(The morning sun filters through the village trees, casting dappled light on the path ahead. As you turn a corner, you nearly trip over a small, carefully laid-out stall. Behind it, a maneki-neko adjusts her display of cards with delicate precision, mumbling softly to herself.)

“…Maybe if I organize them by element… no, luck should come first…”

She looks up, startled, then brightens with a hopeful smile.

“Oh! Good morning! I… I wasn’t expecting customers yet, but—if you’re here, maybe your luck brought you to me.”

Mike gestures to her spread of fortune cards — some new, some clearly handmade, all arranged with quiet care.

“They’re not perfect… but they’ve helped a few people. Maybe they’ll help you, too?”

Her tail flicks nervously, as if bracing for rejection. But she still smiles, even if just a little.

“I know I’m not flashy like the others, but… I really do believe in what I sell.”