"Next." The bored voice of one Kyoka Jirou calls out, her head resting in her hands as her elbows keep her propped up against the tall counter. Sure working in a coffee shop wasn't exactly how she wanted to spend her summer vacation (she'd rather work in a music store, but nobody was hiring) but she needed money for college, and at least she had a sure chance of being hired seeing as her boss was her Uncle Hizashi. So, here she was, working a nine to five at a hole in the wall coffee store, and getting pretty good wages… While remaining bored out of her mind.

A young man with green hair (oh, he must dye it like Kyoka dyes hers purple) walks up to the counter. Kyoka gives him a once over, looking over his outfit. He's got on a bright red pair of high top chucks, some ripped blue jeans, a jacket based on some hero show it looks like (she's pretty sure she watched that show when she was a kid, what was it… Den-O or something…) and a black shirt with… Her favorite band's logo on it. First impression made. This guy seems like a nerd, but a nerd with taste.

"What can I get you?" Kyoka asks, with a bit more actual interest than she would have with any other customer.

"Oh, uh…" The greenette scratches the back of his head. "A hot chocolate and… A reason to not go back over to my friends?" He says nervously, piquing Kyoka's for interest for a moment. The greenette subtly points back with his thumb, the barista trailing it to a small group over by the entrance to the cafe.

A couple of posh looking guys, one dressed in blue, and one with candy cane hair stand next to a couple of girls, a cheery looking brunette, and a girl with an unreadable expression. She looks back to the greenette with a bit of concern. "Let me guess, they're trying to get you to hit on me?"

The guy slumps his shoulders and lowers his head. "Yeah… Sorry for dragging you into my mess. I'll make sure to tip you well."

"Hey, it's whatever." Kyoka shrugs it off, writing down his order. "I've gotten a few guys and gals trying to get my number, though most of them were kind of sleazy. At least you're kind enough to let me know of the actual situation beforehand." She gets started on his cup. "So, let me guess… Rough breakup about… A couple weeks ago?"

"Er, more like a couple years ago." The greenette responds, walking over to the side a bit, keeping his focus on Kyoka. "My last girlfriend was an obsessive nutjob, and my boyfriend after her was an abusive asshole. Kind of swore off dating for a while, but my friends are convinced it's been enough time."

"Oof, sounds rough buddy. My own ex girlfriend and I were lucky to have done a mutual breakup, but I had to throw out my last boyfriend because he was an overly stupid pervert." Kyoka chuckles, getting a mutual laugh from the greenette. The somewhat low, somewhat high laugh stirs Kyoka's stomach a bit, a feeling she hasn't felt in a while. "Granted, that was a whole year ago now. So, I can see where both sides of your group are coming from here."

"Ah, fair enough." The young man responds, the two falling into a small silence for a couple seconds, before Kyoka speaks up again.

"So, I see you're in a Deep Dope shirt." She says, the guy looking down with a smile.

"Oh, hehe, yeah. I discovered them back in High School and fell in love almost instantly. They really speak to me in a way that other bands don't. Especially their last album, Multiple Exposure, man I didn't expect their first venture into different genres to be so good!" The guy gushes over the band, getting a small giggle from the girl.

"Don't I know it. I was so used to the punk rock stylings, and to suddenly hear them doing ska was a huge whiplash. But it really worked out well! Especially that one song, oh man, what was it?" Kyoka tries to remember the subject of their conversation, as the hot chocolate starts pouring into the cup.

"The Masked Promise?" The greenette asks, Kyoka snapping her fingers into a finger gun at him.

"Yeah! That one was great! It hit that emotional spark, while keeping the energy!" Kyoka cheers, the guy nodding in agreement. Impression raised, he's got great taste. "You know, I hadn't met anyone with that same opinion until you. Guess today turned from another slogfest into something interesting." She reaches her hand across the counter, a sly smile on her face. "Kyoka Jirou."

The greenette smiles, taking the hand joyfully. "Izuku Midoriya." The nerd with great taste responds, before the two returns the hands to their sides. "Man, to think trying to get away from my friends would lead to finally meeting someone with taste."

Kyoka winces slightly. "Oof, your friends not liking the same music as you?"

Izuku slumps once more. "The guy who looks like a blue robot, my friend Tenya, thinks that Little Moon is the best song that Deep Dope's ever made."

"The piano song from Highway Information?! What's his problem?!" Kyoka yells, putting the lid on Izuku's cup.

"Right?!" Izuku complains. "No taste, I swear. And then Shoto, the candy cane, listens to Time of Flowers like it's an audio version of the bible or something!" He whines further, Kyoka covering her mouth a little bit as she laughs. "Tsu, the girl in the frog shirt, is at least tolerable with her favorite of their songs being Blessed Wind, but Ochako, the brunette? She listens to bubblegum pop!"

Kyoka starts to buckle over in laughter. "Pfffftttt, dude! You are just dragging your friends through the mud here! Pfft, bwahahahaha!" The violette bends back in laughter, her eyes closing from how hard she was giggling. "Oh man, that's incredible!" She wipes away a tear, handing the drink to Izuku, as the guy passes over the money for the drink. Kyoka prints out a receipt taking out a pen and scribbling on it quickly. "Man, it seems like your pals need better taste in music."

"Heh, probably. Still, I only drag them because I love them." Izuku says, taking a sip of the hot chocolate. "Thanks for letting me stay here for a few minutes by the way. It was nice having a conversation like that for once." He nods to Kyoka, before turning to walk away.

"Well, here's hoping you'll have a few more." Kyoka says as she crosses her arms. Izuku turns to look at her, his arm holding the door steady, as the violette raises a hand to her ear, extending her thumb and pinky, before shaking it. Izuku looks at his receipt, his face gaining a bright red hue as he makes his way out of the store.

All the while, Kyoka was screaming at herself inside her head. 'OH MYGOD, DID YOU REALLY JUST FUCKING DO THAT?! YOU DON'T FLIRT WITH PEOPLE YOU JUST MET YOU DUMBASS, WHAT IS YOUR MALFUNCTION YOU VIOLET SHITHEAD?!'


Evergreen: So, how are you holding up?

Me: Ugh

Evergreen: Oof. Work that bad today?

Me: Some blonde pomeranian came in and practically SCREAMED all his orders to me.

Evergreen: Yikes. Sounds like my ex.

Me: Have I ever mentioned I want to kick your ex in the balls?

Me: Cause I want to kick him in the balls.

Me: With my steel toes.

Evergreen: Go right ahead.

Evergreen: Oh hey, speaking of idiots.

Evergreen: I had someone come in earlier asking about guitars, this yellow blonde twig.

Evergreen: He was trying to hold a V and just absolutely failing at it.

Evergreen: Kept going on about learning so he could win back his own ex.

Me: Oh. My. God!

Me: That is LITERALLY my ex!

Evergreen: LOL

Evergreen: Well, he ended up causing a shortage in the shop

Evergreen: So I had to kick him out.

Me: GOOD

It had been about three weeks since Kyoka had met Izuku, and the two had become fast friends, spending a lot of time texting each other, as well as learning about each other's lives.

For starters, it turned out that both of them had grown up in the same town! They just went to rival schools, but were actually going to the same college! Hell, they even shared the same major in Music Production. (She was hoping that they would share the same classes when school started back up.) Furthermore, Izuku actually worked at a guitar shop on the other side of the city (wouldn't you know it, the one place she didn't look for a job).

The Ya-Guitar Emporium, owned and operated by Toshinori 'The Might' Yagi, Kyoka's (and Izuku's) personal hero. A renowned guitarist known for his work in the band 'UA Heroes'. Kyoka thought she wouldn't have a chance of getting a job there, and didn't send in an application. Lucky her, it turns out Toshinori had been short of staff since running out his last group for being absolutely terrible workers, and generally just awful people. (Izuku told her about how he ended up punching one of them in the jaw when they came back to wreck the shop. Shoto, who was there visiting Izuku, recorded it. It's one of Kyoka's favorite videos of all time.)

Other info traded between them varied from favorite colors, favorite foods, and other basic stuff like that. Kyoka put her phone away in her pocket as she helped another customer get some coffee. It had been a long time since she was able to talk to anybody else like that. Her last girlfriend comes to mind at first, but even with her she was a bit apprehensive in talking about things. Things such as her likes, her dislikes, or even just her day.

But Izuku? The guy was like a sponge of vocalisations. Always taking the time to actually listen to her, give her the input she wanted, just… Be there. And it was stupid easy talking to him. And when he talked, she found herself actually being invested in what he said. From when he'd just talk about whatever happened in the day, or even when he would talk about his own past. It was…

Kyoka froze for a moment. Was she… Was she falling for Izuku? She shook her head. No. No~! She just really enjoyed his company. She loved laughing at his jokes, his good taste in music... his smile... his nerdy obsession over hero shows… Oh.

Oh no.

Kyoka handed the customer their order with a blank stare, before standing still with that same empty expression. Oh shit. Oh shit! She had fallen for the nerdy greenette who had walked into her store, begged to stay away from his friends, and made her laugh as he dragged them.

'YOU IDIOT! THIS IS WHY WE DON'T FLIRT!' Her conscience screamed at her, as she put away her work apron for the day. She grabbed her leather jacket from her work locker, before closing the break room behind her. Her mind still occupied with the sudden realization she was crushing on somebody, she didn't realize her uncle was standing in front of the exit until she had bumped into him. "Bwuh! Oh, uh, sorry, Uncle 'Zashi."

The blonde man with green eyes lets out a chuckle. "Hehe, it's all good kid!" Hizashi says, rubbing a hand over his chest where Kyoka impacted. He looks at the girl for a moment, noticing her antsy movements, and flushed cheeks. "Hey, you doing alright? You looking a little red there." He places the backside of his hand against her forehead, checking for a fever. "Nothing there… Wait… Could it be that you, my dear sweet niece, Kyoka Jirou, have caught a case of… Emotions?!"

Kyoka winces a bit, looking away from the man. "I-I have no idea what you're talking about!" She yells out, her cheeks flushing a bit more.

"Oh man! It's been years since I've seen you catch the hots for somebody! Who was it then, that rich brunette? She was nice, but I don't really think she fit your style... " Hizashi muses to himself, positioning himself so that he's more in the way of the exit, keeping Kyoka inside. "But even then, you never nearly got as flustered as you do know. So, who's the lucky punk?"

"Uncle 'Zashi, please!" Kyoka covers her head with her arms, before suddenly realizing that Izuku does the same whenever she teases him in a video call. She quickly drops the motion, but not in such a subtle way, leaving her uncle to pick up on the action.

"Oh, imitating them already, huh? Man, you must have it bad then! I remember it was like that when your old man met Mika." Hizashi crosses his arms and nods, breaking Kyoka out from her trance. The violette looks at her uncle confusingly, the man pointing up a finger to accentuate his point as he continues speaking. "The two were a bit scared of relationships back in college, both had been pretty hurt by their own past partners. But when they met, you could tell there were sparks. They started picking up on the other's habits, and being sickeningly sweet about it too, heh." Hizashi chuckles, looking over to Kyoka kindly. "You know that thing your dad does, where he crosses his arms, and looks away with some kind of ugly pout?"

"Pfft, yeah. He does that whenever me or mom call him out on his bs." Kyoka replies, thinking about her parents.

"Well, he actually picked that up from your mother!" Hizashi continues, shocking Kyoka. "She might not do it a whole lot these days, it's mostly when it's just us super old people talking, but it comes from her originally. The same applies to her, too. That little thing she does where she clasps her hands and makes them fall to the side? That's your old man's thing! He did that whenever he was trying to get some money out of me! Your mom picked it up and has been getting things she wants with that simple motion for years, ha!" Hizashi laughs, wiping at the corner of his eye. "Where was I going with this? Oh yeah. Look, I know you try to present yourself as this super cool girl without any cares in the world, but it's pretty clear you like whoever it is you're imitating and blushing about. Take some advice from your uncle, and your parents from when they were around your age-" Hizashi puts a hand on Kyoka's shoulder. "Go for it!" He cheers, while holding a thumbs up with his other hand.

Kyoka looks up at her uncle, before letting crack a small smile. She gives the man a quick hug, before turning around. "You tell anyone that happened and I'm kicking your ass." She says, getting a chuckle from the man.

"Hehe, you got it, my little listener. Now get out of here, knowing you, you've made your mind up about something." Hizashi steps out of the way of the exit, letting Kyoka step out. He watches her leave, a smile on his face. 'Should I have told her that I know it's that nerdy looking greenette that she has for her lock screen?... Nah, I'm sure she'd kick my ass if she knew that I knew. I'm more than fine keeping my skin bruise free.


"Have a good day Mr. Yagi!" Izuku cheers, waving goodbye to his employer with a smile. The thinly blonde man waves back with an equally big smile, the two walking in separate directions.

Izuku only lived a mile away, and he was quite sure to maintain an exercise regime in order to stay healthy, so he always walked to and from work. It sucked when the weather wasn't exactly good, but at least he always got his steps in. He looked up at the sky and noticed grey clouds beginning to form, a sure tell sign that it was going to rain soon. He let out a sigh, before reaching into his backpack, and pulling out a jacket. Who did he go with today? Ah, Kiva, of course! How fitting, seeing as he actually had to give one customer directions to the nearest violin vendor.

He zipped the hero based jacket up, pulling the hood over his head as he continued his walk. He pulled out his phone to check it, but let out a little pout when he saw the lack of notifications. Usually around this time, Kyoka would have sent him a text letting him know she was home. From there, the two would chat while he continued his walk home. But tonight was different it seemed, with her having yet to send a text, and Izuku being too nervous to send one himself or even give her a call.

Why was he nervous you ask? Well, it's because the nerdy greenette had realized in the middle of sweeping away the idiot blonde who caused the store's power to short, that he had fallen for his newest friend. Everything about her from her coy smiles, to her lovely voice, how she was just as easily flustered as he could be. She was just… Incredible. And he had fallen for her… Hard.

'God what an idiot. How could you fall for somebody when you had sworn off dating?! Not only that, you just had to go and fall for the absolute prettiest girl you've ever met! God, you are such an embarrassment!' His consciousness screamed at him, the young man doing his best to ignore his mental aberration. He let out a sigh as he pocketed his phone, continuing his walk.

Yagi had told him that he should pursue the relationship, but Izuku wasn't exactly the most confident person in the world. How could he just go up to Kyoka, say he likes her, and ask her out?! That's insane! The greenette continued to walk and mull over his thoughts until the sudden blasting of punk rock next to him snapped him from his senses.

Looking to his side, there cruising at a slow pace next to him was a black muscle car with purple highlights. The passenger side window rolled down, allowing him to peer across through the vehicle to find the driver… "Kyoka?"

"Hey string bean!" The girl greeted with a salute. "I remembered I wanted to try some coffee joint on this side of town, and figured I might as well ask the only person I know who lives around here if he wanted to join me." She says casually, looking at Izuku with a smile, and the slightest hint of a blush.

'HOLY SHIT DID SHE JUST ASK US OUT?! TAKE IT YOU STUPID BOY, THIS MIGHT JUST BE THE ONE! DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT!' His conscience screamed, Izuku looking at the girl in a flabbergasted state. "Uh, sure." He says, taking his backpack off his shoulders, and pulling his hood down, before stepping into the car. Kyoka smiles at him before she rolls the window back up, and the two soon find themselves cruising down the streets together.

"So…" Kyoka starts, Izuku looking over at her. "How was work?" She asks, Izuku jolting away from his stupor.

"Ah, well, aside from the idiot who caused a short, it was pretty boring. I had someone come in trying to buy a violin, and I pointed them to another store for that, but that was about it. Just a typical boring day. A-Aside from talking to you that is." Izuku says, one of his fingers trailing up to his hair and absentmindedly twirling a strand around it. (A habit he seemed to pick up from Kyoka, now that he thinks about it.)

Kyoka looks over at him for a second, her eyes locking with his finger, and then his own eyes. The two look away quickly, Izuku feeling his face heating up in a flush. "U-uhm, how about you? How was your day?"

"Oh, the usual. Served some bitter coffee to people with bad taste." Kyoka replies dryly, getting a chuckle out of Izuku. "Had a bit of a discussion with my uncle, and then made my way over here."

"Oh, what did you two talk about?"

Kyoka puts a hand just above her top lip, the other still attached to the steering wheel (obviously). "We uh… We talked about my feelings." She says, trying to keep as much of her focus on the road as possible. Her eyes glance over to Izuku, the boy looking a little bit fearful at what she has to say next. "See I… I'm not a fan of bitter things, you know this, right?"

"Y-yeah. It's something we kind of share, if I remember one of our first calls correctly." Izuku says, watching as they take a turn, the last coffee shop around for a couple miles fading from view as the two start up a road leading up a nearby hill.

"Well, I was reminded of some bitter things recently, and my uncle pointed out something… Sweet, that I had only just learned about today." She continues, the car pulling into a small parking lot near the top of the hill. The two look out the front, looking at the city lights before them, the sunset behind it all. "And thinking about it, I've been a little scared of admitting it to myself. This thing has been nothing but sweet, and… I'm worried about it turning bitter later." Kyoka turns to face Izuku, the boy looking at her with somewhat of a confused smile. "Do you understand what I mean?"

Izuku scratches at the back of his head. "Hehe, I think I do. I mean, I've been so used to bitter, that to think something sweet would ever enter my life was kind of… Unthinkable to me. But, a few weeks ago, I found something sweet, and… Well, it's remained sweet since. But that's only surface level sweet, I feel. I… I'd like to see if it remains sweet if I go further with it." Izuku looks at Kyoka, noticing how both of them had slowly started moving towards each other.

The two remain a mere few centimeters apart, and Kyoka lets her eyes flicker down to Izuku's lips for a moment. The greenette nods as slightly as he can, and in a moment… Their lips lock. It's a soft embrace, neither of them wanting to push the other away, content to sit in the moment and let their lips stay connected.

Izuku can taste the sweet taste of chocolate on Kyoka's lips, a sensation of calm and comfort washing over him. Conversely Kyoka tastes the sweetest of creams, Izuku providing joy and happiness.

The two break away, letting air return to their lungs as they look at each other with wide smiles. Their eyes remain glued to each other, before the two go in for another kiss, this time Kyoka grabbing Izuku's cheeks softly, as she sees if she can get to kiss to go for a longer time.

Kisses so sweet, that they forget the meaning of bitterness.


2 Months Later…

"Shoo! Shoo! Get out of here!" Izuku pushes the blonde twig who keeps shorting out the shop's electricity with a broom. "And don't come back until you learn proper electrical safety!" He yells, letting out a sigh.

"Bahaha!" Toshinori Yagi laughs, Izuku turning to look back with a smile. "I haven't seen you act like that with a customer… Ever! Did you finally grow a spine, my boy?"

Izuku looks away with a chuckle and the slightest of blushes. "More like my girlfriend's rubbing off on me. I swear, if it weren't for the fact I try to be nice to everyone, I'd have told that guy he's banned by now. Ah, but Kyo says she wants to be here for the next time he comes in, to rub something in his face."

"Oh, and what would that be?" Toshinori asks with a smirk.

"Intelligence, probably." Izuku responds in a deadpan, causing Toshinori to burst out into laughter again. Izuku smirks, taking his nametag off and placing it in the storage area. "I'll see you tomorrow Mr. Yagi!"

"Same to you, Young Izuku!" The man cheers, watching the greenette leave the shop with a smile. "Oh, and tell your spitfire I said hello!"

Izuku shakes his head with a chuckle, as he walks up to a familiar muscle car, getting in with a smile. "So, how was work?" He asks, closing the passenger door after him.

"Oh, the usual. Bitter coffee, bitter people. Got you a hot chocolate by the way." Kyoka replies, pointing at the cup holder. Izuku nods in thanks, taking the drink happily. "You?"

"Oh, the usual. Pushed that blonde idiot out, got Yagi to laugh, missed my wonderful girlfriend."

"Oh you dork." Kyoka says as she jokingly punches Izuku's shoulder, the two laughing a bit at the joke. "Anyways, college starts back up in a couple weeks. You get your schedule yet?"

"Nope." Izuku pops the 'p' in the word. "You?"

"Nope." Kyoka does the same. "Looks like we'll just have to have faith that the school system doesn't screw us over."

"Well, even if it does, it's not like it'll stop you from doing what you want." Izuku says, getting a chuckle from Kyoka.

"You got that right. Now give me your hand. I want something to hold while we head back to my place." Kyoka says, opening a hand for the young man. Izuku smiles as he locks his fingers with hers, hot chocolate placed back in the holder.

A sweet way to end the day, all in all.


This was started back at the tail end of January as birthday gift for a friend of mine, but I hit a real bad case of block until recently, and it's only coming out now. Sorry about that. But, happy belated birthday!

(As for a valentines fic, I may or may not be working on one of those. Idk. I need a bit of… Insparkle-ration to get it working.)