Hello Vet! How are you?

Several days had passed since Han Na-Hyuk had visited.

Yet, the Gray one was nowhere to be seen.

Lee Joon, while treating patients, would glance out the window whenever he could, but there were no signs of Gray one.

After Lee Joon had given Gray one some food, he would come to the Woof Woof Animal Clinic at least once every two days to eat the food and snacks.

Gray one had not been seen for nearly a week now.

“This is, surprisingly, worrying.”

He knew that Gray one was the leader of this area, but that was only in the world of cats.

“What if he got into an accident?”

Gray one didn’t solely live in the park.

He would wander the streets and cross roads.

Cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and electric scooters… The dangers were everywhere.

Lee Joon’s mind was already simulating scenarios.

An accident could leave Gray one lying in a corner of the street, bleeding heavily, with whimpers escaping from his mouth.

Gravely injured, Gray one would be unable to move.

However, with his wild instincts, he would muster all his strength to crawl into a hidden spot where no one could see him.

And if nobody saw that Gray one was hurt…

“No, it can’t be. Maybe he found a caretaker who gives him much better food than I do. Yeah, that suits him better.”

Lee Joon tried hard to brush off the bad thoughts but it didn’t stop him from worrying.

When Lee Joon could no longer contain his concern and decided to look for Gray one, Jang Sora approached him, seemingly worried about Gray one too.

“Director, it seems Gray one hasn’t been seen around lately?”

“I was actually considering going to the park after work.”

“You’re going to look for him?”

“Yes, I need to see him safe to feel at ease.”

“I’d also like to join you in the park, but…”

“Don’t you have a memorial service today? You should go quickly.”

“Still… How will you search that big park all by yourself, director?”

“It’s okay. I know the places where Gray one usually hangs out, so I’ll find him quick.”

Just as he had assured Sora, Lee Joon felt confident about finding Gray one.

Going to the park and finding Gray one would be great; otherwise, he could ask the other cats.

Leaving work a little earlier than usual, Jang Sora handed Lee Joon a paper bag.

“Director, these are snacks for Gray one and the other cats.”

Inside the paper bag were a variety of cat treats and food, canned snacks, small bowls, and even a bottle of fresh water.

“Thank you. I’ll let the park cats know that Manager Jang brought these for them.”

“Oh, director, you always speak so kindly. I’ll leave now.”

“Alright. You’ve worked hard today.”

An hour after Sora had left, Lee Joon locked up the Woof Woof Animal Clinic and headed to the park.

The first place he reached was the tree where Gray one usually sat.

Lee Joon called out for Gray one there.

“Hey Gray one, Silver Rain!”

Nyaaao!

Meow, meow!

The cries of the cats answered Lee Joon’s call from all around him.

『It’s the doctor!』
『Huff huff, it’s the Woof Woof doctor!』
『Doctor, how are you!』

Rustling noises followed as cats emerged in front of Lee Joon.

Yellow cats, tawny cats, and even tuxedo cats with white bellies and black backs.

However, Gray one was not among them.

“Where is your boss?”

『Boss is not here.』
『Boss is out.』

“Not here?”

『Yes.』

Despite Lee Joon’s disappointed expression, the cats seemed quite calm.

“Where did he go?”

『He must be on patrol.』
『Our boss occasionally inspects the territory.』

He must be patrolling, they said in unison.

“Your boss is an admirable figure, always looking out for us, checking the neighborhood.”

『Yes, indeed. He informs us if there are dangerous places or odd things around.』

The cats eagerly praised Gray one.

Normally, Lee Joon would have given the thumbs up, admiring Gray one’s influence within the group.

However, right now, his primary concern was Gray one’s safety.

“When did he leave?”

『Hmm, about a week ago, maybe? He’ll come back soon.』

A slender, tawny striped cat responded with a nasally meow.

Three cats standing behind it chimed in unison.

『He will come back!』

“A week? So you haven’t seen Gray one for a week either?”

『Yes, when he goes on patrol, he sometimes doesn’t return for a week to ten days.』

Listening to the cats, Lee Joon thought.

‘If he planned to go far; Gray one, who knows I’m waiting, would have mentioned it…’

But here, the cats all agreed Gray one might be on a patrol.

“These guys know Gray one better than I do!”

Lee Joon thought.

For now, he decided to put his speculations aside and began distributing food to the cats.

『Oh, this is too good. The whiskers don’t touch! Boss must have liked this.』
『Hehehe, indeed.』
『Water! Water!』
『Hee hee. It tastes so good. Too bad Boss isn’t here to share it.』

The cats seemed quite pleased with the feeding dishes. No whisker contact meant they could eat neatly.

Each cat found its preferred food and ate happily. The water dish, in particular, was a hit.

They all plunged their faces in and slurped away at the water continuously.

“It’s good to see them enjoy their meal.”

Despite his worries about Gray one, Lee Joon tended carefully to the cats in front of him.

“If any of you have a sore mouth when eating, raise a paw!”

Silence.

None of the cats raised a paw.

Lee Joon’s face, which had been taut with worry over Gray one, softened slightly.

“And anyone having trouble peeing?”

Again, silence.

No response.

“Good. If any of you get sick, be sure to tell me.”

『Yes. We will.』

“Stay hydrated too. By the way, where do you usually drink water?”

『Over there.』

A yellow cat replied energetically and leaped away.

It seemed it wanted to show where they usually drank water.

“A diligent subordinate, indeed.”

Answering questions faithfully and carrying out the assigned tasks, such was an ideal subordinate.

Following the yellow cat seemed necessary for Lee Joon.

After a short walk following the cat, Lee Joon found a depression in a rock where rainwater had gathered.

“That looks like rainwater pooled there…”

For now, it seemed fine, but as the weather warmed, flies or mosquitoes might come.

“What about another place?”

『There’s a spot with running water at the park’s end. We refresh ourselves there.』

“Alright, make sure you drink from there.”

『Understood.』

“And if Gray one comes back, tell him to see me.”

『We plan to wait a day or two more and then look for Boss if he doesn’t show up.』

“Alright. I’ll come by again tomorrow.”

After bidding farewell to the cats, Lee Joon walked around the park.

There were quite a few dogs taking late evening walks, some of which were familiar to him.

『Doctor!』

From a distance, a Beagle came bounding toward him.

Though not particularly fast, due to keeping pace with its owner, its enthusiasm was apparent.

“Hello, Jamong! Taking a walk?”

“Hello, doctor. Are you walking too?!”

Yoo Ji-yeon greeted Lee Joon warmly.

“Haha, something like that. How is Jamong these days?”

『Heehee, great! I’ve been out on walks with nuna twice today.』

Hearing Lee Joon’s words, Jamong wagged its long tail vigorously.

A bright, delighted smile adorned Jamong’s face.

“Fantastic. Lately, Jamong has been so adorable, behaving well at home and eating properly. It’s the best, truly.”

“Jamong, did you hear that? Nuna says you’re the best.”

Lee Joon gently patted Jamong’s soft, warm forehead, causing his tension to ease slightly.

“Oh right, Jamong, do you know Gray one? Silver Rain?”

『Gray one?』

Jamong tilted its head in confusion, not quite grasping what was being asked.

“You know, the most dashing cat in this park. The boss cat.”

『Oh, that terrifying, magnificent hyung! Why?』

“Exactly. Have you seen him lately?”

『No, I haven’t.』

“If you spot Gray one while walking, let me know. And tell him I’m looking for him. Can you do that?”

『Yes, sir!』

“And inform the others too. Say I said so.”

『I pledge loyalty!』

Jamong gave a small bark of acknowledgment.

From then on, Lee Joon inquired about Gray one among dogs and cats he encountered in the park.

But the responses were invariably the same; no one had seen Gray one recently.

“If you find Gray one, let me know. Even if you just catch his scent. Okay?”

『Yes, sir!』

The animals responding to him wore expressions of earnest seriousness.

Given that they gathered from various places to visit the park, their scope should be extensive.

‘Both dogs and cats have far superior senses of smell compared to humans, so they might find Gray one.’

Hoping for news of Gray one roaming healthily, Lee Joon headed home.

***

The next day, upon arriving at the clinic, Lee Joon realized how extraordinary the canine network truly was.

『Hey, vet. Still searching for the gray cat?』
『Mister, are you looking for Gray one? Haven’t seen him around lately.』

“He’ll turn up. Anyway, thanks for checking.”

『No problem. If I catch a whiff of Gray one, I’ll definitely let you know.』

“Great, thank you.”

『I’ll keep an eye out too.』

Lee Joon felt a wave of gratitude for the dogs’ concern.

‘They worry as if it’s their own business.’

Throughout the day, Lee Joon kept hearing about Gray one from dogs visiting the Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

Yet, mostly, the message was that they’d inform him if spotted.

That evening, Lee Joon went back to the park.

As the previous night, he fed the cats and voiced his worries about Gray one.

This time, unlike the day before, the cats began expressing concern.

『We informed the boss of the next block. Told them to let us know if they see our boss.』

“Well done.”

『Our boss will be alright, won’t he? He’ll be okay, right?』

“I’m sure he’s well. I just hope he doesn’t go hungry wherever he is.”

Although the threat of an accident was a concern, Lee Joon also worried that Gray one might suffer liver problems from starvation.

It’s not uncommon for cats to develop hepatic lipidosis after just a few days without food.

At that moment, something came bounding in from afar.

“Jamong.”

Lee Joon was thinking of thanking Jamong.

Thanks to the dog, the neighborhood dogs would likely be on the lookout for Gray one.

『Doctor!』

Woof woof, Jamong, who usually didn’t bark much, came rushing over, barking loudly.

“What is it?”

In an instant, Lee Joon felt a realization strike him like lightning.

『I found him. I smell Hyung Gray one’s scent.』

“Where?”

『But nuna pulled me away, so I couldn’t sniff more.』

“Really? Tell me more.”

Yoo Ji-yeon greeted Lee Joon, but he was too focused to hear her.

『We take a detour through the alleyway when coming to the park from home?』

“Hold on, just come with me.”

Lee Joon calmed the excited Jamong and spoke to Yoo Ji-yeon.

“Ma’am, I’ll take Jamong for a run. He seems to need a good run today.”

In his urgency, words flew from Lee Joon’s mouth.

“Oh really? He did seem unusually excited today. I was worried. Please take care.”

“Sure, don’t worry and wait here.”

“Okay,”

Guided by Jamong, Lee Joon dashed forward.

“Huff, huff, Jamong, it’s okay to slow down if you’re tired.”

Panting, Lee Joon trailed Jamong.

But Jamong raced ahead with single-minded determination, paying no heed.

‘I must follow the doctor’s orders.’

Gray one’s scent had to be reported to the doctor.

That was all that occupied Jamong’s mind.

How long they had been running like that was uncertain.

Suddenly, Jamong halted abruptly.

Sniffing strongly, it moved forward step by cautious step.

Deep in the alleyway was a small open space.

It was a space overgrown with wild grass.

『Sniff sniff, I smell a lot of hyung’s scent here.』

Jamong’s pace quickened.

Keeping pace, Lee Joon, still holding Jamong’s harness, followed suit.

“Huh? What’s that?”

Among the overgrown wild bushes, something gray seemed to catch his eye.

Lee Joon sprinted forth.

Jamong ran alongside him.

Reaching the dense clump of bushes, Lee Joon immediately dropped to his knees.

He started parting the bushes.

“Gray one. Gray one.”

Lee Joon’s voice incessantly called out for Gray one.

As he searched through the bushes, a familiar shape met his gaze.

It was Gray one.

Gray one lay limp, with blood coating both his hind legs.

“Gr-Gray one!”

Lee Joon’s pupils wavered with uncertainty.

—