black cat | woosan ✔

10

The first day of their unspoken truce began with crisp autumn air and skies clouded in pale gray, as if hinting at rain. Golden leaves swirled around the park's path, creating a soft rustle beneath Wooyoung's sneakers. He arrived early, determined to win the cat's heart before San even showed his smug face.

The cat was exactly where Wooyoung expected, lounging under a bench as if it owned the place. Its black fur gleamed like ink, and its green eyes blinked slowly when Wooyoung knelt beside it.

"Morning, buddy," Wooyoung whispered, pulling out a small container of wet food from his bag. The cat immediately perked up, sniffing the air curiously.

Wooyoung grinned, setting the container down. "See? I'm your guy. Just stick with me, and you'll never go hungry."

Just as the cat began to eat, the sound of heavy boots thudding against the pavement made Wooyoung groan internally. He didn't need to look to know who it was.

"Do you live here or something?" San's voice carried as he sauntered closer, wearing that same cocky smirk Wooyoung despised.

Wooyoung shot him a side-eye. "Do you ever not show up just to ruin my mood?"

San shrugged, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. "If your mood's that easy to ruin, it's not my fault."

The cat paused its meal to glance between them, as if already growing tired of their bickering.

San crouched down on the other side of the cat, pulling out a toy mouse attached to a string. He flicked it once, and the cat's eyes immediately locked onto it, its body going rigid with excitement.

Wooyoung's jaw clenched. "Oh, come on. You're bribing it with toys now?"

San grinned. "What? Just doing my part. Isn't that what we agreed on?" He flicked the toy again, and the cat pounced, batting it with its paws.

Wooyoung crossed his arms, huffing. "I thought we were feeding it first."

San leaned back, watching the cat chase the toy with amusement. "Guess I'm just multitasking."

Wooyoung rolled his eyes, biting back a sarcastic retort. He hated how easily San could get under his skin—and worse, how the cat seemed to like it.

"Fine," Wooyoung muttered. "I'll come back at lunch. You can have your fun for now." He stood up, brushing off his pants. "But don't think this means you're winning."

San's smirk widened. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Wooyoung shot him one last glare before turning on his heel and walking off, hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets. The breeze nipped at his cheeks as he stomped back toward the park's entrance, muttering curses under his breath.

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At noon, Wooyoung returned with determination. This time, he brought treats and a small blanket, hoping the extra effort would work in his favor.

But when he reached the bench, San was already there—again.

Wooyoung's shoulders sagged in frustration. "Seriously?"

San didn't even look up, casually tossing another toy for the cat to chase. "Didn't expect me to leave it unattended, did you?"

"Don't you have anything better to do?" Wooyoung grumbled, plopping down on the opposite side of the bench.

"Nope."

The cat purred contentedly as it played, clearly enjoying the attention from both of them.

For a moment, the two boys sat in silence, watching the cat swat at the toy. It felt strange—almost peaceful—not having to argue every second.

"Do you think it even cares who wins?" Wooyoung asked quietly, more to himself than to San.

San glanced at him, his expression softening just a bit. "Probably not."

Wooyoung huffed a small laugh. "Figures."

They sat there a while longer, the autumn breeze rustling the leaves around them. The cat eventually tired itself out and curled up between them, letting out a small, satisfied yawn.

San leaned back, resting his elbows on the bench. "You know, sharing this cat might not be the worst thing in the world," he teased.

Wooyoung gave him a side-eye but didn't argue. "Whatever.."

For now, it was just the three of them—two boys too stubborn to admit they were slowly growing fond of the same cat and perhaps, just maybe, of each other's company too.