Chapter Text
Ding.
The sturdy metal doors of the elevator opened before your eyes.
You were called to the 9th floor by the strange monochromatic man himself — and per usual you met him in the vast welkin that surrounded the cube.
However, unlike his habitual routine, you found him pivoting around with a pot of delicate hydrangeas between his hands.
"Ah, excuse me. I may have gotten carried away with this… gardening thing!"
He proceeded to quietly chuckle with that elegant grace, his customary pearly whites perpetually worn on his face.
"Wanna lend me a hand, if that does not bother you?"
He then added, with a slightly smugger grin on his visage and a snarky wink.
You observed that the blue-ish petals still had droplets of water nimbly trickling down the tips of its leaves. Had he already watered them? If he kept going, he'd be overdoing it.
"Sorry— but... You already sprayed water on them?"
"That's right! How perceiving of you, newbie."
He answered without any further explanation.
"Ah... i—i wouldn't wanna seem rude or anything- but... you... do know it's not exactly... the best for them? Over-watering them— I mean."
"Oh? How so? I thought they'd grow big and strong if I sprinkled some water on them once every while."
He tilted his head with curious wonder.
You were sort of dumbfounded. Your boss didn't know the basic rules of botany? It almost seemed absurd. You just waved your hand at him, beckoning for him to inch forward — you could only do that, unless you wanted to fall down into an endless void.
He stepped in the elevator alongside you with that certain touch of sophistication he always had.
"Well— you see... I understand you have no ill intentions- but... Let me make this short—"
"If you over-water a plant— it'll plainly die. Kinda like us! If we consume too much food... we simply puke it... out."
You explained, your manager letting out yet another faint chuckle.
"Ah, I see, thank you for the patient clarification. I'll take better care of it from now on."
The corners of his mouth uncurled slightly into a softer smirk.
"I too wish for this plant to grow as strong as you."
He muttered in a hushed tone, his seemingly forced smile almost drooping.. gentle. Even if just for a second.