The next day started like any other for Kenji, though the unease from his fight with Kai lingered. It wasn't like him to let things get so heated, but the consistent feeling of being watched had him on edge already. Also he wasn’t used to anyone, except maybe Ren, caring enough to push through his walls. But what bothered him more was that Kai was right—he wasn’t okay, not entirely.
That strange presence, the feeling of being watched, had crept back into his life, stronger than ever now. He couldn't tell anyone about it, though. Not yet. Especially not Kai.
In the halls of U.A., Kenji moved with his usual calm confidence, but his mind was distant. Ren caught up to him in his typical high-energy manner, zipping up and almost running straight into him.
“Yo, Kenji! You’re not still sulking over yesterday, are you?” Ren teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Kenji rolled his mismatched eyes and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I don’t sulk, Ren.”
Ren slowed down to match Kenji's pace, shrugging with exaggerated nonchalance. “You sure? Because you’ve got that 'brooding protagonist' vibe going strong right now.”
Kenji couldn’t help but smirk slightly. “I’m not brooding. I just have stuff on my mind.”
Ren, as always, wasn’t deterred by Kenji’s vagueness. “Ah, stuff, the classic Kenji answer. Let me guess—it’s got something to do with Kai?”
Kenji’s eyes flicked toward him, sharp. “No, it doesn’t.”
Ren hummed in mock thought. “Right. Sure, sure. Definitely not because you two nearly blew up half the classroom with all that tension yesterday.”
Kenji grunted, not wanting to get into it. “I don’t want to talk about Kai.”
“Fine, fine. Don't bite my head off” Ren said, raising his hands in surrender.
Kenji nodded. “Yeah, sorry I just...have a lot in my mind right now”
As they walked into their classroom, the usual buzz of excitement filled the air. Students talked about training sessions and hero internships, but Kenji was already zoning out. He felt it again—the sensation of being watched. His heart skipped a beat, and his senses went on high alert. He scanned the room, but there was nothing, no one paying any more attention to him than usual.
Yet, the feeling didn’t fade.
Kai was already at his seat, his fiery red hair standing out against the usual sea of colors in the room. He glanced at Kenji, but instead of the intensity from yesterday, his expression was neutral, distant and... concerned?. Kenji almost preferred when Kai was annoyed or pushing him—it felt more normal than this awkward silence.
Mr. Aizawa entered the classroom, and the lesson began without much fanfare. But Kenji couldn’t focus. His thoughts were swirling, not just about the presence but also the strange dreams he’d been having recently—flashes of memories that weren’t his. Visions of a man with messy green hair, another with ash-blonde, both looking at him with pride and warmth. He knew they weren’t Shoto. Shoto had always been his calm, stoic father figure. These figures were different, yet they felt familiar.
Why now? Why were these dreams and that eerie feeling coming back?
Later that day, after classes ended, Kenji headed toward the gym. He needed space. He craved the rhythm of training to clear his head. As he wrapped his hands, preparing to throw a few punches at the heavy bag, his mind kept drifting back to his childhood.
He remembered the fire station Shoto had taken him to when he was a kid, letting him watch heroes in action, fueling his desire to be the best. But there were always gaps in his memories, unexplained absences he had never questioned too much. Shoto had been a good father to him, after all.
Still, now something gnawed at him. The dreams, the strange presence… it all felt connected.
Just as Kenji landed a heavy punch on the bag, a voice interrupted him.
“You’re putting too much force into your swing. If you’re trying to clear your head, you’ll exhaust yourself before you get any clarity.”
Kenji didn’t even have to look to know it was Kai. His voice was distinct, steady and calm, always sounding like he was two steps ahead. It annoyed him.
“I’m fine,” Kenji muttered, keeping his back to him as he threw another punch. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Anywhere else?”
Kai didn’t leave, and Kenji could feel his presence just behind him. “Not really. Besides, I figured we should talk.”
Kenji turned around, his eyes narrowing. “About what?”
“About yesterday. We need to clear the air.”
“The air was never clear between us”
Kai’s blue eyes flickered with something unreadable, but he stood his ground. “You’ve been off lately. And no, I’m not saying that to piss you off. I’m saying it because I’m worried.”
Kenji frowned, stepping back slightly, wiping sweat off his brows. He wasn’t ready to talk about the strange feeling following him. Not to anyone.
“You? Not trying to piss me off? And I told you, I’m fine. It’s just stress,” he said, his voice a bit more defensive than intended.
Kai crossed his arms, clearly not buying it. “Kenji, I know when you're hiding something. You’re practically screaming it.”
“I’m not hiding anything,” Kenji snapped, his patience fraying.
Kai didn’t let up. “Look, I don’t care if you don’t trust me enough to tell me what’s really going on, but don’t lie about it. I know something’s eating at you.”
Kenji clenched his fists, trying to rein in his temper. “Why do you care so much, anyway? I much prefered you when you didn't give a shit”
Kai blinked, as if surprised by the question. “because..."
Kenji's usual cool exterior cracked for a moment. “ Because What?”
Kai looked away for the first time, a faint flush coloring his cheeks. “ Just… I don’t want to see you burn out or go down some spiral because you're a good opponent”
“Seriously? That's it? For fucks sake I’ll be fine, Can you leave me alone now” Kenji finally said, quieter this time.
Kai studied him for a long moment before sighing. “You’re stubborn, you know that?”
Kenji cracked a small grin. “I’ve been told.”
Kai shook his head, looking exasperated but not pushing any further. “Fine. But don’t think I’m letting this drop.”
Kenji nodded "you just have to get under my skin, I stay out of your shit,why can't you do the same?"the tension growing between them, though he still felt that weight of the unknown pressing on him. Kai turned to leave, frustrated.
Later that night, Kenji lay in his dorm, staring at the ceiling. The dreams came again, but this time they were clearer—he saw the faces more vividly. The green-haired man, the blonde one, both with eyes that matched his.
And then there was Shoto, standing in the background, watching with an unreadable expression.
Kenji woke with a start, breathing heavily. His heart pounded, and for a moment, the sensation of being watched returned—stronger than ever.
Something was wrong. Something he didn’t understand yet, but he knew one thing for certain: the truth was closer than he thought, and when it revealed itself, everything would change.
YOU ARE READING
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...
