Hello Vet! How are you?

When Lee Joon entered the park, cats swarmed around him.

『How’s the boss doing?』
『Is our boss alright?』

The voices of the cats inquiring about their leader, Silver Rain, were filled with concern.

“He’s alright!”

Lee Joon said, expressing the current situation perfectly with a simple sentence.

The cats cheered.

『Wowowowow!』
『Hooray! Yay! Yay!』
『Boooss!』

The cries of the cats echoed throughout the park.

Yet, no one furrowed their brows at the sound.

Even to those who did not know the situation, the cries were unmistakably joyful.

The cats, who had cheered shortly but intensely, approached Lee Joon.

Cats rubbed against his legs, while others leapt and clung to his thighs.

Some were so happy that they hopped around Lee Joon on two legs.

People out on strolls watched the scene with bewildered expressions.

Some took out their phones to capture the strange sight.

“Your boss will probably need to stay hospitalized for a while!”

Lee Joon explained, knowing the cats wouldn’t understand what hospitalization meant.

“So he has to rest at our animal clinic for the time being because his leg is pretty hurt, and he can’t move.”

Conveniently, there was a broken branch lying next to Lee Joon.

He picked it up and snapped it in half.

“Your boss’s leg is like this now, you see? This leg here.”

He said, pointing to the hind leg of a cat clinging to his thigh.

『Agh!』
『Oh no!』
『No way!』
『Ugh…』

The cats were horrified.

They recalled fellow cats who had also suffered from broken legs, well aware of the pain they had endured and how most did not recover well.

“So, I’ve put it back together like this!”

Lee Joon showed, reassembling the broken branch.

Bright eyes widened among the cats.

『Then our boss… can he run and play like before?』

A brown-striped cat asked, eyes shining.

“Probably.”

『Really?』
『Honestly?』
『Wow! That’s a relief.』

The atmosphere became even brighter than before.

The cats started hopping up to Lee Joon’s shoulders out of excitement.

『Yippee!』

The cats cried out gleefully as if in a festival.

However, they seemed to remember that disturbing their leader’s order to be quiet at sundown would only be excused once, their cries became much softer.

After some time had passed, and the cats calmed down from their joyful hops, a yellow cat asked in a solemn voice.

『Doctor Woof Woof, when will our boss return to the park?』

“Well, you know, bones don’t heal overnight. At the minimum, a month? Maybe longer.”

The mood fell instantly but it was only temporary, as they quickly uttered a few sentences.

『Thank you, Doctor Woof Woof, for saving our boss.』
『Really, thank you very much. You are our savior.』
『Indeed, thank you so much, sir.』

“Your boss bravely endured, and I merely helped him out.”

『It’s all the same. Thank you kindly.』
『Doctor, please tell the boss to hang in there.』
『And don’t worry about us….』

The cats wished for their leader’s recovery, with each putting in a word.

Lee Joon told the cats, “Why don’t you tell the boss yourselves?”

『Us? How?』

“You can visit him. I’ll give your boss a heads up, so he isn’t too overwhelmed by a crowd. Starting tomorrow, visit Woof Woof Animal Clinic in pairs.”

***

Tap-tap, tap-tap-tap.

Hearing the sound of something tapping against the window, Sora looked outside.

Two cats were tapping the glass of the animal clinic with their front paws. Upon closer inspection, she recognized the cats.

They occasionally followed Gray one to Woof Woof Animal Clinic for treats.

The cats meowed softly upon seeing Sora.

“Oh, you two must be hungry!”

Sora opened the door and let the cats inside.

Just then, Lee Joon came out.

“You’ve arrived.”

『Yes. How’s our boss….』

The cats sniffed around, looking here and there.

“Your boss is over there.”

As soon as Lee Joon spoke, the gray cat meowed.

『Come on in, you two!』
『Boooss!』
『Boss!』

The two cats cautiously walked toward where Lee Joon pointed.

Seeing this, Sora’s jaw dropped.

“They’re visiting Gray one?”

“In a way, yes.”

Lee Joon led the astonished Sora and the cats into the ward.

Given the clinic’s small size, there was only one ward.

Although it wasn’t specifically for cats, it didn’t matter since the only animal hospitalized was Gray one.

『You’ve come!』
『Bo..boss! Are you okay?』
『Boss, how’s your injury?』
『I’m fine. Our Doctor Woof Woof took great care of me.』

Gray one emphasized the word ‘our’ while glancing at Lee Joon.

『He’s a wonderful doctor!』
『Thank you.』
『Thank you, doctor.』

Following the gray cat’s lead, the two cats expressed their gratitude to Lee Joon.

“You already thanked me yesterday. Just say what you want, but be careful not to touch the boss. Or any of these cords and other things.”

『Yes.』
『Understood.』

Lee Joon left the cats and stepped outside, knowing they might have things to discuss among themselves.

As soon as he left, the cats started chattering away.

『Bo..boss!』
『When I heard you had collapsed, I cried so much. I was scared I wouldn’t see you again, boss!』

They mewed softly.

『I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.』
『I heard you got hurt saving that other cat named Salt.』

What were they talking about?

Lee Joon, outside the ward, listened in.

『How’s Salt doing?』
『Uncathed. But feeling guilty because you got hurt instead.』
『As long as they’re unharmed!』

There was a brief silence in the ward, but after a moment, Gray one’s voice came again.

『Warn everyone to be cautious around bright lights.』
『Lights?』
『Yes. Salt froze in front of the light.』

Lee Joon understood what Gray one meant.

It was likely that the small cat quivering next to Gray one was Salt.

Salt hadn’t yet learned to avoid cars, and had likely stared directly into the headlights, momentarily blinded and forced to sit down.

‘Gray one must’ve rushed and rescued Salt from there.’

But couldn’t evade the car himself, resulting in the accident.

‘Sometimes, cars speed through alleyways.’

Lee Joon’s expression turned bitter.

Separate from that, Lee Joon realized why Gray one cat commanded such respect among the other cats.

‘With how genuinely he cares for his subordinates, it’s no wonder they respect him.’

Reflective of Lee Joon’s thoughts, the line of visiting cats continued.

The next day, and the day after that, cats came to pay their respects in pairs.

『Even though I’m glad the boss is safe, seeing him like this makes me! Boss!』
『Are you in pain?』
『I was lucky. If Doctor Woof Woof didn’t find me…. Please be careful out there!』
『Yes, ugh!』

Every time cats visited, the gray cat reminded them to be wary of cars on the roads.

It wasn’t just cats visiting either.

“Jamong was running so fast that it was hard to keep up!”

Yoo Ji-yeon entered Woof Woof Animal Clinic, breathing heavily.

『Is the boss okay?』

“Jamong seems really worried about how Gray one is doing!”

Lee Joon explained to Yoo Ji-yeon, who was familiar with the situation.

“Oh dear, these animals really are loyal.”

“Of course, they’re park friends.”

Yoo Ji-yeon’s cheeks flushed at Lee Joon’s words.

“It’s such a beautiful story. Ah, how’s that cat doing?”

“Recovering smoothly.”

Just then, Jamong, who had been standing quietly in front of the ward, barked at Lee Joon as if wanting to ask something.

Bark!

“Do you want to see Gray one?”

『Yes.』

“You silly thing!”

Lee Joon patted Jamong’s head and opened the door to the ward.

“Gray one, Jamong has come to visit you.”

『You’ve come!』
『Hyung, are you sure you’re not in pain?』

Cautiously, Jamong approached the gray cat, his face filled with worry.

『I’m alright.』

Though in pain, the gray cat responded with a brave expression.

Jamong’s face lit up almost instantly.

『Teehee, that’s a relief. I was really worried you’d be in pain, hyung.』
『Thank you for finding me.』

Jamong’s eyes widened.

He considered the leader who led dozens of park cats, incredibly cool.

For the leader he admired to thank him was incredibly touching for Jamong.

『Sniff, hyung. Get well soon.』

After saying that, Jamong quickly exited the ward and went to Yoo Ji-yeon, tapping her leg.

Then he headed to the snack corner.

Once there, Jamong tapped on a tuna soft stick snack he liked.

“You want that one?”

Lately, Jamong had taken great pleasure in playing a game where he would personally carry his selected snack to the cash register.

So, just as Yoo Ji-yeon always did, she picked up the treat and put it in Jamong’s mouth.

With the treat clamped in his jaws, Jamong trotted back into the ward.

Surprised, Yoo Ji-yeon followed, with Lee Joon and Sora trailing after her.

Jamong placed the soft stick in front of Gray one’s ward.

『Here’s something to cheer you up, hyung.』

The sight made Yoo Ji-yeon exclaim.

“That’s unbelievable. It’s like something out of a fairy tale.”

“Indeed, seeing a dog visit a hospitalized cat, not to mention bringing a gift.”

Sora, matching Yoo Ji-yeon’s amazed expression, peeked into the ward.

“It’s cross-species friendship, absolutely beautiful!”

“Yes, indeed.”

Yoo Ji-yeon and Sora clasped their hands together, praising the beautiful bond.

Henceforth, any dogs visiting the animal clinic always made a point of visiting Gray on.

When Han Na-Hyuk came to check on the progress of Gray one’s surgery, he was astonished.

“How can this be happening? Is the atmosphere here good? Or is it Soo-ho’s artwork bringing the good vibes?”

“Haha, the animals here are just kind-hearted.”

“No way, for dogs that aren’t even housemates with the cats, this is astonishing, isn’t it?”

“Oh, they probably think of the park as their home. Anyway, they’re all from the park right behind here. You remember the park we went to after lunch that day? They’re from there.”

“Still, it’s unheard of for stray cats and pets to get along like this.”

“Exactly. He’s got a point. Animals don’t even bark when they arrive; they just get along like natural.”

“Indeed, look at that. Even Lucky is fitting in neatly without trembling along with them!”

Nam Gung-hyun, who had come with Han Na-Hyuk, chuckled at the sight of Lucky easily mingling with the dogs as they gathered towards the ward.

“I never imagined a Yorkie standing next to a Beagle without shaking.”

“They are becoming socialized.”

“That so? By the way, do cats need rehab for situations like this one?”

“Cats are naturally flexible, so even with fractures, if there isn’t nerve damage, they recover pretty well. But it’s beneficial, you know. The muscles would be weak after being in a cast.”

Lee Joon replied.

“Rehab for cats would be harder than for dogs, right?”

“Most likely. But treatments like acupuncture, electrotherapy, and laser therapy can be done. Are you planning to make a special room for cat rehabilitation when you set up your center, senior?”

Lee Joon’s question was passed directly to Nam Gung-hyun by Han Na-Hyuk.

Nam Gung-hyun, after an awkward laugh, nodded in agreement.

“If it’s needed, we must have it. By the way, how long will Gray one be hospitalized?”

“He should not move for at least two to three weeks.”

“Are you planning to keep him here till then? Haven’t you been to your own house since then?”

“Wow? Seriously?”

Nam Gung-hyun questioned back.

“Oh, no. When our senior arrives for work, I’ll go home for a short while.”

“And sleep? Do you have any on-call rooms here?”

Nam Gung-hyun looked around searching for an on-call room.

“On-call room? I probably just put some foam boards down and sleep there.”

“What?”

Nam Gung-hyun’s voice cracked in astonishment.

It had been a week since the surgery.

And he had slept in an unbelievably inadequate environment during that time.

“Well, I’m used to it, so it’s fine.”

Nam Gung-hyun remembered having considered assigning Lucky’s leg surgery to Lee Joon.

“Leaving a post-surgery pet unattended was against this director’s principles, so I was advised to do the surgery in a 24-hour clinic.”

Although it was later decided that the surgery would be conducted by Lee Joon at a larger hospital, with post-surgery hospitalization there.

“Even saying this about a stray cat, I see that he holds a consistent standard.”

Lee Joon seemed extraordinary.

“What about folding beds?”

“The space is too small for that. I just lay a sleeping bag over a foam mat.”

“You’re going to ruin your health.”

“True, you’re already halfway to seventy, you should take care of yourself.”

“So I think once Gray one is stable enough to be carried around in a carrier, I might take him home.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. Since outdoor life would be tough for a while, right?”

“Yes, he would need rehabilitation during that time. Have to build up his muscles, too.”

Lee Joon then thought to ask Gray one directly about the idea.

“Gray one, how would you feel about staying with your doctor?”

Lee Joon asked as he glanced toward the ward.

Gray one, perched inside his pen, gazed back at Lee Joon with wide eyes.

He meowed softly.

『Are you talking to me?』

“Yeah, Gray one, you’ll soon be able to move around better, so you should come home.”

『Home…?』

At that moment, gray’s eyes twinkled.

『Doctor Woof Woof, do you want to live in the park, too?』

“What?”

How did it get interpreted that way?

“Puhaha!”

Lee Joon burst into laughter.

—