Hello Vet! How are you?

Around the time when Lee Joon and his friends were grilling samgyeopsal, a pair of sharp eyes were watching them.

A meow sounded.

There stood a cat with a stunning gray fur and a name to match his elegance—Silver Rain.

Silver Rain had been tailing Lee Joon to uncover the truth behind a rumor that had recently spread throughout the neighborhood.

“They say he understands our language?”

This rumor had been the hottest topic in the park lately.

The cats couldn’t ignore it because the noisy dogs mentioned it every time they gathered, claiming their association with humans.

Upon hearing this, Silver Rain initially dismissed it as yet another dog boasting about their human connections.

However, as the leader of the cats, it was necessary to verify the facts.

But then,

*Sniff, sniff, sniff.*

Silver Rain’s pink nose twitched as the savory aroma of samgyeopsal sizzling on the grill drifted into his nostrils.

It was an irresistible smell.

His eyes involuntarily narrowed to slits, and a smirk curled at the corner of his mouth.

‘A delicious smell.’

As he inhaled the delightful aroma, Silver Rain licked the air with his tongue.

Suddenly, a new scent captured his attention.

‘Hmm?’

His fluffy tail stood erect and swayed gently, sending ripples through his silky fur.

*Gurgle.*

His belly rumbled, for he hadn’t eaten today.

The combination of the savory grease from the samgyeopsal and the soft aroma of steamed eggs made his hunger unbearable.

Desperate to savor the aroma more closely, Silver Rain approached the table where Lee Joon sat.

The barbecue joint hosting the source of the rumor had an outdoor deck.

As the three friends sat there, it made it easy for Silver Rain to close in, unnoticed by anyone.

‘If that’s the case, it’s time to reveal myself. This is a chance to confirm the rumor.’

Silver Rain declared,

『Give me food, meow!』

His piercing cry startled the trio, making them turn towards him simultaneously.

“What, what? That cat is huge.”

One person stared, shocked.

“Isn’t this one handsome? Those eyes remind me of our Golden.”

Another responded with a favorable expression.

And the subject of the rumor…

“What’s with that expression?”

It was brimming with kindness yet hinted at curiosity, even a trace of concern.

“Are you hungry?”

Lee Joon’s inquiry made Silver Rain’s golden eyes shine.

‘It was true. Following them was worthwhile!’

Confirming that communication was indeed possible, Silver Rain raised his voice,

『I’m hungry, meow!』

“Oh dear, you must be very hungry.”

Silver Rain leapt closer to their table.

『I want to eat that yellow thing, meow!』

“That’s too salty for you.”

『Then I’ll eat this!』

“That’s also no good. It’s too greasy.”

The frustration of being denied such delicious food made Silver Rain pound the table with his large paw and cry out,

『I said I’m hungry, meow!』

“Grey one! Don’t lose your temper. Sit down and wait a bit. I’ll go buy you something to eat.”

‘He’s going to buy me food.’

Silver Rain knew where the human meant.

Humans often emerged with their favorite snacks from there.

His agitation calmed slightly.

‘But it’s disappointing not to get that tasty yellow thing!’

Disappointment was disappointment.

And one more thing, he needed to correct how they called him.

『My name is Silver Rain, meow!』

He tilted his chin toward the sky and howled.

『Meooowooong!』

But the rumor was he pretended not to hear this proud declaration, heading off to the convenience store.

He returned shortly with something in hand, and a fragrant yet slightly pungent aroma wafted over.

Silver Rain’s eyes gleamed.

“I’ve tasted this before.”

Memories of a delicious encounter made Silver Rain lick his lips.

“Here, eat up.”

Raising his eyes, Silver Rain looked at the human who was the subject of the rumor.

His face was warm with smiles.

It was a familiar warmth he had felt before.

When was it?

As Silver Rain gazed at that face, he almost forgot his hunger.

Words broke his reverie.

“This is healthier for you than that. I can’t give you the other stuff no matter how much you look at me.”

Regaining his senses, Silver Rain plunged his head into the can, licking its contents.

『Delicious, meow!』

The human spoke as he ate.

“There’s more, so eat as much as you want.”

Feeling pleased after finishing two cans cleanly, Silver Rain rubbed his head against the rumor’s subject’s leg.

『It was delicious, meow! Thank you, meow! You’re a kind human, meow.』

Leaving his utmost thanks, Silver Rain headed toward the park.

“He’s not only eaten well but also expressed gratitude? Gray one, you’re a good creature.”

Silver Rain halted, resolute.

So he didn’t hear my name earlier.

Turning back, Silver Rain met the eyes of the rumor’s subject.

He cried out,

『Meowooong! My name is Silver Rain, meow!』

“Alright, alright. Silver Rain. It’s a great name. Take care, Silver Rain.”

With kind eyes watching him, Silver Rain thought warmly of the human.

He then strolled into the park near the BBQ joint.

The cats there, ten in total, bowed their heads in respect.

The cat at the forefront called out,

『Lord Silver Rain, master of the Evergreen Park and our guide, have you returned?』

And the others echoed,

『Have you returned?』
『Have you returned?』
『Enough, meow.』

At Silver Rain’s command, silence fell instantly.

『I told you to be quiet when the sun sets, didn’t I, meow?』
『We apologize.』

The first cat who spoke bowed his head deeply, his voice so faint it couldn’t be heard unless one got closer.

Of course, the cats, with their excellent hearing, heard it clearly.

A yellow cheese cat noticed Silver Rain’s slightly upturned lips and asked, though softly,

『Master, did something good happen to you?』
『Yes, something did happen. Meow.』
『Really?』
『May we inquire what happened?』

Once again, the yellow cat asked.

『Do you remember what the noisy ones said? Meow.』
『Noisy… Ah, you refer to the dogs?』
『Yes, meow. Do you recall them making a fuss about a human who could understand them?』
『Yes, we remember.』
『I remember them chaotically barking about it. But why?』

This was when a mostly white cat with only black feet and a tail jumped down from a tree.

『It was true, meow!』
『Did you see, meow?』
『Yes, I did, meow.』
『Could-could you really communicate?』
『Hohoho, I told you it might be true, master~!』

Seemingly appearing out of nowhere, a cat striped with auburn everywhere spoke with a nasal tone as he strolled over gracefully, three more cats trailing behind.

Including these four, there were now twenty-eight gleaming feline eyes on Silver Rain.

『Yes, meow!』
『Is it really true?』
『Goodness~ now if we get hurt, we can ask for healing. Master~ who is this remarkable human?』

Silver Rain was cautious.

The first impression was favorable, but he sensed there might be more to it.

Furthermore, he was a vet.

He remembered the time he had been taken to an animal clinic, ensnared with food, starved, and then suddenly drowsy and when he awoke…

『This is how I ended up, meow.』

Silver Rain glanced down.

Where something precious should have been was just fur.

With a sigh, he looked up at his comrades, each missing the tip of one ear.

『My ear too was gone, meow.』

He feared a repeat of that ordeal.

『It didn’t seem so, yet…』

He couldn’t risk losing his comrades due to complacency.

With a resolve to observe more, he declared.

『I can’t say yet, meow.』

Annoyed cries erupted from the cats.

『Let me determine if he’s a good human, and then I’ll let you know, meow!』

Instantly, silence enveloped the park.

Silver Rain’s feelings reached the cats.

He gracefully leaped up a tree, signaling his intent to rest.

The cats quietly retreated.

Having eaten heartily, he needed rest.

From his perch on the tree, Silver Rain thought of the human he had just encountered.

‘I never thought a human could converse with us. But there truly was one, meow. He seemed rather decent, meow. No, quite reliable.’

Silver Rain’s relaxed body sank further into the branches, a soft curl upon his lips.

***

While Silver Rain mulled things over, Lee Joon and his friends were also discussing Silver Rain.

“That cat was so confident! Is he the boss around here?”

“He sure seemed like it.”

“Exactly! Did you see him? That glossy coat! I’ve never seen such a sleek alley cat.”

“You wouldn’t even see one like that in a clinic. Right, Woo Jin?”

“Uh-huh. Wow, what a presence he had. I thought a leopard was standing there.”

“Leopard, you say? He was just adorable. Such a good listener too.”

“You think he’s adorable?”

“Yes, absolutely adorable. By the way, are you going to eat naengmyeon?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Really? Lee Joon, how about you?”

“Me? Mul naengmyeon.”

“I’ll have both Mul and spicy ones.”

“Both? Wow, you’re going all out.”

“It’s too delicious. Seriously, k-food is unbeatable.”

Indeed, gwak Soo-ho polished off two bowls of naengmyeon with ease.

“Whew, now I feel alive. I can endure anything, but not hunger.”

“It’s puzzling. For someone with such a native palate, you spend over half the year abroad.”

“If he likes it, why not?”

“True, true. Soo-ho, what are your plans? Heading back out soon?”

“Hmm, since I’m here, I might as well stay a bit. Seeing that cat gave me an urge to film street gentlemen again, it’s been a while.”

“That sounds good.”

“Yeah, how about creating a content series featuring Korea’s top 100 cats? From cities, islands, beaches, mountain tops, valleys…”

Lee Joon’s suggestion left Gwak Soo-ho pondering.

Suddenly, choi Woo Jin’s phone on the table lit up.

He touched the screen to read the message.

“Lee Joon, could you spare some time next week?”

“Next week?”

“Yes, I left a message for Dr. Joo earlier, and they’d like to schedule a consultation when you’re free.”

“Really?”

“You mentioned you’re free after 8PM on weekdays?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. One moment.”

As soon as Choi Woo Jin sent the message, a reply came instantly.

“He must have been waiting. How about next Friday?”

“Sure, let’s set it for then.”

“Thank you, Director Lee!”

“Haha, no problem. We’re just doing our job here, Doctor Choi.”

“Indeed. Thanks again, really.”

“I’m grateful. Thanks for coming by.”

“What are you talking about? Of course, I had to come.”

“Right. Absolutely. So let’s finish up and head in to rest. Soo-ho is lost in thought, but he’s actually drunk.”

“Agreed. Let’s leave before he becomes a burden.”

“You cold guys.”

After a while, the three left the barbecue joint and walked toward the main road.

Passing the park they’d walked by earlier, Silver Rain’s eyes flickered open.

The gray cat, Silver Rain, began trailing Lee Joon once more.

—