Hello Vet! How are you?

Thud.

As if a heavy stone door were opening, the large and wide door slowly moved from side to side.

A savory aroma that tickled the nose wafted through the crack, entering the cats’ noses.

Sniff, sniff.

『Hurry up and open the door, meow!』
『We’re going in, meow!』

Gray one and Kkamnyang excitedly hopped on all fours while meowing.

The cats, who seemed poised to break down the door and rush in at any moment, stood still as soon as it opened.

『W-what’s this, meow?』
『What… what is this, meow?』

The cats turned their heads left and right to inspect the inside, as the atmosphere was quite different from the room they had just been in.

From the entrance, a cat tower decorated in green and brown intertwined like a maze.

The floor was also covered with a fluffy carpet matching the color of the cat tower.

A space reminiscent of a meadow.

In the center, a large tree reached the ceiling.

The ceiling of the room the cats entered was much higher than the previous room.

『A tree, meow.』
『Hehe, a tree.』

Seeing the tree made the cats laugh, reminding them of the park that was once their home.

Moreover,

Sway, sway.

Dangling from the tree like fruit were treats, swaying.

『That’s where the smell is coming from, meow.』
『Treats are hanging there.』

Although treats were placed all over the cat tower, the cats were already enticed by those swinging from the tree.

The cats hesitated for a moment but then dashed forward.

With no need to argue who would go first, Gray one and Kkamnyang leaped onto the central tree.

Whoosh!

Stretch!

The muscles in the cats’ hind legs extended magnificently.

The spring-like flexibility of their hind leg muscles exploded into action.

“Wow!”

“Although I knew cats could jump well, I didn’t expect such vibrant leaps.”

Director Jeong Chan-Young said to Lee Joon beside him, surprised by the cats’ leaping abilities.

“Because the cats jumped with full force, even though they can easily leap five times their body length from a standstill. If that tree was any higher, you would have seen an even more impressive jump.”

Lee Joon also looked up at the cats with a surprised expression, although what surprised him was different from Director Jeong.

‘They seem to have healed cleanly without any after-effects.’

After the car accident, the highest jump Gray one had made was up to the cat tower.

‘And didn’t they sprint full force at the beach? When they ran with the park cats, they didn’t lag behind, so I thought they were recovering well, but it’s more than that.’

Lee Joon didn’t know how high Gray one could jump before the accident.

But considering this, it was remarkable.

‘Impressive.’

Lee Joon looked at Gray one with a gaze filled with pride.

Tap.

Thud.

The cats who deftly landed on the tree top began to walk boldly along the straight branches.

Gray one proceeded along the right branch.

Kkamnyang took the branch next to it.

With tails lifted high, the two walked confidently along the slender tree branches without a single shake.

Watching Gray one’s slightly moving tail, Lee Joon’s smile became even broader.

‘It’s fortunate that he’s recovered after such hardships.’

Gray one felt grateful to Lee Joon from up on the tree.

‘I can walk, meow.’

Soldiers who injured their tails often fell from trees. They used to say they couldn’t balance as well as they did before.

However, by doing as the vet recommended, not only did Gray one maintain a magnificent tail, but there were no issues in balancing either.

‘Thanks to the vet, meow.’

Gray one stopped walking, turned back, and sent a grateful look to the vet.

‘Thank you, meow.’

The vet, who read Gray one’s thoughts, waved his hand.

Seeing this, Gray one’s mouth curved into a broad smile.

Puffing his chest out, Gray one advanced to retrieve the treats.

Gaining momentum in every step.

Finally, Gray one reached directly below the branch where the treats dangled.

Raising his head, he sniffed at the treat swaying just above his nose and bit down, chomping the treat in one mouthful.

Thud.

Right away, the treat fell into Gray one’s possession.

Kkamnyang also hung the treat in his mouth.

The cats did not descend from the tree, eating the treat right there.

Crunch.

Munch.

The sound of the cats chewing the treats was noticeably faster and louder than in the previous room.

After devouring the treat, Gray one surveyed the area.

『I want more, meow』
『It’s so delicious.』

Sniff, sniff, sniff, the cats twitched their noses, appearing to smell the aroma anew.

『Gray one, there’s more beneath you.』
『Thank you, meow.』

Following Kkamnyang’s words, Gray one leaped below.

Landing on the branch where the treat was hanging.

This time, instead of being suspended above, a treat hung underneath Gray one’s legs.

Like picking food from the ground, Gray one casually managed to snag the treat from the hanging branch.

The cats ascended and descended the tree, consuming five treats in total this round.

『Satisfying, meow.』
『Urgh… I’m full.』

The cats sprawled out on the tree.

Lying comfortably as though they were on a body pillow, they enjoyed their fullness.

『Let’s rest a bit before hunting meow.』
『Let’s do that.』

About five minutes passed, and without needing to prompt each other, the cats sprang up all at once.

『Let’s begin, meow.』
『Let’s go.』

Gray one softly swatted a dangling treat with his paw, causing it to drop.

Thump!

Upon hitting the ground, the treat shattered.

Whoosh~ Thud!

Gray one landed softly onto the ground, dismayed to see the shattered treat.

『It broke, meow.』

Gray one gathered the fragments with his chubby paws.

However, the sticky luscious filling inside merely smeared wetly on his paws, failing to collect properly.

Gray one licked his paw where the filling had smeared.

『This one’s the tastiest, meow!』

When you bite into the crunchy treat, it bursts with a rich, flavorful sticky liquid inside your mouth.

His desire was for his comrades to experience this enjoyable taste too…

Just then, when Gray One was lamenting, Kkamnyang shouted.

『I’m tossing it.』

As Kkamnyang threw a treat, Gray one leaped to catch it.

『It can’t break, meow!』

Gray one dashed to catch the descending treat with his paws.

Swoop!

He caught a whole, unshattered treat in his paws, and Gray one beamed.

『Got it, meow!』
『Good job. Here’s another.』
『Got it, meow!』

From up in the tree, Kkamnyang tossed the treats, and Gray One caught them below.

Before long, the ground was piled high with treats.

Director Jeong, who had been observing the cats’ teamwork, muttered with an awed expression.

“Wow, those reflexes aren’t ordinary.”

“Cats inherently have excellent motor skills. But these two are above average.”

As Director Jeong praised the cats, Lee Joon responded with a proud expression.

“Phhhew, it’s just cats grabbing treats, yet it feels like watching an animal film with feline stars. They truly are amazing creatures.”

Director Jeong lavished his highest possible praise as he looked at the cats.

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

Kkamnyang sniffed from the tree,

Sniff, swoosh.

Gray One sniffed from below.

『There aren’t any here anymore.』
『Let’s go over there.』
『Got it.』

Kkamnyang confirmed there were no more treats on the tree and leapt down.

Thump, thump, thump.

Then both headed towards the cat tower.

Chasing the scent, the cats bounded up to the large cat tower.

They passed through a transparent catwalk zone and over a wobbly cat bridge.

When they reached the top, a hidden box.

Gray one plunged his head into the hideout.

『The smell is coming from here, meow.』

Close behind, Kkamnyang also poked his head into the hideout.

『I see. But where is the food?』

Sniff, sniff, sniffing diligently with their heads inside, the duo exclaimed simultaneously.

『There, meow.』
『That’s it!』

The two exclaimed at the jar hidden in the hideout.

The cats began to scratch at the jar with their paws.

However, the sealed jar didn’t budge.

The cats energetically scratched it furiously.

Gray one, furiously scratching the jar with his two front paws, suddenly wobbled.

“Oh no, it’s falling!”

A staff member shouted.

Just then, Gray one fell.

Rather than leap, she fell.

You could tell by her back.

Gray one didn’t leap down with four legs, but fell back-first.

“Oh, what do we do?”

“This is bad.”

Though a safety mat was placed below to prevent injury, people were startled and rushed over.

But there was no need.

The spectacle unfolding before them left everyone with mouths agape.

In an instant, Gray one twisted mid-fall and graciously landed softly on her paws.

Silent and stealthy.

She then meowed softly.

Responding to Gray one, Kkamnyang also meowed.

And suddenly, the jar toppled down.

Kkamnyang had knocked the jar down from atop the cat tower.

Gray one soared gracefully.

Her long, fluffy gray fur glimmered with an iridescent silver under the studio lights.

Plunk! Securing the jar in her paws, she softly landed on the floor.

As if nothing unusual had occurred.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

A standing ovation.

Director, staff, and Lee Joon alike clapped until their hands hurt.

“Brilliant.”

“I have chills!”

“I can’t believe seeing cats jump could be so moving!”

The studio erupted into a raucous applause followed by excited cheers.

Director Jeong Chan-Young clapped so strongly his hands turned red.

“It’s… amazing. If done right, our footage could be aired worldwide!”

The main company’s commercial was good, but it couldn’t compare to the performance Gray one and Kkamnyang displayed.

Knowing this better than anyone, director Jeong spoke with confidence borne from certainty.

“Manager Gong, let’s secure this footage exclusively for us.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Manager Gong, who witnessed firsthand the athletic prowess of Gray one and Kkamnyang, responded with a trembling voice.

“They’re, they’re incredible. Can cats really be this outstanding?”

To Manager Gong, cats were small, cute creatures.

Yet, before her stood small predators, very much the opposite.

With excellent motor skills, a calm demeanor, and perseverance to not give up in the face of adversity.

They possessed all those admirable qualities.

And additionally, the warm consideration for their peers.

Manager Gong looked upon the cats with an overwhelmed expression.

With a cheerful demeanor,

Gray one stood with the bag’s opening gaping,

Whoosh whoosh whoosh.

Kkamnyang quickly filled the bag with treats.

“They’ll love this, meow.”

“It’s delightful.”

The cats beamed, thrilled to share such delicacies with their comrades.

***

After the shoot was over, director Jeong approached Lee Joon.

“Director Lee, thank you for your hard work.”

“I didn’t do much. I just enjoyed quite the spectacle.”

After exchanging farewells with Director Jeong, Lee Joon turned to bid farewell to the staff, only to find they were all crowding around one spot.

“Gray one, take this too.”

“Kkamnyang, this is from Nuna. Enjoy it with your friends.”

“Everyone, this is from Hyung. I’ll give you more next time.”

The staff members were busy feeding snacks to Gray one and Kkamnyang.

With a chuckle, Lee Joon approached them.

“You, guys, you’ve got lots of delicious stuff now. Good for you.”

『They keep giving us tasty things, meow!』
『We’re piling up food!』

Gray one and Kkamnyang clung to Lee Joon’s leg, sporting curious looks.

“It’s because you were exceptional.”

『What is execeptional, meow?』

“You climbed trees well, and snagged the dangling treats quite deftly….”

『That’s what we always do, meow.』

“Naturally.”

The cats tilted their heads as if wondering why such actions were deemed special.

Observing their expressions, the staff found them endearing and piled up even more treats.

“And your jumps were fantastic. That’s why they gave them. They say you’re adorable and quite remarkable.”

Hearing this, the cats let go of Lee Joon’s leg and stood proudly on their hind legs.

『I’m always cool, meow!』
『Yep, I am cool.』

Then, Gray one pointed with his paw towards the stacked boxes and asked.

『So it’s because I’m cool, meow?』

“Yes, it is.”

『Ha ha ha, then if I become even cooler next time, will we get more?』

“Probably.”

『Ha ha, then I’ll show even more impressive tricks next time.』
『Right, meow. Next time, I’ll show Silver Rain’s cool side, meow.』
『I’ll showcase just exactly what kind of cat Shadow is.』

Feeling the determination, the cats returned to their leaders’ expressions, declaring this with dignified visages.

***

Director Jeong Chan-Young locked himself in the editing room the moment the cats left.

Voluntarily canning himself in.

“I want to shoot the next scene right away, but I also want to edit this right away.”

Director Jeong exhaled deeply, a smile gracing his lips.

It was a sigh driven by immense satisfaction.

“How did such treasures end up before me?”

Praising Gray one and Kkamnyang incessantly, director Jeong worked fervently.

Five days later, director Jeong gleefully laughed with bloodshot eyes in the editing room.

“It’s… finally done!”

There lay the monitor with Gray one and Kkamnyang posed superbly, their voices rising.

Meowhowl!

Mewroar!

Below the magnificent imagery, large subtitles floated boldly.

‘I’ll fetch food for my friends, meow!’

‘Wait for me, I will collect food for you all!’