Today was Saturday, the highly anticipated day when "Pokémon," starring Kaminari, was set to officially premiere on TV Tokyo.

  At 3:10 iernoon, Css 1-A's Hero Course was granted a rare early dismissal, ending all lessons after the sixth period. Csses were done for the day.

  As soon as Aizawa-sensei left, the students began clearing their desks and chattiedly about the weekend. Kaminari fshed a charming smile and addressed the css, inviting everyoo take an hour out of their evening to watch the first episode of Pokémon.

  "You've got to see it," he said fidently. "Even though I won't appear until tomorrow's episode, you don't want to miss it."

  Kyoka and Momo, standing nearby, backed him up, urging their friends like Uraraka, Asui, and the others to tune in as well.

  "Heh, I already knew!" Mina Ashido excimed, pumping her pink fist in the air. "The subway is pstered with your posters, Kaminari!"

  "Yeah, I practically have the date and time memorized," Tsuyu Asui added, her lips quirking in amusement.

  "I 't wait to see one of our cssmates in an anime!" Kirishima said, looking at Kaminari with a glint of admiration. "Maybe I'll get to be in it too someday."

  Mia, however, had a differeion. With a suggestive smirk, he leaned forward. "Hey, maybe they could add more Css 1-A students. I wouldn't miing some cute anime girls…"

  "If that happens, my radiant charm could outshine everyone and make me the true protagonist!" Aoyama Yuga decred, striking a dramatic pose, hand to his face as he sparkled with self-admiration.

  "Tch, me!" Bakugo scoffed, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he headed for the door. "I don't o waste time watg some stupid show. I've got training to do. No way I'm watg!"

  Kaminari just ughed. By now, he uood Bakugo's personality well enough to know he didn't mean half of what he said. Despite his brash attitude and harsh words, Bakugo never crossed the lio real bullying—except, perhaps, when it came to Midoriya, and that was a whole other story.

  But Mia's suggestion did spark an idea. Having more Css 1-A students appear in Pokémon could be fun, and they did need a rge cast for the show. With a quice at Yaoyorozu, the two exged knowing nods, then Kaminari spoke up again.

  "Alright, if any of you are ied in making a cameo in the Pokémon world, e see me now. Just give me your name and address, and I'll arrange for the pany to send you a portrait lising tract."

  A wave of excitement rippled through the room.

  "Really? We actually be in it?" Mia shouted in delight, visions of anime girls dang in his mind.

  "I want in!" Mina cried, boung with excitement. She grabbed Uraraka's hand and added, "Ochad I are both signing up!"

  "Eh?!" Uraraka stammered, her cheeks turning pink. The idea of appearing on TV was thrilling but also nerve-wrag. "I… I don't want to cause any trouble…"

  Despite her hesitation, the glimmer of excitement in her eyes was unmistakable.

  "With my unique charm, I'll surely add some sparkle to the animation," Aoyama said with a dramatic fir, as if it were a given.

  "Make me the ma character possible!" Kirishima demanded, flexing his arms proudly.

  "Not a ce!" Tetsutetsu interrupted, bumping fists with him. "I'll prove at the Sports Festival that I'm the toughest in Css 1-A!"

  "Hah! Bring it on!" Kirishima shot back, log eyes with Tetsutetsu as their fiery rivalry reignited, an intense spark crag between them.

  While the others cmored to write down their details, students like Tokoyami and Shoji watched from the sidelines, not signing up but also not leaving the room.

  Ten mier, Kaminari looked over the list of names and addresses on the paper, nodding with satisfa. Nearly the whole css had signed up, except for Bakugo, Todoroki, and Iida, who robably still running ps outside, and Midoriya, who had disappeared somewhere.

  With a cheerful farewell, the students packed up and headed home. Kaminari, however, didn't follow Momo or joietsu on the way out. Instead, he made his way to the principal's office.

  Aizawa-sensei had mentioned during lunch that Principal Nezu wao see him, though he hadn't said why. Kaminari couldn't help but wonder what the etric principal had in store.

  As for Momo, she had her own studies to focus on, preparing for the uping Hero Experience Festival. That meant their private study sessions were on hold for now—a bit of a relief for Kaminari, si gave him more time to work on his special moves.

  ---

  7 p.m.

  In the Kaminari household, the family gathered in the living room, snag on fresh pineapple cut by Kaminari's mom as they waited eagerly for 7:30.

  This was it—the broadcast time for Pokémon, airing in the prime Saturday night slot. Seg this time slot had taken siderable influence from Mitsui, whily highlighted the pany's pull.

  Mitsui and the Yaoyorozu family had divided the responsibilities for the project. Mitsui hahe animation produ and promotion, while the Yaoyorozu family mahe Pikachu Band.

  Of course, since Kaminari insisted on keeping the band strictly "student-led," he'd turned down all business performances for now. Besides, with the U.A. Sports Festival approag, there wasn't much for Yaoyorozu's side to manage apart from keeping the band's online presence alive with occasional news ss and ads.

  Thinking of performances reminded Kaminari of what the principal had discussed with him.

  "Dad, Principal alked to me after school today," he began, taking a sip of his drink.

  "Oh? What about?" his father asked, popping another slice of pineapple into his mouth. Kaminari's mom looked equally curious. After all, it wasn't every day that the principal of U.A. wao have a private chat.

  "He asked if Kyoka and I could perform the opening song for the first-year css during the Sports Festival," Kaminari replied with a casual grin. "He wants us to do it uhe name of the Pikachu Band, with a song that matches U.A.'s values."

  "What?!"

  Kaminari's parents both excimed in shock.

  Did they hear that right? Their son had been io perform the opening act for the U.A. Sports Festival?!