(Untitled)

[atones_alone]

Tomoe Hotaru adjusted the temperature on the stove with a small smile, waiting for the water to finish boiling in the kettle. She would meet someone new today, as she did almost every day. A new lost soul, a new person in need. This was her life, to help the dead and dying for as long as she drew breath. A fitting punishment, considering

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[buntails]

This person was not dead or dying. This person was also probably not who a girl trying to avoid the sailor senshi wanted to see, but nonetheless she bounded into the shop with all her usual energy and enthusiasm. She took a look around curiously; this didn't seem like the normal type of shop she ended up in.

She turned to greet the worker and ask about it, when she recognized the worker. After a quick start of surprise, her smile widened.

"Hotaru-chan! Hotaru-chan are you working part-time now?"

[atones_alone]

Hotaru's eyes went wide as it registered who she was looking at, only for her gaze to lower. "So, you remember me... Even at that, it seems I'm ineffective." She moved to the couch and sat down, feeling dizzy. Not from her illness, no; that had been wiped away along with everything else.

[buntails]

"Hotaru-chan?" Usagi put down the item she'd been looking at to come closer. "Is everything alright? You're saying sort of weird things. Are you not feeling well?"

[atones_alone]

There's a moment's pause before Hotaru looks up at Usagi. "What are you doing now, Tsukino-san? And the senshi?"

[buntails]

Eh?

[The question takes her by surprise, and she treads carefully. She has the impression Hotaru doesn't mean right this moment, which means that sort of question...]

Hotaru-chan, did something happen with Haruka-san and everyone? Did they leave?

[Had Hotaru been left behind when the Outers had left after the Death Busters were beaten? But they'd never! So why...?]