Women can be Blacksmiths too!

Ah! You know no matter how many times I come to Unigan it never fails to impress!

H-Hey, just calm down, will you? I don't want people thinking we're country bumpkins.

What? B-But it's like a festival here, it's so much fun! Aren't you getting excited? Let's take a look around!

Ah?!

Whoa! I'm sorry! Are you all right?

Y-Yes. I'm not as frail as I look. Huh? Wait, aren't you May from Baruoki?

Huh? My name is May, but...

A friend of yours, May?

Umm...no? I'm sorry, have we met before?

I think this is the first time we've met. But word of your arrival into Unigan has spread like wild fire. There aren't many female blacksmiths of your caliber, much less ones from Baruoki.

Huh?! People are talking about me? How embarrassing...

They also say you're very stylish and popular with the boys!

Now you're just exaggerating, surely!

Wow, you're that popular? Good for you, May.

Aldo, what are you saying? You don't believe her, do you?

I was surprised to find you were even cuter than they said! I imagine your skills as a blacksmith equally outperform the rumors!

N-No, I doubt that...

Well, it must be fate that led me here. I was hoping you could make some armor for me.

W-Wait! This is all quite sudden...

You see, I'm a warrior. In fact, I'm a member of the guards.

O-Oh, I didn't realize. Your work must be hard...

I came here to look for some new armor, but nothing really caught my eye. But I'm sure that you could make the perfect armor for me, something I can be proud to wear! I won't accept any substitutes, it has to be a May original!

You see... *whisper whisper*

O-Oh! I see.

It's just that I've never actually made...

You're saying you won't do this for me?

Well, uh...

O-Okay! I'll do what I can. So cheer up, okay?

You will?! Thank you!

Now, erm... Aldo, just wait here.

Huh? Where are you going? Why can't I go with you?

D-Don't worry about it!

Please, do your best.

What were you two up to?

I was measuring...I mean... Nothing! Why worry about the boring details? Anyway, we need to go get the materials I need for the armor. I need ore from the Moonlight Forest. Can you help me get it?

Fine, but what's going on?

Beasts?! What are they doing here?

Heheheh. Without the ore, humans won't be able to make weapons. You! Make sure we get all the ore!

You...

Wait! Just stop what you're doing!

Huh? Who the hell are you?

Does that matter?! Just stop what you're doing! Ore is used for more than weapons. People use it to make pots and cutlery. It's something that everyone needs for their everyday lives!

I don't care about all of that, as long as you can't make weapons!

But the material's done nothing wrong...

Okay...you have guts. But I'll make you see the error of your ways!

Heheheh! And don't come back!

Quite a spirited attack. Have you been bottling something up?

He got in my way, I just moved him out of it. And we got the ore, too! Now I can make some awesome armor! ......

Y-Yeah... I'll make the armor now... Ugh...

Huh? Why are you all jittery all of a sudden?

I-It's nothing! I have to hurry! Let's go back to Baruoki, to my home!

Aldo, sorry, but I need to concentrate!

Oh, right. I'll stay out of your way. I'll be waiting here.

O-Okay. See you later!

Oh, hey there. Is something wrong?

Oho, have you been kicked out to let May concentrate on her smithing? You've been traveling with her, haven't you? How has it been? She hasn't gotten in your way, has she?

Not at all, in fact she's been a great help. She's a joy to be around, and a great friend. Just now she routed a whole horde of beasts.

Are you finished, May?

No. I couldn't do it.

Come now, you've made a hundred suits of armor.

B-But this is no ordinary suit of armor...

Not ordinary? How hard can it be?

In that case, I guess I'll have to help you.

D-Don't worry... I can do it!

So? What kind of armor is it?

Shush! I told you to drop it! Aldo, there's something I want to talk to you about, so can you come with me to the Nuaru Uplands?

Okay, I'll join you.

Dad, no! This is embarrassing, I don't want you to be a part of this!

Wh-What are you saying? Whatever. Aldo, you better keep her safe.

So what do you need to talk about so badly?

Well, you see... It's about the armor...

Just what kind of armor have you been asked to make?

It's for a wo...

Hm? What kind of armor? If you don't tell me, I can't help you.

It's armor for a woman! She wants it to be form fitting!

Oh...I see. S-So that's why it's tricky to make?

The curves are proving...tricky... And the details are...

Tricky? Is it a weird shape or something?

It's not like that.

It's just that it needs to be girly. With a girly look and girly contours. What do I know about things like that? I have no idea how to make anything girly.

Where's the problem? You're girly, and kind.

Wh-Wh-What are you saying?! I'm not girly at all! My pops always tells me that I should be more ladylike!

He does? But you seem pretty girly to me.

Yes. Looking at you now, you're much more girly than you were when we were kids.

...?!

Wh-Wh-Wha...! What are you saying, Aldo?!

What?! What's wrong, all of a sudden?! Did I say something wrong?

Than when I was a kid? Just what are you insinuating?! Are you saying just because I've grown...in some places... that all of a sudden I'm girlier?!

N-No! That's not what I said! You're putting words in my mouth!

But it's what you think, isn't it?

No...well...maybe.

I knew it! You're just like all the other boys! I should teach you a lesson with my hammer right here!

N-No! It's not just that! I meant things like you grow your hair out now!

Oh...right, my hair.

Yes. And what I mean is that I think you're definitely girly enough to make this armor!

O-Okay... I'll try again.

Yeah, let's get back to Baruoki and give it another go. I know you can do it.

Okay, this time I'll do it, for sure.

She must've tried on every piece of armor in this place. What's going on?

E-Erm...

I haven't said anything! Anyway, did you manage to make the armor?

Yes! Heheheh! It's more perfect than perfection itself!

Really?!

Huh? Why... Are you here for your armor?

Yes! I just couldn't wait any longer!

This is how it's turned out. I hope it's all right.

Wow, incredible! I know it's going to suit me already, and I haven't even put it on yet! The design is so cute! I'm so glad I came to you, May!

Ahahah, I'm so glad you like it! Though you're making me blush a bit now.

You deserve all the praise I can give. It's so girly and...

Yes, thank you! P-Please, you've said enough!

......

Let me know if the fit is off. I'll adjust it for free.

Okay. It really is so cute, thank you so much!

She sure seemed pleased. That's great, isn't it?

I guess. It's been a good experience.

So you're leaving me out of it? Fine... *sob*

H-Hey, let's not do this in front of Aldo, okay?

What?! But you're the one with the secrets. You're still such a child, trying to keep things from your old man!

Hah! A child? How can you call me that, when I help you out so much?

Hmph. Aldo, let's go! I'll train up, and one day you'll see I'm no child!

You never change, do you?