Cat Therapy Chapter 3.1

Before they knew it, time had passed, and the broadcast filming was only a few days away.

In the meantime, Haedong had changed subtly, but for a cat, it was a significant change. Haedong finally began to express, with his entire body, day by day, the evidence that he had opened his heart to Seo Yongwoo.

Whenever Seo Yongwoo woke up, or went out for a bit and came back home, Haedong, in his cat form, would frantically rub his cheeks and whole body against his legs. He would meow and cling to him as if to say he was happy to see him, and it was so cute that it made life quite worth living.

However, because the cat was so black, he would sometimes get kicked by Seo Yongwoo’s long legs in dark places. When that happened, Seo Yongwoo would feel so sorry that he would have to hold and soothe the cat for a long time, and even take out some dried capelin for him.

“This feels like an insurance scam.”

Meeeow!

“You’re deliberately weaving between my legs to get a snack, aren’t you?”

Seo Yongwoo was intentionally controlling the amount of snacks because if he fed him snacks, he wouldn’t eat his meals properly. But Haedong kept sticking to his legs whenever he walked, to the point where he wondered if this was what he was aiming for.

And there was another unexpected side to him.

One time, when he woke up from sleep, the first thing he saw was a pitch-black furball settled on his chest. Its tail was casually draped across his face, which was quite ticklish, but the cat was purring and engrossed in something, so he barely managed to endure it.

Purrrr.

“……”

The cat was kneading on his chest for the first time.

It was a day he did not regret having consistently trained his chest muscles. It was a habit usually done when nursing from a mother cat, but for a grown cat to show this instinct was proof that he trusted and felt comfortable with the target.

Although, when he woke up, the cat acted prim and proper as if he had done nothing at all, Seo Yongwoo, who already knew everything, felt something more than just happiness from these daily occurrences, to the point of having strange feelings.

‘Why do I feel so grateful just because the kid follows me well.’

Was it because he had truly thought of himself as a cat butler? In the past, he had even hit him with his cat body to avoid him, but now Haedong would groom him first and ate his food very well, so he couldn’t be any prettier.

There was more evidence that Haedong had opened his heart. Now, wherever Seo Yongwoo was, Haedong would subtly follow and settle down nearby.

Even when Seo Yongwoo was working in his study, Haedong would sneakily follow him. Haedong’s main task was usually to watch the large fish tank that took up one wall of the study.

“Don’t you get bored just looking at the fish like that?”

“No… I like it because it’s quiet.”

Taking it as a sign not to talk to him, Seo Yongwoo quietly went about his work. Even when he checked on him from time to time, worried he might be bored, Haedong would just stare intently at the fish. Then, sometimes, he would take pictures of him or the fish with a camera. To Seo Yongwoo, spending their own time while feeling each other’s presence was quite peaceful, to the point that it was becoming a routine for just the two of them.

‘He’s been consistently taking good pictures.’

Seo Yongwoo, who was glancing at Haedong as usual, put down his phone that had a notification. There was something he had made up his mind to do a few days ago, and he had been watching for a chance to say it, thinking Haedong would listen when he was in a good mood.

‘It should be okay to bring it up now.’

Seo Yongwoo was planning to give Haedong payment for the photos.

The pictures were of such high quality that even the agency’s CEO liked them. At the same time, the CEO had told him to give the thief money as hush money in case he said something later, which led to a big fight, but in any case, it gave Seo Yongwoo a legitimate reason to give Haedong fair compensation.

Instead, Seo Yongwoo first had to deliberate on how to deliver the payment to Haedong.

‘Mister, I’m sorry.’

He had felt it even before Haedong apologized, but his cat carried a great deal of guilt from the theft.

He would likely consider taking pictures as part of paying off his debt. So if he said he would pay him, it was obvious he wouldn’t accept it. After thinking it over, Seo Yongwoo organized the situation in his head as if memorizing a script for a play, and only then did he casually bring it up.

“Haedong-ah.”

Even when called, Haedong just stared blankly at the large fish tank. Instead, he twitched his tail slightly, which was a sign that he was listening. It was the expected reaction. Seo Yongwoo brought up the next words he had prepared.

“I’ve been posting the pictures you took on social media.”

“……”

“I got a commercial offer after they saw them.”

“…Really?”

Haedong, finally showing interest, turned his head with wide eyes. His tail even stood straight up, as if he was also happy.

Seo Yongwoo gladly nodded. A commercial offer had indeed come in, so he showed him the photo on his tablet PC.

“They said they made the offer specifically after seeing your photo. This one.”

“Wow…”

A furniture brand company had made a modeling offer to Seo Yongwoo after seeing the picture Haedong had taken this time. The photo captured a scene where the cat had slipped into the gap of Seo Yongwoo’s belted nightgown and was resting languidly on his abs.

Thanks to Haedong setting up the angle and concept, it brought out a different side to Seo Yongwoo’s usual image. Seo Yongwoo was leaning back deeply into the sofa, just smiling comfortably, and his usually rough impression, blended with a smile under the warm-colored mood lighting, highlighted a much more languid and relaxed atmosphere.

It was a photo that Seo Yongwoo also liked very much, and he remembered it being a novel acting study because, while taking it, the cat director had scolded him, asking why he wasn’t smiling as comfortably as he did when he usually looked at him.

With such a special photo even bringing in a commercial deal, Seo Yongwoo was also thinking positively about the offer. As such, it was only natural to pay Haedong.

“So, from now on, you’ll get a small allowance from the agency for every photo posted on social media.”

“I see.”

“For you.”

“…Why?”

Haedong’s face instantly became suspicious. Through various part-time jobs, he had learned well enough that when someone gives you money, there is definitely a motive. On top of that, after encountering strange perverts, he had long since learned that he shouldn’t accept money carelessly.

But to be told he would be paid just for taking and posting a few pictures, Haedong felt a sense of anxiety rather than joy.

Seeing that sensitive reaction, Seo Yongwoo deliberately asked back, feigning nonchalance.

“It’s something they’re supposed to give you, naturally. Why?”

“Still… for me to receive money is a bit much.”

“Then you should have just taken them half-heartedly. The results are too good.”

Seo Yongwoo said shamelessly and got up from his seat. He had to end the conversation now before he could become more suspicious or refuse.

“The agency probably deposited the allowance into your account. Check it.”

“How would they know my account number…?”

“Come on out, let’s have dinner.”

Seo Yongwoo pretended not to hear and exited the study. Behind him, Haedong just stared at Seo Yongwoo’s broad back with a dazed expression.

Money, all of a sudden.

Did he even deserve it? Or was this a form of hush money? All sorts of thoughts filled his head at the unexpected compensation. Something was still strange, but out of curiosity, Haedong checked his bank account on his phone. As was his habit, he didn’t have high expectations.

Then, as soon as he saw the account, his surprised eyes flew wide open.

“Huh…?”

A total of ten million won had been deposited, five million won on two separate occasions.

He had only posted photos on social media twice, and thanks to that, a commercial offer had come in. For the compensation to be ten million won. Haedong refreshed his bank account again and again, then hurriedly ran to Seo Yongwoo.

“Mi-mister, I think you gave me the wrong amount of money.”

“What do you mean, wrong amount? The agency gave it to you.”

“It’s too, too much money. Ten million won…”

“A lot of money?”

A hearty laugh escaped Seo Yongwoo’s lips without him realizing it. As expected, he was certain to feel awkward like this and then refuse. It seemed more explanation was needed after all.

He deliberately leaned leisurely against a kitchen counter and started drinking his coffee. He was slowly setting the mood. Haedong tended to stick to his own opinion even after a long talk, so he had to make him accept it at once, even if it meant being arrogant.

“You must not know since you ignore me all the time…”

Seo Yongwoo spoke with a smile that was not just relaxed, but arrogant.

“I’m expensive.”

“……?”

“Just take it. It’s a proper payment.”

“……”

At the shameless words, Haedong’s expression turned peculiar, as if he were looking at a person with no sense of shame.

Still, it seemed the kid had been quietly convinced. Though he stared at Seo Yongwoo blankly a few times as if he couldn’t understand, he soon looked at the handsome face and seemed to have accepted the payment.

“I should have taken better pictures…”

“That was you taking them half-heartedly?”

“Looking at it again, your smiling expression is a bit disappointing.”

“Well, I never.”

Seo Yongwoo never thought there would be someone who would dare critique his acting. But it didn’t feel bad; rather, it was received as something new.

‘Was I not good at smiling?’

He had lived as an actor for 10 years and received numerous awards, but he never thought he would have to learn how to smile again at this age. It was all thanks to Haedong knowing his real smile.

“Then try shooting again as much as you’d like.”

“I was planning to.”

For once, Haedong showed enthusiasm. Perhaps because he was getting paid for something he enjoyed, he seemed quite proud, even fiddling with his camera with his pitch-black tail held high.

“It feels strange to earn so much money all of a sudden…”

“Staring at fish for three hours and then taking a picture is a talent too.”

He really meant it as a compliment, but Haedong shot him a sideways glance. Then, Haedong took a picture of an unexpected subject. It was Seo Yongwoo himself.

Was it because he said he was expensive, or was it because he was an object of interest? Whatever the reason, Seo Yongwoo went about his day unfazed, even though someone was filming his private life all day. Perhaps because the photographer was also his private life, this kind of attention was even welcome.

‘He follows me around so well.’

In truth, what Seo Yongwoo liked most was having the kid by his side all day, but he didn’t bother to say it. He was afraid Haedong would treat him like a weirdo and stop.

It was a cat butler life, no, a love life, that seemed to be going smoothly, yet never went exactly as he wanted.

The next day, the two revisited the museum-like restaurant where they had their first date.

It was the first time Haedong had suggested going out, so Seo Yongwoo gladly drove him there, but Haedong’s purpose was not a date or a meal, but photography.

Click, click.

The number of pictures Haedong took during the entire drive. Seo Yongwoo felt like he was shooting a movie, not driving.

“Mister, I told you not to mind me and just drive.”

“How can I not mind you? It’s not every day my boyfriend looks only at me.”

“Yes, that. Try to smile comfortably like that.”

“……”

Seo Yongwoo, who was quite confident in his acting, found Haedong’s sensitive demands difficult to digest. Still, later on, Haedong seemed to have taken a picture he was satisfied with and gave him a passing grade, so he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.