CHAPTER 107: CH 107: BACK TO WORK - PART 4

Once Penelope left with the delivery cart rattling down the street, the shop felt unbearably quiet.

Kana stood behind the counter, her hands resting on the polished wood, staring into the endless rows of green that swayed faintly as if alive.

A soft creak echoed from the rafters, followed by the brushing of leaves against each other.

Her throat tightened.

She knew these plants weren’t normal; she had already experienced how they could move, grasp, and even try to pull her in.

Penelope had trained them—or at least kept them under control—but with the shopkeeper gone, Kana felt horribly exposed.

Her imagination betrayed her, painting scenes of the vines inching closer, curling around her ankles before she even noticed.

A single slip in her focus, and they could strangle her in seconds.

Kana hugged her arms to herself, shivering.

"Why did I stay behind...? Maybe going with Penelope was the safer option."

She bit her lip, forcing herself to straighten her back.

’No. You can handle this. Just keep calm. You’re not some child who needs handholding.’

Her attempt at confidence didn’t last long. The silence pressed in on her, and the sight of the plants—innocent or not—seemed menacing under her nervous gaze.

She tried to busy herself by dusting the counter, rearranging a display, anything to look professional.

And just when her nerves were about to snap—

Cling.

The bell above the shop door chimed softly. Kana’s head jerked up.

A figure entered, their entire body draped in thick clothing. The hood cast a deep shadow, and long sleeves covered every inch of skin.

Not even their shoes revealed anything personal. All Kana could discern from their posture and the subtle grace of movement was that they were female.

Kana swallowed, smoothing her apron, forcing her lips into a polite curve.

"Welcome. How can I help you today?"

The woman said nothing. She stepped closer, her presence strangely heavy despite her silence. Kana shifted uneasily but didn’t back away.

Then the woman’s hand rose, gloved in fabric so soft it caught the faint light. Without warning, she took Kana’s hand, lifting it gently.

Kana froze, heart pounding.

Goosebumps prickled along her arm where the fabric brushed her skin.

She opened her mouth, uncertain if she should cry out or demand an explanation, but before she could, the hand moved.

Slowly, delicately, it reached her face. Fingers cupped her cheek with unexpected tenderness.

Her breath caught. Every muscle screamed for her to push away, yet she remained paralyzed, unsure if resistance would make the situation worse.

Just as panic began to bloom, the woman withdrew her hand. Her voice, low and muffled under the hood, finally spoke.

"You’re far too trusting for your own good. That isn’t a virtue in this world. Be more cautious of who you allow so close."

Kana blinked rapidly, her pulse still racing.

’She’s right... I should’ve pulled away.’

But then, another thought crossed her mind—her system. It always warned her when true danger was near, when harm was imminent.

Yet it had been silent. That meant... she wasn’t in danger. Not from this woman, at least.

Kana forced her lips into a smile.

"It’s my duty to help every customer who walks through that door. That’s all."

Silence followed. Then a startled laugh slipped from beneath the hood, light and amused.

"You’re amusing. I like that. You’d make a fine addition to my collection."

The woman said.

Kana’s smile faltered, her nerves flaring again.

"I’m not... for collecting," she replied quickly, almost stumbling over the words.

A sigh drifted from the woman, soft but oddly disappointed.

"A pity. Still, should you ever change your mind, I’ll always be ready to add you."

Kana’s skin prickled. She shook her head, voice firmer this time.

"That won’t happen. Please... if you’d like to buy something, I’ll ring it up right away."

For a moment, the woman said nothing, only tilting her head slightly as if examining Kana. With her features completely hidden, Kana couldn’t tell what expression lay beneath.

At last, the figure turned toward the nearest display. She picked up a random potted plant, holding it carefully in her covered hands.

"This will do."

Kana exhaled, steadying her heartbeat as she took the pot and carried it behind the counter.

"Of course. Just give me a moment."

Her fingers trembled slightly as she worked, but she forced herself to appear professional, scanning and wrapping the plant with the same precision Penelope would expect.

The woman’s silence was unnerving. She stood with that same stillness, waiting, her gaze heavy even if Kana couldn’t see her eyes.

Finally, Kana slid the wrapped plant across the counter.

"Here you are. Thank you for your purchase."

The hooded figure accepted it with quiet grace.

She didn’t leave right away though. Instead, she lingered for a few seconds more, tilting her head again as if etching Kana’s face into memory.

Then, with a soft rustle of fabric, she turned and walked out, the bell chiming once more as the door closed behind her.

Kana stood frozen, staring at the empty doorway long after the customer had gone. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt.

Slowly, she released a shaky breath and leaned against the counter.

"What... just happened...?"

Her hands were still trembling, the memory of that soft-gloved touch on her cheek lingering like a brand.

The plants around her swayed faintly, leaves brushing one another. Kana couldn’t help but shiver again, suddenly aware of just how alone she truly was in the shop.

Kana nodded quickly and took the plant from the mysterious woman’s hands, trying to focus on the routine task instead of the strange encounter that had just unfolded.

Her palms felt a little sweaty as she placed the pot on the counter and began to wrap it carefully, all the while sneaking glances at the customer who stood unnervingly still, her covered face turned toward Kana.

When Kana finally handed over the plant, the woman accepted it without another word.

A soft jingle of the shop’s bell echoed as she left, leaving Kana frozen in place, heart still racing.