Three days passed like a blur of sticky balls, training exercises, and muscle soreness.
Mineta had incorporated Sero's movement advice into his daily routine, converting his bedroom into a makeshift obstacle course by sticking balls at strategic points along the walls and ceiling. His mother had questioned the new decor with raised eyebrows but said nothing—she'd grown accustomed to the strange sounds and occasional thuds coming from his room since the System arrived.
Thursday couldn't come fast enough. For perhaps the first time in his life, Mineta was genuinely excited about training with someone else.
[Ultimate Training System] Daily Progress Review: Mobile Accuracy Training: +1.2% proficiency Ricochet Shot Distance: +0.4 meters Adhesive Control: IMPROVING Note: Ready for next social milestone
When he arrived at the community center that afternoon, Mineta was surprised to find Sero already waiting outside, a sports bag slung over his shoulder and a grin on his face.
"There he is—the Ricochet Master!" Sero called out, raising a hand in greeting.
Mineta returned the gesture, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through his chest. He'd spent so much of his previous life as an outcast that simple friendly recognition still felt novel.
"Hey, Tape Arms," he replied with a small smile. "Been here long?"
"Just got here. But I've been thinking about today's session all week." Sero's eyes gleamed with excitement as they walked into the building. "I came up with something new I want to try."
"What's that?"
"A challenge course with a twist." Sero lowered his voice conspiratorially. "I got permission from the staff to modify Zone C for advanced terrain training. There's ropes, nets, moving platforms—the works."
Mineta's pulse quickened. The System immediately analyzed the training potential:
[Ultimate Training System] Training Opportunity Assessment: Complex Terrain Navigation: EXCELLENT development potential Dynamic Environment Response: Critical for hero training Social Challenge Component: Rivalry will accelerate growth Recommendation: ACCEPT CHALLENGE
"Sounds intense," Mineta said, surprised by the eagerness in his own voice. "I'm in."
The receptionist—a different one from Monday, this time a middle-aged man with multiple eyes along his forehead—waved them through after checking their passes.
When they reached Zone C, Mineta stopped in his tracks. The training area had been transformed from its previous configuration. Ropes of varying thicknesses hung from the ceiling in a complex web. Several platforms now moved slowly in different patterns. Foam padding covered strategic areas of the floor—the spots where falls seemed most likely.
"You really went all out," Mineta said, both impressed and slightly intimidated.
Sero shrugged, but his proud smile betrayed his satisfaction. "My older cousin works here part-time. He helped me set it up this morning." He gestured toward the course with a sweep of his arm. "What do you think? Too much?"
Mineta took a deep breath and assessed the course with fresh eyes. Each obstacle presented multiple approach options—swinging ropes for direct traversal, walls for his sticky balls, platforms that could serve as midway points. It was challenging, yes, but not impossible.
"It's perfect," he decided. "What are the rules?"
"Simple." Sero pointed to a red flag hanging from the far end of the course. "Start here, grab the flag, return to start. Fastest time wins."
"And quirks?"
"Absolutely use them. That's the point—learning to apply our abilities in a tactical situation." Sero's grin widened. "Think of it as U.A. entrance exam prep."
[Ultimate Training System] Challenge Analysis: Course Difficulty: HIGH Risk Assessment: CONTROLLED Training Value: EXCEPTIONAL U.A. Relevance: DIRECT APPLICATION Competitive Element: Will enhance performance
"Who goes first?" Mineta asked, already mentally plotting his route.
"I will," Sero said, stretching his arms. "Then you can learn from my mistakes."
"Or I'll learn how much I need to beat your time by," Mineta countered with newfound confidence.
Sero laughed. "That's the spirit! Let me set the timer."
As Sero prepared at the starting line, Mineta observed closely. The taller boy's posture was relaxed but focused, his eyes already tracing potential paths through the obstacle course. There was no wasted movement as he rolled his shoulders and flexed his elbows, limbering up the parts of his body most crucial to his quirk.
"Starting in three... two... one... go!" Sero pressed the timer and launched himself into action.
What followed was a masterclass in mobility. Sero shot tape lines with precision born from countless hours of practice, using them to swing, pull, and propel himself through the course. He moved with fluid grace, each movement flowing seamlessly into the next just as he had demonstrated on Monday.
When faced with a gap too wide for a direct crossing, he used a double-line technique—one tape line to anchor himself, another to pull a distant platform closer. His body twisted mid-air to avoid hanging obstacles, demonstrating core strength and spatial awareness that Mineta couldn't help but admire.
[Ultimate Training System] Observation Analysis: Subject: Hanta Sero Technique Assessment: Advanced mobility, excellent spatial awareness Notable Tactics: Double-line anchoring, momentum conservation Physical Condition: Exceptional upper body strength, core stability Areas to Emulate: Flow between movements, anticipatory planning
When Sero reached the flag, he grabbed it with a triumphant "Got it!" before executing his return journey with equal skill. He landed at the starting point with a small hop, stopping the timer at 1:42.
"Not bad," he said, barely winded. "But I fumbled that third crossing. Could have shaved off at least five seconds."
Mineta nodded, his mind already adapting what he'd seen to his own quirk's capabilities. "That move with the double lines was smart."
"Thanks." Sero handed him the reset timer. "Your turn, Ball Man. Show me what you've got."
Mineta approached the starting line, a familiar pre-test anxiety bubbling in his stomach. But beneath it was something new—a quiet confidence built from weeks of System-guided training and the knowledge that, for once, he wasn't just trying to avoid humiliation. He was competing as an equal.
[Ultimate Training System] Pre-Challenge Focus: Sticky Ball Ricochet I: READY Mobile Adhesion Points: PREPARED Adaptive Navigation: ENGAGED Recommendation: Trust your training
"Three... two... one... go!"
Mineta launched himself into the course, immediately plucking balls from his head and placing them strategically along his path. Unlike Sero's flowing swings, Mineta's approach required more frequent contact points—a staccato rhythm of stick, pull, release, repeat.
Where Sero had used raw athleticism, Mineta relied on calculation and planning. He'd mentally mapped multiple paths while watching Sero's run, categorizing them by risk and efficiency. Now he executed his primary route with careful precision, using his sticky balls not just as anchor points but as tools to manipulate the environment.
When he reached a section with swinging sandbags designed to knock competitors off course, Mineta surprised himself. Instead of carefully navigating around them as Sero had done, he fired a series of ricochet shots that momentarily stuck the obstacles in place, creating a clear path.
[Ultimate Training System] Skill Application: Sticky Ball Ricochet I: Novel application discovered! Environmental Control: NEW CONCEPT Experience Gain: +1.7% to Tactical Tree
As he progressed deeper into the course, Mineta felt himself entering a state of flow. Each placement of a sticky ball felt intuitive, each movement building naturally from the last. The System's guidance faded to the background as his body executed what his mind had internalized through relentless practice.
When a platform unexpectedly shifted away from his planned route, he didn't panic. Instead, he quickly calculated an alternative path, using a rapid series of short pulls to maintain momentum.
[Ultimate Training System] Adaptation Alert: Real-time Problem Solving: EXCEPTIONAL Quirk Application Flexibility: IMPROVED Note: This is critical hero aptitude
By the time Mineta grabbed the flag, his breathing was heavy but controlled. The return journey required even more concentration as fatigue began to set in. His arms burned from the repeated pulling motions, and his scalp tingled from the rapid succession of balls he'd plucked.
With a final burst of effort, he swung himself back to the starting point and slapped the timer.
1:51.
Nine seconds slower than Sero.
"Damn," Mineta muttered, hands on his knees as he caught his breath. "So close."
"Are you kidding? That was impressive!" Sero's voice held genuine admiration. "First time running the course and only nine seconds behind? Most people wouldn't come within thirty seconds of my time."
Mineta straightened, a strange mix of disappointment and pride washing over him. "I slowed down too much at the sandbag section."
"But that trick with your sticky balls to stop them swinging? That was genius." Sero mimicked the motion Mineta had used. "I never thought of using adhesive for environmental control like that."
[Ultimate Training System] Social Recognition: Peer Validation: SIGNIFICANT Confidence Boost: +0.6 Achievement Recognition: PROCESSED
"It just seemed like the logical move," Mineta said, though inwardly he was glowing from the praise.
"That's the kind of thinking that separates good quirk users from great ones." Sero handed him a water bottle. "Looking at the whole environment as something you can work with, not just obstacles to avoid."
As they rehydrated, Sero suggested a second round with a new rule—they would each have to use a different route than their first attempt. Mineta agreed immediately, already analyzing potential alternatives.
The second run proved even more illuminating. Sero maintained his advantage with a time of 1:45, but Mineta closed the gap significantly, finishing in 1:49. His improvement came primarily from better anticipation of the moving elements and more strategic placement of his adhesive points.
"Two seconds better!" Sero noted approvingly. "You're a quick learner."
"Still not quick enough," Mineta replied, but there was no bitterness in his tone—just the healthy frustration of someone who saw their potential and wanted to reach it.
[Ultimate Training System] Progress Assessment: Course Navigation: +3.4% efficiency Quirk Application: +2.1% creativity Competitive Drive: HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT Note: Rivalry producing accelerated growth
Sero took a long drink from his water bottle, studying Mineta with thoughtful eyes. "You know what I think would help? Reaction drills."
"Reaction drills?"
"Yeah. Your route planning is solid, but you hesitate slightly before each move. Split-second decision making is what separates the top heroes from everyone else."
Mineta considered this. The System had highlighted reaction time as an area for improvement, but he hadn't prioritized it in his training.
[Ultimate Training System] Training Recommendation: Reaction Speed Training: HIGH PRIORITY Potential Gains: Significant for overall hero capability Compatibility with Current Skills: EXCELLENT Suggestion: Accept training offer
"How would we train that?" Mineta asked.
Sero's grin turned mischievous. "I was hoping you'd ask." He led Mineta to a smaller section of the training zone where several padded posts stood at varying heights. "This is where I practice tape shooting accuracy. With a few modifications, it can become a reaction challenge."
The "modifications" turned out to be Sero using his tape to suddenly pull or push the posts, creating unpredictable movement patterns that required immediate response.
"The game is simple," Sero explained. "I'll make the posts move randomly. Your job is to tag each one with a sticky ball before it changes position again. We'll count how many successful tags you make in thirty seconds."
"And then we switch?" Mineta asked.
"Of course. Fair competition."
The first round was humbling. Mineta managed only seven successful tags, his reaction time lagging just enough for many of his sticky balls to miss their moving targets. Sero, with his practiced tape shots, scored twelve when his turn came.
"Don't feel bad," Sero said as they reset for round two. "I've been doing this drill for months."
"I'm not worried," Mineta replied, and strangely enough, he meant it. The gap didn't discourage him—it motivated him. The System showed him exactly what needed improvement:
[Ultimate Training System] Performance Analysis: Reaction Speed: 7.4/20 (DEVELOPING) Target Acquisition: 6.9/20 (DEVELOPING) Hand-Eye Coordination: 9.3/20 (MODERATE) Improvement Path: Clear and achievable
For the second round, Mineta adjusted his strategy. Instead of waiting to see the full movement of each post, he began predicting trajectories based on Sero's elbow movements—a subtle tell that preceded each tape manipulation.
His score improved to nine.
"Better!" Sero approved. "What changed?"
"I started watching your elbows instead of the posts," Mineta admitted. "They telegraph your moves slightly."
Sero looked surprised, then laughed. "That's... actually really observant. Most people never notice that." He flexed his arm thoughtfully. "In a real battle, reading your opponent's physical cues can give you the critical edge."
[Ultimate Training System] Combat Insight Unlocked: "Opponent Reading I" - Foundation skill for predictive combat Integration with Current Skills: Strategic Thinking enhanced Note: Critical for future hero encounters
They continued with the reaction drills for another twenty minutes, each round bringing slight improvements to Mineta's score. By their final attempt, he'd managed to close the gap considerably, scoring eleven tags to Sero's thirteen.
"Not bad at all," Sero said as they took another water break. "You've got good eyes and quick hands. Once your body catches up to your brain, you'll be dangerous."
The casual compliment struck Mineta deeply. In his previous life, no one had ever suggested he could be "dangerous" in a positive sense—a genuine competitor, someone with real potential.
"I've been working on strength training too," he found himself saying. "Upper body especially."
"It shows," Sero replied, surprising him. "Your pulls are stronger than they look like they should be, given your size."
Instead of feeling insulted by the reference to his height—a sore point in his previous life—Mineta felt a surge of pride. His hard work was visible enough for someone else to notice.
[Ultimate Training System] Physical Progress Validation: External Recognition: Upper body development noticed Confidence in Progress: REINFORCED Self-Image Improvement: +0.7
"Thanks," Mineta said simply. "One more challenge before we wrap up?"
Sero raised an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"
Mineta pointed to the balance beams at the far end of the training zone. "How about something that tests control rather than speed?"
The balance challenge proved to be Mineta's strongest event yet. Where Sero's height gave him advantages in the speed and reaction courses, Mineta's lower center of gravity provided superior stability on the narrow beams. They set up a course that required traversing increasingly narrow surfaces while avoiding obstacles and maintaining balance.
To make it more challenging, they added a rule: no using quirks to stabilize yourself directly—only to interact with external objects.
Sero went first again, displaying impressive control despite his lankier frame. He moved with careful precision, using occasional short tape bursts to adjust objects in his path rather than to support himself. When he wobbled once near the end, he recovered with a quick core adjustment that spoke to hours of balance training.
His final time: 1:23 with only one significant stability check.
When Mineta's turn came, he approached the course with quiet confidence. Balance had always been one of his secret strengths—a necessity for someone his size navigating a world built for taller people. Combined with the System's optimization of his movement patterns, he felt perfectly at home on the narrow beams.
[Ultimate Training System] Natural Aptitude Detected: Balance Proficiency: EXCEPTIONAL Physical Advantage: Lower center of gravity Training Enhancement: +28% efficiency in this discipline Recommendation: Capitalize on this strength
Mineta moved through the course with surprising grace, his steps sure and controlled. At one particularly challenging section where the beam narrowed to just three inches wide, he transitioned to a technique the System had recommended—a specialized heel-to-toe gait that maximized stability.
Sero watched with growing amazement as Mineta navigated obstacles that had caused him difficulty. When a sudden rotating arm swung toward Mineta's path, he simply ducked under it with perfect timing instead of having to pause or adjust as Sero had done.
"Damn," Sero muttered. "You're like a cat."
Mineta completed the course without a single stability check, stopping the timer at 1:09—fourteen seconds faster than Sero.
"And we have a winner!" Sero announced, offering a high-five that Mineta returned with a satisfying smack. "Where'd you learn to balance like that?"
Mineta shrugged, but couldn't suppress a proud smile. "Just something I've always been decent at. My height has some advantages."
"I'll say. You absolutely smoked me on that one." There was no resentment in Sero's voice—just genuine respect and the healthy acknowledgment of a rival's strength.
[Ultimate Training System] Social Milestone Achieved: "Mutual Respect" established with training partner Relationship Status: Developing Rivalry Character Growth Opportunity: SIGNIFICANT
As they began cooling down with light stretches, Sero leaned against the wall and gave Mineta a thoughtful look.
"You know, we push each other in different ways," he observed. "I've got you beat on raw mobility and reaction time, but you've got me on balance and tactical thinking."
"Complementary strengths," Mineta agreed, stretching his shoulders. He'd pushed himself harder today than in any previous training session, and his muscles were letting him know it.
"Exactly. Which is why..." Sero hesitated, then continued with casual confidence, "I was thinking we should make this a regular thing. Training partners, twice a week. You game?"
The question caught Mineta off guard. In his previous life, he'd never been anyone's first choice as a partner—for training or anything else. People tolerated him at best, avoided him at worst.
[Ultimate Training System] Social Development Alert: Partnership Opportunity: EXCEPTIONAL VALUE Projected Growth Rate: +19% with regular partnership Recommendation: ACCEPT IMMEDIATELY
"Definitely," Mineta said, unable to keep the enthusiasm from his voice. "Twice a week works for me."
"Awesome!" Sero pulled out his phone. "Let's exchange contact info. I know some other training spots we could rotate through too. Keeps things fresh."
As they traded numbers—another simple social interaction that felt strangely significant—Mineta felt the System updating his progress:
[Ultimate Training System – Stats Panel] Stats: Strength: 6.8 (+0.5) Agility: 7.1 (+0.6) Dexterity: 9.4 (+0.7) Endurance: 7.5 (+0.6) Intelligence: 12.1 (+0.3) Charm: 9.1 (+0.7)
🪄 Skills Panel: Quirk Proficiency: 16.8% (+1.6%) Strategic Thinking: 16.4% (+1.3%) Swing Training I: 15.9% (+3.6%) Basic Manipulation: 9.2% (+1.4%) Sticky Ball Ricochet I: 9.4% (+2.3%) Basic Trap Design: 10.2% (+1.1%) Terrain Adaptation: 10.8% (+3.4%) Charm Proficiency: 7.9% (+1.2%) Social Awareness I: 7.3% (+1.5%) Confidence Posture: 27.2% (+2.9%) Collaborative Tactics I: 4.8% (+2.7%) NEW Balance Mastery I: 14.5% (NATURAL APTITUDE) NEW Opponent Reading I: 2.3% (UNLOCKED)
🌲 Skill Tree Progress: 🔗 Mobility Tree: [Basic Balance] → 58% (+17%) | [Swing Training I] → 15.9% (+3.6%) [Mobile Ricochet Tactics] → 3.3% (+2.8%) NEW BRANCH [Balance Mastery I] → 14.5% (UNLOCKED)
🧠 Tactical Tree: [Basic Strategy] → 27.3% (+2.8%) | [Environmental Analysis] → 18.2% (+3.4%) [Basic Trap Design] → 10.2% (+1.1%) | [Terrain Adaptation] → 10.8% (+3.4%) [Collaborative Tactics I] → 4.8% (+2.7%) NEW BRANCH [Opponent Reading I] → 2.3% (UNLOCKED)
🕷️ Sticky Arts Tree: [Basic Manipulation] → 9.2% (+1.4%) | [Variable Adhesion] → 6.7% (+1.8%) [Adhesion Timing Control] → 5.1% (+1.7%) [Ricochet Mastery] → 3.7% (+2.5%) NEW CONCEPT [Environmental Control] → 1.8% (UNLOCKED)
✨ Charm Tree: [Social Presence] → 7.3% (+1.5%) | [Confidence Posture] → 27.2% (+2.9%) [Visual Appeal] → 10.8% (+1.4%)
"You know," Sero said as they gathered their belongings, "we should set some concrete goals to work toward. The U.A. entrance exam is going to be brutal."
"What do you have in mind?" Mineta asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"How about this—by the end of the month, I want to break the ninety-second mark on the obstacle course. And you should aim to beat me in the reaction challenge at least once."
Mineta considered this, then nodded. "Deal. And we both have to score at least fifteen tags in thirty seconds."
"Now you're talking!" Sero bumped fists with him. "Nothing motivates like a clear target."
As they walked out of the center together, discussing potential specialized training exercises for their next session, the System flashed a final update:
[Ultimate Training System] CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT UPDATE "The Tactician's Presence" Requirements: ✓ Confidence Posture 20%+ (Current: 27.2%) ✓ Visual Appeal 9%+ (Current: 10.8%) Sticky Ball Ricochet I 10%+ (Current: 9.4%) - 94% COMPLETE
Arc Progress: "Bonds of Adhesion" - 40% Complete Next Milestone: "The Bro Pact: Training Partners" - ACCELERATED
As Mineta headed home, pleasantly exhausted and already anticipating their next session, he realized something had fundamentally changed. For the first time, his training wasn't just about becoming stronger or more skilled in isolation. It was about connection—pushing and being pushed, learning and teaching, growing alongside someone who saw value in what he could offer.
This, he understood now, was how real heroes developed. Not just through solitary effort, but through the bonds forged in shared struggle and mutual respect.
Tape and adhesive—different in composition but similar in purpose. Separate, they were useful tools. Together, they were becoming something more.
A partnership that might just change both their futures.