Note: This drabble's in honor of the original creator behind Tomoko's braid, Ezz. :)

Canonically takes place during the last month leading up to Kei's graduation in S&S 11, and referencing a few lines from the beginning of CYB 14.

Sparkle 21: Braid Me

"…"

"Um. Kei?"

My reincarnation buddy blinked, shaking her head and promptly messing up her already shaggy-like black hair. A few extra stubborn stands were left sitting on her nose after the gesture, and out of impatience or exasperation, I wasn't sure, Kei blew at it in one quick huff, jostling it back to land on the side of her face as one tangled clump. From the looks of it, staring meant spacing out for the both of us. Then again, botched reincarnation didn't happen every day. I waited for her eyes to refocus. "Oh," she said, before grinning at me. "Yo, Tomoko. Sorry about that."

The curiosity was already tugging at my throat, so I spoke politely. "Kei, is something on your mind? You've sat at the piano with me for the past ten minutes, and haven't exactly said anything." My hand was already hovering over the nearest privacy seal for extra reassurance, but I couldn't help but glance at it to make sure I wasn't accidentally pressing a key. "If you need to talk, we can talk?"

"It's not serious," was the reply, accentuated with a small shake of her head. "Just thinking." Kei paused before squinting. Then, she added, "Think I could braid your hair?"

I admit, I jumped a bit. That wasn't something Kei asked every day. Whenever she came to Nagareboshi Cafe, I expected a talk about canon plotting, or to play a song to help her relax. Not something like that. "Could I ask why?"

Kei's grin turned more sheepish. "Feminine skills ain't off the Academy Final Exam from the looks of it. So, hair practice."

"And you asked me because…"

"Mom's hair is already full of ribbons, Rin-chan's practicing with Haa-chan right now, and you're free?"

The giggle was already leaving my lips before I could think on it. "Kei, you could've asked Mama. She has really long hair compared to me."

Kei glanced around the cafe before shrugging. "I assumed Hikari-bachan was busy. It feels like it." That was true, considering Mama was in the kitchen to supervise the other staff. She turned back to me with a raised pointer finger. "And you already have a ribbon on you that I can use."

I blinked before reaching up and rubbing my hair ribbon between my fingers. It was red to match the RWBY dress, because winter, but it was still an accessory. "Point," was the only word I could think of, and even then, the nostalgia flowing over me was hard to ignore. Or the urge to smile. My past mom was a beauty stylist, so to get the offer of hair styling after so many years, from my best friend? It felt like I was back in that small white-blue house again, waiting for my mom to brush through my hair. It was a nice memory. "I'm guessing you already have a hair brush on you?"

Without even opening her mouth, Kei reached into the biggest pocket of her casual hoodie to pull out a medium-sized blue comb. "This work?"

"Dork." I couldn't even help the smile now. "That's just fine. All I ask is that you don't tug too much, okay?"

Kei was already beaming while getting up from her chair near the piano to walk over and stand behind me, hands in the air. The comb almost looked like a small sword with how she was holding it up. "No promises." A pause, and then, "Thanks, Tomoko."

"No problem." Almost like a final confirmation, I untied my ribbon to dangle it behind my head for her to take. "I'm in your care."

Kei didn't have much hair to work with because of my short bobcut, but we ended up compromising with two small braids making a loop that ended at the back of my head. It was something to be proud of, especially considering Kei's own hair problems.

I never did undo the hairstyle until I had to brush my teeth and go to sleep for the night.