Hello Vet! How are you?

“Gray one, let’s go.”

Lee Joon’s voice resonated softly from the alley house.

Recently, Gray one had been commuting with Lee Joon. Whenever Lee Joon uttered the words “let’s go!”.

Gray one would joyfully fluff his tail and trot over to the front door, slipping right into the travel carrier placed there.

Watching Gray one’s elegant morning departure ceremony had become an enjoyable routine for Lee Joon each morning.

However, today was different.

『I’m right here, meow!』

With a light thump, accompanied by Gray one’s voice, Lee Joon turned his head in the direction of the sound and chuckled.

Gray one was peeking out of the travel carrier, having given it a gentle pat with his paw.

“Are you that happy?!”

Lee Joon asked with amusement.

『I am, meow!!』

Gray one was excited at the thought of visiting Evergreen Park after a long time.

Seeing Gray one’s eyes sparkling, Lee Joon smiled.

‘Of course, he’d be delighted to go home after so long.’

Lee Joon hoisted the travel carrier onto his shoulder and carried a hefty bag in his hands as he left the alley house.

With Gray one perched comfortably, Lee Joon walked through the crisp dawn air towards the park.

At Evergreen Park, cats were sound asleep in their respective spots. Norang, who claimed to be Gray one’s right paw, was in a deep slumber.

Mew~

A small mewl escaped Norang’s lips, and he paddled his legs, as if running somewhere in his dreams.

‘Boss!’

Norang was dreaming.

He dreamt of Gray one returning to the park, with all the cats gathered to welcome him.

Cheers!

Mew-hoo~!

Everyone shouted with joy, jumping around Gray one.

Norang leapt alongside them, overwhelmed by the familiar scent of his beloved leader.

‘Sniff, boss!’

Tears welled up in the usually stoic Norang’s eyes.

Then, all of a sudden, he woke up.

Realizing it was a dream, Norang was surprised at the strong lingering scent of Gray one that felt so real.

His lips curled into a smile.

Today was the day Salt and him were scheduled to visit their leader, which might have prompted the vivid dream.

With a happy expression, Norang curled back up, thinking.

‘I wish I could see him a little longer in my dreams.’

But then, sniffling.

Norang’s long whiskers twitched.

Gray one’s scent grew stronger by the minute, along with a savory aroma.

『What’s this?』

Norang opened his eyes wide and focused on the direction of the smell. From afar, someone familiar was approaching.

『It’s Doctor Woof Woof.』

Ah, that explained the scent of the boss.

Norang finally understood the situation.

The scent came from Doctor Woof Woof, who carried the aroma of their boss. Hopping down from his tree perch, Norang bounded towards him.

Even seeing Doctor Woof Woof was a delight to them..

As Norang slowly approached Lee Joon.

『Has everyone been well, meow?!』

Gray one’s voice echoed in Norang’s ears.

Pause! Norang’s eyes widened in shock.

『Is it really the boss?』
『Yes, it is meow!』

Before Gray one finished speaking, Norang dashed off.

Soon afterward, rumbles and scurrying erupted all over the park.

Cats usually known for their grace were now running around noisily.

『Boss!』
『Boss!』
『Leader!』
『Is it really our leader?』
『We missed you!』

Before anyone realized it, cats gathered in droves around Lee Joon.

『I missed you too, meow!』

Gray one’s voice was filled with excitement.

As Lee Joon placed the travel carrier on the ground, he advised.

“As you know, the leader isn’t fully recovered yet. So, what should you do?”

『Do not pounce on the leader!』

Norang answered on behalf of everyone.

“That’s right. I trust you guys!”

Upon hearing the word ‘trust’, the cats’ expressions turned solemn.

Gray one emerged from the now-open travel carrier, feeling the ground beneath his paws.

The moist earth felt good under his feet, and Gray one’s eyes turned crescent-shaped with happiness.

‘This feels so good, meow.’

Gray one gazed at the several eyes watching him intently, each unique pair focused solely on him.

They were cats who had visited him two by two each day.

Naturally, Gray one also met his followers regularly.

However, it had been a long time since they all gathered like this, making both Gray one and the cats extremely happy.

Gray one walked towards them, maintaining his dignified demeanor, with no sign of the limp he had at home.

He skillfully masked his weakness.

Lee Joon watched Gray one silently.

‘Impressive.’

Wild animals often hide their weaknesses.

Seeing this firsthand, Lee Joon thought.

‘I should observe more closely during future check-ups. But truly, it’s impressive. They don’t even glance at the delicious smell despite the temptation.’

None of the cats got distracted, all focused on Gray one as per Lee Joon’s instructions.

Yet, as Gray one approached, the cats gently rubbed their heads against him.

The last to face Gray one was Salt, a white cat with faint Gray one spots here and there.

Salt extended her neck with a watery voice and mewed softly.

『Are you okay now, leader?』
『I’m fine, meow!!』

Gray one reassured, patting Salt’s forehead with his paw.

『Don’t worry about me and make sure to eat well, meow!』
『Yes…』

At that moment, Lee Joon took out what he had prepared from his bag.

“Gray one, once you’re done greeting, bring everyone over here. It’s time to eat.”

『Got it, meow!!』

Gray one announced brightly to the cats.

『Let’s have something tasty, meow!』

Once Gray one finished speaking, the cats rose on their hind legs and shook their bodies, their forepaws stretching upwards as if cheering.

Lee Joon smiled at the sight.

“It’s quite a spectacle.”

Following this, an even more remarkable scene unfolded.

The cats sat in a row, eagerly watching the empty plates Lee Joon laid down. In such a scenario, it would be impossible for Lee Joon alone to serve food to all these cats at once.

Yet, when he put down some meat onto the plates, not a single cat rushed first or complained for more. Instead, they waited patiently for their turn.

In fact, they offered their portions to one another.

『Saba, you eat first.』
『No, Norang should eat first.』
『Salt, you’re small so you’re first.』
『Nuna should eat first. I can eat last.』

Gray one watched them with a proud expression, seated at a short distance away.

“Gray one, weren’t you hungry?!”

Lee Joon asked.

『I’m fine, meow!!』

Once he ensured there might not be enough meat, Gray one waited courteously.

‘What a remarkable cat. Truly, all of them are amazing.’

Lee Joon thought it was a waste seeing it alone.

Animals also have a strong sense of kinship and care for each other.

They don’t abandon their sick comrades.

Instead, they nurture and comfort them.

‘They truly are admirable.’

What Lee Joon could do here was just one thing — distribute their meals quickly.

With that, his hands moved faster.

***

Finally, a happy meal concluded, with the cats enjoying churros as a snack, leaving them with satisfied expressions.

『Thank you, Doctor Woof Woof.』
『That was delicious.』
『It was tasty.』
『Wow, I never knew white meat could be this delicious.』
『Right. It was incredibly tasty.』

Although park cats like Gray one had tasted chicken before, few had enjoyed such warm and tender chicken like this morning.

Seeing the cats purring cheerfully brought a broad smile to Lee Joon’s face.

“Look forward to next week as well.”

The cats, not understanding Lee Joon’s words, tilted their heads quizzically.

『It means you’ll get to eat it again next week!』

Gray one explained, causing the cats to be startled.

『R-Really?』
『Really? We get to eat such tasty meat again?』

“Yes. Meanwhile, I’ll be over there, so chat freely. Just call me if anything comes up.”

Lee Joon stepped aside, knowing the cats would have their own conversation topics.

Walking leisurely through the park, Lee Joon indulged in nostalgia from long ago, reminiscing about the times when he and Kongdori would stroll through the park morning and evening.

“Waking up so early makes my head feel foggy.”

To make this event possible, Lee Joon had woken up at 4 AM to prepare.

Not only was there a large amount of chicken to prepare, but Lee Joon also wanted the cats to eat comfortably, with as few park-goers around as possible.

Hence, it was just past 7 AM now.

Lee Joon planned to head to work directly from the park, knowing Gray one and the cats had a lot of catching up to do.

“I recall hearing somewhere that the coffee shop nearby opens early.”

Information about the early opening time of the coffee shop came from the dogs visiting Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

It’s not like they directly told him but mentioned that one could smell a fragrant aroma from the bakery.

Occasionally, they’d even get bits of the aroma-wafting bread.

Lee Joon returned to the park with a coffee in hand.

“There are a lot of dogs out for a walk this morning.”

Sitting on a bench, sipping coffee while watching the dogs walk by, Lee Joon’s initially relaxed expression gradually turned serious.

‘That brown Poodle has a luxating patella in its right hind leg. It’s not severe now, but it would be good to correct it before it worsened. Oh dear, why is that one walking by only jumping on two legs? Better watch out for potential disc problems later.’

The occupational hazard of checking animals for ailments wherever he went kicked in as he observed the dogs.

As he scanned, a peculiar one caught his eye.

A Poodle approached with its head hung low, dragging its feet along the pathway.

‘Why is the Poodle so listless? Is it old?’

Even if old, dogs generally show some excitement or interest while at least catching scents or exploring the park.

Yet the dog in question seemed indifferent, unwillingly trudging along.

The Poodle plodded past Lee Joon’s side.

‘It doesn’t look very old… It’s like watching an animated doll walking.’

Lee Joon’s attention drifted naturally towards the dog’s owner, who also wore a downtrodden expression.

‘Their expressions match. Something must be going on at home.’

But those thoughts were short-lived.

『Doctor!』

From afar, Jamong wagged vigorously while approaching.

And then,

“Director, are you out for a walk?!”

Jamong’s owner greeted Lee Joon warmly.

“Oh, yes. Just came out for a stroll after a long time. But isn’t walking every morning and evening tiring for you?”

“No, since starting these walks, I’ve felt much better. I sleep well at night too.”

The owner replied with a bright smile and continued when the leash stretched tight.

“Jamong, what’s wrong? Do you smell something over there?”

Jamong extended her nose forward, sniffing eagerly, causing Lee Joon to glance down at the dog as it sniffed around enthusiastically.

“Do you smell Gray one?”

『How did you know? There’s the scent of brother Gray one over there. And a really delicious aroma too.』

Though the crowd of cats beyond a bush wasn’t visible, Jamong fluttering about confirmed the presence of familiar scents.

“Gray one’s here today.”

『Really? Can I go see him?』

Jamong bounced eagerly in place.

『Oh, is Gray one all better?』

“No, not really. He’s just out for a breath of fresh air.”

Lee Joon soothed Jamong, who was bouncing in place.

“He must be with his friends now, so visit later.”

『With the cat brothers?』

“Yes.”

『Okay, I will.』

Accompanying Jamong’s concession were the eavesdropping feline ears within the vicinity.

『It’s that pup who found me, meow!』

Though the park cats had already heard of Jamong’s role at Woof Woof Animal Clinic, listening to it collectively rekindled gratitude.

『He saved our leader.』
『He sure did, meow.』
『Let’s thank him!』
『Even if he’s so loud, he’s still the one who saved our leader.』

Norang approached Gray one and volunteered.

『I will go and escort him here.』

For Norang, Jamong was already a hero.

『Alright, go fetch him, meow.』

With that, Norang swiftly darted towards Lee Joon.

“Norang, why? Is something wrong?”

『No, I came to escort him because I want to express my gratitude to this person.』

“Really?”

Lee Joon smiled and relayed to Jamong’s owner.

“The cats want to express their gratitude to Jamong for saving Gray one.”

“Oh my goodness.”

Lee Joon and Jamong then walked towards the gathering of park cats, with Jamong’s owner following at a respectful distance, careful not to startle the cats.

—