Too Late

Chapter 24: A Glimmer of Recognition

Uraraka sat by Midoriya's bedside, her gaze fixed upon his expressionless face. She had hoped that her words, spoken with unwavering sincerity, would pierce through the veil that shrouded his mind. With a deep breath, she reached out to gently touch his hand.

"Deku... It's me, Uraraka," she whispered, her voice filled with tenderness. "I miss you, you know? We all do. We need you back with us, fighting by our side."

Midoriya's eyes, once empty and devoid of emotion, seemed to flicker ever so slightly at the sound of his nickname. It was a subtle response, but for Uraraka, it ignited a spark of hope within her heart.

"Do you remember, Deku? Remember how we trained together, how we supported each other? You always believed in me, even when I doubted myself. I want to return that belief now, to remind you of the incredible hero you are."

As she spoke, memories flooded Uraraka's mind—their shared dreams of becoming heroes, their countless training sessions, and the unbreakable bond they had forged. She hoped that by reliving these moments, by invoking the essence of their friendship, she could reignite the flame of his spirit.

"Remember the times we laughed together, the victories we celebrated? Remember how we promised to always be there for each other? Deku, you've touched so many lives, including mine. Please, come back to us."

In that fleeting moment, a barely perceptible change washed over Midoriya's face. His gaze seemed to sharpen, and a hint of recognition flickered within his eyes. It was as if a distant echo of the past had reached him, a fragment of a forgotten melody.

Uraraka's heart swelled with a mix of joy and relief. "Deku, if you can hear me, please show us a sign. Let us know that you're still in there, fighting to break free from this darkness."

And then, with a tremor that traveled from his fingertips to his hand, Midoriya's fingers twitched ever so slightly, a response so delicate that only Uraraka, with her unwavering faith, could have noticed.

Tears welled up in Uraraka's eyes as she clasped Midoriya's hand tightly. "That's it, Deku! I know you're still in there. We'll keep fighting for you, every step of the way. Just hold on a little longer."

As the room filled with a mix of hope and determination, Uraraka vowed to continue her efforts, to be a constant presence by Midoriya's side. She would remind him of the love and support that surrounded him, inching closer to the day when he would fully return to them.

The journey was far from over, but in that brief moment of connection, Uraraka saw the spark of her dear friend's spirit reignite. And with that glimmer of recognition, she knew that they were one step closer to rescuing Midoriya from the clutches of darkness and restoring him to the hero he was destined to be.