Chapter 32: Feline Frenzy and Flustered Falls

6: Cats Go Meow

Cats!

Twitchy ears, swishing whiskers.

Soft, jelly-like paws and round, plump bodies.

Utterly useless yet claiming a spot by humans’ sides with their adorable looks—the devil’s creature!

Look at how cute they are!

… Or so Min-jae posted in the group chat, along with a photo of a stray cat. I knew he loved cats, but this was a bit sudden.

The photo showed a light orange tabby staring at the camera with bright eyes. For a stray, it looked surprisingly clean and well-groomed.

Definitely cute.

Yup, cute is good.

Speaking of cute, Jimin-unnie pops into my mind. She’s obsessed with cute things—maybe she’d like cats too. Next time we meet, I hope she hugs a cat instead of me. I don’t want to suffocate for the third time.

Anyway.

—You took that?
—Yup

“Oh…”

Is he out there with cats right now? More photos flood in: petting a cat, scratching its chin, and… getting scratched, the focus all blurry from his panic.

“Pfft…”

What an idiot.

The chat continues, but I ignore it, turn off my phone, and stare out the window.

Just a few days ago, it was gloomy and rainy, but now the sun shines so brightly it’s like that never happened.

It’s still spring, but this heat makes me dread summer. I hate being hot.

Baby angels love sunlight but hate heat.

Still, basking in the sun makes my halo glow brighter than usual. I stroke it with a satisfied smile, feeling its smooth, glass-like texture.

Why doesn’t this halo ever come off? How’s it stuck there?

Curiosity strikes. I tug at it gently.

Stretch!

“Urgh!”

The halo pulls, dragging my head along.

It feels like it’s magnetized. I tug harder, and it stretches further, the pull growing stronger.

“Ugh…”

But I’m stronger. The halo stretches more, its light flickering unstably.

If I pull just a bit harder, it might come off…

A sudden chill runs down my spine.

“Eek!”

I let go, and the halo snaps back into place. The eerie feeling vanishes instantly.

“What… was that…?”

It wasn’t just creepy—it was like the embodiment of death itself…

Kidding.

It felt like something bad would happen if I removed it, but not that bad. Still, I’m too scared to try again.

Anyway, I pick up my phone. The chat’s still going.

—So we’re going to see cats?
—OK
—Yup

… Huh?

While I was out of it, the plan shifted from the PC café to cat-watching.

And more cute cat photos flood in.

All from Min-jae.

…

Tap tap!

I touch the screen, sneaking a dog photo into Min-jae’s cat spam.

—Whose dog is that!!
—LOL
—Dogs > cats, agree?
—Agree

A dog-vs-cat debate erupts. Min-jae defends cats alone while the other two gang up. I just watch.

Wish I had popcorn. Caramel, preferably…

…

The debate heats up.

I ignore it and get up from bed. Time to head out. They’ll probably show up on time despite all the chatter.

… Probably?

I walk to my closet and fling it open.

Today, I’m wearing a T-shirt. I’ve been wearing women’s clothes too often lately, so I haven’t worn one in a while.

Heh. I’ve been keeping up with laundry, so no more T-shirt shortages.

Perfect.

I grab a T-shirt.

And sunlight hits me.

Navy skirt, white blouse, ivory cardigan.

Flowing silver hair, a halo above my head, tiny wings fluttering.

“….”

Yup, I’m an idiot for expecting otherwise.

I usually wear dresses, but why such a complicated outfit today?

Already out, no turning back, I walk on. Then I see three familiar faces.

“Ugh…”

It’s not my first time showing up in women’s clothes, but today feels extra embarrassing. Especially when I look at Junseo.

Just… my mood, right? There’s no reason to blush around Junseo.

If I had to pick, maybe it’s because he saved me the other day—well, his big build did feel reliable, but that’s not embarrassing… Ugh, what am I even thinking?

My thoughts spiral. I slap my cheeks to calm down, take a deep breath, and step up to my friends.

Alright! I’m calm now.

“I’m here!”

“You’re here?”

I greet them with a bright smile. They turn to me. Min-jae’s holding a tube of cat treats.

“What’s with the treats?”

“So the cats don’t run when I get close. I’ll lure them with this.”

Min-jae shakes the tube.

“Anyway, Garam’s here, so let’s go! To the place with all the cats!”

His enthusiasm is so intense, it’s like his glasses would flash dramatically if this were an anime. Does he love cats that much?

The three of us exchange wry smiles and follow Min-jae’s eager strides.

…

…

…

“There’s nothing here?”

“No way! They were definitely here. I saw them two days ago!”

We followed Min-jae to a corner of a park, but contrary to his claims, there’s not a single cat in sight.

Min-jae searches frantically. I look around too, but no cat fur to be found.

“Nothing here.”

“Nooo, this can’t be… Ah!”

Min-jae spins around, pushes up his glasses with his middle finger, and declares:

“You guys, get lost.”

“What’s this lunatic saying?”

Kanghyuk retorts. Min-jae continues.

“All these people showing up must’ve scared the cats away. Go stand somewhere far off. Now!”

“Ugh, what a hassle.”

Grumbling, Kanghyuk shuffles away. Junseo and I follow, keeping some distance.

Once we’re far enough, Min-jae opens a treat tube and starts waving it, performing some bizarre cat-calling dance.

“Come here, kitty~ Come here~”

“Pfft… What’s he doing?”

His absurd antics draw stares from passersby. I’m embarrassed just watching.

I can’t help but laugh at Min-jae.

Will that actually attract a cat?

“It’s here!!”

It worked?!

A light orange tabby emerges from some bushes, cautiously approaching Min-jae, sniffing the air.

When it gets close enough, Min-jae gently extends his hand, and the cat starts licking the treat.

Wow…

We creep closer, careful not to startle it. Min-jae’s already petting its head.

I catch Junseo glancing at my head.

“Huh? What?”

“Nothing.”

…

Every time Min-jae pets the cat, Junseo’s eyes flick to my head. Is something there?

I shake my hair—nothing but smooth, silky strands.

What’s up with him…

Meanwhile, Min-jae’s treats run out, and the cat backs away. It glances around, stares at my halo, and…

“Meowwww!”

“Eek!”

It pounces on me!

The cat clings to my halo. The more I shake my head, the tighter it holds, its claws digging in. I can’t think straight.

“Help!”

“Wait, Garam, hold still…!”

My vision’s blocked by the cat’s belly fur. With my sight gone, I turn toward my friends’ voices and stumble forward.

“Get it off!!!”

“Hey, stop—!”

“Waaah!”

Thud!

I crash into something, my body tilting.

No crash* sound, but I feel myself land on something—or someone.

“Meow.”

The cat’s gone, scampering back to the bushes.

My vision clears, and I realize I’m sprawled in someone’s arms, on top of them on the ground.

Before I can register how firm or warm it feels…

“Oh.”

“Garam… this…”

“Sorry!!!”

I leap up, my face burning with embarrassment. My heart races—probably from the shock.

And then I trip!

“Hey, hey!”

My body falls backward, my vision tilting, and…

Junseo pulls me back into his arms before I hit the ground.

“Ughhh…”

“You okay? Didn’t sprain your ankle again, right?”

“I-I didn’t, so let go…”

Ugh.

So embarrassing.