Chapter 86: New workshop.

While wandering aimlessly, Kai soon sensed Nezu's 'voice' nearby. Having nothing better to do, he decided to approach and soon found him alongside a strange, short man with disproportionately large hands, wearing an odd yellow helmet on his head that resembled an excavator shovel.

"Oh, Kai-kun, what a pleasant coincidence! We were just finishing up the final touches on your private workshop."

Upon noticing Kai, the principal commented while raising one of his paws, causing the curious man beside him to turn and look at the incredible young man who was worthy of the principal's putting so much effort and resources just to get him to join the most important academy in the country, and one of the most prestigious in the world.

"That's great news. The morning classes are too boring, and Momo won't let me skip them." As he walked toward Principal Nezu, Kai commented with a slight smile, which brought a somewhat bitter smile to the hero beside them.

"Hehehe, well, your educational level is quite superior to that of many teachers, so it's only natural. But come in and take a look; the official handover will be next week."

For his part, the principal commented with his typical adorable demeanor, then guided Kai inside the workshop. Meanwhile, Salem stared fixedly at the curious bear/mouse, like a predator watching prey, something that stopped the moment he felt the warning pressure from his master clashing against him.

After reprimanding Salem a bit, Kai looked around, finding a spacious place with a minimalist and elegant design divided into several sections. One area had a predominantly white color and featured a cozy living room in a corner, with comfortable sofas, a coffee maker, a teapot, and even a vending machine for snacks.

Near the living room was another room that shared a similar design, which seemed more like an office, with elegant desks, state-of-the-art computers, and stylish ergonomic chairs. One of its walls had a panoramic window, offering a view from above of the most prestigious academy in the country.

To the left of the office was what appeared to be a small meeting room, with an elegant table in the center surrounded by various chairs and several holographic screens displaying all kinds of information. This room also had huge intelligent panoramic windows.

The whole place, which looked more like a high-level office than anything else, was connected by a reinforced door with various security measures to what did look like a workshop. It was a spacious area with a predominantly gray tone, filled with different workstations, as well as all the tools and machinery that Kai could imagine—even better equipped than his own personal workshop, as it even had things he doubted he could ever use.

"This place is truly impressive."

As he toured his new personal 'workshop', Kai couldn't help but comment with a bit of surprise in his tone. After all, this was far from what he initially thought it would be and was truly a place where he would be interested in working in the mornings. To the point that he would borrow several ideas to improve his own workshop at home, which already needed an expansion now that Keiko was working with him.

"Hehehe, it's good that you like it. It's also equipped with its own state-of-the-art server that uses the latest chips you designed. Additionally, Yaoyorozu-san served as a consultant for the entire project, so you could work with her here remotely or even in person, since I suppose she is now working with you."

With a smile on his face, Principal Nezu commented with his arms behind his back as he walked beside Kai, who nodded in understanding. He knew that Keiko had helped a bit with the workshop, but since it was a surprise, she never told him anything about the place. As for her coming personally to the workshop, it was unlikely, though not impossible.

"Well, only time will tell, but I'm really satisfied with this. My mornings will be very productive from now on." Kai commented with a smile, now feeling strangely much better about being at U.A. Perhaps it was true that the environment plays a big role in one's mood.

"Hehehe, I look forward to the results of your work, Kai-kun." Nezu commented cheerfully, to which Kai nodded while studying the machinery more closely.

"Don't worry; I'll keep my part of the deal. Once a month, I'll complete an order for U.A."

"Hehehe, glad to hear that." Principal Nezu laughed cheerfully, while the hero accompanying him couldn't help but doubt whether the young man before him deserved such an investment, as this workshop was even better than his own.

After checking out the tools and machinery a bit, Kai bid farewell to Principal Nezu. But as he was about to leave, a human-shaped volcano of energy came running into the workshop, almost crashing into him. Since he had sensed her beforehand, he easily dodged her while simultaneously observing her curious appearance.

The person was a short girl with an athletic build and curious pink hair curled up to shoulder-length, with yellow eyes that had cross-shaped pupils. She wore a plain black sleeveless shirt with a work overall whose upper part was tied around her waist and strange goggles around her head.

"Sensei, the secure network has been properly connected to the general network!" Upon entering the workshop, the curious girl exclaimed loudly while pointing at a tablet she was carrying. The hero with the excavator helmet nodded, then casually congratulated her.

"Well done, Hatsume."

"Sensei, who are they giving this luxurious workshop to?" With a look full of desire, Hatsume Mei asked while looking directly at her Sensei, who pointed towards Kai while commenting casually.

"To that boy over there."

At her Sensei's words, Mei turned to look in the direction he was pointing, only to find a handsome young man, quite a bit taller than her. He had an adorable black cat with matching eye color on one of his shoulders, looking at her curiously.

"Oh, so you're the big shot they built this workshop for. Nice to meet you; I'm Hatsume Mei from the Support Course. If it's too much space for you, I'm more than willing to help you with that." Upon noticing the young man, Mei briefly introduced herself with a huge smile, which made Kai smile somewhat amusedly. He introduced himself after a chuckle.

"Hehehe, I'm Saito Kai, a student here, and I'll keep your proposal in mind."

"A student? You're from the General Course, not the Support Course?" Upon hearing Kai's unusual introduction, Mei couldn't help but ask while tilting her head, confused. Nezu responded while raising one of his paws.

"Kai-kun is from the Hero Course, although he doesn't like to admit it, hehe."

"Hero Course? Then why are they giving him this luxurious workshop?"  Mei quickly asked, full of confusion, to which Nezu responded casually.

"Oh, because he's the designer of the PhotonEdge chips."

"Oh!! You designed those babies?! I'm a big fan!"

Upon hearing Principal Nezu, Mei exclaimed excitedly while approaching Kai with shining eyes. He simply smiled meaningfully while looking at Nezu, who only laughed amusedly, which earned him a burst of Conqueror's Haki that made his fur stand on end.

"Well, thanks for your support, I suppose." Kai responded casually to the excited pink-haired girl, who quickly and boldly asked.

"Hey, don't you have a couple of latest-generation chips to spare?"

"No, I don't have any to spare." Kai could only reply while rolling his eyes. At that moment, Mei quickly grabbed his blazer to ask with predatory eyes.

"And how about a discount?"

"I don't handle that." Kai quickly replied, somewhat amused. Mei then approached him dangerously, pressing her ample bust against him, and asked with a somewhat intimidating look.

"And how about sponsoring a young and talented inventor?"

"Well, at the moment I'm not looking for that type of investment opportunity, but when they officially hand over the workshop to me, I could take a look at the work of that 'young and talented inventor'." Genuinely amused by the pink-haired girl's behavior, Kai commented while looking at her curious pupils. Mei quickly exclaimed excitedly.

"Alright, Saito-kun! I'll show you my best babies then!"

For his part, Nezu watched the entire interaction with a small smile. Although the fact that she was a beautiful girl interested in technology might have contributed. Seeing someone naturally aggressive and with practically zero social life outside his family engage in such a casual conversation with another young person his age was a very good sign.

"Well, I have to go; they're waiting for me."

After a moment of answering several of Mei's questions about his chips, Kai said goodbye and left the workshop. He headed to the classroom to collect his things, then walked to the main gate of U.A., where he could sense Nejire, Momo, and Nemuri gathered, most likely waiting for him.

"Kai!" With a smile on her face, Nejire happily hugged one of Kai's arms. He smiled amused while commenting.

"Hehehe, you're being overdramatic; anyone would think we haven't seen each other in years, and we just had lunch together a few hours ago."

"Hehehe, I still missed you."

With an innocent smile, Nejire commented cheerfully, feeling much more relaxed now. Although she knew something was going on with her mother, she now looked much better and knew that everyone was supporting her. Moreover, living all together was something she had wanted for years, and the fact that it was finally coming true made her very happy.

"Where were you? We were waiting for you." Nemuri, who was wearing her hero costume, commented with a small smile, to which Momo quickly added.

"Yes, Kai, I waited for you in the classroom, but you never came."

"Well, I saw you enjoying yourself with the other students, so I decided to go for a walk and ended up meeting Principal Nezu, who showed me my future workshop." Kai replied with a small smile, which prompted a guilty smile from Momo, who commented in an apologetic tone.

"I'm sorry; I didn't realize."

"Oh, you don't have to apologize. I was quite happy to see you having fun and didn't want to ruin your moment. After all, I haven't been the most pleasant person with them." Kai commented casually while walking with the girls to a secluded place without cameras. Momo added with a small smile.

"You know, you could have joined; everyone is very interested in you."

"Maybe another time." Kai replied with a diplomatic smile on his face. At that moment, Nemuri hooked one of his arms and asked with a small smile and a casual tone that, for some reason, sounded eerie.

"I heard you were causing trouble today, and All Might had to call you after classes."

"Hehehe."

For his part, Kai could only smile innocently as they reached a suitable place. He quickly conjured the Accompany card and activated it, not allowing Nemuri to say another word. This only made the beautiful heroine smile amusedly since it was not as if she could not continue with the topic if he activated it.

"[Accompany] on, [Home]!"

Upon arriving home, they all walked together to the main house, where they were greeted by Keiko and Yumiko—the latter looking much calmer and happier. Not only had it been very comforting to receive the full support of her entire family, but she had also talked at length with Keiko, which had helped her a lot.

"Welcome back." Keiko greeted with a small smile, then proceeded to hug everyone, something Yumiko imitated while commenting in a cheerful tone.

"Welcome back; it really feels good to be able to welcome you home."

"Hehehe, I see that retirement life is seducing you." Nemuri commented amused while hugging Yumiko, who responded with a small grin.

"The truth is, yes; it's a very attractive life, fufufu."

"I think you should retire like Aunt Keiko, Mom!" Nejire exclaimed excitedly, then hugged her mother tightly. Yumiko began to stroke her daughter's soft and silky hair while responding in a warm tone.

"Yes, that could be a very good idea..."