Love is not Extinct

Chapter 11: Floriography

A/N: So this chapter is a bit off topic from the main story line and focused on one of the blooming side couples that appear throughout this story so I hope you are ready for it! (And not to fear Tsukki will be back next chapter with some new developments I think you all are going to like.)

The bell chimed in the Saukra Studio as Hinata was busy rearranging the pre-made floral arrangements in the display cooler. "I'll be right with you!" he called brightly, unable to turn around and properly greet his customer while he was balancing two vases and trying to move a third until they were arranged just right on the shelf.

"Don't rush yourself, it's just me." Hinata recognized the sound of his sister's voice followed by the creaking of the swinging partition that separated the sales floor from the employee counter. He didn't have to look over to know that she was dropping her bag unceremoniously underneath the counter before she took a seat on one of the stools. What he didn't expect was the other voice that followed.

"Good afternoon, Hinata-oniisan."

Looking over his shoulder, Hinata saw Takeda Minakami wave at him and smiled as Natsu walked back over to her classmate, holding out her hand. "I can put your bag back here with mine while we look around."

"Awesome! Thanks Hinata-san!" Takeda smiled brightly at her, and thankfully didn't notice the blush that was creeping onto her cheeks as she took the boy's bag and went back behind the counter once more. Hinata couldn't help but notice, as he usually did when he saw Takeda, how much the boy resembled his uncle. He had the same messy black hair and was around the same height. He had the same energetic and determined look in his eyes, but unlike his uncle, instead of steady brown eyes, Minakami had vibrant blue spheres that were not shielded behind glasses.

Looking over at his sister curiously, Hinata closed the glass door of the display case. He walked over behind the counter to clean up the mess from making the new display arrangements as he watched the two high school students.

"We are going to go into the cooler to look at the flowers," his sister announced without giving any more explanation. But thankfully for Hinata, Takeda filled in the blanks without needing to be prompted.

"Hinata-kun offered to help me pick out flowers and make a bouquet."

Though this only made the florist more confused. "Well, good luck then." He smiled uncertainly. "There is some moss rosebuds along the back wall if you need it." His sister glared at him. She knew exactly what he meant, this was something the two of them had done since they were children, growing up around flowers. They would often have conversations about different flowers and arrangements that seemed normal enough, but were riddled with unspoken words that only someone who was well versed in the language of flowers would be able to understand.

Moss rosebuds symbolize confessions of love. By mentioning this, her brother was asking if Takeda was getting flowers for a girl that he hoped to confess to, worried that his sister's heart was broken.

"No we don't need moss rosebuds," she replied, just annoyed at the thought of what she would do if that had really been the case. She might just die. "Though some zinnias and day lilies might look really nice."

Hinata nodded in understanding. The zinnia flowers of mixed colors represent thinking of or in memory of a friend, while the day lily was a known chinese emblem for mothers. Takeda's mother had died when he was young and, afterwards, his uncle, Ittetsu, and his long term partner took the boy in and had raised him ever since. Today must be an anniversary or special day involving the high schooler's late mother and his sister had offered to help him make a bouquet to take to her grave.