MHA Holdiay series

The air in the lab hummed with the low thrum of modified ventilation fans. Metal shavings danced in the air, catching the light from the oversized windows overlooking the sprawling campus. Mei Hatsume, goggles perched precariously on her nose, wrestled with a recalcitrant fusion core, her bright pink hair a chaotic halo around her head.

"Mei, are you certain this prototype is structurally sound?" Tenya Iida's voice, usually booming and precise, was softened with concern. He stood rigid, as always, but his hands fidgeted nervously behind his back. "We've had... incidents... in the past."

Mei scoffed, a sound that held more affection than annoyance. "Tenya, relax! This baby's got my latest and greatest safety features! She's practically explosion-proof! Besides," she winked, grease smudging her cheek, "who else is gonna test her if not us?"

He sighed, pushing his glasses up his nose with a familiar gesture. "That's precisely what worries me."

They had been like this since their days at UA, a chaotic symphony of invention and order. He, the reliable, rule-following hero-in-training. She, the brilliant, unpredictable inventor. Somehow, it had worked. Somehow, amidst the villain attacks and the grueling training schedules, a spark had ignited during their senior year. And now, four years later, that spark had blossomed into a steady, comfortable flame.

Today, however, was more than just another Tuesday in the university's support department lab. Today was their anniversary. Four years.

"Alright, alright," Mei said, wiping her hands on a rag. "Baby's almost ready. Just need to recalibrate the thrust vectors and then..." She trailed off, a rare flash of shyness flitting across her face. "Then we can... celebrate."

Tenya's face softened. He knew Mei, knew her frantic energy and her genuine, if often hidden, heart. He knew she didn't do sentimentality easily.

"Celebrate?" he asked, tilting his head. "I was thinking we could try that new ramen shop down the street. I heard they have a variety of broths."

Mei's enthusiasm sputtered. Ramen? While palatable, it wasn't exactly her idea of a celebratory feast. He'd probably cataloged the different noodle textures too.

"Um, ramen sounds… efficient," she said weakly.

Tenya noticed her hesitation. He'd been meticulously planning the ramen outing for a week, carefully researching the most nutritious and cost-effective options. But looking at her, covered in grease and sparks with that hopeful little frown tugging at her lips, he understood.

"Perhaps," he began, his voice taking on a more thoughtful tone. "Perhaps ramen is not quite celebratory enough. What did you have in mind, Mei?"

She brightened. "I was thinking… prototype testing! And then… maybe we could go see that new Quirks-based light show downtown! It's supposed to be off the charts!" Her eyes gleamed with infectious excitement.

Tenya hesitated. Prototype testing on their anniversary? Potentially dangerous light shows? It was hardly the romantic, sensible celebration he had envisioned. But then, he looked at Mei, at the way her face lit up when she talked about her inventions and the wonders of the world, and he knew he couldn't say no.

"Alright, Mei," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "Prototype testing it is. But under strict supervision, of course. And the light show… as long as we both wear protective eyewear."

Mei squealed, throwing her arms around him in a surprisingly strong hug. "You're the best, Tenya! Just wait 'til you see this baby in action!"

The afternoon was a whirlwind of controlled explosions, near-misses, and surprisingly accurate thrust vector recalibration. Tenya, despite his initial reservations, found himself getting caught up in Mei's infectious enthusiasm. He even offered a few surprisingly helpful suggestions, his analytical mind perfectly complementing her boundless creativity.

As the sun began to set, they stood side-by-side, watching the experimental propulsion system achieve a momentarily stable hover. A quiet sense of accomplishment settled over them.

Later, amidst the dazzling lights and vibrant colors of the Quirks-based show, they held hands, their fingers intertwined. Tenya still found himself lecturing Mei on the potential dangers of uncontrolled energy release, but she just leaned her head against his shoulder, content.

As they walked back to their dorm, the city lights blurring around them, Tenya stopped. He turned to Mei, his expression serious.

"Mei," he said, his voice low. "These past four years… they have been… unconventional. And sometimes… quite alarming."

Mei giggled. "Understatement of the century!"

He continued, undeterred. "But they have also been the most fulfilling of my life. You challenge me, Mei. You make me see the world in a way I never thought possible."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, slightly dented, metal rose. "I made this for you, Mei. It's not perfect, I know. But it's... sturdy. Like our relationship."

Mei took the rose, her eyes shining with unshed tears. It was clunky, undeniably practical, and utterly perfect.

"It's the best rose I've ever seen, Tenya," she whispered, clutching it to her chest. "Happy Anniversary."

He smiled, a genuine, heart-stopping smile that reached his eyes. "Happy Anniversary, Mei."

He leaned down and kissed her, a kiss that was surprisingly tender, considering the exploding robots and flashing lights that had filled their day. It was a kiss that spoke of shared dreams, unwavering support, and a love that was as chaotic, brilliant, and unexpectedly perfect as they were. They were Mei Hatsume and Tenya Iida, and their story was just beginning.