"So… what are you planning to do, Chacha?" Masata asked. "Don't you still need to develop your ultimate move?"
After leaving the training ground, Chacha had grabbed Masata's hand and dragged him all the way toward the school's main building area.
"Yes! I'm preparing for my destiny!"
Chacha, who was walking ahead, turned back with a determined expression and clenched her small fist.
"I want to improve my mobility and combine it with the fighting skills I've trained before. But my Quirk only lets me float, so I can only enhance my combat uniform!"
Masata nodded in understanding.
He remembered that Chacha had mentioned before that she wanted to add jet devices to her suit.
"So we're heading to the Development Studio now," Masata said. "High-tech stuff like this needs professionals."
Before they realized it, they had arrived at their destination.
The Development Studio's door was made of thick metal, painted in bright orange, with bold numbers and industrial-style decorations. The entire building gave off a strong punk-mechanical vibe.
The surrounding air was filled with the smell of engine oil and metal.
"This should be the place, right?" Masata said. "The teacher in charge is supposed to be Power Loader-sensei, right?"
He stepped forward and knocked.
"BOOM!!!"
Instead of a polite welcome, a violent explosion erupted.
Masata was sent flying backward, his face covered in soot.
Fortunately, his body was strong enough that the heavy metal door didn't injure him.
But strangely, his breathing suddenly felt restricted.
It was as if his face had been buried in something soft.
"Ahem! Hey, you!"
A man's voice rang out from within the smoke.
"Don't just experiment randomly with dangerous ideas!"
"Don't say that, Sensei!" a girl's voice replied cheerfully. "Failure is the mother of success! And the great inventor once said, even if something doesn't work as planned, the effort isn't meaningless!"
Hearing that familiar energetic voice, Masata immediately realized—
Something soft was pressed against his face.
Way too soft.
The smoke cleared.
Hatsume Mei was tangled up with him.
Because of the explosion, she had been blasted out and instinctively wrapped her legs around Masata's waist to avoid falling.
"Eh?! You're the guy from the Sports Festival!"
Without realizing how awkward her position was, Hatsume lifted her head and shouted excitedly when she recognized him.
But even though she wasn't lying directly on him anymore…
There was still full contact.
She was only wearing a thin tank top.
With her legs tightly wrapped around his waist and her body pressed against him, Masata felt his self-control rapidly collapsing.
This situation was extremely dangerous.
Panicking, Masata carefully peeled Hatsume off himself.
Then he turned toward Chacha with an apologetic smile.
Chacha's expression, however, was completely shattered.
The innocent girl had been mentally attacked too many times today.
"Sorry about that explosion!" Hatsume said cheerfully. "It's been a while since I saw you! You're from the Hero Course, right? I forgot everyone's names~"
She was wearing work gloves, a tank top, and a jacket tied around her waist, giving her the appearance of a lively mechanic girl.
Masata decided not to engage too much.
Experience told him that talking to Hatsume only brought trouble.
"Power Loader-sensei," Masata said seriously, "we're here today to discuss improving a combat uniform."
Power Loader was cleaning up the mess left by the explosion.
"Combat suit modification? Come to me! I'm very interested!"
Before Masata could finish, Hatsume leaned over again enthusiastically.
"I heard from Eraserhead! It's for developing ultimate moves, right? Let's talk about it!"
Power Loader smiled kindly.
Even though he mainly focused on research, he had already heard about Masata's achievements.
"And you!" Power Loader pointed at Hatsume. "Since the dorm system started, you've been here every day. If you keep blowing things up, I'll ban you from the lab!"
Although he sounded strict, his tone was more helpless than angry.
It was obvious he both loved and feared Hatsume.
"This place is amazing…" Chacha whispered. "It's like a secret base!"
She kept looking around at the strange machines and inventions.
"Bring me your combat uniform manual," Power Loader said. "It should be in your equipment box. I'm licensed to modify it. After reading it, I'll help you as much as possible."
At U.A., students had incredible resources.
Outside, modifying a hero costume was expensive and required complex approval.
Here, it was routine.
"Actually, it's Uraraka Ochaco who needs the upgrade," Masata said modestly. "I'm just here with her."
"Yes!" Chacha nodded seriously.
"My Quirk is Zero Gravity, so I want jet devices that let me change direction in midair and improve my mobility!"
"Hm, I see!"
Hatsume suddenly appeared behind Chacha and wrapped her arms around her waist.
"Wow, your waist is so slim! And your muscles are well-trained. You must exercise a lot!"
Chacha froze instantly.
Her body stiffened, but since it was another girl, she didn't panic too much.
"Then try my baby!"
Hatsume excitedly pulled out a strange-looking wrist device from somewhere and prepared to attach it.
"Wait!!"
Masata rushed forward in panic.
They had just experienced an explosion!
If this thing malfunctioned, Chacha would get hurt!
"Power Loader-sensei, please! We're here for official upgrades!"
Just as Masata snatched the device away, the door suddenly opened.
"Excuse me! I'm also here for combat uniform improvements!"
Iida Tenya walked in neatly.
"Um?!"
Masata's eyes immediately lit up.
Iida…
Perfect timing.
So easy to use.