Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Time for Seol-i (2)
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The dog cafe was right next to the park, just a five-minute walk away.
Since it was so close to the park, it seemed like people walking their dogs there would pop in for a break, giving it that kind of relaxed vibe.
"Haneul, we don't have a dog... is it okay to go in here...?"
"It should be fine."
I'd looked it up beforehand, and they said it was okay even without your own dog.
The cafe had six dogs of their own to begin with, and since they all loved people, you could play with them even if you didn't bring one.
"But what if fur gets on our clothes?"
"Yeah! It's fine! They're all cute little guys!"
Seol-i beamed with excitement as she headed toward the dog cafe, practically bouncing with energy.
I'd always thought of her as some kind of cute rodent whenever I saw her.
Like a hamster or a chipmunk...
But watching her so eagerly drag me to the dog cafe, she reminded me of an incredibly bright and sunny Pomeranian.
So cute—both Seol-i and Pomeranians.
And they were both small, too.
Knowing she'd be offended if she found out, I pushed the thought aside and followed her into the cafe.
Inside, there were a few customers and what looked like the manager, who greeted us with a bright smile.
"Welcome~!"
"Ah, hello..."
Seol-i, who had been so bubbly and adorable just moments ago, instantly switched to wary mode.
Strangers were still tough for her, it seemed.
I stepped in to handle the talking for her sake.
"This is our first time here—could you give us a rundown?"
"Of course~ I'll explain right away!"
The rules were simple.
First, one drink per person.
Second, max two hours if it's busy.
Third, only use treats sold in the shop.
That was it, so Seol-i nodded along, getting it right away.
"Orders, please~"
Seol-i checked the menu and looked a bit surprised.
No wonder. Even the basic Americano was 4,000 won.
I wasn't fazed, though. I'd checked the prices, and these kinds of one-drink cafes always bundled the entry fee into the beverages.
I explained it to her.
"The entry fee's included in the drink price."
Only then did she nod in understanding, though she still hesitated over the menu.
She didn't need to worry, anyway. I was paying.
"Seol, hot chocolate or iced chocolate?"
"Uh... y-yeah..."
Hot or iced chocolate were a whopping 5,000 won, but I knew she never drank coffee, so I just stated it confidently.
She was still scanning the menu, probably hunting for the cheapest option.
Couldn't just let her stress over that. I went straight to the manager and ordered two drinks.
"One iced Americano and one iced chocolate, please."
"One iced Americano and one iced chocolate~ Got it~"
I whipped out my card and paid in a flash. Seol-i blinked in shock, staring at me.
Her gaze felt kinda sharp, so I tried to brush it off casually.
"...Let's go check out the dogs."
Without a word, she just headed toward the dogs, and I followed, glancing at her nervously.
On the way, she finally responded.
"......Next time, I'll pay."
Her voice left me nodding automatically.
I couldn't imagine taking money from such a tiny, cute friend, but refusing might make her actually sulk.
As soon as we stepped inside, the dogs playing there all turned to look at us.
Seol-i's face lit up with a wide smile the moment she saw them.
I just enjoyed the adorable scene.
"Hi~!"
She crouched down and approached them, and the biggest one—a massive Golden Retriever that looked like the pack leader—came waddling over.
-Sniff sniff sniff
It sniffed her, then stuck out its tongue to lick her outstretched hand.
"That tickles~"
Seol-i giggled as she started playing with it, and the big Golden Retriever grinned happily, clearly taken with her.
That kicked things off, and soon the smaller dogs started coming over too.
The cutest one, a plush-toy-like Pomeranian, toddled up to her.
"What's your name~?"
I quickly checked the dog intros on the wall.
"That's Peanut."
"Peanut? So cute~"
Dog peanut... could lead to weird thoughts, but I ignored it. Probably named that because it was small and adorable.
Anyway, Peanut gazed at Seol-i with a sunny smile.
Double cute. Triple cute. Exponentially cute.
It was an irresistibly precious sight.
The dog beaming innocently, Seol-i beaming right back. How could it not be adorable?
I was staring at the heartwarming scene when my pager buzzed. I told her,
"Seol, I'll grab the drinks."
"Okay~ Be right back~"
She'd been mad at me earlier, but the dogs' charm had melted her completely.
Savoring the lovely moment, I went to the manager, who handed me the two drinks and a dog treat.
"Here, a treat for the dogs—try feeding them."
"Is that okay?"
"Yep, of course."
I bowed my head and took them, heading back with drinks in one hand and treat in the other.
"Seol~ Drinks are here~"
"Okay~!"
She scampered over, still petting the dogs happily, and took her iced chocolate with a smile.
"Thanks, I'll enjoy it."
"Yeah, dig in."
"Next time, I'm paying, got it...?"
"Got it, got it."
I said it twice like 'okay already,' and she seemed satisfied, flashing a grin.
She took a sip of her iced chocolate and eyed the treat.
"Haneul, what's this?"
"Dog treat. They said you could feed them—wanna try?"
She nodded eagerly.
"Yeah...! I will!"
Grabbing the treat, she headed back to the dogs.
They locked eyes on her, knowing snack time was here.
It wasn't a huge portion, but she tore it into pieces to share fairly, feeding them one by one.
The munching dogs seemed to love it, their energy spiking as they grinned even brighter.
Seol-i beamed back, clearly charmed by their happy faces.
The other spots were fun, but coming to this dog cafe was definitely the best choice.
I took another sip of coffee, watching her surrounded by the dogs.
It was such a blissful, sweet moment.
About two hours later, we headed out.
The cafe wasn't busy, so we could've stayed longer, but Seol-i said it was time to go today.
The 'today' implied we'd come back once every week or two. It wasn't far from her house, so she might even come alone.
Or maybe not, considering her shyness around strangers—probably only with me.
I was curious if she'd come by herself.
But that could wait. Something more important was at hand.
I turned to the still-excited Seol-i.
"Hey, Seol."
"Yeah, Haneul?"
Not hiding her bubbly mood, she listened as I apologized for before.
"Sorry."
"...For what?"
Her energy dropped instantly as she asked.
I had only one answer.
"For making you misunderstand."
"Misunderstand? How?"
"......I'm not going to a science high school or anything."
"...I know."
"My grades probably won't cut it. And it'd be far from home. Plus... uh..."
I sounded a bit defensive. Couldn't help it—it was true, mostly.
The grades part was honest, but the distance? Not really.
I already went to middle school an hour away—what was a high school commute?
The real reason was the tiny, cute girl in front of me.
Swallowing my embarrassment, I spoke up.
"...We promised, remember? To go to the same high school."
I tried skirting around it. A last-ditch effort to avoid being direct, 'cause it'd be too embarrassing.
But Seol-i wouldn't let me dodge.
"You want to go to the same school as me... so you're skipping those schools?"
So straightforward—I had to admit it.
"Yeah. Science high, gifted school... or any special one means breaking our promise. And honestly, they'd probably be boring anyway..."
She asked seriously,
"...You won't regret it? Going to the same school as me?"
I brushed it off lightly.
"Nah, no regrets at all."
Yeah, no way. It wasn't college—this wouldn't make or break my life.
Right now, the most important person to me was Hyun Seol, right here.
School without her would be dull, pointless. I'd probably drop out or transfer from sheer boredom.
Better to go where my dearest friend was.
She scolded me,
"Idiot."
It was a jab at choosing a friend over a top school, but she looked oddly pleased.
Relieved, I drew closer to her side.
Slowly, bit by bit.