#tokyo-host

 The air if the shop was near overbearing. So many light aromas assaulting his nose, it could have been considered too much.

A sneeze caught him by surprise and he barely lifted his elbow in time to catch it.

Roses....roses... That's what he was here to look for. There were so many bright colors bursting for attention, even as he searched the individual tables his roses were nowhere to be found. One would figure something as commonplace as red roses would be put on display in the front.

"Can I help you find something?" A dark-haired girl with a little too much makeup approached him, seemingly seeing his lost look. Tsuki figured that smile might charm someone else, but he had his own dark-haired boy to buy for.

In any case, she surely had a lot of work to do and helping him would only be a hassle. "That's okay. I'm just looking." He offered a smile of his own.

"If you need anything let me know, okay? If I'm not around the store I'll be right behind that counter."

"Thank you." Tsuki didn't look in the direction she was pointing. He was sure he could find the counter on his own. His eyes were still searching for the elusive red roses.

Two full trips around the small flower shop and still no luck. It was time to finally ask for the attendant's help.

"Miss?" After waiting for a man with his arms full of carnations to leave the counter, he approached her.

"How may I help you?" Her smile was pretty, but he hardly noticed.

"I'm looking for red roses. I'd like to buy one."

She frowned, a bit of embarrassment crossing her features. "I'm sorry, but I don't have any. A man bought me all out yesterday and I haven't had a chance to do my next order yet. I should have some coming in tomorrow if you can wait. Or we've got a bunch of different kinds. I'll give you a special discount for today."

Tsuki couldn't wait. He needed to make Roppi-san happy now. "You don't have anything?"

"Like I said, we have all kinds of-"

"But I want to buy him roses."

Her features softened as realization dawned across her face. "The only one I have is right here." She brought something out from underneath the register. It took Tsuki a few moments to realize it was even a rose. It was more dry than alive, the color was fading, and it seemed to be missing petals.

"My last customer rejected it since it's dying."

Tsuki smiled. The rose was perfect. He didn't care how wilted or ugly it looked, it was still holding onto life. Other people might throw it away because it was "broken", but Tsuki could see it for what it was. It was still a rose, no matter what anyone tried to tell it.

"I'll take it."

"But sir, it's dying. It'll barely last a few more days. And.. just look at it!"

Tsuki tilted his head, confused by what the attendant could be implying. There was nothing wrong with the flower. "It looks beautiful to me."

Of course I was going to give it to Roppi-san! I lo-like Roppi-san a lot!

What's wrong with that color?

Miss you? Of course I missed you, Delic-san!