Buried in Kiyashi ward's shopping mall sat a small computer repair shop by the name of Okumura Electronics. While it wasn't anything special, it managed a small group of regulars who were always more than satisfied with the business. Most of the time, regulars dealt directly with the owner over a cup of tea. Any If you asked the owner 'who was the most important person working at Okumura Electronics', he'd tell you that his nephew was the most important. Despite his age, the young man did the repairs on all the electronics brought in, after all. He was a prodigy, even compared to Okumura Sr. Then he'd go and smile a coy little smile and glance toward the register, where a familiar figure stood slumped over the counter. When you asked why he looked at his cashier that way, he'd just shrug and say, 'Midoriya works the best'.

New customers were seen to by the cashier: a scruffy young man with green hair and dark green eyes. Nothing about the cashier really stood out. People remembered his weed-like hair more often than his face. If he was without customers, or out of chores to do around the shop, his eyes often turned lifeless.

Whenever a customer stepped inside, though, the cashier brightened more quickly than a flashlight. His eyes sparkled with life, and he always had some kind of joke ready. Every inch of the front shop was his domain. Every question met an answer, or a promise that he'd have one in a few minutes. Customers rarely left dissatisfied, and most of them left smiling. Once in a while he'd brew tea or coffee and offer it to anyone passing by, just to start up a conversation. Even if he stammered, tripped over his words and his feet, there wasn't a single customer who doubted how much he cared for them, and for the shop.

Deku fought tooth and nail, but nothing could stifle his yawn. Okumura was only open for another half hour, and the day had seen a lack of customers. It wasn't surprising, considering there had been a villain attack a few blocks away only yesterday. But it didn't help his habits to sit idle for so long. A nervous energy filled his hands as Okumura Sr. came striding behind the counter.

"Boss?"

"Midoriya-kun, are you all right?" Deku forced a smile for the old man's sake.

"Of course, Okumura-san. Just couldn't help myself."

"Yes, we were slow today. Must have been the attack. Ah well, don't be afraid to close up shop a little early today. I'll wager your mother would like to have you home early."

"I d-don't mind waiting, Okumura-sama. If that's alright t-too." His stammer caught both of them a little unawares. A fist gripped his shirt as he sighed and took a deep breath.

"…Are you sure, Midoriya-kun?"

"Yes sir!"

"All right. If you really don't mind then. Thank you for all your hard work today."

He never remembered what happened on the train.

Sometimes he could recall bits and pieces. A comment from someone, or an incident at the station. But places like that, where people swarmed him and bumped into him and oozed… he took a deep breath as he began to climb the stairs toward home.

The apartment he shared with his mom was always the same: two rooms, a living room and kitchen, all built for three and comfortably serving two. Inko bustled throughout the place constantly (unless her romcoms were on TV) to keep it clean. She wouldn't let him do anything more than the smallest chores, even though they shared the costs.

"Welcome home, sweetie. How was work?" Deku sighed as she called out from the kitchen. He'd barely gotten one shoe off yet.

"Fine! Just, ugh, slow." He tripped taking off the other shoe.

"I guess I'm not surprised after yesterday."

Dinner was quiet. Inko had worked that day as well. The two of them chatted about their co-workers, about groceries and news. Some relative had called Inko, and they'd had a nice talk. He nodded along and told her how glad he was. When he went to bed the clock read one in the morning. Lying in bed, his brain felt somewhat numb. He thought back to dinner and tried to remember which relative had called his mother. No matter what he couldn't remember what they'd talked about.

Eventually he drifted off, but by the time he realized he was dreaming he'd already woken up again. It was strange to dream about such mundane things, and worse to have nightmares about them. When had sleep changed from "sleep" to "being trapped in your mind for eight hours"?

Ochako groaned when she got the text.

Class A party tonight! My apartment, 7pm.

Mina was her friend. Ochako loved how bubbly she was, and how well she handled herself. But she threw a class party almost every month and insisted Ochako come over. The endless attempts at fixing her love life were exhausting.

She watched as people began responding to the group message. A few tried not to come, but they never succeeded. Part of her was surprised when Bakugo didn't fight back. Todoroki didn't respond, but Momo did it for him.

When she didn't reply, her phone exploded. Tsuyu, Momo, and Mina all texted her asking the same thing. Ochako groaned and told them she'd be there, though the winky face Mina sent made her feel vaguely sick.

Mina's parties were the stuff of legend back in high school. Nowadays they were tamer, with a bit of alcohol and lots of laughter. Ochako, for one, couldn't ever stay long. A few people were known for crashing on Mina's couch (or the floor) after getting drunk. Halfway through the night Ochako couldn't help counting the number of faces a feeling a bit sad.

Ochako arrived at six thirty with a case of beer and a nervous grin. Mina wrapped her in a hug as soon as she opened the door.

"'Chako-chan! You work too much, I haven't seen you in years!"

"Mina, you saw me two weeks ago!"

"Yeeeaaars!" They laughed as Mina dragged Ochako towards the kitchen. Kirishima, Kyouka and Sero greeted her, then went back to their conversation. Ochako took a seat and sighed as she relaxed. Mina took a seat on the table beside her. "You had work today, right? You feeling alright?"

"Yeah. Just a bit tired. Thins have been pretty hectic recently." Mina nodded. "Other than the fight last week, though, things haven't been so bad. Just minor arrests."

"I heard you had a pretty rough time with that guy." Ochako grinned. Mina's expression changed every time, showing off her emotions as plainly as a mood ring. Her crazy outfits only made it more amusing. Wide eyes and pursed lips meant worry, shock, and curiosity all in equal measure.

"Not really. Some random guy came and helped distract the villain, so it only lasted a few minutes. It turned out pretty strange, but I didn't have too much trouble."

"Good! I'm glad." The doorbell rang, and Mina darted across the room to answer. Ochako turned to the conversation on her other side.

By seven thirty, fifteen people had arrived, and the party was in full swing. Ochako was barely starting her first drink, though Kirishima and Sero had started early. Mina was complaining about Bakugo being late, AGAIN, and Kyouka was laughing at some story Kaminari started up. Shouji and Koda had struck up a conversation with Tokoyami in the kitchen, where the quiet trio might not be disturbed. Aoyama and Mina suddenly started a dance contest, much to Sato's glee.

Ochako wasn't sure when Bakugo showed up, or how they'd ended up using Aoyama as a disco ball AGAIN, but she enjoyed the show nonetheless. It wasn't until she was dragged into the kitchen by Mina and Momo that she remembered how much these get togethers annoyed her.

"I'm not dating anyone, Mina. I don't have time." Mina groaned. She'd had four or five, so she wasn't over the line yet. Momo wore a sympathetic look, but the redness in her cheeks was telling.

"You're always busy! At this rate you're going to end up…" Ochako's hand shot out and gripped Mina's mouth as kindly as she could.

"Minaaaaaa!"

"Sowwy" Mina rubbed her cheeks and pouted. "Sheesh. You're never interested in anyone. It's no fun."

"You talked about that quirkless boy from before. Did you think he was attractive?"

"What?" Ochako shrieked before she could think properly. After a moment to calm down, she turned to Momo and began whispering. "Why would you think that?"

"You never bring up men from work." Momo shrugged.

"Of course not! I'm still a sidekick, and I'm supporting my parents! I don't have time for boys! I just told you about him because he was quirkless and it was all weird!"

"So you didn't think about him after the incident?" Momo cocked her head to one side.

"No, of course not! I mean, it bugged me that they yelled at him, and sure maybe I thought he handled it well, despite the whole almost dying thing, but…"

"You did think about him!" Mina hissed with glee. Ochako groaned and reached for another beer.

"Momo, you traitor!"

"Well, it's better hearing about you and some random guy than trying to set you up with Bakugo." Momo giggled.

Ochako wasn't sure how long the two of them interrogated her, or how much longer she stayed at the party. Near the end, she shared a toast with Tsuyu for the Iida family and left quietly.