Chapter 50: Grace and Self-Recommendation

Vlad, the homeroom teacher of Class B, stroked his chin thoughtfully, nodding in agreement. "If this kid continues to grow, he'll be a force to reckon with, whether as a Hero or... well, something else."

The principal, Nezu, cut in, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a more serious tone. "Exactly why we need to keep a close watch on Kaminari Denki. He's walking a fine line, and it's our responsibility to guide him, make sure he doesn't stray from the right path."

"But how?" Aizawa asked, glancing briefly at All Might. "We can't treat him too differently from the other students. Singling him out could make things worse."

All Might offered a sheepish smile before adopting a more serious expression. "Those who don't follow the rules are considered trash, but those who don't value life are worse than trash. Kaminari's philosophy that you should give everything your best effort and accept the outcome no matter what is noble. But when he says he'd prioritize saving a partner over protecting a city, I... I can't say whether that's right or wrong."

He trailed off, unsure of how to reconcile this dilemma. According to the code of Hero conduct, the greater good, the city's safety should come first. But deep down, All Might knew that if he were in Kaminari's shoes, he would've made the same choice. The difference, of course, was that All Might had the ability to do both: save the city and protect his partner. Kaminari, still just a student, would face far more pressure.

"Kaminari is the type to follow his heart," Aizawa said. "When things get critical, he'll abandon the rules if he feels it's the right thing to do. We saw it when he used his Quirk illegally to save that old man in Omiya Park. He didn't hesitate, didn't think about the consequences. He just acted."

Midnight, recalling her first encounter with Kaminari at the park, nodded in agreement. "Exactly. He's a rule-breaker when it comes to emergencies. That can be both his strength and his downfall."

Aizawa continued, "In a way, it's a commendable trait acting decisively in the heat of the moment is essential for a Hero. But it's also dangerous. If the importance of rules is too light in his mind, he could easily start justifying reckless behavior. At that point, what separates him from the villains?"

The room fell silent as Aizawa's words hung in the air. Everyone understood the gravity of what he was saying.

Nezu leaned forward, his small paws clasped together on the table. "Kaminari is, as you've put it, walking a tightrope. He has a strong moral compass, but unless he keeps that compass balanced, he's at risk of falling whether into a life of crime or simply making poor decisions with catastrophic results."

Nezu's sharp, strategic mind was already working out solutions. "First, we need to strengthen his understanding of the laws and the regulations that guide Hero work. He needs to grasp that these rules exist not to restrict him, but to protect him and the people he saves. We should assign him a professional Hero who can frequently check in with him, someone to guide him in navigating the gray areas that come up in the field."

The teachers nodded in agreement, understanding the need for a mentor.

"Second," Nezu continued, "we should work on building up his respect and trust for the Hero society. If we can make him feel more connected to the broader Hero network, he'll be less likely to go rogue. Finally, Aizawa, I'd like you to expand your teaching. Include some case studies on the darker side of villainy, things we normally cover in the second year. Kaminari needs to see the consequences of unchecked power and lawlessness."

"Understood," Aizawa replied. He was always willing to adapt his methods to help his students.

"Now, we just need to figure out which teacher can keep regular contact with Kaminari," Nezu said, glancing around the room.

For a moment, no one spoke. All Might, who had brought up the issue, remained silent. He already had his hands full with Midoriya and couldn't take on the responsibility of mentoring Kaminari as well.

Just when it seemed no one would step up, Midnight raised her hand with a confident smile. "I'll do it. I live in Saitama, same as Kaminari, and I've seen him jogging in Omiya Park in the mornings. It wouldn't be hard for me to chat with him from time to time. Plus, I think he's already comfortable with me."

Nezu nodded approvingly. "Thank you, Midnight. Just remember to ask Kaminari for his contact information directly. We can't disclose that without his permission."

"Of course," Midnight said, still smiling. "I'll talk to him next Monday. Maybe I'll even bump into him on his jog tomorrow."

With that, the meeting concluded. Kaminari had officially become a focal point of U.A. High School's attention, though he remained blissfully unaware of this fact. At that very moment, he was at the Yaoyorozu estate, sipping high-end tea while being tutored in electromagnetism by the ever-enthusiastic Yaoyorozu Momo.

As the clock struck seven, the butler gently reminded Momo that it was time to wrap up. She reluctantly set down the retractable pointer she'd been using to illustrate concepts, while Kaminari, after two hours of intense focus, let out a relieved sigh. Learning electromagnetism from Yaoyorozu was no easy task, though he couldn't deny how much he appreciated her effort.

"Thank you, Yaoyorozu-san," Kaminari said earnestly, bowing his head slightly. "You've been standing and teaching for two hours straight. I really appreciate it."

Earlier, Kaminari had suggested she sit, but Yaoyorozu had insisted on standing, saying, "I'm the teacher today, so I should look the part." Her dedication left him both impressed and touched.

Yaoyorozu smiled warmly. "It's no trouble at all. I'm happy to help."

Kaminari, grateful beyond words, silently vowed to repay the kindness of the Yaoyorozu family one day. He couldn't shake the feeling that their generosity letting their daughter tutor him so freely came with an unspoken understanding. Whatever the reason, he knew he owed them.

"If I ever get the chance, I'll make sure to repay this favor," Kaminari thought to himself. The bond between him and the Yaoyorozu family had deepened.

Yaoyorozu interrupted his thoughts with a question. "Kaminari, would it be alright if I joined Jiro's band?"

Kaminari blinked in surprise. "You want to be in the band? Do you play any instruments?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm not really good with musical instruments."

"Then why?" Kaminari asked, confused.

She smiled sweetly. "I thought I could be the band's manager. It seems like it would be fun, and I'd love to help out."

Kaminari hesitated. "Why choose us? There are plenty of bands you could manage."

"Because you're my classmates," she replied softly. "And… I feel like managing your band would be a wonderful experience. Sometimes, a girl's intuition is all you need."