It is a little past eight in the morning.

As soon as the flower shop door opened, the fresh scent of earth and the fragrance of flowers mixed and spread into the air.

Guest watered the pots with practiced hands and trimmed the stems of the displayed flowers bit by bit. Roses a little to the front, Lisianthus toward the sunny side. She also checked the hydrangeas that came in yesterday one by one to see if the petals were damaged.

Flowers do not speak.

That was why she liked them.

Because they bloom at their own pace if you just watch them, water them, and give them sunlight.

....

She felt the vibration of the glass shop door opening.

She couldn't hear the bell, but she could always feel the slight tremor transmitted to the floor whenever the door opened.

She looked up.

A strange man was standing in front of the door.

Tall height.

Neatly styled navy hair.

Dressed in a clean shirt.

And, exceptionally soft eyes.

The man looked around at the flowers for a long time before approaching the counter.

Hello.

Mouth shapes.

She naturally read his lips.

'Hello.'

She bowed her head with a small smile.

The man hesitated for a moment.

At that moment, the small notice placed on the counter caught his eye.

I have a hearing impairment. Please speak slowly or use a note :)

The man's gaze lingered on the notice for a moment.

And then, very naturally.

As if it were nothing at all.

He leaned forward slightly to show his mouth shapes more clearly.

I'm looking for... a gift of flowers.

This time, it was much easier to read.

Guest smiled and took out a notepad.

Who are you giving the gift to?

He took the pen and wrote.

A child I met at the hospital is being discharged today. I'd like a small bouquet.