Chapter 174 : Falling for you

Pipra was hammering away at a small piece of iron, her mind wandering far from her work. She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had been gnawing at her for the past two days. Seiji was supposed to meet her, but he hadn't shown up or sent word.

"Stupid human," she muttered under her breath, wiping sweat from her brow. Her small, delicate frame belied the strength it took to handle the tools of her family's trade.

Her father glanced over from his station, raising an eyebrow. "You mumblin' again, lass?"

"N-No! Just... focusing!" she snapped, returning to her work with renewed vigor.

But her thoughts betrayed her. Did he forget about me? Is it because I'm small? Because I look like a kid?

Pipra sighed and set down her hammer, unable to concentrate. She turned toward the entrance of the shop, her heart sinking as yet another unfamiliar customer walked in.

But then, her breath caught.