[when makoto enters the flowershop, the sun is barely coming up. it's not early--it's close to nine in the morning--and the place is open soon as he steps inside it. their business (his and prez's) has always been a flexible one, with very little suit-and-tie limitations that would otherwise take over in the real world. it's amazing how it's worked out for them in this past year; selling flowers, offering a small space for drinks and snacks. it was surprisingly bringing them in quite some revenue--a profit, even! it was more than either of the two had ever imagined their quaint little flowershop of a project would be.]
[a few people come in and out as the morning hours go past--that much isn't out of the ordinary. what is, thinks makoto as he checks the clock on the wall signalling a few minutes to noon, is that prez hasn't shown up at ten. prez doesn't always get to sit in the flowershop and accompany makoto on business days, but today was definitely one of the days prez would show up, just like any other sunday for the past eleven months since they opened up this place.]
[makoto pauses his work and decides to call his friend. just to check up on him! to make sure nothing's the matter! things did happen in holly heights, and makoto didn't mind if prez couldn't make it in today. he worried, however, and that's just how makoto was.]
...huh?
[it catches him by surprise, then, when he scrolls through his most recent chats and doesn't find his conversation with prez anywhere. quiet panic surging, he tabs back to his contact list, scrolls all the way down the alphabet, and stops.]
[these things happen. it was technically a matter of time, wasn't it? it's been a while since one of his close friends here has left. prez is--prez was one of his best friends here, despite all his flaws and excuses; he was the first friend makoto made in holly heights. prez was a normalcy in holly heights makoto had gotten used to. and now that he's gone, it hurts.]
[the door to the flowershop chimes open, and makoto sniffs loudly (in surprise), stuffing his phone away into his apron's pocket and trying to discreetly rub away at the dampness in his eyes.]
Wel--Welcome!
[it's not half as enthusiastic as it should be, and the now sole patron of the shop has his back to the customer. it's not the usual, but this is indeed terrible timing.]
i gave myself the right to do this to you
[a few people come in and out as the morning hours go past--that much isn't out of the ordinary. what is, thinks makoto as he checks the clock on the wall signalling a few minutes to noon, is that prez hasn't shown up at ten. prez doesn't always get to sit in the flowershop and accompany makoto on business days, but today was definitely one of the days prez would show up, just like any other sunday for the past eleven months since they opened up this place.]
[makoto pauses his work and decides to call his friend. just to check up on him! to make sure nothing's the matter! things did happen in holly heights, and makoto didn't mind if prez couldn't make it in today. he worried, however, and that's just how makoto was.]
...huh?
[it catches him by surprise, then, when he scrolls through his most recent chats and doesn't find his conversation with prez anywhere. quiet panic surging, he tabs back to his contact list, scrolls all the way down the alphabet, and stops.]
[these things happen. it was technically a matter of time, wasn't it? it's been a while since one of his close friends here has left. prez is--prez was one of his best friends here, despite all his flaws and excuses; he was the first friend makoto made in holly heights. prez was a normalcy in holly heights makoto had gotten used to. and now that he's gone, it hurts.]
[the door to the flowershop chimes open, and makoto sniffs loudly (in surprise), stuffing his phone away into his apron's pocket and trying to discreetly rub away at the dampness in his eyes.]
Wel--Welcome!
[it's not half as enthusiastic as it should be, and the now sole patron of the shop has his back to the customer. it's not the usual, but this is indeed terrible timing.]