Thirty mier, Kaminari and Kyoka left. Momo stood alone in the dressing room, which spanned over 200 square meters. She gazed bnkly at herself in the massive floor-to-ceiling mirror, still wearing the "Athena Divine Cloth" that captivated her so deeply.

  "Wasn't this supposed to be an early birthday present?"

  "Pfft!"

  As the thought crossed her mind, Momo chuckled softly. "My birthday is nearly three months away. Isn't it too early for a birthday gift?"

  Her birthday was oember 23rd, and though it felt early, she had gdly accepted the gift with a warm heart.

  Her mind repyed the se from earlier, the twelve Golden Saints kneeling before her, a moment so magical it would likely remaiched in her memory forever.

  "Athena, for the love and peace of this world, we dedicate our lives, our souls, and all our burning os!"

  Momo's face flushed lightly. What girl wouldn't be moved by such devotion and revere was as if, for a brief moment, she truly was a goddess.

  "Athena... the goddess of wisdom and war," she murmured, tilting her head slightly.

  The name resonated with her. It felt fitting. A thought crept into her mind, should she ge her hero o Athena?

  But as soon as the idea emerged, she dismissed it with slight embarrassment. Using the name of a goddess as her hero name felt a bit... presumptuous.

  Even so, the thought remained, like a tiny seed waiting to sprout. It wasn't something she could decide immediately; she would ime to sider it.

  "Vulpix, store the Divine Cloth."

  "A!"

  The "Vulpix" sitting obediently by her legs responded immediately. It gently removed the "Athena Divine Cloth" from Momo and transformed it into a small, elegant neckce shaped like a golden Poké Ball.

  "Not bad," Momo said with a satisfied smile, g the neckce around her neck. Admiring herself in the mirror, she found the gift both stunning and meaningful.

  "… let's look into what Kaminari mentioned before he left. If it really works, it could be incredible…" she murmured to herself, pig up "Vulpix" and staring into its adorable eyes.

  ---

  Iernoon, somewhere in Shizuoka Prefecture, the sun began to dip toward the west. On a shopping street not far from U.A. High School, Kaminari walked alongside Kyoka, heading toward her house.

  "If Momo's Quirk really create 'SIS alloy,' maybe we could make battle suits for Kyoka, Tetsutetsu, and the others..." Kaminari thought as he walked. This idea had e to him suddenly.

  Since 'SIS alloy' didn't seem to exist naturally oh, he wasn't sure if the pn was feasible.

  "Fet it. It'd be great if it works, but if not, that's fioo. It's a bit of a shame, though."

  His thoughts drifted back to Kyoka, who had been walking silently beside him. Though he didn't know what was on her mind, he could tell she seemed a little unhappy.

  "But why is she upset?"

  Kaminari couldn't figure it out. They'd had a great time earlier, hadn't they? Still, if she was unhappy, it was his job to cheer her up. And, tally, he had something to tell her today.

  "I hope this makes this silly girl feel better."

  With that thought, Kaminari suddenly stopped walking. Kyoka, looking slightly puzzled, turo him. He smiled and said, "Kyoka, I have a gift for you, too. Think of it as a birthday present."

  Kyoka blinked in surprise before responding with a meaningful tone, "My birthday is still almost two months away. Do you make a habit of giving girls birthday gifts months in advance?"

  She hadn't fotten that Kaminari had said the same thing to Momo earlier when he gave her the extravagant Athena Divine Cloth.

  "Uh… well, it's a carefully prepared gift, so just tell me whether you're willing to accept it or not!" Kaminari said with a sheepish grin, running a hand through his blond hair. Was there even a proper name for this kind of situation?

  "Of course I'll accept it!" Kyoka said, raising her .

  "Great! But this gift… we'll have to go to your room to get it. So let's hurry. I 't wait!" Kaminari said with a ugh.

  For some reason, Kyoka felt something was off about his words. What kind of gift couldn't be given until they were in her room? Why couldn't it wait?

  "Could it be…"

  Her face flushed slightly, ahoughts spiraled out of trol. Some wild, irrational ideas popped into her head, leaving her both flustered aless.

  Before she k, they had arrived at her house. After greeting her mother, the two headed to Kyoka's room together.

  "Click."

  The sound of the door closing snapped Kyoka out of her thoughts. Kaminari looked around her room with a smile and said, "As expected, your room is full of instruments."

  Theuro her and asked, " I use your electric guitar?"

  "Huh? My guitar? Uh, sure!" Kyoka stammered, nodding.

  "Thanks."

  Kaminari picked up the bd purple electric guitar hanging on the far wall and started adjusting the settings.

  "Wait… are you going to py something?" Kyoka asked, tilting her head.

  "Yeah. I've got a song for you, a song that's yours alone, Kyoka!" Kaminari said, fshing a fident smile.

  "Everything I want to say to you is in this song. It's called 'I-Say-Yes.' I hope you like it."

  "I-Say-Yes…" Kyoka repeated softly, her heart rag. Her instincts screamed that something big was about to happen.

  Kaminari fiuning the guitar and took a deep breath. He was nervous—no, he was really nervous.

  "fessing to a girl while pying the guitar… This is a first for me."

  Yes, Kaminari was about to fess. After realizing Kyoka's feelings for him, he found it impossible to ighem. The idea of treating her like a sister had shattered under her g and ear gaze.

  To put it simply, Kaminari wao take a step forward. He wanted a girlfriend.

  As he skillfully strummed the guitar strings, the music flowed like a geream, filling the room with its melody. The faint st of Kyoka's room added to the atmosphere as Kaminari began to sing.

  "I-SAY-YES—if you ask me, I'll forever be by your side!

  There's no doubt, no matter what kind of future tests us....

  No matter what trials the future may bring, we'll face them together...

  Even if roblems, Along the way, if I'm with you, We'll be able to overe them.

  Because even from faraway worlds, we're destio be…"

  I-SAY-YES, I will forever be by your side!

  Whatever future there is, let's turn it to hope, Forever."

  (PS: This song, "I-SAY-YES," is from Zero no Tsukaima.)

  ***

  Chey new ff: Heavenly Restri User of the Gojo : I Refuse to Be Cut in Half

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