The Yakuza's flower

Sorry Giant

Ume's Pov

By the time the clock struck 4:00 p.m., I was finally clocking out from my shift at Garden.

I untied my apron, neatly folded it, and put my things away before helping my grandmother lock up the café for the evening.

"Ume," my grandmother called as she locked the front door. "Are you still going to your shift at the hospital today?"

"Yes, ma'am," I replied with a tired but cheerful smile. "I'll try to be home before it gets dark."

She studied me for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

"You work too much."

"I do not."

"You do," she insisted. "You're always working. Why don't you slow down a little... or maybe settle down instead?"

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Grandma," I said, giggling, "I'm still young. You know I'm not ready for that kind of thing."

She grumbled under her breath and shook her head, clearly disappointed by my answer.

I only smiled.

The truth was...

I worked as much as I could because I had a goal.

Every paycheck brought me one step closer to saving enough money for a plane ticket.

The rest went toward helping my grandmother however I could.

She had spent so many years taking care of me.

Now it was my turn to take care of her.

After closing up the café, my grandmother and I went our separate ways, each heading toward our next destination.

As I walked toward the hospital, I noticed someone familiar stepping out of a ramen shop.

The giant from earlier.

He was dressed in the same spotless white suit, with another man following close behind him.

I lowered my head and tried to keep walking.

Just ignore him, Ume.

I made it a few steps before stopping.

Something in my gut told me to go back.

I let out a small sigh.

"...Okay."

Turning around, I jogged over to the well-dressed giant until I was close enough for him to hear me.

"Um... excuse me?"

He stopped walking and looked down at me.

His friend glanced between us in confusion.

"I-I'm sorry to bother you," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I just wanted to apologize for bumping into you earlier today."

For a moment, he simply stared at me.

"...Hmm."

"I'd forgotten about it."

He paused before continuing.

"But now I remember."

"It's fine."

"You should watch where you're going next time."

His deep voice was calm, yet it carried enough weight to make me feel even smaller than I already was.

"I assume you weren't hurt?"