Chapter Text
Mob told the man near the staircase that he shouldve stayed inside if it meant less people would get hurt in the process.
Serizawa didnt take it too kindly, he swung and swung.
Mob told him that real friends doesnt make him co-dependant, make him nervous and uneasy, real friends dont disregard his opinions, his feeling. Real friends are there to make one grow and learn, support one another no matter what.
When they exchanged energies--- First, Mob felt the sadness, then buzzing of anxiety, second. And suddenly the man near the staircase was a young boy like him. He looked deadly nervous and he suppressed himself until he could barely feel anything but worry, sadness and a type of hopelessness.
It all happened in a flash, in reality, but in his mind he saw the man's whole life, Serizawa Katsuya was his full name, his mother would call him Katsu-chan since when he was much younger. He have an old friend in elementary that he showed his powers to, and his faceless friend would be fascinated and amused.
Katsuya was an only child, he doesnt know who his father is, its always been his mother and him, then one day he freaked out and hurted her, badly. Katsuya's mother lay near the wall, blood dripping down her forehead, she looked shell-shocked at her own son, teeth clenched in pain.
Mob knew that feeling all too well, he had the same feeling of pain and guilt after hurting Ritsu. The indescribeable fear of losing control afterwards, the discovery that Psychic powers was not, in fact, a blessing. Katsuya barely talked to his mother or anyone else after that, he had shutdown his feelings, his life. He continued rotting away in his room with no one to help him, he was helpless and clueless.
Katsuya could barely get out of bed on some days, trash would be stashed near the messy wardrobes, his pyjamas sticky and sweaty against his skin, it was so disgusting and itchy but Katsuya could care less, he didnt want to get up to shower, eat or much of anything else. Katsuya had supressed his powers so much, Mob couldnt even get a read on how powerful he exactly was, it seemed to fluctuate depending on his anxiety and anger. His aura was like crackles of lightning, shooting out in ever direction like bullets to the skin.
Katsuya accidentally loses control when he was new to middle school and he was left at the rubble of the building, blood and rubble was everywhere, Katsuya was confused and disassociated himself from the destruction, as if it wasnt there, as if he wasnt the cause. Which is what he seemed to be doing at the moment, dismissing Claw's destruction, half the city was destroyed.
Katsuya isolates himself for 15 years after the incident in middle school, just as he was close to Mob's age.
Katsuya's mother would fret over him, asking for counselors, anything to help him, it was unsuccessful and Katsuya went by his twenties in complete isolation and filth, he had lost whatever hope he had left for his rotting future. It was such a shame that Touichiro Suzuki had came by when Katsuya's mother began to post ads online. It was raining, so the president of Claw had brought a big white umbrella with him. Suzuki had forced himself into Katsuya's life.
Suzuki convinced him by blocking off his attack, he was a psychic like him, the feeling of being understood dawn on Katsuya's soul. Mob recognized the feeling--- he remembered the day he had wandered to Reigen's office, Reigen had told him that his powers didnt make him special, any different---or any more dangerous than anyone else.
Suzuki had convinced Katsuya the opposite, that his powers made him better, more important than everyone else. Suzuki had told him that he needs to get stronger if he wants to be like him---on top of the world.
Mob didnt know how to thank Reigen enough, Mob knew he wasnt a psychic, knew that he lied to him, but Reigen was a decent man, a good teacher and mentor, such a contrast to Suzuki, who didnt lie about being a psychic, but he was a cruel person and an even worse teacher.
Mob wondered, briefly, if he wouldve fallen for Suzuki's lies as well if he was still that aimless, scared boy. Wondered if he would isolate himself for decades out of fear and confusion.
Serizawa's eyes flashed with Mob's life as well, and he finally stopped attacking, he lowered his umbrella.
"You---you really understand how it feels..?" Serizawa squeaked.
Mob looked at him for a while, sighed and nodded.
They both sat down on the staircase, Serizawa told him that he didnt want to hurt people anymore and Mob understood.