It was a warm Saturday afternoon, Hanaria had planned to visit the floral shop to buy new seeds as a gift for her grandfather. A soft chime of the bell was heard as she had stepped inside, smelling the familiar scent of fresh flowers that never failed to ease her mind.
Alexis as usual was behind the counter, organizing another floral order of lilies and roses. The shop was quiet, the usual hustle and bustle were replaced by a serene calm. His black compression shirt layered with a blue sweatshirt clung to his form as he worked with sharp and focused movements, even though his right eye was still covered with an eyepatch from the volleyball incident.
Hanaria hesitated for a second, thinking on how to greet him, "Uh.. hey Alexis."
Alexis turned around with his usual calm expression, this time a bit softer. "Oh, it's you.. you didn't have to come, I'm fine." He said, turning back to his work.
"Are you sure?" Hanaria asked, walking closer to him. "You still have the patch on, the nurse told you to refrain from moving too much, shouldn't you be resting?"
"No thanks, I have other things to do aside from twirling around in tights." Alexis answered in a cold, slightly teasing tone.
Hanaria's cheeks flushed in embarrassment, "I told you I was sorry!"
His aunt Amelia then walked out from the back room, wiping the dirt from her hands. "Alexis! What did I tell you about taking it easy?" she chided gently, crossing her arms. "You've been at the counter all day, take a break."
"I'm fine auntie, it's just a bruise.. nothing life threatening." he muttered, continuing to cut the flowers' stems, clearly not planning to stop with his work.
Amelia wasn't having it. She smiled at Hanaria who was awkwardly standing by the counter, "Ah, Hanaria, it's good to see you here! Maybe you can convince this stubborn boy to actually take a break."
Hanaria chuckled nervously, not knowing what to say as Alexis just focused on his work. "I— uh.."
Amelia then shot her nephew a knowing look as she smiled mischievously, "You've been working all morning Alexis, why don't you take Hanaria out for some fresh air— maybe even a little date?"
Alexis stiffened after hearing his aunt's words, dropping the stems of the lilies on the counter. His face turned pink, not even turning around to meet their gazes. "Auntie! we're— not doing that." he stammered.
Hanaria laughed awkwardly, waving her hands "No, no.. we're just.. uh... friends.."
Amelia laughed, clearly enjoying the tension between the two, "I was only teasing! But seriously though, you two should go out and get some fresh air."
Before either of them could argue further the bell chimed once again, an elderly woman entered, she was a regular at the shop and would often buy flowers for her home or as gifts. Today however, she wasn't alone, cradled in her arms was a small chubby-cheeked baby.
"Amelia, thank goodness you're here." her voice tinged in relief, "I have a bit of an emergency, you see I have to attend an urgent appointment, but I don't have someone to watch over my little Mika." she looked at the baby who was tugging on her shirt with his tiny hands.
Hanaria's eyes lit up as she looked at the baby, "Aww, what a cutie!"
Amelia's eyes softened in concern, "I wish I could, but I have a shipment arriving soon and I can't leave the shop."
"But.." Amelia paused as she glanced at Hanaria and Alexis with a slight mischievous look, "I'm sure Alexis and Hanaria can help."
"Wait, what?" Alexis looked back, clearly caught off guard.
