Hello Vet! How are you?

“Didn’t they say that animals hate discrimination?”

Before opening the ward door, Gong Jeong-ah remembered what Lee Joon had just said and called the names of the three animals in order.

“Gray one, Kkamnyang, Aji~”

Then, as she opened the door and entered, two cats stood on their hind legs, lifting their front legs up and crying out.

[Nyaoooo~.]

[Niyang!]

It was as if they were wild animals puffing up their bodies to threaten an enemy.

A laugh burst out from Gong Jeong-ah’s mouth.

“Pfft!”

She knew she shouldn’t be laughing in this situation, but she couldn’t help it.

“How can anyone not laugh at such cute creatures? Isn’t that right?”

Gong Jeong-ah’s smiling face was caught on camera.

However, that was only briefly, as a look of pity soon appeared in her eyes.

Behind the puffed-up cats, a black puppy cowered, barely peeking at Gong Jeong-ah with its eyes.

She met those eyes.

The cats were probably trying to hide Aji.

But no matter how thin Aji was, he was not a size that could be covered by cats.

A thin, emaciated body visible behind the cats.

Because of that, the face seemed large, with eyes that seemed to occupy half of it.

A look of fear filled those large eyes.

That was Aji.

“Sigh…”

A sigh escaped from Gong Jeong-ah’s lips.

She knew it wasn’t good to sigh in front of animals, but she couldn’t hold it back.

‘Director Lee Joon really did a good thing. Really…’

Gong Jeong-ah was grateful to Lee Joon for rescuing Aji.

She wanted to run to Aji immediately and hug him, but she restrained herself.

‘He told me not to approach but to let them come to me.’

Recalling another tip from Lee Joon, Gong Jeong-ah sat down near the entrance and asked the PD.

“PD, is it okay if this takes a bit of time?”

Park PD’s smile stretched to his ears at the big actress’s suggestion to extend the filming time.

“Well, of course. We are too thankful, but is it okay with you…”

“Then I’ll take it that way.”

After conveying her intentions in simple words, Gong Jeong-ah looked at the cats.

“Hello, Gray one, Kkamnyang!”

[Nyaong?]

[Miya?]

The cats tilted their heads in curiosity.

They found it odd that Gong Jeong-ah just sat there after coming in.

Though they were told Lee Joon was a good person, she was still a stranger, so the cats were on guard.

It was natural for the two who had the duty to protect Aji.

Aside from that, why weren’t they being given any treats?

The cats were curious about it.

But they didn’t approach. They were still hiding Aji.

However, as time passed, the cats gradually returned to their usual posture.

Aji, too.

Initially very wary, but since there was no reaction, their guard naturally lowered.

Gong Jeong-ah just kept looking at the three animals without doing anything significant.

As time passed, about 30 minutes after Gong Jeong-ah entered the ward, the cats suddenly started to cry out.

“Aeoung aeoung!”

“Nyaoong.”

“Krnyaooong!”

“Kyaoong!”

Surprised by the sudden cries of the previously quiet cats, Gong Jeong-ah tore open a packet of soft sticks.

She did this to calm the sharp atmosphere with treats.

Hearing the rustling sound, the ears of the Gray one and Kkamnyang perked up.

Aji, who had been crouching behind, also perked his ears slightly and then lowered them again.

Seeing the three animals show interest in the treat packet, Gong Jeong-ah felt relieved and spoke.

“I heard Aji wants to eat this… Is that right?”

“Nyaong.”

“Aeoung.”

Though the cats seemed to say “yes” and urged her to throw it, Gong Jeong-ah didn’t understand their meowing.

“Do you want to eat this?”

Gong Jeong-ah cut the stick into small pieces and extended her hand toward the three of them.

Again, the cats cried out.

[Nyaooong!]

[Krnyao aeooong!]

Startled by the slightly louder cries, Gong Jeong-ah was taken aback.

“No, I was just trying to give this… I didn’t mean anything else. I didn’t even move. Look at this. I’m staying right here, right?”

As Gong Jeong-ah was explaining to the cats,

The cats stealthily approached her.

“Uh…?”

Gong Jeong-ah was touched.

“They, they’re walking over. My, oh my, Gray one and Kkamnyang are…”

Gong Jeong-ah blinked as she watched the approaching cats.

The sight of the previously unyielding cats coming to her was truly touching.

However, she also felt uneasy.

The expressions of the approaching Gray one and Kkamnyang were filled with displeasure.

“Why are you guys making faces like that?”

Aware that she was being filmed, Gong Jeong-ah voiced her feelings aloud, predicting that the viewers would feel the same as her.

To be honest, she couldn’t help but be a little scared.

What if they suddenly attacked?

Especially being an actress, she was particularly sensitive to the idea of getting hurt, making her even more anxious.

Seeing the video of Gray one and Kkamnyang attacking an abuser had left a lasting impression on her.

‘Surely not. If they were going to attack me, the doctors wouldn’t just stand by.’

Gong Jeong-ah trusted Lee Joon and Go Gijin.

Especially since the cats in the video seemed to follow Lee Joon very well.

With that thought, Gong Jeong-ah endured as the cats approached with fierce expressions.

***

Meanwhile, the cats were far from happy.

They had been expecting treats ever since Gong Jeong-ah entered the ward.

But the treats were not forthcoming, no matter how long they waited.

The cats were angry.

Their hyung had assured them she was a good person, but she wasn’t acting like one.

If you have something to give, you should do so quickly.

Could it be that she wasn’t giving them because she planned to eat them herself?

For the impatient cats, 30 minutes was an unbearably long time.

That was why they were furious.

『Why aren’t you giving it?』
『What are you doing? Why haven’t you given it yet?』
『Give it quickly!』
『Are you planning to eat it yourself?』

Only after they expressed their anger did she finally open the package.

Urged to give it quickly, she begrudgingly cut it into little pieces but didn’t even bother to come near to give it, merely extending her hand.

The dumbfounded cats decided to take matters into their own hands and simply go and get it themselves.

Standing in front of Gong Jeong-ah, Gray one extended a paw.

“Tch.”

Yet, all they received was a human voice.

“You’re, you’re cute.”

Gray one looked up with an upward glance and cried out in a displeased manner.

『I am not cute. I am dashing!』
『I’m dashing too!』

After correcting Gong Jeong-ah’s words, the cats muttered to themselves.

『I extended my paw, but I didn’t get a treat.』
『Let’s try using the skill we use with nuna.』

It suggested using the tactic they employed when requesting snacks from Jamong’s nuna.

『Let’s do that.』

Gray one put both front paws on Gong Jeong-ah’s thigh and kneaded.

『Give it now!』

Kkamnyang also joined in, targeting her.

Surprised, Gong Jeong-ah said.

“Oh my, oh my, heavens.”

before offering small pieces to Gray one and Kkamnyang.

“Eat a lot.”

As Gray one ate the offered soft stick, Kkamnyang also enjoyed his treat.

When they had finished, Gray one tapped the person in front of him.

『Give more!』
『This time, give a bigger piece!』

“Aww, you finished it already? Want more?”

Gong Jeong-ah gave them slightly larger pieces.

The cats turned to return to their original spot.

Tock.

After dropping the snack in front of Aji, Gray one spoke.

『Eat up!』

Aji’s eyes grew wide with astonishment.

Inside, Aji’s pupils wavered back and forth.

To be honest, watching the cats eat the snacks made Aji’s mouth water.

He wanted to eat it.

But he couldn’t move his feet.

He was burying his desire by just swallowing and envying, and yet the cats brought snacks for him.

Aji suddenly recalled when the cats said they’d share food with him.

‘So, this is what they meant!’

Suddenly, a warmth spread through his entire body.

Even though he hadn’t done anything, he just felt warm, making his body feel languidly relaxed.

『Eat this too!』

Even Kkamnyang dropped a snack in front of Aji.

『Can, can I eat this?』

Even though he knew he could eat it, Aji sought confirmation.

He knew in his head that he wouldn’t be beaten anymore, but his body was still very fearful.

What if he ate this and then got beaten…

『It’s yours.』
『My… mine?』
『We’ve eaten. That one’s yours.』

Over yesterday and today, Aji had learned so much.

That he could eat all the food in the bowl at once, and this was the first time he’d seen them looking out for each other.

Aji swallowed and cautiously bit the snack with his front teeth.

‘Huh?’

The snack sank easily between his teeth.

Aji’s eyes darted up and down, side to side.

‘Am I supposed to eat this?’

Until now, almost everything he had eaten was hard.

Not that he’d never eaten soggy kibble soaked in water.

But what he held in his mouth now was a completely different texture.

It was both firm and soft.

『Don’t just hold it; chew and eat it!』
『After you eat, let’s ask for more!』

Encouraged by the cats, Aji crunched down on it.

Though it was only a piece as small as a claw, Aji nibbled cautiously.

As he chewed, his mouth was filled with the rich flavor of the snack.

He wanted to savor this taste more.

He wanted to continue savoring it, but the snack in his mouth gradually disappeared.

『It’s, it’s so delicious…』

It was so tasty.

This moment, being able to eat something so delicious, made Aji incredibly happy.

He wanted to express this emotion.

But having never expressed emotions before, Aji conveyed his feelings in the best way he knew.

[Awoo!]

Aji’s eyes filled with tears as he howled.

Tock, tock, tock,

Four gentle paws patted Aji — two gray and two white paws.

『Wait a moment! We’ll get you some more.』
『This time, we’ll bring you bigger pieces.』

The cats spoke as they walked over to Gong Jeong-ah.

『Give us some snacks!』
『Give us a big one!』

With expressions that asked for what they had entrusted to her.

But even that demeanor was so endearing to Gong Jeong-ah.

“Okay, okay, I’ll give you more.”

Somehow understanding them immediately, Gong Jeong-ah cut a soft stick and extended it.

Gray one flicked it with his paw and suddenly raised his voice in irritation.

『Not this, that one!』
『I told you, give us the big one.』

“Are you saying you’re already tired of this? Want to eat something different?”

『No, not this. Give us that one!』
『Give us what I asked for.』

Gray one and Kkamnyang were frustrated.

Eventually, Gray one leaped up and snatched the package.

“Oh my!”

“Ah, are they asking for bigger ones? Just give them whole.”

Lee Joon explained.

“Oh, is that it?”

After calming her surprised heart, Gong Jeong-ah looked at the cats.

Gray one had dashed away with the package and placed it in front of Aji.

『Eat it!』
『Yes. Eat slowly. You need to eat a lot.』
『Right. You need to grow strong.』

Aji looked back and forth between the cats and the snack, recalled that taste from a while ago, and cautiously took a long piece in his mouth.

Just holding the snack in his mouth made him happy.

Aji placed the snack in front of Gray one and repeated the action to place one in front of Kkamnyang as well.

『Let’s eat together.』

After saying that, Aji took hold of one for himself and ate it joyfully.

Once again, tears welled up in his eyes.

***

Witnessing the three heads gathered as they ate the snack together, Gong Jeong-ah felt a wave of emotion.

“How…”

Watching the friendship among the trio, Gong Jeong-ah was more moved than watching any heartfelt film.

Tears pooled in her eyes.

Then, suddenly, Aji looked up and began to walk toward her.

Aji approached as he wagged his tail gently.

Slowly, Aji arrived before Gong Jeong-ah and lowered his head.

“Oh my, are you greeting me?”

Gong Jeong-ah’s lips curled into a smile.

She grinned broadly as she petted Aji’s bowed head.

Aji flinched initially but soon took to her touch.

The effect came from Lee Joon’s gentle pats on his head.

The corners of Aji’s mouth lifted increasingly.

However, in contrast, Gong Jeong-ah’s expression grew more somber.

As she petted Aji, she could take a closer look at him.

The emaciated body, the blue bruises visible only on the monitor, and the scars scattered here and there.

While carefully petting Aji with one hand, Gong Jeong-ah eventually began to use both hands.

“How much pain did you endure…”

While sobbing, Gong Jeong-ah continued to caress Aji’s body.

Wherever her hands went, all she felt were bones.

With tenderness, she enveloped Aji completely in her embrace.

“You did well, you did so well. And you’re so strong.”

“Thank you for surviving so far.”

“I’ll protect you now. So…”

Gong Jeong-ah cried as she let out the sob she had been holding in.

Aji, who had been watching her worriedly, hugged her in return.

Just like Gray one and Kkamnyang had embraced him.

People outside, who had been observing, started to clap.

“Aji finally opened his heart.”

“So glad. Really, so glad.”

Especially writer Yum and Go Gijin cried, just like Gong Jeong-ah.

“Sniff, our Aji is well now. Really well.”

“Sob, this means our Aji has a home now, doesn’t it?”

“It must be.”

Lee Joon felt grateful to Gong Jeong-ah for sincerely empathizing with Aji’s suffering.

As he watched the scene, Park PD made a proposal to him.

“Director Lee Joon. Could you join us once more in the fall?”

“In the fall?”

“Yes, I have an idea for a special feature then, and I can’t think of anyone who could do a better job than you.”

Although they had only met twice, Lee Joon found that he liked PD Park Joo-hwan.

‘You can tell he truly cares about animals.’

If such a person was suggesting it, it surely would be aimed at benefiting animals.

‘Plus, there are many things I want to share with the viewers.’

Wouldn’t this be a step forward in the direction he desired?

Thinking of this, Lee Joon nodded.

“Sounds like a great opportunity.”