I cleared my throat.

“Ahem, what brings you here? We’re closed for the day.”

At my question, Yujin’s thick eyebrows raised slightly. He gestured behind him with his chin and replied, “The door was open. Is there a reason I shouldn’t come in?”

Indeed, there was no “closed” sign on the shop door—mainly because I hadn’t put one up!

But this man made me uncomfortable. Knowing his future only intensified that feeling.

So I shamelessly insisted, “I just forgot to close it!”

“People usually call that ‘open.'”

“……”

Of course, my flimsy excuse didn’t hold up. I clasped my hands together and answered politely, “Yes, sir, what can I do for you?”

I heard laughter from behind me. I didn’t need to look to know it was Yuri.

‘That guy, seriously!’

Why was he here, laughing as if he were watching a fire from across the river?

As I shot a glare at Yuri, Yujin called my name in his deep voice, “Miss Titi.”

Dealing with Yujin was one thing, but him using a silly nickname was another. I replied firmly, “My name is Titiana Este. I don’t like being called Titi.”

Yujin didn’t respond but looked steadily at Yuri, who was now pretending to tremble while holding onto my shoulder.

“Titi, Yujin’s glaring at me! I’m scared!”

“……”

I had told him not to call me Titi, yet he must have used it in front of Yujin.

I sighed and removed Yuri’s hand from my shoulder, growling in a low voice, “Why do you keep hiding? Where’s the guy who said he’d protect me with his life?”

“He must be dead already.”

“……”

Yeah, I was foolish for trusting him.

‘I take back my promise to protect you. If a robber comes, I’ll use you as a sacrifice and run.’

That would make us even. With that thought, I turned back to Yujin.

“Please call me Titiana or the shop owner. So, what brings you here?”

Yujin’s eyes were much darker than Yuri’s, with a hint of green.

‘Do eye colors match personalities?’

As I pondered that random thought, Yujin, who had been standing silently, finally spoke, “You two seem close.”

Another comment unrelated to the flower shop. I was about to frown and respond, but Yuri beat me to it.

“Well, we’re business partners.”

Yujin frowned as if he had heard something absurd.

“Business partners? You?”

“Yeah. Although it started with a bit of coercion.”

Don’t say things that could be misunderstood!

“We’re business partners under a legitimate contract, so please don’t interfere. And this is a flower shop. If you have no business here, please leave.”

“Yeah, our boss here is a heartless person with no pity. You better leave before you get in trouble.”

“Hey!”

Whose side was he on, anyway?

As I glared at him, Yuri hid behind me again. No matter how big he was, he couldn’t really hide behind someone smaller.

Annoyed by Yuri’s antics, I chuckled as Yujin looked at us in disbelief and muttered, “Am I seeing things…?”

What was wrong with this guy now?

I gave him a stern look and urged him impatiently, “Please state your business.”

At my insistence, Yujin frowned in displeasure. Then, in a curt voice, he said, “The potted plant I bought last time.”

“You’re talking about the Pilea Peperomioides, right? What about it?”

Yujin turned his head sharply and replied, “You didn’t tell me how much water to give it.”

“……?”

I was so taken aback that my mouth dropped.

‘Not telling him how much water to give it? Is he joking?’

But thinking back, I realized I hadn’t given those instructions. I had only mentioned the watering schedule without detailing the amount or sunlight needed, etc.

‘That’s my fault.’

There was no excuse for this. I quickly grabbed a pen and paper.

“I’ll write it down for you right away. I’m sorry.”

“No need.”

Whether he had come here just to address this issue or not, it was still my mistake.

‘Since it’s come to this, I should write it down thoroughly so he doesn’t have to come back.’

With that thought in mind, I told Yuri, “Yuri, make some coffee for the customer. I’ll jot this down quickly.”

“What? Coffee?”

Yuri frowned.

“My coffee isn’t for just anyone. Besides, Yujin doesn’t like coffee.”

I replied nonchalantly, “Even better if he doesn’t like it. Give him a liter.”

“Titi.”

“I want some too.”

“……Fine.”

Yuri, who was grumbling, eventually nodded when I mentioned I wanted some as well.

Just as Yuri was about to go upstairs to make the coffee, Yujin handed me a paper bag.

“This is a gift.”

“A gift?”

I paused writing about the Pilea Peperomioides’ sunlight needs and frowned.

“Snacks.”

Yuri intercepted the bag before I could take it. He was still smiling, but after spending quite some time with him, I could detect a faint hint of annoyance in his eyes.

“Leaving you two alone in the shop is a bad idea.”

What was so bad about that?

I wanted to ask, but before I could, Yuri addressed Yujin. Running a hand through his hair, he kept his gaze fixed on Yujin while directing the conversation toward me.

“Don’t start thinking he’s a nice guy just because he brings gifts like this. He only bought what he was told without any thought. Titi doesn’t even like these things.”

Yujin frowned at my words.

“You don’t like sweets?”

“Yes.”

After answering, I found it somewhat amusing. Why were we even having this conversation?

While Yujin and Yuri went back and forth, I finished my notes. I handed them to Yujin and said, “I don’t like sweets. Let’s just pretend that everything that happened didn’t happen.”

“……”

Yujin looked unconvinced, his expression hardening. It was a look that could annoy me, but knowing he was about to be diagnosed with a terminal illness soon, I couldn’t just throw him out.

‘I thought I didn’t want to get involved just this morning.’

Why did he have to be terminally ill? He could have just remained an annoying guy.

‘I guess I should have just closed the shop. I even had a bad dream.’

I sighed and brought up something that had been bothering me.

“You probably have a family doctor. Ask them to check you out.”

“What?”

Yujin looked at me as if I were speaking nonsense. I thought it was nonsense too, so I put on a brave face and quickly said everything I wanted to express.

“Your face shows that you’re not in good health. Make sure to get a checkup when you get home. Take good care of the Pilea Peperomioides too. It’s a plant that brings luck, so maybe it will grant you health.”

If by saying this he discovered his illness early, it would be his luck. If not, it was just fate, and I wasn’t responsible. At least I had warned him.

“Now, there’s no reason for you to come here again. Though it seems unlikely, if you ever want to see Yuri as family, feel free to visit.”

“Oh? I don’t particularly want to meet him.”

Yuri chimed in from behind, but I ignored him. With my mind finally clear, I bid Yujin farewell.

“Well then, goodbye.”

Yujin’s face hardened even more. Although his demeanor was much softer than during our first meeting, he still asked in an agitated tone, “What did I do so wrong that you’re so eager to kick me out?”

Did he really not know? I tilted my head.

“You told me to pack up and leave the shop. With a first meeting like that, why would I have a favorable impression?”

“I offered you ample compensation. What’s the problem with that?”

“Not everything in the world can be solved with money.”

“It was for your own good.”

“Oh, really? Even if the person doesn’t want it?”

“Hey.”

Our conversation was heating up, almost as much as during our first meeting.

Wouldn’t it just end the same way? Perhaps thinking the same, Yujin fell silent and rubbed his face. Then he continued in a lower tone.

“The reason I was rough during our first meeting was that I couldn’t believe Yuri would go into business with you. I was suspicious that you might have used illegal means to stay.”

I squinted my eyes. His explanation was enough to shake my resolve, but it felt like a superficial excuse. I asked coldly, “So, have you changed your mind about kicking me out now?”

Yujin paused, then spoke in a subdued voice.

“……What I said then and what I say now is for your sake. It’s better if you leave here as soon as possible.”

See?

“That means nothing has changed.”

So, there was nothing more to discuss between us.

—

*The phrase “laughing like he’s watching a fire from across the river” is an idiomatic expression. It conveys the idea of someone observing a situation from a safe distance, detached and unaffected by it, much like someone might watch a fire without any immediate concern.