If one more person asks for a bouquet of roses, he's going to stuff the customers face in it. Thankfully his 20 minute break came and he didn't have to in the end. Forcing out the last smile for the customer he had just served, Hanako bid them a farewell and Happy Valentines day for them and their special person ( as insisted and rehearsed unnescarily by his boss ). Just as the customer turned away, Hanako's facade dropped, making silent sick-like gestures behind the customers back before handing the front to his co-worker whom had just walked in.

Hanako didn't even feel the need to explain. Simply taking off his apron and giving his to the co-worker before pushing aside the faint green curtains that seperated the front of the store to the back. Inside the backroom, was a small living room that was surprisingly cozy. Almost as if trying to match the exterior of the store that just barfed in warm cozyness. What else did you expect from a flower shop.

He slumped down the lush 2 seat sofa at the edge of the room, a sigh escaping him as he did. Allowing him solace for a total of 1 minute before reality sunk in.

Valentines day.

Ew.

Knowing that he wasn't the only one suffering during the extremely popular date, didn't ease him one bit. Because at least most people could just turn off their social medias, stay at home, or their work, to ignore the dreaded holiday and everything it encourages. But Hanako - as a florist, didn't particularly have that privileged.

For the past week, he had only been on long shifts at the flowershop, taking down orders that were made a month in advance or longer. It was the most common gift for a date like this, afterall. Everyone wanted flowers. And most people wanted roses. Red in particular, for their well conveyed and generally understood meaning. Love, adoration, romance. Blergh. He was jsut getting sick of seeing them.

Hanako just wanted to sink further into the sofa. Maybe to the point of a nap where he can go to lalala land where red roses don't exist. Until he felt an uncomfortable bump at the edges of the sofa. He shifted his weight and looked closer, finding a small thin book tucked between the sofa and it's plush cushions.

Curiously, he took it out. Managing to pull it out with two hesitant fingers. Though when he saw the title, he couldn't help but let out a light laugh. Oh man… he hasn't seen this in forever.

Between his fingers was a book on flower language. Something he had brought in work when he first started. Though he only managed to skim a few before he got distracted by the responsibilities that came with a new job. What he thought had been lost somehow somewhere was actually just here. Interesting.

He promised himself he would only look at one page. Then another. And another. And with 3 minutes left in his break, he was still looking over the small pages. Illustrated with drawings of familiar looking flowers, and the symbolism and meanings attached to it. A faint smile on his lips whenever he found a tiny note that he apparently had placed a long time ago. Writing down who came to mind at particular flowers. Both people he wanted to impress, and people he hated.

Hearing his co-worker calling him from the front counter, he slipped the notebook back in his locker before taking an extra apron and returning to work again. Though this time, in a visibly better mood. Why wouldn't he be?

Afterall , now he can observe his customers more. See whos easy to prey on. And give them a beautiful bouquet that may or may not signal their partner to break up with them. One little prank wouldn't be too bad for the business would it?

w/c: 651