I own nothing. May contain Out of Character moments.


Mandalay's room was surprisingly average as far as personal rooms go, even if it was a bit on the larger side. The hardwood flooring matched the dressers, desk, coffee table, and bed frame. The bed itself, as well as the couch, looked incredibly comfortable to sleep on. A modest flat screen TV sat on a basic shelf, a multimedia player, which was on, and an assortment of DVDs within it. Various pictures of the different members of the Wild Pussycats dot the walls, with some dedicated to Mandalay, Kouta, and two other Heroes.

With what Todoroki had shared, Mineta knew where to start first. And it was a good thing too, otherwise he'd be tempted to look in all the wrong places. He quickly made a beeline to the TV stand as Midoriya began studying the photos. And already did things look bleak for this investigation into Kouta's behavior.

"The two Heroes with Mandalay and Kouta-kun… They're Water Horse…" Midoriya said, eyes unable to tear away from the photos. And though his partner couldn't see him, Mineta sadly nodded as he picked up the open DVD case on the TV stand. The Water Horse Commemorative, the complete collection of interviews, specials, and deeds of the husband and wife Hero team…

Whenever Midoriya and Mineta studied Hero pairs, they always make a note on what the relationships were between them. Then, by reviewing combat footage, the two would determine just how that relationship affects their combat ability. And unsurprisingly, lifelong friends, close family, and loving spouses had the best synergies compared to all other pairs. Water Horse was a great example of that third category.

They weren't the strongest Hero Pair, but they certainly fought like it.

"They were killed driving back a Villain…" Midoriya continued, sadly looking at a particularly happy photo. It was of Kouta happily playing with the two Heroes in front of this very forest lodge. And it was this that confirmed what Mineta and Midoriya had suspected since seeing these items. Honestly, the shorter boy forgot this was something that could happen. One of the terrible realities that the optimistic light of Heroics blinded him to…

Heroes could lose their families… And families could lose their Heroes…

"The kid's an orphan. He's hurting because he sees his parents in all of us. And he could only deal with that by being angry and alone." Mineta said as he studied the photos too. Kouta of the past looked like any other kid, his eyes soft with all the hope in the world. Kouta of the present, after what happened, has only despair and wrath.

"Eraserhead's right, you two are problem children."

The pair flinched as they snapped towards the door; a scowling Mandalay with her arms folded stood there. Mineta simply stared at the Heroine in horror as he heard his best friend try and stammer out an excuse. But when the Heroine gave a tired sigh, the two stopped and just observed. Mandalay walked over and picked up the remote to the TV. And with a single press of the button, the screen came to life, paused on a single frame.

Water Horse, or rather Mr. and Mrs. Izumi, were doing an interview. 'What would your careers be like if you had children' was the current question. The scene began playing, the couples' actions and answers hitting Midoriya and Mineta. They've seen this interview before… But because of what they know now, an ache began making its way into their heart.

"Whoa, I wasn't expecting that so soon? We've only been married for a month." Mr. Izumi said, taking a step back from the interviewer.

"It is something worth considering though… This sort of thing has plagued other married Heroes, past and present, with all sorts of problems. Being pulled away from them at any given time, being unable to work to look after them, the danger of having both lives cross… It's just plain stressful." Mrs. Izumi answered, hand resting on her cheek.

"So you're not going to have children then?" The interviewer asked. The pair was momentarily shocked before a passionate glare quickly took over. This time, it was the interviewer's turn to back away from Water Horse.

"Don't put words in our mouth. I know for a fact that Yoko wants a kid. Hell, thinking about it, I could already see myself showing them off to anyone who'll listen. They'll be our greatest gift to Japan and the world." Mr. Izumi answered, taking his wife by the waist.

"It'll be difficult for sure, to keep our family and Hero lives working smoothly. But Ushio and I are more than capable of doing that. We just need to live by the words of the Hunting Hero Foxtrot. 'Chasing and catching two hares is nothing but a matter of preparation and determination'. We'll make it happen and that's a promise." She added, jabbing her finger at the hapless interviewer.

The video was then paused again, snapping Mineta back to the present. He looked towards Mandalay and found her still staring at the Water Horse pair with melancholic eyes. They were her family too, so she must still bear scars as well.

"Kouta-kun was born five years ago, but they lived up to their promise. Yoko and Ushio didn't miss anything with Kouta-kun and Water Horse didn't miss a call to duty. They fought, tooth and nail, to ensure everything was perfect." Mandalay said, gesturing to one of the photos. It depicted one of Kouta's birthdays, both parents standing happily in their scorched costumes around their excited son.

To see them go through literal fire and flames so they wouldn't be late for their son's birthday, it gave Mineta a new appreciation for Water Horse. Their dreams had become reality. And, despite the difficulty, the couple was able to maintain it. An inspirational effort that proves a successful career and a healthy family is possible.

Mineta faced Midoriya with renewed hope, only to catch the clouds gathering in his partner's green eyes. The shorter boy quickly followed his gaze and it landed back on the earlier picture. But instead of focusing on the subjects, Midoriya was looking at the date. December 12th of last year, a time that forced Mineta to remember the current mood.

"Kouta-kun's parents… They passed away recently…" Midoriya said with a gravely quiet voice. If that was the case, it's no wonder the kid was in pain. Despair still had a hold over him.

"Mid January… That's when his whole world turned upside down. And though they died a Heroic death, all Kouta-kun understood was that his parents left him all alone. He grew to hate Heroes right at that moment; I even think he dislikes me and the other Pussycats. But with no one else to turn to, he has no choice but to be here." Mandalay said with a long sigh. She then turned off the TV and met the troubled eyes of Midoriya and Mineta.

"I didn't tell you this so that you can step in and help. This is a family problem and you have no obligation to do so. I just want you to be patient with Kouta-kun, considering he…" She then began gesturing to the green haired boy's lower waist, to which he winced and nodded. The heroine proceeded to step aside, showing the two boys the door out. Midoriya and Mineta didn't do or say anything else, their feet moving towards the exit. And when they stepped out, Mandalay said one last thing.

"Also, I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything to Kouta-kun. He doesn't like it when people talk about the things he's been through." She then closed her door, leaving the duo with a lot resting on their minds. But the first thing to be done was to head to bed; it was getting late after all.

"Mineta-kun?" Midoriya asked softly as his pace slowed to a stop. Mineta looked back before he halted his own feet as well.

"Yeah partner?"

"… Despite what Mandalay said, I want to help. But I have no idea where to start? With the way I am, I can't imagine things from his point of view. I'm afraid of saying something wrong and losing him for good. It makes me wonder if I could be like All Might…" He replied, his fist clenched at his sides.

"I hear you… But I think I know where to start. Midoriya, what is a Hero to you?" Mineta said, determination rising within his small frame.

"A Hero… A Hero is someone who brings hope for a better tomorrow. Like you were to me three years ago." Midoriya answered. The momentary pause made the green haired boy remember something. And that something returned some luster to his eyes. Just as it happened so many times since the two became friends. Mineta nodded as a confident smile began to spread across his lips.

"And you to me a few months ago. As long as we're there, I'm sure Kouta will open up to us in due time. All he needs, after all, is someone he can talk to. And not to brag, but we're pretty good at the listening part."

"Makes me think we should open our own therapy office." Midoriya said with a slight chuckle. But after a quick laugh, the two regained an air of professionalism. The shorter boy could already tell what his partner was about to say. Despite their plan of action, they should still be careful about this. They were treading on severely sensitive ground, one several times more perilous than prior incidents.

Though, given what the duo has faced, no student was prepared to handle chaotic emotions like Midoriya and Mineta. And so, with a bump of each other's fists…

"I'll be counting on you, Mineta-kun."

"And so will I Midoriya."


And that has been Chapter 67. A little shorter than usual, but I did what I could with what I'm aiming for.

Kouta's story, in canon, is rather lacking. Whilst 'child losing parents' already says a lot... I feel, if we knew more about WHO Water Horse was to Kouta, we would've had a greater understanding of what Kouta lost. And by having an understanding of that, Midoriya and Mineta could better approach this lost child and save him from his pain...

Or so I believe. But what do you think about my approach to this? Don't worry if this doesn't seem like much, since I'll be adding in things from Kouta's perspective as we go.

Any how, that's all I have for this week. Next week, we'll going through training Hell before Mineta and Midoriya show everyone why they're partners. So with all that said...

Until Next Time. T1.