A/N: Sorry it's been so long. I was hoping to release an entire chapter, but the whole thing took up at least 5k Words. I'll be uploading the main portion once school work is a little less busy taking me for a trip. Stay safe out there everyone, leave a review if you want, and enjoy the rest of your day!
Mineta couldn't lie. He was more than a bit scared thinking about all the possibilities as to why Recovery Girl and Aizawa were both talking to him. As Recovery Girl found a suitable seat near Mineta, Aizawa closed the door quietly behind him.
"Mineta, do you know why we are here right now?" Aizawa's voice held a certain sternness mixed in with his more deadpan tone. Mineta, however, knew far more could be added if he didn't get what he felt like was an honest answer.
Mineta quietly replied," I don't know why, Mr Aizawa, "he was only able to look down at the desk, but his neck burned as he lied through his teeth.
Although his teacher looked as if he was ready to start raking Mineta over the coals, Recovery Girl stopped him in his tracks.
"Really Eraser Head, don't frighten the poor boy just to coax it out of him, I thought we agreed on that! Minoru, please, we only want to have a word with you." Recovery girl, placed a gentle hand on Mineta's own. Looking to the pro turned teacher, she added, "Aizawa, you were the one who noticed first, so you should at least tell him the truth."
"Wait, I'm sorry, but what is this all about?" Mineta was clearly lost now. "Wasn't this because I was daydreaming instead of paying attention in class?"
Aizawa replied," Well not exactly, Mineta. You see, I noticed a while back that you suddenly started to actively participate in class."
"That's not against the rules, is it? Maybe I just really enjoy answering questions now!"
A quick glare from his homeroom teacher silenced him, although a look from Recovery Girl ensured it wouldn't be made the main point of contention.
"Continuing on, it wasn't only that. You have also started working much harder in the physical portions of the curriculum and even asked for permission to practice in the gym after hours. It felt like you were finally taking heroics a lot more seriously, but what wasn't quite adding up was a reason for it. Your daydreaming today wasn't the issue, but you should pay more attention in class."
Sorry about that," Mineta apologized sheepishly before it finally hit him, "Wait, you mean to tell me that all of this is because I'm acting a little different?"
Aizawa and Recovery Girl looked at one another for a moment, before Recovery Girl sighed and took over speaking.
"It does sound like we are treating you wrongly here, but please understand, Minoru. Our job here at UA is to not only teach but to watch over all students and their progress as well. It's not so much the need to know exactly why, but a renewed sense of purpose can be for a multitude of reasons, you see."
Mineta looked to be mulling it over, but nodded quickly. As he didn't add anything, Recovery Girl continued.
"The reasons can range from a new mindset or goal to something traumatic. We just want to make sure you're okay mentally and emotionally as you continue to grow into a hero."
Mineta was honestly surprised and relieved. "So you just want to make sure I'm okay?" he asked.
"Yes, Mineta." Aizawa told the short schoolboy. "As your teacher, your safety and wellbeing come first. You and your classmates may each have problems to overcome, but none of you would be here if we didn't think you were cut out to be a hero."
Mineta sort of figured that was the case, but that didn't mean his heart wasn't soaring right now. Recognition can do that to one who doesn't receive it very often. He paused for a second to think things over, but eventually spoke.
"Well if I can be honest," Mineta started, looking down at the desk now, "what happened to me wasn't really traumatic, but it did change me in a way."
"Oh? Go on, dearie."
"I guess it was more that my goal changed than myself, or more accurately my new goal started changing how I do things."
Recovery Girl was intrigued now, and couldn't help but try to get him to expand. "Ah yes, if I recall correctly, your goal was to be popular with the ladies right?"
Thinking back on it caused Mineta to blush as he ran a hand through his hair. I guess she watched over the final exams and heard me when I was fighting Midnight. "Y-yeah, I mean, that was my goal, but it's different now."
Seeing both his homeroom teacher and school nurse lean in caused him to shrink into his seat so much he couldn't help but voice his discomfort.
"Is it really that surprising?" His telltale exasperation revealed itself as his pitch rose almost an octave and volume increased to match.
"Well, to be honest child, "Recovery Girl replied with an almost motherly tone, "most people change themselves or their ideals at their most basic level only after a life altering event, usually a fight or flight moment."
Calming down, Mineta gave out what he thought was the right answer, "Like the USJ incident?"
"Exactly. The reason 1-A handled the hurdles the school threw at them so readily was because of that experience. Whether it was handling the discomfort of facing the unknown, the building of confidence, or the reaffirming or changing of goals, it is a wonderful example of this being the case. Only now... "
Aizawa took over from there, "Only now you are saying that what happened here wasn't traumatic, which is what we would put an event like the USJ Incident under for the average person. If that's the case, it's more likely that you experienced something that gave you a lot of inner reflection. Could you tell us what that is?"
Mineta could see what was happening now. They knew something happened but not specifically what it was. He wanted to claim it was nothing. He wanted to say that everything was fine, but all he could see was that long night two months ago.
Swallowing his fear for the second time today, Mineta locked eyes with his teacher. "If it's all the same to both you and Recovery Girl, Mr. Aizawa, I'm sorry. I honestly am, but it's something very personal. I can at least promise you that it is really nothing to worry about. All it did was make me think about who I am and what I really want to do."
Mineta could barely think. He said that like a child. Hell, he almost sounded like a more mild-mannered Bakugo! He was expecting Aizawa to be especially angry at how rudely he worded it, but it looked like the adults were more curious than anything. Aizawa walked over and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Giving up on getting much more on that subject out of him, Eraser Head instead went with something the schoolboy at least seemed more willing to speak about, "If that is the case, Mineta, then can we instead ask what it is that you want to do?"
For reasons unknown to himself, Mineta was split on how to answer. He was hoping originally to make up a lie for this and had a few he probably could have used, but at that moment he could only see Momo's dark hair framing her beautiful face and a smile that could illuminate the night sky. He wanted to tell her how much he appreciated her. He wanted to have the freedom to talk with her more, without worrying about the other students, the teachers, or anyone else. To just sit down and have lunch with her, to walk around the halls with her, to not be a pariah. Even with that, he was still thinking of lying. His teacher showing that he does in fact care, however, was the straw that broke the camel's back. Taking in all of this at once, he knew what he was going to say.
Knowing he was only setting himself up for failure later, he finally admitted, "I guess the only difference now is that instead of wanting to be popular with the ladies, I just want to have a specific one notice me." Realizing how silly it sounded, the short boy lost all the confidence he built up for himself. Looking down at the desk all he could muster afterwards was, "Pretty stupid, right?"
Luckily, Recovery Girl was quick to take this opportunity to better shape the boy's perceptions of his new goal, while wording it only a little differently. Relaxing into her seat she answered, "Being heroic for the sake of another is quite an admirable thing, child. Keep striving and committing to that new goal and remember if you need any help or want to talk, the teachers here all are here for you".
"Wait, you mean it's not a dumb goal?" Actually it kind of sounded nice the way she put it, Mineta thought. Still, he was more than a bit surprised the two teachers didn't laugh him out of the room. His face even kind of looked like he was waiting for them catch the punchline.
Aizawa thankfully placed him back on the right track. "How committed you stay to your goal is what is truly important. Whatever happened to cause the change will only truly matter to you. Use that newfound strength to reach greater and greater heights."
As Mineta reflected at the advice he was receiving, he saw his goal in a new light. For the first time, it didn't sound that cheesy after all. The more he thought about it, the more he thought about how great it would be for Momo to notice him for the right reasons. Maybe this is what Midoriya means whenever he says he wants to save everyone… that sort of thing might be a bit much for me, but hopefully I can reach some of Momo's expectations. Even with the new burst of confidence, the back of his mind wasted no time in pointing out that Momo's affection will probably be even harder than that for him to win.
Realizing his student was just trying to digest all of this new info, Aizawa decided to let him off the hook for once. "Just pay attention more in class. It was more an excuse to speak with you this time, but screw around during class time again and you'll wish you were expelled on the first day when I'm through."
"O-of course! Thanks for the talk you guys! I feel like a brand new man!" Mineta practically leapt out of his chair for joy. I can't believe it! This wasn't so bad after all. With a quick, almost forgotten bow Mineta left as fast as he could. He at least wanted to tell Momo that there was nothing to worry about over a text.
Aizawa couldn't help but sigh. "I wish he would at least act as if he was in trouble. Still, if he actually puts forth an effort to reach his goal, I don't think we'll have much to worry about."
Recovery Girl only nodded, glad that the child wasn't suffering from any obvious trauma. Still, she thought, he has his work cut out for him if he wants to use being a hero to get a specific person to notice him. Hopefully he won't lose sight of being a hero if it backfires.
As Mineta went toward the stairway that lead to the closest exit, he couldn't help but focus on the night he and Momo finally spoke one on one. It was always on his mind these days, especially the relaxing conversation that finally opened up a friendship between them. What he was remembering now though, was what happened before that. The part he tried to wipe from his thoughts to no avail. Even as he was texting her while making his way back to the dorms, the cloud covered sky only further let him get caught up in that memory better left forgotten.
"Hey Denki this game is fun and all, but I think I'll take a break for now."
"C'mon Mineta, you're not going to try and say you have somewhere to be this late at night?"
Kaminari was sprawled out on his bed, controller in hand. Usually he would be right. If he and Mineta weren't hanging out at this hour, they'd be doing their own thing, which usually meant sleeping by now.
"I'm always busy, man, but I've got a date with one of the girls tonight". For added effect, Mineta stuck a thumb to his puffed out his chest.
Denki rolled his eyes at the bad joke but continued playing, "Alright man, I'm about to hit the hay too. Get some rest and don't spend all night watching vids."
Mineta walked out of Kaminari's room and made a bee-line for the dorm's co-ed common area. Thanks to it being so late it looked like everyone went to bed already. Well, everyone except for one particular girl. Denki didn't really pay much mind as he was busy eyeing his brand new game when they walked in, but Mineta could spot a pretty girl even just in his peripherals. Such skills he would often be told would be far more useful to hero work, but he had his own goals to think about. For instance, noticing Momo studying alone the past couple of nights. The mastery of that skill kept him from drawing attention to himself, even when a few others would be on their toes with him around. He wasn't so sure how to handle his next step. Having Momo by herself was a treat in its own right, as Jiro usually stuck to her like a magnet, but it looked like Mina and Toru were taking up most of her time right now. With her out of the way, he was free to do as he pleased, provided Momo was still buried in her books.
As he made his way down the steps, he wondered what kept her up so late. What the hell could she even be studying, he thought to himself, beauty and brains in spades and she still wastes all her free time hitting the books? I'm not even half as smart as her and I know that's pointless. Still, despite his opinion on her choice of late night activity, this was an opportunity that couldn't go to waste.
A/N: Thanks for your patience, I'll get the next portion sent out as soon as I am done.
Also to the Guest reviewer: She might suggest something later if he comes back to her again. I have some ideas of where I want this to go. Also, I felt weird having to choose between Sensei or using Mr. to show respect. Any word on which would be preferred? I am use to the Japanese dub, so that's what I wanted to go with. Let me know what you think.