My Hero Academia: Thunder God

Kaminari hadn't expected the dinner at the Yaoyorozu mansion to be so... straightforward.

When he first imagined dining there, he had pictured a lavish spread of legendary ingredients, dishes so extravagant they'd feel otherworldly. But instead, the dinner turned out to be simple—a single steak per person.

As for drinks, both he and Momo, being underage, were each served a glass of water, while Mr. Yaoyorozu enjoyed an elegant glass of red wine alone. Judging by the way he savored it, Kaminari figured the bottle must have been something extraordinary.

Kaminari had wanted to ask if he could have some wine—just a little, purely for the experience—but he kept his mouth shut.

It was during the meal that Manshi seemingly answered the unspoken question lingering in Kaminari's mind.

Apparently, when eating steak, red wine or plain water was the way to go. Other drinks, even juice or soda, interfered with the meat's flavor. This was the logic behind their simple drink choice.

Even the steaks themselves had a notable pedigree. They were authentic A5-grade Kobe beef from Tajima in Hyogo Prefecture—the finest quality available.

So while the meal wasn't the ostentatious feast Kaminari had expected, it was just as memorable. The sheer quality of the Kobe beef left him floored. Each bite was tender, buttery, and rich, a taste he wouldn't forget anytime soon.

"If I get the chance, I have to bring my parents to try this!" Kaminari thought as he finished his plate.

Before leaving, curiosity got the better of him, and he asked about the price of Kobe beef. The answer? Over 40,000 yen per kilogram—around 2,600 yen per 100 grams.

It wasn't just expensive; it was the kind of luxury item you couldn't easily buy, even if you had the money. Supplies were limited, and only certain vendors were authorized to sell it.

With those thoughts swirling in his mind, Kaminari left the Yaoyorozu mansion in high spirits, though a little overwhelmed by the cost of what he'd just eaten. After taking the Shinkansen back to Saitama, he finally made it home.

When he arrived, his parents had already finished dinner. His mother was busy washing dishes in the kitchen, while his father sat on the living room sofa, waiting for him.

"Come here, son," his father called out with a serious tone, gesturing for Kaminari to sit beside him.

"The event at Seifu Elementary has been finalized. You should discuss it with Kyoka, Momo, and the others to pick a performance date."

He leaned forward slightly, his expression filled with determination. "We're planning to treat this as a promotional event and will be inviting some media reporters. This could be huge for your band."

Ever since his father had come up with the idea, he'd been eager to put it into action. The opportunity was too good to pass up.

Kaminari nodded. "We've already agreed it'll be after the midterm exams. No way I'm putting this ahead of school."

His father smiled, clearly proud of Kaminari's priorities. "Good. You've only got a few days until the midterms, so we'll use that time to build hype online."

Kaminari then hesitated before suggesting, "Dad, do you think we could arrange a special section at the event for fans to attend? I'd love to give back to them somehow."

The idea had been weighing on Kaminari's mind for some time. He felt bad for their fans. Unlike fans of other bands, who could meet their idols at events or concerts, Pikachu Band fans had almost no opportunities to connect with the group.

Since the Hero Sports Festival, there had been no events, no interviews, and no variety show appearances. Their fans were loyal, but they had very little to engage with. Kaminari wanted to change that, even in a small way.

His father considered the idea for a moment before nodding. "It's doable, but we'll need to limit the number of attendees. After all, it's still a school. Too many outsiders could create safety issues."

"Fair enough," Kaminari agreed, relieved that his father was on board. "Let's also livestream the performance. That way, even fans who can't attend can watch it, and it'll give the event a bigger reach."

"Smart idea," his father said with an approving grin. "I'll reach out to a livestreaming platform and arrange a partnership."

"Thanks, Dad!" Kaminari beamed, his excitement clear.

As the discussion continued, he started brainstorming potential new songs for the performance. The theme should still be 'Pokémon,' but which song?

"Together? Frontline? Or maybe… KOK?" Kaminari mused aloud.

At that moment, his mother approached with a gentle smile. "There's one more thing you need to keep in mind."

Kaminari blinked, confused. "What is it?"

"The agreement you made with Mr. Snatch," she reminded him. "Fighting is far riskier than performing, so I want you to be extra cautious."

Though she trusted Mr. Snatch's intentions, she couldn't help but worry. Battles, by nature, were unpredictable, and even the smallest mistake could lead to serious consequences.

Kaminari paused before nodding. "I'll be careful, Mom."

---

The next day, Kaminari met up with Tetsutetsu at their secret training spot in Omiya Park. For an hour, the two sparred intensely before heading to U.A. together, schoolbags slung over their shoulders.

As their training sessions continued, Tetsutetsu's progress had become undeniable. His mastery of the "shave" technique and his growing leg strength made him a force to be reckoned with.

It had reached the point where Kaminari, even with his "high-speed movement" state, struggled to keep up.

One notable moment during their recent sparring left Kaminari particularly shaken. Tetsutetsu had not only blocked Kaminari's Lightning Dragon's Roar but had actually kicked the attack away with raw power.

In the blink of an eye, Tetsutetsu had closed the distance, appearing directly in front of Kaminari. His iron leg, bolstered by incredible speed and strength, came crashing down like a hammer.

Kaminari had managed to counter just in time with a high-voltage electric shock, but even then, the impact sent him flying several meters.

"That guy's seriously becoming a monster," Kaminari thought as he adjusted his bag.

For the first time, he felt a genuine sense of pressure during their sparring matches. It was clear—Tetsutetsu was no longer just training. He was evolving.