A Treat for Lady Nana
Hoesaegi's pink nose had been stamped red beneath Gkamnyangi's paw.
And yet the cat who had done it was glaring right back at him.
It hadn't been an accident. Gkamnyangi had done it on purpose, so Hoesaegi would have been well within his rights to lose his temper. Instead, the look in Hoesaegi's eyes as he gazed at Gkamnyangi was shining.
He had decided that Gkamnyangi had thrown himself in the way because he'd thought the formidable Lady was attacking him.
Gkamnyangi knew, nyaong. He was worried about me, nyaong.
Hoesaegi had been just about to check whether Lady had honed her long claws to a razor's edge. Gkamnyangi must have had the same thought — afraid Hoesaegi might put his face too close and catch a claw in the eye, he had flung himself forward and blocked Lady's paw.
That's my Gkamnyangi, nyaong.
He was only the second-in-command, true, but Hoesaegi would grant him this much: the cat was remarkable. A look of warm satisfaction settled over Hoesaegi's face as he regarded him.
Gkamnyangi's thoughts, however, were running in an entirely different direction.
The reason Lady Lara had once kept her distance from him was the powerhouse standing right in front of him now — Hoesaegi.
This time, I will not let him take Lady from me.
Gkamnyangi set his resolve like stone.
Whether or not she knew what either of them was thinking, Lady opened her mouth.
"I'll greet all of you, so please don't fight."
As she spoke, she offered a forepaw and added,
"My name is Nana. Please call me Nana."
Then those deep blue eyes slipped half-shut in a slow, silken blink.
The moment Hoesaegi, Gkamnyangi, Bongbong, and the broad-faced cat met that gaze, they shuffled into a neat little line in front of Lady Nana as if pulled by a string.
Bongbong, who had planted himself at the very front, took Lady Nana's offered paw and announced,
"M-Milady. I'm Bongbooong!"
"How do you do. It's lovely to see you again."
Next the yellow cat introduced himself as Banana and made his greeting, and after him came Hoesaegi.
The reason Hoesaegi had filed into line among the cats without a word was to get a proper look at how long her claws really were. He did not greet her. He simply stared.
Then he unfurled his presence.
Fwoom!
The fur along Hoesaegi's body billowed out in a magnificent cloud — a performance meant to make himself look larger and seize the upper hand. If the other party harbored even a flicker of hostile intent, the claws would come out. Hoesaegi bugged his eyes wide and locked them on Lady Nana. That, too, was a threat display.
Lady Nana gave no reaction at all. She merely tipped her chin a fraction higher and smiled.
Hoesaegi assigned his own meaning to the effortless poise of a Lady who was forever praised by every cat who met her.
She's telling me she has no intention of attacking, nyaong.
Which was why she had bared the most vulnerable place of all — her throat — and declared her surrender.
Satisfied with Lady Nana's conduct, Hoesaegi wore a look of deep contentment as he spoke.
"I am Hoesaegi, nyaong!"
The delivery was proud, assured, and utterly self-possessed.
"How do you do, Hoesaegi."
Business concluded, the greeting was brief. The instant the introductions were over, Hoesaegi turned on his heel.
Lady Nana watched him go for a long time.
The moment her gaze lingered on Hoesaegi, Gkamnyangi's mouth pushed out in a sulky little pout. The sparkle in his eyes dimmed, bit by bit.
Heave. Is it no good this time, too? Still. I have to say hello.
Gkamnyangi trudged forward until he stood before Lady Nana.
Her forepaw was extended toward him.
The last time Lady Lara had offered her paw like this, he had pressed his forehead to it, and Hoesaegi had—
Don't think about that.
Gkamnyangi shoved the memory aside and looked down at the paw that had come to rest before him. He could not quite summon the courage to take that small, slender forepaw in his own. He swallowed, once, twice, and then fumbled out the words.
"I-I'm Gkamnyangi. A pleasure to meet you, Lady."
It was hard to believe this awkward, fumbling creature was the same cat who, only moments ago, had bravely thrown himself between Hoesaegi and Lady Nana's paw. The sight of it was so endearing that Lady Nana's mouth curved into a smile.
"How do you do. I'm Nana."
The sound of Lady Nana's laugh.
Sh-she laughed. Looking at me.
Heh. Heheh. Gkamnyangi's mouth drifted slowly open.
"Good heavens, did you see Gkamnyangi just now? That little grin — it's too precious. He's adorable."
"He really is cute."
The grandmothers laughed at the sight of him smiling. On any other day, being called cute would have made him bristle. He couldn't manage it now. Just looking at Lady Nana was enough to make him happy, and he laughed a helpless, floating little laugh.
The truth was he wanted to cackle u-heheh! and bounce around like a fool, he was so delighted — but one did not make a spectacle of oneself in front of Lady Nana. So Gkamnyangi merely twisted in place, grinning from ear to ear.
Lady Nana, watching that artless smile, smiled back.
That day's therapy-cat session was a success. The grandmothers and grandfathers stroked the cats, gathered them into their arms, and slowly filled the hollow places in their hearts. The cats, for their part, did the same. Feeling the elders' hands upon them, they spent a pleasant stretch of time purring, rumbling, content.
Gkamnyangi, however, could not.
When do I give her this?
He watched for a chance to deliver the treats tucked inside his little backpack to Lady Nana. And at last, the chance arrived.
"Now, wait a moment — I bought something tasty for our pretty ones, but…"
"I brought some, too."
All of a sudden the grandmothers and grandfathers turned their attention away and began rummaging through their bags. That was when Gkamnyangi's eyes lit up, and he approached Lady Nana.
"L-Lady Nana!"
"Yes? Please, go ahead."
She looked at him as if granting him the floor. In that instant, Gkamnyangi drew the treats from his backpack — a week's worth, gathered with the greatest care.
"These are my very favorite snacks. I would like to present them to you, Lady Nana—"
"Whoa! Hyungnim, that smell is amazing~. Can I have some?"
Bongbong, the little charmer, gazed at the treats with eyes shining like stars. Banana, the broad yellow lump, came sidling over too, his considerable rump swaying with every step. He gave Gkamnyangi's shoulder a few hearty pats with a thick forepaw and grinned.
"Hey, friend! You brought these for us!"
Ah — no, that's not—
He had collected them to give to Lady Nana.
Gkamnyangi's mouth opened and closed soundlessly, and Lady Nana laughed. A clear, ringing, crystalline laugh. As if drawn by a magnet, Gkamnyangi lifted his head toward the sound.
She was covering her mouth with a forepaw, laughing.
He beamed, helpless. Just looking at her made him feel good — and then her small mouth opened.
"You even packed snacks so you could share them with your friends. You're so very kind, Gkamnyangi."
So kind. So kind. So kind…
Lady Nana's bright voice circled and circled in his ears, and Gkamnyangi laughed a dazed little laugh as he said,
"G-go on, friends. E-eat up!"
Crunch, crunch. Snap. Crackle.
In an instant, the treats were gone. Gkamnyangi's pupils shook as if an earthquake had hit.
I didn't even eat them. I saved them so carefully, to give to Lady Nana…
He stared down at the floor with a hollow look. A single treat sat there, all alone.
That was when Banana broke into a wide, sunny grin.
"Hey, friend. That was incredible. Seriously delicious — thanks!"
Faced with that thoroughly satisfied smile, Gkamnyangi managed an awkward one in return.
"…… Uh. Yeah."
"They were so good, hyungnim!"
Bongbong chimed in with his thanks as well.
It was, of course, a glad thing that they had enjoyed his snacks. Gkamnyangi's insides, however, were burning black. They had fallen on the treats with such greedy abandon that Lady Nana had not gotten a single one.
Or — had she chosen not to eat any? If she had refused them, that was too sad to bear. It would mean he'd been turned down before he had even confessed.
Huuuuh.
He could not sigh in front of Lady Nana, so he swallowed it down — and a small forepaw appeared before him.
It was Lady Nana's. Two paws, held out side by side. Gkamnyangi's eyes rolled as he stared at them, utterly lost. It was the same bewildered expression Sapsaree had worn the last time Lady Nana had offered him a paw.
Beside him, Hoesaegi gave Gkamnyangi a nudge.
"What?"
When Gkamnyangi turned his head, Hoesaegi whispered in his ear.
Put a treat on Lady Nana's paw, nyaong!
Huh? Was that it?
Gkamnyangi snatched up the last remaining treat in a flurry and set it on Lady Nana's paw.
"I'll enjoy it."
"…… It's an honor!"
Lady Nana gave Gkamnyangi a gentle smile, then took the tiniest nibble of the treat and let her eyes slip half-shut. She regarded him steadily, then savored the rest with unhurried grace.
Hehhh…!
Watching Lady Nana eat the treat he had given her, Gkamnyangi wore the happiest expression in the world.
One of the grandmothers saw it and clapped her hands.
Clap!
"Oh my, look at them. They're eating the snacks one by one without so much as a squabble. Who brought these, anyway?"
"I think Gkamnyangi took them out of that bag of his."
One of the grandfathers pointed at Gkamnyangi's little backpack.
"Goodness! Gkamnyangi, did you pack those for your friends?"
"That's just too precious. Honestly. How are these children so good?"
"It's like watching a picture book. Just looking at them makes your heart feel full. Warm."
"Heh. This is nice. This is really nice."
"Yes — this is what living is for."
"Shall we pack something next time, too, and share it?"
"We should."
It was the kind of scene that lifted the corners of your mouth just to look at it. The elders praised Gkamnyangi's gesture and delighted in it, then brought out the snacks and toys they had packed and distributed them among the cats.
Lady Nana had said the treat he'd given her was delicious, and Gkamnyangi felt as if he could fly. So, just like the other cats, he ate the snacks the grandmothers and grandfathers offered with gusto and showed off his prettiest tricks.
"Heh heh, look at them eat. Look at them eat."
"Just watching these children eat fills me up."
"Gkamnyangi!"
"Hoesaegi!"
The grandmother shook an oden skewer the way the instructors had taught her, beaming, and the cats threw themselves into the game. Then, with promises to meet again, they all headed home.
In the car on the way back, Hoesaegi, Gkamnyangi, and Sapsaree could not stop smiling.
Hoesaegi was pleased, in part, because he had been called handsome, splendid, and magnificent more times than he could count — but what pleased him most of all was the knowledge that Gkamnyangi had not, in fact, been under threat.
He was in love, nyaong.
Gkamnyangi was in wonderful spirits, too.
Heh heh. I talked with Lady Nana.
They had introduced themselves. They had even shared a delicious snack. And that was not all. She had eaten the treat he had packed, and—
She said it was delicious. Heh. I'll have to bring more.
He wanted to see Lady Nana eat a snack with that elegant air again. So he began setting treats aside with the greatest care.
He was not the only one collecting them. Hoesaegi had started, too. The reason was simple. His new friends — Bongbong, Banana, and Lady Nana — had eaten the snacks with such obvious joy.
"I'm going to eat these with my friends, nyaong!"
There was another reason. That day, Hoesaegi had rather liked the way his friends had thanked Gkamnyangi after eating. He wanted to be thanked, too. And sitting in a circle, all of them together, would surely make the snacks taste even better. So whenever Hoesaegi received a treat, he tucked it away in his treasure box.
Sapsaree collected snacks as well. He had been out on a walk when the cats shared Gkamnyangi's treats, and when he came home he heard from his hyungnims that they had divided the snacks among their friends. He had been terribly envious.
Heehee, I'm going to share them with Bangwool-i hyungnim!
Each for his own reasons, the three of them set about gathering treats with great diligence.
They say that sharing a meal is the fastest way to become friends. It was true of the cats at the Community Welfare Center as well. After dividing Gkamnyangi's treats, they were close in no time.
A week later, the cats greeted one another as if they had been dear companions for years.
"Khhh! Hyungnims, I missed you so, so much!"
Bongbong, who boasted a considerable frame, flopped onto his back and showed off for his hyungnims.
"Yo! Friends!"
Easygoing Banana wagged his plump rump in welcome.
"Been well, nyaong?"
Hoesaegi asked after his new friends, too.
"I missed— you!"
Gkamnyangi said it looking at his friends, but inwardly he was confessing to Lady Nana.
And Lady Nana answered in kind.
"I've been waiting for today, because I wanted to see all of you!"
The words were for everyone, but Gkamnyangi looked at Lady Nana and grinned, silly and helpless.
"Eat up, friends, nyaong!"
"Friends! I brought some too!"
"I packed some so I could eat with you hyungnims toooo!"
"Me too!"
Each of them produced a snack of their own. The treat-collecting that had begun at Golmokjib had spread to their friends.
"I brought some as well!"
Even Lady Nana.
That day, too, the cats divided the snacks among themselves in perfect harmony. Gkamnyangi ate only Lady Nana's.
Having grown close in the blink of an eye, the cats promised, every time they parted, to meet again.
"Let's meet again, nyaong!"
"Hyungnim, see you again! Definitelyyy!"
"Yo! Friends, catch you next time!"
Lady Nana waved a forepaw, reluctant to say goodbye.
"Well then, everyone. Until next time."
Gkamnyangi put his whole heart into bidding his friends farewell. At first he had only missed Lady Nana — but now he was fond of all of them. Even so, she, Lady Nana, remained special.
"Until next time!"
Gkamnyangi kept waving his paw until Lady Nana was out of sight.
Meeting every week like this was wonderful. And yet he still wanted, just once, to walk with her alone beneath the moonlight.
If I could walk beside her, even once — how wonderful would that be?
To do that, he would have to pick a flower and confess, wouldn't he?
Gkamnyangi remembered what Hoesaegi had told him, and he went looking for flowers. The chance, however, simply would not come. At the Community Welfare Center they always stayed indoors, so there was never an opportunity to pick her a flower, and they were forever surrounded by grandmothers and grandfathers, so there was never a moment for the two of them alone. And more than anything—
"There aren't any flowers!"
It was not yet the season for them to bloom.
Several more visits came and went, and the next day, as Go Gi-jin stroked the three animals who were already buzzing with excitement about going to the Community Welfare Center, he opened his mouth.
"Hyung-nim, they said tomorrow's the last class, didn't they?"
"Mm. It's the last one."
"Eutta, I heard these rascals got mighty close with the grandmas and grandpas. They're gonna take it hard, ain't they?"
The last one. They wouldn't see them again.
The moment those words reached him, Gkamnyangi's legs gave out, and he sank to the floor.