I own nothing. Warning, may contain Out of Character moments.


Even though he was away for just one day, Mineta sorely missed UA. Home was great and all, but life would be just too confining and predictable if he stayed in. Here at UA, he could aim for bigger and better things. He could become worthy of Midoriya's friendship. He could, somehow, land a date with one of the fine ladies in his class. He could even witness the strangest of things occur.

Like he and the rest of 1A was about to right now.

"Morning. Now, let's not waste any time and get straight to business." Aizawa said as he walked in the door. Now that would've been the end of the story had it not been for the fact that their teacher was completely wrapped in bandages. Both of his arms were in casts while his face was covered up in thick gauze. Honestly, if it wasn't for his clothes and the mess of hair spilling out from his head, Mineta would've thought a mummy had escaped from the World History Museum in Tokyo.

That still didn't stop him from vocalizing his concerns over his former master.

"Jesus! How are you even on your feet?"

"Tenacity, something you'll all have plenty of by the time you graduate. But that isn't the main concern right now… Your fight is far from over…" Aizawa replied as he took his place behind the lectern. Now that caused the air in the class to chill by several degrees. Mineta swallowed the lump that formed his throat; they didn't have to fight more Villains right? Right?

"Sensei, by that you mean…?" Iida asked warily. Thank God for his honest soul, asking all the right questions and saving Mineta from confronting his deepest fears. Sure he wanted to become a great hero and partner to Midoriya, but there was no sense in rushing it. The best made plans require plenty of time, resources, and effort to put together.

"What I'm referring to is the rapidly approaching UA Sports Festival." Aizawa answered as his tired eyes glared at 1A from between the bandages. But that didn't faze them all as much as it should; being that the classroom was too busy exploding with enthusiasm. As for Mineta, he was slowly sliding down his seat as the tension began leaving his body.

"It's something normal… Well, as normal as having the entirety of Japan watching your every move can be… Though doesn't that mean the Villains who attacked us will be watching too? Probably, but I guess there's nothing that could be done about that. It takes more than shreds of paranoia to stop the most popular event of the season from airing." Mineta thought before his ears returned to listening to Aizawa.

"And because of the audience size, you'll need to be performing better than your best. As this is not only an event to show off your passion and vigor and whatever. It is in fact your greatest opportunity in your career as Heroes in Training." Aizawa said.

"We'll be scouted by Pro Heroes, correct Sensei?" Yaoyorozu asked. And though everyone knew of this fact, the girl still managed to whip up some extra energy out of everyone. Even Mineta was now feeling the excitement over all of this, his Villain anxiety finally subsiding in favor of a more hopeful future. It also helped that the person who got his blood pumping, in several ways, was absurdly attractive.

"Absolutely, they will be scrutinizing every detail of your performance. So work hard, this event only comes once a year and you'll only get three chances to leave a mark. Don't waste it." Aizawa answered before moving onto regular homeroom business. But even as 1A transitions to their regular school work, nothing could keep the Sports Festival from prodding their brains constantly. With each student finding their own ways to make it big at their first UA Sports Festival, this would certainly become an event they wouldn't forget.

Mineta stretched as Cementoss left the room, their fourth period class has just ended. And the moment the lunch bell finished ringing, 1A exploded into many conversations. Tuning his ears, he began listen to his classmates and their thoughts. Kirishima was especially pumped, barely containing his voice to prevent his classmate's ears from exploding. Kaminari was talking about his possible prospects as a sidekick in the future while Kyouka was shooting him down every step of the way.

It was all pretty overwhelming.

"Hey Midoriya, how do you feel about this?" Mineta asked as he and his partner got up from their seats.

"Hmmm… I'm excited but also a little nervous…" Midoriya answered, his hand placed over his chin. The shorter boy raised an eyebrow to that. He knew his partner wasn't that good with crowds… But the chance of him being noticed by the greats should override those feelings of anxiety. This was, after all, the first great step in their careers to become legends themselves. Midoriya really must have a good reason for that.

"Really? I mean, you've been doing well recently, so I thought you'd want to show all that growth off… Is this about your Quirk?"

Midoriya sighed and began scratching at the back of his head. "You got me… Don't you think it'll be harder for me because of my inexperience? The Pros will see that and turn to someone with better odds, like Kacchan."

"I'm sure you'll figure something out. And besides, anyone who passes on you should get their eyes checked." Mineta said with a hand wave. And he was being completely earnest about that last statement. Anyone who didn't see Midoriya's potential the way he did and Mineta will know those people are third rate at best. You could blame all the prejudice they faced during their middle school years for that assumption.

"Midoriya-kun! Mineta-kun! Why are you both looking like that? Are you not in high spirits? Are you not feeling it?" Iida asked as he, Uraraka, and Tsuyu walked over. Though with Iida, it's more like shimmy over as he was in the middle of some weird dance. The class president must be containing his emotions over this and was barely succeeding. Naturally, all who saw this had raised an eyebrow. And this is in spite of knowing why.

"If that's feeling it, then I guess not… But that's probably the mood whiplash talking." Mineta replied.

"Mood whiplash?" Iida asked, stopping his weird dance.

"What Mineta-kun meant was we went from 'fighting for our lives' to 'normal school business' in two days. If you can count the biggest athletic event in Japan as normal…" Midoriya explained.

"Ah yes, it is quite the contrast. But for UA to move onward despite that all that… It is nothing short of inspirational! So we must do our best as well, right Uraraka-kun?" Iida said, energy overflowing from his voice. He proceeded to look over to their gravity defying classmate, directing Midoriya and Mineta's attention to her as well. But what they saw wasn't the bubbly girl they've come to know…

Instead, it was a Lady of War emitting an aura of searing bloodlust.

"Yeah… Let's do our best…" Uraraka answered as her throat rumbled from the low growl that escaped it. Mineta reflexively hid behind his partner as Midoriya backed away a step from the girl. Normally, the shorter boy would be cursing himself for displaying such cowardice, especially after what had transpired two days ago. But even he had to admit, this was not a situation he wanted anything to do with. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned after all…

"Jesus Christ, what possessed you? Is it that time month already?" Mineta blurted out. Once more, his more rational half of his brain was kicking him for saying something so tactless. But quickly looking around, everyone was a little too preoccupied by an overly zealous and aggressive Uraraka to care. All except Tsuyu, who just stared at him with her usual nonchalant expression.

Although… Mineta could feel the unflinching gaze of her blank eyes pierced right through him.

"LET'S DO OUR BEST!" Uraraka shouted, turning to a cluster of their classmates. Mineta focus returned to the gravity defy girl and saw how she riled others in 1A to an awkward cheer. It was both a sight that inspired Mineta… And questioned whether or not he needed to change his trousers. Because, if anything, that girl could very well raise Hell with that aura alone.

"Alright, Uraraka-san, let's calm down before you traumatize someone. And we might miss lunch at this rate…" Midoriya said as he nervously laid a hand on his classmate's shoulder. It was almost as though a switch was flicked as Uraraka instantly went back to her normal cheerful self. Make of that however you want, but at the very least, Mineta didn't have to worry about his classmate turning into a demon.

"Then off we go." Uraraka said as she happily marched off. Iida looked between Midoriya and Mineta, apparently more than a little confused at what just happened. The former just scratched at his cheek as he let out a shy chuckle. Mineta just shrugged, even if he sort of understood what just occurred. Still, it was probably best if they all got a move on and not leave Uraraka alone for too long. Who knows if she'll turn aggressive again when they weren't looking…

Then again, Mineta supposed there must be a good reason for the girl to be full of piss and vinegar.

And the opportunity came up when the four were on their way to Lunch Rush' cafeteria. The question sort of came out of nowhere, being that Midoriya really didn't have any way to get it out there in the first place. But others took it in stride and played along as a question or two never really hurt anyone.

"Why I wanted to be a Hero?" Uraraka asked, looking over to a rather shy Midoriya.

"Well… With Iida-kun following his brother and Mineta-kun partnering with me to be a Hero duo, we kind of left you out. And I didn't realize that until now. I mean, you don't have to say anything if it is particularly personal. Just wanted to know…" Midoriya explained, voice wavering a bit at the end. Mineta, despite seeing the same awkward personality that his partner had always displayed (especially around girls)… Midoriya managed to not fumble his words. Not only that, he was aiming to understand Uraraka just a bit more.

"My boy, he's growing up so fast…" Mineta thought before turning his attention back to his cheery classmate.

"It's not that personal, just a bit embarrassing… Compared to you, Iida-kun, and Mineta-kun, it's not nearly as noble…" Uraraka said as she began scratching the back of her head at an uncomfortable speed.

"I can think of some really horrid reasons to be a Hero. So I'm sure you're over thinking it." Mineta replied. The shorter boy felt like he had the clout to say that. After all, he could think of someone amongst their little group that had a terrible, secondary motivation towards Heroism. Three guesses to whom that maybe…

And no, the first two guesses don't count.

"Like Mineta-kun said, I'm sure it's not so bad." Midoriya said with a nod.

"Well… I'm only in it for the money…" Uraraka said, the hand scratching at the back of her head becoming several tempos faster. Mineta raised an eyebrow to that. Only in it for the money? That seemed a little too self-centered for a kind girl like her. Perhaps this wasn't the whole story, causing Mineta to hold his tongue.

"Told you it's embarrassing…" Uraraka sighed, her cheeks turning a shade darker.

"I understand why you're uncomfortable, but there is nothing wrong with your reasoning. Seeking a more comfortable lifestyle is a common desire that most people work towards." Iida replied as his arms became a spatial hazard. Midoriya and Mineta quickly stepped out of the way as the former followed up on his class president's thoughts.

"Yeah, what Iida-kun said. Though hearing that from you was a bit surprising…"

"Well the way I see it, she probably has a good reason for needing the money." Mineta commented, putting his earlier suspicions out there.

"You got me… My family runs a construction company, but we haven't got any work in a while… So we're all poorer than poor… Please don't tell anyone that." Uraraka said, her voice growing increasingly hush as though this was a dire secret. It wasn't, but Mineta supposed she had some sort of image to maintain... Even though he doesn't think anyone would treat her any different just because of her social class.

"Construction… If you got permission, wouldn't your Quirk help cut costs?" Midoriya asked.

"That's what I told them! But…" Uraraka trailed off as her expression grew soft, most likely recalling words that she held close to her chest. Whatever they were, Mineta could feel the weight of her emotions behind them. To be trusted enough to hear something so sentimental; the shorter boy felt honored and opened his ears to Uraraka.

"My Mom and Dad wanted me to follow my own dreams… To become a Hero that anyone could be proud of. It was a little confusing to me back then; it made me wonder if I wasn't ready to help. But thinking about it now, I guess they didn't want me in to be stuck in their shoes. But if that's the case, then I'm going to succeed and get that money for their sakes. Until Mom and Dad are living easier lives, I won't stop working to become the Hero they know I can be."

Mineta, Midoriya, and Iida stared at their classmate, noting the flame of resolve burning within her gentle eyes. This outwardly determined look was kind of uncommon on the normally cheerful Uraraka… But it wasn't unwelcomed. In fact, it just made the girl all the more appealing.

"Damn girl… How is that embarrassing?" Mineta asked, a smile spreading across his face. Iida, on the other hand, began to express his awe in the least elegant and most bombastic manner possible... A standing ovation, even though he is already standing.

"BRAVO! BRAVO URARAKA-KUN!"

"You don't have to make such a big deal about it Iida-kun…" Uraraka said as her cheeks grew red again.

"I mean, when hasn't Iida-kun made a big deal out of something? Not that he's wrong to feel that way though, your commitment's inspiring." Midoriya replied. Before Mineta's thoughts could go to inwardly cheer his partner for his smooth compliment, a familiar booming laugh filled the hallway. The group flinched as they turned to the source, the only capable of performing such a thunderous humor.

"There you two are! Young Midoriya, Young Mineta, I have a request to make of you…" All Might said, dashing out from around the corner. He then proceeded to daintily hold out a bento wrapped in a cloth with bunnies printed all over it. The contrast between the action and the person doing it was beyond astounding.

"Care to have lunch with me?"

"He's like a schoolgirl!" Uraraka said as her lungs burst with laughter. For Mineta and Midoriya, however, they just looked at each other before looking at the Number One Hero, brows raised between them.

"Sure…"

The duo began to approach All Might, their strides filled with a curious urgency unlike anything anyone has seen. After all, when the Symbol of Peace calls, it's only appropriate that one should answer. Still, it did leave the two boys wondering…

"What's this about?"


And that has been Chapter 18! Now I know what you're thinking... But what about the weird magazine? Don't worry, I'm turning it into something great and stupid. So please look forward to that.

"I got a sneak peek and oh-boy, things get crazy."

Alas, that is a story for another time. For now, here we all stand upon the gates of the Sports Festival arc. Now, like I said before, it is hard to try to change the course of the story while retaining the important events, but God damn it I will try and ride through the fire and the flames.

"Insert Dragonforce joke here."

And I will be relying on you, dear readers on my progress through this endeavor. Remember, only with your words can we defeat the evil known as Terrible Fan Fiction. Only you have the power.

"Insert cheesy 80's cartoon joke here."

Anyhow, I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things. I'm getting accustomed to my new job as a tutor, getting a handle on my responsibilities, and finally beating a game that has been consuming the rest of my free time. But I'm kind of worried that I haven't made that much progress on my original work... So wish me luck on that front.

"Ah, the pains of being a writer... Feels good doesn't it?"

Not at all. Regardless, that is all the news I have for you for all this update. So next time on The Saint and The Sinner, will Mineta learn the deep dark secrets of All Might and Midoriya? The answer will be revealed in the next chapter. I hope to see you there.

"Spoiler alert, it's probably not what you're expecting."

With all that said...

Until Next Time. T1.