The Cat That I Love

"Teaching"Ch.5

Author's pov.

The next day, it was Sunday. "Yeji! Let's go now!" said Chaeryeong, pulling Yeji's hand to head out the door. "Meow," Yeji replied, which translated to "No." Yeji refused to go because the outside world was too noisy. "Why don't you want to go?! If you come with me, I'll buy you catnip! You want it, right?" Chaeryeong pleaded, trying her best to convince Yeji to go to the mall to buy things she needed.

"Meow, meow?" Yeji said with wide, sparkling eyes. "Yes, really!" Chaeryeong exclaimed, understanding Yeji's reaction. "So, let's go now," said Chaeryeong. "Wait?! Your eyes just changed?!" she said, staring at Yeji. "I just noticed now that your eyes look human!" Chaeryeong moved closer to examine Yeji's eyes. "Meow?!" asked Yeji, meaning "Really?!" To their surprise, Chaeryeong understood and replied, "Yeah, really!"

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The mall:

As they walked to the grocery store, Yeji clung tightly to Chaeryeong's arm, refusing to let go. "Yeddeong, it'll be fine. You need to get used to this because you're a person now," Chaeryeong said, trying to reassure her. "Oh, and I almost forgot! If someone talks to you, don't say anything yet since you can't speak. If they hear you meow, they'll think you're crazy, so just stay quiet for now, okay?" Chaeryeong cautioned, and Yeji nodded in agreement.

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Thirty-five minutes later, Chaeryeong and Yeji wrapped up their grocery shopping and made their way to the clothing store to find some outfits for Yeji. "Yeddeong! Check out this dress, it would look amazing on you!" Chaeryeong exclaimed, holding up a dress she found adorable. "I'm buying this one, hehe," Chaeryeong added cheerfully, completely unaware that Yeji disliked the dress since she preferred wearing her owner's clothes.

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Flashback to yesterday:

"Yeji, it's time to eat," Chaeryeong called out to Yeji, who was lounging on the couch. Helping her up, Chaeryeong carried her to the kitchen and settled her into a seat. She then took her own seat and began eating, but paused when she saw how Yeji was eating. "Yeddeong, stop!" Chaeryeong exclaimed. "Don't eat like that; you're not a cat anymore. You should eat like this!" She proceeded to demonstrate how to eat properly.

Chaeryeong picked up a spoon and fork, used the fork to scoop rice onto the spoon, then grabbed a piece of hotdog with the fork. She ate the rice first, followed by the hotdog. Yeji mimicked her actions, repeating them until her plate was empty. "Wait, you've got rice on the side of your mouth," Chaeryeong said, standing up and leaning closer to gently remove the rice from Yeji's face.

Yeji smiled as Chaeryeong wiped it away, and Chaeryeong smiled back before playfully poking Yeji's nose with her finger. Yeji giggled in response.

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Another Flash back yesterday:

"Hmm, Yeddeong, I have an idea! Let's practice walking!" Chaeryeong exclaimed as she suddenly stood up from the couch. Yeji stared at her, puzzled. "Come on, let me help you stand," Chaeryeong said, extending her hands to help Yeji up. Once Yeji found her balance, Chaeryeong encouraged, "Now take one step!" Yeji hesitated but followed, only to lose her balance after the first step. Luckily, Chaeryeong caught her just in time. "Don't worry, I'll always catch you when you fall," she reassured with a warm smile.

Determined to keep trying, they switched to a simpler method. Chaeryeong stood in front of Yeji, holding both her hands, and began walking backward slowly while Yeji carefully stepped forward. By the third step, Yeji stumbled again, but this time she fell right into Chaeryeong's arms. "See? I told you I'd catch you," Chaeryeong said, grinning, and Yeji couldn't help but smile back.

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"Let's go home now, Yeji. Like I said, I got you some catnip," Chaeryeong said, holding up the bag filled with groceries and clothes. Yeji's face lit up with joy at the mention of her gift. Once they arrived home safely, Yeji was thrilled with her new catnip. Chaeryeong watched Yeji play, her eyes sparkling with happiness, and couldn't help but smile at the cheerful scene.

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Monday came, and it was a rough day for Chaeryeong with countless projects and essays due. As soon as she got home, she collapsed onto the couch, closed her eyes, and let out a deep sigh. She stayed there for ten minutes before sitting up, turning on the TV, and zoning out. When she heard her bedroom door open, she turned to see Yeji standing there, watching her.

Chaeryeong gave Yeji a weary smile and stretched out her arms, waiting for a hug. As always, on days like this when she felt like a tired cat, she needed Yeji's comforting embrace to recharge. Yeji rushed over and hugged her tightly. "I feel recharged just like this. Can we stay like this for a minute, Yeddeong? I'm so drained again today," Chaeryeong mumbled in a sleepy, worn-out voice. They stayed like that until Chaeryeong drifted off to sleep.

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Flash back a long time ago:

Three-year-old Chaeryeong was happily playing in the living room with Yeji when she paused as her mom came home, looking exhausted and sinking onto the couch. "Are you okay, umma?" Chaeryeong asked innocently, her worried eyes fixed on her mom. "To be honest, honey, I'm not. I'm so drained today and need to recharge," Mrs. Lee replied. "Ehh, umma, you're not a cellphone to be drained out!" Chaeryeong exclaimed.

"Haha, it's not like that, my child. People are like cellphones sometimes—full of energy and other times drained," Mrs. Lee said, laughing tiredly from work. "Ohh, really! So if we're like cellphones, what's our source of power?" Chaeryeong asked curiously. "It's family and love," Mrs. Lee answered. "Ehh, umma, how can family and love give energy?" Chaeryeong questioned. "Through hugs and love from family," Mrs. Lee explained.

"Ohh, really! Then Yeji and I are going to give you lots of hugs and love so you can get more energy!" Chaeryeong said excitedly, running to her mom and hugging her tightly while holding Yeji. Both Yeji and Chaeryeong gave Mrs. Lee a warm embrace. Soon, Mr. Lee came out of the kitchen. "Wahh, can I join the family hug?" Mr. Lee asked. Chaeryeong looked at her dad and replied, "Yeah, of course, appa, so we can give umma energy!" And with that, Mr. Lee joined the family hug.