Cat Mania

12. Casein Nitrate

"That- that's enough! The spar ends here!" Inhyuk quickly concluded the battle.

"B- but! I can still go!" Jiwoo refuted again. 'With my injuries healed, I'll be able to fight longer!'

"Jiwoo." Cale looked at him.

Jiwoo averted his gaze from him, "I appreciate your help, but I have to go on." He bit his lips.

'Just what is his goal?' Jisuk was bewildered by his determination.

"J- just one more hit! I'll out everything into it! Then I'll forfeit!" Jiwoo pleaded.

Cale frowned, "just one more, but don't overdo your body's limits."

Jiwoo nodded.

"Is this alright?" Inhyuk asked Cale, nervously.

Cale sighed, frustrated. He thought Jiwoo was a nice and naive kid, seemed like he was wrong.

"Then," Inhyuk began, "start!"

Woosh!

Jiwoo disappeared.

'This bastard.' Jisuk tried locating Jiwoo, but there was no time to react.

'I don't want to hide anymore. I don't need to dodge.' Jiwoo gritted his teeth, remembering the past when he was just a little kid, afraid of his powers, hiding in his room to himself. 'I'll put it all, into this attack! And blast him!' Sparks flew off his fist, then electricity flamed from it as he contacted with Jisuk.

KABOOM!

Crash!

Wind from the force of his attack pushed away any lightweight.

Cale flinched, a bit taken away as he stepped back.

This time, Jisuk was the one up against the wall.

Inhyuk's eyes widened, 'Jisuk.. was pushed back...? I missed his moves, it happened so suddenly...'

Jiwoo huffed, and puffed heavily. 'I- I did it!' His eyes lit up. Only his arm that threw the attack was slightly bruised, all thanks to Cale.

"Cough cough!" Jisuk chocked, as he stood up from the ground. 'I got screwed over by that kid?!' He was in disbelief. 'He hid his ability from the start.' Jisuk grinded his teeth, angrily.

"That's enough."

"Noona...?"

Jiyoung stood in front of Jisuk, "the spar has ended, neither one of you may continue."

"What do you mean? We can still fight!" Jisuk seemed calmer when he spoke to his sister.

"You must've learned a lot from this fight."

Jisuk looked away, holding onto his stomach.

"You did well." Jiyoung complimented him, with a blank expression.

"Huh...?"

Jiyoung walked away, "bring them to the hospital to check their injuries."

"Yes, chairwoman!" Inhyuk turned back to Jiwoo, "let's go, I'll drive." He smiled brightly. "Your injuries might not seem bad, but you never know."

Cale nodded.

Jiwoo and Jisuk were taken to the hospital managed by Shinhwa, Yoo Jiyoung's organization.

"Why am I here as well!?" Jisuk was still causing a fuss. He had his side checked out, it was fine, but Inhyuk forced him to stay.

"Jiwoo's arm is still bruised!" Inhyuk hit the guy multiple times.

Jiyoung was also there, just there quietly.

Jiwoo smiled, witnessing the scene. 'I don't feel frustrated anymore. Instead, I feel peaceful...'

'This kid...' Cale sighed. He was sitting on the chair next to the hospital bed.

"Ow! Ow! Stop hitting me!" Jisuk curled up. "And why is that my fault?! He already had most of his injuries healed by Cale!"

Inhyuk paused, 'that's right.. what was that potion earlier...?' Inhyuk wondered.

Jisuk also stopped, realizing what he said, 'how did that frail-looking guy heal that kid in an instant?... Even Korea's top healers can't do that, especially with how damaged his body was...'

"Shouldn't you be dismissed by now?" Cale asked.

Inhyuk snapped out of his thought, "oh, right. You can leave now, since your injuries aren't that severe."

Jiwoo nodded, "thank you, mr. Inhyuk!"

Inhyuk smiled, "you can thank the chairwoman. She was the one who brought you here."

Jiwoo smiled back awkwardly, scratching the back of his head, "thank you, chairwoman!"

Jiyoung covered her mouth elegantly, there was a slight blush on her cheeks, "no worries. Also, please call me comfortably."

"Yes, Jiyoung!" Jiwoo smiled brightly.

'How dare you call my sister by her first name!' Jisuk was about to cause another scene.

Inhyuk glared at Jisuk.

"..."

"By the way," Inhyuk started.

"What is it?" Jiwoo asked.

"What's that cat's name?" Inhyuk hands turned into a claw machine's hook, as he slowly moved his body closer to the fat cat, wearing a kissy face.

Kayden's face darkened, backing up against the edge of the bed. But even with his efforts, he was caught by Inhyuk's arms.

Inhyuk squeezed the chubby cat's fat in his face playfully.

"His name...? Ka..." Jiwoo paused. "Casein Nitrate...." He blurted out.

'How original!' Inhyuk blushed, cuddling his face in the belly of the cat.

'Get away from me! You both are so difficult!' Kayden tried pushing him away, but his short cat arms barely did anything.

Cale was glad he wasn't the one being targeted.

"That's an unusual name." Jiyoung stated her opinion. "And it always by your side, unlike other cats."

"Many cats don't stay by their owner's side, but not every cat is like that. To have a cat follow them everywhere, is like a cat lovers' dream!" Inhyuk went off to dreamland just thinking about it.

"....."