The Brave Ones' First Christmas
Bzzzzzz. A phone vibrated hard enough to rattle the bed, and a hand groped toward it.
Five minutes later it buzzed again, and the same motion repeated, this time accompanied by a thought.
Ah, just five more minutes.
When those five minutes were up, a face puffy with exhaustion made a new decision. Let's skip the shower today.
Ten minutes after that, the thought softened.
Haa... I washed my hair yesterday. I'll just wash it tonight after work. I'll only wash my face.
They fumbled around on the mattress with a swollen face until, cutting it to the last possible minute, they scrambled out of bed and rushed to get ready for work — thinking, If I ever hit the lottery, I'm quitting this damn company.
That was the morning of the average office worker.
Lee Jun's morning, on the other hand...
Woof woof woof woof woof!
A cheerful string of barks rang through Lee Jun's room. It was the alarm clock his grandfather had bought him.
At the sound, the three animals who had been sleeping deeply on the bed stirred and squirmed, and Lee Jun reached out to silence the alarm. Woken by the barking, they nuzzled sleepily against him with drowsy eyes, and he stroked each of them with care, one by one.
Then the corners of their mouths would curl upward, and Lee Jun's face would fill with a smile of its own.
A morning that began with a smile right there in bed — that was Lee Jun's morning.
These past few days, however, had been a little different.
Lee Jun's eyes opened even before the dog-bark alarm could go off.
The reason was the six eyeballs staring down at him.
Everyone knows the feeling. You're asleep, and someone keeps watching you, and you wake up on your own. By that exact principle, Lee Jun's eyes drifted open.
Just like yesterday. Just like the day before.
Looking at the six glittering points of light in the dark room, the corners of his mouth lifted.
"You're already up?"
"Hyung-nim-ong, let's go-ong," Hoesaegi said.
"Our friends are waiting," Gkamnyangi added.
"Let's go! It's our friends!" Sapsaree chimed in.
They wanted to go see the big new friends who had recently arrived at Mongmong Animal Hospital.
"You guys. You like them that much?"
"I like them-ong. Those friends still don't know a lot-ong. I'm going to tell them lots and lots-ong."
A leader, as a rule, wants his subordinates to be comfortable. Hoesaegi was showing exactly that kind of boss-like quality.
"Hoesaegi's right. Those guys are still scared. I'm going to teach them there's nothing to be afraid of."
Friends who had only just begun to take their first steps into the world from those cramped floating cages. Of course they would be frightened, and everything would feel strange. Gkamnyangi answered with a serious expression, declaring that he would teach those friends about the world.
"It's good, it is. Them smiling like this is good."
Sapsaree opened his mouth in a wide "ah" and grinned. All he meant was that he was happy the big friends were smiling.
"You guys."
Lee Jun stroked all three of them.
And so he started his morning in a good mood. That pleasant feeling carried over even after he arrived at the hospital. The round of tasks he did after clocking in was wonderful, too.
All twelve of the animals currently hospitalized were recovering smoothly. Wearing a pleasant smile, Lee Jun went down the stairs. Then he paused to look at the adorable little plaque attached to the door.
The Brave Ones' House
Brave Ones was the affectionate nickname the Mongmong Animal Hospital family had given their big friends, for how bravely they had endured life in the floating cages.
Lee Jun smiled at the plaque and opened the door.
Just like the day before, the Brave Ones wagged their tails and smiled. Hoesaegi, Gkamnyangi, and Sapsaree, who had already been in the room, smiled at Lee Jun too.
"Hyung-nim-ong, our friends are smiling-ong."
"That's right. They slept like this the whole time."
"That's right, it is. It's not cold. It's amazin'."
They chattered like excited baby birds, reporting that the friends had said it didn't hurt, it was warm, and the floor was so soft it felt strange and wonderful.
"Really? So everyone slept well?"
Awoooo~~!
The dogs answered him with a cheerful howl. Lee Jun let out a small laugh as he listened.
"Looks like you've already taught them this, too."
The howling was as bright and cheerful as the day before, but the volume had dropped by more than half. The three of them were apparently teaching the hospital rules as well.
What incredible trainers.
Lee Jun looked at them fondly, even wondering whether he ought to put them on the payroll.
Then he carefully checked the vitals of each of the thirty-five dogs smiling up at him, one by one. The hospital staff would of course be doing a fine job on their own, but Lee Jun had an ability that belonged to him alone.
If I check them and upload the charts, it'll be easier for everyone.
Of course it would. Who else could confirm vitals just by talking to the animals?
Even though he had come in an hour earlier than usual, a smile never left his face. The one that had formed the moment he opened his eyes that morning was still going, and it grew even deeper during the morning meeting.
They were exchanging the hospitalized dogs' vital information as usual, confirming the day's scheduled appointments and surgeries, and just about to wrap up when Jang Sora spoke up.
"As you all know, the end of the year is approaching."
"A whole year already gone."
"I know, right? It feels like just yesterday we were complaining about the heat draining us, and now December's almost over."
"Why does it go so fast? I blinked and a whole year was gone. Give me my year back!"
Everyone was trading remarks about how the year had flown by when Go Gi-jin suddenly spoke up.
"Still, I reckon we had ourselves a pretty good year. The Somang-is are doin' well, and we rescued the Brave Ones, too."
In that instant, smiles spread across the faces of everyone seated.
"That's right. This year really was one to remember. And it will be going forward, too."
"That's true."
Everyone agreed with Go Gi-jin and offered a thought of their own, and Jang Sora chimed in as well.
"That's right. Honestly, I just love our Mongmong Animal Hospital so much. Which is why I wanted to say — I'm sure you all have a busy year-end, right? Lots of holiday parties, and personal commitments in general. And you can only attend if it works with the schedule."
There were indeed a lot of drinks-and-dinner invitations to see each other before the year was out. As everyone nodded with slightly dazed expressions, Jang Sora grinned and went on.
"So if there's a day off you want, please let me know. If we can adjust the schedule, I'll make it work."
"Is that because Manager Jang wants to go to a gathering herself?"
When one of the staff asked, Jang Sora answered with a laugh.
"How did you know? Since it came up — I'd actually like to switch my evening shift on the 23rd. So if any of our technicians would be willing to swap with me... please?"
At Jang Sora's shameless request, everyone laughed and nodded, and Lee Jun backed her up.
"Oh, that's a great idea, Manager. I'm sure everyone has gatherings they really need to attend."
"Yes, so please let me know by tomorrow. And I have one more thing to mention."
"What is it?"
"It's just that this will be the Brave Ones' first Christmas. Their first one since gaining their freedom..."
As Jang Sora's words trailed off, Go Gi-jin picked them up.
"So you're sayin' we oughta throw 'em a feast?"
For a moment, silence settled over the conference room — with a hint of laughter still on everyone's faces. Go Gi-jin looked left and right, bewildered.
"Why— why're y'all laughin'? The park cats loved it somethin' fierce, didn't they? These ones'll love a feast too! Manager Jang! Weren't you sayin' we should throw a feast? Director, ain't that right?"
The moment he finished, laughter burst out of the room.
"A feast... wahahaha!"
"...pfft. Senior Go, you're too folksy."
"Hahahaha!"
Lee Jun, who had been laughing along, answered him.
"That's right. It's a wonderful idea."
"See? I was right, wasn't I? Then why's everybody laughin'?"
"N-no, it's just that the word 'feast' was funny. So that means everyone's in favor of throwing a party for the Brave Ones, right?"
Cha Da-jeong stepped in to smooth things over, and Go Gi-jin pouted.
"Aigoo, feast or party! Ain't it the same thing?"
"Manager Jang, that's a wonderful idea. I can't believe I didn't think of it."
"Since it's winter, what about buying them each an outfit, too? A delicious spread is great, but..."
"I like that. We'll be taking them on walks soon anyway, so they'll need clothes. But we'll have to order the Brave Ones' clothes, right?"
They were extra-large even among large breeds, so finding clothes off the rack would be nearly impossible.
"Yes, I'll look into that. Though it might be a bit late."
"Ah, that's true. It would've been nice if we'd ordered in advance. Well, if we order now we should get them next month."
At Jang Sora's words, Cha Da-jeong spoke with a regretful expression.
"Well, it's not like you can make clothes for over ninety dogs overnight."
Yeo Un-hyeok added, looking equally disappointed.
Go Gi-jin tilted his head.
"I reckon we could just put calf padded vests on 'em..."
"Dr. Go, by padded vests you mean the calf winter coats?"
Lee Jun asked, recalling the calves at Hongseong Ranch walking around in winter vests.
"Yes."
"That could work. Taesan used to wear one of those, too."
"That's right. If it's calf clothes, we can buy 'em right away. The fella who sells 'em is friends with my pa."
"Oh my, they even have padding! They're so cute!"
Jung Seung-jin, who had looked up calf winter coats on his phone, exclaimed in admiration. Jang Sora and the other staff sitting nearby craned their necks to look.
"Oh my, really! They're so adorable. Director, Dr. Go, I think these would be perfect. They look just right for the Brave Ones to wear."
"Hehe, right?"
"Alright, then Dr. Go, you take that on. Oh, and while you're at it, order some for the Uriteul kids too. The little cuties."
"Shall I?"
"Yeah. And Manager Jang."
"Yes?"
"Since we're on the subject of clothes, let's buy some for the little ones at Uriteul too. Something comfortable and warm."
"Yes, I'll coordinate with Dr. Go and make sure everything's ready."
"Ah, and since it came up — what if we gave the Brave Ones the thing they'd love most?"
"What... ah, you mean a walk?"
Yeo Un-hyeok immediately picked up on Lee Jun's words. Then Cha Da-jeong slapped the table with a sharp crack and all but shouted.
"That's it. A walk!"
She went on with a bright smile.
"The kids would love it so much. They've only ever been in cramped spaces until now."
"That's true. They lived in floating cages, and even now they're only indoors. That aside, Dr. Yeo really does understand the kids' hearts so well."
When Lee Jun praised him, Yeo Un-hyeok ducked his head slightly, a smile on his face.
"No, being next to you, Director, I've just come to understand the animals a little better..."
"Is that because of me? Dr. Yeo just loves animals to begin with."
"It's true that bein' next to our Director makes you understand animals better. And it's also true Dr. Yeo understands the kids well. Anyway, what we're sayin' is let's take the Brave Ones for a walk, right?"
"That's right."
"But where're we gonna walk 'em? We can't just let all them big ones loose on the second-floor playground, can we?"
"You mean it would be nice if they all went on the walk together?"
"Yes. It's their first walk. Wouldn't it be nice if they all went together?"
Lee Jun agreed with Go Gi-jin.
These are kids who stayed close even in that cramped, filthy place. Gi-jin's got a point. If they all go together, they'll be less scared.
It had already been ten days since the Brave Ones started living at Mongmong Animal Hospital. In that time, they had brightened to an astonishing degree. Flesh had begun to fill out the bodies that had been nothing but skin, and the awkward expressions that had been hard to tell apart from crying or smiling were growing more and more natural.
Even the way they had flinched and backed away when anyone other than Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin approached was gradually improving.
Dr. Yoo was so happy that Ggungggung-i nuzzled his face against him.
That was what Yoo Mu-hwan had said the day before, coming up from the basement looking delighted — that Ggungggung-i had finally opened his heart to him.
And it wasn't just Ggungggung-i. All of the Brave Ones had started showing affection toward the Mongmong Animal Hospital family. Wagging their tails. Coming up to nuzzle their faces against people and smile.
But there was still one thing that hadn't changed.
They still back away when the door opens.
A warm, plush place to sleep. Abundant, delicious food. Clean water whenever they wanted. And a space filled not with stench but with savory, fragrant smells — the Brave Ones' House. It was a paradise for those who had escaped the floating cages.
And yet the Brave Ones were still afraid of doors. Whenever the hospital staff opened one, they always backed away. They knew the people coming through were good, but they still retreated first.
Well, a trauma that powerful isn't going to heal overnight.
Lee Jun believed that trauma would fade. But it hadn't yet.
"Giving them a walk as a gift sounds wonderful. But I am a bit worried. The Brave Ones are still afraid of going outside the door, aren't they?"
"That's right. Every time I carry 'em out, they flinch."
Medicine and injections could be given in the Brave Ones' House, but tests had to be done upstairs. When Go Gi-jin brought them up for that, their bodies would tense every time they came out the door.
"Like you two said, taking the Brave Ones outside is a problem, but them meeting people will be hard for them too, for now."
"I agree with the Director. I think it's too soon for them to go out on the street and see people."
"I think the same, but I don't wanna have their first walk separately..."
"Hmm. Isn't there a good way?"
Lee Jun placed both hands on the table and laced his fingers. Resting his chin on his clasped hands, he stared at the wall in front of him.
On that wall, Haennim-i was standing on a lawn, smiling brightly.
Lee Jun gazed at the photo Kwak Suho had taken at the Denver Animal Sanctuary, lost in thought. Remembering how Haennim-i and Sojoong-i had loved standing on the ground so much, his eyes — which had grown slightly moist — suddenly lit up.
"Yes. That'll work."
Having thought of the greatest Christmas gift he could give the big friends, Lee Jun broke into a wide, joyful smile.
A smile like sunlight pouring down on a resort beach lined with palm trees in the dead of winter.
Everyone in the conference room focused on his face.
And then...
Everyone seated around the table curled up the corners of their mouths. That warm, refreshing, unhurried smile had lifted everyone's mood. And on top of that came the expectation that whatever they had been worrying about until just now was about to be solved.
"Director, did somethin' come to you?"
"Yeah. It did."
The smile on Lee Jun's face as he answered grew even deeper.