After class ended, everyone headed to the locker room to change.
"It's been a while since I worked up this much sweat. Feels amazing."
Sero had already changed out of his combat uniform and was wiping the sweat from his body, clearly satisfied.
Thinking back to how poorly he had performed in the exercise, Kirishima Eijiro sighed helplessly.
"Mobility really is my weak point. I can only fight head-on."
"Then you'll need to compensate by gathering more information,"
Tokoyami Fumikage said calmly as he tightened his tie, offering a practical suggestion.
"Yeah, that way you won't be forced into a bad position," Kaminari Denki added.
"I seriously envy you and Sero. I don't have speed either—I still rely on voltage bursts to stun opponents."
"When you put it that way, Masata really is unfair," Kirishima said with a sigh as he put on his shoes.
"He's strong and fast. He was literally flying earlier… that's basically cheating!"
"The only downside is how destructive his Quirk is," someone added.
"But honestly, against villains, that's hardly a flaw."
"And don't forget—he's on good terms with, like, twenty-three girls!"
"That's the most unforgivable part!!!"
Hearing the discussion spiral wildly, Masata waved his hand helplessly.
"It's not that exaggerated. My Quirk has plenty of weaknesses—like insane energy consumption. I can't keep flying like that for long."
"And it burns through clothes ridiculously fast," he continued, his mood suddenly dropping.
"Plus, the way I fight…"
At that point, Masata fell into visible depression. Thinking back, he could probably count on one hand the number of times his clothes had survived a full battle intact.
"Hey! Come over here!"
Mineta suddenly whispered excitedly, desperately lowering his voice.
The strange tone immediately caught everyone's attention. Masata included.
"What is it?"
Masata, already changed, stood up and walked over.
"Look—look at this!" Mineta whispered feverishly.
"This is incredible! Absolute paradise! The Cave of Redemption itself! This must be the sacred legacy left behind by countless seniors' relentless efforts!"
He unfolded a piece of taped paper, revealing a tiny hole.
Masata's eyelid twitched.
"Do you know what's next door?" Mineta whispered, saliva practically dripping.
"That's right—the girls' locker room!"
Standing on tiptoe, Mineta eagerly tried to press his face closer to the hole.
Turns out no matter how hard one tries, paradise remains just out of reach.
"PUT ME DOWN, MASATA!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Masata had grabbed Mineta by the collar and lifted him clean off the ground.
"I swear," Masata sighed,
"is there anything in your head besides questionable fluids? You're seriously embarrassing."
"Even if I didn't stop you," Masata continued calmly,
"do you really think the girls in our class are pushovers? If you went through with this, you wouldn't survive the rest of your school life."
To be honest, Masata felt a tiny bit tempted himself—but absolutely not in front of everyone.
And if someone really wanted to look… going home would be far safer. Ahem.
As he spoke, Masata pressed a finger over the tiny hole.
A small drop of low-temperature magma seeped from between his fingers, sealing it shut.
At the same time, Todoroki released a faint chill, instantly cooling and solidifying the magma.
Mineta's last shred of hope was erased completely.
"…You monsters…"
The now-defeated Mineta stared into the void, questioning his existence.
Nearby, Midoriya Izuku looked conflicted, as if something was on his mind. After hesitating briefly, he quietly left the locker room.
Curious, Masata followed.
Next Door — The Girls' Locker Room
"So gross."
Jiro, with her exceptional hearing, had already noticed Mineta's earlier attempt and was fully prepared to teach him a harsh lesson—only to discover Masata had handled it first.
"But Masata really is dependable,"
Asui said casually, delivering yet another line capable of making hearts explode.
"No wonder Yaoyorozu likes him so much."
Yaoyorozu, who had just finished zipping her uniform, instantly turned red.
Her hand slipped, and the zipper nearly came back down in panic.
Even though their relationship was already very close—almost obvious—being called out so directly still made her unbearably shy.
Uraraka was in even worse shape.
Her fair face turned bright red, steam practically rising from her forehead as she froze in place like an overheated kettle.
Meanwhile, Masata followed Midoriya into a quiet lounge.
"This looks like the room All Might usually uses," Masata thought.
"So he really is planning a private lesson for his successor."
Masata wasn't particularly curious. Teacher and student having a serious talk was normal.
But perhaps his footsteps were too loud—the door suddenly opened, and Midoriya peeked out.
"Huh? Masata?"
Midoriya looked confused when he saw him in the hallway.
"Yo."
Masata waved.
"PFFT—!"
Skinny All Might heard Masata's name and nearly coughed up blood on the spot, immediately dragging him inside.
"Since you're here, you might as well listen too."
"Listen to what?" Masata protested.
"Whatever secret mentor talk you're having, don't drag me in. I'm starving."
On one side: delicious food and Yaoyorozu.
On the other: a secret conversation between a bleeding mentor and his successor.
The choice was obvious.
Seeing Masata's increasingly suspicious expression, All Might quickly leaned in and whispered:
"I've decided to tell Midoriya about All For One."
Masata froze.
This was serious.
He immediately sat down.
Eventually, All Might explained the full connection between One For All and All For One to Midoriya Izuku.
Midoriya accepted the truth with determination, promising to live up to All Might's trust.
Hearing that name again, Masata quietly clenched his fist.
He had grown much stronger since the Sports Festival—but he still knew he wasn't ready to face All For One.
He didn't mention his own past encounter.
Some truths were better kept known by fewer people.
You want my Quirk, All For One?
I'll settle that score with you—eventually.
...
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