MHA Angst Oneshot

Chapter 19

Title: Echoes of Empathy

Platonic Shinmonodeku

The world seemed bleak and suffocating to Izuku Midoriya as he trudged through the hallways of U.A. High School. The weight of his failures and insecurities bore down on him, leaving him feeling hollow and lost. The once-burning passion within him had dimmed to mere embers, threatening to extinguish completely.

Hitoshi Shinsou, having recognized Izuku's pain, couldn't bear to see him suffer alone. He had his own battles with darkness, and he understood the value of a helping hand. However, he knew that he couldn't shoulder the burden alone. He needed someone who could empathize, someone who had walked in Izuku's shoes.

Enter Neito Monoma, whose constant arrogance and rivalry with Class 1-A had slowly evolved into a begrudging respect. Monoma had witnessed the cracks in Izuku's façade and sensed the hidden torment within. In his own peculiar way, he found himself oddly drawn to Izuku's struggle, seeing a reflection of his own insecurities.

One day, Shinsou and Monoma both independently sought out Izuku, hoping to offer him solace in their own unique ways. They found him sitting alone in the school courtyard, his gaze lost in the distance, shoulders hunched under the weight of his internal battles.

Shinsou approached first, his steps cautious but determined. "Izuku," he called softly, his voice laced with concern.

Izuku turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting Shinsou with a mixture of sadness and apathy. He barely acknowledged his presence, but Shinsou persisted. "You don't have to face this alone, Izuku. We care about you. Let us help."

Monoma, who had been standing at a distance, finally stepped forward. "As much as it pains me to admit it," he began, a hint of vulnerability breaking through his usual bravado, "I understand what it's like to be burdened by your own insecurities, to feel like you're drowning in self-doubt. But you don't have to carry that weight by yourself."

The combination of Shinsou's empathy and Monoma's unexpected understanding sparked a glimmer of hope within Izuku's eyes. The walls he had built around himself started to crumble, and the possibility of opening up to them became tangible.

"I... I don't know if I can," Izuku whispered, his voice barely audible.

Shinsou and Monoma exchanged a determined glance, their resolve unwavering. "You don't have to know," Shinsou reassured him gently. "We're here to listen, to understand. We want to help you find your way back."

As Izuku hesitated, torn between his desire for solace and his fear of vulnerability, Shinsou and Monoma remained steadfast. They offered him their unwavering support, their understanding, and their willingness to shoulder his pain together.

Slowly, cautiously, Izuku took a small step forward, trusting that they would catch him if he stumbled. With each passing day, Shinsou and Monoma became pillars of strength in his life. They listened, comforted, and offered guidance, reminding him that he was not alone.

Through their shared experiences and mutual support, Izuku found solace in their friendship. Shinsou and Monoma became his anchors, guiding him through the storm, and slowly but surely, he started to reclaim his sense of self. The road to recovery was far from easy, but with their support, Izuku discovered that healing was possible—even for a broken soul like his own.

Together, they wove a tapestry of empathy and understanding, creating a safe space where Izuku could share his fears, his failures, and his insecurities without judgment. Shinsou's quiet strength and Monoma's unyielding determination served as constant reminders that he was not defined by his struggles, but rather by his resilience and his capacity to grow.