"Kaminari!"
As Kaminari and the preoccupied Tetsutetsu walked into Class 1-A, Yaoyorozu Momo, who had just arrived and hung her expensive schoolbag on the hook beside her desk, called out to them.
"Good morning, Yaoyorozu-san!" Kaminari greeted her with a smile, waving as he walked to his seat. After greeting a few other classmates, he pulled a sealed file folder from his Pikachu-themed backpack, a product made by his family's company.
"What's this?" Yaoyorozu, who looked as polished as always, accepted the folder from Kaminari, her expression curious.
"It's some suggestions and theories I put together for the development of your Quirk," Kaminari explained. "I thought it might be helpful. Take a look when you have time."
"Ah? Oh! Thank you, thank you!" Yaoyorozu's face lit up with surprise and gratitude. The folder felt substantial in her hands, and it was clear there was a lot of content inside. She immediately understood that Kaminari had put a lot of thought and effort into this.
As the eldest daughter of the Yaoyorozu family, one of Japan's wealthiest and most influential families Momo had always been surrounded by support. Even before she was born, a team of Quirk researchers had been preparing for her potential Quirk development. Once she awakened her Quirk, "Creation," the experts in her family developed a detailed training plan for her, based on a thorough analysis of her abilities.
Her extensive knowledge wasn't just due to her own hard work; the resources and guidance provided by her family played a significant role. In fact, it was the analysis team's recognition of "Creation's" potential that had led her to pursue a path in the Hero Course. Otherwise, as a member of such a prestigious family, a career in business management would have been a more traditional choice.
Because of this background, the analysis and suggestions Kaminari prepared might not hold much technical value compared to the advice from professional researchers. But that didn't lessen the importance she placed on this folder. It was the first genuine, thoughtful gift she had received at U.A., and the sentiment behind it meant a lot to her.
"This is a token of appreciation for helping me," Yaoyorozu thought to herself, clutching the file tightly. "I need to keep it safe."
Kaminari noticed how carefully she took the folder and felt a sense of satisfaction. He knew full well that the Yaoyorozu family had their own experts, and his analysis might not be groundbreaking for her. But he had still spent two hours compiling it.
Was it a waste of time? Maybe. Was it pointless? He didn't think so.
Many people hesitate to give gifts they've made themselves, worrying if they are practical or valuable enough. Kaminari believed that a gift's value wasn't just about its utility or price; it was about the thought behind it. Even if his suggestions weren't particularly useful, he was confident that Yaoyorozu would appreciate the gesture.
Besides, as a time traveler, who's to say his insights didn't hold some worth?
After four regular classes, Kaminari noticed something odd. Jiro, who usually came up to chat during breaks, seemed hesitant and kept stopping herself from saying something. This continued until lunch.
---
"Wow, this Mapo tofu is amazing!" Kaminari exclaimed as he savored a bite of the spicy, flavorful dish in U.A.'s bustling cafeteria. "
He had underestimated U.A.'s culinary offerings. As a top-tier school, they certainly didn't cut corners, and the prices were astonishingly affordable. "Only 1,000 yen for a plate of spicy tofu? That's practically a steal!" he thought, comparing it to the cost of dining at a Chinese restaurant outside.
"Kaminari-kun, do you really like spicy food that much?" Yaoyorozu asked, surprised as she watched him devour the fiery red tofu. She couldn't imagine eating something that spicy.
Even Tetsutetsu and Jiro, who were familiar with Kaminari's tastes, looked on with curious expressions. Spicy food wasn't exactly common fare for most Japanese people.
"Yeah, I love it," Kaminari admitted with a grin, scooping another bite onto his spoon. "But it's pretty pricey outside, so I only get to enjoy it once in a while."
Seeing how much he enjoyed it, they decided not to comment further. After all, personal tastes varied, and it wasn't worth making a big deal out of.
"Um… Kaminari," Jiro finally spoke up, setting her water glass down nervously. "I… I wanted to talk to you about something."
Kaminari raised an eyebrow, sensing that this was the reason behind her odd behavior all morning. "I thought something was off with you today. You're not acting like the usual cool Kyoka I know. Alright, go ahead. What's on your mind?"
Jiro hesitated again but then took a deep breath. "Well, you know how I mentioned before that I really like your music…"
"Yeah?" Kaminari nodded, still unsure of where this was going.
"Hey, don't interrupt!" Jiro snapped, her voice rising slightly in frustration.
"Pfft—" Kaminari burst out laughing, catching Jiro off guard. She glared at him, annoyed. "What's so funny?"
"I'm just glad to see the Kyoka I know is back," he said, his smile not fading.
Jiro felt her tension ease at Kaminari's teasing tone, and her expression softened. For some reason, seeing his relaxed smile made her feel a bit more confident. "I can play rock, too, you know. I'm pretty good with the bass, guitar, and even the keyboard. So… I was wondering if… you'd be interested in jamming together sometime?"
She blurted out her words in one breath, her voice louder than usual, drawing the attention of some other students nearby.
"Sure!" Kaminari agreed immediately, not missing a beat. "Actually, why don't we form a band?"
"Wait, what?!" Jiro stared at him in disbelief. She hadn't expected him to be so enthusiastic or to take the conversation in this direction. It wasn't what she'd pictured in her head.
Nearby, a few of their classmates, including Yaoyorozu, Tetsutetsu, Midoriya, and Todoroki, couldn't help but listen in with curiosity.
"Yeah!" Kaminari continued, his eyes bright with excitement. "I even thought of a band name. How about we call ourselves the 'Pikachu Band'? And I've already got an idea for our first single!"