🌨️　↳ the plaza

@kang jaeyi The morning after the storm, Joon found himself back at the park, retracing his steps to the bushes, wanting to check on the kitten and shelter he built. He hadn’t been particularly worried for he knew it was sturdy enough, but the storm had been rough, and he wanted to be sure the kitten had made it through the night unharmed.

In his hands, he carried the blanket he had painstakingly sewn back together the night before. Where the fabric had been too tattered to repair, he had carefully patched it with a similar-colored cloth, doing his best to match the original pattern. It wasn’t perfect, but it would keep the kitten warm, and that was all that mattered. As he approached, relief washed over him at the sight of the shelter still standing. Not that he doubted it would hold up, he thought, but storms have a way of testing things. “Hey there, bud.” His voice was soft, carrying the warmth of familiarity.

The kitten, which had once been wary of him, now met him halfway, rubbing against his leg in a silent greeting. Joon crouched down, rubbing the tiny head with gentle fingers. "Kept warm?" he murmured, before stepping closer to the shelter. He carefully laid the newly repaired blanket inside, smoothing it over the lining. “I also brought you some food.”

Pulling out a small, double partitioned feeder, he opened a can of cat food and poured it into one side, filling the other with fresh water. With practiced ease, he secured it to the designated slot of the shelter, ensuring the kitten would have access to it even if he wasn’t around. Joon watched in silence, a small, content smile playing on his lips as the kitten eagerly dug into its meal. He had never been particularly sentimental, but there was something gratifying about seeing the little creature safe and comfortable. "I’ll check on you from time to time, alright?" he said, scratching behind the kitten’s ears before standing. "I have to go for now." There were still errands to run, supplies to pick up for his shop, loose ends to tie up before it was fully set up.

Since moving to Wineport, Joon hadn’t quite settled in yet. There was too much work to be done, too many things in disrepair, and too many ghosts lingering in the quiet spaces his father had left behind.

His father’s estate, untouched for years, had succumbed to time and neglect. The once-sturdy walls bore cracks, the roof leaked when it rained, and the floors creaked under the weight of abandonment. Every corner of the house carried echoes of the past, memories layered beneath dust and decay. Fixing it up was no small task, but he wasn’t in a hurry. Then there was the workshop. A separate cabin on the outskirts of Wineport, once owned by his adoptive father, now his. It, too, needed work. The structure was sound, but age had worn it down, and if he was going to turn it into something more than just a workspace and if he was going to live there he wanted it to be right.

That was why he’d decided to build a loft inside the workshop, carving out a space of his own rather than staying at the estate. The house felt too big, too empty. The workshop, though, now a place of warmth, of purpose, where the scent of sawdust and varnish felt more like home than any grand estate ever could. Of course, in doing so, he had made things more difficult for himself. He had doubled his workload, splitting his time between restoring the estate and renovating the workshop, all while trying to get his business up and running. But he didn’t mind. If anything, he welcomed the exhaustion. The work kept him busy, kept his hands moving, kept his thoughts occupied. It was easier to lose himself in measuring wood, sanding surfaces, and repairing beams than to dwell on the absence that had settled in his chest since his father’s passing.

Grief had a way of creeping in during the quiet moments, in the stillness between tasks, in the empty spaces where his father’s voice should have been. But as long as he kept working, as long as he focused on building something, fixing something, he didn’t have to sit with that silence for too long.

Day after day, he came back to the park, tending to the kitten, making sure it was fed, that its shelter remained intact. The visits had become routine, a quiet responsibility he had taken upon himself without really thinking about why. It wasn’t until much later that he realized somethingor rather, someone was missing. The woman. The one who had screamed at him the first time they met, the one who inappropriately accused him of being a . He hadn’t seen her since. At first, he chalked it up to bad luck or good luck, depending on how one looked at it but the more time passed, the more he found himself wondering. She had seemed to genuinely care for the kitten, yet she had disappeared without a trace. It wasn’t any of his business. He told himself that. But that didn’t stop the unease from settling in his chest.

Then, one evening, as he stepped into the small clearing to feed the kitten, he saw her. At first, he nearly turned back. She was slumped down before the kitten, clearly intoxicated, murmuring to herself and the kitten in a voice thick with something that wasn’t just alcohol.

Joon froze, torn between leaving and staying. The last thing he wanted was another confrontation, especially when she was like this. But as he listened to her speak, fragments of words slipping from her lips, he found himself unable to walk away. Because he understood.

The things she said, the way she spoke, it was the same kind of pain he had once carried, the same questions he had once asked himself with regards to his purpose or why was he even born into the world if his biological parents didn't want him. Why was I abandoned? Was there something wrong with me? Why wasn’t I wanted? Those were his questions. But he had been lucky. His adoptive father had given him a home, a family. But before that? He had been just like her wondering.

With a quiet sigh, Joon made his decision. He walked over and sat down beside her, bending down first to check on the kitten. His movements were steady, deliberate, as if giving her time to notice him, to object if she wanted to. “You finally showed up..” he murmured, his voice carrying no judgment, only observation.

He refilled the feeder’s water compartment, then set the food aside in the small storage compartment of the shelter. Through it all, he avoided looking directly at her, not because he didn’t want to, but because he wasn’t sure if he should. If it was even appropriate. Would she yell at him again? Would she even understand why he was here? He wasn’t sure. But for now, he stayed.

@kim joon it was raining cats and dogs, hammered against jaeyi’s apartment’s windows. jaeyi’s heart thrummed with worry and anxiety. her mind immediately went to the little fur ball she left behind with an umbrella. she was unsure whether the umbrella could withstand the wind and harsh rain. what if the umbrella flew away? what if the kitten was cold? she was so torn inside, tempted to return and ensure the kitten was perfectly fine. she even wanted to scoop up the kitten and bring it home. just as she tried to leave her apartment, her phone rang. a reminder for tomorrow. she had a client meeting before the hearing. with heavy steps, she trudged towards her working table. papers and files were everywhere.

a heavy, frustrated sigh escaped from jaeyi’s lips. she couldn’t abandon her client, not with a crucial hearing just days away. the necessary hearing that could change their lives forever. with a heavy heart, she forced herself to focus without changing her soaked clothes. the damp and cold clothes sticking to her skin was an uncomfortable feeling. nothing could stop her when she was on a mission. her work was her priority, her escape. she needed to bury herself in a pile of documents to push the worries away, though there was a lingering thought of the poor kitten trapped in the rain. she sincerely hoped the stranger kept his promise to fix the blanket and return it to the kitten right after she left. 

jaeyi kept working, day and night, like a robot. the days went fast. it was one of the most complicated divorce cases that jaeyi had ever handled. sooah, her client, had met and married a wealthy guy, junho. sooah came to jaeyi claiming she was penniless, yet junho insisted that her background didn’t matter. his parents knew that and forced their son into a prenuptial agreement. they treated sooah like an outsider even though junho genuinely fell in love with her. the marriage crumbled under the dictator-like parents, who controlled everything, from what she wore to their finances and even their friends. sooah reached her breaking point and filed for a divorce. a separation that she didn’t think of when they were still in a dating phase. it was needed for her freedom. 

the custody battle was also brutal. junho’s parents were determined to keep their grandson, and they even portrayed sooah as an unfit mother. they claimed that soojin was often late to pick up their grandson from school while commanding her to keep the house squeaky clean before she was allowed to leave. being a pair of manipulative parents, junho’s parents presented this as neglect, as a lack of maternal responsibility, while conveniently disregarding their role in creating such a situation. and also sooah’s poor background. her background was always brought up in their talks. little did they know that sooah had hidden assets in offshore accounts. 

the father? the father couldn’t retaliate and stood like a tree when they disrespected his wife. they showed off their wealth by hiring an expensive lawyer from a well-known law firm. but jaeyi was very persistent. with her meticulous attention to detail, she dug and investigated and found a shocking secret. junho had an affair and another child. a collective gasp could be heard in the courtroom. junho’s parents were absolutely stunned. they didn’t see that coming. sooah felt disappointed yet satisfied. the truth was finally out of the box.

after a long deliberation, the judge concluded the hearing by awarding custody to sooah, mentioning her financial stability and genuine love for her son. and junho? he was ordered to provide child support until their son’s university years. as sooah left the courtroom with her son in her arms, the corner of her lips tugged upwards into a small smile. jaeyi felt satisfied. something similar to happiness. but it was just a fleeting moment. her eyes followed junho and his parents exited the courtroom with their lawyer, and a wave of disgust washed over her. how dare they lie to the poor woman who love their child dearly and could even take care of her child.

the case was closed; jaeyi needed to forget the mess of the case, the lies between the family, and the betrayal. she definitely needed a drink tonight. she quickly messaged her assistant, “don’t forget to send the invoice to sooah. and tell her to be strong; everything will be alright. don’t disturb me tonight. i need my private time.” her assistant, her friend’s reply was quick as the flash, “drinks? but no hangover. we got another new case waiting.” jaeyi chuckled at her friend’s reply, “k.” she pressed the send button before turning off the phone. just one bottle of beer and off to bed. 

yet the reality wasn’t aligned with her initial promise. one bottle turned into two, and then it doubled to four bottles. jaeyi, an infamous lightweight, finally felt the effects. she felt high, and her thoughts drifted. it was pathetic, drinking alone right in front of the innocent kitten. 

initially, jaeyi wanted to drink at the apartment. but the plan didn’t go as she planned. the image of the kitten kept replaying in her mind. one pack of beer was already in her hand, and she turned towards the plaza. she was surprised to find the little wooden house bathed in a warm, inviting glow. even her umbrella was still there. a birdie told the lawyer that a nice guy dressed in a raincoat tirelessly built a wooden shelter in the rain a few days ago. immediately, jaeyi knew who it was. the guy that she mistook as a . she felt relieved after learning someone was looking after the kitten. 

“i’m so glad that you’re a cat, kitty,” jaeyi slurred, her words incoherent. she pulled her knees up to her chest, nearly losing her balance. her precious heels were now abandoned on the pavement beside her. this side of hers was completely different from her usual, more composed self. "being a human is too much; we have so many problems.” her feet throbbed, and a dull ache mirrored the throbbing in her head. "geez, my feet hurt," she mumbled, more to herself, reaching to her right foot and slowly massaging it. 

“anyways, let’s continue— what was i saying earlier? oh right, we have money problems,” she said, her voice rising dramatically. yet she ignored the weird glances from the people who just happened to walk past by.

“health problems. family problems. and many, maaaaaaaany other problems that you could even think of, do exist.” she took a long swig of the beer. her lip was smeared with some foam, and she wiped it away with the back of her hand carelessly.

“why do you think —” she hiccuped. “why did our parents give birth to us, kitty?” she gently d the kitten on its head with her finger, then giggled softly when it purred.

"i wonder why," even though the kitten was unimpressed by her philosophic question. it just simply its paw and nuzzled its head back down.

“i never said that i wanted to be born,” jaeyi mumbled, her chin resting on her knees. her eyelids drooped, and she let out a small, contented sigh as she gazed at the kitten. her vision was slightly blurry, but her heart was warm. warm because she had a company even though it couldn’t answer her question.

@kang jaeyi Joon hadn’t even reached his workshop when the rain came down in heavy sheets, drumming against the roof of his truck. His thoughts immediately went back to the kitten left at the park. It wasn’t just a light drizzle, it was a full downpour. The woman from earlier must have done something, right? He thought, exhaling sharply as he gripped the steering wheel.

Pulling into his shop, he quickly got out and ducked under the shelter, leaving the door open as he grabbed a towel to wipe his damp hair and arms. He stared out at the storm, debating. The thought of the kitten, possibly cold and soaked, gnawed at him. With a sigh, he disappeared into his workshop, emerging moments later in a poncho, his arms full of wooden planks in various sizes. He loaded them into the back of his truck, determination settling in his chest. Then, without another moment of hesitation, he got back in and drove straight to the plaza, rain be damned.

When he arrived, his eyes immediately searched for the kitten. Relief washed over him when he spotted the tiny creature curled beneath a barely standing umbrella, ears twitching at the sound of raindrops pelting the fabric. The ground around it was already pooling with water. “Alright, just hold on for a bit.” Joon murmured, crouching near the kitten. The little one simply blinked up at him, unbothered by his presence.

Without wasting time, he hurried back to his truck, lowering the tailgate and pulling out the materials. Measuring, cutting, and hammering, he worked swiftly despite the rain. The downpour and occasional thunder drowned out the usual sounds of carpentry, but he barely noticed. Fortunately, he had some pre cut wooden sheets, making the process quicker. In no time, the shelter began to take shape, a simple but sturdy little house, designed to keep the kitten dry and warm.

Once it was done, Joon went back to the kitten, carefully moving past it, relieved when it didn’t run away. Instead, it scooted to the edge of the umbrella, giving him space. With a satisfied nod, he positioned the shelter under the bushes for added protection, ensuring it was on solid ground. “There you go…” He turned to the kitten, holding out a packet of creamy, able treats. The feline hesitated for only a second before inching closer, eagerly lapping at the offering. Joon let out a soft chuckle. “Is it good?” he asked, his voice gentler now. He carefully picked up the kitten with one hand and placed it inside the shelter. “Much better, right?” Not that the kitten could answer him, but he continued to its tiny head as it finished the treat.

By then, the rain had let up slightly but was still falling. Joon’s gaze drifted to the umbrella. Humming in thought, he reached out and secured it to the shelter, making it look like a tiny house with a patio umbrella. The sight amused him. “Right. Almost forgot.” He pressed a small switch hidden beneath the shelter, and a dim glow illuminated the inside. He had attached some solar-powered lights to the sides, just enough to brighten the surroundings. Not that the kitten needed it, but it was a nice touch.

“Alright, I’ll be back tomorrow with your blanket, okay? Keep warm, bud.” He gently scratched under the kitten’s chin before standing up. As he walked away, he glanced back one last time, watching as the tiny creature curled up comfortably inside its new home. A small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips.

Joon returned to his truck, slipping off his poncho before climbing in. He was already thinking about fixing the blanket next, making sure it was as good as new for the kitten. The thought of the woman from earlier never even crossed his mind. If anything, he doubted he’d run into her again. With that, he drove back to his workshop, calling it a night.

@kim joon jaeyi looked over her shoulder cautiously, just to ensure whether the stranger would hover around or not. another peek wouldn’t hurt. after all, she couldn’t trust anyone just because the other had good intentions toward a kitten. she sighed in relief when she saw no one was around and proceeded to tend to the tiny creature’s needs. 

pulling out a big can of cat food as she couldn’t find the smaller version. it was quite heavy enough to carry around, but it didn’t matter as long as it was for the kitten. she carefully tore the lid open, pouring it into the cat’s bowl that she bought earlier. the lawyer watched the kitten devouring the snacks in awe. she must be hungry, jaeyi thought. she hummed softly at the kitten as she d its back, “slowly, cutie, so you won’t get choked.” she cooed. it was rewarding. to be able to see a small looking animal eating so deliciously, devouring the cat food. it warmed her heart at the sight of it. 

a contented sigh broke free from jaeyi’s lips. her eyes never diverted from the kitten; she was mesmerized by its tiny, adorable movements as it ate the food. she also poured water in a separate bowl for the kitten to drink. just as she focused on the kitten, her thoughts started roaming around. she wondered how this tiny kitten ended up alone without its mother in a prominent place like the plaza. a glint of protectiveness stirred up within her. the cold-hearted lawyer even found herself wondering whether she should take the kitten home and keep it safe and warm. she was caught off guard at the thought of it; never felt this way about anything in a very long time. 

the sky darkened. a distant thunder roared. jaeyi looked up at the sky; a frown was visible. what else she could do? she glanced down at the soil, but it was hard enough to stick the umbrella’s handle into the ground. but would it suffice? what if the kitten was cold— she should have taken the scarf from the man earlier. it was already too late to regret her choicenow. pulling out the umbrella, she stabbed the handle of the umbrella itnto the ground after opening it, making sure that it covered the kitten wide enough. 

with a satisfied smile, jaeyi leaned back to look at the kitten. “hopefully, you won’t get rained on too much, alright?” she murmured, pouring more cat food into the bowl. she watched the little kitten eat and glanced around the surroundings with a soft purr. “i have to go now before it rains, but i will come back again tomorrow,” she patted the kitten’s head, and a silent promise was made. a raindrop landed on the crown of her head, looking up at the sky. it seemed she had to go home right away before it rained heavily.  the sky was getting darker and darker, and grey clouds were painting the sky of the small town. 

jaeyi got up and covered her head with her hands, attempting to shield herself against the downpour as the rain intensified. she was worried about the kitten; maybe she could find something to shelter it from the cold and harsh rain like this. taking another glance at the tiny creature, i saw that it was huddling under the umbrella. guilt was heavy in her stomach. she thought she should have done more, but the rain was relentless. jaeyi ran back to her flat with a heavy heart to find something for the kitten. the rain hit her harshly; her shoes were squelching, but she didn’t slow down, not caring if she slipped. 

@kang jaeyi Joon simply quirked a brow at her words or more like a threat, finding them more amusing than intimidating. The woman really didn’t let up. Despite how absurd the situation was, he had to give her credit for her persistence. But not that it mattered. He had already intended to bring the scarf back after fixing it, so her warning was unnecessary. Instead of arguing, he just nodded, watching as she turned away. The sharp look she threw him before crouching down made him shake his head with a quiet chuckle. Crazy yet kind, he thought. What an unusual mix of a personality.

With a sigh, Joon made his way back to his truck. As he settled into the driver’s seat, he glanced down at the tattered fabric still in his grasp. He ran his fingers over the worn threads, his lips pressing into a thoughtful line. "I guess I’ll just come back tomorrow then." he muttered to himself, gaze flickering toward the bushes where the woman and kitten now were. He figured there was no need to rush for she was already taking care of the little one for the night. Humming softly an idea took root. "I’ll fix the blanket… and build a house for the kitten." The thought settled into something firm, something that pulled the corners of his lips upward.

And as he started the engine, his mind was already racing with designs. A simple wooden shelter, something sturdy but cozy enough for a stray. Maybe he could add a soft lining inside. Something warm. His eyes flickered up to the sky as he drove, hoping the rain wouldn’t come before he could finish. One thing he didn’t hope for? Running into that woman again. As much as their interaction had simply been a misunderstanding, she wasn’t exactly the most pleasant person to deal with. If he could avoid another accusation or a pointed glare, all the better. The last thing he needed was to be scolded for another good deed.

Still… he exhaled through his nose, amusement lingering despite himself. "Guess I’ll find out tomorrow." He hummed, gently tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove back to his workshop.

@kim joon jaeyi’s steely gaze remained fixated on the stranger’s face, studying every shift of the stranger’s expression. she watched his face changed from initial disbelief to confusion. perhaps she was too strong on the accusation at first. an apology just lingered on the tip of her tongue, but she held them back. not until she understood why her scarf was in the man’s grasp. 

the lawyer stayed silent while hearing the confession from the man. she could feel like the gears in her head turned, trying to piece the fragments of his explanation together. the realization dawned on her. jaeyi just nodded stiffly in response to the question. the apology was still hanging at the back of . perhaps feeling bad for accusing the man's kindness over something overly negative. even as the man extended his arm to give back the scarf, her eyes flickered downwards, and the sight of the tiny scratches marred on his hand didn’t miss her scrutinizing gaze. a small smile threatened to come to surface on jaeyi’s lips, but she suppressed it back by clearing . it seemed like the kitten listened to what she said, after all. clever kitten. 

“it’s fine,” she said, her voice was clipped as the remaining annoyance still in her tone of voice. “do whatever you want to do. make sure it gets back to the kitten, or i will find you. don’t test me,” she narrowed her eyes, trying to relay the importance of her hidden threat. it was enough to scare the man. jaeyi didn’t care about the scarf anymore, not after it was torn into an unrecognized mess. at least she knew that the kitten was playful enough to play around like that.

annoyance ignited in her just after his comment. perhaps she was overly sensitive and already had a bad first impression of the stranger for taking the cloth without permission, though he was doing good deeds. jaeyi let out a tired sigh, attempting to make an effort to soften her demeanor. “i guess so,” she admitted, bringing the bag close to her sides as if hiding the contents from the man’s curious eyes. “now, if you’ll excuse me, i have a hungry kitten to tend to before she runs into a stranger. lucky for her, she ran a kind human who even tried to fix her blanket.” jaeyi bowed her head briefly and turned to walk back to the bushes. but as she reached close to the thicket, she halted. casting one last narrowed-eyed glance at the man as if telling the stranger with the look of i’m-watching-you before she crouched down to take out the food and water for the small adorable creature.

@kang jaeyi Of course, Joon’s brows immediately furrowed at the woman’s reaction. He had already apologized, was it really necessary to snap at him like that? Then again, he knew better than to judge people based on a single moment. Everyone had their reasons for being on edge. Still, accusing him of stealing from a kitten? Really? And a ? What?

His eyes dropped to the fabric in his hand as she pointed at it, confusion flickering in his expression.
Joon’s brows shot up again, and for a brief moment, despite the absurdity of the accusation, he felt an unexpected flicker of amusement. He rarely found himself in situations this bizarre. Letting out a deep breath to keep his composure, he raised the scarf slightly, holding it up between them as if to emphasize what she was so worked up about. “First of all, is a bit much.” he said, his deep voice even and calm despite the tension. “Second, I wasn’t stealing it from the kitten.” His gaze flickered back toward the bushes where he had left the tiny creature, then back at the woman, piecing things together. “I take it this is yours then?” The realization made him sigh.

“Look, I just wanted to help, to mend this cloth, if you will but it seems I was overstepping my boundaries.” he admitted, shaking his head slightly. He had only picked it to sew it back for the kitten. Clearly, he had miscalculated.

Not wanting to get into any further misunderstandings, he held the scarf out to her. His arm, which bore tiny red scratches courtesy of the kitten, extended toward her, offering the scarf back. He then noticed the bag she was holding, the contents barely visible from the outside but he could make out a faint drawing of a cat on what seemed to be a can of cat food. “I’m guessing you’re the one taking care of the little guy.” he said, his voice lighter now, with the barest hint of curiosity.

@kim joon kang jaeyi was an emotionless person. or that was what she thought she was. nothing had ever made her feel things, not even a single kiss from her ex. she was unsure why she agreed to date the ex but did date them anyway for a few months. it didn’t last long because she didn’t feel like she could ever love someone. love. it was a strange word for her nowadays, mainly because of her nature of work as a family law lawyer specializing in the messy, bitter battlefields of divorce. she loved her mother in a quiet and dutiful manner and her twin sister with a fierce and protective passion. though the relationship between her family was a tad tenuous, she was trying to amend things and make up for the lost time. 

work and family matters put her in a tight place, pressing in on her from every side of her. she felt like everything demanded her attention right away. the constant notifications sound filled up her quiet room. the young lawyer couldn’t concentrate when her head was filled with the memories of unfinished matters between her twin sister. the guilt had been eating her alive ever since that day. 

jaeyi’s hand clenched and unclenched. felt like she couldn’t think. jaeyi craved for a few hours of peace when she could think momentarily. yet her work didn’t allow her to do so. her brain felt burned. every thought was a struggle. she closed her eyes, resisting the spiraling tide of panic. inhale. exhale. she tried to calm herself down. tried to regulate her breathing when she could feel like she was hyperventilating. 

tick. tock. tick. tock. the clock on the wall. jaeyi was clinging to the minuscule sound. her breath became slower, and her heart steadied. she slowly peeled her eyes open, trying to gain focus on what was in front of her. glancing at the clock, she still had a lot of time. the lawyer pushed her papers aside and got out of her apartment. making another escape, which she was so good at. 

sighing heavily, jaeyi walked briskly down the streets. the plaza came into view, where she could be alone with her thoughts. free from the constant barrage of notifications and obligations. as she stepped into the plaza, the gentle rustle of leaves and the peaceful water fountain. she took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air mixed with the faint scent of blooming flowers. that eased the turmoil in jaeyi’s mind.

she sank onto a wooden bench and allowed herself a moment of stillness. the young lawyer looked down at her still, slightly trembling hands; the sight of it betrayed her desire for peace. suddenly, a slight, insistent sound pulled her out of the reverie. looking down, she saw a kitten, a tiny fur ball, nudging its head against her shoe. 

the kitten was small, fragile-looking. jaeyi looked around to search for its mother, yet she found none. pity, a feeling she rarely acknowledged, stirred within her. the kitten was lost, alone, and clearly in need of help. 

“are you lost? where is your mom?” she mumbled, knowing the fact she just asked for a kitten was kinda absurd. of course, it wouldn’t answer, yet she could not stop herself from asking. 

jaeyi crouched down and slowly and gently extended her hand to the adorable kitten’s head. lucky for jaeyi, the kitten didn’t flinch. it leaned its head against her warm palm while purring. the lawyer cooed at it. “why are you all alone?” she ran her palm along its back in soft, soothing , even though the kitten had dirt on its fur. the kitten initiated the contact by moving its cute nose close to her palm and sniffing her hand. jaeyi chuckled at the contact and proceeded to its back and chin. 

the young lawyer reached into her bag and pulled out a small, worn-out scarf with a delicate pink floral pattern. it was her favorite, a gift from her father, though at first, she didn’t like it because it was too girly and the pink was too soft for her liking. it was made entirely of cotton; she always carried it with her, a constant reminder of her father’s presence. though it was a bit clingy, she couldn’t help but hold on to it. old habits die hard. yet somehow, she lent it to a kitten. weird. gently draping the scarf over the kitten’s back, a blanket for the kitten to protect from the harsh, cool evening air. 

a sudden urge to care for the tiny creature occupied jaeyi’s mind. she needed to get some food, some water, and a safe place to clean up, too. reluctant to leave the kitten alone, but she had to, she carefully picked it up; its tiny body was light in her hands. the lawyer carried it to a sheltered spot behind the thick bushes. “i will be back in a few minutes, alright? meanwhile, you keep still and safe. bite anyone who tries to take you.” the kitten just tilted its head and purred as she baby-talked to it.

without wasting time, jaeyi sprinted to the nearest convenience store. her mind was filled with thoughts of the kitten food, water, and tiny bowls. she gathered the necessary supplies; her earlier anxieties were long forgotten, replaced by a strange sense of purpose. that was taking care of a kitten. back she was, to the plaza, behind the bushes, where she left the kitten. jaeyi was so eager to take care of it. she, too, was unsure why she was fond of the kitten in the first place. a soft smile touched her lips, thinking of the adorable fur ball. it would be cuter once it was clean and well-fed.

tending the kitten was all she ever thought about. yet a tall figure just had to bump into her, causing her to almost lose her balance, but all she ever thought was not to drop the bag containing the kitten's food and water. a scowl immediately came to her features. “watch where you’re going,” jaeyi snapped, her voice sharper than she intended to and laced with annoyance. an apology came right afterward from the man, but jaeyi ignored it. 

as she was about to continue her walk, a glimpse of a familiar floral pattern cloth was in the clumsy stranger’s clutch. jaeyi froze, her eyes darting from the scarf in his hand to the path he took, then back to the bushes where she left the kitten. the look that he cast at the bushes, she knew that kind of guilty look. the kitten was behind that bushes, so that was definitely her scarf. jaeyi didn’t realize this cozy town had a ‘sick’ guy running around, stealing her worn-out scarf from a kitten. pointing at the fabric with narrowed eyes, “excuse me, i believe that is not yours, . stealing from a kitten? you gotta be kidding me.”

@kang jaeyi It was a lovely afternoon for a stroll through the plaza. Joon had just finished returning a few borrowed books to the library when he caught sight of the plaza nearby. With no reason to rush back to his workshop on the outskirts of town, he decided to take his time, letting himself enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Wineport.

As he walked toward the far end of the plaza, a small, frail looking cat suddenly darted across his path. He barely stopped himself in time, his foot hovering mid step before carefully pulling back. The thought of accidentally hurting the little creature made his stomach twist. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he had. Despite his quiet demeanor, Joon had his weaknesses which includes woodwork, sweets, and animals. He had always had a soft spot for them, but he never allowed himself to get a pet, knowing he wouldn’t have the time to properly care for one.

His gaze then followed the tiny feline as it disappeared beyond the bushes lining the brick path. Curious, and wanting to make sure it was alright, Joon stepped off the path and carefully peered through the greenery. There, nestled in a small patch of dirt, was the kitten, no bigger than the length of his hand. It couldn’t have been more than a few weeks old, its soft fur slightly matted, its tiny body curled protectively around a tattered scrap of cloth with a faded pink floral pattern. No mother, no siblings. Just the little one all on its own. “Are you alone, bud?” Joon asked softly, crouching down just a foot away. He moved carefully, not wanting to startle it.

The kitten was tangled in the worn fabric, playfully kicking and rolling around, oblivious to Joon’s presence for a moment. The sight brought a small chuckle to his lips. Despite its fragile state, the tiny thing had energy. “Your blankie looks a little worse for wear.” he murmured, eyeing the frayed edges. “May I help with that?” He reached out slowly, intent on taking the cloth to mend it, but the kitten wasn’t having any of it. In a flash, sharp little claws swiped at his hand, leaving a scattering of faint scratches across his skin. Joon huffed out a soft laugh, unfazed. “Fiesty, huh? I get it.” Undeterred, he extended his hand again, this time aiming to offer a gentle pet. To his surprise, the kitten hesitated but ultimately allowed it, pressing its tiny head against his fingers. Joon exhaled, feeling warmth bloom in his chest despite the faint sting of his scratches. “Brave little thing.” he murmured, voice impossibly soft.

With the tiny furball distracted by his gentle petting, Joon carefully reached for the tattered cloth with his free hand, smoothly exchanging it for his handkerchief. "I'll give it back, okay? I promise." he d the kitten’s head a few more times before pulling his hand away with a faint smile.

The sooner he left, the sooner he could return and not just with the mended cloth, but with food, water, and maybe even some materials to build a small shelter. His mind was already planning, his thoughts racing ahead as he slowly pushed himself up to stand. Still, he hesitated, his gaze lingering on the little one. "Stay here, alright? I promise I'll come back." he said gently. The kitten blinked up at him, tilting its head as if it understood before turning its attention to the handkerchief he had left behind, batting at it playfully. Satisfied but still reluctant, Joon his heel and quickly but carefully made his way toward his truck. He was already running through his mental inventory, wondering if he had anything useful in the vehicle.

Absorbed in his thoughts, he barely noticed his surroundings until he collided with someone, his body tensing as his mind snapped back to the present. His grip on the tattered cloth tightened instinctively. "Ah, I'm sorry." he said, blinking as he refocused on the person he had bumped into. But even as he apologized, he instinctively glanced over his shoulder, checking on the kitten to make sure it hadn't wandered too far or gotten into harm’s way. Only when he was certain the little one was still safely nestled in its spot did he return his attention to the stranger before him, the worn fabric still clutched in his hand.

dami was simply passing by when she unexpectedly encountered the mayor, a woman widely recognized in town. as she noticed the mayor searching for something, dami approached her. "hi, ma'am. you still haven't found your dog?" she asked, piecing together what she'd seen in the newspaper and the mayor’s behavior. dami's ponytail swayed as she turned her head to scan her surroundings, hoping the dog might appear magically out of nowhere. she then glanced at miyeon, biting her lower lip and muttering quietly to herself, unsure if anyone could hear, "oh, so we’re allowed to smoke here..."

Miyeon pulled up her sleeves and continued to look in pots, alleyways, bushes and even the restaurant merlot. all to find her dog, sherry. "That...ugh! Little rat." she grumbles under her breath as she enters the town square area. "Oh, sherry. When I catch you, girl." she mumbles as her eyes squint, bending down low, nearly getting to her knees. Yet, the beagle still hasn't been found or seen. Feeling somewhat dizzy from bending so much, she huffs a deep breath and reaches into her pocket for a cigarette. Hanging the cancer stick from her lip, she lights it up, inhaling long a deep before slowly breathing out a thick cloud.

@carlos morreno Lucy at this rate had no idea what was normal and what was normal no longer, in the past couple of months she arrived her shock at things become less and less minimal, until perhaps this faithful morning.

On the look out for the fountains pisser, she made a sigh of annoyance as she just leaned up against the statue of the mayor, keeping a close eye on the fountain only the become distracted for a moment upon seeing what appeared to be a man with a rather large bag, and what looked like a weapon. The down side on Lucy's behalf is she was completely unarmed so if anything was to happen she would just have to use her fists. Shaking her head at the questionable man, her focus went back to the fountain and using the only light she can manage, she silently wrote notes of the mans description yet how many people could fit the description was almost limitless. Except for one distinguishing feature, that he was in a uniform.

Holding her badge in her pocket, Lucy was tempted to follow the man to get a closer look upon what uniform he was wearing but knowing if she left her post, and the police department found out, she could kiss any chance of being an actual officer and a uniform goodbye.

@lucy lee To normal standards, if thyself were to be stationed inside a small town they would immediately want to familiarize. To normal standards, they would memorize said town's layout. To normal standards, they would kindly acquaint themselves with the residents. To normal standards, they would automatically attune themselves to protecting and serving under the position of a county sheriff.

What isn't apart of these normal standards, however, was satisfying one's thirst for revenge; a body bag being dragged in the dead of night by the possession of this presumable lawful good. Carlos didn't bother covering his face unlike his hands that spared fingerprints and freezing blood underneath the skin. It was two in the morning and nobody in their right mind- except for Carlos' potentially questionable one and his first victim's- would be out roaming dimly lit streets, and during the middle of Winter at that. All the better for this particular sheriff to partake in his undisclosed vigilante antics.

The public would never suspect a thing, not if he were to be dressed in uniform as he revisits where he plans to dispose the fresh corpse. In a business' garbage bin. As his footsteps guide his path, Carlos idly scans the empty streets before him. He never felt more assured of not being watched.

Being in the town for only a few months, Lucy was yet to get used to the almost blistering cold, so she walked into the square with a short sleeved shirt and a pair of shorts, looking down at her boots before looking up towards the sun setting sky. Finding a place to loiter, she managed to find a random light post and leaned up against it, breathing in the cold air which almost became irritating to her nose and throat. "Well they told me to get used to the weather before I was transferred here, question is can I? can I really? well going cold turkey is one way to do it." She muttered to herself, looking around before seeing a bar near by and nodded to herself, due to her never going out, she never realised that things closed from 3pm on wards.

wonjae's sole companion was strapped around his neck, hanging before his chest. another treasured, old beauty handpicked from his vintage camera collection. hopeful to capture some great pictures for his upcoming exhibition.

but alas,
the winter chill broughtforth a bitter nostalgia in the form of consistent, subtle prickling sensation within his left eye, the iris covered by an ashy grey haze. normally accustomed to the ache, he'd ignore it and get on with his day. however today, the pain had definitely reached climbed a higher pain threshold, enough for him to search the front pockets of his jacket, to find his eyedrop.

".."
he groused lowly, when the plastic vial slipped out of his gloved hand and rolled onto the flood, exaggeratedly, like a dead log downhill.

olly eventually pinpointed an occupied bench with empty space. there was only one person sitting on it, and he was sitting on the very side, allowing lots of room for anyone that needed the seat. olly made their way to the bench, intending to sit a bit further from the existing occupant.

however, as they drew near, the crowd became thicker. they tried to avoid the passer-by, but still bumped into a few of them, a litany of apologies leaving them for every brush of shoulders. when they finally reached the bench, they were shoved by a particularly hurried townsperson.

olly lost their balance and ended up falling into someone’s lap—the very person who made plenty of space on the bench they planned to sit on.

his lighter flicks to light and smoke fills his lungs as altair finally takes the first drag of his cigarette, a content sound openly escaping the depths of his chest. he allows himself a moment longer to linger by the bike before pushing off of it, his now freed hand pushed into one of the pockets of a black leather jacket, face turned towards the sky. the warmth of the mid-winter sun feels like a kiss, a little blessing upon his tan cheeks, only further encouraging the grin blooming across his features. his steps are lazy, languid, slow as he moves towards one of the benches he has taken residency on multiple times during his short time in wineport, a lovely little spot overlooking the place. there is great care in the way he makes sire not too take up too much room even as he leans back with his legs lightly spread, eyes falling shut in what obviously is utter and complete comfort.

olly hobbled their way to the town square, keeping close to the edge of the sidewalk so they wouldn't block any pedestrian's path. to begin with, they didn't like crowds, preferring quieter areas to linger. however, under their family's insistence, they challenged themselves to mingle amidst the townspeople. their family said, and they quoted, 'maybe you'll meet someone interesting while there!' they sighed. they could do that too at a local park. although, considering there were lesser people at a park than at a town square, perhaps the more interesting individuals could only be found in such a crowded area. with that in mind, they idled by the sidewalk, glancing around the venue and hoping to find somewhere they could sit and people-watch.

the grin on altair's lips as he slips off his helmet once the roaring of his bike dies dowm can only be describes as cocky - sharp around the edges, canines lightly biting into his lower lip, paired with the slightly wild look in his dark eyes that usually comes with the adrenaline of riding through narrow streets; he pushes his hair back, even if he knows that it will do little to help with the messy state it most likely is, and leans against athena's seat, free hand already pressing a cigarette between his still grinning lips whilst he scans the plaza for anything of interest.

a small laugh escapes him as he looks towards the camera, teeth sinking into his bottom lip sheepishly. was he shy? nervous? he couldn't tell. he didn’t think he was the type of person to be camera shy. he tosses an accusing look at rico and calms his expression just as quickly, catching himself before the camera does (hopefully). “I wish the arsonist crawled up my ,” he mumbles under his breath, flashing rico the sweetest smile he can muster up. ”mian. it’s a joke. but nemo is cute.”
“ah! the library! I remember hearing about it… maybe the place is just old and creaky… or they have those hologram projectors just to scare people— are you thinking of exploring it soon?”

"ah, about that—" dami's pupils shifted around in an excited yet curious manner. her lips curved into a smile as if her mind was already wondering to places she could go to, imagining what would happen and how she would film them. "i've heard about some people seeing sightings in some place. it was even written in the recent newspaper i think? but i've never really got to explore yet!"

Regardless of the possibility of suspicion being raised, rico isn't alarmed, not even the slightess. Even though her channel is about paranormal activities and whatnot, and that the vlog might seems off as it has no correlation to the channel's content, rico believe dami has the right to post whatever she wants, related or not. "That's interesting. Are there ghosts in Wineport?"

still letting the camera rolled and recorded everything—although rather unfocusedly—on her hand, dami looked back at rico, pursing her lips slightly. she realised they might know straightaway that the contents on her channel was nowhere about her daily life and this kind of /vlog/ she mentioned about probably would never even get uploaded. but whatever, she took the risk anyway. "ummmm, some supernatural, paranormal things. i cover some urban legends and talk about it, also go out and explore haunted sites? sort of. heh."

"Spooktacular shin dami- what's the channel about?"

"You're a pleasant one, officer." Instead of feeling insulted, Rico find it amusing just how grumpy siwoo is. Probably a bad day, "who crawl up your ? The arsonist?" A smile spread across his face as a pair of glasses is put on to aid his sight. Hearing dami speaks, rico turn his body around, hands still nestled inside the pockets of his jacket. "Yes, Nemo," he plays along, "isn't it? I think the officer finds me cute," he speaks to the camera, gesturing to siwoo with his head.

"you are all definitely handsome so don't worry you'll look so fine on camera," dami smiled at the guys before she started recording and speaking to the camera. "hi guys. dami here, and I've met some cool guys at the square." she turned her head towards the men, looking at them one by one. "you guys should subscribe to my channel, okay? it's the spooktacular shin dami." she switched from the front to the back camera, started filming a close up scene of them one by one. she focused her video on rico. "and apparently your name is... nemo? that's cute." she smiled widely in a cheeky manner, half teasing the man.

yes. if you’d like to be known as trash, just let me know. we’re working towards a more inclusive and welcoming society, after all. using someone’s preferred name shouldn’t be too hard, tra- nemo.
the look of intimidating doesn’t scare him and contrary to altair’s words, he didn’t miss the unpleasant crawling sensation of having so many people close to him. he leans back in his seat and hums in thought.
mmm… as long as you get my good side? just in case my father sees.

He bows his head at dami, "that's why I move away," then turn to altair, "so the lady could breath." He steps forward so his legs touch the bench, "since you like how I smell, I'll just stand closer. Mhm despite being cozy, the town is quite dangerous. Such a shame," when dami speaks, rico looks at her and shrugs, "sure,"

she glanced back at altair, looking a little helpless as she nodded at his question. "yea... but it's fine, at least you guys are enjoying it." she grins sheepishly as she pulls out her phone, putting it to the video mode. internally, she only thought if these guys that were bigger than herself two times do something wrong, she would have some proof for it. "wanna be on my vlog, guys?"

wasn't sitting yet, but you smell nice enough to be close, sugar. just sit back down, the officer's missing you.
with another sound that speaks of pure amusement, he lifts one of his elbows from the bench, running a hand through his hair.
dognappin', yeah. think the paper spoke about it, got it delivered and could not help but peek. and arson, suppose, but no idea how the boys in red are plannin' on stoppin' those anytime soon.

leaning forward to peek past siwoon and towards the female voice, altair flashed a bright grin towards the lady, doing his best to hide a snicker.
these two joined you without asking, ma'am?