Disclaimer/Announcements: So I don't think I need to repeat this, but for the sake of any copyright, I'll say it briefly. I don't own anything or anybody in this crossover EXCEPT Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe.

…I just can't help but feel really grateful to Lang and Beta for letting me bring Kei along for the ride. Thank you both again.

Anyways, the theme for this chapter is actually the MIDORI ORGEL's cover of Connect from Puella Magi Madoka Magica—you can find it on both iTunes and YouTube (the specific YouTube video being under the name ✭DetectiveYouTube✭). Considering the situation that Tomoko and Kei were just thrown into, I found that this theme really suited the quiet tension they found themselves in by the end of the previous chapter.

Please enjoy!

Chapter 2: How to Get Tension Out Quick

Here's a quick question to those of you who are curious.

How do you go about getting rid of tension?

Now that can be a difficult question for anybody depending on the situation. But for once, I think the situation I was in was a rare case.

Especially when hearing one of the most iconic quotes from my favorite video games echoed back at me from my first official shinobi customer.

"Tomoko, I've been having these weird thoughts lately. Like, is any of this for real? Or not? Is this real to you?"

It should've been impossible. One strange case of reincarnation alone should've could come out with chances of one-in-a-million. Actually meeting someone with almost the exact case as me nearly brought me to tears because it was so rare.

And yet Gekkō Keisuke was right here, sitting right in front of me, dark eyes swirling with sympathy and some other emotions I couldn't recognize when looking at me.

I ended up having to wipe my eyes with my kimono sleeve before looking back at her with a shaky smile. "W-We have a lot to talk about, don't we?"

Kei blinked before grinning sheepishly herself. "…Yeah, we do."

I took in a shaky breath to compose myself before standing up from the piano bench. "I-Is it okay if you could wait here, Kei? I-I'll need to ask my parents for my break."

Kei blinked again before her smile turned a bit more sympathetic. "Sure."

I held back any urge to hug her right at that moment to instead dash into the back of Nagareboshi Cafe to find Mama and Papa.

I couldn't let this day finish without getting to know Kei first. Without getting to the bottom of things first.

Once Mama and Papa consented to me taking it easy for an hour or two (which made me wonder if the decision was influenced by my red-rimmed eyes), I made sure to run back out towards the stage. Thankfully, Kei was still sitting there, right next to the piano bench, slumped in her chair with her arms crossed against her chest.

If I didn't know any better, it would've looked like she was sleeping with her rather peaceful expression. Her eye bags in particular didn't look as prominent in that position, almost a faded, light grey color on her face now.

I tried to approach slowly out of the worry that she actually was asleep. "K-Kei?"

Thankfully, one lone, dark eye slowly opened to look at me before she gave me another lopsided grin. "Hey."

The grin she was giving me almost immediately wiped out any panic in my mind, actually aiding in a nervous smile of my own. "H-Hey, yourself. How do you feel about talking in my room? I have a few hours to spare."

Kei blinked again before raising her arms to stretch, straightening her back against her chair before looking at me again. "That's fine. I have a bit of time myself."

And then Kei stood up. I held back any urge to gulp, because once again, I was the short one out of the two of us. Even as Vy, I was an average short person by Asian female standards, but as Tomoko? It felt somewhat like a repeat, even though I was only 6 and still had plenty of time to grow. Kei had at least an inch or two above me in terms of height, so I only really reached her nose, but that didn't make it feel any better.

Without even realizing it, I sighed.

Kei blinked. "What is it?"

Oops. Stunned, I stuttered a little bit before looking up at her. "Sorry about that, I-I just couldn't help but notice how you're taller than me."

Kei raised an eyebrow at me while putting a hand on her hip. "Is there a problem with that?"

"No…I just hate that I'm short." I said slowly, clearly feeling a 'moping' moment coming on as I hung my head. Now I could understand why Edward Elric hated being short. But I drank my milk! "Everybody I've met so far is literally taller than me."

There was a pause. And then, to my surprise, I could feel a hand rest on top of my head. When I looked up, Kei was giving me another lopsided grin. "Don't worry." That same hand went on to ruffle my hair a bit. Even though we had just met, it felt surprisingly nice. "You have a lot of time to grow up. Now, where are we headed to?"

A giggle left me at the gesture before I motioned to the swinging doors behind me. "Right through the back doors and up the stairs. I hope you don't mind the way my house is."

Kei blinked again before giving me that same, small grin, taking her hand back. "It's not too bad, so no worries."

I was just hoping once we got inside, it wouldn't be too tense for us to have a conversation.

…Apparently I spoke too soon.

Once we got inside my room, with the cushions set out and everything, an awkward silence blanketed us almost immediately. I found myself fidgeting out of habit because silences suck.

More so because I was wondering whether or not to say something first.

Kei was sitting in front of me, arms crossed and legs folded underneath her in a position that looked rather stiff and uncomfortable, even with the provided cushion, and judging by her stony expression, she might as well have been sulking if I didn't know any better. Her eyes were closed, eyebrows almost furrowed in a way that hinted at some kind of emotional conflict, but I didn't know what it was.

A few seconds passed before my patience was running a little short.

It always seemed to be me who started all the eggshell walking.

"…So, how should we start this?" I said dully.

Kei opened her eyes to look at me for a moment before uncrossing her arms. "…How about re-introductions?" She suggested firmly.

For some reason, I felt a sense of dread, but forced myself to take a deep breath before continuing. "Okay then. Well, I'm Hoshino Tomoko, pianist of Nagareboshi Cafe. That much is true. But…" A soft sigh left me before I looked up at her again. "As you've guessed, I'm as much of a reincarnation as you."

Immediately, Kei straightened her posture as her gaze almost literally zeroed in on me. "How much do you remember?"

Another sigh left me as I averted my eyes, my heart finding the nearby wall to be a bit more interesting. The memories were flooding me again, and I didn't want to cry now. Instead, I did my best to wipe my sweaty palms against my skirt before opening my mouth to answer. "…Literally, almost everything. Including how I died."

It was as though a chill blanketed the room. I wasn't sure if it was really the right thing to say, but it was the truth.

Even though I was Tomoko for about 6 years now, Vy's death still felt like yesterday.

Before I could think any more on the subject, I found myself jumping at the sudden feeling of a hand lightly touching mine. When looking up, I could only see Kei's dark eyes staring at me with sympathy.

When did she get so close?

Kei paused for a moment, clear hesitation in her eyes before she opened her mouth. "What happened?"

My heart was clenching on itself far too tightly to come up with a long answer, so I shortened my initial thoughts. "…Car crash. It…It caught me when I wasn't looking." Just saying the words hurt, and—oh no. "I-I…" I could already feel the tears bubbling in my eyes again, but I was too frozen to even move, opting only to hang my head again. "I-I…"

The only indications that Kei was listening was her soft breathing and the feeling of her hand squeezing mine reassuringly.

It was nice, but…

Her hand reminded me of Mom.

My mind only made it worse because it started to echo Mom's last words.

The last things I heard before I metaphorically drowned in my own blood.

"Be Vy! Please stay with us! Don't go!"

I swallowed the lump in my throat back to speak again. "I was only 18…" Was the whisper that left me before the tears started to flow.

The old faces were already swirling in front of my mind's eye to the point of no return.

"…This wasn't really where I was intending this conversation to go." The sudden voice made me look up, and all I could see through the tears was a blurry Kei apparently rubbing the back of her neck with her other hand while looking at me with clear remorse and sympathy. "I'm sorry about bringing such a bad subject up, Tomoko."

I shook my head almost immediately. "N-No, it's my fault." A shaky sniffle left me before I forced myself to breathe deeply.

Huff. In. Huff. Out.

Push all that away for another day…!

Note to everyone else—don't imitate this coping method. It's not healthy.

My other hand that wasn't occupied by Kei instinctively went up to wipe at my eyes again with my kimono sleeve. Once the last, frustrating tear was gone, I could refocus on Kei again, the cleared vision making it easier to see her tufty black hair and small mole underneath her left eye, shaky grin on my lips. "I-I'm sorry about that, Kei."

Kei just gave me a small smile back, that same hand squeezing mine softly. "Nah, it's okay. You don't have to apologize for that."

"A-Alright…" I made sure to breathe again before saying something. "S-So…yeah. I don't know why, but I'm here. Memories and all."

A pause. "…Well, change a few details, and then it's the same for me." Kei finished, and my head shot up only to see her face take on a more mournful expression, dark eyes becoming even more darker than possible. "I'm Gekkō Keisuke, older sister to Gekkō Hayate and also a reincarnation. I…well, past me," She emphasized with a soft swing of her other hand. "Died when she was 20. I…I generally don't want to talk about it that much."

I could swear that my heart stopped at that statement alone.

Kei…looked sad. Even with her tufty black hair shading her eyes and the straight posture she was taking on, she looked almost tragic.

As if she was shouldering the entire world all by herself.

And I knew I couldn't stand for that.

In fact, I couldn't stop myself from asking at that point. The words came out before I could even stop them. "Kei, are you okay with me hugging you?"

Kei blinked before turning her head so quickly to where her bangs slapped her cheeks. "Why are you asking all of a sudden?"

Heat flooded my face almost instantly. It wasn't every day that someone decided to question my hugs, and the sudden question ended up throwing me off. A proper analogy would probably be if I was riding a horse and he decided to be frisky and throw me off the saddle. That's how it felt.

"I-I…um…" I averted my eyes before continuing. "It just looked like you were handling a lot more than me." I said honestly, inhaling shakily before looking at her again. "A-And I've always been a hugger, so, um…is it okay?"

She blinked again before turning away for a second. "…Okay, just no tackles." Was the resounding mumble. I didn't miss the minute crack in her voice.

Without even questioning it, I nearly leapt off my cushion and over the few inches of distance to wrap my arms around her neck. I did my best to not make it a tackle, but nonetheless, I could feel Kei reeling from the shock for a few moments.

"Oof…Tomoko, I thought I said no tackles," she mumbled dryly, almost lazily if we could describe it like that.

"I'm sorry," I muttered back absently.

Mochi. Unconsciously, I found myself breathing in her scent deeply. Kei smells like ink and mochi.

It felt strange and yet familiar all at once.

Tough, almost skinny arms quickly wrapped around my waist. "…Tomoko?" Kei's voice tickled my ear.

I found myself sighing out of sadness and relief all at once. "W-We're really hopeless, aren't we?"

Being botched reincarnations and all. My mind finished.

Another pause, this one a bit more cozy, passed before Kei spoke again. Her voice had a hint of a smile this time, and I didn't miss the soft squeeze she gave me in response. "…Yeah, I guess we are. But similar minds, or in this case, souls, think alike, don't they?"

I pulled away from the hug only to see Kei's lopsided grin again. And for some reason, seeing that alone made me feel like I was at the top of my game. A smile of my own, this one more solid instead of shaky, came across my face. "Y-Yeah, they do."

Kei sighed herself before sitting back and letting me go, dark eyes softening. "Well, we've just established that death is basically shit, so what now?"

Pfft. I hid a giggle at the curse word before formulating a response. "Honestly, I was just wondering what you are going to do now, Kei."

The (possibly) future ninja blinked. "What makes you ask that?"

I shrugged with uncertainty. "Judging by your appearance, I don't think you'll be sitting around with everything that might happen in the future, right?"

To my surprise, Kei crossed her arms and grumbled, slouching significantly in her cushion.

"Uh…did I hit a nerve?" I tried slowly.

Please tell me I didn't just anger someone who has the power to kill me.

Kei had this frustrated look on her face before turning to me with a bit more of an apologetic gaze. "Not exactly. But…" She closed her eyes before sighing rather animatedly. "I do plan on becoming a ninja."

That was my first alarm bell. I held back any semblance of panic to just breathe and ask. "…Why Kei?"

I made sure to leave some words out in my mind instead of speaking it aloud.

Why risk your life out there when you've already died once before?

Kei just stared at me for a moment before sighing. "Tomoko, you should know just as much as I do what will happen to my little brother if we don't do anything."

Oh no.

A shaky breath left me. "…It's about Hayate-kun, isn't it?"

Gekkō Hayate's original death in the Chunin Exams Arc of canon was already tragic enough. But yet here I was, sitting in front of his new older sister, clearly, visibly suffering from just the thought of it happening.

Kei nodded, and I didn't miss how her hands clenched into tight fists in her lap. "Before, he was just a minor character. But now?" Her skin, specifically around her hands, was starting to turn red from how much she was tensing up. "I-I can't let it happen. I can't…" She gulped down a lump of her own before continuing. "Hayate…Haa-chan just recently started getting treatment for his bad coughs. A-And before he could even get help, I…"

I bit my lip a little bit. Whether it was from the tension in the air or my own heart clenching in sympathy, I didn't know. "…Kei, you don't have to continue if you don't want to."

To my surprise, she fiercely shook her head, bangs hitting her face again before looking at me with determined dark orbs. And I was rendered speechless at how much emotion was in them.

Kei was absolutely serious about this.

Even if I tried to say something, I knew her mind was already set.

"Tomoko, back then, I was useless." Kei hissed, dark eyes darker than any hue I had seen today. I didn't miss the small tendrils of anger seeping into her voice. "My little brother was suffering, and I couldn't do jack shit. There's no way in all hell am I giving up the chance of protecting him."

How could I compare to that? was all I could think in that moment.

Me, a reincarnated girl, choosing to be a civilian instead?

Kei looked more like a hero than Vy ever imagined she could become.

Instead of voicing it, I exhaled slowly before nodding. "…Alright, Kei, I get it. And I know that by looking at you, I can't stop you."

It was as if a spell had worn off her, because as soon as it was said, the anger in Kei's eyes disappeared in exchange for what appeared to be remorse as she lurched back into her cushion with slow, almost tentative movements. She wasn't looking into my eyes, actually hanging her head, but I could tell that she was still listening to me. "…Sorry about that outburst, Tomoko." Kei mumbled.

A smile rose up on my face almost immediately as I reached over to touch her hand softly. The gesture didn't go unnoticed because she looked up at me almost immediately, dark eyes wide with surprise. "Kei, it's fine. You were talking about something you were passionate about, so there's no need to say sorry."

The future shinobi didn't say a word, only really openly gaping at me.

To break the tension, I found myself cracking a small joke. "And I thought apologizing was going to be my thing."

Kei blinked. Then her face took on another flat, deadpan expression. "…So wait, are you going to be apologizing every second you mess up?"

Pfft-ha. I held back another giggle to instead hug her again.

Honestly, people need to be hugged more often. At least, that's how I feel. I know some people don't like the gesture for their reasons, and I won't question it. I just know that from my time as Vy, hugs were the best way to convey my feelings, whether it was to Mom, Dad.

Or even Leo.

I just hope Kei saw through mine.

"…Hugs don't answer the question, Tomoko." Kei muttered, but I didn't miss how her arms wrapped around my waist again in a warm squeeze.

I just pulled away to give her a smile. "I know, but since you've already explained your reasoning, it's about time I explain mine, alright?"

Kei blinked before letting me go with a raised eyebrow. "Alright then, explain whatever away."

I had half the urge to just laugh at the dry tone she was using, but it was my turn.

Kei explained her part. Now I had to explain mine.

I sat back into my cushion with a long sigh, folding my hands in my lap. "…Well, I can at least say right now that I won't be becoming a ninja."

The future shinobi blinked at me before biting her lip for a moment. "Why, Tomoko?"

The memories swarmed my head at that very moment.

Mom from back then, gently telling me to not overwork myself.

Dad, always reminding me not to worry so much and that everything was going to be alright.

Jerry, my brother, bluntly telling me that I needed to get a social life.

And Leo. My former boyfriend, who would always look out for me, whether on the phone or in person.

I just looked at Kei with the softest smile I could muster. "Honestly, if I became a ninja, that would be defying everything I've learned in my past life so far."

Kei raised an eyebrow at me in confusion.

I could only really muster a measly shrug. "I-I'm not sure how to put this, but after everything from back then, I don't think my being a ninja will really help anybody. I've gone through my fair share of iffy stuff back then, and I don't think the ninja forces need more traumatized people."

Kei winced before nodding almost eagerly. "You're not wrong on that."

And then here came the disappointing part. I just looked at the nearby wall again before sighing for what felt like the millionth time. This was becoming a long day. "…Not to mention, my chakra sense is absolute bullshit. Even if Papa was a retired ninja, I don't think he passed the genes onto me." A self-deprecating laugh left me at this point. "All I really have is this ability to play any song from my old memories on the piano. And…" For some reason, nervousness ran through me at the simple thought of voicing my main reasons for being the pianist I was. It wasn't something I just told anyone, and even Mama and Papa didn't fully know why.

But this was different.

For once, I could talk to someone who had gone through similar things as me, and how could I pass that up?

Holding a lot of things in is not good for anyone.

"And…?" Kei said slowly.

A blush was slowly coming onto my cheeks again. I did my best to ignore the incoming heat in order to continue talking. "…The me back then wasn't able to help her loved ones in their times of need," I said quietly. "I'm hoping that as Tomoko, I can do that at least."

Kei blinked before frowning at me. "Music isn't going to solve every problem in the world, you know," she replied gently.

"I know," I answered immediately, raising my head to look into her eyes. "But it's better than nothing. And with therapy being almost nonexistent here, I might as well take up the helm, right?"

Kei blinked at me again, giving me the equivalent of a strange look. And then, to my surprise, she laughed. It wasn't a big, loud one. If anything, it was a casual laugh, a level higher than your average chuckle.

But even then, hearing it made my heart flutter in that happy, satisfied way.

It felt like I had succeeded in my own, personal goal of bringing someone joy today.

"W-Wow…I-I wasn't expecting that." Once Kei got that last chuckle out of her system, I was again stunned at the sight of her looking up at me, her dark eyes looking the brightest I had ever seen them today. "I guess that means you'll be here in Konoha for a while?"

"Even through the Third Shinobi World War," I finished flatly.

Kei just wiped a stray tear from her eye before offering a hand to me. I found myself staring at it in confusion. "Then, could I rely on you while getting through all this bullshit?"

…Huh?

I looked up at her. Kei was giving me that same lopsided grin. "Hey, it's better than heading it out alone, right? Two minds are better than one."

Before I knew it, I was smiling too. "You do realize that package comes with a lot of worried rambling, apologies, and tackle hugs, right?"

Kei shrugged, still offering her hand to me. "Better than nothing, right?"

I should've known she would throw my own words back at me.

In the end, I just accepted the hand and shook it with a bright smile. "Better than nothing."

Kei's lopsided grin turned more soft and straight while looking at me. "Look forward to working with you, Tomoko."

"Look forward to working with you too, Kei." And then a small, devious thought popped up in my head. "As long as you don't mind tackle-hugs every single day~"

"…Wait, what—" I didn't even give her enough time to respond before I did it.

I literally jumped on Kei in a tackle hug.

And honestly, I had been holding it back all afternoon. I think I had a proper excuse.

Even if Kei was considerably statue-like underneath me. "…Really, Tomoko?" She deadpanned.

I just laughed.

I finally had a true friend.

I finally knew someone who was just like me.

Author's Notes: Not much to say here except that I really need to get back to school work considering my last quarter of this school year is already in full swing. So updates may be a bit sporadic. But thanks for all the support so far—a shout-out going to Lang and Beta again.

I know I've said it a lot before, but it's really thanks to the both of you that I got to write and finish the last two chapters. Thanks.

And thank you to all those who have read Chapter 1! I hope you'll continue to enjoy the shenanigans Kei and Tomoko will go through!

For a little something extra, here's a small preview of what I was thinking to be included in Chapter 3:

"By the way," Kei started, turning back to look at me.

"Hm?"

"Your chakra sense isn't actually that bad, Tomoko. I can sense chakra, and apparently every time you play piano, I feel hair strands of chakra flowing out of every note."

I blinked. Then my mouth dropped.

"HUH?!"

Thanks again guys! This is Writer-and-Artist27 signing out!