Just as she was deeply focused, All Might, standing behind her, cleared his throat lightly and said, "Melissa, it's time to go."
Melissa snapped back to reality. "Oh, sorry! I got a little carried away. Ezaki Kitazawa's hero suit design is a bit unusual."
"That's normal. To be honest, I wouldn't really call this a hero suit. It's just designed for my own convenience," Ezaki Kitazawa explained.
Most people's hero suits served as support gear or enhanced their Quirks, but Ezaki Kitazawa didn't need mechanical help to strengthen himself.
Melissa was surprised. "Let's talk about this later! For now, let's hurry to the lab and surprise my dad!"
She started jogging ahead but quickly turned back to call out, "Uncle Might, this way!"
—
At a certain building—
"Dad!"
The lab door opened, and Melissa quickly walked in.
At that moment, David had just finished an experiment and was about to leave when he suddenly saw his daughter. He was momentarily stunned.
"Melissa? What are you doing here?"
David asked, confused.
Melissa smiled. "To celebrate you completing the first phase of your project, I sent an invitation to someone very special."
"Someone special?"
"Yes, your favorite friend."
As she spoke, Melissa turned and glanced at All Might, who was hiding behind the lab door.
Taking the cue, All Might immediately stepped out.
"It's me! I'm so excited to see you again!"
All Might said excitedly.
"To... Toshinori?"
David froze in shock.
"I flew here just to see you, David!"
All Might walked up to him quickly.
"So, Dad, are you surprised?"
Melissa asked with a smile.
David finally snapped out of his daze.
"This is the best surprise ever!"
"We really need to thank Melissa. After all, it's been years since we last met."
All Might chuckled, while David's eyes grew misty. "Don't bring that up. Two old guys talking about age—it's just too sentimental."
"I actually have a surprise for you this time."
All Might suddenly straightened up. "A surprise?"
"Of course!"
As he spoke, All Might turned his head and looked at Ezaki Kitazawa. "Ezaki, come say hello."
The moment David heard the name "Ezaki," something seemed to click in his mind. He looked past All Might and asked, "You… you're that Ezaki Kitazawa?"
Ezaki Kitazawa wasn't too surprised that David knew his name. After all, All Might had already mentioned that an old friend of his wanted to meet him.
"Yes," Ezaki Kitazawa nodded.
Melissa, standing nearby, was a bit confused and curiously asked, "Huh? Dad, you know him too?"
"Hahaha!"
David laughed. "Your Uncle Might has mentioned him to me before. Apparently, he's expected to be the next symbol of peace in R-country."
Of course, that last part was something David had seen in the news, not something All Might had told him. All Might had only mentioned that Ezaki had healed his old injuries.
"The next symbol of peace? That… that's incredible!"
Melissa looked at Ezaki Kitazawa in disbelief.
"Those are just words reporters use to grab attention," Ezaki Kitazawa said modestly. "Don't take them too seriously. I don't have what it takes to be a symbol of peace."
"Haha, looks like today's surprise turned into an even bigger one!"
David laughed heartily, clearly satisfied.
"By the way, this is also my student. Let me introduce you—Midoriya."
All Might turned to Midoriya Izuku.
"Yes!"
Midoriya Izuku stepped forward and said, "I'm a first-year student at U.A.—Midoriya Izuku."
"I'm David—"
Before David could finish, Midoriya quickly cut in, "I know! David Shield, the professor who won the Nobel Quirk Prize, a top expert in Quirk research, and All Might's partner back when he was in M-country. And you designed all of All Might's battle suits!"
"I never thought I'd get to meet you in person. I… I'm so excited!"
David was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "Well, I guess I don't need to introduce myself anymore."
"Sorry! I just got too excited!"
"It's fine. But since All Might and I haven't seen each other in so long, would you mind giving us a moment to talk alone?"
"Of course."
Everyone nodded in understanding. Just as Ezaki Kitazawa and the others were about to leave, David called out again.
"Wait, Ezaki Kitazawa, can you stay for a bit? I need to talk to you about something."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll wait outside. Just call me when you're done talking with All Might."
Ezaki Kitazawa replied calmly.
Meanwhile, Melissa took Midoriya to explore more of I-Island's technology.
"Ezaki Kitazawa… is he really going to be the next symbol of peace, like my dad said?"
As they walked, Melissa suddenly asked Midoriya.
Midoriya hesitated for a moment before answering, "Maybe. That's what people say, at least. He's the most talented student in U.A.'s history."
Melissa was stunned. She hadn't expected Ezaki Kitazawa to be that impressive.
"That… that's amazing!"
---------------------------------------
You can read 10 chapters ahead on patre on
patr eon.com/JYouyi