That night, Mei's lab-turned-living space was more crowded than usual. Mei sat at the center of the room, surrounded by her "teachers" for the evening. Momo sat on one side, looking calm and collected as she prepared to approach the situation with a balanced, educational mindset. Mina, on the other hand, was practically bouncing in her seat, ready to give her own, more colorful version of events. Kyoka, though reluctant, had agreed to come for moral support, though she was still blushing furiously every time the subject was brought up...Momo took a deep breath, about to start her very measured and academic explanation. "Alright, Mei, so let's begin with some basic—"

Before she could finish, there was a sudden knock on the door. Everyone froze, staring at each other with wide eyes.

Mei tilted her head. "I'm not expecting anyone..."

Mina grinned mischievously, leaning toward the door. "Well, let's see who it is!"

When the door swung open, there stood Setsuna Tokage from Class 1-B, arms full of snacks—bags of chips in one hand and a large soda bottle in the other. She flashed a wide grin. "Hey, guys! I'm ready for the sleepover!"

The room fell silent as everyone stared at her in confusion. Mina, however, started chuckling under her breath. "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention..."

Momo blinked, tilting her head. "Sleepover?"

Kyoka raised an eyebrow. "Uh...Mina, what did you tell her?"

Setsuna, oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, walked into the room confidently, tossing her bag of chips onto the nearest table. "Yeah, Mina told me about an all-girls' night happening here. I figured, why not join in the fun?" She glanced around at everyone, noticing the slightly tense vibes. "What? Did I miss something?"

Mina burst out laughing, slapping her hand on her knee. "I may have suggested it was gonna be an all-girls' night, but I didn't exactly mention what kind of night."

Setsuna raised an eyebrow, catching on to the slightly awkward energy in the room. "Wait...what kind of night is this?"

Mina grinned. "Well, it's kind of an...educational one." She shot a playful glance at Mei, who was sitting there, completely unfazed by the sudden arrival of a new guest. "We're teaching Mei about...you know. That."

Setsuna paused for a second, trying to process what Mina was implying. Her eyes widened as it clicked. "Ohhh. That kind of education." She broke into a grin, completely unfazed. "Well, count me in! If Mei's learning, I might as well pick up a few pointers too!"

Momo flushed slightly, adjusting her position. "I don't think this is...quite what we had in mind for tonight..."

But Setsuna just laughed, waving off Momo's concern. "Relax, Yaoyorozu. This is perfect. Let's make it a proper girls' night!"

Mina winked at Momo, clearly amused by the chaos she'd just unleashed. "Looks like the group's growing, Momo!"

Kyoka groaned, burying her face in her hands. "This was not how I thought tonight was gonna go..."

Mei, completely unconcerned by the shift in plans, shrugged. "Well, if more people means more data, then I'm all for it." She turned to Setsuna. "You got any expertise to share?"

Setsuna laughed, grabbing a chip and popping it into her mouth. "I mean, I'm not a total expert, but I know a thing or two." She grinned and sat down, fully ready to join the conversation, making the entire situation even more comical.

Mina leaned back, arms crossed behind her head, clearly loving every second of the madness. "Alright, looks like we've got a full house now. Let's get this sleepover started!"

Momo cleared her throat, attempting to maintain a level of professionalism despite the odd energy in the room. Mei was seated directly in front of her, notepad in hand, her expression serious as though she was about to take notes on a mechanical blueprint. Mina grinned like she was gearing up for some mischief, while Kyoka sat beside her, muttering under her breath about how awkward this was. Setsuna casually crunched on her chips, watching the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

Taking a deep breath, Momo looked directly at Mei. "Alright, Mei. Before we start, I need to ask—do you have any idea how, um, sex works?"

Mei nodded confidently, tapping her pen on the notepad. "Obviously, the scientific part. Human biology, reproduction, how fertilization works, yada yada. Sperm meets egg, fertilization happens, boom, baby."

Mina snickered at the overly technical response, and even Setsuna nearly choked on her chips trying not to laugh. Momo, still trying to stay composed, nodded along, though she couldn't help but feel a little bit embarrassed by how clinical Mei made it sound.

"I-I see," Momo said, struggling to maintain her usual calm demeanor. "But have you ever...seen any videos or imagery of a more, um...intimate or sexual nature?"

Before Mei could respond, both Mina and Setsuna shot their hands up in the air, waving them like they were answering a question in class. "I have!" they said in unison, clearly not shy about it.

Momo's face went red at their eagerness. "That's...not what I meant."

Mei blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion as she looked from one girl to the next. "Videos? Imagery? Like...research documentaries?"

Mina cackled, leaning forward. "No, no, not like that, Mei. She means, you know—the really good stuff. Like those videos where people are—"

Kyoka's face turned even redder, and she slapped a hand over Mina's mouth. "Mina! We don't need the graphic explanation!"

Mei, still processing, tilted her head. "So, there's more to it than just biology?"

Momo sighed but nodded, trying to steer things back to a more grounded explanation. "Yes, Mei. There's a lot more. Physical intimacy between partners involves, well...emotions, sensations, trust, and—"

"And a lot of fun positions," Setsuna chimed in, grinning as she continued munching on her snacks.

Momo shot her a look, but Setsuna just shrugged as if she was stating the obvious. Mina finally wrenched Kyoka's hand away from her mouth and grinned. "Yeah, it's not just about science. There's a whole art to it. You gotta think of it like...creating something amazing with your partner, just like when you work on your babies!"

Mei's eyes lit up with sudden understanding. "Oh! So it's like crafting the perfect invention. It requires precision, testing, and mutual effort! I can work with that!"

Kyoka facepalmed. "Leave it to Mei to turn sex into an engineering project..."

Momo, cheeks still flushed, decided to press on. "Well...sort of. But it's also about comfort and communication. Knowing what you and your partner like and making sure you're both on the same page."

Mei scribbled furiously in her notepad. "Comfort, communication...got it. Anything else?"

Mina leaned in again. "Oh, so much more! I'll show you some moves later—"

Momo quickly cut her off, raising a hand. "We'll… stick to the basics first." She looked at Mei with a small smile. "The most important thing is trust. If you and Izuku are going to take that step, it has to be something you both feel comfortable with. It's not just about what happens physically—it's how you both feel during it."...

Mei paused, her pen hovering over the paper as she mulled over Momo's words. "So...it's a partnership. Like co-developing a new invention?"

Mina grinned, giving a thumbs up. "Exactly! But with way more fun."

Kyoka groaned again, muttering under her breath. "I can't believe this is happening..."

Mei, fully engaged in the discussion now, looked up at Momo. "Okay, I think I get it now. So it's not just about the technical stuff. It's also about emotional connection, trust, and...fun positions, apparently?"

Momo's face turned bright red again, but she nodded. "Yes...something like that."

Satisfied, Mei scribbled down more notes. "Alright! I'll plan it out. Make sure everything's ready for the big event." She looked up at Momo, Mina, and Setsuna with a determined grin. "Thanks for the help. This'll be my greatest invention yet."

Setsuna winked. "No problem, just make sure it's a safe invention."

Mina snorted, and Kyoka muttered, "This is the weirdest study session I've ever been part of..."

Mina, unable to hold back her curiosity any longer, leaned forward with mischief on her expression "Alright, Mei. I've gotta ask...have you ever masturbated?"

Mei's confident expression faltered for the first time that other day. Her eyes widened as a flustered look crossed her face, and she quickly glanced away, clearly embarrassed. "W-What? Uh, well...I mean..."

Seeing the rare sight of Mei flustered, Mina grinned even wider. "Hey, it's no big deal! I do it too," she said with a laugh, waving off Mei's discomfort.

Setsuna casually tossed a chip into her mouth, chiming in without hesitation. "Yeah, same here. It's healthy, you know?"

Mei hesitated before finally muttering, "I...guess I've done it a few times."

Mina nodded encouragingly. "See? Totally normal! It's good to know your own body, Mei. How else are you gonna figure out what you like?"

Meanwhile, Kyoka, who was sitting in the corner of the room, was practically shrinking into herself, her face turning bright red. "Oh my God...I want to bury myself alive," she muttered, covering her face with her hands.

The attention in the room suddenly shifted to Momo, who had been trying to stay as composed as possible throughout this increasingly awkward conversation. Sensing all eyes on her, she froze for a moment. Mina and Setsuna raised their eyebrows expectantly, waiting for her to weigh in. Momo flushed a deep shade of red, avoiding eye contact. "I, um...l've...engaged in that sort of activity a couple of times," she quietly admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kyoka, looking like she was on the verge of fainting from secondhand embarrassment, groaned. "Why are we talking about this...?"

Mina, however, was absolutely loving the chaos she'd created. "See? Even Momo's on board! Everyone does it, Mei. It's part of learning about yourself.

Mei, still blushing slightly but clearly more at ease after hearing everyone's confessions, nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, so...I guess that's part of the process too? Testing the equipment before the big event, right?"

Mina burst out laughing. "That's one way to put it!"

Setsuna, grinning, raised her soda bottle in a mock toast. "Here's to self-discovery."

Momo, still red-faced, coughed softly. "L-Let's not focus too much on that.

The important thing is understanding your body, yes, but also how it interacts with your partner's."

Mei scribbled down more notes, her mind now fully set on treating this like an important engineering project. "Got it. Self-testing, partner testing, mutual understanding. Makes sense."

Kyoka, finally peeking out from behind her hands, muttered, "I can't believe l'm part of this conversation.

Mina just grinned and threw an arm around Kyoka's shoulder. "You' re welcome!"

Mei, her curiosity fully unleashed by the casual confessions around her, suddenly turned to Kyoka, eyes wide with interest. "Hey, Jiro...do you touch yourself to Kaminari?"

Kyoka's face turned beet red in an instant, her jaw dropping. "W-WHAT?!" she shrieked, leaping to her feet as if she'd been electrocuted. "M-Mei, what the hell?!"

Mina, who had been watching with glee, burst into laughter and jumped up, tackling Jiro before she could make her grand escape. "Oh no you don't, Jiro! You're not getting out of this one that easily!" she cackled, pinning her to the floor as Jiro struggled and flailed under her grip.

"I KNEW IT!" Setsuna declared with a triumphant laugh, pointing at Jiro. "I totally called it! I always knew you had a thing for him!"

"Shut up! It's not like that!" Jiro protested, her face still burning crimson as she squirmed in Mina's hold, trying to cover her face. "This is so embarrassing! Let me go!"

Mina, still grinning like a madwoman, tightened her grip. "Admit it, Jiro! You think about Denki in that way, don't you?"

Jiro groaned loudly, burying her face in her hands. "I'm going to die. This is it. This is how I die."

Momo, watching the entire scene unfold with a mix of exasperation and secondhand embarrassment, rubbed her temples in frustration. "This is getting out of hand..."

Mei, completely oblivious to Jiro's mortification, leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with scientific curiosity. "So it is Denki, huh? That's interesting! I should make a note of that—" She started jotting something down on her notepad again.

Jiro let out a defeated groan. "Oh my God, stop! This conversation is cursed!"

Setsuna chuckled, leaning back with a smug look on her face. "Can't deny it now, Jiro. Everyone here knows you've got it bad for him."

Jiro, still pinned beneath Mina, mumbled through her hands, "I'm never hanging out with you guys again..."

Mina, not one to let her go easily, finally relented, releasing Jiro and letting her sit up, though she was still laughing. "Aw, come on, Jiro. We're all friends here! No need to be shy."

Kyoka shot her a death glare but said nothing, clearly too embarrassed to argue anymore. She crossed her arms over her chest and turned away, trying to salvage what little dignity she had left.

Momo sighed deeply, muttering under her breath. "How did we even get to this point..."

The next day, Mei sat cross-legged in her room, her notepad open in front of her as she scribbled down notes. The familiar scent of oil and machinery filled the air, a small comfort in the absence of her beloved lab, from which she was still banned. The restriction gnawed at her—being away from her workspace was almost unbearable—but she had found a way to manage, adapting as she always did.

Still, her mind wasn't entirely on her inventions today. The sleepover from the night before was lingering in her thoughts like a stubborn afterimage. Despite the chaos, the teasing, and the embarrassing moments, everything she had learned was eye-opening, filling in gaps she hadn't even realized existed in her understanding of intimacy.

She twirled her pen between her fingers, pausing every so often to bite her lip in thought. What the girls had talked about—the emotional connection, the physical responses, and the deeper layers of trust involved—had reshaped her view of sexual relations. Before last night, it had all been a clinical, almost mechanical understanding in her mind. The act itself was just another system to understand, another piece of human biology to dissect. But now...it felt so much more complex. There was an emotional depth she hadn't accounted for.

Mei's cheeks flushed as she recalled some of the more direct and vivid descriptions from Mina and Setsuna, especially when it came to personal experiences. The candidness of their conversation had startled her, but also intrigued her. It wasn't just about physical pleasure; it was about connection, about understanding another person on a level that went beyond words.

She tapped her pen against the page, her mind wandering back to Izuku. Her relationship with him had always been a mixture of admiration for his strength and an odd affection for his awkward yet determined personality. But now, with this new knowledge, she realized there were possibilities she hadn't yet considered—ways to deepen that connection, if they both wanted to.

But of course, it wasn't that simple. She'd seen Izuku get flustered easily, and even though he cared about her, Mei knew that moving forward required patience and a lot of communication. Last night's advice echoed in her mind: mutual understanding, trust, and...preparation. Mei smiled to herself at the last part, remembering how seriously she'd taken that concept.

She jotted down a few more notes in her notepad: 1. Understanding personal boundaries. 2. Communication is key. 3. Exploration should be mutual, not rushed.

Her cheeks grew warmer as she added another point: 4. Test phases for intimacy require careful planning.

Mei leaned back on her bed, staring at the ceiling, a sense of anticipation building in her chest. She wasn't afraid of the unknown; if anything, it excited her. This new aspect of her relationship with Izuku was like uncharted territory, and Mei Hatsume never backed down from an opportunity to explore something new.

As Mei lay on her bed, her mind still buzzing with excitement and curiosity, her phone buzzed beside her. She blinked a few times, pulling herself out of her daydreams, and grabbed it. A smile crossed her face when she saw the name on the screen—Ochako.

Without hesitation, she answered. "Hey, Ochako! What's up?"

"Hey, Mei!" Ochako's cheery voice came through. "I was wondering if you wanted to come to the mall with me. It's been a while since we hung out, and I thought we could, you know, do some shopping or grab something to eat."

Mei's first instinct was to ask about Izuku. "Is Izuku going too?"

"Oh, no," Ochako chuckled on the other end. "He's busy training with All Might today. It's an intense session, so he's going to be tied up for a while."

Mei frowned slightly, a pang of disappointment hitting her. She had been hoping to see him, maybe even talk about everything that had been on her mind since last night. But knowing he was busy with his hero training, she quickly shook the thought away. She couldn't always monopolize his time. Plus, she had been working herself too hard lately—taking a break at the mall with Ochako didn't sound like a bad idea.

"Alright! I'll come," Mei said, her usual enthusiasm returning. "I could use some new tools anyway, and I'll probably find some interesting gadgets while I'm there."

Ochako laughed. "Of course you'd be thinking about gadgets! I'll meet you in thirty minutes?"

"Yep! See you there!" Mei hung up the phone, feeling a little better. Maybe a trip to the mall would help clear her head and distract her from the swirling thoughts about Izuku and everything she'd learned about intimacy.

She hopped off the bed, quickly grabbing her things and getting ready to head out. As much as her mind was still caught up on her relationship with Izuku, spending some time with a friend would be a good break.

Mei quickly gathered her tools, neatly placing them in their designated spots, and headed out the door. As she walked down the street toward the mall, her mind inevitably wandered back to Izuku, a warm smile spreading across her face. She thought about the progress they'd made in their relationship and how much further they could go now that she understood so much more about intimacy.

Her heart fluttered at the idea of being closer to him in ways she hadn't fully considered before. The thought of experiencing that deeper, intimate love made her feel giddy with excitement. She could already picture them, holding each other, sharing those private, tender moments that went beyond just kisses and hugs. She wanted to feel that connection, to share in something that felt special and just theirs.

As her thoughts became more vivid, her body reacted almost instinctively, her cheeks flushing and her heartbeat quickening. "Okay, calm down, Hatsume," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. "No need to overheat your engine just yet."

Taking a deep breath, she focused on keeping her mind in check. As much as she was eager to explore this new side of her relationship with Izuku, she reminded herself to be patient. They had time, and she didn't want to rush anything without making sure they were both ready. She knew that Izuku, with his shy and thoughtful nature, would probably want to take things slow too.

"Step by step," she whispered, a grin creeping back onto her face. "But I'm definitely looking forward to it."

With her excitement under control—mostly—Mei quickened her pace, eager to meet up with Ochako and enjoy the day. She could use a bit of fun and distraction, and perhaps talking with her friend would help balance her emotions. For now, the excitement would have to wait.

At the mall, Mei and Ochako wandered through the busy shops, chatting and laughing as they browsed through clothes and gadgets. What had once been a more abrasive and distant relationship between them had grown into one of genuine companionship. Mei appreciated Ochako's company in a way she hadn't expected when they first met. It was refreshing to have real friends now—people who accepted her for her quirks, her inventions, and all the things that made her uniquely Mei.

As they strolled past shop windows, Mei caught herself smiling, not just because of Ochako's infectious laughter, but because her life had become something she hadn't anticipated. She wasn't just the weird girl buried in her work anymore; she had friends who cared about her, and—perhaps most importantly—she had Izuku.

Her thoughts drifted to him again, and her smile grew even wider. Izuku—her kind, loving, thoughtful, and, well, undeniably hot boyfriend. His presence in her life had made things so much more exciting and fulfilling. He wasn't just her partner in a romantic sense; he supported her ambitions, understood her passions, and encouraged her in ways no one else had before. It felt incredible to have someone like him at her side, and she was eager to explore even more of what their relationship could become.

"Hey, Mei, you okay?" Ochako's voice broke her from her thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, yeah! I'm good, just thinking," Mei replied, still smiling.

"About gadgets, or something else?" Ochako asked teasingly.

Mei chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. "A little bit of both," she admitted. "But mostly someone else."

Ochako giggled knowingly. "Deku, huh?"

Mei nodded, her cheeks heating up slightly. "He's just...I dunno, he's made everything in my life so much more awesome. I never thought I'd have someone like him, you know? And now, I just want to keep making him proud, keep pushing things forward."

Ochako smiled warmly. "He's really lucky to have you too, Mei. You two make a great couple."

"Thanks," Mei said, feeling a sense of pride swell in her chest. She appreciated the genuine support from Ochako—it meant a lot coming from someone she now considered a true friend.

As they continued shopping and enjoying the day, Mei couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the people in her life. She had real friends, she had Izuku, and most importantly, she had a future that was brighter and more exciting than she ever could have imagined.

Ochako smiled warmly at Mei. "When you open up your first shop, I'll gladly be one of your top clients. You've got some of the best support tech I've ever seen."

Mei's eyes lit up at the thought, immediately launching into a barrage of ideas for her future support tech business. "Oh! You have no idea how many prototypes I have in mind! We could have specialized gadgets for pro heroes, sidekicks, and even civilians who need safety tools. I could integrate Quirk-specific functions, emergency shields, or even—"

Before she could continue her excited rambling, a loud crash echoed through the mall. Both of them whipped their heads toward the sound, where a pair of thieves had just burst out of a jewelry store, holding bags stuffed with stolen goods. The crowd scattered in panic as the two criminals sprinted down the mall corridor—directly in Ochako and Mei's direction.

"Stay back, Mei!" Ochako shouted as her face grew serious. She stepped in front of Mei and quickly activated her Quirk, her hand glowing as she prepared to stop the thieves.

Mei, though concerned, stayed where she was, watching Ochako intently. Her mind raced, thinking of ways she could help, but she had no gadgets on her—no inventions to aid in the situation. It frustrated her to stand idly by, but she trusted Ochako's abilities.

The thieves drew closer, completely unaware of the danger they were running into. Ochako calmly waited for them to come within range, her eyes focused on their movements. With a quick touch of her fingertips, she activated her Quirk on one of the criminals, causing him to float helplessly into the air.

"What the—?!" the thief shouted, flailing as he rose above the ground.

Before the second thief could react, Ochako dashed forward, using the momentum to sweep his legs out from under him. As he hit the ground with a heavy thud, she quickly touched his body, sending him floating up next to his partner.

"Gotcha!" Ochako said confidently, keeping both thieves suspended mid-air as they struggled to get free.

Mei watched with admiration but still felt a tinge of worry. Her heart pounded as she saw Ochako handle the situation with precision, but she couldn't help but think about what could've happened if things hadn't gone smoothly. Being in the field wasn't something she was used to, but it drove home how important her support tech could be to heroes like Ochako. Watching this unfold was a reminder that she needed to keep improving and expanding her ideas to help heroes better protect themselves and others."I wish I had one of my prototypes with me," Mei muttered under her breath, her fingers itching to tinker with something.

Ochako quickly subdued the thieves, making sure they couldn't escape, before waving to Mei. "All clear! I'll just wait for security to come by."

Mei rushed over, her eyes wide with both excitement and concern. "You handled that like a pro, Ochako! But what if they had been more dangerous? I should've had something with me to help—ugh, I need to work faster on portable tech!"

Ochako laughed lightly, though her face was still a bit flushed from the adrenaline. "Thanks, Mei. But honestly, I think you're doing just fine. You'll be helping out more heroes in no time with your inventions."

As mall security arrived to detain the thieves, Mei couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to be even more prepared next time. Watching Ochako in action only fueled her determination to create even better support tech. If there was anything she could do to keep Izuku, Ochako, and her other friends safe, she would do it.

As Mei and Ochako stood amidst the chaos of the mall, a sudden force yanked Mei backward. A third man, disheveled and furious, held her tightly with a knife pressed dangerously close to her cheek. His breath was hot against her ear as he barked, "Let them go, or I'll cut her face open!".

Ochako's heart raced as she froze, eyes wide with shock. "Let her go!" she shouted, her voice trembling but determined, fists clenched at her sides. Her mind raced to figure out a way to stop him without putting Mei at greater risk.

Mei's eyes were locked on the knife, the blade glinting coldly just inches from her skin. Her heart pounded so hard in her chest she thought it might burst. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her breath quickening becoming shallow. Her body started to tremble uncontrollably as fear tightened its grip on her. The man's threats, the cold steel against her face-it brought back a flood of dark memories.

The memory of Toga's knife flashed in her mind, slicing into her flesh, the terror she felt that day. Her chest clenched, her breaths growing uneven and ragged.

But even through the haze of panic, Mei's instincts screamed at her to do something. She felt the small Swiss army knife in her pocket-her only chance. With shaking hands, she reached for it, her fingers fumbling as she flicked it open.

In a sudden burst of desperation, she plunged the blade into the man's leg. He cried out in pain, his grip loosening for just a second.

"Mei!" Ochako shouted.

She sprinted forward landing a swift and powerful knee strike to the man's side. He crumpled to the floor, unconscious from the force of the blow.

But the victory was short-lived. Mei's body began to shake uncontrollably as her mind spiraled, the trauma of Toga's attack mixing with the fresh terror. She collapsed to her knees, gasping for air, her hand clutching her chest as though it might keep her heart from exploding. The world around her blurred and narrowed, panic taking over every fiber of her being.

Ochako knelt beside her, panic and worry clear on her face. "Mei! Mei, it's okay! You're safe now!" she said, her voice frantic as she tried to get through to her. But Mei couldn't hear her. Her thoughts were consumed by fear and painful memories–of that attack, of Toga's cold smile, the knife piercing her skin. The panic gripped her tightly, refusing to let go.

Ochako, on the verge of tears, gently shook Mei's shoulders. "Please, Mei! Just breathe! I'm here!".

Mei's breath came in shallow gasps, her vision darkening as she struggled to break free from the panic. And then everything went black.

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