Downward Spiral (Izuocha)

Chapter 46 I think I'm normal

Izuku P.O.V.

My time with Ms Joke for the day had ended, meaning that I had to get back to the dorms and study a bit to catch up on anything I missed while I was recovering. After telling her of my first memory, she just asked me how I felt about it and tried to get me to open up a bit and I did, even if I was a bit reluctant at first, but what she had said made me gain a different perspective. 'She is right, I'm already deep into this and like it or not I'll have to speak to someone about this. It's better if I talk to her about it considering she is a professional. Plus, she gives this comfortable vibe that is really.... nice.' I made my way back to the dorms and gained the attention of everyone as soon as I opened the door and was rushed by Uraraka who seemed to inspect me from every possible angle. Kacchan gave me a look that I could not really decipher and then scoffed and walked away, presumably to his room. Then, I felt a cold gaze from one of the sides of the room, accompanied by silent steps that complemented his quiet lifestyle.

"Midoriya, if you are heading to your room, I will accompany you." he stated in his ever present monotone voice, completely the opposite to the voice of Ms Joke that I could still vaguely remember, yet both hold some sort of warmth that emitted some sort of positivity. "Y-yeah, I need to study a bit. Let's go." And with that, we left, but I still felt like I was constantly watched by everyone, and I wasn't wrong. It was as if I were some sort of stranger or alien that had walked uninvited into their personal space and was being evaluated by everyone. It was uncomfortable and even somewhat disheartening. We reached my room and opened my door to find it lit up, blinds open and completely clean. 'I don't remember leaving it like this.' "They cleaned your room and opened the blinds today to let the light in but didn't change any or even touch your figurines or personal belongings." I quickly put a hand in my mouth because his response meant that I was mumbling to myself, but do to his natural perceptiveness, Todoroki was able to hear me loud and clear and give an explanation.

"H-hey Todoroki, w-why are you here with me?" I knew that I needed someone that looked after me and be on watch but it just felt weird as I walked to my desk and sat down while he just stood there taking glances at the bathroom from time to time. "To confiscate any objects that may cause you harm and to make sure you don't do anything you will regret." 'So that's what he was doing glancing around.' He slowly moved but not touching anything, just analysing every single inch of my room to which I just sighed at his awkward movements. "You can touch anything you want Todoroki and if you are going to stay later, then sit on the bed or floor while you keep watch.... If that's what you want of course..." He nodded in understanding but kept close eye on me, sensing the tension in my voice. Being watched and treated so differently made me feel alienated, and it was because of me that they had to change their attitudes and watch what they say around me. Not only my classmates but teachers as well, and overall, it started to irritate me and it was only my second day back at school.

A few minutes went by and came back empty handed, probably because my room had been inspected the morning after the incident and such measures could have been already taken. "Um... Todoroki? Am I n-normal?" He stayed silent while he straightened up sitting in the floor and against the bed, only being able to watch my back as I had not turned to ask him the question. "Is there such thing as normal?" A question that had been asked ever since quirks started to rise, especially mutation types. What could now be considered normal and what was strange? Mutations such as in Ashido became everyday things that you could probably see if you took a walk outside for no longer than forty minutes. However, even if he was one of the only ones that did not have any mutation features, right now he did not feel normal at all. "I-it's just... everyone is l-looking at me weird and treating me differently. I'm still me." That was the easiest way to put it, rather than saying that I felt like a caged animal at a zoo being shown as the 'new exhibit'. "Well, can you blame them?"

"Huh?" "You may still be yourself physically, but we have not seen the same boy that would be too excited to have hero classes and mumble to himself when too invested in a subject since at least a month now. But I assure you, if we see that same person then we will start to treat you like that again. Although, there is one thing that never changed." I had turned around to look at him, interested in what he was saying and keeping quiet to myself so that he could continue but we just stared at each other for a few minutes. "What never changed Todoroki?" "That we care for you." Even if it wasn't the biggest revelation ever, considering the large amount of letters and visits, it was still heartwarming and reassuring to hear something like that, especially from a friend that I had once helped a long time ago. "Believe it or not, we started noticing a long time ago but we were too reluctant to act, so excuse us if we seem over protective of you. Now come on, we have dinner in a few minutes and I am hungry."I got up from my seat and followed him out of my room. 'Yeah, he's right. Things could be worse I suppose.'

So that is one out of five. Let's go.

Also yeah, the tittle is a nod to a song by Carter Ace. It's quite good, listen to it if you want.