Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: A Visit for Dalkomi
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Dalkomi had been a comrade living alongside them until just half a year ago.
Then one day, Dalkomi fell ill. Around that time, people started showing up in the park.
Just like when he'd been caught in the past, a few cats were trapped and taken away.
And they all came back to the park.
*‘Some came back with their ears cropped, just like me.’*
Of the four cats standing before Gray now, two had been among those captured and returned.
But Dalkomi never came back.
Later, they learned that someone had taken Dalkomi in.
Word was that he was living well there.
Gray had thought that was for the best.
A frail, timid comrade like Dalkomi would benefit from someone to look after him.
Yet the former comrade he'd believed was thriving was still sick.
*[That doesn't seem right. The leader of the territory where Dalkomi lives said he was healthy until recently.]*
*[What's wrong with him?]*
*[I don't know the details. Sigh. I'm really worried.]*
*[Yeah, me too.]*
The mood suddenly grew somber.
There was nothing they could do for a sick comrade except offer encouragement.
*[At least his owner took him to the animal hospital.]*
*[Probably, right?]*
Dalkomi had an owner, after all.
The chestnut tabby cat named Mocha kept that thought to herself.
Because to them, such words were practically taboo.
Park cats who made their home in the park never envied house cats—usually.
They roamed freely and lived in a vast park. It was an ideal life.
But when they got sick, they did envy cats with owners to care for them.
Especially during those days when food was scarce and they went hungry for days on end.
*[That's a relief, then.]*
A trip to the animal hospital would fix him. Gray felt reassured thinking that.
*[I don't think so.]*
The yellow cat continued.
*[I ran into Milo yesterday.]*
Milo was the action captain of the territory where Dalkomi now lived.
*[You met Milo?]*
*[Yes. He saw Dalkomi coming back from the animal hospital, and he said Dalkomi's really sick. Lots of coughing and a runny nose too.]*
Comrades who'd coughed their way to the Cat Star weren't few and far between. But Dalkomi with such a serious illness?
*[Coughing, huh?]*
Gray's voice sank even lower.
*[Yes. Milo only got to talk to him briefly, but even that was interrupted by coughing fits. And...]*
*[Something else wrong too?]*
*[He can't pee properly either.]*
That was a scary disease too. Two terrifying illnesses threatening Dalkomi at once.
What to do.
Gray, leader of this territory, suddenly felt the weight on his shoulders.
*[But, Captain.]*
*[Speak.]*
*[Dalkomi wants to see us.]*
Once a comrade, always a comrade. Of course they'd go.
*[Let's go.]*
*[That's the tricky part. He lives up high, in a place that's hard for us to climb.]*
*[What does that matter?]*
It was no issue for cats with keen hearing.
They could just chat from nearby.
*[He wants to see us face-to-face. Especially you, Captain—he really wants to see you.]*
That was an entirely different matter from just talking.
Grumble.
Gray scowled, his brow fur bristling.
Dalkomi must sense his end is near.
He wanted to see his comrades' faces before heading to the Cat Star.
He couldn't heal the illness, but he wouldn't let a comrade go to the Cat Star alone and lonely.
That was Gray's rule.
And within his knowledge, he upheld it. He would continue to do so.
That's what a territory leader did. Gray believed that.
*[Any ideas how?]*
*[What about just using the stairs?]*
Yellow cat Norangi suggested the straightforward approach.
*[The door won't open.]*
*[Exactly. And it's not just one or two of us—if we all show up, we'll get caught.]*
Everyone nodded at Gray's words.
Moving in a group wasn't a good idea.
A few more suggestions followed, but none seemed practical.
Gray gave the order.
*[Tonight, gather everyone!]*
Putting heads together might yield a good plan.
*[Got it.]*
*[Okay, I'll spread the word.]*
That night.
Cats converged on Evergreen Park.
One by one, they gathered until over thirty were there.
Those who already knew the reason shared their ideas.
But none were effective.
As the meeting dragged on fruitlessly, Gray thought of someone.
*‘Should I tell Big Brother?’*
He seemed capable of solving their problem.
*‘First, explain who Big Brother is.’*
Gray met the gaze of each of the dozens of eyes watching him.
*[Ahem. You all know I've been scouting Meongmeong Animal Hospital the past few days.]*
*[We know.]*
*[That vet's great, right?]*
*[Word's spread everywhere—he must be.]*
*[How do you say that? He reads dogs' expressions?]*
*[Talks to us cats?]*
Questions poured out.
After pondering how to explain, Gray gave his simple conclusion.
*[He's a good Big Brother.]*
That one phrase said it all.
At Gray's words, the cats rose on their hind legs, tapping front paws together.
Their cute, fluffy Somi-candy paws made only soft pat-pat sounds.
*[Hooray!]*
*[Hee-hee, I knew that vet Big Brother was a good guy.]*
*[He looks so gentle.]*
*[Ho-ho, nice.]*
*[Very nice.]*
Gray waited for the cheers to die down before continuing.
*[I'm going to ask Big Brother for help.]*
*[Whoa!]*
*[That's a great idea.]*
*[But can Big Brother help?]*
*[It'd be awesome if that handsome vet could...]*
Thump-thump. Gray thumped his chest with a front paw.
*[We'll make it happen.]*
Somehow, he felt Big Brother would help.
The next day at dawn, Gray went to find the vet Big Brother.
“What? You want me to let you see your comrade?”
*[Yes. Before he goes to the Cat Star, I want to... comfort him.]*
Silence fell for a moment.
*‘He doesn't want to? Well, Big Brother has no reason to grant our request.’*
That was his thought, but he hoped Big Brother would say yes.
Gray's paw pads grew sweaty as he waited.
Then the vet Big Brother scooped him up.
“Aigoo, you sweet thing, why are you so good?”
He rubbed his face against Gray's fur.
It was the first time in his life for such a thing. Gray's eyes went wide.
But he didn't hate it.
To be more honest, it felt really good.
“You guys have such deep bonds. Alright, where's your friend now? Do you know?”
Gray's emotions surged at the vet Big Brother's words.
*[Th-thank you.]*
“You rascal. Tell me about this Dalkomi first.”
Gray spilled everything.
“Hmm? The animal hospital Dalkomi goes to is the one where my friend works?”
A friend's hospital?
Gray's eyes widened.
*[Really?]*
“Yeah, perfect timing. I've got business there tomorrow anyway. I'll ask about Dalkomi.”
*[Please.]*
“Alright, alright. So stop worrying and eat first.”
Only then did Gray realize he hadn't touched the food in front of him.
***
Friday evening.
Lee Jun arrived at the Lifeline Animal Medical Center where Choi Woo-jin worked.
“Thanks for coming.”
“No problem.”
As Lee Jun chatted with Choi Woo-jin, a familiar vet approached.
“Senior, thanks for coming.”
“Oh, Dr. Ju. Long time no see. Patient not here yet?”
“Yes. Should be soon.”
“Great. Mind if I check the chart in the meantime?”
“As expected, Senior arrives early.”
“Can't keep a sensitive patient waiting.”
“She is sensitive. Super skittish.”
“How sensitive to get that from you, Dr. Ju?”
“Probably from living outside so long.”
“Outside?”
Lee Jun's eyes lit up.
*‘This might be the cat Gray mentioned.’*
If so, things could be straightforward.
“Yeah. Rescued about six months ago, and she's really fearful.”
Dr. Ju opened the electronic chart as he spoke.
Lee Jun focused on the monitor and read down.
The name on the chart: Dalkomi.
*‘This is really the one Gray mentioned?’*
Lee Jun's eyes widened briefly, then he shook his head.
*‘No, could just be a coincidence in names. How would humans know cat names?’*
He kept reading.
“Pneumonia, jaundice?”
“Liver's fine now.”
“Good.”
“Rhinitis is the issue. Meds help temporarily, but it recurs soon after stopping. Symptoms match your Dubu case closely, Senior.”
Lee Jun nodded as he scanned the chart.
Dalkomi's symptoms were nearly identical to Dubu's.
“Suspected nasal foreign body since she lived outside so long.”
“Possible. Owner tried nebulizer too?”
“Hospital does sinus flushes and nebulizer; no nasal discharge for a while after. But flushes require sedation each time—not easy. Nebulizer's doable at home.”
“Chart says Dalkomi's too scared.”
“Yes, nasal aspirator failed too. And after that stress... FLUTD started.”
Gray had said Dalkomi had bad cough, runny nose, and trouble urinating.
The chart matched exactly.
*‘Rhinitis and idiopathic cystitis... This has to be the Dalkomi he wants to see.’*
Moments later, seeing the full cat enter the exam room, Lee Jun was certain.
*‘Cheese tabby for sure.’*
A beautiful deep yellow tabby lay weakly from head to tail.
The cat glanced warily at Dr. Ju and shrank back.
“She's wary of you, Dr. Ju.”
“I'm always poking and prodding. She's been suffering with cystitis these past weeks.”
“Think I can handle the basics alone.”
“That'd be best. Last exam, she was so excited she panted like crazy.”
“Must've been terrified.”
“Seems so. I'll be outside, Senior.”
“Call and I'll come running.”
With that, the two left.
Lee Jun murmured softly to the trembling cat.
“Dalkomi.”
*[Eek?]*
Dalkomi's terrified eyes widened.
*Achoo, achoo. Sniff-sniff.*
Sneezing nonstop, she huddled tighter.
Her acquaintances were gone, and a stranger called her name.
Terrified, Dalkomi pressed flat to the floor.
She panted heavily, mouth open.
*‘Where to run?’*
Dalkomi scanned for escape without turning her head.
“Gray's really worried about you.”
Pant-pant. Her breathing quickened more.
*Achoo, achoo, achoo.* Sneezes poured out.
“Getting that excited isn't good for you. You said you wanted to see your cat friends, right?”
He even knew that.
Dalkomi mustered courage to ask.
*[Wh-who are you?]*
“Gray's Big Brother.”
Laughter tinged Lee Jun's voice.
Dalkomi didn't know why he laughed, but she trembled less.
*[You know Captain Gray?]*
“Of course. Leader of Evergreen Park.”
Gray. Captain. Evergreen Park.
Beloved words. A place she longed for.
Dalkomi's expression softened.
Maybe this new vet could grant her final wish.
“And I'm here to heal you too.”
*[No... I'm done for.]*
Even a good person couldn't cure her. She had no strength left.
*[Breathing's hard, can't go to the bathroom right, no appetite. How could I live?]*
“What are you saying? Chin up.”
Lee Jun's response brimmed with confidence.
Idiopathic cystitis was bad enough, but if kidney values were elevated too—but Dalkomi's were normal.
Just high inflammation levels; nothing alarming otherwise.
“Get better quick and see your friends.”
Lee Jun was determined to make it happen.
But weak and hurting, Dalkomi smiled faintly.
*[Still, I'm glad. To meet someone like you, Doctor.]*
She'd see the captain and comrades before the Cat Star. That gave her a bit of strength.
“Yeah. I'm glad to meet you too. Now, tell me your story?”
Unlike Dubu, Dalkomi was extremely timid.
But to Lee Jun, who listened intently, she slowly opened up.
After hearing it all, Lee Jun pointed to the nebulizer on the exam table.
“Hmm, so you just hate this thing, and the bathroom trouble has a different cause.”
*[Yes.]*