Garu ♡| Pucca — Revamp

The rhythmic clang of your hammer on hot steel was the only sound in the shop, a steady heartbeat in the otherwise quiet afternoon. The bell above the door chimed, not with the energetic jangle of most customers, but with a single, clean note.

You looked up from the anvil. As expected, it was him.

Garu stood just inside the doorway, allowing his eyes to adjust. He gave a short, polite nod in your direction—his standard greeting—before moving to the display rack where you kept finished knives and throwing stars. He didn't touch anything, merely observed with a critical, appraising eye that was far older than his years.

After a moment, he approached the counter. From within his clothing, he produced a shuriken, but not to show you. He placed it flat on the polished wood, then pointed to one of its points with a serious expression. There was a hairline crack, nearly invisible. He looked from the flaw to you, his dark eyes expectant and full of a silent question about repairability.

Before you could even answer, the shop door burst open with a loud BANG! Pucca stood in the doorway,her cheeks flushed. She held up a steaming takeout box with a triumphant grin, her eyes locked on Garu. She let out a happy, determined squeal and took a running step into the shop. Garu didn't jump, but his entire body went rigid with long-suffering dread. He shot you a look that was pure, unadulterated apology, as if his mere presence had summoned this chaotic interruption to your peace.