Cat Mania

53. Decision is Yours

Alberu quickly kicked Clopeh's ass off of Cale, sending him off and away from South Korea.

'Thank god (not God of Death) he's gone.' Cale sighed in relief. "Thanks, hyung."

"You're welcome." Aberu sat down next to Cale. "So are you going to tell me what happened? Who was that guy?"

'Julian...?' Jiwoo and the skinny-fat cat duo thought, confused as to why he was here.

"Clopeh." Cale answered. "Probably in the same situation as you."

Alberu nodded.

Ring.

Ring!

"Oh. That's my phone." Jiwoo went over to pick it up.

They settled down, allowing Jiwoo to hear the call. Also because they wanted to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"What is it, mr. Inhyuk?" Jiwoo asked with a welcoming smile, even if they couldn't see on the other side of the screen.

"Jiwoo!" Their voice seemed quite excited to hear from Jiwoo. "I have something important to discuss with you and Cale, are you free right now?"

Jiwoo nodded. "We are. Is something wrong?"

"No! Nothing! Well.. depends. I'm coming over right now."

"Alright! See you later, mr. Inhyuk!"

"See you."

The call ended.

"What could it be?" Jiwoo turned back to the others.

Alberu got up. "I think I should go now. It wouldn't be good if I'm seen here." He headed for the door.

Cale nodded.

"Goodbye, mr. Julian!" Jiwoo waved at him.

Alberu waved back with a small smile before leaving the house.

Kayden placed his paw on Jiwoo's leg.

Jiwoo turned to him, confused.

"You shouldn't be acting nice against your enemy." Kayden reminded him.

Jiwoo flinched. He clenched his fists, strengthening his resolve. "Sorry! I forgot! It won't happen again!" He reassured his mentor.

"Where did this thing come from?" Kartein asked the question, pointing at the pure black cat. 'It's been annoying since it arrived.' He glared at it.

Choi Han glared back at him.

"It's one of my cats. I have control over it from my animal control skill." Cale explained, a halfhearted lie. True he had control of him, but not due to his animal control skill.

(A/N: I'm too fucking confused cuz of this long-ass fic and all my other Cale fics. I think it's mentioned in the beginning of the Korean Awakened Academy arc that he had the impression of animal control due to his "Cat transformation" power. Sorry if it doesn't make sense. Idk.)

Inhyuk shortly arrived at Jiwoo's house, sitting across from them on the opposite couch. "The World Awakened Academy invited you two to have an 'exchange' at their academy. It spans for approximately a month."

"The WAA invited us...?" Jiwoo repeated, asking for reassurance.

Inhyuk nodded. "Yes. The invitees are Choi Gangseok of Baekho, Kang Sucheon of Baekdu, Yoo Jisuk of Shinhwa, Lee Subin of the Union, and the unaffiliated, Wooin, Cale, and you, Jiwoo."

Jiwoo sweated, gulping.

"What's the purpose of their invitation?" Cale asked, crossing his arms.

Inhyuk fiddled with his hands a bit. "They said it's a friendly exchange, but that's probably just a facade." He frowned. "The WAA holds a high identity in the awakened world, but because of our previous encounter, their standing has weakened."

"So they have a grudge against us." Cale concluded.

"Most likely, yes..."

"Who's going out of the invitees?" Cale asked.

Inhyuk's expression became serious, to the point of a warning. "The four accepted immediately. Their organizations they're bound to would be in trouble if they refused without a valid reason. However, you two and Wooin can refuse."

Jiwoo sweated. "What did Wooin say?"

Inhyuk sighed. "He said he'll go if you go."

"Ah.." Jiwoo didn't know how to respond.

Inhyuk got up. "I'll give you some time to think about it. Let me know once you've made your decisions."

"I will!" Jiwoo reassured him, getting up to escort him out.

Inhyuk blew kisses to the cats, waving goodbye at them. "Have a good day to you too, Cale!" He did the same to Cale as he did to the cats.

"..." Cale averted his eyes from him. 'What a maniac for cats.' He didn't forget that he himself was practically a cat, he had cat ears and a cat tail, otherwise he would've threw Inhyuk off.

The black cat glared at Inhyuk, who only threw back kisses at him.

Inhyuk shortly left.

"What do you say?" Kayden asked.

"I'll go if Jiwoo goes." Cale replied. 'Please stop getting in trouble, and just say no!'

"To be honest..." Jiwoo started, "I'd like to go..."

'But you won't.' Cale prayed harder.

Jiwoo clenched his fists, staring at them with an eager gaze. "It won't be safe but I want to meet a lot of strong kids like my friends, and compete with them!"

Kayden looked up at him, proud of his disciple.

Kartein shook his head.

And Cale internally cried.

"Plus, my friends will be there!" His eyes sparkled.

Cale sighed, sighing for eternity. "Are you sure? This is your own choice, think about it." Cale asked. "It'll be more dangerous than the academy here. There're awakeners from all over the world, and they're all hostile at us."

"Do you still want to go?" Kayden stepped up.

"Yes." Jiwoo answered, strengthening his gaze. "I won't disappoint you guys."

'You already did once you decided to go.' Cale got up and left. "Good luck."

"Thank you, mr. Cale!" Jiwoo waved.

Kayden's head followed Cale before coming back at Jiwoo. He grinned. "The decision's been made."

"I'm also a member of Shinhwa. I won't stay hiding in your shadow, noona." Jisuk crossed his arms, talking to Jiyoung.

Jiyoung and Inhyuk stood stunned.

"Chairwoman. I received word from Jiwoo and Cale." Inhyuk spoke.

Jiyoung waited for him to continue.

"They'll be going to the academy."

"What?" Jisuk sprang up from his chair. "Do they not know the weight of the situation?!" He turned to Inhyuk. "Did you not explain everything to them?!"

Inhyuk sweated. "I did. Cale caught on quickly, he figured out their intentions in an instant."

"Why would they still go despite the risks?!" Jisuk yelled.

"Calm down." Jiyoung stopped her brother. "This is their decision, I'm sure you know. After all, you also chose to go when I told you didn't have to."

Jisuk tsked. "Using my words against me." He scoffed.

——-
2 chapters within a 2 day span.

Is this a sign? I'm coming back?

Or is it when I cook, and it becomes burnt?