"You need a break."

Jinenji looked up from his computer, shoulders taught with stress and worry. "We need to get the next order in by today."

"And we will!" she assured him. "But right now, we're going on a walk." She grabbed his hand and pulled him away from his desk. Their flower shop was flourishing—so much so that instead of working in the garden like he wanted to, Jinenji was stuck dealing with the business end of things while Rin ran the front of house.

And he hated it.

The names and prices of their inventory ran together, making his head spin. Rin's skills with flower arranging were second to none but making sure the greenhouses were properly taken care of and the plants were watered on schedule wasn't her forte.

Jinenji sighed, and Rin wrapped her arm around his, giving him a reassuring squeeze. They walked in silence, the midday sun warming the back of their necks as she pulled him towards the nearest convenience store. She ducked inside, returning with an ice-blue Garigari-kun popsicle for both of them.

It seemed childish, to be walking around during the regular lunch rush instead of working, but the icy treat was soothing, and Jinenji grabbed his wife's hand, intertwining their fingers, thankful for the distraction.

"We should hire someone," she said, leaning against his arm. "To help with the computer stuff."

"I can handle it," he replied.

"But you don't want to," Rin argued. "You'd rather be in the gardens."

He took a bite out of the popsicle, avoiding her gaze. She was right, and they both knew it, but admitting it wouldn't help their current situation.

"Jinenji, when we opened the shop, we promised to be honest with each other about our wants and needs. Remember all those shows we watched where couples opened their own businesses, and everything fell apart because they stopped talking to each other?"

He sighed again. "Of course."

"Them tell me: do you miss being in the gardens?" She was so fierce for such a petite woman.

"Of course I do, but—"

"That settles it then! We're hiring someone."

"But that takes time—"

"Not really," she said, cutting him off again. "Shippou's been looking for a part-time job now that his kids have started school."

Jinenji paused, a mischievous smile tugging at Rin's mouth. "Why didn't you lead with that?"

She turned, pointing her popsicle in his face. "Because I needed you to admit that it was making you miserable first."

Blinking, he took in the image of his adorable wife, popsicle in hand, the other on her hip, and couldn't help but smile. "I'm sorry. I'll tell you right away next time."

"Good," she said, going up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "But hopefully, there won't be a next time." She grabbed his hand again, content to finish their walk before heading back to the shop. The orders could wait.