It was just another day at U.A. High School, with students bustling through the hallways, chatting about their training sessions, and preparing for the next hero exercises. Mina Ashido walked down the hall with her usual bubbly energy, waving to her classmates and sharing jokes as she headed toward class. She was used to being the center of attention—her pink skin and outgoing personality made sure of that—but today, she couldn't shake the feeling that some of the attention felt… different. And not in a good way.
As she bent down to tie her shoe near her locker, she felt a sudden, sharp smack against her backside.
"Whoa, check out all that junk in the trunk!" one of the girls from General Studies laughed, her hand still lingering mid-air from the smack. Mina's face flushed a darker shade of pink, and she shot upright, turning to glare at her.
"Hey, knock it off!" she snapped, her usual cheerful tone replaced by frustration.
But the girl just smirked, unfazed by her protest. "Relax, Ashido. We're just joking around," she said, motioning to her group of friends, who were all snickering. "I mean, come on, you've gotta admit—it's kinda huge."
Before Mina could respond, another girl chimed in, leaning closer. "Yeah, can't blame us for noticing. I mean, it's practically impossible not to."
"Seriously, guys, stop it!" Mina said, her voice louder this time. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to maintain her composure. But instead of backing off, the teasing escalated. One of the girls pinched her rear, another gave it a playful poke, and the group erupted into laughter as if it were all a harmless game.
Mina felt her hands ball into fists at her sides as a mix of anger and embarrassment bubbled up inside her. She wanted to yell, to fight back, to do something, but she couldn't shake the sudden wave of self-consciousness that crashed over her. Was her butt really that noticeable? Was it a bad thing? Did everyone at school think this way about her?
"Whatever," she muttered, pushing past the group and storming toward the classroom. She could still hear their laughter echoing behind her, and it made her stomach twist.
For the rest of the day, Mina couldn't focus. During Hero Training, her usual confidence faltered. She hesitated during combat drills, flinched when anyone got too close, and found herself constantly adjusting her uniform, trying to make sure it wasn't drawing attention to her figure.
Her classmates noticed the change in her demeanor, especially Kirishima, who approached her after class.
"Hey, Ashido, you okay? You've been kinda… off today," he said, his tone filled with genuine concern.
Mina forced a smile, waving him off. "Oh, I'm fine! Just a little tired, that's all."
But Kirishima didn't look convinced. "You sure? You're usually so… energetic. Did something happen?"
"I said I'm fine, okay?" she snapped, harsher than she intended. Kirishima blinked, taken aback by her tone, and Mina immediately felt a pang of guilt. "Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I just… I need some time to myself."
Kirishima nodded slowly. "Okay. But if you ever wanna talk, you know where to find me."
As he walked away, Mina slumped against the wall, her usual cheerful spark completely gone.
Unbeknownst to Mina, her earlier encounter hadn't gone unnoticed. Mt. Lady—known for her flashy personality and even flashier hero work—had been visiting U.A. that day as a guest lecturer. She had overheard the boys' teasing and noticed how it had affected Mina.
Later that afternoon, as Mina sat alone on one of the benches outside, Mt. Lady approached her, her towering presence impossible to ignore.
"Hey there, kid," Mt. Lady greeted, her tone light and friendly. "Mind if I sit?"
Mina looked up, surprised to see the pro hero. "Oh, uh, sure," she said, scooting over to make room.
Mt. Lady plopped down beside her, adjusting the edges of her hero costume. "I saw what happened earlier," she said, cutting straight to the point. "Those girls were way out of line."
Mina's cheeks flushed again, and she looked down at her hands. "It's fine," she mumbled. "I'm used to people teasing me. I guess I just… didn't think it'd happen at U.A."
"It's not fine," Mt. Lady said firmly. "And you shouldn't have to put up with it. Those bitches don't know what they're talking about."
Mina let out a bitter laugh. "Maybe they do. I mean, they're not wrong, are they? My butt is big. And maybe that's a bad thing for a hero. I mean, who's gonna take me seriously if—"
"Okay, stop right there," Mt. Lady interrupted, holding up a hand. "First of all, there's nothing wrong with having a big butt. Trust me, I know a thing or two about that." She winked, gesturing to herself. "Second, your body doesn't define your worth as a hero. Your skills, your determination, your heart—that's what matters. And from what I've heard, you've got all of that in spades."
Mina looked up at her, her eyes wide. "But… don't people make fun of you? I mean, you're always in the spotlight. Doesn't it bother you?"
Mt. Lady shrugged, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Oh, sure. People make jokes all the time. But you know what? I don't let it bother me. In fact, I lean into it." She stood up and struck a dramatic pose, sticking out her rear. "I mean, come on, I'm literally called Mt. Lady. You think I'm not gonna have some fun with it?"
Despite herself, Mina let out a small giggle. Mt. Lady's confidence was infectious.
"Listen, kid," Mt. Lady said, sitting back down. "I get it. It's easy to feel self-conscious, especially when people are jerks about it. But your body is yours. It's strong. It's powerful. And if anyone tries to make you feel bad about it, that's their problem, not yours."
Mina nodded slowly, her spirits lifting for the first time that day. "Thanks, Mt. Lady. I think I needed to hear that."
"Anytime," Mt. Lady said with a wink. "And hey, if you ever want some tips on how to shut down the haters, I'm your girl. Butt puns are my specialty."
A few days later, Mina got the chance to put Mt. Lady's advice into action. The two of them were working together to stop a robbery at a jewelry store, and the villains clearly hadn't accounted for the duo's unique combination of skills.
As the fight unfolded, Mt. Lady grew to her full height, blocking the villains' escape with her massive frame. Meanwhile, Mina darted around their feet, using her acid to corral them into a corner.
"Looks like you bums are stuck between a rock and a hard place," Mt. Lady quipped, sticking out her rear to emphasize the point.
"More like a butt and a hard place," Mina added with a grin, mirroring Mt. Lady's pose. "Nice to make your ass-quaintance!"
The villains groaned, clearly unimpressed by the puns, but the crowd of onlookers erupted into cheers.
After the fight, as the two heroes stood side by side, Mina felt a renewed sense of pride. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel self-conscious about her body. She felt strong. She felt powerful. She felt like a hero.