The Emperor's Dragon

Way Ahead of You

First.

Izuku was doing his homework when the message came through. He looked at his phone and waited for the follow up messages. What is it? He messaged back when it became apparent that there was nothing following the first message. He felt a flash of worry about it. Mei was never quiet, not even in texts!

I wanted to have this finished for you.

Even having the sanitation tests done.

Sanitation tests? Izuku mouthed the question to himself as he typed. What sanitation tests? Mei hadn't mentioned them.

Tests for sanitation. She sent back.

He waited, knowing that she'd explain.

For the injectors. If they are going to be multi-use then they have to be sanitary and remain sanitary between uses.

To check that I have to run tests.

I was going to do it out of the money you previously gave me but-

Izuku sighed. That money was for you to develop the drug injectors, and your time. And he knew he hadn't really paid her enough for the amount of work she was doing. Especially given how the Doctor had told him that his dad was happy with the helmet.

I wanted to finish it for you

You are doing fine, Izuku reassured her. She really was. How much does testing cost?

About 600 yen a test.

That seemed reasonable. He didn't really know what the tests needed to be but he knew Mei was insisting that everything was medical grade for this. Therefore he knew the tests would be extensive.

How many tests need to be done? Izuku asked.

I don't know.

Probably fifty or so.

I need to ensure that nothing grows

Then your dad can wear this all day.

Izuku felt his eyes widen. You mean all the time?

He'll have to take it off to sleep, Mei told him.

But there shouldn't be a time limit

And there shouldn't be any infections

Or other complications.

Izuku felt his breath become short. That was... That's fantastic! He sent through even as he calculated in his head what 600 by 50 tests was. Five sixes was thirty, plus the zeros... So 30,000 yen. That wasn't too bad. He opened his note on his investment. There was plenty left for her and he figured his dad would think this was a very worthwhile investment.

He transferred 40,000 yen to Mei.

I wanted to finish it though, she objected.

The fact that you are working on it, means a lot to me, Izuku sent to her. Her invention was better than anything the Doctor could make and that alone made it worth it.

But, I wanted to finish it. Mei repeated.

You said your Dad needs it, right?

If he needs this, then he's really sick and this is helping him.

That's why I wanted to finish it.

It is something he needs.

Izuku stared at his phone for a few moments. He could feel tears forming in his eyes as he read Mei's messages. Thank you. That was all he could say.