I only own this fan fiction. May contain Out of Character moments.

Following Christmas, not much was really done. Classes were over until after New Years and the students weren't allowed to leave the campus. It's still too dangerous to be freely out and about, so the students of UA had to settle for whatever recreation was on site. And given how extensive UA's facilities are, the numerous hobbies of their teachers, and the growing member count of student clubs, they were spoiled with choice.

But as much as Minoru enjoyed spending time with his friends and classmates… He and many others were starting to go stir-crazy. Not helping the fact was how painfully clueless Izuku and Uraraka were about their new relationship. The shorter boy gets that it's their first relationship and there's not much they can do on campus with everyone around them… But between training, studying, and just existing with one another, Izuku and Uraraka hadn't done anything like a normal couple.

Where was the secret hand holding? The secret kissing!? THE SECRET SE–!?

"Okay, no, bad. If that's where my mind goes, I'm not any better at relationships or dating. Hell, I'm still single…" Minoru thought as he finished packing his bag. It was New Year's Eve, and UA has allowed students to go home for just this one day. They'll be having pro Heroes escort them during the drop-off today and the pick-up tomorrow.

As such, the shorter boy didn't really need to pack much.

"Monsieur Mineta? Are you ready to depart? Our dear Class President is about to do the final roll-call of the year!" Aoyama's voice was heard following the knocking on his door. The shorter boy slung his bag over his shoulders and patted his person. Keys? Check. Wallet? Check. Phone? Check? Baton? Check. So with a nod and 'Happy New Years' to his dorm room, Minoru opened his door to see Izuku, Aoyama, and Tokoyami.

All of them packed and ready to go.

"You didn't need to wait up on me." Minoru said, closing his door behind him.

"Aoyama-kun wanted us to go down together. He wants to cram as many good memories with us before the year's over. Even at the last minute…" Izuku replied with a chuckle, gesturing to their faux Frenchman.

"Why're you making it sound like you're never going to see us again? It's only a day dude."

"But that is a day too long, mon petit ami! When you find yourselves amongst impeccable company, you'd never want to leave! My dear mother and father would understand this plight of mine and allow me to stay… But alas, we are all homeward bound 'til the new year dawns on us… Farewell to another year of our memorable youths…" Aoyama said dramatically before playfully 'fainting' against the nearby wall. Izuku and Minoru simply stared in confusion at the faux Frenchman, then at each other, then back at Aoyama.

Tokoyami, he just began clapping with a satisfied nod as Dark Shadow wiped at its teary, glowing eyes.

"Bravo Aoyama, I felt the visceral thirst for companionship within your performance. You've improved since our one-day play."

During one of their slower days at the dorm, 1A decided to put together a play to see how difficult it was. It took Class 1B the entire month before the Culture Festival to put together their stage performance. And even then, it had serious pacing issues and the audience found it more comedic than dramatic. So how much preparation could 1A do in a single day before performing it during the next?

Needless to say, it was a box office bomb.

"I try very hard Monsieur Tokoyami. But that's enough about me, let's depart together with our dear friends!" Aoyama said as he dragged his carry-on luggage. Why he needs that much stuff, no one knows. Perhaps he just had that many souvenirs to bring back home? Anyway, the four of them went downstairs and found their classmates at the front door, all packed up and ready to go. Iida finalized the attendance and they all left through the door as one.

Class 1A is going home.

…

…

…

"You're standing so much taller, Minoru. It seems continuing your education at UA was the right move." Mineta Takumi, Minoru's dad, commented as he set down lunch before his son. The shorter boy had arrived back home just in time for his dad's break and the man quickly began whipping up something quick. This left the shorter boy curious as to what he could do, since Minoru usually made meals for his dad the moment he was old enough to handle knives and stoves unsupervised.

It was a simple, one pan rice dish, easy to prepare beforehand and less dishes to wash up afterwards. Minoru suspects it's because of the amount of time his dad could save, allowing him to focus on his work more.

"Yet I'm still shorter than most of my friends… This is really good Dad." Minoru replied, taking a spoonful of rice to find it flavorful and the temperature just right.

"You know what I mean son. And have you patched things up with Mrs. Midoriya's son? Last time you were here, you two hit a rough patch."

"Didn't I mention that in one of my letters? Our friendship's back and better than ever." Minoru replied, raising an eyebrow over that question. His dad simply gestured to a corner of the apartment and allowed Minoru to see the massive amount of letters piled there. Only half of them were open and read. Oh… That's right…

His dad gets so much mail each week, that he needs a full day or two to sort through it. And sometimes, he doesn't even get a chance until weeks later when the pile grows too big to be safe. Minoru used to help sort through it, giving his dad a chance to rest whenever he gets a break or a deadline extension. But with his stay at UA… His dad will eventually be buried alive by all the fan letters sent his way.

"Perhaps I should follow your lead and find a partner who wants to work together… With troubling times ahead, we could all use a hand wherever and whenever we can." Minoru's dad said as he poured himself some coffee. The shorter boy stopped chewing, considering how his dad just worded that statement. This was no doubt referring to the video of Crimson that is still circulating around the internet to this day, despite the Hero Commission's efforts to purge it.

And his dad no doubt knows his son will want to face off against this immense threat. This isn't even going into the threat that the League of Villains still pose on Hero society. There are enemies all around them, more than there are trustworthy Heroes…

"Dad… Are you worried about us? That we'll be thrown into the meat grinder?"

"Any parent would worry about their child, no matter how big, strong, and wise a person they grow up to be… My boy and his dear friends will be going up against cruel monsters thinking themselves righteous… How can I not be terrified? That one day, when I open the door, I'm faced with the possibility of someone delivering news of your death…" Minoru's dad answered, clenching his hands around his mug and ignoring the heat of the liquid inside.

The shorter boy didn't respond right away, allowing those words to sink in. Truthfully, he's already been in situations like that throughout the year. But if we were to think about it from his dad's perspective, it must be harrowing to not know how your child was doing. Mrs. Midoriya had been pushed to the brink of despair during the aftermath of the forest lodge attack, despite Izuku still being alive.

Once again, Minoru was reminded of the grim reality of Heroics. Heroes could lose their families… And families could lose their Heroes…

Still…

"Dad… I'm scared too… Those guys, they're exceptionally strong… But the kind of damage they're doing? That'll snowball until the peace and life we've known will collapse. We've got to fight with everything we've got, before the chaos destroys everything." Minoru replied, determination filling each and every one of his words.

"But why must it be you? Why can't it just be the Pros?"

"It won't be just me. I've got Izuku with me, my friends, and my teachers. We're doing this together, protecting the people we know and the people we'll meet. And if I just sit around while other people fight my battles… Then I'll just go back to being the coward who can't even stand up for myself, let alone someone who stands up for others."

Minoru's dad silently stared at his son, almost as if gauging the resolution within his heart. But after a tense minute, the man began flashing the proudest of smiles. That's when the shorter boy realized what his dad was doing. Once more, the people in Minoru's life were determined to give him secret tests of character at the weirdest times. What number did this test make? He honestly stopped counting…

"Dad! I don't need you to reaffirm my beliefs! I've been tested on this a dozen different times! I even went through an entire character arc with Izuku!" Minoru shouted, burying his face into his hands. His dad simply chuckled and took a long sip from his cup.

"Sometimes, when the new year is upon us, it's important to reflect on the most important lessons we've learned. If we don't, we may not be able to carry them into the new year. And there's no better time or place than where it all began, your roots."

Technically, Minoru's story began in the park where he met Izuku for the first time. But since he can't exactly sneak out to meet his partner during such dangerous times… The shorter boy supposed being home with his dad is the next best thing. Still, thinking about it… Minoru has come really far since then. From someone who could only bark at those threatening him and Izuku, powerless to actually stop it…

To someone who actually CAN stop those tragedies.

And while they could still use some work… Class 1A made it to the next year. They were still here.

Izuku was still here.

Minoru was still here.

"Just promise me son that you'll visit again once this is all over. We'll go to your favorite place to celebrate, just you and me." Minoru's dad said, walking over to his son. He then placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, one full of the weight of his emotions. The shorter boy smiled and gave his dad a nod full of courage and confidence.

"We'll finally beat that eating challenge when we do!"

And that has been Chapter 130!

I don't really have anything to comment on in this update. So...

Until Next Time. T1.