Well, here I am with a new story. I'm excited to write again! It's been a very long time, as life has been busy and I just lost interest for a while. I'm kinda bummed, as I likely won't be finishing my other story Stranded, butI'mm excited this short fic as I've had the idea for a very long time.

Sometimes the persistent crying of the baby was just too much for Madoka. The young woman slowly pulled her tired body up from the bed, throwing her covers aside as she got up and crossed her room. She braced her hands against the edge of the crib as she looked down at crying infant. "Yui…" She sighed, "what's wrong?" She wondered as she picked the baby up to cradle her. "Hungry?" She asked, walking out of the small bed room and into the living room. She bounce Yui on her hip as she moved to prepared a bottle for her. Though it took her a minute as she struggled with only one free hand. "Yui please stop crying" she begged. Her apartment was small, cramped, and the walls were thin. She was bound to get another noise complaint.

Madoka moved to the sofa, sitting down slowly, careful with Yui. She let the infant take her bottle before letting her own head fall back. She glanced at the clock, it was five in the morning and soon enough she'd have to get ready for the day. She went through the list of things she had to do.

Drop Yui off with hikaru.

Come back home and get ready for classes.

Bookstore until three.

Back to class.

Work again until eight.

Shopping.

Pick Yui up, go home and make dinner.

Homework and the clean the apartment.

Finally, go to bed.

"It's gonna be another long day." She groaned. "But at least Hikaru can take care of you today." She looked down to Yui with a smile.

Madoka Amano was a busy young woman. Not only having her hands full with school and two part time jobs, but also having her time occupied with a baby. She had never imagined that her young adulthood would be spent like this, at least she had never expected to have a nine month old baby at age twenty-two. Even while pregnant she at least hadn't imagined having to raise Yui on her own. Despite her boyfriend leaving her not long after Yui was born, Madoka supposed it was for the best. After all, even when he was there he was never a help with the baby. Sometimes Madoka wondered how she had came to date such a loser, while others times she found herself alone and saddened at the thought of how things had been before he left, before the baby. But even then, she could never say she regretted Yui.

Madoka lounged on the sofa half asleep until she heard her alarm go off at six am. She got up and threw her jacket on over her pajamas. She took time to dress Yui warmly to combat the chilling fall air. She grabbed a pack full of Yui's needs and items before running out into the hallway. She checked her watch and looked to see the door across from her opening. She smiled, waving to her neighbor. "Ryuga, hey" she greeted. He didn't say anything to her as he closed his door and sipped his coffee. The young man had lived across from her since she moved in three years ago. Despite living so close all those years Madoka couldn't exactly say they were friends. Ryuga stuck to himself and seemed rather cold, however, Madoka could say that she'd trust him with help if she ever needed it. "Heading to work?" She asked.

"Yes. As I do every morning." He grumbled, "even after all these years I still find it an unlikely coincidence that you manage to catch me at the same time every day."

"I'm just being a good neighbor and saying hey." She smiled, but rolled her eyes. Ryuga hummed and moved to leave, but Madoka as quick to stop him. "Hey, could you just carry Yui out for me?"

"I figured you'd ask." Ryuga took the baby from her with a frown. He'd never liked babies, or children much. He held Yui away from him walking towards the staircase as Madoka ran inside the grab the stroller. Lugging it down two flights wasn't ideal, but the apartment complex didn't have elevators and Madoka knew she'd get tired carrying Yui all the way.

"Thank,s Ryuga" Madoka took Yui, leaving Ryuga to pull away with a look of slight disgust as the baby had drooled on him. "Have a nice day!" She called back at him before making sure Yui was safely strapped in before she took off to walk down the sidewalk. Ryuga scowled and took a long sip of his coffee before heading to his car.

Madoka didn't own a car, instead often walking everywhere or taking the bus with Yui. She didn't mind much though, it saved money and that was always Madoka's main concern. Yes, she worked. She worked part time at her school's bookstore after her morning classes and then later in the evening she went on to her second part time job at the cafe down the street. Still, she often found bills and Yui's expenses took up most of her paychecks, which she didn't mind. As long as Yui was alright and she had a place to live, Madoka could manage. Not having to pay a babysitter every days helped out greatly as well. Hikaru Hasama, a long time friend of hers and someone who had the time to watch Yui all day when needed. The young woman was completing her schooling online and worked night and the weekends. Madoka had to admit that she was relieved when her friend offered to take Yui whenever Madoka needed and she was even happier to find Hikaru enjoying her time with the baby so much.

Hikaru had been outside when Madoka arrived. She smiled, jumping up from her place on the porch steps. "Hey" She smiled, "are you good? You look exhausted." She commented, looking over Madoka's tired and pajama clad state.

"I'm okay, just a rough night with Yui." Madoka handing the baby bag over. "She woke up several times throughout the night, so she's kinda cranky this morning."

"That's okay Madoka, she's always a little angel when she's with me." Hikaru leaned down to poke at Yui, "what time do you get off tonight?"

"Eight, but I have to stop for some groceries, is nine okay?"

"Yeah, take all the time you need, I have tonight off."

"Great, I'll be back as soon as I can. Thanks again, call me if you need anything!" Madoka pressed a quick kiss to Yui's hand and said one more goodbye to Hikaru before leaving.

Madoka spent the first half of her day at the community college that sat a couple of blocks away from her apartment. She'd gotten home to shower and get dressed before grabbing her school bag and catching the bus deeper into the city. She spent an hour and a half in her first class of the week, afterwards heading to work a few hours in the schools bookstore. After that, she went back for another hour and a half class. Is was about four in the afternoon when she made it to the cafe. She ran in to change into her uniform in the restroom before moving to clock in.

She spent the next four hours waiting and taking orders, moving to actually get the food ready after her break halfways through. She had begun to grow tired by then, coming to miss Yui as she worked. When it came time for her to leave she was disappointed to be stopped by the manager. "We need someone to stay and cover until closing."

"But that's another three hours."

"We'll pay you overtime, but we really need someone to cover us."

She sighed, "yeah, I can do it." Madoka quickly texted Hikaru and went back to work.

The Cafe closed at eleven, leaving her there another three hours. As closing hours neared the small cafe slowly began to grow emptier and emptier, eventually leaving her alone besides the bakers in the back. Madoka bordely gazed down at her phone as she waiting for Hikaru to text her back about checking up on Yui. She quickly stashed her phone away at the sound of the bell at the door ringing and someone's footsteps walking in. "Hello sir, what can I get you today-" Madoka tensed at the sight of him. "Hoshi…" She trailed off awkwardly. "It's been a while…"

"Madoka? I didn't know you worked here." the green eyed male stopped, butting his hands on the front counter.

"Yeah...I just started a month ago. How are you?" She looked up, silently tapping the counter nervously.

"I'm good." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Just wanted to get something to go?"

"Right, of course, what do you need?" She rang him up, finding it painful to wait with an awkward silence hanging in the air. Waiting on her ex boyfriend had been very high on the list of things she never wanted to do, right up there with never wanting to really see him again. Still, Madoka couldn't help but grow angry as he ignored her, she grew even more upset at the fact that he hadn't even asked about Yui. "Have a nice day." She spoke, her tone laced with a slight bitterness as she handed the bag and receipt to him. He left and Madoka was relieved to find that closing time was in ten minutes. She moved to finish cleaning the tables and make sure everything was orderly. She stopped, leaning over one of the tables with tears bubbling in the corners of her eyes. Why'd he have to come here? She moved to rub her wet eyes. I can't believe this- I can't believe him! Madoka had been too caught up in her thoughts as she tried to stop herself from spilling over into heavy tears to notice the soft ring of the bell as a last minute customer walked in. They walked up to the counter, standing there for a moment before turning to her with an annoyed gleam in their blue eyes. Madoka didn't realise his presence until his impatient voice rose in the quiet space.

"You gonna stop crying and take my order or not?"

"Huh?" Madoka looked up to the glaring young man. Wild green hair and sharp, annoyed blue eyes. He looked rather rough, definitely not as neatly and professionally dressed as most of the customers that came around this part of town. A stray tear fell down her cheek and she moved to rub it away, though seemed too off guard to move.

"Well?" He spoke again, his voice harsh. "I'm waiting."