Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Mongsil's First Swim
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As Mongsil approached the water's edge, the Woof Teacher asked in a gentle voice.
"Our Mongsil, what do you want to ride on?"
[Uh......]
Mongsil looked at the cushions in front of him.
There was a wide cushion that Jamongi was riding on while lounging, and one that looked just like the car-shaped cushion he slept on at night.
He could see the duck cushion Kkakongi was on, and next to it was one shaped like a delicious banana.
Everything looked so appealing that Mongsil, unable to choose, stared at them helplessly.
[What to ride?]
"Try climbing on each one and then decide."
[Is that okay?]
"Of course. Pick the one you like best."
With an excited expression, Mongsil hopped onto the cushion right in front of him.
It was fluffy yet bouncy, different from the cushions he knew.
[Hehe, it's like the ones we played on at Meongmeong Animal Hospital.]
The boat felt similar to a balance rehab ball, so Mongsil comfortably stepped on the cushions.
[This one.]
Mongsil stood on all fours on the car-shaped cushion that resembled the one at home and paddled into the pool.
[Wow!]
As water sloshed gently beside him, Mongsil's eyes widened.
[W-water's not coming.]
Even though water was right next to him, lapping back and forth, his paws stayed dry and didn't sink.
Mongsil looked at his paws, then at the water beside him, and grinned happily.
Ttangkongi, who had been leisurely enjoying a boat ride with his body relaxed, called out to Mongsil.
[Mongsil little bro, how's it feel?]
[It's amazing. Water's right here, but it doesn't come.]
[If you lie down like this, it's super comfy. Try lying down, little bro.]
Ttangkongi was lying prone like Jamongi, chin resting on the cushy spot—the very pose that had made Mongsil want to try the boat.
Mongsil lay down like Ttangkongi.
Rocking gently, his body swayed a little, and it felt great.
[Heehee, my belly feels cool.]
As his belly cooled, his body, heated by the strong sunlight, felt refreshed.
Mongsil's eyes grew heavy with drowsiness.
As puppies splashed past, playing, the boat carrying Mongsil rocked a bit too.
But Mongsil didn't budge, enjoying it leisurely just like Ttangkongi.
[I wanna ride one like Mongsil too.]
Mongi, who had been swimming excitedly, switched to a boat.
He'd gotten tired after swimming for a while and wanted to try what his friends were doing.
He wasn't the only puppy thinking that. Before long, all the puppies had claimed boats and were floating around on the water.
The puppies who had been slicing through the water with splashes were nowhere to be seen.
Watching the puppies enjoying the dry-fur water play on boats, the cats snickered.
[They're hilarious, nyaong. What's so great about floating on water, nyaong!]
[I hate getting my fur damp and that splashing sound.]
Shadow shook his head beside them, looking at them like he'd seen something unbelievable.
The two cats, used to park life, hated rain.
Cats hate getting wet.
Now the park environment was better, so they could avoid rain, but it hadn't always been that way.
When it rained, they had to take it full on.
Sometimes they got Haenguni and found shelter, but those days were rare.
Hot summer rain like today was tolerable, but fall or winter rain felt like it would freeze the flesh off their bones—it was miserable.
[So many comrades went to the Cat Star after getting drenched, nyaong.]
[A few of my subordinates went to the Cat Star too.]
The cats reminisced about the past while watching the puppies bobbing on the water.
Rain made foraging for food tough too.
For so many reasons, Gray and Shadow hated and feared getting wet—and they pitied the puppies in the water.
But they couldn't tear their eyes away from the puppies rocking on the boats.
Swish, swish.
Gray swung his front paws as he watched the swaying boats.
[Fun, nyaong.]
[It's like Big Bro waving oden skewers.]
Shadow swung his front paws back and forth in time with the boats too.
Just then, Jamongi spotted Gray and Shadow and beamed.
[Heehee, my bros are waving their paws at me.]
Excited, Jamongi waved his own paws and shouted.
[Bros!]
[What, nyaong?]
[Play with us!]
Hiss!
Kyaaak!
Gray and Shadow hissed in refusal, but Jamongi didn't hear.
Something amazing had just passed right by him.
Ttangkongi had floated by on the same kind of boat, making splashing sounds.
[Eh? What's that noise?]
Jamongi's gaze locked on Ttangkongi.
He froze, trying to find the source of the sound.
Looking closely at where the water splashed, something small appeared and disappeared on the surface.
[Elder Bro's paws?]
Tilting his head, Jamongi plunged into the water with a splash and swam to Ttangkongi.
[Elder Bro, what's that?]
[The vet guy gave it to me. Makes swimming easy—real nice.]
Ttangkongi showed off his old skills, paddling straight ahead.
Jamongi, bored of just floating, lit up.
[I wanna ride that too.]
Moments later, Jamongi was riding a tube like Ttangkongi's—open at the bottom—and cutting through the water.
His body leaned on the tube while his hind legs dipped coolly into the water.
It was leagues better than belly-flopping on the pool bottom.
And that wasn't all.
The harder he paddled, the faster he went, straight where he wanted.
Thrilled, Jamongi splashed vigorously and cheered.
Wow, woooow!
Seeing Jamongi so excited—and feeling hot and bored—the other puppies switched to tubes too.
The puppies sliced through the water, zooming ahead.
Mongsil, still on his boat, watched enviously as his brothers sped off unlike him.
Mongsil stared blankly at them, but noticed something intriguing.
[Their faces don't touch the water. But their paws do.]
He didn't mind paws in water as much as noses.
He wanted to cut through the water and go far, but not with paws submerged.
As Mongsil thought that, a puppy zipped past, slicing the water.
[Eh? That's Kkakongi?]
It was Kkakongi, who feared water just like him.
Mongsil knew Kkakongi had trailed after cats to avoid water.
Yet here Kkakongi was, churning the water with his stubby legs and heading far away. Mongsil was shocked.
[He was like me.]
Envy and rivalry stirred in Mongsil toward Kkakongi.
[I-I wanna try too.]
Lee Jun caught Mongsil's mutter right away.
He'd been focused on him.
"Mongsil, want to practice over there? The shallow end's low enough that even standing on all fours, water won't reach your nose."
[No. Wanna try here.]
Mongsil shook his head, not wanting to leave his friends.
Soon, Mongsil was paddling forward with his hind legs, splashing.
Splash splash splash!
"Mongsil, you're doing great. So good."
With Lee Jun clapping right beside him, Mongsil gained confidence and paddled harder.
Lee Jun clapped louder, cheering him on.
The puppies, who had gathered near Lee Jun the moment he entered the water, wanted praise too.
[Woof Teacher, I'm swimming fast too.]
[No, I'm way faster.]
[Nuh-uh, I'm the fastest.]
As puppies swirled around Lee Jun, showing off their speed, he slyly suggested.
"Kids, wanna race to see who's fastest?"
Woof woof, yap yap. Bark bark.
The puppies barked eagerly in agreement.
Lee Jun held a tube swimming race for Mongsil.
At the signal, they paddled furiously ahead.
Mongsil got caught up in the excitement and paddled harder.
Splash splash splash.
Lacking leg muscle, Mongsil fell behind his friends.
But he kept splashing forward diligently.
Watching Mongsil focus and paddle hard, Lee Jun smiled warmly.
'Friends really are the best.'
One more puppy benefited from friends.
Kkakongi, who would've fled screaming from water, took first.
[Kkakongi bro got first, first!]
Jamongi cheered like he'd won.
[Good job, Kkakongi little bro.]
[Congrats, Kkakongi.]
Ttangkongi and Mongi praised him too.
[Bros, Kkakongi bro. Swimming with those legs is more fun. Swim with me.]
[For real?]
Winning the tube race gave Kkakongi confidence. Flattered by the praise, he plunged in with a splash.
Recalling what he'd done, he kicked hard with his hind legs.
His front legs followed, propelling him forward.
Stimulated, Mongsil quietly slipped his front paws off the tube into the water.
They bobbed without sinking. No water in his nose.
Thanks to the life jacket, but Mongsil felt bold.
Splashing, Mongsil swam forward as Mongi approached.
[Mong-si, it's more fun without the tube.]
[Scary though......]
[It's fine. Woof Teacher's here.]
Mongsil glanced at the Woof Teacher standing by.
He nodded—meaning he'd save him if needed.
Mongsil mustered courage, took off the life jacket, and tried.
He swallowed water the first couple times but didn't quit, knowing Woof Teacher was watching.
Soon mastering it, Mongsil swam two laps around the pool.
He could've done more, but delicious smells wafted, stopping him.
Scenting meat, the dogs flocked to the BBQ area before anyone said "dinner."
[Hehe, smells good. Teacher, give me lots.]
[I got a ton to eat too. Swimming wore me out.]
Even Kkakongi, who'd considered hiding, declared boldly.
"There's plenty, so eat slow and have more."
Kkakongi, first to get a plate, said loudly.
[Whoa~ All my faves? What to eat first?]
His plate had grilled chicken, sweet potato, carrot, and pumpkin—smells irresistible.
[Obviously meat first, nyaong!]
[Why even think about it?]
The cats eyed Kkakongi oddly while eating chicken.
[Bros don't know how sweet and tasty these sweet potatoes are.]
Kkakongi said that, then chomped chicken first anyway.
Then ate like mad.
The pool echoed with munching, chomping, and chewing for a while.
After devouring watermelon for dessert, the puppies napped in the shaded canopy, then hopped back in.
Of course, Mongsil joined.
Mongsil's owner smiled watching him enter the pool.
"I never dreamed our Mongsil would swim."
"That's great."
"Thank you, Director. Thanks to you, he's over his water phobia and even swimming."
"What did I do?"
Lee Jun smiled at the owner and continued.
"It's thanks to Mongsil's friends leading and encouraging him."
Lee Jun truly believed that—and it was true.
"Really? Then I should thank those friends. Director, what would make them happy?"
"What they like?"
About to suggest asking the kids directly, Lee Jun chuckled.
"When did you guys get on that?"
A unicorn boat floated in the pool's center.
With Gray and Shadow sitting on it, no less.
[Bros, how is it? Fun, right?]
Jamongi asked while swimming.
[The bottom's cool, nyaong.]
[Seeing water up close is nice too.]
[Heehee, next time play from the start together.]
[Next time I come, I'll swim from the beginning.]
Kkakongi regretted jumping in late and vowed for next time.
"You kids wanna come play here again?"
[Yes!]
[I wanna come.]
[I'd like that.]
[I do, nyaong. Next time straight to water play, nyaong.]
[Different from park rain. I like this.]
Lee Jun relayed to the owner.
"I was going to ask anyway. Could we do this a few more times, for Mongsil's therapy too?"
"That'd be wonderful."
***
Freed from water phobia, Mongsil not only swam but took to the underwater treadmill without complaint.
Sundays at the pool, weekdays on Meongmeong's underwater treadmill.
In a month, Mongsil was much sturdier than before.
Swimming helped Ttangkongi too.
"Director, our Ttangkongi's stamina's improved. Must be the swimming—belly fat's down, legs look muscly. Right?"
"Yes, exactly. He's stronger. Swimming's great for degenerative joints."
"Heehee, house feels alive now that he's not moping around."
"Good to hear."
"Yep, all thanks to you, Director."
"Haha, no—Ttangkongi's cooperating well."
"Our Ttangkongi's so Haenguni. Meeting you, Director."
Ttangkongi's owner, gazing fondly at him, turned to Lee Jun.
"Oh, Director—do you know about that one?"
"That one?"
"The big dog that shows up at the walking path parking lot. Haven't seen him lately."