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"You'll be moving in tomorrow, right?"
Renjun confirmed as his landlord gave a recap of the rules and regulations in her apartment complex. He listened patiently to the old woman despite knowing everything already since they were included in the apartment’s contract. At last, his landlord let him be in his small one-room fully furnished apartment.
Renjun sighed as he traveled his eyes around his new home for the next two years or so. Moving to another country is no joke, but he could not pass up the opportunity of furthering his research and being granted funds that would cover even his living expenses in South Korea. He was a mix of emotions but he could not deny the dominating excitement that’s rushing in his veins.
With a small curl on his lips, he locked the door and was about to turn around when he felt a soft fluff of something on his ankles.
The small shriek that came out of his mouth was embarrassing, and Renjun breathed out a relieved sigh when he saw that that something was just a cat.
“Oh, hello there!” He kneeled to have a closer look. The cat was white with light grey markings on their body. The markings were darker on their face, forming a small crown on their forehead.
The cat stared at him. There’s a calculating look on their face as they looked him up and down. Renjun swore if he could understand cat-language he’d say the cat was appraising him.
Renjun offered his right hand and slowly, the cat sniffed it until they’re snuggling their face on Renjun’s palm. Renjun instantly melted.
He spent a whole minute just patting and rubbing the cat’s head, ears, and body. The cat’s fur was soft and they smelt good, all signs of being well-taken care of.
“Do you live here? May I see your collar?” The cat blinked. Renjun took a peek and saw the name Luna engraved on the cat’s collar. “Luna? What a pretty name for such a pretty thing!”
The cat purred at the sound of her name. She circled around Renjun for more rubs and Renjun was happy to give her just that.
Their moment was broken by a loud sound upstairs. Renjun looked up and the next thing he saw was Luna running and disappearing through the corner where the staircase was.
It’s only when Renjun was in the cab that he remembered that pets were not allowed in his apartment complex.
(Somewhere in the distance, a thread connects and a wheel starts to spin.)
🐈
The next day, Renjun huffed as he placed the last of his clothes inside the closet. He only brought two luggages of clothes and other necessities. He did not want to bring things that he could buy in a market which he saw was near his apartment complex.
He heard knocks — but it’s more of something bumping repeatedly — on his door.
Renjun thought it might be his landlord, but when he opened the door, only the sight of the unit in front of him greeted him.
“Huh?” Renjun shivered as the cold night air touched his skin, raising goosebumps in its wake. He looked left and right, but there was no sign of any human being who could have knocked on his unit.
It’s only his first night and he’s already being haunted by ghosts?!
Renjun cursed. He’s about to shut the door when something interrupted the horror films playing in his head.
He looked down and, “meow.”
There on Renjun’s doorstep was a cat sitting elegantly, demanding Renjun’s attention.
“Oh, thank God, it’s just you,” Renjun breathed a relieved sigh. He instantly beamed at the return of his first guest and kneeled down. “Hello, Luna!”
Luna narrowed her eyes at him and raised her head, as if showing her collar. Renjun took a glimpse and saw a different name engraved.
“Lucy?”
Upon hearing her name, Lucy lowered her head and stared at Renjun. He realized how this cat’s fur was whiter than the one yesterday, with less and lighter gray markings. Although, she was almost the same size as Luna.
“I’m sorry, I thought you’re Luna. You really look like her, such a pretty little thing, too. Are you siblings?” Renjun chuckled. It’s not as if the cat can answer his question.
Lucy blinked and, without prompting, walked towards Renjun. She rubbed her head on Renjun’s folded legs, circling around Renjun just like how Luna did yesterday.
Lucy also appeared to be a well-cared for cat. It only meant that they were owned by someone who lived in the building.
“Pets aren’t allowed here. How did your owner manage to hide you from Mrs. Yoo?” The cat only purred. “Did she allow your owner? That’s unfair. I want to have a cat, too.”
Lucy stopped rubbing her head and looked up at Renjun. Like Luna, there seemed to be a calculating look on her face as she stared at Renjun.
“Do you think she’ll allow me to have one? Although I don’t think I can take care of one now. Maybe after a month or so, once I’m settled in my unit.”
Lucy shook her head. She pawed at his knees and let out insistent meows.
“Why? What’s the matter?”
But Lucy suddenly stopped, and before Renjun could ask her again, she ran and disappeared to the staircase.
🐈 🐈
All throughout his first two weeks, Luna and Lucy alternated in visiting him. Whenever he would go home after buying stuff for his apartment, one of them would be sitting at his door, waiting patiently for his arrival. Sometimes, they’re together, pawing at Renjun’s door until he comes out to give them the pats and belly rubs they want.
Renjun got used to being accompanied by them every late afternoon. He started stocking up on cat treats for his little friends. However, he noticed that when the sun was fully set, they would run and disappear to the staircase. To go back home, he assumed.
He tried investigating what unit they could be living in. A week after he moved in, he gave away mooncakes to his neighbors. But some units were empty and the others he managed to have a glimpse at did not have any signs of homing cats.
He subtly asked his landlord about the cats, citing seeing them near the entrance of the building instead of within the building. But Mrs. Yoo only frowned and reiterated how pets or any stray animals were not allowed in the apartments. She left Renjun with a promise to tighten the security around the building.
Renjun could not help but be worried for his little friends and their owner. He imagined they might be an old lady who takes comfort and company with her cats. He was relieved when the cats only continued to visit him in the following days.
One time, as Renjun was leaving his apartment, he heard a resounding crash at the floor above. It only got louder as he walked to the elevator near the staircase.
“Ah, why—” Muffled noises. “Stop—” Another crash. “Waaah!” A high pitched shriek.
As curious as Renjun was, he was running late to his first meeting with the university that granted his research fund.
“What’s the matter with you two? It’s too early for me to go to work!”
Just as he was stepping inside the elevator, he heard another crash, the loudest yet of them all.
“Luna, stop scratching the door! Lucy!”
🐈 🐈
Renjun came from his meeting tired but fulfilled. And, as he expected, there was already a white fluffball waiting for him on his doorstep.
Yesterday was Luna and today, it was Lucy. She was sitting upright with her front paws tucked in under her body, making her look just like a loaf of bread. Her dark eyes were staring at him expectantly.
“Hello, Lucy!” Renjun greeted her with a pat on her head. Lucy was quick to stand up and snuggle her face on Renjun’s palm. He remembered the scene he heard earlier this morning and eagerly grinned at the cat.
“I heard you and Luna and your owner this morning. So, that’s where you two live.” Renjun leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, “You two seemed to be fighting with your owner. Is that why you kept on going to my apartment? You don’t like your owner?”
Suddenly, Lucy stopped and stood straight. As if she was in distress, she started pawing at Renjun’s knees and meowing loudly.
Renjun chuckled, understanding that what he said was wrong.
“I’m sorry. I know you love him, and I’m sure he loves you both very much!”
Lucy seemingly calmed down and returned to rubbing her head on Renjun’s palm and legs.
“I’m really curious now on who’s your owner. Or your dad? Does he take care of you two alone?” Renjun wondered. “That’s gotta be a big responsibility to take care of two cats alone. Your dad must be so cool. I really want to meet him soon.”
Lucy only stared at him while her face was mushed in between Renjun’s knees. Slowly, he walked back to where he was laying down earlier and dragged an A6-size leaflet. Renjun reached for it and saw the name Dream Cafe printed in bold letters, with pictures of the cafe’s menu following the name.
“Oh? Why do you have this? Does your dad work here?” Lucy blinked and Renjun took it as a yes. He chuckled and gently squeezed Lucy’s paw. “You’re such a good daughter to your dad. Okay! I’ll drop by tomorrow before going to work.”
The cafe was small but spacious. The design was a mix of modern pieces and retro tiles and wallpaper, with the muted hues of orange and pine green giving color to the place. Two men were stationed at the counter wearing their uniform consisting of white oxford shirt, black pants, and a dark green apron.
It was eight in the morning when Renjun entered the cafe, meaning the place was bustling with people who needed their fix of caffeine to start the day. The line was long, and with Renjun’s height, he did not have a clear sight of the people manning the counter.
He was five people away when he saw a glimpse of shockingly bubblegum pink hair, just as the man turned around to walk inside the backdoor kitchen. He was replaced by a man with deep black hair. Jeno, his nameplate read when Renjun was finally next in line.
Renjun ordered an iced latte, and as much as he wanted to strike a conversation with the man to ask if he was Luna and Lucy’s owner, he thought he’d just come back another day seeing as the line behind him was still long.
The next day, Renjun came back late in the afternoon. The cafe was finally calm and he managed to have a chat with the crew working during that time. Chenle and Donghyuck, who are both to his disappointment, were dog owners. Although, he had fun talking with them, especially with Chenle who was also Chinese himself who moved to Seoul five years ago.
Soon, he met Mark and Jisung, who did not own any pets but would like to adopt one someday just like himself. He discovered that they were both studying their post-graduate studies in the same university he’s working in. Despite them not being the person he was looking for, Renjun was glad to have met friends in his workplace.
The person who almost fit the bill was actually Jeno, the man who was at the counter the first time he went to the cafe. He had three cats, but when he asked what their names were, he answered Seol, Nal, and Bongshik. It made sense. As far as Renjun knew, only Luna and Lucy were the cats of their dad.
Renjun realized that the cafe might not be connected to Luna and Lucy’s dad. Lucy might have just picked it up somewhere and gave it to him, leaving him to make assumptions on an innocent piece of paper. Over time, he grew weary at never meeting the person he was looking for.
It was weird. To feel disappointed — a sense of loss — over someone he had never met.
(The wheel spins, the thread stretches; lengthening, longing.)
🐈 🐈
Renjun became busy as he finalized the data gathering method he will use for his research. A week from now, he will start conducting the initial phase, and he will only be busier by then.
Luna and Lucy never stopped visiting him. However, the past few days he had been staying longer in the university and going home after the sun had fully set. During those days, the cats were no longer waiting for his arrival as they went home to their owner’s apartment.
It was due to the exhaustion and the loneliness that’s creeping up at the back of his mind that Renjun was finally hit by a wave of homesickness. He’s certain it’s only the first of the many he’ll experience. This was his first time to live so far from home and for a long period of time. He’s sure that the busier he gets, the less time he will have to talk with his parents.
He was in the middle of wiping away the tears that escaped his hold when he heard the low bumps and scratches to his door. Renjun softly chuckles, already knowing the culprits behind the damage his door was getting.
“Hello, lovelies,” Renjun greeted his two familiars fondly, but his eyes widened when, squished between Luna and Lucy, was another cat who looked just like them. “Oh, you brought a new friend!”
Renjun excitedly kneeled down, giving the two their pats and rubs. He let the new cat sniff his palm, and despite their hesitation, he gave a small lick on Renjun’s palm. Renjun brushed their soft white fur, the same color as Luna and Lucy, with gray markings, too.
Luke, his collar read.
“Aren’t you a handsome little guy! Why did you just come down now? Your sisters have been visiting me for a month already.”
As if he was acting shy, Luke stepped back and squished himself between Luna and Lucy again.
“Aww, it’s alright, Luke. I am so happy to meet you!”
At his peripheral view, he saw Luna walking past him to go inside his apartment, quickly followed by Lucy. The two, already being acquainted with his home for so many times, already knew where his room was and went there straight.
Luke walked a bit slower and spent his time surveying Renjun’s home, sniffing around and pawing at Renjun's new brown carpet. He followed his sisters and joined the kitty pile his sisters were in.
“Why are you three here? Where’s your dad?”
The kitty pile stopped moving. All at once, the three cats looked at him and blinked.
“Is he not home? How are you three going in and out of his apartment?” Renjun sighed at the continuous staring, blinking, and purring. Well, what did he expect? He could not understand cat-speak.
“I guess you can sleep over for tonight.”
Renjun lay down on the space left vacant by the three cats. However, they instantly went out of their kitty pile, and found their own comfortable space beside Renjun’s body. Luna became a loaf of bread snuggled inside Renjun’s left arm. Lucy went on top of him while Luke curled down at his right leg.
With the cats warming his sides and his chest, the freezing cold he felt earlier melted, and was replaced by the soft white fur providing comfort to his lonely heart.
It was the best sleep Renjun ever had since he arrived in Seoul.
🐈 🐈 🐈
Renjun blinked his eyes open as he woke up from what seemed like more than ten hours of sleep. It’s the longest he’s had, even longer than his sleep when he first arrived in Seoul and was suffering from the lack of sleep due to an early morning flight.
He patted around the bed, but he did not feel any ball of fur save from the pieces that fell off the cats who slept with him. He’s confused as he walked around his apartment, looking for any traces of the cats when the sound of muffled noises outside his apartment caught his attention.
“This is where you’ve been all night? Luna, Lucy, Luke. Do you know how worried I was?”
Renjun did not know why but his heart started pounding as he walked towards the door.
“You know Mrs. Yoo can’t see you! Do you want us to be homeless?”
Slowly, he turned the doorknob and gradually opened the door.
“Bad kitties! How did you even open the door, anyway—”
Renjun’s lips parted as he finally saw the person he was looking for.
A shock of bubblegum pink hair that’s messy due to sleep. A tall and broad figure covered by a white shirt with a print that read I LOVE CATS NOT YOU. A face that was a mix of soft and hard features, a face that was pretty, handsome, and beautiful at the same time.
Fuck. The man was gorgeous.
Renjun did not know how long it’s been when he’s just left standing there, awestruck at the man in front of him. The man was the same, lips parted as he forgot about what he was about to say to his bad kitties.
They were broken out of their stupor when the three cats, who were squished between their dad’s arms, started yowling and struggling out of their dad’s embrace.
“Hey—”
“Here, let me help.” Renjun took the cat in the middle, Luke, despite the other two also reaching for him. His lanky arms would not be able to hold all three of them like how their dad just did with his strong arms.
Really. Why did he even notice that? What the hell.
“I’m so sorry, they must’ve been bothering you all night. I don’t know how they did it, but I swear I locked the door before falling asleep.” The man pleaded.
“It’s okay, they didn’t bother me at all! I’m actually really thankful to them for always visiting me here.”
The man frowned. “They always visit you? Since when?”
“Since I moved here. I think it’s been more than a month since then.”
The man was shocked and threw a look at the cats. As if understanding their father, the three cats snuggled their faces on their chests to avoid their father’s eyes.
The man sighed, and fixed his hold on Luna and Lucy to make them more comfortable. “I really didn’t know they’ve been running around the building for that long already. It’s been a year since I adopted them and they never left my apartment. Until now, that is.”
“Oh,” Renjun was pleasantly surprised with the information. “Maybe, they just wanted to make a new friend.”
The man scoffed lightheartedly. “More like, they wanted a new dad.”
Huh… Renjun flushed bright pink. As if he was just realizing the implications of what he said, the man also turned so pink it could rival the color of his dyed hair.
“I mean, they might be getting sick of me so they wanted a new dad! Not, uhm, not like that.”
“I wasn’t thinking of anything!” Renjun waved his free hand. “And I don’t think that’s the reason. They’re always clean and soft, and they would go home at the same time every time. I think that’s the time when you’ll arrive home. They really love you.”
Renjun brushed the fur on Luke’s head. “Maybe, they’re just feeling lonely and they want to make a new friend.” Like me, the words were left unsaid.
The man only stared at him, as if decoding his words and hearing the thing Renjun left out of his piece. His eyes softened as he stared heavily at Renjun, who averted his eyes due to the weight of the stranger’s gaze.
“I could use a friend, too.” The man smiled widely, and for a moment, Renjun was blinded at how mesmerizing the sight was. “I’m Jaemin. Na Jaemin.”
If only it was possible, Renjun’s heart skipped a beat. His stomach felt light, as if his body weighed nothing as the name was engraved in his head. Making a space for itself to be something that Renjun would always think of.
“I’m Renjun. Huang Renjun.” Renjun beamed.
“Hi, Renjun. Thank you for taking care of my cats.”
“Hi, Jaemin. Thank you for letting me take care of them.”
A soft purring followed their conversation as the cats in their arms started kneading at their chest.
“That’s the sign that these little beasts are hungry.” Jaemin laughed. “Do you want to grab breakfast with us? I’ll cook you food as a little thank you for feeding them. No wonder they have gotten bigger since last month.”
“I don’t want to impose, but I also don’t want to pass up free food.”
“Renjun.” Jaemin chuckled softly. “You’ll always be welcome to our place.”
As if agreeing with their dad, Luke rubbed his head and curled up more comfortably in Renjun’s chest. The two of them walked side-by-side as they went to their apartment upstairs, with the cats comfortably sleeping in their arms.
The apartment he’s been looking for for a month now was the same size as his, but that’s where the similarities end. It was modern and minimalistically designed with plain white walls and white furniture. The only thing that decorated the otherwise bare living room was the cat toys, towers, and plush little beds placed all around the apartment. It felt different compared to Renjun’s apartment that was filled with pillows of different colors and trinkets from his family and friends from his home in China. This place, just like his apartment downstairs, felt new. Unfamiliar.
But, perhaps, it doesn't always have to be that way. He could feel it. Maybe, a whisper in his heart or just a feeling in his gut.
This place that felt new and unfamiliar to him now will soon be his home.
(The wheel stops and the thread is cut. From its end, a new thread is intertwined, tied, bound.
The wheel spins again.)