Aerith cut the vines and stood up. Sequoia grinned, almost like a Cheshire Cat. Aerith looked at him pointedly. "Someone looks satisfied about something."
"Nothing really, just that you kicking ass is pretty hot." Sequoia smirked. He was somehow unscathed by the vines.
"Gross." Aerith turned up their nose. "I don't appreciate your comments, Sequoia."
"Come on Allegro. You know you like them."
"No. I absolutely do not."
"You're cute. At least accept that."
"Just go home Sequoia. Nobody asked you to come anyways." Aerith stated, their upper lip turned up in a snarl. Sequoia's face fell a little bit, but he recomposed himself, becoming smug again.
"Ah, I see where you're going with this. You don't want to be greedy and keep me all to yourself. I get it, I get it."
"That's not it at al-" Aerith was cut off by a beeping noise from Sequoia's watch. "Who's that?"
"Its...uh" He glanced down at it and grumbled something along the lines of what more does she want "Its my...uh...cacti. They haven't been watered since yesterday. You see, I've gotta jet now, Mx. Melody. Catch you later!" He stepped down onto a giant leaf and out of sight.
"Cacti don't need to be watered daily though?" Aerith shook their head and went back into the building and into the elevator. "Whatever. He's always weird."

---

They arrived home and changed into civilian clothes and walked to the store. Not like a grocery store, thats too bougie for a teenage superhero with no money. Just the convenience store, to pick up some snacks. The doors opened, and Aerith was greeted by another teenager with a glittery headband.
"Hi, welcome to 7/11." She sighed. She looked familiar to Aerith but they couldn't place it. They nodded at her, acknowledging her greeting, and went straight to the ramen. However, to Aerith's surprise, there was no chicken ramen whatsoever. They groaned and grabbed a few of the beef flavored ones, a loaf of bread, some peanut butter, and a pack of string cheese. They went over to the register and set the stuff down in front of the girl. Aerith looked at her name tag.
"Ashley Liang? From elementary school? You work here now?" Aerith asked, finally remembering.
"What? A girl has to make a living, and my night gig doesn't exactly pay the bills." She began scanning the items. A look of realization washed over her, and her face hardened. "Wait. Aren't you Aerith Troy? The little punk in the grade below me that was always stealing my shit?"
"Yep. That was me." They laughed. "Good to see you!"
"Shame I can't say the same." She grumbled. "$32.43 is your total."
"What do you mean? It's always good to see someone familiar!" Aerith smiled softly, pulling their wallet out. Ashley just rolled her eyes as Aerith gave her the money. She took it and completed the transaction.
"You're like that hero, what's their face, Tempo? (You mean Allegro) Irritatingly perfect and stealing other people's glory."
"Hey, nobody's perfect, not even Allegro." They shrugged, turning to walk out. Ashley shook the mason jar in front of her.
"If you're going to patronize me, I'd at least like a tip."
"A tip? Yeah. Service with a smile." They called out, leaving the store.