My p.o.v

I crawl out of bed seeing the sky was still dark. Glancing at the time I see it's nearly four in the morning, I had to be at the bakery in twenty minutes. I quickly grab some clothes and change in the bathroom feeding Malik as I fed the goats and chickens also checking on the crows.

I remember seeing a bike in the second shed I had found so I grab it and bring it around to the front of the house before going and getting my small pack seems I would be gone all day. I quickly pack Malik food and some water bottles along with his bottle seems he was just getting weened.

By the time I walk out I had ten minutes to get to the shop or be late on my prep work. I notice that the ungodly amount of sweets I had made were all but gone there was only a couple things left in threes which meant Nikki had actually been nice enough to leave the kids some.

I had left a thank you note along with money for each of them for dogsitting for me.

Malik rides in the basket that was lined with soft blankets for him, he was panting and lolling his tongue as we rode.

I get to the shop right on time and I raise my eyebrows in surprise as Kirishima was sitting at one of the outside tables I had put in.

Pulling to a stop next to him I stay on the bike. "No school today? What are you doing here so early?"

He jumps head snapping towards me before standing and bowing. "Ma'am! My mom dropped me off on her way to work seems the buses don't run in time."

I shrug and jump off the bike wheeling it towards the back. "Just Sarah, Ma'am makes me sound old and you don't have to bow to me. I know it's something your used to with your elders but I really don't care about the bowing. Well seems you're here might as well teach you some stuff. I'm pretty laid back but I do expect you to keep up to my standards."

He nods grabbing his bag from the ground and following me to the backdoor and inside. Malik goes to his bed and goes to sleep while I start showing him how to work the ovens seems they were industrial and different than normal ovens to preheat them.

"So what kind of schedule are you thinking about wanting? I don't want you to have to wait at the crack of dawn for me to arrive every morning and don't want to interfere with your studies." I say as I chop the veggies he washed.

"Wait I get to pick my schedule?" he asks turning to me eyes wide.

I shrug. "To a point. Once it's chosen I expect it to be followed. So do mornings or afternoons work? I normally close shop around noon most days but with more help I'd be willing to keep open later."

He pumps his fists. "Alright! Actually morning would work best I think, that way I can work a bit before school and have the afternoons to study."

I nod thinking for a moment. "Alright, what time did your mom drop you off this morning? It looked like you were there a while."

He laughs nervously. "Uh she goes to work at two am. So like one thirty?"

My head snaps towards him at that and I see the tired look in his eyes. "How about I can pick you up for work or your mom could drop you off at my place so you can sleep some before work. You're still a kid and need sleep. Now I think that's enough for this morning. Get those blankets and make yourself a little nest and get some sleep you have a couple hours before school I reckon."

He opens his mouth to protest when I point my knife at the corner. "Go mister. I don't care if you share Malik's bed. Sleep, I'll wake you for school. None of my employees will be run ragged on my watch."

He ducks his head and does what I say passing out quickly.

I hum quietly as I work, I prep the front of the house and begin brewing the coffee before going back seems it has been three hours. According to Mic when I asked what time school started Kirishima had about an hour and a half before school and I didn't know how far he had to go to get there.

"Hey, sharkboy time to wake up." I call softly kneeling in front of him tapping his arm.

He wakes up with a start before relaxing and smiling back. "Hey boss, what time is it?"

I return his sleepy smile as he rubs his eyes and stand grabbing the food I had made for him. "Seven. I didn't know how far you have to travel and wanted to make sure you ate before school."

He stands stretching. "Actually not far thankfully, about a ten minute walk. Thanks for the food!"

He sits at the staff table and digs in to the miso and rice and some seared pork belly. "So here's my address if your mom feels comfortable dropping you there, it's only a five minute walk from here. If not I can arrange for a ride in the mornings for you."

He takes the piece of paper looking at it. "Thanks, I think she'll be okay with it."

"Well if it helps ease her mind I am friends with two of the top three heroes and currently have another hero living with me." I add going and stirring the miso on the stove.

His eyes widen as he yells. "No way!! Which heroes?! I always wanted to be a hero, I'm aiming to get into UA next year."

I smirk. "I have no doubt you'll get in."

He tilts his head. "What do you mean? You don't even know my quirk yet! How can you be so sure?"

I shrug walking to the door. "Just a feeling. Oh and one thing about being an employer I can look up your records and quirk."

I walked out the kitchen door to the front to open the Cafe to the customers, Mic's parents were waiting patiently by the doors.

Letting them in I see she had papers in her hands that she held out to me. "The deed to the place, I trust you'll take good care of it for me."

I accept it and give her a hug not able to restrain myself. "Thank you! I will."

She laughs patting my back and they go take a seat at their usual booth in the corner by the window.

Kirishima leaves for school after learning a bit more, I had him shadow me in the front of the shop to make the most of his charisma. After he left for school I get a email from Bakugo's mom saying that he would have to start tomorrow as he got detention already and would be staying after school later.

The shop runs like usual but I couldn't help the feeling of wrongness. This wasn't my home.

Sighing as the last customer leaves I lock the door behind them and quickly close up shop around eleven thirty which was early but I just couldn't do anymore today.

Placing Malik in the bike basket I hop on the bike and head towards the city over, I didn't feel like taking the train or buses today as I was restless.

After a couple hours of sightseeing and stops I finally make it to the aquarium where I park and chain up the bike to the bike racks at the entrance putting Malik in my hoodie on my chest where he normally stayed whenever I went into places.

As I walk and gaze at all the exhibits my shoulders relax as I lose myself in the place. When Malik moves, peeking into my hoodie seeing him crawl up and lick my nose.

"Hungry buddy?" I whisper moving to a bench outside.

He whines, wagging his tail, making me smile and pull him out as I sit, I grab one of his bottles and fill it with warm water from my canister and give it to him.

The aquarium was on the edge of a small cliff that faced the sea, it was a warm day with a slight breeze as there always was near the ocean. It smelled like salt and made me feel at ease. The ocean had always been one of my favorite places to go as it always brought me a sense of peace and home, which is why I wanted to come here today.

"Sarah? What are you doing here?"

I turn my head seeing Gang Orca standing a few feet away, hands in his pockets facing me.

"Just exploring some, needed to get away for awhile and I love the ocean so I came here. Are you here giving demos and lectures?" I question giving a half hearted smile.

He nods walking over and sitting next to me leaning back on the bench, eyes on the sparkling water. "Yeah, I just got here though. Guess the demonstration isn't for another hour though, how'd you know?"

I shrug looking down to Malik giving him a kiss as he finishes the bottle his belly bulging, he burps giving me a lick on the nose happy now that his belly is full. "Kind of obvious, your quirk is a marine quirk so having you explain things would make sense and plus you being a hero would give them a better rep to flaunt."

I set Malik down to play in the grass, not worried about being caught having him here as it looked like no one ever came out here with the layer of dust on the benches and statues.

The view was gorgeous in my eyes as the whole thing looked like a huge courtyard balcony that faced the ocean with the edge of the city just to the right and was curved as if carved into the cliff. There were mermaid statues and several other marine creatures such as whales, dolphins and different fishes.

He laughs. "Fair enough, so you seem in better spirits this afternoon. Though I must say having a puppy here isn't exactly within the rules."

I shrug watching Malik chase a bee before realizing he was getting further from me and running back tripping over his own feet and face planting.

"No sign that said no puppies. Plus he's not harming anyone, he mostly sleeps anyway. He's only a month old after all, he'll start learning how to dog pretty soon so I've begun socializing him so he won't be aggressive."

Gang Orca nods. "Well as long as you pick up after him and he doesn't cause trouble I won't be forced to do anything. So if I may what happened last night? You seems like a different person than then."

Sighing I stand and pick up Malik's droppings in a doggie bag from my bag and drop it in the garbage and used hand sanitizer to clean my hands. "I understand I am considered a risk, but if I was such a risk why would anyone invite me out to party? I was very...I did not appreciate the way he went about it. Had he been up front and said hey I'm gonna have others come to keep an eye on you instead of being secretive about it."

I sit next to him again rubbing in the sanitizer watching the waves. "Perhaps he did not wish to offend you by saying it to your face?" Orca suggests looking to me.

Sighing, I pick up Malik stroking him. "I guess it's just me, I don't like secrets so this whole world has me on edge, people are suppressed here out of fear of their quirks and just so much is wrong with society."

He shrugs scratching his chin. "Then change it. Become a hero and help fix the world."

Scoffing I shake my head. "Trust me, if I fixed the world I would start by burning it to the ground and building it from the ashes. No, I'm not a hero, I don't have the selflessness for it."

"Well how about joining my agency? We make a difference."

Blinking in surprise before giving a soft smile. "Thanks but I'm going to have to pass. Well your thing is about to start thanks for talking with me for so long, I really enjoyed your company."

He blinks glancing at his watch realizing I was right, and we both stand. "I enjoyed your company as well. Would you like to watch the demonstration?" he questions offering me his arm as I put Malik back into my shirt seems he was yawning already.

Shrugging I loop my arm in his. "Sure that would be awesome."

He leads me to an open arena that was quickly filling and got me a seat on the side just behind the glass next to the giant orca tank.

As he walks away I inspect the tank actually finding it a good size for the two orcas in the tank that seemed to be in good spirits with their dorsal fins still standing straight up. I just slightly hoped that I wasn't in the splash zone due to Malik otherwise I wouldn't care.

Gang Orca comes onto the stage causing the entire place to erupt in cheers and begins to explain about the aquarium and who founded it along with many facts about orcas and their habits and different characteristics.

After an hour and a show of Gang Orca swimming with the orcas the stadium was clearing out and I had been lucky enough to be the only only to not get wet, probably due to Gang Orca putting me there which I appreciated greatly.

I watch the orcas swim feeling amazed, they had always been my favorite creatures on earth and I had always wanted to see them in person.

"So going to explore some more or are you heading home now?" Gang Orca asks coming over startling me as I had been so entranced by the whales.

"Not quite, I don't want to go home just yet. Plus I haven't gotten to the shark tanks yet." I return as I stand putting my hands in my pockets.

"Well may I join you then? It has been awhile since I've enjoyed someone's company that I don't work with." he says smiling a slight pink to his cheeks.

I shrug. "Sure."

He leads the way and I look one last time at the whales deciding I would get the tattoo I had been wanting. I had been through so much shit that I deserved it.

We walk around him pointing out things and giving random facts and different things about different fish and other creatures. I actually lost track of time, he was relaxing to be around and seemed to get I was trying to not think.

Someone announces over the intercom that the aquarium would be closing soon surprising me and making me stare at the speaker confusedly.

"Well time sure flew by. Do you need a ride home?" he offers as we walk out the doors, him holding it for me.

I shake my head no as I unchain my bike. "Nah, but thanks. I could use the fresh air, plus Hawks owes me ice cream so I'm going to go make him pay up."

He laughs nodding. "Very well, it was a pleasure to spend the afternoon with you. Perhaps we could do this again?"

I put Malik into his basket before getting on. "Definitely, feel free to stop by the house too. It's not hard to find, neon green. My friend would love to meet you too."

He grins and agrees before I ride away taking the long way home.

I ride with no actual destination in mind just wanting to ride, my mind wandering.

So much had happened it was a lot to take in.

Blinking I find myself on a cliff at the edge of town just staring over the blinking lights as it had grown dark now. I pick up Malik setting him on the grass and let the bike rest against a tree before going and sitting on a boulder.

Pulling out my old phone I turn it on.

I listen to the messages and read the texts. Some of them make me cry but some of them make me relieved, my little brother had taken my death as a sign to straighten out and had been "updating" me about getting a job and acing his tests.

My little sister had taken my death hard but was trying to be better and take the advice I had given her all these years.

My mom had been doing bad until she saw her kids changing for the better so she had been trying as well.

I smile biting my lip trying not to cry as Malik ran around the boulder chasing a cricket getting out some energy. "They're using my phone like diaries and my death as motive...thank fucking God. Guess this was the push they needed." I say to the night.

Malik pauses tilting his head at me letting out a bark before resuming his chase.

The relief I felt as I listened to them made me feel like all the weight was finally being lifted from my shoulders.

My older sister left messages about my niece and nephew and their adventures. Also telling me how my pup was moping but was starting to be herself again slowly.

My dads message thanked me as he told my voicemail how he proposed to his girlfriend and they were getting married next week.

David left heartfelt messages how he missed me but was fulfilling the promise I made him swear to. He had found a really nice woman and had a date with her tonight.

I grinned at that wiping the tears from my eyes, I had never known how much I impacted any of them until now.

"Hey kid you okay?"

Jumping I look over seeing Hawks with two ice creams in his hands as he landed.

"Yeah," I wipe my face scooting over so he'd have room to sit "just finding out how much my family did look to me. So which ones mine?" I ask pointing to the sweets in his hands.

He rolls his eyes handing me the strawberry one as he sat next to me stretching out his wings behind us.

Malik sniffs at his wings before seeing the food and sitting at my feet looking up to me.

"How's that surprising? You and your friend are pretty out there and a lot of us hero's are already looking to you. Not me because I'm number one but others." He says looking over the view.

I take a bit of the ice cream and give some to Malik who scarfs it down happily.

"Well in our world I'm just average, not really good at anything but not the worst. My family just seemed so busy and never seemed to talk to me besides my sister so it's surprising they changed because if me. I mean Nikki is genius level but her trickster side and lazy side is what people normally see." I explain digging into the ice cream happily.

Out of the corner of my eye I see him smirk as he eats his ice cream. "Well being seen with me definitely helped get everyone's attention. The commission wants you now, sent me to try to recruit you."

I snort. "Not happening. I think Nikki and I are going to just go solo."

He tilts his head. "Even if it meant being my partner? "

I bump his shoulder with mine. "Sorry my partner in crime slot is filled. So mister how'd you know my goal was to track you down for this?"

He smirks. "My secret."

Laughing I give the last bite to Malik. "Sure so the feather didn't have anything to do with it. So how much did you hear?"

He shrugs. "I got bored so I had time to listen to the exhibits and your talk with Gang Orca. I didn't know you were such a shut though."

I raise an eye brows at him. "Uh excuse you? I haven't done anything slutty."

He returns my look. "Wait you haven't realized? Gang was flirting with you the entire time….have you seriously not noticed Fat either?!"

I roll my eyes at him waving him off. "As if. Both of them could do so much better. Plus I need time to heal and get stronger for what's to come. There's no way anyone from here is or will ever be interested in me."

He laughs smacking his face. "Oh those poor suckers...Fat was pouting and depressed all night and all day today. He kept pulling out his phone checking for messages. "

I shrug showing him I had turned off the tracking phone. "I didn't want to deal with anyone today honestly. But am glad I ran into Gang Orca and you...there's something I want to try. Not tonight but I want to test to see if I can adapt to fly, I kind of need a flight person to help with that one."

He tilts his head. "Why not tonight? "

I point to Malik. "I need to have a sitter for him. He's beginning to be more playful, the sleepy stage is ending."

He nods standing and stretching his arms and wings. "Fair enough. Tomorrow then come by the agency after you get off work from the bakery."

I nod and wave as he takes off once again leaving me to the peace of the night.

I call Malik and begin walking next to the bike just pushing it allowing him to get out his energy. As we walked I turned on the new phone seeing a message from Kirishima about how his mom wanted to meet me in the morning but had agreed to drop him off at my house in the mornings. I respond with a sounds good and check the other messages.

Several were from Gummy to which I ignored for now and looked at Nikki's who was asking me if I was alive. I respond with a zombie emoji and put the phone away enjoying the night.

It was cool but not cold and I was actually still wide awake and not tired like I normally would have been from the long bike ride. A couple cars pass by me but nothing exciting really happens as Malik stays by my side and when he does start to stray I would call him back teaching him how to heel.

There were some things I had yet to teach him because he mainly slept so I took this as an opportunity to work on his training.

About half way home his tail is down and he's panting so I give him water and put him back in the basket to give him a ride.

He quickly falls asleep and I pass a couple walking close together laughing making me smile.

When I finally get home I put the bike in the shed and see the crows landing in their roost cawing and chatting. They had followed me most of the day though most hadn't noticed them.

Malik trots up to the goats sniffing noses in greeting before heading inside, the house was lit up which meant they both were still up.

When I open the sliding door Nikki jumps before relaxing back into the couch seeing it was just me. "Yo! Have a good time at the aquarium?"

I smile nodding as I kick off my shoes. "Yeah it was nice, I ran into Gang Orca and he gave me a sort of tour telling me all kinds of cool facts about everything. On the way there I saw this really old looking book store that was interesting. Also a cat rescue is hiring just over near the city edge, grabbed you an application."

She grins taking the folded paper. "Sweet! Thanks! So why you home so late didn't you take the bus? The last one ran like an hour ago."

"I rode a bike, regular bike relax, found another shed the other day with sport equipment and a couple bikes in there. So just took the afternoon to ride around and explore some." I walk past her heading for the kitchen actually hungry for once. "You guys ate right?"

She nods following me. "Yeah I made burgers, there's still some left over meat in there if you want I can make you one."

I shrug going to the other fridge for a tea. "Sure thanks, actually kind of wired right now wanna try sparring?"

She stops mid track staring at me. "Okay, who are you and what have you done with my best friend?"

I laugh, shrugging opening my tea. "I listened to my voicemails, they're all doing better now. So I'm actually relieved and feel lighter."

She grins clapping her hands and begins making a burger for me as I sit at the counter watching. Malik had gone up the stairs probably to bed or to say hi to Gummy.

"That's great!"

I nod playing with the tea bottle. "David is going on a date too. Which I'm happy for but also a bit sad."

Nikki nods patting my shoulder. "That's perfectly understandable given the circumstances but now you can just get with Gummy!"

I shake my head. "Nah, I need time to heal still. Plus we need to train and get connections fast."

She pulls out some potato salad holding it up in a silent question to which I nod to. "Fair enough but I'm still going to try."

I roll my eyes laughing and lean forward. "So how did your date with teach go? I noticed you got home pretty late last night."

She rolls her eyes. "As if. Nah he just took me to this cat cafe that was awesome and bought me coco, him coffee."

Laughing at her I put my head in my hand. "Uh Nikki that's considered a coffee date."

She points a spatula at me demanding. "Then was the aquarium a date?"

Shaking my head at her. "No, I ran into him there, he didn't invite me nor did he buy me anything or walk me home."

I did not mention how he offered to drive me home because I knew she would use that against me.

Gummy walked in then and from his look I wondered how much he had heard. "Hi...uh can we talk Sarah?"

I stand and follow him to the other room, hands in my pockets. "If it's about last night I already forgave you. You were doing your job."

I was a bit bitter as I had thought being around me so much he'd had known me better to know I wouldn't go berserk again had hurt.

"That's not fully it...I had been worried about Nikki and Hawks mostly pulling pranks or messing with people. I couldn't pay attention to them fully because I could barely take my eyes off you. You look beautiful as you are now but last night I could barely think."

My face heats up and as I went to breathe I swallowed my own saliva making me choke and begin coughing. So I did the most sensible thing to do.

I ran back to the safety of the kitchen and hid in a nook next to Nikki.

Seeing my bright red face and how I was hiding made her laugh as I heard Gummy come back in. "Sarah?! Are you alright?!"

I hide my face but put a thumbs up still coughing.

"Uh she put a thumbs up...what the hell did you say to her??" Nikki questions.

I pull my knees up to my chest wrapping my arms around them.

"I only explained myself about last night...I gave her a compliment and she ran from me…" his voice sounded hurt.

Nikki bursts into laughter. "Oh this is great! You're good she's only embarrassed, this is hilarious." nikki continues to laugh at me.

Taking a few deep breaths as Nikki cackles at me I get the courage to crawl out from the nook. "Sorry….I um...still don't do very well with compliments…" I mutter rubbing my arm lookin at the floor, my face still warm.

"Oh! So you just need to hear them more, like suneater!" he says grinning and sitting at the counter.

"Please no…"

Nikki slides me my plate still cackling like a villain the entire time making me tempted to smack her.

"Oh she definitely does...oh! And a nickname!" Nikki says laughing at my glare.

I just mutter to myself and eat the food.

"Yes! Hmm a fitting one though…" Gummy agrees, putting his hand to his chin in thought.

Seeing Nikki smirk I glare at her not liking the glint in her eyes. "Maybe like your old nickname care bear but gummy.."

I point a fork at her. "You finish that sentence everyone will know your real name. I hate that nickname as much as you do your name."

She returns my glare. "I will murder you. My name is Nikki."

"Okay no care bear got it...wait were you about to call her gummy bear?" Gummy questions his cheeks tinting pink.

I sigh rubbing my face putting the plate in the sink. "Meet me in the garage in a bit, I'm going to get changed."

I don't meet Gummy's eyes as I walk away, I wasn't angry as long as that stupid nickname didn't come back.

I quickly change into some sweats and a tank top tossing my hair into a tight librarian bun and head for the garage.

Gummy was in the living room as I pass so I pause. "You looked good too." before ducking out my face hot again.