Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Mongi's Gratitude
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Lee Jun's mind reeled once again at the voice ringing in his ears.
He could dismiss the earlier one as a hallucination in the heat of the moment, but this time it was crystal clear.
[But Teacher, can you hear me?]
"It seems like I can..."
In his fluster, Lee Jun forgot Jang So-ra was there and got lost in conversation with Mongi.
[It's amazing! First time ever! Our humans never get it no matter how much I say!]
"Yeah...?"
No matter how hard he tried to deny it, the undeniable reality made Lee Jun's mind reel again.
"Te, Teacher, our Mongi..."
The young owner, too shy to come in, cautiously asked from outside the exam room.
"Oh... he's fine now."
Lee Jun finally snapped out of it and picked up the now perfectly healthy Mongi to hand him to the girl.
The girl, finally relieved as she took Mongi, started shedding big teardrops like chick peas again.
And then.
[Sis, I'm okay now. Don't worry, okay? Sorry.]
To comfort his crying owner, Mongi barked and licked her face.
Thanks to Mongi, the girl calmed down a bit, hugged him, and bowed her head deeply.
"Um... Teacher... thank you for saving Mongi."
"It's a good thing you brought him quickly. It was really dangerous."
Lee Jun shuddered again, recalling the moment.
He was truly Haenguni to hear Mongi's voice.
If he hadn't heard it and wasted even a little more time, Mongi's life would have been in jeopardy.
"But just in case, take him to a big hospital with testing equipment. Got it?"
"Yes... Director. Thank you so much for saving our Mongi."
Still with tears and snot hanging from her face, the young owner bowed deeply and left.
Lee Jun and Jang So-ra watched them until they were out of sight.
"Director. You know we didn't get the consultation fee, right?"
Jang So-ra said, eyes fixed out the window.
"Yeah. What can you do? First customer, so call it a freebie."
"Ah. At this rate, we might not pay salaries for months."
"...I'll work hard to prevent that."
"I'm kidding. Is money what's important? Saving Mongi is what matters."
"I agree."
"By the way, Teacher."
"Yes?"
"Earlier. It really looked like you were talking to Mongi..."
"Did it...?"
Jang So-ra turned to Lee Jun with a knowing smile.
"Yes. That was impressive. You were talking to reassure Mongi, right?"
"......?"
"It really seemed like a conversation."
"......"
"And it worked—Mongi, who usually gets scared, wasn't afraid at all. That was amazing, Director."
"...Thank you."
"You should try it with other animals later. Or how about a concept: 'The Vet Who Talks to Animals'?"
"...That sounds good."
Jang So-ra, never imagining Lee Jun could actually communicate with animals, spun wild ideas enthusiastically.
Lee Jun chuckled watching her.
He could picture her reaction if he confessed he really talked to Mongi.
'Still, suddenly being able to talk to animals...'
Lee Jun suddenly recalled the dream about Kongdori from last night.
***
That night.
As if on cue, Kongdori appeared in Lee Jun's dream again.
'Bro!'
Kongdori's stubby tail wagged furiously as he ran toward Lee Jun.
'Kongdori.'
Kongdori's eyes sparkled up at Lee Jun.
'Bro, you nailed it today!'
"Huh?"
'You saved Mongi! As expected from my bro.'
"Yeah?"
'Of course. I knew you'd save Mongi.'
Kongdori jumped up and bounced around happily.
It was what Kongdori did when he was in a great mood.
Lee Jun's expression softened at the sight.
'Mongi told me. That's how I treated him in time. So, being able to understand Mongi... that was your gift, right?'
'Hehehe, yep! Thanks to this, I can talk to you, bro!'
'Me too.'
Lee Jun continued, petting Kongdori's trembling forehead with one hand.
'I wish you could've talked back then.'
Lee Jun's voice grew a bit somber.
'No, bro. You always understood my feelings perfectly. For real.'
'But I didn't know you were sick.'
'I didn't know either?'
Lee Jun sat on the bed and sat Kongdori beside him.
He stared straight at his face.
'You were in pain.'
'It was just a little panting when drinking or moving. I was fine. Really.'
'Even so, if I'd noticed sooner, you could've lived much longer.'
By the time Lee Jun realized Kongdori was sick, his heart condition had advanced considerably.
'No, living that long was all thanks to you, bro. Thank you so much.'
Lee Jun felt grateful yet sorry toward Kongdori for saying that.
He wanted him to live even a bit longer.
'You know, bro. Living with you made me so happy. It was the best.'
'Same here.'
'I always wanted to say that. Hehe, now I have.'
Maybe Kongdori gave him this ability because he wanted to talk.
That's what Lee Jun thought.
'Kongdori, thank you for living with me.'
It was what Lee Jun always wanted to say to Kongdori.
'And with this power you gave me, I'll help lots of friends.'
'Yeah, bro!'
Lee Jun hugged Kongdori tightly. Kongdori rubbed his head against Lee Jun's chest in his arms and said.
'Bro, my proud bro, you'll help my friends, right?'
'Of course. I have to.'
'Hehe, I'll play with friends here. So you help the friends there a ton. Take your time!'
'Got it, Kongdori. Bro will work hard treating the friends.'
This time, unlike before, Lee Jun didn't desperately call after Kongdori.
He knew Kongdori would watch over him.
Waving to the receding Kongdori, a smile graced Lee Jun's face.
Lee Jun woke from the dream, smiling just like in it.
***
The next day, Lee Jun's steps to work were exceptionally light.
"Huh? Door's open."
He thought he came early, but the animal hospital door was already open.
Peeking inside, he saw Jang So-ra with the door wide open, tidying the display shelf.
Two days after opening.
What more was there to tidy?
Yet Jang So-ra dusted meticulously, allowing not a speck.
"She's so diligent."
Seeing that, Lee Jun turned to the neighboring building.
He bought two coffees and went in.
"Good morning."
"Director, you're early again today."
"You're the one who came too early, Manager Jang. Here."
"Oh, Director!"
"You like lattes, right? We've got time before appointments. Let's drink and start."
"Latte! Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
They chatted over coffee.
Mostly about the hospital, but on the second day of opening, there wasn't much to say.
After the short meeting-cum-coffee break, they split to prepare for patients.
Lee Jun went to the exam room, turned on the computer, and checked equipment. Jang So-ra sat at reception.
After a bit.
Ding-a-ling.
At the bell, Jang So-ra stood from her chair and greeted.
"Welcome. Oh, it's Mongi."
Hearing Mongi, Lee Jun came out from the exam room.
He knew he'd be fine after the quick treatment yesterday, but he was curious and worried anyway.
Seeing Mongi bouncing and barking happily, Lee Jun's worries vanished.
Lee Jun turned to the girl and her mother-like figure at the entrance.
"Hello, sorry for the late greeting. Our kid caused so much trouble yesterday..."
"No, no trouble at all. Just doing what we should."
Lee Jun smoothly deflected the owner's words, then knelt to meet Mongi's eyes.
Jang So-ra's words suddenly came to mind.
'The vet who talks to animals concept.'
Of course, for Lee Jun, it wasn't just a concept.
But if it was a concept, talking to animals in front of owners wouldn't seem odd.
"Mongi, you okay after yesterday? Ate well?"
Lee Jun smiled softly and spoke carefully to Mongi.
[Yes! I'm good now! Ate lots too! Thanks, Teacher!]
"Good. Glad to hear it. Be careful from now on."
[I won't eat grapes anymore.]
"Good boy."
Mongi wagged his tail furiously, like meeting an old friend.
Meanwhile, the owner watching was startled.
"Oh my, Mongi's barks sound just like answers."
"Does it?"
"Yes. Amazing. And Mongi usually hates hospitals... but this one's different. Thanks to you, Teacher."
The owner's lips curved up.
"Oh, right. He kept saying how grateful he is to the Director, such a lifesaver."
"Uh, Mom...!"
The girl beside her tugged her mom's arm lightly.
Meaning, don't say it—it's embarrassing.
"Thank you for the praise. Mongi, how was it? Ate your food well yesterday and today?"
"Yes, Director, we're so grateful. We came to say thanks too... Hye-rim, give it to the Director."
The owner turned to the girl.
"......"
The girl shyly extended what she held.
Her head was slightly bowed, ears red.
"Oh, no need. Your thought is enough."
"Our daughter drew this last night late, saying it's for the Director. If you don't take it, she might cry."
"Mom..."
"If it's like that, I'll happily accept."
Lee Jun said as he took the shopping bag.
"Hye-rim, right? Thank you."
"Director, open it."
Jang So-ra said with an emotional expression.
"Can I look?"
"......Yes."
Hye-rim barely whispered and hid behind her mom.
Not that it hid her completely, but it comforted her as she peeked out.
"We came in a rush, couldn't get a nice frame. Just accept the sentiment."
Seeing the picture, Lee Jun and Jang So-ra's mouths dropped open.
In the frame, Lee Jun and Mongi smiled brightly.
Lee Jun was stethoscoping Mongi in the exam room, and Mongi beamed happily.
Mongi looked utterly delighted to be at the vet.
Colored with crayons or pastels—warm hues emanated from it.
Just looking made them feel good.
"My, my. It's so pretty."
Jang So-ra stammered. Lee Jun thought the same.
"Wonder if we can accept something this precious."
"......Please take it. And Teacher, thank you again."
The girl said softly, embarrassed.
Looking up at Lee Jun, her eyes brimmed with gratitude.
"Thank you too. I'll treasure it."
Lee Jun smiled sincerely at the girl.