Chapter 22: Chapter 21: "Hero(es)" and Girls
Unaware of the discussions happening far away at U.A. High School, Kaminari was in his room, completely immersed in his project. He was typing away on his computer, working on a document titled "Complete Pokémon World Settings."
He had to admit, creating this comprehensive guide was actually a lot of fun. It allowed him to revisit the details of the Pokémon world and the various creatures that populated it. First, he started by listing the major regions: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and others.
Originally, he'd considered drawing a full map of the world, but that idea lasted all of three seconds before he dismissed it. Who was he kidding? He didn't have a photographic memory to perfectly recall every detail of such a vast map.
Luckily, since Pokémon was originally created by a Japanese company, many of the regions were inspired by real places in Japan. Kaminari figured he could let a professional Japanese artist handle the world map; his job was to lay down the essential details, like the world's origins, legendary Pokémon myths, and the intricate ecosystem.
He typed up information about various roles in the Pokémon world, such as Pokémon Trainers, Coordinators, Breeders, Rangers, and even the ever-present Officer Jennys and Nurse Joys. He made notes on the various leagues, Elite Four members, and even the criminal organizations like Team Rocket and Galactic.
After hours of work, Kaminari had managed to get through a lot of the groundwork. He was now moving on to drawing the legendary Pokémon, ensuring that they closely resembled the iconic versions from his previous life.
"Alright, the three legendary birds are done. Now, I just need to finish Raikou, and that will complete the three legendary beasts. Next up is Ho-Oh…"
As he spoke aloud to himself, Kaminari paused to reflect, sighing deeply. "Man, why didn't I get some kind of system that could summon Pokémon for real…?" he muttered wistfully.
Meanwhile, Japan's MTV music network had begun heavily promoting Kaminari's latest song, "Hero." Anyone who visited the site couldn't miss the banner showcasing a striking image of Kaminari, the blond fifteen-year-old with lightning-shaped black streaks in his hair. The bold text read:
"Anyone can be a Hero! – Fifteen-year-old Kaminari Denki!"
"From the creator of 'Only My Railgun'!"
It didn't take long for the campaign to gain traction. Within minutes, hundreds of thousands of people had seen the promotion, piquing their curiosity about this young musician who had only recently come into the spotlight.
Although Kaminari wasn't a complete unknown his previous song "Only My Railgun" had garnered some attention, this new track's theme and the story behind it intrigued listeners. Many were eager to see if he could replicate the success of his debut.
As they navigated to his page to give "Hero" a listen, they came across a personal message from Kaminari:
"I'm about to take the entrance exam for U.A. High School's Hero Course. This song, 'Hero,' is dedicated to myself, my future school, its teachers, my future classmates, and all those who strive and work hard. Anyone can be a Hero!"
Readers were surprised to learn that this fifteen-year-old musician was also an aspiring Hero Course student at U.A., the most prestigious Hero school in Japan. The dual ambition of pursuing music and heroics made Kaminari an even more interesting figure.
---
In a small town in Shizuoka Prefecture, a purple-haired girl was sitting in her room, staring at her laptop screen. She had just read Kaminari's message and was intrigued. As someone who had also passed U.A.'s written exam, she realized they might actually meet at the entrance exam.
"Interesting," she thought, turning up the volume as she clicked to play "Hero." The opening beats filled the room, the rhythm electrifying as it pulsed through her high-end surround sound system. Her room, more of a music studio than a typical bedroom, was filled with musical instruments, an electric guitar, electronic keyboard, drum kit, and an array of speakers.
Her parents had even soundproofed the walls to accommodate her love for rock music. Yes, she was definitely well-off, but her passion was unmistakable. As the prelude played, she felt herself getting absorbed in the beat, her head swaying in time with the drums.
"This rhythm… it's amazing!" she exclaimed, her foot tapping on the floor.
The lyrics began:
"Pretending to be brave, I started to get carried away!
Throwing all important things aside!
Torturing myself like a prisoner!
Saying goodbye to myself like this!"
She raised an eyebrow at the opening lines. "The song is called 'Hero,' but it doesn't seem to be about Hero work," she mused. Still, the energy was undeniable, and she kept listening, curious to see where it would go.
---
In another corner of Shizuoka, a boy named Midoriya Izuku had just woken up from yet another exhausting night of training at the Takoba Seaside Park. His phone buzzed with a notification from the Japanese MTV app, promoting Kaminari's "Hero."
Midoriya was always interested in songs about Heroes. While they were just songs, he found that listening to them made his own dream feel more vivid, even if only for a moment. He decided to give the song a listen as he got out of bed, still groggy from his limited sleep.
As he listened to the lyrics, one line resonated deeply with him:
"What should I do if I'm afraid of that guy?"
Midoriya felt a jolt of recognition. He knew that fear all too well. It wasn't just about bullies or villains; it was about the fear of not being good enough, of not measuring up to the standards of those who were born gifted.
---
The song continued to build:
"A man should be strong for others!"
"Bite your teeth and make up your mind to persevere to the end!"
"It doesn't matter if you fall down, just stand up again!"
"That's all, if you can do it... you're a Hero!!"
Midoriya Izuku's heart was instantly set ablaze by these lyrics, and he felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins! The pain and exhaustion from the past ten months seemed to evaporate in an instant.
"Clench your teeth... make up your mind and stick to it... Yes! That's the way it should be!"
"I can't give up now!"
As the song reached its final verse, the climax began.
"A man should be strong for others!"
"Compete with everything you've got!"
"It's okay to cry, just find your smile again!"
"That's all. If you can do it... you're a Hero!!"
"Yes!" Midoriya grabbed his phone, then burst out of his room and headed for the kitchen, his voice ringing with determination, "What have I been doing? How can I be so lax? Don't I want to become a Hero like All Might?!"
"After dinner, I'll head straight to the seaside park to continue clearing the debris!"
"And today, I'm going to sing this song a hundred times! A hundred times!!"
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, the purple-haired girl listened to the line:
"The same goes for girls, you can't just watch from the sidelines! If it feels right, go for it, as long as you have the courage to take the leap!"
"That's all. If you can do it... you'll be a Hero!!"
At that moment, she burst into laughter. She glanced at the high-resolution poster of Kaminari on her screen and whispered to herself, "You talk big, huh... I hope you're just as good at walking the walk when we meet, hehehe."
She didn't choose to play the song again. Instead, she jumped up, grabbed her electric guitar, and immediately started playing with ease.
It was the intro to "Hero!!"
She had only listened to it once and already memorized the melody perfectly!
Her musical talent was simply astounding...
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
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Chapter 23: Chapter 22: Encounter
"Hero" is a hit, a total hit!
Kaminari had gained some level of fame. While not a nationwide superstar, he had carved out a name for himself, especially in the small circles of Saitama Prefecture. He was a recognizable figure, at least enough to be considered a local star.
As he stood on the subway, he noticed several boys and girls with their phones out, aiming their cameras at him.
"You know, you really are a star. I never noticed it before..."
Tetsutetsu, standing beside him, couldn't help but glance enviously at the excited group of girls nearby who were too shy to approach.
Though rough around the edges, Tetsutetsu was still a teenager, and like most boys, he couldn't completely ignore his interest in pretty girls.
"By the way, have you been ignoring Japanese MTV completely?" he asked Kaminari.
Kaminari, ever the charmer, kept his smile intact while waving to the middle school girls. After hearing their soft gasps of admiration, he signed his name for them and posed for a quick photo.
Well, he was aiming to be a big star after all. Gotta start building the fan base young, he thought. Though it also caught the attention of a few confused adults who didn't recognize him.
Well, getting surrounded was just part of being a star. Just gotta get used to it… yeah, just gotta get used to it.
"Ah, music, huh? I used to listen to some... but not anymore," Tetsutetsu replied, rubbing his nose awkwardly as the lingering scent of the girls' perfume made him feel a little self-conscious.
The girls, after excitedly taking their first-ever photo with a celebrity, returned to their seats, still giggling and sneaking glances at Kaminari, whispering amongst themselves.
Still smiling, Kaminari asked, "So, what have you been up to lately?"
"I've been working on that technique you showed me," Tetsutetsu began, sounding a bit proud. "The moment I got home, I went straight to the garden in my apartment complex and started practicing. I've been—"
But before Tetsutetsu could finish, Kaminari interrupted, frowning slightly. "Didn't I tell you? It isn't something you can master in a short time. Don't focus all your effort on it."
"I know, I know. But listen!" Tetsutetsu insisted. "I'm not just practicing that. A couple days ago, I joined a judo gym! I've been training with Sensei Daimon!"
"Judo?!" Kaminari blinked, surprised. He looked Tetsutetsu up and down, then said thoughtfully, "Honestly, with your personality and Quirk, you'd probably be better off training in karate or maybe even Chinese Bajiquan."
"Really?" Tetsutetsu grinned, though his enthusiasm for judo didn't waver in the slightest. "But I kinda like judo. The throws and grapples are pretty cool!"
Of course, he wouldn't mention that right now he was the one being thrown around every day. But he believed that soon enough, he'd be the one tossing people left and right. Maybe he'd even try it on Kaminari!
"Alright, as long as you're enjoying it," Kaminari shrugged. For someone like Tetsutetsu, physical, strength-based combat styles seemed like a perfect fit. But in the end, everyone has their own preferences. Kaminari could only wish him success.
By now, it was already February 26th, and the Shinkansen they were riding was speeding toward U.A. High School in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Since Shizuoka was a bit far from Saitama City, the journey took nearly an hour, even by high-speed train. To pass the time, Kaminari played one of his new songs for Tetsutetsu, thinking he'd enjoy it.
Sure enough, as soon as Tetsutetsu finished listening, he grabbed the headphones and started looping the track. Kaminari had guessed right, he was into that kind of rock music, full of passion, struggle, and fighting spirit.
Though he didn't seem to care much for Kaminari's "Only My Railgun" ... Well, to each their own, Kaminari thought. Personal tastes couldn't be forced.
And so, the two fifteen-year-old boys passed the time. Tetsutetsu sat engrossed in the music while Kaminari casually chatted with the girls on the train. They both enjoyed the trip, though Tetsutetsu occasionally cast a complicated look in Kaminari's direction.
One hour, or sixty minutes—3,600 seconds, to be precise passed quietly, and soon the train arrived. Kaminari and Tetsutetsu stepped off the Shinkansen at their destination.
Well, Kaminari did leave with a few new fans. Three more, to be exact.
It was 8:25 AM, thirty-five minutes before the start of U.A.'s practical entrance exam. According to the map, the school was only a six-minute walk from the station.
So, the two weren't in any rush. They strolled leisurely toward U.A., taking in the sights of Shizuoka. Along the way, they spotted other students, all wearing different middle school uniforms, heading in the same direction. Clearly, these were fellow candidates for the exam.
All competitors, Kaminari thought to himself.
Both Kaminari and Tetsutetsu were also wearing their old middle school uniforms, as per U.A.'s request. It seemed the school wanted its candidates to present themselves as students.
This made Kaminari a little nostalgic. He had thought he'd never wear a school uniform again, but now that he was, he realized he'd grown somewhat attached to it over the past three years.
"We're here."
Soon, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu, along with candidates from all over Japan, reached the gates of U.A. High School—gates they had only seen on TV before.
"The Heroic Protective Wall!"
A massive gate made from a mysterious alloy. According to rumors, not even a main battle tank could take it down.
The gate was open now, welcoming the candidates. Signs reading "U.A. High School" and "Entrance Exam Venue" hung beside it.
Some candidates had already arrived, entering either alone or in pairs. The atmosphere was tense and quiet.
"It's about to begin. The big exam with an acceptance rate of 300 to 1," Kaminari muttered to himself as he stepped through the gates. Even with his laid-back personality, he couldn't shake a bit of nervousness. After all, this was a huge moment for him.
"I heard they're only accepting forty students out of over a thousand applicants..." Tetsutetsu muttered, his face tight with anxiety.
In front of them were three large red doors. Only the one marked with a "2" was open, with a sign beside it indicating it was the briefing room for the exam.
Just as Kaminari and Tetsutetsu were about to head over, a sharp voice broke the silence from behind them.
"Move aside, weakling!"
"Get out of my way, or I'll crush you!"
The harsh tone echoed through the otherwise quiet area. Kaminari and Tetsutetsu, along with the rest of the crowd, turned to see who it was.
A second later, everyone turned back, going about their business. It was just some loud greeting between friends, though the approach was a bit... intense.
Kaminari did the same, but for some reason, his eyes lingered on a flustered green-haired boy who seemed rattled by the encounter.
"Let's go, Kaminari," Tetsutetsu said, curling his lip in mild disdain. He wasn't fond of people who got so easily shaken up. How could someone like that hope to be a pro hero?
"Yeah, let's go," Kaminari nodded, but there was an odd feeling nagging at him... Maybe it was just the nerves from the upcoming test?
But just as they began to climb the steps toward the red door, a voice called out behind them.
"Kaminari Denki!"
******
Bonus chapter for 200 PS
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Junkdog
Junkdog
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