Mall trip

The air in the classroom was heavy with anticipation. Everyone sat at their desks, eyes fixed on Aizawa as he stood at the front, a clipboard in his hand. The results of the practical exam hung in the air like a storm cloud, and no one dared to break the tense silence.

Kaminari glanced around the room, his nerves hidden behind a calm facade. The previous moments from his exam still played in his head—finally working as a team with Mina—but that didn't quell the rising tension in his chest. He wasn't sure if it was enough. The test wasn't just about power or skill; it was about trust and teamwork. Had he proven himself?

Aizawa's monotone voice cut through the silence. "As you all know, the practical exam was not simply about defeating your opponent. It was about using your quirks, strategy, and teamwork to overcome obstacles in a real-world setting."

The class leaned forward in their seats, holding their breaths.

"I'll start with those who failed," Aizawa continued, his expression unreadable. "Kirishima. Sato. Sero. Mineta. Mina..."

A collective murmur went through the class as the named students sighed or looked down in disappointment. Kaminari could feel the eyes of his classmates shift in his direction, silently wondering if his name would be next. His heart raced.

Aizawa's gaze swept over the class. "For the rest of you, congratulations. You've passed."

Kaminari released a breath he didn't know he was holding, feeling a wave of relief wash over him that soon turned into sadness. He glanced at Mina, who gave him a knowing nod, a small smile tugging at her lips as she tries to hold back tears.They had passed. They had done it together. But she didn't make it.

Aizawa continued, "You've all done well, but remember that failure or success in these exams doesn't define your future as heroes. Nor it means you won't all go for the training camp.

Learn from your mistakes, and be prepared for what's to come."

As the announcement sank in, the tension in the room shifted into an air of relaxation. Conversations broke out, and students began to congratulate each other or offer words of encouragement to those who didn't pass.

Kirishima scratched the back of his head, his usual enthusiasm dimmed but not entirely snuffed out. "I guess it's back to training for me…"

Mina groaned, collapsing over his desk. "In the end, my written exam grade wasn't enough."

"I'm so sorry, Mina." Kaminari felt responsible, if he didn't tried to do things all by himself, maybe she would've passed too.

"Hey it's not your fault. I should've studied harder for the written exams." She was holding on, stronger than Kaminari predicted. Even after all they have gone through, he still underestimated her resilience.

With a smile and a promise of a consolation snack, Kaminari says goodbye to his friends and leaves the classroom.

Kaminari's mind, however, was already shifting. He'd passed, but the weight of what was coming next loomed larger in his thoughts. There was still so much to learn, and the challenges they would face would only get tougher from here.

...

As the class settled back into normalcy, Mina stood up from her seat, a playful grin on her face. "Alright, enough with the gloomy faces. We all need a break after that exam! How about we organize a trip to the mall?"

The suggestion was met with cheers and murmurs of agreement.

Kaminari leaned back in his chair, glancing around at his classmates. The idea of unwinding after all the stress of the exams seemed like the perfect way to shake off the tension. He saw the spark in Mina's eyes as she rallied the others, already gathering a group.

"C'mon, Kaminari," Sero called out, leaning over his desk. "You in for the mall trip?"

Kaminari smirked, his usual laid-back vibe returning. "Yeah, why not? I could use some new gear anyway."

Mina chimed in, winking at him as she passed by. "And maybe some cool new fashion, huh?"

He chuckled, feeling the energy of the class lift. "Sure, whatever you say, Mina."

As the students started to make their plans, excitement building for the weekend mall trip, the weight of their exams slowly began to fade. It was a welcome break, even if they knew that bigger challenges awaited them soon enough.

The group began filing out of the classroom, heading toward the common area, already debating which stores they'd hit first.

Kaminari stayed behind for a moment, his thoughts wandering. He was grateful to have passed, to still be part of this journey. And while his mind couldn't entirely shake what had happened during the practical, especially his mistakes, he pushed it aside for now. They had a bit of time to relax, to regroup.

As Kaminari joined the rest of his class, heading out toward the bustling city beyond U.A., he knew that the real tests were just beginning.

...

The energy at the mall was palpable, a far cry from the tension of U.A.'s recent exams. Kaminari strolled through the open plaza, enjoying the vibrant buzz around him. The sun filtered through the skylights, illuminating the sleek, modern design of the space. He looked around at his classmates, who had already split into small groups, scattered throughout the mall, eager to spend their brief time of freedom before the intensity of training camp kicked in.

"Yo, Kaminari!" Kirishima called out from ahead, waving him over with a wide grin. "You coming to grab some new gear for the camp?"

Kaminari jogged over to join Kirishima, who was standing with Sero and Mina in front of a sporting goods store. "Yeah, why not?" Kaminari shrugged, grinning. "I could use something cooler than my usual stuff."

Sero slung an arm over Kaminari's shoulder as they walked in. "That's the spirit! You don't want to be caught unprepared at the camp."

Inside, the group scattered across the aisles, browsing through racks of clothes, equipment, and gadgets. Kirishima was fixated on the strength-training section, his eyes gleaming with excitement at a new set of resistance bands. Mina was trying on a pair of flashy, neon-colored sunglasses, striking a few playful poses in front of the mirror.

"Hey, Kaminari," Mina said, catching him eyeing her. "What do you think? Cool enough for the next big hero?" She gave a dramatic hair flip and flashed a grin.

Kaminari laughed, leaning against a nearby shelf. "If those don't say 'hero,' I don't know what does."

Sero chimed in from behind, holding up a pair of sleek, black boots. "These are more my style. Functional and stylish. Think they'll handle all the running we'll be doing?"

Kaminari gave them a once-over and nodded. "They suit you. As for me, I think I'll stick to something a little less flashy."

As the group continued their lighthearted banter, Kaminari felt a sense of normalcy. For a brief moment, it was easy to forget the looming dangers that always seemed to linger just out of sight. The weight of hero training, exams, and villains felt far away, and this—laughing with friends, picking out clothes—was a welcome escape.

They regrouped at the checkout counter, with Kirishima enthusiastically showing off his new purchases and Sero jokingly asking Mina if she'd get lost in the training camp if she wore her new neon sunglasses at night.

"Come on, you guys," Mina rolled her eyes, "I'll be so cool, everyone will be asking where I got these!"

As they left the store, the group passed by other classmates spread out around the mall. Iida and Ojiro were browsing a store that specialized in high-end camping gear, while Todoroki and Yaoyorozu seemed to be quietly discussing strategy over some more practical training supplies. Jirou was off on her own, headphones in, tapping her foot as she scanned through music records at a nearby shop.

...

As Kaminari wandered through the bustling mall with Kirishima, Mina, and Sero, something caught his eye. Just across from where they were browsing gear, Jirou was leaning against the wall of a small music store, her earphones in, head slightly bobbing to a rhythm only she could hear. She was scrolling through a collection of vinyl records, lost in her own world.

Kaminari paused, watching her for a moment. She always had that cool, distant vibe, like she was in her own space, but lately, she seemed more withdrawn than usual. He couldn't quite place it—maybe it was just the pressure of the exams or the looming training camp. Either way, Kaminari felt a sudden urge to break her out of her bubble.

"Hey, guys," he said, glancing back at the group. "I'm gonna go check on Jirou. Be right back."

Kirishima gave him a thumbs-up. "Gotcha, man. We'll be here."

Mina shot him a mischievous grin. "Better not be slacking off! We're getting matching gear next."

Kaminari waved her off with a laugh, but as he approached Jirou, his expression softened. He walked up quietly, not wanting to startle her. As he drew closer, he noticed she had a subtle smile on her face, and he couldn't help but feel his own mood lighten.

He leaned against the display next to her. "You know, you're missing out on some top-tier gear shopping with the rest of us."

Jirou blinked, pulling out one earbud and glancing at him. "Huh? Oh, Kaminari. Didn't see you there." She gave a small, amused smile. "Top-tier gear shopping, huh? Sounds intense."

"Super intense," Kaminari nodded seriously, though the playful glint in his eyes gave him away. "Kirishima's picking out, like, a whole new workout regime, and Mina? She's gonna blind us all at the training camp with her new sunglasses."

Jirou chuckled, shaking her head. "Sounds about right."

Kaminari tapped his fingers on the record shelf. "You wanna join us? We're just messing around, but it's kinda fun. You don't have to be alone, you know."

There was a slight hesitation in Jirou's eyes, but she quickly hid it with a shrug. "I'm not really the shopping type. Plus, this place has better music than, uh... whatever you guys are up to."

"Fair point, but you can't deny hanging out with me would be way cooler than vibing alone." Kaminari grinned, giving her a playful nudge.

Jirou rolled her eyes but smiled. "Yeah, maybe. I guess I could hang out for a bit."

"Attagirl!" Kaminari said with a fist pump. "Trust me, you'll thank me later when you see how ridiculous Sero looks in his new boots."

As they left the music store together, Kaminari felt a sense of satisfaction. Jirou had that tough, no-nonsense exterior, but he could tell she appreciated being included, even if she wouldn't outright say it. They rejoined the group, and Mina immediately roped Jirou into the conversation, showing off her flashy sunglasses, while Sero tried to defend his stylish (but very questionable) boots.

For a moment, everything felt lighthearted and easy. Kaminari couldn't help but relax into the atmosphere, enjoying the simple camaraderie with his friends.

...

As the group continued to wander through the mall, Kaminari found himself trailing a little behind, enjoying the general vibe but also lost in thought. The laughter and conversation of his friends echoed around him, and for a brief second, he felt the strange sensation of being watched. His body tensed as a cold shiver ran down his spine.

He glanced around, but the busy crowds of shoppers bustled about, unaware. His eyes caught sight of a lone figure walking away in the opposite direction—a man with pale, cracked skin, dressed in an oversized hoodie with his hands casually in his pockets. Kaminari's brow furrowed. Something about the guy felt... off. There was an air of menace around him, a strange, creeping feeling Kaminari couldn't quite explain.

But just as quickly as the sensation hit, it was gone. The man disappeared into the throng of shoppers, and Kaminari shook his head, trying to brush it off. It's just your imagination, he told himself. You're probably still jumpy from all the exams.

"Yo, Kaminari, you good?" Sero's voice pulled him back to reality, and Kaminari blinked, turning back to his friends.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good," he said, forcing a smile. But as he rejoined the group, the unsettling feeling lingered at the back of his mind.

...

The mall had emptied out, the usual hustle and bustle gone, replaced with the unnerving quiet that followed chaos. Midoriya was gone, escorted by the police after his encounter with Shigaraki, and now, the rest of Class 1-A stood around in uneasy silence.

Kaminari, along with his classmates, was still processing what had just happened. The carefree mood from earlier had evaporated like smoke. Now, they were just a group of students who had been reminded of the very real threat lurking outside their walls—one that seemed to be closing in on them.

Aizawa-sensei approached them, his usual stoic expression giving little away, but his voice was firmer than usual. "You're all dismissed. Head back to your homes in groups and be on high alert from now on. Midoriya will be debriefed, and we'll ensure everyone's safety. For now, try to stay calm."

There was a collective murmur of acknowledgment as the students began to shuffle out. Kaminari lingered, his thoughts scattered. Mina, Kirishima, and the others seemed equally shaken, but no one wanted to say it outright. They had faced villains before, but this felt different—Shigaraki had been right there, within their grasp, and none of them even noticed until it was too late.

...

As they returned to the homes, the mood remained somber. Kaminari found himself staring out of the window of the car, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The orange glow of dusk painted the world outside, but it did little to ease the tension coiling in his chest.

The door opens at his side, and Kirishima walked in, his normally enthusiastic demeanor muted. "Hey, man," he said quietly, coming to stand next to Kaminari. "This day was... intense."

Kaminari nodded, not tearing his eyes away from the setting sun. "Yeah. Feels like things are about to get even crazier."

Kirishima sighed. "You think Midoriya's gonna be okay?"

"He's tough," Kaminari said, though he didn't quite believe it. "But... I dunno, man. That Shigaraki guy... he gives me the creeps."

Kirishima leaned on the window by his side. "I know what you mean. I hate feeling like this, like we're waiting for something bad to happen. We're supposed to be training to be heroes, but it feels like we're always a step behind."

Kaminari clenched his fists. "Yeah. And I hate feeling like I'm not doing enough... I wasn't even with Midoriya. What if something worse had happened? What if Shigaraki had attacked him?"

...

From the passanger seat, Mina looked over and caught Kaminari's eye. She offered a weak smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Hey, let's not dwell on the worst-case scenarios. Midoriya's safe, and we're all here, right? Plus, we'll be at that training camp soon. Maybe we can get stronger, you know? Be more prepared."

Kaminari nodded, appreciating her attempt to bring some optimism back to the group. "Yeah, you're right. Training camp should help."

Suddenly, Jirou, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Even if we get stronger, it's still terrifying to think about how close we are to real danger. We're not just dealing with training exercises anymore... villains like Shigaraki are out there, watching us."

Her words cast a long shadow over the room. The reality was undeniable.

Kaminari looked around at his friends, each of them grappling with their own version of fear. And he knew that they all felt the weight of what was coming. But at the same time, they were in this together.

He forced a smile, breaking the silence. "Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready to punch this training camp right in the face. Bring it on, right?"

There was a small, reluctant chuckle from Kirishima and Mina, but it was clear the tension wasn't fully broken.

...

Later that night, Kaminari sat on the edge of his bed, staring down at his phone. The events of the day looped in his mind, Shigaraki's cold aura still lingering in his thoughts.

A notification popped up on his phone—a message from the class group chat. It was Midoriya, letting everyone know he was safe and that he'd be back soon.

Kaminari exhaled, feeling a bit of relief, but still uneasy. He tapped out a response:

Kaminari: Glad you're okay, man. Stay safe. We'll get stronger at camp—no more close calls.

He tossed the phone onto the bed and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. In a few days, they'd be at the training camp, and he had no idea what kind of challenges awaited them there. But if today had been any indication, things were only going to get more intense from here.

As his eyes began to close, one last thought crossed his mind: No more mistakes. No more slipping up. Next time, I'll be ready.