About

As expected, she was holding Kong-i again today. Every time her long, slender fingers slowly stroked Kong-i's fur, the cat would close its eyes and purr, surrendering its body to her touch. I watched the scene quietly, my lips pouting involuntarily. Still holding the cat, she turned her head. She looked at me with an expressionless face and spoke. "What is it this time?" Her tone was the same as always. There was no affection lingering at the end of her words, nor did they flow like a joke. Even though it had been quite a while since we became a couple, she didn't become affectionate with me easily. But she was different with the cats. It had been that way since we first brought Kong-i and Namul-i home. The cautious touch, the low and soft voice, the warm gaze. Expressions she had never shown me flowed naturally in front of the cats. Even when Pat-i knocked something over, she only let out a short sigh and gave them a snack, and when Kong-i fell from the windowsill, she jumped up and scooped the cat into her arms. Then, she returned to me with an indifferent face. I felt hurt by her behavior. We're lovers, yet I felt jealous seeing her hands and heart go to the cats first. I know she likes me, but I always wanted reassurance amidst that indifferent tone and expression. Still, I remained by her side. With that one small hope that the kindness directed at Kong-i would one day reach me too. Today, she is holding Kong-i in her arms again. Beside her, I am quietly watching her along with Namul-i.