This man… he really has no sense.
Haein didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She was only bewildered by Siyul’s gesture of wrapping her up even tighter in his arms.
“Are you stupid or something?”
“Hmm? I’ve been told plenty of times that I’m smart, though.”
Normally, Haein would have readily agreed with that. But right now, she was seriously starting to suspect that maybe he was a little lacking somewhere.
Because otherwise, how could he be reacting like this? She had gone out of her way to warn him out of concern…
“Kang Siyul, aren’t you even worried?!”
“I’ll be fine. As long as I eat well, sleep well, and stay healthy, my energy will replenish itself.”
Did he really think she was joking?
Haein pressed against the chest of the dangerous man who was leisurely trying to pull her closer, her face grave. But all she ended up doing was touching his warm, firm chest.
“Did you even hear what I said? I’m telling you something terrible could happen to you—”
“If it comes down to it, I’ll just have Ginseng Chicken Soup twice a week.”
“…You’ll get fat!”
“I can always exercise.”
Exercise on top of health food—sure, that would definitely help with energy. Wait, no—
“That’s not what I meant! Do you think that would actually solve anything?!”
“Mm, I’ll just make it taste even better for you.”
Her anger only earned her his smiling eyes. Haein was at a loss. What was this? Since when was the prey the one who felt more danger?
She shifted her hips, trying to escape, but this was still Siyul’s car.
The backseat was small and private.
The more she retreated, the closer he came. Before she knew it, she was trapped again in his familiar embrace. Siyul was definitely the hunter here.
A hunter who skillfully cornered his prey, savoring it little by little.
“For what it’s worth, I am a doctor. A veterinarian, but still.”
As if that made any difference, when the man trying to tilt her chin up for another kiss clearly wasn’t normal.
“Ugh, what does that have to do with anything?”
“It means you don’t have to worry about my health.”
“…I’m the one who’s not okay!”
I’m scared.
Siyul spoke with a smile, but Haein’s eyes brimmed with fear, as if she might burst into tears any second.
It wasn’t that she was afraid of his desire for her. She was terrified that he might suffer because of it.
What if his cheeks slowly hollowed out?
What if he collapsed in the street one day?
What if his face turned pale and sickly?
Judging by how things had gone so far, she wouldn’t be surprised if he suddenly fainted without warning.
“What, you think I’m going to die from this?”
Siyul brushed off her worries as if they were nothing.
He didn’t seem the least bit alarmed or disgusted at the thought that kissing her might drain his energy.
At the very least, she thought he would value his body enough to regretfully cut down on their kisses.
But Siyul did neither. In fact, he seemed to come at her even more freely. As if he were simply claiming what he was owed—boldly, confidently.
Well, to be fair, he had always been bold. This was no ordinary man.
“Don’t make that face. You don’t need to worry about me at all.”
“…But—”
“I really am fine.”
“Why… why aren’t you afraid?”
“If something like this were enough to scare me, I wouldn’t have started. And besides, why would I ever be afraid of you?”
The look in his eyes was nothing but tender.
As Siyul gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, Haein suddenly realized—maybe he was pretending it didn’t matter.
Because she was so frightened. Because even as the one who took from him, she was the one trembling in fear.
So maybe he acted unbothered… just so she wouldn’t worry.
If that were true, then she had no choice but to love him even more. Her heart was already overflowing, impossible to contain.
It was astonishing.
There really were moments in life when you were afraid simply because you didn’t know how much you might end up loving someone.
And this was one of them.
As Haein looked up into Siyul’s eyes, she realized that every single one of her fears came from the fact that she loved him.
And that realization made her feel strangely shy.
“…But what if you’re not fine?”
She whispered the words like a scolding, but felt something different stirring inside her.
Now, if he got sick, she thought she might cry. If he was hurt, she would feel that pain herself. And if she were the one to hurt him somehow… then she would be devastated, to the point of wanting to die.
If this wasn’t love, then what else could it possibly be?
“Why? You’ve never killed anyone before, have you?”
“Kill—what?! Don’t even joke about that!”
At his casual question, Haein faltered, then let out a horrified squeal, her face twisting as if she’d just stepped on an insect.
“Of course not!”
“That’s a relief.”
“What do you take me for?!”
“Oh, but even if you had, I think I’d still be fine with it. That’s how much I like you. And it’s not like there’s any law saying you couldn’t feel the same way about another person.”
My God. Was this man blinded by love? Not just blinded—his eyes must have been covered with entire palm leaves!
It was flattering, but now Haein was genuinely worried about his eyesight. Did he need glasses?
Hmm. Well, glasses might make him look even sexier… but still, she had to admit she was seeing through her own pair of rose-tinted lenses.
“…Hmph. There’s no fool in the world like you.”
“Really? That makes me happy. Means you only have eyes for me.”
“Ugh… gross! You idiot! Kang Siyul, you’re an idiot!”
“I’m perfectly normal. Everyone becomes an idiot when they’re in love.”
“Honestly, if only you couldn’t talk…”
When she turned away to dodge his kiss, he pressed his forehead against hers instead, rubbing affectionately. No matter what she did, she couldn’t escape him.
And in that moment, she realized—she loved every second he gave her his love.
Why was it that whenever she was with this man, she couldn’t calm down?
With him, she grew angry, so embarrassed she could die, or worried sick simply because she liked him too much.
“Are you… worrying about me?”
Instead of looking the slightest bit troubled, Siyul looked positively delighted—like someone about to receive a gift. The contrast only made Haein’s feelings twist tighter.
“No!”
“Well, well. What’s this? You’re actually worried about me?”
“I said I’m not!”
Her cheeks burned red as she shouted again, but Siyul didn’t believe the single lie her lips spoke.
Her wavering eyes, her quickening breath, her flushed face—all of those told him the truth far more honestly than her words did.
“I’m happy. Really happy. So happy, in fact, that… I’d like you to drain me completely. Right up to the moment I die.”
My energy, that is. He added it with a bright smile.
This man—he wasn’t just reckless. His guts weren’t merely big; they were spilling out onto the floor!
Jaw dropped, Haein froze in disbelief, only for Siyul to take hold of her chin again.
He pulled her closer. His next words left her no room to argue.
“Oh, do I need you to feed me? Then go ahead—I’ll leave it to you.”
“Mmph!”
This wasn’t what she wanted at all!
Pressed deep into the seat, Haein beat at Siyul’s shoulder with small fists, but it didn’t last long.
In the end, she was the one to loop her arms around his neck, gasping softly.
The kiss stretched on and on. It was good—too good—but Haein resolved never again to lure this dangerous beast out of the house with her own hands.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
The two men handled some practical matters.
First, Taeil transferred the remainder of his housing contract to Siyul. It wasn’t as though Siyul had been mooching because he couldn’t afford to live alone.
He had inherited a sum from his grandmother early on, earned a solid income for his age, and made smart, sizable gains in the stock market. On top of that, the fire insurance payout had just come through, so everything proceeded smoothly.
“Lucky the money covered it all.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s a bit too spacious for living alone, but at this price, with this location and size… honestly, it’s a steal. I owe you for this, Taeil.”
“No, I should be the one thanking you. Without you, things would have gotten messy.”
“Well, your uncle being the landlord certainly helped.”
Taeil even decided to leave behind most of his furniture, which meant Siyul wasn’t losing out at all.
And besides, it wasn’t like he’d really be living alone, was it?
“So the house is sorted, and I trust you’ll take care of the kitty, right?”
“No.”
“…Sorry?”
“Just give it to me. I’ll look after it myself.”
The sudden proposal caught Taeil off guard. He stammered, unable to answer right away.
That wasn’t what they’d agreed on.
“…But you said… you’d watch her for me.”
“I did. But then I thought—being passed around from owner to owner would be too cruel for her.”
Me?
The two men’s gazes shifted toward her. Haein froze in place, mid-lick on her paw, tongue sticking out.
They were tossing around words like “lease” and “contract,” so she’d been pretending not to listen. But why did Taeil suddenly look like a child whose candy had been stolen?
You! Did you bully my owner?!
Before, she would have bared her fangs at Siyul. But now that he was her boyfriend, Haein was at a loss, darting her eyes nervously between the two men.
“Nya, nya-nyang?” (M-master, what’s wrong?)
“Look… I know I have no right to ask. I’ll be back, no matter what, and when I do, I’ll take her again. So just until then—please—”
“I refuse. I’ve grown attached too.”
As Taeil faltered and looked down at her with helpless eyes, Haein finally pieced together what was happening. And she knew there was nothing she could do.
The unlucky one here was Taeil. He’d fallen straight into Siyul’s trap.
She, after all, was caught in Siyul’s net every single day.
“I don’t do temporary care. Just hand her over to me for good.”
There wasn’t even a trace of a smile on Siyul’s face, but Haein knew better. She was certain he was grinning inside.
She’d come to understand him by now. Of course he wouldn’t miss such a golden opportunity.
He was a complete opportunist, relentless, and more often than not, blessed with ridiculous luck. Fortune usually bent itself to his will.
Taeil, standing before him, was nothing but easy prey.
“What’s there to hesitate about? You know as well as I do—no one will treat her better than I will.”
“…That’s true, but still.”
“Then it’s settled. Everything’s perfect.”
Siyul even clapped his hands together, as if to mark the conclusion of a flawless deal. Clearly, there was no more room for negotiation. Taeil’s shoulders slumped, and his expression fell.
Haein could only look at him with pity.
Poor man. This was exactly what it meant to get your nose cut off while your eyes were wide open.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
That night, Haein curled up to sleep beside Taeil one last time.
The bed, the wide balcony window, even the familiar scent of him—it all felt strangely distant, as though she hadn’t been here in ages.
Lately, Siyul would get jealous if she tried to sleep here. And Taeil had been too busy, or too preoccupied with leaving, to really rest.
Now that his struggle was finally over, she was glad for him. But the thought of parting made her heart ache.
When he returned someday, she would be gone anyway.
The black cat would vanish without a trace, leaving only Park Haein the human behind.
So in truth, it didn’t matter who her “owner” was.
“Kitty.”
“Myaang?”
Just as she was drifting off, heavy with the promise of sad dreams, Taeil whispered softly, and she raised her head.
The room was dark, but she could still see his face clearly.
“I’m sorry.”
“Nyanya!” (…It’s okay!)
She gave a cheerful little cry and licked the hand he held out to her. But his expression remained deeply apologetic.
Apologizing to a cat—he really was different from Siyul, in his own way.
“I’m truly sorry it turned out like this. I’m such a coward, aren’t I?”
His big hand cradled her small head. She loved that feeling—always had.
And yet, somehow, tonight it felt different.
“Gido was right. I’m running away.”
“…”
“But don’t think it’s because you’re a bad cat. Please understand that.”
“Miyamiang.” (You’re not bad either, Master.)
“Don’t think I abandoned you, and don’t hurt because of it.”
From his perspective, she was already a cat who’d been abandoned once. A cat that had lost its owner, crying in the rain on a rooftop.
If only she could tell him with words that she was fine, that he shouldn’t worry. Instead, she simply kept licking his hand.
I’m fine. I just want you to be fine too.
If only this silent whisper of her heart could reach him.
And maybe—just maybe—if he realized he’d been tricked by Siyul, he wouldn’t feel so guilty. But he didn’t seem to suspect a thing.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
The morning Taeil left for his family home.
He packed a single suitcase, stuffed with books and music CDs to give his younger cousins. He sorted through everything else, determined to leave nothing behind.
It was proof enough that he was truly going away. Watching him, anyone would feel a pang of bitterness.
And the cat was no exception.
“Uh, about the kitty…”
“Mm.”
Haein hadn’t left Taeil’s side since yesterday, clinging desperately to him as though she knew.
Even as he tied the laces on his mud-stained brown high-tops, she rubbed her whole body against his hand. She even looked ready to dive into his suitcase.
In the end, Siyul had to pry her off and hold her tucked against his side.
“Myaang!” (Let me go!)
Pinned in place, she went limp in sulky protest, glaring up at him.
Taeil chuckled softly, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“Animals really are amazing.”
“Yeah.”
“She knows, doesn’t she? That I’m going far away.”
“Of course. They survive on instinct.”
“…Or maybe she knows I’m leaving her behind.”
Siyul flinched. Not because Haein nipped at his hand in protest, but because he saw tears pooling in Taeil’s eyes.
“…Are you crying?”
“Sorry. I just keep… feeling guilty.”
It wasn’t surprising Siyul was dumbfounded.
Taeil hurriedly wiped his eyes, embarrassed, and hefted his bags. But Haein wriggled free from Siyul’s arms and clung to Taeil’s pant leg, making fat tears roll down his cheeks after all.
“Myang! Miiyaaang~” (Master! Don’t cryyy~)
“Haha… I don’t know why I’m embarrassing myself like this.”
“Meoow!” (Uwaaaah!)
The two of them, sobbing together—anyone would think they were lovers.
Siyul’s patience snapped, though he held his tongue. It was only because they were really saying goodbye.
“Hey! Stop crying, will you? You’re making the cat cry too!”
“…Sorry.”
So much for letting it slide—he still snapped anyway.
