Tsubaki would never admit it publicly, but Soul was right - the shifts were boring.

Truthfully, she missed him. He didn't come when they dumped the piano, and he hadn't written back in the month he'd been gone. She was working, and Blackstar had another errand to run during his flight. But she already said her goodbyes that night, and the hug he gave her was one of the sweetest ones she'd ever received, even from Blackstar.

Still, she mused as she fiddled with the small, white plant beside her, life goes on.

At least the plants stopped dying.

But watering the plants gave her something to do. And now it was getting boring. Tsubaki considered texting Blackstar, maybe seeing if he wanted to eat something across the street when she had a break. Her phone was in her hand, even, and she was just thumbing over to his contact, when twin bells twinkled beside her.

Tsubaki shot straight up, looking around, before her vision settled on the tween who'd stumbled in. She had pretty hair, with orchids woven in like a flower halo around her head. With a twinge of fondness, she remembered how Soul used to react to such customers. Hipster window shoppers, he'd said once with disdain in his voice.

To her, anyone who entered was a potential customer. "Hello," Tsubaki called.

The tween blinked up at her - and Tsubaki had never seen such emerald eyes.

"Hi," she said timidly.

And then it struck Tsubaki- how similar her jawline was to Soul's. If she squinted, she might've even seen the same nose.

Tsubaki ducked around the counter. "Can I help you?"

The tween narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "I'm actually looking for someone. Are you Tsubaki?"

She blinked. "I am."

The tween lit up, almost radiantly. "Perfect! I was told that you're really good at picking out music."

Who had ever said that, Tsubaki wondered. Well, there was only one person, the very person she'd once offered a job to. "I could show you some music, if you'd like? Do you like jazz?"

The tween pondered it. "It's my grandparent's favourites," she said.

She couldn't help it; a warm smile spread on Tsubaki's lips. She made a gesture with her hand, the tween falling into step behind her. They flipped through a few albums, past CCC and Lights. Eventually, the tween took the job upon herself. When Tsubaki took a step back, she began to wonder exactly where the green came from. She suddenly recalled the day of the inspection, when Soul had slipped up his words, when she only saw empty space beyond his shoulder.

It was still on her mind after the tween had selected two records and brought them to the cash. The tween thanked her profusely, saying hastily that it was an anniversary gift for her grandparents. "They spoke fondly of this place," she added.

Tsubaki grinned, folding her hands together on the counter. "Really? You should introduce me sometime."

The tween beamed back. "I think they'd like that."