MY HERO ACADEMIA:NEXT GENERATION

chapter 20: Unseen Danger

The gym remained still after Kenji’s confrontation with Kai, the rhythmic thud of his fists against the punching bag being the only sound. Kai’s words from the night before echoed in his mind, and though Kenji tried to shake them off, they clung to him like a stubborn itch.

Because...

Because what!?

The words had come out too easily, and it made Kenji uneasy. He didn’t do feelings, and Kai… Kai had bulldozed through his defenses like it was nothing. Kenji didn’t know how to handle that. The walls he had built to keep people out weren’t meant to be torn down so easily, especially not by someone like Kai, who somehow managed to see past them.

Now, though, the fallout from their argument was in full effect.

The next day at U.A. was tense. Kenji, typically composed and unbothered, found it hard to focus. He moved through the halls with the same calm exterior, but beneath that cool façade, his mind was a mess. He was still haunted by the sensation of being watched, and the weight of the unknown loomed over him. It wasn't just about the fight with Kai—there was something more, something that gnawed at the edges of his awareness.

Kai sat on the opposite side of the classroom, unusually quiet. He wasn’t shooting the usual sarcastic quips Kenji was used to, and his blue eyes didn’t meet Kenji’s even once. He and Ren were talking, Kai’s mind clearly wasn’t there. He seemed distracted, and that only added to the awkward distance between them.

Good. I don’t need any more distractions, Kenji thought, but his chest tightened at the sight of Kai’s cold demeanor.

Ren, of course, noticed everything. As the bell rang and class ended for the day, Ren zipped over, blocking Kenji’s path with that typical high-energy bounce he couldn’t turn off.

“Hey, grumpy! You and Kai still at each other’s throats, or are you guys gonna stop being weird about it?” Ren asked, his hazel eyes sharp despite his playful tone.

Kenji frowned, hands slipping into his pockets. “We’re not weird about anything, it's always been like this.”

Ren gave him a knowing look. “Right. Sure. So you guys didn’t nearly blow up the gym with your unresolved issues?”

Kenji rolled his eyes. “I’m not in the mood, Ren.”

Ren crossed his arms, his posture unusually serious. “Kenji, I get that you’re all ‘strong and silent’ or whatever, but I’m not an idiot. Something’s up with you. If it’s not Kai, then what is it?”

Kenji clenched his jaw, already frustrated. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Ren didn’t move. “Okay, I’ll drop the Kai thing. But I know something's bothering you. You’ve been off lately, and don’t give me that ‘everything’s fine’ bullshit. I’ve known you way too long for that.”

Kenji’s temper flared for a second, but he forced it back down. He knew Ren was only looking out for him. But the thing that had been haunting him—the feeling of being watched, the strange memories—he wasn’t ready to share any of that. Not yet. Not with anyone. Not when it was likely listening right now.

“I told you,” Kenji said through gritted teeth, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Ren sighed, stepping aside. “Fine."

Kenji didn’t reply, just gave a noncommittal nod before walking out.

The evening was colder than usual, a crisp breeze cutting through the campus. Kenji found himself wandering again, his feet taking him to the more deserted areas of the school grounds. He needed space—somewhere quiet where he could think. The tension between him and Kai, the growing feeling of being watched—it was all becoming too much. It was stressing him out.

As he walked, the sensation returned. That familiar, eerie presence he had felt growing over the past few weeks was stronger than ever, lurking just beyond his field of vision. It was like someone was breathing down his neck, but whenever he turned, there was nothing.

His heartbeat quickened as his senses sharpened. His muscles tensed, his quirk humming at his fingertips, ready to explode if needed.

Kenji’s eyes scanned the empty courtyard. “Show yourself,” he muttered under his breath, though he wasn’t entirely sure if anyone was really there or if it was all in his head.

But the air felt heavy. Something—or someone—was there. He was sure of it.

For a few agonizing moments, there was only silence. Kenji kept his stance ready, waiting for an attack that never came.

And then, just as quickly as the presence had appeared, it vanished, leaving Kenji standing alone in the dark, the adrenaline slowly fading. But the unease didn’t leave. Whoever—or whatever—it was, it wasn’t gone. Just hidden, waiting for the right moment to strike again.

That night, Kenji lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The dreams came back, sharper and more vivid this time. He saw them again—the green-haired man, the blonde one, both watching him with eyes full of pride. But there was something else, too. Shoto stood in the background, his usual stoic expression unreadable.

Kenji woke up with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. He sat up, running a hand through his messy blonde hair, trying to calm himself down. It was the same dream—always the same. But now, more than ever, the dream felt connected to the strange feeling that followed him during the day.