A/N: I'm going on vacation next week, so I'll only have limited Internet access. I'll try to post my usual update on Friday, though.

Another day of classes down, and another opportunity for Deku and Todoroki to spend time together.

"Ah, nothing like the end of the day's classes!" said Todoroki. "Not only do I feel that much closer to becoming a great hero, but I get to walk back to the dorms with my favorite boy in the world!"

Deku giggled. "Shoko, I know I'm your favorite boy in the world, but do you really have to pound it through my head?"

Todoroki wrapped an arm around Deku. "Why not? You are the sweetest, sexiest, most caring boy I've ever had the fortune to meet, and you pretty much saved my life, so I think laying on my love that thickly is in order!"

Deku shrugged and smiled. "Ah, what the heck! If I did save your life, then I suppose it's in order!"

"Midoriya! Todoroki!"

Deku and Todoroki turned around to see who'd addressed them: none other than Mineta.

"What's up, Mineta?" asked Deku.

"Listen, there's somethin' I really need to talk to ya two about…"

Todoroki glared at Mineta. "It's not some perverted sex thing, is it?"

Deku put a hand on Todoroki's shoulder. "Shoko, we don't know that. The tone in his voice and his body language suggests that he's serious about this."

Todoroki looked over at Deku, and then over at Mineta. She nodded.

"OK, what's on your mind?"

Mineta fidgeted about. "OK, I know pretty much everyone around here knows me as a Grade A pervert, but…well…the truth is, I…I…I'm actually very scared of women, and I only act that way to hide my insecurities." He averted his gaze.

Todoroki put a hand on her hip. "Why should you be scared of women? Are we not people just like you? Do we not breathe the same air as you? Do we not also bleed when we're injured? Do we not eat, drink and sleep like you do? Most importantly, do we not also want to be heroes like you?"

Mineta nodded nervously. "Well yeah, but…I feel like if I tried to ask a girl out, then she'd say 'no', and I dunno if I can handle that kind of rejection."

Todoroki smiled. "Mineta, one rejection's not the end of the world! Just because one girl doesn't want to go out with you doesn't mean there's nobody who won't love you for who you are!"

"Mineta, I have a feeling like you experienced a traumatic event in your past that damaged your opinions about women, and I'd like to ask you about it if it's OK," said Deku. "Forgive me if I'm wrong; it's just a feeling I had."

Mineta sighed. "All right…I'll talk, but only because I trust you guys."

Deku and Todoroki leaned in a bit closer to Mineta.

"When I was in elementary school, there was this girl I knew. Almost immediately, we became friends, and we did pretty much everything together, whether it was helping each other out with homework, playing on the playground, or even playing video games at my house. She was my favorite person in the world. Then, one day, she said she didn't wanna be my friend anymore, and I felt so sad, and since that day, I could never look at women the same way again."

Deku put a hand on Mineta's shoulder. "Mineta, I'm sorry that happened to you. That sounded like it was a really life-altering experience for you, and I just wanna let you know that me, Todoroki…everybody will be here for you."

"Thanks, but…" Mineta averted his gaze. "…how do I get women to like me? I feel so hopeless."

Todoroki put her hand on Mineta's other shoulder. "Mineta, you don't have to do anything extreme! All you have to do is be polite, be respectful and be a good listener! Granted, not every woman is exactly the same in terms of what they like, but it never hurts to ask!"

"You've got this, Mineta!" said Deku.

"Guys, I…" Mineta broke down crying. "This is the greatest day of my life! Thanks so much for listenin' to me!"

"You're welcome!" said Deku and Todoroki.

Deku and Todoroki gave Mineta a big hug, which he gladly accepted. Finally, after years of hiding behind his own perverted fantasies, the little grape juice hero felt liberated, knowing that two of his friends took the time to hear him out and offer him their encouragement. For the first time in his life, he felt like an actual human being who was worthy of being loved, and he was immensely grateful for it. Granted, it would probably take some time for people to see past his reputation as a complete perv, but with two of Class 1-A's finest backing him up, he felt like anything was possible. Eventually, Mineta stopped crying, but Deku and Todoroki continued to hold on to him. They knew how badly they needed him.

"God, that felt awful." said Mineta. "I think that was the first time in a while I cried."

"But don't you feel better after crying?" said Deku.

"And don't you enjoy being hugged?" said Todoroki.

"Well, yeah…I guess…"

"Here…"

Todoroki handed Mineta some tissues, which he wasted no time in blowing his nose with. Then, he gently pushed Deku and Todoroki aside.

"All right, watch out, ladies! There's a new Mineta in town!"

Deku and Todoroki giggled. The former especially got a charge out of the experience, knowing that it was own kindness and willingness to hear out his now-girlfriend that they'd gotten to this point.

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.