Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Cats' First Flight
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Kwak Su-ho sat on the waiting room chair at the animal hospital, grinning from ear to ear.
"Thanks to having a good friend, I get to try business class. Or is it thanks to our Haenguni Charms crew? Heh heh heh."
"Big Brother, what're you talkin' about? I gotta go."
"You're goin' where? You've gotta watch the hospital while Lee Jun's away."
"If we're takin' y'all in the plane, it takes two people, don't it? One animal per person."
"That's why I'm goin'."
"You're goin'?"
Go Gi-jin eyed Kwak Su-ho's skinny arms and continued.
"Nah, that ain't it. What if somethin' happens to our kids? In a foreign country where no one speaks our language. I gotta protect 'em."
"I speak the language. And what could happen? You're worryin' about nothin'. Plus, I gotta go to film the kids."
Kwak Su-ho drove the point home after Go Gi-jin's words, leaving him stammering without a comeback before raising his voice.
"Anyway, I gotta be there to watch over you, Big Brother, and the Haenguni Charms crew."
"Hey, hey, they'll take care of all that stuff there. You think our Haenguni Charms are ordinary cats? They'll handle security themselves."
"You're right, Mr. Kwak. I hear the ad agency over there is really thorough about that sort of thing. And HQ plans to assign extra security personnel too."
Manager Gong, who'd been listening to Kwak Su-ho and Go Gi-jin's back-and-forth, chimed in, and Kwak Su-ho jumped right on it.
"See?"
"Even so, I gotta go to properly look after Big Brother. Ain't that right, Big Brother? And the kids really like me."
When his words fell flat, Go Gi-jin turned to Lee Jun for backup.
"They do like you a lot."
"See? In a strange land, familiar faces are the best. Think about it. What if the kids get stressed in unfamiliar territory and can't handle the shoot?"
Ever since hearing one more shoot meant more food, the cats had been nagging to go whenever they had a chance.
Lee Jun, who knew this, smiled faintly and replied.
"Doesn't seem like it."
"You're just not gettin' it, Big Brother. Cats are such delicate creatures. Think about it. Flyin' through the sky ain't easy. They'll be shakin' from the moment they board. That's when your pal here who they're close to can soothe 'em."
"I can do that too. You think I've only seen a couple cats? And since we're on the topic, I've known these kids way longer than you have."
"We need you at the company too, Mr. Kwak. We need Haenguni Charms videos."
Manager Gong nailed it shut.
"W-Well, even so. Then how 'bout I take economy...? Big Brother, I'll buy my own ticket with my money, so just let me crash wherever."
Go Gi-jin sMongchied his shoulders as he spoke.
"No, I could buy your ticket. Gi-jin, why are you so dead set on goin' to America? You've been before."
"I have. But wait, since you brought it up, was that even really goin' to America? I just sat through classes all day."
Manager Gong's eyes widened at Go Gi-jin's grumble, and she glanced at Lee Jun.
"Oh, he's talkin' about that conference he attended. Conference schedules are kinda like that. Unless you're set on playin', if you're there to learn, it's lectures all day, back to the hotel, prep for the next day's sessions."
"Went twice, and both times it was just studyin'. So this time, I wanna watch the kids' shoot, see some American streets. Heard this cafe cake called somethin' Bottega is amazin'...."
Everyone's eyes locked onto Go Gi-jin's face at his last words.
"There it is. You just wanna go for the cake, huh?"
"...Well, while I'm there, might as well try the cake."
"Haha, at least you're honest. That's a good thing."
"Wha...."
Lee Jun burst out laughing at Go Gi-jin's flustered dodge.
"Haha, that's Gi-jin's charm. Alright, let's go. All of us."
"Really?"
Go Gi-jin shot to his feet.
"Yeah. You couldn't handle the small animal checkups alone anyway. I'll ask Han Senior for help."
"Uahaha, thanks a ton, Big Brother."
Just then, Jang So-ra, sitting nearby, gazed enviously at Go Gi-jin and murmured in a tiny voice.
"You guys must be thrilled. The only plane I've ever been on was to Jeju for a trip...."
Lee Jun paused to look at Jang So-ra, then smiled.
"You come too, Manager Jang."
"Me? Me?"
"Yeah. Think of it as usin' your vacation early."
"Oh, no. I'll go next time. Who's gonna watch the place if you two are gone? Han Teacher can't handle it alone."
Lee Jun pressed a few more times, but Jang So-ra firmly declined.
"How 'bout this? When we get back, you take your vacation. Two weeks. And I'll cover all expenses, wherever you wanna go."
"Y-You don't have to do that."
"We will. That way I can keep leavin' things to you worry-free."
Lee Jun smiled at her as he said it.
"And this is employee welfare for our hospital. In short, a bribe to stick around long-term."
"Yes."
Jang So-ra's lips curved up ever so slightly as she answered.
"Manager, I'll cover one business class seat. Take care of the three of us."
"No need, Director. I can handle this at my level. Don't worry."
"You sure?"
"Of course. I'll go handle the ticketing for you three, Gray, and Shadow."
"Heh heh, finally gettin' to ride business class."
Go Gi-jin beamed at the cats.
"This is all thanks to you guys, yeah?"
The cats peering out the window merely flicked their tails twice in response to his greeting.
Once Manager Gong left, Lee Jun spoke to the cats.
"Kids, hop up here."
[Got it, meow!]
Without a word, the cats obediently climbed onto the scale.
"Gray's 5.8 kilos, Shadow... let's see... 6 kilos."
This time, Lee Jun placed the carriers they used for their daily commutes on the scale.
"1.8 kilos... Hmm."
"Big Brother, that's over, ain't it?"
"Yeah. Total carry-on weight limit is 7 kilos. We'll need lighter ones."
"I'll look into it."
"Thanks, Manager Jang."
As Jang So-ra searched carrier options on her usual shopping site, Go Gi-jin voiced his concern from the side.
"But will the kids like the new place? What if they won't go in?"
"They'll go in."
Unlike Go Gi-jin's worry, Lee Jun answered confidently.
'I'll explain why we're changin' carriers.'
***
The next day, the carrier Jang So-ra ordered arrived.
Not the sturdy plastic they'd used before, but one with mesh all around.
"This thing's real light."
"Only 500 grams. And still sturdy."
"But how'd you find this, Manager Jang? I didn't even know they existed."
"So many options out there these days. Question is whether Gray and Shadow will like it."
Jang So-ra eyed Gray and Shadow lounging in the empty box from their old bag.
"Look at 'em. Feels like we bought the box and got the bag free."
[Comfy, meow.]
[Cozy.]
Gray and Shadow didn't even glance at the new carrier, closing their eyes contentedly in the box.
"Well now, plannin' to nap there?"
Ziiip. Lee Jun unzipped the new bag.
Then plop—he tossed in their favorite treats, one each.
In a flash.
The cats bolted from the box and dashed into the bag.
At first it looked like they were headin' for the old one, but no.
Each claimed their own spot in the new carrier and munched away.
Crunch.
As the treat-crunching echoed, Jang So-ra said.
"That sound. Sounds way too delicious. They say it's the sound that makes you give up on diets. Makes you wanna eat somethin'."
"Manager Gong would love that."
"She mentioned enterin' a contest."
"What contest?"
Go Gi-jin asked Lee Jun.
"Sounds like a contest for photos or videos of pets eatin' happily. Special prizes for the munchin' sounds."
"Oh, that'd be fun."
"Companies call 'em sound effects, but they wanna promote real sounds."
"All thanks to our Haenguni Charms eatin' so tasty."
Go Gi-jin tossed a line at the cats inspectin' the carrier post-treat.
"Right? Ain't it?"
But the two cats ignored him.
Instead, they chattered happily about seein' outside clearly.
[Great, meow. Can see Big Brother, meow. See Shadow too, meow.]
[Strong Brother too. Big Sis too.]
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
They even pawed at the mesh holes.
"Won't they tear holes in it?"
"You're such a worrywart. You think the makers didn't consider that? Man, what a gap. Big guy like you, so full of worries and affection. Anyway, grows on ya."
Kwak Su-ho smiled warmly at Go Gi-jin's concerned face.
"What can ya do about worries? Anyway, Big Brother, how's the kids' prep? Rabies shots done?"
"Yeah, microchips implanted too. Just need the health certificate."
As they prepped for departure, a call came from Manager Gong.
-Director, the airline's upgradin' us.
"Upgrade? From business... to first class?"
-Yes, exactly. They said it's an honor to carry Gray and Shadow.
"There must be strings. Like writin' a review video or somethin'."
-Right. Video's ideal, but even one photo's fine. I think it's a good deal? First class would be much nicer for Gray and Shadow.
"No reason to turn it down. We'll do it."
***
A few days later.
Kwak Su-ho arrived at the airport, giggling as he looked around.
"Heh heh, what's all this? Never even done business, and now I'm doin' first class."
"You sure some airline or tourism board didn't hook you up? Weren't you invited by the Kenya Tourism Board once? Didn't they cover flights?"
"They did. But it was just economy, and they told me to donate the savings to WWF."
Kwak Su-ho mentioned WWF (World Wildlife Fund), the world's largest nonprofit conservation org, prompting Lee Jun to chuckle.
"Consistent as ever."
"More than you? Anyway, say that and they donate way more than the ticket cost. Kekeke."
Kwak Su-ho let out a super pleased laugh.
"Why not do that this time?"
"Hey, goin' with the Haenguni Charms? Can't do that. Gotta experience this once, right?"
Lee Jun gazed fondly at Kwak Su-ho.
'If it wasn't with us, he'd have taken economy.'
To Lee Jun, Kwak Su-ho was impossible to pin down.
Sometimes a total immature goof like old times, others a truly impressive guy.
'That's his charm, though.'
Still, his goofy grin made Lee Jun wanna smack him upside the head.
But he couldn't act on it.
The cats, quiet in their carriers till now, started hissing excitedly the moment they hit the departure hall.
[Huge bird over there, meow!]
[Big trouble. Run!]
[Yeah, meow. Big Brother, Strong Brother, big trouble, meow!]
[They're comin' to eat us! Brothers, run!]
Hiss.
Hissss!
The cats raised their voices in hisses.
Startled by the sudden hissing from the bag on his shoulder, Go Gi-jin jumped.
"Kids, what's up all sudden? Somethin' hurt?"
Go Gi-jin awkwardly spouted Seoul dialect as he hugged Shadow's bag.
[R-Run! Strong Brother, run!]
[Hiss, run, meow! Big Brother, let's bolt, meow!]
Thud thud thud.
As Gray and Shadow rolled around inside, Go Gi-jin urgently asked Lee Jun.
"Big Brother, seems like they gotta pee bad. Can we get the litter out here?"
The cats were hyperventilating, all excited.
Lee Jun hurriedly spoke to calm them.
"It's okay. Look over there. See 'em movin'?"
But unluckily, a parked plane chose that moment to taxi slowly.
[It's flyin' at us, meow!]
[R-Run!]
The cats flattened themselves in the carrier.
"Why takeoff now of all times!"
Lee Jun clicked his tongue and told the cats.
"Kids, that's not a bird. It's like a car. You've ridden in cars, right?"
The cats stayed flat on the floor, trembling, no reply.
"We rode cars to get friends food. Rode to the sea too. Ate shrimp, met sea friends."
Lee Jun reminded them of car rides.
[...I remember, meow.]
[Zoomed real fast.]
"Yeah, that's like that too. We're gonna ride that and fly in the sky. I told you, right? We're flyin' to get food for friends."
Only then did the cats recall Lee Jun sayin' he'd fly to fetch food for friends.
Gray lifted his head and asked softly.
[So that bird won't eat us, meow?]
"Nope. Won't eat us. We're ridin' it."
[Like a car, meow?]
"Yeah."
Lee Jun sighed in relief as the cats calmed.
Go Gi-jin and Kwak Su-ho shook their heads watchin' him.
"Calmin' cats with explanations in a spot like this? Only you, Lee Jun."
That's when it happened.
Eyes turned to Lee Jun.
People who'd been squintin' at the group—thanks to their deep hats—suddenly recognized him.
One approached the group.
"Are you Director Lee Jun, by chance?"
"Ah, yes."
"So these in the bags are Gray and Shadow?"
"...Yes."
Lee Jun answered dazedly. Suddenly whispers erupted, and people crowded in.
But no one yelled.
Just clap clap clap clap!
The applause from the ad shoot staff.
Fist pumps with smiles.
Learned from the makin'-of video.
'Miss you, Gray!'
'Miss you, Shadow!'
'Haenguni Charms fans!'
They mouthed proof of bein' Gray and Shadow fans.
Even.
'Lee Jun Director fan!'
'Love Teacher Go Gi-jin!'
'Kwak Su-ho channel forever!'
Some shouted that.
Lee Jun bowed his head.
"Thank you."
The self-proclaimed fans whispered again.
"Could we see the Haenguni Charms just once?"
"Gotta ask them. And not sure if we can take 'em out here."
"It's fine. As long as they don't go wild."
An airport staffer smiled as she replied.
"Kids, these folks wanna see you."
Lee Jun added.
"They say you're super cool and awesome, wanna see ya."
[I'm awesome, meow.]
[I'm the cool one.]
Gray and Shadow haughtily lifted their heads, as if they'd never trembled.
Gray called out in a pleased voice.
[Line up, meow!]