Kindergarten (Part 1)

Three days later, Asami tried waking up Kenji. "Kenji, wake up! It's time for you to join Kindergarten and meet your new friends," she said gently. Kenji, hearing this, pretended to be asleep, thinking, "Going to Kindergarten at my age? No way." Asami, aware of Kenji's act, recalled what happened two days ago when she merely touched him to wake him up for training and he was instantly alert. A tick mark appeared on Asami's forehead as she grew impatient. She activated her quirk, creating a loud elephant trumpet noise. Kenji jolted awake, shocked. "I really thought an elephant was right next to me!" he thought, his heart racing.

Asami then told Kenji, "You're awake, aren't you? Get ready to go to Kindergarten. But first, I've prepared your favorite breakfast: a Ham & Egg sandwich with cheese. And just like you requested, your drink is a PBJB Protein Shake With Milk."

Yesterday, Kenji requested to add protein shake to his milk at breakfast, and his parents didn't question it because they already know that their son Kenji is a genius, intelligent, and knowledgeable.

Kenji ate his breakfast, savoring his favorite Ham & Egg sandwich with melt cheese. As usual, he asked his dad to cool his drink, and his dad obliged with a smile. After breakfast, Kenji took a shower with his mother, feeling comfortable and no longer embarrassed as he had grown used to it. Once he was done, Kenji dressed himself without his mother's help. Asami watched, feeling a mix of happiness and sadness. She was proud that her son could dress himself but also nostalgic because he no longer needed her assistance. Meanwhile, Kenzo got the car ready to take Kenji to Kindergarten, completing the morning routine with a sense of anticipation for the day ahead.

Asami and Kenji got into the car, where Kenzo was already waiting. He started the engine and began driving toward the kindergarten. As they made their way through the bustling morning streets, Asami turned to Kenji with a warm smile and asked, "Kenji, my boy, are you excited to meet your new friends?"

"Yes, Mom, I'm excited! I can't wait to make a new friend," Kenji replied, his voice cheerful. But beneath his smile, Kenji's thoughts were filled with doubt and concern.

He thought, "Will anyone even want to be friends with me, a quirkless kid? I won't worry if I get bullied. If they do bully me, I'll fight back. I bet I could even take on someone like Bakugo at this age."

Kenji continued to ponder, "But wait, is the kindergarten I'm going to the one where the protagonist and Bakugo are? I can't wait to meet them. About Midoriya, I think we'll be good friends. He's so kind and nervous when meeting new people for the first time. I won't approach him first; I'll wait until he talks to me. And about Bakugo, at first, I hated him because he bullied those without quirks, pushing them to the brink of despair. But he changed, and that change only came when he was at UA High School. If he targets me for bullying in kindergarten, I'll make him pay."

He thought again, I guess I can't avoid interacting with the protagonist and his friend, but that's fine. he thought. "I'll handle whatever comes my way."

Kenji's mind raced with mixed feelings, but he was determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead with strength and courage.

They arrived at the kindergarten, where Kenji's parents enrolled him and introduced him to his new friends. As Kenji watched the children joyfully playing with their quirks, a mix of amazement and a twinge of sadness crossed his face. However, his disappointment was fleeting.

The children using their quirks noticed Kenji and his parents' arrival, quickly halting their activities. Kenji's parents encouraged him to introduce himself. Clearing his throat nervously, Kenji spoke up, "My name is Sato Kenji, and my dream is to attend UA High School."

Asami, Kenji's mother, gently reassured him, "Kenji, we'll be leaving you here for now, but we'll come back soon after your kindergarten session ends." Kenzo, Kenji's father, chimed in with confidence, "Stay strong, son. If there's anything you can't handle, don't hesitate to ask the kindergarten teacher. But knowing you, I doubt you'll need much help. You're a genius."

Kenji smiled gratefully at his parents, feeling their warmth in the embrace they shared before parting ways. "Thanks, Mother and Father. Have a safe trip home," he replied as they left him. With a final wave, Kenji whispered a soft goodbye, his resolve to make the most of his time at kindergarten and pursue his dream of becoming a hero burning brighter than ever.

After Kenji's parents left, the children gathered around him, their faces alive with curiosity. One of them piped up eagerly, "Hey Kenji, what's your quirk?"

Kenji's expression softened with a hint of disappointment. "Unfortunately, I don't have a quirk. But I still believe I can become a hero."

Upon hearing his reply, a few of the children chuckled, their interest waning as quickly as it had sparked. Kenji, though disheartened, quietly mused to himself, 'I expected it would happen this way.'

As he watched the others move on to find someone with a more spectacular ability, Kenji's resolve only strengthened. Deep down, he knew his determination would define him far more than any quirk ever could.

As Kenji contemplated his dreams in the park, a familiar figure with dark green haired color approached with a hesitant step. It was Midoriya, his eyes reflecting a blend of empathy and curiosity as he recognized a fellow dreamer. "Um, excuse me," Midoriya started, drawing Kenji's attention. "I couldn't help but overhear. You want to be a hero without a quirk?"

Kenji nodded, meeting Midoriya's gaze with quiet determination. "Yes," he affirmed, "I believe it's possible. Heroes aren't defined solely by quirks; they embody courage, determination, and strength. Just because someone doesn't have a quirk doesn't mean they're weak."

Midoriya's expression softened with understanding. "I used to think the same way," he admitted, reflecting on his own journey. "I didn't have a quirk at first either. I thought I couldn't be a hero without a quirk, but I never gave up. I kept believing in myself." His words struck a chord with Kenji, who felt a deep connection with Midoriya's unwavering belief.

Kenji couldn't help but think to himself, 'Oh, wow, I can't believe I'm meeting the protagonist this early. As expected, he's visibly nervous about meeting someone new, especially since he's quirkless. Yet, his unwavering kindness shines through he's truly a hero at heart.'

Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by a commotion nearby. A group of kids, led by the brash and confident figure Bakugo a boy with sandy blond hair color, swaggered over. Tsubasa and Tesaki flanked him, their presence commanding attention as they eyed Kenji and Midoriya with a mixture of skepticism and amusement.

"Hey, Deku," Bakugo called out mockingly to Midoriya, using the nickname he had coined. "What's with your new friend here? Thinks he can be a hero without a quirk?" His words dripped with condescension, aimed at both Kenji and Midoriya.

Kenji thought about Bakugo, 'There he is i might already think about this before but he is—the boy who used to despise quirkless individuals aspiring to be heroes and bullied them until high school and told that quirkless person to jump from the roof At first, I couldn't believe he could ever be a hero. But he's changed now, taking on much more responsibility and even apologized. Yet, that transformation still take place in future.'

Kenji felt a surge of defiance rising within him. "Yes," he replied firmly, stepping forward to meet Bakugo's challenging gaze. "I believe in myself, and I'm willing to work harder than anyone to prove it."

Bakugo's smirk widened into a grin of amusement. "Oh really?" he taunted, taking a step closer with an intimidating aura. "Let's see what you've got then, quirkless wonder."

Before Kenji could respond, Midoriya stepped between them, his voice shaky yet resolute. "Kacchan, please stop it," he said, his eyes and body trembling. "He's a new friend who just got here, and you're already trying to bully him. I won't let you!" Midoriya screamed, tears welling up in his eyes.

Kenji thought, 'Wow, as expected of the protagonist, trying to protect me from these hooligans even though there are three of them and he doesn't have a quirk either. But I'm confident I can handle them on my own.'

Bakugo and his friends stood there, laughing. Tsubasa and Tesaki were already preparing to use their quirks. Bakugo clenched his fists, crackling with explosions. "You clearly don't have a quirk but act like a hero, huh, Deku?" he sneered.

Midoriya looked afraid as Bakugo and his friends seemed ready to attack both him and Kenji. In a moment of desperation, Kenji shouted, "WAIT!"

Bakugo and his friends paused, looking amused. "What, you gonna beg for mercy?" Bakugo taunted.

Kenji took a deep breath. "I'd rather take a beating than do that," he said firmly. "But how about this instead? You and me, one-on-one. No help from anyone else."