Chapter Text
Words blurred across Jisung's laptop screen, psychological jargon swimming before his tired eyes as the caffeine from his americano failed to penetrate the fog of his exhaustion. The coffee shop on campus hummed around him, a perfect bubble of white noise complemented by the aggressive bass line thumping through his headphones. Jisung had claimed his favorite corner table five hours ago, his dissertation materials spread across the surface like an academic crime scene. Three empty cups formed a semicircle around his laptop, silent witnesses to his deterioration.
A tap on his shoulder jolted Jisung from his academic stupor. He startled, yanking his headphones down around his neck as he whirled around to find Jeongin standing over him, an apologetic smile playing on his lips. "Sorry, Sung. Didn't mean to scare you," Jeongin said, sliding into the chair opposite without waiting for an invitation. "Been calling your name for like a minute."
Jisung blinked, his brain taking an embarrassingly long moment to shift from academic mode to social interaction. "Hey," was all he could manage.
Jeongin smiled. "Sorry for being so upfront, but I was hoping to ask you a favor."
Jisung ran a hand through his tousled hair, wincing as his fingers caught on a knot. He needed a shower. And sleep. And probably food that wasn't coffee. "A favor?" he echoed, his brain still several steps behind the conversation.
"You’re signed up for that pet sitting service, right? The one with the app?"
Right. Jisung's foggy brain took a moment to connect the dots. The pet-sitting gig he'd desperately signed up for months ago when the rent came due and his bank account resembled a barren wasteland. Just one of the endless part-time jobs he was juggling alongside his studies. "I signed up for every single job there is," he sighed.
"Yeah, I remember you mentioning that," Jeongin nodded. "So, here's the thing. My brother's pet sitter just quit on him. Like, literally texted him this morning."
Jisung's eyebrows shot up. "That uh… sucks," Jisung mumbled, trying to summon appropriate sympathy while his brain screamed at him to get back to his dissertation.
"He's absolutely desperate, and if he doesn't find someone in the next few hours, I have to do it."
"And that's an issue because…?"
"Because I'm supposed to leave for Busan in a few hours," Jeongin explained, checking his watch with a grimace. "Changbin got a last-minute gig, and I promised I'd go with him." He leaned forward, eyes pleading. "Please, Jisung. There is no one else he could ask. My brother has a three-day shift at work. I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate."
Jisung sighed. "Okay. Yes. Sure." He'd worked with with the pet agency before, walking an old dog until the owner had moved away. How hard could this job really be? The app was probably still on his phone somewhere.
"Great! You're a lifesaver," Jeongin said, his shoulders visibly relaxing. "I'll text my brother your profile information. So he can officially request you via the app. His name's Minho."
"Wait, what kind of pets are we talking about?" Jisung asked, suddenly remembering that the app had categories.
"Cats," Jeongin replied.
"Cats? Plural?" Jisung asked, already regretting his decision. He'd checked comfortable with all animals and extensive feline experience in the app, not because it was true, but simply because he needed the money.
"Yes. Three of them. My brother's cats are a bit... particular. And to be honest, my brother, too. I love him, really, but he wrote this 30-page, single-spaced manual on how to care for his cats, and it usually scares people away. But you're great with people. And animals. And manuals. You'll be fine, right?"
Jisung's stomach sank. The word no hovered on his tongue, but exhaustion had worn down his usual defenses. And if he was being real right now, he needed the money more than sleep. More than anything. He nodded absently, already calculating how he could squeeze this in between his thesis writing sessions and his shifts at the convenience store. "When does he need me to start?"
"Tonight," Jeongin said with a wince.
"Tonight?" Jisung repeated, his voice rising an octave. He glanced at his dissertation notes, then at his watch. "Like, when exactly tonight?"
"As soon as possible," Jeongin said. "Minho heads to work at seven, and he needs to brief you on the cats before his night shift starts."
Jisung suppressed a groan. There went his plans for finishing chapter four before midnight.
"I know, I know," Jeongin said, hands raised in apology. "But the pay is good. Really good. My brother's a surgeon, and he's desperate enough that he'll pay double the app's usual rate."
With a sharp, unpleasant sound, Jisung shut his laptop. "You should have led with that." The word double came with the magical power to override his physical fatigue.
"He'll probably want to talk to you on the phone first to make sure you're not a cat serial killer."
Jisung snorted, pushing his glasses up with his knuckle. "But a human serial killer would be fine? What about an occasional cat murderer?"
Jeongin sighed, mumbling something Jisung couldn't quite understand but sounded maybe like, god, you two match perfectly, before he continued talking loud enough that Jisung could hear him without any problems. "I’m warning you, he's a bit weird about those cats. And in general, too." Jeongin's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled apologetically. "But you'll see for yourself."
Jisung was just shoving his laptop into his bag when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He fumbled for it, nearly dropping it in his haste. A notification from the PetPal app flashed across his screen.
New Request: Dr. Lee Minho (3 cats, 3 days)
Jisung tapped on the notification, squinting at the details. The compensation figure made his eyes widen. Jeongin hadn't been exaggerating about the double rate. For that kind of money, Jisung would happily cancel his shift at the convenience store and stay at Minho's place as many hours as he was willing to pay.
A message request from Lee Minho suddenly glowed on the screen: I understand you're Jeongin's friend and I trust my brother. But before proceeding with the booking, I'd like a brief phone interview to discuss my cats' needs. Are you available now?
Jisung's thumb hovered over the screen for just a second before he typed back: Yes.
He barely had time to shove the last of his notes into his backpack before his phone buzzed with an incoming call. Taking a deep breath, Jisung swiped to answer. "Hello, this is Han Jisung," he said, trying to sound professional despite the coffee shop chatter in the background.
"Lee Minho," came a crisp voice from the other end. "Jeongin tells me you're experienced with cats," he cut straight to the point.
Jisung gulped. "Actually, I, uh..." Jisung's mind raced as he stood up from his table, gathering his belongings one-handed while pressing the phone to his ear. The truth hovered on his tongue—that his experience with cats was limited to occasionally petting strays in the alley behind his apartment building. But then he thought of his empty bank account, the rent due next week, the increasingly desperate emails from his student loan provider and the disappointed faces of his parents when he once again begged them for more financial support. "I've had plenty of experience with animals." He winced at how unconvincing he sounded.
There was a brief pause. "And you're comfortable staying overnight? I have a 72-hour shift coming up. My cats love to be awake at night. That's when they need the most attention."
"Overnight?" Jisung repeated the word, catching in his throat, and his eyes widened. What? That wasn't mentioned in the app request. Or by Jeongin. Brat. "Actually, that works perfectly for me," he said, saving himself. His sleep schedule, or lack thereof, was chaotic anyway. He was usually awake at odd hours, fueled by a combination of caffeine, deadline panic, and his tendency to write lyrics when he couldn't focus on his studies anymore.
"Really?" Minho's voice held a note of surprise, maybe even a hint of suspicion. "Most people try to negotiate that part. I know it's an unusual request. But my cats prefer it that way."
Jeongin hadn't lied when he said his brother was weird about his pets. Anyway. Jisung had met worse. "I don't mind," he said quickly, gripping his phone tighter. "I'm a night owl after all." He slung his backpack over his shoulder, mouthing a quick goodbye to the barista as he pushed open the door of the coffee shop and stepped into the late afternoon sunlight.
"Good," Minho replied, his tone softening slightly. "Now, I need to ask you a few more questions." his tone shifted to something more clinical. "My cats have very specific dietary requirements. Are you comfortable following detailed feeding instructions?"
Jisung hurried down the sidewalk, dodging other pedestrians while trying to sound competent. "Absolutely. I'm very detail-oriented." It wasn't entirely a lie. His dissertation demanded meticulous attention, even if his personal life was chaos incarnate.
"And what would you do if one of them refused to eat?"
The question caught Jisung off guard. His mind whirled as he tried to conjure up an appropriate response. What did cats even eat? Was it normal for them to refuse food? He'd once had a goldfish that refused to eat, and it had died three days later. Surely cats were sturdier than goldfish? "I'd, um, try to entice them with the food," he improvised, pacing faster down the sidewalk. "Maybe warm it up a bit if it's cold? Or… add something they like on top?" He cringed at how uncertain he sounded. "Jeongin mentioned you wrote a manual. I'd check there too."
"I, uh—yes," Minho said, and Jisung could almost hear him blinking in surprise. "I did prepare a manual. It's comprehensive."
"Great!" Jisung pumped his fist in the air, relieved that he'd somehow said the right thing. "I'll follow it to the letter. And I'd inform you right away, of course," Jisung added quickly, sensing he needed to sound more confident.
A pause stretched between them, and for a moment, Jisung worried he'd lost the connection. Then Minho cleared his throat. "Well," Minho finally said, his tone impossible to read, "at least you're honest about consulting the manual. Most people claim they know everything already." Another pause. "I suppose we can meet in person to discuss the rest. I can meet you at my apartment at five this evening to walk you through everything."
"That works for me," Jisung replied, relief washing over him. "Text me the address?"
"I'll send it through the app. See you at five." Minho's voice was clipped, professional.
"See you then!" Jisung tried to inject enthusiasm into his voice before the call disconnected.
Jisung tilted his head back, trying to take in the sheer height of the luxurious high-rise Minho lived in. The building stretched so high it seemed to scrape the clouds. Twenty-seven floors of sleek glass and steel that screamed successful people only. Which sounded more like his parents than him. At least not yet. He was only one dissertation away from being tremendously successful—or at least from being tremendously keen to find a job in psychology. Or any full-time job.
He tugged at his thrifted denim jacket and plucked off the little alien button on the left side, suddenly feeling underdressed. The doorman gave him a once-over as he approached, and Jisung flashed his most charming smile. "I'm here for Dr. Lee? Apartment 143?" He hoped his voice didn't betray his nervousness.
The doorman's expression remained neutral as he checked a tablet. "Name?"
"Han Jisung, the new cat-sitter."
The doorman's expression softened slightly. "Ah, yes. Dr. Lee called down about you. Take the elevator to the fourteenth floor."
"Thank you." Jisung clutched his backpack strap tighter as he walked across the marble lobby, his worn sneakers squeaking against the polished surface. The elevator was mirrored on all sides, forcing him to confront his own reflection—tousled black hair, wire-rimmed glasses slightly askew, and dark circles under his eyes from his late-night study sessions. He looked exactly like what he was—a broke grad student desperate for cash, about to enter the home of someone who could afford a small fortune in rent each month. "You can do this," he muttered to himself. "It's just cats. Easy money. What's the worst that can happen?"
The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, and Jisung found himself in front of a hallway that was even more intimidating than the lobby. The carpet looked thicker than his mattress as Jisung stepped into a hallway that smelled faintly of vanilla and lemon polish, with soft, tasteful, illuminated artwork along the walls. Apartment 143 was at the end of the hall. Jisung took a deep breath before pressing the doorbell, hearing a melodic chime echo from within. The door swung open, and Jisung's rehearsed greeting died in his throat. Standing before him was a man with meticulously styled blonde hair, sharp eyes, and a sharp expression. He wore simple black jeans and a well-fitting gray sweater that probably cost more than Jisung's entire wardrobe. This had to be Jeongin's brother. The most beautiful man on earth. This was Minho? Fucking hell. Jisung almost took a step back.
"Han Jisung?" The man's voice was surprisingly soft despite his stern appearance.
"That's me!" Jisung's voice came out higher than intended. He cleared his throat. "I mean, yes, I'm Jisung. Dr. Lee, I assume?"
Minho blinked, once, twice, before slightly shaking his head. "Just call me Minho."
Jisung nodded, his eyes darting around what little he could see of the apartment beyond Minho's shoulders. "Minho. Got it."
"Come in," Minho said, stepping aside and gesturing for Jisung to enter. "Shoes stay outside."
Jisung slipped off his sneakers, noting how tattered they looked next to Minho's neatly arranged leather shoes. He followed Minho into an apartment that made him feel like he'd stepped into an interior design magazine—all clean lines, minimalist furniture, and large windows showcasing a breathtaking view of the city skyline. "Wow," Jisung breathed, unable to help himself. "This place is—"
"The cats are this way," Minho interrupted, already walking toward what appeared to be a living area. The living room opened up before them—a spacious area with floor-to-ceiling windows, a plush gray sectional sofa, a large mounted TV and what looked like custom-built cat furniture integrated seamlessly into the décor. "These are my babies," Minho said, his face softening for the first time since Jisung arrived.
Three cats sat in the living area, staring up at him with varying levels of intensity. "This is Soonie, Doongie, and Dori," Minho said, gesturing to each cat in turn. "They have specific feeding schedules, playtime requirements, and preferred sleeping arrangements. It's all in the manual." He handed Jisung a thick binder that looked hefty enough to crush a small animal. It was neatly labeled Cat Care Manual with each cat's name written in perfect calligraphy below the title.
"Thanks," Jisung said, accepting the binder with what he hoped was a confident smile. Its weight nearly made him drop it. Thirty pages, Jeongin had said. This looked like double that.
"I've highlighted the most important sections," Minho continued, leading Jisung through the apartment. "But you need to read everything, of course. I know Jeongin already gave you a brief overview, but I added a few more pages after the last guy dropped out, when I explained to him what he did wrong. It wasn't his fault that he made so many mistakes. It wasn't written down as carefully as it needed to be."
"Oh wow, that's… fascinating," Jisung said instead of mentally unhinged, hefting the binder. Money. He had to think about the money.
"The red tabs are emergencies, yellow are daily routines, blue are preferences, and green are the contact numbers."
Jisung nodded vigorously, trying his best to look competent. "Perfect. I'm great with instructions. And cats. Cat-instructions in particular." A blatant lie. But in his defense, he had read the entire Wikipedia page on cats after he and Minho talked on the phone, and his TikTok algorithm had been purposely trained on his way here to show him more cat videos. He was already halfway to being a pro at this point.
"Excellent." Minho's face remained impassive, but something in his eyes softened just a fraction.
At least that's what Jisung thought. Minho was impressively hard to read.
"I think it would be good if you tried to get acquainted with them before I leave," Minho suggested, gesturing toward the trio of felines who were now watching Jisung with unmistakable suspicion. "They need to know they can trust you."
"Absolutely," Jisung nodded enthusiastically, setting the manual down on a sleek coffee table. He crouched down, extending his hand toward the cats with what he hoped was a friendly smile. "Hey there, little guys. We're gonna be best friends."
The reaction was immediate and unanimous. Soonie's ears flattened against his head. He let out a low, warning growl that made Jisung's heart skip a beat, then turned and stalked to the far side of the living room with a flick of his tail. Doongie hissed dramatically before following Soonie's retreat, while Dori simply blinked once at Jisung with what could only be described as blatant aversion before turning his back to him.
"Oh," Jisung said, his hand still awkwardly outstretched in the now-empty space where the cats had been. "They must be super shy." He laughed awkwardly. "That’s never happened before." At least that was true. That there never had been a chance for it to happen, though, was a different story.
Strangely, Minho didn't seem surprised in the slightest. He shook his head, a small, knowing smile playing at his lips. "They're not shy. They just don't like strangers. They don't even let Jeongin pet them," Minho added with a slight shrug. "And he's been trying for years."
Jisung's faith deflated like a punctured balloon. If Minho's own brother couldn't get close to these cats, what chance did he have? He straightened up, trying not to look as panicked as he felt. "Just wait, there'll come a time when they'll be begging for more of me," he announced with a confidence he didn't actually have.
"Stick to the manual," Minho reminded him and pressed the binder against Jisung's chest. "I'll be gone for the next three days. I'm doing long shifts." Minho led him further into the apartment, giving him a brief tour. "This is the kitchen. The cats' food is in the labeled containers in that cabinet. There's a detailed feeding chart on page eight of the manual. You can use the kitchen if you want to."
"Got it," Jisung nodded, making mental notes. "Bathroom is down the hall on the left. My room is at the end of the hall. The cats are allowed to sleep on my bed. You aren't, of course."
Of course. Jisung had to bite back a laugh. Of course, he wouldn't sleep in a stranger's bed—what kind of person did Minho think he was?
"The guest room is where you'll be staying," Minho continued, pushing open a door to reveal a space that was somehow both minimalist and luxurious. "Fresh sheets, extra blankets in the closet if needed." Unsurprisingly, even the guest room was much nicer than Jisung's actual bedroom. Here, he was greeted by a queen-sized bed that looked cloud-soft and a small desk by the window that offered the same stunning view as the living room.
"You can come and go as you please, just remember not to leave them unattended for too long. They have separation anxiety."
Separation anxiety. Jisung tried not to let his face betray the mild panic rising inside him. He knew about separation anxiety. He'd experienced it himself as a child, he'd learned about it during his studies—but in cats? The term rattled around in Jisung's brain as he clutched the hefty manual to his chest. He'd written a whole paper on attachment disorders last semester, but that was in humans—children clinging to parents, adults struggling with codependency. Not cats. Were the symptoms the same? Would they pace anxiously by the door? Cry out for their absent owner in the night? Destroy furniture in distress?
"I'll be leaving in about half an hour," Minho said, checking his watch. "That should give you time to review the manual and ask any questions."
"Perfect," Jisung nodded enthusiastically, clutching the binder to his chest like it contained the secrets of the universe. "I'll get right to it."
As Minho retreated to his room to finish packing, Jisung sat on the edge of the guest bed, opening the massive manual. Jisung flipped through the first few pages, eyebrows climbing higher with each turn. This wasn't just a manual—it was a novel-length manifesto on cat care. Page three detailed the exact temperature each cat preferred their water (Soonie liked room temperature, Doongie preferred slightly cool, and Dori apparently would only drink water that had been filtered twice). Page four outlined each cat's preferred petting zones with anatomical diagrams. Pages five to six were entirely dedicated to the proper way to scoop litter. By page ten, Jisung was sweating. This was way beyond his Wikipedia cramming session, and he had just half an hour. 30 Minutes to memorize this entire manual before Minho left and he was alone with three cats who apparently had more specific care requirements than most humans. Jisung's eyes darted to the desk by the window. He couldn't possibly absorb all this information in time, but he needed this job to work out. The money Minho had offered was enough to cover both his portion of rent and his upcoming textbook expenses, with enough left over to maybe, finally, replace his dying laptop.
Jisung moved to the desk by the window, setting the hefty manual aside with a soft thud. He needed a plan. Running his fingers through his already messy hair, he pulled his worn notebook from his backpack. The same one filled with half-finished lyrics and melody ideas that came to him at 3 AM. Flipping to a clean page, Jisung clicked his pen several times as he stared at the blank paper. Cat Sitting for Dummies, he wrote at the top of the page, underlining it twice for emphasis. Or how to make Minho's cats fall in love with me in ten steps. This was just like studying for an exam, right? Break it down into manageable chunks. He glanced over at Minho's encyclopedia of cat care, feeling his stomach tighten. Step One: Convince Minho and his cats that I already understand the mysterious creatures I'm about to cohabitate with.
Jisung tapped his pen against the notebook, glancing nervously at the bedroom door. He could hear Minho moving around, the soft sounds of zippers closing and drawers shutting. Time was running out. He hastily scribbled down the remaining steps, nodding to himself when he reread them. This would work out. This had to work out. Jisung flipped the manual back open with newfound determination. This wasn't just about convincing Minho he was competent anymore—these were living creatures that depended on proper care. The ten steps were a good start, but he needed specific details about each cat that would make Minho believe he was a professional who knew exactly what he was doing. He grabbed a handful of colorful sticky notes from his backpack and began methodically working through the manual.
"Okay, Soonie," he muttered, creating a dedicated page in his notebook. "Seven years old... orange and white... prefers the blue mouse toy but only before meals..." His pen moved rapidly across the paper, condensing Minho's elaborate instructions into manageable bullet points. He could do it.
When a knock sounded at the door, Jisung slammed the binder shut, grateful for the interruption.
"I'm heading out soon," Minho said, rolling a sleek carry-on suitcase behind him. He wore a tailored coat that made him look like he'd stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine.
Thank god he was leaving. No chance Jisung could focus on anything if he was standing close to him.
"Do you have any questions about the manual?"
Jisung hesitated, glancing at his notebook filled with hastily scribbled notes. This was his chance. Instead of nodding along as he'd practiced in the elevator, he flipped open his notebook with one hand while pushing up his glasses with the other. "Actually, I do have a question." He flipped open his notebook to the page where he'd written down each cat's preferences. "For Doongie—the manual says he doesn't like catnip toys, but then on page seventeen, it says his favorite bedtime routine includes ten minutes with the catnip-filled mouse?" Jisung tapped the contradiction with his pen, looking up at Minho.
Minho blinked. "His preferences changed. I must have forgotten to update the toy section."
For a moment, Jisung felt a burst of triumph. He was already doing this cat-sitting thing right. Awesome!
"I'm impressed you caught that," Minho said, his voice softer than before. "Most people don't actually read the whole thing."
Jisung swallowed his nervous laugh. "Well, I take cat sitting very seriously."
Minho's neutral expression faltered, a slight furrow appearing between his brows. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, fingers tightening around the handle of his suitcase. "Actually, I..." Minho paused, his gaze drifting to where the cats had disappeared. "I should be honest. I don't feel entirely comfortable leaving them with someone I've just met." His voice had lost its clinical detachment, replaced by something more vulnerable. "They're... they're everything to me. But my brother said you're alright. And I don't have any other options."
Jisung nodded, setting his notebook down. The admission surprised him—Minho didn't seem like the type who'd easily admit to feeling uncertain.
"I get it," Jisung said softly. "They're your family."
"Yes. Exactly." Something in Minho's posture relaxed, just slightly. "Please update me regularly."
"I'll send you photos every few hours," Jisung promised, noticing how Minho's eyes kept darting back to the living room where his cats had disappeared.
Minho nodded but didn't move toward the door. Instead, he set his suitcase down and walked back into the living room. "Soonie?" he called softly, crouching down near the couch. "Dori? Doongie?" His voice took on a gentle lilt that Jisung hadn't heard before.
The orange tabby, Soonie, if Jisung remembered correctly, peeked out from behind a cat tower, immediately bounding over to Minho. His entire demeanor transformed as he scooped the cat into his arms, pressing his face into Soonie's fur. "I'll be back soon," he promised quietly, before he got up again. "I…" He paused briefly, looking at the scratching post. "I need a coffee before I leave." Despite his words, he didn't move, his gaze transfixed on orange fur.
Oh, Jisung thought, but nodded when it finally clicked. It wasn't the cats suffering from separation anxiety. It was Minho.