After making a few compromises, the two of them ended up taking the bus together.
It had been years since Si-yul last rode a city bus, and while it felt novel to him, it was nothing compared to the excitement Ha-in was feeling—like she was on a school trip.
“Two, please.”
Beep.
While he put away his wallet, Ha-in’s eyes sparkled with delight.
She gazed at each passenger like they were a work of art, then clung to the window, completely absorbed in the view outside.
And yet, she looked absolutely full of life.
To be this happy over something so small.
Maybe it was because she used to be a cat, but she was truly moved just by riding a bus.
Si-yul watched her with amusement. If she had a tail right now, she’d definitely be wagging it like crazy.
His face remained expressionless, but a faint smirk tugged at his lips as he looked at her.
If she could stay this well-behaved, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to spend time together outside.
“Oh…!”
Ha-in’s heart was pounding. Everything about this ordinary experience felt brand new and amazing.
It had been two months—two whole months—since she’d behaved like a human again!
Yes, this is how it should be.
Walking, riding the bus, roaming the streets in broad daylight.
There were still some issues to deal with, but she figured she could at least catch a glimpse of her mom.
Ha-in stared dreamily out the window, completely distracted, even though Si-yul was sitting right next to her. She wasn’t guarded in the least.
She probably figured he wouldn’t try anything weird in a public space with so many eyes around.
“You like this that much?”
“Mhm!”
It was the first time Ha-in responded to Si-yul with such a bright, cheerful voice.
His gaze naturally went to the corners of her mouth, which curled into a wide smile, and to her eyes, crinkled with laughter… and then—his lips almost moved toward hers.
Wait, what?!
Startled, Si-yul furrowed his brow.
What was that just now? What the hell am I thinking?
He fell into a brief, intense panic. But he quickly shook his head.
Right. Even kittens make you want to squeeze them when they’re cute. That’s all this is.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
The neighborhood where he’d grown up came into view.
“We’re almost there. The next stop is it.”
“…Mmm!”
Ha-in struggled to contain the urge to bounce in her seat from excitement.
Si-yul, too, twitched his lips as if suppressing something.
Like the desire to ruffle her hair until it was a mess, or to tug at those flushed cheeks.
Or to run his thumb across those soft lips…
Ahem.
There were a lot of tempting things, but he had promised not to touch her. So he had to resist.
This was what it felt like to fall for something unbearably cute.
Si-yul knew he was in trouble. Not even ten kittens had ever made him feel this weak.
“Ha-woooow!”
But this little beast—no, this cat—was seriously cute.
Everything about her radiated joy. Her shining eyes were like weapons. The kind of natural charm a creature evolved to survive with. And it made her even more dangerous.
There’s a theory: the younger an animal is, the cuter it looks—so it can survive.
This had to be one of those cases.
That’s the only explanation for this ridiculous adorableness.
Si-yul, watching Ha-in glued to the window, firmly hypnotized himself with logic. Just as he was about to reach out to press the stop button—
“…?!”
“I’m pressing it! I’m gonna press it!”
Ha-in suddenly grabbed his hand with both of hers.
“It’s been so long!”
She was the type who had to press the bell when getting off a bus.
So when Si-yul tried to do it first, she frowned in all seriousness, glaring at him with those wide, sharp eyes that didn’t suit her.
And just that alone made his heart behave strangely.
It felt like he’d overdosed on caffeine.
Am I going crazy?
The closer they got to their stop, the more Ha-in squirmed with excitement. Her eyes sparkled like she was about to experience the greatest moment of her life.
The way she kept hesitating, wondering when to press the bell—
Beep!
“…”
“Hey!”
And just like that, Si-yul reached out with his long arm and pressed the bell himself, unable to resist being a little mean.
Ha-in looked utterly betrayed.
How could you?! her face said.
“You…!”
You’re the worst! her eyes accused.
Si-yul sensed a strange sense of danger.
This is bad. If I keep going along with this girl’s whims… something big might happen.
He was being bratty just to distract himself from the unfamiliar flutter in his chest.
To the other passengers, they just looked like a cringe-worthy couple acting out a scene.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
When they got off the bus, Ha-in’s cheeks were puffed in anger.
What kind of man crushes someone’s tiny wish like that?!
He’d just stomped on her one little joy.
How dare he press the bell! The rage simmered.
She glared at Si-yul with all the resentment she could muster, but he shamelessly looked around at the neighborhood.
He seemed puzzled, wondering why she’d wanted to come to such an ordinary suburb on the outskirts of Seoul.
It was a peaceful place, the kind where the nearest subway station was a ten-minute walk away. A small, featureless town backed by hills, about an hour from Gangnam.
“…Huh?”
While he’d been distracted for just a few seconds, Si-yul suddenly realized Ha-in had vanished.
Gone, without a sound.
His heart sank.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
Ha-in had used her signature skill—erasing her presence—to slip out of Si-yul’s sight like a ghost.
Her feline reflexes still worked just fine in human form.
Let’s see how you like it!
she thought gleefully, sprinting down a side street.
She wasn’t planning to run away for real this time—she’d come back eventually. But imagining Si-yul panicking was just too satisfying.
If I could just see that laid-back face twist in worry, that’d be perfect.
“Hehehe…”
It was her own little revenge. A small revenge for a small crime.
The neighborhood was large and complicated, and even longtime residents often got lost. There was no way Si-yul, who didn’t know the area, would be able to find her.
You’re the one who’s lost now, Kang Si-yul.
Feeling triumphant, Ha-in walked on with light steps.
“Hmph.”
This was where she’d lived for over ten years. Though she’d moved out, it was still her hometown.
I wonder how Mom’s doing.
Heart racing, she climbed the hill toward her old house.
She looked the same as before, but she worried her mom might still sense something different. So today, she just wanted to take a quick peek from afar.
That alone would bring me peace. Just a little comfort… I’ve missed her so much.
When she’d been free to visit anytime, she’d taken it for granted. But now that she’d almost never seen her again, the longing had become unbearable.
As she neared the house, Ha-in pulled her cap lower, worried the neighbors might recognize her.
She walked the familiar path and finally stopped in front of her home.
[Closed Due to Personal Reasons]
The second floor was their home, and the first floor was her mom’s real estate office—both her workplace and joy in life.
The office was always open. It was practically the local gossip hub, open 360 out of 365 days. Rain or shine, her mom was always there.
But today, the door was firmly shut.
Normally, she’d see her mom’s back through the glass window.
That’s strange. The lights are off… Has it been closed for a few days?
Ha-in, caught off guard by her mother’s unexpected absence, pressed her face to the window.
She thought about going inside, but she had no key. All she had was her body. Though honestly, with this agile, springy body, she could easily hop over the shoulder-high wall.
Like a cat. If no one were watching, she could just leap right over.
“Ugh…”
For a moment, she panicked.
Is Si-yul feeling like this right now?
She felt like a lost chick without its mother.
Vanishing without a word… it’s crueler than I thought.
She suddenly felt sorry for Si-yul. And upset with her mom.
“Ha-in noona?”
“Huh? Oh, Yong-jin.”
“Your mom went on a trip.”
Startled by the familiar voice, Ha-in turned around—and relaxed. It was a neighborhood kid she’d known for years.
“You know where she went?”
“Yeah, with the lady from the corner store, and Jin-dol’s mom, and Tae-hyung’s mom, and…”
“It was a group trip?! When? Where? How long?!”
All those names were from her mom’s close friend group. She let out a quiet breath of relief.
Yong-jin counted on his fingers before replying.
“Three days ago. Somewhere in Thailand, I think. My mom didn’t go ’cause of a memorial service. She was so mad.”
“I see… So she went on a vacation.”
“They all looked super excited! My dad didn’t let my mom go, though. He says he’s sick of beef soup.”
Relief quickly turned to resentment.
Seriously?! Your daughter disappears for two months and you just… go on a trip?!
Ha-in felt a surge of frustration.
She’d rushed here, full of guilt and worry—but her mom didn’t seem worried at all. She even felt a little robbed.
Sure, she’d sent emails occasionally, but still.
Isn’t a mom supposed to worry more? Even if I’m a grown-up?!
“Sigh… Thanks, Yong-jin. If you see my mom, make sure to tell her I was here, okay?”
“Okay!”
“And tell her I’m mad at her.”
“Got it, noona!”
She looked down at him, affection softening her scowl. If she’d really died, she never would’ve seen this kid again—grown up and tanned.
She ruffled his hair fondly.
If I had money, I’d give him some pocket change.
“Thanks, Yong-jin. If you’ve got cash, buy some chicken. Half-and-half. Extra pickled radish.”
“Eh?”
“Noona’s broke.”
I’m still in debt.
His look of disbelief said it all—but there was truly nothing she could give.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
Just as she’d used her catlike agility to escape, Ha-in used it again to track Si-yul down.
She sniffed the air like a bloodhound, following his scent.
And not far from the bus stop, she spotted his back.
He was clearly flustered, scratching his head and glancing in every direction.
From time to time, he’d even call out, “Kitty! Hey, kitty!” like he’d lost a pet.
It had only been fifteen minutes, but his profile looked pale with worry.
“…”
So much for a worried mom. But look at him… searching like this…
Now I feel bad.
Ha-in crept up behind him silently—just like always—and tapped his shoulder to let him know she was there. No words, just a quiet gesture.
“You… you little—!”
Their eyes met.
She thought he’d yell at her, but instead, his face visibly softened with relief.
The second his expression relaxed, it looked slow and vivid to Ha-in.
She saw his shaken eyes settle, his breathing calm.
“I thought I lost you…”
He’d been more worried than she expected. Maybe even more than that.
…That’s kinda touching.
Ha-in mumbled, half sulking.
“I came back.”
“Where the hell did you go without saying anything?!”
Just like a parent who scolds a lost child out of relief and anger, Si-yul exploded.
He’d sworn he’d be nicer once he found her, but now that she was back, he couldn’t help being mad.
“You scared the hell out of me!”
“I’m sorry.”
“…”
“I’m really sorry. I won’t do it again.”
She lowered her head, apologizing sincerely.
Even though it was obviously meant to tease him, he couldn’t stay angry.
His blazing fury… fizzled out like steam.
And what filled the space instead was something else.
Something soft, warm, and ticklish. Something unknown but gentle—something that warmed his heart.
“…Did you get everything done?”
“Yeah.”
She nodded so sweetly, he felt an urge to smack her out of sheer frustration—but instead, he placed his hand lightly on her head.
What more could I expect from a cat? She’s back. That’s enough.
Si-yul sighed and ruffled her hair.
“So what now?”
“I wanna go home.”
Now that she knew her mom was okay, Ha-in felt like she’d completed her most urgent task.
“All right. This time… you press the bell.”
Si-yul turned away, still feeling a little strange inside.
Which bus goes home again?
He retraced his steps back toward the stop.
Ha-in followed behind him with a light skip in her step.
Somewhere along the way, the wall between them had thinned just a little—but neither of them noticed.
It was just a little.
