SkyDragon213: I really hope someone does.

Njistar:*Evil laughter* Don't worry I'll try to make him as foul as possible.

Neroblaze11: That's pretty good idea and funny.

Leonmooky: He isnt with All For One he's currently just by himself

Guest G: I'll try too keep that in mind.

[Next Day]

Izuku Midoriya sat in the surprisingly comfortable chair in front of Hound Dog's desk. The room resembled a psychologist's office more than a school guidance counselor's office, with its warm lighting and inviting atmosphere.

Hound Dog, the hero known for his canine features, had removed his muzzle, revealing his sharp eyes and attentive expression. He was pulling up Izuku's file on his computer.

"Alright, let's start," Hound Dog said with a polite grin, his voice carrying a hint of a growl. "I imagine you've had quite the experience at U.A., certainly far more different and exciting than any first-year."

Izuku gave a sheepish laugh, his face flushing slightly. "Uh... Yeah, 'exciting,'" he said, recalling everything that had happened at U.A. His hands fidgeted nervously in his lap.

Hound Dog nodded grimly in understanding. "Your classmates have certainly gone through an ordeal. I can't disclose our sessions, but I can say they are doing better," he said. Izuku felt a sense of relief. "Now, we should begin your heroics guidance counseling."

"I feel honored, Hound Dog-sensei," Izuku said, his voice respectful as Hound Dog nodded and continued to scan through Izuku's file.

"You've certainly made waves through U.A., Midoriya. You've gained far more practical experience than most first-years," Hound Dog said with a thoughtful growl. "Before we dive in, let's break this down. There are three broad categories in heroics: combat, support, and rescue. Combat heroes focus on taking down villains and ensuring security for events and VIPs."

Hound Dog leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "Your performance during the Capture the Flag exercise is a prime example. Outnumbered, you managed to hold off both Class 1-A and 1-B, defending your position with impressive strategy and control." He paused for a moment, watching Izuku carefully.

"You definitely stand out in terms of combat experience," he continued. "Not only do you have the best combat report among your peers, but your ability to read the battlefield and make critical decisions under pressure is a rare skill. That, combined with your unwavering determination, will make you an exceptional combat hero."

Izuku felt a surge of pride at Hound Dog's words.

"Rescue heroes focus on handling a wide range of situations—natural disasters, fires, floods, rescuing cats stuck in trees, and much more," Hound Dog explained, his voice taking on a deep, serious tone. "With the Omnitrix and your Quirk, you'd be a great fit as a rescue hero. You'd likely be able to adapt to any kind of disaster scenario without breaking a sweat."

Izuku nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the weight of Hound Dog's words.

Hound Dog continued, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Then there's the category of support heroes. These heroes work behind the scenes, tracking down villains, gathering intel, performing investigations, offering counseling, and even transporting criminals to prisons. It's not as glamorous as combat, but just as essential."

Izuku nodded again, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "With the Omnitrix, I think I could fit into any category without much hassle. So... I'd need to choose one focus area, right?"

Hound Dog grunted in affirmation. "Not necessarily. But keep in mind, these categories are just loose frameworks. Some heroes, like you, can fit into multiple roles. Take me, for example—I'm primarily a combat hero, but I also serve as a support hero. I take part in manhunts, search and rescue missions, and a variety of support tasks. Then you have others, like 13, who focus purely on rescue work."

He leaned forward slightly, his expression hardening with intensity. "The key thing is, you don't have to confine yourself to a single slot. Heroes often adapt to the situation at hand, and that flexibility could be your biggest strength."

Izuku looked down, considering the path ahead. Hound Dog's words lingered in his mind.

"Do you have any idea what you want to do as a hero? It's fine if you don't have a solid idea yet," Hound Dog said, his gravelly voice carrying an encouraging tone.

Izuku scratched the back of his head nervously, his green eyes darting away. "W-Well, I wanted to be like All Might... but now I'm not so sure," he admitted.

Hound Dog tilted his head, his ears twitching slightly as he gestured for Izuku to elaborate.

"I mean, I still want to be like All Might," Izuku continued, his voice more contemplative. "But I also want to be my own hero. I want to at least do the kind of work he does... helping as many people as possible."

Hound Dog nodded slowly, his sharp eyes locking onto Izuku. "That's a common sentiment. A lot of students come here wanting to emulate All Might. But for you..." He leaned forward, his tone firm but not unkind. "I wouldn't recommend trying to copy him."

Izuku's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Why not?"

"All Might is an incredible hero. That's undeniable," Hound Dog said, his growl tinged with respect. "But he's not without his limits. For example, All Might isn't particularly skilled at tracking villains or locating missing persons. His strength is in overwhelming power and charisma, but there's more to hero work than that." He leaned back slightly, his gaze softening. "You, Midoriya, can do a lot of what All Might does—and more. You have unique abilities that give you flexibility All Might didn't have. I'd advise you to think beyond what you think a hero should be and explore what you can bring to the table."

Izuku blinked, his mind racing. "I... I never thought of it like that," he said softly, his face lighting up with realization. He nodded, determination flickering in his eyes.

Hound Dog's lips curled into a subtle grin. "Good. Now, tell me—do you plan on getting an international hero license like All Might?"

Izuku hesitated, tilting his head in thought. "I haven't really thought about it much... I guess I'd want to establish myself in Japan first. Once I've proven myself here, maybe I could go for an international license. But..." He scratched his cheek sheepishly. "It's not something I've given serious thought to yet."

Hound Dog chuckled, his deep voice rumbling. "Fair enough. Just know that getting an international license is no small feat. If you think earning a license in Japan is tough, an international license is even more demanding. You'd be facing all kinds of challenges—different laws, cultures, and hero systems. It's worth considering down the line, but focus on the here and now for now."

Izuku gulped but nodded firmly. "I understand. I'll work hard to be ready for that someday."

Hound Dog leaned forward again, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What about sidekicks? Do you plan on having a team or any sidekicks when you go pro?"

Izuku froze, the question catching him off guard. He fidgeted awkwardly. "Er... I haven't really thought about having a team or sidekicks," he admitted.

Hound Dog let out a low growl of amusement. "You're not alone there. Most first-years haven't. It's something to start thinking about, though. A good team can make all the difference, especially for someone with your skill set."

Izuku nodded slowly, his mind racing with possibilities.

"Alright, how about this: how do you plan to market yourself as a pro hero?" Hound Dog asked.

"Market myself?" Izuku repeated, confused.

"As in how you'll present yourself to the public," Hound Dog clarified. "What image will you project? What kind of hero do you want people to see when they look at you?"

Izuku blinked, completely at a loss. "I... I don't know. I've only ever thought about helping people like All Might did," he said, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

Hound Dog gave an understanding nod. "That tracks. You were Quirkless before last year, right? It makes sense you haven't had much time to think about the bigger picture—sidekicks, teams, branding. You've been focused on helping people, and that's admirable. But as a pro, these are things you'll need to figure out."

Izuku flushed slightly, feeling a mix of embarrassment and determination. He realized he hadn't considered so many aspects of hero work beyond just saving people. Sidekicks, branding, team dynamics—it was overwhelming, but he was eager to tackle it all.

Hound Dog stood, his towering frame commanding the room. "Why don't you take some time to think about these things? Reflect on what kind of hero you want to be. For now, you're dismissed."

Izuku stood and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Hound Dog-sensei. I'll think hard about everything you said!"

Hound Dog watched him leave, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

...

Class 1-A buzzed with conversation as students discussed their recent sessions with Hound Dog.

"He told me I need to work on my focus during combat," Denki Kaminari said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Makes sense," Jiro Kyoka replied, smirking. "You do have a tendency to short-circuit."

Kaminari slumped."But rescuing seems to not be in the cards for me."

"He suggested I improve my speed to complement my strength," Eijiro Kirishima said, clenching his fist."I'm definitely aiming to be a combat Hero so I'll work on my speed."

"Hound Dog-sensei advised me to enhance my observational skills during rescue missions," Tsuyu Asui mentioned thoughtfully."Though besides that I'm doing pretty well."

"So, you're still aiming to be a rescue hero?" Izuku inquired.

Tsuyu nodded, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Yes, ribbit. Rescuing people from floods and hurricanes is one of the reasons I want to be a hero."

She glanced at Izuku, her blush deepening slightly. "What about you, Izuku-chan? Do you plan on having a hero team or something like that?"

Before Izuku could respond, Mina Ashido bounced over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ooh! If we go pro, we should totally team up sometimes! Just think about it—Amina Acid and Dekiru 10, the ultimate alien duo!"

Mina's enthusiasm was infectious, and she playfully nudged Izuku. "We'd make an awesome team, don't you think?"

Izuku chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, that sounds like it could be a lot of fun."

"Though I wouldn't mind teaming up either, ribbit," Tsuyu said, her tone as straightforward as ever. Her mind flashed back to the Ghostfreak incident, the moment she thought she might lose him.

She clenched her hands slightly at her sides, her heart aching with a longing she didn't know how to express. Still, she spoke with her usual bluntness, letting her feelings slip through her words. "Plus, I want to be close to you."

Izuku's head snapped toward her, his face a bright crimson. "R-Really?"

Tsuyu nodded, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "You're important to me, ribbit," she said softly, her heart racing. "So, being on a team together would be nice. Plus, I can make sure you don't get yourself into too much trouble."

Izuku slumped slightly, already imagining the scenarios where he'd somehow stumble into chaos.

Kyoka let out a short laugh, crossing her arms. "Trouble's basically your middle name. You've faced stuff that makes top pro heroes lose sleep, and we're still in high school," she teased. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she masked it with her usual snark. "I guess someone has to keep you in line. Otherwise, you'll probably end up doing something stupid—or getting yourself hurt." A faint flush dusted her cheeks as she looked away.

Momo cleared her throat, stepping forward with a composed demeanor that barely masked the nerves bubbling beneath the surface. "I wouldn't mind working alongside you either," she said, her voice calm but earnest. Her hands clasped in front of her as she tried to project her usual elegance, though a faint blush betrayed her emotions. "Teamwork is a cornerstone of hero work, after all. Supporting and relying on each other is only natural."

Toru, partially visible now, fidgeted slightly. Her heart pounded as she glanced at Izuku, her recent confession still fresh in her mind. "Yep! Someone's gotta have your back, right?" she said, her cheery voice masking the nervous flutter in her chest. "I mean, we'd be unstoppable as a team!"

Mina nudged Izuku playfully, her lilac blush spreading further. "And can you even imagine the insane combo moves we could come up with? Come on, Dekiru, you know sticking together is the way to go!" She grinned brightly, but her heart raced as she caught herself staring at him a little too long.

Izuku's blush deepened as he tried to process everything, his gaze darting between the girls. "I-I mean, having a team couldn't hurt, right?"

Ochako, who had been standing nearby, perked up at the conversation. Her eyes lit up as she stepped closer, her usual cheerful energy returning. "Yeah, we could totally kick alien butt together!" she said, pumping her fist in excitement. Her tone softened slightly, and she tilted her head. "Oh, by the way, did Hound Dog give you any advice about how you're gonna market yourself as a hero?"

Without realizing it, Ochako had moved closer to Izuku, and so had the other girls. Izuku blinked, his face turning a deep red as he noticed how close they all were.

Ochako suddenly realized the proximity and jumped back, her cheeks burning. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to get so close!" she stammered, looking down at her hands nervously. "I just got a little carried away..."

Izuku glanced at her, his heart racing. "I-It's okay," he said quickly, his voice barely above a whisper as he avoided eye contact, completely overwhelmed by the attention.

Izuku then noticed the girls flushed embarrassed looks, he raised an eyebrow he didn't really notice but the girls had been sticking close to him lately he didn't really pay to much mind before what Toru had said rang in his mind.

'Oh yeah what did she mean by 'Other girls''Izuku asked glancing at Toru before they heard footsteps and quickly rushed back to the seats.

...

Aizawa rolled his shoulders as he entered the classroom, his expression as stoic as ever. "Morning. I take it you've all had your student evaluations with Hound Dog by now," he said in his usual monotone. "Good. With that out of the way, you'll be moving on to Hero Informatics today."

A collective groan rippled through the room, most of the students slumping in their seats.

"Aw, man," Kaminari groaned, his forehead meeting his desk with a thud. "Hero Informatics is my worst subject!"

"Same here," Mina chimed in, dramatically draping herself over her desk. "Ugh, this is gonna be torture."

Even Kirishima, usually the bastion of optimism, sighed. "Doesn't sound very manly to sit through a whole lesson on this kind of stuff."

Aizawa's tone remained neutral as he cut through their complaints. "With Midnight."

The shift in the room was instantaneous. Groans turned into wide-eyed excitement, the boys perking up like they'd just been jolted awake. Before anyone could speak, the classroom door swung open, and in strutted Midnight with her signature sultry grin.

"Hello, my darling students," she purred, her voice laced with playful dominance. Her hips swayed as she walked, her heels clicking against the floor.

The boys' gazes snapped to her, some attempting to play it cool, while others, like Mineta, shamelessly gawked. At least he wasn't drooling this time—progress, I guess?

Sero leaned back in his chair, smirking. "You know, maybe Hero Informatics isn't so bad after all."

Tokoyami coughed into his hand, his face turning an uncharacteristic shade of pink. "Ahem... agreed."

Kyoka's eye twitched as she watched the boys turn into flustered messes. "Seriously, guys?"

"I know, right?" Mina whispered back, rolling her eyes.

Midnight stopped at the front of the room, placing a hand on her hip as she regarded the class. "My, my, such energy today," she said, licking her lips in an exaggeratedly playful manner that made half the boys squirm. "Good. You're going to need it."

Iida raised his hand with military precision. "Miss Midnight, may I inquire about today's lesson?"

She chuckled softly, her voice dripping with amusement. "Ah, Tenya, always so eager. Today's lesson is about how you present yourselves as heroes," she said, folding her arms under her chest, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "We're going to explore how you can use your appearance, behavior, and quirks to leave an impression on the public. Whether you want to stand in the spotlight or stay in the shadows, how you portray yourself matters."

"Wait, so... branding?" Sero asked.

"Precisely," Midnight said, her tone turning teasing. "After all, some of you," she glanced at Mineta, "might already know the... power of a good first impression."

"Being a hero is more than just saving the day," Midnight explained, her tone playful yet instructive. "If you're aiming for sponsorships—brands, hair products, endorsements, and the like—then your first impression is key. It gives the public a solid idea of who you are and what kind of hero they can expect you to be."

Ochako's eyes lit up at the mention of sponsorships. 'Sponsorships? That could mean steady money... If I can make an amazing debut, I could land a big sponsorship! Then maybe, just maybe, I can finally help Mom and Dad!'

Her hand shot up eagerly. "Miss Midnight! How would you recommend we make a great debut to catch the attention of sponsors?"

Midnight blinked at the enthusiasm, then tapped her chin thoughtfully, her grin returning. "Hmm... That's a good question. A heroic rescue always leaves an impression, especially if it involves saving children or people in dire situations. But let me be clear—sponsorships aren't guaranteed after one good deed. Building that kind of reputation takes consistent effort, multiple rescues, and making sure you stand out."

"Or," Bakugo interrupted with a sharp grin, leaning back in his chair, "you just blow the crap outta some villains and everyone will love you."

Midnight raised an eyebrow at him. "That could work, but only if you're careful not to blow up anything you're not supposed to. Sponsors don't love lawsuits, you know."

Kirishima chuckled nervously. "Yeah, maybe tone it down a little, man."

"Saving people quickly and making sure no one gets hurt could work too," Tsuyu chimed in, her voice calm as she rested her chin on her hand. "If you show you're reliable and caring, people might want to work with you, ribbit."

Ochako's mind raced as she absorbed the advice. 'Consistent effort, memorable rescues... Okay, I can do that! I just need to make sure people remember me as someone who gets things done and really cares.' She clenched her fists, her determination shining through.

Mineta and Kaminari exchanged mischievous grins, their expressions lighting up with a shared idea. "If you really want to get a sponsorship, you could do what Mt. Lady did," Mineta said, snickering.

"Totally!" Kaminari chimed in, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "Just beat up some villains or save someone, then wiggle your ass a little. Boom! Instantly famous!"

Mineta nodded eagerly. "Yeah, add a little sex appeal, and sponsors will be throwing money at you!"

Kyoka's eye twitched as the two boys burst into laughter, their comments grating on her nerves. Her hand hovered over one of her earphone jacks, ready to jab it at the pervy pair if they didn't stop.

"Okay, that's enough," Midnight interrupted, holding up a hand, her voice a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Sex appeal can be a factor in gaining popularity, but it's not the only thing, nor should it be the main thing. Sponsors look for reliability, charisma, and how well you connect with the public. That's far more important in the long run."

Ochako shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her expression uneasy as she toyed with her hands. Sex appeal? That's what sponsors care about? But... that's not the kind of hero I want to be. She frowned, her determination faltering slightly.

Kyoka crossed her arms, glaring at Kaminari and Mineta. "Seriously? That's your takeaway from all this? Wiggle your ass and get famous?" she muttered, her cheeks tinged red—not from embarrassment, but from irritation. "You guys are idiots."

Midnight sighed, a playful grin returning to her lips as she continued. "While it's true some heroes, like Mt. Lady, have leaned into their sex appeal as part of their public image, it's not for everyone. And it's not required. Plenty of successful heroes are famous for their skills, heroics, and dedication—not for flaunting themselves."

"Er... Not one of them though." Kyoka muttered.

"Yeah don't have like a dozens sponsorships deals and interviews on daily?" Sero asked

"Yeah you must swimming in sponsor deals and your the sexiest hero next to Mt. Lady." Mineta shouted.

"Well true but I didn't even get sponsorships deals on my first debut for a very long time." Midnight said.

From his sleeping bag, Aizawa's deadpan voice cut through the room. " If I recall, you were involved in one of the scandals that led to stricter clothing regulations. I can imagine being in a scandal like that doesn't have sponsors lining up."

Midnight stiffened, her eyes narrowing as an ominous purple aura began to emanate from her. She shot Aizawa a murderous look, her patience visibly thinning.

Aizawa, ever the survivalist, pulled the edge of his sleeping bag over his face. "Shutting up now," he muttered, retreating.

Midnight sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "To an extent, Mineta and Kaminari aren't entirely wrong. For many female pro heroes, sex appeal can be a factor in gaining popularity. It's not as prominent for men, though there are exceptions."

Kaminari perked up at the validation. "Like how Mt. Lady basically showed off her butt in her debut?"

"Exactly," Sero said with a nod, her tone calm but professional. "Her popularity skyrocketed after that. She's only been a hero for about a year and is already projected to be in the top 20 when the Hero Billboard Chart comes out."

"See? Sexy heroes get all the attention!" Kaminari grinned, nudging Kirishima, who looked more thoughtful.

Kirishima scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, but it feels kinda... unmanly to rely on that, you know? Shouldn't it be more about your actions than your looks?"

"True, but it's hard to ignore how much it works," Kaminari countered, shrugging.

Ochako's face twisted into a mix of discomfort and unease. The idea of having to rely on something like showing off her ass and wiggling it for attention, especially for perverts like Mineta, made her stomach churn.

'Is that what it takes? Would people like me more if I...' Her eyes flickered downward briefly, a pang of insecurity hitting her. 'Would I even be considered sexy enough for that?'

She clenched her fists tightly, trying to push the thought away. Her parents' smiling faces flashed in her mind, the weight of their financial struggles pressing on her chest. She wanted to help them—she had to. But the idea of doing it that way felt so wrong, so... gross.

Ochako suddenly slapped her cheeks lightly, forcing herself to snap out of it. 'Ugh, stop it! I'm not even a pro hero yet! There's no point worrying about stuff like this!'

But as the conversation around her continued, the discomfort lingered in her chest. Even as she smiled and tried to focus on the lesson, the thought gnawed at her.

...

[Lunch-Time]

He could almost see the steam rising from her head. The group was making their way to the cafeteria, and Kyoka's mood was definitely the topic of conversation.

Momo, ever the considerate friend, tried to ease the tension. "Why don't we change the subject a bit?" she suggested gently. "How were your sessions with Hound Dog?"

Ibara, always composed and calm, clasped her hands together with a serene expression. "He provided me with some very insightful advice," she said, her voice soft but clear. "Although he did warn me that my image as a Christian might attract some unintended backlash in the future."

Pony, walking alongside them, slid into an empty seat at the cafeteria table, her usual energetic attitude present. "Nothing too exciting for me. Once I get my license, I'll be working on getting my international one," she said with a smile.

Izuku's eyes widened with interest. "Wait, you're getting an international license?" he asked, curious.

Pony smirked playfully, emphasizing the 'P' as she spoke. "Yep! Since I'm planning to head back to America, an international license could come in handy," she said confidently.

Izuku felt a pang of sadness he couldn't quite explain. The realization that Pony, as an exchange student, would eventually be leaving Japan made him feel strangely melancholic. He quickly pushed the thought aside.

Setsuna, who had been listening quietly, shrugged nonchalantly. "The rest of us were pretty much the same old stuff," she said, her tone a little less enthusiastic.

Yui spoke up thoughtfully, tapping her chin. "I was recommended to be a support hero. Hound Dog said I could be helpful in operations by enlarging or shrinking equipment, things like that," she explained.

"What about you, Todoroki? Any plans after graduation?"Yui asked in her usual calm tone, her eyes resting on him as he quietly ate his cold soba.

Shoto paused mid-bite, his expression indifferent. "Nothing concrete. Though Hound Dog seems to think I'll inherit my father's agency."

Yui tilted her head slightly. "And you don't plan to?"

The table grew quiet. "Wait, seriously? You're not?" Toru asked, leaning forward in surprise.

Shoto shook his head. "No. I have no interest in taking over his agency."

"Dude, I thought that was like... the whole point," Mina said, her voice a mix of confusion and disbelief. "You know, passing the torch and all that stuff."

Iida adjusted his glasses, his posture straightening. "It is a common tradition among hero families. I, for example, will inherit the Ingenium agency when I graduate."

Yanagi, sitting quietly, finally spoke up. "Doesn't that come with a lot of responsibility? Leading a team of sidekicks right out of school?" Her voice was soft but carried a tinge of curiosity.

"It does," Iida said firmly, his eyes sparkling with determination. "But as the next Ingenium, I am prepared to uphold my brother's legacy and embody his ideals. It's a responsibility I welcome with pride!"

Momo, who had been listening intently, nodded. "Carrying on a family legacy can be both a privilege and a challenge. I understand that well."

Toru leaned back with a laugh. "Man, better you than me! I'd probably trip over the responsibility on day one."

Ibara turned to Todoroki, her serene demeanor unwavering. "Why don't you want to inherit your father's agency? Carrying on Endeavor's legacy must be a great honor."

Shoto's expression remained stoic, but there was a flicker of tension in his eyes. He exhaled quietly before responding. "I... don't want to be known as Endeavor's son." His voice was steady, but the weight of his words hung heavily in the air. "I want to build my own path. I'll learn what I can from him, sure. But not to follow in his footsteps—I want to be my own hero, using my own strength."

A hush fell over the group as his words sank in, a mix of surprise and quiet understanding passing between them.

Itsuka leaned back, crossing her arms with a small smirk. "Yeah, I can respect that. Carving your own path, huh? Makes sense."

"Wow, that was emotional," Yui said, her monotone voice and blank expression giving no hint of sarcasm or genuine sentiment.

Todoroki raised an eyebrow, his face as unreadable as ever. "It was? Hm. Thanks."

Yui nodded, her expression unchanged, as if their exchange made perfect sense.

The rest of the group stared, their confusion palpable as they tried to process the interaction.

"Wait... did they just have a moment?" Toru whispered to Mina.

"How can you tell?" Mina replied, squinting at their stoic faces.

"Are they... speaking telepathically or something?" Ochako added, tilting her head.

Momo sighed, placing a hand on her temple. "I think they're just on the same wavelength."

The group shared a laugh, Izuku chuckling softly, when his Danger Sense suddenly flared—just enough to make him glance toward the cafeteria doors. His eyebrows rose as Mei Hatsume strolled in, a brown bag slung over her shoulder and her body still smeared with grease and oil. In her arms was what looked like the head of a robot, wires sticking out haphazardly.

For some reason, Danger Sense seemed to focus on that robot head, but Izuku couldn't figure out why.

Mei scanned the cafeteria, her eyes darting from table to table until they landed on him. Her face lit up like a lightbulb, her grin so wide it seemed to stretch ear to ear. Without hesitation, she marched straight toward him, practically vibrating with energy.

"Midoriya!" Hatsume's voice rang out as she stopped abruptly in front of their table, beaming.

"H-Hatsume?" Izuku stammered as the girls of Class A immediately bristled, their eyes narrowing.

It was no secret that Mei had zero concept of personal space, particularly with Izuku. And the fact she got along with him didn't exactly help.

"Uh... you guys okay?" Itsuka asked cautiously, glancing around.

Yui crossed her arms, her voice flat but tinged with suspicion. "You seem more possessive than usual."

Before anyone could answer, Mei plopped the robot head onto the table with a loud thud, drawing everyone's attention.

"Look what I brought!" she announced proudly, already moving to the next step in her plan.

Izuku barely had time to process the situation before Mei, with zero hesitation, spun around and plopped herself directly onto his lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Eh?!" Izuku squeaked, his entire face turning red.

"Eh?!" chorused the girls, their voices ranging from disbelief to outrage.

"EHHH?!" Their collective shout drew stares from nearby tables as every girl's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.

Ochako's face turned crimson, her lips quivering as she tried to form words. Kyoka's earphone jacks whipped around like angry tails, while Yui's eye twitched violently.

Itsuka's eyes went wide, and Ibara gasped, her hands clasped tightly together in indignation. Yanagi's normally calm demeanor cracked slightly, her eyes widening in surprise.

"She... just sat on his lap," Pony murmured, her tone somewhere between disbelief and growing envy.

Meanwhile, Todoroki and Iida, already accustomed to bizarre situations involving Izuku, calmly took their seats. Shoto casually picked up his chopsticks and resumed eating his soba. "This should be interesting," he remarked, his tone as indifferent as ever.

"Agreed," Iida added, adjusting his glasses.

The rest of the girls, however, were less composed.

"What are you doing?!" several of them shouted in unison.

Ibara stepped forward, her face flushed with anger. "Have you no concept of personal boundaries, you shameless woman?" she demanded, her righteous indignation practically radiating off her.

Itsuka's hands curled into fists as her lips twitched in frustration. Why? Why does the guy I like keep ending up in situations like this?

Momo, always trying to maintain some sense of decorum, bristled visibly. "Hatsume, please get off Izuku! We're in public—have some decency!"

Ochako, meanwhile, felt her heart ache as she watched Mei make herself at home on Izuku's lap, her face burning as jealousy bubbled under the surface.

Mei, utterly unbothered, shifted slightly and tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"Huh. His thighs are sturdier than I expected. Perfect for supporting weight! Must be all the training he does." She smiled brightly, clearly pleased with her observation.

That comment sent the group into chaos. Momo's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as her composure began to crack. Kinoko's mushroom cap-like hair seemed to puff slightly as her face turned a vibrant red, and Yanagi averted her gaze, startled by just how much the scene unsettled her.

"Hatsume, please get off him," Momo repeated, her voice tightening with suppressed frustration.

Mei tilted her head as if genuinely confused. "Why? Does he have a girlfriend?" she asked, her tone clinical and straightforward, like she was running diagnostics on a machine.

"Huh?" The group blinked in unison, thrown off by the blunt question.

"No," Todoroki answered casually, his eyes still on his soba.

"Is he interested in anyone?" Mei pressed, her eyes narrowing slightly, her tone all business now.

"Hm. Not sure," Todoroki replied, shrugging as if it weren't a big deal.

"Well, there you go," Mei said, her voice brimming with certainty. She crossed her arms as if she'd just solved a particularly tricky problem. "If Midoriya isn't in a romantic relationship, nor has he explicitly declared interest in anyone, then logically, there's no reason why I can't sit here. Social norms aside, this is a completely neutral action—one that doesn't violate any implicit or explicit boundaries. Right, Midoriya?"

Izuku had, unfortunately, fallen unconscious the moment Mei plopped onto his lap. His eyes had rolled back, mouth agape, and a faint line of foam formed at the corners of his lips.

"See?" Mei said, utterly unfazed, her grin widening as she gestured at him. "If he had an issue, he'd say something. But since he hasn't, it's clear he doesn't mind. Which means there's no problem here!"

The girls bristled, their collective aura of anger and jealousy wrapping around the table like a smothering blanket.

"That's because he's unconscious, you shameless woman!" Ibara snapped, her tone indignant and laced with righteous fury as she pointed accusingly at Mei.

Setsuna, her eye twitching, couldn't look away. Her heart thudded in her chest as she watched Mei casually straddled to get comfortable while tinkering with the robot head in her hands.

"Ooh, so the stabilizer's torque is perfectly aligned with the core axis to minimize drag," Mei said to herself, entirely oblivious to the chaos she was causing.

"What kind of shameless nonsense is this?!" Toru cried, flailing her arms in disbelief. "You can't just do that—especially not to Midori! How can you even be this bold?!"

Pony's ears twitched as her face turned bright red. "T-This isn't okay!"

Kinoko's face was entirely crimson, her mushroom-shaped hair puffing. "S-Shroom… I-I can't watch this…!" she squeaked, hiding her face in her hands.

Meanwhile, Setsuna groaned, unable to take it any longer. Dispatching one of her hands, she let it float across the table and delivered a sharp slap to Izuku's cheek.

"Wake up, Midoriya!" she snapped, her voice tinged with frustration.

The slap jolted Izuku awake, his eyes snapping open as he gasped, disoriented. "H-Huh?! What happened?!" he sputtered, his face bright red as he realized Mei was still perched on his lap.

"Oh, good, you're awake!" Mei said cheerfully, beaming up at him. "I was just telling everyone how your lap is a perfect seat—really sturdy. You've got amazing muscle density, by the way."

Izuku's brain short-circuited, his face heating up as he stammered incoherently.

"H-Hatsume, what are you doing?!" Izuku sputtered, his voice rising in pitch.

Mei, completely unbothered, adjusted herself on his lap, her casual straddle sending a visible twitch through nearly every girl at the table.

"Oh, hi, Midoriya!" Mei chirped, grinning ear to ear. "I was wondering if you're free after school today?"

Izuku blinked, his blush deepening as he became acutely aware of the situation. Her weight on his lap and the casual tone of her question made his mind race. "H-Hatsume, why are you sitting on my lap?!" he managed to squeak.

Mei tilted her head as if his question was the oddest thing she'd heard all day. "Huh? Oh, because it's comfortable! And anyway, there weren't any other seats open," she explained nonchalantly, gesturing vaguely around. "Plus, I wanted to be close to you. It's more efficient for communication, right?"

"Efficient?" Izuku repeated, his brain struggling to keep up.

"Yeah! Friends are supposed to hang out and be close, aren't they? Or is that not how it works? Did I miscalculate?" Mei asked, her tone genuinely curious, though her grin suggested she wasn't all that concerned about the answer.

"Er… yeah, but not this close," Izuku stammered, shifting awkwardly as he tried to process how casually she spoke about the situation.

"Yeah! Friends sit close when they need to talk, don't they? Or was I wrong about that? I mean, it just seemed like the logical choice," she said, tapping her chin thoughtfully before shrugging.

Izuku flailed slightly, his face an even deeper shade of red. "N-Not this close, Hatsume!"

Unfazed, Mei turned her attention to something else. Her sharp eyes caught a slight bulge in his blazer pocket, and her curiosity flared. Without hesitation, she reached over and plucked a pair of notebooks from the inside of his blazer, oblivious to his startled reaction.

"Mh, I can't read this one," Mei muttered, tilting her head as she flipped past the alien-related pages, her brow furrowing in genuine confusion.

"U-Uh, yeah, that's because it's encoded," Izuku stammered, instinctively leaning forward, forgetting for a moment that Mei was still firmly perched on his lap.

Her eyes widened, practically sparkling with excitement. "Encoded? That's so cool!" she exclaimed, her grin stretching ear to ear. "What kind of encoding is this? Is it substitution ciphering? Maybe some kind of Vigenère variant? Or—wait, is it steganographic layering with dynamic key rotation?!"

Izuku blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the stream of technical jargon. "Uh, w-well, it's actually a mix of shift cipher and symbol mapping. I, um, created the key myself to make it more secure."

Izuku's face flushed crimson, his hands waving in protest as he scrambled to maintain his composure. "P-Please don't try to decipher them! I prefer to keep my alien forms secret," he stammered, but the heat in his cheeks didn't subside. Meanwhile, Mei, utterly oblivious to the discomfort she was causing, shifted slightly, making herself even more comfortable as she leaned over him to study his notes.

The other girls in the room, eyes narrowing in quiet irritation, watched as Izuku grew increasingly flustered. Yet, he didn't seem to mind the close proximity, and in fact, was starting to adapt to Mei's uncomfortably forward nature.

"Oh, what about this notebook?" Mei asked, her tone already shifting to one of pure excitement as she picked up the "Number 13" notebook from his blazer. She began flipping through it with barely restrained enthusiasm. "Hmm, not encoded! And wow, Midoriya, your notes are so detailed! You really know how to break down Quirks, huh?"

Izuku scratched his head nervously. "R-really? Uh, th-thank you, Mei…"

Mei ignored his modesty as she straddled her hips on his a blush across her face.

The girls collectively bristled, their faces burning with indignation as they watched Mei practically meld into Izuku's personal space.

"See this Gravity girl," Mei began, tapping on Ochako's section. "Wouldn't it be awesome if she had, like, rocket boots on her costume? She could glide while floating! Talk about maximizing her Quirk's potential!"She leaned in closer to show Izuku the drawing, her legs dangling behind him.

Izuku's eyes widened, his brain instantly going into overdrive. "Oh, wow, you're right! She could control her descent better and maneuver in midair! That'd make her mobility so much better in combat!"

Ochaco, standing nearby, forced a polite smile, her irritation simmering just beneath the surface. "That… actually sounds useful, but—"

Mei cut her off, her focus entirely on Izuku. "And this Shoji guy! His Dupli-Arms could use reinforced knuckle guards. Imagine him smashing through walls or shielding his teammates with a single swing. Talk about efficiency!"

Izuku's eyes lit up. "You're right! With the added weight and durability, his punches would pack even more power!"

Without pausing, Mei flipped to another page. "And this one!" She tapped on Kyoka's profile. "She's a mutant type, right?" Her words were sharp, calculated, and she didn't even spare a glance at Kyoka, too absorbed in her analysis.

Kyoka's eye twitched slightly, her annoyance simmering just below the surface. "Yeah, I'm a mutant, so what?" she muttered under her breath, but Mei didn't seem to hear her.

Izuku was quick to explain. "Kyoka's Quirk allows her to channel sound through her earphone jacks, which are really versatile. She can plug them into anything and amplify the sound, or make it work with other devices."

Mei paused, her finger resting on her chin as she absorbed the information. "Can she plug into devices that don't have a proper port?" she asked, her tone clinical as she analyzed the possibilities.

"I can," Kyoka answered with a touch of sarcasm.

Mei, unfazed, grinned wildly. "Well, then! I'm guessing her Quirk can also amplify and redirect sound that a device might produce, or make new frequencies altogether!" She tapped her fingers rapidly as though plotting the design for a new invention in her mind. "You know, that's perfect! I can already see the awesome babies I'm going to make with these ideas!"

Kyoka, though clearly annoyed by being left out of the conversation, couldn't help but put Mei's ideas in the back of her mind. Despite her frustration, she couldn't deny the practicality of Mei's concept.

"Oh, that's amazing—" Izuku began, but he was abruptly cut off by the clearing of throats from the rest of the girls at the table. A cold, murderous aura blanketed the room, making both Izuku and Mei break out into nervous sweats.

"Izuku," Momo said firmly, her tone calm but laced with an undercurrent of disapproval. "I trust you don't believe this position is appropriate for public settings."

Izuku blinked in confusion before realizing what she meant. His eyes widened, and his face turned a deep shade of red when he noticed Mei was still perched in his lap, her legs draped on either side of him, her face mere inches from his. "I-I didn't realize—!"

"Midoriya," Ibara's voice came, sharp and disapproving. Her vine-like hair bristled as if responding to her agitation. "Please remove yourself from this situation at once. Such proximity is unbecoming."

Kyoka folded her arms, tapping her fingers against her bicep. "Yeah, you're not exactly making this look innocent, you know. Seriously, Hatsume, have you ever heard of personal space?"

Ochako clenched her fists on the table, her smile strained as her tone wavered between polite and envious. "I-I mean, Izuku, it's great that you're helping her with ideas, but maybe she shouldn't, you know… sit like that while you're talking."

Mina leaned forward, her usual cheerfulness replaced with a mischievous yet pointed smirk. "I dunno, Ochako, maybe Hatsume's just really comfortable around him. But don't worry, Midoriya, I'm sure you'll survive her strangling you with her enthusiasm."

Izuku gulped, overwhelmed by the tension radiating from every direction. "H-Hatsume," he stammered, nervously shifting in his seat. "M-maybe you should… um…"

Mei huffed but complied, sliding off his lap with a dramatic pout. "Fine," she said, sticking her tongue out at the others. "Midoriya, I'll see you after school, okay?"

The girls stiffened at her boldness, a pang of jealousy flickering across their faces. Momo's lips tightened, and Ochako's grip on her glass visibly tightened. Even Kyoka's earlobes twitched in irritation.

Mei gave a quick wave, already halfway out the door. "Oh, and I hope you don't mind if I take this!" She held up Izuku's Number 13 notebook, her grin wide as she sped off, leaving a trail of dust behind her.

The girls felt their hearts tighten, their gazes heavy with a mix of confusion, irritation, and something else that simmered just beneath the surface. The air felt thick with unspoken words, and their eyes locked onto Izuku, all of them processing the same thing.

Mina folded her arms and gave him a pointed look. "You looked pretty comfortable with her on your lap, Dekiru," she remarked, her usual cheer gone, replaced by frustration.

Izuku blushed and stammered, "I-I didn't—! It wasn't like that!"

Kinoko bit her lip, her eyes flicking nervously between Izuku and the others, clearly bothered by how close Mei had been. Yanagi, too, had a faint blush, realizing just how much it had affected her.

Ibara crossed her arms, her voice cold. "So, you let girls straddle your lap, Midoriya?"

Itsuka shot him an irritated look. "You didn't even try to get her off."

Toru chimed in from her corner, her usual bubbly nature tinged with a hint of jealousy. "I mean, it's not like you're... into her, right?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Ochako pouted, her voice soft but hurt. "Dekiru..."

Tsuyu sighed, her tone firm. "You should be more assertive, Izuku-chan."

Izuku's face turned beet red as he stammered, hands nervously running through his hair. "I—I mean, it wasn't that bad..." he mumbled, trying to deflect the intensity of their gazes.

As soon as the words left his mouth, the mood shifted, and Izuku could feel the weight of their eyes on him—sharp, intense, like a mouse facing a pride of lionesses. His heart raced in his chest.

"Eep!"

...

Bakugou Katsuki stormed out of Class 1-A's dorms, the sunset painting the hallways in a fiery glow that matched the burning frustration in his chest. Three grueling hours of detention with Eraserhead had left him itching to blow something up. The teachers here were relentless, unlike Aldrea's spineless losers. Every move he made, every word out of his mouth, seemed to come back to bite him in the ass.

But that wasn't what had his stomach twisting in knots tonight.

"DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES HE'S HURT ME?!"

Ghostfreak's words rang in his head, like a hammer striking over and over against his skull.

That bastard's voice wouldn't leave him alone, and the memory of those slashes—the deep, searing pain ripping across his body—was still too fresh. He growled under his breath, his hands curling into tight fists. His palms itched to explode something, anything, just to drown out the sound!

But no matter how much he wanted to shove it down, those words wouldn't let go.

"He's just another villain in my story."

His teeth grit so hard it hurt.

He could still see it so clearly—Deku, standing there above him as Ghostfreak his purple promising only malice.

It wasn't Deku. But it was. Bakugou knew better than to believe the bullshit that came after.

He punched the wall beside him, hard enough to leave a faint scorch mark, but not enough to satisfy the gnawing ache inside. "Dammit," he muttered.

The ponytail bitch had saved him. If it hadn't been for her stepping in, he would've died. Deku would've killed him.

The memory made his stomach churn—half from anger, half from something he refused to name. He rubbed at his chest absently, trying to soothe the clawing sensation there.

Because as much as he wanted to shove all the blame onto Deku, he couldn't forget the look in his eyes.

All that rage, all that resentment—Deku had unleashed it all on him. Bakugou had always known the nerd hated him, but not like this. Not this much.

The venom in his words, the fury in his eyes—it was like staring at someone else entirely. Someone who wanted him gone. For good.

Deku…hating someone. It should've been laughable. The nerd who cried over stray cats and admired everyone, even losers? But it wasn't funny.

Because that hate was real. And worst of all, Bakugou knew he'd earned it.

The thought made his blood boil—not with anger, but something worse. Shame. But Bakugou didn't do shame. He was the best, the strongest. He didn't owe anyone anything. Especially not Deku.

So why did his chest feel like it was caving in?

His footsteps slowed, a shaky breath slipping out as Ghostfreak's words clawed at his mind again, louder this time. His hand dragged through his hair, frustration bubbling under his skin.

"…Damn nerd," he muttered, jaw tightening as if saying it might drown out the rest.

As Bakugou walked, the familiar voice of Kirishima cut through his spiraling thoughts.

"Yo, Bakugou!" Kirishima greeted, his usual toothy grin in place. For once, Bakugou didn't mind the sight of the redhead—it was a distraction, at least, from the damn nerd clawing at his thoughts.

"Shitty Hair," Bakugou grunted, his tone less hostile than usual as Kirishima jogged up with Sero and Kaminari trailing behind him.

"How's detention?" Sero asked, smirking knowingly.

A vein in Bakugou's temple throbbed. "Great. My hell continues," he growled, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"This is why no one likes you," Kaminari muttered under his breath, though it was loud enough for Bakugou to catch.

Bakugou stopped dead in his tracks, turning to glare daggers at Kaminari. "What the hell did you just say, Sparky?!"

Kaminari flinched, holding his hands up defensively. "N-nothing, man! Just joking!"

"Better be," Bakugou snapped before turning on his heel, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing as Kirishima clapped him on the back.

"Relax, man," Kirishima said, trying to lighten the mood. "You're free now, right? Let's grab something to eat! My treat."

Sero chimed in with a grin. "Yeah, maybe food'll mellow you out. For once."

"Shut it, Tape Face," Bakugou barked, but his lips twitched—just slightly—before they exited the school gates, the chatter of his friends pulling him, even if briefly, out of his own head.

The Barrier scanned for a moment longer before the gates began to part without incident.

Most of the students froze as a woman strode through the gates of U.A., her presence commanding immediate attention. Kaminari's jaw practically hit the ground, a blush spreading across his cheeks as he let out an awestruck whistle.

"Dude, she's a total babe!" Kaminari whispered to Sero, already drooling.

"Hey, you have a girlfriend! You can't say stuff like that!" Sero scolded, elbowing him hard enough to make Kaminari flinch.

"Please don't tell Ester!" Kaminari pleaded, rubbing his side.

Sero rolled his eyes but couldn't help stealing a glance at the woman. "Still... she does look cool. Who is she?"

The woman was striking. Her mint-green skin shimmered faintly in the sunlight, head adorned with two tentacles that swayed subtly with each step. A third, larger tentacle extended from her lower back, moving fluidly behind her. She had an otherworldly physique: four long, dexterous fingers on each hand, and legs that bent inward at the ankles, ending in clawed toes. Her fitted blue jumpsuit only added to the air of mystery.

But it wasn't just her appearance that caught their attention—it was the way she moved. Her sharp, focused gaze scanned the courtyard as if she were searching for someone vital.

Her expression, though composed, carried the weight of urgency, and there was a distinct intensity that made most students instinctively step aside as she passed.

A brave but nervous girl stepped forward. "Um... hello, ma'am?" she ventured cautiously.

The woman's gaze snapped to her, and the sheer weight of her glare made the girl falter, shrinking back slightly.

"Where is Izuku Midoriya?" the woman demanded, her voice authoritative, leaving no room for hesitation.

The students around her froze. The name carried weight—Izuku Midoriya wasn't just a classmate; he was a hero in training whose exploits had become the stuff of U.A. legend.

Bakugou, Kirishima, Sero, and Kaminari all turned at the mention of Izuku's knew that when people were after Midoriya, it usually meant trouble. The woman's next words confirmed theirworst fears

"Where is the Omnitrix？"

Kirishima's eyes widened in

horror, his fists clenching involuntarily.

Bakugou's eyes narrowed, the words hitting him like a detonating bomb. His mind raced, connecting the dots—only someone dangerous would be asking about that. No one who knew about the Omnitrix had come looking for it with good intentions.

He didn't hesitate. Dropping his bag, he launched himself forward in an explosive rush, fury and instinct driving him. "You damn alien! You're here for that stupid watch, aren't you?!" he roared, as he unleashed a barrage of blasts.

The woman turned to face him, calm and unfazed. With a single flick of her wrist, Bakugou's charge was stopped mid-air. He floated helplessly, limbs flailing as an unseen force held him in place.

Her eyes sharpened, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. "I suggest you calm down, child."

The courtyard fell deathly silent, everyone staring in stunned disbelief. Bakugou gritted his teeth, struggling against the invisible hold, but it was no use. The woman hadn't even broken a sweat.

Kirishima's skin hardened with a grinding sound, like stones scraping together, as he charged forward. "Let him go!" he roared, his fists raised to strike.

The woman barely spared him a glance. With a casual flick of her wrist, a violet aura enveloped Kirishima mid-charge. The air rippled with energy as she hurled him aside effortlessly. His body crashed into the U.A. wall, leaving a spiderweb of cracks across the reinforced concrete.

"Stay down," she said, her voice cold and clipped. Her tone carried no malice, only impatience, as if she were swatting away a bothersome fly.

Bakugou struggled against her invisible grip, snarling through gritted teeth. "Damn alien! What do you want with him?"

Her piercing eyes turned to him. "Where is Izuku Midoriya?" she asked again.

"Hah? Never heard of him!" Bakugou spat, explosions crackling faintly in his palms as he tried to move.

"Hope you can forgive me, bro!" Kaminari yelled, lightning dancing along his body. He launched himself at her, his electricity crackling like a live wire.

"Fry this tentacle freak!" Bakugou barked.

"Indiscriminate 1.3 Million Volts!" Kaminari shouted, the energy exploding outward in a blinding flash. Electricity surged toward her, the arcs splitting the air with deafening snaps.

The woman didn't flinch. She shot upward into the sky, effortlessly dodging the oncoming attack with a graceful leap. Hovering above the ground, her mint-green skin glowed faintly against the flickering light of Kaminari's electricity.

Kaminari's grin faded as his body seized up. He felt his limbs lock in place, suspended by an unseen force.

"Wha—?"

Before he could finish, she flicked her hand, and he was sent hurtling backward. He slammed into the ground with a dull thud, his electricity sputtering out like a dying flame.

From above, she turned her gaze to Sero, who had been inching closer with his tape at the ready. Her eyes locked onto him, as if sizing up his every move. Sero froze as his feet left the ground, his body suspended in mid-air like a puppet on strings.

"Enough," she said sharply, her voice cutting through the chaos. Her patience visibly wearing thin.

Sero struggled against the invisible grip, his voice shaky. "W-what do you want?"

Her glare bore into him.

"Where is Izuku Midoriya?"

...

"Achoo!" Izuku sneezed suddenly, causing Momo to blink in surprise before quickly creating a handkerchief with her Quirk.

"Here, Midoriya," she said, offering it with a small smile. Izuku took it gratefully and wiped his nose, muttering a quick, "Thank you, Yaoyorozu."

Before he could say much else, Mei Hatsume appeared out of nowhere, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him over to her cluttered work desk. "Now, Midoriya, if you would so kindly sit right here!" she said, plopping him into a chair surrounded by unfinished inventions and parts.

The girls from Classes 1-A and 1-B followed him into the Support Studios, their curiosity evident as they glanced around at the tools, blueprints, and gadgets scattered across every surface.

"This place is nuts," Setsuna said, her sharp teeth glinting in a wide grin. She leaned closer to examine a prototype on one of the nearby shelves. "So this is where all the tech magic happens, huh? First time I've ever been in here. It's got a kind of mad scientist vibe to it."

"Yeah, it's a little overwhelming," Pony added, her voice tinged with awe as her eyes darted around the room. She pointed toward a half-assembled gauntlet. "What does that thing do? Oh! Is that a jetpack?!"

Kinoko wandered near a shelf stacked with gadgets, her wide eyes scanning the various tools and devices. "So this is the place my nifty shroom shooter was made, huh?" she said, a hint of pride in her voice.

Yanagi floated a small screwdriver into her hand as she examined some of the designs. "I don't have a support item," she said thoughtfully, her voice calm as always. "Though, it would be nice to have something tailored for my Quirk."

Yui stood silently alongside Momo and Kyoka, observing the bustling energy of the Support Studios. Nearby, Ochako lingered next to Itsuka, who had her arms crossed, tapping her foot nervously.

At the center of it all, Mei was perched at her workbench, tinkering with what appeared to be the head of a robot. Izuku sat next to her, glancing over the mechanical piece. It had a distinctive design—resembling a samurai's helmet, complete with crown-like horns but lacking any facial features.

"I've never seen a robot with this kind of design before," Momo remarked, her curiosity piqued as she studied the intricate craftsmanship. "Who made it?"

Mei cackled softly, her goggles glinting under the workshop's light as she turned the headpiece over in her hands. "No clue!" she said with a broad grin, her face a little too close to Momo's for comfort.

Momo blinked, leaning back slightly. "You don't know who built it?"

"Nope! Found it in a junk pile a few months back and thought, 'Hey, free parts!' So, I dragged it home and started poking around. And hoo boy—this baby is special!" Mei practically shoved the headpiece toward Momo, who instinctively caught it before Mei bounded back to her notes.

"Wait, hold on," Yanagi cut in, "You have no idea who built this thing, and you're just messing with it anyway?"

"Of course I am!" Mei said cheerfully, spinning on her heel and invading Yanagi's personal space next. "That's how you figure stuff out!" She gestured dramatically at the samurai head.

"This thing is insane. The central processing unit isn't just advanced; it's borderline miraculous! It's using some kind of crystalline material instead of standard silicon or semiconductors," Mei explained, flipping her goggles up. "And the energy efficiency? Off the charts! It can compute so fast it makes everything else look like cheap calculators."

Izuku and rest of the girls blinked confused had what Mei had said.

As Momo's eyes widened, her intrigue growing. "That advanced? That's incredible..."

Yanagi tilted her head as she glanced at the faceless machine. "Why does it look like a samurai helmet? It's kinda cool, actually—like a faceless samurai."

"Yeah, it's super neat!" Mina added as she and Toru wandered around the studio, checking out various gadgets.

As Mei continued tinkering with her project, Izuku couldn't help but glance at the various unfinished gadgets scattered across the workspace. With a small gulp, he finally asked, "Uh… Hatsume, how come you wanted me to come here after school?"

Mei barely looked up from her work, pushing her goggles up to her forehead as her other hand scribbled frantically on a blueprint. Izuku noticed the faint shadows under her eyes and her somewhat disheveled appearance.

As Mei continued tinkering with her project, Izuku couldn't help but glance at the various unfinished gadgets scattered across the workspace. With a small gulp, he finally asked, "Uh… Hatsume, how come you wanted me to come here after school?"

Mei barely looked up from her work, pushing her goggles up to her forehead as her other hand scribbled frantically on a blueprint. Izuku noticed the faint shadows under her eyes and her somewhat disheveled appearance.

"Uh, Hatsume… when was the last time you slept?" he asked, his concern obvious.

"Oh, that's easy—Thursday," she said casually, still jotting down notes without missing a beat.

Izuku froze for a moment. "But… today's Wednesday."

Mei blinked, her pen pausing mid-stroke. "Oh." She shrugged, entirely unbothered. "Well, who cares? Sleep is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things! I have babies to make!" She grinned widely and immediately returned to multitasking, now flipping through a set of diagrams while soldering something with her free hand.

Ochako winced. "That… doesn't sound healthy."

"Healthy? Please! I don't have time for healthy," Mei retorted with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Especially after that big fiasco a couple of weeks ago." She reached for another tool and began tinkering with a gadget that looked like a wrist-mounted grappling hook. "Ever since then, I've been working on some amazing new babies! Especially with all the notes and tips Brainstorm left me—er, I mean you left me, Midoriya."

"Brainstorm...?"

Mei quickly waved off his reaction, grinning cheekily. "Don't worry about it! You're so full of ideas you probably don't even remember half the genius things you say. And I mean genius! Look at this!" She thrust a glowing piece of circuitry under his nose, forcing him to lean back slightly. "This baby is designed to triple energy efficiency without overheating. Pretty cute, huh?"

The rest of the girls exchanged glances as Mei continued her whirlwind of activity. Despite her eccentric behavior, they couldn't help but notice the similarities between her and Izuku. Both of them were intense, overly focused, and completely oblivious to their own exhaustion when they were engrossed in their passions.

"Wow… she really is like him," Momo murmured.

Kyoka smirked faintly. "A little too much, if you ask me. She's like Greenie but you know cranked up to 11."

Yui, standing silently beside them, studied Mei with a faint glimmer of interest in her otherwise stoic eyes. The girl's relentless drive and focus struck a chord with her. Though she didn't outwardly react, the spark of admiration was clear in the way her gaze lingered on Mei's work.

"She's definitely a hard worker," Yanagi said softly.

"Maybe a little too hard. Someone should make her take a break…" Ochako said.

As Mei darted from one project to another, juggling tasks with dizzying efficiency, Mina chuckled. "She's kinda like a mad scientist, huh?"

Izuku, meanwhile, tried to refocus the conversation. "Uh, Hatsume… are you sure you're okay? Maybe you should take a quick nap or something."

Mei laughed loudly, patting him on the shoulder. "Oh, Midoriya, you're so funny! Sleep is for people who aren't busy changing the world. And besides, my babies need me!"

Izuku sighed, realizing Mei probably wasn't going to get any rest anytime soon. He hesitated before asking again, "Uh, Hatsume… you still haven't answered my question. How come you wanted me to come here after school?"

Mei froze mid-motion, her tools clattering lightly onto the desk. For a split second, her energetic demeanor faltered, and she turned her gaze toward him. Her cheeks were tinged with an unmistakable shade of pink.

Izuku blinked, startled. He had never seen Hatsume look flustered before. "Hatsume…?"

"I..." Mei hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. Then, without any hint of restraint, she blurted, "Having you here with me… it makes me feel good. Especially when you're near me."

The room went silent, every girl's gaze snapping toward Mei. Izuku's face turned scarlet, his heart hammering in his chest. Mei, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to the growing tension.

"I don't really know why," she continued honestly, shrugging with a small, sheepish smile. "You make my heart go crazy—it beats approximately two times faster whenever you're around."

Izuku opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Meanwhile, the other girls felt a sharp pang of jealousy twist in their chests, each one glancing at the other with expressions ranging from discomfort to frustration.

"And!" Mei added, her eyes lighting up as her energy returned. "Every time you're here, I come up with a dozen new baby designs! Soooo…" She leaned in closer, practically pressing herself against him, grinning mischievously. "The only logical solution is to keep you close to me!"

Izuku yelped, leaning back as far as he could without falling out of his chair, his face now practically glowing red. "H-Hatsume! That's—!"

Mei tilted her head innocently, completely ignoring his obvious discomfort. "What? It's just facts! You're like my good-luck charm! A one-of-a-kind prototype, if you will."

The tension in the room reached a boiling point as the girls exchanged uneasy glances. Ochako, whose heart was racing painfully, clenched her fists tightly. Her cheeks burned as she tried to ignore the surge of possessiveness threatening to spill over.

"D-Did she just…" Pony whispered, her ears twitching in disbelief.

"C-Confess…?" Momo asked, her heart pounding in her chest as her cheeks turned crimson.

"Unclear," Setsuna muttered, though her wide eyes betrayed her shock.

Mei, meanwhile, seemed unfazed by the commotion, a confident grin plastered across her face. "Plus, a good inventor always keeps her most valuable prototype right next to her! And trust me, Izuku's top-tier market material!"

Ochako's hands slammed against a nearby table as she stood abruptly. "Dekiru isn't some… thing! You can't just have him like he's one of your gadgets!"

Mei tilted her head, her gaze cool and analytical. "Hm? Why not? If I recall correctly, he isn't in a romantic relationship. There's no patent on him yet."

Ochako's face burned as she stumbled over her words, her emotions spilling out in one loud, desperate outburst. "You can't… you can't have him because he's mine!"

The room went deathly silent.

Izuku froze, his eyes widening as his mind struggled to process Ochako's sudden declaration. His heart raced, pounding so hard he thought it might burst. "W-What–" he started, but his words were cut off by a loud explosion outside.

"What—" Izuku started, but was cut off by a massive explosion outside. His head whipped toward the window, and his classmates followed suit.

In the courtyard, the students of Class 1-A and B were locked in a battle with a woman none of them recognized.

Kyoka, who had been watching carefully, felt her breath catch in her throat as she heard the woman speak.

"Enough," the woman's voice rang out, icy and commanding. "I've been more than patient. I'll ask again. For the last time. Where is Izuku Midoriya? Where is the Omnitrix?"

A strange, purple aura suddenly enveloped the entire courtyard, and Class 1-A and B boys froze in mid-motion.

Kyoka's eyes widened as she quickly unplugged her earphone jack, realization hitting her hard. "Green… she's after the Omnitrix."

The girls froze, expressions a mix of confusion and surprise. Izuku didn't waste any time. His One For All crackled around him, green energy sparking off his body, eyes sharp and determined.

"You guys get the teacher!" Izuku commanded, his voice firm with authority.

"Dekiru, I'm coming with you!" Ochako said, her voice unyielding as she practically leapt onto his back before he could protest. Her hands gripped him tightly.

"Agh! Ochako–" Izuku grunted, startled by her sudden action.

"I'm not letting you do this alone!" Ochako insisted, determination blazing in her eyes. "We're doing this together, got it?"

Izuku let out a frustrated sigh, realizing there was no getting out of it. "Fine. Just hold on tight!" With a single leap, they soared into the air, heading toward the courtyard.

"Hey!" Izuku shouted as he landed, the Omnitrix faceplate lighting up above his wrist. The woman below glanced up, her face softening slightly at the sight of him.

"If you want the Omnitrix..." Izuku started, but his words faltered. His arm, ready to activate the Omnitrix, stopped mid-air. His eyes widened, and before he could process the shock, the next words left him in surprise.

"AUNTY X?!" Izuku shouted, completely caught off guard.

The woman flicked her wrist, and suddenly, Izuku was frozen mid-air, the telekinetic force holding him in place. Her expression, though stoic, showed a faint smile—almost tender, but distant.

The others gaped in confusion, their voices overlapping as they muttered, "AUNTY?!"

"Hello, Izuku," she said, her tone blunt, almost business-like, but with a trace of something softer. She gently lowered him to the ground before grabbing his wrist, where the Omnitrix lay. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced at it, her expression a mixture of frustration and something more somber.

She sighed, almost regretfully, as she looked at the device, her voice softer but still firm.

"I'm too late."

...

The night air was thick with smoke, the sounds of Pro Heroes and firefighters rushing through Musutafu filling the streets. The distant blaze cast an eerie emerald glow over the city, signaling the horror unfolding.

Backdraft, the Pro Hero renowned for his fire-fighting prowess, was among the first to arrive at the scene. His face, usually stern and composed, was now etched with concern as he surveyed the burning structure.

"Stay close and stay low!" Backdraft barked, ushering the students away from the advancing flames.

"We need to ensure all students are accounted for and evacuate the area immediately."

His hoses extended, spraying a fine mist to suppress the flames, but the fire was relentless. The school's main clock tower, its hands frozen at 11:10, swayed precariously before collapsing in a fiery cascade. The sound of the explosion echoed through the night, followed by a rain of burning debris.

"This is a disaster," Backdraft muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of life. "We need to get these kids out of here, now!"

He summoned a thick wave of water to contain the flames in the immediate area, but the fire roared in defiance. "Aldera Junior High won't survive much longer if we don't get help!" he shouted, pushing forward to evacuate the students.

From the shadows of a nearby building, a dark figure observed the destruction. The black-haired boy grinned wickedly, his eyes gleaming as he scrolled through his phone.

The images on the screen were of Aldera's past student files—names, schedules, even where they are right now. Alongside teachers.

Every detail was carefully stored in his phone.

"They thought I was a freak before?" His voice was laced with bitterness as he ignited his palm with dark emerald flames.

"Well, guess what? I'm back."

A cruel grin spread across his face as his hand balled into a fist, the fire surging with power.

With a sadistic chuckle, he hurled a fireball toward the already burning school, the explosion that followed echoing through the night. The blast rocked the area, and the boy's laughter mixed with the roar of the flames.

"And It's Pay Back Time."

...