The Ninth Life of Min Yoon Gi

22.

Okay, think Min Yoon Gi! What can you do? What do you need to do?

He had stopped in a warm sunny patch on the sidewalk and flopped down in the middle of it, causing any pedestrians to have to sidestep him. He let his eyes close, his tail tapping languidly in time with his slow breaths as he took account of his current status.

Okay, I'm a cat again. But Nam Jerk said I still have some time. At least until I sleep again. Fuck, the gods obviously hate me since they keep trying to deny me sleep in all of this. Okay, can't do anything about that. But I can't let myself fall asleep. How does a cat stay awake? What is cat coffee? I'll have to figure that out.

Next important business... What didn't I do to stay human? I was taking care of Jimin, what more—

Fuck! He had left Jimin alone. He had selfishly fallen asleep! That must have been it. Okay, so he needs to get back to her and— do what?

Yoon Gi! You're a fucking cat! What are you going to do? Feed her mice? He ran a paw over his face in consternation.

Regardless, he could at least go check on her, since he had promised to take care of her after she was hurt due to his carelessness.

After a quick stretch, Yoon Gi set off to Jimin's home. He easily slinked through the gate but then stopped suddenly when he remembered he couldn't open doors.

The window.

He picked his way through the tall grass and plants to the window he had left through. It was, thankfully, still open. But it was a little high for him to jump to. He looked around, searching for some set of pots or something he could scale. Unfortunately, Jimin's garden was not conducive to such things. The closest thing he could think of was to try to climb the tree, and he didn't know if he even could.

How does a cat climb a tree? He thought as he circled the trunk, looking up into the boughs. He had to admit he was a little intimidated. What's the worst that could happen?

He reared up on his hind legs and latched his front claws into the trunk as high as he could. His back paws scrabbled to try and push his body up, but he couldn't get purchase. He meowed in annoyance as he slid down to the ground.

Maybe a running jump?

He backed up a few paces, hunched down, butt wiggling as he prepared to launch himself forward. He made a heroic leap at the trunk, grasped it with his front paws, back paws pushing with all his might. He was shocked to see he had almost made it to the low branch before he lost his strength and fell down again.

This isn't going to work. I don't have the coordination, strength, or energy for this.

He sat and glared at the offending tree trunk, hating himself for not being better as a cat. He would fail this Jimin as well if he didn't get back to her.

Okay... I can't get to her physically, but I could still help somehow? Maybe check on the store.

Since that seemed like the next logical step, he set off in that direction.

*

"Yes, I did." Jungkook said into his cell phone. "They said you only ordered a dozen."

Yoon Gi had followed a couple through the front door of Park's Plantorium and was now slinking between the plants to get closer to Jungkook so he could listen in.

"Okay... yes, they picked it up first thing.... They loved it."

Yoon Gi turned the corner and came face to ankles with Jungkook.