He let go of his green jacket for the day, tying the navy blue apron over his white shirt. He forgone his combat boots for a pair of casual sandals. And he left his room in a hurry, quite surprisingly unlike when he would sometimes procrastinate to get to school, all because he needed to reach the flower shop. As if he needed to hurry when the shop was located just below his apartment. The landlord florist fell ill with the Spring Flu and asked him to take charge for at least three days. Good think it coincided with the school break, otherwise he would have to juggle classes and this one. And so, as he unlocked the shutters of the front of the shop, he nudged the old mechanism before he pushed it all the way open, revealing the sign: ‘Flowers in the Sky’. Quite the shop name, and it did cater to some of the flora he’d only seen in Kumogakure so far.
He quickly got to work, placing the listed plants outside on their respective racks. He went to wiping the window and then went to watering the plants. The first day would see him selling only just a few of the plants. Perhaps business was always that slow in the first place. He wondered if the landlord managed to get by with such a business. No wonder his rent wasn’t exactly that cheap. Still, he was glad he could help out a bit. Even if he didn’t ask for a waive of this month’s rent. Not with how little the actual store usually made.
He sighed as he began to pack the place up that night. Now he felt more guilty if he would have to miss out paying his rent for the next month, even a few days late would be bad.
The second proved a little more hopeful. He started early and since he had cleaned up quite a bit the previous day, there wasn’t much that needed cleaning around the shop. Aside from watering the plants, learning which flower was best suited for a customer’s request and tying them in beautiful ribbons and bouquets, he seemed quit in his element. Perhaps he was just used to working, since he preferred actual jobs than going to school even back in Port Cirrus. Helps him focus more as well, though he did worry about the coming classes after this short break they’re in.
And so, he was quite glad when the day came to an end with enough profit to help ease the deficit of the first day. Also, he was getting used to the fact that some of the customers would just go there to chat, some even trying to learn more about the flowers, but more or less just chat with the new assistant shop keeper. Of course, he had to remind them that the real shop owner would be returning soon.
Speaking of which, the said shop owner appeared during noon on his third and final day of taking care of the flower shop. He was glad that the landowner was happy to see that all the flowers were taken cared of, no dead plants so far. Though still recovering, the man simply wanted to sit out on the bench outside the shop and marvel at the beautiful day that it was. He didn’t bother when customers came in, letting Nanashi handle the shop entirely even if he was there to observe. And come mid-afternoon, right when sales would lessen, Nanashi heard the old man cough.
He was worried so he quickly brewed some tea and went out to offer the landowner a cup of hot matcha.
“I didn’t know you have a talent for wonderful tea,” said the landowner.
“It’s not me. You just have a whole stack of instants,” he chuckled and so did the landowner. “You know, maybe you can open a small cafe out here in the front. A lot of people would come by to look at the flowers, chat with friends and all. I think there would be more if they learn they can gaze at the flowers while enjoying a cup of your delicious instant teas.”
“Oh, why didn’t I think of that? But if could be troublesome…”
“Actually, you just need to keep some hot water. They can buy the teabags and then just pour them some hot water in a paper cup. That should be fine. Just give a few more benches like this out here and they can stay longer. And when people see there’s lots of customers hanging about, I’m certain they’ll come and check out what’s happening.”
“That’s a rather smart idea, you got there, son.”
“No biggie. Just want to help out in some way. School will start soon again after all and I don’t want you to close down the store if business goes awry.”
“You’d be surprised at how long I’ve had this shop.”
And so, with the rest of the day coming to silent close in the shop, Nanashi spent the last few minutes of the sun’s rays sitting with the old man, chatting and talking about more flowers. He didn’t think helping around would remind him of home… especially when he was also missing his own Old Man back at the port town.
He quickly got to work, placing the listed plants outside on their respective racks. He went to wiping the window and then went to watering the plants. The first day would see him selling only just a few of the plants. Perhaps business was always that slow in the first place. He wondered if the landlord managed to get by with such a business. No wonder his rent wasn’t exactly that cheap. Still, he was glad he could help out a bit. Even if he didn’t ask for a waive of this month’s rent. Not with how little the actual store usually made.
He sighed as he began to pack the place up that night. Now he felt more guilty if he would have to miss out paying his rent for the next month, even a few days late would be bad.
The second proved a little more hopeful. He started early and since he had cleaned up quite a bit the previous day, there wasn’t much that needed cleaning around the shop. Aside from watering the plants, learning which flower was best suited for a customer’s request and tying them in beautiful ribbons and bouquets, he seemed quit in his element. Perhaps he was just used to working, since he preferred actual jobs than going to school even back in Port Cirrus. Helps him focus more as well, though he did worry about the coming classes after this short break they’re in.
And so, he was quite glad when the day came to an end with enough profit to help ease the deficit of the first day. Also, he was getting used to the fact that some of the customers would just go there to chat, some even trying to learn more about the flowers, but more or less just chat with the new assistant shop keeper. Of course, he had to remind them that the real shop owner would be returning soon.
Speaking of which, the said shop owner appeared during noon on his third and final day of taking care of the flower shop. He was glad that the landowner was happy to see that all the flowers were taken cared of, no dead plants so far. Though still recovering, the man simply wanted to sit out on the bench outside the shop and marvel at the beautiful day that it was. He didn’t bother when customers came in, letting Nanashi handle the shop entirely even if he was there to observe. And come mid-afternoon, right when sales would lessen, Nanashi heard the old man cough.
He was worried so he quickly brewed some tea and went out to offer the landowner a cup of hot matcha.
“I didn’t know you have a talent for wonderful tea,” said the landowner.
“It’s not me. You just have a whole stack of instants,” he chuckled and so did the landowner. “You know, maybe you can open a small cafe out here in the front. A lot of people would come by to look at the flowers, chat with friends and all. I think there would be more if they learn they can gaze at the flowers while enjoying a cup of your delicious instant teas.”
“Oh, why didn’t I think of that? But if could be troublesome…”
“Actually, you just need to keep some hot water. They can buy the teabags and then just pour them some hot water in a paper cup. That should be fine. Just give a few more benches like this out here and they can stay longer. And when people see there’s lots of customers hanging about, I’m certain they’ll come and check out what’s happening.”
“That’s a rather smart idea, you got there, son.”
“No biggie. Just want to help out in some way. School will start soon again after all and I don’t want you to close down the store if business goes awry.”
“You’d be surprised at how long I’ve had this shop.”
And so, with the rest of the day coming to silent close in the shop, Nanashi spent the last few minutes of the sun’s rays sitting with the old man, chatting and talking about more flowers. He didn’t think helping around would remind him of home… especially when he was also missing his own Old Man back at the port town.