I Died And Turned Into A Cat

Ch. 34 A Model, A Cat (1)

Due to the nature of Tae-il’s job, once he left for work, he would be gone for at least twelve hours. It was common for him to leave the apartment for a whole night, and whenever he had to go on a business trip for at least two nights, I would be left at the pet hotel.

It had been two months since I became a pet cat, and I had become accustomed to finding ways to entertain myself alone. My favorite thing to do to pass the time was watch TV.

Tiktik.

At least with this body, I had the ability to press the remote control and watch TV. The owner of the apartment couldn’t possibly imagine this scene.

“There’s nya-thing to watch.”

Weekdays were a dearth of interesting programs. The words that came out of my mouth with a mixture of cat-speak and human words, and my cat side would subconsciously come out when I was either relaxed or when I was on full alert.

At the moment, I was sagging on the couch like a piece of melted candy. Whatever. Comfort was best.

I soon tired of watching TV, and I licked my fur with my rough tongue. Grooming was another activity I did when I was bored. When I finished licking my paws, I turned my head and licked my back. I could twist my body into strange postures that I wouldn’t have been able to do as a human.

“Hm. I’m very flexible,” I observed as I licked my back. “It’s kind of awesome.”

When I was a human, I heard all the time how stiffly I moved my body. Now I was even bendier than a ballerina. A satisfied purr left my throat. Being in a better mood, focused on grooming my tail next.

My life finally settled into stability now these days, and I was slowly regaining my original optimistic personality.

As I was engrossed in grooming myself, my cat hearing sensed someone approach the front door. I lifted my head towards the sound, then quickly turned off the TV. I sat in silence and listened to the sound of approaching footsteps. Was it my dear Tae-il? Or was it someone next door?

At that moment, there was the familiar sound of someone entering the password on the electronic lock.

Bibibep. Clack.

The door opened, and someone came inside.

A part of me sensed that something was strange. It had only been three hours since Tae-il packed his stuff and left. Why was he back already?

Okay, never mind that, I had to go and greet him! I loved it whenever my master came home! I jumped off the couch and bounded gleefully towards the front door.

“Myang?” (You’s already home?)

Through the front door, however, I caught the scent of someone…who was not Tae-il. It was not even Si-yul.

I streaked away at the sight of the stranger.

“Where are you…oh, there you are,” the man muttered.

To my surprise, it was none other than Tae-il’s manager friend who walked through the entrance hallway. He looked expectantly at me, as if he had a specific job. What could he possibly want from a cat?

I peeked my head out to look at him. Big mistake.

His footsteps pounded towards me, and I yowled as he grabbed me and tried to hold me firmly to his chest. I struggled in his arms, then slid right out of his grasp like an oiled snake.

Don’t underestimate the flexibility of a cat!

“Agh, you have no bones,” he huffed in frustration.

“Myaag!” I spat back at him.

“Come here—wait—come here, kitty, alright?”

I glared at him suspiciously, and he looked perplexed. When he approached me again, I took a step backwards.

I was a prim and proper cat, but only to Tae-il. I wouldn’t roll over in submission to a guy whose name I didn’t even know!

“Don’t you remember me, kitty? Hm? Come here.”

“…”

“Ah, you’re a nice Bow Meow, aren’t you? Hey!”

The manager suddenly lunged at me again, and I bolted away like lightning. Even though it was daytime, I couldn’t believe that he was making such a big ruckus.

Was he a robber? Or was he trying to kidnap me? I tucked myself in the corner underneath the bed and observed the manager with a keen stare. If he tried to grab me again, I wouldn’t hesitate to take out his eye.

Fortunately for his eye, he called Tae-il before I mistook him for an intruder.

“Hey Tae-il,” the manager said into the phone, “I’m trying to get your cat for you, but she’s hiding and won’t come out. What? Call her name? I’ve already tried that!

Wait, Tae-il wanted me?

I crawled out from underneath the bed, and the manager watched in stunned surprise as I calmly walked in the direction of the front door. He lowered his phone and followed me, looking deeply puzzled, but I did not run away this time.

I tilted my head slightly.

“Myaong?” (You came to get me?)

The manager pressed his phone against his ear again. “…Yeah, it’s me. When I called you, she came out again. Yes…I can take her now. I know! I’m handling her gently! Hang up now!”

“Myaong, mang?” (Where are we going?)

I allowed the manager to pick me up. He pushed his phone into his pocket with one hand and looked around the apartment.

“Where’s the carrier?”

“Myang myang?” (Where are we going? Where?)

I looked at him inquisitively. Since the manager came to fetch me, I didn’t think I would be taken back to the clinic again. I meowed as cutely as I could, awaiting the mysterious destination.

***

“Syaaak!” (No!)

The manager looked embarrassed by my goblin-like shriek of terror.

I was impeccably behaved, until I was brought to the photo shoot location and the door to my carrier was opened.

While I mentally freaked out at the sight of more than thirty staff members, it was Ha-eun’s approach that made want to jump and dash away.

“I…I think she hates me,” Ha-eun said morosely. She was elegantly dressed as the day’s model. Apparently Tae-il intended that we would be in the photo shoot together. Agh, how could he?!

Tae-il tried to give soothing whispers to calm me down, but only I bared my sharp teeth.

“Bow Meow…!” he scolded.

“Myagmyagmyagmyag!” (No no no no!)

He tried to hold his hand out to me, but my temper only got worse and I almost scratched him.

Everyone around understood what the cat’s cry meant. It was a very determined refusal.

“We can’t shoot like this,” the director said.

“I’m so sorry. Why does she hate me?” Ha-eun said with a sad expression.

Tae-il gave a worried frown. “Well…”

“What should we do, Tae-il? We don’t have another cat on hand.”

Another cat had been scheduled for the photo shoot today. However, a problem had come up, and Tae-il thought his clever cat would be the perfect replacement for the job.

He scratched his head. “I thought Bow Meow would be okay with this, but I guess it was too much for her.”

He looked back at me. It was when I saw Ha-eun approach that I acted like she was the enemy. If I got near her, she would be bloodied.

Tae-il grabbed his aching head.

“Should we push the shoot back? Ha-eun, aren’t you able to reschedule?”

“I’m afraid not,” Ha-eun said with a shake of her head. “I have a tight schedule, and next week I have an overseas shoot.”

“…What to do. How about we call the nearest pet shop? Does anyone have a friend who owns a black cat? “

I studied the scene carefully. Although my whole body rejected the idea of ever touching Ha-eun, I suddenly wanted to help Tae-il. He was my benefactor, and he honored me by choosing me when he needed help the most.

But my feelings towards Ha-eun wasn’t just dislike. It was outright loathing.

My paws scratched the floor in discontent and I puffed up my cheeks. I finally sneaked up and stood at Ha-eun’s feet.

“I heard Cody’s older sister had a cat. Would it be okay if we had a gray cat?”

“Gray isn’t quite…”

“Does it have to be a black cat?”

“The concept is a cute witch.”

Ha-eun didn’t realize that I was standing at her feet, as she was watching Tae-il and his manager brainstorming solutions.

I glanced upwards and took a long look at this tall, stylish woman. The more I observed, the more I disliked her because everything about her was so freakin’ perfect.

Her legs were long and slender, her waist was narrow and had the perfect curve to place one’s hands upon, and her breasts were quite…ample. She had the dream body I always wanted. Disgruntled, I lifted my front paw and touched her leg.

Despite my hatred for her, I wanted to do this for Tae-il. I had to just get this over with quickly.

Ha-eun glanced down in surprise.

“Oh…she’s not mad at me anymore.”

“…Are cats this fickle?” the manager said.

He looked at me as if he had never seen an animal so capricious, and Tae-il raised a finger to his mouth.

“Shh, I get it. Let’s shoot quickly before she changes her mind.”