----
Continuing with Jiwoo getting his home visit, Wooin seeing the rescued cat again, and Inhyuk entering the Seo house only to discover paradise.
The card game ended eventually.
Not because anyone won.
Asuka had already done that.
Twice.
It ended because Inhyuk confiscated the cards after Jisuk and Wooin started glaring at each other over whether "accidentally bending a corner" counted as marked-card behavior.
Jisuk said no.
Wooin said yes.
Kayden thought the entire thing could have been solved by letting them fight.
Jiwoo thought it had been fun.
Which said a great deal about Jiwoo Seo's definition of fun.
He was leaning back against the pillows, still wrapped in bandages but looking brighter than he had all morning. His face had more color. His breathing was steadier. His awakened recovery was beginning to do its work now that his body had finally accepted rest.
Inhyuk glanced over his condition with a thoughtful look.
Jiwoo noticed.
Then his eyes shifted toward the window.
The afternoon light came through pale and warm.
He hesitated.
"Mr. Inhyuk."
Inhyuk looked at him immediately.
"Yes, Jiwoo?"
"Can we drop by my house?"
Inhyuk blinked.
"Your home?"
Jiwoo nodded.
"Yeah."
His fingers curled lightly in the blanket.
"I know you and Asuka have been taking care of the cats for me, but I want to see them for myself."
Then his eyes lifted.
Wide.
Warm.
Almost glowing.
"Quite frankly," Jiwoo said, voice soft and terribly sincere, "I miss them."
There was silence.
Inhyuk stared.
Then smiled.
Not professionally.
Fondly.
"Of course you can."
Jiwoo's face lit up.
"Really?"
"Your health is much better now, so going home for a short visit should not be a problem anymore," Inhyuk said. "We'll give you a ride."
Jiwoo grinned.
"Thank you!"
Jisuk stared from his bed, deadpan.
Geez.
How did anyone say no to that face?
Even Wooin had looked up the moment Jiwoo asked.
Jiwoo turned toward him.
"Wooin."
Wooin blinked.
"Do you want to come with us?"
Wooin's expression shifted faintly.
"With you?"
"Yeah."
Jiwoo looked toward Seongha, polite and hopeful.
"If that is okay, Mr. Seongha?"
Seongha Park had dealt with awakened criminals, dangerous politics, Delein's mess, Union Association pressure, and Shinhwa territory tension.
None of that prepared him for Jiwoo Seo asking politely with that gentle expression.
He paused.
Then sighed faintly.
"It should be fine."
Wooin looked down.
His fingers tightened slightly against the blanket.
Jiwoo smiled.
"Great."
Asuka watched quietly.
Kayden, sitting beside Jiwoo, narrowed his eyes.
This was how it happened.
Jiwoo smiled.
People folded.
Ridiculous.
Dangerous.
Effective.
The van ride to the Seo residence was quiet.
Mostly.
Jiwoo sat carefully, strapped in with enough support that Inhyuk checked it three times. Kayden sat in his lap, pretending he was there only because the seat had better balance and not because Jiwoo's hands instinctively rested over him like comfort.
Asuka sat beside Jiwoo.
Wooin sat in front of from them, gaze lowered, hands folded tightly in his lap.
Jisuk had been dragged along because Inhyuk did not trust him out of sight.
Jisuk claimed he did not want to go.
He also got in the van without actually refusing.
Seongha came because Wooin was there.
Inhyuk drove because he had insisted.
Also, because he seemed strangely excited.
Kayden did not like that.
Asuka tilted her head.
"You are worried."
Kayden looked up.
"I am not."
"He is going to see the other cats."
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
"That is what worries me."
Jiwoo blinked.
"Mr. Inhyuk?"
Inhyuk's shoulders straightened in the driver's seat.
"Yes?"
"You're not allergic to cats, right?"
Inhyuk's expression became bright enough to be visible in the rearview mirror.
"No."
Kayden's ears flattened.
That was not reassuring.
Jisuk leaned back with his arms crossed.
"Why do you have so many cats anyway?"
Jiwoo smiled.
"They needed a home."
Jisuk stared.
"That's it?"
"Yes."
Wooin looked up then.
Quietly.
Jiwoo did not notice the way Wooin's expression softened.
Asuka did.
So did Kayden.
Kayden closed his eyes.
Troublesome.
When they arrived, Jiwoo stood with help.
Not fully healed.
Not steady enough to be allowed too much freedom.
But standing.
The moment the front door opened, Kayden walked in first.
Of course he did.
Tail high.
Posture grand.
As if he owned the place.
As if he had built the apartment, paid the rent, chosen the furniture, raised the cats, and allowed everyone else to exist inside his territory by generous permission.
Jisuk watched him stroll in.
"That cat is arrogant."
Kayden's tail flicked.
Asuka said calmly, "He is confident."
Jisuk looked at her.
"That's what arrogant people say."
Kayden slowly looked back.
Jisuk did not know why he suddenly felt judged by a cat.
Jiwoo, meanwhile, forgot all pain the moment he saw the living room.
"My kitties!"
His entire face brightened.
"I'm home!"
The cats reacted instantly.
A black cat shot across the floor like a shadow and leapt straight toward him.
Jiwoo caught it with a soft laugh and a pained little wince.
"Ow—hi! I missed you too."
Another cat rubbed insistently against his legs.
A tabby followed, tail up, meowing like it had filed several complaints in his absence.
The black-and-white cat strutted past the entrance with sharp, proud steps, gave everyone one judging glance, then continued as though the visitors had failed inspection.
Jiwoo laughed again.
"How have you been?"
The black cat in his arms pressed its face against his chin.
The tabby bumped his shin.
The third cat tried to climb his leg.
Asuka moved close enough to steady Jiwoo before he toppled.
"Oppa."
"I know, I know. Careful."
"You are not being careful."
"I am being emotionally careful."
"That is not the kind I meant."
Jiwoo smiled sheepishly.
Wooin remained near the entrance.
He had not stepped fully inside.
His eyes had gone to the grey scarred cat.
The cat was not with Jiwoo.
It walked toward Asuka.
Slowly.
Cautiously.
Then rubbed against her ankle.
Asuka crouched and gathered it into her arms without hesitation. The grey cat did not fuss. It pressed itself into her chest, eyes half-lidded, body loose in a way Wooin had never seen before.
Asuka's fingers moved over its head.
Gentle.
Steady.
The grey cat purred.
Wooin stood very still.
Jiwoo noticed where he was looking.
His smile softened.
"I wanted to show you the cat the professor used as his test subject."
Wooin's gaze flicked toward him.
Then back to the cat.
Asuka stroked behind the cat's ear.
"He is doing better now."
Her voice was quiet.
"Ever since then, he sleeps a lot. Sometimes he does not care much about what happens around him."
The grey cat leaned harder into her touch.
"He usually lingers with me."
Wooin's throat moved slightly.
The cat looked smaller in Asuka's arms.
Not physically.
It was simply less afraid.
Asuka continued scratching lightly under its chin.
"Thankfully, there is nothing physically wrong with him."
Jiwoo nodded.
"The vet said the same."
Wooin's gaze lowered.
Asuka turned her bandaged face slightly toward him.
"I found out through security camera footage," she said, "that it was you leaving animals and money for their treatment in front of the vet clinic."
Wooin froze.
Jiwoo's expression became gentle.
"We went to that vet a lot," he said. "We noticed the injured animals."
Wooin did not answer.
His hands curled faintly at his sides.
Jiwoo asked softly, "Were those animals used in tests too?"
The room quieted.
Even Jisuk, who had just stepped in behind Inhyuk and Seongha, said nothing.
Wooin's face remained unreadable.
But his voice, when it came, was quieter than usual.
"Yeah."
The grey cat purred into Asuka's palm.
Wooin looked at it.
"I would tell the professor that they died."
His eyes lowered.
"Then I would take them to the vet."
Jiwoo smiled.
Not brightly.
Softly.
"The vet said they were recovering."
Wooin's expression did not change.
Not outwardly.
But something in him stilled.
As if a tight thread he had carried inside his chest loosened by one small degree.
"They recovered?"
"Some of them," Jiwoo said. "The vet said they were getting better."
Wooin looked down.
A black cat had approached him.
It sat directly in front of his feet.
Wooin stared.
The cat stared back.
Then it meowed.
Wooin did not move.
The cat took that as permission and rubbed against his leg.
Wooin went completely still.
Jiwoo's eyes widened with delight.
"Oh. It likes you."
Wooin looked faintly alarmed.
"It is touching me."
"That means it likes you."
Wooin looked down again.
The black cat rubbed once more, tail curling around his ankle like a question.
The black-and-white cat walked by at the same time, sharp and proud, glanced at Wooin, and flicked its tail like it was saying not to embarrass himself.
Jisuk leaned in slightly.
"Why does that one look like it's judging us?"
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
Because it has standards.
Asuka's mouth curved faintly, as if she heard the thought.
Inhyuk stepped inside.
Then stopped.
His eyes widened.
One cat.
Two cats.
Three.
Grey scarred cat in Asuka's arms.
Black cat at Wooin's feet.
Tabby near Jiwoo.
Black-and-white monarch patrolling the floor.
Kayden seated in the center like an offended king.
Inhyuk's face transformed.
Seongha noticed immediately.
"Oh no," Jisuk muttered.
Inhyuk clasped his hands in front of his chest.
"I miss you guys..."
Kayden's body stiffened.
Inhyuk whispered, "Have you guys been doing well?"
His voice was reverent.
Like a pilgrim reaching a holy site.
Jisuk looked deeply uncomfortable.
"Do not make that face."
Inhyuk ignored him completely.
Jiwoo smiled proudly.
"They're all good kids."
"They are," Inhyuk said instantly.
Kayden stared.
This man was dangerous.
Not in the normal way.
Worse.
Inhyuk crouched slightly near the tabby, offering the back of his hand with proper cat etiquette.
The tabby sniffed.
Then bumped his knuckles.
Inhyuk's soul visibly ascended.
Jisuk stared.
"Inhyuk…"
Inhyuk whispered, "It adores me."
Seongha looked around the apartment with a calm expression, though his gaze lingered on the grey cat in Asuka's arms.
He had known pieces of what Delein had done.
Not everything.
Enough.
Seeing the aftermath breathing softly in a teenager's arms made the knowledge sit differently.
Wooin slowly crouched.
The black cat stayed by him.
He held one hand out awkwardly, like he had never been taught how to touch something gently but wanted to try.
The black cat sniffed his fingers.
Then rubbed its cheek against them.
Wooin's eyes widened slightly.
Jiwoo saw it.
His smile softened.
"You can pet it."
Wooin hesitated.
Then touched the top of the cat's head.
Barely.
The cat leaned into his hand.
Wooin's fingers froze.
Then, slowly, he stroked once.
The cat purred.
Wooin looked almost startled.
Asuka watched him quietly.
The grey cat in her arms opened one eye.
Looked at Wooin.
Then closed it again.
Not afraid.
Not hiding.
Just tired.
Safe enough to sleep.
Wooin swallowed.
"I thought…"
His voice was very soft.
Jiwoo looked at him.
Wooin did not finish.
He did not say, I thought they would all die.
He did not say, I thought saving them like that did not matter.
He did not say, I thought I was too late.
But everyone in the room seemed to understand enough.
Jiwoo smiled.
"You helped them."
Wooin's hand paused on the black cat's head.
"You and Asuka did too."
Jiwoo blinked.
Then smiled brighter.
"We all helped them."
Wooin stared at him.
Then looked away.
"...Yeah."
Jisuk shifted awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
"This house is weird."
Kayden looked at him sharply.
Jisuk pointed at him.
"That one acts like he pays rent."
Kayden's tail lashed.
Asuka said, "He pays in stress."
Jiwoo looked confused.
"Is that payment?"
"For us, yes."
Kayden glared.
Asuka looked serene.
Inhyuk, still crouched near the tabby, glanced toward Kayden.
"Casein Nitrate is the eldest among them?"
Kayden's face went blank.
Jiwoo choked.
Asuka's shoulders trembled.
Jisuk blinked.
"Eldest?"
Inhyuk nodded seriously.
"He has a dignified aura."
Kayden slowly turned his head toward Asuka.
Asuka had lowered her face toward the grey cat's fur.
Not enough to hide her smile.
Kayden's eyes promised consequences.
Seongha studied Kayden for a moment.
"Dignified," he repeated, tone unreadable.
Kayden immediately disliked him.
The black-and-white cat jumped onto the couch and sat with its tail wrapped around its paws.
Inhyuk gasped softly.
"That one is elegant."
Jisuk stared at him.
"Are you going to compliment every cat?"
"Yes."
"At least pretend to think about it."
"No."
The tabby batted at Inhyuk's sleeve.
Inhyuk looked near tears again.
Jiwoo laughed.
Then clutched his ribs.
"Ow."
Asuka's head turned instantly.
"Oppa."
"I'm okay."
"You are laughing too much."
"I can't help it."
"You should try."
"I am trying."
Kayden hopped onto the low table and looked at Jiwoo sternly as Asuka hums, "Oppa, perhaps sit down before you break something else."
Jiwoo blinked.
"I'm standing?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
Jisuk stared.
"You didn't notice?"
Jiwoo looked sheepish.
"The cats distracted me."
Jisuk looked around the apartment.
Then at Wooin petting the black cat.
Then at Inhyuk spiritually bonding with the tabby.
Then at Asuka holding the grey cat like she had never known anything but gentleness.
Then at Kayden, who truly did look like he owned the place.
Finally, he looked at Jiwoo, who was smiling even while injured.
Jisuk clicked his tongue.
"This is ridiculous."
Wooin, still petting the cat, said quietly, "It is peaceful."
Jisuk glanced at him.
Wooin did not look up.
The black cat purred louder.
Jisuk looked away.
"Whatever."
But he did not leave.
Jiwoo sat down slowly on the couch with Asuka's help. The cats immediately reorganized around him as if reclaiming territory. One settled near his hip. Another on the armrest. The tabby abandoned Inhyuk, much to his quiet devastation, and climbed onto Jiwoo's lap with the careful entitlement of a creature that knew it belonged there.
Kayden stared at it.
The tabby stared back.
A silent war began.
Jiwoo rested one hand on Kayden and the other on the tabby.
"There's room for both of you."
Kayden's expression said there was not.
The tabby began purring.
Kayden looked personally betrayed.
Asuka sat beside Jiwoo, the grey cat still in her arms.
Wooin stayed near the entrance for another moment.
Then, slowly, he stepped farther into the apartment.
It was a small movement.
But for him, it felt like crossing a line.
From outside to inside.
From watching to belonging somewhere, even briefly.
Jiwoo noticed.
Of course he did.
His smile softened without making a big deal of it.
"Wooin, do you want tea?"
Wooin looked at him.
"You should not move."
"Asuka can make it."
Asuka turned her bandaged face toward him.
Jiwoo paused.
"Or… maybe I should not volunteer you."
"It is fine," Asuka said, already standing.
Kayden watched her go toward the kitchen and muttered, "You spoil him."
Asuka answered without turning.
"Yes."
Jiwoo smiled.
Wooin looked down at the cat rubbing against his leg again.
Seongha stood by the door, quiet.
Inhyuk remained crouched, visibly overwhelmed by happiness.
Jisuk stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed, acting like he had been forced into enemy territory.
Then the black-and-white cat leapt down from the couch, walked to him, sniffed his shoe, and sneezed.
Jisuk stared.
"Hey."
The cat walked away proudly.
Inhyuk gasped.
"She acknowledged you."
Jisuk looked horrified.
"That was acknowledgment?"
"In her own way."
"That cat sneezed at me."
"Exactly."
Jisuk slowly turned toward Jiwoo.
"Your house is insane."
Jiwoo smiled.
"Thank you?"
"That wasn't a compliment."
Asuka returned from the kitchen.
"It can be."
Kayden closed his eyes.
The apartment filled with cats, injured teenagers, awkward silence, and warmth no one knew what to do with.
Wooin held the black cat carefully with both hands now, expression unreadable but softer at the edges.
Jisuk pretended not to watch.
Inhyuk watched too openly.
Seongha observed without interrupting.
And Jiwoo sat in the center of it all, surrounded by cats and people who had somehow followed him home.
Still bruised.
Still healing.
Still smiling like this was exactly where everyone was supposed to be.
Asuka set the tea down.
Her gaze moved across the room behind her bandages.
Wooin, quieter.
Jisuk, restless.
Inhyuk, glowing.
Seongha, thoughtful.
Kayden, offended.
Jiwoo, happy.
The grey cat purred in her arms.
Asuka's mouth softened.
For once, the future did not feel like a warning.
It felt like this.
A small apartment.
Warm tea.
Rescued animals.
And the beginning of bonds that had not yet learned their own names.
The living room was, objectively, a mess.
Not destroyed.
Not dangerous.
Just very, very lived in.
Cat toys were scattered under the table. A blanket had been dragged halfway off the couch. A small stuffed mouse sat upside down near the stairs like a tragic casualty of war. One cushion had been pushed to the floor. The food bowls near the kitchen were clean, but there were faint paw prints around them, as if someone had celebrated dinner by marching triumphantly through water.
Jiwoo looked around.
Then smiled.
"They were energetic while I was gone."
Jisuk stared at the floor.
"That's one word for it."
Inhyuk immediately stepped forward.
"I'll help clean."
Jiwoo blinked.
"No, it's fine. I can do it myself."
Asuka turned her bandaged face toward him.
"You cannot."
Jiwoo paused.
"I mean… eventually."
"You are still healing."
"Yes."
Inhyuk smiled warmly.
"It's okay. I'm glad to help. It wasn't this messy yesterday."
Jisuk's head snapped toward him.
"You kidding? All this clutter in a single day?"
He looked around again, visibly horrified.
"I think this is more than a day's worth of mess."
Inhyuk only smiled brighter at Jiwoo.
"They're healthy and energetic cats."
Jiwoo's eyes lit up.
"Right?! Those three are all very energetic!"
Inhyuk nodded enthusiastically.
"Hee hee hee."
Jiwoo nodded back, just as delighted.
"Hee hee hee."
Jisuk stared at them.
"They've gone mad."
Wooin, still near the couch with the black cat rubbing around his ankles, watched silently.
Jisuk crossed his arms.
"This is what crazy cat people are like."
He glanced around the room again.
"Geez, what a doghouse."
A pause.
"Or should I say cat house? Whatever. This place isn't suitable for human living."
A soft meow interrupted him.
Jisuk looked down.
The tabby cat sat in front of his feet, looking up at him with wide, bright eyes.
"What?"
The tabby blinked.
Then rolled onto its back.
Belly up.
Paws curled.
A shameless display of cuteness.
Jisuk stared.
The tabby rubbed its head against his feet, nuzzling around his ankle before letting out another tiny, devastating meow.
Jisuk's expression twitched.
He looked away.
Then looked back.
The tabby's eyes shone.
Jisuk sighed.
"…I guess you're kinda cute."
The room shifted.
Not with energy.
With menace.
Jisuk felt it.
Slowly, he turned his head.
At the top of the small stairs, Kayden sat like an offended guardian spirit.
Round.
Orange.
Unmoving.
Glaring down at Jisuk with the full weight of judgment.
Jisuk frowned.
"Hey, what's up with that cat over there?"
Jiwoo glanced up.
"Huh?"
"Every time I look at him…" Jisuk pointed at Kayden. "He gives me this annoyed look."
Jiwoo squinted.
"Re… really? I can't tell."
Kayden's glare deepened.
Before anyone else could speak, Inhyuk stood.
Too fast.
He crossed the room and grabbed Jisuk by the collar.
Jisuk's eyes widened.
"Inhyuk?"
"Annoyed look?" Inhyuk asked.
His voice was low.
Dangerous.
"How can you say that about a cat?"
Jisuk stared up at him, suddenly nervous.
"Uh… why can't I say that about a cat?"
Inhyuk's gaze darkened.
For one terrible moment, his eyes looked almost bloodshot with offended devotion.
"Are you bullying cats now?"
Jisuk sweat-dropped.
"Um, it's nothing like that…"
He pointed weakly toward Kayden.
"Don't you find that cat's expression kinda odd?"
"Odd?"
Inhyuk released a slow breath.
Then, with the seriousness of someone delivering a sacred truth, he said, "I find him adorable."
Kayden froze.
Asuka turned her face slightly away.
Her shoulders trembled once.
Inhyuk continued, "That's part of his charm. You have an irritated expression too, so why can't the cat?"
Jisuk's mouth opened.
Closed.
He looked genuinely wounded.
"That's not what I meant. I mean…"
He touched his rumpled collar with a sigh.
"Forget it."
At the top of the stairs, Kayden lifted his chin.
Proud.
Satisfied.
Vindicated.
He had been defended.
Correctly.
By a man he deeply wished would stop defending him.
It was complicated.
Then Inhyuk turned sharply.
"Seongha Park!"
Seongha, who had been standing quietly near the entrance and very carefully not interacting with any cats, looked at him with a straight face.
"What?"
"What's up with you?"
Seongha's expression did not change.
"Nothing."
Inhyuk narrowed his eyes.
Then snapped his fingers.
"Something is off about you."
Seongha's jaw tightened faintly.
At that exact moment, the black cat that had been near Wooin wandered toward him and sat down directly in front of his feet.
Then it lifted one paw and began licking it.
Seongha flinched.
Barely.
Almost imperceptibly.
But Inhyuk saw it.
His eyes gleamed.
Asuka, setting cups in the kitchen, tilted her head.
Ah.
There it was.
Inhyuk slowly grinned.
"Are you…"
Seongha's eyes sharpened.
"Inhyuk Gu."
Inhyuk gently picked up the black cat.
The cat allowed it because Inhyuk, to his credit, handled it properly.
Seongha immediately leaned back.
"Inhyuk Gu. Do not come near me."
Inhyuk's grin widened.
"Why? What's wrong?"
Seongha turned sharply toward the door.
"I'll go wait in the car."
Inhyuk gasped.
"Are you seriously afraid of cats?"
Seongha froze.
Slowly, he turned his head.
His glare could have cut glass.
Inhyuk held the black cat close and lifted one of its paws smugly.
"Who would have thought?"
His face shifted into a mockingly sad frown.
"Seongha Park, one of the top twenty of Korea's awakened power list, is afraid of cats…"
He waved the cat's paw.
"Awww."
Seongha's expression darkened.
"Nonsense. I'm not afraid of them."
The black cat blinked.
Seongha's foot shifted back.
"I just find them annoying."
Inhyuk's smile turned wicked.
"Then why are you running off like that?"
"I am not running away," Seongha said stiffly. "There is no need for me to be here."
"Really?"
"Yes. Really."
In the background, everyone watched.
Deadpan.
Jisuk stared.
Wooin stared.
Jiwoo, halfway between the couch and the kitchen, stared.
Kayden stared from the stairs.
Even Asuka, returning with a tray of drinks, paused just enough to listen.
Inhyuk tilted his head.
"I don't think so."
Seongha's aura chilled.
"Inhyuk Gu."
The room temperature seemed to drop.
"Are you picking a fight with me?"
Inhyuk puckered his lips at the cat.
Then waved both of its paws.
"Meow."
Seongha's eye twitched.
Inhyuk moved the cat's paw forward in a tiny jab.
"Come at me. Kitty punch."
Jisuk's face went blank.
Wooin blinked once.
Kayden looked like he had witnessed something deeply offensive to combat itself.
Jiwoo, despite his injuries, looked horrified and delighted at the same time.
Asuka set the tray down.
Her mouth was very still.
Too still.
She was absolutely laughing inside.
"Can you two please stop and sit down for a bit?" Jiwoo asked, gentle and pleading.
Inhyuk immediately straightened.
"Oh. Yes, of course."
He sat down with the black cat still in his arms.
Seongha remained near the door for two more seconds, visibly debating whether his pride was worth staying in a room full of cats.
Then he sat.
Very far from Inhyuk.
And the black cat.
Jiwoo smiled.
"I'll bring you something to eat or drink."
Asuka's hand landed lightly on his shoulder before he could take another step.
"No."
Jiwoo paused.
"But guests—"
"You are a guest in your own recovery."
Jisuk snorted.
Jiwoo looked sheepish.
Asuka turned toward Jisuk.
"Have a seat too, Jisuk."
Jisuk blinked.
"Me?"
"You are standing in the middle of the room."
He looked down.
He was.
"Tch."
He sat, acting like the couch had personally offended him.
Jiwoo smiled toward Wooin.
"You too, Wooin."
Wooin hesitated.
Then sat carefully near the edge of the couch, the black cat immediately leaving Inhyuk's arms and returning to him as though it had selected its person.
Inhyuk looked betrayed.
Seongha looked relieved.
Kayden remained on the stairs, watching.
These past few days had been uncomfortable.
Too many people.
Too many eyes.
Too many moments where he had to act like an ordinary cat.
He had to watch everything he did.
Everything he said.
Every expression.
He had been named Casein Nitrate.
Fed by Inhyuk.
Defended from accusations of overeating.
Forced to endure cat baby-talk from a high-ranking Shinhwa member.
It was humiliating.
A lesser person would have snapped.
Kayden Break, unfortunately, was currently trapped in a round cat body and surrounded by idiots.
He looked toward the living room.
Jiwoo was guiding Wooin toward a seat as if Wooin belonged there.
Wooin followed quietly, awkward but not resisting.
Jisuk sat with his arms crossed, pretending he was above all of this while the tabby curled beside his foot.
Inhyuk continued teasing Seongha with the black cat from a safer distance, lifting both paws and whispering, "Meow… kitty punch."
Seongha looked seconds away from committing a diplomatic incident.
Asuka moved through the kitchen with calm familiarity, preparing drinks and snacks while listening to everyone at once.
Jiwoo laughed.
Softly.
Carefully, because his ribs still hurt.
But genuinely.
The sound filled the apartment with something warm.
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
His disciples looked happy.
Even if one of them was injured and the other was pretending not to enjoy chaos.
His tail flicked once.
Well.
He supposed he could not help it.
He would just have to put up with it.
For now.
A tabby toy rolled near the bottom of the stairs.
Kayden looked at it.
Then at the room.
No one was watching him.
He reached out one paw and batted it once.
Just once.
Strategic inspection.
The toy rolled back.
Kayden stared.
Then batted it again.
From the kitchen, Asuka's voice came softly.
"You are playing."
Kayden froze.
Everyone turned.
Kayden slowly withdrew his paw.
"No, I'm not."
To everyone else, it came out as a low, offended meow.
Jiwoo's eyes brightened.
"Casein Nitrate likes the toy."
Kayden's soul left his body.
Inhyuk gasped.
"He does?"
"No," Kayden hissed.
Meow.
Asuka returned with tea.
"Yes."
Kayden glared at her.
"You are cruel."
She set a cup down in front of Jiwoo.
"You are cute."
The entire room went still.
Kayden stared.
Jiwoo stared.
Jisuk stared.
Wooin stared.
Inhyuk looked as though he had just heard divine confirmation.
Seongha looked like he wanted to leave again.
Kayden's ears flattened.
Asuka calmly handed Wooin a cup.
The grey cat, still nearby, purred.
Kayden looked at the floor.
Then at the toy.
Then at the cluster of cats, teenagers, and troublesome adults occupying what had once been a relatively manageable apartment.
He closed his eyes.
This was his life now.
His students were smiling.
Their house was overrun.
His dignity had been left somewhere in Shinhwa's medical room beside a pile of cat treats.
And somehow, against every instinct he possessed, Kayden decided that he could tolerate it.
Barely.
Temporarily.
Under protest.
"Mr. Kayden," Jiwoo whispered fondly.
Kayden opened one eye.
Jiwoo's smile was soft and grateful.
"Thank you for coming home with us."
Kayden looked away.
"Tch."
Meow.
Asuka's expression softened.
Jisuk leaned toward Wooin and muttered, "Does he always look like he understands everything?"
Wooin looked at Kayden.
Then at Jiwoo.
Then at Asuka.
"…Yes."
Jisuk stared.
"That wasn't reassuring."
Inhyuk, still holding one cat paw, smiled brightly.
"I think he is very wise."
Kayden's eyes sharpened.
Finally.
Recognition.
Then Inhyuk added, "A wise chubby baby."
Kayden's expression died.
Asuka turned away.
Jiwoo made a strangled sound.
Jisuk burst out laughing.
Wooin's mouth twitched.
Seongha covered his mouth with one hand, suspiciously professional.
Kayden slowly stood at the top of the stairs.
Everyone quieted.
He descended one step.
Then another.
Round body dignified.
Tail high.
Eyes narrowed.
He walked directly past Inhyuk, past Jisuk, past Wooin, past Jiwoo's feet, and sat beside Asuka.
Asuka looked down.
Kayden stared forward like a war general preparing for siege.
She understood.
He had chosen her as the least humiliating refuge.
Again.
Asuka reached down and scratched lightly behind his ear.
Kayden did not move.
Did not lean into it.
Absolutely did not enjoy it.
Jiwoo smiled at them both.
The living room remained messy.
The cats remained everywhere.
Inhyuk and Seongha were still one comment away from fighting over whether cat fear was a valid tactical weakness.
Jisuk was still pretending he was not petting the tabby with one hand.
Wooin was still quietly learning how to hold a cat without looking like the world might shatter.
And Kayden, once the most feared independent awakener alive, sat beside Asuka Seo in a cluttered apartment full of rescued animals and thought, with grim acceptance—
This was troublesome.
Then the tabby purred louder.
Jiwoo smiled brighter.
Asuka's hand stayed gentle behind his ear.
Kayden sighed.
Fine.
Troublesome was not always bad.
----