"What were you even going to say next? Something about villains doing good deeds?"
The mood Masata had just built up had been completely destroyed by the sudden appearance of that mysterious guy. The heat he'd finally worked up vanished in an instant.
Yaoyorozu was even more shaken. She still hadn't fully processed what had happened.
"That really was a face, right? It just… appeared in the wall?"
The scene had left a deep impression on her. In an isolated corner of the school at dusk, a human face emerging from a wall felt like something straight out of a horror film.
"I don't know which bored student it was," Masata said flatly. "Ignore that weirdo. If I see him again, I'll smash his face in."
Outwardly calm.
Internally bleeding.
The atmosphere had been perfect. A once-in-a-month opportunity. Everything had been lined up beautifully.
And then it was ruined.
That guy had to be a U.A. student. Sooner or later, Masata would find him.
And when he did, he'd learn exactly what an iron fist felt like.
It was getting late. Patrol robots were already moving through the campus.
If they stayed any longer, they'd be violating dorm regulations.
So the two lingered briefly under the moonlight before heading back.
Three Days Later
"Midoriya, why are you breathing like a steam engine?"
Midoriya returned to class one day earlier than Bakugo. He stood in the doorway, steam practically rising from his body, bowing deeply to everyone.
"I need to close the gap I lost during those three days!"
His voice was burning with determination.
Kirishima immediately rushed over and threw an arm around him.
"That's the spirit! I love that kind of motivation!"
He looked so fired up he was practically glowing, as if a rising red sun were shining behind him.
Masata watched the two of them and felt a chill.
The rest of the class offered encouraging looks, though Jiro's expression seemed slightly… peculiar.
Was she secretly enjoying this overly dramatic energy?
Before the laughter could settle, Aizawa-sensei entered.
He scanned the room, pausing briefly on Masata before speaking.
"Since Midoriya is back, we'll formally discuss off-campus activities."
"What's the difference between that and workplace internships?"
"I'll let those with direct experience explain."
He turned toward the door.
"They took time out of their schedules to be here."
"Even among U.A.'s third-years, they stand at the very top."
"The Big Three."
The classroom door slid open.
Three students in U.A. uniforms walked in.
Masata's eyes widened.
"…You."
It was the same guy from before.
The face in the wall.
Yaoyorozu also recognized him immediately. Their eyes met.
What a coincidence.
Masata restrained the urge to punch him on the spot.
There would be time later.
Meanwhile, the rest of Class A buzzed with excitement.
"So they really exist."
"I heard about them before!"
"I think I saw them at last year's Sports Festival."
"One of them is gorgeous!"
"But are they really that strong?"
Then someone muttered—
"If they're the strongest in the school… are they stronger than Masata?"
The room quieted.
That was a fair question.
After all, even teachers acknowledged Masata's overwhelming strength.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Masata leaned back in his chair, legs crossed.
His fists cracked audibly.
His chair rocked slightly.
The word "unhappy" was practically written across his face.
"Oh! It's you!"
One of the Big Three—an energetic senior with long, wavy blue hair—suddenly pointed at him excitedly.
"You're Igarashi Masata, right?! You're so cool!"
"Can your body really turn into magma?"
"Does it hurt?"
"Can you still see clearly in that form?"
"How do you fly?"
The barrage of questions came like machine-gun fire.
Before Masata could react, she had already rushed down from the podium and leaned in close.
"Tell me! I'm so curious!"
Cold sweat formed on his forehead.
Was she naturally like this?
Did her brain operate purely on curiosity?
"Ahem. Nejire. Calm down."
Aizawa's voice carried a faint strain of embarrassment.
"Introduce yourselves first. Tamaki, you start."
At the mention of his name, Tamaki Amajiki stepped forward.
Hands in his pockets.
Head lowered.
He hesitated.
The atmosphere shifted.
When he finally raised his head, a heavy presence filled the room.
The air seemed to tighten.
Class A felt it instantly.
It wasn't unfamiliar.
They'd felt similar pressure from All Might.
And from Masata.
But—
It wasn't on the same level.
"It's strong…"
"But not like Masata."
"Masata's presence can knock people out…"
Whispers resumed.
Tamaki faltered slightly.
His aura flickered under the comparison.
And then—
He opened his mouth to speak.