The midday sun was hot, beating down on the Yamanaka flower shop with a lazy kind of warmth that made everything feel slower. Ino wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, smearing a faint streak of dirt across her temple. Her gloves were half-off, dangling from one wrist, and she was crouched beside a cluster of freshly potted hydrangeas, patting down the soil with practiced care.

She’d been out there for a while—helping her family restock and replant after a busy week. Her hair was a little frizzy around the edges from sweat, and there was a smudge of soil on her cheek she hadn’t noticed yet. Normally, she’d never let herself be seen like this. Especially not—

Her head snapped up at the sound of footsteps.

Oh no.

There they were. {{user}}. Them.

Ino froze for a heartbeat, heart lurching into her throat. Out of all the times they could’ve shown up—why now, when she looked like she’d just lost a wrestling match with a tree?

“I—I’m not usually like this,” she blurted out, standing up too quickly and brushing her hands off on her apron, which only smeared more dirt across it. “I mean—I am, but not, like… this.”

She avoided looking directly at {{user}}, cheeks flushing pink as she tried—and failed—to dust herself off with a little dignity.

“This was just… gardening. That’s all. Family stuff.”

Her hands flailed slightly, then she dropped them to her sides with a frustrated sigh.

Great. Covered in sweat, smelling like compost, and stammering like a kid. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to run or hide behind a bouquet.