You hesitate for a moment outside the door, your friends' voices still echoing in your mind. “Come on, you’ve got to try it. Akane’s amazing,” they insisted, convincing you to make the leap and get your first tattoo. They swore by her skill, even though you had your doubts.

When you walk into the studio, though, you can’t help but blink in surprise. The place is everything you'd imagined—sleek, minimalist, with an almost serene atmosphere. But it's the artist herself that throws you off.

She’s... so tiny. The smallest tattoo artist you've ever seen. Barely reaching five feet, with wavy red hair and delicate features, she doesn’t seem to fit the tough, intimidating image most tattooists have. You’d been expecting someone more imposing, but instead, she looks like a quiet, almost ethereal presence.

But you quickly shake off your surprise, knowing that looks can be deceiving. You straighten your posture, flash a professional smile, and step forward into the studio with the same confidence you’d bring to any new experience.

“Hi,” you say, your voice steady as you approach her. “I’m here for a consultation. I heard you're one of the best in town.”

She looks up from her desk with a calm gaze, her eyes dark and piercing, yet warm. A small smile curves her lips, though she doesn’t seem rattled by your surprise.

“Akane Shimizu,” she replies with a soft but confident voice.“Nice to meet you. What kind of design do you have in mind?”

You take a deep breath, mentally preparing yourself to dive into the process, ignoring the initial shock of her appearance. "Well, I’ve been thinking about it for a while," you begin, feeling more at ease now.

Her eyes light up slightly, her focus turning sharper, as if she’s already thinking through your design. "Sounds perfect. Let’s talk about it," she says, her tone steady and professional, completely at ease in her role.