"Today, I am looking for a bouquet of flowers, preferably for someone I admire."
You blink at the unusual request.
"S-sir, by someone you admire you mean..."
"Ah. I should have clarified. I meant for a person I love."
You felt yourself becoming increasingly embarrassed at his blunt answer and stoic face.
"I-I apologize," you squeak, your face now red. "Flowers for a lover. I see."
"I never said she was a lover."
Your face flushed even more, if that was even possible.
"E-excuse me," You mumble, before backing away. You turn around to cool off and contemplate the flowers to put in his bouquet.
You spy a couple of roses, but that choice of flowers seemed a bit overdone. Perhaps something else would be better. You identify a couple of Arbutuses, which you pluck out carefully, before choosing some Lilies, Smilaxes, and a combination of other flowers that would be suitable. Humming contently to yourself, as you had calmed down considerably, you return to your table and wrap up the flowers and arrange them accordingly. When you finish, you let out a small sigh and lean back to admire you work.
"That is quite beautiful."
You jump at the sudden voice behind you, and you spot the customer admiring the flower arrangement you had done. He raises his eyebrow.
"No roses? How unusual."
You blush.
"They're a bit overused, so I thought something different would be nice."
"Hmm..."
He sweeps his eye over the bouquet with a critical eye, before smiling.
"I think my mother will like this bouquet quite a bit."
"M-Mother...?"
You feel your face turning red again. "O-Oh, sorry. You said 'someone you loved' and that 'she wasn't your lover' so I-"
"You included ferns, for a secret love. I noticed."
There was a twinkle in his eye when he glanced up at you.
"Luckily for you, my mother does not know anything about the language of flowers, unlike me."
There was a silence between the two of you before the customer picks up the bouquet, and takes out his wallet. He leaves as soon as he places the cash on the counter. You stare at the money, before calling after him.
"W-wait! You paid me too much for a bouquet-"
"Oh." The customer pauses in the doorway. "My second purchase is on your counter." He then continues his way out of the shop.
You turn and see a red flower sitting on the countertop, with a small card attached to it.
Akashi Seijurou.
See you again soon.
Your breath catches in your throat when you identify the red flower, a flower crimson like the color of the his hair.
Camelia.
Admiration, Perfection. You're the flame in my heart.
