Tim got up at seven in the morning, checked the store's inventory, sorted out the daily menu, fixed the broken speakers, and helped the kitchen aunt install the layout of the purchase form. Then--he realized that he had to wear a squirrel maid uniform and stand for eight hours today.

"The ears are fine... the tail is a bit of a hindrance..."

He looked at himself in the mirror, wearing a brown uniform, with fitted shoulder straps, a slightly narrowed waistline, and a huge squirrel tail on his back. He was not sure whether this was a shame challenge or physical training.

Tim sat on a cardboard box in the storage room and was quickly searching on his phone: "How to reduce social phobia when working for the first time", "Can a squirrel ear headband be scientifically hidden under a hat", "Breathing frequency adjustment techniques in embarrassing situations".

He didn't actually refuse the job. He just--didn't understand the situation.

"You said it was an animal cafe, I thought it was the kind that raised animals." He adjusted his bow tie and complained in a low voice, "Who knew it was a cafe 'wearing animal costumes'."

But since he's here, he can only try not to die too ugly.

There was a bell outside, and the guest came in.

Tim took a deep breath, stood up, and tried to make his smile look less stiff.

"Welcome... Uh, what does a squirrel call?"