Hey, hey.
This is a series of one-shots based on [A Gamer's Fate], an old fic of mine. No need to read it, but those who have will have more context on this retired Gamer and her powers. Aside from that, the one-shots will be short, and they'll be random. Just a warning. Anyway, enjoy this little opening.
That should do it.
Hanami smiled at the sign she'd put up. It wasn't the fanciest thing she'd ever made—her [Woodcarving] Skill wasn't that high yet—but it was good enough. Carved from old oak and engraved with inks and bolted silver; she wasn't much of a fan of the rustic aesthetic, but she could see why some people would go crazy over it.
Trinity's Rest, it read. A trinity for…well, them.
She took a deep breath, forcing down that now-familiar weight in her chest. She disliked the feeling, but she didn't deny it. She'd tried once—used [Parallel Mind] to force parts of herself to always forget those final moments. It changed her into someone she hated.
She forced a bright smile onto her face, similar to the ones she had when she was eons younger. "It's a new start." She whispered, eyes trailing across the curved sign. "I can do this."
She stepped in, and flipped the sign hanging on the door to 'Open'.
The first few days were calm. Surprising, really, considering what world she decided to enter into.
She had a few customers come in here and there. They all enjoyed the pastries she served, and she'd even gotten some offers for delivery. Though she declined. She wasn't doing those. Not yet, at least.
And then it happened.
It was late afternoon, and she was watching the television droll on when the bell rang. In came a girl, with hair as white as snow and eyes too sharp to not be feline. Wearing a school uniform with a scandalously short skirt, contrasted against a seemingly blank expression. She would've easily fit into an anime or something.
Fitting, considering this was DxD and all.
"Bakery?" She asked, voice soft.
"Pâtissière." Hanami said in return, smiling slightly. The girl blinked at her, surprised at the foreign accent. "But I serve coffee and tea too. And bread as well." She reached over and took a small plate. A thin sliced portion of a croissant sat on top. "I've just opened. You can give this a try if you want."
The girl nodded, popped the slice into her mouth, and her eyes burst with cheer. "Good…!" She quickly pointed at the showcase deck. "I take all."
Hanami raised an eyebrow. "How much?"
The girl blinked. "All."
She laughed. "If you're sure." She packed all the pastries she'd put on display into a few paper bags. It was a staggering amount, though she still had more back in the kitchen. She handed it over, and with speed that was clearly inhuman, the girl paid for her spoils and bid farewell.
Hanami huffed. The girl didn't even introduce herself.
Not that she needed to. It'd be hard to forget Koneko, even if she wasn't her-, even if-
Her smile fell, before she forced it to return. It was fine. It wasn't as if they couldn't be friends again. And considering how fickle this reality was, she doubted it'd be long before they'd meet once more.
How long? She didn't know. She could use her [Mystic Eyes] to see into this world's script, but that'd be no fun, would it? It'd rob the future of its surprises, and there was no need for her to reach for the Creation buried in her Soul. Not yet. She had no wish to upend this world's status quo so early into the story.
She looked up, and her eyes shone a brilliant swirl of blues and golds as she smiled. "Be patient, okay?" She grinned at the beings reading her every move. At the new curious souls, and at the ones who followed her from her Journey. "This is a Slice-of-Life fic. No need to rush for the end so quickly."
With a wink, she raised her hand and snapped her fingers,
And the chapter shut close.
...Eh? You're still here? What are you doing? The chapter's done. The next one should be up soon. Or it's already up. Depends.
Anyway, go. Move on. Nothing to see here.
