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At twenty, Shoyo finally took a big step toward living on his own by moving into his own apartment. He didn’t want to leave his loving family behind—he really cared about his mom and sister—but he was excited to dive into the city life. The tall buildings and the buzz of cars had him ready to jump into this new adventure.
A few weeks after moving in, Shoyo was getting pretty curious about what the city had to offer. He wanted to explore the busy streets, cozy spots, and everything else he could find. hidden gems that lay beyond his immediate surroundings. So, with a sense of adventure in his heart, he set out on a journey to explore.
However, the weather had other plans. Initially, the sky only hinted at rain, with just a few drops whispering against the pavement. But as he wandered further, the clouds grew heavier, and soon a torrential downpour engulfed him. Realizing he’d left his umbrella behind in his rush to explore, he felt a wave of disappointment wash over him. The rain drenched him quickly, transforming his clothes into a clinging second skin.
In search of refuge, Shoyo hurried toward the nearest shop nearby. The air inside was warm and almost humid, a contrast to the chill of the rain-soaked street. Although he couldn’t dry off completely, the warmth provided a small comfort against the cold that enveloped him outside.
As he looked around, he noticed that he had accidentally stepped into a flower shop. The atmosphere was a delightful mix of earthy scents and vibrant colors. Fresh blooms in every hue filled the shop, their petals glistening with droplets of water, reflecting the light in a captivating way. Shoyo took a moment to appreciate the beauty surrounding him, feeling the stress of the downpour dissipate as he was enveloped in the calmness of the floral sanctuary.
As Shoyo Hinata stepped into the quiet store, the soft chime of the doorbell echoed, but the space felt almost deserted. Glancing around, he noticed rows of vibrant plants and colorful flowers, yet there was no sign of anyone working there. Shrugging off the eerie silence, he took a tentative step forward.
"Hello?" he muttered, his voice barely rising above a whisper as he approached the cashier desk. Just as he reached it, a handsome young man appeared from beneath the counter, startling Shoyo. The boy held a delicate bouquet of flowers, his expression calm yet unyielding.
"Hi. How may I help you?" the handsome boy asked, his tone neutral and monotone.
Shoyo quickly regained his composure. "Oh, hello! I'm sorry for interrupting whatever you were doing. I just needed somewhere to hide from the rain," he explained, brushing a damp lock of hair from his forehead. The boy—Kageyama, as he would soon learn—looked somewhat unimpressed by the interruption.
"But since I'm here, I might as well take a look at the flowers to pass the time," Shoyo added, forcing a cheerful tone.
"Tobio," the store clerk responded, his eyes still slightly distant.
"What?" Shoyo blinked, caught off guard.
"My name's Tobio Kageyama," he clarified, his voice even.
"Oh! Nice to meet you, Kageyama! I'm Shoyo Hinata!" Shoyo beamed, offering a bright smile that contrasted sharply with Kageyama's reserved demeanor. He felt a rush of enthusiasm and decided to explore the shop further. "You want some help picking out flowers? I could maybe recommend one of my favorites." he offered.
"That would be great! Thanks!" Shoyo replied, his tone warming just a fraction, and together they began to browse the assorted plants.
As Kageyama introduced Shoyo to a variety of striking flowers, he also led him to a selection of cacti. "I personally prefer cacti," he said, gesturing towards the spiky plants. "They're low-maintenance, visually appealing, and they carry a deeper meaning than most people realize."
"What kind of meaning?" Shoyo asked, curiosity piqued.
"Well," Kageyama began, his brow furrowing slightly in thought, "on the outside, they're really prickly, right? But they don’t actually want those spikes. The closer you get to one, the more they might accidentally hurt you. They come off as intimidating, and most people shy away from them, but eventually, there will be someone who appreciates the beauty in them. People only notice their spikes but never notice their blooming flowers and unique design."
As they wandered through the aisles, exchanging thoughts on various plants, an elderly lady walked in, greeting Kageyama with a warm familiarity.
"Hello, Tobi!" she exclaimed, her voice cheerful.
"Hello, Auntie," Kageyama replied, a hint of affection softening his tone.
"How are your plants?" she asked kindly, looking around.
"They're fine.”
“And who’s this boy? Your boyfriend?" she teased, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
A faint blush crept up Kageyama's cheeks as he replied, "No. He’s just a customer." Shoyo felt a pang at the response, wishing he had been at least acknowledged as a friend.
"Anyway, I need more fertilizer for my plants," the lady continued. Kageyama nodded, swiftly aiding her with her request. After exchanging pleasantries, the lady left the store, waving goodbye.
Shoyo glanced out the window, noticing that the rain had finally came to a halt. "Oh, I guess the rain has stopped," Kageyama noted, his voice as blunt as ever.
"You could’ve at least given me your number." Shoyo remarked playfully, trying to inject some lightness into the moment.
Without missing a beat, Shoyo pulled out a small piece of paper and wrote down his phone number. "Text me, okay?" he said, his heart racing with anticipation.
Kageyama nodded, a slight hint of a smile tugging at his lips as Shoyo stepped out of the store, the warmth of their conversation lingering in the air.
Eager to connect further, Shoyo rushed back to his apartment, adrenaline coursing through him. He paced back and forth impatiently, counting down the moments until his phone chimed with a message. Finally, after a few minutes that felt like an eternity, a notification popped up on his screen. It was from Kageyama.
And just like that, they began to talk. They talked about everything and nothing—sharing stories, laughter, and bits of themselves—until the evening faded into darkness and their conversations filled the void left by loneliness.
After hanging out and sharing little moments for a few months, Tobio and Shoyo had turned their Saturday afternoons at the flower shop into a favorite routine. Surrounded by all the colorful blooms and sweet scents, they found comfort in their time together.
One sunny day, while they were talking about new spots to hang out, Shoyo's face lit up with excitement. "Tobi! Want to hit the park later? I just heard about this new ice cream place nearby that I really want to try!" His energy was contagious, and there was a spark in his eyes.
Tobio, usually a bit reserved, couldn’t help but smile at Shoyo's enthusiasm. "Mhm. Okay, Sho," he said, a little warmth creeping into his tone.
Most weekends, they would chill over snacks, wander through parks, and just enjoy hanging out. But beneath all the fun, there was something deeper starting to grow—those playful glances and casual touches were bringing them closer to a big realization.
It was only a matter of time before one of them would figure it out: they were totally falling for each other. But until that moment came, they were happy being two lovable goofballs, lost in their own little world, completely unaware of the love blooming between them. They really are just some idiots in love.