P A L S

A N D

S O B A S

The sun flickered a fulgent yellow blaze as the velvety clouds stirred, revealing a crystal clear skydome of blue.

Kaya observed how the fleecy, cottony clouds looked so carefree, laying over the bed of azure. It must've felt so nice to just hover around that comforting place of solace, away from the cruelness this world has to offer. Really. It must've felt great.

It's a shame she couldn't experience such thing.

Most of the time, life's unfair. Very unfair.

She undid her grasp to the staircase where she was and went straight to the Yoake, getting ready for another day that she has to forcably stretch her lips upward; just for the sake of show. And in her wake, she found herself wondering when she wouldn't have to fake everything anymore.

- - -

The day was going by smoothly. In fact, the customers increased in number compared to the usual percentage. Accommodating them with Kaya alone was quite tiresome, but she wasn't really complaining. This is for the store's profit after all. More customers, more money. The argument was actually very simple.

Noon approached earlier than Kaya expected. Losing track of time was a habit of hers. Along with losing track of how many cigarettes she put underneath the counter. Probably about two digits or so, she wasn't really sure. She'd have to clean those up soon though, to keep the store's counter clean and her image out of possible suspicions. The person assigned on the CCTV Cameras - if none of the customers noticed her sloppy hiding - would be the only one to actually know how many she smoked for today.

So, she was safe for the time being. Even if she was the boss, the employees and the regulars were like her guardians. They seemed to care for her - well that, at least, is what she sees. Maybe it's pseudo emotions, but she felt oddly secure. Of course; that security wasn't permanent. She still felt distant and frail. That, she couldn't fake. Fooling yourself wasn't really an easy job.

That aside, at noon, students are usually around since school hours are over. That is why Kaya is looking forward to a swarm of students at this hour. Hopefully, she wouldn't have to drag one of her employees from rest to help her in serving the customers.

The chime rang and Kaya immediately put the store's hat on again, not really noticing that she spaced out. As expected, the person who entered was a student. It was pretty obvious from the uniform. The boy had a burnt part of his face, oddly enough, he had two colors of hair; seemingly separated, red and white. She didn't quite catch sight of his eyes - but the hues of it were definitely different, if you were to notice the slight glint.

He seemed to be looking around for something. He has already scanned the first two shelves, and was now moving on to the third shelf. After taking a look at almost all the products the Yoake has to offer, he approached Kaya.

"Excuse me, do you sell soba here?"

Kaya quirked a brow.

"Soba?"

"Uh, yes. The dried ones. Those for making.. cold soba."

Realizing what he meant, Kaya scratched the surface of her cheek and awkwardly let out a chuckle.

"Well, er, dried soba is usually found in supermarkets. I'm not really aware if convenience stores sell them, but it's guaranteed if you go to a supermarket. I'm very sorry." The boy blinked, and said a meek 'oh' in response.

"There's nothing to be sorry for. Thank you." And with that, he left. Leaving behind a faded chime.

She couldn't quite put it into words, but Kaya thought the boy was definitely peculiar. He also wore the uniform of Yuuei, and he looked like a responsible student at that. It was common knowledge that dried sobas are available at supermarkets, but maybe he doesn't know that. Kaya just shrugged it off.

The chime didn't last long untouched. After just mere seconds, it girdled once again. And at the sight of the person who entered, Kaya couldn't help but grin.

"Well, you should've told me you accepted my offer for regularity."

The spiky blond growled, "Shut it. Where the fuck are the ramen."

"You're such a polite gentleman, aren't you? Well, it's just beside the first shelf on the right, kind sir," He didn't reply back. Instead, he just went straight for the ramen and roughly looked for the extra hot flavor.

Kaya hummed, "Come to think of it, because you came here today, doesn't that mean you're my friend already?"

"Where in this hellhole did you get that?" He grumbled under his breath.

"It was kinda part of the promo yesterday. Kinda. Come here, be a regular and be my friend! Ain't that just wonderful, Katsuki-chan? I'm really generous on my offers."

"I didn't recall giving you my permission to call me 'Katsuki-chan'." He responded, placing a smoky red ramen cup on the counter. Kaya scanned the product and it made a beeping sound.

"Friends don't need permission. That's rule number one in friendship, okay? Oh and, need me to wrap it up or you're just gonna..?"

"Well, you're not my friend either, so," He snorted, "And nevermind wrapping the damn thing, I'll just eat it inside."

Kaya ignored his retort and just handed him over the ramen cup, "The heater is just beside the counter if you didn't notice, friend," She teased and cackled.

"Fuck you." Katsuki muttered as he took a seat at one of the free and empty tables.

"Same to you too, young man."

And the silence lingered.

Well not until a certain carbonated, bread-maniac entered the store.

"Ah, Katou-san! Meet Katsuki over there, a tsundere I found," Kaya introduced, stifling a laugh, to where Bakugou almost threw his noodles at her. If only he could waste the food, he totally will.

"Your boyfriend?"

Kaya grinned, "Not yet!"

Katsuki choked on his noodles.

"What the actual fuck, woman?!"

She guffawed and wiped the pseudo tears from her eyes, "Kidding, kidding! Katou-san, Katsuki-chan here is my best friend."

"We're fucking strangers, I don't even know your name - "

"Shush, it's Kaya."

Katou shook his head in amusement, "Aren't you two just adorable, huh."

Kaya enthusiastically nodded, "I know."

The blond just muttered a string of curses.

He stood up and put the empty ramen cup in the trash bin, to where Kaya was appalled.

"You finished that already?" He hummed in response, "Well, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, my friend."

When he downright ignored her, she wasn't surprised at the least. But when he responded - even though it wasn't positive nor negative - imagine Kaya's shock.

"Whatever, woman."

Well, at least they weren't strangers anymore.