~+~

Pretty..

Pretty pretty pretty...

~~~

"Thank you again, dear! I can't thank you enough for staying with me at this hour!"

The frail old woman thanked, the crow's feet of her eyes crinkling deeper when she flashed her yellowed smile. She shuffled in the cushioned chair, commenting on the dying scent of what was once cinnamon rolls.

  You try to hum a small laugh, but find it bubbling down to a comforting hum of acknowledgement- too busy wiping down the tables.

"It's really no problem Mrs. Shigioka," you promise, "I couldn't leave you out at this time of night." You say, walking over to the elderly woman and placing a slice of cake and tea on the small table before her. The woman smiled gratefully, her veiny hands reaching for her purse.

"Oh no, Ma'am!" You exclaim, hands reaching for her own. "It's on the house." You say with a smile. Her face visibly perks, hands having now seized their venturing as she shakes her head.

"No, please dear, take it. You've been nothing but good to me each day that I walk through that door. The least I could do is pay you for your kindness." She argues as she extends her arm out towards you: yen in hand.

You gather the woman's dainty hand into your own, rolling her fingers around the bills with so much care that one would mistake her for being porcelain. You then smile, "I won't except your money Mrs. Shigioka. Making your day- erm, night, I'd just enough for me." You lied through your teeth. Your fingers twitched hungrily for the bills, your teeth grit tight and your jaw locked.

'What the hell are you doing out at 1 am anyway, Lady?' You cursed internally.

"Ohh," the elder woman croaked, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief that she had assumably pulled from her purse, "you have such a good heart, such a kind soul." She sniffled. All you did was hum, acknowledging her words, but not having processed them one bit. You thanked her anyway nonetheless, leaving her to her cake as you tread behind the display counter and grabbing the broom.

"What time do you think your son will be here, Mrs. Shigioka? I don't mean to rush, but I'd like to be home by 3." You ask, remembering that she had mentioned him when she had first come banging down your glass doors. With your eyes no longer trained on the floor, you watch the wall clock strike 2:40 am and you sigh: You were supposed to be home forever ago. Usually Mina helps you clean up shop, but she told you ahead of time that both she and Denki are held up by assloads of paperwork they'd neglected. Fucking hell.

"Ahh, I don't know. That boy is always running late." The elder woman huffs, reminding you of her presence. "I was supposed to be gone hours ago." She shook her head, her faux pearls rattling when she blew on the cup of tea again. "I'm sorry for holding you back dear."

"It's really no problem." You lie again with a sigh, sweeping the contents on the floor into the dust pan.

"How will you be getting home, dear?" You shrug, growing disinterested.

"I guess I'm walking. Usually Min-" you force a cough, choking on your words, "I mean, Pinky, takes me home, but she got caught up at her agency. And taxi's aren't really around at this hour." You excuse, dumping the dust pan then half-hazardously wiping your hands on your apron. You hang said article up on a hook behind the counter.

"No, no child. That's way to dangerous. Especially for someone like you." She protests. Your pissy mood slightly faultered, now being glossed over by a deep sigh. The air shifted slightly, now dense with an unnamed tension that didn't quite fit it's company. Nonetheless, you continued.

"I'll be fine. I'm a big girl. I can handle myself when need be." You weren't particularly fond of being reminded that you were quirkless.

You walk over to the unwelcomed guest and take her empty dishes. She continues to talk, her obliviousness to not see that you were visibly disinterested in speaking almost amazed you.

"I'm not saying you're as frail and dainty as you look dear, but I've heard rumors of a villain escaping the Big House a few days ago. You know the one I'm talking about?" She asked. You hum, grateful for the subject shift. "Yeah, I heard it was a huge scandal.  Whoever got out had inside help, a escape tunnel behind a busty poster- all that jazz." You entertain her, finding it better to force humour into the situation rather than let your true thoughts on the situation blossom.

You begin to tread to the back of the Cafe to dispose of the new dirty dishes (courtesy of your guest).

When you began heading back, you feel a cold breeze hit the back of your neck. Turning around, you realize that a window was open, allowing the cold fall air to leak into the warm bakery. You blink, puzzled for a second, but didn't think much of it. "Mina must've left it open." You conclude, taking the time to shut and lock it before returning to the front of the Cafe.

"Ahh, he's here!" The woman shouts as she grabs her cane and began boosting herself out of her seat. "Woah, need help there?" You snort. Behind you, you hear a bell ring, signalling that someone has entered the building.

"Sorry! So sorry I'm late!" A voice huffs, rushing over to your side and assisting you. You peep over and see a young man, presumably Shigioka's seedling. You laugh internally.

"What's your excuse for being late this time?" Shigioka gruffs with an eye roll.

"Ahh, some cops pulled me over! Said it's inappropriate, (and borderline illegal) to have 'pornagraphic imagery' displayed publicly. IT WAS LITERALLY JUST A HENTAI STICKER ON MY LICENSE PLATE!! Why the hell was that stinkin' cop looking so hard anyway!?" He wails with a throw of his arms.

You bite back a snicker. You notice the elder woman's cane rise from the ground and hover above the guy's head before it dropped, his head making a concerning crack sound upon impact. You gasp, "What the fuc-"

"What the hell kinda son did I raise!? You're supposed leave them on your dashboard!" She cursed as she strikes him again. You stiffle another chuckle, this one teetering on the fine lines of concern, fear, and...amusement?

You watch the two head towards the door. Following in suite, you begin to gather your belongings. Your coat was fastened quickly, your keys jingling in your pockets and your purse now thrown over your shoulder. You begin to lock up, making sure everything was in its proper place. You go to lock the register when you hear the door ring again, incoming Mrs. Shigioka's son.

"Uh- hey?" He pipes, "I wanted to thank you for keeping watch over my Ma. I know she was probably giving you hell-"

"Probably?" You quip, quirking an eyebrow. This makes him snort.

"Yeah, I know how she can be. I really appreciate it, though. Really." He thanks graciously, scratching at the back of his head before throwing himself into a bow. "It's really no problem, but you should try waking up on time." You state with nonchalance, pretending not to enjoy the way his face flashes.

"W-what? How did you-"

"Your eyes are baggy, you're wearing pajamas, and you have dried saliva in the corners of your mouth." You point out. He begins to scan himself, wiping and ruffling himself up and wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "Well that's embarrassing. And slightly terrifying..." He chuckles under his breath.

"Well uhh...ya see," he begins, teeth tugging at his bottom lip anxiously. "Uhh there's this um- movie that I wanted to see. It's a horror flick, and my Ma told me you were into that kinda thing. S-so I was wondering i-if...uhh- y'know..." He trails off, thumbs twiddling cutely in tune with the bright flare of his cheeks.

You picked up on it before he even voiced it. Truth be told, he was very attractive; y'know, in a boyishly cute way.  Messily dyed teal hair, doey honey-yellow eyes, sharp jawline, plump cheeks, and pearly whites and a set of dimples? Phew, you didn't know they even came that cute anymore. But still, with your wandering eyes came a bittersweet taste on your tongue.

"Look, uhh,"

"Yumo. Shigioka Yumo."

"Well, Yumo. I don't have anything against you. I mean, you're really cute and you seem like a nice guy and all, but, I'm just not sure." You could see him immediately begin to deflate. "I'm still dealing with a few things and I'm- I mean, we barely know each other and like..." You couldn't find the right words, couldn't piece together a decent lie, or even a half-truth as to why you weren't really interested in finding anyone. Not at the moment anyone.

With every passing second, the air grew heavier and heavier, his eyes glimmering with hope but his shoulders and expression long sunken. He looked like a kicked puppy, one begging for your forgiveness as if you hadn't just wronged them. Even so, he hummed along, giving a defeated sigh.

"Oh...that's fine. I mean I get it, really. You're not cool with it, and we met like, 20 seconds ago. I'm totally cool with that! Yeah," he sounded as if he was trying convince himself more than you. " Yeah, I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable or anything, so I'll just go and, give you time to think about it."

'Damnit.' You curse yourself, knowing that you were going to regret the next few words that were about to come out of your mouth.

"You, uh, didn't let me finish!" You forced a laugh. "We don't know each other well, so I think the movies would be a good chance to get to know each other. And stuff?" Now you sounded lost.

His eyes lit up again, his smile returning in tenfold. "Oh wow really!? Wow I...I don't know what to say!!" He beamed with a joyous expression on his face.

"How about Friday night?" You suggest. His face seemed to dust itself in a rosey pink as he nodded. "Friday sounds great! Hecks yeah, Friday sounds amazing!!" He doesn't bother containing his glee, his brightened attitude growing more contagious by the second, now having found yourself wearing a smile that's trying its best to mirror his

You watch as he hurriedly yanks his phone from his pocket. "Can you- can I have your number?" He asks with coy, gesturing his phone to you.

You make quick work of your info, even putting a kissy face next to your name to really get his heart thumping. "See you Friday Yumo." You bid with a smile, this one easier than the rest.

"Seeya Friday!" He beams, your name slipping casually from his tongue as if he's said it a million times.

"You know my name?" You question, half teasing, half curious. His cheeks then turned a darker shade of pink. "My Ma may have talked about you once or twice. Or thrice." He jokes, but doesn't.

"Ahhhhhhh," Is all you reply with. "Tell her I said goodnight. And goodnight to you, Yumo." You wink. He grinned back and nodded. "Will do! Goodnight!" He smiled before stepping outside and doing a victory dance that you couldn't help but find adorable. You watch as he trots to his car and began talking to his mother (who looked very unpleased to be left there), flailing his hands around and grinning the entire time. His mother turns to looked at you through the glass, then back towards her son before doing the ok sign and slotting her index finger into it.

Yumo's face burned red and he swatted her hands away and started the up his car. You giggle at the scene, turning your back away from the scene and began walking through the bakery and cutting off any and all electronics, including the lights.

As you make your way to the front of the bakery, you can't help but notice that the lights were already off. You stood frozen, blinking once or twice as you sift your brain for any recollection of doing so, knowing you save the front for last. 'Did I already cut these lights off?' You ponder.

Sighing softly, you ready to leave having made it a good two steps away from the display case before stopping in your tracks. Your chest tightens at the sight of what looked like a shadow sitting in a far chair in the corner of the bakery. Squinting, you tried to make sense of the shape. First, calling out to Yumo, then chalking it up to your exhausted brain playing tricks on you upon seeing him leaving the parking lot.

.

*BEEP BEEP!*

A car horn blared in the distance. I yelped. Startled by the sudden noise as I placed my hand over my heart. I turned my gaze towards the window and saw Yumo waving before he and his mother pulled away. I huffed out of irritation before looking towards the chair again and seeing nothing. I sigh in relief and brushed it off as my imagination toying with me.

I decided it was time to leave. I walked towards the door and went outside, the crisp air immediately nipping at my skin and encasing my body in a frigid capsule. I stepped outside and locked the door I then set out on my 30 minute pursue.

As I walked the streets of Musutafu I realized how different it is in the day compared to night. The streets and sidewalks are usually bustling and bombarding with citizens. Some hanging out, some not watching where they're going, and most running late to work and/or event. The sky shines bright down onto its citizens and gives them the spotlights they need to see heros hopping from rooftop to rooftop. Some stopping for pictures and autographs, others sticking to scouting, taking their job to the extreme.

The night was quite the opposite. The night was cold and barren, no one, not even the sound of a car's engine lingers in the distance. It was silent, desolate; nothing at all except the occasional rattle of a plastic bag floating by. I hated it.

I just sighed and put my hood over my head and shoved my hands in my pocket, mentally cursing myself for forgetting to bring a scarf. It felt as if my face was freezing, I couldn't feel my nose.

I walked for a good 15 minutes before feeling the cold begin to take effect on my insides. My body had begun to shake. I took a heavy huff of air, my warm breath freezing is it escaped my and became visible before my eyes. I then began to hug myself as my last attempt to keep myself warm.

Upon walking I stumbled across a store with multiple televisions stacked on top of each other in the window as a display. I walked by, making sure to ogle at all the heros and their amazing quirks. Some of them I recognized as my friends and smiled.

Kirishima saving the day with huge smile as Red Riot, Mina photobombing Denki as they posed; Pinky and Chargebolt. I smiled at them all. I didn't go to UA. I didn't have a quirk and I wasn't smart enough to be in any of the courses. But a...friend...I once knew introduced me to them. We all became close despite me and my friend being quirkless.

I sighed at the memory and looked towards the screen, knowing a few people who should've been able to see such glory. "I'm sorry guys." I whispered to no one as I felt my eyes begin to sting. "No." I mumbled as I wiped my eyes. "No more tears." I sniffled as I began walking away from the screens.

"Looks like he's done it again folks!! Ground Zero has defeated yet another villian!! That makes the 4th one this week!! Here he is now!!"

My gaze snapped towards the last screen and I ogled at it.

"Here now we were The #1 Hero Ground Zero!! Do you have anything you want to say?" The reporter asked.

"YEAH!! FUCK OFF YOU SHITTY VILLIANS!! YOU'RE ALL A WASTE OF MY DAMN TIME!! NONE OF YOU CAN LAST A FUCKING MINUTE AGAINST ME!!Now get the fucking camera out of my fucking face you shitty extras!!

"Charming isn't he folks!! Thank you again Ground Zero!!" The reporter grinned brightly as they made the camera zoom in on Zero. He flashed a smirk then a wink before throwing his gauntlets behind him and blasting off into the distance.

I felt my face heat up at the sight. Bakugou Katsuki. Ground Zero. He's just...amazing isn't he? I want to say we're close, but I'm not sure. I get to see him when I hang out with Kiri sometimes, but Bakugou isn't the... friendliest person. We've had moments to talk and our hands even brushed once! That's progress from being screamed at. Ahh I just can't help it! He's just so strong, and confident. Irritating? Absolutely. Head-strong and egotistical? Hell yeah. But I just can't resist his...well everything! I felt myself leaning into the window, reaching out to touch the glass of where his picture once was before hearing a rattle in the distance.

Snapping out of my trance, I pull my hand away and remember that I'm on my way home. I tuck my hands in my pockets and began walking away.

The air seems colder than it was moments ago. It's now frigid, sharp, and dry. It's just off-setting if you ask me. I tried to hum to lift my spirits a little. I'm not too far from my house now, no more then 10 minutes at best. I softly hummed a tune from a song I heard on the radio as I then began to focus on the pitter-patter of my feet against the concrete.

That went on for a little while before I heard my feet began to emit some kind of echo. I found it odd to say the least but ignored it.

As a few seconds began to pass my footsteps began to grow louder, heavier. I looked down at my shoes and watched them as they lightly hit the concrete. I heard my footsteps begin to speed up, and then I froze in place; yet the footsteps continued.

I whipped my head around to search for any signs of life, but I found nothing. My eyes scanned the area thoroughly, seeing nothing but parked cars, and litter scatter itself in the wind.

Turning around I release a shaky breath before continuing my pursue home, brushing the "footsteps" I heard moments ago as wind blowing around waste.

I continued walking home, everything seeming fine. The wind howled quietly as it lulled the barren streets. I closed my eyes and listened to its music. It was peacful.

Until I heard the footsteps again.

My eyes snapped open as I listened to them. They were heavier than mine, not only that but they were quicker. Way faster, telling me one thing..

This person was running.

I frantically snapped my head around in every direction. My breath picking up as I began to speed walk down the sidewalk, my eyes darting in each and every direction.

Humming.

I heard it. It was slow, delicate, beautiful if even. But it made the hairs on my neck stand and my stomach coil an unexplainable knot. That was enough to get me to speed up, my footsteps seeming to be the only ones audible now.

I released a breath of relief, yet I was still anxious and paranoid of my surroundings. As I rounded a corner the footsteps just seemed to start sprinting. The steps getting louder and heavier. They're running towards me.

Fear crept through my being as my legs began to think for themselves as they began to sprint. I didn't dare look behind me, the fear of getting caught boosting my legs to go farther. I began to here a laugh. It started out small, barely audible, then suddenly it was all I could hear.

'What the hell what the hell what the hell what the hell!!!' I chanted in my head. The world seemed the blur past me as I sprinted through the night, having the stupid earge to turn around and confront the person. But if the person had the intentions to hurt me then I doubt I had the strength to overpower them.

Then the footsteps stopped again.

'The fuck? This asshole just toying with me?' I thought as I decided to turn around, too pissed to think logically. The second I did my legs were snatched from under me. Before I knew it my body was colliding with the cold, hard concrete.

"Ahh!!" I yelped as my knee and palm skid across the pavement to break my fall. I prepared to get up before freezing in place as I looked towards the shadows. Seeing a pair of glowing green eyes lingering...watching.

Paralyzed with fear, I began to shake, paranoia and memories flooding to the surface. My eyes brimmed with tears and my chest began to heave.

The eyes began to stalk closer, slowly, carefully, almost cautious. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes as I began to beg my body to move, for it to react and run away. My mouth had run dry and I couldn't find the words or even the voice to yell for help. The eyes had began to sink lower to the ground, moving swiftly.

I then shut my eyes, too paralyzed with fear and dread to even care, my life flashing before me. My eyes sealed themselves, bracing myself for some kind of impact, expecting for a weapon of some sort to drive its way through my heart. What I didn't expect was for something to sit in my lap and begin nuzzling my neck.

My eyes snapped open. My teary (e/c) eyes locking onto a familiar pair of violet orbs. A black cat sat perched on my lap, nuzzling my body almost apologetically. I sniffled and hugged the animal.

"I honestly hate you sometimes you know." I whimpered into the animal. "Y-you gave me a heart attack!" I cried. It meowed almost as an apology. I pulled it away from my face. "I'm gonna get you back for this Hitoshi." I mumbled as I looked into his slit-cat eyes before pulling away and throwing him to the side. "You could've killed me!" I cried with my hand over my heart. "I thought you were-!" I cut myself off. "You're lucky you're cute right now. I would've killed you if you were in your human form." I huff before pushing myself up and dusting myself off, hissing as my palm rubbed against my coat.

I looked down at Hitoshi and realize he was frozen, his hair standing up and himself crouched into a low position. He began hissing, howling at me. He screeched and scratched in my direction before initially bolting off, returning to the shadows.

"I hate you too." I scoffed before rolling my eyes and picking me purse up. I looked off into the shadows, was he just picking with me to whole time? "Tch. That purple-haired prick." I growled as I dug in my purse for my keys and turned on my heel.

Then I heard it, that chuckle. I looked past my purse and down at the concrete seeing a pair of shoes. Before I could register anything else I felt a prick in my neck and received a strong shove that had my back colliding with the cold pavement.

My lids immediately began to weigh down my eyes as I felt a sudden overwhelming need to rest, but I fought to keep them open.

"Pretty pretty pretty pretty. I told you I'd come back for you."

That was the last thing I heard before my world went dark.
~+~

Ahh heyo!

YES! Ik it was random to have Hitoshi as a cat but neko Hitoshi is low key my fetish.

Tbh idek if that's actually a part of his quirk or if it's just the power of fanfics. But either way it happened and I enjoyed.

BUT ANYWAY! Feel free to give me feedback and enjoy!!

To be continued..