I own nothing. May contain Out of Character moments.

"I can't sleep! Tomorrow is so close!" Kaminari shouted as he continuously paced around the dorm's common room.

"Well some people are! So keep it down dude!" Mina replied, throwing a cushion at him.

Tonight was the last night before the Culture Festival. Throughout the preparation period before, Class 1A practiced their parts over and over again. And though the dance and music teams started out as mostly amateurs, they've come a long way and could now be considered learned in their respective parts. It was mostly thanks to their teachers, Mina and Jirou, who gave it their all to make sure everyone was up to speed for the Festival. All couldn't go any better…

Then there was Mineta and Midoriya.

It wasn't that they had issues with the routine; in fact, they were technically perfect. However, the weight that was burdening their heart was still present throughout their movements. It wasn't as noticeable as before when 1A started practicing, but it was still noticeable compared to how everyone else was. No matter how subtle it was, Mineta and Midoriya felt off.

And while Mina says it's fine, mostly since neither Midoriya nor Mineta will have any significant focus during the performance… The shorter boy felt uncertain. That or it's the paranoia whispering doubt into his ear. Whatever the case, he just hoped that it won't affect the class's hard work too much.

"Tomorrow's the big day… How're you feeling?" Mineta asked as he looked to his friend sitting across from him. Midoriya looked up from the rope he was inspecting. He put it down for a moment and simply stared at the shorter boy, his green eyes reflecting a thought being processed.

"… Are you still thinking about how we're not... You know?"

"Yeah, it's something I can't shake… Something's going to go wrong tomorrow and it'll involve us." Mineta replied, his fingers anxiously tapping on the table.

"I don't think something that drastic will happen… But I am still worried. If we're still dragging our feet throughout tomorrow, we won't be of any help to Eri-chan. How can we save her heart when ours is still weighed down?" Midoriya replied as he sadly looked upon his scarred hand. Mineta could only nod sadly to that. They promised to help that little girl no matter what. And yet, when the time has finally come to save Eri from that darkness within her, they are still lost within their own.

A feeling she would notice, even if no one else does.

"Maybe that's what I'm feeling… Even if everyone doesn't notice how we're not at 100%, our performance would feel meaningless if little Eri isn't moved by the performance because of us. I know Shifu said that we'll find our answer one day… But I really hope that day is tomorrow." Mineta replied.

"Who could say… All we could do now is stick to what Ashido-san taught us and hope for the best."

Mineta could only sadly hum to that as the two went silent again. And the two would've continued to stew in their silence and doubt when 1A's faux Frenchman pranced his way to their table and into their conversation.

"Monsieur Midoriya, Monsieur Mineta, why so dark on the eve of our brightest day? Are your thoughts still weighing you down?" Aoyama asked as he sat down in the seat next to Midoriya.

"They certainly are… It's hard, keeping up a positive attitude when there's plenty to worry about. We'll still do our best though; it's all we can do at the moment." The green haired boy replied, turning to face Aoyama.

"Sometimes, that's all we need to do to shine brighter tomorrow. Still, is there anything I can do to help you right now? How about some cheese before bed?"

"No, no, that's okay, but thanks for offering anyway." Mineta replied as he shook his head. While the cheese that Aoyama offers is pretty tasty, now wasn't the time to be eating it. Besides, it'd just upset Mineta's stomach at this point of the night but that's not the point right now.

"Perhaps another time then, I've procured a particularly delectable kind that'll please you both. But still, I feel like I should doing more for you… Friends help friends no?" Aoyama asked as he leaned in closer towards Mineta, chin resting on his hands.

"You and everyone have done more than enough for us. Now the rest lies in us to find the answer we're missing, so that we can support everyone back with everything we got." Midoriya replied before he began examining the rope again. It wasn't long before the green haired boy stopped though as he looked over the rope again. After Mineta had raised an eyebrow at his friend's behavior, he looked at the rope himself and saw that it was pretty worn.

"Huh? It's frayed all over… How did I miss that?"

"We were quite busy during practice, proof of our friendship I'd like to think, so it's understandable if you didn't notice." Aoyama replied cheerfully.

"Proof or not, we can't be using that when we're finally on stage. That thing could snap and hurt someone, most likely you since you're going to be attached to it. Do we have another lying around somewhere?" Mineta commented, pointing out the obvious problem this all presented.

"Or you could ask Yaoyorozu to make you one, saves you the time looking for another." Kaminari said, as he appeared besides the table they were sitting at. As odd as his timing to enter their conversation was, Mineta considered the electric blonde's suggestion. But while that would be the most logical thing to do and Yaoyorozu wouldn't mind helping out…

It would be best if they didn't bother her with trivial things.

"Yaomomo isn't a tool factory, you know. Besides, she's already asleep. And Midoriya, that's the only one we've got, so we're going to have to risk it." Mina commented, glaring at Kaminari before turning to the green haired boy.

"Let's not, tomorrow's too good of a day to risk anything. There's a hardware store 15 minutes from UA that opens relatively early. Midoriya and I will just go out, buy a new one, and be back before we all go on." Mineta replied, shaking his head. The shorter boy already had enough anxiety when it came to the burden he and Midoriya carried. He also didn't want to worry about a potential accident throughout tomorrow either. So it was best to play it safe.

"Does it really take two people to buy a single rope?" Jirou asked as she looked over from her seat.

"Well, Mineta-kun and I have morning training to do anyway. It'll also help clear our heads before the performance." Midoriya explained.

"Then we'll leave it to you two. Let's head to bed, we'll need all the rest we can get. Let's make tomorrow a success, yeah?" Mina asked before getting up. Those who were still awake in the common room nodded and followed up with a cheer. With all this in play, Mineta really needed to do his part when the time comes. He was not letting anyone down.

…

…

…

And so, before they all knew it, morning came.

As always, Midoriya and Mineta began their day with a light meal, morning training, and a brief counseling with All Might. After all that, once they got their passes to leave UA, they went off to the hardware store. Not much occurred during the trip there, just more running to ensure they weren't late and light conversation about other matters.

But getting back from the store was something else entirely.

"How much time do we have left?" Midoriya asked, tightening his grip on the plastic bags he held.

"We've got plenty, about an hour and a half. If there are no detours, we'll be back in time for the finishing touches." Mineta replied, briefly checking his phone before putting it away. Midoriya simply gave a nod as the two made a turn down the next street. Even though this wasn't the relaxed, head clearing walk that Mineta wanted, at least things were going smoothly for them. Perhaps he really was worrying over nothing and today will be just fine.

"Alright, let's make today one to remember!" Mineta said with a cheer.

"Yeah!" Midoriya replied, a smile forming on his face.

"Ah!"

Both the boys were quickly halted as a conspicuously dressed couple, assuming they were a couple, came out of nowhere. As the man chastised the two and Midoriya began apologizing, Mineta looked at where the couple had come from. Apparently, they didn't come out of nowhere but from a rather old house surrounded by taller, more modern buildings. Though that fact itself made Mineta more curious...

Was there something strange about that house?

"Goodness, you've almost made me lose the aftertaste of the Gold-Tips Imperial. Do be more careful gentlemen or you'll run into trouble." The man said.

Mineta raised a brow to a detail the man had mentioned. Gold-Tips Imperial was the tea that Yaoyorozu would prepare for 1A on a few occasions. It was an incredible tea with lots of complexity that she said only existed in dreams. Once the shorter boy looked back at the old house, he now understood what that place was.

"Okay, nothing suspicious here…" Mineta thought as his breathing steadied. He really was starting to over think things. Perhaps it was best if the two of them simply went on their way and leave this couple to enjoy the rest of their day.

"So that is a tea house over there... It's like a secret in a video game." Midoriya replied with a small chuckle as he looked at the old house. But before Mineta could say anything, the man had begun to laugh, his admonishing tone becoming much friendlier. However, this laugh that caused Mineta to freeze and his mind to race. That laugh sounded awfully familiar.

The shorter boy thought back on where he might've heard it before. It was definitely a recent memory, since all the people he has met never laughed like that before. Mineta also knew, however, that he never actually met this couple before. At least, not in-person…

Then there was something about the tea that Mineta couldn't shake off, so he let that detail into his flow of thoughts.

His memories were brought back to the night he and Midoriya got advice from All Might. After dinner, when everyone was enjoying the Gold-Tips Imperial from Yaoyorozu, Midoriya was in the middle of looking for evidence of All Might with support gear. In his fanatical fervor, the green haired boy accidentally clicked on a strange video involving a minor Villain making a vague threat using tea as a calling card of sorts.

It was high class tea…

Which Gold-Tips Imperial was…

And it can be found at this old house…

To which this couple came out from…

An all too familiar laugh…

"You're the Villain who uses the tea." Mineta said as he slowly reached for his baton. The couple flinched, but the man recovered more quickly than the woman did and quickly tried to downplay in severity of the situation.

"Who? I'm afraid I do not know…" The man said as he reached for his face mask and shades.

"We saw your video. The one where you featured 'Royal Flush'…" Midoriya replied as he set down the plastic bags. Mineta swallowed as his hand gripped the familiar handle. Based on their current proximity and his last video, the Villain was going to make a move on the largest institute around… He was going after UA.

The shorter boy clenched his teeth and remembered just how much pressure the school was under, how much Principal Nezu had to plead to be allowed to hold the event, how much hard work everyone had put into their class's exhibits, how much little Eri was looking forward to seeing the Festival despite her uncertainty…

If just one little straw was out of place, everything would collapse.

"Whatever you're planning to do…" Mineta began as he extended his baton and assumed his stance.

"Leave our school out of it!" Midoriya finished, the sparks of One for All dancing around his body. The man didn't say anything, he simply removed his shades and face mask and casted them aside. His cane fell to the floor with a clatter before one of his hands gripped his trench coat.

"La Brava… Let's begin the show. Don't stop the camera no matter what." The man said.

"Of course, Gentle! But are we really fighting right here? Right now?" The woman asked as she took out a camera. The man didn't answer her. Instead, he removed his trench coat with great flourish and went into a bow. However, he never took his eyes off of either Midoriya or Mineta. The air shimmered for a moment too, strange…

"We'll need to take them down on our own… We can't risk anything canceling the Festival." Midoriya said, briefly glancing towards Mineta.

"Yeah, let's show them what for." Mineta replied, glancing back at Midoriya. Their eyes met only for the briefest of moments before they looked towards their enemies again. However, the shorter boy felt like something was off about that little exchange, mostly since he wasn't able to deduce what the green haired boy was going to do. But at this moment, they couldn't take their eyes off the enemy either…

They'll just have to wing it.

"Dear listeners, don't be so dazzled you look away. The grand adventure of a man with extraordinary talents is starting! I am the gentleman thief who will save the world, Gentle Criminal!" Gentle said as he stood at the ready.

"Gentleman thief… Well, he certainly looks and acts the part…" Mineta thought as he noted down his costume. But other than the rather extreme length of his coat's coattails and flared out collar, there was nothing else to say about it. It was gaudy and classy… But it was ultimately just that, form but no function beyond being the clothes he wore.

The camera woman removed her disguise as well, her clothes bearing a strong resemblance to Gentle's except with a heart motif. She kept her camera on the Villain beside her as he continued his introduction. Mineta, clenched his teeth as he continued to observe. For some reason, he can't seem to find an opening despite his being both unarmed and outnumbered, since La Brava seemed to be more content in filming them than fighting.

"So for this episode… I'll try entering UA!" Gentle said before he struck a pose that looked awkward to all except La Brava, who was squealing with delight. Midoriya immediately took the opportunity to attack and leapt forward, fist pulled back. While Mineta knew this was bound to happen, something was still off about all this.

"Midoriya! Careful! He wouldn't–"

Before Mineta could finish, he saw his friend collide face first with something in the air. It was as though there was a sheet of plastic in the air. Though with the way it stretched, it might be more accurate to say it was like a sheet of rubber.

"I put this up the moment I removed my coat. If you were truly one of my listeners, you'd be aware of my Quirk by now. Elasticity can allow me to make anything elastic, even air. I do not enjoy using violence to solve my problem, so bid thee farewell." Gentle explained before bowing and sending Midoriya flying back with the same force he went in.

Mineta barely stepped aside as the green haired boy sailed by. However, with the explanation of his Quirk, Mineta knew the two of them would be able to get a handle on it. They, after all, got a lot of practice bouncing around using Mineta's Quirk after all. So the shorter boy turned to face the Villain, only to find him fleeing the scene.

"Apologies! But I must press on! Schools aren't going to trespass themselves!" Gentle shouted as he and La Brava continued running.

"Hey! If you're so polite about all this, then keep UA out of your videos!" Mineta shouted. He dropped a hairball onto the ground and hopped on to it, launching himself forward. Gentle made another pose, the air in front of him shimmering again. But since the Villain has helpfully told him how his Quirk worked, Mineta was prepared for it.

Once he hit the elastic air, the shorter boy angled his body towards the nearest wall and sprung off. Just as he did so, Mineta threw a hairball onto it and bounced off of that. With a trajectory straight towards Gentle, he pulled his baton back for a swing. And even if his foe put up another barrier, Mineta knew his baton would help him tear through it at his current speed.

However, upon actually reaching swinging range, Mineta neglected another move Gentle could make, simply taking a few steps back. The shorter boy's eyes widened, his baton connecting with nothing, as he saw the Villain place his hand on the ground.

"Your bounces, despite its power and control, lack flair and grace. There must be spring in your step! Like this!" Gentle said before the ground began to wobble. He even waited until Mineta was just about the land to prevent him from adjusting his footing. So, completely unready for the unstable ground, Mineta stumbled upon landing and was immediately sent back up, flailing for control.

"Practice long and hard youngster and you too can have jumps like mine! Farewell!" Gentle shouted as he and La Brava began bouncing away. Mineta grit his teeth as he finally regained his balance. Being shown up by a Villain is one thing… But getting advice from one was going too far. The shorter boy needed to give chase to really show Gentle that his jumps were, in fact, better than his.

Luckily for Mineta, someone grabbed onto him and placed him onto their back.

"You okay Mineta-kun?" Midoriya asked as he landed then jumped from the top of a utility pole.

"Perfectly fine, just a little disorientated. That Quirk of his can get pretty crazy if we're not careful."

"Agreed. Now let's ground him before he gets away from us." Midoriya said as he took aim with his hand, middle finger curled against his thumb. Mineta knew the green haired boy had been practicing Delaware Smash without his new gloves to further improve his control over One for All. It would also help in a pinch if he was caught in combat without them.

Which would be now if Mineta thought about it…

"Delaware Smash!"

Midoriya's finger was released and a torrent of air rushed forward. But while it was far weaker than when he had first used it at the start of the school year, this Delaware Smash was still strong enough to knock Gentle off balance. Midoriya's finger also remained undamaged, removing the need to seek medical attention like before.

"You got him!" Mineta cheered.

"No, I didn't put enough power into it. Anymore and it'll start damaging my fingers too... We've got to be direct about this." Midoriya replied as Gentle quickly recovered and continue to bounce away. Mineta clenched his teeth, but nodded to that. If all their attacks up until now will not dissuade Gentle from fighting, then they need to get serious before it's too late.

The green haired boy landed atop another utility pole, the light around his body intensifying to close the distance faster. And with a powerful leap, Midoriya went straight for Gentle and grabbed him the moment he was in range.

"As persistent as you are young men, you will not dissuade me! The emotions you've invested in your Culture Festival can't hope to match the passion in my heart!" Gentle said through gritted teeth.

"It's not just us! All of us, we've poured everything into this!" Mineta shouted back.

"That's why we'll stop you with all our hearts!" Midoriya added.

"Then let's see whose is stronger! Mine or yours!? It'll make for my greatest show yet!" Gentle replied.

Before either Midoriya or Mineta could make a retort, the three of them crashed into something. Whilst tumbling, the shorter boy was able to see that they were amidst I-beams, scaffolding, and scattered lengths of rebar. They were in a construction site, a perfect place for Mineta and Midoriya to flex their movement skills. Though they first must crash land before any more combat can take place.

Mineta and Midoriya hit the ground with a harsh thud, the two tumbling along before coming to a stop upright and on their feet. The two knew how to land, so neither of the two boys sustained any real damage from the rough landing. Mineta looked to Midoriya just as he looked to the shorter boy. And with a nod, they looked around for Gentle as they lost him upon crashing.

"This is truly unexpected... However, this shall not perturb me!"

The two boys faced the voice and saw Gentle dangling from an I-beam, his coat snagged on an exposed corner. Honestly, it was an absurd sight. Still, what disturbed Mineta most was how nonchalantly cheery the Villain was acting. Was this still part of whatever dastardly plan he has for UA? Just what is going on in that posh head of his?

"I shall make my plans a success by any means necessary! I have the resolve, the gusto, to see through to its end! So no matter what happens, I will not lose my composure, a gentleman never does! Indeed, that's what makes me the Gentle Crimin–" Gentle rambled. But before Mineta could even voice his doubt over his supposed composure, Midoriya interrupted the Villain.

"You're no gentleman! You wouldn't be planning to do something to UA if you were! Now tell us what that something is!"

Midoriya took aim with his fingers again as Gentle simply stared at the two boys. Mineta continued to observe him with Midoriya, doing his best to try and figure out this strange vibe he is getting from Gentle. All Villains and criminals usually had this air of menace and fearsomeness to them regardless of how dangerous they were. But Gentle…

He has no such presence. It's like this man was only pretending to be a nefarious Villain and this entire thing was all he has left…

"Please, don't lump me with those cretins from the League of Villains. I would never do something as sinister as kidnap or stab innocent someone. I simply want to infiltrate your Culture Festival, perhaps take some photos with my partner, and leave. That's it, nothing more than that. So please young lads… Overlook this!" Gentle explained before lowering his head as though pleading.

Mineta couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was this plan of his really just some site seeing like some tourist? And while harmless compared to the usual stuff Mineta and Midoriya goes through, it was the idea of it that was problematic. If someone as lowly as Gentle makes an attempt, other, more dangerous Villains will want to try too and they will be the ones doing real damage. And this will happen regardless of Gentle's success or failure.

Gentle is literally holding the lever to the floodgate and he doesn't realize it.

"Even if you really are only going to do as you say, we can't let you through. UA is on edge from all the nonsense we've been through. So even a single outsider like you can cause security to go nuts and shut everything down. You'll never even get close to our school before you're caught! So just give up already!" Mineta replied, pointing out the obvious issue with this 'plan' of his.

"Worry not, I've thought ahead on that too. My partner has rendered the alarm ineffective, so nothing will be cancelled. I will be able to proceed with my infiltration without a hitch and you'll both still have a Festival to enjoy. That's a win-win situation is it not?" Gentle replied with a hearty laugh. Okay, now Mineta was sure this guy was not a Villain but an idiot. On what planet would that be a win-win situation?

"It isn't! That would just cause an even bigger problem!" Midoriya shouted.

"I suppose you're right!" Gentle replied, still laughing. The shorter boy could only let out an exasperated groan as this guy was not only an idiot, but self-aware enough to know how problematic this all was going to be. Honestly, this type of person is the most dangerous kind of Villain. That meant that Gentle really was going to see this all to the very end.

"That is why I really must get going, before things get any more troublesome." Gentle said.

"Well too bad! We've already contacted the police, so we're going to keep you here until they've arrived." Midoriya replied, his green eyes narrowing on the Villain. That was a lie, though Mineta hopes that makes him actually see reason and surrender before things get truly serious. But with the way Gentle was acting, both Mineta and Midoriya knew he wasn't about to give up on anything.

"Then I truly apologize…" Gentle began as he lowered his head again, one of his legs moving with the motion. Mineta saw the way the air shimmered and immediately began moving, Midoriya shortly following just a moment after. However, their foe had sprung off the invisible platform he has made and bounced up. The shorter boy dropped a hairball and sprung off of it. If he wanted to act like a Villain, they'll show him exactly what that entails.

"But before the aftertaste of my tea fades, I will find my way into your school!" Gentle said before he bounced off a vertical I-beam. Mineta kept throwing out hairballs as he gave chase, bouncing off the various beams as he chased Gentle. However, despite his expertise in this type of motion, Mineta found himself unable to close the distance between them. Gentle was just as proficient at bouncing around as he was.

"Faster, I need to go faster!" Mineta thought as he bounced towards Gentle with more force. And that seemed to have done the trick. The shorter boy was quickly gaining on the dapper Villain, allowing him to ready a strike against him. But before he swung, Mineta crashed face first into an elastic barrier. And while he instantly rebounded, the world spun slowly around Mineta as his thoughts raced to comprehend what just happened.

When had Gentle put that up? Was Mineta so focused on his own thoughts that he neglected to focus on what his enemy was doing? What a blunder to make… If this had been any other Villain, Mineta would've probably died.

The shorter boy felt Midoriya's hands catch him, allowing his thoughts to return to the current battle. But what Mineta saw next wasn't all that encouraging. Since the green haired boy's hands were full, Midoriya couldn't defend himself against the sudden attack to the face. Mineta blinked and looked at Gentle, who was several meters away from them on another beam. How did he…?

That's when Mineta saw a dozen, near transparent orbs floating before Gentle as he held back what looked like a stretched out film.

"Oh Hell…"

"Gentle Arrows!" Gentle shouted as he released the film. The orbs were launched forward and began pummeling the two boys. But while the initial impact didn't hurt too badly, akin to being hit by volleyballs, the attack had disorientated the two long enough to cause them to harshly crash onto the floor. Midoriya and Mineta had let out a groan before quickly getting back on their feet, realizing that Gentle will escape if they don't keep up the pressure.

And by some miracle, the dapper Villain was still there, making some passionate speech to La Brava and the camera she held. She must've caught up while they weren't looking, but she wasn't exactly of consequence to this fight. Still, it's best if Midoriya and Mineta dealt with both of them quickly, lest the internet finds two of UA Heroes-in-Training eating dirt because of a minor Villain.

"Let's try this again." Mineta said as the two began charging forward.

"Careful young Heroes and you'd best heed my words..." Gentle began as he began causing the beam he stood on to aggressively wobble. He still held onto it though, instead of bouncing off of it to another beam. Mineta stopped charging and began observing him, trying to figure out just what this dapper Villain was planning.

"I cannot undo the effects of my Quirk, the object simply returns to its original state over time. However, the unusual bouncing vibration will continue vibrating, even as it hardens. What's more, I've removed most of the bolts from this beam I'm standing on… After all this, what do you think will happen next?" Gentle continued as the sound of straining metal began filling the air.

The gears halted in Mineta's head as he realized what all of this meant, something that Midoriya realized as well. The green haired boy looked over the edge; his green eyes shrinking as he no doubt saw something that would make this current problem worse. Midoriya darted forward just as Gentle jumped off the beam he was standing on.

And in that instant, the beam collapsed.

Midoriya was able to get underneath and catch it. However, it seemed like he was unable to move, no doubt pinned by its great weight. Even if Midoriya had grown quite strong, he still had to balance a lengthy mass of steel over his head while standing on another I-beam. Mineta could only watch as the green haired boy adjusted One for All's power level to better handle it.

This proved to be a mistake.

"Guh!?" Mineta grunted as he fell over from a rather heavy force hitting the side of his face. The world spun, his limbs felt unresponsive and heavy, and his thoughts were foggy. Still, on instinct, his eyes darted to the source of that force; he found Gentle preparing the hook end of a crane with La Brava running up to him.

"That was a bit more forceful than I intended, my apologies… But you young men are quite tenacious, so this was the only way to keep you both off my tail. So please, excuse me as I return to my original goal of infiltrating your school. Don't worry, I'm sure someone will discover you and rescue you from your plight." Gentle said before he and La Brava were flung by the elasticized crane.

"Wait!" Mineta shouted as he stumbled to his feet. A rush of air blew past Mineta and went straight for the dapper Villain, knocking him off course for a few seconds. The shorter boy looked back at Midoriya, the sparks of One for All dancing more intensely as he held up the I-beam with one hand. And quickly after getting both hands back on the I-beam, he carefully lowered one end onto the ground.

With a push, Midoriya sent himself and the beam down onto the floor with a crash. With that, terror of the loose beam has passed.

But without losing any time, Midoriya darted forward and picked up Mineta. He then hopped onto the still elasticized crane and was flung in the direction of Gentle and La Brava.

"This was more difficult than I was expecting… But I think I've got a grasp of his abilities. You?" Mineta asked as the fogginess in his head finally cleared.

"Yeah, he should be no problem from here on out. He's gotten pretty close to UA though…" Midoriya replied.

"And that will be as far as he gets. Let's go." Mineta said.

"Yeah!"

And that has been Chapter 115!

At some point, I wanted to have Mineta and Midoriya react to Gentle's video, setting him up earlier... However, I realized there was no need for that as you all know this battle will occur. Also, Gentle and La Brava, as I've come to realize over the course of planning this story, has a pretty important purpose in this section of the story.

Do you know what that is?

Anyhow, that is all I have for this update. So with all that said...

Until Next Time. T1.