After several days, Haein had finally returned to her cat form.
It was because Taeil had come back from the countryside after a week away.
“I’m home.”
“Mi-yang!” (Master!)
Somehow, Taeil returned with more luggage than when he left, and the moment he stepped into the entryway, Haein immediately pounced, clutching his pant leg.
She wrapped both arms around one leg and wagged her tail side to side, a sight that was impossible not to adore.
It wasn’t as though they were reunited after ten years, but the affectionate rubbing and nuzzling carried on endlessly between the clingy cat-girl and Taeil.
“Hey, you’re back, huh…”
Si-yul, however, found the sight irritating, even though it was something he had grown used to.
Arms crossed, he stood crookedly, watching the scene with disapproval.
Right now, she’s a cat. A cat. My lover, but not my lover at the same time.
He repeated the thought to himself for a moment, but it didn’t make the sight any less displeasing.
He hadn’t been such a narrow-minded person before—or so he thought—but even as the thought crossed his mind, he decided to interrupt the two.
Their sweet reunion after so long? That was none of his concern.
“How long are you two going to stand there? Cold air is getting in.”
Pretending to close the door, Si-yul slipped into the entryway, plucked Haein away from Taeil with practiced ease, and tucked her under his arm.
“Myang?” (What’s this?)
“And without a leash too. What if she ran outside like this?”
“Mi-yaang!” (No! I won’t go outside!)
“Ah, you’re right. I just couldn’t help it after seeing her again for the first time in a while…”
Really, to be so jealous—this man’s possessiveness deserves recognition,
Haein thought to herself.
“Anyway, come inside. You’re back sooner than I thought.”
“Is that so? I guess I didn’t notice time passing while I was resting.”
“You could’ve stayed there a little longer.”
“I wanted to, but I still have a lot to do before I leave the country.”
Of course, Taeil didn’t notice the barbed edge hidden in Si-yul’s words.
How could he? He would never dream that Si-yul saw him as a rival in love—especially when that rival was for a black cat that turned into a human woman.
“Have you set your departure date?”
“Yes, it’s settled.”
“Really?”
The smile that spread across Si-yul’s face then was so satisfied that even he must have been aware of it.
“Nya-nya-nyak!”
(Don’t smile, you shameless man! You’re so transparent!)
Such a brazen man.
Even though she had been in human form all this time, the lingering traces of energy on Haein’s body proved just how she and Si-yul had been spending their days together.
They had been excessively sweet and intimate. To Haein, it seemed like more than enough for their own lovey-dovey time.
Si-yul, however, didn’t seem to think so.
Right now, his greatest concern was Taeil’s departure.
“The official move to the U.S. will be in three weeks.”
“Ah, so you’ll be joining your team there?”
“Yes. After finishing a few months of prep work there, we’ll be moving on to Africa.”
“You’ll be busy.”
‘So that means I just have to endure for three weeks?’
Haein found it almost amusing that she could practically read Si-yul’s thoughts at that moment.
It was as if his thoughts were written across his face.
“Yes, the most urgent thing right now is finding a short-term place to stay near Mr. Smith’s office in San Francisco… but that’s proving harder than I thought.”
“Oh? San Francisco, huh? In that case, I might be able to help.”
“…Huh?”
“One of my college friends lives there.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He’s about to have a child and get married next month, so I heard he’ll be moving out of his current place soon. The landlord is Korean too, so who knows? Your schedules might line up.”
And if they didn’t, well—Si-yul looked like the sort who would make them line up.
Taeil’s face lit up, as though he had just met a living saint.
No doubt, from his perspective, Si-yul was a cool, capable older brother. But Taeil was overlooking one crucial fact—
Si-yul only ever offered kindness when he had something to gain from it.
“Even if that doesn’t work out, I can probably find you a place to stay.”
“…I don’t know how to thank you. You always do so much.”
“No need to thank me.”
‘If you leave, I’ll be the one thankful.’
Si-yul chuckled broadly, locking eyes with Haein, who was glaring at him with sharp, accusing eyes.
But he only smiled more deeply, unbothered.
He was a man more shameless than any cat.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
“What is all this? Enough food to last a year?”
In the living room, Taeil began unpacking his bags, and as it turned out, the luggage really had grown. Vegetables and fruit spilled out of his suitcase in heaps.
“The elders… They insisted on giving me so much, even though I told them it was too much. I couldn’t refuse.”
“Perfect. We’ll use it for your farewell party.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea. I can share some with friends too.”
“Great thinking. So, the party is still set for this Friday?”
“Yes.”
From the moment the farewell party was brought up, Si-yul’s mood noticeably lifted.
Clearly, the thought of sending Taeil off delighted him.
“Everyone’s free that day?”
“I asked—they said it’s fine.”
“How many people?”
“The usual. Just Gi-do and Ha-eun. That’s all.”
“Hm. We could invite more, you know. With this much food, six or so people would be fine.”
Rummaging through the vegetables, Si-yul was being unusually generous. But Taeil only shrugged and smiled.
“I appreciate it, but those two are all the friends I have.”
“…You say that with such innocence.”
“I mean, I know plenty of people. But as for friends—I think two in a lifetime is enough. Maybe I’m just not greedy enough.”
Listening, Haein realized Ha-eun held quite an important position in Taeil’s life.
One of only two lifelong friends.
That alone made sense of why she found it so hard to confess. Losing such a precious spot would be devastating.
And if she misunderstood Taeil as being gay? Then it was even less likely she’d take the risk.
Better to keep the safe spot by his side than attempt a hopeless confession. Haein figured she would’ve chosen the same.
Wait… why am I siding with Ha-eun now?
The thought suddenly struck her as odd.
Before, she used to find Ha-eun’s behavior unbearable—flirting with Taeil even while having a boyfriend of her own.
She had hated her, really.
She didn’t want to admit it, but the combination of beauty and kindness had been infuriating. No one could be that perfect.
Surely she was just pretending.
Her kindness must have been an act.
…But in reality, Ha-eun turned out to be less of a sly fox and more of a clueless bear.
Once Haein realized just how ridiculous Ha-eun’s misunderstanding was, all she could feel was pity.
She’s a fool… but in that sense, she’s not so different from me.
After all, Haein herself had her fair share of foolishness.
And given the painful joy of the love she was living through, she wasn’t in a position to judge anyone else.
She glanced sidelong at Si-yul.
“Well then, with me included that makes four. With this much food, maybe I should add more dishes to the menu…”
“I’ll help.”
“No, thanks. I prefer doing things alone.”
Still, she thought,
at least I had the chance to be with the person I loved, even if only for a moment. But when I think about Ha-eun, who never even got to confess her feelings, it feels pitiful.
Not even knowing each other’s hearts… that was a sad thing.
“More importantly, can you check with them if there’s anything they really dislike or absolutely can’t eat, and let me know? I need to plan the menu.”
“Gido eats pretty much anything. As for Ha-eun… she’s not good with seaweed or other sea plants.”
“Really?”
“She can’t eat abalone raw, and she doesn’t like oysters either. She can eat them cooked, though.”
“You know her well.”
“I’ve seen her force herself to eat things she couldn’t handle, just out of respect for the person who prepared them. More than once, it made her sick afterward.”
“…Oysters, huh. I was thinking of adding them to the menu, but I guess I’ll leave them out. Got it.”
Ha-eun again, beginning and ending with Ha-eun. If you like her that much, just take her with you to Africa already!
Hae-in sulked at the thought but couldn’t possibly say it aloud. After all, she couldn’t imagine Tae-il storming a wedding and stealing the bride away.
“Well then, I should head out again. There’s still a lot of paperwork to get through, and tomorrow’s going to be busy too. Please take care of Nyang for me, hyung.”
“I’ll take her to the vet if I have to. Don’t worry.”
“…Thanks.”
“You look a little off, though. If something’s bothering you, talk to me. I’ll help.”
“That’s not it. It’s just… the more I get things organized, the stranger it feels.”
Maybe it was because Si-yul was helping so much that everything was moving along too smoothly.
Tae-il still couldn’t quite accept that soon, this house, the car, even the cat wouldn’t be his anymore.
As Tae-il gave a hollow laugh, Si-yul hit the mark with a casual jab.
“Of course it feels strange. You’ve still got regrets. Half of this trip to Africa is you running away.”
“…I told you before, I can’t hide anything from you, hyung.”
“That’s right.”
That smug face! He could’ve offered some comfort instead of gloating.
But Si-yul wasn’t the kind of man who provided that kind of service.
“By the way, hyung, did something good happen to you?”
“…Hm?”
“You seem like it.”
“Hah, you caught that too?”
Si-yul looked a little taken aback at being read so easily, though he didn’t seem the least bit upset about it.
“If it’s written all over your face, it must be something really good.”
“You’re right.”
“What is it?”
“…That’s a secret.”
He’d poked around plenty into Tae-il’s affairs, but when it came to his own, he guarded them tightly.
“It’s R-rated.”
Hae-in, thinking her boyfriend had a truly wicked streak, could only agree that yes—this one was definitely worth keeping secret.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
Even after arriving at the hospital, Si-yul kept hearing the same question over and over: had something good happened?
With such a big grin plastered on his face, who wouldn’t notice?
“Kang… can’t you at least try to manage your expression?”
“Oh, that’s my specialty.”
“You’re not managing anything right now!”
“What can I do? I’m too happy. When you’re proud enough to want to brag, you can’t help but show it.”
There was no arguing with him. He was so confident about it that it left others speechless. The only person embarrassed by the reason for his happiness seemed to be Hae-in.
After all, Si-yul said things like this with a perfectly straight face:
“I hope Tae-il doesn’t come home tonight either. He should stay busy.”
“Huh?”
“That way, we’ll have the place to ourselves.”
“…Ugh, have some shame!”
“Shame is for when it’s useful. And this isn’t one of those times.”
Hae-in only dared to shout because it was just the two of them in the consultation room.
She wanted to argue more, but the sound of someone approaching forced her to clamp her mouth shut again.
Knock, knock.
“Doctor?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
The nurse poked her head through the door. It was time for afternoon consultations, and she had come to let him know.
Go on. Looks like I’ve got a patient.
Catching his lazy hand gesture, Hae-in hopped down from the desk with a soft thud.
“Meow!” (Just wait until we get home!)
Her sharp cry didn’t quite match her elegant stride as she headed toward the door.
Since she had been spending the past few days in human form, she figured she might as well check on the patients who’d been admitted before—just a little sightseeing.
But as she passed the nurse, the woman spoke in a hesitant voice.
“Um, it’s not a patient… a Ms. Lee Ha-eun is here to see you.”
“Huh?”
“She said you’d know her if I gave her name. Should I let her in?”
“…Well, this is unexpected.”
A surprising visitor indeed. Lee Ha-eun.
“Please, show her in.”
“Yes, I’ll bring her.”
“And some coffee, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. Two cups?”
“And in ten minutes—whether the guest has finished or not—come back and say someone’s here to see me, then send her out.”
“Understood.”
Hae-in perked her ears. She was keen to see whether Lee Ha-eun would be able to accomplish whatever she came for within ten minutes.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
“Hello…?”
It wasn’t long before Lee Ha-eun stepped into the consultation room, looking hesitant. Si-yul merely gave a curt nod in acknowledgment, substituting it for a greeting.
Perhaps feeling awkward, she also turned to Hae-in.
“Hello, Kitty?”
Come to think of it, she had always acknowledged her, though Hae-in had always ignored it.
“…Mya.” (…Sure.)
“Oh my? This is the first time you’ve ever responded to me.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I thought she disliked me… but maybe she’s in a good mood today?”
It wasn’t that Hae-in was in a good mood. She just pitied Ha-eun, standing there across from Si-yul, unable even to sit down, shuffling nervously.
I know exactly how uncomfortable Si-yul can make someone if he wants to.
“Enough. What brings you here?”
“I was just… passing by.”
“As far as I know, you don’t keep pets.”
“…I saw your card from before and thought I’d stop in.”
“Ah, that.”
“I called the hospital several times, but since I wasn’t a patient, they wouldn’t put me through. I didn’t know your number either, and asking Tae-il would’ve seemed strange, so… here I am.”
The reason she’d tried to contact him was clear enough. Though for her to go so far as to show up in person—that was unexpected.
“Um… please, take this first.”
Still without a proper invitation to sit, Ha-eun cautiously held out a long black box with a handle.
“What is it?”
“Th-this… Christmas is coming up, so… I thought maybe you and your girlfriend could enjoy it together. It’s nothing much, but it tastes good.”
From the shape and the scent, it was one hundred percent wine. Even through the packaging, the aroma was enticing enough that Hae-in leaned in, sniffing curiously.
It was clearly a bribe—her way of asking him to listen.
“The alcohol content?”
“Uh… it’s on the stronger side, but it’s sweet. A wine popular with women.”
“Then I’ll accept it gratefully. For my beloved girlfriend.”
Knowing exactly how Hae-in became when she drank, Si-yul decided to snatch it up without hesitation. Best to follow his instincts.
“Ni-yang?!” (I’m not drinking that!)
Startled, Hae-in cried out, but he tucked the bottle away all the same before finally gesturing for Ha-eun to sit.
This couple needed to reach some sort of conclusion, one way or another.
Only then could he and Hae-in finally have uninterrupted time together.
