Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Aji Opens His Heart
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‘Animals hate discrimination, you said?’
Before opening the door to the ward, Gong Jeong-ah recalled what Lee Jun had just told her and called out the three names in order.
“Gray, Shadow, Aji~”
Then she opened the door and went in, and two cats stood on their hind legs, raising their front paws high as they meowed.
Nyaaoow~.
Niyaong!
It was just like wild animals puffing up to threaten an enemy.
Laughter burst from Gong Jeong-ah’s mouth.
“Pfft!”
She knew she shouldn’t laugh in this situation, but she couldn’t help it.
“How can you not laugh at such cute babies? Right?”
Gong Jeong-ah’s smiling face was caught on camera.
But that lasted only a moment, as pity clouded her eyes.
Behind the cats, who had puffed themselves up to the max, a pitch-black puppy was huddled, peeking only his eyes at Gong Jeong-ah.
That gaze met hers.
The cats must have been trying to hide Aji.
But no matter how skinny Aji was, he was too big to be fully hidden by cats.
Behind them peeked a gaunt, emaciated body.
That made his face look huge, with eyes that took up half of it.
Those big eyes were filled with fear.
That was Aji.
“Haa…….”
A sigh leaked from Gong Jeong-ah’s lips.
She knew sighing in front of animals wasn’t good, but she couldn’t hold it back.
‘Director Lee Jun did such a great thing rescuing him. Really…….’
Gong Jeong-ah was grateful to Lee Jun for saving Aji.
She wanted to rush over and hug Aji right away, but she held back.
‘Don’t approach; make him come to you,’ he’d said.
Remembering Lee Jun’s tip again, Gong Jeong-ah didn’t go closer. Instead, she plopped down near the entrance and asked the PD.
“PD-nim, it’s okay if it takes a while, right?”
When the big actress said she’d extend the shooting time, Park PD’s mouth stretched to his ears.
“Y-Yes, of course. We’d be grateful, but are you okay, Actress-nim…….”
“Then that’s settled.”
With those simple words conveying her intent, Gong Jeong-ah looked at the cats.
“Gray, Shadow, hi!”
Nyaong?
Miya?
The cats tilted their heads.
Gong Jeong-ah coming in and just sitting there was weird.
Lee Jun had told them she was a good person, but she was still a stranger, so the cats stayed on guard.
It was natural for the two who felt responsible for protecting Aji.
That aside, why wasn’t she giving them treats?
That’s what the cats wondered.
Still, they didn’t approach. They kept hiding Aji.
But as time passed, the cats gradually returned to their normal postures.
Aji did too.
They’d been super wary, but with no reaction, their guard naturally relaxed.
Gong Jeong-ah just sat there watching the three, doing nothing else.
That’s how it went for over 30 minutes since she entered the ward.
Suddenly, the cats started yowling.
Aeong aeong!
Nyaoong.
Keunyaaoow!
Kyaooow!
Startled by the now-noisy cats, the flustered Gong Jeong-ah tore open the soft stick pouch in her hand.
She wanted to calm the tense mood with treats.
At the rustling sound, Gray and Shadow’s ears perked up.
Aji’s ears, hidden behind them, twitched up briefly then flattened.
Seeing all three interested in the treat pouch, Gong Jeong-ah sighed in relief and said.
“They said Aji wants to eat this…… Is that right?”
Nyaong.
Aeooong.
The cats meowed as if saying yes and to throw it, but Gong Jeong-ah couldn’t understand them.
“Want some?”
She cut the stick into small pieces, held one in her hand, and extended it toward the three.
The cats meowed again.
Nyaaoooong!
Keunyao aeooong!
At the fiercer cries, Gong Jeong-ah panicked.
“No, I just wanted to give this…… No other meaning. I haven’t moved. See? I’m staying still. Right?”
As Gong Jeong-ah made excuses to the cats.
The cats sauntered over to her.
“Uh……?”
Gong Jeong-ah was moved.
“Th-They’re coming over. Oh my god, Gray and Shadow…….”
She just blinked, staring at the cats.
The cats who hadn’t budged until now approaching was truly, incredibly touching.
But on the other hand, she was anxious.
Gray and Shadow’s expressions as they approached were full of displeasure.
“Why are you guys making those faces?”
Well aware it was being filmed, Gong Jeong-ah didn’t just think it but said it out loud.
She figured viewers watching would feel the same.
Honestly, she wasn’t unafraid.
What if they suddenly attacked?
As a female actress, she was especially sensitive to injuries, making her even more uneasy.
It was also aftermath from seeing the video of the cats attacking the abuser.
‘No way. If they attack me, the doctors wouldn’t just stand by.’
Gong Jeong-ah trusted Lee Jun and Go Gi-jin.
Especially since in the video, the cats had followed Lee Jun so well.
With that thought, she endured as the cats approached with fierce expressions.
***
Meanwhile, the cats’ dissatisfaction wasn’t minor.
From the moment Gong Jeong-ah entered the ward, the three had expected treats.
But she wasn’t giving any, no matter how long they waited.
The cats were angry.
Big Brother had said she was a good person, but this wasn’t a good person.
If you have something to give, give it quick.
Was she not giving it because she wanted to eat it herself?
To the impatient cats, 30 minutes was way too long.
That’s why the cats got mad.
[Why aren’t you giving it nyang?]
[What are you doing! Why haven’t you given it yet?]
[Give it quick nyang!]
[Are you trying to eat it yourself?!]
Only after they yowled did she finally tear the pouch.
They urged her faster, and she cut it to claw-size but held it out without coming close.
Absurd, the cats decided to get it themselves.
Gray stood in front of Gong Jeong-ah and extended a paw.
Tap.
But what came wasn’t a treat, but a human voice.
“C-Cute.”
Gray looked up and meowed dissatisfied.
[I’m not cute nyang. I’m cool nyang!]
[I’m cool too!]
The cats corrected her words, then huddled whispering.
[Stuck out paw but no treat nyang.]
[Do it like with Noona.]
Meaning the skill they used on Jang So-ra for treats.
[Let’s nyang.]
Gray placed both front paws on Gong Jeong-ah’s thigh and kneaded.
[Hand it over nyang!]
Then Shadow joined the attack.
Gong Jeong-ah said “Oh my, oh my, goodness” as she let the cats take small pieces in their mouths.
“Eat up.”
While Gray ate the soft stick in his mouth, Shadow ate too.
Once done, Gray tapped the person in front.
[More nyang!]
[This time a big one!]
“All gone? Want more?”
Gong Jeong-ah gave them slightly bigger pieces.
Then the cats turned and went back.
Tok.
Gray dropped the treat in front of Aji and said.
[Eat nyang!]
Aji’s eyes widened.
His startled pupils shook side to side.
Honestly, watching the cats eat had made Aji swallow hard.
He wanted some.
But his feet wouldn’t move.
He’d just been envious, gulping saliva, when the cats brought some for him.
Aji recalled what the cats had said earlier about sharing food for him.
‘So this is it!’
Suddenly, his whole body warmed.
He hadn’t done anything, but it felt all cozy and relaxed.
[Eat this too!]
Shadow dropped a treat in front of Aji.
“C-Can I eat it?”
He knew it was okay, but Aji still sought confirmation.
His head knew it wouldn’t happen now. But his body was still so scared.
What if he got hit after eating……
[It’s yours nyang.]
[M-Mine……?]
[We ate. That’s your share.]
Aji had learned so much yesterday and today.
That it was okay to eat all the kibble in the bowl at once, and seeing them care for each other was new.
Aji gulped, then gingerly nibbled the treat with his front teeth.
‘Huh?’
The treat squished right into his teeth.
Aji’s eyes shook side to side, up and down.
‘I-Is this really food?’
Everything before had been hard.
Of course, he’d eaten kibble soaked soft in water.
But the texture in his mouth now was totally different.
Chewy yet soft.
[Don’t just hold it; chew nyang!]
[Then ask for more!]
Encouraged, Aji chomped.
Though it was only claw-sized, Aji chewed carefully.
The more he chewed, the more the flavor filled his mouth.
He wanted to savor it more.
Keep savoring, but the treat dwindled.
[It’s…… so tasty…….]
So tasty.
This moment eating something so delicious made Aji so happy.
He wanted to express the feeling.
But Aji, who’d never shown emotions before, expressed it the only way he knew.
Awoooo!
Tears welled in Aji’s howling eyes.
Tok tok tok.
Two grays, two whites—four Somi swabs tapped Aji.
[Wait nyang! We’ll get more nyang.]
[This time bigger.]
Saying that, the cats walked to Gong Jeong-ah.
[Give treats nyang!]
[Hand over a big one!]
Demanding what they’d entrusted.
But to Gong Jeong-ah, even that was adorable.
“Okay, okay, more.”
Somehow understanding right away, Gong Jeong-ah cut and offered a soft stick.
Gray smacked it with his paw and yowled angrily.
[Not this; that one nyang!]
[I said big one.]
“The kids say the small ones aren’t enough. Just give a big one.”
Lee Jun explained.
“Oh, is that it?”
Calming her surprised heart, Gong Jeong-ah looked, and Gray, who’d snatched the pouch, trotted quickly back and dropped it before Aji.
[Eat nyang!]
[Yeah. Eat it all slowly. You need to eat a lot.]
[Right nyang. To get strong nyang.]
Aji alternated glances between the cats and the treat, recalling that flavor, then took a long strip in his mouth.
Just holding it made him happy.
Aji placed the treat before Gray with a tok. Then repeated with Shadow.
[Let’s eat together.]
Saying that, Aji took one and ate deliciously.
Tears welled again.
***
Watching the three eat treats head to head, Gong Jeong-ah choked up.
“How…….”
Witnessing their friendship with her own eyes moved her more than any touching movie.
Tears soon welled in her eyes.
Then suddenly, Aji lifted his head and started walking toward her.
His tail wagged gently as he looked at her.
Approaching slowly, Aji bowed his head before Gong Jeong-ah.
“Oh my, are you greeting me?”
Gong Jeong-ah’s lips curved up sweetly.
She smiled brightly and stroked Aji’s head as he bowed before her.
Aji flinched but soon felt her touch.
It was thanks to Lee Jun petting his head.
Aji’s lips curved up more.
But Gong Jeong-ah’s expression darkened by contrast.
Now she could examine him closely while stroking.
Skinny body, bluish bruises all over that she’d only seen on monitor. Bite marks here and there.
Stroking carefully with one hand, soon she used both.
“How much it must’ve hurt…….”
Choking back tears, Gong Jeong-ah stroked Aji all over.
Everywhere her hands went, only bones were felt.
As she caressed him, Gong Jeong-ah suddenly hugged Aji tight.
“You did well, so well. And good job.”
Thanks for surviving until now.
“N-Now I’ll protect you. So…….”
Gong Jeong-ah burst into the tears she’d held back.
Aji, who’d been watching her worriedly, hugged her back.
Just like Gray and Shadow had for him.
The people watching from outside clapped.
“Aji finally opened his heart.”
“Good. Really good.”
Especially Writer Yeom and Go Gi-jin bawled like Gong Jeong-ah.
“Hu hu heuk, our Aji did it. Really did it.”
“Keu heung, then our Aji has a place to go, right?”
“Probably.”
Lee Jun was grateful to Gong Jeong-ah for truly empathizing with Aji’s pain.
As he watched, Park PD suggested to him.
“Director Lee. Could you come out once more in the fall?”
“Fall?”
“Yes, we have a special planned for fall, and I don’t think anyone could do it better than you.”
They’d met twice, but Lee Jun liked Park Ju-hwan PD.
‘I can tell he cares about animals.’
A suggestion from someone like that must be for the animals.
‘And there’s so much I want to tell viewers.’
Maybe this could be a step toward his goal.
Thinking that, Lee Jun nodded.
“Sounds like a good opportunity.”