Downward Spiral (Izuocha)

Chapter 29 Dread

Third Person P.O.V.

Was it going back to school through the path he knew his supposed friends also took? Was it having to try and look at them in the eye and not being able to ignore them one hundred percent of the time because they lived together? Or was it just overall people finding out about his troubles? His anxiety was at an all time highest, far surpassing when he was a quirkless kid in middle school. Was it wrong that he had become accustomed to his bullies so much so that it became a normalized thing? This types of questions surfaced on his mind, but never left his lips as they were sealed shut by his depressive state and blank lifeless stare into the path ahead of him he had memorized even before he started attending U.A. That was the only certainty in his mind, his depression far surpassed that when Bakugou made it his personal favourite hobby to make his life an absolute living hell. Yes, he had thought of suicide as an option to relieve the world from the burden he was, but had never fully started the process of self injury. But once he got a taste of it, he understood its addictive nature.

She had only one thought on his mind, and it was of course the greenette that pained her to only call best friend, but it was due to his physical and mental state that he was on her mind. That and his toned biceps she saw when he was wearing a short sleeved shirt when they went to the mall. Despite the questionable thoughts, she had done her research about Deku's symptoms and to say she was surprised and concerned was an understatement. His lack of sleep, clear from the large eyebags, and lack of appetite, evidenced by the tray he carried that did not hold the signature katsudon he would order almost daily, were clear giveaways that something was wrong. That and the added change of behaviour, lack of energy and his more than usual spacing out, came up after a search in the internet as signs of depression from the most trustworthy sources and deadly illnesses from questionable sources. She couldn't believe that THE DEKU, that used to smile so brightly with his friends and had sort of come out of his shell had now made it normal for him to look like a walking corpse.

Uraraka P.O.V.

I was on my way back to U.A. when I saw Deku up ahead with his head down, hair as messy as ever and slouched inwardly, making him look like a hurt kitten who was taking his time walking back to the dorms. I sped up my pace to catch up to him quicker and the closer I got, the more worried I grew. He was holding his left wrist with a strong grip, as if tightening something or trying to ease the pain in that area. His face was blank as ever, probably in his own world, while his eyes lacked the usual toxic green and were replaced by dull pupils staring into nothingness. "Deku?", but no response. "Deeeekuuu....", in a rhythmic way to sway his attention back to reality, but getting the same result. I put my hand out and moved it over his face quite fast, deciding that making him float or yelling at him would only cause him to panic, fall and then apologise to me for no apparent reason. He shook his head and then looked at me for a few seconds until he recognized me finally. "H-hey U-uraraka", he stuttered and then started walking faster while I followed but would not question him, fearing getting the same result as in the beach.

Uncomfortable, awkward and painful silence for the entire trip to U.A. and back into the dorms. We had to be a few minutes early to put our clothes back in our designated rooms to then head back to 1-A and have homeroom with Aizawa, who would explain what we would be doing for the next few weeks. After coming back out the dorms, I never saw him again until I reached the classroom and took my seat, seeing as I was one of the last ones, with Mina and Kaminari being the only ones missing, and him having the dead stare that was becoming typical of him. I was not the only one who noticed him, as he had gained the attention of our close friend group and even those close to him, as Jiro who was next to Bakugo had side eyed him with an almost amused glance. "Okay, somethings wrong with him *kero*", added Tru from a few sits in front to both Iida and me. "But what can we do? Last time I asked he just walked away, and he won't answer his phone" I responded, but was quickly silenced by Iida as class was about to start. 'I guess we'll speak after class'

Time skip

Iida, Tsu, and I sat together in the common area, waiting for Todoroki, Yaoyorozu, Aoyama and Mineta, as Tsu could control him and Deku is the only one nice enough to look past his perverted nature. They arrived one by one, Todoroki and Yaoyorozu sitting close together while the others just found a place near the place, starting what could be one of the most chaotic meetings between classmates. "You were all called here because of our mutual friend who seems to be suffering." Iida started, getting a few nods of approval and other confused stares. Knowing that I had to step in, as I somehow held the most information, "Deku is not acting like himself, and is clearly not feeling very well, so we need to help him, but we can't force him to do anything." "After all, that's what a hero in training should do *kero*, help others in need." Added Tsu, once again showing her strong ideals and opinions. Her bluntness may be necessary for Deku's recovery. I did not want to have a conversation like this, but sooner or later I had to face the music, as I could not handle a subject as heavy as this on my own, and I am pretty sure that many would like to see the green mop back to his usual and approachable self.

Yoo, for the next 2 months and a half, chapters every day. Thank god I am back, however, I need you readers to answer a few questions. I know there are little to no comments on this fic, but I would really appreciate it if you could answer these as a way to plan out the near future, so here we go.

Should I change my writing style? And what writer should it resemble (if any)?

Next fic, what you want?

a) Quirkless villain Deku (no ship)

b) Deku with a stand like quirk but that's about as jojo references will go (different ship)

c) Pick up the story from a place and do a ship, such as the sports festival (like this one but not Izuocha and further in the past)

All of these I enjoy, but please vote. Also, no negative votes.

Lastly, should I post a chapter of the next fic and a chapter of this fic on different days? As in Monday this, Tuesday the other, Wednesday this, etc.

Please once again comment so I can tally votes and get a general idea. 

Now remember, a life has a price like no other and we are all different and unique, do not give it away as we are all wonderful in our own way. Stay positive and kind, I hope you have or had a good day and I shall see you tomorrow (for real).