Hello Vet! How are you?

A large food bowl with a bone drawing and two smaller, charming bowls with cat faces were arranged in a triangle.

Above these bowls lay three heads.

The two small bowls were emptied cleanly, but the big one remained half full.

Gray one sniffed around Aji’s bowl and displayed a displeased expression.

『Why won’t you eat? You didn’t eat much yesterday either, did you? Aren’t you eating because it doesn’t taste good?』
『Yesterday’s was like this, but this also seems tasteless.』

Kkamnyang also sniffed Aji’s bowl and shook his head.

『Ah, no… It’s delicious.』
『You don’t have to say that. It doesn’t smell appetizing, and it looks bland. It’s amazing you ate some.』
『Hold on!』

Kkamnyang grabbed a piece of Aji’s food.

Crunch!

A cheerful crunching sound was followed by…

Spit!

Kkamnyang spat out the food and grimaced.

『Gah! It’s terrible. How did you eat this?』
『Is it that tasteless?』

This time, Gray one took a piece and chewed on it.

Crunch, crunch.

The delightful sound of chewing food, which pet owners love, was followed by the same reaction from Gray one.

『It is so bad!』

Gray one gently tapped Aji’s leg.

『I’m sorry!』

Gray one sincerely apologized to Aji.

He regretted assuming Aji’s reluctance to eat the food was simply due to a change of environment.

To think Aji had been eating such tasteless food!

『I should have saved some of mine.』
『Yes, next time we’ll share our food with you.』
『Let’s do that. We’ll divide our food with Aji!』

Gray one and Kkamnyang expressed their resolve.

However, Aji observed their behavior with curiosity.

‘It’s delicious, so why are they acting this way?’

The food in front of them was the tastiest Aji had ever had.

She couldn’t understand why the cats were making such a fuss.

But that was just a thought in Aji’s mind.

‘So warm.’

The thought of the cats offering to share their food with him was heartwarming.

『Thank you.』
『Of course. No companion should starve.』
『Yes. Friends share with each other.』

The words ‘companion’ and ‘friend’ were new to Aji, but those words painted his face with a shade of red.

Though his black fur hid it, his short tail wagged gleefully.

The tail that clung unnoticed to his backside was busier than ever since yesterday.

『No, it’s so delicious too.』
『You don’t have to pretend. If it’s bad, it’s bad.』
『That’s right. Hyung was too much, giving you something so bland. I’ll tell him.』
『I’ll tell him to give you something you’ll like!』

Dog food, compared to cat food, contains less protein and more than half as much sodium, making it bland overall.

The cats’ reaction to Aji’s food was understandable, but to Aji, it was deliciously delightful.

『They will change to such delicious food.』
『No, it’s delicious, really.』

Aji shook his head vigorously.

『Hyung told me to say so if it doesn’t taste good, promising to give something better!』
『Yes, hyung will give you something tasty.』
『No, it’s delicious, really.』

Aji insisted twice that it was delicious, making both cats tilt their heads in unison, confused.

『Why aren’t you eating then?』
『Indeed. If it’s so tasty, why not eat it?』
『… I would.』

Gray one re-asked as Aji muttered.

『What did you say?』
『Get scolded…』
『You mean you’d get scolded?』
『… Yeah.』

Once again, the cats tilted their heads simultaneously.

『Why?』
『Why would you get scolded?』
『…because I mustn’t finish it.』
『Why?』
『Why?』

The cats genuinely couldn’t understand what Aji was saying.

Why should the food be left, and why would that lead to punishment?

As four round eyes gazed at Aji, she slowly answered.

『Well, the master hits if I eat a lot. So, I must eat little. If I eat a lot and poop, he hits. Even if I pee a lot, he hits…”』

Suddenly, the two cats’ large eyes widened even more.

With wide-open eyes, they didn’t blink, staring at Aji.

After a brief silence, Gray one let out a roaring cry.

『Unbelievable!』
『Crazy fool!』

Kkamnyang also growled.

『We should have scratched him more yesterday!』
『Yes. We should have bitten him more!』

The cats howled like mad.

Soon, they scooped Aji into a warm embrace.

***

Meanwhile, watching the situation in the ward via the monitor, Lee Joon’s face crumpled with emotion.

“Ridiculous.”

The words from Kkamnyang’s mouth slipped from his own lips.

“Pardon?”

Gong Joeng-Ah was shocked at the sudden fierce expressions and anger of the previously gentle-looking cats.

But more surprising was the cats embracing the puppy with a sympathetic look after expressing their ire.

She was curious about why the cats had been angry, but the sight on the monitor moved her to clasp her hands, eyes sparkling in anticipation.

But hearing such words from Lee Joon, she couldn’t help herself.

“Ah, it seems Aji has suffered much more than expected.”

“What do you mean… Does it have something to do with why the cats cried so fiercely now?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“What…”

“You can see some kibble left in Aji’s bowl, right?”

“Yes.”

“I thought Aji left the food yesterday due to loss of appetite from the change in environment. Otherwise, assuming he’s a small eater, he might eat little. But as you’ll see later, Aji is….”

Lee Joon paused, sighing, before continuing.

“He is extremely underweight. I thought his stomach had shrunk…”

Lee Joon hadn’t pressured Aji to eat more the previous night, thinking it best to gradually increase his intake rather than risk a sudden upset by overfeeding.

“And then?”

“He said he was hit for eating too much.”

One might wonder how he knew this, yet this was no time for such considerations.

“He got hit?”

“Yes. He said he was hit for pooping a lot after eating.”

“it’s mad!”

Gong Joeng-Ah exclaimed in anger.

“Who does that? Doesn’t he relieve himself?”

So enraged, she uttered words unusual for an actress.

“Exactly. Such a person should never raise an animal again.”

“He’s truly a lunatic. It makes me want to do the same to him.”

“I agree.”

“How pathetic. How cowardly must someone be to abuse a speechless animal?”

“Exactly. The problem is, there are many such people. Numerous cases become public, yet there are countless incidents of abuse happening in homes, like Aji’s. As you said, they’re speechless animals.”

“This really makes me angry.”

Gong Joeng-Ah’s fair face turned bright red with fury.

“Hold on.”

Lee Joon stood from his seat and spoke to Gong Joeng-Ah.

“I’m going to the ward to reassure Aji, allowing him to eat all his food.”

“Is it okay if I… come along?”

She controlled herself, knowing that for animals like Aji who had experienced abuse, the approach of a stranger might evoke fear.

“Not currently. Aji’s still quite anxious. But he seemed at ease with everyone here showing him kindness… I’ll check it out.”

“Yes…?”

Startled by her automatic response, Gong Joeng-Ah was puzzled as Lee Joon had already exited.

“What does he mean by checking? Will Aji nod?”

She tilted her head, gaze fixed on the monitor.

Meanwhile, Lee Joon entered the ward.

As soon as he opened the door, the cats cried angrily.

『Where is that guy?』
『Where?』
『Just say the word, and I’ll go and bite him hard right now.』
『Yes, let’s gather the teams and turn him into a pulp!』
『Yes, the Bluebird cats will join forces.』
『Stop it. You might get into trouble, you cats.』
『The problem is Aji suffered!』
『Yes, that scoundrel needs to be chewed up.』

Listening to the cats’ protest, Lee Joon contemplated.

‘Evergreen and Bluebird together make as many as 100 cats. If they all attacked at once, it wouldn’t be a joke.’

Though improbable, the notion was oddly satisfying.

“Punishing him is important, but the crucial thing now is getting Aji’s health back. You understand?”

『Right. Give Aji something more delicious.』

“Yes, he got hit when he was weak. He needs to eat and get stronger.”

『You heard it? You need to eat more.』
『Still…』

“Don’t worry. All of this is yours. Eat it all, and you’ll get more. Remember how Gray one and Kkamnyang emptied their bowls yesterday?』
『Yeah.』

Aji nodded.

『How about today? Is there less food in your bowl than yesterday?』

Aji shook his head.

『Finish it, and you’ll get more. That’s how it should be. So, eat it all up.』
『Give him something tasty!』
『Give him plenty!』

The cats interjected.

“Understood. Aji, is there anything you’d like to eat?”

Aji blinked.

What could he possibly crave?

Then, Aji recalled an instance visiting the vet and envying something another dog was eating.

“… Something long, smells good… they said it was super soft…”

Aji mumbled, recalling the memory.

『Oh, soft sticks?』
『That’s tasty!』
『Tasty, indeed.』

The cats, seeming enticed, licked their lips.

“Aji, I’ll give you some after you finish your meal.”

『Can I really eat all of this?』

Aji wanted reassurance that he could eat all the food.

『Sure. Eat it all and we’ll have a snack afterward. This is all for you.』

As Lee Joon gently stroked Aji, he momentarily flinched but soon relaxed.

Realizing no hitting was involved, just gentle pats on the head, Aji’s body uncoiled.

Noticing Aji’s change, Lee Joon smiled.

While patting Aji, Lee Joon said.

“You don’t have to be afraid anymore. Your previous owner is gone now.”

『If he comes again, I will punish him!』
『Me too, I won’t stand still.』

“You saw how strong these cats are, right?”

『Yeah.』

Thinking about the cats attacking his owner, Aji felt reassured, even if he returned.

“Oh, and someone wants to see you. A really nice person.”

『Who…?』

Aji’s neck cringed again, but Gray one spoke up.

『Trust him! If hyung says so, the person is nice.』
『Yes, hyung is indeed a nice person.』

Kkamnyang naturally used the term Vet-nim now.

“She wants to give you something delicious. That’s okay, right?”

The word of a vet recognized by Gray one and Kkamnyang was credible.

Aji slowly nodded.

『Okay.』

Lee Joon nodded toward the camera, then stood up.

『Alright, I’d better go get the treat, so just wait a bit.』

Lee Joon patted Aji once more and left the ward.

As Aji watched the closed door, he blinked.

‘This is strange.’

But why? Why was the vet, whom he met just yesterday, so kind to him?

And why were the cats beside him treating him so generously?

Everyone seemed to look at him with warm eyes.

Even the tall and intimidating vet got mad at his owner for his sake.

『Hehe.』

Although it felt strange and awkward, a chuckle escaped.

The cats urged Aji gently.

『Eat up!』
『Yes, eat quickly.』
『Mhm.』

Aji looked at the food bowl and sighed, relieved.

‘The vet said I can eat it all.’

Tears welled up in Aji’s large eyes.

***

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

The sound of Aji chewing on food brought smiles to onlookers’ faces, including Gong Joeng-Ah, other staff, and both Jang Sora and Go Gijin in the vet’s office.

“Whew! Such a good eater about to be reduced to a wreck?”

Go Gijin, a sensitive-hearted man, almost choked up but instead gripped the arm of PD Park Joo-hwan tight.

“Mr. PD. Please make sure that guy never shows his face again. I’m begging you, okay?”

“Ah, alright. I get it, let go of my arm…”

Nearly wrenched off his arm, Park Joo-hwan squeezed out a response.

“Right. I got carried away, haha.”

As Go Gijin laughed and released his grip, Park Joo-hwan sighed with relief.

Noticing the scene, Gong Joeng-Ah quipped.

“PD-nim, you must comply with Gijin’s request. Or else that might be a lot of trouble.”

“I suppose so.”

As Park Joo-hwan answered, cautiously stepping back from Go Gijin, Gong Joeng-Ah continued.

“Please, I also request this sincerely. I worry that people like that might raise another animal and abuse it, as Lee Joon said.”

“PD-nim, you’ll make sure to prevent that, right?”

Lee Joon reinforced Gong Joeng-Ah’s plea.

“I’ll make sure editing hammers that point home. Though Aji’s story alone will evoke outrage from viewers unfiltered. Hahaha.”

Park PD laughed heartily and added.

“If our actress Gong were to hold Aji and let out a single tear, or even just sigh, the viewers would vilify that guy immediately.”

“Oh, come on. Mr. PD, you exaggerate too much.”

“Haha, I merely speak the truth.”

“Indeed. Whenever your narration features, the ratings shoot up.”

Listening to the broadcasters, Lee Joon pondered.

‘Given her immense empathy, surely she realizes how much Aji has struggled.’

Lee Joon went to fetch the treat promised for Aji and handed it to Gong Joeng-Ah.

“Would you like to give this to Aji?”

“Me? Do you think it’s okay?”

“Absolutely.”

Handing the treat to Gong Joeng-Ah, Lee Joon added.

“You could be the first person to give Aji his snack.”

“…the first snack?”

Gong Joeng-Ah’s eyes, upon inquiring, held a multitude of meanings.

—