The final bell rang, signaling the end of classes for the day. I gathered my notebooks, sliding them into my bag as the classroom erupted into the usual end-of-day chaos. Most students rushed out, eager to start their afternoon activities or simply head home. I took my time, reviewing my internship paperwork one last time before tucking it away.
"Later, Midoriya!" Kirishima called, flashing a sharp-toothed grin as he and Bakugo headed for the door.
Bakugo didn't look back, just raised a hand in a half-hearted wave. "See ya, nerd."
As I zipped my bag, a shadow fell across my desk. Manga Fukidashi stood there, his speech-bubble head displaying a cartoonish exclamation point that morphed into a friendly smile.
"Got a sec, Midoriya?" he asked.
"Sure, what's up?"
Manga leaned in, lowering his voice despite the mostly empty classroom. "Some of us are setting up a guys' group chat. Kirishima's idea." His speech bubble briefly displayed a muscular arm emoji. "We heard about Iida's brother getting attacked by that Hero Killer villain."
"How's he doing?" I asked, keeping my voice low. The only text I got from him is that he's doing okay and his brother will live.
"Not great," Manga replied, his speech bubble displaying a sad face. "Kaminari got a text from him yesterday. His brother's stable but..." He trailed off, the speech bubble showing an image of a wheelchair.
I nodded, understanding the unspoken message. "So what's the plan?"
"We want to do something when he gets back. Something to lift his spirits, you know?" Manga's enthusiasm returned, his speech bubble cycling through party emojis. "Guys' night, maybe? Play games, eat too much junk food, normal stuff to take his mind off everything."
"That's a great idea," I said, genuinely impressed by the thoughtfulness. "We could do something Friday night if he's back by then. My place is too small, but maybe we could rent a room."
"Perfect!" Manga's speech bubble displayed a thumbs-up. "I'll add you to the chat. We'll figure out the details there."
"Sounds good."
He gave me a quick wave before bouncing toward the door, his speech bubble displaying "LATER" in bold comic font.
As I slung my bag over my shoulder and turned to leave, I realized I wasn't as alone as I'd thought. Three pairs of eyes watched me from different points in the room. Camie leaned against the window, golden hair catching the afternoon sunlight. Momo sat primly at her desk behind me, having apparently paused in organizing her notes. Hitomi stood near the door, mismatched eyes unblinking.
They formed a perfect triangle around me.
"Uh, hey," I said, glancing between them. "Did we have a meeting I forgot about?"
None of them answered immediately. Instead, they exchanged a look—the kind of silent communication that made my survival instincts prickle.
"I should probably get going," I said, taking a careful step toward the door. "I have that thing with Recovery Girl about my quirk."
"Right," Camie said, pushing off from the window. "The quirk check-up."
"Very important," Momo added, closing her notebook.
"Can't miss it," Hitomi agreed, still blocking the doorway.
I looked between them again, trying to decode their behavior. Their body language wasn't hostile, but there was an intensity to their focus that made me nervous. Were they angry? Upset? Had I done something wrong?
Wait.
All three were looking at me with similar expressions—expectant, maybe even a little demanding. They wanted something from me before I left, something they all agreed on despite their different personalities.
A goodbye kiss?
I had kissed Momo in the library earlier. Hitomi and I had our moment after our date. And Camie and I were already dating. Was this some kind of... girlfriend protocol I didn't know about?
Before I could test this theory, a familiar voice bellowed from the hallway.
"MR. TEN MILLION!"
The classroom door slammed open. Mei Hatsume burst into the room, pink dreadlocks bouncing wildly, yellow crosshair eyes scanning the room before locking onto me.
"There you are!" she exclaimed, bounding toward me with the energy of a caffeinated cheetah. "I've been looking everywhere!"
"Mei," I said, feeling oddly relieved by the interruption. "What's up?"
"You promised!" She jabbed a finger into my chest, leaving a small grease stain on my uniform. "During the Sports Festival, remember? You promised to let me scan you for my babies!"
Shit, I forgot.
During the Fortress Challenge, Mei had cornered me with her portable scanner and strange enthusiasm for my muscle density. I'd promised to help with her inventions after the festival.
"Right," I said, noting how all three of my... girlfriends? Were they officially that now? All three had shifted closer, watching this exchange with varying degrees of suspicion. "I did promise that."
Mei beamed, her entire face lighting up. "Great! I'm in the development studio until nine tonight. Power Loader lets me stay late as long as I clean up after. You'll come, right? Today? Now?"
I glanced at the clock. "I have an appointment first, but I could come by after."
"Perfect!" Mei grabbed my arm. "I've got so many ideas for you! And you need a new hero suit for your internship, right?"
"I'll come by after my appointment," I promised. "Maybe around five?"
"I'll be ready!" She released my arm and spun toward the door, nearly colliding with Hitomi, who'd remained silent throughout this exchange. "Sorry, Half-and-Half! Didn't see you there!"
Before Hitomi could respond, Mei had disappeared down the hallway, leaving behind the faint smell of motor oil and energy drinks.
I turned back to find all three girls still watching me, their expressions now tinged with amusement.
"So," Camie drawled, a smile playing at her lips. "You're helping Hatsume with her 'babies'?"
"You know that means her inventions."
"Mhm." Camie approached. When she reached me, she rose onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to my lips. "Don't forget about me while you're playing mad scientist."
"You know I could never forget you."
She sauntered toward the door, throwing a wink over her shoulder before disappearing into the hallway.
I turned to find Momo and Hitomi still watching me.
"I should really get going," I said, gesturing vaguely toward the nurse's office.
Momo nodded, gathering her things. As she passed, she paused beside me. "Be careful with Hatsume-san," she said quietly. "Her enthusiasm can be... overwhelming."
"I've noticed," I replied dryly.
She smiled, then leaned in and pressed a quick, soft kiss to my lips. "I'll see you tomorrow," she whispered, then continued toward the door, her cheeks flushed pink.
Which left Hitomi, still standing by the door, her mismatched eyes unreadable.
"Aren't you going to kiss me too?" I asked, only half-joking.
She raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you want?"
"Maybe."
She approached slowly. Unlike the others, Hitomi never rushed. Every action was deliberate, controlled. When she reached me, she studied my face for a long moment.
"You're enjoying this," she observed.
"A little," I admitted.
She reached up, her cool fingertips brushing my jaw. "Of course you are."
Before I could respond, she leaned in and pressed her lips to mine. Unlike Momo's gentle kiss or Camie's playful affection, Hitomi's kiss was intense, almost challenging. Her hand slid to the back of my neck, holding me in place as her lips moved against mine with surprising heat.
I put my hands on her lower back, deepening the kiss.
When she pulled away, her eyes had darkened slightly, the ice in them melting into something warmer.
"Don't be late for your appointment," she said, her voice slightly rougher than usual. Then she turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the classroom, feeling like I'd just survived some kind of beautiful natural disaster.
Recovery Girl's office smelled of antiseptic and candy, a combination that shouldn't have worked but somehow did. I knocked on the open door, finding Recovery Girl at her desk reviewing charts. All Might sat nearby in his true form, looking even more skeletal than usual under the harsh medical lighting.
"Ah, Young Midoriya!" All Might's sunken eyes brightened at the sight of me. "Right on time."
"Sorry if I'm a little late," I said, closing the door behind me. "I got... held up."
Recovery Girl peered at me over her glasses. "By those three young ladies I keep seeing you with? My, my, Midoriya-kun, you've been busy."
"Leave the boy alone, Chiyo," All Might chuckled, then immediately coughed, wiping a trace of blood from his mouth. "We're here to test One For All, not his love life."
Recovery Girl snorted but dropped the subject, gesturing for me to sit on the examination table. "How have you been feeling since the coma? Any unusual symptoms?"
I considered the question carefully. "I've felt more energetic, definitely. Like I've got this constant current running just under my skin." I flexed my fingers. "It's not unpleasant, just... different."
"Have you tried accessing it yet?" Recovery Girl asked, pulling out a stethoscope.
"Not at all. You told me not to and I always listen to you Recovery Girl."
"Mhm," Recovery Girl mused, placing the stethoscope against my chest. "Breathe normally," she instructed, listening to my heart. After a moment, she moved the stethoscope to different points on my chest and back. "Your heartbeat is stronger than average, but steady. No arrhythmias or murmurs."
She stepped back, making a note on her chart. "Let's see you activate it."
I nodded, closing my eyes. I reached for that current I'd been feeling, that steady hum of energy beneath my skin. It responded immediately, rising to meet my call like an eager pet. I focused on containing it, letting just a small fraction of the power flow through me.
When I opened my eyes, green electricity crackled across my skin. The power felt warm and familiar, like greeting an old friend.
"Fascinating," Recovery Girl murmured, making more notes.
All Might nodded, his sunken eyes studying me intently. "One For All adapts to each vessel. For me, it was raw power without much visible manifestation."
"How does it feel?" Recovery Girl asked, watching the green lightning dance across my skin.
"Good," I replied honestly. "Natural, even at this low level. Like I've always had it."
"Try increasing it," All Might suggested. "Gradually."
I nodded, focusing on the flow of energy. I let it increase slowly, from two percent to three, then four. The green electricity intensified, crackling more visibly across my skin. My muscles felt charged, ready for action, but there was no pain or discomfort.
"Five percent," I said, pushing the power a little further.
That's when I felt it—a strange tingling sensation, like pins and needles but sharper. It reminded me of when my arm fell asleep and I tried to wake it up—that staticky, numbing pain that wasn't quite pain but definitely wasn't pleasant.
"There's some discomfort at five percent," I reported, maintaining the level despite the sensation. "Like static electricity under my skin."
"Try six percent," All Might urged. "Just briefly. We need to know your threshold."
I pushed a little further, and the static sensation intensified, becoming genuinely painful. The green lightning crackled more erratically, and I felt my control slipping.
"That's enough," I said, immediately dropping back to two percent, then releasing the power entirely. The green lightning faded, leaving me feeling slightly winded but otherwise fine.
"Six percent is definitely beyond my comfortable range right now," I concluded, rolling my shoulders. "Five percent is manageable but uncomfortable. Two to four percent feels natural."
All Might nodded, a proud smile stretching across his gaunt face. "That's excellent progress, my boy!"
"It's better than I thought it would be." Recovery Girl muttered, checking my vitals again. "Your training with Bang-san must be the cause."
"So I should stick to around four percent for now?" I asked.
"For extended use, yes," All Might agreed. "You can push to five percent for brief periods when necessary, but don't exceed that until your body adapts further."
Recovery Girl finished her examination, stepping back with a satisfied nod. "Everything looks good, Midoriya-kun. Your body is handling the power remarkably well. Just remember to listen to your limits and don't push too hard too fast."
"I won't," I promised.
"Good," she said, patting my knee. "Now, about those girls—"
"And that's my cue to leave," I said, standing quickly. "I promised Hatsume I'd help with her support items."
All Might chuckled, the sound rattling in his hollow chest. "Run while you can, my boy. Recovery Girl's relationship advice is not for the faint of heart."
"Hmph," Recovery Girl snorted. "As if you know anything about relationships, Toshinori."
I escaped while they bickered, heading toward the support department with a spring in my step.
The support department workshop was easy to find—I just followed the sound of explosions and maniacal laughter. The door was propped open with what looked like a partially disassembled robot arm, and the air smelled of metal, grease, and something vaguely electrical.
"Hatsume?" I called, peering into the workshop.
"MR. TEN MILLION!" Her voice echoed from somewhere in the back. "Come in! Watch your step! Ignore the fire!"
Fire?
I stepped carefully into the workshop, navigating around piles of mysterious mechanical components and half-finished inventions. True to her word, a small fire burned merrily in a metal trash can, apparently unattended.
"Should we put that out?" I asked, pointing to the flames.
"Nah, it's a controlled burn," Hatsume replied, emerging from behind a massive 3D printer. Her pink dreadlocks were tied back in a messy bun, and she wore oversized goggles pushed up on her forehead. Grease stains covered her hands and face, and her UA uniform had been replaced by overalls covered in pockets and tool loops. "Testing flame-retardant materials. If it spreads beyond the can, then we panic."
That was... not reassuring.
"So," she continued, "you kept your promise! Most people don't, you know. They say, 'Sure, Hatsume, I'll let you scan my muscle density,' but then they never show up." She pulled a device from one of her many pockets—a small handheld scanner with blinking lights and a digital readout. "Hold still!"
Before I could respond, she was running the scanner over my arm, her crosshair eyes widening with delight as numbers appeared on the screen.
"Amazing!" she exclaimed. "Your muscle density is off the charts! And these energy readings..." She adjusted something on the scanner, frowning slightly. "That's weird. There's an underlying energy signature that wasn't there during the Sports Festival. Did you change your diet? Start a new workout regimen? Expose yourself to experimental gamma radiation?"
I blinked. "Uh, no to the radiation. But I've been training hard."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously but didn't press the issue. Instead, she grabbed my hand and dragged me deeper into the workshop.
"Come on! I've got so many ideas for your new suit! You seem to specialize in mobile urban combat, so you'll need something flexible but durable. Plus, I've been developing this new impact-absorption material that would be perfect for your fighting style!"
She led me to a workbench covered in sketches and material samples. Despite the chaotic appearance, I could see a method to her madness—the designs were organized by body part, with notes about material properties and functionality scribbled in the margins.
"These are impressive," I said, genuinely surprised by the level of detail. "You've clearly put a lot of thought into this."
Hatsume beamed, her entire face lighting up. "Of course! My babies deserve the best design work! Now, strip!"