RACA 23

Meow- meow-o-o-o.

An auditory hallucination. Like some cat wailing pitifully.

Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch.

Even the sound of claws scraping made it feel more real. In his drowsy state, unable to tell if this was a dream or reality, Eunsol tried to drift back into sleep.

“Jongjong, shh. Shh! You shouldn’t be doing that there… Ow… Hey!”

But the familiar, deep voice forced his dazed gaze toward the door.

“I’ll give you a treat, so let’s go. Don’t hang around here like this.”

If he hadn’t misheard, it was definitely Bulgom.

Grrrrr!

Now he could even hear the rumbling sound from a throat. Huh? Wasn’t it a cat?

“What the…”

His throat hoarse from deep sleep, Eunsol climbed down from the bed in confusion. Even as he approached the door, he struggled to process what he’d just heard.

He turned the doorknob and pulled it down. Peeking through the crack, he saw an unexpected sight.

“Whoa, wha-what is that?”

Bulgom was holding a cat as big as its own upper body.

“I was debating whether to wake you. Good thing I didn’t. Dinner’s ready. Come to the kitchen.”

Despite his gruff appearance, Bulgom spoke in a friendly tone. Without fully answering his question, he vanished into the bathroom with the giant cat.

Left alone in an instant, Eunsol tilted his head in confusion before heading to the bathroom on the opposite side. He planned to wash up, clear his head, and ask again later.

After a quick wash, he entered the kitchen to find a lavish spread laid out. Completely forgetting his original questions, Eunsol plopped down at the table.

“The CEO left for work earlier.”

“Oh…”

He half-listened to the unimportant detail and scooped some beef soup into his bowl. The rich, spicy broth hit the spot.

“But that cat earlier…”

After drenching his rice in the soup and eating heartily, Eunsol continued his question. A tickling sensation at his ankles made his look down. A cat with a thick, fluffy mane met his gaze, as if asking if he’d called.

“Ah, that’s the CEO’s pet cat. No need to mind him. He’ll be exploring around to adjust for a while, but he won’t approach strangers.”

For something supposedly shy, the way he was rubbing between his legs looked decidedly sociable. Since he was under the table, Bulgom didn’t notice.

“Ah, Jongjong?”

The cat’s pointed ears twitched as if he recognized his name. Even his tail swayed gently, as though offering a greeting.

“Huh? You know Jongjong?”

“Yes.”

Eunsol nodded, recalling how Jaebeom had once remarked he resembled his pet cat. To be compared to such an adorable creature, it felt uncharacteristically sweet for that irritating gang boss.

“He’s generally gentle and well-mannered, but he doesn’t warm up to strangers easily.”

“I see…”

After busily darting between his legs, he now sniffed around as if examining his scent. The claim seemed hard to believe, but he shrugged it off. Animals had always strangely taken to him, so it didn’t faze him.

“Whoa? Jongjong! What are you doing here?”

After sniffing everything, he suddenly curled up beneath Eunsol’s feet and began grooming himself. Only then did Bulgom, who had just spotted the cat, shout in surprise.

“It’s fine. Just leave him be.”

As he hurried over, ready to scoop up the cat, Eunsol stopped him. After a moment’s hesitation, Bulgom nodded, apparently deciding that was best.

After finishing their meal, they immediately prepared to go out. Tthere wasn’t much to do. He could just sit blankly in the living room, stroking the cat’s fur, Bulgom finished tidying up.

Despite his large frame and muscular arms, he approached his tasks with thoroughness and diligence. Watching him, Eunsol wondered if he might be better suited for other work than being a gangster, but then again, what did it matter?

‘He’ll figure it out on his own.’

His own nose was already three feet long, who had time to worry about others? Eunsol gently stroked the soft fur of the cat, who had settled onto his lap as naturally as if they’d lived together for years, while pondering what to do next.

‘If I say I want to go somewhere else, he won’t let me.’

For now, he was satisfied just being able to go outside. If possible, it would be even better to check out the surroundings.

“All done!”

Before he knew it, Bulgom had finished vacuuming and appeared holding the car keys. Eunsol set the cat down from his lap and started to follow him.

Meow.

But an unexpected obstacle appeared. As if asking where he was going and leaving him behind, the cat sat down on his foot. Eunsol’s face flushed with embarrassment at the sight.

“Huh? Jongjong?”

Sure, he could have just slipped his foot out. But when those bright, alert eyes looked up at him like that, it was hard to be heartless.

“Huh? Why is he acting like this?”

Apparently just as startled, Bulgom scooped the cat up before Eunsol could say anything. What he got in return was a fierce furry fist.

Thud.

“Ouch.”

Bulgom, hit squarely on the jaw, groaned and dropped the cat. It was less the pain and more the shock of the unexpected.

Regardless, the cat, freed from the bear, landed and immediately rubbed against Eunsol’s leg again.

“You want to come too?”

Meow.

At the question, it purred softly while gently swiping its tail across his instep.

“He seems to understand human speech.”

“He takes after hyung-nil, pretty smart.”

Bulgom gave his boss a natural pat on the head, wearing a proud expression. But really, it’s just a cat. Why bother?

“But I don’t think we should take him.”

Eunsol knew cats disliked unfamiliar places. Unless they were born on the streets from the start. He patted the cat a few times soothingly before rising.

“Let’s go.”

Bulgom watched the pair curiously before leading the way. The cat followed to the front door but stopped there. Sitting with his tail swaying gently, he seemed to bid them a safe journey.

“I’ll be back. See you later.”

Eunsol waved cheerfully and stepped outside. The outside air he breathed for the first time in ten days was sweet.

As expected, the place he’d been staying was a luxury apartment right in the heart of Yeouido. Just one traffic light away, a park stretched out to the right, making it easier to orient himself.

‘If I walk straight down this road, I’ll reach the broadcasting station.’

While he was looking around, the car turned once more at an intersection and soon entered an underground parking garage.

Realizing they’d arrived at the hospital just ten minutes after leaving, Eunsol wore a look of disappointment.

“It’s incredibly close…”

It would have been nice to enjoy a bit more of a drive since they were already out.

“Yes. Please get out now.”

Bulgom, oblivious to his feelings, replied flatly and turned to the backseat. Understanding he was being told to exit first, Eunsol opened the door and stepped out.

‘But what if I just run away like this? Why is he acting like that?‘

He briefly lost himself in thought before quickly dismissing the notion. He doubted he could outrun Bulgom, who seemed at least a head taller and far more agile than him.

‘If I try to run and get caught…’

The image of Pyo Jaebeom laughing as he snapped his ankle made his shoulders shudder.

“Huh? Are you cold?”

Bulgom, who had just stepped out of the driver’s seat and approached Eunsol, asked.

“No. Let’s go.”

Instead of explaining it was due to a foolish thought, Eunsol asked Bulgom for guidance. Surprisingly, the entire building was occupied by the same hospital.

The floor Eunsol arrived at was the Omega-exclusive floor.

“Mr. Pyo Jaebeom, this way please.”

What surprised him as peculiar was the title used to address him. Eunsol briefly wondered why they referred to him as Pyo Jaebeom instead of his given name, but quickly dismissed the thought.

He figured it was likely a measure to conceal his true identity.

‘After all, once I give birth, the contract ends. There’s no need to leave any traces behind.’

Typical of a gang boss, he thought. A fleeting impression formed, this man was thorough in such matters. But that thought vanished quickly as he focused on the doctor and the various examinations.

“Now, can you see it? This is the amniotic sac.”

Eunsol watched as the doctor pointed at the screen with a thin rod. It just looked like the inside of his belly, he couldn’t tell what was different.

“In the case of a pregnant male Omega, since there’s no uterus, this space forms to protect the fetus. It’s still small and hard to see clearly, but after about five weeks, you’ll be able to see it with the naked eye.”

“So this confirms the pregnancy?”

“Yes. Judging by the condition of the gestational sac, implantation has been stable and successful. Now, with proper care, it should grow safely.”

Eunsol looked back at the screen. Even seeing it with his own eyes, he still felt a bit dazed.

‘Is there really a baby in there?’

To be honest, even then, it still didn’t feel real.

‘Well, of course it doesn’t. It’s something I never even imagined.’

Only then did Eunsol realize how casually he had taken the situation.