In a silence and peaceful cemeteries, there's been two figures who's steadily standing for a long time now.
An old man with his grown up daughter were tearfully giving flowers towards the tomb in their front, named Hope Villaford.
"Mom.... It's been 15 years since you left us already. I.. I miss you, mom, but don't worry about us. I know you're placed in a paradise, so I'll try to live happily, so you will be happy too." the grown up daughter said while hugging his father.
"Honey... Rio's been doing great. She's doing her best to become like you... so I guess.. you must be happy there, watching us, right?"
"Dad... let's go. I still need to open my shop." Rio beckoned as the two of them went away.
...
In a street were shops where everywhere, there's been a studio who's currently bustling with people.
"Haru, what's you're standing there for? You're studio have a lot of customers now, so don't still dilly-dallying there!" a burly man with lots of tattoo said.
"Okay. Uhm... thanks." A cold good looking man said, before he attend one of his customer.
"Ahm.. what design do you like me to tattoo you?" Haru asked before giving some references.
"A name. I want to tattoo her name in my arm." a customer asked before pulling up his sleeve.
As Haru slowly yet skillfully do his work, the man suddenly asked.
"Boss, Can I ask... why.. why would you open a tattoo studio here in our district?"
"I don't see one."
"Oh, so that's why. Do you want to be unique?"
"No, I just like tattoo."
The customer felt awkward and didn't speak anymore.
...
Rio arrive at her shop, puzzled to see her opposite shop to be bustled with people.
"Dad, what's that shop? So many people."
"It's a tattoo studio. And it's there opening day, so many men would naturally flock to them."
"So that's why? But what's good about tattoo? That's just dirtying their body." Rio said, a bit disgust.
"Don't be like that, Rio. Everyone has their own different taste. And besides, it's good that they open their shop opposite yours, so those who's chasing you would have the excuse to see you."
"Dad! Don't be like that! I'm still not prepared to have someone, and besides not all men were like you. They're just after my look."
"Well, whatever you say." Rio's dad just sigh before leaving Rio.
Rio then open her shop, and greet those she knew with a smile that can melt someone's heart.
"Welcome, Sir, to our shop." Rio politely said, when the door opened and reveal a handsome figure.
"Are you... the owner of this shop?" the handsome man asked.
"Yes, why? Is there something you need from me?"
"Not really. I just want.. to say hello."
"Eh? Then.. Hi?" Rio said a bit awkward, while thinking, 'what's with this guy? Is he also captivated by me?'
"I'm the owner of the studio." the man said before he pick an anthuriums and give to Rio.
"Well, I take this one."
"Oh, okay... No need to pay. Treat it as my gift to your opening day."
"Oh, then thank you." the man said before leaving the shop.
"Mister, you forget your.. flower."
"It's my gift to you."
"What?" Rio suddenly regret being kind to the man, and wouldn't give it for free if she just knew it would end up like this.
"So, he just probably want to greet me and didn't like me, right? Haha, fortunately I didn't do anything I will be embarrassed for." Rio continue to open her shop while placing the flower in the vase near her cash counter.
"Haru, where did you go? There's still a lot of customers waiting for you, ah!" a man asked annoyed.
"I just greet the owner of that shop."
"How come? You never bother knowing another people, so why do you do that?" the man seems suspicious and look at where Haru's pointing at.
"Woah... I see now. That's a refined woman there! So beautiful."
"You get it wrong. I'm just thankful for her."
"Hmm.... Don't try to hide it. That woman was indeed beautiful, no wonder he can get your attention so easily."
"I have no interest in woman." Haru said a bit serious, making his friend a bit scared.
"I.. I know, but that would be your problem! You're going to live a single man forever."
"What's so bad about that?"
"Damn it! Why don't you wake up, Haru? Anyways, I suggest you to try chase to get close with her, maybe she can open your heart, you know?"
"Never. I don't like smells of flower."
"Don't say it for now or else you'll regret it. And besides that, why would you be thankful for her?"
"If not for her, half of our customers wouldn't be here."
"What?! .... Now that you mention it... it seems.. you're a bit right!"
"Anyways, the fact that you greet her is still a first, so you must like her, right?"
"Totally not."
"You're no fun, Haru."
"Then, just get out of my studio already."
"Haru, I'm just kidding, you know?"
"Then just buy some lunch for me." Haru said before he assist his customer.
"Welcome, Sir, to our shop."
"You must be.. Miss Rio, right?" a burly man asked.
"Yes, but how did Sir know my name? I'm sure it is our first meeting, right?" Rio asked with a polite smile, making the man shy.
"Uhm... well... it's just because... I heard some customers from.. our shop.. talking about you, Miss Rio."
"Oh.. you must be from that tattoo studio?"
"That's right, Miss Rio. Well, I'm Frank, bestfriend of Haru who came here earlier., and it's.. nice to meet you." Frank said as he give his hand to shake with Rio, but didn't expect that he would be captivated by that sweet smile.
"It's nice to meet you as well, Frank."
"Uhm... then I hope we get along. I... I still have some thing to do, so I... will go first, bye." Frank shyly said, before spinelessly run away.
'Hmm... he's obviously captivated by my smile, what a weak guy. But why does that owner seems like he don't have any reaction towards me? Does he have some problem? Because there's no way someone can resist me? Is.. is.. it possible.. he's gay?' Rio continue to indulge in her own guesses as day come to an end.