MY HERO ACADEMIA:NEXT GENERATION

Chapter 36: Wake Up

Kenji’s first week with the Kirishima family passed in a blur. Despite the initial tension from his outburst and the heavy truth he’d learned, things had gradually settled into a sense of normalcy. Kirishima and Mina gave him space, respecting his need for quiet, but they were always there with an encouraging word or a small act of kindness. And with Kai around, Kenji found it a bit easier to breathe, to focus on something beyond the turmoil of his family history.

Early one morning, Kenji sat by the kitchen window, looking out over the sunlit street. He had thought the questions surrounding his past would haunt him relentlessly, that he’d never find peace with what he now knew. But instead, he felt something unexpected—a sense of clarity.

His parents’ sacrifice, the weight of his family’s secrets… it was all there, lingering in the back of his mind, but he realized it didn’t have to define him. There was something he could do with his life, a way to honor his parents and everyone who had raised him. He could focus on his dream, his purpose: becoming the number one hero.

He had family drama but who didn't? A lot of people had it a lot worse, he wouldn't let that define him. He'd move forward.

As he sipped his tea, he heard footsteps behind him. Kai appeared, bleary-eyed but awake enough to smirk at him. “You’re up early. Don’t tell me you’re actually studying?”

Kenji grinned, giving him a playful nudge. “Yeah, believe it or not, I’ve decided I should start taking this hero stuff seriously. Can’t let you slackers hold me back.”

Kai raised an eyebrow, leaning against the counter. “Oh, so now you’re gonna be the model student, huh? Guess I’ll have to pick up my game if I don’t wanna get left behind.”

They shared a laugh, the kind of easy camaraderie that made Kenji feel like things were okay, at least in this moment. But beneath the banter, Kenji was serious. He felt a renewed determination, a hunger to push past the shadows of his past and focus on his own path. If he was going to make anything of himself, he needed to step it up, both in school and in training.

By the time he and Kai arrived at school, Kenji had already mapped out a plan in his mind. He would commit to his studies, perfect his abilities, and train harder than he ever had. Every obstacle would be another stepping stone toward his goal. He kept his mind focused throughout his classes, absorbing every lesson with a level of concentration he hadn’t known he was capable of.

After school, Kenji headed to the training grounds, his mind set on his new routine. The familiar sounds of students practicing, sparring, and shouting encouragement filled the air. He found a quiet spot and began his workout with a fierce energy, pushing himself harder with each exercise. He didn’t care about the stares he got or the exhaustion settling into his muscles. All he could see was the path forward, one he was determined to follow.

As the days went by, Kenji’s commitment didn’t waver. He would wake early for runs, train with Kai, and spend his evenings pouring over textbooks and hero strategies. Every move, every technique was a step closer to his dream. His teachers began to notice, as did his classmates, who looked on with a mix of awe and surprise. Even Kai, who was used to Kenji’s strength, found himself impressed by his friend’s unwavering focus.

One afternoon, as Kenji was practicing drills on his own, Kai approached, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Dude, you’re on fire lately. I’ve never seen you like this. You sure you don’t need to take a break?”

Kenji shook his head, a determined glint in his eye. “Nah, I’m good. I’ve got a lot of ground to cover if I’m gonna catch up to everyone else.”

Kai raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. Just don’t go too hard on yourself, okay? You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”

Kenji paused, his gaze softening for a moment. “I know, Kai.”

Kai nodded, “Well, you’ve got me right here, man. If you’re going all out, then I’m with you.”

With renewed determination, Kenji and Kai continued their training, their movements precise and powerful, fueled by the support they had for each other. For the first time in a long time, Kenji felt he was on the right path, the shadows of his past fading as his future came into sharper focus.