"Good morning!!" You grinned as you practically jumped out of bed, some part of you hoping that you land on your feet the wrong way and break a bone or two.

     . . .

     But alas, it was not meant to be.

     "Good morning, Sir Hamilton!" You greet your mostly-black cat, giving him a quick smooch before walking off to grab your towel. It took a good minute for you to find it, but you eventually located the blue cloth draped over one of the many scattered boxes, resting atop a stool you hardly use.

     You burst open the door with a wide smile, immediately seeing your roommate as she held that look of regret she always had when you do this every morning. "Good morning, Kyoka!!"

     "Morning." She greeted in boredom, yawning as she set down a plate for you. "I'll be pretty busy, so I won't be able to eat lunch with you guys." You stopped mid-stride, your previously puffed up chest slowly lowering as you pouted and looked towards her.

     "But Raven was so looking forward to seeing you!" The purple haired smiled, "I'm glad that she is, but I'll make it up tomorrow. I promise. Meet up at Lunch Rush?"

     "I guess. . ." You sighed. "I understand. But don't stay out too late, okay? You know how much I hate having to lock up." She chuckles, playfully shaking her head. "Well get to the bathroom then before I decide not to drive you."

     The ride to your shop was like any other day. You and Kyoka complaining about work, having a two woman musical, fighting over who's phone should be connected to the bluetooth, be a turn away from hitting an innocent civillian minding their own business— the usual.

     "And," Jirou drawled, one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the back of her seat with her head looking behind her as she parks her heavily painted truck. "Here we are."

     She removes the keys, dangling the small metal circle around her finger as she unlocks both doors. "Five minutes, alright?" You both left the apartment earlier than expected, with much time to kill as you nod happily. You remove your seatbelt, quickly jumping out of the car and giddily walking towards your store.

     You hastily crossed the road, stopping on the sidewalk as you look at your sign proudly. "Aphrodite's Touch," You sigh dreamily, almost forgetting that you were standing in the middle of a busy New York sidewalk. "I'll never get sick of that name." Jirou laughs behind you, giving your shoulder a supportive pat as she walks past.
 
     You quickly follow, grabbing hold of your keys and unlocking the double glass doors. You push them open, taking in the sweet, sweet smell of freshly sewn dresses and various expensive fabrics. "You know with all the money you're making, I'm surprised you're still living with me." Your roommate and long time bestfriend admits, sitting down on one of the plush circle seats.

     "It's called being humble, Earphone Jack. Plus, don't you want to live with me in the penthouse?" She groaned, cringing at the nickname and completely ignoring the second part of your dialouge. "What?" You teased as you walked to turn on the air conditioner, the soft rumbling making you feel right at home. "It's been seven years, drop it already." You laughed a little too loudly, your voice echoing off the white, decorated walls.

     "I get it, I'm old!" You shook your head, slowly going through the shop to make sure everything looked presentable before you opened the entrance for everyone to visit. "Whatever you say, Mona Lisa."

     Your face heats up almost immediately, almost chucking your phone towards the now grinning female. "Seriously?!" Now it was her turn to laugh loudly, shaking her head as she wiped a fake tear, clearly finding all this very amusing. "Who was your favorite again? Leonardo the blood sucker or Leonardo with the glasses?"

     "No one!" You huffed, cheeks still very much red. You could confirm, you passed by two mirrors already. "That was a weird year for dating for you, wasn't it? Can't remember you even talking to a guy that wasn't named Leonardo back in highschool." You groan loudly, Jirou laughing even more as you go through the five stages of grief remembering those times.

     "You're mean, Kyoka-chan." You pouted, walking to your office to go put your bag and start the last minute preparations. But before you could even turn towards the room, the doors open as the lady of the hour finally shows— quite dramatically too.

     The bright lights outside made her look like she was walking out of heaven itself, her arms spread out like a woman bearing gifts as her graceful laughs made the two girls look with wide smiles. "Raven!!" You laugh, running towards said woman despite the tiled floors and your fashionably small stilettos.

     You wasted no time in engulfing her in a hug, almost throwing the woman off her balance as you squeal in happiness. "Y/N-chan, it's nice to see you too!" The tall woman laughed, looking just as gorgeous wearing minimal makeup as she would wearing it in a heavy amount. "Ah, Kyoka-san! How long has it been?"

     You separated yourself, watching as the leather jacket wearing female laughs, the smallest hint of a blush on her face. "Far too long, Momo-chan." You cleared your throat, Jirou sending you a glare as you cheekily grin at her, before quickly changing as the Yaoyorozu heiress looks towards you in concern. "I think I have a water bottle in my office, I'll be back in a minute."  

     You gave Kyoka a quick wink before disappearing up the stairs, sensing the awkward atmosphere between the two girls who clearly have a crush on each other. You sigh, "Young love," before taking out your keys and unlocking your favorite part of the entire building— your office.

     It was painted like the rest of the boutique, with certificates and paintings hung on the walls. You walk over to your desk, laughing softly as you spun in your chair. You never knew how, but you always managed to cheer yourself up each day you were at work.
 
     Although you couldn't help but smile sadly at the framed picture of you and your three friends back when you were still in Japan, admiring the background and the girl all three of you haven't seen in a while. The brunette looked very happy, the pads of her fingers pressed against each other as the camera managed to capture the small cloud that exited her mouth as she smiled.

     She wasn't dead, heavens no, but you all had to leave her behind. It was her decision too, but at the end of the day her hands were still tied.

     "I'm sorry I won't be with you guys on this one," Ochaco laughed, her cold breath exiting in a cloud as she snuggled deeper into her scarf. "I already promised my dad I'd help him with the family business."

     She still held a smile, but you knew she felt pain behind it. You almost cried that day, grabbing her tightly as your muffled voice talked into her soft brown hair. "We promise we'll visit! And keep in touch! Everyday!" She simply laughed and hugged you back, "I know you will!"

     The knock on the door made you look up, clearing your throat as you sat up straight. "Come in!" It came out a pitch higher than you expected, but there was no reason to worry about that as Momo welcomes herself inside the familiar office. "You know, my office will always be open for you, Raven." You laugh, watching as the woman walks and sits on the couch.

     She sends you her award winning smile, shaking her head. "Every professional knows that knocking comes first," Her perfect voice was. . . just that; perfect. If you weren't gonna have a boyfriend in the near future, you might as well get yourself a, basically perfect girlfriend.

     . . .

     Ah right Jirou already called dibs.

     "Whatever you say, Momo-chan. Anyways where's Kyoka? Did she leave for work yet?" The lady dressed in high fashion from top to bottom sighed a yes, the slightest bit disappointed that she won't be spending time with her for lunch. Sensing that she might feel bad because of it, you decided to try your best to reassure her. "Oh well, I'm sure she'll be free tomorrow."

     She nods, eventually laughing as she recalls a memory. "You were always the one with the most accurate intuitions, Y/N-san." You grinned, puffing your chest and trying to look as dramatically proud as possible. "Why of course, if it weren't for me you'd still be stuck with a," you made a fake gagging noise, wanting to tease her more about a certain purple-head, "boyfriend."

     You both share a laugh, shaking your heads and realizing how much you both, or moreso, all of you, miss the good old days. Years before any of you had to worry about work, the future. . . but of course, all the choices you've all ever done was in the name of freedom.

     "Anyways, ready to open?" Momo smiles, standing and making her way to your desk just as gracefully as she always does. You grin and stand up, following her out of the office as you get ready for another busy day of work. "Let's do this!"

• • •

     "I can practically hear the wedding bells, babe," You and Momo laugh, the brunette girl on the phone laughing along. "Come on I just met him! It's not like I like the way he smiles. . . or the freckles on his cheek. . . or how the way he lights up everytime he talks about All Might. . . or how he practically has my entire order memorized. . . or how he—"

     Ochaco pauses, catching herself rambling on and on about a green haired male she met in the local bakery. She cries out in agony, "Oh no!" burying her reddened face in her hands. "I've completely fallen for him!"

     "Then go for it!" Yaoyorozu laughs, taking a moment to take a bite of her strawberry shortcake as you nod, still working your way with your milkshake. "Go get him!"

     "I'll go for him if you ever end up with a boyfriend of your own, Y/N-chan." The brunette laughs as she successfully manages to tease you, "And Leonardo's don't count, Mona Lisa." Momo added, wanting to give the girl on the other line a highfive.

     "Haha, then you might as well kiss him goodbye." You shook your head, "It has been a. . . challenging, mating season for Y/N L/N," Momo and Ochaco groan playfully at your dramatic tendencies. "It's because you've purposefully been avoiding dating," Raven tells you, shaking her head as she turns towards the camera.

     "A cute guy came in just earlier today and she's clearly developed a crush." The brunette gasps, nodding her head vigorously. "Did you ever get his name? His number? Uhh, email??" Now it was your turn to groan. You knew they were only trying to help, but pressuring you to get a significant other was just that; a lot of pressure.

   "I'm a strong independent woman, ladies." You shook your head, "I don't need a man to help me ruin my life."

     "That's not what we meant!" The two girls said in almost perfect unison, all three of you bursting into laughter as many heads in the restaurant turned towards your booth. "But since we don't know this mystery guy, guess I'm out of options of people to date. So beat that!"

     "Actually, while you were busy ignoring him I took it upon myself to get his number for you." Your proud announcement was soon cut short by Momo, who was already typing in his number in your phone. You stammered, trying to figure out how she got the device you were clearly holding for the past hour. "How did you—"

     "And that's a hi sent," You almost screamed, snatching your phone from her as you stared in horror. It was still an unknown contact, the previously empty conversation now started with a small greeting to the number. You glared at the model, who was currently still eating her strawberry shortcake.

     "I call dibs on maid of honor," Uraraka joked, earning another groan from you and a laugh from Momo.

• • •

     "Are you sure you'll be fine, Y/N? I can always have them drive you." You smile at Raven's generous offer, but you shook your head either way. "I'll be fine, really. I've walked home plenty of times on my own." She stared at you not amused, her brow raised as you sigh. "Okay yeah I've always went home with your girlfr— I mean Kyoka."

     She hit your arm playfully, laughing softly as she did so. Sighing, she eventually nods. "If anything happens—knock on wood— promise you will call me," Momo pauses, "after you've called the police." You nod, thanking her. "I promise. Now go, you don't want to be late!"

     She says her final greeting before you eventually close the car door for her, waving her goodbye as she rolls up the windows doing the same.

     You felt yourself reaching for your arms, slowly rubbing them in an attempt to warm them as the cold night breeze passed. "Jesus this is chilly," You mumbled to yourself, before hurrying back into your shop. You've turned off the AC long ago, but the entire building still had an overall cold atmosphere.

     You close the double glass doors, sighing in content with another busy but overall successful day behind you. Your hands remained on the golden handles, taking a moment to recall the day's events that seemed to pass by in a blur. You glanced at the clock, watching both the short and long hands strike ten right as you turned. 

     "Perfect," You grinned, turning the sign to close as you turned and walk towards your employees to give them all a proper send off.

     "The city that doesn't sleep my ass," You laugh, waving goodbye to your content and happy workers. "The city won't mind having a few people sleeping. Stay safe, alright? No drinking!" They all say their goodbye's, laughing and having a good time as you chuckle and turn towards the front desk, where your assistant was currently hard at work.

      "You should go home now, Millie. It's late." The petite girl almost fell of her chair, grasping onto the desk in an attempt to stop that from happening. She looks up in a panic, chuckling nervously as she gathers the scattered papers into a pile. "W-will do in, in a few minutes, m-m-miss, miss L/N!"

      She was uh, definitely more of your apprentice than an assistant.

     You hired her because she practically begged you to teach her your ways, aspiring to be just as successful as her father and sister, who were big names in the world of robotics and technology. She wanted to go big by pursuing what she loves most; designing. She hopes that one day she'll be able to create her own fashion line, and you were willing to do everything it took to help her make her dreams a reality.

     "Well I'll be leaving in those few minutes and I have to close up. Plus, I'm sure your roommate would want you to be back home early." She nervously smiled at you, her thick rimmed glasses slowly sliding off her face as her messy blonde hair made her look so tiny and helpless. "I, I can lock up, m-miss! I just n-n-need to finish these, these before I uhm, leave. I promise it w-won't be too long!"

     You eventually give in to the shy girl, putting on a smile of your own as you nod. "Okay, I'll leave this light open for you. Lock it up properly, alright? You know where to find the keys," You winked at her, before hopping off the desk and going to grab your bag from your office. "W-will do, miss!"

     Even as you waved her goodbye to start your journey back home, you couldn't help but smile at the young girl. You admired her for her determination and hard work, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals. She reminded you of yourself back when you were younger, back when your store was just a dream waiting to come true.

     You wave her one last goodbye before making your journey back home. You didn't bother to catch a cab, wanting to enjoy a late night stroll. Yes, it was dangerous, especially in a city as big as New York, but you just couldn't help yourself.

     "My pepper spray is spicy and my heels are sharp, haha," You whisper breathily as you walk past people, excusing yourself and just trying to make your way through, "try fucking with me then, creeps."

     Although you wanted to enjoy the stroll, you also wanted to be back home quickly, so you couldn't help but pick up your pace.

     You sigh as you turn the second to the last corner, deciding now was the time to remove some of your jewelry and keep them in your bag. You took off your bracelets, sliding them into your bag as you sighed—once again—in content upon crossing the road. There were no more pedestrians, and that somehow made you comfortable as you had the sidewalk for yourself.

     You slid your bag to your right arm, working on the your left earring before placing it inside your bag. You transfer said bag to the other hand, now working on the other earring. But as you removed the lock, your heel stupidly got caught in a crack in the road, making you tumble and drop the earring entirely.

     "Fuck," You mumbled, thankfully still okay but now earring-less. "That shit cost more than my liver." You grumbled, turning and trying to look for it.

     You take out your phone, hastily turning on the flashlight and shining it around. Which was what made you realize you were in the darker side of town, the road to your left empty and the path beside you a dark alley. You cursed at that convenience, but you shined your light there anyways.

     "You gotta be fucking kidding me." And there, reflecting off the light from your phone, was your earring, right in the middle of the dark and foreboding alleyway.