The Cat Who Steals My Fish
My hobby lately is fishing. It started as one of my survival precautions, but it's turned into a pretty decent pastime. All you need is some analog gear, and it's relaxing too. Well, the world these days doesn't exactly let you take it easy.
This stray dog's straight-up feral. Scary as hell, way bigger than a normal dog, insanely fast, and aggressive AF—charges at anything it sees, even zombies. Watch out if you spot one. Feels tougher than fighting zombies.
"Ah, so this is what they were talking about."
I compared the gallery photo to the stray dog corpse on the ground. It lunged at me out of nowhere, so I had no choice but to kill it. Guess that's why no one's around the fishing spot—these packs are more dangerous than your average zombies. And honestly, this wasn't even a normal stray.
Mutants are starting to show up, huh.
Mutants. Exactly what they sound like—animals infected with special factors, turning them into monsters. Smarter than regular beasts, way stronger too. Even a stray dog can hit wolf levels. No match for regular folks. Hell, you'd pray they don't eat you.
"Kinda nice having the place to myself, but if these keep showing up, it'll get annoying."
Mutants aren't like animals or monsters. Infected, so you can't eat 'em, and no points either. But they're trickier to hunt. Definitely not welcome prey.
"......The fish haven't gotten infected yet, right?"
I muttered as I settled in. Baited the hook like always and cast the line. The silence was total with no one around. A cool breeze carried the scent of grass from the woods. My favorite part.
"Hmmm."
I love this downtime. Wonder if that's what the old fishing masters felt. Work-life balance in a guaranteed life. A rare treat in this apocalypse.
"Good thing I learned to fish. Right, old timer?"
As I sat there fishing, something bit. Maybe because it's deep woods avoided even more thanks to monsters—feels like the fish are biting better than usual. I was enjoying the chill, reeling in dinner, when—
"......What the hell are you?"
"......"
I glanced sideways. A yellow cat was there, diligently fishing my livewell, pulling out fish. Our eyes met, it froze for a sec, then shamelessly kept at it.
"Dude, you got caught. Run away or something."
"Nyaaang~"
"You little thief."
It ignored me, of course, snagged a fish, and slammed it on the ground. Then chowed down right there.
-Nom nom!
I was kinda dumbfounded. Don't they usually grab and bolt to safety? Steal in front of the owner and eat it? Must think I'm a total pushover.
"......Tasty?"
"Nyaaang~"
Satisfied meow. At least it answered properly. A Korean-speaking street cat? Guess that's how strays survive these days.
"Fine to eat, but ask permission first."
"Nyaaang?"
"Only eat what I give you."
"Nyaaang!"
It pawed at another fish. More, please.
Smart cookie.
Today's haul was solid anyway. Fish overload for me. Sharing's no biggie.
"One more then."
"Nyaaang!"
It meowed firmly and grabbed the biggest one. Nommed it down on the spot. Starving? Two fish gone in seconds. Belly all puffed up, it meowed contentedly.
"Nyaaang~"
"All good?"
"Nyaaang! Nyaaang!"
"Full? Then scram. You're scaring off the fish."
It rubbed against my cheek. Thinks that'll make me go easy...? Damn, cats are cute.
"Fine, just watch quietly then. No meowing."
"Nyaaang!"
It sat right beside me, staring intently at the rod. Super interested.
"What? Jealous you can catch fish without getting wet?"
I petted its head lightly. Payment for the fish? It stayed put.
Obeys commands, acts familiar with humans. Was it a house cat before?
Lost two fish, but petting a cat all I want? Worth it.
"Nyaaawm~"
But it got bored of the peace. Yawned, stretched, then curled into a cat loaf beside me and passed out.
......Cats really have the best lives.
"What makes you trust me enough to sleep like that?"
No response, just snoozing away.
Feels like it's using me as fish supplier and bodyguard.
Not bothering me, fur's soft anyway. Pet when bored during fishing. Feed it small catches sometimes. No affection though.
"......You've put on some weight, huh?"
"Nyaaang?"
Now I see the cat every fishing trip. Knows when I arrive like a ghost, tags along. Stares harder at the rod than I do. Feels like I'm being used, but those big eyes melt me. Honestly, I come more often to see it. It's plumped up nicely.
"Living large on my dime? Quitting cat for pig?"
"Nyaaang~"
Ignored me, rolled for a sunbath. Belly up, rubbing back on the ground. Blissful. With that gut, yeah.
"Today's the day I catch a monster fish and hog it all."
"Nyaaang!"
We had a routine now. Big ones for me, small for it. More smalls, obviously. I go hungry, it gets fat days.
Today too.
"......Eh, good enough."
"Nyaaang! Nyaaang!"
"Yeah, yeah. Here."
Finger-sized fish snatched up. Eats so happily. I petted it while snapping pics. Fishing loss for me, but not empty-handed.
(Image)
(Image)
Ttakboki Jinri has donated 20P!
My regular cat pics are blowing up in the gallery. Every post hits the recommendations. Cats rule everywhere.
"They say you're cute."
"Nyaaang~?"
It thwacked the ground with its tail. More like "fish instead of chit-chat."
......Classic cat attitude.
We were getting closer when one day, it vanished. I sensed movement in the woods and rushed over.
"Wh-what the hell are you?"
Two guys with knives. And the cat, sitting casually. It glared at me—like "late much?"
"Nyaaang! Nyaaang!"
"Haa......"
Tension drained. I scratched my head and approached.
"Calm down first."
"Wh-what?"
"I get it—hungry, tough times, risking life here. But that tiny cat won't yield much meat......"
I eyed its chonky build and pivoted.
"Anyway, me and this cat go way back. Hard to look away."
"So what? Gonna fight for a cat?"
"Take this and let it slide."
I pulled canned food from my pack. Their eyes changed. Knives pointed at me.
"That pack's all food, right? Hand it over!"
"What the—now I'm the target?"
Gave free cans, and they want everything? Less conscience than the cat. At least it's cute. Maybe just kill 'em?
"Shaaaa!!!"
As I pondered, it lunged first. Sank teeth into the guy's arm mercilessly.
"Aaaagh!"
Blood, flesh, fur flying. Arm half-torn, blood gushing.
"M-mutant! That famous one lately!"
"No wonder it's so fat!"
They bolted from the fierce cat. I whistled lightly.
Impressive.
"You protected me?"
"Nyaaang?"
Tilted head, pointed at my hand.
"......The cans?"
"Nyaaang."
"Why waste on those losers?"
"Nyaaang!"
"Sigh, figures."
Not bad feeling though.
"Cans are too good for you. Special today—all catches yours."
"Nyaaang!"
It headbutted my leg cutely. We headed back side by side.
"......Hope nothing bites today."
"Nyaaaaang!"
Sunny fishing spot. Me fishing, it loafing beside me baking bread. New fishing buddy.