Ciize squinted suspiciously as she opened the door, only to find Namtan standing on her doorstep, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. Way too much enthusiasm. The kind that could only mean one thing— suspicious.
"What are you doing here?" Ciize asked, crossing her arms, bracing for whatever nonsense was about to unfold.
Namtan gasped, clutching her chest like she’d just been accused of a crime. "What? Can’t a friend drop by for a visit? Haven't you been inviting me for so long?"
Ciize leveled her with a stare. "Visit? The last time I was sick, you didn’t even check in—you just sent food through Kapook and Earn because you didn’t want to drive through traffic."
"I never said that," Namtan defended herself, eyes wide with mock offense.
"Oh, really?" Ciize scoffed.
Namtan cleared her throat. “Okay, but that was one time—”
"And when I invited you to my birthday party?" Ciize cut in, arms flailing for emphasis. "You didn’t even show up!"
"That was a misunderstanding!" Namtan yelped.
Ciize folded her arms, unimpressed. “Oh yeah? Because I distinctly remember you replying, ‘Sorry, I have plans,’ and then posting an Instagram story of you at home with Tofu, captioned ‘Plans.’”
Namtan let out an awkward laugh before sidestepping Ciize and speed-walking into the apartment.
Ciize narrowed her eyes. "Wait. WAIT. Why are you heading straight for—"
Her stomach dropped as Namtan made a beeline for the terrarium in the corner.
"Oh my god. You’re here for my turtle!" she gasped. “You’re going to kidnap Snappy!”
Namtan spun around, feigning deep offense. “Kidnap?! What kind of person do you think I am?”
"The kind who is suspiciously suddenly so interested in every single pet in our friend group!" Ciize shot back. "Kapook’s dog. Earn’s cat. Mint’s parrot. And now you’re eyeing my turtle like he’s next on your kidnapping list!"
Namtan huffed, raising her hands in defense. “I was just concerned for their health!”
Ciize folded her arms, unimpressed. “Oh, how noble. Why only now then? Until last month, I never saw you greet Earn's cat!”
Namtan opened her mouth, then shut it, then huffed dramatically.
Ciize’s gaze sharpened. "Wait. Are you selling their organs?"
"What?! NO! What the actual—Ciize, what the hell?!"
Ciize sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as if dealing with an actual crisis. "Oh my god… there’s a girl, isn’t there?"
Namtan let out a ridiculously awkward laugh, her face heating up. "What? No!"
Ciize smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "I’ve known you long enough to know you only act like this when you have a crush."
“I do not!”
“Okay, spill.” Ciize crossed her arms, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Who’s the unlucky girl?”
Namtan groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "...a vet."
Ciize blinked. "You're bringing all our pets to the clinic because you like a vet?"
"Yeah," Namtan admitted, throwing her hands up in surrender. "She’s so lovely! She has these kind eyes, and she’s so gentle with the animals, and when she smiles—"
"What’s her name?" Ciize interrupted, already pulling out her phone.
"Doctor Film. Happy Paws Clinic."
Ciize typed away, clicking through photos. "Oh wow. She’s cute. I see now why you’re panicking. She looks like she wouldn’t like you."
"Mean!" Namtan huffed. Then her gaze went back to the terratium.
"Leave my turtle alone, Namtan!"
But Namtan only grinned, mind already drifting back to Doctor Film’s warm smile—and the tiny spark of hope she couldn’t quite extinguish.
***
Film prided herself on professionalism.
Years of veterinary school, countless hours spent caring for animals—she loved every part of her job. The pets, the quirky owners, the little victories.
But nothing in her career had prepared her for Namtan.
At first, it was normal—Namtan brought her dog, Tofu. Standard checkup procedure. Lively little mutt. Film cooed over him as she always did. Namtan had been pleasant.
Then came the third visit in two weeks.
While Film wouldn't say no to a pretty face, Tofu was perfectly healthy. So she told Namtan that she doesn't need to come back anymore. Namtan somehow looked... disappointed?
And then the pattern began.
A week later, she brought another dog. A friend’s, apparently. Also in perfect health.
The next week? A cat. And Film was sure Namtan didn’t even like cats.
By the time she showed up with a parrot, Film was convinced—Namtan was absolutely making up excuses to see her.
And, well... it was kind of adorable.
A knock on her office door pulled Film from her thoughts.
"Your favorite client is here," Mai, her assistant, teased. Apparently, other people in the clinic also noticed.
"Shut up," Film muttered, but she was already suppressing a smile.
"You’d never guess what she brought this time."
Film glanced up—just as Namtan walked in. White shirt. Jeans. Cute as always.
And in her arms?
A crate.
A turtle crate.
Film fought the urge to laugh.
"Hey, Namtan," she greeted smoothly. "Who do we have today?"
Namtan perked up, trying (and failing) to look casual. "Oh! This is, uh... Snappy. My friend’s turtle."
Film arched a brow, kneeling to peer inside.
The turtle was asleep.
Perfectly fine. No signs of illness. Just… a turtle living his best life.
Film bit back a smile. "What seems to be the problem?"
Namtan opened her mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again.
Film knew... Namtan was finding it difficult to have a problem. Because there was no problem.
"I just, um," Namtan started, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "thought he looked… tired?"
Film blinked. "Tired?"
"Yeah. Like… extra sleepy?"
Film stared.
The turtle was literally asleep.
"Right," she said slowly, biting the inside of her cheek. "Let me… check on him, then."
She took the carrier, shaking her head as she walked into the exam room.
Namtan trailed behind, looking more aware of how ridiculous this was by the second.
After an extremely unnecessary examination, Film turned back to her.
“Well, Snappy is completely healthy,” she announced, grinning. “Turns out, turtles just… sleep a lot.”
Namtan’s face turned red. Busted.
"O-oh. Right. Of course," she stammered, clutching the crate like a lifeline.
Film watched her flounder for a moment before taking pity.
She leaned against the counter, tilting her head. "You know, Namtan..."
Namtan looked up, wide-eyed. "Y-yeah?"
Film’s smile turned just a little teasing. "You don’t have to keep bringing in pets if you want to see me."
Namtan froze.
Film let the words sink in.
"You could just... I don’t know. Ask me out?"
Namtan blinked. Twice.
Her mouth opened—then shut—then opened again.
It was, quite frankly, the cutest thing Film had ever seen.
"I—uh—I can?" Namtan finally sputtered, like Film had just suggested something revolutionary.
Film chuckled, tapping her shoulder. "Yeah, Namtan. You can. I'm 100% sure I'll say yes."
A beat.
Then—pure, giddy excitement spread across Namtan’s face.
"I’d... I’d like that. Dinner tomorrow?"
Film’s heart flipped. "Tomorrow sounds perfect."
Namtan’s entire face lit up.
Film watched her go, shaking her head with a fond smile.
Namtan, meanwhile, sent a quick message to Bonnie: I won’t borrow your goldfish anymore.