Jihoon was just getting used to his new routine with Hodu—feeding him in the morning, making sure he used the litter box, and watching the little furball terrorize his furniture despite having a scratching post.
He had even started getting used to falling asleep with a tiny, warm presence curled up on his chest.
Everything was going smoothly—until a knock on his door interrupted his quiet afternoon.
Jihoon frowned.
He wasn't expecting anyone.
Hodu, who had been curled up on the windowsill, perked up at the sound.
Jihoon stood up, stretching as he walked over to the door.
When he opened it, he found a young woman standing outside, holding a paper bag.
She looked familiar.
Then it clicked—
It was the vet from the clinic where he had taken Hodu.
"Ah, you're home! That's great." She smiled, holding up the bag. "I brought some supplies for Hodu."
Jihoon blinked. "Oh… uh, thanks?"
She chuckled at his confused expression. "Mind if I come in for a bit?"
Jihoon hesitated for a second before stepping aside. "Yeah, sure."
The moment she stepped inside, her gaze immediately landed on Hodu, who was staring at her from the windowsill.
"Well, someone looks a lot more comfortable now," she said, setting the bag down on the table.
Jihoon glanced at Hodu. "Yeah. He settled in fast."
The vet smiled. "That's a good sign."
She walked over, crouching slightly as she extended a hand toward Hodu.
The kitten sniffed her fingers before rubbing his cheek against them.
Jihoon raised an eyebrow.
"Wow. He doesn't do that with me."
She laughed. "It's because I smell like other animals. He recognizes it."
Jihoon smirked. "Guess I should start rolling in cat fur."
She shook her head. "Or you could just give it time. Cats don't trust easily, but once they do, it's for life."
Jihoon watched as Hodu let out a small purr, curling into the vet's touch.
"…Did you really come all the way here just to see him?"
The vet turned to him. "Well, partly. But I also brought some things to help with the transition."
She opened the bag, pulling out a small bottle of vitamins, a grooming brush, and a few packets of premium kitten food.
"These should help with his growth. And the brush will keep his fur from matting."
Jihoon blinked. "You didn't have to do all this."
She smiled. "I know. But I wanted to. Besides, Hodu seems special."
Jihoon glanced at the tiny kitten, who was now happily playing with a loose thread on the couch.
"Yeah…" he muttered. "He is."
Ding!
[Bonus Kindness Opportunity!]
Kindness attracts kindness. Show appreciation to those who care.
Reward: 15,000 KRW
Jihoon exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.
The system always had a way of reminding him to be a decent human being.
"Hey," he said, looking at the vet. "I appreciate this. Really."
She smiled. "It's no problem."
Jihoon hesitated for a second before adding, "I, uh… I don't think I got your name."
She chuckled. "Oh, right. I just showed up with cat food, and we skipped introductions."
She held out a hand. "Min Seoha."
Jihoon shook it. "Lee Jihoon."
"I know," she smirked. "It was on your file at the clinic."
Jihoon rolled his eyes. "Great. You know everything about me, and I just learned your name."
She shrugged. "That's how it works in the vet world. We remember the pet's owner after we remember the pet."
Jihoon glanced at Hodu. "So I'm just an accessory to him, huh?"
Seoha laughed. "Pretty much."
As Jihoon walked Seoha to the door, he glanced outside.
The sky had turned into a warm shade of orange, the last light of the day stretching over the buildings.
"You know," Seoha said, "when you first came to the clinic, I wasn't sure if you were going to keep Hodu."
Jihoon smirked. "Yeah, I wasn't sure either."
"But you did."
Jihoon looked back at Hodu, who was now happily batting at the toy fish Jihoon had bought.
"…Yeah. I did."
Seoha smiled. "I think he's lucky to have you."
Jihoon scoffed. "I think I'm the lucky one."
Seoha raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Jihoon shrugged. "Never thought I'd say this, but… coming home feels different now."
Before, his apartment had been just a place to sleep.
Now?
It felt… warmer.
Not just because of Hodu, but because of everything this system had made him notice.
The little moments.
The connections.
The way small kindnesses rippled outward.
Seoha's smile softened. "That's how it starts."
Jihoon smirked. "I'm still not becoming a cat person."
She laughed. "Give it time."
After Seoha left, Jihoon settled onto the couch, watching Hodu slowly drift to sleep in his new bed.
His phone buzzed.
Ding!
[Kindness Opportunity Completed!]
Reward: 15,000 KRW
Jihoon shook his head, amused.
Even just acknowledging someone's kindness counted, huh?
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
His life had changed so much in the past few weeks.
But for the first time in a long time…
He didn't mind.
Ding!
[Daily Kindness Reflection]
"Kindness doesn't exist in isolation. The more you give, the more it finds its way back to you."
Jihoon exhaled, a small smile forming on his lips.
One small act at a time.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Support me on👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️