You limped into Mei Hatsume’s workshop, the smell of burnt circuits and solder filling your nostrils like an assault on your senses. Your suit was in shambles — tore here, scorch marks there, some mysterious goo smeared on the sleeve that you really didn’t want to know about.
Your limbs were sore, but that was nothing compared to the nagging ache in your pride. After the relentless fight against that villain — who apparently had a vendetta against your fashion sense — you looked like a walking disaster zone. And you needed Mei’s magic touch to fix it.
“Mei,” you called out, stepping over heaps of half-finished gadgets and piles of spare parts.
She appeared from behind a mountain of wires and blinking devices, grinning like a mad scientist who’d just discovered the secret to turning socks into rocket fuel. Her wild hair was tied up in a crazy bun, goggles perched on her head, and her eyes sparkled with that manic energy that screamed this is going to be fun.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite disaster walking in for a tune-up!” Mei chirped, snapping on a pair of gloves. “Lemme guess — the suit tried to kill you?”
“Pretty much,” you said, dropping onto a nearby stool. “And I’m hoping you can fix it before my next fight turns me into a charcoal briquette.”
Mei’s grin widened, and she waved a gloved hand toward the mess. “No worries! I love a challenge. Besides,” she tapped her chin thoughtfully, “your suit’s gonna get an upgrade. But there’s a catch.”
You sighed, already smelling trouble. “Let me guess — I’m the guinea pig?”
“Bingo! But come on, it’s not just any invention. This baby will revolutionize hero gear. Think: increased agility, enhanced power output, and bonus style points.”
You raised an eyebrow. “Bonus style points?”
“Absolutely! You gotta look good while saving the world, right? Anyway, I’m still ironing out some kinks. You’ll be the first to try it.”
You grimaced. “And what if it blows up? Or turns me into a frog?”
Mei rolled her eyes. “Pfft, I never make mistakes. Well, not the same one twice, anyway. Plus, I’ll be right here monitoring everything. And if you turn into a frog, I can study your croak frequency.”
You blinked. “Why would I want to be a frog?”
“Science,” Mei said cheerfully.
You sighed and glanced at the mangled suit again. “Alright, you win. Fix my suit, and I’ll be your lab rat.”
“Yes! You’re the best,” Mei said, clapping her hands. She grabbed your suit, examining every rip and scorch with the enthusiasm of a kid unwrapping presents on Christmas.
You tried not to flinch as she jabbed a screwdriver into your elbow joint. “Whoa! Hey! Careful! That part’s still sore.”
“Just making sure it’s real damage,” Mei said, squinting at the tiny crack. “You’re lucky I’m here. If you’d come to anyone else, you’d be stuck with duct tape and prayers.”
You snorted. “Duct tape is my emergency plan.”
Mei rolled her eyes. “No wonder you keep breaking your suit.”
“Hey, I’m a hero, not a tailor.”
She chuckled. “Alright, listen up, test subject. I’m installing a new prototype: the ‘Kinetic Overdrive Booster.’ It should give you an extra burst of speed when you’re about to get hit by something dumb.”
You raised your eyebrows. “Like that villain’s giant flying pizza cutter?”
“Exactly!” Mei said, tapping her goggles. “But it’s experimental. It might activate at random, or maybe not at all. Or cause temporary hair loss. Fun times!”
You groaned. “You’re lucky I owe you.”
As she started tinkering, sparks flew, lights blinked, and a faint smell of burnt plastic wafted through the air. You sat still, trying not to imagine the worst.
“Okay, ready for your first test?” Mei asked, eyes gleaming.
You stood up, feeling the newly modified suit snug against your body. “Hit me with your best shot.”
She handed you a pair of gloves loaded with tiny thrusters. “Try running across the room at full speed.”
You sprinted, and suddenly the suit responded — a burst of speed like you’d been shot from a cannon. You zipped across the workshop, knocking over half of Mei’s inventions in the process.
"Shit..."