Disclaimer: I do not own Hero Academia/Boku No Hero Academia, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Mineta tries flirting with...
Chapter seventeen: Senpai Assistant
The audience that had been summoned to the theater room by the realmcrafter Talespinner69 had just finished watching the third bonus episode of the realm where Mineta attempts to flirt slash interact with a different girl. The bonus episodes, for the most part, have done right by him so far. As such, he was eager to see what direction the bonus episodes would be taking him in next. The rest of the audience was similar, if only because they're just as interested in the show now that Mineta is actually something of a voice of reason.
"He's done well with two young girls and Hatsume so far," Power Loader remarked, "It's very interesting, not to mention admirable."
Kyoka, with a mildly surprised look on her face, remarked, "...Huh. Never thought I'd live to see the day when someone said that about Mineta, what him being admirable."
"Oh ha ha, Kyoka," Mineta said dryly, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"In her defense, Mineta," Aizawa began, "Your actions for real leave a lot to be desired."
Gesturing to the big theater screen, Mirio said, "What I would like to know is who will be next for Mineta to try interacting with in this realm. We only got two bonus episodes left, don't we?"
"The nature of the bonus episodes presented here can often be a fickle mistress, as I have said at least once before," Kotaro pointed out, "We have no way to know for sure who will be next, or how Mineta will interact with the girl of the episode."
Folding her arms over her chest, Mirko said, "All I know is that the grape boy will provide us with a chuckle or two."
Rolling her eyes dryly, Ryukyu remarked, "You just like seeing him struggle, don't you?"
Turning to Tale, Kotaro asked, "How's it looking, my good man?"
"The next bonus episode is up and ready to be played," replied the realmcrafter.
Everyone in the audience turned front and center to face the big theater screen as Tale started to play the fourth bonus episode. Everyone was looking on in anticipation as the screen turned on, making all of them wonder who it will be that Mineta will have to deal with next in the realm that's currently being played for their viewing pleasure.
...
(Mineta tries flirting with Nejire Hado)
"He's trying to flirt with Nejire-senpai?" Uraraka in the audience said in a surprised tone.
Nudging Ryukyu in the arm with an elbow, Mirko said, "That's all three of your girls now, huh?"
"...Given that the bonus episodes have him as respectable," Ryukyu began tentatively, "I think that Nejire won't be given too much trouble by the grape boy."
It was a lovely enough morning over at the class 1-A dorm building when Mineta walked down the stairs to head into the kitchen area to grab a bit of breakfast. Along the way, he was met up by both Izuku and Tokoyami, both also on the way to get breakfast. When the boys got down to the ground floor and made a turn into the kitchen, they saw something that had caught their attention; Uraraka and Tsuyu both scolding Nejire, who was slightly hunched up as if she was being scolded like a small child.
"Seriously, Nejire-senpai," Tsuyu said in a disappointed tone, "How could you do that kero? That cookies and cream ice cream was gotten specifically for my little brother!"
"I said I'd get a new carton!" Nejire replied.
"So here we are, scolding Nejire-senpai for eating Samidare's special ice cream," Uraraka in the audience said.
Sighing, Nejire remarked, "Yeah, it's not my best moment, let me tell you."
"I'm guessing that you and Uraraka are chewing Nejire-senpai out for her having eaten all of the special ice cream for Samidare?" Tokoyami spoke up, getting all of the girls to look over at him, Izuku, and Mineta.
Gesturing to Nejire, Tsuyu replied, "Yeah. We don't exactly need Nejire doing little things like that to ruin Samidare's day, especially since the three of us are going to be busy later."
"Busy with what, might I ask?" Izuku questioned.
"Oh, me, Tsuyu, and Nejire-senpai have to help Ryukyu with something," Uraraka explained, "And by the way, Ryukyu is also a bit disappointed in Nejire-senpai for how she had eaten all of the ice cream gotten specifically for Tsuyu's little brother."
Nodding in agreement, Ryukyu in the audience said, "Yeah, I would be disappointed in Nejire if she did pull a stunt like that for real."
"Well it's a good thing I'd ask first before taking," Nejire remarked.
"What will you girls be helping her with?" Izuku asked.
The three interns working under the Dragon Hero all giggled cutely a bit before Uraraka replied, "Believe it or not, but Ryukyu has a crush on a male pro hero, and we're going to help her get the guy."
"Oh ho ho!" Mirko in the audience said in an amused tone, "It looks like Ryukyu has a guy in her sights here!"
Blushing with embarrassment, Ryukyu said, "You aren't helping, Mirko." Meanwhile, Uraraka, Tsuyu, and Nejire couldn't help but giggle cutely in amusement.
"Two pro heroes flirting with one another," Tokoyami remarked, his tone mildly cautious, "That will make the news, no doubt about that."
Popping out of Tokoyami, Dark Shadow asked, "Do any of you girls know who the lucky man is, by any chance?"
All three girls shook their heads in the negative. "No clue," Nejire replied, "All we know is that Ryukyu told us that the guy in question is single, meaning that there's nothing stopping her from scooping up Mr. Right."
Gesturing to the girls, Mineta remarked, "You know, I could probably help with Ryukyu getting the attention of the guy she likes."
"And here's where Mineta comes into play," Mina in the audience said, "He's going to help Nejire-senpai and the girls with helping Ryukyu get the guy."
Folding her arms over her chest, Tsuyu said, "...Well he didn't screw up in any of the bonus episodes so far, so we could probably trust him."
Uraraka and Tsuyu both looked like they were going to object, but Nejire stopped them when she spoke up, "Sure thing!" She then grabbed Mineta and the girls and ran off before she could even be stopped, leaving Izuku, Tokoyami, and Dark Shadow behind with confused looks on their respective faces.
...
Later, Mineta was standing with Nejire, Uraraka, and Tsuyu in front of Ryukyu. "So the girls here tell me you are aiming to try to flirt with a male pro hero," Mineta said to the Dragon Hero, "Is that true?"
Nodding once in confirmation, Ryukyu replied with a bit of an embarrassed blushing on her face, "Yes. I will admit that I have indeed fallen in love."
"Hey, you still haven't told us who the lucky guy is!" Nejire pointed out.
"Yeah, I still want to know who it is that Ryukyu here has in her sights," Mirko in the audience said, "Mostly so that I can tease her over it."
Ryukyu had a dry look on her face as she turned to face Mirko. "...Well you're nothing if not honest."
Shrugging, Mineta said, "She's probably got a guy like Kamui Woods or Edgeshot in her sights. They are pretty popular guys with the ladies, from what I have gathered."
"Ooh, looking to join up with Team Lurkers, huh?" Nejire asked.
Gently shaking her head, Ryukyu said, "No, it's not Shinji or Shinya. It's..." Blushing a bit more, Ryukyu went on, "...It's Taishiro."
"Who?" Mineta replied, looking confused.
"Oh," Nejire said, "She's talking about Fat Gum."
"Wait, what?" Mineta replied, looking like he didn't believe what he had just heard.
Mirko in the audience burst out laughing as she pointed at the big theater screen. "Holy crap, Ryukyu likes big boys in this realm!" Mirko laughed, "That's friggin' hilarious!"
"Hey now, there's nothing wrong with living large," Fat Gum retorted.
Nodding in agreement, Kotaro said from where he stood with Tale on the stage, "Indeed. Hell, chances are that his size has nothing to do with things here. I mean Fat Gum does have a really great personality, not to mention how he gives off a warm, welcoming, friendly aura."
Smirking a bit in sincere appreciation, Fat Gum said, "Why thank you."
Nodding in confirmation, Uraraka said, "Yes, Mineta. We're talking about Fat Gum."
Mineta wore a look of consideration on his face before he said, "...Well he is a genuinely warm and welcoming guy, and he sincerely cares about others. Makes sense." Turning to look up at Ryukyu, Mineta asked, "Have you done anything to try getting Fat Gum's attention yet?"
Ryukyu gently shook her head in the negative. "I...couldn't think of anything that could work."
Clapping his hands together, Mineta said, "I have a plan, but it'll require getting Tamaki-senpai and Kirishima in on things as well." The girls looked on in mild curiosity, wondering just what it was that Mineta had in mind.
"Makes sense," Fat Gum in the audience said, "I mean I do employ those boys as interns. They would have some idea as to how I function."
"Maybe he wants to try something of a pincer attack move?" Rappa remarked, prompting Fat Gum to nod in agreement, understanding what Rappa was getting at.
Holding a hand to his chin, Mineta said, "Hmm. I wonder what I'm getting up to here."
...
Later, there was some sort of joint charity event being hosted by the respective agencies of Ryukyu and Fat Gum; it was Mineta's idea, as it would give Ryukyu a chance to approach Fat Gum. Mineta was working on getting the right moment set up, being helped by Nejire, Tamaki, Uraraka, Tsuyu, Kirishima, and surprisingly Tetsutetsu who Mineta until that moment forgot was also employed by Fat Gum as an intern.
"So we just need to try to get Fat Gum and Ryukyu alone," Tetsutetsu began, "And break the matter of romance so that Ryukyu has a starting point to let her confess to Fat Gum."
Nodding in confirmation, Mineta said, "Well that is the plan, yes."
Shrugging, Tetsutetsu replied, "Well I have an idea that might actually work."
"So I have a plan here, huh?" Tetsutetsu in the audience remarked.
"You better not mess it up for Ryukyu," Nejire said sternly.
Tetsutetsu, getting Kirishima to follow next to him, led the others to where Fat Gum and Ryukyu were helping with setting up a booth that would hand out freebies to civilians coming to the event. "Excuse me, Fat Gum," Tetsutetsu spoke up, getting both pro heroes to turn to face the Interns.
"Oh, what can I do you for, boys?" Fat Gum asked in a friendly tone.
Gesturing to Kirishima, Tetsutetsu explained, "Kirishima here was hoping you could help him with some romance advice, given that a girl had confessed to him recently."
Kirishima, looking embarrassed, said, "Oh yeah, that really happened." To Fat Gum, Kirishima explained, "Yeah, Fat Gum. One of the girls in Tetsutetsu's class at UA, a girl named Kinoko, had recently confessed to me. I wasn't really expecting any girl to confess to me, given that I never thought one would be interested in dating me." Looking up to Fat Gum, Kirishima asked, "Do you have any idea what I can do?"
"And now Shrooms has told Kirishima she likes him," Bakugo in the audience said.
"Doesn't she have that stalker shrine dedicated to Kirishima in her wardrobe in this realm?" Yaoyorozu asked.
"Don't you have one in this realm dedicated to Yosetsu?" Itsuka asked slyly, making Yaoyorozu hunch up out of embarrassment.
"Oh ho ho," Fat Gum said in amusement, "So you got a girl's eye, huh?" Fat Gum held a hand to his chin, wore a pondering expression on his face. "...The best thing that I can figure is to give her a chance. If she's interested in you then she's willing to give you a chance, so you ought to extend the same courtesy to her."
Kirishima smiled, nodded a bit. "...Thanks, Fat Gum." Turning to face his class and schoolmates, Kirishima said, "What do all of you think? Would Kinoko and I be able to work out together?"
"Uhh..." Mineta said, unsure about how to respond here given what he had been able to learn about the mushroom girl in class 1-B, especially considering he can't say much without giving away what he had previously done. Instead, he merely gave a thumbs up and said in a mildly unsure tone, "Go get her, man."
"Aww, this is so sweet!" Nejire declared, "Some of the junior students are finding love!"
"Mineta leaving bad details in the past here is a wise move," Uraraka in the audience said dryly, "We'd probably beat him up otherwise."
"Yeah, even I'm starting to get tired of Mineta getting a raw deal," Tale admitted.
Kotaro, looking mildly surprised, remarked, "...Wow. Never thought I'd hear that out of you."
"People can change, Kotaro," Tale replied.
As Nejire gushed over her junior students being cute, Ryukyu said, "Yes, yes, it's very sweet how some of the younger students are falling in love." Looking a bit embarrassed, Ryukyu said, "And falling in love isn't just limited to the youth. Adults can do so as well."
"Oh? A guy stole your heart, Ryukyu?" Fat Gum asked. With a joking smirk, Fat Gum added, "Just don't have the guy arrested for theft, alright?"Ryukyu, giggling a bit, nodded in agreement. " So anyway, I have to ask," Fat Gum began, "Who's the lucky guy that you got-"
Fat Gum was cut off when Ryukyu, due to the height difference between her and Fat Gum since she wasn't transformed, jumped up, threw her arms around his neck, then kissed him right on the lips, surprising the large man. The girls cheered for Ryukyu, Kirishima and Tetsutetsu cheered for Fat Gum, Tamaki curled up out of embarrassment, and even Mineta gave slow but sincere clapping.
"Well at least she doesn't beat around the bush here," Mirko in the audience said, "She goes in and takes the bull by the horns."
A lot of other people in the audience, especially Ryukyu and Fat Gum, blushed heavily out of embarrassment. Some however cheered, like Nejire who was in agreement with her alternate self in the currently playing realm.
...
At the end of the day, Mineta and Nejire were leading the other UA students back to campus. "So the plan was a success," Nejire declared, "Ryukyu and Fat Gum are now an item."
"It's already making news," Tamaki remarked in an embarrassed tone as he looked at his phone and saw an online news article that showed a picture of Fat Gum and Ryukyu kissing.
Shrugging, Mineta said, "Oh don't be embarrassed, Tamaki-senpai. So your pro hero mentor got a cute lady as his girlfriend. If anything, you ought to be cheering for him."
Patting Kirishima on the shoulder, Tetsutetsu said, "Now we need to get Kirishima here ready to collect on having been confessed to by Kinoko!" Mineta, still mildly unsure what to do given what he had seen, decided to remain quiet.
"Yes! Ryukyu got with Fat Gum!" Nejire in the audience cheered, pumping both fists into the air.
"And now Tetsutetsu is getting invested in helping Kinoko get with Kirishima," Setsuna added dryly, "Even though Kinoko is stalking Kirishima."
Shrugging, Mineta said, "Hey, at least it's not me."
"Oh Nejire-senpai, before I forget kero," Tsuyu began.
"Hmm?" Nejire began in a curious tone, "What is-" Nejire stopped short when Tsuyu stopped the whole group suddenly. Looking up at what Tsuyu was pointing to, everyone saw that they had stopped outside of a supermarket.
Giving Nejire a dry look, Tsuyu explained, "Remember how you ate all of the cookies and cream ice cream that was gotten specifically for Samidare?"
"Yeah, I told Fat Gum about that and he was very disappointed to hear it," Tamaki commented, "Hell, he said that he'd have given the kid a full carton of ice cream to replace the one you finished off if he had the specific flavor the kid likes best. As it turns out, cookies and cream is one of the very few flavors of ice cream that Fat Gum does not keep in his personal freezer, which is a mistake he says he intends to correct."
"Fat Gum has a personal freezer in this realm?" Mineta in the audience said in a tone of mild surprise.
Shrugging, Fat Gum said, "Well I do need to maintain the figure I got so I can effectively use my quirk. That being said, a personal freezer filled with ice cream would help."
Nodding in agreement, Tale said, "That makes sense."
Sighing in a resigned and understanding tone, Nejire said, "Yeah, I do owe the kid a carton of ice cream." Nejire, in something of a slump, walked into the store with the others following her. Mineta ended up buying for himself some snacks, which he and Kirishima ended up sharing with Sero and Kaminari later back at the 1-A dorm building while they told them about how Fat Gum and Ryukyu got together, as well as how they'd help Kirishima get with Kinoko.
FIN
"So all I do is offer a little help in this episode," Mineta said as the big theater screen turned off.
"And you came out no worse for wear," Kotaro said from where he and Tale stood on the stage in front of the big theater screen, "Although I think you might have had a close call or two."
Gesturing to the big theater screen, Bakugo said, "Also they're planning to get Kirishima together with Shrooms."
"I'd like to see Yosetsu get together with Yaoyorozu here," Setsuna said with an amused smirk, causing both Yosetsu and Yaoyorozu to blush in embarrassment.
Turning to face Tale, Kotaro said, "Well the next episode is the last. Who do you think it will be, my good man?"
Shrugging, Tale replied, "Whoever it ends up being, I hope they do right by Mineta."
END OF CHAPTER
Yeah, I'm starting to get a little worn out on Mineta getting thrown through the wringer, which might make me picking back up with 'Entreri Gaiden' a bit difficult when I finish this story; I also plan to pick back up with 'Heroic Figures', but that's beside the point. I think that's part of why I'm having the bonus chapters here do right by him.
Anyway, the next chapter for this story will be the last, then I can try to get cracking on my other stories (that aren't open ended) so I can finish them, because I have an idea for another BNHA story that I have; I want to finish some of what I got on my plate first. Also, I originally had a rough deal planned for Mineta in my theoretical new BNHA story, but I'm changing that due to my newfound desires to try to give Mineta a better deal.
Even the last chapter of this story, which should hopefully be out before long, will do right by Mineta. ...At least as much as it can, given who the girl he'll deal with in the next chapter is going to be.