MHA Universe, Earth, Japan, Musutafu.
"These arrangements are really detailed." Akatsuki said while reading one of the documents Alfonzo took from Nezu's office earlier in the day. "I doubt my parents will even suspect anything is wrong when they read this."
"Neither will mine." Sakura added as she put down her copy of the document. "Whatever this [Dimensional Chat] is, it sure is thorough."
"I didn't really expect anything less." Alfonzo said with a smile while shaking his head lightly. "I mean, it froze an entire world just so T, James, Violet, Aletia, Shea, Tio, and...
Shizuku was the girl James took back with him, right? So, they could come back and complete the storyline."
"But why didn't they do that here?" Akatsuki asked. "Wouldn't that have been easier than making up a reason for us to disappear?"
"It's because the main antagonist is already dead." Tatsuo explained. "In the canon, AFO gave his [Quirk] to Shigaraki so that he could take over his body. But I'm betting that never happened here."
"Why not?" Sakura asked curiously.
"It's because of what happened at the end of the fight the other day." Alfonzo replied in a solemn tone. "Someone changed some shit in this timeline. Hell, they gave AFO a way to regain his strength in his prime whenever he wanted to. As egoistic as that guy is, do you really think he would jump through all those hoops if he didn't have to."
"Then, why did he raise Shigaraki?" Akatsuki asked.
"To hurt All Might." Tatsuo replied. "Regardless of anything, Shigaraki was his mentor's grandson. And knowing that he had been twisted like that would hurt All Might, no questions asked."
"I guess that makes sense." Akatsuki said with a slow nod.
"Anyway, there's no point in thinking about it." Alfonzo said with a grin. "That shit is above our pay grade. How the [Chat] does what it does is none of our concern. We just have to make the most of it."
"Alfonzo's right." Tatsuo said. "Besides, we have more important things to worry about right now, don't we?"
"Yes, we have to vote on the new member." Sakura replied while pulling her smartphone out of her skirt pocket. She then held it up for the other three to see. "Well then, shall we?"
Nodding in response, Tatsuo, Alfonzo, and Akatsuki each took out their own smartphones before navigating to the [Missions] tab and selecting [Mission #4]. Being the first mission Alfonzo, Akatsuki, and Sakura had ever been on, they did not notice anything out of the ordinary when they looked at the [Mission] description.
But Tatsuo, who was about to complete his fourth [Mission], noticed what was different immediately. As a result, he could not help raising an eyebrow in interest.
"That's about what I expected." Tatsuo muttered.
"What do you mean, Tatsuo-Kun?" Sakura asked curiously.
"There's an extra button on the [Mission] page." Tatsuo replied while pointing at the [Vote] button next to [Objective #6]. "That's never been there before."
"It wasn't there before we accepted the [Mission], either." Alfonzo added. "And I don't know about the rest of you, but I haven't looked at the [Mission] page since we got here. So, I don't know if it just showed up or has been there since the beginning."
"Neither have I." Akatsuki said while shrugging her shoulders.
"Neither have I." Sakura added while shaking her head.
"Something to check next time, then." Tatsuo said with a smile. "Anyway, let's get this over with. We'll still have to get whoever we decide on to agree after this, too."
"Ah... I didn't think about that part." Alfonzo muttered while scratching the side of his head. "How do you even get someone to believe something like that?"
"Don't ask me." Akatsuki replied while spreading her hands in a "what can you do" gesture. "I basically live in a fan fic world like this. So, I don't really need to be convinced."
"It shouldn't be that hard." Sakura said with a gentle smile. "Tatsuo-Kun and Lici-Chan convinced me easily enough."
"That's only because you would believe anything Tatsuo-Kun tells you without question." Akatsuki pointed out with a mischievous smile on her face.
Sakura did not respond to Akatsuki's teasing. Though, the way she blushed and looked away was enough of a response for everyone else.
"Anyway, we can figure that out later." Tatsuo said while stifling a bit of laughter. "For now, let's just start the vote."
With that, Tatsuo tapped the [Vote] button with Alfonzo, Akatsuki, and Sakura following shortly afterwards.
As soon as the last one tapped the [Vote] button, the world around them lost its color, the phenomenon exactly the same as when a [Mission] started.
"So, time froze." Alfonzo muttered while looking around. "Damn... I wish I could study this and make some kind of magic item that does the same thing, even if it's only a local time stop. But I can't even feel any magic power. There's no way I could study this."
"Something tells me that's by design." Akatsuki said while also looking around. "Everyone knows that messing with time is a bad idea, after all."
"I guess..." Alfonzo muttered, sounding disappointed.
"The others are starting to join the [Chat]." Sakura said, drawing everyone's attention back to the task at hand.
Scattered Cherry Blossoms Universe, Human World, Japan, Kyoto.
"Holy shit..." James muttered as he regained awareness in a frozen world. "This shit is eerie."
Looking around, James saw the other students in his class frozen in place either taking notes, whispering to classmates, or not paying attention to the professor at all. He even caught Flora, one of his girlfriends with her hand over her mouth trying to cover a huge yawn.
"Oh, I gotta get a picture of this." James said with a mischievous grin. "Flora's gonna be so confused. I bet she'll end up tearing her hair out trying to figure out how I could have taken a picture of this moment."
With mischief swirling in his eyes, James pulled his smartphone out of his pocket. However, before he could open the Camera App, he received a [Notification], both on his phone and in his head, about the [Vote].
"Ah! I forgot about that." James muttered. "I wonder how long they've been on the other side. At least, a year, I'd guess."
Deciding to jump into the [Dimensional Chat] instead of pranking Flora, James turned all his focus to his smartphone, sparing Flora from several nights of confusion.
TYPE-MOON Universe, Earth, United Kingdom, London.
"Interesting." Zelretch said while glancing at Illyasviel, Sella, and Leysritt, all of whom were frozen in time. "I've seen a lot in my long life. But a time-freeze on this scale is definitely something new. I wonder if Gaia and Alaya can even sense this."
A moment later, Zelretch tried to cast his [True Magic], the [Kaleidoscope]. However, just as he expected, he was unable to open any portals, whether to a different location in his current world or to a parallel world. Then, before he could try even more experiments with the frozen time, he received a [Notification].
"*Sigh* I suppose this is more important." Zelretch muttered in disappointment as he took out his smartphone.
ICDS Universe, Earth, Japan, Tokyo.
At the same time, two people, Violet and Aletia, also found themselves in a frozen world. However, unlike James and Zelretch, they knew exactly why this happened, as they were waiting for it before they were frozen in the first place.
"So, it's time to vote on the new member, huh?" Violet asked while looking around, smiling at Shea, who was fumbling with a glass she was about to drop before the time froze. "I wonder who they've decided to add. There are a lot of characters in the manga that I think would fit with our group."
"I hope it's not another woman." Aletia said quietly. "There is already too much competition."
Violet could only smile wryly as she looked down at the smartphone she never put away. Like the others, she was a bit put off by how many girls were interested in Tatsuo. Especially since she was his actual girlfriend. But she also knew that thanks to Tatsuo's draconic nature, he would never let go of anyone who caught his eye.
"We can only hope." Violet said while shaking her head as she opened the [Dimensional Chat].
Metal and Threads Universe, Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, Magnolia.
"This is trippy." Elicia muttered while looking at her sister-wives, Grayfia, who was pouring a cup of tea, and Amar'e crawling across the living room floor, all of whom were frozen in time. "It's just like when I left for TYPE-MOON a few months ago."
After looking around for a few moments, however, Elicia completely ignored the frozen time. Instead, she looked down at her lPhone with an excited expression on her face.
"I wonder who everyone wants to bring into the [Chat]." Elicia said excitedly as she navigated to the [Dimensional Chat]. "I hope they met Mirko. And if they did, Fonzie better nominate her, I really want to add a bunny girl to the chat. Dressing her up would be so much fun."
MHA Universe, Earth, Japan, Musutafu.
After noticing that everyone had joined the [Dimensional Chat], the voting process did not begin immediately. But that was too be expected, as those who did not go on the [Mission] were curious to know about everything that happened.
Naturally, Tatsuo, Alfonzo, Akatsuki, and Sakura had no problems explaining the events of the last year and a half from their perspective.
{[Dimensional Chat]
Zelretch: That is quite concerning
Zelretch: For someone to be targeting young Tatsuo, it means that someone knows we are traveling from world to world.
James: Well, it's not that weird that people know about world travel
James: But why would they be targeting you specifically, T?
Tatsuo (Admin): If I knew, I'd tell you
Tatsuo (Admin): But what I can tell you is that I don't like it
Tatsuo (Admin): I'm no one's prey
Alfonzo: Take it easy
Alfonzo: We don't like it either
Alfonzo: But there's no point in flipping shit right now
Lici: Fonzie's right
Lici: We need to gather information
Violet: I agree with Lici
Violet: Don't stress yourself out, Tatsuo-Kun
Tatsuo (Admin): Fine...
Tatsuo (Admin): I'll try
Aletia: I will protect you, Tatsuo
Tatsuo (Admin): Thanks, I appreciate it
Zelretch: We can discuss this more once the four of you return
Zelretch: For now, have you all decided on your nominations?
Alfonzo: I have
Tatsuo (Admin): Me, too
Akatsuki: Same here
Sakura: So, have I
Lici: then, who's going first?
Tatsuo (admin): I'll go first
Tatsuo (Admin): I chose Hatsume Mei
James: Not a bad choice, but why?
Tatsuo (Admin): Her ability to create gadgets and tools of all kinds
Violet: But we already have someone who can do that
Violet: Alfonzo-San is one of the best in that regard
Zelretch: An if we count you, young Tatsuo, we have two
Tatsuo (Admin): I guess that's true
Tatsuo (Admin): But neither Alfonzo nor I are as willing to test the boundaries when it comes to creation
Akatsuki: Most of your attempts don't end in horrific explosions, either
Tatsuo (Admin): Touché
Lici: Oh, I remember something about that
Lici: Was it really as bad as it seemed in the manga?
Sakura: So much worse
Akatsuki: but you never read the manga
Sakura: I don't see your point
Aletia: Makes no sense
Akatsuki: Sakura is just salty
Violet: Why?
Sakura: I just don't like her
Akatsuki: Because she said she wants to make babies with Tatsuo-Kun
Sakura: …
Lici: Oh, so she wants to make gear for Tatsuo, huh?
Lici: What's wrong with that?
Zelretch: I'm not sure how you got that from what Miss Akatsuki said
Alfonzo: It's just one of Hatsume's idiosyncrasies
Zelretch: Ah
Zelretch: I see
Akatsuki: Sakura-Chan understands that, too
Akatsuki: She's just being stubborn at this point
James: So, I guess that means Sakura won't be voting for Hatsume then
James: So, who did you pick, Sakura?
Sakura: Yaoyorozu Momo
James: Oh, a really good choice, actually
James: With her quirk, she could help Alfonzo and T with all sorts of materials
Akatsuki: Provided she could learn everything there is to know about them, anyway
James: Yeah, that could be a trade off
James: But when it comes to metals, I'm pretty sure Alfonzo could give her all the information she needs
Alfonzo: Tru
Violet: She sounds like a good choice, as James-San said
Violet: Are there any other reasons you chose her, Sakura-Chan?
Sakura: …
Sakura: Because she's nice and smart
Tatsuo (Admin): That she is
Tatsuo (Admin): She's got self-esteem problems, though
Zelretch: I'm sure we could help her with that given enough time
Violet: Zelretch -San is right
Aletia: Another girl?
Aletia: Grrr
Akatsuki: And you would be right to growl about this one, Aletia-San
Akatsuki: Yaomomo seemed to have a crush on Tatsuo-Kun, too
Akatsuki: I don't think she realized it herself, though
Aletia: Grrr
Violet: Who did you pick, Akatsuki-San?
Akatsuki: I chose Yaomomo, too
Akatsuki: Though, my reasons were a lot more utilitarian
Akatsuki: A lot like what James-San said, actually
Akatsuki: But I can't deny that Yaomomo's personality is good, too
Aletia: Grrr
Aletia: Alfonzo, did you pick a girl, too?
Alfonzo: Afraid so
Alfonzo: And she's obsessed with T, too
Aletia: Why?
Lici: Really?
Lici: Who is it? Who is it?
James: What other girls are in their class?
James: Jiro, Ashido, Asui, Uraraka, and Hagakure
James: But none of them seem like someone you would pick, Alfonzo
James: Wait! Don't tell me
James: Is it Ryukyu? Since she can turn into a dragon, she's probably obsessed with T, too
Alfonzo: Good guess
Alfonzo: But no
Alfonzo: Though, Ryukyu did end up with a crush on him, too
Alfonzo: But she's not areal dragon
Alfonzo: Can't even breathe fire
Lici: Quit stalling
Lici: Who did you pick
Lici: *Stare~~~~~~~~~*
Alfonzo: The only one you would approve of
Alfonzo: *Sigh*
Alfonzo: Usagiyama Rumi
Lici: Yes!!!!!!!!!!
Tatsuo (Admin): Ugh!
James: That battle junkie is obsessed with T?
James: Must be for a fight
Alfonzo: Yup
Alfonzo: Especially after she found out that he can turn into a half dragon
Alfonzo: She was hella pissed when she found out he was holding back against her
Tatsuo (Admin): If she challenges me again, I'm gonna transform this time
Akatsuki: Really?
Tatsuo (Admin): Yeah
Tatsuo (Admin): Right before I [Blink] her ass to Sydney
Sakura: Sydney?
Zelretch: Are you referring to the capital city of Australia?
Tatsuo (Admin): Damn right I am}
As each of the four members on the mission mentioned their nominations, a new name appeared in the corner of the [Chat]. Though, they ignored it until there was a lull in the conversation. But when they finally looked, the window looked like this.
{New Member Voting
Hatsume Mei - 2 Votes
Yaoyorozu Momo – 2 Votes
Usagiyama Rumi – 1 Vote}
{[Dimensional Chat]
Zelretch: It looks like the votes are private
Zelretch: Well, other than for the people that nominated them, anyway
Zelretch: and it looks like young Tatsuo's votes really do count for two
Zelretch: Just like the new instructions said
James: Good
James: They should be
James: Hey, T
James: As the admin, you can't see the votes, can you?
Tatsuo (Admin): No, I can't
Tatsuo (Admin): There's no option for that, anyway
Alfonzo: You don't have a ban hammer or anything, right?
Tatsuo (Admin): Nope
Alfonzo: Then, it doesn't matter
Alfonzo: Even if he can see who votes for who, he can't do anything about it
Alfonzo: Everyone put in your votes
Alfonzo: We'll still have to convince the one we pick to join}
With Alfonzo's urging, the voting finished quickly. And at the end, the voting window looked like this…
{New Member Voting
Hatsume Mei - 2 Votes
Yaoyorozu Momo – 5 Votes
Usagiyama Rumi – 3 Votes
Time Remaining: 5 Min 0 Sec}
{[Dimensional Chat]
Tatsuo (Admin): Seriously, none of you voted for Hatsume?
Lici: Why did only one of you vote for my bunny girl?
Aletia: Grrr
James: Sorry, but I think Momo would be the least problematic
James: I'm good without explosions or battle junkies, thank you very much
Alfonzo: So, I guess that's a no to Megumin if we get a mission in Konosuba, huh?
James: We have enough battle junkies as it is with me, Alfonzo, and T
James: Besides, I don't' have any more spots left in my peerage for Mirko
James: So, it's better that she doesn't join
Lici: It's not all about you, James!!!!!
Lici: I want a bunny girl, too!!!!
Zelretch: Well, the voting is done
Zelretch: Are there any more important matters to discuss?
Zelretch: Because if there are, we don't have much time
Alfonzo: Not that I can think of
Tatsuo (Admin): Not really
Tatsuo (admin): That's not enough time to figure out how to convince Yaoyorozu that we're not completely insane
Tatsuo (Admin): *Sigh* Why can't things be as easy as they were with Violet
Tatsuo (Admin): She believed me immediately
Violet: You know why 😳
James: Well, Akatsuki said she had a crush on T, right?
James: Then, just have him throw the D at her
James: Then, she'll definitely believe him
James: Boom!
James: Problem solved
Aletia: Absolutely not!
Violet: I'm not okay with that either
Sakura: James-San, don't make me drag you into the shadows
James: You mean, don't make you try
James: You're nowhere near strong enough to actually do it, after all
Zelretch: James, stop teasing the young ladies
Zelretch: As for the four of you
Zelretch: I'm sure you'll find a way
Zelretch: And if she refuses, you can just go with the second place option}
With Zelretch's last message, the [Chat] that was opened for voting closed immediately. Then, Violet, James, Elicia, Aletia, and Sakura were returned to the positions they were in before the voting began and once again frozen along with the time around them. At the same time, the time around Tatsuo, Alfonzo, Akatsuki, and Sakura unfroze.
"I'm definitely going to convince Yaoyorozu!" Tatsuo shouted with conviction. "I'm definitely not gonna deal with Mirko any more than I have to!"