Chapter 25: Picture Perfect Festival

“YOOOOOO! WHAT’S UP, U.A. STUDENTS AND FUTURE HEROES?!” Present Mic’s booming voice echoed across campus, the man himself standing center stage with a mic in one hand and his other arm thrown dramatically toward the sky. His bright yellow shades reflected the sunlight, and his energy was infectious. “It’s your boy, Present Mic, here to KICK OFF this year’s Start of the Year Festival with a BAAAAANG!"

The crowd roared back with cheers and whistles. Fireworks popped in the air behind the stage, and confetti rained down across the plaza as students, vendors, and even a few teachers gathered for the big event.

“First off, a massive welcome to all our fresh-faced first-years!” Mic grinned, pointing toward the dense cluster of freshmen gathered near the front. “You’ve survived moving in, you’re lookin’ sharp, and now it’s time to let loose and have some FUN!”

Izuku stood among the crowd with his small circle of friends, or, in his case, his increasingly complicated circle. Katsumi stood to his left with her arm looped with his while Ochako was to his right, bouncing lightly on her toes in excitement. Behind them were Tsuyu, Itsuka, Kyoka, and Tenka, chatting softly about the schedules, shows, and events they had seen in the brochure. Meanwhile, Mina waved both arms like she was at a concert with her newfound kindred spirit in Setsuna. It was no shock to Izuku that the two embodiments of gossip hit it off; he just hoped that the two girls found more interest in the rest of the class’s love life rather than his own.

Off to the side, Eiko, Masako, and Sato stood shoulder to shoulder, trading some workout tips while scoping out the hardcore obstacle course they had seen previously. Lastly, with their group were Tokoyami and Tsuburaba, who, for different reasons, chose to stand slightly apart from the rest of the group.

While Tokoyami simply wanted to shy away from social spaces, the wind blower could feel the tears of frustration build up as he watched so many hotties surround the green-haired hunk. ‘It should have been me! It’s not fair!’

“Man, this is so cool!” Mina shouted over the music, oblivious to the young man’s plight. “They really went all out this year!”

Katsumi folded her arms, unimpressed by the confetti shower. “Eh. Looks like a school festival on steroids.”

Ochako elbowed her playfully. “You just say that ‘cause you don’t wanna admit it’s awesome.”

Izuku, meanwhile, was trying to listen to Present Mic while also taking note of every booth he could see in the distance. Lines of colorful tents and banners stretched across the main road, each labeled with the attractions.

Present Mic’s voice kicked the crowd’s energy up another level. “For those lookin’ to flex their inner GEARHEADS, swing by the Support Course Tech Demo where you’ll see gadgets so advanced they might just blow your socks off… Metaphorically, we hope! And for all you hero hopefuls, don’t miss the Hero Costume Showcase! Big names in design are here to scout potential talent!”

The students around Izuku cheered, but he was already scribbling in his notebook, muttering about design principles and quirk optimization. Kyoka nudged Mina with a smirk. “He’s already in fanboy mode.”

“Oh, one-hundred percent,” Mina giggled. “Look at him go.”

Mic continued, “We’ve got Meet and Greets with some of our most badass alumni! Best Jeanists in the house! And maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll learn how to make denim look heroic!”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

“Plus,” Mic added, voice dropping theatrically, “don’t miss the carnival games and food stalls courtesy of the General and Business Course upperclassmen! Try your hand at winning prizes, grab a bite, and maybe, just maybe, get a glimpse of your future classmates in action!”

The cheers swelled again, the students practically vibrating with excitement.

Then, Present Mic raised a hand for silence. “Now, before we really get this party started, we’ve got a special guest to help us make this festival official. Please give a loud and proud U.A. welcome to one of the greatest heroes in Japan, the Number FIVE hero… EDGESHO~OT!”

The crowd exploded in applause as a sleek figure appeared on stage in a blur of motion. It was none other than the pro hero Edgeshot, standing poised and graceful in his sharp ninja-themed hero costume. His calm yet commanding presence was a stark contrast to Mic’s bombastic energy, but the crowd loved it all the same.

Izuku’s jaw practically dropped. “E-Edgeshot! I can’t believe he’s actually here!” His eyes sparkled, pupils dilating with admiration as he instinctively reached for his notebook again. “His technique is unparalleled! His reaction time, his precision, it’s incredible!”

Katsumi smirked, nudging him lightly. “Dork,” she said fondly, but there was warmth in her tone.

Ochako giggled beside her. “You know he's adorable like this, Katsumi.”

Tenka gave a small approving nod. “Edgeshot is a model of discipline and composure. An excellent role model for any hero.”

“I’ve always liked his ninja aesthetic myself.” Tsuyu chimed in, tilting her head as she imagined what she would look like as a ninja. “Doubt I’d pull it off.”

Izuku could only nod absentmindedly, eyes glued to the stage.

Standing beside Edgeshot was a young woman with snow-white hair, tied back into a high bun which flowed down her back. She wore sleek black ninja garb and carried herself with clear confidence. Her expression was calm, composed, and professional. Yet there was a faint gleam of pride in her posture as she stood next to her mentor.

“Oh!” Itsuka piped up, pointing toward the stage. “That’s Mikako Shika! She’s a fourth-year in the Hero Course! I saw her a few times when I was visiting campus last year. She’s been doing work-study under Edgeshot since her second year.”

“That’s incredible,” Izuku said, awe-struck. “To work with a pro that early! That means she’s probably being trained to become his sidekick after graduation!”

Edgeshot stepped forward, his voice calm but firm as the mic amplified it across the plaza. “Students of U.A., it’s an honor to see so many bright, aspiring faces gathered here today. Each of you represents potential. The next wave of heroes that will protect and inspire others. Festivals like this remind us of what we’re protecting: joy, connection, and community.”

His words carried a quiet strength that contrasted the wild energy of Mic’s introduction, yet were no less impactful.

As Edgeshot and his protégé stepped back from the mic, Present Mic’s voice thundered one last time. “THAT’S the energy I’m talkin’ about! The Start of the Year Festival is officially OPEN! Go nuts, U.A.! HAVE FUN!”

The crowd erupted once more. Laughter, music, and chatter blended in a joyous symphony as the festival officially began.

Izuku, eyes still glittering with excitement, turned toward his friends. “Alright! Where to first?”

Tenka adjusted her glasses as the noise of the crowd settled into a steady hum around them. “I, for one, am very interested in the Support Course Tech Demo,” she said, posture straightening with clear enthusiasm. “My brother and I used to make a habit of checking those out whenever possible. Seeing emerging technology from aspiring engineers is always enlightening.”

Izuku’s eyes lit up immediately. “Yeah! I was thinking the same thing. Support gear has such a huge impact on how effective a hero can be.” He turned, glancing around the group. “Anyone else want to come with us?”

Kyoka raised a hand lazily. “I’m down. If they’ve got audio gear or prototype comms, I wanna see it.”

Ochako nodded quickly. “I wanna go too-”

Her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl. The group went quiet for exactly half a second before Ochako’s face turned beet red. “I-I, uhm, skipped breakfast,” she admitted. “I kinda… slept through my alarm.”

Mina was on her instantly, slinging an arm around Ochako’s shoulders with a grin that promised trouble. “Then it’s lunch time, babe! C’mon, we’ll hit the food stalls together. And we have some things to… discuss about you-know-who.”

Izuku opened his mouth to object, half-worried and half-knowing exactly where this was going, but Setsuna beat him to it with a snicker as she sidled up to Ochako’s other side. “Ooooh, food and girl talk? Sounds like my kind of outing.”

Ochako visibly wilted. “W-Wait!”

Before things could spiral, Itsuka stepped in, clapping Izuku on the shoulder with a confident grin. “Relax. I’ll keep them in line.”

Izuku gave her a look of gratitude. “Thank you.”

They barely made it three steps before Mina leaned in and stage-whispered something apparently scandalous into Ochako’s ear, earning herself a sharp but controlled karate chop to the top of her fluffy pink hair.

“Rude! I was just asking!” Mina laughed, completely unrepentant.

Izuku watched them disappear into the sea of food stalls, shaking his head with a fond smile. When he turned back around, he was immediately met with trouble.

Katsumi and Masako were staring at each other, both wearing sharp, competitive grins. Sparks practically crackled in the air between them as they glanced toward an obstacle course set up not too far away, ramps, concrete walls, climbing nets, and timed gates, practically screaming challenge.

“…You really think you can beat me, Pussy Cat?” Katsumi asked.

Masako flexed her fingers, claws faintly visible. “Know so, Firecracker.”

Katsumi crossed her arms and smirked. “Fine. Bet.”

Masako’s ears twitched. “Oh?”

“Winner gets to tell the loser to do whatever they want,” Katsumi said.

The lioness bared a wide grin. “You’re on.”

Before Izuku could protest, the two of them bolted toward the obstacle course, laughing like maniacs.

“Have fun at the tech demo, nerds!” Katsumi called back over her shoulder.

Eiko yelped and immediately took off after them, pulling Sato along with her. “Hey! Wait up! I’m in, too! Let’s go, dude!”

Sato blinked, panicked. “H-Huh? What’s happening?”

Izuku stood there, amused that Katsumi and Masako seemed to be “getting along.”

Tsuyu hopped a little closer and raised a hand. “I’ll join the Tech Demo too. I’m curious how support items work with mobility quirks, kero.”

“Ah, right. Glad to have you.” Izuku said, relieved. He then started to look towards the others, but found their darkness-bound friend already drifting away. “Anyone… else?”

Tokoyami, in the meanwhile, had already begun drifting toward the carnival games, eyes fixed on a booth with ominous decorations and shadowy prizes. “I shall seek entertainment of a more… introspective nature.”

Tsuburaba hesitated, glancing between the food stalls and his roommate. “Man… I really wanted food, but-!” He sighed and jogged after Tokoyami. “Wait up!”

And just like that, the massive group fractured down separate paths. Izuku looked around at those who still remained.

“Well,” he said, smiling at Tenka, Kyoka, and Tsuyu. “Tech Demo it is.”

Tenka nodded approvingly. “Lead the way.”

The four of them made their way across the bustling festival grounds, weaving between clusters of students and visitors until the open-air pavilion of the Support Course Tech Demo loomed ahead. Compared to the food stalls and carnival games, the space felt almost industrial. Wide metal frames, hanging banners, and rows upon rows of polished equipment lay out on reinforced tables.

Izuku slowed to a near stop the moment they stepped inside. All around them, Support Course students eagerly demonstrated their creations to curious onlookers. Compact drones zipped overhead in controlled loops. Capture gear snapped and retracted with satisfying mechanical clicks. Modular gauntlets, grappling systems, stabilization boots, and adaptive armor plates were displayed with proud placards listing specs and intended quirk applications.

“This is incredible…” Izuku murmured, eyes darting everywhere at once. His hand twitched, itching for a notebook.

Kyoka whistled softly. “Okay, yeah. This already beats half the expos I’ve been dragged to.”

Tsuyu nodded. “Everything looks very… efficient, kero.”

Then Izuku spotted him. Near one of the raised demo stages, unmistakable even from a distance, stood Power Loader. The lanky pro hero was leaning forward slightly, arms crossed, as he scolded a pink-haired student who seemed to be more focused on some sort of gadget in her hands. Izuku’s eyes practically sparkled.

“T-That’s Power Loader!” he whispered urgently, grabbing Kyoka’s sleeve. The punk rocker quirked an eyebrow for a moment, only to roll her eyes affectionately as she realized what her crush wanted to point out. “He’s the head of the Support Course faculty! He’s been involved in so many breakthrough designs and-!”

He took a half step forward, then hesitated as he noticed the young woman was being held back by one hand as she struggled against the pro hero's grasp. Seemingly, Power Loader took away her gadget and had upped his stern tone when he realized his words were falling on deaf ears. It was as if a father had taken their child's favorite toy.

“…I should probably not interrupt,” Izuku muttered, deflating just a little. ‘Autographs can wait,’ he reasoned.

“Midoriya!” Tenka’s bright voice and a gentle tug at his sleeve drew his gaze back toward the displays. He quickly understood why.

Several booths ahead were showcasing automobile-inspired support items: streamlined leg braces with exhaust vents, reinforced boots with shock-absorbing pistons, and even a prototype cooling rig designed to vent excess heat during sustained high-speed movement.

Tenka’s eyes lit up behind her glasses. She stepped closer, hands clasped behind her back as she examined the designs, though her giddiness could hardly be hidden. "Look at these components!" she exclaimed, fawning over the designs. "They could significantly enhance the efficiency and cooling of my engines when installed into my armored suit!"

Izuku followed closely behind, his own curiosity piqued. He watched as Iida enthusiastically examined various gadgets and engine designs. Though most designs seemed to be catered to motorbikes and other vehicles, Tenka danced between the enhanced exhaust systems and cooling mechanisms as if they were specifically designed for her high-performance engines.

"This cooling system is brilliant," Iida said, pointing to a sleek, compact unit. "It could help me manage the heat generated by my engines more effectively, reducing the risk of overheating during extended use when my steam release cannot perform the job."

Izuku nodded, jotting down notes in his trusty notebook. "That's amazing, Iida. It looks like it could really improve your quirk's efficiency."

Iida continued to explain the various parts and their potential applications, her enthusiasm palpable. "And this nozzle exhaust system could help vent excess heat in more creative ways!"

Izuku found Iida's excitement both informative and endearing. He couldn't help but smile as she went on, her passion for the technology shining through. “I’d imagine you quite like this kind of gear?”

She nodded, posture straightening. “Very much so. I wouldn’t call myself a full gearhead, but I enjoy imagining how equipment can complement a quirk rather than compensate for it.”

“That makes a lot of sense,” Izuku said quickly, already mentally mapping use cases. After a moment, he tilted his head thoughtfully. “Hey… is your hero costume going to be like Ingenium’s?”

At the mention of her brother, Tenka’s expression softened. “In spirit, yes. As his sister, I designed it with similar principles. Function first, mobility second, symbolism third.” She adjusted her glasses. “My suit is being maintained by my family's personal support company, though I won’t be privy to the final result until classes begin.”

Izuku nodded, recalling the situation with his own costume. “Much like ours, and how the design studios need to finalize everything first.”

Kyoka leaned against a nearby table, arms crossed. “Kinda weird, not knowing what we’ll end up wearing.”

Tenka nodded. “A little. But exciting, too. It feels… official.”

“First costumes mean the first real steps toward becoming pros.” Tsuyu chimed in, having been quietly observing the interaction, "It’s rather cute to see you so into this sort of thing."

The bluenette blushed and shook her head. "D-Don’t tease me. I am here strictly for enhancing my talents as a hero."

Tsuyu was right, though. Iida’s enthusiasm was cute as hell. But it was more than that, too. The boy took a moment to admire Iida's dedication. Seeing her so passionate about learning new ways to improve her heroism was inspiring. He made sure to note down her observations and ideas, knowing they could be invaluable for future reference.

As they continued exploring the tech demo, they encountered various inventions designed to support heroes in more general ways. There were communication devices, mobility enhancers, and even automated drones for rescue operations. Each display offered new insights and possibilities, fueling their collective enthusiasm.

Izuku couldn't help but marvel at the creativity and ingenuity of the support course students. "The support course students are really talented," he said, echoing his earlier thoughts. "To think of so many ways to improve how heroes operate. Any of these inventions could save lives and make our jobs as heroes that much easier."

Iida agreed, her earlier excitement still evident in her voice. "Indeed. The dedication and innovation on display here are truly commendable. We should strive to support and collaborate with the support course students whenever possible."

The group drifted further along the pavilion until the hum of machinery shifted into a softer blend of electronic beeps and synthesized tones. Overhead signage marked the Audio & Visual Support Zone, and it didn’t take long for Kyoka to slow her steps, eyes scanning the rows of equipment with cautious curiosity.

The area was packed with tech. Directional microphones with spider-leg stands, vibration sensors, adaptive sound dampeners, holographic projectors, multi-spectrum cameras, and interfaces covered in so many sliders and graphs that even Izuku hesitated for half a second before diving in.

“…Okay, yeah,” Kyoka muttered, hands shoved into her jacket pockets. “I love music, but half of this looks like it wants me to have three engineering degrees.”

Izuku laughed softly. “Some of it is pretty intense.”

Tsuyu, meanwhile, had wandered off a few steps and picked up a small handheld recording device mounted on a flexible stand. She tilted it experimentally, blinking at the blinking light. “Hmm, is this a recorder? …Ribbit.”

The device immediately lit up and blasted the sound back at ten times the volume, layered, echoed, and multiplied, until it sounded like an entire swarm of frogs were chanting in perfect, deafening harmony.

“RIBBITRIBBITRIBBITRIBBIT.”

Tsuyu froze, as did everyone else nearby. After a half-second of collective shock, Tsuyu fumbled with the buttons and shut it off, the sudden silence almost as loud as the noise had been.

“…Sorry,” she said calmly, though her cheeks were faintly pink. “I didn’t mean to summon an army.”

Kyoka snorted before she could stop herself, quickly covering her mouth. “Smooth one.”

Izuku, eyes wide, immediately leaned in to inspect the device. “That playback layering is incredible…! It amplifies, stacks, and spatially distributes sound based on the input source…” He paused, then scribbled furiously in his notebook. “This could pair really well with your quirk, Kyoka. Controlled echoes, directional misdirection… Maybe if it were smaller, we could fasten it to…”

Kyoka stiffened slightly as her crush mumbled away. She looked away, rubbing the back of her neck. “Y-You’re still thinking about that stuff?”

Izuku glanced up, realizing what he’d said, and smiled sheepishly. “I mean… yeah. Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

Her blush deepened, but she didn’t argue.

A few displays later, Izuku found himself gravitating toward the visual side of the section. One particular booth caught his attention because of a sign that said it was for demonstration. On it was a sleek, tablet-like camera mounted on a swivel stand, its surface glossy and dark until he picked it up.

The screen lit instantly.

“Oh, wow…” Izuku murmured as he tapped through the interface. Infrared imaging, thermal overlays, depth mapping, real-time 3D reconstruction… Each mode popped onto the screen smoothly, the camera adjusting with impressive speed and clarity.

“That’s pretty sick.”

The voice came from just behind him.

Izuku jumped slightly and turned to see a young man in a hoodie leaning casually against the display table, eyes fixed on the camera with clear interest. He had a relaxed posture and an easy grin, like he hadn’t meant to startle him at all.

“Sorry,” the guy said, holding up a hand. “Didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I’m just… kinda into photography. That thing looks awesome.”

Izuku relaxed, smiling back. “Yeah! It’s got a ton of modes. Uh, I’m Izuku Midoriya, Class 1-A.”

“Sen Kaibara,” the young man replied easily. “Hero Course, 1-B.”

“Oh, cool!” Izuku brightened. “Nice to meet you.”

Kaibara nodded toward the tablet. “You into photography too?”

Izuku hesitated, then shrugged thoughtfully. “Somewhat? I’ve always drawn heroes. Sketches, notes, that kind of thing. But… something about capturing moments like this feels different. Like you’re preserving something real.”

Kaibara’s smile widened. “Yeah, I get that. I’m more about events and places than people, myself. Some moments only happen once.”

Izuku looked back down at the camera, fingers resting lightly on the edge of the screen. ‘Some moments only happen once…’

As Izuku and Kaibara continued talking, the rest of his group wandered back over, curiosity written plainly on their faces.

“What’ve you got there?” Tsuyu asked, peering at the tablet in Izuku’s hands.

Izuku brightened immediately. “Oh! It’s this really cool camera tablet. It’s got a ton of different modes. Infrared, depth mapping, 3D imaging… Stuff like that.” He tapped through a few icons to demonstrate, the screen shifting colors and overlays as he spoke.

Tenka leaned in slightly, adjusting her glasses. “Impressive. That kind of versatility would be invaluable for reconnaissance.”

“Right?” Izuku grinned before gesturing to the hoodie-clad boy beside him. “Oh, and this is Sen Kaibara. He’s in Class 1-B.”

Kyoka nodded and waved. “Yeah, I know him. We’re in the same class.” She tilted her head. “Hey, where’s Honenuki? You two left together earlier.”

“He’s here somewhere. Probably off checking out some weird terrain tech,” Kaibara replied casually.

While the conversation flowed, Izuku absently fiddled with the tablet, trying to switch it back to what he thought was the standard camera mode. Seeing an icon that looked right, he tapped it, then lifted the tablet and turned it toward the girls.

“Some moments only happen once… Let me take a…” Izuku froze.

The camera was not in standard mode. Instead, on screen were clear, unmistakable outlines that made his brain short-circuit. The display had shifted into what it called the ‘Hidden Weapon Identification’ mode, rendering the three girls as if stripped down to nothing but their undergarments.

Tenka’s tall, toned frame was outlined beneath a simple blue sports bra and matching grey underwear. Tsuyu’s shorter figure was as surprisingly curvy as he expected and was in a neat, practical green set of bra and panties. And Kyoka… His closest friend among the three wore a thin black lace bra and thong. Her petite, yet toned frame from their many workout sessions was nothing short of majestic to him.

Izuku’s face went nuclear.

He stared a fraction of a second too long before his survival instincts kicked in. He yanked the tablet down, fumbled wildly with the settings, and flipped the screen away, switching the mode off in a panic. The three girls stared at him, then at each other, in confusion.

“…Midoriya?” Tenka asked, blinking. “Is something wrong?”

Tsuyu tilted her head. “Your face is very red, kero.”

“I-I-uh…” He swallowed hard, then defaulted to the first thing his panicking brain could grab onto. “You three just… looked really beautiful on screen! Totally blown away.”

Silence.

Tenka’s ears turned pink almost immediately, and she straightened reflexively. Tsuyu’s eyes widened slightly before her cheeks took on a faint pink hue. Kyoka stared at him for half a second, then lightly punched his shoulder.

“Dork,” she muttered, embarrassed but not actually angry.

Kaibara, who had absolutely seen Izuku’s panic spiral but not the reason why, nodded approvingly. “Solid save, dude. So what brings you guys to the tech demo?"

"We're just exploring and checking out the stuff on display," Tsuyu explained. "It's been really interesting so far."

Iida, always eager to discuss her interests, added, "There are so many innovative devices here. I've found several that could potentially enhance my hero equipment."

Sen's eyes lit up. "Sick. I love seeing how technology can support hero work. I had to get something commissioned myself to help with using my quirk. Apparently, it’s not ready yet, though.”

Izuku perked up at the mention of quirks. “Oh? Is it something photography-related?”

“Nah.” Kaibara demonstrated his quirk by spinning his right arm like a drill. “I just always loved photography. Can capture the essence of what heroes do, you know? Moments of bravery, action, and even the everyday lives of heroes."

Izuku did know. It wasn’t far off from how he cataloged heroes in his notebooks. The green-haired man nodded enthusiastically. "That's really cool, Kaibara. Capturing those moments is important. It helps inspire people and document the hard work heroes put in."

Kaibara lit up and fist-bumped his fellow nerd. “Yeah, you get it, man.”

They chatted for a while, discussing the various technologies they had found at the expo. Sen shared his excitement about advanced camera systems designed to capture high-speed action shots, while Iida explained the automotive enhancements she was interested in. Tsuyu talked about some amphibious gear she had seen, and Izuku eagerly absorbed all the information, scribbling notes in his trusty notebook.

As they continued their conversation, Izuku felt a sense of camaraderie with Sen Kaibara. It was always exciting to meet someone who shared a passion for both technology and hero work. His Retcon quirk agreed if the small pulse of energy from him had anything to say about it. It wasn’t strong enough to commit to a full change, but it was a start. Though Izuku was somewhat relieved, that was the case. He hadn’t had a good track record recently with retconning his male friends. So, any break from it was welcomed.

While the group was talking, a cloud of smoke suddenly rose from the other side of the expo. They all turned their heads in confusion, wondering if it was a normal part of the demonstration. Just then, a third-year support student rushed past them, muttering something under his breath.

"That pink-haired girl is making a mess of things again," he grumbled. He then turned to the group, his expression serious. "You all should leave before something explodes. Trust me, it's safer that way."

Izuku, Tsuyu, Iida, and Kaibara exchanged glances and quickly agreed. "Thanks for the warning," Izuku said.

Once they were clear of the area, the group wondered what to do. Tsuyu made a suggestion based on their previous plan: “Why don’t we head over to the Hero Costume Showcase then?”

“Ah, not for me.” Kaibara shook his head to his new friends. "I'm going to split off here, but it was great meeting you all. Let's catch up again soon."

"Definitely, Kaibara. Take care!" Izuku replied as they waved goodbye to their fellow aspiring hero.

The remaining trio made their way toward their next destination, the smell of smoke fading as they made the distance. As they walked, they could hear the commotion escalating behind them, but the distance and the noise of the festival soon drowned it out.

**********

AN: Howdy Howdy! The Start of the Year Festival finally begins! I've been alluding to this event for some time now, and I hope y'all enjoy some of the shenanigans that will unfold throughout the event. Not only will we get to spend some quality time with our friends/waifus, but we'll also get to meet and interact with some brand-new cast members joining the crew. I've also begun getting in the habit of generating some AI art to fit some scenes here and there, be on the lookout in some older chapters as I add a few here and there. If there are any scenes you'd like to see adapted, let me know!

As for the elephant in the room... Oof, I'm super sorry it's taken so long to get this out. Ran into writer's block mixed with a lot of distractions. Hopefully, I'll be able to pick up the pace a little as we enter the new year. Speaking of which... Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday, everyone!

As always, thank you all for reading, and be sure to check us out on my Discord for behind-the-scenes looks at all my writing. Lastly, a special thanks to Zephyr0F8 and Lizzy for beta-ing this chapter