Itai Shifuku [:painful bliss]

:painful bliss

The ambers of the beaming flashlight fell upon the shadows of the pavement, characterising the once dark silhouette of a person to identify as the body of sixteen year old, Midoriya Izuku. A person, whose body was bullied and broken to such an extent that it was hardly recognisable. His undeniably pale skin had taken too much damage, but with necessary medical attention, he could have healed gradually. However, the damage his brain took would have taken far longer to heal. He lived a dreadful and scrutinising life.

After all, he was quirkless.

In a world full of heroes and villains, villains dictated the underground evils while the heroes bathed in the spotlight above ground.

It was a huge difference. The wall dividing them was quirks. Quirks they were born with. A mutation in the living world.

Since the early age of four, Izuku has seen the world in a different light. Whilst his peers were getting their awaited quirks, left and right, he was declared as quirkless. It would have not been significant, if it wasn't for the reality that quirkless people were rare. They were looked down upon, and considered worthless. He learned at the very age that society was unprincipled.

Despite the troubles, his aspiration to be a hero outmatched the cruel words the world threw at him. The will and need to save people from a life like his own.

Time flew by as the leaves changed their hues, but nothing really changed. The taunting, the death threats, the beatings, the bullies. The only constant thing in his life was his mother. All the same, she was never really present in his life. He was just given the basic necessities, but not the motherly love he, oh so longed for.

He didn't regard himself as someone who could trust easily, but the betrayal still hurt.

"Take a swan dive off of the roof of the building, and pray for a power in your next life."

Izuku found himself frozen in the presence of his main bully. Katsuki Bakugou. His first and only best friend, who turned on him since he was diagnosed as quirkless.

Earlier that day, his homeroom teacher had proudly announced his application to one of the most prestigious schools in japan, UA High, to the whole class. In light of the whole ordeal, he was now suffering from another episode of verbal bullying.

In the black of the sky, came streaks of bold lights. Lightning and thunder resonated within the area. Tears came pouring out, as if his century long pain had finally condensed into a flood of rain. But despite the overwhelming sorrow and misery, he kept a bright fraudulent smile.

"If that's what you really want, then I will do it Kacchan."

As soon as the words fell out, Katsuki halted in his stride out of the gates. The usual smirk on his face immediately fell into one of pure horror as he turned around to face the other.

"Hey- I- didn't mean it... you know I just want you to be safe from a dangerous job of a hero right?"

Red eyes met green, as he stared at the dull hue of once bright eyes. How did such a bright, nerdy kid turn into... this? Why had he never noticed how thin the other boy was.

"Look- don't do this.. Okay? step away from the ledge- You won't be a hero if you do this-"

"Kacchan, I can't be a hero. You were right. I'm tired, Kacchan.. I can't keep doing this anymore."

"What about your mom? She would be- be really sad you know?"

"Kacchan- my mom gave up on me."

"What?"

"Sorry Kacchan. Be a hero for me 'kay?"

Leaning back against the edge of the rooftop, soft green curls fell on his shoulders. His hair moved as soft green grass in the wind, reeling and hiding his chubby tear streaked cheeks. Green eyes gazed at the cloudy sky above. At least the world would mourn his loss.

Wind rushed past his ears as he fell towards the clutches of death, arms reaching out in hopes to touch the sky. From the corner of his vision he could see the panicked look in the deep crimson eyes of his former best friend.

//Ironically, this reminds him of the river incident years ago. Where Kacchan refused to take his hand, here he refused Kacchan's help. Kacchan's help- //

That was all it took for his tiny shrivelled heart to do gleeful cartwheels. Someone cared for him.

To others his death must have been agonising, but to him it was peaceful. His vision faded and his breathing gradually halted.

Peace, at last.