Mha: Sand Sand Fruit

In the following hours, Akira decided to stay home and catch up on sleep rather than going out.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Haiyuan Town, a sleek black car pulled up at the gate of a luxurious villa.

From the car emerged a hefty teenager in a school uniform. His nervous demeanor betrayed his anxiety. Standing at the door was an equally heavyset woman with a domineering aura.

"Tada, how did the entrance exam go?" the woman asked sharply, her tone brooking no excuses.

Tada froze in his tracks, sweat forming on his brow. He avoided her piercing gaze and muttered, "I... I'm not sure yet. The results haven't been announced."

"Huh? Not sure?" The woman's expression twisted with irritation. "Don't you have even the faintest idea if you passed or not?"

"I think... I probably did..." Tada's voice trailed off, each word weaker than the last.

"Probably?" The woman's voice rose, and her glare sharpened. "You're telling me you're unsure? U.A. may be out of reach, but if you can't even get into Shijie High School, you might as well leave this house!"

Tada shrank under her wrath, nodding meekly but saying nothing.

"Get inside!" she snapped, turning on her heel and storming into the villa.

Tada hesitated briefly but quickly followed, knowing resistance would only worsen the situation. As the door slammed shut behind him, the oppressive atmosphere seemed to grow heavier.

The woman turned back to face him, her expression colder than ever. "Do you remember that boy from your school, Kitagawa Akira?"

Tada nodded hesitantly. "Y-yeah, I remember."

"Back then, I didn't mind you bullying him. After all, targeting the weak is a form of strength. But do you know what I heard from the neighbors last night?" Her tone grew sharper, each word cutting like a knife.

"What... what did they say?" Tada asked nervously.

"That boy, Akira, has been admitted to the Hero Course at U.A."

Tada's eyes widened in shock. "That's impossible! He didn't even awaken a Quirk back then! How could he—?"

"Time changes people, idiot!" she snapped. "Not only did he awaken his Quirk, but he also became All Might's apprentice and passed U.A.'s entrance exam! And you? What have you done?"

Her words struck like hammer blows, leaving Tada trembling in shame and rage.

"Wait until your father hears about this," she said coldly before leaving the room.

Left alone, Tada collapsed to his knees, his expression dark and twisted. "How? How could that loser succeed where I failed?!" he muttered under his breath.

His voice grew louder, filled with venom. "It's all his fault! Akira, I'll make you pay! I'll make your entire family pay!"

---

By noon, Akira had planned to head to the beach for a swim, but exhaustion from the previous night's lack of sleep had kept him indoors.

Unfortunately, plans changed when Sato Kyoko insisted on taking him to a "beautiful place" she wanted to show him. With no other choice, Akira reluctantly got up and followed her.

However, as they stepped out of the house, they ran into Tada, whose face twisted into a cruel smile the moment he saw Akira.

"Well, well," Tada sneered, his tone dripping with malice. "Seems the gods are smiling on me today. I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Tada, what are you doing here?" Kyoko's voice was filled with disgust.

"Stay out of this," Tada growled. "This is between me and this loser. Don't think you can protect him like you did when we were kids!"

Akira gently pulled Kyoko behind him, a confident smile on his face. "Didn't I tell you last night? Now that I've awakened my Quirk, it's my turn to protect you."

Kyoko glanced at Akira, her trust in him evident.

Tada's face twisted in rage. "Don't act so smug! I bet you only got into U.A. because of All Might's connections!"

Akira smirked. "I don't waste time arguing with pigs."

Enraged, Tada lunged at Akira, swinging a meaty fist.

With a sharp *smack*, Akira effortlessly caught the punch. His expression didn't change. "Too weak."

"You're the weak one!" Tada roared, pulling back and preparing to strike again.

Before he could move, Akira's foot connected with Tada's stomach, sending him flying backward and crashing into the dirt.

Akira stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "It's honestly embarrassing that I had to use even this much effort."

Tada struggled to his feet, his face contorted with fury. "I'm not done yet!"

His arm began to swell grotesquely, growing to ten times its normal size. With a guttural roar, he charged at Akira, swinging his massive fist.

Akira's own arm shimmered with a dark, metallic sheen as Armament Haki enveloped it. With precise timing, Akira met Tada's oversized fist head-on.

*Boom!*

The collision sent shockwaves rippling through the air. The ground beneath them cracked from the sheer force of their clash.

Tada staggered backward, clutching his arm in pain. "What... what is this power?!"

Akira didn't answer. He took a step forward, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Kneel."

Tada froze, sweat dripping down his face.

"If you refuse," Akira continued, his tone icy, "I might not hold back next time."

Tada's legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, his will utterly broken.

Behind Akira, Kyoko watched in awe, her heart racing. The boy she had once protected had become someone far stronger than she could have ever imagined.