Boundary - [Taiju Shiba x Reader]

☾10

  ☾☽

Today, under the soft rays of the midday sun peeking through the clouds, you were determined to give the plants outside the cafe the care they deserved. You heaved the heavy bag of potting soil onto a nearby chair and took a moment to catch your breath, leaning against the chair for support. Your hanging plants in front of your coffee shop desperate needed to be put up.

With dirt already smudging your pants and your hair tied up for practicality, you paused to savor the peaceful ambiance. The warming rays of the sun cut through the chill in the air, casting a comforting glow over the entrance of the cafe.

You scanned the surroundings while waiting for Ken, who had promised to lend a hand with the plants. He was expected to arrive any minute, but you couldn't resist starting without him. With a mini hand shovel in hand, you cautiously stepped onto the chair, your focus on the highest hanging planter. On your tippy toes, you barely could reach it, and with a hand shovel full of dirt, you began to fill it.

"Looks like you could use some help."

Startled by the sudden voice, you turned your head and found Taiju standing behind you. His hair was impeccably gelled back, and he looked striking in his deep blue suit, which glistened in the midday sun. His arms were crossed, and he observed your awkward position with an amused expression.

You let out a small laugh, still perched on the chair with your hand out of the planter. "Only if I were graced with your height or my brothers, for whatever reason, that gene wasn't passed down onto me," you replied, jokingly. With the mini shovel in your hands, you looked down at the concrete below, contemplating whether to climb down. However, on standing on the chair, you noticed you were almost eye level with Taiju, but he was still a bit taller than you. "I think your height suits you, short stack."

Your face expressed confusion as your repeated short stack in your head. Did a gang leader just really call you short stack?

Looking beyond him, you noticed his sports car parked in front, with Koko and Inui leaned against it, engrossed in their own conversation. Before you could react, Taiju took the shovel from your hands, grabbed some soil from the bag, and effortlessly poured it into the highest planter.

To be honest, you were shocked. Taiju's designer suit likely cost a small fortune, and you couldn't believe he was willing to get dirt on it. "Taiju, you don't have to..." you started to protest, but he simply glanced at you and then back at the planter. His eyes reflected his determination; it was clear that he believed you were simply too short to be doing this on your own.

"Either I help you, or go buy a step stool for you, which one do you want?" He teased, obvious that would get some reaction out of you. Rolling your eyes, you stepped down onto the concrete ground, and straightened out the soil bag.

Looking up, you noticed how his amber eyes seemed to brighten under the warm rays of the sun. It was as if his eyes were tiny suns, enigmatic with fire, and you felt like you were stuck in orbit around those enchanting stars. His face glowed under the sunlight, emphasizing the well-defined features of his fair skin. You quickly forced yourself to look away, reminding yourself that this wasn't the time to be enchanted by someone's good looks, especially someone like him.