The little bell above the shop door jingled, welcoming in the gentle hum of a new day. Min busied himself arranging fresh stock, carefully placing tulips into neat rows. His hands were steady, but his mind wasn't.
Kei's words from the cafe lingered in his thoughts: "Ionly care about the people I choose to work with."
Did Kei really mean… him?
"Min," Kei's calm voice snapped him back. "You're spacing out again. Those stems aren't even."
Min flustered, adjusting the flowers quickly. "S-Sorry! I was just… thinking."
Before Kei could reply, the door jingled again. A mother and her young daughter stepped in, the little girl's eyes sparkling as she pointed at a bouquet of daisies.
"They're so pretty, Mama!" she said, tugging her mother's sleeve.
Min crouched down to her height with a smile. "Daisies are a good choice. Did you know they mean innocence and happiness?"
The girl gasped. "Really? Then I want them!"
Her mother laughed softly, agreeing to buy the bouquet. Kei watched quietly from behind the counter, his expression unreadable—but Min thought he saw the faintest warmth in his gaze as the girl left the shop skipping happily.
When the door closed, Min hummed, still smiling. "It feels nice, doesn't it? Helping people smile like that."
Kei placed a fresh vase on the counter. "That's what this shop is for."
Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and Min felt that same rush of warmth from before. He quickly looked away, heart pounding, and kept himself busy arranging fresh stock, carefully placing tulips into neat rows.
Outside the window, the sun streamed through, casting the shop in golden light. Min couldn't help but wonder… maybe this flower shop wasn't just changing customers' lives. Maybe it was changing his, too.
To be continued....