The Flap of a Butterfly's Wings

Memories are Mirrors to Our Present

   Izuku takes a deep breath and looks up at the pastel blue building. It's cute. The windows are big and the design on the door is unique. The design is a black cat facing backwards with a wreath of blue roses encircling it. At the bottom of the design is the name of the cafe in cursive, "Kaiteki Cafe".  There's frilly black drapes to help protect people from the rain with crystal charms dangling from the ends.

    Izuku knocks on the door, hoping that Arai is here even though the cafe hasn't even opened yet. He adjusted his backup and tightened his grip on his pink suitcase that had a My Little Pony character on it. Yet another item he's found near the trash. It's definitely not his style, but it'll have to do.

    Just as he was about to give up, the door opened to reveal a disheveled Hotaru with crazy bedhead. It was almost as bad as Izuku's. She even had drool running down her chin. They were wearing an oversized lavender shirt that said "Karens are wannabe MILFS" and sport shorts. It honestly made Izuku's mood brighten. It would be good for him to be around Ru. He needed some humor in his life. God, when was the last time he laughed? Actually laughed? It's been so long. Izuku feared that he might have forgotten how to.

    "Izuku! I'm so glad you came. Sorry I look like, well, this," Hotaru said while gesturing to herself.

    He waved his hand in dismissal, "Don't worry about it." Ru opens the door wider and invites Izuku inside the cafe. Izuku can't help it, he gushes. The inside was even more adorable than the outside! The walls are plain with plants hanging off of them. The area that made up the drink and pastry area is made up of blue rustic wood. Tables were white marble with wooded gray seats. Then there were the cats. There had to be at least six of them. Izuku noticed water bowls next to each of their beds. The cats had to be close to kittens. They were so small and big-eyed. He didn't know what two of the cats were, but he knew that two of them were Munchkin cats, one was a Bombay cat, and the last one he knew had to be a Persian cat.

    Izuku thought for certain that he would die of cuteness overload. Not that he would mind. He could think of much worse things to die from other than cuteness. Much, Much worse.

Getting turned to ashes by your own quirk.

Having your neck slashed and choking on your own blood.

Having your best friend stab you because they were being controlled and they couldn't stop their hand from sinking into flesh. No matter how hard he tried. The quirk wouldn't wear off.

He killed his best friend.

    He forces himself to get out of this hole he's digging himself and tells himself to come back to the present. "Wow. This place is amazing. How did you even get it to look like this?" He said in awe. Izuku couldn't believe he would be able to live here. Did he even deserve this? Was it even okay to be working at the age of eleven? He puts his finger to his chin and begins to mutter, "Wait, is it okay to be working? I'm underage. Well, I suppose that a lot of people my age help work out at their families' shops, so maybe? And I'm going to be living here- if that's still a part of the plan, that is! However, if I can't live here then what will I do? I guess I'll just have to move back to-"

    He's cut off by Ru putting their hands up to tell him to slow down. "Woah there, Silly Goose! Who knew you could talk so much! That's awesome!" She said, leaving Izuku shocked. No one has ever said anything good about his muttering before. It makes his heart swell in his chest. Ru continues, "First off, I got the cafe to look like this because I had a friend of a friend who said that they'd do it for me as long as I pay them back... Still don't know what that is, but oh well. You're right about the working situation. However, since you're living here now and doing it voluntarily, it'll be okay! Besides, I'll have you be working in the back until you're old enough to work out here in the front. How does that sound? Please tell me if you have any questions!" They stop to breathe for a moment before their eyes widen. "Oh! I almost forgot. Yes, of course you can stay here! I even got your room ready. Even though I didn't know you would actually accept my offer. I just wanted to be prepared!" Izuku was overwhelmed by Arai's warmth. She was so nice and had this pep to everything that she does. It was refreshing. Like breathing in freshly bloomed roses.