Chapter – 68
“Our First Dog Café”
On their next day off,
they all went out together—Goshiro included—
because there was a popular dog café in the neighboring town.
“They say there are more dogs and cats now than children.
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why places like this are opening,”
Goshiro said as she got out of the car and looked at the entrance.
As soon as Foss got out, he took Goshiro’s hand and happily headed inside.
Cyan, too, looked around restlessly, glancing everywhere at the unfamiliar place.
“Welcome,”
the staff member greeted them and guided them to their seats.
“Oh my, they even sell toys.
This must be torture for the dogs,”
Goshiro laughed as she watched Cyan fidget in front of the toys.
Ruri laid out a café mat
and had Cyan sit on it.
“So, what should we eat? There are so many options,”
Ruri said while looking over the menu.
“They have meals for Cyan too?”
“Of course. This is a place for dogs, after all.”
“So even I get food at a dog café?”
“Yes, you do.”
Goshiro laughed along with Ruri
and showed the menu to Foss.
“They even have a kids’ menu.
Which one do you want, Foss?”
“Hmm…”
He pondered seriously, making everyone smile.
“What about you, Ruri?”
“Everything looks delicious.”
“I think I’ll go with the keema curry lunch set,”
Goshiro said, pointing at the menu.
“Oh, it comes with dessert. I’ll get that too.
Should we order the chicken-and-tofu hamburger for Cyan?”
Ruri looked at Cyan, who was lying calmly on the café mat.
“I want this one,”
Foss said, pointing at a picture of a children’s lunch set.
“Alright, let’s order,”
Ruri said as she called over the staff.
While they were waiting, Foss went with Goshiro
to look at the pet supplies inside the café.
Beyond the terrace seating, there was a dog run.
Perhaps because it was in the countryside,
it was properly divided into small-dog and large-dog areas—
quite a serious setup.
There was even agility equipment,
and some dogs were having a great time playing.
When Ruri asked a staff member,
she was told,
“You’re free to let your dog play while you wait.”
Ruri took Cyan with her into the dog run.
Since there were no other dogs in the large-dog area,
Cyan ran around happily,
though he avoided the agility equipment, clearly afraid of it, which made Ruri laugh.
“Mom!”
Foss called out as he and Goshiro entered the run.
“This is really impressive.
You wouldn’t expect such a dog run at a dog café,”
Goshiro said, looking around in amazement.
After playing for a while, they returned to their seats,
just as the food was being brought out.
For Foss, it was his first time eating out.
Seeing how happily he ate made Ruri smile too.
Lately, that mysterious mirror had been glowing from time to time.
Each time, Ruri would open it to check,
go out to the backyard,
or inspect the family altar.
Yet nothing ever happened,
and it had become a small source of stress.
So for Ruri as well,
this moment was a welcome break.
If it’s going to come, then come.
If it’s not, then don’t.
Just make it clear already.
Ruri smiled at Foss
and brought a spoonful of curry to her mouth.
