TW: Mentions of abuse and homophobia

Once classes were finally over, Mineta went straight to his dorm and face planted onto his bed. Kaminari's words were still lingering in his mind.

"You can tell me anything."

I gotta vent this to someone! These feelings, this secret, it's really getting to me! I HAVE to open up to someone! Someone who I know I can trust and will accept me!

Is Kaminari that person?

We've had each other's backs this entire year. We're definitely bros.

... yes.

I trust him.

He should be the first to know.

I see no reason why he'd react the way- ... well ... he should take it well. He's pretty chill.

Mineta rolled over onto his back and pulled out his phone.

Private Messages between Pikachu and Grape Boi

Grape Boi: Hey ... can we talk?

Mineta set his phone aside and started his homework while he waited for Kaminari to get back to him.

He didn't have to wait long before his phone chimed. Swiftly, he grabbed his phone and took a look.

Pikachu: Sure! Over text or face to face?

Grape Boi: Over text is fine.

Pikachu: All right, then. What's up?

Grape Boi: You know how you said I can tell you anything because we're bros?

Pikachu: Yes. I still stand by that.

Grape Boi: And you know how I zoned out today over class?

Pikachu: Yeah. I'm still sorry for pushing, btw

Grape Boi: You're fine. Really.

Pikachu: So what's up?

Mineta took a deep breath to calm his now pounding heart. This is it. It's now or never.

Grape Boi: I have a secret that I've had on my chest all my life. You have to promise not to tell anyone.

Pikachu: You have my word

Mineta's shaking hands slowly and fearfully typed the letter "I" followed by an apostrophe and an "m". He took some deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves.

Why is this so hard?! Just type it!

It was enough to will himself to tap the "g". Then the "a". And then the "y".

His thumb was now hovering over the "send" button.

Come on! Just send it! It shouldn't be that hard!

He took some more rapid breaths, squoze his eyes shut, and pressed his thumb down.

The message was sent.

There was no turning back.

Mineta slowly opened an eye.

Pikachu is typing...

Please accept me! Please don't be like them!

Pikachu: You are?

Is that a judgemental tone? Happy? Shocked? Mineta thought in a panic. But he knew he had to respond.

Grape Boi: Yeah...

Pikachu is typing...

God, this is so stressful! Why?! Why is this so terrifying?!

Maybe this was a mistake.

After all we've been through gossiping about the girls in our class, there is NO way he'd accept me! What was I thinking?! He's gonna call off our friendship, I know it! He's gonna tell the whole class and they're gonna judge me! I'm gonna be no safer here than I am-

Pikachu: Hey, no judgement here, bro! I'm actually pan myself! I'm proud of you for coming out! Oh, we REALLY need to talk now! What was your awakening? Was it gay thoughts you were thinking about during class today? I bet it was! I've been there myself! Who is it? Who's the guy that stole your heart? SPILL THE TEA, MAN!

Mineta stared at the message in shock. Kaminari truly accepted him?

Heh. I should try not to listen to my paranoia more often.

But it still wouldn't hurt to make sure.

Grape Boi: Wait, wait, wait. You're actually cool with it? You don't find it weird or anything?

Pikachu: Of course I'm cool with it! We're bros afterall! And no, I don't find it weird at all! Maybe a little surprising due to the reputation you made, but definitely not weird! In fact, I'm willing to bet you've just been perving on girls to hide it!

For the first time in what felt like forever, a pure and genuine smile crept onto Mineta's face.

He really accepts me! That's a start, right? Maybe the rest of the class will, too!

... maybe Shoji will accept me, too ...

Grape Boi: Thank you so much, Kaminari. And yes, I did perv on the girls to hide it. I was just scared of how everyone was going to react. But now I'm feeling less afraid.

Pikachu: It's all good, Mineta! And don't you worry! Your secret is safe with me! I'll let you decide when you want to come out to the rest of the class!

Grape Boi: OMG, thank you again!

Pikachu: That said, don't ignore my previous questions. What was your awakening? And who currently has your heart? Spill the tea! SPILLLLLL!

Mineta thought about his awakening.

It wasn't exactly a pleasant experience.

The fact is, he never really found girls attractive. Sure, they're pretty, he'd admit that. But he was never able to see himself being with one. He never knew why.

But then one day, in grade school, he noticed that some of his male classmates were kind of cute.

Of course, being raised in a household where it is believed that men should only be with women, he thought finding a boy cute was weird.

Until he imagined himself being in a relationship with one of those boys.

Something about it just seemed ... right.

He made a mistake of bringing it up at dinner one night.

"Hey, Dad, can I ask a question?"

"What is it, Minoru?" his dad huffed.

"You know how you and mom always said that men like us belong with beautiful women like Mom?"

"Yeah. Why? Have you finally found a woman of your likings?" his dad asked with a shiteating smirk.

"Well ... not exactly."

"What do you mean?" the old man asked, starting to look suspicious.

"I was just wondering ... if it's possible for a boy to be with a boy-"

SMACK! THUD!

Mineta felt his entire face sting as his father's hand lashed out with such a force that he crashed into a wall.

"WHAT THE HELL?! AFTER THE WAY I RAISED YOU, HOW COULD SUCH A FILTHY THOUGHT CROSS YOUR MIND?! NO SON OF MINE IS GOING TO BE LIKE THOSE LGBT SCUM!"

Mineta stared back at his enraged father with a face full of fear. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry, okay?! I-I was just wondering! I promise, it won't happen again!" Mineta cried.

"GOOD!" his father growled. "NOW GO TO YOUR ROOM AND DON'T COME BACK UNTIL YOU'RE THINKING MORE CLEARLY!"

Mineta nodded and sprinted off.

The sound of a phone pinging snapped Mineta out of the flashback.

Pikachu: Hey ... you still there?

Mineta gave his head a little shake to rid his head of the horrid memory.

Grape Boi: Yeah, I'm still here. Sorry

Pikachu: It's fine

Grape Boi: Anyway, I kind of just always knew. I've never been attracted to girls, but I found boys cute.

Pikachu: That was kind of how it was for me! I found myself noticing that all genders are attractive no matter what!

Grape Boi: Nice! As far as who has my heart ... hhhhhh I'm embarrassed to say!

Pikachu: Oh, come onnnnnnnn! Spill!

Grape Boi: All right, fine. It's Shoji.

Pikachu: Shoji?

Grape Boi: Yeah ...

Pikachu: I can see it! You two would actually be cute together!

Grape Boi: Really?!

Pikachu: Really! But don't worry. I won't tell him. ;)

Grape Boi: Thank you so much. For keeping my secrets and accepting me.

Pikachu: No problem!

Grape Boi: I love you, no homo

Pikachu: Love you, too, no homo

Mineta gave out a small cheer of victory and set his phone aside.

That went WAY better than I could have imagined!

Now I just have to work up the nerve to come out to the whole class.

Especially Shoji...