Jeongin, or I.N as he was known to the world, had been feeling a pang of loneliness lately. Touring was exhilarating, the fans were incredible, but the empty dorm room at the end of the day echoed a bit too loudly. He missed the playful energy, the soft companionship a pet could offer. He remembered Taehyung's dog, Yeontan, during their last visit to the BTS mansion. The little Pomeranian had been a furry ball of happiness, and Jeongin had spent a considerable amount of time playing fetch and showering it with affection.
"I think I want a pet," he announced one evening at dinner, stirring his ramen thoughtfully.
The other members of Stray Kids exchanged glances. Pets were a big responsibility, especially with their packed schedules.
"Are you sure, Jeongin-ah?" Bang Chan, their leader, asked gently. "We're already juggling so much. Who's going to take care of it when we're on tour?"
"I will!" Jeongin insisted. "I promise to be responsible. I'll research everything, make sure it's well taken care of. Maybe… maybe just a bunny?" He gave them his most persuasive puppy-dog eyes. How could they resist?
After a week of relentless pleading and earnest promises, the hyungs relented. They agreed, under strict conditions, that he could adopt a pet. Jeongin, ecstatic, immediately started researching online. He was leaning towards a bunny; they were fluffy, cute, and relatively low-maintenance.
That evening, armed with his laptop and a cup of hot chocolate, Jeongin navigated to a reputable animal adoption website. He scrolled through pages of adorable bunnies, each one vying for his attention. Finally, he found one with floppy ears and endearing buck teeth. "Perfect!" he whispered.
He clicked the "Adopt" button and was taken to the order confirmation page. The quantity box showed a default value of "1." He clicked it once, then twice, intending to scroll down and finalize the order.
That's when disaster struck. His laptop, old and prone to glitches, froze. The cursor blinked mockingly as the website stubbornly refused to respond. Jeongin slammed his palm on the trackpad in frustration. As if by magic, the laptop unfroze, but the screen flickered erratically. He noticed, with growing horror, that the quantity box now displayed a very long number. It was just a jumble of figures, or so he thought.
He sighed in relief as the screen went back to normal. He clicked "Confirm Order" without a second thought, eager to secure his new bunny. A confirmation message popped up: "Thank you for your adoption! Your pet will be delivered within 3-5 business days."
He closed the laptop, oblivious to the impending chaos. He dreamed of fluffy ears, playful hops, and the warmth of a furry friend.
Three days later, Jeongin was in his room writing lyrics when he heard a commotion downstairs. Loud barking, insistent meowing, and… was that the sound of tiny claws scrabbling on the floor? He frowned, wondering what was going on.
Suddenly, Lee Know burst into his room, eyes wide with disbelief. "Jeongin-ah! What… what is this?!" he shouted, gesturing wildly behind him.
Jeongin followed Lee Know out of the room and into the hallway. He stopped dead in his tracks, his jaw dropping. The hallway wasn't a hallway anymore. It was… a zoo.
Bunnies hopped freely, nibbling on stray cables. Hamsters scurried in plastic balls, bumping into each other. Puppies yipped excitedly, chasing after bewildered cats. And in the corner, in a series of large tanks, goldfish swam in circles.
He looked at Lee Know, then back at the menagerie. He couldn't breathe.
"Holy shit, Jeongin! What is all of this?" Lee Know repeated, his voice a mixture of shock and exasperation.
Jeongin's face paled. "It was an accident…" he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I swear!"
"An accident?" Lee Know stared at him incredulously, trying to process the scene before him. "An accident involving… how many animals are even here?"
Jeongin swallowed hard. "I… I think a thousand? Maybe more? There were supposed to be just one bunny."
Lee Know groaned, running a hand through his hair. "A thousand animals… Jeongin, you've outdone yourself."