Chapter 21

After few weeks... :)

It was mid-morning, the sun already glaring down outside, when Minji, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow, clapped her hands together. "Lily, come here!" Her voice, though firm, held the usual warmth of an elder sister.

From the back, where she'd been sketching in a notebook, Lily's head popped up. "Yes, sis?" She put down her pencil, a faint smudge of graphite on her cheek.

"Let's clean. Properly this time. The dust is winning the war against my beautiful plants." Minji gestured around the shop, which, despite its usual tidiness, did have that faint haze of Tokyo summer dust settling on its surfaces. Potted plants, from miniature succulents to towering ferns, lined shelves and tables, their leaves vibrant but subtly dulled by the fine particles.

Lily let out a groan, a dramatic, drawn-out sound that was typical for a teenager faced with chores. "Now? It's already so hot! Can't we wait until evening?"

Minji fixed her with a look. "And let the dust bunnies multiply into dust monsters? No way. Besides, the earlier we start, the earlier we finish. And then we can properly enjoy the evening cool, if there even is one. Grab the mop and the bucket. I'll start moving some of these pots."

"Okay, okay," Lily conceded, pushing herself up with a sigh that dissolved into a small smile. She knew resistance was futile when Minji had that determined glint in her eye. She disappeared into the small storage room, emerging a moment later with a mop and a bright yellow bucket.

Minji was already at work, carefully lifting a heavy terracotta pot filled with a sprawling peace lily and setting it aside. "Be careful around the display shelves, Lily. We don't want any casualties."

"Understood, Captain Minji!" Lily saluted, then filled the bucket with water, adding a capful of fragrant floor cleaner. The scent of fresh lemon instantly cut through the stale air. She began to mop, the wet cloth leaving a gleaming trail on the polished concrete floor.

Minji moved efficiently, her movements practiced from years of rearranging her shop. She lifted pots, wiped down surfaces with a damp cloth, and meticulously dusted leaves, each one a tiny act of care. "This heat makes everything feel so… sticky, doesn't it?" she murmured, more to herself than to Lily.

"It does!" Lily agreed, pushing the mop around a particularly dusty corner. "I swear I can feel the humidity clinging to my skin even inside." She paused, pushing a strand of hair off her forehead with the back of her hand. "Do you think the plants mind it? They look so green, though."

"They love it if they're tropical, but some of the more delicate ones need a bit more attention," Minji explained, kneeling to check the soil of a small succulent. "That's why this deep clean is important. Good air circulation, no dust clogging their pores."

They fell into a comfortable rhythm, the only sounds the swish of the mop, the gentle clink of pots, and the hum of the AC. Minji hummed a soft tune as she worked, and Lily occasionally kicked the mop bucket with a playful tap, sending a ripple across the water. They moved around each other seamlessly, a practiced dance of assistance. Lily would finish a section, then move a few smaller pots out of Minji's way, while Minji would guide her to a particularly grimy spot.

Just as Lily was about to tackle the area under the main sales counter, a soft padding of footsteps was heard descending the stairs from the apartment above. Jiah appeared at the bottom, her hair a little messy, eyes still a bit sleepy as she rubbed them with the back of her hand. She wore a comfortable, oversized t-shirt and shorts, clearly having just woken up.

She blinked, taking in the scene: the rearranged pots, the wet floor, the industrious Minji and Lily. Her brow furrowed in mild surprise. "Oh my goodness," she chuckled, her voice slightly husky from sleep. "Any occasion? Did I forget a holiday, or… is someone important coming?"

Minji straightened up, a faint sheen of sweat on her forehead, but her expression was bright. "No, no occasion at all, Jiah. Just a general summer deep-clean. This Tokyo dust is relentless." She wiped her hands on a small towel tucked into the waistband of her shorts.

Jiah walked closer, carefully stepping over a wet patch. "Oh. I see." Her gaze swept over the shop, a soft smile gracing her lips as she looked at the newly gleaming floor where Lily had just passed. "It looks like you've already made so much progress. Everything looks so much brighter."

Lily, leaning on her mop, gave a dramatic sigh. "It's hard work, sis! Minji-sis is a ruthless cleaning supervisor."

Minji playfully nudged Lily with her elbow. "Someone has to be! And don't act like you're not enjoying seeing the place sparkle."

Jiah's smile widened. She looked from the still-displaced pots to the bucket and mop. "Well, if it's just a routine clean, then you two need more hands. Let me help you." She started to roll up her sleeves, her expression genuinely eager. "It's too hot to just sit around anyway, and I woke up feeling surprisingly energetic today."

Minji's face softened with gratitude. "Thanks, Jiah. You don't have to, really, but we'd appreciate it so much. It's a bigger job than it looks."

"Nonsense," Jiah said, already reaching for a stack of empty pots that needed to be moved. "It always feels better to help, especially when the end result is a sparkling clean space. What do you need me to do?"

"Lily is almost done with the mopping, so maybe you can help me with moving some of the heavier pots to the side, and then putting them back once she's done with the floor in that section?" Minji suggested, pointing towards a row of larger plant stands.

"Perfect," Jiah agreed, her movements graceful as she carefully lifted a large ceramic pot, surprising Lily with her strength. "Wow, these are heavier than they look!" she grunted good-naturedly.

"Tell me about it," Minji sighed, lifting another one. "My back usually hates me after these days."

As Jiah began carefully relocating the larger pots, Lily, having finished mopping the main floor, started on the smaller nooks and crannies. "Sis, what about the plants themselves? Do they need anything?" she asked Minji.

"Ah, good question, Lily!" Minji replied. "Now that the floor is getting cleaned, you can go around and check the smaller plants, give them a good drink of water where needed, and maybe spray a little mist on their leaves. They'll love that in this heat." She produced a small spray bottle from under the counter.

Lily brightened. "Oh, that's much nicer than mopping!" She took the spray bottle and a small watering can, moving among the tables, gently tending to the plants. She talked to them in soft whispers, as if encouraging them to drink. "You must be so thirsty, little one," she cooed to a drooping fern, carefully watering its base.

Jiah, meanwhile, was carefully arranging the moved pots against the wall, creating a clear pathway for Minji to continue wiping down shelves. "These plants are truly beautiful, Minji," Jiah commented, admiring the vibrant colours and intricate patterns of the leaves. "Do you ever get tired of being surrounded by so much green?"

Minji chuckled. "Never. It's my little sanctuary, my escape. And every plant has its own personality, you know? Some are drama queens, some are surprisingly resilient. It's like having a hundred quiet friends."

"I can definitely see that," Jiah mused, gently touching the velvety leaf of a prayer plant. "They really do bring a sense of peace to the space. Especially when it's so chaotic and hot outside." She paused, adjusting a wobbly pot. "How long did it take you to get this shop set up exactly how you wanted it?"

"Oh, it's still a work in progress!" Minji laughed. "A shop is never truly 'set up'. There's always a new plant to bring in, a new display idea, a new pot design. That's the fun of it, though. It keeps things fresh."

Lily, overhearing, piped up from across the room. "And the dust just keeps coming back! It's like a never-ending battle!" She giggled, misting a large monstera.

"That's true," Jiah conceded with a smile. "But look at the difference! It's so much cleaner already. Maybe we should do this more often, Minji? It's almost therapeutic."

Minji paused, wiping some dust from a ceramic bird figurine perched on a shelf. "Therapeutic, huh? You say that now. Wait until the next time I ask for help!" She winked. "But seriously, Jiah, you're a lifesaver. This would have taken Lily and me twice as long."

They continued like this for what felt like hours. The initial morning heat gave way to the heavy, stagnant air of midday, but the shop slowly transformed. Every surface gleamed, every leaf sparkled. The floor was spotless, the pots neatly arranged, and the scent of fresh lemon and damp earth hung pleasantly in the air. Their conversations ebbed and flowed, from lighthearted banter about the quirks of their plants to shared memories of living together, the challenges of adapting to Tokyo for Jiah, and Lily's plans for summer break.

Finally, Minji clapped her hands, a sound of triumph. "Finished! We actually did it!" She surveyed the pristine shop with a proud, tired smile. Her back ached, and her hair was a little damp with sweat, but the satisfaction was immense.

Lily dropped the watering can with a soft thump and stretched, groaning dramatically. "My arms feel like noodles! But wow, it really does look amazing, Minji-sis!" She spun around, admiring their handiwork.

"You guys worked so hard today. Thank you so much, Jiah. Really. I don't know what I would have done without your extra pair of hands," Minji said, turning to her friend, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

Jiah beamed, wiping a smudge of soil from her cheek. "Always. You know I'm always happy to help. Besides, it was good exercise, and the shop looks incredible now. You can practically see your reflection in the floor." She gestured with a flourish.

"And now that we've burned off all our energy, I think we deserve a reward," Minji announced, her eyes twinkling. "Let's order something. My treat."

Lily's eyes lit up immediately. "Oh, yes! I'm starving! What should we get?"

Jiah's stomach rumbled, as if on cue. She laughed. "That sounds perfect. I'm up for anything, as long as it's delicious."

Minji pulled out her phone, scrolling through a food delivery app. "Okay, okay, let's see… After all that hard work, I'm thinking… fried chicken? And definitely some ice-cold drinks to beat this heat.

Minji expertly navigated the app, adding their selections to the cart. "Alright, one family-size fried chicken combo, extra crispy, and three large cold drinks coming right up! Delivery should be here in about thirty minutes." She pressed the order button with a satisfied flourish.

As soon as the order was placed, a collective wave of relaxation washed over the trio. They moved towards the small, comfy seating area near the front window, sinking into the soft cushions. The air conditioning, now that the shop was clean and the moving was done, felt more effective, a cool balm against their tired skin.

"Oh, it feels so good to sit down," Lily exhaled, leaning back against the cushion with a blissful sigh. "I almost forgot how comfortable this sofa was."

"Trust me, I didn't," Minji chuckled, stretching her arms above her head. "My muscles are definitely going to feel this tomorrow. But it was worth it. Look how bright everything is!" She gestured around the shop, a sense of pride radiating from her.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, but was genuinely a good four hours of continuous, strenuous work, they stood back. The shop was immaculate. Every pot gleamed, every surface shone, and the floor reflected the soft lighting like a mirror. The plants looked vibrant, their leaves glistening from Lily's care. A palpable sense of accomplishment filled the air.

Minji sighed, a contented sound of exhaustion and satisfaction. She leaned heavily against the counter, her hair escaping its bun in wisps around her face. Her shirt was damp with sweat, but a wide smile stretched across her lips as she surveyed their handiwork.

"Wow," Lily breathed, hands on her hips, admiring the pristine shop. "It actually looks like a professional cleaning crew came through. It's sparkling, sis."

Minji's gaze landed on Jiah, who was also looking around with a pleased expression. "You guys worked so hard today. Seriously, Lily, and especially you, Jiah. Thank you so much. I honestly don't think I could have gotten all this done by myself, not to this extent, and certainly not this fast."

Jiah, wiping her hands on her damp shirt, gave a tired but warm smile. "Alwaysweat."

"Definitely worth it," Lily agreed, flopping onto a nearby stool, utterly spent. "I can practically feel the clean air."

Minji laughed.

yes, it feels good. So, what's everyone's plan for the rest of the day, after we've gorged ourselves?"

"Definitely a long, cold shower," Lily declared, finally sitting up and stretching her arms again. "And then maybe a nap. A very long, uninterrupted nap."

"Sounds like a solid plan, Lily," Jiah agreed. "I was thinking of maybe catching up on some of my Korean dramas. I'm a few episodes behind on ongoing drama.

"Oh, that sounds interesting," Minji said. "I've been looking for something new to watch. Is it good? You know how picky I am with dramas."

"It's really good, Minji," Jiah insisted. "The costumes are beautiful, the plot is engaging, and the acting is top-notch. It's got a bit of everything – romance, political intrigue, some humor. I think you'd like it. I can tell you about it while we eat."

"Perfect!" Minji nodded. "I'm always open to recommendations. You know I rely on your expert opinion on all things K-drama."

"And I rely on your expert opinion on all things plant-related," Jiah countered, winking. "It's a good system we have."

Lily interjected, "Speaking of plants, Minji sis, have you thought any more about expanding the online shop?

Minji paused, considering. "I have, actually. It's a big step, logistics-wise. Packaging plants and pots for shipping requires a lot of care, and ensuring they arrive safely is paramount. I've been researching different packing materials and shipping companies that specialize in delicate items. It's a definite goal for the autumn, once the summer heat isn't quite so brutal for shipping living things."

"That would be amazing!" Lily said, excited. "You have such unique pots, sis. People outside of Tokyo would love them. And your plant selection is really special too."

"I think it's a brilliant idea, Minji," Jiah said encouragingly. "Your shop has such a distinct aesthetic. It wouldn't just be selling products; it would be selling an experience, a piece of your vision. I've seen how much love you put into every single piece, every arrangement."

Minji smiled, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. "Thanks, Jiah. That means a lot. It's always a little scary to think about expanding, you know? Taking a leap. But hearing you two say that makes me feel more confident."

"You've built something really beautiful here, Minji," Jiah continued, her voice soft but firm. "From scratch. That's not something everyone can do. You have a passion for it, and it shows."

"And you're so good with customers too, sis!" Lily added. "You remember everyone's names, their preferences. You even remember what kind of pots they bought last time. That personal touch is what makes people come back."

Minji felt a swell of warmth in her chest. "You guys are the best hype women. Seriously. I'm lucky to have you." She paused, a thought occurring to her. "

The conversation flowed easily from business ideas to more personal topics, punctuated by comfortable silences. annoyance at the relentless cicada chirping that defined the city's summer soundtrack.

"The cicadas are really loud this year, aren't they?" Jiah mused, looking towards the window. "It's like they're having a competition to see who can be the loudest. My window is facing the park, and sometimes it feels like they're right inside my room."

"It's the sound of summer, though, isn't it?" Minji said with a sigh. "Annoying, but also nostalgic in a way. Reminds me of childhood summers, running around with Lily, catching bugs."

Lily shuddered. "Don't remind me. You always made me hold the jar with the creepy crawlies, Sis. I still think you did it on purpose."

Minji laughed heartily. "Maybe a little. You always got squeamish, it was funny to watch. But you always did it anyway, because you're a good sport."...

Lily, thanks sis...

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