Ran haitani

The morning sunlight slowly crept through the glass plate windows, bathing the Longiflorum lilies in its rays. The dew on the pure white petals threw sparkles into the air.

You shifted the bucket. The droplets fell. In the shaded area, the shadows seemed to seep the brightness out of the flowers.

It was then your phone rang. The sudden noise made you jump, and you nearly knocked a nearby pail over. Hurriedly, you pulled out your phone, wanting to silence it since you were at work. But when you saw the name on your display screen, confusion swelled up inside you, and your thumb, enroute to the decline button, paused.

You glanced at your manager at the counter. She was preparing orders for deliveries later today. The sound of the ringtone had attracted her attention and she met your gaze.

Ran? She mouthed amidst the noise of your phone and the crinkling of the wrapping paper.

You nodded.

Perhaps the anxiety you were feeling inside reflected on your expression, because a worried look came over her features. She flashed you a thumbs up, and you responded with a quick bow of gratitude.

Since it was early in the morning, there weren't any customers at the flower shop yet. Still, private phone calls during work hours were forbidden. However Ran, who met her once when he came to pick you up after work, had her twisted around his little finger, and you knew she would allow him to set the store on fire if he so wished.