Despite the rich and flavorful food she had enjoyed in both the Naruto and Akame ga Kill worlds, Kaguya couldn't help but feel that something was always missing—something tied to the familiar taste of her hometown. While the meals she had eaten there were more than palatable, they lacked that sense of nostalgia.
Now, looking at the vast array of delicious dishes spread out before her, Kaguya couldn't help but feel her appetite soar. She hadn't eaten much in the morning, and lunch had been light, leaving her quite hungry. Due to her unique constitution, she also had a voracious appetite, often resembling that of a legendary "foodie." By the end of the meal, Kaguya had devoured most of the dishes on the table.
People dining in the hotel couldn't help but glance over at the silver-haired girl near the window. Her beauty was undoubtedly striking, but what was even more astonishing was her incredible capacity for food. For an hour now, she had been eating without any signs of stopping. Plates were stacked high, resembling a miniature mountain.
Yet, despite her large appetite, there was nothing ungraceful about Kaguya. In fact, she still maintained an air of elegance and charm, making her eating habits seem endearing rather than repellent.
A few curious onlookers quietly took out their phones, capturing this unusual yet captivating sight of the beautiful silver-haired girl enjoying her meal.
Meanwhile, Qiao Xiaoqing had long since finished her own food. She watched Kaguya eat with a serene smile, occasionally helping by passing her more dishes or pouring her tea.
"Are you not going to eat anymore?" Kaguya asked, glancing up.
"No, I'm full," Qiao Xiaoqing replied, resting her chin in her hands. "I don't eat as much as you. Be careful, or you'll end up like that fat woman from this afternoon."
"You'll be disappointed then," Kaguya said with a grin. "No matter how much I eat, I never gain weight. Are you sure you don't want any? The roasted beef here is really good." She waved a fork with a piece of beef in front of Xiaoqing.
Qiao Xiaoqing swallowed unconsciously, her large, lustrous eyes filled with temptation, but she stubbornly turned her head. "I told you, I'm not eating."
"Your loss," Kaguya said as she popped the beef into her mouth with a look of pure delight. "It's tough being on a diet, huh?"
"Hey, don't say it like that! That's gross," Xiaoqing huffed. "I'm not dieting, I'm maintaining my figure, okay?"
Though she said this, her mouth watered as she watched Kaguya savor the food.
Suddenly, Kaguya paused, her fork freezing mid-air, and her eyes brightened as if she had spotted something.
"What is it?" Xiaoqing asked, curious.
Following Kaguya's gaze, she saw a refined piano in the distance. The piano gleamed under the dim lighting, its polished surface reflecting a soft glow. Its black and white keys stood out in sharp contrast, and its design was both elegant and intricate, clearly a valuable instrument.
"Do you remember when we graduated from middle school?" Kaguya suddenly asked, smiling.
"Mhm," Xiaoqing nodded gently.
Back then, they were nearing graduation, and Xiaoqing was preparing to move away. Coincidentally, it was also around her birthday. To give her a memorable gift, Kaguya had racked her brain and finally remembered Xiaoqing's love for piano music. So, she spent several months secretly practicing on the school piano.
Unfortunately, by the time Kaguya felt confident enough to surprise her, Xiaoqing had already left school, and they hadn't seen each other again until much later.
"I never got the chance to give you that birthday gift. Let me make up for it today."
Kaguya smiled at Xiaoqing before walking over to the piano. She gracefully sat down, her posture refined, and rested her slender, delicate fingers on the keys.
Taking a deep breath, Kaguya began to play. The soft, flowing melody poured from her fingertips like a gentle stream, each note cascading beautifully into the next. The sound was like a clear brook trickling over smooth stones, serene and peaceful. It was as if the morning light had lifted the mist from a quiet river, gently awakening the slumbering world. The melody rose and fell, enveloping the room with its warmth and tenderness. Everyone in the hotel was mesmerized, completely absorbed in the soothing music.
When Kaguya's delicate fingers finally came to rest, she let out a soft sigh of relief. Her performance had far exceeded her expectations—it was her best yet. Perhaps it was due to her enhanced abilities: her heightened senses, reflexes, and even learning capacity had made once-difficult sheet music and intricate techniques flow naturally under her hands, as if she had mastered them effortlessly.
After a brief moment of silence, the room erupted into applause.
Turning around, Kaguya saw that nearly everyone in the upscale hotel had risen to their feet, smiling and clapping with genuine admiration. Some even had their phones out, recording the entire performance, eager to share the experience with the world.
Kaguya gave them a gentle smile and returned to her table. Before she could sit down, she was suddenly tackled by a flying figure—Xiaoqing. If Kaguya hadn't been an exceptional fighter, she might have been knocked over.
Qiao Xiaoqing clung tightly to Kaguya, burying her face in her chest.
"Was it really that good?" Kaguya chuckled. "Do you want me to sign an autograph for you?"
But when she looked down at Xiaoqing's face, Kaguya froze. Her friend's eyes were red, brimming with tears, as she gazed up at her, looking like she might cry at any moment.
"You're a grown-up now. Why are you crying?" Kaguya teased. "If you're that touched, how about repaying me with your undying love?"
Qiao Xiaoqing suddenly looked up, grabbing Kaguya's sleeve, and blinked her large, tear-filled eyes. "Do you dare to accept?"
Caught off guard, Kaguya cleared her throat awkwardly and scratched the back of her head.
"Hmph, coward. I wasn't asking you to marry me," Xiaoqing huffed, releasing Kaguya's sleeve. "Let's go. I think we're done here."
"Wait, I'm not finished eating!" Kaguya protested.
"How are you still not done? Seriously, are you a pig?"
Meanwhile, completely unbeknownst to Kaguya and Xiaoqing, the internet had exploded.
A video titled "Silver-Haired Girl's Piano Performance" had gone viral, quickly becoming the top trending topic across various platforms. The video was shared by countless people, amassing millions of views, with tens of thousands of comments pouring in. Viewers were captivated not only by the silver-haired girl's extraordinary beauty but also by her breathtaking musical talent. Many had already begun searching for information about this mysterious girl.
As for Kaguya, the star of the video, she remained completely unaware of the commotion her performance had caused online.