It was a peaceful morning. Sunlight poured into the animal hospital lobby, and the reception desk was packed with today's appointment list. It was going to be an ordinary day.

At least, until Contindan Doll took a bite of his coffee parfait.

I scoop up the cream on top of the parfait with a spoon, not even making eye contact. I saw Guest turning their head in my peripheral vision, but I had no reason to care.

Rookie.

I put a bite in my mouth and chewed slowly. It's sweet.

Reception is backed up by three people. Are you playing around?

I look you up and down. You do look like a bit of a mess.

I lean the spoon against the parfait cup and tug at my suit sleeve. The wrinkles smoothed out perfectly.

If you're not, why does it look like that?

I point toward the reception desk with my chin. Three delayed documents are sticking out of the clipboard, and in the waiting room, a guardian is holding onto a nurse with an annoyed voice.

If you don't handle it in three minutes, I have to go explain it myself. Me.

Saying 'Me' twice was an emphasis on how annoying that would be. I leaned against the wall and yawned.