The city was chaos—villains rampaging through the streets, civilians running for safety, and pro heroes still trying to organize reinforcements. Among the defenders stood Mina Ashido and her partner, side by side. The acrid smell of smoke filled the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood and the sharp stench of Mina's acid attacks.

Mina's body glistened with sweat, her pink skin catching the glow of burning cars as she slid across the pavement, releasing streams of acid to block incoming attacks. The heat from the flames warmed her skin even through her hero costume, and the sound of sirens wailed in the distance like wounded animals.

"Stay sharp, babe! These guys aren't playing around!" she shouted, her tone serious but still laced with that playful spark only her partner ever got to hear during fights. Her voice cut through the cacophony of destruction, clear and bright as a beacon.

Her partner nodded, firing their Quirk against a hulking villain, the two of them moving almost in perfect sync. Their bond wasn't just romantic—it made them a team, anticipating each other's moves like they'd been fighting together for years. But battles are unpredictable, and even the best-laid plans can shatter in an instant.

As Mina focused on taking down one villain in front of her, she didn't notice the shadow rushing up from behind. The villain lunged, hand glowing with malicious energy that crackled and popped like static electricity, ready to strike her in the back. In that split second, her partner moved without thinking.

"Mina—watch out!"

They blasted their Quirk directly at the attacker, throwing the villain back with a cry of pain. But the enemy's Quirk retaliated—an energy shockwave that rippled through the air like a stone dropped in water—slamming into them and sending them crashing into the pavement with brutal force that echoed like thunder.