THOUGH THIRTEEN’S APPEARANCE was appealing to her, Ochako did sometimes wonder: How does the pro-hero look like behind the mask? This was a mystery that kept her awake some nights, imagining all the different ways her teacher can possibly look like --- short &. portly ( this one is the highest possibility ), perhaps lean yet compensating for that extra space in their suit with hot air, or maybe so buff it would give professional body builders a run for their money. Matter of fact, do they even have hair? They could be bald for all she knew! &. How can she ever know? Their costume was that of an astronaut from classic sci-fi films, so shapeless they might as well not be human. Perhaps, an alien from outer space.
One thing is certain: Ochako is going to get to the bottom of this! &. She has a fool-proof plan.
So, with calculated steps, after waiting for her classmates to leave ( while Mina hides inside a cabinet with a camera in-hand ), Ochako approaches Thirteen, who was busy cleaning up their work area after today`s lesson.
“Hey, Thirteen-san. I apologize for interrupting, but I noticed...” She deliberately trailed off, acting as if she was thinking on how to pose her next comment gently when she was really following a script, gazing sidelong for full effect, “Your helmet looked a bit dirty today. I didn`t want to mention it earlier in class, because I didn`t want to interrupt your lesson.” Mindful of her act, she turned back towards her teacher to face them &. look them right in the eye ( or, perceived eyes, in this case ), reverting to her sprightly &. confident demeanor, “But, I can clean it for you right now, if you want. You do look a bit busy, so I promise I won`t get in the way! I`ll make the helmet spotless in no time.”