umbrella ¦ na jaemin

ch ; 14

.・。.・゜✭・14.・✫・゜・。.

Wagging Tails to Warm Hearts

Finally, they reached their stop, stepping off the bus and onto the bustling street below. Dahee glanced around, trying to guess where they were headed.

"So, where to now?" she asked, turning to Jaemin with a curious smile.

Jaemin grinned mischievously. "You'll see," he replied cryptically, taking her hand in his as they set off.

As they walked side by side, Dahee couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. Despite the initial awkwardness, she found herself enjoying Jaemin's company more and more with each passing moment.

Dahee and Jaemin finally reached a newly opened dog cafe. Jaemin mentioned the place, and Dahee's excitement was palpable, evident in her bouncing on her toes and the wide smile on her face. She turned to Jaemin, who was already looking at her.

"A dog café?" she asked eagerly.

"Yeah. Why? Are you allergic to dogs?" Jaemin inquired, concerned.

"I'm not!" Dahee chimed, grabbing Jaemin's forearm and pulling him inside.

He laughed, watching her enthusiasm. "I've never seen you this excited before. I guess you really love dogs."

"You have no idea!" Dahee exclaimed as they entered the café. There were about ten to fifteen dogs scattered around, some playing, some lounging.

Two dogs, a fluffy Samoyed and a sleek black Pomeranian, approached them. Dahee immediately knelt down to pet the Samoyed, while Jaemin took care of the Pomeranian.

"I think I'm not hungry anymore; I'll just play here," Dahee said, her attention completely captured by the dogs.

"Ey, no. The pastries and drinks here are delicious," Jaemin insisted, standing up. "Chenle said so."

"Okay, we'll eat and play with the dogs at the same time!" Dahee giggled as another dog playfully weaved between her legs.

"I'll order. Do you want to come?" Jaemin asked.

"Okay," Dahee nodded, standing up and following Jaemin to the counter. She handed him her credit card, but he refused to take it, insisting on paying himself. She didn't argue and simply shrugged, saying a quick "thank you."

"I'll just have a classic milk tea with boba pearls," Dahee ordered.

After ordering, they found a booth in the corner. Dahee sat down, and the Samoyed from earlier came back, cuddling with her legs under the table. She cooed and scratched the dog's head while it wagged its tail happily. Jaemin returned and sat across from her.

"You seem to be so fond of dogs," Jaemin remarked, noting Dahee's affection for the animals.

"Mhm. I used to have one back then." Dahee said, smiling at the memory.

"Used to?" Jaemin prodded, his voice laced with curiosity and hesitancy. Dahee notes the slight crease in-between his brows, Dahee had to look away.

"Yeah, sadly she ran away, then came back blind in one eye and very skinny," Dahee explained, a hint of sadness in her voice. "We tried our best to get her treated and healthy again, but she passed away after two days."

"I'm sorry," Jaemin said sympathetically.

"It's fine. It was a decade ago. It hurt to see her suffer, so it was for the best. She's in a better place now." Dahee said, her smile bittersweet as she continued to stroke the dog's fur underneath the table. Jaemin eyed her, his eyes scanning her face and reading her expression.

"Anyways, the buzzer is beeping," Dahee pointed out, changing the subject.

"Oh, right. Be right back," Jaemin said, leaving to retrieve their drinks.

Jaemin returned with their drinks, handing Dahee her milk tea and sat across from her, she took a sip of her milk tea. "Hmm. I think I'm in love with this place," she joked.

"Glad to know you like it," Jaemin replied.

"How come you literally know every place?" Dahee asked, setting her drink down.

He paused for a second. "Hm, there's this app called Google Maps."

"Ugh, shut up." Dahee scoffed, rolling her eyes playfully. "I'll catapult you a pearl, don't test me."

"You won't," Jaemin challenged.

"Oh, yeah?" Dahee said, taking a sip and already having three pearls in her mouth.

"You're not serious, are you?" Jaemin asked, raising his hand to cover his face.

"Oh yeah?" Dahee took a sip and playfully spat three pearls towards Jaemin, but they fell short, landing on the table between them. They both laughed, enjoying the playful banter.

"It seems like that Samoyed really likes you," Jaemin remarked, noticing how the dog kept coming back to Dahee.

Jaemin watched as Dahee slid out of the booth and knelt down to the dog's level, petting its sides. His heart swelled at the sight, and without even realizing it, his fingers reached for his phone and snapped a picture of Dahee and the dog.

After pocketing his phone, he observed as Dahee snuggled up to the dog, a warm feeling spreading through him.

-

Continued.