The sun was nearing its zenith, casting a warm glow over the training grounds as Kenji and Ren made their way back toward the school. The air was thick with the scent of pine and the distant murmur of a flowing stream. Ren, as usual, had a wide grin on his face, his dark hair still damp from the rigorous sparring session they'd just finished. Kenji, on the other hand, was quiet, his mind still replaying the earlier battle. Every movement, every strike, was analyzed and cataloged in his head for future improvement.
“Man, you’re getting faster,” Ren said, nudging Kenji with his elbow. “Next time, I might actually have to try.”
Kenji smirked, but it was half-hearted. “You say that every time, Ren.”
Ren laughed, his voice echoing through the trees. “One of these days, it’ll be true. Just you wait.”
As they neared the cafeteria, the sound of clanging metal and lively chatter grew louder. The smell of grilled meat and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, making Ren’s stomach growl.
“Come on, let’s grab something before all the good stuff’s gone,” Ren urged, already veering off toward the food stands.
Kenji nodded absently, following Ren’s lead. He was just about to step into the line when he noticed a familiar figure leaning casually against a wooden post, arms crossed and an unreadable expression on his face.
Kai.
Kai’s icy blue eyes locked onto Kenji’s the moment he noticed him. There was a flicker of something—annoyance, perhaps?—before his usual cool demeanor settled back into place. Kenji’s grip tightened on the hilt of the sword he was just practicing with it might not be related to his quirk but his costume would include a sword when he became a pro he's always loved everything about them, his heart picking up speed despite his best efforts to remain calm.
The history between them was as complicated as it was volatile. They had clashed more times than Kenji could count, their rivalry rooted in a deep-seated mistrust that neither could seem to shake. But recently, something had shifted. Their encounters were still charged with tension, but there was a new undercurrent, something unspoken that neither of them dared to acknowledge.
Ren, oblivious to the brewing storm, grabbed two skewers of grilled meat and tossed one to Kenji. “Catch!”
Kenji caught the skewer with one hand, never breaking eye contact with Kai. He could feel Kai’s gaze trailing after him as he walked over to Ren.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the boy wonder” Kai drawled, pushing off the post and sauntering over. His voice was smooth, almost mocking, and it made Kenji’s skin prickle.
Kenji took a bite of his skewer, forcing himself to appear nonchalant. “Jealous?”
Kai’s lips curved into a smirk. “Hardly. Just surprised you’re still standing after that session. You looked like you were about to drop by the end.”
“Yeah? I’m still standing though, aren’t I?” Kenji shot back, a spark of defiance in his tone.
Kai stepped closer, his presence a challenge in itself. “For now.”
Ren, sensing the tension, took a step back, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, I’m gonna go check out the desserts. If someone dies I don't wanna be a witness”
With Ren gone, the atmosphere grew even thicker. Kenji and Kai stood facing each other, the sounds of the bustling cafeteria fading into the background.
“What do you want, Kai?” Kenji asked, his voice edged with irritation.
Kai tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly. “What I want? You make it sound like I’m after something.”
“Aren’t you?” Kenji challenged, his pulse quickening. There was something about Kai that always put him on edge, something that made him feel like he was constantly being tested.
Kai’s smirk faltered for just a fraction of a second, and in that moment, Kenji thought he saw something else in those cold eyes—something that almost looked like hesitation. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the familiar mask of indifference.
“I guess I am,” Kai finally said, his voice low. “But not what you think.”
Before Kenji could respond, Kai turned on his heel and started to walk away, leaving Kenji standing there, his mind racing with unspoken questions.
Kai’s last words echoed in his mind. *But not what you think.*
Kenji’s jaw clenched as he watched Kai disappear into the crowd. This dance they were doing—it was getting more dangerous by the day. But what unnerved Kenji most wasn’t the rivalry, or even the strange connection that had been building between them.
It was the fear that maybe, just maybe, he didn’t hate Kai as much as he claimed to.
"Weirdo.." he said to no one in particular.
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MY HERO ACADEMIA:NEXT GENERATION
ActionTHIS story is about MHA next gen as the title says.. The protagonist is Kenji todoroki's journey to reach his dream of becoming a hero. Along with the strangles and the unfolding mysteries of his life. (What else do you want? It's MHA next gen read...
