My Hero Academia: Tropic Thunder

The morning light filtered gently through the window, casting a soft glow across Kaminari's room. He sat quietly on the edge of his bed, his gaze fixed on a small, framed portrait resting on his desk. The photo was of Ana, his little sister, her wide smile beaming up at him as she posed in her hero costume, full of dreams and determination.

Kaminari's expression softened as he gazed at the image. He'd often find solace in these moments—just talking to her, reflecting on how far he'd come and sharing his triumphs and struggles, even if she couldn't respond.

"Hey, Ana," he began, his voice low but steady. "It's been... better lately. I guess that's the right word. I know you'd laugh at me for sounding so uncertain. You always had the confidence I lack." He chuckled, shaking his head as if hearing her teasing voice.

"Things at U.A. are going well. I passed the practical exam, worked with Mina—crazy, right? I never thought I'd get through that with my leg still attached, but we did it. She's... pretty awesome."

Raio leaned back, running a hand through his messy hair as he reflected on the bonds he was forming with his classmates. It felt good, almost normal, but there was still that lingering weight—the constant pressure to do more, to be better, for Ana.

"I've been thinking a lot about you lately, y'know? The training camp is coming up, and I want to be strong enough this time. Not just for me, but for them. I can't let anyone else down. I... I hope I'm making you proud."

He smiled softly, a mix of warmth and sadness. His eyes lingered on the portrait for a moment longer before his phone buzzed beside him, breaking the silence.

Glancing at the screen, Raio saw a message from Midoriya flash up:

Midoriya: "Hey Kaminari, we're planning a training day at the pool today! Mineta suggested it, but I think it could be a great way for everyone to relax and bond before the training camp. You in?"

Raio chuckled to himself. Mineta? He could already imagine the real reason behind the so-called "training day," but Midoriya's enthusiasm was unmistakable. He always managed to find the bright side of things.

Raio typed out a quick reply:

Kaminari: "Haha, leave it to Mineta to come up with an idea like this. But yeah, count me in. Could be fun."

Setting his phone down, Raio glanced back at Ana's portrait. "Looks like I'll be spending the day with my friends," he said softly. "I think you'd like them. I'll tell you all about it later."

With that, he got up, feeling a little lighter, ready to join the rest of Class 1-A for what was sure to be an interesting pool day.

...

The heat of summer was in full swing, and the U.A. High swimming pool gleamed in the bright afternoon sun, beckoning the students of Class 1-A to cool off and unwind. The poolside was already buzzing with excitement as Midoriya, Sero, Mineta, and a few others arrived early to get things started.

Sero stretched his arms, looking around at the pool area. "This is perfect! I can already feel the stress melting away."

Mineta, of course, was ogling the idea of seeing the girls, though his hopes were quickly dashed when he realized it wasn't exactly the 'exclusive' gathering he'd planned. Instead, the entire class had shown up after Midoriya sent out the group message.

Midoriya, always positive, smiled. "This is great! It's important to have moments like this to train and relax before the training camp. We've all been working so hard lately."

Kaminari showed up a little later, still shaking off the remnants of his earlier reflection with Ana. He was in his swim trunks, a towel thrown over his shoulder, and a more relaxed expression on his face. Despite everything that had happened in the last few months, today felt like a much-needed break—a chance to be normal with his friends.

Mina spotted Raio first and waved him over. "Kaminari! You ready to race?"

Raio raised an eyebrow, smirking at the challenge. "Race? Are you sure you want to lose that badly?"

"Oh, it's on!" Mina grinned, clearly hyped for the competition.

As Raio walked closer to join the group, he slid off his towel, revealing his upper body for the first time in front of the entire class. The playful atmosphere shifted slightly as more eyes turned toward him, and the students who hadn't seen Kaminari without his shirt couldn't help but pause for a moment.

Kaminari had Lichtenberg figures—lightning scars—etched across his torso. They looked like intricate, tree-like patterns branching out over his skin, the clear signs of his quirk's power consequences, even if they aren't aware of the whole story. But what caught even more attention were the fresher scars, still pinkish and raw-looking, from his encounter with Stain.

Jirou's eyes widened in surprise, the earbuds in her ears forgotten as she stared. "Whoa... Kaminari, those are..."

Kirishima, always blunt but concerned, stepped forward. "Man, you've been through a lot, haven't you?" His tone was respectful, not prying but acknowledging the visible signs of Kaminari's battles.

Kaminari froze for a second, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on him. He hadn't meant to make it a big deal, but he knew it was inevitable they'd see the scars eventually. "Ah, yeah," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to play it off. "It's just part of using my quirk. Electricity is not exactly gentle on the body."

Bakugou, who rarely showed his softer side, gave him a sidelong glance but didn't say anything. His expression was unreadable, but the recognition of Kaminari's struggles was clear.

Midoriya's eyes softened as he looked at the scars. As someone who often hurt himself using his quirk, he understood what it meant to push yourself to the limit. "I didn't knew your quirk took such a heavy toll as well, Kaminari."

Mina, usually the life of the party, had a rare moment of quiet reflection as she stood next to Kaminari, looking at the marks. "This is the consequence of always trying to shoulder everything. Ain't it? Well not any longer, we will protect you the next time!"

Kaminari blinked, taken aback by the warmth and concern from his classmates. He'd gotten so used to shouldering everything himself that he almost forgot how much he'd come to rely on these people. "Thanks, guys," he muttered, his usual bravado slightly tempered by the weight of the moment. "But enough of that! Let's get back to the important stuff—who's gonna win this race?"

Mina immediately lit up again, playfully elbowing him. "You're on, Spark Plug!"

With the tension diffused, the group jumped back into the fun. Laps were raced, splashes were exchanged, and laughter echoed around the pool as Class 1-A enjoyed the rare downtime. The playful competition and lighthearted teasing helped them bond even more, the earlier weight of Kaminari's scars fading into the background as just another part of what made him strong.

Kaminari couldn't help but feel grateful. He looked around at his classmates, his friends, and felt a sense of belonging he hadn't experienced in a long time.

The day may have started with him talking to a portrait of his sister, feeling the familiar pangs of loneliness, but it was ending with something entirely different—camaraderie, warmth, and hope for what lay ahead.

...

With the atmosphere lightened and the mood back to its usual upbeat tone, the students of Class 1-A split off into groups for some impromptu pool games. The water was cool and refreshing, providing the perfect escape from the summer heat, and the sound of splashing and laughter filled the air.

Mina, never one to shy away from a challenge, waded to the center of the pool and threw her arms up dramatically. "Alright, everyone! I declare the first ever Class 1-A Pool Olympics officially open!"

The idea caught on immediately. Sero swam over, eager to stir the competition. "First event: the ultimate cannonball contest!" he shouted, pointing to the edge of the pool.

Kirishima's face lit up, flexing his arms. "You're on! I'm totally gonna win this one!"

Kaminari, already feeling more relaxed, rolled his eyes with a grin. "Cannonball? Seriously, is that the best you can come up with?"

Mina smirked. "Got any better ideas, Sparky?"

Kaminari waded toward the edge of the pool, joining Kirishima, who was cracking his knuckles in preparation. "Just watch and learn," He said, his competitive spirit shining through as he jumped up, twisted mid-air, and pulled off a clean cannonball that sent a wave of water crashing over Sero and Jirou, who were caught in the splash zone.

"Ahhh!" Jirou wiped water from her face, glaring playfully at Kaminari. "Okay, that was good, but you're gonna pay for that!"

Kirishima jumped next, going for sheer impact rather than finesse, his hardened form adding extra weight to his cannonball. The splash was massive, drenching nearly everyone in the pool. "I told you! That's unbreakable technique right there!"

Mina, ever the show-off, took her turn with a stylish flip before crashing into the water, causing her own impressive splash. She surfaced, laughing, and pointed at Kaminari. "Okay, who's winning this round?"

Sero, sitting poolside, mock-judged the attempts. "Hmm, I give Kaminari a 7, Kirishima a 9 for sheer destruction, and Mina an 8 for flair."

Kaminari shot him a look. "Seven? Seriously?"

"Take it up with the judges," Sero shrugged, grinning widely.

As the games continued, each new challenge brought out more laughter. They played water tag, raced from one end of the pool to the other, and even tried to build human pyramids, though Bakugou—who had been lounging on the side, trying to ignore everyone—interrupted one attempt by exploding the water near them.

"Stop screwin' around, you idiots!" Bakugou yelled, though a small smirk tugged at his lips. He'd never admit it, but he was having a good time too.

"Come on, Bakugou, join in!" Kirishima shouted, always trying to include his hot-headed friend. "You'd crush everyone in a splash contest!"

Bakugou just snorted. "Tch. Not interested."

Meanwhile, Kaminari had wandered over to the deeper end of the pool with Midoriya, who was always up for a challenge but lacked the physical prowess of some of the others. "Wanna race?" Kaminari asked, his competitive edge still strong.

Midoriya scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. "I don't know if I can keep up with you, Kaminari."

"Only one way to find out!"

As they lined up at the edge, Todoroki floated nearby, watching the race unfold with quiet interest. His half-cool, half-warm demeanor was as laid-back as ever. "Make sure you don't shock the pool when you win, Kaminari," Todoroki quipped dryly.

Kaminari smirked. "No promises."

The race was over in an instant, with Midoriya's athleticism and quirk-boosted reflexes giving him the edge, but Kaminari kept up surprisingly well. Both of them finished out of breath but laughing, splashing water at each other in good spirits.

Back at the shallow end, the rest of the class had divided into teams for water polo, with Mineta standing on Sero's shoulders as their team's designated "goalie," although he was more focused on trying to get a better view of the girls than actually blocking any shots.

Mina and Jirou worked together as a duo, effortlessly passing the ball between them and outsmarting the boys at every turn. "You're not getting past us!" Jirou shouted, blocking a pass from Sero with a well-timed jab from her earphone jacks.

Kaminari and Kirishima found themselves on opposite teams, both fiercely competitive. Kaminari zipped through the water, using his agility to outmaneuver Kirishima, but the redhead's sheer strength and determination made him a wall in defense. Every time Kaminari tried to score, Kirishima was there, laughing. "Not happening, man!"

After a fierce back-and-forth, Mina's team came out on top, and the victorious cheers were so loud they probably echoed across the entire school.

As the day wound down and the sun began to set, casting an orange glow over the pool, the students gathered together, tired but happy. Kaminari leaned back against the pool wall, watching his classmates chatter and joke around, and for the first time in a while, he felt completely at ease.

Jirou swam over, flicking water at him. "Tired already?"

Kaminari laughed. "You try to win these games without using your quirk."

Midoriya, still drying off from the race, chimed in, "That's right, your quirk is bad combination with water."

Kaminari nodded in agreement, back in the day, he couldn't even get near bodies of water. Here, maybe he could participate in races, but one drop of water on his active quirk and every one is going to the hospital. He can't take this chance.

...

The sun began to dip lower, casting long shadows across the pool area, the golden light softening the energy that had filled the day. The rowdy games were winding down, leaving a peaceful calm in their place. The cool breeze that accompanied the approaching evening was a welcome change, rustling through the trees as the students sat around the pool, catching their breath and basking in the glow of their time together.

Kaminari floated at the edge of the pool, his arms resting on the cool tiles as he stared out over the water, lost in thought. His classmates' laughter and chatter felt distant, like a comforting hum in the background. He smiled, letting himself absorb the moment.

It had been a perfect day. A break from the chaos, the pressure, the constant battle with his own quirk. A chance to just... be with his friends.

His thoughts wandered back to his earlier conversation with Ana's portrait. How many times had he wished she could see this? The friends he had made, the progress he had achieved—not just as a hero-in-training but as a person. She'd always believed in him, even when he hadn't believed in himself. He could almost hear her voice now, cheering him on, teasing him for how serious he could get sometimes.

As he reflected, Kaminari subconsciously traced the fresh scars on his arm from his encounter with Stain. The fight, the near-death experience—it had all been a stark reminder of how dangerous this path could be. But today, surrounded by his classmates, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Ana wouldn't have wanted him to dwell on the past. She'd want him to keep moving forward, to embrace the life in front of him.

His gaze drifted toward his classmates. Mina was floating lazily on her back, her arms spread out as she grinned up at the sky. Kirishima and Sero were still playfully arguing about who had the best cannonball. Even Bakugou, though sitting alone, seemed more at ease than usual, his usual scowl softened. And Jirou, who had taken to sitting at the pool's edge, was fiddling with her earphone jacks, a small smile on her face as she occasionally glanced over at the group.

These were the people who made the daily grind at U.A. worth it. The ones who pushed him, inspired him, made him feel like he was part of something bigger than himself. And in return, he'd do anything for them.

Kaminari couldn't help but chuckle to himself. "You'd like them, Ana. They're... a bit crazy, but good people."

As if on cue, the peaceful atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by a sharp, dry voice.

"It's 5 O'clock. Pool time is over."

Aizawa's unmistakable presence snapped everyone back to reality. He stood at the entrance to the pool area, arms crossed, his tired eyes somehow managing to still look both annoyed and resigned at the same time. "Wrap it up and go home."

Groans of disappointment erupted from the group.

"Aww, come on, just five more minutes!" Mina pleaded, half-joking but clearly not ready to leave.

Aizawa sighed, as if dealing with a room full of misbehaving children. "Did I stutter?" His voice thickened as he activated his individuality, the change in temperament from laziness to irritation was enough for everyone to understand: Not another word.

The group murmured in agreement, but the shift in mood was undeniable. They were heading back to the reality of being heroes-in-training, where the challenges would only get tougher. The day had been a welcome reprieve, but they all knew what was waiting for them around the corner.

As the students slowly climbed out of the pool, drying off and packing up their things, Kaminari lingered for a moment longer, still staring out at the now-empty water. His reflection rippled as a soft breeze blew across the surface.

For a brief second, he allowed himself to feel the weight of the unknown ahead. The training camp, the villains, his own unstable quirk. But he pushed those thoughts aside, letting the warmth of the day fill him instead. This was his path—no matter how dangerous or difficult it became.

He stood up, grabbing his towel and turning toward the exit, where his classmates were already chatting excitedly about what snacks they'd bring to the camp.

"Hey, Kaminari!" Kirishima called out, waving him over. "Hurry up, man! You gotta help us plan for the trip."

He smiled and jogged to catch up, falling in step with his friends.

As they left the pool area behind, Kaminari felt something different, a lightness in his chest he hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe it was the lingering effects of the day spent in the sun, or maybe it was the undeniable bond that had grown between him and his classmates.

Whatever it was, he knew he'd carry it with him, no matter what the future held.

And with that, the pool day came to an end, marking not only the close of their fun-filled afternoon but also the beginning of the next chapter in their journey toward becoming pro heroes.