MHA: The Hero With the Sun (HIATUS)

The stadium emptied slowly, the roar of the crowd replaced by the murmurs of departing spectators. The U.A. Sports Festival was over, and the students of Class 1-A were gathering in their locker room.

Kenji sat on a bench, still processing his victory. The exhaustion from his final battle with Bakugo lingered, but so did a deep sense of pride. Around him, his classmates chatted excitedly, the tension of the festival replaced with a warm camaraderie.

"You were awesome out there, man!" Kirishima said, clapping Kenji on the back. "I thought Bakugo had you for a second, but that last move? Totally unbreakable!"

"Thanks," Kenji replied with a tired grin. "Honestly, I wasn't sure it'd work."

"Dude, you're officially on my radar," Kaminari added, giving Kenji a playful nudge. "First Todoroki, now Bakugo? You're unstoppable!"

Kenji laughed, though his gaze drifted to Bakugo, who sat on the other side of the room with a dark expression. Despite the loss, Bakugo radiated intensity, as though already plotting his path to improve. Kenji couldn't help but admire his determination.

"Hey, Saito," Bakugo said suddenly, his voice cutting through the chatter.

Kenji turned, meeting his classmate's piercing glare.

"Don't get cocky. Next time, I'm taking you down."

Kenji nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Looking forward to it."

Recognition and Reflection

The next day, U.A.'s campus buzzed with activity. Media vans lined the streets outside the school gates, reporters clamoring for interviews with the festival's standout students. Inside, Class 1-A gathered in their homeroom, eager to hear the results of the festival rankings.

Aizawa entered, holding a tablet. "Good work, everyone. The Sports Festival is an opportunity to showcase your potential to pro heroes, and many of you made a strong impression. You'll be receiving internship offers soon, so be prepared."

He scrolled through his tablet. "Now, for the rankings. First place: Kenji Saito."

The room erupted into applause and cheers. Kenji felt his cheeks heat up, scratching the back of his head as his classmates congratulated him.

"Don't let it go to your head," Aizawa said, his monotone voice cutting through the noise. "This is just the beginning."

Kenji nodded. "I understand, Sensei."

Internal Growth

That evening, Kenji sat in his dorm room, reflecting on everything he'd experienced. The festival had been a crucible, testing his limits in ways he hadn't anticipated.

He thought back to his match with Todoroki, where he'd learned the importance of strategy and perseverance. Todoroki's raw power had forced Kenji to adapt, to think on his feet.

Then there was the Cavalry Battle, where teamwork had been the key to victory. Momo's leadership and Kaminari's resourcefulness had shown Kenji the value of trusting others and playing to their strengths.

And finally, Bakugo. Their battle had been a clash of sheer willpower, pushing Kenji to dig deeper than ever before. Bakugo's relentless drive had left a lasting impression, motivating Kenji to never settle for complacency.

"Victory isn't the end," Kenji murmured to himself. "It's just a step forward."

He glanced at his father's old hero costume, framed on the wall. Solaris had always told him that being a hero wasn't about being the strongest—it was about being the most resilient.

A New Resolve

The next morning, Kenji joined his classmates for a light training session. The air was filled with laughter and friendly banter, the weight of the festival replaced with a renewed sense of purpose.

As Kenji stretched, Momo approached him.

"You seemed deep in thought last night," she said. "Everything okay?"

Kenji smiled. "Yeah, just thinking about what's next. The festival was amazing, but there's still so much I need to learn."

Momo nodded. "That's a good mindset. Growth doesn't stop, even after a victory."

"Exactly," Kenji said. "And I want to make sure I'm ready for whatever comes next. Villains, internships, whatever it is—I'll face it head-on."

Momo gave him a reassuring smile. "We'll all grow together. That's what makes Class 1-A special."

Kenji felt a surge of gratitude for his classmates. They weren't just teammates; they were his family, each one of them contributing to his journey in ways big and small.

A Hero in the Making

Later that day, Kenji stood outside, gazing at the horizon as the sun began to set. The golden light reflected off his skin, a reminder of the power he carried within.

The Sports Festival had been a milestone, but it was just one chapter in his story. Kenji knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges, but he felt ready.

For the first time, he truly believed in his ability to become a hero—not just for himself, but for everyone who believed in him.

With renewed determination, Kenji clenched his fist, the light of the setting sun casting a warm glow around him.

"Watch out, world," he said with a grin. "This is just the beginning."

Word Count: ~1,276