As I was walking in the pouring rain without an umbrella, a café appeared before me. Its name was
"Love Depend Café"
～～ Unlock Your Heart Here ♥ Start Your Journey ～～
Apparently, this is a concept café themed around love addiction. Out of curiosity, I decided to enter.
"A new love patient!"
A clerk suddenly shouted loudly as I stepped inside.
He introduced himself as "Dr. Love," wearing a white coat adorned with pink heart patterns. I immediately felt uncertain about this café. The white coat looked nothing like what a regular doctor would wear, more like a cosplay costume. The hearts popped out from the coat, making it look so ridiculous that I doubted whether this was a place where serious issues could be addressed.
The interior looked like a romantic theme park. The walls were decorated in pink and red, with heart-shaped cushions on the sofas and tables scattered with rose petals. Soft lighting cast a gentle glow, creating a romantic ambiance, with a sweet fragrance lingering in the air. Soft, bittersweet love songs played quietly as background music.
"Welcome, are you someone drowning in love?"
Dr. Love asked with a beaming smile.
Dr. Love wore a bright pink shirt with a colorful tie, accessorized uniquely. His coat, filled with hearts, might look like cosplay, but his smile and confident demeanor made it clear that he genuinely loved this style. His manner of speaking was friendly, mixing jokes with ease, and had a knack for making people feel relaxed.
"How did you know I'm a love patient?"
I asked, bewildered.
Dr. Love laughed as he replied.
"Most of our customers here struggle with love addiction. Your expression and posture also give it away. We have special programs to help solve love-related issues."
"I see..."
I agreed and took a seat.
She was dressed in the latest designer dress, with perfect makeup and meticulously styled hair, looking like she just stepped out of a magazine. Her accessories were all high-end brands, with attention to detail in every aspect. Her manner of speaking was polite and reserved, constantly showing concern about how others perceived her※1.
"First, please have a Love Tonic."
A strange pink drink was handed to me.
"Why am I supposed to drink this pink drink?"
"This Love Tonic contains ingredients that help you relax and uplift your mood. It includes chamomile extract, B vitamins, and a bit of St. John's wort, which calm the mind and create a positive outlook. The first step to treating love addiction is to relax and calm your mind."
"I see."
I took a sip of the Love Tonic. The sweet, refreshing taste spread through my mouth, and I felt a bit lighter.
Looking at the menu, I noticed items named "Tears of a Black Hole" and "Heartbreak Soup." Curious, I asked about them.
"What is 'Tears of a Black Hole' like?"
Dr. Love laughed as he explained.
"Tears of a Black Hole has a deep coffee-like taste, slightly bitter but with a cleansing effect on the heart. It contains dark chocolate extract, which is rich in antioxidants and helps relieve stress."
"What about Heartbreak Soup?"
"Heartbreak Soup is packed with herbs and vegetables. It includes chamomile and basil, which help calm the mind. It's designed to slowly restore your spirits when your heart is aching."
"I see, they all seem to have heart-healing effects."
I muttered as I looked at the menu.
Dr. Love guided me to a room at the back, which had a door labeled "Kingdom of Hearts."
As soon as the door opened, the atmosphere changed instantly.
I felt like I had stepped into a different world.
The air inside was filled with a sweet scent and a dazzling light. Giant heart-shaped objects hung from the ceiling, casting rainbow-colored reflections on the walls. The floor was covered with soft, carpet-like grass, giving a pleasant sensation with every step. Posters on the walls asked, "What is Love?" and the entire room was bathed in a dreamy atmosphere.
Dr. Love said.
"Let's explore the Kingdom of Love Addiction and embark on an adventure to find solutions."
The first encounter was with the "Jealousy Monster."
He had a green body and whispered in my ear when he saw me.
"Who is your lover with now?"
I trembled before the bizarre and terrifying monster.
Dr. Love spoke softly and calmly.
"This monster represents your jealousy. To defeat it, you need to build self-confidence."
"Right, I have always been controlled by my imagination rather than facts."
I was always focused on my partner and not on myself...
The next encounter was with the "Fountain of Anxiety."
This fountain increased anxiety just by looking at it, and I stood there paralyzed. The water was an eerie purple, which heightened my anxiety.
Dr. Love stood by the fountain and gently explained.
"This fountain symbolizes your inner anxiety. It may look frightening, but the water contains passionflower extract, which has calming effects."
Following his words, I took a sip. Surprisingly, I felt calmer. The scent of passionflower spread, and I felt my anxiety gradually ease.
The next to appear was the "Maze of Validation."
This maze, which manifested the darkness of seeking validation from others, was filled with countless mirrors before me. The reflection of myself kept whispering.
"I want to be recognized by everyone, I want more likes."
I questioned the reflection in the mirror.
"Will I truly be fulfilled if someone accepts me?"
But no answer was found. Only an empty self surfaced.
"If I leave it to others, I will lose myself."
Trying to muster the courage to face myself, I realized that I was still grappling with dependence.
"Here, it's important to find your own value, not the evaluation of others."
While I understood it in my head, it seemed it would take some time for Dr. Love's words to truly resonate in my heart.
As I moved further, the "Cave of Past Regrets" appeared.
Inside this cave, past mistakes and regrets were vividly replayed. I saw my breakups and my past missteps unfold before me.
"Why couldn't I be more honest back then? I'm sorry for hurting you."
The emotions from that time resurfaced, and I felt my face turn pale. The regrets of my past actions came back sharply, and my chest tightened with pain.
"In this cave, it's important to accept the past and cultivate the strength to move forward."
Dr. Love's words troubled me. It seemed that I had many challenges to overcome before I could fully understand this.
Finally, I reached the "Chest of Love."
When I opened this chest, inside were the "Key of Self-Affirmation" and the "Mirror of Trust in Others."
"Use this key and mirror to free yourself from dependence."
She first took the "Key of Self-Affirmation" and held it to her chest. A strange sensation spread through her, and she felt the power to recognize her own value surge. No longer relying on the evaluations of others, she began to affirm herself little by little.
Next, she took the "Mirror of Trust in Others."
When she looked into the mirror, she saw herself facing others and building trustful relationships. Seeing that image, she resolved to regain the ability to trust others.
"With this key and mirror, I have regained the power to trust myself and others."
She gained the courage to face the adventures of life ahead.
Dr. Love smiled contentedly and said.
"This is the beginning of true healing. Continue to value yourself and build healthy relationships with others."
Having completed the adventure in the "Kingdom of Hearts," she felt lighter as she left the café.
"Next time, please say 'I value myself.' There is a special service for you."
Dr. Love handed her a ticket labeled "Affirmation" with a smile.
The strange experience at Love Depend Café became a catalyst for her to find a new self.
I hope this experience can help everyone struggling with love addiction, even a little. And I'm looking forward to the next adventure.
※1This protagonist is dependent on others' approval for self-esteem, paying great attention to appearance to elevate social status. This reflects behavior patterns strongly influenced by contemporary consumer culture and the importance placed on external validation.
