Chapter Text
The two boys sat at their desks in the classroom with the other students, some talking, some sleeping, as they waited for the teacher to come and begin the lesson.
"Hey, Katsuki hasn't been going to school for a while now. I'm starting to get worried, it's nothing like him."
"I know. Me, too.. You think Deku's death affected him that much?"
"It seems like it.. I never thought he'd care."
"... I think he's guilty."
"Eh? For driving Deku to it?"
"Yeah.. I mean, it's really confusing, but I kind of understand him, I guess.."
"Yeah, me, too. I don't know why, I honestly couldn't care less about him living or not."
"Un.."
They kept talking, going a little off topic on their earlier conversation, when all of a sudden they heard that familiar voice of their friend they had been so worried about. They turned their heads towards the voice, their eyes lightening up.
"Uh.. Hey..."
Katsuki murmured, avoiding eye contact with his friends. He was so pale and skinny, it was clear he had lost a lot of weight.
"Katsuki!"
One of the boys said, getting off the desk he was just sitting on, and going to hug Katsuki.
"U-Un.. Been a while.."
"How have you been? Are you alright? It's been a month?"
He asked, clearly worried for his friend.
"I'm fine-"
"Katsuki, you're pale as fuck, that's not okay."
The gray-haired boy said in worry, leaning against the chair he sat on.
"Yeah, are you alright? You're way skinnier, too."
Katsuki huffed, gripping his bag tighter.
"I'm fine."
"Katsuki, you're clearly not-"
"I said. I'm fine, Kariage."
Katsuki interrupted, cutting him off as he walked past him and sat down at his desk. Kariage and the gray-haired friend exchanged looks, both sighing a bit in defeat.
-
Once it was lunch time, all the students didn't hesitate even for a moment to get out of the classroom and into the way overcrowded hallway as everyone made their way towards the cafeteria. Everyone but Katsuki. Kariage seemed to notice as he packed his bag that Katsuki was just sitting in his desk, staring at the empty one that was once Izuku's.
"Kats?"
Katsuki didn't answer, still staring as if he wasn't even here.
"Kacchan~ You're not going to leave, are you? For lunch? You won't leave me all alone here, right?"
Katsuki shook his head.
"No.."
"Good... I'm glad, Kacchan~ You wouldn't want me to leave you again, would you?"
Katsuki felt himself tense at the question. He was just about to answer when someone touched his shoulder, causing him to almost jump out of his seat.
"Katsuki? Are you... You okay?"
"H-Huh? Yeah, of course! Did you need something?"
Kariage stood there, silently observing Katsuki, mentally noting every single detail.
"You're way too skinny. We're going to the cafeteria, come on."
He grabbed Katsuki's hand, who soon after pulled it away.
"No! I'm not hungry."
"Katsuki, you are skin and bones, I'm not letting you starve yourself to death!"
"I don't fucking care, Kariage! I'm not eating!"
A sigh left his lips at Katsuki's outburst.
"Please, Kats. You want to be strong, no? The best hero! Better than All Might! You won't be able to do that without food, you know it."
"I. Don't. Care."
Katsuki muttered through gritted teeth, arms crossed.
"I'm not leaving this classroom until the day ends."
Kariage sighed quietly once more, glancing at the desk Katsuki had been staring at, before bringing his gaze back to the blonde.
"At least let me bring you something, okay? You have to eat something. It can be just a bite, just.. Please?"
"... Fine.."
Kariage relaxed in relief, letting out a breath he had no idea he was holding, happy to see that Katsuki was willing to try, at least. He quickly left the classroom after giving Katsuki a quick and small peck on the cheek.
"I'll be right back!"
Katsuki grumbled, a small blush creeping onto his face that he refused to acknowledge. He looked back at Izuku's desk, noticing how Izuku was gone, again, before resting his head against his arms on the desk.
-
"Kats?"
"Hm..?"
"Here, I got this for you."
Katsuki sat up straight, yawning a little as he rubbed his eye with his hand, a little drowsy from being woken up from his nap.
"Mmh.. Yeah, thanks.."
He looked down at the plate, feeling a knot in his stomach at the sight. Nothing much, just some rice and fish, and yet Katsuki could feel a bile starting to form in his stomach, ready to rise up. Of course, the odd look he was giving the food didn't go unnoticed by Kariage.
"Hey, you okay?"
"Huh?"
Katsuki looked up, snapping out of his trance.
"Oh.. Y-Yeah, I'm alright..."
Kariage, of course, didn't believe a single word that Katsuki just said, but decided not to continue this topic, at least for now, knowing Katsuki wasn't in the best headspace at the moment. He didn't want to make matters worse, so he decided to change the subject and distract Katsuki.
"By the way, did you study for the test tomorrow?"
"Eh.. un."
Katsuki answered quietly, taking a tiny bite of the food.
"Can you teach me?"
Kariage asked, almost begging.
"I don't understand shit! Why is modern Japanese so hard!?"