Hello Vet! How are you?

“Gray one, did I tell you or not to be nice to Kkamnyang? Huh? What kind of behavior is this the moment you see him? And that too in front of a sick one!”

『I, I just called his name, that’s all.』

“And you, Kkamnyang. Didn’t I tell you to get along with Gray one?”

『You did.』

“You did, huh? So why are you answering so boldly as if you did something right?”

『Didn’t that guy say anything about being Silver Rain?』
『Yeah, exactly, I never heard him being Shadow either!』
『Now it makes sense. You must be working for him, and that’s why you brought me here….』

At that moment.

“Oh, really. What are you both talking about? Gray one, he’s saying I’m your subordinate?”

『That’s nonsense. Shadow, are your eyes not the only thing injured? Did you hit your head too? How dare you speak such rubbish to our hyung!』
『Rubbish? Then why are you here instead of the Evergreen Park?』
『Well, that’s because I…』

Gray one hesitated to say he had been hurt.

After all, the one in front of him was the leader of the Bluebird Park.

Wasn’t he the guy who repeatedly challenged him despite losing each time and never backing down?

『Anyhow, our hyung is great! You can’t just talk like that!』
『What are you talking about? You who look like clumped clouds.』
『Hmph, you who look like clumped shadows!』

As Gray one and Shadow bickered, Lee Joon smiled and mediated.

“Hey there! It’s been a while since you came together. Let’s get along.”

『I am not friends with this Shadow cat!』
『Friends? I’m not friends with this Silver Rain cat either.』

Gray one and Shadow expressed their mutual dislike simultaneously.

“Knowing each other’s names makes you friends, doesn’t it? Come on, let’s stop with the bickering for now and have something to eat. You must be hungry, right? Gray one, while I prepare the food for you guys, show Kkamnyang where the litter box is.”

『Litter, litter box you say?』

“Yeah. I’ll make a separate one for this fellow a little later, but for now, show him yours.”

『I’d rather hold it than use this guy’s litter box!』
『Says the one. I refuse too!』

Gray one and Shadow hissed at each other.

“Hey! Who’s showing those claws! Put those teeth away too, or neither of you gets any food!”

『A, alright!』

“Gray one, didn’t you put away your claws?”

Following Lee Joon’s order, Gray one quickly retracted his claws and tapped Lee Joon’s thigh gently with his paw.

『I’ll put them away.』

With a nod, Lee Joon checked Gray one’s paw.

“Good, well done. And Kkamnyang, you too. Retract your claws. What if you poke your eye again?”

『Well, that’s true. But if that Silver Rain guy attacks, I have to defend myself.』
『What are you saying after losing to me?』
『That was because I was too hungry at the time, just felt faint. I’ll win if we fight again.』

They bickered again but this time exchanged soft hisses.

Seeing this, Lee Joon chuckled as he went to prepare their meals.

‘They bond even more when fighting, huh.’

Once Lee Joon stepped away, Gray one asked Shadow.

『But what happened?』
『About what? I’m warning you, don’t come any closer.』
『I don’t want to be near you either. But hyung told me to look after you.』
『……』

Shadow found no words to retort Gray one’s statement.

He didn’t really need help, but the thought of being chased out by that hyung made him think otherwise.

It would be tough to roam this house.

『Well, since it’s a request from hyung, I can’t help it. I’ll accept your offer.』

Gray one’s lips curled downward as he listened to Shadow, who was full of bravado.

‘Shadow, how did he get so thin?’

Shadow, once the strong leader of the Bluebird area, was known for his large build and strength, revered and followed by his peers.

Even Gray one had acknowledged Shadow as strong among the many area leaders.

Seeing him in such a state was disheartening.

Gray one lightly tapped Shadow as if touching him with a soft feather.

Yet Shadow’s body tensed up.

Still, remembering the promise made just before, he soon relaxed.

『Come here.』
『Thanks.』

Gray one guided Shadow to the living room.

Luckily, when Lee Joon dropped by the house in the morning, he cleaned much of the living room, so there was little for Shadow to bump into.

『The floor is soft. Doesn’t seem like soil. What is it?』
『It’s called a carpet. When you run on it, your legs don’t hurt.』

Gray one really liked the carpet, which didn’t hurt his legs even when he limped around.

『A carpet… hmm, not bad.』

As Shadow walked over the carpet, he accidentally brushed against Gray one’s cushion with his paw.

Rubbing it with his foreleg, shadow asked.

『What’s this? Is this also a carpet?』
『That’s called a cushion.』
『A cushion? What’s it for?』
『It’s for sleeping on when you…』

Gray one paused, pondering his next words.

What kind of cushion is Shadow touching and asking about?

Is it not the precious cushion that his hyung gave him?

He really didn’t want to share something so dear to him with this Shadow cat.

In his heart, he wished to grab the cushion and run far away.

‘I really don’t want to nap with this guy! But Hyung told me to look after him well.’

Gray one resolved to comply with his hyung’s request despite his desires.

『You can sleep on it.』

At that moment, Lee Joon, emerging from the kitchen with food, saw Gray one offering his sleeping place to Shadow.

“They’ll get along just fine.”

With a satisfied smile, Lee Joon approached the cats.

“Guys, let’s eat. This is for Gray one, and this one’s for you, Kkamnyang.”

『I am not Kkamnyang! I am Shadow.』
『Don’t be ridiculous. The name hyung gave you is yours!』
『What do you prefer, being called Gray one instead of Silver Rain?』

If it had been before, Gray one would have instantly said he preferred Silver Rain.

However, he found that he didn’t mind being called Gray one by his beloved hyung all the time.

In fact, he was starting to find the name Gray one endearing.

Yet, he wasn’t ready to abandon the name Silver Rain just yet.

After all, he had lived by that name until recently.

『Both are fine.』
『Hmm, interesting. Preferring Gray one over the famous Silver Rain.』
『You’ll come to like Kkamnyang too!』
『No way. So call me Shadow.』

“Is it really important what you’re called? What’s important is eating good food and living long without getting sick.”

『True that.』
『Agreed.』

“They say those with old-fashioned names live longer.”

A moment of silence passed.

But only briefly, Gray one quickly chimed in.

『Well, then I prefer Gray one.』
『I like Kkamnyang too.』

The cats thus settled on their names and buried their noses in their meals.

『Delicious.』
『Tasty.』

Watching the once squabbling cats quietly eat, Lee Joon chuckled.

“Sharing a meal calms the atmosphere, doesn’t it?”

After dinner, Lee Joon brought out a blanket and spread it wide in the living room.

“I’ll bring another cushion tomorrow, so for today, Gray one, let Kkamnyang have your cushion and sleep next to me.”

Gray one felt elated at Lee Joon’s words.

A soft cushion was great, but the best thing was sleeping next to his hyung.

『Understood!』

“Good, you’re a good boy. Kkamnyang, don’t feel bad about sleeping there. It’s because if we accidentally touch your eyes while sleeping, it wouldn’t be good.”

『I prefer sleeping alone anyway!』

“Then that’s all good.”

Gray one lay right next to Lee Joon, and Shadow, now Kkamnyang, lay on the separate cushion.

As Lee Joon went to shower, a quiet living room was filled with Shadow’s voice for the first time.

『Silver Rain. How did you end up living in this person’s house?』
『Call me Gray one.』
『Alright, Gray one. Why aren’t you in the Evergreen Park? What’s your reason for being here?』

While he initially hesitated to talk about it, seeing Shadow’s condition made him want to share.

‘Hope this guy finds hope through my story.’

Gray one slowly began recounting his tale.

『…… I injured my leg a bit.』

He recounted briefly about his injury and getting rescued by Lee Joon.

『But I’m okay now!』
『You got hit by a moving rock and you’re okay? Does that even make sense? I’ve lost so many subordinates to those moving rock.』
『Hyung healed me, so I’m okay!』

As Gray one narrated, Kkamnyang’s expression slowly brightened.

『Then maybe, I too will be able to see again.』
『Of course. You will see.』
『That would be good.』
『By the way, do your companions know you’re with Hyung?』
『They don’t know.』
『Should I let Norang know to inform your group?』
『No, no need for that.』
『They’d be worried.』
『No, I’ve long since left those guys behind.』

Gray one abruptly stopped himself from asking why.

‘It’s probably because he can’t see and wants to spare them the burden.’

To avoid burdening his companions.

He himself wasn’t yet sure if he could move as swiftly up the trees and run fast again once healed.

What if he couldn’t move as-nimbly as before?

Gray one’s mind was tangled with such thoughts until he finally drifted off to sleep.

***

The next day.

Gray one and Kkamnyang stood side by side for breakfast and got into their respective carriers to head to the animal clinic.

Until they reached the alley from the house, Gray one received a few greetings from the cats there.

The cats all wished for Gray one’s swift recovery, and Gray one, in return, worried for the other cats.

Kkamnyang was most surprised by this.

“Today’s a special meal. You must be hungry, hurry and head to the alley for your food.”

『Wowowow!』

“Hey, quiet down!”

The noisy meowing quickly ceased.

“Yes, keep it quiet and smooth. Got it?”

『Yes, sir boss.』
『Understood.』
『Thanks, will enjoy it.』

The responding cat voices were soft whispers.

‘This person seems to be the leader here.’

Kkamnyang was impressed by how swiftly this man managed to control the cats.

The awe continued at the animal clinic.

“Gray one, where will you be?”

『I’ll either nap by the cat tower or head to the ward if it’s noisy.』

“Sure, then if you want to go to the ward, just let me or Manager Jang know, and we’ll open the door for you.”

『Will you close the door?』

“We’ll keep it closed so no other animals will surprise Kkamnyang by entering the ward unexpectedly.”

『Then I’ll stay inside too.』

“You want to?”

『I’ll stay by Kkamnyang. In case needs to go to the litter box and needs water too.』

“That’s a relief. Gray one, keep an eye on Kkamnyang so he doesn’t scratch his eyes.”

『Got it. What else should I do?』

“That’s enough, just let me know if there’s anything up.”

Shortly after, the cats were moved to the ward, and Gray one explained the surroundings thoroughly as he did at home.

Just until recently, they bared teeth at each other, yet here he was taking care, awakening a sense of gratitude within Kkamnyang toward Gray one.

『That person seems to be genuinely good.』

He wanted to express that Gray one was truly good too, but that statement was not yet ready to come out.

『Yep. Hyung’s a truly good person.』
『But really, you won’t inform your companions?』

Kkamnyang hesitated again at Gray one’s question, reminded of the saying that elders often come up with.

『Doubt it. They’ve probably forgotten about me by now.』
『Bet they’re worried about you.』
『Would anyone worry for a useless leader? I handed everything over before I left. They have no reason to look for me.』
『Family would worry if you disappeared. Since they’re family, they must be looking for you.』
『Family?』
『Yep. Aren’t you part of the Bluebirds’ family?』

The term family invoked a memory within Kkamnyang.

‘Supposedly, that guy calls his companions family and looks after them. I think I heard something like that, ‘once family, always family’, including taking care of those who have left.’

Kkamnyang recalled the cats in the alley greeting Gray one.

‘No, our Bluebirds hold more loyalty. Yes, they do obviously.’

Infused with a strange sense of rivalry, Kkamnyang didn’t like the idea of losing to Gray one.

『You’re right. We’re family too.』
『To let your worried family know how you’re doing.』
『You’re not planning a war by gathering the Bluebirds’ cats, are you?』
『Have I ever attacked first?』

Thinking about it, Gray one had never started a fight himself.

But he never avoided a fight if it came to him and he always won.

『Even so, you never know. Wouldn’t this be the ideal time for your crew to take over our area?』
『That’s absurd. If they try, hyung won’t just sit by.』

Upon hearing that Gray one’s hyung would intervene, Kkamnyang was fully convinced.

『True, you’re right.』
『Then when my companions visit, I will tell.』
『Companion?』
『They come two at a time every day.』

Since Gray one’s initial hospitalization, two cats had visited each day to check on him.

That day too, two cats came, one of them being Norang.

Gray one informed Norang about Kkamnyang.

That evening, a cat entered the ward.

『Ca…captain!』

Recognizing the familiar voice, Kkamnyang stood up abruptly.

『M… Milo?』
『Yes, huhuh. Captain. You’re alive. No, I always believed you were alive.』

Tears streamed down Milo’s furry cheeks as he cried.

『Sniff, captain. We are so sorry. How much have you suffered?』
『Please, don’t cry. Why would you cry over me?』
『Please don’t say such things. We were in such despair without you.』
『That can’t be. Didn’t I already pass everything onto you guys?』
『We’re merely carrying out the orders you left while patiently waiting for your return, captain.』

Overjoyed by seeing Kkamnyang safe, Milo continued crying several more times.

Having had a grand dinner, Milo politely greeted.

『Boss Silver Rain, thank you for letting us know.』
『It’s all about helping each other. Didn’t you inform me about Dalcom too?』
『Still, thank you again. I shall return tomorrow, captain.』

Milo stepped out of the ward and graciously thanked Lee Joon.

『Sir, thank you for saving our captain.』

“Just doing what needed to be done.”

Lee Joon answered lightly with a smile, which deeply moved Milo.

‘So this is why everyone speaks so highly of Doctor Woof Woof. What an incredible person.’

Swoosh.

Milo showed his respect by rubbing against Lee Joon’s leg before leaving.

Meanwhile, back in the ward, Kkamnyang let out a long sigh.

『Sigh, I thought I retired…』
『Still considered the captain by the Bluebirds, huh?』
『Indeed, but with these eyes, how can I lead?』
『You’ll regain your sight.』
『It was said only one eye might see. These eyes… even Hyung wasn’t sure about them.』

Hearing that one eye might not ever see again surprised Gray one but he didn’t show it.

『Was that so?』
『Yeah. Even if it sees, it won’t be like before and Milo is managing well…』
『So, are you not going back?』

Retirement was a concluded chapter for Kkamnyang, but the thought of going back was unexpected.

Till he saw Milo, returning hadn’t crossed his mind.

But after meeting a companion, he started to miss the Bluebirds.

‘But would my return indeed benefit the Bluebirds?’

Kkamnyang struggled to answer Gray one’s question.

『Not sure, need to think about it. But what about you? What are you planning to do?』

Kkamnyang, in turn, asked Gray one.