The carriage took us to the flower market on the outskirts of the capital. My heart fluttered with excitement as soon as I saw the vibrant flowers.

The vendors at the flower market were kind and welcomed me warmly, perhaps intrigued by the young lady from the countryside who had opened a flower shop.

“Are you the owner of the new flower shop on Unditch 87th Street?”

“It’s impressive that a young lady managed to set up shop there.”

“I’ve seen the blue roses. That was a brilliant idea!”

“Are you looking for tulip bulbs? Those are easy to find.”

“You’re buying seeds instead of seedlings? That’s quite unique. Here, I’ll give you a special price.”

Thanks to their kindness, I was able to purchase a large quantity of tulip bulbs at a great price.

“It’s wonderful that they offer delivery too.”

I had initially planned to carry everything myself, but they kindly offered to deliver the bulbs and soil to the shop, which was a huge relief.

With that burden lifted, I eagerly browsed the market. One of the vendors mentioned, “But isn’t there a limit to how many plants you can grow in pots in that building? You might need a large greenhouse.”

“Oh…”

That was something I hadn’t considered.

‘Right. If I had a greenhouse, I wouldn’t need to make individual flower contracts; I could supply flowers directly from there.’

But that would also mean needing someone to manage the greenhouse, as well as covering the costs for the greenhouse, seedlings, and other supplies.

‘I guess I’ll need to calculate which option is more profitable.’

This new perspective surprised me, as I hadn’t planned to expand the business beyond that building.

While checking out plant nutrients, time flew by, and suddenly it was noon. Feeling tired, Yuri and I sat down with some refreshing lemonade.

My mind buzzed with ideas about business expansion.

‘Yeah. I could open a branch, change the business type—there are so many possibilities.’

As I broadened my thoughts, I realized, “I have so many opportunities.”

In my past life, I had been caught in the constraints of marriage and had missed out on realizing this. I hadn’t known there were so many things I could do, that I could find happiness without marriage.

‘I’m glad I realized it now.’

I gripped my lemonade glass tightly, and my gaze naturally fell on Yuri sitting across from me, his familiar pink hair gently swaying in the breeze.

‘I should be thankful for this opportunity.’

Being outside seemed to have lifted Yuri’s spirits as well. I stood up cheerfully and asked, “Yuri, are you hungry? Let’s get something delicious to eat.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Not sure.”

I was new here too, so I didn’t really know.

“How about we just go where there are lots of people?”

For the first time that day, Yuri smiled at my clueless suggestion. He took the lemonade cup from my hand and said,

“Do you like lamb? I heard there’s a skewer place over there that’s supposed to be good.”

“Let’s check it out.”

Yuri returned the cup, and we walked together to the lamb skewer place. It seemed like a real hotspot, bustling with people, and the kitchen was constantly filled with rising smoke.

As we waited in line for a spot by the charcoal grill, Yuri, who had been scanning the area like a meerkat, suddenly pulled my arm.

“Hey, hold on a sec.”

He then ducked into a shadowy alley between the shops.

Caught off guard, I followed him into the narrow passage. But he didn’t stop there; he led me into a gap between a house’s entrance and the alley, pressing close against the wall.

It was obvious we were hiding, so I looked up at Yuri with wide eyes. Just then, we heard footsteps and the voices of men in what should have been an empty alley.

“I’m pretty sure I saw them here.”

“Where did they go?”

Holding my breath to avoid detection, I listened as the unfamiliar voices gradually faded. Once the footsteps were completely gone, I cautiously asked Yuri, “…You’re not running from something bad, are you?”

Yuri shook his head, looking slightly offended.

“No, it’s nothing like that. They’re old colleagues.”

“Colleagues? From the Magic Tower?”

“Something like that.”

Yuri’s answer was vague, and I bit my lip slightly.

‘They definitely said, “Where did they go?”‘

If he were being chased, they wouldn’t have used such polite language.

‘He must have been a promising mage at the Magic Tower.’

I had so many questions, but now didn’t seem like the right time. Just as I was about to speak again, we heard footsteps approaching once more.

Instinctively, I grabbed Yuri’s sleeve and buried my forehead against his chest. Surprised, Yuri ended up holding me in an embrace and chuckled softly.

“I thought you said no to physical contact?”

“T-this doesn’t count.”

It was your fault we were standing like this in the first place.

Feeling a bit wronged, I puffed out my cheeks, and Yuri winked as if he understood.

“Just kidding, Titi. Sorry about this. If they spot me, they’ll insist I return. So let’s just stay hidden for a bit.”

Yuri’s words sounded a little odd to me.

‘He said he left the Magic Tower because he lost his magic power, right?’

In that situation, being asked to return seemed strange. If it were me, I would jump at the chance.

I tilted my head in confusion.

“Do you not want to go back?”

Yuri winked at me.

“If I wanted to go back, I wouldn’t have left in the first place, right?”

“Isn’t there a reason they’re asking you to return?”

Maybe they had found a way to restore his magic power. Even I, who had nothing to do with it, felt a lingering hope, but Yuri’s response was crystal clear.

“But I don’t want to go back.”

He seemed to have made up his mind completely. I tilted my head and asked again, “Then what do you want to do?”

“Not sure.”

In the dim alley, even though it was daytime, the shadows made Yuri’s light blue eyes appear as deep as the sea. He asked in a lowered voice,

“Do you think it would be better for me to go back, Titi?”

“…Hmm.”

I couldn’t answer immediately and remained silent. Yuri, who had been quietly looking down at me, brushed his hair back with a hint of irritation.

“Well, we were supposed to part ways in five years anyway, according to our contract.”

It wasn’t that I hesitated because I viewed him as a stranger.

I asked cheerfully, “What about a coffee house?”

“What?”

Yuri frowned, looking at me as if I were speaking nonsense. I raised a finger and replied, “You like coffee, right? How about running a coffee house after the flower shop?”

“What are you talking about…”

I smiled at the bewildered Yuri and continued, “I don’t know what you gave up or what it meant to you. But if it wasn’t something you loved, why not do something you enjoy now?”

Yuri blinked at my response and asked in a dazed tone, “So… are you suggesting I open a coffee house instead of going back to the Magic Tower?”

“Life is long, and there are plenty of things you can do. If you don’t regret leaving, there’s no need to return to that path, right?”

I felt a bit unqualified to say this, having only realized the possibilities in my life after turning back time twice.

I winked and added, “Personally, I think a pub would suit you well too.”

Thinking of the master, I casually suggested a high-end bar. Unlike his hesitant response to the coffee house, Yuri quickly replied about the pub, “I can’t drink alcohol.”

“Oh, really?”

‘Yuri might not be the master, but here I go again…’

I scratched my cheek awkwardly with a laugh.

‘Well, since the future has changed, having a coffee house instead of a bar isn’t a bad idea either.’

The image of Yuri brewing coffee seemed to fit him perfectly.

I peeked out into the alley. There was no longer any sign of people.

“Looks like everyone’s gone.”

I meant we could go out and grab a meal now, but Yuri didn’t move.

“…”

“Yuri?”

I mentioned that everyone was gone.

Thinking he might not have heard, I looked up at him, and he seemed lost in his own thoughts.

After a moment, Yuri spoke in a deep, contemplative voice,

“It’s the first time someone’s told me to do what I like.”

“Really? Did it leave an impression?”

“It’s a cliché.”

“…”

Y-yeah, it is a cliché.

I scratched my head, feeling a bit awkward. Then Yuri whispered in a voice that was low and almost like a sigh, “But it still feels nice.”