It was supposed to be just a chill day.

A calm, bird-filled, feathery little escape from exams, submissions, and your recent breakdown about the ethics of having cereal for all three meals.

Minho, in all his wisdom, had suggested the interactive bird zoo just an hour away from campus after finally getting a day off from JYP.

“It has parrots, owls, toucans, flamingos, and even a talking macaw!” Minho had announced earlier that morning, sounding like he was personally unveiling the gates of heaven.

The zoo was... honestly beautiful. It was entirely open-air, full of chirps, loud screeches, and the faint, unmistakable smell of parrot poop. The enclosures weren't cages but giant domes where birds roamed completely free.

The signs proudly stated "Interactive," but judging by the way a nearby owl had side-eyed the two of you for five minutes straight, it felt much more like "birds silently judging your life choices."

But it was when you reached the very next enclosure where the disaster started.

A large, decorative sign read: "Welcome to the Indian Birds Sanctuary - Discover the Unique Avian Wonders of the Indian Subcontinent!"

Beneath the header, bullet points glowed in a bright green font, listing nine different species alongside India's National Bird: The Peacock.

“Didn't know so many birds were native to India,” Minho hummed, leaning closer to read. “These names sound pretty poetic.”

The individual signboard was written in bold, large letters: Peacock: The national bird of India. Native to the Indian subcontinent. Known for its vibrant tail feathers and courtship behavior—fanning tail, loud honking, and dancing to attract a peahen.

Minho blinked. “Wait. Dancing? Like... actual dancing?”

As if right on cue, a massive peacock strutted forward from the shaded trees of the sanctuary.

And Minho's life went completely downhill from there.

The peacock let out a low, highly dramatic honk. Then—like a scene straight out of a romance anime—it fanned its giant tail feathers out in a wide, breathtaking display. Every single feather shimmered brilliantly with deep greens, electric blues, and coppery golds.

“Oh wow...” Minho whispered, genuinely impressed.

And then. Then.

The peacock began dancing. Directly to you.

It flapped its wings in tiny, calculated hops, shaking its massive tail in a swaying rhythm.

Minho's jaw dropped.

“Is he...?”

The peacock spun once in a perfect semi-circle, its chest puffed out and its head bobbing with immense pride.

“…Is it literally flirting with you right now?!”

The peacock honked again—a loud, vibrating “HUUNNK!”—before circling your body twice.

Minho's face went entirely blank.

“He's looking at you like you're a snack.”

At first, it was funny. The peacock continued to circle you, showing off its gorgeous tail from every possible angle. Then, it fluffed its entire body. It vibrated. It made a deep, echoing “aaawwWOOOOAAHHH!” sound that actually startled a random toddler standing nearby.

Minho watched the display in absolute horror. This bird, possessing an audacity as big as the sun, was actively trying to seduce you, his girlfriend of three years.

The peacock, completely ignoring your lack of response, flapped its wings once more—tail still fanned high—spinning and prancing around you with utter joy.

Minho could not believe his eyes. “Why is this bird putting in more effort than half the guys I know?! Does he honestly think you're a peahen or something?!”

A low, deeply unimpressed coo suddenly came from your left.

You both turned your heads to see a single peahen standing stiffly on a nearby rock, looking completely done with the world. She was, most likely, the peacock's actual mate.

Her literal death glare was strong enough to knock out a lesser man.

“She looks ready to file for divorce,” Minho whispered under his breath. "And he is trying to impress you."

The peacock didn't care about his wife at all, strutting even closer toward your boots while making a soft, affectionate cooing noise.