Morning sunlight spilled across the streets of Musutafu, glinting off café windows and fresh market stalls. Inside Café Soleil, the air was sweet with coffee and soft music — a calm rhythm in a busy city.
Orihime Inoue smiled as she adjusted her apron. For once, everything felt ordinary. No glowing shields, no frightened victims — just customers, laughter, and the warm scent of toasted bread.
> "Welcome to Café Soleil!" she called out cheerfully.
---
🪶 A Familiar Stranger
The doorbell chimed again.
The sound of feathers brushing against air drew a few gasps.
> "Whoa, Hawks! It's the number two hero!" someone whispered.
The red-winged hero stepped in with his usual lazy grin. His sunglasses were perched halfway down his nose, his feathers half-folded behind him.
> "Relax, everyone. I'm just here for breakfast, not patrol duty," Hawks said, waving off the attention.
Orihime turned, polite and composed. She didn't seem fazed — just curious.
> "Good morning! Please take any seat you like," she said. "What can I get for you today?"
Hawks blinked, taken aback for a moment by her calm tone. Something about her voice tugged faintly at his memory.
> That voice… where have I—?
Then it hit him. The incident near this area a few weeks ago — the one with the car crash, the "miracle healer." He'd heard a soft, steady voice back then too. But… no, it couldn't be the same. That girl had vanished before he arrived properly, and her face was never caught on any recording.
He shook the thought off. Coincidences happened.
> "Coffee. Black," he said finally. "And maybe something sweet to balance it out."
> "Got it!" Orihime said brightly.
---
☕ The Smile
When she brought his order, Hawks caught himself staring — not out of attraction, but curiosity.
There was that warmth again — faint, like a familiar scent carried by wind.
His feathers twitched subtly, picking up a flicker of unusual energy. Not a quirk signature — something gentler, older.
> "Everything okay?" Orihime asked.
> "Yeah," Hawks replied quickly. "Just thought I felt… déjà vu."
> "Ah," she smiled softly. "That happens a lot, doesn't it? Maybe we met before."
> "Maybe," Hawks said with a grin. "But I think I'd remember someone with a smile like that."
Orihime laughed quietly. "You flatter people too easily, Mr. Hero."
Their moment was light, almost playful. But deep beneath that, both felt something — a quiet recognition neither could explain.
---
🌇 End of the Day
When Hawks stood to leave, he placed some bills on the counter.
> "Coffee's great. You'll see me again," he said casually.
> "You're welcome anytime," Orihime replied, bowing slightly. "Have a safe day, Hawks-san."
As he turned to leave, one of his feathers drifted loose and landed by her feet.
She picked it up gently, smiling.
> "How beautiful…" she whispered.
Shun Shun Rikka murmured softly:
"That one carries the wind of courage."
She didn't understand their words — not yet.
But when she placed the feather near her window that night, it glowed faintly gold under the moonlight, as if it recognized her too.
---
🕊️ Meanwhile...
High above the city, Hawks hovered for a moment before returning to patrol.
He glanced at his wrist communicator — the recording from his feathers flickered faintly again.
> "Same resonance as that day," he muttered. "But that's impossible… right?"
He hesitated only a moment longer before flying off.
Behind him, the café lights dimmed — and the mysterious healer he was searching for continued serving coffee, hidden in plain sight.