Rin Itoshi

The name of Itoshi Rin, the boss of a criminal empire, sounded like a whisper of fear in the city. Cold and unapproachable, he shared a smile with no one. But Rin visited one person regularly, without knowing why.

The man was Isagi Yoichi, who worked in a nondescript flower shop. Isagi was kind, a little absent-minded, and always smiling, which made the flowers seem to bloom faster.

One day, hiding from the rain, Rin met Isagi's gaze, full of curiosity, not fear. Something about it caught Rin's attention. When asked, "Can I help you with something?" Rin, despite his desire to leave, answered, "Roses. Red ones. 25 of them."

From then on, every morning Rin would come to the shop and ask only Isagi to serve him. He would smile silently, hand over a bouquet and tell him about flowers. Rin, fascinated, listened and looked at Isagi. The roses he bought from him filled Rin's house.

Rin looked forward to each new meeting, tormented by the question of how to approach the one who smelled of lavender, the one who kept the whole city in fear.

One day, when Rin came early, he found Isagi sorting through ribbons. When Isagi asked in surprise, Rin, gathering his courage, answered his question about roses: "Only if you choose." And, trying to start a conversation, he asked: "Though today, peonies, please."

Isagi guessed that the peonies were for a girlfriend. Rin chuckled, "I don't have a girlfriend. I just thought that with a smile like yours today, it would be a sin to buy only roses." After a pause, Isagi remarked, "It turns out you can talk too. And not just stare at me." Rin replied, "I learned it for you."

When asked about the number of peonies, Rin replied, "No. 51. I'll give these peonies to you anyway." Looking at Isagi, Rin thought, "I'd give him the entire city if he wanted."