“The Man Who Buys Too Many Flowers”

The soft sound of wind chimes greet Juno as he steps in again, cap pulled low and mask covering most of his face. Yunji is at the counter this time, arranging lilies, her hair were slightly messy from rushing in after class. She glances up and gives a polite smile.

Yunji:

“Welcome. Yellow tulips again?”

Juno hesitates for a moment, then nods. Yunji starts wrapping them, sneaking glances at him. His hands are tucked into his jacket pocket, posture calm but slightly stiff, like he doesn’t want attention.

Yunji (smiling faintly):

“You must really like tulips… or is someone very lucky to get them every day?”

Juno’s eyes flick up briefly, meeting hers for half a second before looking away.

Juno (quietly):

“Something like that.”

Yunji tilts her head, curious, but doesn’t push. She hands him the flowers, her fingers brushing his gloved ones for a second. Juno takes them, nods slightly, and leaves without another word. Yunji watches his back, puzzled.

[Over a Week]

Juno entering the shop repeatedly, always buying tulips or random flowers he doesn’t need.

Yunji greeting him with a growing smile each time, her curiosity increasing.

Juno quietly watching her arrange flowers, sometimes his eyes softening when she laughs with her mother.

Yunji whispering to herself one evening as he leaves:

Yunji (muttering): “Why does he always wear that cap and mask? Is he hiding from someone?”

[One Late evening]

The shop is quiet, no other customers. Yunji is sitting at the counter, tying ribbons around a bouquet. Juno enters, his steps soft. Yunji smiles as she looks up.

Yunji:

“Back again. At this point, I should just keep yellow tulips ready for you every day.”

Juno gives the faintest smile behind his mask, surprising even himself. Yunji notices and leans slightly forward, curious.

Yunji:

“Can I ask you something? You always come at the same time, always wear the same cap and mask… Are you hiding from someone? Or are you secretly famous or something?”

Juno pauses, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment before looking down.

Juno (calmly):

"I just don’t like being noticed.”

Yunji nods slowly, accepting the answer, though her curiosity only grows. She wraps his flowers carefully and hands them over.

Yunji (softly teasing):

“Well, if you ever get tired of tulips, let me pick something for you next time. I promise I’m good at it.”

For the first time, Juno lets out a quiet chuckle, almost unnoticeable, before leaving. Yunji watches him go, smiling faintly to herself.

Juno’s Apartment | Night

Juno sits on his couch, placing the unused flowers on his table. His phone is filled with notifications, but instead, he scrolls through his gallery. The newest photo—a secret picture of Yunji he took today while pretending to check his phone. She was laughing at something her mom said, her eyes crinkling.

Juno stares at it quietly, his expression unreadable but softer than usual. He locks his phone, leaning back, a small sigh escaping him.

At Flower Shop (Next Day)

Yunji stands at the counter, arranging flowers. She glances at the door every now and then, almost expectantly. Her mother notices and teases lightly:

Yunji Mother:

“Waiting for that quiet young man again? He buys more flowers than my regular customers.”

Yunji (embarrassed, looking away):

“N-No, just wondering if he’ll… come today.”

The door chimes softly. Yunji looks up—and there he is, standing quietly, his gaze already on her.

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