Summary: A scene from two years prior, where the Queen of Spades first met the pianist.

Referencing the original short story and artwork that started everything. The song played here is a piano version of Lugia's Theme from Pokemon 2000. Please enjoy~


It was another day at the cafe when they walked in.

Well… the proper term for it may have been "waltzed" considering their boisterous attitude.

"Hellooooo, Nagareboshi Cafe!" The new group of customers ended up yelling, and Mama neatly put on her poker face before rushing to greet them with some of the kitchen staff. "Could we get some food over here? We're starving!"

Judging by Papa's sideways glance in my direction before running over to the group as well, I didn't have to guess his thoughts.

Try not to get too close to them, sweetie. They seem to be a bit… loud. Let Papa and Mama handle this.

A part of me wanted to pout due to being relegated to just the piano again. And looking over at the group that had just entered, they seemed like a lively bunch.

Sure, they sang and ate messily, with chicken bones and flecks of juice flying in the air moments long after I concluded that, but they were still happy.

I don't think I remember any ninja or civilian being like that in the cafe before, and a part of me wanted to help out for the sake of really enjoying my job.

Enjoying the fact that the establishment I've been in for so long was actually helping people.

Then I caught sight of her.

With her checkered hat and white hair, I could've sworn that the woman resembled a grown-up version of my best friend at first glance. But when I observed the situation for a little while longer, it was easy to tell that this wasn't a female Kakashi. This lady had a yellow sweatshirt that clung to her figure, whether by sweat or by physics I wasn't sure, accompanied by a purple sash and blue waist-cape to match. I wasn't sure if she was wearing pants underneath the waist-cape, but her muscular thighs and what seemed to be military boots finished an aura that clearly screamed, "Let's get down to business, chumps!"

And with her rolling up her sleeves at the sight of her group loudly cheering in the corner, chaos was going to be imminent.

I decided to step in.

"Excuse me, may I help you with anything, Miss?"

Inwardly, I was wondering if that was the wrong thing to say because the lady continued to roll up her sleeves while not turning to me. "Yeah, get me a large order of ice, cuz I'm gonna bust some nu—"

And then she whipped her head around to look at me.

Did she notice me just now?

I tried not to fidget and instead put on my best smile as her hazel eyes widened at the sight of me.

…And did she just freeze up? Huh?

The woman closed her mouth before letting out a simple yet shaky, "Uhhh…" It took a few moments, but relief flooded me as soon as she smiled back. "Heyyy~" she drawled finally.

"Hi!" The relief seemed to be affecting my actions too, because I found myself bowing before waving excessively. "I'm Hoshino Tomoko, and I'll be serving you this evening~"

Mentally, Hisako sweated. Dear, that seems like a bit much—

"Isn't there a clause about Child Labor laws?" was her response, and judging by the woman's clapping of her hands over her mouth, she wasn't meaning to say that.

Whoops, Hisako deadpanned. At least this lady knows how to keep her mouth shut.

Hisako!

Hm. My other self shrugged. Was she sulking again?

Outwardly, I tried to carry out the tension with a clapping of my hands. "Don't worry about that! I volunteered! And Papa doesn't let me work all day!" Even though I would like to try, cough cough. "I usually sit and play the piano instead~"

The woman glanced past my shoulder towards the stage, and she nodded in acknowledgement.

It was a good enough sign for me.

"Do you want me to play you a song?" I found myself asking, twirling in place out of sheer excitement.

The last thing I was expecting was for her face to twist into something I couldn't recognize at first glance while rubbing the back of her neck. I wasn't sure if she was troubled, angry, or anything, but judging by her avert glances at me, something must've been going on in her head.

The loud noise in the background was my lightbulb.

"If you don't want me to, that's fine. I can just get you some tea…" I amended quietly.

To my surprise, the lady immediately waved my worries off, biting her lip in what was now a clear grimace. "No no… it's fine. Uh…" She rubbed the back of her neck again while looking away from me. "I just… I'm not familiar with the local music."

Oh. I smiled a little more before reaching out to grasp her hand with mine. "Don't worry! I have the perfect song for you."

An old classic to help with the tension? Nice choice, dear, Hisako interrupted, prodding the song in question with a finger.

My new customer, on the other hand, still seemed a bit awkward even when taking the seat next to me at the piano. With her glancing about and the loud group in the corner, she almost seemed like a small goose with her movements.

I gave her one more smile before turning to the keys, folding my dress underneath myself. "Just relax," I started, pressing a few keys. The piano crooned softly in gratitude. "And let the music flow." I imagined the large dragon bird flying through the sky before starting the first chord. "And let your mind be at ease."

The notes came almost naturally, as always. With the soft beats of the piano strings, I could almost vividly recall those days.

Those old, wonderful days, when I was a child in another time, watching my television screen for the sight of that large dragon.

A majestic white dragon, bringing peace back among Fire, Ice, and Lightning.

The Beast of the Sea, restored with the blue skies and flying freely, allowing only a single boy and his yellow companion to take flight with them.

Pure harmony.

Lugia.

Once the last note was played, I turned to her only to nearly jump out of my seat at the sight of tears rolling down her face. Judging by her quiet demeanor, it seemed like the woman had yet to notice she was crying, giving me ample time to pull her into a hug and run my fingers through her hair.

"It's okay, it's okay. Don't worry," left me in sincere apologies, over and over. "You're safe."

The loud and cheery noise in the corner seemed to have died down too as the woman twitched. Then, quiet sobs started leaving her as she hugged me back, almost too tightly as she buried her head into my shoulder.

Tears were dripping down onto my dress, but I didn't care.

Then she looked up at me, hazel eyes glowing with the most emotion I had ever seen that day.

"Thank you," she murmured.

I smiled back before hugging her a bit tighter, winding my arms around her neck so that she could rest against my shoulder.

"Of course."

I succeeded in making someone happy. That was enough for me.