“Ha, damn. Is it not coming because of the smell of blood?”
“More than that, I think it’s hungry.”
You think I’d be whining about food in a situation like this?
“Right. Since I’m late, your meal too... Ugh!”
When Yoongeon tried to sit up, Changgyu stopped him. There was a first-aid kit in his hands. Not knowing what to do, I just circled round and round near Yoongeon’s feet, then carefully gave a little hop and perched on the edge of the sofa.
“Ah. Right. Is your front paw a bit better now?”
The one he was actually worried about was my front paw. Dumbfounded, I let my mouth fall open blankly.
That’s my line, isn’t it...? And you checked this morning that it was fine. I don’t even need this stupid bandage anymore.
I stared fixedly at Yoongeon’s wound.
“Ah, this? I’m fine. My wounds tend to heal fast.”
Of course, since he’s a beastkin his recovery would be good, but... this is a serious wound. He looks like he’s in pain...
“You’re not scared, are you?”
What on earth is there to be scared of, honestly...
I sat still and looked up at him. When Yoongeon shifted over as if telling me to come closer, I cried out in alarm.
“Wooong!”
Don’t you move!
The reason I deliberately didn’t press up close to him was that I was afraid my weight would throw off the balance and rock the sofa. If his body’s balance was disturbed, it might aggravate the wound. When you’re badly hurt, even the slightest movement stings.
“Brother, are you really sure you’re all right? Even now, please don’t push yourself...”
“Instead of getting underfoot and hopping about uselessly, why don’t you go see to the honorable cat’s meal?”
“Huh? Me?”
As if meaning to treat Yoongeon’s wound, Changgyu opened the first-aid kit. As he did, he spoke to Yeongho, who was standing there blankly beside them.
“Whoever’s got their hands free should do it. Or would you rather stitch this up in my place?”
Yeongho’s face went noticeably, ghostly white.
“A guy who burst a few faces open barely an hour ago, and he’s squeamish?”
“Wh-who’s squeamish?”
Seems he’s afraid of blood, which doesn’t match his build. Or is it that he hates the smell of blood? I hate it too, though...
“Hurry up and go prepare the meal. The Executive Director will like that better.”
I watched Yeongho’s retreating figure vanish into the kitchen, then turned my head right back. My meal, which would be entrusted to him, mattered too, but Yoongeon’s condition mattered more.
I carefully placed a paw on his thigh. It was because his expression, which had been watching me intently, hardened slightly when I wouldn’t come closer.
“Excuse me.”
When Changgyu carefully lifted Yoongeon’s clothing, a deep gash running across his side was revealed. It was a huge claw mark, as if flesh had been torn open in passing. At a glance, it looked like it had been left by a beast the size of a human body.
“You don’t have to look if it’s too gruesome.”
While Changgyu applied disinfectant to the wound, he didn’t so much as furrow his brow. If anything, it was me, the one watching, who flinched from the pain.
Doesn’t it hurt...?
Tilting my head, I studied Yoongeon’s expression. The beads of blood welling up over the disinfectant were proof that it was still bleeding. Judging by his knitted brow, it wasn’t that it didn’t hurt.
“I’ll stitch it up temporarily.”
“Ngh...”
Yoongeon let out a small groan. I only shifted my hindquarters and poked my head out. I wanted to go closer, but I couldn’t get in the way. I kept mewling softly, asking if he was okay.
“All done.”
Only after a white gauze was applied was the first aid finished. Cotton swabs soaked full of blood were scattered carelessly over the floor and the table.
“Let’s call Hyeonoh tomorrow.”
“That guy nags way too much.”
“I’ll contact him.”
Changgyu spoke firmly as he snapped the first-aid kit shut.
It was a name I was hearing for the first time, so I didn’t know who it was, but somehow it seemed like it might be that doctor. I nodded my head vigorously in agreement.
No matter how skilled Changgyu is, could he match a doctor? Showing it to an expert is far better.
“...Getting hurt isn’t so bad either.”
Changgyu, who’d been closing the first-aid kit, lifted his head as if he’d heard something strange, and I looked at Yoongeon too.
“Baby keeps looking after me, doesn’t she. Are you worried? I told you I’m fine. So relax that face.”
Yoongeon gently rubbed my brow, which was all scrunched up. So exasperated, I let out a dry, breathless laugh. Anyone who heard you would think I don’t care about you at all. I do care. I’m worrying about you right now, even.
People who give you affection are hard to deal with. Deep in my heart I think I want to be loved by someone, but the moment it actually comes toward me, I instinctively grow wary.
Because the love I’ve received often came with strings attached. And because he gives me too much... the more I receive, the stranger and more frightened I somehow become.
That’s why I’d suddenly stiffen and push him away. Lately he acted as though he understood all about my changed attitude. Feeling needlessly petulant, I bumped him with my head, my face sullen.
“Ow... I thought you were worried because I was hurt?”
Whether the wound had been aggravated, he made a pained sound, but the laughter contained within it was plainly audible.
Ugh, so annoying...
Still, seeing how carefree he looked, it seemed the wound wasn’t terribly serious, which was a relief too. Of course, my owner might be deliberately putting on an act of being fine, but... no, there’s no particular reason for him to do that, so he must really be okay.
Just then, Yeongho approached hesitantly from behind. It seemed my meal was finally all ready too. But strangely, there was a burnt smell. Changgyu saw it, sneered, and clicked his tongue, tsk tsk.
“Burning meat is a talent too.”
“I-if I give it undercooked it could upset the stomach, so I was just trying to cook it through!”
“The honorable cat eats raw food just fine.”
“I’m a wolf, so...”
I’m not a cat! I’m a wildcat! A ferocious beast! There are far too many out there I need to show my valor to.
“I’ll grill it again.”
“Baby waited a long time. I can’t feed her garbage.”
At Yoongeon’s words, Yeongho’s shoulders drooped.
Realizing this was no time for that, I shook my head hard.
There’s no need to go that far. Just eat around the burnt part. You don’t have to grill meat today. I eat canned food just fine too. You need to eat, too. The one who needs to eat more than me is you, you!
But whether he misread my gestures, Changgyu shot to his feet as if there were no time to hesitate.
“Please take care of the cleanup.”
“R-right. That, I’m good at!”
Changgyu went to the kitchen, and Yeongho, now that he had a task, bustled about diligently. Yoongeon remained leaning back on the sofa, not moving.
Stitching the wound and putting on gauze, that’s it? Is it really okay for you to keep sitting here?
As if to voice my bursting frustration, my hindquarters wriggled. Misreading that motion, Yoongeon said calmly,
“Ah, want to play the hunting game? You were bored all alone, huh?”
“Eyowk!”
No!
Since Yeongho had just stepped away to put the first-aid kit back in its place, Yoongeon started to get up. Just order a subordinate to do it later when they come. Why are you moving? Seeing this belatedly, Yeongho made a fuss. I too caught the hem of Yoongeon’s clothes in my mouth and tugged, telling him to sit.
“Instead of playing, want to have a snack? Yeongho, snacks.”
“Yes! Here they are!”
At Yoongeon’s word, Yeongho briskly presented my snack tin. Grinning, Yoongeon held out a cube-shaped piece of chicken.
Thanks to that, I had something to freshen my mouth with while the meat cooked. It’s all good. It’s all good, but... is this right?
“Not tasty? Should I give you something else?”
No, it’s tasty, but. In the end I became the person filling my own belly with an injured man right in front of me. Since he was watching so contentedly, I couldn’t even spit it out. I chewed the snack in my mouth, munch munch.
If my owner looks happy, then it’s fine, I guess. Yeah, being hurt is miserable enough, so he might as well have some fun.
“Eat lots and put on some weight. Baby’s too skinny.”
I eat plenty. Lately I’ve been eating so much my belly’s been sticking out a little.
“The meal’s ready.”
“Let’s go.”
Yoongeon got up on his own. Startled, I spat out the snack I was eating and followed after him. He even tried to pick me up. Dodging Yoongeon’s hand, I settled into my spot first.
Are you sure you’re the injured one?! You worry so much but don’t spare your own body at all. We’re both of the cat family, so why can’t I get through to you!
“Sorry for feeding you so late.”
“Awooong!”
I told you it’s fine! You hurry up and eat!
Leaving the meal preparation to Changgyu was the correct answer. It seemed that while grilling my meat, he’d also put together a simple meal for Yoongeon. I felt much more at ease. Come on, just eat.
“No appetite? Should I give you something else... You saw blood, so you don’t want meat?”
No, that’s not it...
It seemed he’d absolutely never pick up a spoon unless I ate. In the end I dropped my head and ate the deliciously grilled meat. Even so, I stole glances at Yoongeon.
But his side burst open, is it okay for him to eat...? Shouldn’t he eat something easy to digest, like porridge? Being a beastkin he’ll heal fast, but still...
“Want to eat more?”
Just how much of a pig do you take me for?! Of course, I have eaten a lot this whole time, but...!
Meanwhile, Changgyu approached and spoke to Yoongeon.
