A/N: Going to just apologize ahead of time for the word count. Hope people are actually enjoying this.
If you don't feel free to leave a review telling me why. If you are, go ahead and tell me your thoughts! As always have a good one.
There she was in all her glory. Thanking every deity he could remember offhand for this moment, Mineta crept ever closer.
Momo still sat on the same couch with her back turned from him. Even this far out, he saw how hard she was studying. Multiple books lying on the table, a pencil in hand, and an eraser in easy reach. Hairballs held white knuckle tight, he already had a plan formed in that short span of time. Carefully placing them as handholds against the couch, he slowly climbed it. A mountain, he laughed to himself, this is nothing but a speed bump for the real prize. Plus Ultra! With his new vantage point, and holding his breath, he saw his landing. Right into her lap and onto her doubtlessly soft thighs. He could see she was still fixated at one book in particular and would be too busy to notice anything else.
Although he was busy envisioning how wonderful the head first landing would be, for some reason his mind took an odd turn. Looking down (or at least, at her eye level), he saw she had stopped for a moment to look over the page of a particular book. The chapter at the top read, "Being a Better Hero"
Usually something as trivial as a cheesy chapter name wouldn't even register as a blip on his radar. He was already great, why would he need to be better? Yet despite that mindset, something else popped into his mind. He thought about what he was doing. Where he was right now, and where he would go from there. Great, he thought, I land in the lap of the hottest girl in school. Then what, Mineta? Best case scenario, she shoots me out of one of those giant cannons she is so fixated on. The only question is if that's before or after I get expelled. Watching her again as she paused her studying, he noticed with her eyes shut and furrowing her brows in thought. She really is focused on being a hero, isn't she? For once, Mineta couldn't help but realize how badly this would bother her. Is any of this really what a hero would do?
He felt something he never felt before whenever he went after his classmates. He felt honest-to-God regret. She's actually studying her ass off here, and I was going to ruin that for her. That final thought might have been what broke his otherwise tenacious attitude towards all things of the fairer sex. Suddenly he had no desire to continue with any of it. The last ball he had dropped from his hands and landed with a soft plop as it stuck to the floor.
Momo jerked her head to the noise and audibly gasped. She had just reached an interesting portion of her book and thought not a soul was still awake in the dorms except her. That person being Mineta didn't help the situation. Trying to not offend even her perverted classmate, she attempted to apologize for her audible shock.
"I'm sorry about that, it's late and I thought everyone went to bed." Scooting a good few inches away, she continued, "What are you doing up, Mineta?"
He froze at hearing her question. There he stood, having a vantage point on an unaware girl with his reputation and she had to ask that. I know she's smarter than that, unless she knows and wants me to admit it? But wouldn't she be angrier if she knew what I was doing? He wanted to disarm this situation if he could.
"Oh, just taking my evening walk. Have to get the blood flowing to my legs, otherwise I'll never grow!"
The excuse was shit. The smile tacked on to the end couldn't save it. He knew and the neutral look on her face changing slowly into a frown told him that she knew it too.
"Is that so?" The hands sitting above her thighs balled into fists. "Do you usually take walks along couches where others are studying? Or is it only if they are girls?"
"Maybe I like taking in the scenery along the way!" Mineta's voice was starting to raise in pitch, as his nervousness was slowly building up. He had no one to shift the blame to. Above all else, he was ashamed. He was ashamed and nothing he thought of in that eternity of that moment could change it.
Momo just looked at him, her eyes mixing in different emotions the longer she did so. Finally, exasperated, she asked what her rearing would have usually kept her from asking, "Why is it so tough for you to be a good person? Is it so tough to just act decent for one day?" She hesitated for a moment, but quietly asked, "Aren't you trying to be a hero too?"
Usually something like that wouldn't even be a scratch to his ego. He lived through middle school despite his height and quirk. But it was just something in her eyes when she said it. Annoyance and even anger were there in spades, anyone could see that, but he also saw what looked like disappointment. Like she expected a little better from him. That and the bit about being a hero might have been what cut into him so badly just now. It hurt and now he was angry.
"Well excuse me," a sneer crossed his face as he replied, "I didn't know you were the one who decided what is and isn't heroic! How about giving a guy a break for once?"
Momo couldn't believe his audacity. He was the one who snuck up on her. He was the one with all of those perverted thoughts, and now he's giving her that awful expression, because she didn't let him get away with it? She was here slaving away trying to live up to the expectations of herself and her family and become a great hero! Yet he wants to say this perverted scheme of his was heroic? In what regard? She wasn't sure where it came from, but something in her was ready to give everything back to him, and then some.
"You're one to talk! Have you ever thought about the people you hurt doing things like this? If you want the attention of your female classmates, why don't you try acting like a better person?"
Tears were growing quickly in his eyes now. He could barely see her, but he wasn't going to take that sitting down. "Easy for you to say Yaoyorozu! You're attractive, you're rich, and you have personality! Look at me, Momo. You think girls are going to give me the time of day just because I act a little like Midoriya? That's not how it works at all! "
"Maybe it would be a start, Mineta!" Momo's emotions were being swept up with his anger, increasing her volume in an effort to get through to him. "People would actually enjoy your company and be happy to hold a conversation with you. Did that ever cross your mind?"
He could hear what she was saying but the only parts coming through were the insults. They were yelling now, every new rebuttal chipping away at one another.
"Oh really? Would you respect me anymore than you claim to do now? Would you sit there and actually enjoy my 'company'? Don't make me laugh!"
Momo, was taken aback at this. She wanted to tell him he was wrong, or that the self-reflection shouldn't be directed at her right now, but there was some truth to those words. Despite that, the thoughts of every prank, scheme, and act of depravity he pulled came to her just now. She couldn't let a new one slide.
"I'd at least talk with you on more friendly terms if you had walked up to me just now and said hello! Instead of that, you snuck behind me like a predator! What would you have gained out of this?"
"I don't know! Don't you get it? I know that it wasn't heroic, Momo, that's why I stopped!"
It came out quick. It was almost too quick for her to catch, but it stopped her dead in her tracks. She was ready for another excuse but this threw even her off. With more than a little surprise in her voice than she meant she asked, "What do you mean, stopped?"
Mineta sighed, the tears were still there, but the fight was gone. With nothing else keeping him there, he slid down the couch on the opposite end of where she was and took a seat. "It's just like I told you. I don't know why. I just didn't want to go through with my plan anymore."
Momo shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She would be a bit weary of this (it wouldn't be the first time he lied), but there was something about how he looked, it almost reminded her of how she felt after losing to Tokoyami. He looked completely lost and defeated.
Somewhat curious and almost pitying him, she inched a little closer. "What changed exactly, Mineta? It wouldn't have been before you walked down here, otherwise you wouldn't have climbed up the couch."
Listlessly, Mineta reached for the oldest book she had on the table. Turning to what he saw before, he pointed out the chapter title for her to see. "Watching how hard you were working was part of it, but I'm pretty sure it was because of this." Looking down at the name of the chapter, he continued, "Being a better hero my ass, I can't even hold a candle half the people here on a good day."
Momo looked down to her feet as he said this. She was more than familiar with the feeling of staring at the others' backs. Even with her helping her struggling classmates, many excelled at the practical portion of the heroics compared to her. Was he just as lost as she was? Reaching out, she gently took the book and closed it softly.
Mineta never had a chance to see the book closed before, but now he saw just how old it was. It wasn't ripped, but certainly faded from use. Clearly the owner cared dearly for it. He noticed a triumphant looking Crimson Riot standing stoically on the front, with the words, Anyone Can be a Hero! proudly curved along the top half of the book.
Momo glanced down at the faded cover for a moment before she quietly spoke, "I'm actually surprised that this book in particular is what caused you to change your mind, Mineta. As a child, my parents went out of their way to make sure I had everything I could ever need or want. The most gifted tutors, the newest toys, their support and love as parents. Unlike the stereotype of the affluent, they told me that I could be anything and to pursue what makes me happy."
Mineta wasn't used to hearing how soft her voice was when she was reminiscing like this. The look in her eyes wasn't the anger, annoyance, or even the disappointment directed at him from earlier. She looked distant as her eyes began welling up. All he could do was nod as she spoke.
"It's the same no matter the background, I guess. Like any other child, the second I knew what a hero was, I knew that was what I wanted to be. My parents were surprised, but they were there for me every step of the way. This was the first book I ever received from my parents, just a simple birthday gift. Even though I was only just learning to read." she trailed off.
Oh right, she probably could read it front and back, even as a kid. This was the first time Mineta saw Momo in a new light. He never heard her talk about her past like this. As she stared off, tracing the cover's lettering, he couldn't help but wonder if anyone else knew about this.
After a moment, Momo looked down intensely at the book, her fingers gripping the faded cover. "They tried to replace it early on, once the cover started losing its shine and the pages turned yellow. I told them how much it meant to me though, so eventually they gave up on it. It was one of first things I packed up when we moved into the dormitories. Even at my lowest, it was something tangible I could hold onto, a reminder to never give up."
She looked over at him now, realizing how much she had rambled. Wiping a tear from her eye with a soft laugh, she said, "It must seem pretty silly to care so much about a dumb book. It's just funny that this stopped you when nothing else usually would."
"N-no way, Momo. It's actually pretty cool to see that side of you! But, I don't think the book is dumb if you kept it on you all these years. It means a lot to you, right? Besides, it can't be that bad if it caused me to stop."
"Thank you, Mineta", as she chuckled at the cheesy joke, Momo noticed it didn't feel as weird to say it as she thought it would be. "Honestly I could recite passages in this book from memory, but even holding the book itself is a comfort."
Having the prettiest girl in school open up to you about her life was no small thing to a kid in high school. Mineta wanted this moment to last forever. He was finally getting to know Momo and it was the single greatest feeling of his life. More importantly, it wasn't forced. She isn't just tolerating him until he leaves, they're having a conversation. It was almost as natural as talking to Denki, only the subject matter felt much more delicate and important than just how cute a girl they saw in the halls were.
He was afraid to ask at first, but went for it anyway. "Actually, Momo, if you wouldn't mind, could you tell me a little bit about the book? It probably sounds stupid that I'm asking but I wouldn't mind hearing your thoughts on it."
The second he finished, he felt thought she was going to laugh him out of the room, but she smiled warmly instead. "You're truly interested? Here, let me show you some of my favorite sections!"
Scooting even closer, she opened up immediately to the page she was reading before their conversation and began talking about it. Usually being this close to a girl would be too much for Mineta, but her enthusiasm for the book was contagious, and before long he was finding parts he liked as well.
As the night continued on they spoke on a variety of topics covered in the other books Momo was reading. Mineta loved how she took even the complicated portions and made them easier to understand, and Momo enjoyed being able to bounce off ideas and conclusions to someone who didn't find the content boring or too complicated.
Eventually they realized how late it was and told each other good night, but not before agreeing to meet the next weekend. Exchanging phone numbers for easier contact, Mineta told her that was worried about how the others would respond, and told her it would be best to keep it a secret.
Momo agreed, however, she was more worried about what would happen if the others found out for other reasons. This was actually a side of Mineta I don't think anyone has seen before. If the others find out, they may not believe he was being genuine, I can barely believe it myself. I'd rather not see the consequences of misplaced concern for me. She may have felt bad thinking so lowly of a classmate, but it's hard to argue her appreciation of the conversation they had when all of their other interactions were far worse for her. Still, even though this was a large worry for her, she didn't dare voice that concern out loud. Just be content that this is a first step in an honest change, Yaoyorozu, she told herself. She went to bed with an odd mixture of feelings and wasn't sure if regret for future problems wasn't there as well.
On the other hand, Mineta was smiling ear to ear after the conversation. He didn't care that there was going to be early morning exercises and that it was already 1 in the morning. He was only inches away from a girl and talking to her, one on one. Suddenly he realized something. I guess she only really did it because I wasn't being an ass. If I'm going to get the chance to talk with her more, I need to show her even I can be a great hero too. Sitting down at his computer for a moment, Mineta searched online for a copy of her book. He wanted to ask if he could borrow it, but realized she might need it and chose to not bother. Finally finding a copy online, he read the opening chapter before being too tired to go on.
Even with pouring rain and a late night, Mineta never slept so well in all of his life.
It was another lively evening over in the dormitories common area. Even with 20 high school students on a regular day, there was still plenty of space for everyone. It wouldn't be uncommon for some to unwind after a long day of class in the common area's kitchen and dining area. If it wasn't helping Momo make tea or Sato bake a new treat to hone his skills, someone might try their hand at making a meal for themselves or their small group of friends. The counter also did a great job as a substitute study table in a pinch. Even though almost everyone was enjoying themselves, eventually the topic of shortest boy in the school popped up.
"So, how long do you think Aizawa will hold Mineta back for?" Mina giggled to no one in particular as she rested her head against the table.
Sero joined in, sitting nearby, "Hopefully not as long as the training camp remedial classes." Even though they smiled, both shuddered thinking back to those late nights. Villain attack or not, Eraser Head was in a league of his own with that sort of torture.
"C'mon guys, he probably had something important on his mind," Kirishima gave his two cents on the situation as he sat down next to Mina, handing a bottle of water to her.
Taking a quick swing from the bottle, Mina replied, "Thanks, that really hit the spot." Her expression took on a strangely serious manner before she added, "But you know, I'm kind of doubting how important it actually was. Might have been deep into one of those daydreams. You know how all guys think." As she finished with a smirk and playful tap on Kirishima's shoulders, it was obvious how happy she was piling on the implications for Kirishima to wrap his head around later.
Denki was leaning a bit more on Kirishima's side and hoping they would leave Mineta and his thoughts be, "He'll probably be okay. It might take a while and he'll definitely get an earful, but it's almost a badge of honor to get chewed out by Aizawa and live."
Most of the others laughed at that, and the conversation went in other directions.
On the other side of the room, Momo was trying her best to relax even as everyone else was wondering what torture her friend was going through. Even Tsu and Ochaco weren't completely immune to talking about it.
Ignoring the conversations for now and reading his thankfully concise texts, it seems Mineta wasn't in trouble after all. In fact, all he really had to deal with was a nice long talk with Aizawa and Recovery Girl. It was kind of nice to hear he was doing well and even heading back, but he also sent a second message.
Momo, I'm gonna be honest, I'm a bit worried about what to do from here with the others. It's only Monday and it's like I put a giant target on the back of my head. What do you think about matching up Midoriya to keep him busy?
Momo felt bad for Mineta's situation. She didn't know all of it, but she saw the looks almost half the class, including Bakugo was giving him when he came back from lunch. The only one who looked genuinely concerned was Denki. Still, she couldn't imagine what made him think the solution to the problem that was partially his fault was to pair students together until they could talk in peace. Maybe I should tell people he's really a sincere and decent person, minus the occasional perversion. That should be all anyone really needs right? She realized quickly that his... history might mean everyone else would need a lot more convincing. Looking again at his second message, she figured she could at start with telling Mineta everything will be fine. I need to at least tell him not to continue acting like a purple cupid.
"Momo, could we talk for a moment?" A usually cheery voice from behind caused her to nearly drop her phone. Clutching it in her hands, she turned to face a rather concerned looking Ochaco.
Having little reason not to, she nodded. Seeing Momo's affirmation put a more common smile back on the round face. Telling Tsu that they would be back in a second, the two went down the hallway of the girl's section of the dorms with Ochaco leading. Feeling secluded enough, the gravity girl turned to face Momo.
"Sorry to drag you all the way out here, Momo. Just wanted to ask you if everything is okay."
"What do you mean Uraraka? Everything is going well." Momo could barely keep the confusion from showing on her face. Is she only talking about last weekend or did something happen to Minoru today?
"Well I just mean", Ochaco fumbled her words for a moment but pressed on, "we're friends, right Yaoyorozu? We could tell each other anything, right?"
Now Momo was really lost. Knowing she at least needed to get to the bottom of things, she decided to at least hear her out. "Of course, Ochaco, if either of us needed to talk, we could easily do so. What has you worried?"
Ochaco shuffled her feet a bit before she could answer. "I know it's rude and not my business, but when I went over to say hello, I saw...well, I couldn't help but notice Mineta's name at the top of the screen. I'm sorry to read over your shoulder like that, but that's what sort of has me worried."
Well, at least it's not technically something he did. No need to be dishonest here. Genuinely trying to ease Uraraka's worry, she tried her best to give a general explanation. "Oh that. It is true we were talking, but we were just talking about our day, nothing important or anything like that." Satisfied that Uraraka would take that, she began to relax.
"Oh, that's all?" There was a troubled look on Uraraka's face as she looked away. It didn't take her long to find what she wanted to ask. "Momo can I ask you one other thing?"
"Anything, Uraraka." Momo held a smile to show her that no question could bother her.
"He's not blackmailing you or anything is he?"
Except that one. The word blackmail may as well have been a slap across the face. "Of course not!" her reaction to it came a bit too quickly, but this was a friend they were talking about. Someone who wanted to be a hero like her. What on Earth sort of question is that to ask about someone's friend?
Ochaco held up her hands in a placating way, "I didn't mean anything bad by it. Only that you two don't talk all that much usually, and well, it's Mineta we're talking about here." Looking down for a moment, Ochaco locked eyes with Momo's. "The truth is, Deku, Iida, and I sort of thought he had something on you that kept you from reporting what he did last weekend. That's why I got worried when I saw you were texting him."
"Well I want to say thank you for your worry, but Mineta would never do something like that. He has his flaws, but blackmail is too much of a villainous thing for him to attempt."
Uraraka was a bit surprised at how Momo responded, but she suddenly felt bad for accusing him and apologized, "Sorry about that, I guess there really was nothing to worry about."
Momo took the apology in stride, "I am thankful that you were worried for my safety though, Uraraka. I would be the first to admit it must seem odd for me to be talking with Mineta, but I can assure you that nothing bad is happening. If it's all the same to you, however, can you keep this conversation between you and me?"
Uraraka only smiled at that," Of course, what are friends for? "
Glad that everything worked out with no trouble and even Uraraka seeming satisfied, Momo began to walk back to the common area on her own. As she was halfway there, she heard the bubbly voice call from behind her.
"Momo, one more question!"
Before she could even respond, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She hadn't even heard Uraraka approaching her but now a small voice next to her ear asked, "So, what were you two talking about?"
The air around Momo felt ten times heavier. Breathing felt almost impossible. It took her a second, frozen in place but she did eventually reply. All she could even eke out was a quick, "Just about what happened with him and Aizawa."
"Oh? That's all?" She sounded only half convinced but chuckled a bit afterwards. As sudden as the tension came, it left again. "That's a relief! I almost thought you were thinking of doing something to Izuku." Momo noticed she had placed some heavy emphasis on "you" but chose to keep quiet.
"Well, since it's nothing to worry about, let's keep this conversation between us too! See ya later, Yaoyorozu!" Smiling, the now cheery girl jogged past her down the hallway.
Momo could only stare at the usually friendly girl's shrinking form as the distance increased between them. Standing there in the corridor, she got to work typing out a definite no to doing anything to Midoriya in response to Mineta's message. All she could think as she typed was, What on Earth was that?
Sitting back on the couch next to Tsu, Ochaco couldn't help but regret overreacting like that. It never even crossed her mind that she misread his message. Still, she thought, I can't believe Mineta was actually trying to get Midoriya and Momo together. Is this because we stopped him from messing with her? He has some nerve to try something that underhanded. She can say blackmail wasn't happening, but I doubt she would be speaking to him willingly otherwise. Maybe I should keep a closer eye on him.
Looking back towards the corridor, she noticed Momo finally walk into the common area proper. She also saw that Momo found a spot amongst her other friends far and away from her and also a good ways away from Midoriya. As long as she understands those boundaries, we should be fine. While she pondered her next move the automatic doors opened and the guest of the day finally arrived.
Taking the jokes and laughs with a smile as he mockingly stood triumphant, Mineta walked over and began talking to Sero and Denki's group first. A few others walked over and joined in. Even Bakugo sitting by himself took only a semi-dismissive note of things, but most had already moved on long before he arrived. As Uraraka looked on, Tsu finally spoke up.
"Mineta sure has been acting different lately, hasn't he, Ochaco?"
Snapping away from her inner thoughts, Uraraka replied quickly, "Oh you think so? I barely even noticed!"
Tsu tilted her head slightly at that. "Well, I thought you would have been one of the first to notice, since you're one of the ones watching him recently."
As usual, Asui's uncanny gift of perception caught Uraraka off guard. Trying her best to recover, she went with an easy topic. "Truth be told... I guess he did kind of cool it with some his comments recently. I thought it was sort of suspicious at first but it might be just him being better." I won't mention that day for Momo's sake, but I wish she'd be a bit more truthful!
After watching Mineta perform his best Aizawa impersonation using a spare dish towel, Tsu started speaking again, "Knowing him for as long as we have, it probably does seem like this is out of nowhere. He's usually more likely to browse stuff on his phone during class or ogle us whenever he can. I don't think this is really a bad thing, kero. I guess the only question is what made him change? "
Ochaco had her own thoughts on the matter. She had already realized early on in the day that this was probably a front. He had to be covering for himself, why else would he suddenly stop acting like he always had? Why would Momo suddenly start talking to him, let alone defend him? Sure Ochaco had only really been paying attention since the start of today, but that should have been long enough. What other reason could there even be?
"I guess it's not a bad thing. But I also want to know why he is doing this, Tsu."
Uraraka and Tsu watched Mineta wave towards the group before heading up the stairs to his room. As he walked by he made sure to say hey to the two girls watching him with a smugness only he was capable of producing. Ochaco guessed that since he didn't pay any special attention to her, Momo must have kept quiet. Still there was always something wrong to her about his arrogance on everything. Realizing she might need a good pair of eyes on this, her mouth opened as soon as the epiphany struck her.
"Hey Tsu, just curious, did you have anything planned this weekend?"
"Not really. Why, did you want to hang out?"
Ochaco couldn't help but smile. "Something like that."
If you actually made it this far, I'll say thanks for reading! I'm hoping to finally get things moving along, but I'm also stuck with exams looming in front of me. Best of luck to anyone stuck in the same or similar boat I'm in. Sorry if any Ochaco fans are bothered out there. I love her as a character, but I always felt she was more of a still waters run deep kind of girl when it comes to those she cares about. I'm still trying to find my way with this story, so I want to say thanks for your patience. Take care and have a great week.