A/n: Hello everyone, this is Psychojack here with a little experiment that was inspired by some of the other MHA fanfics, enough that I decided to give it a shot! The idea of a Mineta becoming a better hero is a tough one as he is a hated character, but I also do love the sour taste of lemons. Either a Lemon fic with Mineta or the need to make the guy a little more Heroic. Why not both? Take a read and let's see where this might take us.
Narration: What makes a hero? The question of the day? The question that defines our whole world. For some, being a hero means simply saving people. For others, its being the strongest or smartest. Some would go so far as to say that to be a hero is to be the best at everything!
This is the world we live in today. Everyone wants to be a hero. To be unique, to be their own version of a hero. This unfortunately means that one's purpose of being a hero, may be for less than noble reasons.
Some for money, some for power, opportunity, love…
…Recognition.
So what makes me a hero?
--U.A Academy: Principal Office–
In the deep recesses of the legendary academia, a still quiet resonates throughout. Though students stood in their homeroom learning the intricacies of daily living and conduct as the future idols of society, the silence encompassed the atmosphere. No noise could be heard, just the rumble of a permeating emptiness of sound.
Beyond the classrooms and teachers lounge stood one door. This door led to the office of the esteemed educator and de facto leader of the institution. However, as one closed in, the rumble of silence could be felt growing..
Inside sat two half sized individuals. On the desk sat U.A's greatest scholar, intellect, and mascot, known as Nezu. However, the jovial body of fluff that would enraptured all with his knowledge, infectious optimism and leadership now sat as the sole authority his role represents.
For in front of him, sat one youth currently in need of proper guidance.
One named Mineta Minoru.
The infamous Grape themed hero sat on a lone wooden chair, spasming in anxiety as he awaited what would come. He was sweating, eyes weeping out of fear. The lone ferret simply sat with his hands clasped in front of him, his normally shiny rodent-like eyes were ominously dull, simply staring at Mineta for a long period of time.
They have been sitting this way for the past few minutes, the two currently in a battle of stares.
*Tick Tock*
The sound of a classical pendulum clock banged against Mineta's eardrums. His current state of fear induced panic making each ticking sound reversed and distorted. He could even hear the straining metallic rust sound of each pendulum swing, exasperatingly slowed to a crawl before each tick.
That aside the silence was the worst part for the indigo colored hero. It felt like if he were to move one muscle out of place, then he would meet a terrible end. The lighting of the room was currently shadowed by the sunset in the behind Nezu, making him appear more ominous and much akin to a judge.
In Mineta's mind, he may as well be the executioner.
"Do you know why you were brought to this office, Mineta?" The jovial principle asked. On his desk was a small red book on one end and a thick case file containing many papers and documents of unknown origin or purpose.
Mineta couldn't help but almost bite his own tongue off. He was too terrified, practically paralyzed to his seat.
"I-I don't k-know!" Mineta stammered, his fidgeting getting worse.
"To be honest, I normally am not one to handle the disciplinary measures of the academy, that is usually left to the homeroom teachers to handle as they see fit." Nezu explained.
Mineta let out a breath he didn't know he had. He was hoping he would maybe get his usual punishment from Aizawa at this point. Anything to narrowly escape his principal's wrath.
"However…" The principal continued.
Mineta almost wet himself from that single word.
"After taking a look at your conduct since your enrollment, I realize that I can no longer accept circumstances as they currently are." Nezu said.
He opened the case file, in it were many pictures and clippings of behavioral entries, all solely based around Mineta considering his name could be seen on the file tag.
The boy gasped, not believing that such a thick file involving him could be so…damning. All the pictures of himself were of him either peeping on the girls lockers, creeping in the girls showers or climbing Momo's back when he first applied for the exam. They were merely three high definition photographs, and yet they were merely the first among many.
Mineta looked at the white pages, where in highlight and sticky notes he could make out some of the observations of his personal dossier.
In it laid descriptions of his character, of who he was throughout the observations of whoever took these notes.
He saw his dossier.
Class 1A: Mineta Minoru
Age: 15
Quirk: Pop Off - Allows Mineta to throw spheres off his head. The spheres are sticky.
Quirk Usage:
- Seen climbing Yaoyorozu's back during Sports Festival.
- Sticking enemies in combat (observed during First Term Final Exam)
- Upscaling walls during summer training camp
Notable Moves: Grape Rush (High velocity barrage of spheres followed by sprinting past target) No Notable difference in normal sphere throw as of current report.
On Field Observations:
- Little combat effectiveness
- Notable in support effectiveness
- High saboteur effectiveness
Observations:
1.) Displays high altitude lust in the presence of peers of the opposite gender. (Occurrence rate 98.9%. Margin of error 1.1% determined by rate of failed exposure to opposite gender.)
2.) High rate of disengagement within social settings. (By way of reputation)
Update- Social integration decreased by 63% since first term final.
3.) Displays a high rate of apathy concerning treatment of female teammates.
Update- Apathy rate increased by 226% since first integration.
4.) Displays signs of irritability, social exclusion and altered sense of self.
Update- Monitor for potential therapeutic intervention.
Original Potential Villain Determinant Factor - 38.97% since first enrollment.
Update: Potential Villain Determinant Factor - 86.23% within graduation limit.
Mineta looked gobsmacked as to his dossier. The way this is written was simply stating observations and yet he sounded like such a loser.
Mimeta couldn't help but notice the last bit. Specifically where it stated his 'Villain Potential Determinant Factor', which to him pretty much meant that the odds that he himself becoming a Villain was THAT high, even if he would graduate as a hero.
"W-wait a minute! I don't want to be a Villain. I want to be a hero! I'm not looking to hurt anyone!" Mineta defended himself.
The white furred principal observed quietly.
"I'm not an evil person, I swear! I would never hurt innocent people! Ask anybody they would vouch for me!"
The principal then opened the red book. Silently slipping out a lone photo. He simply laid it on the desk along with a magnifying glass, his smile completely gone.
Mineta saw the backside of the photo. He flipped it around, wondering as to what this would show him.
"Could you say that again with a straight face after seeing this." The principal stared deeply into Mineta's eyes. His eyes held a silent analytical look, however currently it was leaning more in a judgemental perspective if the faint narrowing of his eyes were any indication.
Mineta looked at the picture.
"It's from this…morning?" Mineta guessed.
The photo specifically showed Mineta running with a bra on his head, it was stuck to it because of one of his spheres. In the background Momo Yaoyorozu sat by herself, beneath one of the trees on the U.A campus, trying to eat lunch. Other girls could be seen chasing Mineta in righteous fury.
"N-now wait a minute before you jump to conclusions! This was not intentional!" Mineta pleaded.
"Oh I know. Because you were caught before you could act on it. You were going to use your quirk to take an unsolicited photo of
Momo using her quirk to make some eating utensils for a group luncheon with her friends. You already know about her quirk enough to notice that she mainly uses her exposed torso in order to make things quickly. And you simply waited for the right second to get a snapshot. You didn't count on the wind however, which caused the ball to hit her, get stuck on her bra, and naturally she retaliated. Leading to…this." He explained
Mineta stood shocked. He was right, completely and utterly right. How did he know?
"H-how did…?" Mineta asked.
The well groomed rodent simply stared.
Mineta looked where his eyes were focusing on, it was the magnifying glass, perfectly clean and a classic tool to any would-be investigator.
Mineta used the glass with his left hand, the photo on the desk. He was unsure as to what the principal was trying to show him. He already knew what happened. So why did…
Mineta seemed crestfallen, as beneath the magnifying glass, he could see Momo in the background of the image clearly as day, noticing every detail of her person.
She seemed to be shedding a tear from the right side of her face. She was sitting by herself covering her torso while doing so. She looked so…sad. Almost betrayed even.
Mineta's heart ached. Seeing her look so sad made him feel like he submerged into a deep pit, slowly suffocating him with the realization that what he did was not something simply let go, if ever.
"I had actually intended to expel you after this little stunt, I contemplated this as far back as when you first pulled one of your many exploits when you were enrolled here at U.A. The reason I didn't was because it would affect U.A's public standing if it's reputation degraded as a cesspool for harassment. The other reason…was the very one individual sitting in that picture.
Mineta looked in the principal's direction.
"Each time you were caught, or when disciplinary measures failed to rectify your behavior, she was the first one who always stepped forward in your defense." Nezu explained.
Mineta's eyes widened at the realization. He was meant to be expelled LONG ago. Yet his class president, Momo, was the one who had stood up for him. But…why?
"She would bow, right where you're standing just so that I would grant you another chance to prove yourself worthy. Each time you would fail, and thus the cycle would begin again. I myself have yet to fully understand why she would do this, but my guess is that despite your flaws, you are young and could still change if you made an honest attempt." The principal informed Mineta.
Mineta teared up as he stared at the photo of Momo crying by her lonesome.
The principal hit him hard with his next statement.
"But instead you would reward her faith in you by hurting her." He stated in a manner of fact kind of way.
Mineta's eyebrows rose in realization, a painful epiphany if ever there was one. His tears flowed openly, one drop landing next to Momo's photograph.
The ferret observed his emotional state, letting him have his moment to analyze, to take everything in.
Mineta felt disgusted. He felt sick in his gut, thinking back to all the times he let his friends down. He felt like a bastard. He couldn't describe it but he wanted to lock himself up for making Momo cry.
"You care for her don't you?" Mineta's eyes shook from the question.
"Despite your notorious lust, most of your attention seems to be focused solely on this particular individual. It doesn't take long for one to notice certain inconsistencies between your conduct with other students and your conduct with Momo." Nezu analyzed.
The principal continued. "There's nothing wrong with holding an interest in those you're attracted to. However, as you grow into the world, there comes a time when you must take into consideration the feelings of those around you. Remember this…because this is the only time I will say this…in a way you will understand.
Mineta looked upwards to his principal, now his guiding light.
Nezu's cleared his throat. A notable shade of red on his face as he said what a principal of a school would never say out loud, however given this particular student he was all out of options.
"Empathy is bisexual, it must go both ways." The principal said sagely his flushed embarrassment still prevalent on his face.
Mineta's mind cracked. His mind was blown by this simple and yet oh so true fact. A fact that he willingly ignored for too long. It was like an explosion in his mind, fluctuating and rethinking his entire life. With this, a new realization came to Mineta.
"Now…what are you going to do about it now that you have your answer." The Principal asked.
Mineta brushed off his tears. For this, he wouldn't cower. No not this time. He would try, he would try his damnedest to make things right.
"I…I'll…" Mineta spoke, his voice growing in determination as he stood from his chair.
Outside the office, one wayward Momo was walking towards the door. She had heard Mineta was practically dragged to the office for discipline from the head himself. She had come to mitigate the punishment as a class representative and classmate of Mineta's. The other reason was because despite his lustful demeanor, Mineta was someone who had potential to become a hero. It would be terrible that he would lose out on his dreams because of what can be debated as a mistake from an unguided teenager. There's MUCH to improve on, yet growing is a part of the pathway of being a hero isn't that right?
Momo thought to herself, her hand about to knock on the door.
'I shouldn't be doing this for Mineta of all people. The other girls would probably agree that were I to walk away right now, they stand by my decision. But still…he's a classmate…'
She braced herself before hearing through the door. It was the purple pariah himself.
"If it's for Momo, if it's for the woman I love then…I will become a better hero!" Mineta loudly said with determination.
If one were to see his face, his face held the same look he had when he faced Midnight at his exam. Rather than one of perversion, his was one of 100% laser focus. His eyes met his principal's black ones.
Nezu whose hands were clasped in front of him, laid them down. That was the look of a man on a mission. Even he could feel the small students overwhelming determination from this close proximity.
Momo…outside the office heard the whole thing! She couldn't believe what she heard. Mineta Minoru, the Grape Groper, and most likely to be arrested after graduation, said he loved her.
She was shocked. Her hand trembled at the door, completely stiff from the loud confession in front of her. It was said with so much determination, confidence, and just brutal honesty. A better hero, that's what he said he would be…for her?
Her heart hammered against her breast. Her eyes were spinning in place as her face grew red. She felt a strange combination of revulsion and…yet…
The teen hitched in her throat, her eyes became blurry as the sheer shock of this sudden revelation caused the esteemed class president
*THUD*
To fall unconscious outside the office door. Her eyes were spinning as a bit of drool emanated from her lips.
Inside the office, the principal simply smiled at the declaration. Mineta's journey has just begun.
CHAPTER END