Chapter 19: Pokémon

After spending two hours recording the initial version of the new song, Kaminari left the rest of the post-production work to Dawu, who seemed unusually enthusiastic. Kaminari then headed to a professional photography studio in Tokyo, accompanied by his father's secretary.

Japan's MTV had requested some high-quality photos to accompany the new single's release. Currently, Kaminari's profile on the website only had a single picture, his main profile image. Although Saitama City had a few photography studios, they weren't particularly renowned, so his father, the president of Kaminari Toy Co., decided to send Kaminari to a well-known studio in Tokyo.

The commute wasn't a big deal, since Tokyo was just a short drive from Saitama, and they could easily make it back the same day. If not, they could always stay overnight. But as it turned out, Kaminari managed to finish the photo session and return home by seven that evening, courtesy of the company car and the secretary who dropped him off.

While the photography session at the famous studio didn't take too long, he only took seven photos in total, the quality was undeniable. The professional photographer and top-of-the-line equipment made all the difference. Of course, Kaminari couldn't help but think that his own good looks played a significant part.

Among the photos, there were two that particularly stood out to Kaminari. They fit perfectly with the theme of his new song, "Hero."

One photo featured Kaminari sitting alone at a desk in a dimly lit room, a white band with the word "victory" written across his forehead. The only source of light was a small Pikachu lamp beside him, casting a warm glow on his focused, youthful face. The setting, combined with Kaminari's determined expression, perfectly encapsulated the song's message about perseverance and striving toward one's goals.

The other photo was taken outdoors, with Kaminari doing push-ups under the blazing sun. His shirt was off, revealing a toned physique covered in sweat, while his face displayed a look of intense concentration, teeth gritted and muscles straining. The determination in his eyes spoke of an unyielding resolve to keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles.

These photos resonated with the song's lyrics:

"A man should be strong for others.

Bite the bullet!

Be determined to persevere to the end.

It doesn't matter if you fall.

Just stand up again.

That's all—if you can do it… you're a Hero!"

Kaminari chose "Hero" as his second single because it wasn't just a song about himself. It was a song for all aspiring heroes, a tribute to the Hero Course students at U.A. High School, and a message to everyone out there, whether they were chasing dreams or simply trying to get through the day. The song's central idea was that anyone could be a hero not just the professional ones we see on TV, but ordinary people who muster the courage to face life's challenges.

In this superhuman society where professional Heroes were part of everyday life, there were many songs with Hero themes. But Kaminari noticed that most of them praised the deeds of established Heroes or romanticized the Hero profession. Few, if any, embraced the message that "everyone can be a Hero." He was determined to fill that gap.

When he arrived home, the aroma of freshly cooked dinner hit him before he even reached the kitchen. His mother was waiting with a warm meal, but Kaminari first sent her and his father the photos from the studio via his phone, then headed straight for the shower.

At dinner, his mother couldn't hide her excitement over the photos, even suggesting they get some printed to hang on the walls.

"Where are you going to put them?" Kaminari asked, pointing toward the framed painting hanging above the TV in the living room. It was a depiction of Kaminari with his arms crossed confidently, a cheerful Pikachu standing beside him.

"That's not a photo; it's a painting," his mother corrected him with a smile. "And don't worry about space. We could hang them in your room… or maybe even the bathroom."

"...The bathroom?" Kaminari and his father both froze at the suggestion.

As they laughed, Kaminari's gaze lingered on the painting, and an idea sparked in his mind. He remembered how, when he was younger, his mother had sketched the first "real" Pikachu for him after he had drawn a crude version himself. In a sense, she was the first person to bring Pikachu to life in this world.

"Mom," Kaminari said suddenly, "how about drawing more Pokémon? Or even taking over the creation of new Pokémon entirely?"

"Me?" His mother blinked in surprise. "You really think I could do that?"

Kaminari nodded eagerly. "Of course! You're great at drawing, and you taught me everything I know. Besides, I could use some help expanding the Pokémon lineup."

His mother hesitated, glancing toward Kaminari's father, who was seated across the table. "Well… if you think I could do it…"

Kaminari's father looked thoughtful, stroking his chin. He wasn't opposed to the idea, his wife had studied art and had always been passionate about painting. Plus, it would give her something meaningful to do while still being close to the family.

He nodded. "Sure, why not? Kaminari can share the ideas with you, and you can be in charge of the illustrations."

"Awesome!" Kaminari cheered. He was thrilled not just for the help, but for his mother's sake as well. "This way, even when I'm busy at U.A., we can still collaborate on creating new Pokémon."

"And speaking of expanding," his father interjected, "I've been discussing with the company about turning the Pokémon concept into a manga series. It could eventually evolve into an anime, games, or even movies. What do you think?"

Kaminari's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing! But I won't have the time to draw comics myself. You could hire a manga artist to adapt the settings I come up with."

He knew that the storyline of the manga would likely diverge from the one in his previous life, and the protagonist might not even be Ash Ketchum. But in his view, the real charm of "Pokémon" wasn't tied to any one character or plot—it was all about the Pokémon themselves. As long as the world was filled with captivating creatures, the series would thrive.

"Of course," Kaminari added, "the protagonist has to start with a Pikachu. That's non-negotiable."

"Actually…" Kaminari's eyes gleamed with a sudden inspiration. "Why not make me the protagonist of the manga? It could follow me and Pikachu as we travel the world, encountering different Pokémon."

His parents exchanged a look. The idea had merit, and imagining their son's likeness as a manga character embarking on adventures was undeniably appealing. They could even picture him someday appearing on TV as part of the Pokémon world.

"I think it's a great idea," his father said with a grin. "Let's do it."