Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: The Park Cats' Seaside Adventure
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Lee Jun, determined to grant Gray's wish, immediately called Kwak Su-ho.
After a few rings, a familiar voice answered.
“Hey, Lee Jun. You've been making waves lately, huh?”
“You're one to talk.”
“Hahaha, true. Everyone's been praising our park cats.”
“Our park cats—you nailed it. Clear your schedule this weekend for the park cats.”
“This weekend?”
“You don't have anything going on anyway.”
“Hey, hey, don't you know how busy I am? I'm buried in editing videos for the park cats—I could use a paw or two from the cats themselves.”
“Yeah?”
“Of course. You think good footage edits itself? It takes diving into editing hell.”
Kwak Su-ho groaned, and Lee Jun chuckled softly before replying leisurely.
“Well, can't be helped then. Guess I'll have to call PD Park.”
“Wait. PD Park? You mean Park Ju-hwan from Animal World Forever?”
“Yeah, something like that. He said to contact him anytime if I found a good 'story.' And I've got an interesting one this time.”
“Wh-what is it?”
“Nothing huge. Just planning something with the park cats. But you're the original park cat guy, right? That's why I called you first, but if you're busy...”
“No, no. I've got tons of time. Editing can wait—what is it?”
“Hmm, well...”
Lee Jun explained the plan to Kwak Su-ho.
“A picnic? Did you say picnic right now?”
“Yeah.”
Silence fell over the line after Lee Jun's response.
Just as he wondered if the call had dropped, a shout exploded from the receiver.
“Hey, you lunatic. Are you really a vet? Taking cats on a picnic? To the beach, no less? How much stress do you think territorial cats will be under?”
Kwak Su-ho huffed indignantly.
“That's why I'm only taking the ones who want to go.”
“Ha, unbelievable. I have no idea what goes through your head.”
“So, you in or out?”
“Of course I'm in.”
“You called me crazy.”
“That's beside the point. How could I miss such a rare spectacle?”
“Anyway, we're going Saturday. Keep that in mind.”
“Hey, what about the car? Lodging?”
“We'll use your car and mine for transport, and I'll look into lodging.”
“Oh man, dude. You just charged ahead without a plan?”
“If not, I can ask Gi-jin's dad. He knows people in Taean.”
“That's right. My dad's friends own a bunch of houses around there. If he asks for a night or two, they'll lend 'em no problem.”
Go Gi-jin chimed in, and Kwak Su-ho added his two cents.
“I'll check around too.”
“Sounds good. We'll talk once it's set.”
After hanging up with Kwak Su-ho, Go Gi-jin grabbed his phone this time.
“I'll call my dad. For Big Brother's request, he'll roll up his sleeves and help out.”
“Yeah, let's ask him.”
Go Gi-jin dialed home while Lee Jun accessed his phone's integrated search.
“Just in case, let's find a pet-friendly pension.”
Pets visiting those places were bound to be dogs.
One might wonder how cats could fit in, but that wasn't an issue for Lee Jun.
“Hmm. Booking a private villa would work, but if the rowdy ones come, it could be trouble. Guess I'll pin my hopes on Gi-jin's dad.”
Worst case, a day trip to Incheon or something.
As he pondered, Gray, peering out the window, spoke up.
[Haenguni's coming meow!]
Moments later, Namgung Hyun entered the hospital carrying Haenguni.
“CEO Namgung, welcome.”
“It's been a while, Director Lee. You've done something truly wonderful.”
After the broadcast aired, Namgung Hyun had sent Lee Jun messages of congratulations and encouragement, and now he praised him again.
The incident had made Namgung Hyun view Lee Jun in an even more impressive light.
“Thank you.”
While exchanging pleasantries with Lee Jun, Namgung Hyun overheard Go Gi-jin talking to his father.
“Going somewhere?”
“Oh, yeah. Thinking of taking our cats on a picnic.”
“A picnic?”
“Yes. These guys want to see the sea.”
“Ah, so you're scouting lodging.”
“Right. Somewhere quiet where the cats can relax would be ideal.”
“Hmm. I have a villa near Gangneung. Great views, very peaceful.”
“Gangneung?”
A tycoon like Namgung Hyun surely had a secluded villa, probably with its own private beach.
Lee Jun was tempted by the offer.
But the distance was the problem.
Too far.
Could cats unaccustomed to cars endure three hours?
Lee Jun asked the cats.
[Sounds fun meow.]
[I wanna ride in a car too.]
Accepting their enthusiasm, Lee Jun took Namgung Hyun up on it.
“Thank you.”
***
A few days later, Saturday evening.
Kwak Su-ho burst out laughing at the sight of cats lined up in perfect order.
“What a sight. Never thought I'd see cats wearing numbered tags in a queue.”
Kwak Su-ho watched as Gray and Shadow, sporting tags numbered 1 and 2 around their necks, directed the others.
The front showed numbers 1, 2, 3, and so on; the back had Lee Jun's phone number, Meongmeong Animal Hospital, and each cat's name engraved.
Numbers went up to 53. Fifty-three cats huddled together, listening to Gray and Shadow's instructions.
[Absolutely no wandering off alone meow!]
Nods all around.
Fifty-one cats nodded in unison.
[If anyone's scared or doesn't want to go, back out now.]
Shakes of the head. The cats shook their heads together again.
It wasn't quite a butt-wiggle dance, but it was cute in its own way.
Kwak Su-ho kept shouting “Perfect! That's it!” as he filmed the cats nonstop with his camera.
Beside him, Kim Eun-ji filmed too, her “So cute!” never ceasing.
Kim Eun-ji captured the unbelievable scene, thinking to herself.
'Wow... I must have the goddess of luck watching over me. How does this keep happening? Meongmeong Animal Hospital forever!'
The day before, she'd stopped by the hospital to say hi after a nearby assignment.
Using that as an excuse to see Gray and Shadow, she found Jang So-ra engraving something diligently.
When asked, So-ra explained the current setup.
Kim Eun-ji had volunteered to help with feeding since they were short-handed, getting Lee Jun's okay to tag along.
Meanwhile, Lee Jun inspected the bus interior.
The floor was covered in plush mats, and each seat had securely attached car cushions.
“Nice and sturdy.”
Lee Jun tugged at the cushions, smiling contentedly as he stepped off the bus.
“Big Brother, everything's loaded.”
Go Gi-jin announced, and Lee Jun nodded.
“Good. All set to board then.”
He turned to the cats.
“Alright, everyone, time to get on.”
[Board in order meow!]
[Stay in line!]
Hop, hop. Following Gray and Shadow's lead, the cats boarded the bus and settled neatly into their chosen seats.
The bus driver was stunned.
'I have no idea what I'm seeing right now.'
The driver knew Gray, Shadow, and the park cats from the videos.
He'd assumed some editing magic was involved.
But it was all real.
As Lee Jun boarded last, the driver asked.
“Uh, Director? Mind if I take a commemorative photo?”
“Go ahead. The pros over there will get you.”
After snapping pics with the cats and Lee Jun, the driver set off happily.
***
[Ooh, it's moving meow!]
[Amazing. The trees keep going backward.]
[Sc-scary!]
[I-it's fine. Lying flat like this makes it less scary.]
[Whoa! This is so fun!]
The cats' first bus ride elicited varied reactions, but they all looked excited.
A few had ridden before—to the clinic for neutering, short trips only.
At first, moving without using their own paws felt weird, but they adapted.
Once the bus hit the highway and sped up, cheers erupted.
[This is thrilling! Whee!]
[Go, go faster!]
[Hee hee. So much fun!]
Watching them, Lee Jun remarked.
“That fun, huh?”
[Yes meow! Faster, zoom!]
[Obviously. Go, go!]
“Aren't you guys the type who loves hiding in your houses? You hate moving around.”
[That too is good, but this is good meow.]
[True. This has its own fun.]
Lee Jun stopped mid-thought about cat common sense.
'It doesn't make sense that I understand you at all—what am I even thinking? If you like it, that's what matters.'
Whether he pondered or not, the cats were thrilled.
The novel speed thrilled them, but best was being together without worries.
The excited cats eventually dozed off one by one en route.
Upon arrival, Go Gi-jin asked Lee Jun.
“Big Brother, should we wake them?”
“Just open the door.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. New smells will do it.”
Sure enough, as the door opened, the cats sprang up, sniffing eagerly.
[Sniff sniff. Weird smells meow!]
[Smells delicious.]
Smelling the sea for the first time, the cats lit up.
“Everyone off. It's dark, so don't stray far.”
[No worries meow.]
[You heard? Stick close to Benevolent Brother.]
Meow-oooh!
The cats yowled in response and followed their two leaders off the bus.
They waited patiently without shoving, earning gasps of admiration.
“Ugh! They're too cute.”
Kim Eun-ji was beside herself.
“Adorable. Thanks to Big Brother, I get to see this rare sight.”
“Scenes like this need to go viral.”
“Exactly.”
“Oh my, look at them. Why are they so cute?”
Per Lee Jun's instructions, the cats stayed put, eyes half-closed, sniffing the air.
“Such obedient kids.”
Lee Jun smiled warmly at them.
With that level of listening, no worries.
“Alright, let's move the gear.”
“I got this. You all rest—I'll handle the luggage.”
Go Gi-jin replied while unloading.
Then Gray dashed over and pawed at a box.
[We want this meow!]
[This one. Tasty.]
[The puffy squishy one was yummy meow.]
[The one with long whiskers looked cool.]
“Big Brother, they want shrimp, looks like.”
“You're getting good at understanding. Yeah, that's it.”
“Heh, can't miss that. Here you go.”
“Teacher Go, you know—boil once to remove Sogeum-i, then lightly grill.”
Soon, the cats received grilled shrimp and chicken breast from the grill.
[D-delicious! Captain, what is this?]
[What's this whiskery thing meow? So good.]
[You, too tasty.]
First-time shrimp eaters' eyes widened,
[How... this white meat got even tastier?]
Cats who'd had Lee Jun's chicken breast before were shocked by the grilled version.
They dove in headfirst, devouring frantically.
Watching, Lee Jun called out.
“Plenty more—eat slow. Don't choke.”
[Right meow. Brother has lots. Slow down meow.]
[Got it!]
[Sniffle, thank you Captain. Such deliciousness.]
[Not me. Thank Benevolent Brother. It's thanks to him.]
[Thank Brother meow.]
The cats abruptly stood, abandoning their food, and rushed to hug Lee Jun's legs.
[Thanks for the meal!]
[Thank you.]
[Benevolent Brother forever!]
Meow-ho-ho!
Meow-ong!
Their hearty cries echoed briefly along the Gangwon beach.
Night passed, and at dawn as the sun rose, the cats sat lined up before the sand.
“Don't go past that end. Play just up front. Got it?”
The cats entered the beach at Lee Jun's word.
Gray stepped carefully, then yelped in surprise.
[M-my legs vanished meow!]
[M-mine too. My legs are gone!]
Shadow wailed next.
Lee Jun, watching from the side, burst into laughter at their fuss.
“Aren't these guys just too cute?”