Chapter 1

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A/N: Hi! Trying out a new story, one I hope you'll like... (and that I'll like :D) Anyways, there are no definite pairings yet, but there might be soon. And I don't want anyone to die in this story (A first) so let's see where this goes!

Enjoy.

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With a small ding, the door opened.

"I know, I know," came a voice, light and happy. After all, today was a good day- so far.

A girl with almost knee length teal hair walked in, a small smile gracing her face and lighting up everything around her. She hadn't felt this joyous in months, really.

She walked into a small bathroom, tapping her phone's alarm off as she did. She was excited, nervous, and content all at once. She looked in the mirror and grabbed a brush, determined to look perfect- and her hair was included in that.

She tugged a little at a few places, but managed to pull it into a high bun on the top of her head, with a little framing her face. She secured it with a simple black and white ribbon, then shook her head a few times to check that it would hold. It did.

Next, she washed her face and applied a thin layer of mascara and a little bit of gold eyeshadow. It popped against her hair and made the blue in her eyes seem all the more bright. She then chose an almost natural red for lipstick, managing to get it on perfectly.

She then left the bathroom, returning to her bedroom and swiftly dressing in the outfit she'd laid upon the table the night before.

A short sleeved shirt with a teal string of a ribbon, a plain black skirt that hugged her figure and went to below her knees, and black tights. All complete with a pair of simple black heels.

She smiled, checking the mirror again, before checking the time. It read roughly 8:50, so she decided it was time to go. After grabbing her purse, she walked outside, locked her house, and was on her way.

With a small chime, the glass door swung open to admit Miku into the cafe.

She looked around at the business of the place, filled to capacity at nine thirty in the morning. Several waiters and waitresses were standing at tables, bringing drinks to customers, walking into the kitchen, etc.

None of them really looked at her, until a few seconds passed and a young man with short, cobalt blue hair, juggling an empty tray and a tray stand, came over to her and smiled pleasently, and asked in a lilting voice, "What can I assist you with today, madam?" She shuffled a little, feeling his eyes inspect her outfit.

"Um, I was here for the new job opening... if it wasn't taken already," Miku stated, now seeing a lot more workers than before. Over ten, at least.

The man laughed, then said, "Oh, it wasn't. As you can see, we get a lot of buisness on weekdays, and even more on Fridays and Saturdays. If you came looking for a job, I can guarantee you now that you'll have plenty to do."

Miku nodded, also noticing the haste of the workers as they rushed to take orders, deliver cups of liquid and little treats like bagels and cakes, breads and a few sandwiches.

"Here, before we set you up with a table I have to take you to see the manager. Or else," he said simply, "she'll have me working garbage and dishes duty all month again. I figured out fast that wasn't anything I was good at."

Miku smiled, walking along past customers as she trailed the waiter down a hall, past the bathrooms, then to a staff only door. He unlocked it and pointed down that hall.

"Third door on the left. I need to get back to work or our five star rating might drop... and I will never live again if they figure out I was gone for too long." He fake-shuddered, then smiled one last time before walking back to the main cafe.

Miku took a single moment to concentrate all her nerves into a gagged and bound little rag doll, then knocked on the door she had been led to.

A shuffle, then a softly spoken, "Enter."

Miku did so, peeking in carefully, then walking in so her back was to the door and it shut slowly.

Meiko had short brown hair, complimented by a red hairband. She also had a spectacular bust, which was partially obscured by her silk red blouse with short sleeves that went to her elbow, then rippled off into little ribbons. She wore an apron over that, like all the waiters and waitresses, and Miku wondered- because there was evidence that it was pretty well used, and the notepad in the pocket was almost empty- how often Meiko had to get up and work along with the many others in the cafe.

"So," Meiko started slowly, "you're the one who's taking a position here?"

Miku nodded, bun weighing on her head as she did.

Meiko sighed, then said, "We don't have enough help as it is. Someone's always rushing to grab this order, give that order, here, there, ceiling, wall, kitchen. The only time it abates is when Lily or I gets in on it, and if we both work with all our possible employees, then it's even better."

"Um... who's Lily?" Miku asked, not recognizing a name.

"Lily's our assistant manager, and also just a regular waitress, more often than she should be. She hasn't taken a holiday since '05, when we got this place opened, and there was nothing in it. And the rest of the waiters and other staff never seem to get a break, either. The only time they do is when Lily and I get out there.

"We're open almost every holiday you can imagine, even Christmas. It's a little cruel to the staff, maybe, but it's not like they don't get paid overtime. And it's not like it doesn't help. Christmas is currently one of our best days, and we've actually once made over ten thousand dollars on Christmas Day in '12. Split into seven or so, that was a thousand extra added onto everyone's monthly check.

"Lily and I use our 'checks' to mostly just keep this place running. And we don't usually split our money into how many people there are, but that Christmas was special. When everyone found we'd reached ten thousand, right then and there, they clapped. I felt that it was a special sort of thing, because every single staff member was smiling proudly." Meiko smiled too, her eyes glazed as the memory passed through again, then blinked and looked at Miku.

"This buisness is a pretty big thing. It's been running for eleven years now, as of May 21st, and I've done pretty crazy things to keep it up. Even though we get plenty of customers, our staff works so hard, they get at least 60% of all the money, including Lily and I. Sometimes, we've even had to give them over 90%. And it's actually a rare thing that Lily or I will get a full paycheck, because most of our funds go toward maintenence, supplies, and rent."

Miku could see it. The shirt Meiko was wearing, clean and fresh, was snagged and worn in many places. It looked like she'd worn it often. And the aprons of every staff member looked like it didn't know what a sewing machine looked like by now. But even though they used ceramic mugs that were all in season, clean plates, new spoons and well decorated tables, and the place looked wonderful, she could tell that here, every last dollar was spent. Any savings were likely for something they needed then, something they had to take away from themselves.

Meiko sighed again, then smiled apologetically. "Sorry. I've just been rambling on and on, and I'm sure you're needed somewhere. That is, if you still want the job."

Miku stared for a moment, then asked, "This is.. it? For an interview, it's pretty simple."

Meiko grinned. "Yeah, well, most back out after ten seconds of me speaking- very few actually make it to where I'm sure they can bear my talking." She stood, and Miku did too, smiling lightly. Then, Meiko gestured towards the door, offering her other hand as she did so. "Our job training is also pretty basic- listen to what you're told, have an amazing sense of balance and possible clairovoyance, and learn to run in heels." She then gestured at Miku's choice of footwear, still smiling. "The last one's the hardest, trust me- or you can try wearing flats, nice sneakers, something that won't break your ankle."

And with that, Miku was back in the main hustle and bustle serving area of the cafe, where she stood for a moment before walking towards the kitchen, as nearly all the waiters were currently in there.

"Ask for Stardie, she'll help you get an apron and some paper, straws and maybe napkins and a pen. She'll either be in the kitchen or at the register- the kitchen's more likely. Kiyo would never leave the register unless it was an emergency."

Miku had nodded then, filing away both names in her head. Now she was in the kitchen, and looking for anyone who looked available.

There was a girl with salmon colored hair, wearing an emerald green shirt and skirt under a thin apron. She was juggling about seven things at once, so Miku decided to leave her be for now. Next there was a girl with periwinkle blue hair and a deep blue dress under an embroidered apron, which looked like it would fall apart at any second... and she was cooking way too much to be in a talking mood. Finally, there was a girl with short blonde hair who had just set down about ten trays. She stepped back, then sighed before looking at some of the orders.

Miku hurried forwards before the girl could get too busy.

"Um, hi..." The blonde turned, then smiled a little.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Um, I was supposed to talk to... Star-"

"Oh! Okay, you're the new one. Star!" The girl with periwinkle hair rushed over, after making sure every dish she had been working on was at a good enough stopping point, for the moment.

"Rin, take over for me, that one set of rolls needs to be taken out soon and then the chocolates should be cooled and then there's that new thing-"

"Yeah, yeah, I've got it," Rin called, already walking off.

'Star' huffed for a minute, murmuring, "Watch as the rolls are burnt on the left side again. Or as the chocolates melt. Ugh." She then seemed to remember Miku was there, and she turned, smiled a little, then said, "Hi, I'm Stardust, or Star. Prefer Star. Anyways, you're the new one?" Miku nodded. "Kay then. Rin, don't let those muffins burn!"

"Shut up and go!" Miku smiled as Rin waved a hand, then checked the oven and swore lightly.

"You're welcome," Star called back to her. "Come on, I'll lead you to your locker and your uniform stuff."

After memorizing her locker number, getting her very own threadbare apron (which had a hole in the left pocket), and getting loaded with straws, plastic utensils that were in a small container, napkins and paper, Miku received a pair of running shoes that looked like they'd never seen water.

"Uh..."

"Here." Star held them out, and Miku hesitantly accepted.

"I..."

Star raised an eyebrow. "Rule numero uno- all newbies wear the official learner's training shoes until they have learned to do a backflip in them."

"What?!"

"Get them on, hurry. And don't bring your own shoes tomorrow either," Star said. "You wear those until you've worn a hole right through the sole."

Miku stared before sighing and taking off her heels and putting on the dirty, overworn shoes.

She would wear thick, old socks tomorrow.

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A/N: ...yeah, I have absolutely NO idea where this could go. Not even a real prompt. Meh.

But I guarantee, by the end of the story, your pairing will be shown to you the viewers, all finalized and good. Hopefully. And I probably won't even know until that point where I write it down, myself. Could be KaiMi. Could be LuKu. Could be MikuxRana, even. Idk, we'll have to see.

(It's highly likely that this story will need OCs. Not as main characters, but as little subplot charaters like customers to the cafe. I'll tell you when I need them, but it's not now, so calm yo horses.)

See you next chapter, then~ :)