MHA: Dark Matter

"WELCOME TO I ISLAND, THE WORLD CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT. PRIOR TO REGISTRATION AND RECEIPT OF YOUR PASS, WE ASK THAT ALL NEW ARRIVALS REFRAIN FROM USING THEIR QUIRKS. WE WISH YOU A PLEASANT STAY."

Looking from inside at the colossal structure of the airport, which was in no way inferior to those in Tokyo, I could only shake my head. It was hard for me to determine the feasibility of such gigantism. After all, unlike Tokyo, a city of millions, this island had a population of no more than fifty thousand. Add to that a security system recognized as the best in the world, and maintaining such an airport could easily cost more than Haneda in Tokyo.

On the other hand, the only way to reach the island was by air. No ship from any country had the right or the ability to dock there. That meant all the resources necessary for the island's life support and research were delivered by air. Without knowing the exact volume of trade, it was difficult to determine the feasibility of such an airport size.

But setting aside considerations of the economic feasibility of various structures and facilities, I could only say one thing.

Impressive.

No, truly impressive. Though I hadn't yet left the airport, I could already feel the atmosphere of "progress" here. It was felt in every detail. Holographic projections instead of plasma screens, autonomous registration and pass issuance systems, robots of various modifications from "security" to "cleaners," sensors capable of detecting Quirk activation of almost any kind, villain restraint systems, and room lockdowns. None of this was garish or alien to arriving passengers, but it created the impression that this island was decades ahead of the rest of the world in terms of technology.

"Mom, I still can't believe we flew here on a private jet. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You are the best friend ever!"

"Mina, stop embarrassing Momo and drawing attention to us with your shouting."

A purple haired girl with earphone jacks instead of earlobes said with a sigh. With that sigh, part of my good mood disappeared as I stared at the representatives of Class 1A.

It wasn't surprising that people could come to an event like the I Expo, which was starting tomorrow. But spending my vacation next to people I had beaten up and who wholeheartedly wanted to capture my alter ego was less comfortable and enjoyable. I wasn't that thick skinned yet.

So I hoped this would be the first and last time I saw them on this island.

I turned away and took out my smartphone, looking at messages from Melissa. We had agreed to meet at the fountain near the airport entrance. Not for another half hour, but I should let her know I had arrived.

It was a shame Mei couldn't come with me. I involuntarily squeezed my eyes shut at the memory of the evening before the flight. Hatsume couldn't come with me because she had already promised her parents she would spend those few days with them. She was very unhappy about not being able to come with me to the I Expo. Or was it that I would be here with Melissa? Probably not. They seemed to get along well.

Anyway, I made up for her unhappiness in a way that was pleasant for both of us. And that had nothing to do with designing new gadgets.

Well, it was time to go through registration and look around. It felt strange without my trusty knives, which I always carried with me. But trying to sneak undocumented items through the island's security system, about which I had no complete information, was an unjustified risk. Even with my Quirk. Especially with it. If my true Quirk were revealed, my identity as a villain would be a matter of time. That was absolutely not allowed.

I noticed the faint glow of my crimson irises reflected on my phone screen. I exhaled. I calmed the Dark Matter, which had begun to move faster through my body due to my emotions.

"Okay, I need to find something to eat."

I said cheerfully, trying to push away the unpleasant thought. What would happen when Mei found out who I really was? Because I knew myself. I was just a killer.

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[Melissa Shield Pov]

"Have a nice walk with your friend. If he starts getting fresh, you know what to do. I know the head of security on I Island, so the scoundrel will quickly find himself in a cell."

"Stop joking, Uncle Abraham. Ken is not like that."

"Whether he is or isn't, it doesn't matter. A pretty girl always arouses certain desires in young men. As your father's friend, I worry about you."

The elderly man with short light hair looked intently at Melissa, who had suddenly become flustered. His narrowed eyes and kind smile created the image of a good grandfather worried about his granddaughter. She was so embarrassed she didn't know where to put herself.

A muffled signal from an incoming message saved the blonde from further awkwardness. After reading the message, her blue eyes lit up with joy.

"Uncle, Ken has arrived. I have to go."

She said quickly, running out of the lab. Samuel Abraham clenched his fists and looked at the testing and display stand for hero support equipment.

"Am I doing the right thing?"

Melissa Shield was already calling a personal self driving electric car. The daughter of one of the world's leading scientists had some privileges. The thought of her father made her mood darken.

In recent years, he had become more distant from her. No, he still loved her, still cared for her, but at times he seemed so… despairing. Almost constantly living in his lab, immersing himself deeper and deeper in his research, and closing himself off more and more from everyone. Melissa tried to find out what was bothering him, to support him, to help with his research. In response, she received a tired smile and words of gratitude. But in her father's eyes, she saw a deep thoughtfulness far removed from her.

The girl watched sadly as the person closest to her drifted further away.

Sitting in the electric car that had pulled up, the girl focused on her upcoming meeting with her old friend. Three years had passed since they met in Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina. And Melissa had never once regretted their acquaintance.

Maybe he didn't always understand her research, wasn't a eloquent speaker who could captivate an audience in a few sentences, and was sometimes more awkward socially than she was, which was evident even through video calls. But in one respect, he was better than the vast majority. Determination. The will to move forward. She had only seen something similar in Uncle Toshinori.

Ken, despite his rather quiet temperament, increasingly gave the impression over time that any problem would be solved and any goal achieved. That it was only a matter of time.

That, and the fact that over the years, despite knowing about her father, he still saw her as a person, was endearing. While others saw her as a young genius, the heir to David Shield's work, or an opportunity to gain favor with her father, Ken saw a lonely girl who just needed a friend.

When the car stopped near the square in front of the airport entrance, the girl prepared herself for the meeting with her friend. She prepared her words and reviewed the tour plan.

"Long time no see, Melissa."

But looking into those familiar red eyes, the girl heard her heart beating faster and faster. The words of greeting stuck in her throat. For some reason, at that moment, she realized that her friend was so handsome.

[End Pov Melissa Shield]

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