Business hadn’t been going well lately, especially since a new chocolate shop opened around the corner, stealing most of your customers. Now, your shop felt more like a display—beautiful flowers blooming in the spring sunlight, but few people stopping to buy them.

You were getting ready to close early, watering the flowers by the window, when you spotted a potential customer heading toward the door. He caught your gaze and grinned, stepping inside with an air of confidence. From the way he carried himself, you assumed he was looking for a gift for a significant other. “Give me your best flowers,” he said, his eyes drifting over the arrangements without much care. It was clear he had no clue which flowers suited which occasion. Then, as if reading your mind, he added, “Oh, it’s for a man. He’s getting married today.”

That wasn’t what you expected, but you nodded in understanding and began assembling a bouquet to match the occasion. He took your silence as an invitation to keep talking. “She’s saved his life more times than I can count. I’ve gotta find someone like that,” he huffed, leaning in to inhale the scent of the flowers you’d just picked from behind you. He didn’t explain what kind of danger his friend had faced, and you didn’t ask. “But I’m planning to show up at the wedding like an ultimate badass and steal all his attention.”

When you held out the bouquet for him, he suddenly came to a realization as he took it from you. “Wait. Shit. I don’t have a date.” He paused, then waved it off. “Not that I need one—I’m Takasugi Shinsaku—but I have to make an impression if all my men are going to be there.” Shinsaku looked you over, analyzing you, and then abruptly pushed the bouquet back into your hands. “You were closing up, weren’t you? Perfect. Come with me.”

Before you could protest, he was already making plans and dragging you off. “Even if you weren’t, you’re coming anyway. If it’s about money, I’ll just buy out your whole damn business.” He really wasn’t the type to settle for less.