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Air within the enclosed space was dense with fruitful pollen, terracotta pots and plentiful of potent scented plants she found herself rearranging when the hours were quietest. Petunias, pansies, peonies: the store was overstocked with everything the poor local girl could get her hands on. She always ensured to scramble her way out of bed around sunrise to check in on her "babies" growing from the roots in her garden, spending each waking minute in dedication to ensuring each one blossomed into a new beautiful flower. They were all treasured and adored, as if they were real children, until they found a new home somewhere else, and even then she would ensure to send them away with the most splendid of decor and care.
That was the day-to-day of the young florist who had established her small business on the quiet streets of the local town. Blended amidst the other shops which had maintained relevancy across the years, she had finally worked the courage to take the forefront on her dream. Her dream to share her admiration of flowers to the rest of her hometown, and one day, maybe the wider world. Naturally, it wasn't the easiest feat, in fact-
"Young man, what a fabulous institute you have created here."
The idea of things ever being easy was overzealous on her part. The 'young man' in question, scruffy haired and overheating from the sweater vest he refused to take off, glanced up to the man from behind the wooden counter. "Oh. Well, I'm just a guy." He mumbled, shifting his ginger hair from his eyes to dart across the miniature store until he located the familiar blonde pigtails and marigold layered peasant dress. "She's the main, uh, the only boss." The disgruntled employee, an addition so new in the shop that he didn't have a name-tag, awkwardly pointed a finger to the shorter lady behind him. In her simple clogs, she floated across the back end of the store to resort the newly imported selections of hibiscuses into their fifth arrangement within the last hour. She adjusted the ribbons in her hair with a sigh of exhaust, the wave of morning heat already simmering the store with an waft of fatigue. As if peering into the casings of a zoo, the questioning customer shifted a piercing eye between the two workers, the contrast comical between the stagnant awkwardness which stiffened the male's limbs, and the rhythmic flow of the supposed "boss". As if it were beyond his comprehension, the customer chuckled fruitlessly.
"Oh, what a jest! That a woman were to be in charge!"
Frazzled, the worker who went by Akito, tugged a finger against his sweater and averted his eyes to where his boss meticulously pushed and pulled at the flowers stem by stem. Her face, concealed from his view, so he wasn't able to see if she had heard the degrading comment, not that he truly knew which possibility was preferred. It was certainly not the first occasion which someone had entered her tranquil shop hollering in disbelief at her in particular, yet all Akito had been able to retort so far, was asking if they wanted a ribbon to go with their bouquet.
His boss, branding her name "Kohane" on the name-tag attached to her chest, finally appeared somewhat satisfied with her twelfth arrangement of the flowers, for she finally spun to approach the counter where their one and only customer that morning stood. She was significantly shorter, she noticed, when she stood before the suited male who made the extra effort to truly turn his head entirely down to face her. Akito staggered behind her, deciding to occupy himself in a sudden interest of the watering can, which wasn't faring all that well, given that it had a hole in its side. They had been meaning to fix it, Akito had recalled, but that might have been days- if not a couple of weeks ago- in which they had agreed to take action. Akito plugged the hole with his palm, a habitual practice at this rate, before filling the can with water at a tilted angle. By the time it was full and sloshing against the insides of the can, their supposed customer had disappeared through the door, leaving a dissatisfied Kohane slumped against the counter.
"I did not anticipate the same thing happening again so soon." She sighed, loud enough that it reverberated through the store, "even lowering my prices does not seem to waver them." Gentle spurts of water trickled from the watering can onto the plush petals while Kohane's finger tapped at the few copper coins they had remaining from their profits. It was a pitiful amount, enough for perhaps one or two final batches of flowers if they were lucky, and even then, it would have to be from a cheaper selection. Kohane eventually pushed the change to the side, before twisting to glance at her one and only worker, who could barely even be classified as a worker, considering he was getting paid scraps. "Shinonome-kun," she spoke, her tone hushed despite being the only two in the building, "I really should ask if you are satisfied here. You cannot make a living if the shop goes on like this."
Yet Akito only huffed, abandoning the empty water can to perch at her side and rest his arms on the counter. It creaked under their combined weight, causing Kohane to jolt, before they both descended into light chuckles. Dragging the change toward him by his pointer finger, he inspected it briefly, before sliding it back to his boss. "Better than no currency at all." He argued, his freckled-covered hand setting atop her head and rustling the blonde strands until they fell astray from their ribbons. Kohane squeaked as she tried to swat Akito's hand back, causing the latter to laugh. "And please call me Akito, Shinonome is too formal, don'cha think?"
Kohane gasped at the audacity, her cheeks blossoming to a gentle pink as she tried to fight the way her mouth stretched into a giddy grin. "Shinonome-kun, you are my worker now!" She insisted, giggling again as his head ruffles grew more aggressive. "Ah, your manners!"
"We have no need for manners on these streets!" Laughed the taller, who finally gave her some grace and ended his taunting. He instead returned to the mundane routine of cleaning any dust and grime accumulated the night before, which had only got worse with the April showers inching in by the day. Entranced, Kohane watched the methodic movement until she had spaced out entirely into cluster of her own thoughts. Winter had been a nightmare in more ways than one; her supplies and revenue fewer and far between as the weeks stretched on. She was not usually one to overstock, but the shrivelling seed of hope in her core had made her take the risk, and had left her burying her children which had withered in the snow. It would take more than a miracle to succeed in the world she had paved- she knew that too well- so it made her wonder why she had not been smarter about this. Would the smart Kohane not have approached this steadily, or chosen an entirely different way to satisfy her whims? Her local friends had all been so excited to find themselves a gentleman to settle with, and growing up, she had been convinced she'd find her own gateway to her future soon. Yet when she finally became of age, the key she had been gifted with had not led her toward a direction that brought her joy. She wished the squeeze to juices of satisfaction until she had ridden it dry, drowning herself in the sweet and fruitful flavours which would encompass her taste buds. If she could tear the apple from the highest of branches, she was already aware she would climb without second thought. Was that why she could not be happy being married to a life of sublime? Because she did not believe it was earned?
The vigorous rumble of her stomach broke her from her anxieties, making her rise from the slumped position on the desk. She swivelled her head around until she noticed Akito staring back at her owlishly, his lips pursed as he raised his brow. Shaking her head in response, she picked up the pennies and held them tightly in her hand, lifting her straw-weaved basket into her arms. It was one she always carried on outings, just in case she discovered a set of plants she simply had to purchase. She strode across the shop to the tattered wooden doorway. "I can pick us up some bread for lunch. Would you care for a stew?"
"Sounds filling." He muttered, shaking his head briefly as he waved her off. "You know I will happy regardless, just ensure yourself safe journeys."
"Of course!" She called back, shifting her basket to rest on her wrist, as she manoeuvred the door to push through. "Oh, and do not let anymore customers temper you today!" Especially that day, because they hadn't exactly held enough hush money to shoo the police from turning a blind eye to Akito's attitude. Again. Akito must have felt the lingering guilt from the last time such events had occurred, because he kept his mouth clamped shut, muffling his groan as he simply shut the door of the shop for the both of them. Kohane chuckled, but decided to let him off, at least for the time being.
Evading the display pots which they were due to bring inside a while back, Kohane joined the quiet crowds of the morning. Her steps, silent, meandering like a ballerina through the bustling locals. They chattered among themselves, fanning each other and jesting about the midday heat. Treading aimlessly along the cobblestone, they muttered about any old thing regarding the local gossips, before the frantic running and waving of a familiar face came thudding down the streets. "All you need to know about the visiting royal family! Learn about the Shiraishi family for a mere few coins!" The young boy carrying the thick stacks of engraved texts yelled, swooshing past her and across the narrow streets. He was a frequent greeting amidst Kohane's daily routines, but the news of the day appeared to enthral him much more than usual. Not that Kohane had much of a clue what happened in her kingdom beyond the occasional word of mouth; she could never afford to invest in the daily news tabloids. She had not even heard of the name Shiraishi before, only assuming by the excitement that they were somewhat significant. Rich.
As she ventured down her usual paths, through the fruitful hollers of salesmen and meowing stray cats, she eventually slowed her pace down upon arrival to the local market stalls. Lined with cotton sheets to shield against the bastardly heat, the stalls displayed an arrange of hand-grown crops and hand-made weavings in a varied selection. Men selling their wives stitched clothing promoting the latest fashions, appearing to be the intricacies of embroidered pattern work upon aprons and dresses alike. If she had the means to throw into luxuries, it would be the type of style she gravitated toward. Alas, she kept pushing onward through the crowd to make her way to her usuals. If there was anyone who understood her troubles more than anyone, it would be the sweet brunette who owned a miniature stall at the very end of the market, displaying a range of miscellaneous items for Kohane to ponder over. "Oh, if it is not my most favourite customer!" Hanasato always greeted her with, pushing back the wisps of messy hair which never became entirely tamed. Hanasato was a village girl much like Kohane, only she had no desire to limit her sales. She ventured beyond their kingdoms walls frequently to search for the new strange and exciting "treasure" she could add to her market. From a collection of acorns, to jewellery which had clearly been lost from the likes of the wealthier folk, the strange village girl always had a knack for discovering trinkets. Kohane was almost envious, if it were not for the despairingly minimal business Hanasato truly achieved with her often unfortunate finds. Yet for young girls like them, it was what they needed to do to make ends meet.
"Minori," Kohane greeted, findings her shoulders easing when she saw the way the vendor's face beamed, "it is a pleasure. What new things have you discovered this week?" Minori Hanasato nodded, the threads of her memory sparking as she laid her hands out toward Kohane.
"Of course! One moment, Azusawa! I have been keeping this for you in hopes you would ask!" She would race through her words, balancing on the balls of her feet as if she were a squirrel ready to leap. She turned her back to the small storage she had across her stall, pushing larger pieces aside with a grunt as she swiftly uncovered the supposed new items. Kohane took a step forward, the curiosity eating at her as she watched Minori scavenge through one of the small containers in hopes of peering into its contents. Alas, Kohane was forced to wait until Minori's smile stretched across her face. "Aha!" She cheered, her hand forming a fist as she returned to the front of the stall. As the locals circled around the lone girl at Hanasato's store, some nearly bumping into Kohane, Minori took Kohane's hand to settle her supposed latest treasure into her pale freckled palm. As Kohane turned her head down, she finally noticed what was the oh so incredible gift Minori had provided her.
Seeds.
Dark coloured seeds alike to the colour of a rich cocoa, with pale lines encompassing its edges. Kohane studied the seeds in bewilderment as she brought her hand to her face. They certainly were seeds, yet, none of which Kohane had encountered before. The thought almost made her shudder with the troubled possibility that Minori- sweet, gentle and oftentimes naive Minori- could have just handed her seeds of a poisonous plant. "Oh! Ah.." Kohane stuttered, the invading idea that she was holding something potentially lethal causing her to squeeze her hand to prevent it shaking. "And ma- may I ask what these are?"
"Why they uh-" Minori stuttered, her cheeks puffing into a ruddy pink against her peach-shaped face, "I found them on the ground up north, where there were whole fields of ginormous golden flowers!'' Kohane listened intently, feeling the rising thud of her chest at Minori's confession. A field of gold? Across the middle of nowhere? Her eyes widened at the notion, her hand grasping the strange seeds even tighter.
"Golden flowers?" She leaned toward the booth, feeling her mouth stretching upward, "How giant were they? The size of one of us?"
"Kohane, these ones were even larger!" Minori giggled, her giddiness contagious as she lent over the booth to squeeze Kohane's hands in her own. "They were taller than the both of us combined! They are incredible, I almost mistook one for the sun itself!" Minori stepped away and stretched her arms up, as if trying fully encapsulate the sheer grandness of what she discovered. Kohane laughed at the prospect, before peeking back down at the oval seeds in her hand. Could such a tiny seed sprout the majestic flower which Minori was describing? One with dainty golden petals which stretch out to form the shape of the illuminating sun in the sky? Kohane had never even seen a plant which had grown higher than her knee.
"What can I pay in return, Minori?" She asked, halting Minori's attempt to stretch her limbs higher, almost stumbling as she attempted to compose herself again.
"Yes! Payment- let me see-" The store owner contemplated, quickly scurrying to the small fabric pouch she had always kept her coins in since the day they had met. Minori counted her way through the small coins, muttering beneath her breath numbers which Kohane could not hear. Finally, Minor glanced to Kohane with a shy chuckle, before swiftly averting her gaze. "Aha- well- you are my favourite customer- and usually my only one." She rambled, eyes darting between Kohane and her clearly hollow purse. It took her a few more seconds before clearing her throat with an affirmative hum. "I'll take three copper coins for the whole bunch!"
Oh. Kohane's instant reaction must have been obvious, because Minori quickly started to wipe the sweat from her palms onto her tattered apron. It overlaid her orange patchwork dress and often failed to protect Minori from the dirt and mud she was frequently exposed to. Kohane chewed on her bottom lip as she glanced to the five remaining copper coins in her hand. It was all she had, not accounting for the necessities she also needed to invest in later. Besides, was it truly fair to run off to buy new seeds while her worker was waiting patiently with the hopes of a warm meal? Yet, she glanced back down to the seeds which had the chance to give her shop a new wash of golden light. How she wished to see this flower for herself, even if she had to take the sacrifice. Only, Shinonome's cheeky grin appeared within her mind again, making her sigh in defeat. She had to be smarter about this.
"Apologies, Minori, but I cannot take these in good faith."
Minori's eyes widened like a puppies, her shoulders lowering. The poor girl practically deflated beneath Kohane's gaze, as a light yet empty chuckle escaped her throat, "times are tough. I cannot fault you." She admitted, as the gentle breeze which was once brushing their faces haltered, leaving the two in an awkward silence as Kohane slowly opened her hand back up. The seeds looked back at her with an unmistakable need to be buried within the soil and sprouted, and how she wished she could cultivate them herself. Just to see the visions of the golden flower Minori had tempted her with. She sighed, stepping closer toward the stall to return the seeds, just as Minori waved her hands to stop her. "Or- well- I can sell you just a few of them? I know how much you would love them."
Kohane felt her heart leap. "Really?" She looked to Minori, a glimmer in her eye which Minori returned.
"Really." Minori affirmed, a giggle escaping her, "what are friends for?" Minori gently took back a majority of the seeds, leaving Kohane with a third of them remaining in her hand. She settled the rest of the seeds back as she hummed cheerfully. "That'll be one copper coin, Kohane!" Naturally, Kohane obliged, her excitement too overwhelming to truly process her actions now. Her body began to feel unnaturally tingly, and she knew she would not have been able to remain in place for long. The explosive urge to run back to the gardens and give her new babies a home was immeasurable, so much so that she almost dropped the copper coin when handing it to her friend.
"Th-Thank you!" She muttered, her cheeks sore from how wide her smile was as she settled the seeds into her bag. To comment that she felt elated would have been an understatement, causing Minori to laugh at her jitteriness.
"Anytime, Kohane!" Minori beamed, waving her farewell, "thank you for your patronage as always!"
With her flowing dress Kohane waved on final time before spinning back towards the market with a spring to her step. With her movements, beacons of sunlight formed gentle patterns through the trees and buildings, until she became lost amidst the busy crowds, and the comical howlings of dogs chasing cats.
-
In the end, Kohane's hope for stew had been irrational at best. Her efforts were in vain the moment she had been shown those flower seeds. Not that they had a healthy amount of currency to play with beforehand; they would have needed at least double of what they currently owned to truly have a fruitful meal. It was no surprise that, now back at the desolate shop, Kohane and Akito were looking at a deflating loaf of crappy bread in silence. No breeze was enough to nudge the bell nor bring the birds melodies toward them. Rather, they were forced to stare down at the miserable excuse of a lunch which appeared to shrink from their stares alone. It was not until Shinonome cleared his throat that Kohane had registered where she was. "Well." He began, only to bite his inner cheek as he searched through his scrambled brain. "We can make it work."
As if the world were laughing in his face, when he went to reach for the bread, it only recoiled as it collapsed atop itself, causing them both to grimace at the pathetic sight.
"It is useless." Kohane mumbled, her previous high crashing down at a swifter trajectory than the bread itself, as she gripped her hands against her dress. "I am terribly sorry."
"Kohane." He huffed, though not with anger directed to her. His head was lowered, eyes fixed on the miserable excuse of nutrients with a distant look in his hazy olive eyes. It was a look she had not scene for quite some time, but before Kohane could reach toward his arm, Akito shot his head up. They both stared toward each other. Kohane, with her heart erratically convulsing in her chest, and Akito, who was fidgeting a little to much with the damaged skin on his fingers. "We will make it work." He cleared his throat tentatively, before moving to settle his hands on the withering bread. It was weightless in his grasp. Kohane did not move to stop him: her brain swarmed with the stinging sensation that she had made a huge mistake. Within her basket, the seeds were still scattered at the bottom with the lint and bread crumbs which had accumulated. She only had so many attempts to turn her shop around, and that was being optimistic regarding the seeds ability to sprout themselves. All she had was her previous experience and pure instinct to support her, which was still considered subpar among her more educated competitors. She picked out the seeds from her basket with her furrow on her tense features, careful not to let herself damage their shells. The aroma of bread, though subtle, was inching closer by the second, and she knew she could not hide her plans from Akito much longer. With a hefty heave of breath, she marched her way back into the back room.
The back room was reserved for the two of them; a small recluse for respite. Though it was cramped and deprived of anything truly comfortable, it was a chance to have a moment to ones self and restore any composure which was chipped at across the day. It also lead to the gardens out back, which were small but plentiful in incredible jewels of nature. When business was deprived- which was often- Kohane took the time to tend to every individual plant, whether it would be pulling weeds or watering them. She would even sit to talk with them during closing hours, imagining the beautiful art piece each flower would bloom into. Though it was not her current priority, she had to admit it was tempting. Instead, she maintained her focus and joined Shinonome's side. He was wrapped up in his own dedication to create a colourful meal. With the garden, they had the advantage to at least grow some suitable vegetables to sustain themselves. Their current selection consisted of some under ripe tomatoes and lettuce, but it would work. It always did. It had to.
Shinonome was meticulously splitting lettuce pieces when Kohane peered over from his side. He raised his brow in acknowledgement; Kohane rolled the seeds between her fingers. "I bought some seeds today." She mumbled, and repeated only a little louder when he responded with a confused hum. When she opened her hand to unveil the seeds, Akito finally stopped to stare down, causing him to squint at the seeds patterns.
"Hm," he mumbled, brushing his thumb across their rough surfaces, "Does not look like one of our usual."
Kohane shook her head. "They are not found from here. Hanasato from the market found them on one of her journeys." She explained while Akito pinched a seed into his own fingers to examine it closely. Kohane continued, "she told me the flowers emulate the likes of the sun!"
"Really? A sun-flower?" He muttered with fascination under his breath, though his furrowed brow gave away his scepticism, "you are confident?"
"I believe it will be worth the try." She responded earnestly, pleading, and settling her hand atop of Shinonome's to take the seeds back. "I just need a little time."
That caused a light huff to escape the latter, his eyes squinting fondly down at Kohane and her rush to reclaim the seeds back into her grasp. He abandoned the lettuce in favour of moving to ruffle her hair, eliciting a gasp and an attempt to swat the boy away. Chuckles overcame them both again as Akito nudged her to the doors of the garden. "Well what are you waiting for? You are the boss here." Ah. A ephemeral fuzzy feeling buzzed her brain, adrenaline skipping across her body as her eyes widened. At first, she was rendered speechless, the simple statement washing over her. Of course, of course she was the boss. She raised her fist in a light cough to cover her rosy cheeks.
"Then, can you-"
"I can look after the shop while you are handling things."
Kohane blinked. "Yes." She mumbled, nodding to herself to register what he had said. "Yes. Thank you Shinonome-kun!" She gleamed, already racing toward the doorway to the gardens. Her coworker's voice ("I told you to call me Akito!") faded into obscurity when the door shut behind her and entered her paradise. Luscious vines which encompassed the walls and fences which lined the gardens. Within the dark patches of compost they had laid across the ground, were the homes for an arrangement of sprouting seeds. Any sort of seed or potted plant she had obtained across the last year had found a rent free spot in her sanctuary, where she could witness them prosper. At least, when the days granted her luck. More often than not, she would plant seeds just to never see them escape the ground. It was one thing burying a plant which had lived its life span; it was another to say goodbye to the plants which barely got a chance.
The ground surrounding her currently was graced by the early spring sunlight, causing some of her flowers to peek out of their petals. Tulips she had the pleasure of purchasing from family friends greeted her besides the violets with their royal purple colour. Daisies were dotted across the grassier patches, where she enjoyed sitting for lunch. On the chance of there being a severed flower, she would kill time by picking away at the daisies petals, muttering fables of fate dedicated toward the success of her business. More often than not, fate told her everything would be alright, and though she had no beliefs for such fantasy, it sparked the flames of comforting hope in her chest during her worst days. As of late, there were empty patches of potential in the grounds where she stepped toward, seeds in hand. With one old crappy trowel she had taken from her father's kit, she began to dig into the dry soil with all the strength she could muster beneath the sweltering heat. It took several attempts of stabbing the ground and one frustrated throw of the trowel before she hastily ran to retrieve it, but eventually, a decent hole was formed in the ground. She spaced the seeds out- all eight of them- across their new homes, where she began the tedious task of reburying them again. They sat besides the daffodils and the daylilies, resting comfortably in their enclosed spaces. She rushed back inside to fetch the watering can to feed them, before settling down besides them with an exhausted grunt. Her apron was stained with dark patches of mud and grass, causing her to shake her head. As much as she adored her profession, she could not deny the labour was extensive. She handled each flower and food item within her garden herself, to the point that she was hesitant to let even Akito out here on his own. There were all just to precious, the money be damned. She just hoped to see her children grow and find new happy families.
"Even if you are not as gold as Minori claims," she whispered to the seeds in the ground, "I will still love you, so please grow so I can see you bloom."
-
Her golden flowers took their sweet time to grow.
Well, not entirely. In fact, they were rather quick in comparison to most species they acquired over the months, but that had not lessened her jittery impatience any less. There were days where Shinonome tended to the shop, while she sat outside to talk to her babies about any old thing which came to mind: her family, her work, even the food she had ate that day. Though, with the summer on their tails, and the average customer count rising beyond the embarrassing numbers they had before, she was eventually forced to take the managing of the store by the rails in hopes of bringing customers back. It was due to the shops frequent maintenance that she never truly noticed the flower's progressions until Shinonome came bursting through the back door one quiet afternoon.
"The-" He panted, eyes aflame with adrenaline, "the golden flower! It was real!"
Kohane was so stunned by the outburst that the broom she held scattered to the floor, her heart erratic in her chest. Without waiting around for conversation, Kohane instead rushed past Shinonome to the back- and there it was.
One golden flower.
With a bark brown core and a thick green stem, the single flower stood amidst its fallen siblings. It was tall: huge in comparison to anything Kohane had grown before. It scaled higher than herself and any of the fences they had built, leaving it free to sway in the gentle winds. Stretching out far, the vivid hues of the golden petals nearly blinded her upon first glance, causing her to gasp and squint. Reflecting daylight, they glittered like the speckling flames of fire: bold and enlightening. Kohane was hypnotised by its sheer grandness, her jaw slack as she stared agape. The jumping of her heart only increased tenfold until she was sure it was escaping her chest. Her beautiful baby was all grown up, looking just like the sun itself.
Which is why, she gave her golden flower her most favourite pot for display. Right in the window where everyone could admire its ethereal beauty. On the quieter days, she would sit besides it, merely staring at her work of art until the store was due to close. She told it about the difficulties she had with the shop, followed by the new interesting pieces Hanasato had shown her that week. She was yet to admit it, but there were even times she drifted off besides the large golden flower, leaning against its pot and dreaming of hazy sunrises and generous greenery. She woke up to a patchy blanket across her shoulders and the rosy colour hues of the sunset instead, which she lingered around to watch before Akito offered to walk her home. He teased her about it on occasion, but she always shoed him off to finish dusting the shelves with a flush to her face. It was not exactly the first time she had grew attached to one of her flowers, but she could never help herself. Seeing her hard work bloom was her most favourite part of being a florist.
Though, it became clear quite quickly that not everyone held the same sentiment. Whether it was the giant size of the plant or the lack of elegance it held, many of their customers turned their heads at the flower, leaving her to water its roots and feed it nutrients for days to come. It was not as if she expected it to fly off the shelf immediately, but she still wished someone could understand the love she held for the flower too. Someone who understood her passions, her efforts, and could chat endlessly about the nothings of the world. Sure, Akito was there for the occasional small-talk, but to have that somebody who would feel the same love for the plant as she did, sharing every intricacy of what it means to sew the seeds and to document every new inch the stem grows and the weather conditions switched . She sighed as she flipped the open sign for another morning of the days blurring together. They were no longer surviving off scraps, but that didn't mean all was well. If things did not change for them before winter, it would not look look pretty for anybody.
Shinonome was distracted over by the counter, playing with the unkempt strands of his overgrown hair instead of removing the thorns from the batch of roses they had grown. When Kohane glanced over to him, he froze, and swiftly returned to his task, eliciting a snicker. It was not as if she wasn't distracted too, her eyes magnetised to the gorgeous golden flower still up for sale. If it behaved like many of her other plants, it would not be long until its lost its full bloom. She tried to ignore the thought, but it continued to return to her even when she stepped out back to check on the rest of her garden. None of the other seeds of its kind had prospered in growing like the plant out front; it was their one and only beacon of hope.
Kohane's head was down-turned as she slipped back to the main front of the store, which is perhaps why she was delayed in seeing the unusual presence overpowering the space just moments later. Glancing upward, she saw the back of Shinonome's head and a shadowy figure before him. Cold, metallic armour sheathed across the figure's lean body which was adorned with the most elegant gold accents and sharpened spikes. His clothes were draped in dark fabrics, paired with a cape the colour of rich blood and a rusted sheath where the sliver of silver peeks through its gaps, revealing a large blade. His stone grey eyes were squinted in a harsh glare which had Akito frozen in place from behind the service counter. That glare soon twisted to Kohane, and that was when she noticed his mismatched coloured hair. For such a harsh way of dressing, the gentle blues were almost out of place. "You." His deep voice commanded, causing Kohane to pale. "You are the owner of this store, correct?"
Kohane nearly squeaked; she wasn't ready for deeath.
"Y-yes." She stuttered, before awkwardly coughing away any fear she could. It didn't work. "I mean- I am. Can I help you?"
"You may." The customer mumbled, his eyes darting slowly across the store, until they landed on one plant in particular. Her most precious treasure. "That one." He pointed, his gloved hands slender and direct, "I wish to purchase the sunflower in the window."
Kohane blinked, her mouth dry of works. Not only had a customer of clear status come marching in with a sword on his belt, but also, the fact that her treasure well and truly was called a sunflower. What were the odds. Not to mention-
"You are the owner of this store, correct?"
Oh. How quickly the acknowledgement burned in her brain. Finally.
"O-of course, right this way sir!" She stuttered, the race of all sorts of thoughts still swarming in her head like a tornado. She nearly tripped as she stumbled her way around to the front to settle at her baby's side. She was almost ready to pull the weighted pot from the shelf when the shadow of a figure appeared behind her. Silently, the customer watched, thought not with a particularly demeaning gaze. Now he was up close, it was easier to see his relaxed shoulders and thin lips pressed in concentration. Rather than looking any sort of way, he was just staring. Intently. As if meaning to ask a question but never truly opening his mouth. They remained staring at one another before he seemed to acknowledge his lack of conversation.
"Can you manage?"
"Uh." She'd mumble, finally tearing her gaze from the quiet customer in favour of looking at her beautiful creation. Her own gorgeous sunflower. She adjusted her arms more securely around the plant and raised to stand. The customer didn't interfere, only following back to the counter where Akito was still staring in bewilderment. "Shinonome-kun, can you wrap this up?" Kohane asked, which finally appeared to snap Akito from his shock, causing him to scurry around for any sort of gift wrapping which would even suffice for such a grand plant.
"Shinonome." The customer repeated, the word sounding foreign on his tongue, as if he were testing the name for himself. Akito shot his head in the customer's direction. "That needn't matter, it shall be given to the recipient immediately."
"Right." Shinonome mumbled, eyes owlishly wide from where he was yet to comprehend what was the most eventful work day they had handled in a long time. He held the fraying ribbon in his hands as he awkwardly brushed his thumbs against its surface. His shoulders, unlike the customers, were stiff against the scratchy uniform certainly too small for his build. "So, uh, what brings you to purchase this flower today?" The customer pauses at that, his silver eyes peeking toward the windowsill where the new large space exposed a large wave of light inside. Though, that it not what caught Kohane's attention, not in the slightest. What had was the notable presence of a hooded figure dressed in thick beige fabrics which shielded their face and form. They peered from behind the walls: a shockingly poor attempts to be sleuth. Kohane furrowed her brow at the sight, squinting to get a better look when the strange figured head turned to ""look"" at her. Kohane instinctively stepped back the same time the figure fled away. Their customer shook his head.
"I told her that disguise would only make her more obvious." He tutted, waiting for the figure to peek her head once again, clearly having not learned her lesson, before he signalled the figure to come inside. The hooded stranger remained fixed in her position for a little longer, her head twisting to surveil the surrounding streets, before scurrying inside to join the rest of them. Now in the awkward company of two weird customers, Akito made the diligent efforts to decide to slide along the sides of the shop to reach the door, and turn the sign to closed before joining Kohane. They could only handle so many unusual patrons at once.
Their new addition huddled behind the daunting presence of the armoured soldier, pressing her head close to his ear. Hushed whispers overcame the room when the soldier spoke up. "We command that you will both swear to secrecy for this, else we will be forced to have your heads."
The shop had never been so silent.
Kohane's stood there in utter disbelief, her skin pale and lips parted, though no words escaped. Even the wilting plants in the store suddenly appeared to stand tall amidst the tension simmering, fearful of being sliced by the strangers sword. Akito, instinctively, put an arm between the customers and Kohane, his brows furrowed and teeth scraping together as the adrenaline spiked. Though the soldier appeared unbothered, only staring down at the scruffy worker with a hollow void to his eye. At least, until he was brutally shoved at the side by the covered figure besides him, to which he surprisingly didn't retaliate.
"You fool! Do you not see how you frighten them?" The cloaked figure spat, her eloquent tone a harsh contrast to her words, "we cannot expect to be welcomed like this!" Hit by the sudden words, the soldier seemed to settle, his mouth in a tight frown as he turned his gaze to the ground. The hooded person shook her head, opting to "glance" to Kohane. "Apologies, my darling," she spoke, "we have no intention of harming you nor your worker. My knight is merely overly cautious." As if to affirm their words, she lowered to a bow, locks of ebony hair escaping through the sheets of the cloak. Kohane's heart rate was still inconsolable, but she at least felt the movement of her lungs once again. She was not dead yet. Good. She stared down at the bowing figure in bewilderment as she slowly raised. She was only slightly taller than the florist herself, the fabric bunched at the front where her hands held the covers firmly to her chest.
"All I ask is your complacency and understanding." The figure pleaded, her tone much more gentle as she faced the workers, "I know I am to set a standard, but…" With a pause of silence, she gracefully slid the drapes from herself, revealing waist-long hair which framed the tanned complexion of a girl who appeared Kohane's age. Unblemished skin dusted with a crimson blush and long lashes which framed her beautiful eyes. Her eyes, oh how magnificent, like a galaxy of golden stars which Kohane could drown within. Her eyes, a marigold shade which looked just like the sunflower she had treasured so dearly for so many weeks. Her eyes, which wore a shimmer of makeup across her lids which made her appear even more otherworldly. The two girls stared between each other in silence, as if between their gazes, they were speaking to one another in a tongue only they could comprehend. At least, that was what Kohane had dreamed, the romantic rose tinted haze flooding her vision as she felt her steadily recovering heart rate suddenly lose control once again. Only now, for entirely different purposes. She had always been taught to not give into the temptations the world offers, but like all good people, she still had her weaknesses.
Shinonome next to her however, appeared less visually enthusiastic. He looked the girl up and down with a furrowed brow, opening his mouth, then closing it again, before deciding to mumble anyway. "Are we meant to… know you?"
The rapid speeds of which the girls face soured was comical. Washes of confusion, offence and disbelief brushed across her face in waves. Even her stone-faced soldier beside her had widened his eyes ever so slightly. "P-pardon?" The girl stuttered, brushing down her thick cotton dress, as if it were overwhelmed with dust or debris. However, it could not have been further from the truth. Her clothes were the standards for most common folk: a long peasant dress which settled just below her knees. Yet unlike the tatters, tears and smudges of unnameable stains which litters theirs, the girls clothes were clean and orderly. As if they had just left the dressmakers table, or like some poor imitation you would find in a theatre. Despite it, the girl clutched her drapes tighter, protectively, as if they were treasure. She looked to the two workers, before glancing to the knight with a newfound glimmer to her eye as she took his armoured sleeve. "I had no awareness that my disguise would be affective to this level!"
The knight made no commentary.
With a light huff at the lack of response, the girl instead stepped forward toward Kohane, curtsying in a manner not even the more refined folk ever did around their parts. "Then allow me to greet you properly, my darling." She, against all of Kohane's expectations running in her over-wired brain, went on to grasp the poor shopkeepers hand. The girls hand was warm, her tanned skin glowing against the pale bony fingers Kohane was born with. She had neither the callouses and cuts nor the bony bumps adorned across her own. Instead, they were soft, with gentle cushions for finger pads and long nails which looked shaped and cleansed. Now Kohane felt even more embarrassed standing beside her, with her muddy fingernails she had yet to clean, especially as the stranger leaned to grace her hand with a lightest kiss.
Startled, Kohane flinched back, already feeling the rapid rise of her flush dusting her cheeks and her knuckles. The burning heat of the kiss still lingered across her skin as she felt her breathing spike. She had never felt such a way from when a man would kiss her hand, so why had a mere greeting swept her off her feet now? Her step faltered, a warm hand landing on her back to catch her from making anymore of a fool out of herself. Akito raised his brow in concern, but Kohane nodded in return, assuring she was alright. The two workers glanced to the young girl, who laughed at the sight, brushed her long hair from her face, and fluttered her lashes at poor Kohane. "Oh, you are the cutest!" She gleamed, before clearing her throat with a cheeky grin. "I am formally known as Lady Shiraishi of the Vivid region! A pleasure, truly, you can just call me An. Oh, Toya, is this not exciting?"
Her knight- Toya- grunted in response, suddenly finding much more interest in the other flowers on display. His voice was low when he muttered, "it is not particularly wise to go shouting out our whole identities now…"
Yet that didn't entirely matter, because it was not as if Kohane's mind was registering anything past the word 'Lady'. It was at that moment where Kohane truly questioned if she were still breathing, or if what she was experiencing was truly real life. She were only a peasant girl- she knew that all too well- yet here stood one of the most renowned aristocratic women within their country. She had recalled the news of the Shiraishi's visiting their town all the way back then, but the possibility of the one of them to be here? At her puny store made of rotting dreams? Kohane nervously tugged at her uneven pigtails until she accidentally untied one of the ribbons, causing her to bite her lip in panic. Only moments in and she had already humiliated herself, amidst royalty no less. She was seconds away from sprinting to the back and locking herself away from the world until they had all let her be. Just as she was steps away from bolting, Akito spoke up. "Understandable, but we still have no knowledge of either of you. How would you like to purchase your flower today?"
Suddenly, An and Toya both pursed their lips, the two of them glancing between each other as if confirming what they heard. Comprehending the cold reality that had washed over her, An coughed away her dry throat and shyly glanced at Kohane. The shop keeper reciprocated her stare, and that was when she noticed the warm crimson which painted her clear skin. Oh. Knowing the flustered-ness was somewhat mutual at least made the walls feel like they were no longer closing in. She offered the Lady (if she truly was who she says she was, though Kohane liked to give benefit of a doubt,) a small yet genuine smile in hopes that would make up for causing any hassle, that, and she hadn't the capacity to entirely comprehend the feeling welling up in her chest too. Against all odds, An slowly smiled back, albeit a little wobbly. To render a supposed member of royalty to such state was… amusing. Cute. Kohane tried to hold herself back from smiling even wider and she quickly scrambled to re-tie her hair while Akito prepared to figure out the numbers for her. Toya, who had been quietly observing them all, lingered his eyes between An and Kohane for moments too long to be fully comfortable. However, it was a blank stare, as if he were merely observing something the three of them could not see, and she wondered if he always was the quiet type, for it seemed uncommon for a knight. Once the light scribble of notes pulled him from his daze, he looked to Akito, before reaching for a heavy pouch which was adorned to his belt and embedded with a fancy metal sigil. At the gesture, An ran her fingers in her hair, and nestled closer to Kohane's side than what was common of strangers. Kohane felt like she could have passed out then and there. "He does not find me capable of handling my own currency." She huffed into the shopkeeper's ear, her voice hushed and her lips pouty as if she were a child, which caused Kohane's smile to break out larger. An's eyes squinted at the sight, a warm smile illuminating her own face, alongside the sunlight which peeked through the windows. "Though I think I am more than able to be responsible, I am not far from adulthood, after all!"
Kohane merely nodded in response, her brain too fried to truly care for the details of what An was saying, so long as she could continue to hear the smooth honeyed voice she had. She hardly even registered the movements of the guys as Toya handed Akito a multitude of gold pieces, especially not with the alluring gold of An's eyes being way more interesting at the current moment. An appeared to hold similar sentiments, for mere moments later, the weight of a hand settled in Kohane's hair, causing her to nearly be wiped off her feet, while An giggled into her ear. "You are just the most cutest girl I have ever met." An sang, her hands settling on the small black ribbon which had come untied with her hair. Kohane felt her entire body freeze like an icicle at the swift yet precise motions of An's hands, while they gently formed a small bow to match the other side. "Is that alright to say, darling?" She continued to ramble, as though she had little control of her inhibitions, making Kohane giggle.
"It's the first time I have ever heard such a thing," Kohane whispered back, causing An to gasp dramatically, her free hand to her heart.
"Why, that is nonsense!" She exclaimed, her lashes fluttering dramatically as her fingers grazed Kohane's cheek- testing the waters- but ultimately deciding to focus her attention on the ribbon. Kohane's breath had hitched at the touch, a cumulation of shock and an unearthed feeling she thought she would never find again. "You are by far the most charming girl in the land. Your incredible shop alone speaks for just a fraction of what I can imagine is your perfection…"
"Ah, uh," Kohane spluttered, brows raised in utter disbelief as she felt her body falling dizzy at the words alone. Beyond that, she felt sparks of lightning dancing within her chest, alighting her body with a buzz she had never quite bared before. She looked to An, who's earnest expression nearly blinded her upon impact of seeing it, causing her to quickly dart away. Everything about the girl before her had screamed royalty, all which was missing were the animal sidekicks Kohane often encountered in fairytale books as a young girl. "Y-you may call me Kohane. Please." She mumbled, internally slapping herself for how silly she may have looked at that moment. She was a jester through and through, only missing the costume, but An never looked at her with any malicious joy, only this soft smile which remained fixed on her painted face.
"Kohane." An whispered, her voice sweet like birds song as she repeated the name. Even such a simple action like that made Kohane's heart flutter. "I shall be sure to remember that."
Despite their combined efforts, her pigtails were still uneven, yet An made no comment on it, rather much more dedicated to running her hands through the blonde strands of Kohane's hair. Lingering. As if parting meant parting from Kohane herself. The shop-keeper smiled giddily, yet finally stepped back, suddenly much more alert of her surroundings once again. An didn't chase her, instead merely watched as she went, as if she were captivated by one of the finest gems in the land. Kohane bumped Akito's side lightly as she checked the currency they had earned. Akito glanced at her with a raised brow and bordering a smirk, and this time she felt no guilt for the way she jabbed his waist with her elbow. He muttered a 'tch', yet received the memo, as he opened his hand to show her what they had received.
Eleven gold coins. Each one more rich in colour and shine than the last.
Kohane gasped and nearly fainted at the sight, if it wasn't for Akito's hand quickly grounding her on her shoulder. He appeared less frozen, yet the way his eyes darted across the currency rapidly also showed he was feeling the exact same thing. Meanwhile, Toya appeared expressionless, even at the twos reaction, as if he were merely oblivious to the manner that he had given them currency to last them years if they needed! Kohane reached out to touch one, feeling the cool brush of the metal to test if they were even real, but the patterns and indents were all ingrained to the finest detail. Even the sigil of the countries emblem was pressed to perfection, emanating wealth from its looks alone. Kohane, flustered to no end and ready to find herself stuck in some miraculous dream sequence, rushed around the counter where the knight was already lifting the sunflower into his arms for the Lady. In a rush of adrenaline she caught An's arm. "W-we cannot accept this- Lady Shiraishi-"
The Lady grimaced, quickly shaking her head. "Call me An."
Kohane's mouth fell agape, stuttering to no end as she displayed the coins in her hand. "This is too much! You only bought a single flower." She tried to argue, caught between dreaming of the possibilities of what could be done with the money and the mere overwhelming presence of the money before her. Her life would never be the same. "P-please, I appreciate your sentiments, but we are not a charity."
"Eh?" An muttered, before her eyes widened, almost abnormally. "Oh, oh my darling, it is not that!" She insisted, her voice falling quieter, more soft. Earnest. "It is just, I can see all the commendable efforts you have put into this sunflower- in all the flowers across the store." She gestured grandly to the shelves, where Kohane's unsold flowers had been displayed for weeks on end. "I find them all marvellous, each and every one. I would bring them all to my gardens at once if it would not put you out of business. So I demand you take it! All of it!" Lady An pouted once again in a manner which would have been considered ridiculous and unladylike to anyone else, but Kohane found it oddly charming. Glancing between the shop, the coins and the beautiful lady before her once again, Kohane finally relented with a reluctant sigh. If not for herself, than for the shop's and Akito's sake, with the added bonus of seeing the royal's face light up with a jubilant grin.
"Thank you." Kohane mumbled, feeling the heat radiating from her skin as she fumbled the coins onto the counter. She would have to find a new place for safekeeping later. An only shook her head, insisting Kohane hadn't have to thank her, and that she was merely happy to support Kohane's work.
"Though, I suppose there is one extra thing I would like to request." She muttered shyly, glancing to her knight before stepping toward Kohane. With a careful but firm grip, she clasped Kohane's hands in her own, and just like that, the strange buzzing sensation in Kohane's heart was aflame once again.
"A-an-"
"Allow me to see you again." She pleaded, her hands tightening around Kohane's not enough to hurt, but enough to cling on like a bee to a flower, "If I have to purchase once more, so be it, but I cannot let this opportunity escape me."
Goodness. Kohane couldn't help but giggle, especially when Toya sent a subtle glare An's way, but never dared comment on it. She had already supposed that An was never meant to be here in the first place, and now the implication that this wouldn't be the last? She sent Toya an apologetic glance, before looking to An and squeezing her hands back. "Oh, An." She spoke fondly. "My shop will always be open to you."
The words hit An instantly, her entirely body nearly jolting up with newfound energy and excitement. It fizzled through each limb until she was nearly jumping up and down. She impulsively tugged the shopkeeper into a tight embrace, causing Kohane to almost yelp at the sheer force of being dragged forward into An's arms. So close to her chest, Kohane could feel the reverberations of An's laughter against her skin, causing her mind to entirely shut down. An's laugh was so incredibly addictive, she would be able to listen to it all day…
Yet the embrace was over nearly as soon as it began, with An pulling away after a firm glare from her knight. "Apologies, but we have not got the time to linger." He commanded, resting a hand on An's shoulder to encourage her back. She whined, and only clung Kohane even closer toward her, but she seemed to eventually understand as she provided distance between herself from the shop keeper. Kohane tripped on her own feet as she stumbled back, her dilapidated floors suddenly much more interesting, while Toya was adjusting An's clothes to conceal her gorgeous face once again. She could faintly hear An's giddy melodic chatter- "did you hear that, Toya? We have to return soon!"- but she decided against eavesdropping too long for her sanity's sake. Instead, she bowed to her two customers, as she always did, and called out to them both as they waved goodbye.
"Thank you for your patronage today!"
-
Akito had been staring at the gold coins for the eighth time that day.
Even as Kohane was rushing to get their third order prepared in the last hour, he still remained fixed on reflecting the engraved metal against the afternoon sun. Kohane raised her brow at the sight, but knew it was futile stop him. Rather, she allowed him to indulge while she finished sweeping the fallen leaves across the newly furnished flooring, and preparing for the end-of-work rush. Once she had finished the tedious chore, she turned to see Akito still there, the cogs in his head slowly turning with the tilt of his hand. She gently nudged his side on approach, failing to hold back the amusement on her upturned grin. Akito only shook his head.
"I still cannot believe they are real." He spoke, finally satisfied with his inspection as he settled them back into Kohane's coin pouch with a heavy 'clink'. Kohane hummed in agreement, brushing loose lint off her white sleeves. Like many new things she had steadily accommodated to, she was growing fond of the new dress she adorned. It was not unlike her previous one, only now it was fresh, no longer with torn fabric and stains which defied all her efforts of cleanliness. She only wore it on the special days- like today- where she had triple checked her pigtails were even and that her bows weren't falling untied. That very specific day was of the upmost importance, to the extent that she had let it distract her from giving people the right change and packing their orders properly. If it weren't for her worker (with now an official label to prove it) she would surely be in the dirt by now, and not just metaphorically. Akito still struggled with customer service, that was a part of him she could never truly change, but now with a hefty pocket and a full belly, he was able to diverse his skills much quicker. And when it came to being reliable…
"That time again, I suppose?" He commented, as he glanced to the door where a new customer's figure appeared through the door. "You best be making your way, I can look after things here."
Kohane's heart leapt in her chest, eliciting a giggle from her as she nodded. "Thank you, Shinonome-kun, I am fortunate to be able to count on you." She spun on her feet to collect her signature woven basket, still the same as ever due to her success in looking after it. She gathered her pouch and a selection of her most finest flowers, of which she had carefully cultivated the night before, running across her selection and making sure only the highest quality were plucked for her hefty bouquet. Everything was constructed for this specific hour, of this specific day, of which she did one final check in the windows reflection for how she appeared.
"I told you to call me Akito, did I not?" Her worker huffed fondly, as he leant against the counter with a slight creak. "And you look perfectly fine. I cannot imagine a stray hair would ruin your entire complexion."
Kohane shook her head, holding back from glaring at Akito as she fixed the non-existent wrinkles in her dress. "That it not the matter at hand," Kohane replied, "she is a Lady-"
"And you are Kohane." Akito interrupted, his footsteps only recognised a second too late as Akito grabbed Kohane by the shoulders to usher her out, where the figure was still lingering by the door. "You are making a fuss of trivial manners. Do I have to remind you…?"
"We have no need for manners-"
"-on these streets." Akito smirked, causing Kohane to shake her head in utter disbelief. Before she moved to shrug Akito off, he mumbled quietly, hushed to hide any embarrassment that would hit him after. "I am happy for you, Kohane."
Kohane mumbled a small 'thank you' in return, hiding her own smile as she watched him open the door for her, and there she was. Dressed in the same robes she used to conceal her identity the first time they met, only they were wrinkled and folded in all the wrong ways to truly be effective. Her midnight hair cascaded messily across her shoulders and through the fabric, bunched up and clearly not fully brushed. Her shoes were on the wrong way round and she was still panting for air under her disguise. Kohane laughed at the sight, causing An to jolt as she turned to look at Kohane and the bouquet in the shop-keepers hands. With a sudden gust, the wind carried some of their petals in the distant blue skies, and through the sunflower fields which had accidentally brought them together in the first place. Kohane had heard updates about her beautiful treasure from An here and there, but she had been yet to visit the sunflower herself. She loved it so, she always would, the way the petals stretched to the light and drank in the warmth of the nature around it like sweet nectar. Yet despite it all, she didn't mind in the slightest that it had began life in a new home, of someone who would give it the same love and attention she did.
Not when the gold of An's eyes were more than enough to satisfy her for now.