บท 39: Danger close.
-Narrator POV-
The third day of training was underway, and Kaminari was already in the thick of it. He felt his muscles ache and his energy deplete as he cycled through exercises designed to push his quirk beyond the familiar limits. Aizawa had him focusing on maintaining control even as he ramped up his output incrementally, reinforcing his ability to regulate energy flow and stop any surges before they could overload.
Yet today, something else seemed… off. He couldn't shake the feeling that some of his classmates were acting a bit different around him. During a brief pause between drills, he caught Kirishima grinning at him just a little too knowingly. Then, Sero gave him a quick nudge and a half-smile but brushed it off when Kaminari asked him what was up. It wasn't like he hadn't had his fair share of jokes thrown his way before, but this felt different somehow, and it gnawed at the back of his mind.
Meanwhile, from a distance, someone watched it all unfold. She noticed the quick glances, the stifled laughs, and the subtle changes in body language from their classmates every time Kaminari moved or looked their way. She clenched her fist slightly, frustration bubbling up within her. She knew what the whispers were likely about, and seeing Kaminari so oblivious to it all only fueled her agitation. Here he was, working harder than ever, completely unaware that his personal life had turned into a source of gossip for the others.
She wanted to say something—perhaps confront a few of them, or even talk to Kaminari about it directly—but decided to hold back, at least until the training session ended. The last thing he needed was more distractions when he was already pushing himself past his limits.
Finally, after hours of relentless training, Aizawa-sensei called for a halt. His steady, even gaze took in each of them with a discerning eye before he nodded in approval.
"All right, that's enough for now," he announced, his voice tired yet resolute. "Get some rest and head back to the lodge. You'll need it. And remember: the rest of this week's training will only get tougher."
The class let out a collective sigh of relief, all of them grateful for the break. As Kaminari trudged back with his classmates, the question lingered. He couldn't help but feel that something was up.
Once more, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, fading light over the training camp as students buzzed around preparing for dinner. Kaminari had just finished chopping vegetables, his movements a little slower than usual thanks to the day's exhausting training. As he wiped his forehead, feeling the weight of fatigue settling into his muscles, he caught sight of Yaoyorozu walking toward him with a subtle but purposeful stride.
"Kaminari-san, can I speak to you for a moment?" She asked, her voice softer than usual. There was something else hidden in the tone, but Kaminari couldn't quite place it.
"Yeah, sure." He replied, setting down the knife and dusting his hands off on his apron. He followed her to a quieter spot, away from the clatter of pots and chatter of classmates. The fading light cast long shadows on the trees around them, giving the moment an intimate feel, though neither of them acknowledged it aloud.
Yaoyorozu paused, crossing her arms in a thoughtful gesture before glancing back at Kaminari. "There's something I thought you should know… Some of the others have been talking."
He raised an eyebrow. "Talking? About what?"
She hesitated for a second, her eyes flicking away from his as if she was deciding how to word it. "Apparently someone saw you and Kendo last night. And... Well, they've been spreading the word. You know how those girls can be. It's… About you two."
Kaminari blinked, caught off guard. He stood silent for a second looking at the ground beneath them before speaking up. "'Girls'? So it's either Hagakure or Mina, or both. Uraraka ain't the one for gossip, neither is Tsu, Jirou minds her business and you have better things to do than to spread unfounded rumors."
Yaoyorozu sighed softly, her gaze meeting his with a mix of seriousness and understanding, but also surprise as he deduced it all correctly. "Please, don't be mad at them, you know how they are."
For a moment, Kaminari was speechless, a rush of thoughts swirling through his mind. He had no idea they'd been seen—or that anyone would care enough to gossip about it. But even more unsettling was the way Yaoyorozu delivered the news, as if she had been keeping this to herself, deciding whether or not to tell him.
"Wow, you gotta be kidding me." he said, running a hand through his hair. "We were just talking, no big deal, why would they spread such rumor?"
Yaoyorozu offered a faint smile. "You know how these things are, and... well... Mina had commented before about how you two were exchanging text messages, so seeing the situation and the circustances, it's was inevitable that such reaction would be warranted."
We barely talk to each other in person and our text messages are private. So unless Kendo herself is spreading gossip, there's no way Mina caught something like this, or she did and she definitely should apply for an job at MI6. Kaminari's thoughts wandered far, far away as he tried to make sense out of this situation.
"Right... You're probably right." Kaminari let out a small, nervous chuckle, though something in Yaoyorozu's demeanor made him feel uneasy. It wasn't just the gossip that was bothering her, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was.
There was a brief silence, and then, just for a moment, Kaminari caught a glimpse of something in her expression—something familiar. It reminded him of that day during the U.A. Sports Festival, when she had looked at him with the same uncertainty, right before…
No way, that's childish to even consider.
He shook the thought away. It was a long time ago, and nothing came of it. Still, the memory made the air between them feel heavier.
"Anyway." Yaoyorozu said, clearing her throat and breaking the silence, "I just wanted you to be aware. I didn't want you to be caught off guard if anyone says something."
"Thanks, Momo. I appreciate it." Kaminari gave her a small, genuine smile. "I guess I'll just have to deal with it."
She nodded, her smile returning, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "We should get back before the others start wondering where we went."
"Yeah, you're right."
As they walked back toward the rest of the group, Kaminari couldn't help but glance at Yaoyorozu one more time. The conversation left him with more questions than answers. He couldn't quite shake the feeling that there was something left unsaid between them.
With the conversation hanging in the air, the students finished preparing dinner. The savory aroma of food filled the air as everyone gathered around the long table, ready to dig in after a long day of grueling training. The mood was lighter, though Kaminari's thoughts were still clouded by the conversation with Yaoyorozu. He caught sight of Kendo at the other end of the table, seemingly oblivious to the gossip that was starting to take root.
As the night wore on and the dinner table grew rowdier with laughter and conversations, Kaminari realized that things were only going to get more complicated from here.
...
As the students of Class 1-A ventured into the dark forest in pairs for the scary training exercise, Kaminari found himself walking a bit ahead of the group, his mind distracted. The dense canopy overhead blocked out most of the moonlight, leaving the path ahead dimly lit by flashlights and the occasional flicker of quirks. The eerie atmosphere was lost on him, though—he was far too preoccupied.
This is bad. I didn't think anything of it at first, but now... what if the rumors get out of hand? What if it messes things up for Kendo?
He kicked at the dirt beneath his feet, frowning. He didn't want anyone thinking less of her, especially not because of him. He liked Kendo but he also knew that gossip had a way of twisting things. And with Mina and Hagakure already talking, who knew where it would end?
He could feel his face burning at the thought. This is so embarrassing. The idea that the whole camp might think there was something going on between them—especially when they were just figuring things out—made him feel exposed.
He wasn't worried about the teasing that would come his way—he could handle that. But Kendo? She didn't deserve to be dragged into this mess. What if it makes things awkward for her in Class B? She already had enough to deal with, balancing her position as the class rep and keeping Monoma in check. He didn't want to add to her stress.
Maybe I should just talk to her about it? Or maybe that'll just make it worse... Ugh, what do I do?
Kaminari sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration as he trudged deeper into the forest. The spooky noises from the Class B scary squad were just background noise at this point. What was really haunting him was the thought of how this could all blow up in their faces.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest, Kendo walked with a small group of her Class B friends, trying to stay focused on their mission to scare Class 1-A. But the moment she heard Monoma's voice—dripping with mischief—she knew something was up.
"So, Itsuka," Monoma began, sidling up next to her with a grin that could only mean trouble. "Heard some interesting news. Seems like you've been spending quite a bit of time with a certain boy from Class 1-A."
Kendo frowned, already sensing where this was going. "Monoma, don't start."
But it wasn't just Monoma. Yui, who was walking behind them, chimed in, her tone more curious than mocking. "It's true, though. Some of the others were talking about it earlier. Apparently, someone from Class 1-A saw you and Kaminari last night."
Kendo's steps faltered slightly, caught off guard. "Wait, what? Saw us doing what?"
Monoma smirked. "Oh, nothing too scandalous, don't worry. Just, you know, the two of you having a late-night chat outside. Alone. Under the stars. Totally innocent, right?"
Kendo's cheeks flushed, and she shot Monoma a sharp look. "Of course it was innocent! We were just... Talking." She crossed her arms, more annoyed than embarrassed. "Seriously, you guys, it was nothing. People are just blowing it out of proportion."
Yui offered a more empathetic smile. "We know that, Kendo. But you know how these things spread. You might want to clear the air before it gets out of hand."
Kendo sighed, her frustration growing. It wasn't like she planned the whole thing with Kaminari that night—it had been a genuine moment of connection. But now, thanks to the gossip, it was being twisted into something else. She didn't mind that people were curious, but the last thing she wanted was for Kaminari to get dragged into some stupid rumor because of her.
"Great," she muttered, shaking her head. "Just what I need right now."
Monoma chuckled, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "Hey, at least Kaminari's a decent guy, right? Could be worse. He could be like me." He gave her a wink, which only made her roll her eyes.
"Don't make me regret knowing you, Monoma," Kendo shot back, though her tone was more playful than angry.
"Monoma! You have extra classes, come with me." Vlad King exclaimed as he dragged Monoma away from the group, much to the latter's dismay.
Still, even as the group continued forward, Kendo couldn't help but think about the gossip. She didn't regret spending time with Kaminari—far, very far from it—but now she'd have to figure out how to handle the fallout. And with this gossip involved, there was no telling how fast the rumors would spread.
...
Kaminari wasn't alone in the eerie forest. Ojirou, his tailed buddy, was walking beside him, trying to stay upbeat even as they navigated through the spookiest part of the woods. The sounds of snapping twigs and rustling leaves played tricks on the senses, but Ojirou remained unfazed, his usual smile in place.
"I'm not going to lie, this forest does give the creeps" Ojirou said, a little timidly. "But we've faced literal villains, this won't be nothing."
Kaminari smiled faintly, his mind still dwelling on the gossip. "Yeah, totally. I'm not worried about ghosts or anything... but you know, real stuff, like rumors, can be scarier than any of this."
Ojirou blinked, raising an eyebrow. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Kaminari sighed, kicking a rock along the path. "Just... you know, stuff gets around camp. Things people say... about me and Kendo."
"Ohhhh, that," Ojirou said, grinning knowingly. "You mean how Hagakure and Mina are already spreading rumors that you two are a thing?"
Kaminari groaned. "Yeah, that. I just... don't want it to get out of hand, y'know?
Especially not for Kendo. I don't want her to get caught up in it."
Ojirou punched Kaminari lightly in the shoulder. "You're overthinking it. Although I don't know much, I hear Kendo's tough—she can handle it. Besides, it's not like it's that crazy. You two get along, right?"
Kaminari gave a sheepish smile. "Yeah... I guess. Still, the timing's weird. I just don't want it to mess things up for her."
"But is there something to mess with in the first place?" Ojirou's follow-up question hits like a freight train.
Before Kaminari could respond, the sound of footsteps from the trees caught their attention. Kaminari's nerves spiked for a moment, but he tried to shake it off, knowing Class B was around to scare them.
...
Kendo and her small group of Class B students crouched behind the trees, waiting for their next targets to arrive. She felt a bit jittery—not just from the scare mission, but from the lingering thoughts about the rumors swirling around camp.
"We'll get these guys for sure," Honenuki whispered, his voice full of mischief. "Class 1-A won't know what hit them."
Kendo rolled her eyes but nodded, signaling to the others to get ready. As the figures of Kaminari and Ojirou came into view, she recognized them instantly. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Kaminari, and the plan to scare them suddenly felt... awkward.
"It's Kaminari." Yui whispered beside her. "Should we still scare them?"
Kendo hesitated. It wasn't like she couldn't handle it—after all, it was just a fun exercise. But after everything going around camp, seeing Kaminari now, she wasn't sure if springing a jump scare on him was the best idea. Yet, before she could stop them, Honenuki leaped out with a loud growl.
Ojirou flinched, his usual brave exterior cracking for a second, while Kaminari just stood there, wide-eyed but not as startled as expected.
"Oh, uh, nice one guys." Kaminari said awkwardly, realizing who it was. His eyes locked with Kendo's for a split second, and both of them froze.
Kendo cleared her throat, trying to play it off. "Hey, Kaminari-kun, Ojirou-san. Just... you know, doing our part of the exercise."
Ojirou grinned, still shaking off the scare. "You got me good! I wasn't expecting that."
Kaminari, however, remained quiet, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah... good one." he mumbled. His gaze flicked to Kendo again, and for a moment, the tension from earlier seemed to fill the space between them. Neither knew what to say.
Honenuki, of course, wasn't about to let it slide. "Awww, what's the matter, Kaminari? You seem a little... distracted."
Kendo shot him a warning look, but Kaminari just chuckled awkwardly. "Nah, I'm fine. Just... tired from all the training."
The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words. Kendo's friends seemed to pick up on the awkward vibe, but no one said anything directly. Instead, they moved on, and Kaminari and Ojirou continued their way through the forest.
...
As they walked further from the group, Ojirou was still grinning, talking about how intense the scare had been. But Kaminari's mind was elsewhere, still caught up in the strange tension between him and Kendo. His heart raced slightly, and he couldn't shake the embarrassment that came from being so awkward in front of her.
Is this how it's gonna be now? He wondered. Are things gonna get weird because of the rumors?
Ojirou's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Hey, Kaminari, are you okay? You're looking kinda pale."
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just, you know, thinking about stuff."
But before Ojirou could press any further, a sudden groan from the bushes nearby caught their attention. Kaminari turned just in time to see Shoda Nirengenki from class 1-B, almost collapsing onto the ground, his face pale as a sheet.
"Oi!" Kaminari called out, rushing over to help. "Dude, are you okay?"
Shoda nodded weakly, but his eyes were wide with fear. "There's... something out there... something bad."
Kaminari and Ojirou exchanged confused looks, but then, Kaminari noticed something strange. There, creeping into the air, was a faint purple mist—barely visible, but unmistakable. His breath caught in his throat as a sinking feeling settled in his gut.
That can't be good...
He glanced up, his eyes catching the distant sight of black smoke rising beyond the trees. The familiar crackle of electricity sparked around him instinctively.
"Oji—do you see that?" Kaminari's voice was low, tense.
Ojirou followed his gaze and cursed under his breath. "What's going on?"
Without another word, Kaminari felt his nerves snap into action. Something was coming—something far worse than the scares they'd prepared for.
They aided Shoda when a sudden, unfamiliar sensation filled the air—a telepathic echo, as clear as if it were being spoken aloud. Mandalay's voice resounded in their minds, clear and cold with a note of urgency.
"Attention, all students…
.
.
Villains are here..."
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