The little bell above the shop door chimed, its sound soft but sharp enough to catch Min's attention. He looked up from trimming a small bouquet, his eyes widening slightly when he saw who had entered.
The man from before—the stranger with the sharp gaze—stood there, his presence filling the quiet space in an instant.
"Hello again," the man greeted, his tone smooth, almost casual. "I was passing by and thought I'd stop in. Your flowers caught my eye… as always."
Min blinked, uncertain. "Oh… welcome." His voice was polite, but his hands stilled on the ribbon he had been tying.
Kei, who had been stacking vases along the shelves, turned slowly. His dark eyes landed on the man, expression calm, but his shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly.
The stranger smiled lightly, stepping closer to the counter. "It's Min, right? You have a certain… talent with arrangements. It's rare to see someone work with such care."
"Thank you," Min replied softly, glancing down at the flowers in his hand.
Kei moved before the silence stretched further, his footsteps unhurried but firm. He came to stand just beside Min, close enough that his sleeve brushed his.
"Can we help you choose something specific?" Kei asked evenly, though his tone carried an edge beneath the politeness.
The man's smile widened a fraction. "Just looking. No need to rush." His eyes flicked briefly to Kei, then back to Min, lingering a second too long.
Min felt the tension in the air, subtle yet heavy, as if the tiny shop walls had shrunk around them. He tried to speak, to bridge the awkwardness, but Kei's quiet presence at his side steadied him in a way words couldn't.
After a few moments, the stranger chuckled softly. "Perhaps I'll come back another time. I don't wish to intrude."
He turned and left, the bell chiming once more. The air seemed to breathe again as the door closed.
Min let out a quiet sigh, realizing he had been holding his breath. Kei, however, remained silent, his gaze still fixed on the door.
"Kei…" Min began gently.
Kei shook his head slightly, finally meeting Min's eyes. "It's fine. Just… stay close when I'm around."
To be continued....