In a building far from the public eye, deep within the innermost room at the end of a long corridor—
"Any recent news about that kid?"
A man reclined in a massive chair, his entire body wrapped in countless tubes. His face was hidden, his voice distorted as it emerged from the mask.
"I heard from the scouts that he's been extremely active lately,"
said a middle-aged man in a white lab coat, his back turned as he gently shook a vial of unknown liquid.
"Not only did he destroy the doctor's underground base, he also personally captured the infamous Hero Killer."
"Hmph."
A faint chuckle escaped the faceless man.
"I hope that boy continues to surprise me. Being able to escape from right under my nose and grow this fast… that's truly interesting."
This man was All For One.
Even while undergoing body maintenance, he remained fully informed of Igarashi Masata's movements through other channels.
"And this time, it seems he ruined Shigaraki's plan again," the man in the lab coat added.
"I heard Shigaraki threw another tantrum. Poor Kurogiri had to deal with it."
"All the better," All For One replied calmly.
"Letting him suffer a setback or two isn't a bad thing."
A smile curved beneath the mask.
"Enough of that. How is the data analysis from the doctor?"
At those words, the scientist's hand trembled slightly—whether from excitement or admiration was unclear.
"I have to say, the doctor truly was a genius," he said reverently.
"Artificially fusing animal genes into the human body isn't just modification—it's practically creating an additional Quirk out of nothing."
"I've studied his research carefully. Standing on the shoulders of predecessors makes all the difference."
"Judging from the Hero Killer's performance a few days ago, although there are side effects, the issue of physical collapse has been largely resolved."
All For One's smile deepened.
"Then the next step will be testing with Nomu. I look forward to the results."
Low, chilling laughter echoed throughout the empty chamber.
"Well then,"
Aizawa Shouta said casually during the homeroom meeting, flipping through his lesson plan,
"summer vacation is approaching, but U.A. has no intention of letting you relax for a full month."
"…So?"
The students instantly sensed danger.
Masata alone remained unfazed. He had long since grown immune to Aizawa's emotionally lethal delivery.
"So," Aizawa continued,
"this summer, you'll be participating in a forest training camp."
"I knew it! Long live summer!"
Ashido Mina was the first to leap up, eyes shining. Living together during student days was the kind of memory that lasted a lifetime.
"Courage tests!"
"Fireworks!"
"Curry?"
"Mixed bathing!!!"
An extremely unwelcome shout echoed through the classroom.
Needless to say—it was Mineta.
Masata had been momentarily imagining Yaoyorozu in a bathrobe when Mineta's voice shattered the fantasy.
Is he trying to die?
Masata froze. Saying something like that in front of so many girls required either courage… or a complete lack of survival instinct.
As expected, every girl in the class glared at Mineta with lethal intensity.
If Mineta had once been a thorn in their eyes, he had now evolved into something far worse.
It seemed his record of never holding a girl's hand would be extended by at least another three years.
"But—"
Aizawa deliberately dragged out the word.
"If anyone fails to meet the passing line in the final exams, you'll stay behind for hell-mode remedial classes."
The room fell silent instantly.
Aizawa's lips curled upward ever so slightly.
"Do your best."
He turned and walked out—then suddenly stopped, stepped back in, and added:
"This afternoon, we'll be holding an in-class competition as preparation for the finals. Be mentally prepared."
With that, he left for real.
"Let's study hard together!!"
Kirishima clenched his fist nervously. He really didn't want summer school.
"Tch. That dead-fish-eyed teacher is just scaring us again,"
Masata said lazily, leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed, completely relaxed.
Seeing this, Yaoyorozu immediately stood up and strode over.
"Ow—ow!!"
Masata yelped as his ear was grabbed mercilessly.
"Listen carefully," Yaoyorozu said seriously.
"If you don't make it into the top ten in the finals, don't even think about sleeping in a bed for an entire month."
The classroom froze.
"…WHAT?!"
Mineta's eyes instantly filled with tears—bloodshot tears.
"Masata, you bastard!" Kaminari shouted.
"You've already crossed into the adult world!!"
The girls were all blushing now. Uraraka looked particularly confused.
Had Masata and Yaoyorozu really been living together this whole time?
Since before high school?
Uraraka's brain struggled to process it.
Are city people really this open…?
Only then did Yaoyorozu realize how badly her words had come out.
She had only meant forcing Masata to sleep on the sofa—but it sounded far more intimate.
Even after explaining that they were just childhood friends with a close, pure relationship, the class remained skeptical.
During the break, Masata quietly approached Yaoyorozu.
"What if I make the top ten," he whispered near her ear,
"can I get a kiss as a reward?"
His warm breath brushed against her skin.
Yaoyorozu's face flushed instantly. She turned away shyly, twisting slightly.
Masata sighed inwardly, disappointed.
Living together and still no kiss… I'm really letting down my fellow men.
Just as he was about to walk away—
"If… if you really want one,"
Yaoyorozu murmured softly, barely audible,
"it's not impossible."
"But only if you make the top ten."
Masata's world instantly brightened.