The morning rush at the flower shop was busier than Min had expected. Customers came in one after another, and Min scrambled to keep up, his apron slightly crooked.
"Here's your change—ah, wait, no, that's wrong—oh, um, please take this bouquet—eh? That's not yours either—"
By the time the last customer left, Min slumped against the counter, cheeks burning.
"I… might have mixed up three orders," he whispered miserably.
Kei looked at him from the workbench, calm as ever. "Might have?"
Min covered his face with both hands. "I'm sorry! I'll be more careful, I promise."
Instead of scolding, Kei quietly rearranged a bouquet with steady hands. "It's your first week. Mistakes happen. Just learn from them."
Min peeked through his fingers, surprised. "You're… not mad?"
Kei glanced at him, expression unreadable. "I don't waste energy on anger."
Min blinked. That was… unexpectedly kind. But before he could say anything else, Kei added, deadpan:
"Though, if you confuse a wedding bouquet with funeral flowers again, I may reconsider."
Min's jaw dropped. "I-I did not! …Did I?"
Kei didn't answer, but the tiniest curve of his lips betrayed him.
Min groaned, sinking onto a stool. "I'm never living this down, am I?"
The camellias by the window swayed slightly in the breeze, almost like they were laughing along with Kei.
To be continued....