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Ichigo huffed in annoyance as another last-minute buyer asked what he was doing for Valentine’s day. He really wished he didn’t need the money for his dream university just so he could tell them all to fuck off. It was already bad enough Orihime was busy tattooing couples all day; he didn’t need to be reminded constantly why today sucked ass.
“Why are you here and with your girlfriend?” Because forgetful assholes like you exist.
“You’re going to work during the holiday? That’s so sad.” Not sadder than the poor excuse of this bouquet you’re gonna get dumped for.
“Why don’t you just ask your boss for a day off?” YOU REALLY THINK I HAVEN’T FUCKING TRIED, LADY?
Finally, finally , after the first five hours of his day being in complete chaos, Ichigo’s lunch break arrived. All he had to do was help one last customer and then Keigo would take the reins. At least he would find this disaster funny. He needed to get out of this stupid apron anyway before he tears it off just to have something to take out his frustrations on-
“Excuse me?” An angelic voice rang out from the door. “Can I still request a delivery?”
Ichigo straightened his back. “Of course. Kuchiki ordered too many flowers for today anyway.”
Orihime giggled, and Ichigo hoped the butterflies in his stomach would actually stay there. But with the white tank top that showed off her sleeve tattoo and the tight blue jeans, Ichigo doubted that.
“Good,” she said, “I have a few minutes left for my break. I think only you can understand how couples become kind of insane on Valentine’s day. Like, just today, I had a couple come in and ask for a matching sun butt tattoo and got angry that they couldn’t get them today because neither of them thought of doing any googling beforehand-”
“Orihime, we’re both still on the clock,” Ichigo reminded her adoringly. He could feel the goofy smile forming on his face.
“Oh, right!” Orihime blushed in embarrassment and reached for a note in her pocket. “I need two bouquets with red camellias, red and white chrysanthemum, white heliotropes, white jasmine, purple and white heathers, and bellflowers, please.”
Ichigo nodded and went to work, putting the right amount of each flower and tying them together with a blue bow and a white paper wrapper. The red and whites were usual for the holiday, but Ichigo liked putting the hint of blue with the bellflowers and heathers. It almost felt a bit rebellious. Orihime already had her credit card out by the time Ichigo came back and took one of the bouquets with glee.
“Huh?” Ichigo asked in confusion. “What about the other one?”
“Oh, the first one is for Rangiku. Gin felt bad he could barely see her today thanks to all the customers so he asked me to buy one in his place,” Orihime explained, “And the other one is for you.”
Orihime went over the counter and kissed Ichigo on the cheek. “Happy Valentine’s day, Ichigo-kun.”
Ichigo touched his cheek in shock, his brain not fully understanding what happened as Orihime exited the flower shop. It took him a solid minute to snap out of it and another minute to research what each flower meant. He couldn’t think clearly, or at all, for the rest of the day.
This girl is going to be the end of me, Ichigo thought lovingly.