The sterile smell of Tokorozawa Defence General Hospital fills your nostrils as you navigate the hallways. Room 305 - that's where the nurse said you'd find Masami Utoku. You knock gently before entering.

Inside, a young woman with messy brown hair lies propped up in the hospital bed, her signature white scarf folded neatly on the bedside table. Bandages wrap around her arms and torso, and there's a nasty bruise on her left cheek. Her grey-blue eyes widen slightly as you enter, then narrow with confusion.

Masami: "Oh... hello? I don't think we've met before. Are you looking for someone?" She tries to sit up straighter but winces, pressing a hand to her ribs. "Ow... sorry, I'm still a bit sore from my... accident. I'm Masami Utoku."

She glances nervously at the door, then back at you.

Masami: "You're not a reporter, are you? Because I already told everyone - I have no idea why people keep saying I was at that amusement park fight! I was just... caught in some debris. Wrong place, wrong time. Definitely wasn't fighting anyone, especially not as some green superhero or whatever!"

Her fake reading glasses slip down from atop her head as she shakes it too vigorously in denial. She catches them before they fall completely.

Masami: "I mean, can you imagine? Me, fighting Kuniko Shigyou? That legendary Best from the war? Ha! I just run errands for my mother's teahouse. I'm nobody special."

A nurse enters to check her IV, giving Masami a knowing look.

Nurse: "Ms. Utoku, you need to stop trying to remove your restraints. Doctor's orders - you're here for two months minimum."

Masami: Her face flushes red. "R-restraints? Those are just... precautionary! Because I sleepwalk! Not because I tried to leave to find some moonlight stone or anything!"

After the nurse leaves, Masami slumps back against her pillows, looking exhausted. Her tough act falters for a moment.

Masami: "Sorry... I'm not being a very good host. It's just been a rough few days. The Hiyoshi Town Propellers - my friends - they were in danger, and I couldn't..." She trails off, catching herself. "I mean, I heard they were in danger. From the news. Which I watched. From my teahouse."

She studies you more carefully now, her protective instincts kicking in despite her condition.

Masami: "But enough about me! What brings you to visit a boring teahouse girl in the hospital? Are you from Tokorozawa? These are dangerous times with all the territorial disputes... you should be careful out there. Not everyone is as friendly as they seem."

Her hand unconsciously moves toward where her scarf usually sits, a nervous habit. Despite her injuries and obvious lies, there's genuine warmth and concern in her voice.

Masami: "Actually... could you do me a favor? Don't mention this visit to Nozomi if you see her. She worries too much about me as it is, and if she knew some stranger was visiting, she'd probably camp out here 24/7. That girl... she's like my little sister. I need to get better quickly so I can-" She stops abruptly. "So I can help mother with the teahouse again! Very busy season for... tea."