Idol crap – or Pop." She looked off to the side, "You don't see them rocking out on stage…"

"What?" He tilted his head, "There are plenty of Heroes who play Rock music."

"Eh?" Felt like a barrier just cracked in her head just then.

He shrugged, "Underground Heroes. Which is… rather fitting when you think about it." He reasoned, "And Rock's hitting a surge – well, Pop-Rock, I guess." He slipped his hands into his pockets, "And you know, I think its pretty cool you know how to play a guitar." He shook his head, "But, as much as I'm spouting, you don't have to know how to play it. I could just make it look like a guitar or just scrap the appearance entirely." He explained, "I mean my idea was for you to be like an aux cord and plug the guitar into your speakers for some variety – depending on the situation."

Midoriya's hands waved as he shook his head, "B-But, that isn't me trying to guilt you or anything. It's just thought, ya know? Just thought I'd explain it; I'm not even married to the idea!"

Kyoka pulled on one of her jacks, "You're already working on a prototype, right?"

"Y-Yeah…"

She put a hand on her hip, "Me as the aux cord?"

"Yeah." He blinked, "Is that possible?"

She shrugged, "Yeah, just funky feeling…" She muttered to herself, "I guess… I do owe you…"

"Hm?"

Kyoka took a deep breath, "Let's roll with it."

Midoriya exclaimed, "Really? Are you sure?"

She sighed, "Yeah… Might as well." She turned, making her exit, "I'm starved – we can talk more about it later."

"R-Right."

She stopped, kicking her foot off the ground, "Hey, do you know any of those guys' songs? The Rock Heroes."

Midoriya turned, smiling, "Yeah, do you want me to send you some?"

Kyoka nodded before leaving the workshop with a wave, "Yeah, thanks."

-XXX-

"Are you ready, Mr. Midoriya?"

"Yes, sir."

Izuku shut the toolbox before hefting it up at his side. The rest of the day had passed in blur and now he found himself attending detention. The workshop's doors were locked as he and Mr. Abraham made their exit. "Today, will mainly be training. Overall, maintenance is split between our handy work and robotic assistance," he explained as they made their way down the hall. "And before you ask, that assistance is a special support bot; though it is made by the same company that produces the combat version that Hero Course students use."

"So, they'll look basically the same?" concluded Izuku.

"Correct." Mr. Abraham continued, "The equipment has automatic responses to certain feedback. For example, there's a sensor that is very similar to an earthquake sensor on gas-mains. When enough force is exerted on the machine, it is automatically halted and flagged for our inspection." He raised a finger, "Now, these machines are built to last and endure, so it may be possible that we'll find nothing wrong. However, we must examine each part thoroughly all the same."

"Understood."

"If the damage is manageable, we will attempt to fix it." Mr. Abraham held up a tablet, "The details of each machine is kept here." He waved it, "This tablet can connect to each one for a diagnostic check. If the machine's internal sensors can recognize the issue, we will be provided a potential troubleshoot solution. In which it will provide detailed instructions on how to proceed. However, if the machine and/or we conclude that the damage is too great. We will contact the Support Company that provided the equipment so they can send a technician to complete the fix."

Izuku scratched his cheek, "So, if the repair is basic like a part replacement, we handle it?"

"If we have the part," said Mr. Abraham. "Companies like to keep their machine's to themselves. Those who use them are given the means for quick fixes, but certain parts, necessarily or otherwise, are made uniquely and exclusively by that company. So, we'll either have to order the part or leave it to a technician."

"Do we have to call them a lot?" asked Izuku.

"Yes, quite a bit actually," said Mr. Abraham flatly. "These Hero Course students have a minor tendency to go…" He chuckled, "Plus Ultra, I suppose."

Izuku cringed at that.

Mr. Abraham stopped at a new set of heavy metal doors that Izuku had never seen before. The main difference from the workshop's doors to these new ones was that they displayed the school's crest. And he would dare call it proudly as the polish and shine on the metal suggested the upmost care. A red light also loomed over the lintel before flashing as Mr. Abraham tapped a buzzer.

He explained, "This place is referred to as the 'Danger-Room'. You may notice some similarities with our testing range." An alarm blared before the door's locks hissed and clanged out of place, "Mr. Haimawari is usually in here with a few hard-workers who want to get some extra training, so be wary."

"Mr. Abraham, punctual as ever," said Mr. Haimawari. His voice echoed throughout the chamber's walls; its source was seemingly an observation deck on the opposite side of the room. "Please remain in the safety area until the exercise is complete." Safety Area probably meant the circular platform that stood above the chamber's floor. The room itself, as Mr. Abraham said, bore a resemblance to the segmented, paneled walls. Though, the near pristine white of the lab was replaced with scratched, gunmetal silver. Though, seeing a panel pop out with some sort of gun turret hiding underneath it made the differences stark.

It spun, shooting a ball of pink goop at a waft of purple hair. It whirled, adjusted, and fired – causing Shinso to push into a handstand. It splattered against the ground before he had to spin his body to narrowly dodge another batch of goo. He bent his knees, letting his feet hit the ground, before throwing himself upright. He cartwheeled to dodge another shot before another panel lifted and whirled. He spun to look at the turret, but it had long since fired, nailing him in the chest and splattering his gym uniform.

Shinso's body was thrown back and he crashed onto the ground.

A different alarm blared and the Safety Area hissed as panels rose from the floor below, stairs. "We'll call it there for today, Mr. Shinso."

"Yes, sir…"grunted Shinso as he sat up. His gaze slowly turned to the intruding pair before blinking, "Hey, Midoriya."

Izuku didn't part completely from his warden, only making a minor detour, "Hey, are you okay?"

The goop hissed and popped before crackling – liquid turning almost into a drywall-like material, "Yeah…"

"Wait, is that hardening?" observed Izuku

"Yep," said Shinso before knocking his chest; causing the brittle material to crack and whittle away as he stood.

"Ooh, that's so good for clean-up," said Izuku to Mr. Abraham.

"Indeed," said he with a smile. "Those panels have a proper seal as well, until activated, so room clean-up is equally easy."

Shinso matched his pace to Izuku's, "I know why Mr. Abraham's here. Why're you?"

"Mr. Midoriya is assisting me in minor repairs about the school," excused Mr. Abraham.

Izuku nodded, "Right, extra credit." His mind recalled, "Principal Ikoma wanted to keep the punishment a secret… Can't punish the victim, right…?"

Shinso chuckled, "You didn't miss that many days of school, man. Don't you think you're overdoing it?"

"Don't you exercise or fight everyday? Who's really overdoing it?" said Izuku,

Shinso looked off to the side, muttering, "Heh, gotta keep up with everyone else, man…"

Izuku blinked, "What do you mean?"

They all came to a stop as they stepped underneath the observation deck. Poles rose from the ground, connecting to the ceiling. Panels hissed and clanged as seals and locks released. One lowered with another following and another, becoming a staircase. "Welcome to the Danger-Zone," announced Mr. Haimawari, clapping his hands from the deck above.

"Danger-Zone?" echoed Izuku as they ascended. "I thought it was Danger-Room?"

"Abraham, you can't keep calling it that," groaned Mr. Haimawari. "The Ex-Men have that copyrighted. You're gonna get us in trouble."

Mr. Abraham looked off to the side, almost pouting, "What's said in passing can't be sued."

"So long as the students don't start spreading it around," said Mr. Haimawari. "Come on up."

Izuku whistled as they ascended onto the Observation Deck – a semi-circular room with a console at its center and a windowed view of the room below. A grouping of seats in the back of it made room for about a class-worth of people. "I don't know why I whistled… This seems pretty standard…"

Mr. Abraham beckoned, "Mr. Midoriya? Allow me to show you have the diagnostic system works."

"Aye, aye," said Izuku.

-XXX-

"You did good today."

Shinso Hitoshi bit back a sigh as Mr. Haimawari punched his shoulder. "You're pushing yourself and it's really showing." "Most of the students can't move half as well as you – they could learn quite a bit actually."

"They don't need to, though, do they…?" Hitoshi shook his head as he opened the uniform's jacket, "My record's still ten… I didn't even meet that today."

Mr. Haimawari nodded, "You dodged eight. That is still dramatically well."

"Setsuna managed fifteen," countered Hitoshi.

"Because of her Quirk." He shook his head, "I understand that bothers you, but you can't compare yourself—"

"To someone who's just better suited for it?"

"No, Shinso."

Hitoshi scratched the back of his head, "Sorry, Mr. Haimawari, I'm… just frustrated – my mind's not in a good place right now."

Mr. Haimawari tucked his hand into his pocket, "I understand, you know. I was in that space once too…" He placed his other hand on his student's shoulder, "However, you need to understand, Shinso. You're doing well and while holding yourself to a certain standard can be good motivation; it can degradate your sense of self. Instead of pushing yourself forward, you'll find that you're only holding yourself back." He gave him a pat before walking over to the console where Abraham and Midoriya stood, "Take a break, Shinso. I'm sure you have homework to do."

Hitoshi took a deep breath as he plopped himself into one of the empty seats. "Holding myself back, huh…?" He pinched his nose, "Jeez… It makes it sound like I'm just self-loathing…" He sighed, "I guess I should take that break…", pushing himself onto his feet.

-XXX-

"Is that Ingenium?" "Oh my god!" "What is he doing here?" "Go talk to him!" "What?! No way!"

Iida Tensei stood at the gates of Shiketsu High. Of course, he questioned whether or not being here was better than just heading inside and asking for Midoriya. Especially in how late of day it was now. The number of passerby had trickled into few and far in between. And now, in hindsight, he started thinking about how this must've looked. "I must look like some self-absorbed celebrity… Look at me, merely standing, yet receiving all this praise…" He began to fidget in place, looking about. His gaze peered over his shoulder as the engines in his arms revved for a moment, "If I run now, I may be able to salvage this…"

"Eh…?" said a voice.

"Ah…" said Tensei as he looked upon a green-haired teen.

Midoriya waved his hand, "Ingenium, hey…" He then asked, "How're you feeling?"

Tensei blinked, "I… uh… good." He coughed, "You look well, Mr. Midoriya."

"Feeling well," he said. He started on his way through the gates, "Have a nice day."

"Right," said Tensei… He blinked, turning after the teen, "Wait! Mr. Midoriya!"

He flinched, cautiously turning around, "Y-Yeah?"

"Midoriya – that Stain kid?" "He knows Ingenium!?" "I'm so jealous!"

"I…" Tensei took a breath, "…" He bowed at a perfect right angle, "I wanted to thank you… for saving my life…" His eyes screwed shut as he shook his head, "You almost lost yours doing it… and I… can never repay that." He glared at the ground, "I was the Pro-Hero, but in the end, I couldn't save you… I'm sorry… That day… you were the real Hero and I was just some fool…"

"Hey," said Midoriya, lightly punching the man's shoulder. "You're welcome." He took a step back, putting his hand on his hip while his other hand adjusted his bag's straps. "You don't have to worry about repaying me – that fact that you're still alive is enough for me." He let out a chuckle, "And, hey, since we're both still standing I think we should just be grateful that thing's worked out like this."

Tensei lifted his head, "Mr. Midoriya…" He straightened, "You're… very kind…"

Midoriya blinked, "Ah…"

"Hm?"

The teen went rummaging into his bag, "Um… actually…" He was pulling out a sketchbook of some kind, rummaging with loose papers in the process, "I guess there's one way you could repay me…"

Tensei stepped forward, "Name it."

"Um… uh…" He held it out with a black marker in between his fingers. It was an architect's sketchbook with some designs drawn out on the page. "Could you sign this for me?"

"Sign that? Just... this? Are you sure?" questioned Tensei as he took it.

"Yeah… I know there's some stuff on the page – if you could sign just underneath them," said Midoriya.

Tensei took the book and held it tight so as to not drop any of the papers within it, "Are you sure you don't want anything else?"

Midoriya scratched his cheek, "Well… I guess I'm a bit curious about your Quirk – how does it work?"

"Interested in Quirks?" Tensei chuckled as the marker moved across the bottom of the page, "I'm sure I could answer a few questions."

-XXX-

"What am I doing…?"

Izuku waved as Ingenium made his leave. The two had walked a ways away from the school – closer to the dorms but halfway to the train station. The man seemed to be in higher spirits while something tugged at the teen, lingering regret. He looked at the sketchbook and the autograph across the page's footer. The black marker had bled through; the page flipped with a turn of his thumb. Underneath, there was the Field Support permission slip. The signature wasn't perfect but enough – a quick lie about the marker being dry would fit just fine.

"I guess it does make sense… He'd be a complete dumbass to sign it after seeing ya bleed to death…"

"Can't turn back now…" Izuku took a deep breath, tucking the book back into his bag, "I'm gonna see this through… No matter what…"

-\ XXX /-

AN: Uh-oh, is this what we call walking a fine line? The chapter's segments could pretty easily be broken down into: Jirou and Midoriya; Midoriya, Abraham, and Shinso; Shinso and Haimawari, & Tensei and Midoriya. JM was mainly focused on establishing their friendship or the start of it proper. MAS was world-building mixed in with some establishing of Shinso's character. SH gave a minor expansion on that. TM moves the overall story another step forward.

A pretty obvious reference mixed in and the wonder of consequences.

With that, thank you for reading and criticize away!

Update Window: October 20th - 30th

Intended Due Date: October 20th - 25th