Hello Vet! How are you?

Dalcom had been a companion living with them until six months ago.

One day, Dalcom fell ill.

Around that time, people appeared in the park.

Just like when he had been taken away, several cats were captured and taken away.

Eventually, they all returned to the park.

‘They came back after their ears were clipped, just like me.’

Among the four cats currently standing in front of Silver Rain, two had been captured and returned back then.

However, Dalcom had not returned.

Later, they learned that someone had taken Dalcom away.

Word came that Dalcom was living well there.

Silver Rain thought it was for the best.

It was good for a weak and timid companion like Dalcom to have someone to care for him.

To hear that the former companion assumed to be living well was still sick was surprising.

『It doesn’t seem that way. The leader of the area where Dalcom lives said that he was healthy until recently.』
『Where is he hurt?』
『I’m not sure. Sigh, it’s very worrisome.』
『That’s true.』

Suddenly, the atmosphere became solemn.

There was nothing they could do for a sick companion other than offering encouragement to endure.

『His owner must have taken him to the animal clinic.』
『I’m sure they did, right?』

Dalcom had an owner, after all.

Mocha, the cat with brown-striped fur, kept this thought to herself.

Because, to them, stating such a thing was practically taboo.

Cats who made their home in the park didn’t usually envy house cats.

Roaming freely and living in a spacious park was an ideal life.

However, when they were sick, they might envy cats with caring owners.

The same thought occurred when they went without food for several days.

『That’s a relief then.』

Thinking he would recover by going to the animal clinic, Silver Rain felt relieved.

『It doesn’t seem like it.』

A yellow cat continued speaking.

『I met Milo yesterday.』

Milo was the operative leader of the area where Dalcom lived now.

『You met Milo?』
『Yes. I saw Dalcom returning from the animal clinic, and he seemed very ill. He was coughing a lot and had a runny nose.』

Several companions had departed for the feline stars from just a cough.

To hear that Dalcom had such a serious illness was unsettling.

『He was coughing?』

Silver Rain’s voice became even softer as he asked.

『Yes. Milo had a very short conversation with Dalcom, but even that was interrupted several times by his coughing. And also…』
『Is there somewhere else he’s hurting?』
『He has trouble urinating properly.』

That was also a frightening disease.

Two terrifying illnesses were simultaneously threatening Dalcom.

What should they do?

Silver Rain, the leader of the area, felt a sudden weight on his shoulders.

『But Leader…』
『Tell me.』
『Dalcom wants to meet us.』

Once a companion, always a companion.

Of course, they should meet.

『Let’s go.』
『That’s a bit challenging. Dalcom lives in a high place that’s hard for us to reach.』
『What does that matter?』

For cats with keen hearing, that wouldn’t be a problem.

They could just go nearby and converse.

『Dalcom wants to see us directly. Especially, he insisted on seeing you, boss.』

That was entirely different from just having a conversation.

A soft grumble emerged.

As Silver Rain frowned, the fur between his eyebrows bristled.

Dalcom probably sensed his end was near.

He wanted to see his companions’ faces before departing for the feline stars.

While they couldn’t cure the illness, they wouldn’t allow a companion to depart for the feline stars alone and lonely.

This was Silver Rain’s rule.

And Silver Rain had adhered to that rule to the best of his knowledge.

He intended to continue doing so.

That was the duty of the area’s leader, Silver Rain considered.

『Is there a feasible plan?』
『How about simply using the stairs?』

The yellow cat, Norang, suggested a straightforward approach.

『The door won’t open.』
『That’s true. And moving as a group may get us caught.』

Everyone nodded in agreement at Silver Rain’s comment.

Moving as a group wasn’t a good idea.

Several other suggestions were made, but none seemed effective.

Silver Rain issued an order.

『Tell everyone to gather this evening!』

With many heads put together, a viable plan might emerge.

『Understood.』
『Got it. I’ll tell them to gather.』

That night.

Cats gathered at Evergreen Park.

As they gathered one by one, the number exceeded thirty.

Knowing the reason for the gathering, the cats each shared the ideas they had come up with.

However, none seemed effective.

As the meeting continued without much gain, Silver Rain thought of someone.

‘Should I talk to hyung?’

He felt that he might be able to resolve their issue.

‘I should tell them first about who hyung is.’

Silver Rain met the eyes of each of the dozens of eyes looking at him.

『Cough, cough, everyone knows I’ve been inspecting Woof Woof Animal Clinic for several days, right?』
『Yes, we know.』
『That doctor is nice, right?』
『The rumor has spread, so he must be nice.』
『How do you communicate? Do you just read dog expressions?』
『Do you have conversations with us cats?』

Questions poured in.

Contemplating how to explain, Silver Rain decided to express only his conclusion.

『He’s a good hyung.』

That single statement sufficed.

Upon Silver Rain’s words, the cats stood on their back legs and clapped their front paws together.

Though their cute, plush forepaws made only a soft thudding sound akin to tock-tock.

『Hooray!』
『Hihi, I knew that vet hyung was a good person.』
『The doctor looks very gentle.』
『Hoho, that’s nice.』
『Very nice.』

Silver Rain waited for his comrades’ cheers to subside before speaking again.

『I plan to seek help from hyung.』
『Wow!』
『That’s a great idea.』
『But will hyung help us?』
『It would be nice if that vet hyung could help us…』

Thump thump. Silver Rain patted his chest with his forepaw.

『I will try.』

Somehow, he felt confident that hyung would help.

* * *

The very next morning, Silver Rain went to find the vet hyung.

“What? You want me to help you meet your companion?”

『Yes. I want to… meet him before he departs for the feline stars.』

A brief silence followed.

‘Is he unhappy about it? Well, hyung doesn’t have to grant our request anyway.’

Though thinking so, he hoped hyung would grant his request.

Sweat beaded on Silver Rain’s paw pads as he awaited the response.

Then the vet hyung suddenly picked him up and hugged him tightly.

“My, aren’t you a kind one?”

He then rubbed his face against Silver Rain’s fur.

It was the first time in his life, and Silver Rain’s eyes grew as round as marbles but he didn’t dislike it.

In fact, to be more honest, it felt very nice.

“You cats are truly loving. So, where’s your friend now? Do you know?”

With the vet hyung’s follow-up question, Silver Rain felt overwhelmed with emotions.

『Th-thank you.』

“Alright. First, tell me more about this Dalcom.”

Silver Rain spilled everything.

“Hmm? The animal clinic Dalcom goes to is where my friend works?”

An animal clinic where his friend worked?

Silver Rain’s eyes widened into round circles.

『Really?』

“Yes, it’s quite fortunate. I’m actually going there tomorrow. I’ll ask about Dalcom.”

『I rely on you.』

“Sure, sure. So, stop worrying for now and eat.”

Only then did Silver Rain realize he hadn’t touched the food placed in front of him.

—

Friday evening.

Lee Joon arrived at the Life Love Animal Medical Center where Choi Woojin worked.

“Thanks for coming.”

“No need to thank me.”

As Lee Joon chatted with Choi Woojin, a familiar vet approached.

“Thank you for coming, sir.”

“Oh, Dr. Joo. It’s been a while. The patient isn’t here yet?”

“No, they’ll be here soon.”

“Perfect. Meanwhile, let me review the patient charts.”

“You always seem to arrive early, sir.”

“We can’t keep sensitive patients waiting.”

“Indeed, very sensitive. Quite timid, too.”

“How sensitive must they be for Dr. Joo to say so?”

“Perhaps it’s because they lived outdoors for a long time.”

“Outdoors?”

Lee Joon’s eyes shone.

‘Could it be the cat that Silver Rain mentioned?’

If so, it could make matters easier.

“Yes. Rescued about six months ago but is very timid.”

Dr. Joo opened the electronic chart as he spoke.

Focusing on the monitor, Lee Joon read the chart.

The name listed was Dalcom.

‘Could it really be the one Gray mentioned?’

Lee Joon’s eyes widened for a moment, then he shook his head.

‘Maybe it’s just a cat with the same name. How could a person know the names the cats use?’

Lee Joon continued reading.

“Pneumonia, jaundice?”

“The liver is okay now.”

“That’s a relief.”

“The rhinitis is the issue. When he takes medicine, he’s okay, but it relapses soon after stopping. The symptoms are strikingly similar to Dubu’s case.”

As Lee Joon continued reading the chart, he nodded.

Dalcom’s symptoms listed in the chart closely matched Dubu’s.

“Considering Dalcom has been outdoors for a long time, I’m wondering if there might be a foreign object in the nasal cavity.”

“That’s possible. But the guardian tried using a nebulizer?”

“When the clinic performed nasal wash and nebulization, the nasal discharge reportedly stopped for a while. But nasal wash requires anesthesia each time, which isn’t easy. Nebulization can be done at home.”

“It’s noted that Dalcom is very anxious.”

“Yes, they also tried using a nasal aspirator, but that failed. It seems the stress from that led to FLUTD.”

Silver Rain mentioned that Dalcom was now severely coughing and had difficulty urinating.

But the symptoms noted in Dr. Joo’s chart matched those of the Dalcom that Silver Rain wanted to meet.

‘Rhinitis and idiopathic cystitis… it does seem like it’s the same Dalcom.’

Later, when the cat entered the examination room, Lee Joon was certain.

‘It’s a tabby with cheese coloring.’

The striking cat with a rich, yellow striped pattern lay weakly.

The cat glanced warily at Dr. Joo and curled up further.

“It’s wary of Dr. Joo.”

“To be fair, I’ve prodded everywhere each visit. Dalcom has been through much due to recent cystitis.”

“It might be best if I handle the basic tests alone.”

“That seems wise. During the last test, the stress caused open-mouth breathing even.”

“He must have been terrified.”

“Indeed. I’ll be right outside, sir.”

“Call me if you need anything.”

After speaking, the two left the room.

Eyeing the trembling cat, Lee Joon murmured softly.

“Dalcom.”

『Hic?』

With terror in its eyes, Dalcom’s gaze widened.

Hiss, tsh, tsh.

Dalcom kept sneezing and withdrew even more.

Terrified not only by known faces disappearing but also by this stranger knowing his name.

In his fear, Dalcom pressed himself flat against the table.

Then he gasped audibly, his breathing ragged.

‘Where should I escape to?’

Dalcom searched for an escape route, unable to turn his head due to fear.

“Silver Rain is very worried about you.”

His breath hitched even more at hearing his own circumstances repeated.

Tsk, tsk, Dalcom sneezed more.

“Getting agitated isn’t good for your health. I heard you wish to see your feline friends?”

The fact he knew even that…

Mustered his courage, Dalcom asked.

『Wh-who are you?』

“Silver Rain’s hyung.”

Lee Joon’s answering tone held amusement.

Dalcom didn’t understand why he was amused, but his trembling eased slightly.

『Do you know Boss Silver Rain?』

“Of course, I do. The leader of Evergreen Park.”

Silver Rain, leader, Evergreen Park.

These were cherished words.

Destined places.

Dalcom’s expression relaxed a bit.

Perhaps this unfamiliar doctor could grant his final wish.

“And I’m also someone here to heal you.”

『… I’m beyond hope.』

No matter how kind he seemed, his illness felt beyond cure.

There wasn’t an ounce of strength left, was there?

『I can’t even breathe without difficulty, struggle to visit the restroom, and lack appetite. How can I survive?』

“Nonsense! Muster your strength.”

Lee Joon replied with conviction.

Had Dalcom’s kidney values been high alongside idiopathic cystitis, that would be worrying.

Thankfully, Dalcom’s were within normal range.

Except for high inflammation markers, there was no immediate concern.

“Hurry up and recover to meet your friends.”

Lee Joon earnestly desired to make that happen and he would ensure it.

However, with no strength and feeling pain, Dalcom offered a faint smile.

『I’m glad, at least, to have met someone like you.』

The thought of being able to see his leader and companions before ascending to the feline stars seemed to lend him a bit of strength.

“Yes, I’m glad to meet you too. Now, let’s hear your story.”

Unlike Dubu, Dalcom was incredibly timid.

Yet he slowly confided his story to Lee Joon, who listened intently.

After listening to his story, Lee Joon pointed to the nebulizer on the examination table.

“Hmm, so this thing… you simply don’t want to use it, and there’s another reason for not using the bathroom.”

『Yes.』

—