⠀⠇ dog cafe

@kang daniel chaeyoung walked into the dog cafe, happily greeting the workers as she entered. hank and his leash in one hand, she ventured further into the cafe, looking around. she was trying to look for her friend's friend, as her friend was going to be late. chaeyoung's friend had texted her a few moments earlier to just head on out and wait for her there, but that her friend named 'daniel' would already be there as well. the friend had then texted chaeyoung to look for him—/"someone cute, baby face, eye smiling eyes, tall."/ , was what her friend had texted her, as a description of daniel.

she pouted, not seeing anyone fit her friend's given description. the only one that fit said description was the female barista, whom was currently working. it did not seem that she was the one that she was supposed to look for, as her nametag hadn't said 'daniel' either. it was then towards the back of the cafe, that she spotted a guy sitting at a table alone. his head was down, looking at his phone in his hands, furiously texting away. cautiously approaching him, she cleared , to let him know of her presence.

"hi, are you daniel by any chance?..." chaeyoung softly asked.

@byun wooseok Soobin looked at the male with a mixture of confusion and sympathy. The atmosphere in the café, usually filled with the joyful sounds of dogs barking and customers chatting, seemed to pause for a moment, as if acknowledging the emotional weight of the man's presence.

The jar that he held was not something Soobin had ever anticipated seeing in her dog café, a space typically brimming with life and wagging tails. Inside the jar was Timmy, his deceased fish, floating in some preservative liquid that added an eerie weight to his final, static form. His words hung heavily in the air, voice tinged with desperation and a sadness so palpable it felt like a physical presence. His suggestion about feeding Timmy to the dogs to 'honor him' was bizarre, yet she couldn't dismiss the authentic emotion behind it.

For a moment, Soobin's eyes met those of the various dogs lounging and playing around the café, thinking about their distinct personalities, their likes and dislikes, and how each of them was more than just a pet to their owners. They were family members, companions in the journey of life. The dilemma was a unique one. It was clear that the male’s words stemmed from a place of deep attachment to his pet, a sentiment that Soobin, being an animal lover, could relate to profoundly. However, the practical implications of his request were disturbing, not to mention potentially dangerous to the health of the dogs in her café.

Soobin finally spoke, her voice a gentle echo of compassion and tact. "I understand that Timmy meant a lot to you, sir, and I can't begin to comprehend the pain you must be feeling. But I can't consent to feeding him to our dogs here. It's not only about specific diet plans or preferences; it's also a matter of safety and ethical responsibility." She paused, letting the gravity of her words sink in before continuing, "I can, however, offer you a small space in our café's garden, where you can bury Timmy. It's not much, but maybe it will give you some peace knowing he's in a place surrounded by love and joy."

@chae soobin It was supposed to be a beautiful moment for both him and Timmy. As they stepped outside, the street lamps greeted them with a warm smile, their bulbs illuminating the city lights and the gentle pre-autumn breeze. The world seemed serene and beautiful. However, with the turn of events, a sense of panic rooted itself deeply in Wooseok's heart, making it difficult to wash away. He had hoped that the owner of the animal café could save Timmy. After all, opening an animal café required basic knowledge about animals, right?

But Wooseok knew that Timmy's time was running out. Not today, of course, but someday in the future, as everything eventually succumbs to old age. When he discovered Timmy lifeless in his favorite bowl, his heart sank lower than the depths of the Mariana Trench. Without thinking, he raced to the café, disregarding the curious stares of onlookers, and burst through the door, shouting for help. In that moment, a soothing voice reached his ears, urging him to lower his voice. "I apologize, but can you please keep it down? Loud noises will scare our dogs away and possibly our customers."

Confused, Wooseok looked around and found himself met with the gaze of many dogs. His body instinctively bent forward in a deep bow as he uttered apologies to both the dogs and the customers. The young lady, who appeared to be the café owner, inquired, "Is this what you need help with, sir?" Wooseok's heart skipped a beat. Timmy! Suddenly, he heard her say, "I apologize again, but this is a dog cafe."

In that moment, Wooseok understood that there was no hope for saving Timmy. He sadly stared at his lifeless companion in the jar. His usually neatly combed hair now disheveled, his face glistening with sweat, and his eyes welling up with tears (though he fought hard not to cry, especially in public). "I thought… this was an animal café," he uttered, his voice heavy with disappointment. "But still, do you… do your dogs want to consume Timmy? Instead of burying him deep in the ground, wouldn't it be better to honor him by putting him to good use?" He knew his words sounded absurd, but the thought of burying his beloved Timmy six feet under the earth was something he couldn't bear. "Do the dogs have a specific diet plan… or preferences?"

@byun wooseok The sun hung high in the cerulean sky, casting its golden rays upon the bustling city streets and the haven that was "Hakuna Matata." It was a day painted with the hues of a perfect summer afternoon, where the air held a gentle warmth that wrapped itself around the cafe's patrons and their furry companions like a comforting embrace. A light breeze whispered through open windows, carrying with it the fragrant symphony of freshly brewed coffee, the laughter of camaraderie, and the soft rustle of leaves.

Within the vibrant heart of the cafe, Soobin stood, a guardian of the space she had meticulously crafted. Her gaze swept across the scene before her, a canvas alive with vignettes of shared moments. The cafe was meant to be a place of solace for life and activity, a true sanctuary for both the city's dwellers and their four-legged companions.

A good-sized crowd had gathered, forming a harmonious blend of voices and laughter, interwoven with the occasional bark of excitement. Patrons had found their places amidst the cozy nooks and inviting tables, a tableau that captured the essence of camaraderie and relaxation. Some lounged on the plush cushions scattered across the floor, their canine companions nestled beside them in blissful repose. Others engaged in animated conversations, their voices punctuated by the clink of mugs and the symphony of contented sighs as they indulged in the cafe's offerings.

Amidst the harmonious rhythm of the cafe's heartbeat, a discordant note shattered the tranquility. The door swung open with a sudden burst, the jingle of its bell sliced through the air like an unwelcome intrusion. All eyes turned towards the source of the commotion—an unfamiliar man, disheveled and holding a bowl aloft. His entrance was a sharp contrast to the cafe's serene ambiance, his presence a stark deviation from the familiar faces and companionship that had come to define the space.

The patrons shifted uneasily in their seats, a collective hush settling over the room as their curious gazes settled on the intruder. With a grace that belied the chaos, she approached the man, her voice a soothing balm. "Hello, sir," her tone carried a gentle firmness, a request to restore the equilibrium that his entrance had disrupted. "I apologize, but can you please keep it down? Loud noises will scare our dogs away and possibly our customers."

With practiced ease, she beckoned him to enter fully, guiding him with an outstretched hand. Her eyes dipped into the bowl he held—a small goldfish, suspended upside down. The situation was both absurd and unexpected, a puzzle piece that didn't seem to fit the serene tapestry of the cafe. "Is this what you need help with, sir?" Soobin's words held a blend of incredulity and bemusement, an invitation for an explanation that seemed to stretch the boundaries of logic. Her smile, though strained, carried an undertone of empathy as she added, "I apologize again, but this is a dog cafe."

@chae soobin Wooseok had a childhood habit of keeping pet fish, but unfortunate events had caused him to abandon this hobby. Now, as a grown man who considered himself outstanding (because who else would say it if not him), he decided to revive his once-obsessive pastime. He acquired a pet goldfish named Timmy, who had been with him for the past three months. Timmy was a plump and voracious fish, thoroughly enjoying his fish food and seemingly content in his transparent bowl adorned with a green plant, reminiscent of those seen in old cartoons.

However, over the past three days, Timmy had displayed signs of depression. He refused to eat and preferred to retreat from any form of light, be it sunlight or the artificial glow of the lamp that Wooseok had specially purchased for him. Wooseok attempted to find answers online, scouring the internet for any possible reasons behind Timmy's sudden melancholic state. He also reached out to his friend, a veterinarian, seeking advice on Timmy's condition. Unfortunately, all his efforts proved fruitless, leaving him disheartened and disappointed.

When Wooseok's housemate mentioned the recent opening of an "animal café" in the city, Wooseok had a glimmer of hope. Perhaps he could bring Timmy along, as he believed he could take his pet anywhere he pleased. And so, with Timmy still nestled in his transparent jar, equipped with a portable oxygen supply, they embarked on their journey to the café.

Little did Wooseok know that this day would forever change his story with Timmy. Just moments before their arrival at the café, Timmy ceased swimming and appeared lifeless. Wooseok tapped the jar, hoping that Timmy was simply overwhelmed by the joy of being outdoors and had decided to pause and admire the beautiful surroundings. However, this lifelessness felt all too real, as if Timmy had passed away. Panic surged through Wooseok's veins, and he sprinted towards the café, cradling the transparent bowl containing Timmy in his trembling arms. As he burst into the shop, he cried out, "HELP ME!"