The Cat hides its Claws

“Do you really think it would be okay to trick the tiger?”

When Myohan went home, the first thing he did was adjust the clock. He took down the clock in his living room, adjusted it, put it back, and shrugged. What about phones…

“I told him only the truth.”

O Shin smiled. He grabbed Myohan as he went down from his chair and put him safely on the floor. He was being too overprotective, as Myohan could survive a fall from the sixth floor.

The cat came out, waving its tail, and it rubbed its face on Myohan’s leg.

He crouched down to give it a pat, and it meowed. It had been some time since he last took it in. It had gotten quite heavy. Then Sinsul, who was lying on the sofa, asked, “Wow, Sadeol’s the tiger? But I couldn’t smell a thing on him!”

“Well, it must have been some time since he last had any meat.”

As usual, they all headed to Myohan’s place together after school. Yuja said they needed to put in their best effort before the exams, and no one dared to object to it. Well, it wasn’t bad for Myohan. He needed as much allies as possible. Chookjae had gone home, saying his grandmother was waiting and he couldn’t stay for the night.

“But what if he doesn’t come?”

After a few hours, long after Yuja finished teaching his pupils and started working on math problems, Jagyeom asked as he started to feel sleepy.

Myohan had briefed them about his plan, but he couldn’t help doubting if Sadeol would really believe him. But contrary to his worry, Myohan was also completely sure of it.

“Have you ever seen Sinsul say no to soccer?”

At the same time, someone rang the doorbell. All the boys looked at Myohan at the same time. O Shin glanced at the clock and muttered to himself.

“About time.”

Sadeol was really excited as he entered. He smiled sheepishly and explained why he had come late.

“Sorry, my parents wouldn’t let me do a sleepover, so…”

Sadeol was surprised as he went into the living room. Myohan had told him to come to his place if he wanted to know how he could eat meat, but he hadn’t expected so many people to be there. He spotted Sinsul among the unfamiliar faces and waved a hand to him.

“Sinsul! Why are you here!”

“Sadeol, I heard you’re the tiger!” Sinsul said with an innocent smile. ‘Idiot,’ Myo Cheong muttered. Sadeol’s face darkened immediately and he turned to Myohan.

“…What.”

“Yes, he’s the tiger.”

But to everyone’s surprise, Myohan seemed really relaxed. He had expected it would happen when he told Sinsul that Sadeol was the tiger. He looked at Sadeol with a grin and pointed at the other boys one by one.

“Sinsul’s the dog, he’s the rabbit, the horse, the snake, the rooster, the sheep, the rat.”

“…What?”

“They all turn into animals just like you.”

He sounded way too unconcerned. Sadeol looked like he couldn’t believe it, of course. Myohan took his arm, brought him in, and sat down near the table. The cat came down from the sofa and sat on his lap.

“Just sit down. I’ll explain.”

Sadeol didn’t say a word while he explained. He nodded when Myohan talked about the twelve zodiac animals, and he frowned to find out what made them transform were all different. But when Myohan started to talk about Ja Time, Chook Time, and In Time, he bit his lips and frowned.

“He’s not buying it, is he?”

“Nope.”

Sajun whispered to Miho and Miho nodded. Yuja raised his glasses and muttered, “Who would buy it when he’s talking so halfheartedly?”

Myo Cheong heard them and glanced at them, buy Myohan didn’t mind about that and pointed at the clock. It was a little past 2 a.m.

“So you can eat meat from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. without turning into a tiger.”

He finished, but Sadeol still wouldn’t say anything. His eyes were full of doubt and Myohan’s lips curled up to see that.

“So let’s eat meat after 3 a.m. We have to wait only a little.”

“…Myohan.”

His light-colored eyes were now wavering. His pupils were narrow now, and the cat got up from Myohan’s lap. Myohan looked at it, wondering if it was afraid, but it was hitting the floor with its tail and glaring at Sadeol.

“You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?” Sadeol spoke angrily. His rage made Jagyeom flinch although he was quite far away. Sadeol went on, “I thought we were alike and could be friends, and you bring in the other boys to make fun of me?”

“Sadeol.”

“You lie, and…”

“You’re the one who said you wanted to know how to eat meat.”

His voice was cold. Jino shifted nervously with wide eyes. Myohan was usually laid-back, but now he sounded quite deadly. He looked at Sadeol with a serious expression.

“So I’m telling you how, and you think you get to doubt me?”

“But you’re talking nonsense. They all turn into animals? Into other animals, not tigers like you and me?” Sadeol growled. Sinsul opened his mouth at the part ‘tigers like you and me,’ but Yuja quickly poked him. Myohan glared back at him. The other boys were to suffer in their tension.

“…If you can’t believe me, fine.”

Myohan looked at Jagyeom, who was about to faint, and he sighed. He looked away, looking a little hurt.

“You said we were alike…”

O Shin looked away and swallowed a laugh as Myohan was clearly pulling an act. The other boys couldn’t see it, but he could. Myo Cheong muttered in surprise, “He must have gone crazy.”

“Cheong, you’re talking too loudly.”

Sadeol’s fierce anger faded. He looked at Myohan. He thought they were the same, and Myohan’s hurt look was making him guilty? Why do I feel guilty when I’m the one who got fooled? He clenched his fist and talked calmer than before.

“I can’t believe you without seeing…”

“So you’ll believe it when you see.”

Myohan’s eyes shined. The cat frowned. Myohan looked straight into Sadeol’s eyes. His eyes were almost transparent, and they were ready to devour Sadeol.

“Promise me you’ll believe everything I say.”

Sadeol flinched at his overwhelming force. O Shin smiled. Well, the cat is a beast too.

“…Promise.”

Myohan stretched out a hand as soon as he spoke. It happened in a second. Before Myo Cheong, who had been worried since the ‘You’ll believe when you see,’ part, could open his mouth, and before O Shin, who was sitting a little further, angrily got up—

“Meow-”

The cat sounded somewhat irritated. It looked at the kissing lips and walked away. Myohan grabbed Myo Cheong’s head, kissed him, and put his tongue in as he closed his eyes.

“Cheong…” Jino said with tears. Miho and Yuja, who had never seen this before, gaped in shock. Myohan fished out a furry rabbit out of the falling clothes and looked at Sadeol.

“Can you believe it now?”

The rabbit covered its face with its paws. Its drooping ears were saying, ‘Shit, why does it always have to be me?’

Sadeol couldn’t say a word for a long time. Myo Cheong wriggled in Myohan’s hand, and he eventually kicked his wrist and ran away. Jino went after him, but he ended up getting rabbit-punched and sadly gave up. Yuja was the first to speak.

“That’s crazy.”

It broke the silence, but it was just right for describing what just had happened. Miho glanced at Myohan, but he ignored them all and said, “Let’s eat meat.”

Sadeol had promised to believe. He couldn’t insist any further. He just nodded.

It was late, but the country’s famous food delivery system was still at work. Sinsul barked for fried chicken, but Myohan ignored him, took others’ opinions, and ordered pork Bossam. In the meantime, rabbit Myo Cheong became the star of the night. Jino managed to coax him into sitting on the sofa. He angrily stomped his feet.

Miho had to cover his mouth, as it looked so cute, but he knew saying so would offend him.

“So he’s always the one who suffers,” Jagyeom said. Myohan felt somewhat guilty, so he tried to pat Myo Cheong and made excuses.

“Well, he’s small and easy.”

Myo Cheong’s nose quivered and he glared at Myohan. His white paw pushed his hand away. It clearly meant he couldn’t touch him. Rabbits could give dozens of punches in one second, so he had to be grateful that he wasn’t hit.