The story of a hero in my hero academia

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After our victory, we all went out to eat some good ramen — a tradition, of course, paid for by our sensei.

"We're the best, guys!" shouted Riku, leading the team in loud, off-key chanting.

"Party quietly" said sensei, glaring at us with that sharp look that could kill. Everyone instantly shut up.

He sat down next to me while I was still working through my second bowl.

"Good job, boy. This time you really gave it your all" he said.

Was that... a happy expression on his face? I couldn't tell. But I did notice something strange — he didn't call me "brat" like usual. Just "boy." That's a promotion, right? So yeah, I guess he was proud.

"I saw your interview" he continued. "Why didn't you join the U-12 team back then? And don't feed me that crap about not being ready. I know you — you're not exactly the humble type."

Hit and sunk. He really knows me too well.

I looked at him and said the truth, plain and simple:

"My final goal isn't kendo. I'm just using it to strengthen my body and learn proper swordplay."

He narrowed his eyes at me, just a bit.

"And what exactly are you planning to do with that swordplay?" he asked, a little suspicious.

"I want to become a hero" I said, dead serious.

He stared at me for a few seconds, then laughed — actually laughed. A rare event.

"A hero, huh? You don't look like one. Honestly, I thought you were training to become an assassin" he said, still laughing.

I cracked a smile too. Fair guess.

After our little talk, he got up and returned to his spot across the table. But before sitting down, I caught him muttering to himself:

"What a shame... he could've become a really great kendoka."

There was something sad in his voice. I pretended not to hear it.

We finished our dinner, said our goodbyes, and headed home. I was already tired, but when I opened the door...

Surprise.

My family was waiting — Mom, Dad, and my little sister Yui, who was jumping up and down holding a sparkly "Congratulations!" sign. There were balloons, cake, snacks, and even a banner hanging crookedly above the living room.

"Oh no…" I muttered under my breath.

"Big brooo! You won!" Nozomi shouted, running toward me like a missile and wrapping her arms around my waist.

"Congrats, Hiro" said my dad, clapping me on the shoulder. My mom gave me that warm, proud smile that only moms can give.

And standing in the corner, pretending to scroll on his phone but definitely smiling, was Shinso — my besto friendo.

"You survived the finals" he said with a smirk. "And now you have to survive... this."

"A second party?" I groaned. "This is psychological warfare."

Everyone laughed, but honestly, I was dying inside — in a good way. I appreciated it. I really did. But still...

I need silence. A dark room. A long nap. My social battery is running on fumes.

Nozomi dragged me toward the cake. Shinso handed me a soda. My mom started taking a million pictures.

Yeah... maybe just five more minutes.