The morning sun cast long shadows across the empty basketball court as Mineta set up his training area. He'd woken up an hour earlier than usual—the System's recommended schedule adjustment—and the public court was deserted this early.
"Minoru? Are you heading out already?" His mother's voice called from the kitchen as he tried to slip quietly through the living room.
"Yeah, Mom. Training," he replied, pausing at the door.
She appeared in the doorway, still in her robe, looking concerned but supportive. "You've been getting up earlier and earlier. Make sure you're eating enough." She handed him a wrapped onigiri. "Take this for now. I'll have a proper breakfast ready when you get back."
Mineta accepted it with a grateful nod. "Thanks, Mom."
"Your father noticed you've been using up the yard space for training. He mentioned setting up some equipment in the garage if you need it."
Mineta blinked in surprise. His father had noticed? "That... would be great, actually."
His mother smiled, her expression a mixture of pride and something else—relief, maybe? "Whatever you're doing lately, keep it up. It's good to see you so focused."
As he left the house, the System chimed softly:
[Ultimate Training System] Parental Bond: +0.2 | Hidden Stat: Family Support +1
Once at the court, Mineta set down his backpack and took a bite of the onigiri. The rice was perfectly seasoned, with a hint of his mother's special furikake mix.
[Ultimate Training System] Morning Training Initiated: Quirk Control Session | Today's Bonus: +7% Training Efficiency (Streak: 5 Days)
Perfect. He needed the space.
Mineta had spent the past week drilling the basics: ball adhesion, swing control, trap placement. But today's goal was different. The System had highlighted a potential skill evolution after analyzing his previous sessions.
He arranged six empty soda cans in a zigzag pattern and stood twenty feet away. In his hand, he rolled three sticky balls between his fingers, feeling their weight and texture. He'd been experimenting with slight adjustments to their consistency—making them just a touch firmer than usual.
"Okay," he muttered, setting his feet in the stance he'd been practicing. "Focus on the trajectory."
Taking a deep breath, he launched the first ball with a flick of his wrist. It sailed through the air—and missed the first can completely.
"Again."
The second throw was closer but still off-target.
[Ultimate Training System] Targeting Analysis: Wrist Angle 14° Too Sharp | Suggested Correction: Looser Grip, Smoother Release
Mineta adjusted his grip as instructed. His third throw struck the first can, but with too much force—the ball stuck, but the can toppled over instead of redirecting the ball.
"Not what I'm going for," he said, retrieving more balls from his pouch.
For the next twenty minutes, he experimented with different angles and force. The System tracked each attempt, offering micro-adjustments to his technique. By the thirtieth throw, sweat beaded on his forehead, but he was getting closer.
Then it happened.
His throw struck the first can at precisely the right angle. Instead of sticking, the ball's adhesive property activated just enough to grip the surface momentarily before the momentum carried it forward in a new direction. The ball ricocheted off, curving toward the second can.
[Ultimate Training System] Technique Detection: Preliminary Ricochet Effect Achieved | Quirk Adaptability +0.8%
"Yes!" Mineta pumped his fist. "That's what I'm talking about!"
He tried again, focusing on the specific wrist motion that had produced the effect. After five more attempts, he managed a second successful ricochet—this time the ball bounced off two cans before losing momentum.
[Ultimate Training System] New Skill Path Discovered: Sticky Ball Physics | Advanced Manipulation: 3.2%
Mineta wiped his brow, grinning. The implications were enormous. If he could master this technique, he could target enemies around corners or behind cover. He could create complex trap systems with balls that traveled predetermined paths.
For the next hour, he drilled the technique relentlessly, adjusting the consistency of each ball slightly to maximize the bouncing effect while maintaining just enough stickiness for controlled ricochets.
By the time he finished, his hair was drenched with sweat, but the System notification made it all worthwhile:
[Ultimate Training System] Skill Unlocked: Sticky Ball Ricochet I (1%) [Effect: Allows controlled bouncing of sticky balls off surfaces at up to 2 consecutive angles] [Tactical Tree Progress: +2.4%]
When Mineta returned home, he found his father in the garage, clearing space between storage shelves.
"Dad? What are you doing?"
His father—a man of few words with the same purple hair but considerably taller—nodded toward the empty space. "Your mother mentioned you needed training room. Thought this might help."
Mineta stared at the cleared area. It wasn't huge, but it was enough for practice when the weather was bad.
"I... thanks, Dad."
His father grunted, then reached into a box and pulled out some old sports equipment—a basketball hoop that could be mounted on the wall, a few small weights, and what looked like martial arts pads.
"Had these from my college days," he explained simply. "Might be useful."
Mineta felt a strange tightness in his throat. His father had never shown much interest in his hero training before.
"These are perfect," he managed. "I've been working on a new technique. With the ricochets, I could really use the wall space."
For the first time in what felt like forever, his father looked at him with genuine curiosity. "Ricochets, huh? Show me."
Mineta hesitated only briefly before plucking a ball from his head. With practiced motion, he flicked it toward the opposite wall. It hit at an angle, bounced toward a shelf, then ricocheted again before sticking to a cardboard box.
His father's eyebrows raised slightly—the equivalent of open-mouthed shock for him.
"That's... different," he said finally. "Never seen you do that before."
"It's new," Mineta admitted. "I'm still working on it."
His father nodded, and Mineta could swear he saw a hint of pride in the man's usually stoic expression.
"Dinner's in twenty," was all he said before heading back inside, but the gesture of creating the training space said everything his words didn't.
[Ultimate Training System] Parental Acknowledgment: +0.4 | Hidden Stat: Familial Pride +1
"I need a break," Mineta mumbled to himself later that afternoon, collapsing onto a bench in the park. His muscles ached pleasantly from the morning's exertion.
He pulled out his notebook and began sketching applications for his new skill. The diagrams started simple—single ricochets to reach around corners—but gradually evolved into complex patterns: triple-bounce traps, delayed adhesion techniques, even a conceptual grid system for area control.
[Ultimate Training System] Strategic Thinking: +0.7% | Intelligence: +0.2
As he worked, a shadow fell across his notebook. Mineta looked up to see two high school students looming over him—neither wearing U.A. uniforms, but both carrying the unmistakable swagger of quirk users who relied on intimidation.
"Whatcha doing there, shorty?" the taller one asked, leaning over to glance at Mineta's notebook.
A month ago, Mineta would have cowered. Two weeks ago, he might have tried to run. But today—with the System's social confidence training fresh in his mind—he simply maintained eye contact, closed his notebook calmly, and replied in an even tone:
"Just some quirk analysis. Nothing interesting."
[Charm Training Mode: ACTIVE] Composure Under Pressure: +0.3% | Confidence: +0.1
The shorter teen snorted. "Looks like hero stuff to me. You trying to get into U.A. or something?" His tone was mocking.
Mineta stood up, maintaining the posture he'd been practicing—shoulders back, chin level, relaxed but present. He wasn't tall, but he occupied his space with intent.
"That's the plan," he said simply.
The taller boy laughed. "With what quirk? What can you do, tiny?"
Mineta felt a familiar heat rising in his chest—the old shame about his quirk, the defensive anger. But the System pulsed gently in his peripheral vision:
[Ultimate Training System] Emotional Regulation Check: Maintain Composure | Strategic Opportunity Detected
Mineta took a slow breath and made a decision. "Want to see?"
Without waiting for an answer, he plucked three balls from his head and held them in his palm. With practiced precision, he flicked the first one toward a nearby trash can. It struck the metal rim, ricocheted at a perfect angle, and hit a tree branch overhead before its adhesive fully activated, sticking it firmly to the wood.
The teens' eyes widened slightly.
Mineta didn't stop there. He launched two more balls in quick succession, each performing a different ricochet pattern before sticking to their targets—one to a fence post, another to a bench several feet away.
"It's not flashy," Mineta said with a shrug that conveyed neither apology nor boast. "But it's more useful than it looks."
The taller boy grunted, visibly reassessing. "Whatever. Good luck with that hero stuff, I guess."
As they walked away, Mineta released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His heart raced, but not from fear—from exhilaration. He'd stood his ground. He'd demonstrated his quirk without apology or exaggeration.
[Ultimate Training System] Real-World Application: Successful | Charm: +0.3 | Presence: +0.4% [Hidden Achievement: First Impression Reversal | Reward: Confidence Boost +5% (24 hours)]
That evening, Mineta sat cross-legged on his bedroom floor, surrounded by sheets of paper covered in diagrams and calculations. The System had suggested he analyze the physics of his new ricochet technique to further optimize it.
His mother knocked gently on the door before entering with a tray of sliced fruit and tea.
"You missed dessert," she said, setting the tray beside him. "What's all this?"
Mineta looked up, momentarily disoriented from deep focus. "Oh—thanks, Mom. Just working on some quirk analysis."
She peered at the papers with genuine interest. "Angles and trajectories? That's new."
"It's for a technique I'm developing," he explained, surprised by his own openness. "My quirk can do more than just make sticky traps. I can control where the balls go—make them bounce off things before they stick."
His mother smiled, and Mineta suddenly realized how rarely he'd shared his hero aspirations with his parents in any detail.
"Your father mentioned your demonstration in the garage. He was impressed, you know. In his own way."
Mineta felt his ears warm slightly. "Really?"
She nodded, adjusting the tray so it wouldn't disturb his papers. "He called his brother about it. Bragging, if you can believe it."
The thought of his stoic father bragging about him seemed impossible, but his mother's smile told him it was true.
"Don't stay up too late," she added, ruffling his hair before leaving. "Growing heroes need sleep too."
[Ultimate Training System] Family Connection: +0.5 | Hidden Stat: Emotional Support +2
After she left, Mineta returned to his analysis. On his computer screen, a slow-motion video played on repeat—footage he'd captured of his most successful ricochet shots from that morning's practice. He studied the angles, the ball compression upon impact, the brief moment of adhesion before momentum carried it forward.
Something wasn't adding up in his calculations. The balls shouldn't be able to maintain their trajectory after the first bounce, not with their adhesive property. Yet they did.
He plucked a fresh ball from his head and squeezed it gently between his fingers, feeling its texture.
"The adhesive activates on impact," he murmured, "but there's a slight delay before maximum stickiness..."
That was it. The key wasn't just in the throwing technique—it was in controlling the adhesive activation timing. If he could delay the full adhesive effect until after the ricochet...
[Ultimate Training System] Insight Detected: Quirk Understanding +1.2% | Sticky Arts Tree Advancement: Variable Adhesion Timing
Mineta scrambled for his notebook and began a new page of notes:
Variable Adhesion Timing - Potential Applications:
Delayed traps (throw now, stick later)Multi-bounce techniquesTemporary adhesion platforms
The System chimed in agreement:
[Ultimate Training System] New Training Path Unlocked: Adhesion Timing Control | Estimated Mastery Time: 14 days
Mineta leaned back against his bed, mind racing with possibilities. His quirk wasn't just about sticky balls anymore—it was about precise control of adhesion properties, timing, and physics.
He opened his stats panel to check his progress:
[Ultimate Training System – Stats Panel]
Stats: Strength: 5.4 (+0.2) Agility: 5.6 (+0.2) Dexterity: 6.9 (+0.5) Endurance: 5.8 (+0.3) Intelligence: 9.8 (+0.5) Charm: 4.3 (+0.5)
🪄 Skills Panel: Quirk Proficiency: 10.6% (+1.8%) Strategic Thinking: 8.5% (+1.4%) Swing Training I: 7.8% (+1.3%) Basic Manipulation: 3.9% (+2.2%) Sticky Ball Ricochet I: 1.0% (NEW) Charm Proficiency: 1.8% (+0.8%) Social Awareness I: 0.9% (+0.5%)
🌲 Skill Tree Progress: 🔗 Mobility Tree: [Basic Balance] → 24% | [Swing Training I] → 7.8% 🧠 Tactical Tree: [Basic Strategy] → 13.2% | [Environmental Analysis] → 2.1% (NEW) 🕷️ Sticky Arts Tree: [Basic Manipulation] → 3.9% | [Variable Adhesion] → 0.4% (NEW) ✨ Charm Tree: [Social Presence] → 0.9% | [Confidence Posture] → 1.1%
🛠️ Suggested Training Plan (Tomorrow):
30 mins Ricochet Practice (Focus: 3-point bounces) 20 mins Adhesion Timing Control 15 mins Tactical Scenario Planning 15 mins Physical Training (Dexterity focus)
Est. Gains: +1.2% Sticky Ball Ricochet I +0.8% Variable Adhesion +0.7% Strategic Thinking +0.4 Dexterity | +0.2 Agility
Mineta stared at the screen, particularly at the new skill: Sticky Ball Ricochet I. His first real, tangible evolution of his quirk. Not just a stat increase or a technique improvement—an actual new application.
He closed his eyes and visualized the U.A. entrance exam. Previously, he'd imagined himself barely scraping by with lucky shots and basic traps. But now... now he could see himself calculating angles, setting up complex ricochet patterns, using the environment to his advantage.
For the first time, he didn't see himself as a future joke of the hero course.
He saw himself as a tactician.
Through his window, he could see the light still on in the garage where his father had set up his training area. The small gesture made something shift inside him—a new determination, not just to improve himself, but to make his parents' support worth it.
"Tomorrow," he promised himself, "we push for level two."
The System pulsed its approval:
[Ultimate Training System] User Goal Acknowledged: Ricochet II Development Path | Estimated Unlock: 8 Days with Current Training Intensity [Family Bond Detected: Training Motivation +10%]
Mineta nodded, satisfied. Eight days was nothing compared to the years he'd spent feeling inadequate.
Eight days to his next evolution. And after that, who knew what he could become?
He fell asleep that night with his notebook open beside him, filled with diagrams of impossible ricochet patterns—patterns that, tomorrow, he would begin making possible.