Rock and Roses

4

It isn't long before Minho and Jisung fall into an unfavorable pattern: Jisung opens his store to the tune of rock music blasting from his speakers, Minho strides over to Spin City, Jisung lowers the volume of the music, then Minho returns back to Verdant Oasis to tend to the plants. Rinse, lather, repeat.

While this does solve Minho's main problem (momentarily), it still does not stop him from growing increasingly irritated with Jisung every single day.

For starters, Jisung wears those oversized headphones over his ears at all hours of the day, and it makes him look like an absolute dolt. It's probably why he lacks the ability to sense when his music is raised above appropriate volume levels.

For another, Jisung apologizes profusely every afternoon for being a nuisance, and then does little to change his behavior. It's insufferably irritating.

"You're in an...interesting mood," Felix (the adorable florist apprentice who assists Minho from time to time) notes one afternoon after Jisung turns down his music, but only slightly.

Minho huffs, slamming the watering pail down onto the floor in an unceremonious heap. It makes a loud CLANG! that causes the flowers to jump.

Felix smiles awkwardly, apologizing to the plants in a hushed whisper. He scratches the back of his head before continuing to prune the daisies on the opposite end of the store.

Minho sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.

"I'm seriously considering calling the cops. This is getting out of hand."

Felix tilts his head. "On who? The new guy next door?"

"Who else?" Minho grumbles bitterly. "I have a permanent headache because of him. I should sue."

(Minho is aware that this may seem a bit excessive, but he and his precious, delicate plants have had it up to here with Jisung's inability to discern what 'moderate noise pollution' entails.)

Felix hums noncommittally. "He doesn't seem that bad. Actually, he seems pretty sweet."

Minho turns and offers Felix the most unamused look. Felix chuckles and raises his hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay! Sorry for suggesting otherwise," Felix says, shrugging. "I just don't think you should be all mope-y all the time. See the light in people!"

Minho snorts, shaking his head as he aggressively motions towards the window (and subsequently, Spin City next door). "See the light? In him?"

Felix offers another shrug and a small nod, smiling brightly. Minho rolls his eyes and groans.

What a joke.