MHA: Living as a Mineta is hard

"Are you sure that you're going to make the sculpture for me now?"

"Yes." Mineta looked at Nezu and asked, "Is the material ready?"

"I prepared it the moment I asked you that request. Everything is ready, and you can make the sculpture anytime, but are you sure you're okay?" Nezu asked worriedly. He still remembered how Mineta was hurt, so he felt it might be better for him to rest for a while.

"It's okay. I have rested enough. And I think it is better to finish this work as soon as possible since Yuuei's Sports Festival is about to start."

"Even if you make me the sculpture after the Sports Festival, it is alright, you know?" Nezu sighed helplessly, then smiled, "By the way, are you excited about that festival? Will you try to aim to become the champion?" He knew that Mineta was strong, and his mind was brighter than most. Still, he knew that this Sports Festival wouldn't be easy for him since he had many strong competitors.

Honestly, Mineta didn't have that much interest in the Sports Festival. Even if he got the last place, he wouldn't think it was a problem. Instead, he might do that since he didn't want to attract the attention of the villains.

Still, he didn't want to mention this. Instead, he asked, "Nezu-sensei, can I ask you something?"

"What's wrong?"

"Why did you ask me to make this type of sculpture?"

While Nezu's reason didn't affect his life, nor did he feel curious about Nezu, it was a way for him to change the direction of the conversation.

Nezu didn't answer Mineta's question for a while. He was in silence, watching the distant sky with a lonely expression.

Mineta didn't bother him and stayed in silence.

"You know... that I am an animal, right? It is extremely rare for an animal to have a "Quirk," and I happen to be one of them. While I am grateful for this "Quirk" since it gives me a better brain than most humans in this world, my life isn't easy. I am almost constantly tortured by humans, becoming their guinea pig or even being targeted by a hunter who wants to use me for their selfishness and many others. My life is hard, but I won't give up. I will keep struggling until I can become how I am now."

Nezu smiled and said, "Now, no one dares to trouble me, and I am at the top, but even so, I want something to remind me of that struggle. The struggle of my life." He looked at Mineta, smiling. "While this is unrelated, I am sure your experience on that attack hurt you, but you don't give up and keep staying in this school. It's amazing, and thank you for saving everyone and staying in this school."

Mineta was silent and didn't say anything. He realized how cowardly he was and how scaredy-cat he was.

If he compared his situation with Nezu, without a doubt, Nezu's situation was worse.

Nezu's "Quirk" was good, but his identity wasn't human.

Unlike a human who had a human right.

There were no animal rights.

Even among humans, many people still deceive each other, conspire, and even use each other.

Nezu, who was an animal, was even worse. If he didn't use his wit, his end would be like a golden goose whose fate was nothing but to be used to make the owner rich.

'Compared to me...'

Mineta knew that many people were living worse than him.

Being targeted by a villain?

It was nothing!

Nezu was being targeted by villains and many people, yet he still lived well now, becoming one of the richest on earth.

On the other hand, Mineta tried to avoid the limelight, living alone without attracting attention or danger.

However, was this okay?

Suddenly, this question appeared in his mind.

Money wasn't something that he wanted.

Living a well and peaceful life was something that he wanted, but was this okay?

Was this enough?

"By the way, you sure are popular," Nezu said while looking at the four girls who were talking to each other with a smile while looking around curiously.

"I am not popular. They're all my girlfriend's friends, and I need help with this work, so they kindly help me."

Being polite and reserved had always been the right thing to do, especially toward Nezu, the principal of Yuuei, one of the richest and his clients.

"Hmm..."

Nezu only stared at Mineta, but he didn't say anything. However, he had to say Mineta's way of dodging the problem was so skillful. Suddenly, he remembered an old anime, "Initial D," and thought that Mineta's dodging skill was as skillful as Takumi's drifting skill.

"Anyway, tell me if you need anything."

Nezu had set up a hall for Mineta to do his work. Inside the hall, there was a bathroom, a room to sleep in with good insulation, and many others.

"Can I do it outside? I am used to doing it outdoors."

"Sure." Nezu nodded, but then he asked, "But it might take a while for me to move this stone." The stone he had prepared for his sculpture was massive. It weighed several tons, the best marble in the world, mixed with other stones, making it easier to shape yet also hard enough to handle the pressure of the deep sea or shake.

However, because of this, it was troublesome to move.

"Isn't this the reason why I have brought a helper? Yui-san, Yanagi-san, can you two help me?" He looked at two girls and asked for their help.

"Mm?"

"What's wrong?"

He told them what he wanted to do, and they nodded.

Kodai moved fast, turning the size of the massive marble stone into a tiny one like a pea.

On the other hand, Yanagi used her "Quirk" to move the marble, which had been turned smaller by Kodai.

Honestly, he didn't expect Yanagi's "Quirk" would be so helpful to him.

Yanagi's "Quirk" was a poltergeist. It was similar to telekinesis. No, it was telekinesis since this ability made her able to telekinetically manipulate objects and people close to them. It was a good and strong "Quirk." If there was a weakness, there was a limit to how many things she could move.

He wasn't sure about her limit, but with Kodai, that limit was simply zero since Kodai's Quirk could help them to alter the size of anything except for the living being.

"Where do you want me to bring this?" Yanagi asked.

"Just outside." He looked at Nezu and asked, "Is there a place I can't come to?"

"It's alright. You can sculpt in any place. Or do you want to do it in the middle of the forest?" Nezu asked.

The area of Yuuei was massive, and there was even a forest inside.

If Mineta wanted to have sea scenery, it was also okay since this school was adjacent to the sea. While it might be quite far, a golf car-like vehicle was nearby, so they could move around easily. As for moving the stone or the sculpture when it was ready, he didn't need to worry about that anymore.

"Where do you want to move this?" Yanagi asked.

"Just over there."

He pointed his finger at the free space between trees near the hall.

"Okay."

Yanagi used her "Quirk" to move the marble stone toward the spot he pointed. When it was done, Kodai released her "Quirk," returning the marble to its previous size, which was gigantic.

"You girls have a good "Quirk," Nezu praised.

"Mm."

"Thank you."

Yanagi and Kodai nodded gently at the praise of their principal.

"You're going to start now, Minoru?" Kendo asked.

"Yeah."

He was already holding his tools and ready to sculpt. He looked at the girls and said, "You girls can stay in the hall to play or talk. You're free to do what you want."

"Eh? Is that it?" Kendo was dumbfounded.

"Are we not going to help you?" Kodai asked since she was still eager to help.

"Can I watch?" Yanagi asked.

"For now, it is okay. You have helped me a lot by moving the marble stone, but if you want to watch, I don't mind." He didn't bother to talk anymore and started his work with full concentration. However, he didn't immediately start his work but closed his eyes, trying to form the shape of the sculpture in his mind slowly and steadily.

"Listen to him. Don't bother him." Ibara stopped everyone when they wanted to talk to him. "He is in the middle of concentration. Unless it is important, don't interrupt him." She had been with him for so long, so naturally, she knew many things about him, even the three moles under his nipple.

"Are we going to leave him like that?" Kendo asked, feeling slightly frustrated since she knew that the time she was with Mineta was shorter compared to Ibara.

"Yes." Ibara nodded. "He is always like that, but if you want to watch, it is okay since it is fun to watch him."

Hearing that, they became curious, and they didn't look away. They stayed. Still, they had to say this work was pretty easy.

While they were watching, he opened his eyes, holding a hammer and chisel in both hands, and started to work.

This was his plan, but Ibara stopped him because of a question.

"Minoru-kun, what do you want to eat for lunch?"

"....." Nezu, Kendo, Yanagi, and Kodai.

'Didn't you tell us not to interrupt him?'

"...curry rice."

He took a deep breath and stared at Ibara expressionlessly, who smiled brightly in his direction. Yet he didn't get angry since, compared to what he did, what she did was nothing.

'Watch out at night.'

This was shown on his face before he started his work, yet when he thought about doing this work with four of them at the same time, he couldn't help but get worried for some reason.

'It might be my imagination.'

With that said, he started to concentrate, killing the noise around him, and put all of his attention on his sculpture.