Collateral Kitty 36

I was a beast and a Suin known as the Black-footed Cat — yet my appearance was nothing but cute, so I was constantly either given away to households as a pet cat, or used as collateral for my father's debts under the pretense of being a rare and precious beast.

Even now, as an adult pulling my own weight and having cut ties with my father, the situation was exactly the same.

My father tricked me with his fake, crafted act and sold me off as collateral for his debts again.

But this time, the loan sharks were no ordinary bunch. They were Tiger Suin. The native beasts said to be the most dangerous in Korea.

Among them, the man who led them was unbelievably rude.

He took one look at me and called me pint-sized, called me a little runt — he hit me, called me baby, and dismissed me entirely.

"Good boy. That's it. I'll open the can for you."

"I'll be home late today. Be good and play."

"Our little baby is so smart, aren't you."

But the man's attitude was stranger than any human I had ever seen — stranger than any Suin. Rough yet tender, dangerous yet warm.

I was growing more and more sorry. More and more afraid.

Because I was deceiving him.

"Mrrng…."

Master…. Actually, I…. I'm a Suin.

I'm not an ordinary cat. Do you still think of me as your baby? Do you… like me…? Will you keep liking me?