It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Well, maybe that was an over-exaggeration, given how often he'd done something like this by now. But since the company was one of the biggest in Japan, it was possible the description was apt after all.

Kei was a volunteer at the Grand Design Tech Expo. The very same one hosted by world-renowned Sovereign Technologies.

Yes, he was aware of the scandal surrounding the company. It couldn't even be called a scandal really, someone died. Two known figures in fact, and the woman who was meant to take over was the cause of the second death. The average person would probably not want to work for a place with such a dark history. Kei wasn't superstitious though. For all the omens Sovereign Technologies had, the fact that the person involved was no longer associated with the company was enough for him to add his name to the list of people who could help with the event.

So the sophomore was at the venue manning a booth. He'd pat himself on the back for how well he was answering the attendees' questions on the product on his display if he wasn't, you know, answering their questions. He was only slightly overwhelmed but that was a given in a space filled with lots of bodies and talking.

The noise around him grew quiet at one point though, which struck Kei as odd. He became more alert when the group he was speaking with moved away, voices hushed as he struggled to listen to their reason for leaving. It wasn't until a shadow was cast over him that he turned his head upward.

Standing before him was Kushiki Kioko herself, ex-future head of the company and said person who caused the second death. Which was her own brother by the way.

God. Maybe he should believe that bad luck was a thing.

Kei might've been openly staring at the woman before him. How could he not really? Even if she didn't kill anyone she still held such an imposing presence that the UAU student was on the verge of just running away. But she asked a question and he was obligated to answer as a volunteer helper should.

Of course he belatedly realized she spoke at all, so his initial greeting was high-pitched. "Kushiki-san, welcome! It's an honour to see you here!" Was it really? Probably not, but her previous status was all he could remember as he overdid his bow to the ex-heiress.

He awkwardly coughed before gesturing to the device in question and let rehearsed lines take the wheel. "This is the Highly Versatile Engineer, or HIVE for short. 3D printers are nothin' new but the innovation with this one is in its efficiency. Even as a prototype it's capable of creatin' parts out of any material fast, while the machine itself fits in a small space and is light enough to carry." As he spoke he would point at the measurements outlined on the table and even lift the device with one hand to show off its weight. And also the cable that kept it attached to the booth should anyone try and fail to nab the thing.

With no means of escape - yes, he checked - all Kei could do was continue with a strained smile. "Would you like a demonstration of the printin' process?"

Kushiki Kioko

It only took a number of cute images that reached the hundreds, several articles and detailed instructions on how to care for an animal and nearly three years of easing Kei into the idea but Yaoyao had finally done the impossible.

She convinced him that they should get a bird.

It wasn't like Kei didn't like animals. If anything it was the opposite. He loved how cute dogs and cats were and would pet them at every opportunity. Penguins were his favourite animal, outlined by how often his girlfriend would add them to his lunch somehow.

It's just that he didn't have a pet before. His family never had the time nor resources to care for one, so the idea of it when it was first brought up was overwhelming. Hours dedicated to looking after the critter, whatever it may be, costs of visits to the vet should it get sick, the amount of money they'd have to spend on food, furniture, cleaning supplies, toys - it all seemed so much to manage just to have one little guy in your life.

But in the end the pros outweighed the cons and they did have some more time now that university's class hours were more flexible than high school. Yaoyao's involvement in the care for their future pet also soothed him immensely.

Which was ironic because he wasn't walking with her right now.

Kei was taking the bus to the pet store alone, as Yaoyao apparently had a surprise so she'll meet him there. He had no idea what it could be as he assumed they would just buy everything they needed once they got to the store. Maybe she had a list of different bird species they could look at? Why would that warrant a surprise though?

It wasn't until he turned after he heard his pet name that he noticed his girlfriend waving at him while atop her - wait was that a motorcycle?

His smile was bright as he made his way towards her, nearly bumping into pedestrians on his way there but for once he didn't care, not enough to do more than throw sorry's out as an afterthought. The height difference would force him to lean on the bike to tiptoe and give her a peck on the cheek. "Hi Yaoyao! Hey Lili- I wasn't waitin' long at all, I just got off the bus a few minutes ago."

Once his footing was stable again, he walked around Yaoyao's ride, eyes practically sparkling with how mesmerized he was by its craftsmanship. "Wow, this looks amazin'- where did you get this?"

𝕐 + 𝕐

"Oh really? Sure, I can see what ideas you got!" Kei was honed in on the prospect of a new project almost immediately. Working on it was the least he could do for the guy since he offered to help clean up the place.

And he was doing that so fast too. As soon as Kei said that soap and water was enough (that was what the creators told him at least; he hoped they were right so they had a chance at washing it off themselves), the freshman had become a blur, working faster than even the drones at mopping the floors. He tried to make sense of what's going on until the guy just answered that question for him. "Time Quirk? Oh wow, that's so cool!"

Satisfied with that mystery solved (and because it was getting too difficult to keep track of him), the support student turned to the drafts laid out on the table as Farrin worked, nodding at his explanation as cross-shaped eyes hovered over the notes. "Yeah, would make sense to keep the firin' power low since you could just up their speed with your Quirk, so we'll focus on keepin' it all compact." Kei smoothed out the corner of a sheet that was curling over. "I did make a prototype firearm that could switch between different ammo, I could reuse that mechanism here."

He read over the notes on bullet types, shifting his toothpick in thought. "Stun bullets, freezin' bullets... could even add some trackers in case you're at risk of losin' someone." Another laugh escaped him at the mention of adhesives and he gestured to the room they're in again. "I could ask 'em if they could lend this stuff for the project, they owe you for helpin' them out while they're away."

Farrin

It's come a long way. A project Kei had been spending time on for the latter half of his freshman year into his second year in UAU, when he had the chance to amidst all the assignments and requests he received from future heroes for their gear. Which seemed to be little time with how simple his creation was.

It was four arms. No, really. Four metal arms that would deploy from a pack to be worn on his back, used to multi-task and reach for things that he himself could not. And... well. He wasn't exactly the tallest guy around. So there were many things out of his reach that would make the extended arms very useful.

Kei was currently testing their finesse by having each pair solve a Rubik's cube when he heard someone not far from him. Tilting his head, he eyed the boots curiously. "I dunno, it doesn't look that bad..."

Realizing what he just said, he raised his arms in panic. "Oh- I didn't mean to overhear sorry!"

Miroru

He made things worse somehow.

Kei didn't know how it happened, or even why, but he was misunderstood again, assumed to be generalizing the intelligence of the freshmen this time. God, did she actually think he thought they were lesser for being first years? He had to fix that but how could he without making an even bigger mess of himself?

Even if he didn't have a plan he tried to speak again, only for the mic to be taken from him by... a munchkin? Wait that's rude- a student! One of several in fact, some wearing a bear costume. Bongo right? The guy who made clones, which if you think about it was very convenient for being a tour guide.

Honestly the smaller sophomore was much better at motivating the audience that Kei was, so he let him take the lead, backing away from the podium as quietly as he could. Even Ana took the stage again, grabbing the microphone - and Bongo in the process - to speak to the student who kept calling him out for a reason he didn't know. Direct and blunt as ever, and the last part was definitely uncalled for, but for the rest she spoke the truth.

Sometimes he wondered if he'd have less problems if he held the same mindset.

Kei took his position with the other sophomores again, giving a thumbs up to one of the Bongos there. He couldn't tell them apart but he was pretty sure they were all independent and had to relay information to each other. "Hey, can you thank the you that's speakin' for me? He's killin' it out there!"

Then there was the girl who chose not to speak to the freshmen at all. He couldn't help but whisper. "Honestly, good decision not goin' up there. I didn't think I was gonna get singled out like that."

Zahra Poetri Ana Borovsky Bingoyashi Bongosu aneko

The answer got Kei to tilt his head. "No pictures?" Even he had a few for his family and girlfriend, already framed as he had been in the dorms the year prior. The titan would be right that he would ask about it out of curiosity more than anything, but he was distracted by the weight of the guy's arm around his shoulder and a camera on his face. "Oh! Roomies??" Whatever picture was taken would have Kei with a shaky smile at best, unsure expression at worst. He wasn't the most photogenic person.

But you know, at least he had a peace sign too!

Though he couldn't help the relief he felt at the train reaching their stop, prompting the photos to end for the time being. Kei let the other student lead as he followed him out. "I drink tea and hot cocoa a lot, so not havin' to go outside to keep 'em warm while I study is really useful especially in the winter months." He recalled a time in December when there was an actual line for the microwave. Eugh. "I like soda the most though! But you're right, chocolate milk's amazin'."

And just like that they're in the building. While Zenkai manned the cart, Kei would take a pamphlet from the information stand so they had a map of the place. He traced a line from kitchen to bedroom and storage to workspace with his finger so the other student could see; areas they needed to visit today. "Mug warmer-" Eyes moved from the map to the appliance in question and he smiled.

Two mug warmers placed in the cart later, Kei looked up at the titan with curious eyes. "Matching aprons? I don't cook that often honestly, do you?"

Zenkai Hatake