Hello Vet! How are you?

The subject of the rumor stood at the crosswalk after sending off two friends in a car.

‘Oh, are you crossing the street, meow?’

If so, that person would probably also travel by car.

Silver Rain, who thought so, just stood there.

Whenever his companions came from afar, he would send them off for a long time.

He would stand silently, watching until the cats disappeared from sight.

Since there was no guarantee of when they might meet again, he wanted to keep them in his sight for as long as possible when he could.

Silver Rain lifted his head, capturing in his gaze the person standing before him.

Though not a companion, he felt a strange urge to see him off.

After a while, as expected, the subject of the rumor crossed the street.

Perhaps it was because it was night, but there were not many cars. From where Silver Rain sat, he could see him crossing the street very clearly.

Soon, he would disappear on that vehicle called a car.

Once that happened, he thought, he’d return to the park.

As he was gazing in front, thinking this, the subject of the rumor suddenly ducked into the alley near the crosswalk.

『Walking, meow?』

He decided to follow him.

Like most cats, Silver Rain was color blind to red and green.

Blue and yellow were clear, but red and green he couldn’t distinguish well. However, Silver Rain was clever.

Far ahead, a light was blinking on a pole.

‘The light is flickering on the top round one now. Meow.’

This was not the time to cross.

When the round light below flickered and people who had been standing began walking, that was the time to cross the crosswalk.

Silver Rain waited at the crosswalk for the light’s position to change.

Blink.

As the light blinked below, people beside him started to move.

Silver Rain leisurely crossed the crosswalk following them.

The subject of the rumor had already disappeared into the alley, but Silver Rain wasn’t flustered.

‘I can smell it from here. Meow.’

Silver Rain followed the scent into the alley.

This alley was also part of Silver Rain’s territory.

However, he hadn’t usually ventured far from the park, so it had been a long time since he had been in this area.

Silver Rain glanced around his territory he hadn’t visited in a while.

‘It’s quiet, meow.’

Perhaps because it was late, but it was very serene.

Though it wasn’t that there was no one around.

『Isn’t it the Boss?』
『Wow, wow, wow! It’s the Boss, it’s the Boss.

『Boss!』

Cats suddenly appeared, welcoming Silver Rain.

For a moment, there was a hubbub.

『It’s nighttime, meow!』

At Silver Rain’s words, quiet quickly returned as if it had never been loud.

『Have you all been well, meow?』
『Heheh, boss!』
『Boss, is there something up, meow?』

In tiny mews like those at the park, the cats asked Silver Rain.

『Just came out for an inspection.』
『Wooowwowwow!』
『Bo-bo-boss…….』

They were impressed that he was looking out for their safety, tirelessly day and night.

After giving them a long look, Silver Rain moved along, following the scent once more.

Several cats followed behind him.

Silver Rain appreciated their loyalty, but he finally spoke.

『It’s nighttime, meow. Everyone go rest.』

He thought to himself, indeed, I am a cat who cherishes his companions.

However, the cats following him had no intention of stopping.

Being respected by his pack was a very pleasurable feeling.

Walking with his head held high, Silver Rain’s mouth curled upward.

After walking through several alleys, Silver Rain stopped in front of a house.

It was a house with a yard and trees.

Sensing the presence inside the house, Silver Rain’s mouth curled into a smile.

‘Hoong, he lives here, meow.’

Satisfied, Silver Rain turned back the way he came.

『Thank you, boss.

『Take care!

『Hmm hmm, see you at the park, meow!』

Having confirmed where the human from the rumors lived and the loyalty of his companions, Silver Rain returned content to the park.

He was finally able to get a deep sleep, which he hadn’t had in a while.

***

The next day, Silver Rain woke up to a racket as if an earthquake had struck.

Woof woof woof.

Dogs were running wild in the park.

Ruff ruff ruff.

Arf arf arf.

They were barking on one side.

『Why are they so noisy from the morning, meow!』
『It’s Sunday. It’ll be quiet tomorrow, so just bear with it for today.』

A cat nearby said this and then went off elsewhere.

Ah, had I known, I would’ve slept over there last night.

Silver Rain thought about the quiet alley house from the previous night.

‘Should I just go back and sleep there, meow.’

As he thought and got up from his spot, the dogs’ chatter reached his ears.

『Brother Kkakong, you look great.』
『Now that my guardian gives me lots of food, yes?

『Wow, good for you!』
『Right? I’m so happy.』
『Yes, yes. Not eating would be such a shame.』
『Really, that vet. They’re so helpful. It’s all thanks to the vet that I get to eat so much now, right?』
『Hehe, I like that vet. My sister said he does too.』
『Yeah, the vet is really kind. I’m not eating that tasteless toothpaste anymore.』
『Oh, changed your toothpaste?』
『Yes, I told the vet, and they switched it right away. Just thinking about the previous one makes me sick.』
『Really, they’re so kind. I’d be happy if that vet stays in our neighborhood for a long time.』

On a normal day, Silver Rain would have frowned at the dogs’ chatter and moved to another place to sleep.

However, the conversation was intriguing now.

The content was engaging.

‘The content of their conversation has certainly changed, meow.’

Until quite recently, the dogs complained whenever they gathered, saying the food was unpalatable, they wanted more frequent walks but it had been a while, or they were sick somewhere, and their owners didn’t know.

They only wanted to vent their grievances.

However, now the chatter amongst the dogs was lively.

They seemed joyful.

‘Wow, impressive, meow.’

Listening to the dogs’ conversation, Silver Rain recalled the warm gaze he felt directed at his the previous day.

He leaped down from the tree.

He settled onto a broad, flat rock in the bushes.

It was a perfect spot where he could hear the dogs’ chatter well and hide his figure in the lush undergrowth.

‘It’s noisy but tolerable since I can hear news about the vet, meow.’

Silver Rain found himself referring to the subject of the rumor as “the vet” instead.

Intending to drift off again lulled by thoughts of the vet’s reputation, Silver Rain abruptly opened his eyes.

He sat up rigidly.

‘That guy is coming this way, meow.’

Then, just as anticipated, a black head poked through the bushes

With a long face and long ears flapping, a pair of black eyes peered at him.

The accompanying sound followed.

『There you are, hyungnim. I was worried since I didn’t see you around.』

With a hiss in annoyance at the persistent greetings from Kkakong, Silver Rain couldn’t avoid welcoming the affable creature.

『You seem to have more energy today, meow!』
『Right? It’s the power of good food. I just had an amazing meal.』

Kkakong’s playful response made Silver Rain smile.

As noisy and bustling as he was, he was a familiar sight.

『Oh, where are the other hyungs and nunas? I want to see them, meow.』
『They’re still sleeping, meow.』
『Really? That’s a shame. It would have been nice to see them since I came here with dad.』
『What are you missing, noisy creature? You’re here all the time making a racket, meow?』

Silver Rain found it absurd.

He had also heard that voice just yesterday and had been rudely awakened by it a few days before.

『Because my mother doesn’t come here, I only see hyungnims on days I come with dad.』

At that moment, a gravelly voice echoed from above.

“Kkakong, don’t go in there. What if you poke your eyes, eh? Come out.”

The moment the voice echoed, Kkakong flinched.

『Hyungnim. My dad’s pulling on the leash, so I have to go.』
『Then go, meow.』

Once Kkakong had disappeared, Silver Rain curled up and closed his eyes. But then Kkakong’s barking echoed back.

『Oh, hyungnim. You should stop by that pet hospital on the street. That vet is really kind-hearted.』

After leaving those words, Kkakong wagged his tail and vanished far away with his owner.

Kkakong’s words rekindled Silver Rain’s curiosity.

Given the kindness shown the previous day, the vet didn’t seem like a bad person.

However, he wanted to see firsthand how this vet treated animals.

Silver Rain hurried over to the Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

Upon arriving, he found no one inside.

They had mentioned that today was a rest day, and it seemed to be true here as well.

Silver Rain would have to return the next day.

The following day, Silver Rain observed Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

Inside, hhe heard the vet speaking with the dogs.

Being nearsighted, he couldn’t see the interior well, but the atmosphere was discernible from the tone of voice alone.

That wasn’t the only thing.

The dogs’ expressions differed as they entered and left Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

“Doctor, you’re amazing, aren’t you? Our Somi has found such a good doctor.”

『Yes, I like them. The doctor said I’m good and pretty.』

Woof woof.

Seeing their tails wagging so vigorously that their hindquarters moved, Silver Rain mused quietly.

『The vet told me I look dashing, meow. And I know where they live, meow.』

The next day, too, Silver Rain was keeping an eye on Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

“You shouldn’t stand on two legs. That’s why your hind legs hurt.”

Two legs?

Hearing the voice from inside, Silver Rain playfully lifted his front paws and stood on his hind legs.

“Oh my, look at that. A cat is standing on two legs looking in.”

“Oh my, look at that fur!”

Passersby commented on him.

Silver Rain glanced their way once.

Snap.

There was an odd sound, but Silver Rain wasn’t startled.

It was a sound he sometimes heard when sprawling at the park.

However.

‘Shoo, go away! The vet mustn’t see me, meow!’

Silver Rain waited for the people to leave, then focused again on the vet’s voice coming from inside.

Like when he’d spoken to him a few days ago, the voice was warm and filled with concern.

It was the same on the third day.

The voice from inside the clinic made the corners of Silver Rain’s mouth perk up.

‘The vet is always kind, meow.’

He hoped that voice would call him, too.

‘I’m right here, meow.’

Sitting in the pet hospital’s nearby parking lot, Silver Rain moved to a spot by the window where he could see inside the clinic.

After a while, all the animals inside had gone out.

‘Phew, everyone’s out, meow.’

Peeking inside, Silver Rain watched the vet go back and forth.

Suddenly, the vet’s gaze turned outside.

Their eyes met.

Or so it seemed to Silver Rain.

Uh-oh…

In his moment of surprise, the entrance suddenly swung open.

Without a chance to flee, the kind voice reached Silver Rain’s ears.

“Gray one, you must be hungry.”

The vet, he recognized that voice.

It was pleasant.

But he needed to correct something.

『My name is Silver Rain, meow!』

“Aha, that’s right.”

At that moment, a new face appeared, exclaiming with delight.

“Oh my, who is this? Doctor, this cat is quite good-looking! Is its name Gray?”

『It’s Silver Rain, meow!』

Silver Rain raised his voice.

“Oh my, not only good-looking but also with a charming meow. How adorable. Gray, come in. Nuna has some tasty food for you.”

I am not Gray!

Silver Rain mewed quietly, but he couldn’t suppress the upward curl of his mouth.

Once inside and following, he felt even happier.

“Gray, how is this? Tasty, right? My cat at home loves this flavor so much.”

Such deliciousness existed!

Silver Rain couldn’t utter a word, just diving his face into the bowl, eating with “nom nom” sounds.

And the next day, Silver Rain received food again at Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

『That was delicious, meow!』

“Good, good. Come by anytime if you’re hungry and ask for food. And bring any hungry friends along if you have them.”

『Thank you, kind vet, meow!』

“Ha-ha, calling me the kind vet, you’re just like our patient dog, ddangkong.”

For a moment, Silver Rain’s eyes darted back and forth.

‘I, the great me, being compared to that short, chubby, sluggish dog, ddangkong. Outrageous!’

That can’t be right.

Silver Rain pondered over how to address this kind vet.

‘I don’t know, I’ll think about it later, meow.’

Even back at the park, Silver Rain pondered how to address the kind vet.

『Boss?』

No, that doesn’t suit. I am the boss of this area, after all.

Silver Rain shook his head vigorously.

『Hyungnim?』

Kkakong called him that.

Each time he liked it.

Yes, maybe that would do?

‘Anyone who gives food is a hyungnim, meow.’

A kind-hearted person who also gives food.

『A good hyungnim, meow.』

He thought about letting his companions know this Hyungnim was a good person.

Then, from a distance, came a sleek, brown-striped cat gracefully approaching.

『Boss~ did you hear what they’re saying?』

Despite his elegant appearance, concern was woven into his voice.

His expression was equally troubled.

『What is it, meow?』
『Dalcom is very sick.』
『What? Has he not recovered yet, meow?』

Silver Rain’s golden eyes wavered back and forth.

—