Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Gray and Shadow's Truce
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“Gray, you. Didn’t I tell you to get along with Shadow? Huh? So what’s that the moment you see him? And right in front of a sick kid, no less!”
[I just called his name, meow.]
“And you, Shadow. Didn’t I tell you to get along with Gray?”
[You did.]
“Did? What makes you say that so confidently?”
[Didn’t that guy say not to call him Gray?]
[That’s right, meow. I’ve never heard this one called Shadow, meow!]
[Now I get it. You’re his subordinate. That’s why you brought me here...]
That’s when it happened.
“Good grief. What are you even saying? Gray, he’s saying he’s your subordinate.”
[That’s nonsense, meow. Shadow, did your head get hurt along with your eye, meow? How dare you spout such insolence to our Big Brother, meow!]
[Insolence? Then why are you here instead of in Evergreen territory?]
[W-Well, that’s because I...]
Gray hesitated to say he was injured.
After all, the guy in front of him was the boss of Bluebird territory.
He was the one who kept challenging him despite losing every time, never submitting.
[Anyway, our Big Brother is a great Big Brother, meow! You can’t talk like that, meow!]
Gray emphasized Lee Jun’s greatness while hiding his own flaw.
“What are you saying? This cloud-fluff look-alike.”
[Hmph, you’re a shadow-cMongchi look-alike, meow!]
As Gray and Shadow bickered, Lee Jun smiled and mediated.
“Hey now! You’re friends who haven’t seen each other in a while—don’t act like that. Get along nicely.”
[I’m not friends with Shadow, meow!]
[Friends? I’m not friends with Gray either.]
Gray and Shadow meowed in unison.
“If you know each other’s names, that makes you friends, right? Come on, we’ll catch up later—let’s eat first. You must be hungry. Gray, while I prep your food, show Shadow where the litter box is.”
[L-Litter box, meow?]
“Yeah, I’ll make this guy his own later, so for now, show him yours.”
“No way! I’d rather hold it than let him use my litter box.”
[Who are you to talk! I don’t want to either, meow!]
Gray and Shadow hissed at each other.
“Hey! Who’s showing claws! Put those teeth away too. Or no food for either of you!”
[N-No, meow!]
“Gray, you’re not retracting those claws?”
At Lee Jun’s command, Gray quickly retracted his claws and tapped Lee Jun’s thigh with his front paw.
[Retracted, meow.]
Lee Jun stroked Gray’s paw and nodded.
“Good. Well done. Shadow, you too—retract those claws. What if you scratch your eye?”
[B-But if Gray attacks me, I have to defend myself.]
[What are you yapping about when you lost to me, meow?]
[B-Back then, I was just dizzy from hunger. Fight again, and I’ll win.]
The two started bickering again, but this time with tiny hisses.
As Lee Jun headed to prepare food, he glanced at them and smiled warmly.
“Same old—fighting but bonding.”
Once Lee Jun left the room, Gray asked Shadow.
[So what happened, meow?]
[What? And a warning: don’t come near me.]
[I don’t want to be near you either, meow. But Big Brother told me to look after you, so no choice, meow.]
[......]
Shadow had no retort to Gray’s words.
If he said he didn’t need help, he’d probably get kicked out by that Big Brother guy right away. Wandering this house would be tough too.
[Well, if it’s Big Brother’s request, no helping it. I’ll accept your offer.]
Gray’s mouth corners twitched down at Shadow’s bravado-filled words.
‘Shadow’s gotten so skinny...’
Shadow, the former Bluebird territory boss.
Big, strong—his crew respected and followed him deeply.
Even Gray acknowledged Shadow as one of the strongest among territory bosses.
Seeing him like this hurt Gray’s heart.
Gray lightly tapped Shadow, feather-soft, almost teasing.
Shadow tensed up anyway. But remembering their promise, he relaxed.
[Come here, meow.]
[Thanks.]
Gray led Shadow to the living room.
Lee Jun had tidied up most things that morning, so nothing much to bump into.
[The floor’s so soft. Not dirt... what is it?]
[It’s a mat, meow. Running on it doesn’t hurt your legs, meow.]
Gray loved this mat—it didn’t hurt even when dragging his sore leg.
[Mat... Hm, nice.]
Shadow walked the mat, then nudged Gray’s cushion.
He rubbed it with his front paws.
[What’s this? Another mat?]
[That’s a cushion, meow.]
[Cushion? What’s it for?]
[You sleep on it...]
Gray trailed off, pondering.
The cushion Shadow was pawing—wasn’t it the precious one Big Brother gave him?
He didn’t want to share something so dear with Shadow.
Part of him wanted to grab it and flee far away.
‘I don’t wanna sleep here with him, meow! But Big Brother said to take good care of him, meow.’
Gray shelved his thoughts and decided to follow Big Brother’s orders.
[Sleep here, meow!]
Just then, Lee Jun emerged from the kitchen with food and saw Gray yielding his bed to Shadow.
“They’ll get along fine from now on.”
Lee Jun smiled warmly as he approached the cats.
“Boys, dinner time. This is yours, Gray. And this is yours, Shadow.”
[I’m not Shadow! I’m Shadow!]
[That’s hilarious, meow. That’s your name—Big Brother said it, meow!]
[Then you prefer Gray over Gray?]
Before, he’d have picked Gray instantly.
But the brother he respected and liked kept calling him Gray, so it didn’t feel bad.
Lately, Gray even felt affectionate.
Still, he wasn’t ready to ditch Gray.
The name he’d lived by until recently.
[Both are good, meow.]
[Hm, unexpected. Choosing Gray over the famous Gray.]
[Y-You’ll grow to like Shadow too, meow!]
[No way. So call me Shadow.]
“What does it matter what I call you? Just eat well, stay healthy, and live long.”
[True, meow.]
[That’s right.]
“Besides, old-fashioned names last the longest.”
Silence fell for a moment.
But soon Gray blurted urgently.
[W-Well then, I like Gray, meow.]
[I like Shadow too.]
With names settled, the cats dove into their food.
[Tasty, meow.]
[Delicious.]
Lee Jun laughed at the once-bickering cats now eating peacefully.
“See? Food softens the mood every time.”
After dinner, Lee Jun dragged out blankets and spread them in the living room.
“I’ll bring cushions tomorrow, so tonight Gray yields his to Shadow and sleeps by me.”
Gray felt great at Lee Jun’s words.
Cushions were nice, but best was sleeping with Big Brother.
[Got it, meow!]
“Good boy. Shadow, don’t feel bad sleeping there. Can’t risk bumping your eye while we sleep.”
[I like sleeping alone!]
“Then perfect.”
Gray lay right by Lee Jun, Shadow on the distant cushion.
Once Lee Jun went to wash up, Shadow spoke in the quiet living room.
[Gray. How’d you end up living here?]
[Call me Gray, meow.]
[Fine, Gray. Why aren’t you in Evergreen Park?]
He’d hesitated before, but seeing Shadow’s state, Gray wanted to share.
‘If he hears my story, maybe he’ll find hope, meow.’
Gray’s tale slowly unfolded.
[...I hurt my leg a bit, meow.]
Gray simply recounted up to being saved by Lee Jun.
[I’m fine now, meow!]
[Hit by a moving rock and fine? Makes no sense. So many subordinates went to Cat Star after getting hit by those.]
[Big Brother fixed me, so I’m fine, meow!]
Shadow’s face brightened as he listened.
[Then maybe my eyes really can see again.]
[Of course, meow. They will, meow.]
[That’d be great.]
[But do your subordinates know you’re with Big Brother, meow?]
[No.]
[Should I have Norangi tell your territory, meow?]
[No need.]
[They’ll worry, meow.]
[No, I left them long ago.]
Gray shut his mouth instead of asking why.
‘Must’ve left ‘cause he can’t see, meow.’
To not burden his crew.
Truth was, even Gray wasn’t sure if he’d climb trees or run swiftly once healed.
What if he couldn’t anymore?
Those thoughts swirled in Gray’s head until sleep came.
***
The next day.
Gray and Shadow ate breakfast side by side, then entered carriers for the animal hospital.
Leaving Alley House and the alley, Gray got greetings from cats multiple times.
They all wished him quick recovery; he warned them to be careful.
Shadow was most shocked.
“Special treat today. Head to Alley House quick—you’re hungry.”
[Wow!]
“Hey, quiet!”
The noisy meows vanished instantly.
“Yeah, move quietly like that. Got it?”
[Yes, Captain Doctor.]
[Understood.]
[I’ll eat well.]
The cats’ replies were whisper-soft.
‘This guy’s the boss here.’
Shadow was impressed by how he commanded the cats instantly.
The awe continued at the hospital.
“Gray, where you gonna be?”
[Sleep on the cat tower, move to ward if noisy, meow.]
“Okay, tell me or Manager Jang if you wanna go—we’ll open the door.”
[You’re closing it, meow?]
“Don’t want Shadow startling if other animals enter.”
[Then I’ll stay inside too, meow.]
“You will?”
[I’ll stay with Shadow, meow. He needs the litter box, water too, meow.]
“Perfect. Gray, watch he doesn’t scratch his eye.”
[Got it, meow. Anything else, meow?]
“That’s it. Tell me if anything happens.”
Soon the cats moved to the ward, and Gray explained surroundings like at home.
Not long ago they’d bared teeth at each other—now this care.
Shadow was moved by Gray.
[That human seems like a really good guy.]
Gray wanted to call him a good cat too, but held back.
[He’s good, meow. An amazing Big Brother, meow. But you really won’t tell your crew, meow?]
Shadow shook his head slightly, then froze.
Big Brother’s warning—don’t shake your head—came to mind.
Shadow answered with a lonely look.
[I left long ago. They’ve probably forgotten me.]
[No way, meow. They’re worrying, meow.]
[Who worries over a useless boss? I handed everything off before leaving. No reason to look.]
[Family worries when family’s gone, meow. They’re searching now, meow.]
[Family?]
[Yeah, meow. Aren’t you Bluebird family, meow?]
Family... Shadow recalled hearing once.
‘He calls his crew family, treasures them. Once family, always—cares for those who left too.’
He thought of cats greeting Gray in the alley.
‘No. Our Bluebirds have more loyalty. Yeah, obviously.’
Rivalry sparked oddly—Shadow didn’t want to lose to Gray.
[Right. We’re family too.]
[Let’s tell your worried family you’re safe, meow.]
[You’re not planning to rally Bluebirds for war, are you?]
[Ever see me start a fight, meow?]
True—Gray never started fights.
But he never dodged either. And always won.
[Still, who knows. Chance to take our territory.]
[Don’t talk nonsense, meow. If fighting starts, Big Brother won’t stand by, meow.]
At mention of that Big Brother stepping in, Shadow got it fully.
[Yeah, makes sense.]
[Then I’ll tell your crew when they visit, meow.]
[Crew?]
[Two come daily, meow.]
Since Gray’s admission, two visited daily.
That day too—and Norangi came.
Gray told Norangi about Shadow.
That evening, a cat entered the ward.
[B-Boss!]
Familiar voice jolted Shadow up.
[M-Milo?]
[Yes. Sob... Boss. You’re alive. No—I believed you were.]
Milo burst into sobs.
[Sob, sorry, Boss. How you’ve suffered...]
[Don’t cry. What’s with the tears?]
[Don’t say that. We’re lost without you.]
[No way. I handed everything to you guys.]
[We just await your return, following your orders.]
Milo rejoiced at Shadow’s safety, weeping repeatedly.
After a hearty evening meal, Milo bowed politely.
[Gray Boss, thanks for the news.]
[We help each other, meow. You told me about Dalkomi, meow.]
[Still. See you tomorrow, Boss.]
Milo exited, bowing to Lee Jun.
[Doctor. Thank you for saving our Boss.]
“Just doing what I should.”
Lee Jun smiled casually.
Milo was moved.
‘No wonder everyone calls him Woof Teacher. Such a good person.’
Rub.
Milo rubbed against Lee Jun’s leg in respect.
Meanwhile, in the ward, Shadow sighed deeply.
[Sigh... I clearly retired...]
[Bluebirds still see you as boss, meow.]
[That’s the thing. How to lead with these eyes?]
[They’ll see, meow.]
[Just one eye, he said. Even Big Brother doesn’t know about this one.]
One eye maybe blind—Gray was shocked but hid it.
[Oh?]
[Yeah. Even if it sees, not like before. Milo’s doing fine anyway.]
[So you won’t go back, meow?]
Retirement was decided, but returning? Unthought until Milo.
Now, after seeing him, he missed Bluebirds.
‘But would I help if I returned?’
Shadow couldn’t answer Gray rashly.
[Dunno. Gotta think. You? What’s your plan?]
Now Shadow asked Gray.