Chapter Text
Warm, golden rays hit the floor of the quaint shop. Flowers of different hues began to glow, relishing in the touch of the bright, burning sun. The clock has just hit seven, signifying the start of a new work day for the man who had bound himself to this shop. He should find himself arriving any minute now, as he always did, to start setting the shop up before his dear staff - also counting as his close friends - showed up half an hour later. He enjoyed the peace of the early morning, though it was filled with work; it was his work, work that he had put his all into for years, and he wouldn't trade it for anything else.
Flowers had been the object of his affection for years, ever since he was a young boy sitting in his parents' garden back in Ilsangdong-gu. He was incredibly fond of the story behind it, as, to him, it truly exhibited the depth of love. As his parents tell the story, when they met in their early twenties, it was as if they were both struck with Cupid's bow. As time passed, their admiration for each other grew alongside their relationship, eventually leading to a sweet proposal and then, marriage. In their early months of being spouses, his father had begun working on a project, which would eventually bloom into a sweet, small garden. His mother had been in awe at this, and when asked by his teary-eyed wife what made him want to do this, his father had given one answer:
"Flowers, much like our love, are something beautiful and capable of resulting in such joy. However, they need much care and nurture to thrive and be sustained, just as love needs patience, care, and understanding to develop into its best form. I want our little garden to remain a sign for a love as true as ours, a love able to keep its touch, withstanding the trials and tribulations of the world."
This story had specifically replayed in his head as he unlocked the shop's door, stepping inside and basking in the fresh feeling. He breathed in the mingling scents of the flowers before getting to work. He was tidying up when the charming laugh of a man, followed by the rich voice of another, flew into the shop. Kong and Ricky had smiled in a greeting, heading to the back to put on their aprons for work.
With the other two now here, preparation for the day had sped up, keeping everything on schedule. 8:15 could be read on the clock when the three had finished, meaning it was now time to open up.
The man had walked to the front in big, at-ease strides. Flipping over the sign saying they were closed to the side that said "Open!" in a curved font, he had smiled softly, radiating a warmth unique to him. Sunshine Petals had always ignited sparks of joy within him each day, his heart swelling with pride at his creation.
Yes, Euijoo had lived for this, and that wouldn't change, no matter what.