Zurekin Batera | Minchan • Banginho

The Animal Shelter

The morning sun filtered through the leaves of the trees as Minho parked his car in the small parking lot next to the "Zurekin Batera" animal shelter. He had been looking forward to this day for weeks. Ever since he was a child, he had felt a deep connection with cats, and he had finally decided to channel his love for these felines into something productive. Volunteering at an animal shelter seemed like the perfect way to do it.

As Minho got out of his car, adjusting the short-sleeved t-shirt he was wearing, he noticed the excited tension in the air. The shelter was bustling with activity, with other volunteers running back and forth, carrying cages, taking dogs for walks, and tending to the cats that meowed from their enclosures. The sounds of barks and meows filled the air.

Minho approached the shelter's entrance, where a young volunteer wearing a shirt with the shelter's logo was sitting behind a desk.

"Hello, are you a new volunteer?" she asked enthusiastically.

Minho nodded. "Yes, it's my first day. My name is Minho."

The volunteer extended her hand. "I'm Jisoo, nice to meet you. We're thrilled to have more help. Before we get started, let's take a brief tour of the place and go over some rules."

Minho followed Jisoo as she showed him around the facilities. She explained how the areas for dogs and cats were divided, how the volunteer schedules were organized, and the tasks expected of him. Minho listened attentively, eager to get started.

Finally, they reached the cat section, and Minho's heart leaped with joy at the sight of the felines resting in their comfortable enclosures. He leaned in to pet a cat that approached the door of its cage.

"Cats are my weakness," Minho admitted with a smile. "I've always had cats at home."

Jisoo laughed. "Then you'll feel right at home here. Cats are adorable, but they can also be quite mischievous. Make sure to keep their enclosures clean and spend time playing and socializing with them."

Minho nodded with determination. He was ready for the challenge. He spent the next few hours cleaning cages, changing cat litter, and, of course, playing with the felines. Each cat had its own personality—some were shy, others playful, and some just sought a quiet place to rest. Minho cherished every moment he spent with them.

As the day progressed, Minho noticed the presence of other volunteers. Some were dedicated to the dogs, while others shared their love for cats. The competition for the animals attention was evident, especially among the more experienced volunteers.

Minho was busy playing with a mischievous cat named Whiskers when he heard someone speaking loudly nearby. He turned around and saw a brown-haired boy who was surrounded by a group of volunteers. It was Chan, a new volunteer who had also arrived at the shelter that day.

"Look how well Whiskers gets along with me! I think I'm his favorite," he exclaimed as he petted the cat in his arms. He seemed to be enjoying the attention from the crowd.

Minho furrowed his brow. Who did this guy think he was? Although he had to admit that Chan had a charming smile, he didn't like the idea of competing for the cats attention.

He decided to focus on his work and not pay any more attention to Chan. But as the afternoon wore on, he realized that it was easier said than done. Chan was everywhere, playing with the cats, helping with tasks, and winning the favor of other volunteers.

Minho's rivalry with Chan became evident when they both tried to take care of a playful cat that had escaped from its cage and started running around the room. Minho and Chan looked at each other with determination and chased after the cat, accidentally colliding in the process.