Chapter 34
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: The Pregnant Stray
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It was clumsy, but it was definitely writing I recognized. The polish felt a bit off, but this story and style were ones I'd seen plenty of times before.
'Who was it again? Number 5? Number 8?'
First things first—contact was key.
Hello. I'm Memento Mori...
Every time I reached out to one of the authors I knew, a strange thrill washed over me. Snagging them before that Team Leader creep could was satisfying enough, but knowing I was actually helping them out? That felt pretty damn good too.
'Messages sent.'
Now it was just a matter of waiting.
I stepped out of my room for a bit, needing some fresh air to clear my head.
"Haa..."
I stood in front of the building, gazing up at the sky as I let out a deep breath.
'Where are you, Number 7?'
It might've been a one-sided romance on my part, but she'd gotten me through those brutal times. Because of her, I'd written better, just to prove something.
As I stared at the twinkling stars, memories of the past ten years naturally bubbled up—until something stuck to my foot.
"Hweok."
My heart nearly stopped.
Meow~!
A calico cat, all tangled fur, was rubbing its head and body against my leg.
"You scared the hell out of me."
This thing approached without a sound. A perfect little assassin in the making.
Meow~ Meow.
It rubbed so enthusiastically that its fur clung to my pants like goblin grass.
"..."
Truth be told, I'd never been much for animals. Taking care of myself was hard enough; I didn't have the bandwidth for anything else.
Hobbies and preferences? Those were luxuries for people with spare time.
"Hungry?"
But now, I had a little breathing room. And...
I love cats! If I get out of here, I'm definitely getting one! -7
She'd said that.
Meow~.
Thinking of her, I crouched down and offered my hand. The cat flopped over, belly up.
"You're not hungry—you need a diet first."
I couldn't help but chuckle as it rolled on the ground, rubbing its back. After hanging around me for a good while, it suddenly bolted off!
'A cat, huh...'
Not a bad idea.
The next day, right on cue, I woke at 8 a.m. and headed to the rooftop. There was Jin-seong, crouched in the corner, fussing over something.
"What're you doing?"
"Oh, hyungnim!"
As he turned, I saw what he'd been hiding with his body.
"Huh? Isn't that the one from yesterday?"
"You know this cat too, hyungnim?"
"How'd it get up here?"
"Cats climb high places like it's nothing."
Jin-seong had clearly brought it some treats; the cat was munching away daintily. I commented,
"Does it come here often?"
"First time today. Probably scouting a safe spot to have her kittens, right?"
"What? Kittens?"
"Look at her—she's obviously pregnant. Belly's all swollen. Probably just a few weeks out."
"Whoa... really?"
"Cats are everywhere back home in the countryside. Haha, seen it plenty."
Sorry for the diet crack earlier.
"Go grab some meat. Gotta eat well."
"Should I?"
"Canned tuna okay?"
"She'll eat anything, probably."
We brought out a few empty bowls, filled them with food and water. Belly full, the cat sprawled out on the floor, basking in the sun.
"Eum..."
Suddenly, I felt stumped. She's having kittens? What do we do then?
"Take her to a vet?"
"Dunno. She's a stray—might stress her out more."
"Hm. Maybe build her a little shelter nearby?"
The rooftop was plenty big; the corner had space to spare.
Meow, meow~.
She meowed at us coquettishly. What a social little thing.
"I'll ask Mr. Hwang later."
"So it stays dry even in the rain."
"I'll tell him to make it typhoon-proof."
We might've been jumping the gun, but we clicked perfectly. The cat seemed to like us too—no illusion there; she stuck around for over 30 minutes.
But peace never lasts.
"President!"
The second Ye-jin's voice rang out, the cat shot up and vaulted over the railing.
"Hweook!"
We rushed over at the sight of the pregnant cat's sudden drop, but she was already gone.
"She'll be fine. Cats know all the paths."
"Phew... Why'd she bolt like that?"
"Probably... because of her."
Ye-jin approached, looking puzzled.
"What're you up to?"
One thing I'd realized over the past few days: the cat didn't hate Ye-jin specifically—it feared women.
Whether it was trauma or just preference, who knew. It ghosted any other female tenants the same way.
And that belly? Huge now. A few days ago, I'd just thought she was chubby, but it was clearly pregnancy.
Meow~.
Today, too, she rolled around at my feet. Lately, she was why I came up to the rooftop more often.
"..."
I'd seen base tigers in the army, but this was my first time getting close to a cat. No clue how to handle it.
'Family just got bigger.'
She had a home now. Mr. Hwang whipped up a sturdy shelter in half a day, complete with cushions inside. For the coming winter, he'd insulated it tight against the cold winds.
Meow.
She seemed thrilled with it—hadn't left the rooftop. And Jin-seong's daily spreads? She loved those.
Bzzz.
Phone check: message from Ye-jin.
-President, one hour till departure.
Meeting with the foundation and drama production company today. Time to get ready.
"Be back soon."
Meow~.
Time flew when I was with her. Not knowing if that was good or bad? Probably meant I needed the break.
High-end Japanese restaurant in Cheongdam-dong.
"Any actors in mind?"
The production head was way younger than I'd expected.
"Do I get a say?"
"Haha! Not really, but we can consider it. Figured you had an image in mind while writing the original."
Not really...
"Just someone who can act well."
First drama in my life—I wasn't about to watch it tank on bad acting.
"Oh, and a solid ending."
Build it up great, then fumble? That'd screw over my readers and viewers alike.
A thought struck me.
"Can I join the adaptation?"
"Hm, we'd have to discuss. Even I have limits pushing it to the PD and drama writer."
Vibe was good. Fancy food, drinks flowing—might as well push a bit more.
"Protagonist's key, but supporting cast needs real presence too."
Mobster family youngest son—more intimidating the side characters, bigger the payoff when he shines.
"Original's so strong, they'll get it right. Haha!"
The guy laughed a lot. I shot Ye-jin a look.
"If it's not too much trouble, could you review one more?"
His eyes lit up.
"Your work?"
"Nah, but you'll like it."
Ye-jin pulled a thick manuscript from her bag.
"Again My Life, huh. Alright, I'll take a look."
Only volume 1 so far, but that's enough for a quote. Pen name changed from Ihaegol to Ihaneul—modern regression story with one code element. Easy drama fodder.
He asked me,
"So, rights-wise?"
"RS for sure."
Per-episode or RS? Tough call for many. Per-episode gets 30-50 million upfront, but no bonuses if it blows up.
Drama boosts novel sales anyway, but long-term, if I'm dead sure it'll hit? Skip the quick cash.
"Sounds good. RS it is."
No clue on air date, but by then, Youngest Son webtoon would be rolling.
'Textbook OSMU.'
One source, endless derivatives. Content market's exploding beyond imagination—first-mover wins.
'Can't do it solo.'
That's why push our authors' works too.
"Looking forward to working together."
Meeting wrapped.
New team member joined.
"Hello!"
The sub-vocalist and fifth male idol hailed from Busan. He'd crash at the goshiwon, grinding practice.
"Ryu Hae-jin! Eighteen years old!"
Jin-seong was the manly type; Hae-jin was flower boy pretty. Eighteen? Looked younger.
"School?"
To Jin-seong's question, Hae-jin beamed.
"Took GED!"
"What? Already graduated?"
"Been prepping idol life since four years ago—researched how to bet it all!"
"Got your head on straight. You could do anything, kid."
Hae-jin: looks S, vocals A+, dance A. Perfect idol material—how was he still undiscovered? Min Team Leader explained soon enough.
"That's why contracts matter. Spent 120 on pulling you out, Hae-jin. Bust your ass now, got it?"
"Here to die trying!"
Group needs every member magnetic. Past agency dug up Hae-jin then floundered for years—now bankruptcy-bound.
"No clue where we'll be in five years, but remember: one contract line can wreck your life. Got it?"
Team roared back.
"Good. Tracks done this week—drill choreo, show Hae-jin the ropes. No booze—he's underage!"
Jin-seong grinned, slinging an arm around Hae-jin.
"From Busan, eh? Seen any spies?"
"...Is that our concept?"
"Concept?"
"Like, five stars from space or something?"
"Kids say that? Aliens? For real?"
"...No idea what you mean."
Min Team Leader clapped sharply at Jin-seong.
"Team name dropping soon, stage names too—brainstorm ahead. Jin-seong, c'mere."
"Yes, boss."
Outside, Min Team Leader faced Jin-seong gravely.
"Sensitive stuff, better you check than me."
"What?"
"You're leader—dig deep."
"Me? Leader? Since when?"
"Didn't know? From day one."
Made sense: manliest, oldest.
"Like squad leader? Sure..."
As Jin-seong brushed it off, Min Team Leader said,
"Chat 'em up casual. Any school violence ties? You know."
"...School violence?"
Min narrowed his eyes further.
"Girls they dated too."
People's secrets? No one knows 'em all.