I own nothing. May contain Out of Character moments.
Day 10
Today was the final day for Mineta and Class 1A to finish their training. And since tomorrow was the provisional license, they had to make every moment count. Or that's what Mineta would be saying if Aizawa hadn't thrown a literal curveball at them.
You see… Instead of meeting at the TDL, 1A was instructed to meet at the sports fields in their PE uniforms. Specifically, they were told to go to the baseball diamond. And though Mineta knew what his friends and classmates were doing today… He still wanted to know why. Why a game of baseball? Why now of all times?
"… Actually, this could be my chance." Mineta thought. Currently 1A was standing just beyond the gate to the baseball field. And, despite the fact that it's still summer vacation for most, the shorter boy saw what could only be the Baseball team preparing equipment and the diamond itself. And over by one of the equipment piles was 1B doing their best to keep Monoma in line.
If Mineta had to guess, he was probably looking forward to finally 'crushing' 1A. But that wasn't his concern right now…
The shorter boy proceeded to carefully glance at his partner, only to meet Midoriya's gaze in the middle of it. The two stared for a few moments before slowly turning away. Despite the feelings of regret within Mineta, he couldn't bring himself to speak to Midoriya yet. And he knew his partner felt the same…
But all that pain will end today, right here on this diamond. Because if they couldn't do it through their words… If they couldn't do it through their actions… Mineta knew they could do it through their balls.
…
Mineta slapped himself in the face as a single mutter escaped his throat. "Why?"
"Aizawa-sensei, if I may… Why have you brought us here?" Iida asked, raising his hand. Their scraggly teacher turned around, his eyes slowly scanning the students before him.
"Do you remember what I told you on the first day of training? Well, after reviewing how you all progressed, I can definitely say you're more than ready for the License Exam. So, as promised, I'm rewarding you."
"While we appreciate that… Not all of us know how the sport is played…" Yaoyorozu replied, raising her hand. That was when an elderly man with a bushy mustache and aviator sunglasses stepped around from behind Aizawa. And despite his advanced age, Mineta could feel a powerful will radiating from him.
"And that's where I come in. Good morning Heroes, I'm Yamamoto Isamu, coach of the UA's Baseball team. Pleased to meet you."
After 1A responded to his greeting, Coach Yamamoto's ancient eyes began noting the different bodies and builds of the students before him. He then walked over to Midoriya and pointed at him, startling the poor boy.
"You're going to be your class's catcher."
Mineta's eyes widened in surprise, how did he know his partner was the most suited to it? And before anyone one could question it, the Coach began pointing at others and assigned them a role on the team. This left 1A rolling in confusion as they began wondering just what this old man's doing. And that was when he came across Bakugou.
"Hmmm… You've got the speed, power, and potential… But none of the control…" Coach Yamamoto commented before moving away from him.
"Hey! What about my role on the team!?" Bakugou asked, only to be ignored. That was when the Coach approached Mineta. The shorter boy began to sweat as he could feel the elder's gaze from behind his sunglasses. He began muttering something that Mineta could barely hear over Kirishima's attempts at calming Bakugou.
"Has experienced pitching… Refinement could turn him into a serious contender… But severely lacks a presence..."
He then walked away, leaving Mineta a general idea of what was going through the Coach's head. He wanted to choose a pitcher for 1A, but is weighing out the differences between Bakugou and Mineta. But the shorter boy didn't understand why there was a need to compare? He had already had the experience, so it should be him on the mound.
Then again, Mineta never pitched against actual batters…
"I'll let you decide who the starting pitcher is and who the relief is. Remember to consider everything, including how the enemy team thinks." Coach Yamamoto said before he began walking towards 1B. Mineta scratched at the back of his head before turning to Bakugou. And that was when, for the first time in a while, the shorter boy looked into his nemesis' eyes.
Past the usual harsh glare and angry expression, an all too familiar shadow could be seen. Mineta blinked as the explosive blonde turned away with a scowl. Did the shorter boy really just see that? In Bakugou of all people?
"So… Mineta as the pitcher?" Sero asked.
"Yeah! Obvio–" Hagakure began before Bakugou interrupted.
"Hold it right there invisible girl. It's risky as Hell to start with him. Sure our defense would be strong as shit… But what happens when those gaggle of fucks get used to his throws?"
Bakugou then proceeded to jab his thumb over to 1B, directing 1A's attention. That was when they saw Monoma laugh maniacally before Kendo rendered him unconscious. While the sight was always amusing to Mineta, he had to concede to Bakugou's point. They were a Hero class too, so them adapting wasn't impossible. Not only that, 1B already saw what he and Midoriya were capable of at the Forest lodge…
"Yeah… But what about…?" Uraraka asked nervously, her eyes going between Midoriya and Mineta. 1A, as much as possible, avoided bringing up the rift that still divided the pair. This wasn't done because they weren't concerned with the on-going drama… Rather, they wished to respect Midoriya and Mineta's decision to settle it themselves. After all…
The fault was theirs and theirs alone.
"… What do you think?" Bakugou asked as he glanced towards Mineta. The shorter boy shook out of the past and focused on the present. But when looking towards the explosive blonde, Mineta noticed the familiar shadow in his eyes again. Honestly, it didn't seem real… But if it was, then maybe Mineta should help him.
At the very least, Bakugou would owe him for this.
"I really don't want to hear Monoma's gloating if 1B somehow wins… So feel free to take the mound. But don't think I won't step in the moment you screw up." Mineta answered, brows furrowing. Bakugou simply hardened his glare before turning to the other person he needs to convince. Though based on how Midoriya was looking at his old friend, Mineta knew his partner needed no convincing.
"You got a problem with this Deku?"
"Kacchan, as long as you can get the ball to me, I'll be good." Midoriya answered with a steady nod. Bakugou just continued to glare at the green haired boy before walking off. But as Mineta turned to his partner again, he found Midoriya standing before him. Their eyes met…
And their gazes stayed connected for more than a few moments.
"That certainly complicates things…" Midoriya commented with a sad smile.
"It's about par for the course with him… See you on the field?" Mineta replied with a nod.
"See you on the field…" He repeated as he broke off from the group. Mineta practically heard 1A let out a tense sigh, no doubt hoping this would be the moment. But before the shorter boy went off to do his thing, he turned to address his friends and classmates. This shouldn't have to bear this burden…
"Guys, we'll be fine. There may be a wrench in it, but I feel today's the day. So let's just get out there and play the greatest game of our lives."
"You sure Dude? Cause if it's Bakugou… You two might not get the chance." Kaminari asked.
"We could still convince him otherwise if you like." Shouji added, stepping forward.
"Again, it's okay. The guy has his reasons for stepping up… So let him go wild, it could do him some good." Mineta replied, shaking his head. 1A didn't look too convinced. But with Bakugou, Midoriya, and Mineta set on this path, there wasn't much they could do. Not much except having faith in the shorter boy's words and the game they were going to play.
So with that, 1A began breaking up to receive instruction from members of the baseball team about their position. Mineta, after stretching, began pitching to Yaoyorozu, 1A's backup catcher. And though she lost the ball trying to follow its trajectory, her earnest attempts at learning was admirable. So much so, Yaoyorozu almost distracted Mineta from the shouting that occurred not too far away from them.
Almost…
"Die!"
Bakugou's shout drew the shorter boy's attention again as his fast ball struck Midoriya's mitt with a solid smack. And just from seeing that fast ball a few times, Mineta could tell Bakugou generated more speed than he ever could. His control, however, was something left to be desired. Each time he pitches, the ball goes to a random spot in the strike zone and rarely passes the same spot twice.
It made Bakugou look like a defective gun, unable to even fire straight.
Though that meant little for his catcher, for he was able to meet each and every pitch without fail.
"Kacchan, you can't just yell that every time you throw something!" Midoriya replied before tossing the baseball back.
"Shut up Deku! I do what I want!"
Mineta continued to watch the uneasy rally with a melancholic longing. Despite the person he was working with, Midoriya looked like he was having fun. And while Mineta enjoyed his time with Yaoyorozu, their rallies didn't feel the same. It lacked the power and challenge that the shorter boy was used to, not that he could even blame Yaoyorozu for that. She was doing her best…
"Mineta-san, do want to pitch to someone with more experience?" Yaoyorozu asked. Mineta snapped back to her and saw the dejected look on her face, quickly causing him to shake his head.
"No! No! You're doing fine! I'm going to throw a fast ball to you, so get ready."
The regal girl, still a little uncertain, nodded as she readied her mitt in the middle of box 3. Time slowed as Mineta focused on his target. He raised his leg and stepped forward as his left arm pulled back. His body soon twisted forward as he slung his arm forward. And soon enough, the ball left his fingers and sailed through the air before hitting Yayorozu's mitt with a POW.
"You're throws have a lot more power than I expected… And you got it to me perfectly… Is this what Midoriya-san feels each time you play catch with him?" Yaoyorozu asked as she regained her balance. This was another thing Mineta couldn't help but observe about the regal girl. Every time she receives a pitch, she loses her footing for a moment. And that slows down the pacing of the rally even more…
"You bet. So stay ready, I'm going to throw a tricky one next." Mineta replied as Yaoyorozu tossed the ball back. She nodded back and readied her mitt in the corner of box 7. But before the shorter boy could begin his pitch, he caught something in his peripheral vision. He turned and saw a short haired teen with red sweatbands on his wrists. And the guy was just watching Mineta.
"Oh don't mind me, carry on." He said with a smile.
Mineta just stared for a moment before slowly turning back to Yaoyorozu. He went through the motions again and pitched a two-seam fast ball. Despite the winding nature of the pitch, the regal girl kept her mitt from moving. And when it she caught it, Yaoyorozu was able to maintain her balance. She still looked very surprised however…
"Good throw Mineta-san! It's a bit hard to stay still when I see the ball move like that though…" Yaoyorozu said, throwing the ball back.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it." Mineta replied. He readied himself but waited to see if the guy watching him had any comments. And when he was met only with silence, the shorter boy just continued with the practice. He threw out every pitch he knows as Yaoyorozu caught them with varying success. And though she did miss several times, the determination on her face kept Mineta's own from dropping.
If she was trying her hardest, then so must he. But alas, this spirited rally came to an end when their spectator spoke.
"Okay, I've gotten a grasp of your skills."
Mineta stopped his pitch before it even started. He then turned to the observer with a brow raised. Was there something this guy needed? But before any other thought formed, the spectator began extending his hand out.
"I'm Sugino Hirohito, Class 3D and ace pitcher of the team. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier, I wanted to see your performance before forming any opinions. And I must say you're pretty good. However, there are a few things you must work on. So how about we start with a new pitch?" He greeted. Mineta stared at the hand, then at Sugino, then back at his hand. Was he really their senior?
That was when three specific words finally hit Mineta. A new pitch… Now that he thought about it, the shorter boy never really expanded his pitching past 'good enough'. And why would he? In every situation Mineta pitched, he had achieved what he needed with his current skill level. But now that they're moving into a new era, one without All Might… Good enough won't be enough.
So, with the glove off his right hand, Mineta shook his senior's hand.
"Mineta Minoru and over there is Yaoyorozu Momo… We're in your care."
"I'll do my best. Now show me your Slider grip." Sugino replied. Mineta did so and the senior rotated the ball slightly before adjusting his fingers. The shorter boy stared at it before turning to Yaoyorozu, wondering how this will behave once in flight. The regal girl readied herself, placing her mitt in the exact middle of the strike zone. Mineta went through the motions and pitched it like every other ball.
And sure enough, the ball flew with a slider like trajectory… But there didn't seem to be any major differences between this slider and his old slider.
"Hmmm… You needed to relax your middle finger a little more. Let me show you what it's supposed to look like." Sugino said, tapping his chin.
"Be my guest." Mineta replied as he gave his senior the ball. Sugino's demeanor changed as he entered his pitching stance. The way his eyes focused on Yayorozu's mitt was like that of a sniper taking a shot. And when he began going through the motions, the shorter boy noted just how much tighter Sugino's movements were. And his pitch really showed the difference between their levels of experience.
The ball came out wide, looking like it won't even come close to home plate. But then, in a split second, the ball made the sharpest turn Mineta has ever seen. And in another moment, it hit Yayorozu's mitt with such gusto that she was knocked onto her butt.
"You okay Yaomomo?" Mineta asked. Yaoyorozu nodded her head as she got back onto her feet, tossing the ball back as Sugino caught it. He then passed the ball back to Mineta, who let it rest in his glove.
"So what do you think? That was the Scythe, a pitch my grandfather invented in memory of a slippery teacher."
"… I want to learn it. Please show me the way Senpai!" Mineta answered, taking a bow.
"Then let's start with the grip."
And so, Mineta began learning the secret to this mysterious pitch. In fact, he put in so much effort that it was borderline supernatural. But Sugino didn't mind the shorter boy's intensity, he actually welcomed it. As such, he returned Mineta's passion with his own.
However, despite this, Mineta couldn't help but look over to his partner. Midoriya too was refining his catching and fielding under the baseball team's instruction. And with each receive he made, Mineta wanted to be the one throwing. And with each throw, Mineta wanted to be the one to receive it. All of it has finally made the emotions stewing within Mineta boil over.
"I want to be on that mound…"
And that has been Chapter 85!
Baseball? In my hero academia!? What's going on? Well, this section serves as a prototype for one of my original works that is about baseball. Stay tuned to learn more as you watch 1A and 1B have a friendly competition over this old fashioned game. And don't worry, things won't get too boring. However, I must do my best so that the game won't be too confusing to read.
So with that said...
Until Next Time. T1.
