MHA: The Hero With the Sun (HIATUS)

The waiting area felt quieter than ever as Kenji leaned back against the wall, his head resting against the cool metal. He closed his eyes, letting the ambient noise of the crowd filter in. The cheers, the chatter, the excitement—it was all a reminder of how far he'd come since he first set foot in U.A.

When Kenji had entered the prestigious school, he'd carried with him the weight of expectations, not just from his peers but from himself. His Quirk, Sunflare, had always been a point of pride, but it was also his greatest challenge. Learning to control the overwhelming heat and light it produced had been an uphill battle.

He thought back to his early training sessions, where he'd struggled to focus his energy without overexerting himself. How many times had he left the training fields with his hands burned or his vision blurred from the intensity of his own power?

"Hey, Saito, focus!" His father's voice echoed in his mind, firm but supportive. Kenji had always admired his father, a retired hero known as Solaris, whose mastery of a similar Quirk had made him a symbol of hope in his prime.

But Kenji had wanted to do more than just live in his father's shadow. He wanted to carve his own path, to prove that he wasn't just Solaris' son but a hero in his own right.

The Turning Point

The USJ attack had been a moment of clarity for Kenji. For the first time, he'd faced real danger, villains who wouldn't hesitate to kill. He'd been terrified, but he hadn't backed down. That experience had taught him that hero work wasn't about perfection; it was about persistence.

The Sports Festival was another turning point. Each match had pushed him to his limits, forcing him to think creatively and adapt under pressure. From working with Momo and Kaminari in the Cavalry Battle to his clash with Todoroki, Kenji had learned more about his own strengths and weaknesses than he had in months of training.

But it wasn't just about the battles. It was about the people.

His classmates had become a second family, their trust and camaraderie giving him strength. Momo's level-headed advice, Kaminari's lighthearted encouragement, and even Bakugo's fiery challenges had all shaped him into who he was now.

"I can do this," Kenji whispered to himself. "No matter what happens, I'll give it everything I've got."

The Final Battle: Kenji vs. Bakugo

The sun was beginning to set, casting the arena in a warm, golden hue as Kenji stepped onto the field. Across from him, Bakugo was already waiting, his hands crackling with small bursts of explosive energy.

"You ready, Saito?" Bakugo called out, his voice filled with anticipation.

Kenji smirked, rolling his shoulders to loosen up. "Born ready. Let's see if you can keep up."

Midnight raised her whip, signaling the start of the match. "Let the final battle… begin!"

Bakugo didn't waste a second. He launched himself forward with a powerful explosion, closing the gap between them in an instant. Kenji barely dodged, rolling to the side as Bakugo's attack scorched the ground where he'd been standing.

Kenji retaliated with a burst of light, blinding Bakugo momentarily. He followed up with a sweeping kick, but Bakugo recovered quickly, using a controlled blast to propel himself backward and out of range.

"You think a little flash is gonna stop me?" Bakugo shouted, unleashing a barrage of smaller explosions.

Kenji raised his arms, channeling Sunflare to create a shimmering shield of light that absorbed the brunt of the blasts. He gritted his teeth, feeling the strain of maintaining the barrier while staying mobile.

"Not bad," Kenji muttered, "but you'll have to do better than that."

He countered with a focused beam of light aimed at Bakugo's feet, forcing him to jump. The moment Bakugo was airborne, Kenji surged forward, using the temporary opening to land a solid punch to his midsection.

Bakugo grunted but grabbed Kenji's wrist, pulling him in close. "Big mistake!"

With a deafening BOOM, Bakugo unleashed an explosion at point-blank range, sending both of them flying. Kenji tumbled across the arena floor, his body aching from the impact.

A Clash of Willpower

As the dust settled, both fighters struggled to their feet. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, the tension palpable.

Kenji's uniform was singed, and his energy reserves were dangerously low, but his resolve burned brighter than ever. Across from him, Bakugo looked equally battered, his trademark scowl replaced with a grin of pure adrenaline.

"Not bad, Saito," Bakugo said, his voice hoarse. "But this ends now."

"Yeah," Kenji replied, summoning the last of his strength. "It does."

Bakugo charged, his hands glowing with energy. Kenji planted his feet, drawing in every ounce of light around him. As Bakugo closed in, Kenji unleashed a final, blinding burst of Sunflare, the arena erupting in a sea of golden light.

The explosion and flash collided in a cacophony of sound and light, leaving the crowd breathless. When the dust cleared, both fighters were on the ground, unmoving.

The referee stepped forward, inspecting both competitors. Slowly, Kenji pushed himself up, his entire body trembling but upright. Bakugo remained down, groaning in frustration.

Midnight raised her hand. "The winner is Kenji Saito!"

The arena erupted into cheers as Kenji fell to his knees, a triumphant yet exhausted smile on his face.

Reflections and Growth

After the match, Kenji sat in the recovery room, his body covered in bandages. The adrenaline had faded, replaced by a dull ache and a profound sense of accomplishment.

Momo entered, carrying a small tray with water and snacks. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a truck," Kenji replied with a laugh, wincing slightly.

"Well, you were amazing out there," Momo said, setting the tray down. "You've grown so much since the festival started. We all have."

Kenji nodded, her words sinking in. The Sports Festival had been more than just a competition. It had been a test of character, a chance to push past limits and discover new strengths.

"I couldn't have done it without you guys," Kenji admitted. "This class… it's like family."

Momo smiled. "And we're proud of you, Kenji."

As the day wound down, Kenji closed his eyes, letting the weight of the moment wash over him. He had a long road ahead, but for now, he allowed himself to bask in the glow of his victory.

Word Count: ~1,612