Thank whoever invented second chances and small town, cozy inns. For Reika Matsuda, second chances meant spending her life home schooled and working full time at the Kitajima inn in Karuizawa. She was washing dishes now, putting each away with the care and prestige that has composed her reputation.

It was pouring rain, ironically. Karuizawa was supposed to be renowned for it's beautiful weather and relaxing atmosphere. But with the thunder clapping every so often, that was hardly the case.

Reika supposed it could've been somewhat peaceful, had it not been one of Kitajima's busiest days; this reflected the way her boss, Toshi, was acting. Stormy days were definitely the inn's busiest, and since rain was a rarity, so were busy days. Her boss wasn't exactly her number one fan, either.

"Matsuda, hurry up with those dishes! This shouldn't take all day!" Toshi flicked a customer's dirty napkin at her. "Table seven's. Replace it!" It was getting on her last nerve now.

"As soon as possible." Reika answered with distilled annoyance. Honestly, who did this woman think she hired? Sailor Moon?

Thunder boomed, causing Toshi to abruptly squeal. Reika laughed lightly, and her boss took notice. "And after your usual duties, attend to both my inn's floors; the bathrooms need cleaning, I'm sure."

Deep breath in, deep breath out. "I can do this." she muttered to herself, taking care not to be heard. It wasn't a challenge.

*Hours later*

Reika sat in the quietness of the empty inn lobby at 10:30pm. That's right. Working full time meant not returning home... on weekdays, of course. That didn't matter when it came to the big picture. Whatever it took to support what was left of her family. She'd do anything.

As she tended to the flowers lining the breakfast tables for tomorrow morning: three firm, consecutive knocks were heard.

Curiously, Reika approached the Kitajima inn's front door, and when she pulled it open; a soaking wet, red headed teenager was dripping on the porch, ashamed. He was definitely near her age. He was also definitely heart-stopping good looking.

"I'm miles from my home, lacking both a wallet and a cell phone. The inn blocks away promptly denied my request so please; I need a place to stay and collect myself, just for a little while."

Reika processed the situation enough to respond, but not before she was beaten to it.

"Absolutely not!" With a sinking disappointment, she turned to find Toshi standing with arms folded behind her. "We cannot have unpaid guests all over the place. This is a respectable establishment. Unfortunately, we'll have to decline." Reika was hauled away by the forearm, and the door was rudely shut.

She saw the good looking teenage turn and walk away, disheartened.

Reika looked up to face her boss, whose palm met her cheek in a whirlwind of bad intentions. She. had. just. been. slapped.

"Get your head out of the clouds, now! Its disgraceful, truthfully. I expected more from you."

Toshi drew herself away from her employee, and trudged up the steps, fuming. Reika waited impatiently for the upstairs bedroom door to shut. When it did, she threw herself at the front door. "If people need help, you help them. If the world ran that way, what comfort we'd live in." Her 13 year old sister said this to her once, and ever since; she'd abided by that rule.

Thankfully, the open door revealed that the red haired teen hadn't gotten too far away. "Chotto!" she shouted, splashing in the mud, rain enveloping her in an instant."Wait!" Reika repeated.

Her shouts carried, eventually. The teenager turned around, baffled for a moment, but quickly recollecting himself. "Huh?"

Reika approached him, her waist down splattered with mud in blotches. "My boss doesn't have to know. There isn't room in the actual inn, but I can prepare some sleeping arrangement in the basement."

Reika hadn't even thought the offer through before it slipped out. She slept in the basement. "Are you positive, though? It really isn't much trouble to sleep outside for a night or two. I-" Reika held out a hand to stop him. The proposal had been put out there, and the world needed to run on random acts of kindness; starting in Karuizawa.

"Absolutely. Come inside, please." She spontaneously decided to lace her hand with his, and led him towards the Kitajima inn. Reika ushered him through the door, into the air conditioning.

"I make bad choices." she muttered.

(A/N) So that's it for this chapter! I don't intend on making this as long as a novel, or anything of the sort. However, if it gets enough positive light, I may reconsider. *hint, hint* Thank you so much for reading the entire chapter through. Any similarities between Reika and Haruhi are purely coincidental. She's very different, and I'll reinforce that. Reviews are pretty awesome, and greatly appreciated. Again, thanks for reading. Bye :) xx