[Edit 28/10/13] Beta by Deadpool-kun :)
It was Wednesday, so Kagami had to work the night shift that they had agreed on. The work hours for morning shifts is from 10am to 6pm, while the work hours for night shifts is from 4pm till 12am, which is till the shop closed.
After he had finished with his morning classes, Kagami went home for lunch. Then he lay on his couch, watching TV to pass the time. Living alone might sound boring to some people, but Kagami has gotten used to it. Besides, he's busy most of the time with his job and classes, so he's not often seen in his apartment. When the clock pointer ticked nearly 3pm, Kagami got ready and left for the work.
Upon arriving at the florist, Kagami was greeted by Sakurai.
"Irrashaimase! Oh it's Kagami-san! I thought it's a customer. Sorry, sorry," Sakurai apologized nervously although the hint of cheerfulness is obvious in his tone.
"Looking happy today? Good for you, Sakurai," Kagami smiled and patted Sakurai on his back, making sure he was gentle enough since the smaller guy looks so fragile sometimes.
"Ah yes, just happy since I get to go home early. Thanks Kagami-san."
"No worries!" shouted Kagami from the back of the shop while setting down his bag and wearing his pink apron.
The flowery pink apron is a new addition to their uniform, since Akashi suggested that it could lighten the mood in the florist shop, but most of all because it could tone down Kagami's masculinity and make him look approachable and less intimidating.
"Boss, any task for me?" he asked Akashi playfully who was currently restocking the ribbons supply at the counter.
Akashi is rather a man full of pride, but he doesn't really care what his employees prefers to call him, as long as it's not inappropriate. Besides they all are of the same age so it's even okay to call him by his name.
"Ah Taiga. Do the usual. Customer will pick it up tonight."
"No complains yesterday?"
Akashi glared at Kagami. "No, he seemed to be in rush. Are you anticipating for one?"
"Nope. It's just that he complains a lot it seems like a miracle when he didn't. I get on it now."
Akashi only watched emotionlessly as Kagami walked to the counter and began his work.
It was rather a quiet day today. Only few customer came by, which then entertained by Akashi. Kagami has always preferred the the practical jobs like decorating, cleaning and payments - tasks that doesn't require him to talk much. However, since Sakurai diligently had been working around the shop since morning, there was nothing to be done by Kagami, really. When it was finally 6pm, Sakurai excused himself to ends his shift. A moment later, Akashi ordered Kagami to look after the shop because he had to go out for a while. Kagami reluctantly complied.
So, Kagami was left all alone in the shop. He looked after the flowers, sprayed them with bleach solution to keep them fresh, cleaned the coolers, stacked the colourful paper wraps and ribbons, swept the fallen petals and leaves off the floor, washed the buckets and basically anything that could keep him busy because not having things to do made him restless. Occasionally customers would walk in and he would approach them and take their orders, imitating what he had always seen Akashi does.
Kagami was wiping the counters when the bells to the shop rang, indicating that a customer just walking in.
"Irrashaimase!" said Kagami in a cheerful tone while stealing a glance at the person who just entered the shop, before froze to his spot once he set his eyes on the customer's face.
This face. This perfectly sculptured face with tanned skin, with short midnight blue hair and piercing eyes. Where had he seen it before?
The memory of this face seemed too fresh and too familiar but it could't be right since he was pretty sure he didn't know a thing about the guy currently standing in front of him. And apparently the guy thought the same too, since as for now he was gaping at Kagami in disbelief. And anger.
Wait, what?
"You?!"
"Huh? Me?"
The blue haired guy noticed the apron that Kagami's wearing, and let out a wicked low chuckle, which sent shivers racing down Kagami's spine.
This guy's presence was so intimidating and he couldn't even explain why. He walked slowly to the counter where Kagami was at.
"Oh you work here? Fate sure loves me so much. Where is Akashi? I want to tell him what a rude and idiotic worker he have here."
That did it.
Kagami's expression went into a series of transformation, from confused to realization and then outrage. This was the guy that he crashed into yesterday! And then he remembered nasty argument between them, and he gritted his teeth in anger while glaring at the amused eyes of the other.
"What do you want?" Kagami's voice was low and threatening as he spoke.
"Whoa, whoa. Easy there. I'm not here to pick a fight today."
"Really? You just called me idiotic."
"That just kind of slipped."
"Not surprised. Have you ever thought before you speak?"
"Have you ever? Thinking, I mean."
It took every bit of rationality left in Kagami to contain himself at that moment. This dude was seriously pissing him off!
"If you just come here to mock and insult me, then fuck off."
The other dude just laughed it off. "I don't come here to insult you, don't be so full of yourself. I'm here to see Akashi, where is him?"
"He's not here. Now fuck off."
"You should be nicer to your customer you know?" The blue haired guy walked to the nearby display of flowers and casually lowered himself to breath in the scent, ignoring Kagami.
Kagami grunted in frustration. Even though he disliked it, the guy was right. He was inside the shop right now. He's a customer and Kagami should be professional. Besides Kagami was not in the mood for a fight.
"Fine. About Akashi, I don't know when will he come back. Is there anything else I can help...sir?"
The tall bluenette snickered hearing Kagami's forceful attempt at being polite.
"Hmm that's too bad. I came here to pick up my order."
"We keep a record of our orders." Kagami took out a hardcover book from under the counter and set it open.
'Let's just give the damn man his fucking order and get this over with.' he thought to himself.
"Your name..." The tanned male gave him a look. "...sir?"
The blue haired guy smirked. "Aomine Daiki."
Kagami skimmed through the list and found the order.
His eyes widened.
"Why? Is something's not right? My order is not there?"
"Uhh no. Your order is here sir, please follow me." Kagami led the way to the bouquet display for reserved orders.
'Fuck. It's him? This is the guy who's been driving me insane with demands and complaints these past few weeks? I should not be surprised, I mean this is exactly how I imagine the person would be - arrogant and irritating as hell, but still. It's shocking how this person managed to pissed me off in any ways possible, directly or indirectly. What a pain.'
"So? Where's my order?"
Kagami jolted. He didn't realise he had lost in his thoughts.
"Uh yes, here."
Kagami was about to show the flower arrangement he made earlier but then he thought of something.
"Actually, I don't remember which one is your order. Can you just pick one of these?"
He lied.
He knew exactly which one was the correct order. He was the one making the flower arrangement, for god sake, but he just wanted to test the guy. Akashi said that this customer -what was his name again, oh right, Aomine- wanted only his design. Kagami refused to think that's true. How could a person be biased towards flower arrangements anyway? They all kind of looked the same, honestly.
"What? What kind of dumb solution is that? Are you sure I can pick any? Your boss won't get mad?"
"Yeah, just pick any that you want." Kagami didn't really mind, he could always replace the one Aomine decided to take anyway, his shifts were still going on for a few hours so he had some time, it was not a big deal.
Kagami watched as a pair of midnight eyes scanned the selections thoroughly.
Most of the bouquet were made by Sakurai, others were made by Akashi, and there was only one made by Kagami. And to be completely honest, in Kagami's opinion, his bouquet didn't really stand out if compared to the others.
Aomine quickly decided. "This one. I want this one."
He pointed at the bouquet at the very left. The bouquet that had been make specially for his order. The bouquet that Kagami had made just hours ago. Kagami was stunned for a while.
"May I ask, why this one?"
"Because I like this one. Isn't that obvious? Would I pick something that is not of my interest? Gosh, how dumb can you be?"
Kagami gave the best internal fight with himself not to repetitively slam this guy's head to a nearby wall. He really couldn't handle this customer. But he couldn't deny that deep inside of him, when Aomine had picked his bouquet, it kind of made him happy. Kind of.
'Wait, what the fuck? I feel happy over this stupid shit? Haha. What a joke. Get a grip Kagami. This dude is an asshole his opinion shouldn't matter.' Kagami quickly shrugged the stupid feelings away.
"Fine, fine. Don't be so mean. It's just a question." Kagami proceeded to take out the bouquet from the display. "Please go to the counter for payment."
Aomine followed without any objection.
Once at the counter, Kagami entered the transaction into the cash register.
"Is that all, sir?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just do the payment already. And no need to call me sir. I know it pains you to act all polite and call me that. It sounded so fake my ears almost bleed hearing it."
"Just doing what's expected from my job, SIR."
Aomine rolled his eyes in irritation. Kagami couldn't help but grin in amusement.
"The total is 7000 yen."
Aomine handed over his visa. Kagami noticed the Rolex watch peeking from his sleeve as he took the card.
'Whoah, this dude is pretty loaded.'
Once the payment was made, Kagami gave Aomine the bouquet, wanting Aomine to leave quickly and leave him at peace. But unfortunately Aomine stayed for a while to talk.
"Are you a new worker here? I've never seen you before, and I visit this place frequently as of late."
"Not really. I used to work morning shifts. So maybe that's why we've never met."
"Oh morning shifts? Well then do you know the person who made this arrangement? Akashi said that the person works morning shifts too."
Kagami paused for a while before answering. "Kind of."
"Well then can you inform that person to use less fragrant spray next time? The smell is too strong I can't even smell the actual scent of the flowers. And also to be more generous in using the actual flowers instead of just leaves? I mean just look at this mess." he directed his hands to the bouquet disapprovingly.
Kagami fumed. The thing is, when this particular customer visited the shop yesterday, he had complained to Akashi that the scent were too dull. And that there was too much flowers it looked stupid.
"If you don't like it, why did you pick it?"
"I never said I don't like it." Aomine shrugged off.
'So you do like it then? I seriously don't understand you.'
Kagami just kept quiet, waiting for the customer to leave already, but Aomine spoke again.
"So... What was she like?"
"Who?"
"The girl making this arrangement. What was she like?"
'G-GIRL? SHE?'
Kagami went dumbfounded, not knowing what to answer. He just looked at Aomine stupidly for a moment.
"She's that hard to describe?" Aomine chuckled. "Oh well. Send my regards to her."
"Sure..."
Aomine finally walked to the front door, before stopping once he grabbed the handle and turned around.
"What's your name, by the way?"
"Huh? My name? Kagami. Kagami Taiga."
The guy grinned, and something about the grin made Kagami's stomach twisting in discomfort.
"Funny name. But it fits you. Well then see you around, Taiga." He said, before finally leaving the florist.
"Hey don't call me Taiga!" but the door was already closed.
Kagami watched for a moment through the front glass windows as that figure slowly disappeared into the crowd. When he was finally out of his view, Kagami flipped open the record book to check his name again.
'Aomine Daiki, huh? Even his name sounds arrogant. Got a feeling I'll see him a lot now that I work night shift.' He closed the book, sighing.
Kagami walked to the decorating counter, preparing to make a new arrangements. Somehow he felt more productive than usual, completely unaware that a certain bluenette had triggered him so. He absentmindedly picked some blue flowers and began his work.