Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Rowdy Beagles
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Lick.
Gray was licking a fish plush toy on the waiting chair by the window at Meongmeong Animal Hospital.
It was a fish toy Lee Jun had given him not long ago, and Gray really liked it.
‘Feels good, meow!’
Gray clutched the yellow-and-blue-striped fish plush tightly with both front paws and licked away diligently.
After licking for a good while, Gray batted at the fish plush with his paw.
Pat. Pat pat. Pat... ack.
His movements slowed as he played, nudging the toy with his paw.
Having lost interest in the fish, Gray flopped onto the chair and rolled his eyes around.
‘So boring without Big Bro, meow.’
He rolled around on his back, and his eyelids slowly drooped shut.
Bathed in the warm sunlight by the window, Gray soon drifted off into a deep, purring sleep.
Jang So-ra, sitting at the reception desk and watching Gray, felt her own eyelids growing heavy.
“Quiet today. Does he know the Director’s out? Not even one phone call.”
Figuring she’d nod off if she stayed seated, Jang So-ra stood up.
“Might as well clean.”
At the sound of Jang So-ra rising, Gray’s ears twitched for a brief moment before he sank back into sleep.
But that lasted only a moment—Gray, sprawled limply in slumber, suddenly snapped his eyes open.
Sparkle.
His golden eyes gleamed brightly.
His ears perked straight up.
Whoosh.
Gray bolted upright and peered out the window.
No suspicious movements in sight yet.
But nothing could slip past Gray’s senses.
‘Someone’s coming, meow!’
Thud thud thud.
Dash dash dash.
[Run. Run!]
[I’ll run faster!]
[No way, I’m faster.]
Gray scowled at the rowdy voices.
‘Noisy pests, meow.’
And it sounded like they were headed this way.
[Hey? But this path leads to the scary doctor place?]
[Oh, right. It’s the road to Meongmeong Animal Hospital!]
The voices grew louder and louder until their figures finally came into view.
Two dogs with long white snouts and floppy ears were charging along, ears flapping wildly.
‘They look like Jamongi, meow.’
Jamongi was like a hugely grateful little brother to Gray.
After all, he’d helped save his life.
And these Beagles closing in were the same polite ones he’d seen before—well-behaved, just like Jamongi.
They listened to Lee Jun, too.
‘Good followers of Big Bro, meow.’
Swish.
His upright tail swayed slowly.
A sign of gladness.
Soon, the door bell jingled furiously.
Ding-a-ling-a-ling.
With the clamor, the two Beagles and their guardian stepped inside.
“Welcome.”
“Hello. Here for the pups’ vaccinations.”
“Clinic wrapped up early today—sorry about the timing.”
“No helping it. I showed up without calling first.”
The guardian was turning to leave and return later, but his feet wouldn’t budge.
The Beagles, still wagging their tails, brimmed with energy.
Meanwhile, the guardian—dragged here by the pair’s whims—looked utterly drained.
No way he could head out right then.
“Whew, we’ll rest a bit before going.”
“Yes, that’d be best.”
After assuring the weary guardian it was fine, Jang So-ra addressed the dogs.
“Water for the Somi balls?”
She said it while eyeing the two Beagles, tongues lolling long as they panted.
“You remember Somi and Mongchi’s names.”
“Of course. We’ve met twice now.”
Jang So-ra’s words lifted the guardian’s spirits.
‘They welcomed us so warmly last time, and again today.’
Big, playful Somi and Mongchi weren’t exactly welcome everywhere they went.
They always had to stay tightly leashed.
But here, Somi and Mongchi could roam free.
‘The kids really relaxed here last time.’
Recalling how they’d wandered calmly and politely, the guardian asked Jang So-ra.
“Can I let them off leash?”
“Go ahead.”
As the guardian unclipped the leashes and headed for a waiting chair, he spotted Gray.
“Hey, Gray! Leg all better?”
Nyaaong!
The Beagles’ gazes snapped to Gray at his reply.
[A cat?]
Somi said, tail flicking.
[Yeah, the one from last time.]
[Go say hi?]
[Nah. I’m sniffing over there. Tons of fun smells. And the vet teacher said not to mess with him.]
[Oh yeah.]
The Beagles promptly turned away, sniffing around as they explored the interior.
Gray watched them with welcoming eyes.
‘Polite ones, meow!’
In Gray’s mind, Somi and Mongchi were paragons of manners—Beagles who didn’t crowd him or pester.
Oblivious to his gaze, the pair wagged their tails lazily as they chatted.
[Hey, you heard? No vet teacher today.]
[Yep.]
[Heh heh heh. Score, right?]
[Eek, totally. No scolding, roam wherever.]
[Hee hee, been dying to check that spot.]
[I want over there. Gotta know what’s up.]
Somi and Mongchi bounded about excitedly.
Then—thud—Somi’s paw snagged something, spilling water from a bucket onto the floor.
[Water?]
Somi shoved his head into the bucket and lapped it up.
Slurp slurp slurp.
Water pooled around him from his noisy long-tongued gulps. The floor was soaked from the spill and splashes alike.
[Ah, me too!]
Mongchi, scouting elsewhere, dashed over and dunked into Somi’s bucket.
They drained it and sauntered off elsewhere.
Paws already soaked.
Footprints stamped the floor with every step.
[Eek, check this. Too fun!]
Somi glanced back at the prints, thrilled.
[Whoa, yeah. Super fun.]
[Place this awesome and they wouldn’t let us play? Ridiculous.]
[Right? No running either—hurt the little ones.]
[Tch, what do they take us for?]
[Exactly. No gentler pups around.]
Then—clunk—something snagged Somi’s paw.
The toppled water bucket.
Splash. The messy floor grew even sloppier.
[Hee hee, now this is fun.]
Splash splash splash.
Somi stomped joyfully with sopping paws. Mongchi joined right in, delighted.
‘What’re they doing, meow!’
Why were the polite ones acting up?
Gray’s eyes narrowed to triangles.
Even his crew sometimes amped up the mischief.
That’s when they needed a talking-to.
[Way too rowdy, meow!]
Gray gave the pair a word.
But they kept stamping footprints, thrilled.
Irked, Gray glanced at Jang So-ra.
She was busy answering the guardian—oblivious to the chaos.
[I’ve wanted in there.]
[Me too.]
Somi and Mongchi slipped into the open hospitalization room—where Gray had emerged earlier.
[What’re you doing, meow!]
Gray scowled fiercely and bolted after them.
[Ehh, empty.]
[Cat smell though?]
[Like that cat earlier... Huh? What’s that?]
Somi craned his head into a cage.
He snatched something in his jaws, tail wagging wildly as he spun and dashed out.
[G-Gimme, meow!]
Mongchi trailed Somi—and collided with Gray at the doorway.
[That’s mine, meow!]
[Eek, just a quick play—then back.]
Clunk. Somi’s reply to Gray sent the mouse plush tumbling from his mouth.
Snap.
Mongchi nabbed it quick and bolted.
Somi gave chase.
Thud thud thud.
The duo raced through the cramped clinic.
The guardian, browsing treats, shouted.
“Somi, Mongchi! Can’t you stay put?”
But momentum carried the Beagles onward.
Somi accelerated to reclaim; Mongchi to defend.
Thud thud thud.
Hunting hound focus locked on the toy alone.
Dash.
Gray pursued hot on their heels.
Then Somi spied fun.
Once, Somi and Mongchi had swiped fish off a table.
Sure, diarrhea followed—but who remembered that?
Just how tasty it was.
[Fish!]
Mid-chase of Mongchi, Somi retargeted and lunged for it.
Snap.
Ecstatic with fish in mouth, Somi beamed.
Not last time’s raw fish, but plush and chewy-fun.
‘Hee hee!’
Gleeful, Somi dashed to the corner.
It all flashed in seconds.
Precious fish plush stolen before his eyes.
Already fuming over the mouse—now rage peaked.
Gray bellowed.
[Mine, meow!]
Abandoning Mongchi, Gray chased Somi.
Spotting Gray, Somi lit up more.
[Hee hee, catch me!]
Hunt-play instincts ablaze, Somi grinned wildly, thud-thudding into the hospitalization room.
He flopped in the corner, chomping the fish plush hard.
Fangs pierced fabric—then tearing began.
Riiip.
Stuffing tumbled out.
[What’re you doing, meow!]
Gray launched, landing paw punches on Somi’s face.
[Ow, hurts!]
Somi startled upright; furious Gray vaulted onto his back.
Paw punches rained down.
Claws in, per Lee Jun’s lessons.
Paw, smack, paw.
Somi’s head whipped side to side; ears flapped wildly.
Evergreen Park boss strength packed real punch.
Stars wheeled before Somi’s eyes.
Mongchi—come to snatch the fish—couldn’t dodge.
Punch, smack, paw.
[Ugh...]
[Whimper, whine.]
Never pummeled like this, Somi and Mongchi groaned. Gray warned—harder punches.
Smaack!
[Quiet, meow!]
Fuming over his ruined pair of treasures.
But angriest: disobeying Big Bro Lee Jun.
[Big Bro said stay quiet last time, meow!]
They remembered. Obviously. But Somi and Mongchi stayed mum.
Speak up now? More beatings guaranteed.
Mouths clamped, they eyed each other.
Punch, punch.
Stronger blows landed anyway.
Wronged looks earned extras.
[Pretending forgetfulness when you know? Worse, meow!]
[R-Remember.]
[Yeah.]
Vigorous nods.
Punch, punch!
More fists.
Injustice deepened.
[Remember and still pull that, meow!]
Argh, seriously! What do you want?!
Beatings bred rebellion.
[One more ruckus, meow!]
Pointless. Just more hits.
Heads drooped; inwardly they grumbled.
‘Wait’ll next time, cat. Payback.’
‘Shoulda crunched that toy extra.’
Mere thoughts—yet Gray menaced like he’d heard.
[Do it? No treats forever, meow!]
[As if.]
[Impossible. How?]
Mind exposed. Shock blurted truth.
Punch, punch!
[Nothing Big Bro can’t do, meow!]
Then—loud voices outside.
“Oh my god, the floor! Somi, Mongchi—out!”
“It’s okay. I’ll mop.”
“Still! So sorry. Wait—what’s this?”
“Oh, Gray’s toy, I think. Don’t worry.”
“How could I not? Terribly sorry.”
Guardian hunted Somi and Mongchi.
At the hospitalization room, spied the shredded fish plush on the floor—raged anew.
“You two! Who did this?!”
***
Next day, Jang So-ra recounted yesterday’s events to arriving Lee Jun.
“I was gonna toss these? But Gray dragged ’em to the hospitalization room. Curled up hugging them tight.”
Lee Jun knew.
He’d swung by after school past 10 p.m. to fetch Gray.
“Gray just peeked his face out—wouldn’t budge. Thought he was hurt, but nope: clutching these.”
“Exactly. Those sad eyes on the wrecked toys. Somi and Mongchi’s guardian felt awful.”
Jang So-ra recalled and added.
“So he bought these before leaving...”
On the waiting chair sat a fish plush and mouse plush—far bigger than Gray’s originals.
Gray ignored them flat.
[Not from Big Bro, meow!]
Gray muttered.
“Hm?”
[Sorry—it’s Big Bro’s gift to me, meow!]
Tattered fish and mouse plushes.
Gray’s first toys. Precious—from his favorite Big Bro.
Irreplaceably meaningful.
Meant to cherish forever—but ruined by his lapse.
Heartbroken over failing to protect it. Sorry to Big Bro.
Lee Jun stroked him.
“Gray, why not just whack ’em once?”
[Whacked plenty, meow!]
“Good boy. Want anything later? I’ll buy it all.”
[No need, meow!]
Gray shook his head at Big Bro’s generosity.
Couldn’t impose.
“Haha, what do you take me for?”
Scooping Gray, Lee Jun headed to the toy mountain.
“Pick anything. Take it all.”
[For real, meow!]
“Naturally.”
Gray’s eyes lit up.
Gazing long, he stretched a paw.
[Those two, meow!]
Pointing: yellow-blue-striped fish plush and mouse—exact matches to Lee Jun’s gifts.