Episode 2: the Cafeteria night

Zzok looked down and gasped. The animals were no longer pets or beasts of burden. They had evolved. They walked upright on two legs, dressed in clothes, and worked side-by-side with humans. They kept their fur, their scales, and their animal features, but their eyes held human intelligence. In this New Earth, the boundary between man and beast had vanished, replaced by a strange, working harmony."

Under the cover of night, Zzok dressed in a long coat. Earlier that day, he had been a shadow, silently picking a gun and extra ammo from the pocket of a Lion Police Officer without being noticed

"He had also pickpocketed 100 money from two human officers to buy the coat he was wearing. Now, he was armed and hidden.

"Zzok stood on the dark road, wrapped in his long coat. Under the glow of the streetlights, he stared at the brightly lit cafeteria, watching the shadows move inside."

Inside the cafeteria, Zio the white cat sat quietly. His wife, Mok, looked like a normal office worker, tired from a long day at the desk. Zio had no idea that she was secretly a spy on a dangerous mission; to him, she was just his wife coming home from work."

Mok held the keys to their home in her hand. They had two children waiting for them, Zio As he sat there, Zio began to think about his past life,

zio thinking past life

Zio: "Mom, I’ve resigned from the police force. I’m tired of the strange gunfire and the training. I’ve decided to open a cafeteria instead."

Zio's Mom: "That’s good news. So, are you planning for marriage now?"

Zio: "Wait... I’m not getting married. I prefer a life alone. I don’t need a wife or children

Zio's Mom: "You know why I never married, Zio? It’s because I spent my whole life in the military. I never had the time. But you... you have the time now."

Zio knew his mother was a retired military veteran who had sacrificed everything. He feared she might pass away with her final wish unfulfilled. He couldn't let that happen to her. So, for her sake, Zio changed his mind."

Zio now thinking in cafeteria

Zio thinking: Maybe the 'bad students' from my school days were right all along. They used to say, 'Choose your own life; don't let anyone else live it for you.' But I was the 'good boy.' I followed the rules. I listened to my mother. Now I wonder... if I had chosen my own path back then, would my life be better or worse today?"

"Across the cafeteria, his son and daughter were laughing and playing, their voices echoing off the walls. Suddenly, his son looked up, his eyes bright with innocence.

Son: 'Dad?'

Zio (Snapping out of his thoughts): 'Huh? Oh...

Son: "Dad, I want to be a police officer when I grow up!"

Zio (Smiling): "Oh? That’s a noble goal. But if you’re out there catching bad guys, who’s going to stay here and protect us? Hmm?"

Son: hu hmm

Zio: "Don't worry, you have plenty of time to choose your path. Just remember to work carefully and stay safe. Go on, play for a bit while we wait for your mom to finish up."

Waiter: "Sir! Sir, you forgot your change!"

Zio: "Oh, right. Thank you."

Zio (Thinking): "The night is clear now.

The bell above the door chimed as Zzok stepped inside, his long coat swirling around his boots. He chose a chair in the far corner, away from the bright overhead lights, and sat down with a heavy silence. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the room before landing on the owner.

Zzok: 'One cup of black coffee. No sugar.'

Zio (Nodding slowly): 'Coming right up. Please, wait a moment.'"

Daughter: "Dad, can I use your phone for a bit?"

Zio (Smiling): "No, it's time to focus on learning. You and your brother aren't in school yet because of your age, but your tuition teacher gave you homework. As soon as your mom gets here, we are going home. You’ll finish your work, and then it’s straight to bed! 😄"

Zzok’s hand moved toward his pocket, his eyes locked on Zio’s neck. But he hesitated. He realized his weapon lacked a silencer. In the dead silence of the night, a single shot would alert everyone. He pulled his hand back, sliding the gun deep into his coat. He knew that once the silence was broken, everything would change forever."

Zzok (Thinking): "Dammit... the mission is getting complicated. I’ve taken down powerful bosses and high-ranking officials, but I wasn't prepared for this. I didn't expect the target to be a simple cafeteria owner with two white cat children watching his every move."

Mok (Entering): "Hey, Zio! I’m finally off work. Let’s head home."

Zio (Smiling at the kids): "Look, your mom is here! Let's go, kids 😄

Zzok walked down the deserted road, his footsteps echoing against the pavement. He adjusted his coat, his mind flashing back to his very first mission. 'Don't worry,' he whispered to himself, a cold smile touching his lips. He spotted a high-profile businessman in the distance—a target he had been tracking. Finally, the streets were empty of witnesses. 'No people around,' Zzok noted. 'Perfect. Let’s go.'"

Meanwhile, inside their home, the atmosphere was a world away from the violence of the streets. Mok began to change out of her stiff office clothes, the heavy ID badge clattering onto the dresser as she prepared to shed her public identity. In the living room, Zio was focused on a different kind of mission. He sat with his children, patiently guiding them through their lessons. 'Focus on your work,' he encouraged, ensuring every line of their homework was completed before the night ended."

[The Episode 2 is end]

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