Chapter 27 - Threads of Light
—Come on. Enough with the boring jokes. Hurry up and follow me. If we want to find food, we gotta keep moving.
Nero snorted and turned away again.
Kaos's words had sounded like idle banter.
—I'm not joking. Cheese and Goet-eo think the same.
—What?
But there wasn't a hint of playfulness in the eyes of Kaos, Cheese, or Goet-eo.
—You all know I hate jokes. What the hell is this bullshit?
—...Kaos is right. We wish you'd leave our group now, Boss.
—We... We can just stick together from now on, without you.
Kaos, Cheese, and Goet-eo.
Like Nero, all three were cats abandoned by humans—and abused by them.
Sharing the same scars, they cherished one another like littermates from the same mother. At least, that's what Nero had believed.
—......
Nero, who had lived as a stray longer than the three.
He had taught them everything he knew: how to survive on the streets, how to scavenge food—holding nothing back.
—I knew we'd drift apart someday, but I didn't expect it this soon.
His whiskers, trembling with betrayal, and the rising fury soon settled into cold calm.
Cats were independent creatures, after all—and Nero knew that better than anyone.
—Go on, then. If you don't want me around, it's best we part ways. It was fun while it lasted.
—Wait, Boss, you're misunderstanding! We don't hate you!
—...Forget it. If your hearts aren't in it anymore, we go our separate ways. No need for excuses. I'm out.
The cats exchanged uneasy glances, their pupils shaking wildly.
They had thought about parting with Nero, sure—but not like this.
—B-Boss! That's not it!
—Yeah! Why would we hate you?
—We said it for your sake!
Nero froze.
But Goet-eo's last words had struck a raw nerve.
Hiss—
His yellow eyes narrowed, fangs bared just enough for a guttural growl to escape.
As if he might rip out Goet-eo's scruff any second.
—Hey, Goet-eo. You shouldn't have said that. I told you—if your hearts are gone, we part ways. But what? For my sake?
Goet-eo and Cheese flinched at Nero's escalating snarls and ducked behind Kaos.
Kaos flinched too but decided to clear the air before things worsened.
—You want to go with that human, Boss!
Nero halted, his pupils quaking.
—When did I ever say I wanted to be with that giant human?
—I never said 'giant' human.
—......
—......
A brief silence fell over the frozen Nero. Then Cheese and Goet-eo popped out from behind Kaos, rolling on the ground in laughter.
—Kehahaha! What did I say?
—Kehihi! Spot on. He likes the big lug.
As the two tabby short-hairs tumbled, a sly smile crept across Kaos's face.
—Just admit it, Boss. You've been dodging that big human all this time.
—...Of course. Why would I like a human?
Nero tried to play it cool, but it fell flat.
—Nah. You're just aware of him. You know how Kang Ha-neul feels about you. And if you run into him, you'll want to stick around. Right?
'No. A human like me...? Never.'
Cheese and Goet-eo stifled their grins at Nero's stiff posture. Kaos let out a soft sigh.
—Back at the hospital. You felt it then, didn't you? That big human paid extra attention to you.
—Ridiculous. If we're splitting hairs, didn't he check on you guys too? He looked after every animal there.
—True. Not just us—hedgehogs, hamsters, rabbits. Anything that smelled tasty, he checked daily.
Kaos nodded—then stopped, eyes locking back on Nero.
—But you know he lingered longest at your room, Boss.
—......
Nero had no comeback.
Kang Ha-neul spent an average of two or three minutes checking on other patients.
But at Nero's room? At least ten minutes of hovering—with that creepy smile turning soft and fond.
—What was he even saying? Whatever. Listen up—he's a vet. He treats animals. I was the worst off, so he checked me more.
—Nah. That mangy mutt five cages down was way worse off. He just peeked and left.
—Yeah. And even after you were mostly healed, he still hung around your room forever. Screw it—his eyes said it all. How he feels about you.
Nero's gaze shook like a rickety bridge at Cheese and Goet-eo's words.
He twitched his nose—then snarled fiercely.
—I'm the boss of Nero Gang! Look at my tail—chopped to a stub! You think I'd trust humans after this? And humans are... just shut up!
Nero was clever.
Clever enough to know exactly what humans hated—and loved.
'Don't make me laugh. Even if he pays attention, it's fleeting. Humans only care about small, young, cute kittens. Not grown ones like me, with a mangled tail...'
Nero growled savagely.
Hatred at humans—or himself? The wail blurred the line.
—Boss, you're not the only one abused. I've got a missing ear. Cheese and Goet-eo healed up, but their skin peeled raw—scars still bald.
Kaos sidled closer, licking Nero's face as he continued.
—But we see it. That big human likes you. And you like him back.
—Shut up! Who's liking who...?
—Whoa? Big human incoming.
—...?
—Kuhuhu. See? You're practically glowing with excitement.
—You little shit. When did I—
—Boss, your tail...
—My tail what!
—It's wagging like crazy.
—What?!
Was it the shortened length?
Nero's tail sense wasn't as sharp anymore.
But twisting to check his rear, he saw it plain: his stubby tail erect, quivering wildly.
'N-No way. My tail... why?'
The joy-vibration tail bell, clear as day.
He stared, disbelieving, frozen solid. Kaos pressed on calmly.
—Boss. Be honest. You saw it, right? The thread of light connecting you to Kang Ha-neul.
—What nonsense. There's no such thing.
Threads of light.
A mystical bond whispered among cats.
A glowing string to one's true companion—called threads of light in cat circles.
Not every cat could see them, though.
They only appeared between fated pairs, hearts truly linked.
—For real? You really don't see the thread?
—......
Kaos pressed, but Nero stayed silent. He couldn't answer. Admitting it terrified him.
—Boss, we—we really want you happy. If the thread linked to Cheese or Goet-eo, we'd tell them to go too.
—......
—You know how rare it is in stray life. A lifetime chance at most. And you found yours.
—......
Nero couldn't respond.
—We know you're worried about us. That's why you stayed. So we'll send you off ourselves, Boss.
—Kehihi! Yeah! Go on, no worries! We don't need your help anymore!
—Your coat's too glossy anyway. Never suited the streets.
—Idiot. My shine's from the breed.
—Kehahaha, sure.
Nero snorted at their beaming faces.
—You morons. Enough with the bullshit. I wouldn't leave Nero Gang for some fairy tale. And I'm the boss—where would I go?
—Boss, don't dodge. Look closely. See the thread.
—Kaos, enough. I don't have any—
Right as Nero spoke—
"Haha. You rascals. Long time no see. Our hello earlier was too quick, huh?"
A hearty laugh rolled in with a massive shadow approaching the cats.
Kaos, Cheese, and Goet-eo slipped aside, but Nero didn't notice.
He just stared at Kang Ha-neul crouching down, rummaging for kibble.
'...Damn. It's so clear.'
* * *
"Haha. I'll swing by Big Rock more often now. Don't starve, okay?"
The cats slurped up the kibble and sauntered off.
Kang Ha-neul watched their tails swish into the brush, his fierce face softening into what looked murderous to outsiders—but wasn't.
"Nero, Cheese, Goet-eo, Kaos. Director gave you good names."
Vets usually skipped names for temporary boarders.
They were just passing through, after all.
"But Nero... stands out. Reminds me of Butterfly a lot."
Staring at the empty spot, Kang Ha-neul murmured.
His first pet cat: Butterfly. Tough exterior, scarred face, tail lost to accident.
Breed didn't matter—Nero overlapped her perfectly for him.
'Nero wasn't just hit by a car—he was abused. Harder to open up. Gotta visit often.'
He wanted to adopt them all, but abuse made that risky. Slow and steady.
'Feels great, though. Searched a week straight, no trace. But near the Director? Everything clicks.'
He'd hunted Nero Gang daily—but today was the first reunion.
Tossing empty cans in his bag, Kang Ha-neul exhaled sharply and headed for the stream outlet—steps lighter.
Almost there—
Nyaong~
He paused.
"Hm?"
Turning at the sound behind him.
"Oh? Haha. Look who it is."
A deep smile bloomed on his face.
"Oops, sorry. I already fed out all the kibble I brought."
Slipping toward him: Nero.
Kang Ha-neul beamed but knelt silently.
No pressure—just wanting to see him.
"......"
—......
Nero gazed up, words unspoken. Kang Ha-neul smiled warmly down, eyes meeting in quiet exchange.
"I'll come to Big Rock tomorrow too. Hope I see you, but if not, I'll leave food nearby...?"
Still kneeling, he bid careful farewell—
Ptui.
Nero spat something out. Kang Ha-neul blinked, baffled.
"Huh...? Isn't this the Director's patient?"
A slobbery chipmunk: Seondeo.
Flopped on the ground, it glanced at Nero, chittered, then bolted for the brush.
Nero snarled, chasing—
"Hold up. Was that... for me?"
—...Well, you treated me. And I scarred your face...
'Damn. Too obvious?'
Nero couldn't ignore the thread to Kang Ha-neul anymore.
But showing up empty-pawed felt cheap.
So he'd "gifted" Seondeo—their mended(?) ally—like other cats did.
But Kang Ha-neul looked flustered, not thrilled. Nero squeezed his eyes shut, then open.
'Screw it.'
Behind: Kaos, Cheese, Goet-eo, and Seondeo watching.
Failure meant endless ribbing—but resolve set, emotions spilled free.
Pat.
Nero's paw overlapped Kang Ha-neul's knee.
"...Huh?"
Pawing firmly, he hopped up, claiming the spot. This was home now.
—Take care of me.
Nero gazed up with a short mew. Kang Ha-neul's fierce eyes misted; his smile burst wide.
"Haha. Hahaha."
Body shaking with joy, he stroked Nero gently.
Heading back, Kang Ha-neul wasn't alone anymore.
* * *
—Knew it'd happen. Didn't even look back.
—Still... sniff. Kinda sad. Boss is gone now.
Goet-eo and Cheese sniffled; Kaos feigned nonchalance.
—Gone? Nah. He'll come back cradled by that giant, or dumped from a stroller like a slob. Kkek.
—Khehehe. Boss in a stroller? Hilarious.
—So Kaos is Nero Gang boss now?
—What? I'm Kaos Gang boss.
—Kehihi, right. To Kaos Gang!
—Khehehehe.
Tails swishing wistfully at departing Nero—
—Ugh, why'd they make me do that? Spit in my fur! Tsk.
A fuzzy puff beside the short-hairs: Seondeo, shaking vigorously.
—Hey. Good job.
—Whatever. Maeng-maeng-i's family mix-up, and I got my payoff. Mutual aid. But... that fruit spot real?
Seondeo crossed paws, beady eyes skeptical. Kaos scoffed, turning.
—Kuhuhu. Seen cats eat fruit? Trash to us.
—Quit yapping and hop on. Where? My back's comfiest.
—Cheese stinks—no grooming. For ride quality, me.
—For dismount, I'm your guy.
—Pfft, dismount? Lmao.
—What, punk? Wanna get mackerel-smashed?
—Jeez, you idiots.
Kaos tsked at bickering Cheese and Goet-eo, snatched Seondeo, and bolted ahead.
—Hyeek?! W-Wait! I can walk!
—Too slow. Cheese, Goet-eo—hurry! Drop this guy his fruits, then we rest.
—Kehihi! To Kaos Gang!
—Take care, Boss! Uh, Nero!
Meowing final goodbyes to fading Nero.