At Saitama City's subway station, the evening rush hour was in full swing. A rge number of men and women in business attire moved through the station, mingling with junih and high school students dressed in sports uniforms, clearly just finished with their after-school club activities.

  The station was bustli orderly—until a sudden otioed.

  "Mom, look! Look! It's Kaminari and Pikachu!"

  "What?" The young mother followed her soed pointing and froze. There, not far away, was a very familiar sight. After a moment of disbelief, she muttered uainly, "It has to be cospy, right?"

  This se seemed to ripple through the crowd.

  "Yeah, it has to be cospy. Look how spot-on they look—he even got Pikachu down perfectly."

  "Maybe it's a small animatronic or something. It 't really be Pikachu, it?"

  Though everyone had their own theories, ohing was certain: their hands were already reag for their phones. After all, when you see something this iing, the instinct to snap pictures or record videos is universal. Without a doubt, these would be posted online for likes, ents, and shares.

  "Heh, just as expected…"

  Kaminari walked through the station with a smile on his fad Pikachu perched fortably on his shoulder. The goldeure's ears twitched occasionally as its rouuro s the curious onlookers. Naturally, a growing crowd trailed behind them.

  As someone who had growo attention as a rising star, Kaminari didn't mind the stares and whispers. If anything, he weled them. It art of the territory now.

  "Ono finishes her 'ails' project, we totally have a Pokémon battle," he murmured to himself, excitement bubbling at the thought. Just imagining it was enough to make his heart race.

  "All those childhood dreams… looks like I'll get to live them all out in this life."

  Kaminari felt a surge of satisfa. For a fleeting moment, he reflected on his good fortune.

  "Sure, it would've been cool to nd in something like 'Marvel,' 'Naruto,' or 'One Piece,' but holy? This world—this strange, super-powered world is perfee."

  It was a thought that came from the depths of his heart.

  "Yeah… life's not so bad."

  Soon enough, Kaminari arrived home. As expected, his parents hadn't started dinner without him. But instead of the scolding he had braced himself for, his father's voice was calm and direct:

  "Go wash up a ready for dinner."

  His mother chimed in with a warm smile. "It's good you're back. I'll reheat the food."

  Without any pints uilt-tripping, she turoward the kit to get busy. This simple kindness made Kaminari pause. A sense of guilt and gratitude washed over him as he made a mental note: from now on, no matter where he went, he'd make sure to let his parents know beforehand. Ary not to stay out so te again.

  An amusing moment followed when his parents finally noticed Pikachu. Their surprise alpable. After all, who wouldn't be shocked to see a fial creature brought to life so vividly?

  It wasn't until the night wore on that they finally adjusted to Pikachu's presence. By bedtime, it was as if they'd gotten a new pet—albeit a very unusual one.

  Before Kaminari headed to bed, his father gave him o piece of advice:

  "Listen, son. Now that you've got the bat suit back, don't think you let yuard down. Yoing to attract attention, dangerous attention. Some people will go to ahs for something like this. So, don't go out alone. Always stay alert."

  Kaminari nodded, fully uanding the weight of his father's words.

  Still, deep down, he wasn't particurly worried. He had power now—real, tangible power. If someone came looking for trouble, it wouldn't be certain who'd walk away unscathed.

  As for ws or sequences? Well, if it came down to life or death, what choice would there be? Kaminari grinned faintly at the thought, flexing his fingers as faint sparks of electricity danced between them.

  ---

  The m, Kaminari dressed for school as usual, donning his ly pressed U.A. uniform. On his back was a school bag themed around Pikachu, and on his shoulder sat the real thing, its little head swaying side to side as they prepared to leave.

  "Dad, make sure you and Mom go to the Midnight Office with Mr. Snatch this afternoon," Kaminari instructed before heading out. "It'll be safer to watch live rather than relying on a broadcast. Oh, and take a couple of Hero assistants with you—it'll be hard for Mr. Snatch to protect both of you on his own."

  His father raised an eyebrow at the serious tone. "You think we need you to remind us about that? Don't worry about us, we'll handle ourselves."

  Then his expression softened slightly. "You're the one who o be careful, son. Don't fet—you're their main target."

  Kaminari shrugged off the warning with a casual wave. "Got it. I'll see you ter."

  With that, Kaminari stepped out the door, Pikachu perched firmly on his shoulder. His parents stood in the doorway, watg him go with worried expressions.

  "Do you think we made the right decisioing him pursue Hero work?" his mother asked softly, her voice tinged with uainty.

  His father sighed. "It doesn't matter if it was right . We've passed the point of urn. The only thi is to trust him and keep moving forward. And believe me, he'll make it. He always does."

  ---

  Meanwhile, Kaminari was making his way to the subway station. The streets were bustling with students heading to school, and his appearance—especially with Pikachu in tow—iably drew attention.

  "Is that Kaminari?"

  "Whoa, is that a real Pikachu?!"

  Excmations and whispers followed him wherever he went. The sight of Pikachu perched on his shoulder, animated and lifelike, had captivated everyone.

  What Kaminari didn't realize was that footage of him bringing Pikachu home st night had already been uploaded to social media—and it was going viral.

  At the subway entrance, a familiar voice called out.

  "Kaminari! Why didn't you show up for m practice today?"

  Kaminari turo see Tetsutetsu approag, his expression a mix of curiosity and fusion.

  "Hey, what's that?" Tetsutetsu pointed directly at Pikachu. "Is that… Pikachu?!"

  The goldeure bli Tetsutetsu before raising a tiny paw.

  "Pika! Pika-pika!"

  It greeted Tetsutetsu cheerfully, waving like an old friend.

  "e on, we'll talk as we walk. If we stand around here, we're going to get mobbed," Kaminari said, g Tetsutetsu on the shoulder.

  As they ehe subway statioetsu fell into step beside him.

  "M practice was great, by the way. You missed out," Tetsutetsu teased. "What's this 'hing' you were going to show us? Is it your bat suit?"

  "Yeah, about that…" Kaminari nodded, but then abruptly stopped walking.

  His expression froze.

  "What's wrong?" Tetsutetsu asked, ed.

  Nearby, a group of students had also stopped, curious about Kaminari's sudden pause. Pikachu tilted its head, looking up at Kaminari in fusion.

  "Fot… I pletely fot!" Kaminari groaned, g his hands in frustration.

  "Fot what?" Tetsutetsu pressed.

  "I fot to tell Dr. Tenma about Kyoka's bat suit!"