I own nothing. May contain Out of Character moments.
Unlike Mineta, who was busy dealing with his own paranoia, Midoriya was getting shit done.
He had contacted Gran Torino and found out where he and Mineta could go next. And after a conversation with All Might and Mirio, the pair had set off to meet the Symbol of Peace's former side kick… The sharp, stoic, and, quite frankly, scary Sir Nighteye. It was the weekend, so the two were free to give this endeavor their all.
"Thanks coming with us Senpai. I'm not sure how we'd do if we were on our own." Mineta commented, looking up to the smiling blonde.
"Oh don't go thanking me just yet; Sir's infamous for having super strict standards. He wouldn't give most recruits the time of day unless one of us vouches for them. Even then, you'd have to pass this pretty hard test he gives." Mirio said, smile weakening for a minute.
"C-Could you possibly tell us what this test is?" Midoriya asked as he became as stiff as Iida.
"Come on dude, there's no need to go 32 bit, I'll tell you since you're my kouhai. While he looks serious, Sir's actually got this whole other side to him that only his Heroes are aware of. Believe it or not, but Sir Nighteye has quite an eye for comedy. And to pass his test, you've got to make him laugh at least once during your meeting." Mirio explained before the three of them stopped. Before them was a rather standard office building though it was strangely unmarked.
Then again, telling your enemies where your HQ is could only spell disaster. And that was enough for Mineta to confirm Nighteye's personality as a consummate professional. Unlike some Heroes who have their names boldly plastered on their building, this one is all about function. Only the most serious of business goes on in here. And if what Mirio said was true, then both Mineta and Midoriya were about to be expertly scrutinized…
By a professional.
"Make Sir Nighteye laugh? Are you sure that's the way?" Midoriya asked as he continued to stare at the building looming over them.
"Dude, he works under the guy. And don't worry about the funny front; we've got material that's at least a 7/10." Mineta replied, patting his partner's arm.
"I hope so… I don't want you to get held back because of me…"
"If he believes you've got this, then that's more enough. Now come on, let's get this show on the road before the show gets shown the road!" Mirio replied cheerfully as he proudly marched forward, dragging Mineta and Midoriya in through the office doors. And given their senior's strength, neither of the pair could resist him.
"Togata-senpai, wait! At least give us a little more time to mentally prepare!" Midoriya shouted.
"And you don't have to pull us along!" Mineta added, trying to break free of Mirio's grip.
"Oops, sorry, only wanted to get you through the door. But you guys are obviously just people who need a little push to get fired up. And it's not like either of you will be facing Sir alone, you've got your best bud right next to you." Mirio replied, releasing the pair.
Mineta didn't respond as he reflexively went and touched the pocket his baton was in. Midoriya did the same except he was staring at his right fist. The two then looked to each other as Mirio led the duo up some stairs.
"… You're right Togata-senpai, thank you." Midoriya said, looking back towards the smiling blonde.
"Well if you put it that way… Then I guess we've got no choice but to go all out!" Mineta added as a bold smirk appeared on his face. Mirio's smile grew wider as though he really wanted to show just how proud he was. Which was strange given how Mineta and Midoriya only met him too long ago and the smiling blond was treating them like old friends.
But maybe that's the reason why he was closer to being Number 1 than anyone else… Power, skill, attitude, he's got it all.
"That's the spirit! Now, behind that door is Sir's office. If you guys want to get stronger, throw that door open with your own two hands!" Mirio said, pointing towards the door at the end of the hall. Midoriya and Mineta swallowed the lump in their throat as the two stepped forward with a purpose. Now that their senior had stoked the fires in their heart, nothing will stop them now.
Nothing will stop them from facing Sir Nighteye.
"Sir! I've brought the–!" Mirio began as Midoriya and Mineta threw open the door. However, that introduction was soundly cut off by roaring laughter. And when the shorter boy found the source of it, he lost the nerve to face Nighteye. Strapped to some sort of tickle machine, a blue skinned Heroine was flailing around like crazy, trying to resist the torture, while a tall lanky man in a suit loomed in front of her.
"What did we just walk into!?" Mineta thought, too shocked to even swat away the stray thoughts about the situation that were starting to form.
"It's one of Sir's Sidekicks, Bubble Girl! She didn't show enough humor!" Mirio explained as though that would be an adequate explanation. The lanky man then slowly turned towards the three, his dark piercing gaze shooting through Mineta and Midoriya. It was like they just stumbled into a Horror movie and were now face to face with the Slasher. And one wrong move could spell their horrible end…
That was the kind of atmosphere that surrounded Sir Nighteye.
But, as though to defy this pressure, Midoriya stepped forward and began fiddling with his face. And knowing what his partner was about to do, the shorter boy mustered his courage and faced the lanky Hero.
"We wish to intern under you Sir Nighteye! I am Mineta Minoru and this here is–!" He began before gesturing to his partner.
"Midoriya Izuku!" Midoriya replied, his face making an incredibly striking impression of All Might's. Mineta watched with bated breath as Nighteye carefully studied his partner's face. This skill that Midoriya had practiced for years… While not too funny, it should be enough to get someone to crack a smile. And why wouldn't it? An All Might impression looked hilarious on Midoriya's normally soft face. If this didn't work, then–
"Are you mocking All Might?" Nighteye asked, his glare turning even darker than before. Mineta flinched, taking a back step as the lanky Hero walked towards Midoriya. The sounds of his dress shoes were loudly echoing around despite his actual footsteps being rather light. He absolutely loomed over the green haired boy, Nighteye's face shrouded by shadow while his glasses ominously reflected the light.
"It must be because I was once his sidekick that you've made that face…" Nighteye said before reach towards Midoriya with both hands. Mineta quickly drew his baton and was about to move forward. Mirio quickly held the shorter boy by his backpack, delaying him. But before Mineta could shout at his senpai, he heard this…
"All Might never had a wrinkle here!" Nighteye shouted as he began touching the skin around the green haired boy's right eye. Mineta blinked as he blankly watched the lanky Hero continue to play with his partner's face as though it was a normal thing to do… All the while spouting facts about All Might merchandise…
"The wrinkles around his eyes are around 0.6 cm, 0.8 during his Silver Age. Official and unofficial All Might goods and products are made with these differences in mind. Had these details not been specified, consumers would have no means to differentiate All Might's appearances throughout the eras… This is common knowledge that everyone knows." Nighteye muttered as he continued to adjust Midoriya's face.
"I-It is?" Mineta asked, words reflexively slipping out of his mouth. Nighteye's intense glare immediately switched over to the shorter boy, causing Mineta to flinch. Now he was regretting not asking Fenghuang for work…
"Absolutely, no one would be foolish enough to market All Might in the wrong era. It is commercial suicide and, quite frankly, a grave insult to both the Legend himself and his many fans… You've displeased me. Leave now before my mood is spoiled any further." Nighteye replied before releasing Midoriya and turned away from them. But before any other word could be said, the green haired boy bravely spoke out.
"The Vinegar Suicide Incident! A middle school student fell into a river and, because of his panic, turned the water into vinegar. And despite how much his eyes stung, All Might dove in to rescue the drowning student. In the interview that followed, All Might continued to smile bright despite how tightly shut his eyes were… That was the basis for my impression."
"… NHA TV briefly touched on it during a 'Looking Back' special. It wasn't a particularly notable incident, seeing that there were no Villains involved… But each one of All Might's efforts should be remembered." Nighteye replied, much to the surprise of Mineta.
"What I like most about that incident was what All Might said after the Kid thanked him… I should be thanking you–" Midoriya continued.
"For making my skin look 10 years younger… Are you testing me?" Nighteye said, finishing the quote. His subsequent question, however, had an edge to it, so much so that Midoriya was stunned by the change in tone. Though that was when Mineta decided it was time to step in and back up his partner. And based on how many All Might facts Nighteye possesses…
"Not at all Sir Nighteye, Midoriya was just excited to trade stories with a fellow All Might fan. I mean, what good are stories if we can't share them with others? They are, after all, the–"
"Way children learn about the world. All Might said that after a charity visit to a hospital in which the youngest patient requested a story from him." Nighteye replied, adjusting his glasses. Midoriya and Mineta fell silent as Nighteye walked around his desk and took a seat. The lanky Hero then folded his hands together, glaring at the two boys.
"So… You are both here to intern under me to get stronger, correct?" Nighteye asked, to which both Mineta and Midoriya nodded. He then took out his seal stamp and held it as though it was a sword. And whether they would be knighted or executed by it… That would depend on how much potential the lanky Hero saw in them…
"And you know this isn't some week long excursion other companies provide, but a month long, at the minimum, work period with compensation. For first years like yourselves, this will inevitably take time away from your lessons. You won't be moving at the same pace as your peers either…" Nighteye continued, his glare intensifying. Mineta looked to Midoriya and Midoriya looked to Mineta. Both of them saw the fire dwelling in the other's eyes. So with a nod…
"If we tried to move at the same pace as everyone else, we'd never get anywhere." Midoriya said.
"And to quote a 'friend' of ours… We have no business being normal." Mineta added. Silence filled the room as Nighteye's piercing glare narrowed. Mineta felt sweat roll down his temples as he heard Midoriya quietly swallow the lump in his throat. What was going to be his answer? And after a long contemplative hum from the lanky Hero…
"Your work contracts…" Nighteye said simply.
Both of the boys removed their backpacks and put the sheets before the Hero. And just as quickly, the Hero raised his seal and stamped down twice. Looking carefully… Both of their sheets had Nighteye's seal of approval. They… Actually got it?
"W-We got it? I thought our entrance was nothing but a train wreck." Mineta thought as he continued to stare in disbelief. The shorter boy then felt Nighteye's gaze, causing him to snap back up. He was watching him, almost as if he read Mineta's mind. Even Nighteye's response sounded like he was answering Mineta directly.
"Truthfully… If I had to decide based on how you walked in through my door, I would've denied you both on the spot. But luckily for you, my first impression was already set. Be sure to thank your past selves for that stunt you two pulled at the Sports Festival."
"Stunt?" Midoriya asked, looking to Mineta. The shorter boy simply shrugged to that. Other than the crap he pulled on Team Kendo and the 1A cheerleading incident, he couldn't think of any stunts he pulled. Not with Midoriya at least… Though luckily for Mineta's brain, Mirio solved that riddle with a snap.
"Your match against each other! I remember Sir adm–"
"Let's not dwell too long on the past Mirio. Here." Nighteye interrupted before holding the stamped papers towards Midoriya and Mineta. But as the green haired boy reached for them, the Hero pulled them back. He was carefully watching the duo. It was almost like he didn't fully trust them with the opportunity he was about to bestow upon them.
"However, know that I've only acknowledged you, not accepted. So if I catch either of you underperforming, I'll void these contracts and you'll be out the door faster than the special collector's All Might figurine." He said bluntly.
"The one with the authentic voice recordings?" Midoriya asked as his face paled, realizing the implication of that comparison.
"Then you understand the situation you're in, good. Now get to it Hero duo, your first day starts tomorrow." Nighteye replied solemnly, handing the papers to Midoriya.
"O-Of course Sir, we'll do our best here." Midoriya said with a slight bow.
"You won't regret this decision Nighteye, not when we're on the case." Mineta replied, cutting the knot in his gut with a determined glare. Nighteye simply said nothing to that. He just gestured for Mirio and Bubble Girl, who was released from her tickle torture by the smiling blonde, to show Mineta and Midoriya around. And with that, they were out of Nighteye's office.
"Holy Hell… I didn't think we would make it…" Mineta commented, leaning against the nearby wall.
"Neither did I… I guess that thing we did during our Sports Festival match paid off…" Midoriya replied, taking deep breaths to quiet his thundering heart.
"I never actually saw the first year's performance, was their fight really that impressive?" Bubble Girl asked, turning to Mirio. A wide smile began to spread across his face as he began making various wild gestures. But despite how incoherent some of them are, it made sense in context to his retelling of the UA Sports Festival.
"Oh yeah, it had all sorts of twists and turns that had everyone applauding in the end. A jump here, a joust there, a gesture of friendship… It was everything a good match should be, one winner, one loser, but zero broken hearts. That's why Sir stamped your papers; you two showed you understood the Hero's mission more than anyone else."
As Mineta thought about those words, pride began to well up in his heart. That entire match was just something they planned on the fly, something to cut through the seriousness and heartbreak. It was just something for the current moment… But here they were, being rewarded for that decision months later. And that somebody was able to feel the same satisfaction Mineta and Midoriya felt then.
That someone understood the message behind their actions.
"That and your teamwork really reminded Sir of his time with All Might. Said it made him feel nostalgic… But, uh, you didn't hear that from me." Mirio added, being notably more careful with his last two statements. Mineta could only raise an eyebrow to that. Though after a moment's thought, the shorter boy understood why the subject was a taboo.
Nighteye must still be sensitive about his time with All Might.
"Though what led them to disband in the first place? Even All Might made a few references about their relationship before…" Mineta thought.
"So Sir does have a soft side… Wish I could've seen him vulnerable like that…" Bubble Girl said with a sigh.
"He'd probably tickle you to death if that happened. Heck, if it wasn't for my Quirk, I would've suffered that fate a long time ago." Mirio replied.
"Sir Nighteye's more dangerous than I thought… We better be careful from now on Mineta-kun." Midoriya said, turning to his partner. And based on how Nighteye's own sidekicks were apprehensive about ticking him off, that would probably be for the best.
"Agreed. 'Died laughing' isn't something I want on my grave."
And that has been Chapter 99.
Here we are, Chapter 99 of The Saint and The Sinner. This has to be my longest project yet as nothing else came close to the length of this story. Well... There was the very first fan fiction I ever wrote... But that's a Pandora's box of cringe that I do not ever want to open up again. Still, next month, we'll celebrate the 100th chapter by having a weekly update extravaganza for all of August. It'll be a lot of work, but it's worth it for you viewers who keep coming back to see the adventures of Mineta and Midoriya.
Stay tuned as next time, we'll be meeting one of the most heinous Villains in the history of My Hero Academia. So with that said...
Until Next Time. T1.