My Hero Academia: Nightmare Mode

The post-summer air had begun to cool, signaling the start of a new season. For Class 1-A, this wasn't just any year—it was their final year at UA, a time to cement their legacies as future pro heroes. Despite the weight of their responsibilities, the air was alive with excitement and a sense of nostalgia.

Kikidori sat at his desk, staring out the window as the morning sunlight streamed into the classroom. He wasn't sure how to feel about this being his last year. On one hand, it was a relief to see how far he'd come since the tragic events of middle school. On the other hand, it was hard to believe this chapter of his life was coming to an end.

"Hey, Shadow Boy!" Mina's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"For the last time, stop calling me that," Kikidori muttered, though there was no real anger in his tone.

Mina slid into the seat next to him, grinning ear to ear. "You ready for the big year? You know, internships, final exams, all that fun stuff?"

"Fun isn't exactly the word I'd use," Kikidori replied, his voice dry.

Mina laughed and nudged him playfully. "Lighten up, Kiki! This is our chance to prove we're the best of the best."

Before Kikidori could respond, Denki and Kirishima burst into the room, arguing loudly about something trivial as always. Bakugo followed shortly after, scowling at their antics. The classroom slowly began to fill with the familiar chaos that had defined their time together over the years.

Aizawa entered the room, his tired eyes scanning the class. "Settle down," he said in his usual monotone voice. "I'm not in the mood to deal with your nonsense today."

As everyone quieted down, Aizawa began to explain their schedule for the year. It was packed with internships, hero work studies, and training missions. The stakes were higher than ever, and the pressure to succeed was palpable.

Despite the seriousness of the year ahead, there was a sense of camaraderie in the air. These weren't just classmates anymore—they were family.

After class, Kikidori found himself walking to the dorms with Toga, who had snuck onto campus as usual. She walked beside him, her hand brushing against his.

"So," Toga began, her voice light and teasing, "how does it feel to be in your last year? Almost ready to leave all this behind?"

Kikidori glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Honestly? I'm not sure. But I guess it's not so bad as long as you're around."

Toga grinned, leaning closer to him. "You're such a softie, Kiki. Don't let Bakugo hear you say stuff like that."

Kikidori chuckled, shaking his head. "I think Bakugo already has enough reasons to hate me."

As they reached the dorms, Toga stopped him with a gentle tug on his arm. She looked up at him, her golden eyes filled with a rare sincerity. "No matter what happens this year, I'm not going anywhere. You know that, right?"

Kikidori nodded, his expression softening. "Yeah… I know."

As the two of them stood there, the future felt uncertain but not entirely daunting. With Toga by his side and his friends supporting him, Kikidori felt ready to face whatever challenges their final year would bring.

The end of Chapter 38.