Hello everyone, I'm JNK Dog but you probably knew that. This is my first attempt at a slow burn story so forgive me if it moves a little fast. This is a warning for both this chapter and most of the story. It goes in to the harder and "deeper" parts of depression. While I may not have experienced this level of depression myself I do my best to make it realistic as possible. If I got something wrong or my writing needs improving, please don't hesitate to point it out. Thank you for baring with me, now on to the story.

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

*Action*

Night Filled with Cherry Blossoms: I

Issei Hyoudou slowly opened his eyes, looking straight up at the ceiling. He could barely remember what he did yesterday or the day before. He turned his head to look at his room. It was dirty to say the least, trash along the floor and a layer of dust everywhere. Clothes were strewed across the floor, what little there was anyway. He can't remember the last time he did any cleaning since...since the death of his parents.

'How long has it been since then?' Three months ago, the parents of Issei Hyoudou died in a car crash. Left in their will was the house, paid off and fully his, along with around 66,150,900 yen ($600,000). Ever since the people of Kuoh haven't seen the resident pervert. While some care, like his friends Matsuda and Motohama, most didn't care why he suddenly disappeared. Suddenly his stomach growled.

'When's the last time I ate? Was it yesterday? Or maybe the day before?' Slowly, almost at a crawl, he got up. He felt weak, as if he hadn't moved for days, which is likely true. He made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen area. Plates lined the counters as the sink was overfilled with dirty dishes. The trash was overflowing to the point that the trashcan could no longer be seen. Like most rooms a thin layer of dust clung to the room. He opened a pizza box on the counter sighing at what was inside. The two slices that were left had mold starting to grow on it. Slowly pushing it off the counter and in the "trash," he pulled out his phone.

Going to the local pizza chain website he ordered a small cheese pizza and a bottle of soda. Afterwards he grabbed a handful of bills from the change jar above the fridge. He sat at the dining room table, waiting for his food to arrive. He stared the table thinking about his parents. How he was such a burden on them. How much he wasted their efforts and money trying to be a harem king. He suddenly gave a hollow chuckle.

'The harem king, I was really stupid, wasn't I? Who would even want to look in my direction, let alone date me.'? The doorbell rung throughout the house. He got up and answered the door. He didn't hear the delivery man's words, only giving him the handful of bills as a tip and took his food. Closing the door, he slid down to the ground and opened the box. It wasn't the best, but it was food. After only one slice and a quarter of the soda did, he lose his appetite.

With a heavy sigh he put the box next to him as something caught his attention; he notices his sneakers. They weren't new by any means, but they weren't old and damaged either. It was then that Issei remember something akin to an old wife's tale about how nature could help with depression. He never really found out it worked or not. He thought about trying it before but never had the energy nor the will to do so, but as he stared at them something bubbled inside his chest.

'A small walk around the block won't hurt, I guess. If it doesn't work, then I'll know it was just some tale after all.' Ever so slowly, he took off his slipper and started tying his shoes, 'If this fails...I guess that'll be it then.' Opening the door Issei Hyoudou stepped outside for the first time in months. Covering his eye, he waited for them to adjust to the light after being in darkness for so long.

He looked around, not much having changed. Taking a deep breath, letting fresh air in his lungs, he took a step forward...than another...and another. Lethargically, he started walking down the street. People gave him stares of disapproval and disgust. Those walking by him gave a wide berth to avoid his smell as much as possible. He couldn't remember the last time he bathed. As he turned the corner, he accidently bumped into someone.

"Hey! Watch were you're...going..." The person was female, that much was obvious. She had brown eyes and shoulder length, pale pink hair with a white headband in it. She was somewhat short, wearing a pink hoodie, blue jeans, and pink sneakers. Issei felt a small tug in the back of his mind, as if he knew who she was. She stared at him with wide eyes.

"Hyoudou...Hyoudou is that you? W-Where have you been? Everyone at school thought you died or something." Her voice was shaky.

'School? Isn't it still summer break?' She stared at him like she was seeing a ghost. He felt uncomfortable at the see she stared at him.

"Do I know you?" He asked.

The young woman couldn't believe her eyes right now. Issei Hyoudou, the person the school was finally glad to be gone, was standing in front of her. He was deathly thin, as if he hasn't eaten in days. Heavy bags were under his eye's as disheveled hair was all over the place. His clothes were dirty and stained, like he has been wearing them for days. The worst part was the smell; he smelt like rot and mold as if he hadn't showered for over a month. She couldn't believe the person standing in front of her was the same person that tried to peep on every girl in the school.

"What happened to you?" Her expression was one of genuine concern from what Issei could tell. The tug in his mind grew stronger until it finally clicked. The person standing in front of him was Katase of the kendo club. He remembered how she and the other kendo members would beat him up every time he tried to peek into the kendo changing room.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it." He tried to walk back home but she blocked his path.

"What do you mean 'don't worry about it!' It clearly need help. You've been gone for months, and no one's seen you. What happened? Where did you go?" She was somewhat frantic. She couldn't believe Issei, being as he was, just brushed off his state like nothing. She knew something was wrong the moment she laid her eyes on him.

"I said it's nothing. Now leave me alone." He said with a little more force. She stood there defiantly, hands on her hinds.

"Not until you tell me what happened."

"I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!" He shouted at her. She took a step back in shock. This was the first time she heard him yell at anyone, let alone at her. She could see tears welling up in his eyes as he stood over her. He quickly ran off towards his house as fast as he could. She just stared at the direction he ran off to.

'What happened to you Hyoudou.'

Meanwhile, Issei just got home. Locking the door, he slowly slid down to the floor, his back against the door. He let his tears flow freely as he started crying. As he let his emotions free for the first time in a long time, he only had one thought.

'Nothing has changed.'