Work Text:
“Naru-chan, Naru-chan!”
A mess of black hair poked his head into the small office of the florist. The girl, busy handling orders and paperwork, looked up towards the direction of the voice.
“Where’s all the begonias at again?”
“We’re all out, the next shipment’s coming in two weeks.”
With a quick ‘okay’ sign sent her way, Mika zipped back out to the front desk to bow deeply and apologize for the lack of stock. It’s only once the kind lady reassured him that, it’s fine, she’ll just search other flower shops, that he feels like he can breathe easily again.
“You really don’t need to fret over our customers as much you do, y’know, Mika-chan~?”
He fiddled with his thumbs as he glanced down towards the register. “But I feel bad when’ver we ain’t providin’ what they want… And hey, yer the boss here! Shouldn’t ya be the one sayin’ this?!”
She only giggled and gave a wink in response before grabbing a watering can to make her rounds.
“I know you don’t like being at the register, but these orders have been simply too much, so little old me is stuck alone in that room…”
Arashi sighed gently as she placed a hand to her forehead, acting faint.
“Really sorry for making you take over, dear, but Tsumugi-chan should be able to lend a hand soon. Hold on till then for me, kay~?”
“It ain’t that bad… ‘Sides, if I can’t handle even this much, I doubt I’d still be workin’ here.”
Setting the can aside, she softly pinched and pulled at the boy’s cheeks in fake anger.
“Do you really think I'd ever fire you? If anything, you'd ought to worry about whether I'd be willing to let you leave!”
“Nngh, Naru-chan!”
He flailed around in her grip before receiving a quick smooch on his nose. “Wait- that tickles, stop!”
The two were a giggling mess in the middle of the store. When the girl had peeked at her wristwatch, only then did she realize the time.
“Silly me, I have so much to do and I’m just playing around here! Wish I could switch with you, Mika-chan, I really don’t like being in that stuffy place.”
“Yer willin’ to let this walkin’ disaster anywhere near some important papers? Pretty brave of ya.”
Deciding that they’ve both fooled around enough already, the two of them said their goodbyes to each other before Arashi disappeared to the back again. Now energetic, Mika excitedly waited for the doors to swing open again, signifying the entrance of a new customer.
The soft jingling of bells soon brought him back to his senses — don’t daydream on the clock, idiot!
“Ah- Welcome t’ Desire’s Bouquet! How may I help ya, today…”
Voice trailing off as his eyes fell on his newest customer, Mika couldn’t help but stare at him.
Fluffy-looking pink locks bounced carefully with each step, while his attire exuded an aura of one of high status. A wealthy businessman? A well-known artist? Nothing like what Mika is, that’s for sure.
The previous flowery scent in the air was no longer there, now replaced by the cologne of the man. Nothing too overwhelming; in fact, it only served to enhance his bewitching appearance.
He took each stride with confidence, waltzing around the shop as if he owned it. Once he made a full circle, he stopped in front of the counter, in front of Mika.
“I'd like a bouquet. This shop has some rather praiseworthy services, or so I've heard, so you should be able to deliver exactly what I expect.”
No sound came from the cashier, eyes too busy definitely-not-ogling the poor customer up and down. The latter raised an eyebrow at his actions, but didn't question it.
“I need some pink peonies and roses. Have them arranged like this, and use a gold-trimmed white ribbon to accent it.”
The man passed a card with a bouquet lightly sketched onto it. When he reached out to grab it from the man, their fingertips brushed against the other's ever so slightly. His brain felt all mushy, like he couldn't think right.
Who cares about some pea-whatevers right now!?
“Wait, ya see- 'M, 'm not-” Great, he can't even form a coherent sentence now.
As if the gods had heard his desperate pleas for help, a messy, blue head of hair popped up behind the customer.
“Hello, everyone~!”
Mika had never been happier to see one Aoba Tsumugi.
“Oh, do you wish to have a custom-order bouquet?” Tsumugi peered over to the card, still gripped tightly in Mika's hands. “I'm in charge of handling that, let me clock in and I'll be right with you, dear customer!”
Left alone yet again, Mika started to pick at his sleeves and nails, ever nervous under the man's scrutinizing eyes.
“...My apologies. I had assumed you knew how to arrange a bouquet, and presumptuously assigned the task to you. ...It appears I have made you rather anxious.”
The taller man let out an awkward cough, seemingly trying to hide his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“Nnah, it ain't yer fault! If 'm bein' honest, we's all supposed t' have a know-how of that. But 'm far too clumsy for that sorta thing, y'see, so it'll only end up lookin' like it came from the dumpster.”
His eyes crinkled slightly at the corners as he let out a soft chuckle. “And here I thought you’d be the best at it, seeing your delicate, lithe hands. Seems that I was quite off the mark.”
Mika took a good five seconds to process what he'd just heard; this man was observing his hands, of all things!? And to go out of his way to call them ‘delicate’...
“Sorry for the wait!” Tsumugi emerged from the back, notebook, files, and a photo album of flowers in hand — all necessary for special orders like this one.
Mika meekly stepped aside from his previous spot at the counter, now replaced by Tsumugi. Picking up a broom, he half-heartedly swept the place clean to busy himself.
Stealing glances here and there, he found himself paying attention to the smaller, less noticeable details of the man.
The way the hair resting right above his nape curls slightly at the ends, how he rests his hands on his hips when tries to explain his order, how his eyebrows furrow in anger—?
“What do you mean you don't have them!?”
“I'm very sorry, dear customer, we seem to be fresh out of the pink roses you want~”
“And you'll be restocking those...?”
“In two weeks, as with our other shipments!”
Muttering under his breath, he rubbed his forehead, clearly holding back the urge to wipe that customer service smile off Tsumugi's face.
“You... I can't afford to wait a fortnight for this.”
Just how important was this person to him that he needed it right now?
“Nevermind. I've searched far too many florists already to be bothered to visit another. Replace those with white, then. It'll have to suffice.”
“As you wish~” He jot down the details in the notebook before pausing again. “Your name, please?”
“Itsuki. Ah, and that's written with...”
Itsuki... The name played over and over again in Mika's mind on repeat. A beautiful name for a beautiful man, it was too fitting.
“Well then, Itsuki-san. Do be back here on Saturday to collect your order, here's your receipt.”
He'll be back on Saturday.
He gave a curt nod and collected his belongings. “Very well. I look forward to seeing it.”
Mika always loves his lazy weekends, but some things are worth sacrificing for.
“H-have a good day!” Mika wished him off before darting towards the back, where Arashi was.
“Naru-chan, 'm working Saturday.”
“Oh, you don't have any shifts then, though~?”
“'M working Saturday.”
Time passes by too slowly when you're looking forward to something; a certain Kagehira Mika learns that the hard way.
As of this moment, it's been a day and fourteen hours since he had last met that Itsuki, and he's got at least another two days more to live through, and no, he's not being weird about this at all, mind you.
“You're meant to eat that, not have a staring contest with it, Mika-chan.”
Arashi poked at his rice ball with her chopsticks, watching the boy burn a hole into said meal of his.
“This 's gonna be the death of me.”
Finally taking his first bite of lunch, he slumped against her shoulder, whining and moaning nonstop.
She slammed her lunch box shut before turning to give Mika a flick to the forehead.
“If something's bothering you, tell me! Just how could I possibly help you out if all you do is mope around like that?”
Rubbing at the sore part of his forehead, he pouted. “Ow... Ain't nothin' wrong. 'S nothin' for ya to worry 'bout.”
Telling Arashi about his problems is basically a death sentence. She won't ever let the poor boy live this down if she knew what was going on.
“You need to stop spacing out like that — not saying it isn't a normal thing for you — but you've done that four times now! In the past two days!”
“I get it, I get it. I'll try t' pull my head outta the clouds, or somethin'.”
Arashi brushed herself off and got up from the bench they were sitting on, and extended a hand to Mika.
“Fine, I trust you. Let's get going now, shall we?”
The boy nodded, quickly stuffing the remainder of his meal into his mouth and throwing away the plastic wrapper.
“By the way, I did a li~ttle bit of digging and guess what! That Itsuki guy? The one that ordered something from us? Turns out he's some sort of famous fashion designer, his name's spoken of on the daily, even in Europe!”
Mika feels the rice fall all over the ground as he stares at her, mouth hanging open.
“Yer kidding.”
The long-awaited day. The week had passed, and it was soon to be the start of the weekends.
It wasn’t like Mika was particularly excited for today or anything, that’d be dumb, it’s got nothing to do with him!
It’s just that he’s dealing with someone who’s practically considered a celebrity here, so of course he needs to be on his best behavior.
Mika had made sure to be presentable enough to face him. (He spent an extra two minutes in the mirror fixing his flyaway hair today!)
He didn’t know when Itsuki had planned to collect his order, so staying on till closing hours was probably the best idea.
More money in his pockets for him, he supposes, so he couldn’t complain either way.
As Mika steps into the staff room, he gave a smile and wave to his coworker. Tsumugi praises Mika for being a hard worker, and his face flushes red. He can’t possibly let anyone know about his ulterior motives.
Mika spent the rest of the hours as usual, except being much more alert to the ticking of the clock and jolting whenever the bells on the door jingle.
Sighing to himself, he took a break in the bathroom to splash some water on his face to freshen up. He really needed to sort out this… problem of his, quick.
How could he stop thinking of him when he’s stuck in a room filled to the brim with pretty pink petals, though? And don’t even get him started on the lavender.
Mika’s increasingly embarrassing thoughts came to a halt when he heard someone calling his name through the shop.
“Mika-kun~!”
Scrambling to get on his feet, Mika made his way to the front counter as fast as he could. Bursting through the door, he panted slightly. “Yessir, ‘m back, ‘m back…!”
“Mika…”
…Did he hear that right? He thought someone had called his name, though much softer this time, almost like a whisper.
Looking up, he saw his customer, the one he’s been waiting the whole day for, the Itsuki, having a front row seat to his careless antics. To the right of him, Tsumugi smiled at Mika, gesturing towards him, a sign to come closer.
“I’ve gotten everything ready already, as you can see, but I need to make a call at the back, so I need you to help me out. Just take care of the payment and bills, thank you~!”
His senior left with an innocent smile, leaving Mika alone with Itsuki. Mika had been eagerly waiting for this moment, but now that he’s here, being the one in charge of handling this customer of his, it makes him far too nervous to function properly.
Keying in the details of the order was simple, what types of flowers were bought, how many stalks, and any other customized extras. Total it all up together, get the payment from the customer, and that was it.
So why was this menial job taking everything Mika had in him to not mess it up?
He had to bite his tongue, to hold back from telling him to stop staring at him so much, please—! Mika’s sure the fresh flowers displayed at the windows were much more interesting than him!
Fingers shaky as he punched in the register, Mika willed his eyes to not flinch away from the screen and towards the man in front of him. Making eye contact with him would cause Mika to explode on the spot, …probably.
Remembering how he had previously referred to Mika’s hands didn’t particularly help to ease his anxiety either. Oh, and he can feel his cheeks burning up now. He’s sure anyone with a functioning pair of eyes would notice it, which meant that Itsuki was now witness to a red-faced Mika.
Ahhh! Wish a hole would just open up and swallow me whole…
“…Please scan yer card on the reader, and here’s yer flowers,” He passed the items over the counter, which was gladly received by the other.
Itsuki fished out his wallet, ready to pull out his credit card, but hesitated. Shutting it close, he cleared his throat before looking around the store once more.
“…Actually, I’d like another stalk—of this rose—that is. The same color.”
Mika looked up at Itsuki. “Huh? Oh- of course! Lemme just get that fer ya…”
Grabbing a rose from the vase, Mika hurried back and added it to the bill. Gesturing towards the bouquet cradled in the taller man’s arms, he held the rose out towards him.
“Would’ya like me t’ add it on or…”
“That won’t be necessary. Leave it separate from these, please.”
Mika nodded in response, and gently set the stalk on the counter, seeing how Itsuki didn’t have any free hands at the moment.
A soft beep ringed through the air, signaling a successful payment. Mika ripped the receipt out and handed it to him. “Thanks fer yer patronage, we—”
“—Nnah! It completely slipped my mind! Aah, ‘m always such a birdbrain…!”
Itsuki, perplexed, watched the other’s sudden outburst in silence, unsure of how to react.
“…D’ya want a message to go with that? It’s part and parcel of the procedure but I went and forgot ‘bout it again…” Mika let out a embarrassed sigh.
He had to stifle a laugh, not wanting to upset the florist any further, but he couldn’t help but find it rather amusing to see him get so flustered over such a small matter.
“Do not demean yourself over a trivial mishap like that. …But yes, that would be quite a nice addition.”
His penmanship was hardly anywhere near Arashi’s level, all fancy with neat strokes, but Mika would like to consider his own somewhat legible enough on a professional standard. He grabbed a pen and glanced at Itsuki expectantly.
“To a joyous future. Itsuki Shu.”
Something in those four words snapped something in Mika. His chest ached, and his mind blanked out.
Of course someone like Shu would have a special someone. He’s pretty, talented, famous, and probably wealthy. Everyone would be falling for him even if he did so much as just breathe, like how Mika did.
It hurt, but there’s nothing he could do. It hurt, but he had to acknowledge that he was nothing more than Florist A. Mika had delved too deep into his short-lived daydream, and now he had to suck it up.
“…Got it. Hope she enjoys it,” He spat out as non-violent as he could.
“I hope so too,” Shu answered, with a soft smile on his lips.
That’s practically confirming it for Mika. Maybe he’s proposing, or it’s for their honeymoon. How lovely. He couldn’t care less, either way.
“Thank ya. Do come again.” Please don’t.
Mika was ready to bolt to the staff room and bawl his eyes out to a clueless Arashi the second Shu stepped out of sight. But that moment was delayed—by quite a bit, actually?! Refusing to peel his eyes away from his fidgeting hands, to look at Shu, he could see through the corner of his eyes that there were no signs of him leaving.
God, ya got yer damned flowers already, can’t ya just up and get outta here…!
Curiosity finally snapping, Mika snuck a peek at the man in front of him. He was… staring at the lone rose in his hand? Twisting and twirling it between his fingers, Shu inspected it like it was some sort of puzzle that left him baffled.
“…S’cuse me—?”
Shu’s arm extended out to Mika.
“For you, Kagehira.”
He looked at the flower hovering below his nose. Then Shu. Then the flower again.
For him?
Unconsciously reaching out to accept the rose, Mika found himself unable to speak, his mouth parted open in silence. When he looked back at Shu one more time, he couldn’t bring himself to tear his eyes away, not when he had such a pretty shade of pink blushed on his cheeks and ears, blending into his hair.
“Then, I’ll be on my way. …Until the next time we meet.”
This didn’t make sense. What had just happened? There was no way. No way.
But there was. This wasn’t some practical joke where Shu would yank it back from him, laugh and some hidden cameras would reveal themselves.
No, it definitely wasn’t, because the rose is still gripped between his hands and Shu had already left the establishment a good three minutes ago.
“Nnaah…?!”
“I think he’s finally lost it.”
“He’s still staring at that wall? No worries, I happen to know an expert who deals with the paranormal!”
“Tsumugi-chan! Be serious!”
A dazed Mika remained oblivious to the conversation taking place right behind him, far too lost in his own world to notice them.
Arashi was bickering with Tsumugi, and once the latter suggested trying out exorcism papers and blessed lucky stones, she decided to push him aside and check up on Mika herself.
“So… Mika-chan. Is there something on your mind?” The girl tiptoed to Mika, not wanting to startle him.
“Wha- Agh! Naru-chan, how long’ve ya been here!?” Mika flailed around, nearly causing him to fall off the chair, had Arashi not been there to grab him.
“Believe me, long enough. More importantly, we should be talking about what exactly you’ve been doing sitting here, all silent even when I called your name! And that—”
Arashi stuck a finger out at the rose Mika was holding — he didn’t even realize he was still holding onto it, he swears.
“I’d be more than happy to let you pick one or two out, but you’d ought to let me know first~?”
With a violent shake of his head, Mika explained himself. “I-it ain’t what yer thinkin’! I didn’t take this, this was…” His cheeks flushed thinking of what he was about to say.
“Was…?”
Biting his lip, Mika gestured for Arashi to come closer, so he could whisper into her ear—
A hand flew to her mouth as her eyes shot open. “Oh. My. God. Mika-chan, wait,” Glaring at Tsumugi, she dragged him towards the door. “Get out. Either man the store by yourself or close up and take the day off, this is some important girls talk, so don’t go listening in!”
After he left with a ‘Yes ma’am~’ and once Arashi was certain that he was gone, she whipped around and excitedly sat next to Mika.
“Spill. Now.”
“Nngh… I don’t know how it happened either… Was just getting his bill ready, he told me he wanted t’ buy another flower, and he gave it back t’ me after?!”
“You’re kidding! Completely out of the blue, just like that!?”
Arashi shook Mika’s shoulders, squealing, while the other tried to hide his face in the palms of his hands. “And then? What’d you say? Wait, you like him, don’t you?”
He softly shoved her side. “C’mon, Naru-chan… I mean, sure, he’s real darn pretty but it ain’t like I see him in that way, kinda.”
“Don’t think you’re fooling me with those words! We’ve been best friends since high school and my Mika-chan’s still trying to lie to me, I’m so hurt~”
“Stop teasin’ me, would’ya… And I don’t even got a clue on how t’ take this, those flowers were definitely for his girlfriend, or somethin’, y’know!”
“Now, I don’t know what exactly he plans to do with that elaborate bouquet he bought,” She picked the rose from Mika and searched for a spare vase to place it in. “But trust me when I say this; you’re not out of luck just yet, Mika-chan.”
Mika pattered his way over to his friend, peering over her shoulder as she filled the vase with water. “Whaddya mean? And what makes ya say that…? I’d much rather ya knock some sense into my head instead…”
“Call it a girl’s intuition.”
Two weeks had gone by, it was the same old. Some elderly women would come in to admire the flowers, or some ladies would hop in to buy a gift for their husband. Two long weeks, and he hadn't seen a glimpse of pink hair the whole time.
The loud pitter-pattering of raindrops served as the only noise echoing throughout the store, considering the storm outside, Mika hadn’t seen a single customer since easily three hours ago.
The boy, tired and fighting boredom, sighed as he rested his head on the counter, melting further into the chair.
“I should just lock up by now, ain’t no one gonna come t’ a crummy flower shop at this kinda time anyway…”
Standing up and giving his limbs a good stretch, he was about to leave until he remembered—he didn’t bring his umbrella. Curse the weather forecast and this sudden downpour.
This is the worse… Even Naru-chan went an’ left earlier already… Nothin’ I can do except sit here and wait fer it t’ get lighter.
Mika walked up to the window, he still had a view of the outside thanks to the streetlamps, and watched the rain hit the sidewalk, forming puddles at every step.
Even if the rain did stop, the night was dark. Chances are he’d walk straight into something again, or slip and injure himself. The train station wasn’t particularly close by, either.
Maybe he should just spend the night here, he’d probably be able to fall asleep on one of the couches anyway.
Mika was distracted by the weather, unfocused and lost in his thoughts, until he saw a blur of something running past and into the store.
“Good heavens, a storm this severe is unbearable. What’s the point in checking the weather forecast if they can’t even notice an upcoming typhoon?”
The florist immediately snapped his head away from the outside, quickly straightening up.
“Oh, yer…”
“…Kagehira.”
As if this night couldn’t get any worse.
“Forgive me for barging in here, it was simply impossible to stay outside in this condition, even with an umbrella.”
“It’s no problem… Ah—Yer soakin’ wet!” Mika pulled Shu towards the back, telling him to take a rest and dry up.
Grabbing all the clean towels he could find along with a basket, he rushed back to Shu, passing them to him.
“Would be pretty bad if ya caught a cold… Feel free t’ use them.”
“Ah, you have my thanks. Though it was mostly merely my outerwear that got soaked,” Shu shook off his coat and left it hanging on the nearby coat hanger. “Tch… That would have to be dry cleaned again.”
While he was busy wiping himself down, Mika was facing his own personal predicament. He had to force his eyes away, to look at anywhere except Shu.
Coat shed, now exposing the fitting black turtleneck Shu wore underneath it. And with how he ruffled his hair about with that towel to get all the water out… It was like he was trying to be as attractive as he could possibly be in a humorous attempt to tease Mika.
Ahh, his heart could stop beating anytime now, and Shu would be the only one to blame.
“Um, take yer time over here, ‘m not leavin’ anytime soon so there ain’t any rush. If ya’d excuse me, I gotta be outside—”
A tug on his sleeve.
“…………”
A confused expression was plastered on Mika’s face as he turned around to the other. If he squinted hard enough, he could catch a glimpse of a faint blush dusting his ears.
“…Might you have an answer?”
Answer? For what? Did Shu ask him a question that his straw-filled ears failed to pick up? Mika stared at him, searching for some sort of hint that could clear his confusion.
“…Well, it appears I may have been too presumptuous in my actions. If I had made you uncomfortable somehow, please excuse me,” Shu gathered his belongings and stood up to leave.
“W-wait a minute, hold on a second! I dunno what the heck yer talkin’ ‘bout!”
Shu averted his eyes. “Was I not clear enough? I’m asking about what I gave you that day.”
“That rose? Yeah, it’s real pretty an’ all, but what’re ya tryna ask… from me…” Something clicked in Mika’s brain.
“Oh—Uh, yes? Is that what ‘m supposed t’ say? I sure hope yer askin’ what ‘m thinkin’ of, cause if not, this is gonna be embarrassin’ on my part.” He twisted his fingers about, rambling words and words of nonsense, trying to not think about Itsuki Shu giving him a rose and where this conversation could be leading to.
"...I thought you bought those flowers fer someone, though?"
“Oh, heavens, no. My sister, she was getting married. It was a gift for her,” He silently cursed himself for causing misunderstandings before gently grabbing one of Mika’s hands. “Nevertheless, we’re on the same track here, I assure you.”
Mika squeezed his hand, relishing in the slight warmth of the other. He felt giddy, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Ya mean it…? ‘M real happy, hehe~!”
Shu rustled his hair, holding back the smile that threatened to show due to Mika’s embarrassed grin.
“...It’s late, we should be on our way. I think the rain let up a slight bit, too.”
“Nnah, I forgot my umbrella, was plannin’ t’ crash here for the night.”
With a click of his tongue, Shu sent a disapproving glare his way. “Incorrigible. I would never allow that. …I’ll walk you to the station.”
The realization of what that statement meant slowly hit the both of them, turning them flustered.
“…I-if ya wouldn’t mind!” Shu opened up his umbrella, and Mika quickly huddled next to him, both ignoring the way their heartbeats accelerated.
“We’ll be seeing each other more often, I hope, Mika?”
“Sure will, Shu.”