As the weekend approached, Mei's excitement grew. She prepared herself, making sure she had everything she might need, and even dressed a bit differently than usual—something casual, but still practical, in case she needed to blend in. Her cheeks flushed. Here she was, actually bothering to dress up for a boy no less. It felt odd yet exhilarating. When Saturday finally arrived, she set out for the mall early, determined to stay hidden but close enough to watch him.
When she arrived at the shopping mall, Mei positioned herself near one of the entrances, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and exhilaration. She felt a strange thrill coursing through her, knowing that soon she would see him, that soon she would be near him again. When Izuku finally arrived with his friends, laughing and talking as they made their way inside, Mei couldn't help but smile. There he was, the boy who had somehow managed to turn her world upside down, the boy who had become the center of her thoughts, her feelings, her very purpose.
As she tailed him through the mall, careful to stay out of sight, Mei felt a sense of satisfaction, almost as if this was exactly where she was meant to be. Watching him from a distance, she could feel that burning joy in her heart, stronger than ever. It was exhilarating, intoxicating even. Continuing to follow him from store to store, and observing his every move, she knew one thing for certain: she wanted to be with him.
Mei wasn't accustomed to being out of her lab, let alone in a crowded mall. But here she was, trailing behind Izuku and his friends from a short distance, doing her best to stay inconspicuous. The bustling crowd provided ample cover as she weaved through the plaza, her eyes never leaving him.
Her heart fluttered every time she caught a glimpse of his smile, the way he interacted with his friends, and the genuine kindness that seemed to radiate from him. She imagined herself by his side, talking to him, sharing her thoughts, her inventions, and maybe even her feelings. The idea was fascinating to her. Izuku wasn't just another student or a guinea pig for her gadgets; he was quickly becoming her greatest enigma, one she was determined to solve.
But as Mei allowed herself to daydream, imagining what it would be like to be closer to him, she suddenly heard a voice call out to her.
"Hey, isn't that Hatsume?".
She froze, her heart skipping a beat as she realized she'd been spotted. It was Denki Kaminari, pointing directly at her. Before she could react, Denki had already gotten Izuku's attention.
Izuku turned to look where Denki was pointing. "Hatsume?"
Panic surged through Mei as she quickly ducked behind a nearby shop cart, her mind racing. She wasn't ready for this. Her heart pounded in her chest, and for the first time in as long as she could remember, she felt genuinely nervous. Why had she been so careless? And why did the idea of facing him now make her feel so self-conscious? She peeked out from behind the cart, hoping to find an escape route, but it was too late. Izuku was already walking toward her, a curious yet friendly expression on his face. When he finally reached her, he bent down slightly to meet her eye level.
"Hey, Hatsume," he greeted her with that same warm smile that always seemed to put everyone at ease. "What are you doing here?"
Mei's mind went blank. For a moment, all she could focus on was his smile, his genuine interest in her presence, and the way he looked at her as if he was truly happy to see her. She wasn't used to this, wasn't used to feeling so flustered, and it was throwing her off balance. "I—uh..." Mei stammered, feeling her cheeks heat up. Words, usually her strong suit when it came to tech talk, seemed to fail her. "I...was just...um, looking for parts! Yeah, parts."
She realized how unconvincing she sounded, and her nerves only worsened. To make matters worse, she became hyper-aware of her choice of clothing—a casual, somewhat haphazard ensemble she'd thrown together in a hurry. She rarely gave much thought to her appearance, but now she wished she'd put in a bit more effort.
Izuku, however, didn't seem to notice her anxiety. Instead, his smile grew even warmer, and to her surprise, he complimented her. "You look really nice today, Hatsume. I like your style—it's fresh."
Mei's heart skipped another beat, and she felt her face flush even more. Compliments weren't something she received often, especially not about her appearance. She wasn't sure how to respond, and before she knew it, she was stumbling over her words again—a first for her. "Th-thank you..." she managed to say, her voice unusually soft. She glanced down, unable to meet his gaze for a moment. "I...um...I don't usually go out much, so this is...kinda new for me."
As she spoke, Mei noticed out of the corner of her eye that Denki, along with the other guys, had started to move away, clearly giving them some space. They exchanged knowing looks, as if they could sense the awkward tension in the air and decided to leave them alone.
Izuku, oblivious to their antics, looked back at her with understanding. "I get that. It can be overwhelming sometimes, but it's nice to take a break and go somewhere different, right? Do you want some company? I can show you around if you'd like.".
The offer made Mei's heart swell with affection. She couldn't believe how kind he was, how easy it was for him to make her feel comfortable even when she was so out of her element. The thought of spending more time with him, just the two of them, was incredibly appealing, and she quickly nodded.
"Yeah...I'd like that," she replied, feeling a genuine smile tug at her lips. The nervousness she'd felt earlier began to fade, replaced by an eagerness to be near him, to finally have the opportunity she'd been longing for.
As they walked together through the mall, Mei found herself more smitten with him than ever. Izuku's kindness, his easygoing nature, and the way he seemed genuinely interested in her made her heart race in a way that felt both exhilarating and terrifying. She still didn't fully understand these new emotions, but one thing was certain: being with him felt right, and she was determined to explore whatever this feeling was.
For the first time, Mei wasn't just thinking about her inventions or her next big project. She was thinking about him, about the possibility of something more between them. And as they continued to walk side by side, chatting about everything and nothing, Mei knew she was ready to take that step into the unknown—no matter how uncharted the territory might be.
As Mei and Izuku wandered through the plaza together, the day felt like an unexpected adventure. For Mei, this was an entirely new experience—one that had nothing to do with her beloved "babies" or her workshop. She wasn't used to this kind of fun, but she found herself loving every second of it. They talked about everything, from her latest inventions to ideas on how to upgrade some of her tech. Izuku, with his deep understanding of Quirks and battle strategies, offered insightful suggestions that sparked new ideas in Mei's mind. She eagerly jotted down notes on a small notepad she always carried, feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of getting back to her lab to try out these new concepts.
But it wasn't all shop talk. As they continued to walk, they also indulged in some lighthearted window shopping, occasionally stopping to admire random items that caught their attention—whether it was a quirky gadget or a piece of clothing that Mei jokingly suggested would suit Izuku. It felt easy and comfortable, like they had known each other for much longer than they actually had.
Eventually, they found themselves at the food court, where they decided to grab some lunch. Seated across from each other, the atmosphere between them was warm and relaxed. Mei, normally so focused on her work, was surprised at how much she was enjoying just sitting here, talking and laughing with Izuku.
As they ate, Mei couldn't help but think about how different this was from her usual routine. It felt almost like...a date, though she was too shy to admit that thought to herself, let alone say it out loud. But she couldn't deny the happiness bubbling up inside her. She wasn't sure when it had started—maybe it was when Izuku had complimented her at the mall, or maybe when he had offered to accompany her—but now, the feeling was undeniable.
She looked at him across the table, her heart warming as she saw the smile on his face. She realized she wanted to see that smile more often, to be the one who made him smile like that.
"I've had a great time today," she admitted, her voice softening as she spoke.
Izuku looked up from his food, his eyes brightening at her words. "I'm really glad to hear that, Hatsume. I've had a great time too."
He hesitated for a moment, then continued with a more thoughtful tone. "To be honest, I've always wondered what you liked doing outside of the shop. You're always so focused on your work, and I'm glad I got to know you better today."
Mei felt her cheeks flush with warmth, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "I'm happy I got to know you better too, Midoriya," she replied. Her usual bravado was absent, replaced by a quiet sincerity that surprised even herself. They both sat quietly, enjoying the comfortable silence between them. Mei found herself sneaking glances at him, her heart fluttering in a way that she still didn't fully understand but was starting to welcome.
Then, Izuku broke the silence, his voice slightly tentative. "Hatsume...would you like to do this again sometime?"
Surprised, Mei looked up at him, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the bashful smile on his face. He was so earnest, so genuine, and she could see that he was just as nervous as she was. The implication of his question caused her heart to swell, and she realized that she wanted nothing more than to spend more time with him, to see where this strange and wonderful new feeling could lead.
She smiled back at him, her heart pounding with excitement. "Yeah...I'd really like that." Her response seemed to make Izuku's smile grow even wider, and the two of them exchanged a look that was full of possibilities.
As they continued their lunch, the world outside the bustling mall seemed to fade away. All that mattered was the connection they were building, one that felt as natural as it was surprising. Mei was starting to understand what was happening, but for once, she was okay with that. She didn't need to figure everything out right now. All she knew was that she was happy, and that was enough.
Mei and Izuku were both enjoying the easygoing atmosphere that had settled between them as they shared lunch, the lines between friendship and something more starting to blur in the best possible way. Mei couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so relaxed, so genuinely happy just to be in someone's company. But even in this comfortable moment, there was a question gnawing at her, a tiny worry that she couldn't shake.
She glanced at Izuku, who was currently focusing on finishing the last bite of his meal, and decided to take a risk. The question slipped out before she could stop herself. "So, um...Midoriya, about that girl from the training grounds—Ochako, right?"
Izuku looked up, surprised by the sudden shift in the conversation. "Yeah, Ochako...what about her?"
Mei hesitated, inwardly scolding herself for bringing it up, especially when everything had been going so well. But a part of her needed to know, had to know, even if the answer wasn't what she wanted to hear. "You two seem...close. I was just wondering if...you know, if there's something between you two."
Izuku blinked, clearly not expecting that question. "Oh, no, it's nothing like that! Ochako is a really good friend, but that's all," he quickly assured her, his expression earnest yet the faint hint of a troubled look lingered on him.
Hearing his response, Mei felt a mix of relief and embarrassment. Relief because it seemed like she didn't have to worry about competition for his attention. But embarrassment because she feared she might have just ruined what had been a perfect moment. She opened her mouth to say something, to clarify that she didn't mean to pry, but before she could get the words out, the ground beneath them suddenly shook violently.
A massive explosion erupted from the west side of the plaza, sending shockwaves through the area. Smoke and debris filled the air, and the sound of terrified screams echoed through the once-bustling mall. The atmosphere of their pseudo-date shattered in an instant, replaced by chaos and fear.
Izuku was on his feet in a heartbeat, his expression shifting from surprised to determined in an instant. "Hatsume, stay here and get to safety!" he ordered, his voice filled with urgency.
Her heart pounded as she watched him prepare to run toward the danger. "But Midoriya—" she started to protest, feeling an instinctive need to do something, anything to help him.
Izuku turned to her, his eyes filled with resolve. "I'll be fine, but you need to find a Pro Hero or a police officer and let them know what's happening. Please, just be safe, okay?". He didn't wait for a response. With a burst of energy, Izuku activated his Quirk, and in a flash, he launched himself toward the source of the explosion, disappearing into the smoke and chaos.
Mei stood frozen for a moment, the world around her spinning as the reality of the situation set in. The sound of distant cries and the sight of panicked civilians fleeing in every direction shook her out of her stupor. Her heart was racing, a whirlwind of emotions surging within her—fear for Izuku's safety, a deep worry that something terrible could happen to him, and an overwhelming helplessness that she wasn't used to feeling.
She had always been confident, always in control when it came to her inventions, but this was different. This was a battle, and she wasn't equipped for it. But Izuku...he was made for this. She had seen him train, knew how strong and capable he was. Yet, that knowledge didn't ease the gnawing worry that settled in her chest. Clenching her fists, Mei's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. She wanted to chase after him, to be there for him, but she knew she'd only be in the way. He needed her to do what he asked—find help. But every fiber of her being screamed to stay with him, to make sure he was okay. The smoke continued to billow, and the sounds of destruction grew louder, Mei made her decision. She would do what he asked and find help, but not before making sure he knew she was there for him.
She turned on her heel, running in the opposite direction to find the nearest Pro Hero or law enforcement officer, her mind filled with nothing but worry for Izuku.
Mei had never been one to deal with danger firsthand. She'd spent her life in the safety of her lab, buried in blueprints and prototypes, focused on crafting the next breakthrough in support technology. Explosions and chaos were supposed to be controlled in her world, the result of miscalculations on her part, not the product of a real-life villain attack.
But today, in the middle of the chaos, everything felt raw and terrifying. As she ran alongside panicked civilians fleeing the mall, she could hear the echoes of battle growing louder behind her—the sound of explosions, metal crashing, and Quirks clashing. The air was thick with fear, and Mei's heart pounded with every step she took. Despite the panic, Mei's mind was racing with thoughts of Izuku. She could still see the determined look on his face as he had rushed into the danger zone. He had told her to stay safe, to find help, but now, all she could think about was getting back to him. She couldn't shake the image of him getting hurt or worse. The very thought of it made her chest tighten with worry.
As she pushed through the crowd, Mei saw an elderly man stumble and fall to the ground, too weak to get back up. Without hesitation, she rushed to his side and knelt down to help him. "I've got you!" she reassured him, pulling him up onto his feet.
Before she could fully steady the man, a security guard appeared, quickly taking over. "Thanks for helping," the guard said breathlessly. "You should get out of here. Pro Heroes are already on their way."
Mei nodded, though her mind was already back on Izuku. The mention of heroes arriving should have comforted her, but instead, it only made her more anxious. "Some U.A. students are already in the thick of it," she informed the guard. "They're fighting the villain right now."
The guard's eyes widened. "Then we need to move fast—"
But before he could finish, Mei was already backing away, her thoughts elsewhere. Technically, she had done her part. She had found help. Backup was on the way. But that wasn't enough for her. Izuku was still out there, fighting alone.
Mei turned on her heel, her feet moving before her mind could catch up. She started running back toward the mall, ignoring the guard's shouts for her to come back. The adrenaline pumped through her veins, and with every step closer to the battle, her worry for Izuku grew stronger. She couldn't leave him behind, not when he might need her. She was no fighter, and she knew she probably wouldn't be able to do much in the heat of combat, but she wasn't going to stand by and let him get hurt. The thought of something happening to him—to the one person who made her heart race in ways she didn't fully understand—was unbearable.
'I have to do something,' she thought desperately, her mind laser-focused on finding him. 'Even if it's just supporting him...I can help.'.
As she got closer, the sounds of destruction and battle grew louder, making her heart race even more. The once-bustling plaza had been reduced to rubble in places, the villain wreaking havoc as smoke billowed into the air. She could hear civilians still screaming in the distance, and the sound of explosions echoed all around her...
But despite all that, one thing remained constant in her mind—Izuku.
Her chest tightened again, this time with a surge of determination. She had to find him. She had to make sure he was okay. Whether it was a sudden burst of courage or her stubborn nature kicking in, Mei wasn't sure, but she knew one thing: she couldn't stay away, not now. Not when Izuku was in danger.
Ignoring the fear that gnawed at her insides, she pressed on, sprinting back toward the heart of the fight, determined to reach him. Even if she couldn't fight, even if she couldn't defend herself, she had to be there. She wouldn't let him face this alone. Once reaching the west wing of the mall, Mei stood frozen for a moment, taking in the scene of utter destruction. The once-bustling shopping plaza had turned into a warzone, littered with broken tiles, shattered glass, and twisted metal. The air was thick with dust and smoke, and the sounds of battle echoed relentlessly through the debris-strewn corridors.
A pack of low-level Nomu swarmed the area, their grotesque, unnatural forms tearing through anything and anyone in their path. Their sheer size and strength were overwhelming, and they seemed to attack indiscriminately, without thought or purpose beyond destruction. But worse than the mindless beasts were the villains standing behind them, guiding their onslaught. Spinner, the reptilian-looking villain, and Mr. Compress, known for his dangerous ability to trap people and objects within his marbles, coordinated the chaos. Mei recognized them immediately from the news and the Hero Commission's most-wanted lists. They were members of the League of Villains—a notorious group responsible for countless attacks across Japan.
Her breath caught in her throat as she watched the battle unfold. Izuku, alongside Kaminari, Tokoyami, and Sero, were giving it their all, fighting off the Nomus with everything they had. Izuku was a blur of green energy, his Quirk enhancing his speed and strength as he kicked one of the monsters away, the shockwave from his blow sending debris flying in every direction. She barely managed to duck out of the way as a chunk of shattered wall came hurtling toward her, rolling to the side just in time. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she wasn't about to turn back now. She couldn't. Not when Izuku was in the middle of this chaos.
Sero swung through the air, using his tape to latch onto a nearby beam, launching himself toward Spinner with precision. Spinner sneered as he swung his sword to deflect the attack, the clash sending sparks flying. Meanwhile, Denki was charging up, aiming his electricity at Mr. Compress. The masked villain merely chuckled in response, twirling one of his marbles between his fingers with casual ease.
"Let's give these children a real show, shall we?" Mr. Compress said with a theatrical flourish. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed several marbles into the air, and in an instant, they expanded, releasing more Nomu—this time, a pack of winged beasts that screeched through the air.
The newly summoned Nomus took to the skies, diving toward the U.A. students with terrifying speed. Mei's heart raced even faster. The situation was spiraling out of control, and the villains were gaining the upper hand. Her mind, usually so sharp and focused on her inventions, raced to find a solution. She wasn't a fighter—she knew that. But she was an inventor, and if there was one thing she could always rely on, it was her ability to create something useful out of almost anything.
She activated her Quirk, Zoom, her eyes scanning the chaotic battlefield for anything she could use. She quickly spotted a discarded maintenance cart a few meters away. It was full of tools, scrap metal, and wiring—things that could be repurposed into something useful. Nearby, there was also a broken-down security drone that had been destroyed in the initial attack. Its parts were still intact, though.
"I can work with this," Mei muttered to herself, her confidence returning as her mind began piecing together a plan.
With quick, nimble hands, Mei sprinted over to the maintenance cart, ducking behind a pile of debris to avoid the ongoing battle. She grabbed the necessary tools and parts, her fingers moving with practiced efficiency. Within moments, she was fashioning a makeshift support item out of the available materials—a mini cannon that could fire electrified projectiles. It was crude, but it would work. She also quickly modified the drone, rewiring its circuitry to give it limited functionality again. With a few tweaks, she turned it into a small flying decoy that could draw the attention of the flying Nomu away from the heroes.
'This will do for now.'
Holding her newly crafted cannon, Mei peeked around the corner and spotted Izuku mid-battle. His movements were precise, every kick and punch filled with determination. But she could see the exhaustion setting in. He couldn't keep this up forever, especially with more Nomu on the way.
She took a deep breath and steadied herself. 'I can't let him face this alone.'
Without thinking, Mei darted out from behind her cover and aimed her cannon at one of the airborne Nomu that was diving toward Izuku. She fired, the electrified projectile striking the Nomu directly in the chest. The beast screeched in pain, its wings flailing as it veered off course and crashed into the ground.
"Midoriya!" Mei called out as she activated the drone, sending it into the air. The drone buzzed loudly, catching the attention of the other winged Nomus. They screeched and followed the decoy as it zoomed away, giving Izuku and the others a brief reprieve.
Izuku looked over at her, his eyes widening in surprise. "Hatsume?! What are you doing here?!"
Mei gave him a determined grin, holding up her cannon. "Helping you, duh! Now quit wasting time and get back to fighting! I've got your back!"
For a moment, Izuku looked like he wanted to argue, but he quickly realized there was no time. With a grateful nod, he turned back to the fight, launching himself toward Spinner with renewed determination. Mei, meanwhile, kept her focus on the flying Nomus, using her cannon to take out any that got too close. Her heart raced, but not just from the battle. Seeing Izuku fight, knowing she was helping him in her own way—it filled her with a sense of purpose she had never felt before.
'I'll protect him,' she thought, her hands steady as she reloaded her cannon. 'I'll protect him, no matter what.'
The battle raged on, with Izuku and his friends struggling to keep the Nomus at bay. Even with their combined efforts, the winged Nomus proved especially difficult to handle. They soared above the battlefield, dive-bombing with terrifying speed, their monstrous screeches filling the air. Izuku's fists and kicks connected with some, but they kept coming, relentless in their attack. Tokoyami fought valiantly by his friend's side, using Dark Shadow to hold off the ground-bound Nomus. However, the intense sunlight pouring through the shattered ceiling weakened Dark Shadow, making it difficult for Tokoyami to control the powerful entity. Dark Shadow, usually so fierce, was forced to stay closer to Tokoyami, its usual ferocity muted by the harsh light.
"I'm doing what I can, but Dark Shadow can't handle them in this sunlight!" Tokoyami shouted, frustration evident in his voice as he tried to shield himself from a swooping Nomu.
Spinner, meanwhile, had managed to gain the upper hand against Sero, tossing him back with a powerful swing of his large blade. Sero landed roughly against a collapsed pillar, groaning as he struggled to get back to his feet. The situation was spiraling out of control, and the villains had the upper hand. Mei's heart pounded in her chest as she took in the scene. Izuku was still fighting with everything he had, but even he couldn't be everywhere at once. The winged Nomus were too fast, and with Tokoyami hindered by the sunlight, it felt like the villains had the advantage.
'Think, Hatsume, think!' she mentally scolded herself. She wasn't a combat specialist, but she was an inventor, and she knew how to make the most of any situation. And right now, they needed a game-changer. That's when it hit her—electricity. She glanced over at Denki, who had been throwing bolts of lightning at Mr. Compress, but had yet to deal a decisive blow. 'If I can use his Quirk, I might be able to turn the tide.'
"Sparky boy!" she shouted over the chaos, catching his attention. He looked at her, slightly confused.
"What's up, Hatsume? Now's not really the time for tinkering!" he yelled back, dodging a Nomu that flew overhead.
Mei grinned, her mind already working through the calculations. "Exactly! But I need your electricity! Come over here, quick!"
Denki hesitated for a moment, but something in Mei's determined expression convinced him. He sprinted over to her, sliding behind cover as a Nomu flew by overhead.
"What's the plan?" he asked, breathless.
Mei grabbed his wrist and held up her modified stun cannon, the one she had just used to take down a single winged Nomu. "I can amplify this thing if I hook it up to your Quirk. We'll hit all the Nomus at once, but I need you to give it everything you've got!"
Denki's eyes widened as he looked at the cannon. "You think it'll work?"
Mei's grin widened. "I know it'll work. Trust me, I've run the numbers. Just zap this thing with as much electricity as you can, and I'll handle the rest!"
Denki nodded, trusting her judgment. "Alright, let's do this!"
He placed his hand on the cannon's power source, and Mei quickly rewired a few connections, making sure the cannon could handle the extra voltage. She positioned the cannon, taking aim at the center of the battlefield where most of the Nomus were gathered.
"Get ready!" she shouted.
Denki gritted his teeth and activated his Quirk, sending a surge of electricity into the cannon. The device hummed loudly, sparks crackling from the overloaded circuits as it absorbed the electrical energy. Mei's hands moved swiftly, adjusting the controls to handle the immense power Denki was pouring in.
As the cannon reached maximum charge, Mei took a deep breath. "Firing!"
She pulled the trigger, and a massive shockwave of electricity erupted from the cannon, surging through the air in a blinding arc. The wave of energy expanded outward, catching every single Nomu in its path. The winged Nomus screeched in agony as the electrical current surged through them, their wings spasming uncontrollably. The ground-based Nomus fared no better, their massive bodies freezing in place as the electricity coursed through their muscles, immobilizing them completely.
The entire battlefield seemed to come to a halt as the electrical shockwave swept through, hitting every Nomu present. Even the villains—Spinner and Mr. Compress—were momentarily stunned by the sheer power of the attack.
When the shockwave dissipated, the area fell eerily silent. All the Nomus had collapsed, their bodies twitching and smoking from the overload of electricity. The once terrifying monsters now lay still, completely incapacitated. Izuku, who had been fighting off two Nomus at once, looked around in astonishment. He turned toward Mei and Denki, realization dawning on him as he saw the modified cannon in Mei's hands. "Hatsume...you did this?" he asked, breathless.
Mei stood up, a confident grin on her face. "Told you I've got your back!" She gave him a thumbs-up before turning to Denki, who looked exhausted but satisfied. "Great job, Sparky! We just fried an entire army of ugly monsters!"
Denki, quite dazed from the effort, managed a weak smile. "Yeah...I think I might've...overdone...it...a bit..."
Izuku rushed over to them, a look of pure relief on his face. "That was incredible, both of you! You really turned things around!"
Mei's heart fluttered at his praise, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside. Now wasn't the time for that. She focused on the battlefield, where the villains were starting to recover from the shock. Spinner was already on his feet, glaring at the students with renewed anger.
"This isn't over yet," Spinner growled, tightening his grip on his sword.
Mr. Compress smirked, still twirling one of his marbles in his hand. "Indeed. We'll have to retreat for now, but don't think this is the end, heroes."
Mei tightened her grip on the cannon, ready for whatever came next. But for now, they had the upper hand, and that was all that mattered.
'I'll keep you safe, Midoriya,' she thought, her determination stronger than ever. 'No matter what it takes.'
As Mei stood in the aftermath of the battle, her heart still racing from the thrill of their victory, she suddenly felt a pair of hands grab her from behind. Panic surged through her as cold steel pressed against her throat. Her eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively stiffened. She barely managed to glance over her shoulder, only to see a seemingly random old woman behind her, holding a knife to her neck. The lady's face was eerily calm as she spoke.
"I've been watching you," the woman whispered softly, her voice disturbingly sweet. "Watching you watching Izuku all day at the mall. You like him, don't you?"
Mei's breath caught in her throat. She didn't recognize the girl, but something about her presence sent a chill down her spine. Her confusion deepened as she tried to understand what was happening.
Then, the woman's face began to melt, shifting like clay. Mei gasped in horror as the familiar, unhinged grin of Himiko Toga, the League's resident serial killer, emerged, her golden eyes gleaming with malice.
Toga's smirk widened as she tightened her grip on the knife, pressing it closer to Mei's skin. "You see, I've had my eyes on Izuku for a long time. But to see him suddenly so close to you—someone I don't even know—it's...quite upsetting. Very unfair. He's my significant other after all."
Mei's heart pounded in her chest. Her mind raced, frantically trying to figure out what to do. She had never been in a situation like this before. The danger was real, and Toga's aura screamed violence. But something inside Mei, the same fire that drove her relentless passion for inventing, flared up.
With quaking hands and a tremor in her voice, she spoke. "You...You'll never have him," she said, surprising even herself with the boldness of her words.
Toga blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Oh? And why's that?"
Mei's throat tightened, but she forced herself to continue, her voice shaky but growing stronger with each word. "Because...because he's mine!."
In that moment, Mei finally admitted it—to Toga, to herself, and to the world. She wasn't just fascinated by Izuku anymore. She didn't just admire him. She wanted him, in a way she had never wanted anything before. It finally hit her. Finally revealed itself to her.
She had a crush on him.
Toga's unsettling grin only widened at Mei's declaration of love. Her grip on the knife tightened as sharp edge burned against Mei's skin. Her yellow eyes sparkled with a twisted kind of joy, as if Mei's bold statement excited her. "How inspiring.," she cooed, her voice dripping with amusement. "You love him too! Isn't that just adorable?"
Mei's heart pounded in her chest, her nerves on edge. The knife at her throat felt even sharper, and Toga's erratic excitement only made the situation more terrifying. Mei was a genius when it came to inventions and innovations, but this...this was completely out of her element.
Toga leaned in closer, whispering in her ear. "Maybe I should suck you dry, hmm? Then I could turn into you, and finally get Izuku to notice me. Don't you think that would be fun?"
Mei's stomach twisted at the thought, her body tensing. She tried to move, but the cold blade pressed hard against her skin kept her frozen in place. A small burning cut had been formed and it irked her like a papercut. Fear coursed through her veins, but she refused to back down. She couldn't let Toga win. As if on cue, Izuku turned around, finally noticing what was happening behind him.
"Hatsume!" he screamed, panic and fury filled his voice.
Toga giggled at his reaction, her gaze flicking to him with an almost teasing look. "Oh, Izuku, I knew you'd notice eventually. I'll be back for you, don't worry."
Before Mei could process what was happening, Mr. Compress, landing a few yards away from the two girls, sighed in irritation. "Toga, dear, stop playing with your food. We need to leave. Now."
Behind them, dark, swirling portals began forming, a clear sign that their retreat was imminent. Toga pouted, clearly wanting to prolong her fun. But she knew better than to keep her comrades waiting and to defy Shigaraki's orders.
"Alright, alright. Jeez." Toga muttered. But before letting go of Mei, she glanced at Izuku one last time with a mischievous grin. "Don't forget me, Izuku. I'll be waiting."
With one swift motion, the villainess moved the knife away from Mei's throat. The teenage genius barely had time to let out a breath of relief when she felt a sharp pain in her side. Toga had stabbed her after all, a quick and brutal parting gift. Mei gasped, her legs wobbling as the pain hit her hard. Her hand instinctively went to her wound, trying to stop the bleeding that was already staining her shirt. Toga, her twisted smile still plastered on her face, vanished into the portal with the rest of the League.
Izuku's scream echoed in the air as he rushed toward her. "Hatsume!"
The world around her began to blur rapidly as the pain intensified, and she fell to her knees, her vision darkening fast. His horrified expression was the last image burned into her memories as she blacked out.
