Two weeks passed and the routine settled in like dust.
Wake up, go to school, then work at the repair shop. After that, training with Masaru then back home. Sleep. Repeat.
The makeup assignments were done. Grades stabilized. Tanaka Rin stopped hovering.
The rent got paid. Barely. Mr. Tanaka gave me a raise after I fixed three broken refrigerators in one evening.
Hana's smile felt more refreshing.
Life almost felt normal.
Almost.
But normal was a lie.
Because every night, I dreamed of the message.
"We know you're looking. Stop. For your own safety."
And every morning, I woke up wondering when they'd come for me.
Training Ground – Evening
I could lift the 50 kg sandbag now.
Walk twenty meters without crushing it. It was real progress.
Masaru watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, nodding.
"You're getting better," he said. "Way better than two weeks ago."
I set the bag down carefully. "Still not enough."
"What do you mean?"
I looked at my hands. "The entrance exam. It's in two months. If I can't control this by then—"
"You will."
"You don't know that."
He walked over and grabbed my shoulder. "I've seen you improve every single day. You went from crushing baseballs to lifting 50 kg bags. That's insane progress."
"For a normal Quirk, maybe."
His expression shifted. "What are you not telling me?"
I met his eyes.
Everything.
I'm not telling you everything.
That I'm not really Kaito. That this power isn't a Quirk. That I died in another world and woke up here with strength that could crack holes in this planet.
But I couldn't say any of that.
"Nothing," I said. "Just nervous."
He didn't look convinced.
"Kaito. We've been friends for years. I know when you're lying."
We haven't been friends for years.
I've known you for two weeks.
"I'm fine," I said. "Really."
He stared at me. Then sighed. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But when you're ready to talk—"
"I know. Thanks."
An awkward silence settled. Then his phone buzzed.
He checked it and frowned.
"What?" I asked.
"My mom. Emergency at home. I have to go."
"Go. I'll finish up here."
He hesitated. "You sure?"
"Yeah."
He grabbed his bag. "Lock up when you're done. And don't overdo it."
"I won't."
He left through the gap in the fence.
I was alone. The training ground was empty. Silent except for the distant hum of traffic.
I looked at the sandbags.
Then at the old basketball hoop.
Don't overdo it. I don't want those assholes finding out that I'm training to beat their asses and possibly torture them.
But I needed to know. The overwhelming curiosity that dwelled in my mind took over.
I walked to the center of the lot.
Took a breath.
Not full power. Just… more than I've been using.
I made a fist and pulled it back.
Aimed at empty air.
And punched.
The shockwave was instant.
A wall of compressed air exploded outward.
The sandbags flew backward and slammed into the fence. Then, it tore through the chain-link like paper.
The basketball hoop bent. Visibly snapped then crashed to the ground.
Dust erupted.
Windows in the building across the street shattered.
I stood there, fist still extended, staring.
I barely used any strength.
That was maybe 3%. Maybe less.
And I'd destroyed half the training ground.
My breath came fast. Panic clawed at my chest.
What if someone saw this?
What if there are cameras? Won't they link me with a villain? OH SHIT!
I looked around. There were no cameras. Just ruins.
But the noise—
Someone definitely heard.
I grabbed my bag and ran.
Alley – Three Blocks Away
I stopped and leaned against a wall. Tried to breathe.
That was so stupid.
I'd been careful for weeks.
One moment of curiosity and I'd nearly exposed myself.
Sirens wailed in the distance.
Probably heading to the training ground.
I needed to get home. Fast.
I started walking. Head down and hands in pockets.
Tried to look normal. Just another kid heading home.
Nothing to see.
Halfway Home
A voice stopped me.
"Hey."
I turned.
A man. Mid-thirties. Tall. Muscular. Hero costume—black and silver with a visor.
A pro hero.
Damn. Did I get caught?
"Yeah?" I said carefully.
"You hear that explosion?" he asked. "About five minutes ago?"
"Explosion?"
"Don't play dumb. You came from that direction."
I shrugged. "I heard something. Didn't see what happened. I was just walking."
He studied me. Eyes narrowed.
"What's your name?"
"Yamamoto Kaito."
"Quirk?"
Here we go.
"Kinetic Boost. Minor strength enhancement."
"ID?"
I pulled out my Quirk registration card.
He scanned it with a device then waited. The device beeped green.
"You're registered," he said, handing it back. "Good. Stay out of trouble."
He walked past me toward the training ground.
I exhaled.
That was too close.
Apartment – 8:42 PM
Hana was already asleep.
I sat by the window, staring at the city lights.
My phone buzzed.
Masaru: "Dude. Did you see the news? Someone blew up the training ground."
My stomach dropped.
I opened a news app.
"Explosion at Abandoned Lot in District 7. Cause Unknown. No Injuries Reported."
The article included photos. The destroyed fence. The mangled basketball hoop. Shattered windows.
"Authorities suspect illegal Quirk usage or villain activity. Investigation ongoing."
I closed the app.
Illegal Quirk usage.
That's what they'd call it if they found me.
I'd be arrested. Registered as a threat and maybe sent to a correctional facility.
And Hana would be alone.
I don't want to leaver her alone like I did my sister in my previous life. Fuck.
My hands trembled from anger at myself. And at the universe that dropped me in this situation without a manual.
I texted Masaru back: "Yeah. Crazy. Glad no one got hurt."
His reply was immediate: "We need a new training spot."
Me: "Agreed."
I set the phone down.
Stared at my hands again.
I can't keep doing this.
The training with Masaru helped. But it wasn't enough.
I needed something more.
Someone who understood power on this level.
But who?
All Might? Too public. Too risky. He'd ask too many questions.
Endeavor? He'd try to recruit me. Or dissect me.
Aizawa? He'd see through me instantly.
I'm on my own.
Just like Kaito was.
Next Day – School Rooftop
Lunch period.
I sat alone, eating rice balls.
I heard footsteps, again.
It was Tanaka Rin, obviously.
"You keep coming up here," she said.
"It's quiet."
She sat down. "You turned in all the makeup work. Thank you."
I nodded.
"Your grades are back on track. But your teachers are still worried."
"Why?"
"You seem… distant. Like you're somewhere else."
Can she hear my thoughts?
"I'm just focused," I said.
"On what?"
On not accidentally killing everyone around me.
"The future," I said instead.
She adjusted her glasses. "UA?"
I glanced at her. "How'd you know?"
"You registered. Word spreads." She pulled out her lunch. "I'm applying too. Hero course."
"Your Quirk?"
"Photographic Reflexes. I can copy any movement I see perfectly. For about thirty seconds."
That's useful.
"Good luck," I said.
"You too." She took a bite of her sandwich. "What's your Quirk again? Kinetic something?"
"Kinetic Boost. Stockpile kinetic energy. Release it in bursts."
She nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds versatile. But limited."
If only you knew.
"It gets the job done," I said.
"The entrance exam is tough. Physical tests. Combat scenarios. Robot enemies."
"I've heard."
"You should train with someone. Having a partner helps."
I thought about Masaru. About the training ground I destroyed.
"I have someone," I said.
"Good." She stood. Dusted off her skirt. "See you in class."
She left.
I finished my rice ball in silence.
Two months until the entrance exam and to master control without blowing my cover.
I can do this.
I have to.
Repair Shop – After School
Mr. Tanaka handed me a broken microwave.
"Motor's shot. Replace it. Parts are in the back."
I got to work.
The routine was calming and methodical.
Remove the casing. Disconnect the old motor. Install the new one. Test. Reassemble.
My hands moved carefully and precisely.
An hour later, the microwave worked.
Mr. Tanaka tested it. Nodded approvingly.
"You're getting good at this."
"Thank you."
He lit a cigarette. "You remind me of someone."
I looked up. "Who?"
"My son." He exhaled smoke. "He wanted to be a hero. Had a good Quirk. Fire manipulation."
"What happened?"
"He died. Ten years ago. Villain attack."
Silence settled between us.
"I'm sorry," I said.
He shrugged. "It's the risk. Heroes die. That's the job."
He stubbed out the cigarette.
"You applying to UA?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Don't die."
He walked back to the counter.
I stared at the microwave.
Don't die.
Easier said than done.
Walking Home – 7:58 PM
The streets were darker now. Fall was settling in. Days became shorter. Nights became colder.
I pulled my jacket tighter.
My phone buzzed.
It was an unknown number.
I stopped.
Again?
Opened the message.
"You ignored our warning. That was unwise."
Another message appeared.
"The training ground. The explosion. We know it was you."
Sweat started to pile up on my forehead.
"Stay quiet. Stay hidden. Or we'll make sure you disappear. Permanently."
I deleted the messages.
Kept walking. But my hands were shaking.
They're watching. They know about my power. And they're still threatening me. Just what do they have against me?
Part of me wanted to hide and to stop training.
But another part—
Wanted to find them and show them exactly what I was capable of.
I shoved the thought down.
Not yet. Not now. I don't have enough information about this.
Besides, I had Hana to protect and a life to maintain.
The threats could wait for now.
But someday—
Someday I'd find out who they were.
And why they cared so much about a dead boy with a Quirk that shouldn't exist.
The apartment building came into view.
I climbed the stairs.
Opened the door.
"I'm home."
TO BE CONTINUED...