The phone rang twice before a deep, familiar voice answered.
"Mei? It's late. Everything okay?"
Mei took a breath. "Hi, Uncle Jian. I… need your help."
Her uncle chuckled. "Homework? Moving furniture? What is it this time?"
She hesitated. "I want you to teach me how to weld."
Silence.
"...Weld?" Jian repeated, his tone sharp with disbelief. "You? Mei, you never liked machines. You cried when I tried to get you to hold a drill when you were fifteen!"
Mei winced, remembering. "I know, but this is different. I'm working on a project, and I want to build something… something special. Out of metal."
"You're serious?"
"As serious as I've ever been." Her voice trembled, but her eyes shone with determination. "Please, Uncle Jian. I need to learn."
There was another pause. She could almost hear him rubbing his forehead on the other end of the line.
Finally, he sighed. "You're really your father's daughter. Once you set your mind on something, no one can stop you."
Mei grinned, relief washing over her. "So you'll help?"
"You'll regret it when the sparks fly at your face," he grumbled. But then his voice softened. "Alright. I'll teach you. Come to the workshop this weekend. Wear old clothes—and don't even think about painting your nails before."
Mei laughed, her chest light. "Got it. Thanks, Uncle."
"Don't thank me yet. Welding's not a game. It's hot, it's dangerous, and it'll test your patience more than any sewing machine."
"I can handle it."
He chuckled again, this time with pride. "That's what I like to hear. See you Saturday, Little Flame."
---
When she hung up, Mei sat on the edge of her bed, buzzing with excitement. Welding. Metal. Sparks. This was a whole new world—terrifying, yes, but thrilling.
Hana peeked in from the kitchen, holding a soda. "So? What did he say?"
Mei's smile stretched wide. "He said yes."
Hana groaned. "Oh no. You're actually doing this."
Mei grabbed her notepad, flipping to a fresh page. She sketched a quick outline of Glamrock Roxanne's armor plates, her strokes firm and certain.
"This is happening," she whispered, more to herself than Hana. "This time, I'm not just stitching fabric. I'm forging metal."
And for the first time, she truly felt like she was standing on the edge of something extraordinary.