TGMC 05

chapter 05

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Trial

I hurriedly set out to rescue the cat family.

Placing the box in front of the mother cat, I said,
“Come on in. I’ll guide you to your new home.”

The mother cat stared at me intently. She was still wary, but it was better than when she had first hissed at me. At least now we could communicate.

“If you want, you can take your kittens and leave anytime. Or if you want to stay, that’s fine too. There’s a shop just across the street. There’s a storage shed in the backyard—you can stay there.”

After continuous persuasion, the cautious mother cat finally eased her tension and struggled to rise. She carefully moved each of her kittens into the box, then climbed in herself and sat quietly.

The cat family was ready to move.

I carried the surprisingly light box toward the back of the restaurant, where there was a shed to protect them from the wind and rain.

Setting the box down in the corner of the shed, the mother cat jumped out and began inspecting every nook and cranny of the space. Typical of a territorial animal, she was patrolling her new domain.

Watching quietly, my mom said,
“If you were going to bring them, why not just bring them inside the house? Wouldn’t that be better than staying outside?”

I had initially offered the mother cat our home, but she had refused. So this shed was our compromise. If I wanted to adopt her as an indoor cat, it would take more time.

“Since we’re taking responsibility for them, you know we have to care for them properly, right? That means ordering cat supplies first.”

“I’m planning to order the essentials online right away.”

“This place has rocket delivery, so if you order now, it’ll arrive by tomorrow morning. What are you planning to order?”

“Food, litter, snacks, food bowls, a litter box, a house, toys… I’ll start with these essentials for now.”

That was a solid beginner’s indoor cat package.

“Oh, right. We also need to take them to the vet.”

“Yes… but the timing…”

It was already five in the afternoon. Normally, I would have been preparing to return to Seoul by now, but meeting the cat family had complicated my plans.

“Is there a veterinary clinic nearby?”

“To go to a vet, you need to go into the county.”

Being in the countryside, the infrastructure was limited. The vet in the county was over twenty minutes away by car. Even if I left immediately, it would be too late. I would have to go tomorrow, which meant taking another day off.

I took out my phone and called.

Before the first ring ended, my manager picked up.
“Deputy Song, have you settled your mind? You’re coming in tomorrow, right?”

“I actually have something to ask regarding that.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Team Leader, I’m sorry, but could I take another day off?”

“What? You’re taking off until tomorrow?”

“Yes. Something came up after I came back to my hometown.”

As I tried to explain, my manager raised his voice.
“Deputy Song! I already arranged for you to use your leave over the weekend, so you should be flexible too! It’s the year-end, and the company is busy—how could you do this? Other team members don’t have leave, so they don’t use it. You know the work situation, right? If I take time off, others get burdened!”

“I’m sorry, Team Leader.”

“You’ve never disappointed me before, but…”

“I was planning to head back today, but I need to take the cats to the vet tomorrow morning to check their condition and get them vaccinated.”

“Hm? The vet? Wait, is your mother sick?”

No. Not my mother—it was the cat family. But I decided not to correct him; otherwise, he would scold me.

“Oh? Actually…”

“If your mother were sick, you should’ve said so. I almost became the ignorant one here.”

I let him misunderstand.
“I’ll submit the request, so take your mother to the hospital first thing in the morning. But the day after tomorrow, no excuses—you have to come in early, understood?”

“Thank you, Team Leader. I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”

I had managed to secure one more day off. Not that this company had any trace of work-life balance. I’d probably submit my resignation the day after tomorrow.

“Taking one more day?”

“Yes. I’ll take them to the vet tomorrow, check their health, and get vaccinations done.”

“Good idea.”

His tone was calm, but his slight smile showed he was pleased. I guess he was happy I would stay overnight.

In fact, ever since moving out of my grandmother’s house in Incheon because of the ghostly sounds, I had never slept there again. Even during holidays, I would visit but leave the same day. Childhood trauma.

But now, knowing it wasn’t ghosts but spirits making the noise, there was no reason to run away anymore.

Meanwhile, my mom looked at the wall clock and said,
“Your brother is resting upstairs.”

Soon it would be time for dinner service.

I shook my head.
“No way, I can’t just rest. Of course, I’ll help too.”

“Good if you help.”

Mom would cook, and I would serve and handle the cash register.

I tied my apron tight and waited for customers.

But as time passed, the restaurant remained empty. The harsh winter wind rattling against the windows made the place feel even more desolate.

Perhaps because it was midwinter, tonight would be a bust.

The tables I had polished to a shine and the side dishes Mom had prepared would be for us alone.

Mom and I had a simple dinner together. It wasn’t ideal, but it was fine.

After Mom finished washing dishes, I stepped outside. The world was quiet, with countless stars twinkling in the sky.

Then,
“Ugh.”

A burning sensation in my chest, as if something was stuck in my throat. I coughed repeatedly, but the discomfort remained.

Acid reflux.

The burning sensation in my throat worsened. Just then, Bangul appeared and asked,
“Sir, your throat looks red. Are you okay?”

“My throat looks red?”

“Yes. It looks like it’s on fire.”

She was right. Acid had refluxed into my esophagus, burning my throat. The pain was sharp and stinging.

“Ugh… ha, ha.”

I breathed in cold winter air, hoping to quell the burning. It wasn’t enough.

I quickly grabbed water from the purifier and drank it. Still, the burning persisted.

Then Bangul said,
“Sir, try drinking this.”

She handed me a paper cup with water. It looked ordinary.

“What’s this?”

“Just drink it.”

I did, and moments later, something amazing happened.

‘No pain… at all?’

My previously burning throat felt completely fine. The acid reflux had vanished. My body felt normal.

“How is this possible?”

“I infused my power into the water.”

“You have powers too?”

“Of course! I’m a water spirit!”

Bangul puffed out her chest in pride—it was cute.

“What kind of power?”

“I have healing abilities.”

Healing? She could do that?

“So that’s why my body feels fine now?”

“Yes! Hehe, isn’t my power amazing?”

Bangul shrugged, like a child seeking praise.

“Thank you, Bangul. You healed me—my throat doesn’t hurt at all now.”

“I’m glad I could help!”

Meanwhile, Hoya remained grumpy and stubborn, while Bangul was gentle and polite—a complete contrast. It was remarkable that these two opposite personalities were inseparable friends.

“I helped you because you’re a good person! Keep doing good things!”

I wasn’t sure what “good things” she meant, but my actions today had clearly earned her favor.

“Okay. I’ll go sleep first. You too, Bangul.”

“Yes, sir. Sleep well.”

Tonight, I would sleep soundly, unlike usual when my gastritis kept me awake.

Rocket delivery truly lived up to its name. Even in the countryside, all my orders arrived by breakfast.

I prepared cat food and water in bowls for the mother cat and placed them nearby. I also filled the litter box.

The cautious mother cat watched the supplies with interest, wagging her tail. But she ignored one thing—the cat house. I had placed it in a visible spot, but she inspected it a few times and then lost interest.

Hoya acted similarly. Instead, he curled up inside the large box the cat house came in, which was ten times his size. Even a tiger had catlike behavior.

“Mom, I’m going to the vet.”

“Okay. Be careful.”

After preparing, I drove twenty minutes to the county, carrying the mother cat and three kittens in a box, and entered the clinic.

“Welcome…”

The nurse’s eyes widened. Usually, cats are brought in a cage, but I had a box containing the mother and her kittens.

“They’re stray cats, right? They’re so calm…”

I smiled awkwardly.
“The mother didn’t want to separate from her kittens. It’s okay to bring them like this, right?”

“Of course. Let’s start with registration. Please give me the owner’s name and the cats’ names.”

I wrote my name first, then paused to decide what to name the cats.

“Oh? You’re going to name the cats? I can’t wait to see the names you come up with!”

“Humph. I hope you’re not naming them ‘Butterfly.’ I’ll be watching.”

Bangul looked at me expectantly, while Hoya glared, ready to protest if I gave strange names.

“Oh! These cats don’t have names yet? You’re giving them new ones? I’m excited to see what beautiful names you choose.”

Even the nurse joined in.

And so, my once-in-a-lifetime trial had arrived.