Chapter 4: Unexpected encounter

'Xiang Shen...how do you like that one?' A voice deep and full was heard amidst the sound of flowing water.

Eyes that glowed as golden as the setting sun stared back at the reflection on the water, witnessing a different appearance from the figure seated atop the large boulder, looking at him proudly.

The creature that stared at its reflection pondered, 'Xiang Shen…is that what humans called a 'name'?'

Song Yujin awoke to a heavy feeling on his chest, as though something like a giant stone was seated on it, trying to murder him in his sleep. His long eyelashes fluttered open, and the first thing that greeted him was a ball of moving fluff, scratching its head.

Song Yujin blinked. The creature paused and turned to him, then it purred, "Meow~"

Out of surprise, he immediately sprung up, forgetting where he was lying. The fatty cat shrieked and jumped away, startled by Song Yujin's sudden movement. However, due to that same action, his arm slipped, and before he knew it, he was falling from a two-meter height.

Thud!

"Argh!" Song Yujin fell face flat on the ground. He managed to cushion his head with his arms at least, but his body felt sore. Luckily, the field was thick in grasses, since the area where he was seemed unvisited – the back part of the corner building.

'Ugh, this part isn't well-cleaned, the dark side of this pretty school…' Song Yujin thought.

His attention was caught by the sound of dry leaves crunching, and when he looked back, he saw the fatty orange cat who hissed at him, cautious yet his body bent as though it was mimicking his position on the ground, and observing his movement.

Song Yujin felt guilty. He wasn't afraid of the cat; he was just startled.

"Maybe it was because of the weird dream I had? But I don't even remember it now…" he mumbled, pushing himself to the ground. He winced a little and felt his arms aching from the fall. "Ugh…is this karma? I think I might really need to come to the infirmary this time."

The softness of the grass somewhat lessened the impact of his fall, but his shoulders still throbbed. Finally, he was able to sit up after a minute of carefully examining his body. The orange fatty cat sat straight, its body jiggling from that small movement, making Song Yujin laugh.

"Ow!" he winced when his ribs hurt from laughing. He cursed under his breath and decided to visit the clinic. "What time is it, by the way…" he crawled to his bag which fell a meter away from him, but he was surprised when the orange fatty cat bit on the strap of his bag and pulled it closer to him.

"Huh? Kitty…you're surprisingly intelligent…and kind. Is this because you're healthy? Your brain must be as big as your belly, hehehe…I wonder who your owner is?" he rubbed the cat's belly like a devotee rubbing for some luck on a holy relic, but the cat wasn't having his little display of appreciation, and swatted his hand away.

"Ow! Hey…I'm thanking you, why are you slapping my hand now?" Song Yujin grumbled. He wasn't sure why he was talking to the cat, but the cat certainly looked unsure why he was waiting for the human, which was him, like an obedient lackey.

The sudden sound of the school bell coming from the speakers installed under the building's eaves jolted the both of them.

'I certainly heard that bell ring before I fell asleep, but it's ringing again…? What, is it the start of the afternoon class…! Oh, the time!' He fumbled in his bag, searching for his phone. Once he found it, he pressed the button on the edge and almost screamed in dismay after seeing the time on the screen.

5:00 pm.

He looked up and slapped his face.

The sky is still bright, but the shadow's coming from the west, indicating a sunset. He sighed and shrugged his throbbing shoulders.

"Oh, well…can't be helped—oh, f*ck!" he almost threw the phone when it suddenly rang. Reading the name on the screen, he couldn't help but feel nervous. He pressed the green dot and brought the phone to his ear.

A sweet voice, yet somewhat made Song Yujin chilly, came from the other line, "Yujin-ah, where are you now? Hajun had been calling you many times already, but you weren't answering. What are you doing? I dropped by your class earlier, but I didn't see you there. Hajun said you came back home to get your ID, but the helper said you didn't. It's time to go home, Yujin-ah, come to the gates now, okay? Your noona will be waiting."

The last line sounded like a verdict. Song Yujin gulped. He immediately stood, despite the aching muscles. The orange fatty cat stayed on its spot, just watching him leave.

Song Yujin looked back and muttered, "Hey, you should go back to your owner too."

The area was secluded, bordered by tall trees planted next to the tall concrete fences, and a two-story building that seemed abandoned. The overgrown weeds reached his ankle, and some vines were creeping on the back walls of the building. 

What if there's a snake? Song Yujin worriedly thought. 

The fatty cat just scratched its head and yawned, then it walked back to the tree, its butt jiggling with its every step, and then it jumped to the first branch, the spot where Song Yujin slept before.

Song Yujin's mouth gaped in shock. He couldn't help but exclaim, "How can you even lift that fat body of yours?! That's amazing! Oh, I guess that was why you were sleeping above me. Is that your spot? Sorry for taking it, buddy."

He waved at the cat before he spun and left that place.

A few scattered dry leaves and grasses clung to his clothes, so he brushed them off with a grimace. The siblings will certainly interrogate him after seeing his disheveled appearance.

He scratched his head and yawned. He prepared himself for the scolding of his two amusing guardians and readied himself to act regretfully. As he walked towards the exit gates, his mind wandered to the chubby cat.

He chuckled at its adorable plumpness, its orange fur with streaks of thin whites, and its tiny, curious face buried in his thick fluffy hide. The creature looked hilarious but surprisingly attractive.

Song Yujin felt drawn in, so he decided, 'The next time I come…if that cat doesn't have an owner, I'll take it. I wonder what's its gender though?'

The setting sun was hidden behind the tall buildings already, casting long shadows over the entire school. Students emerged from the other buildings and started heading to the exit gates.

Song Yujin followed, ignoring the few glances thrown upon his way. He rubbed his eyes, thinking that he had some twinkling stars at the corner of his eyes. He wiped his lips, maybe some traces of drool dried.

Finally, he saw his brother and sister standing not far from the gates, while a black Audi was waiting for them.

Kim Hajun was the first to notice him, shouting angrily, "You! Where the hell have you been?!"

His older sister, Kim Hajin, slowly turned to him. She was smiling, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. She then gestured to the car and opened the back seat, silently pointing the seat to Song Yujin.

"Damn, dude, I'm not going to help you out with this," Kim Hajun whispered and hopped in on the passenger seat giving Song Yujin a second look.

The latter was reluctant. They say that a kind person who doesn't get mad easily will explode like a bomb when they finally get angry. True to the saying, as soon as he approached Kim Hajin, her eyes turned sharp and started scolding him.

He wasn't surprised at all. However, his face changed when at the corner of his eyes, he noticed a student standing still a few meters away, facing them.

All hairs on Song Yujin's body stood upon recognizing the man, who, although not glaring and just looking at him with impassive eyes, made him feel like a thousand daggers were suspended in the air, pointing at him.

A crooked smile appeared on his face, prompting Kim Hajin to halt and turn her head to where he was looking. Recognition flashed in her eyes, and when she looked back to Song Yujin to ask why the vice president of the student council was staring at him, Song Yujin already disappeared.