Wildcat 43

“Ugh!”

Tae-jun collapsed onto the bed. Limp, he didn’t even let out a groan. Yumin huffed for a while, then, seeing Tae-jun motionless as if dead, he rushed over in a panic.

“…Tae-jun? Tae-jun!”

He couldn’t have fainted, could he? Flustered, Yumin grabbed Tae-jun by the collar and shook him urgently. Tae-jun opened his eyes with a groan.

“Ah…”

“Are you back with us?”

“I can’t get up.”

“Really? Does it hurt that much?”

“Ugh! My, my head…”

Tae-jun pressed his forehead, furrowing his brow. Yumin paled, unsure what to do.

“Haa…”

“Should we go to the hospital? We have to, right?”

Yumin’s head was incredibly hard. Though his skull was small enough to fit in Tae-jun’s hand, thanks to the hormones unique to the feline species, it was as hard as stone. He hadn’t intended to hurt him severely… Yumin resented his own constitution.

Seeing Yumin’s dejected expression, on the verge of tears, Tae-jun chuckled inwardly. He suppressed his escaping laughter and moaned.

“Aaaah… I don’t think I need to go to the hospital. Instead…”

“Instead what? I’ll do anything.”

“I think I’ll get better if I get a kiss.”

“…What kind of bullshit are you spouting right now?”

“It’s not dog talk, it’s tiger talk?”

“Ah, seriously!”

Yumin bared his fangs and growled in betrayal. Tae-jun pushed himself up and impulsively took Yumin’s lips. He then pulled Yumin’s neck closer. As he bit down on Yumin’s soft, yielding lips, Yumin let out a sweet moan.

“Mmm… Hng…”

His body squirmed weakly, yet he never pulled away from Tae-jun’s embrace. Tae-jun felt a wave of pleasure surge through his entire body, then explode. As always, Yumin passively surrendered his body to Tae-jun’s touch. When Tae-jun slid his hand under Yumin’s t-shirt and stroked his back, Yumin shivered and let out a nasal whine. Encouraged, Tae-jun moved his hand forward and roughly cupped Yumin’s chest, eliciting a sharp moan.

Cupping the firm chest with his large hand, Tae-jun vigorously stimulated the nipple that protruded between his fingers. But it was soft. Unlike before, Yumin’s chest was quite soft, and his nipples were swollen like ripe fruit.

Damn it. Is it because he’s pregnant?

“Haa… You’re so beautiful, I could die.”

Tae-jun’s jaw tightened. At the same time, his hand squeezed Yumin’s chest painfully. Yumin writhed, thrusting his hips as if in heat.

“Ah! It tickles, Tae-jun…”

“Why have your breasts gotten so big, hmm?”

“Ah, no. They’re the same.”

“No, they’re not. On your nipples, damn it, there’s….”

“Ang! Don’t touch there!”

As Tae-jun’s fingertips grazed the nipples, Yumin giggled uncontrollably. He couldn’t even open his eyes properly, moaning as if he were suffocating, and bumped his plump buttocks between Tae-jun’s legs. Tae-jun’s cock hardened so much it threatened to burst through his pants.

“This isn’t going to work. I can’t go to the festival.”

With Yumin right in front of him, he didn’t need any other festival. Devouring Yumin alone was more than enough.

“Haa… I’m tired. That’s why I said three times was enough.”

“Who told you to be so seductive?”

“When was I ever!”

As they descended to the open field, Yumin whined so much that Tae-jun transformed back into a tiger and carried him down the hill. Thanks to that, Yumin, whose back ached, could travel comfortably.

Upon reaching the bottom of the hill, Tae-jun and Yumin, now in their human forms, approached the field. Lights flashed from afar, and the sound of boisterous cheers could be heard.

Even in the daylight, it had been impressive with its chicken pop-up stores and tuna sashimi corners, but with the stage lighting added in the late evening, a breathtaking spectacle unfolded.

“Wow!”

Yumin let out an involuntary exclamation. It had been a long time since he had seen such a dazzling sight. This was no longer the monotonous, desolate open field he knew. It was comparable to any amusement facility.

“Amazing. How did you prepare all this?”

To Yumin’s pure admiration, Tae-jun merely shrugged. In truth, it hadn’t been easy to secure vendors willing to travel deep into the Gangwon mountains. But there was nothing Tae-jun couldn’t achieve when he set his mind to it.

“Well, there are ways.”

Tae-jun smiled and gave Yumin a brief kiss on the forehead. He thought that if he had known Yumin would like it so much, he should have held festivals more often.

Finally, the stage curtain rose. A trot singer, immensely popular nationwide, kicked off the festival. Not only the elderly Beastmen but also the young people gathered in front of the stage, cheering wildly. Even Yumin, who wasn’t very familiar with trot, could enjoy the performance.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“Now that you mention it, I am a bit hungry.”

During the break between stage acts, the two bought snacks. Strictly speaking, it was more like they freely picked up snacks since they didn’t have to pay. Yumin’s favorite rest stop treats were all available. As he hesitated between the dried squid and dried octopus sticks, Tae-jun handed him both, telling him to eat them.

“This is really fun.”

Yumin felt genuinely grateful to Tae-jun. Although there had been times when Tae-jun caused him great stress, in hindsight, everything had started with his own one-sided misunderstanding.

“That’s a relief. But this isn’t all.”

“Huh? There’s more?”

Tae-jun didn’t reveal what was coming next. Curious, Yumin even tried to coax him with aegyo, but it was no use. Tae-jun just kept telling him to anticipate it.

After the performance ended, a break was given. During this time, Yumin and Tae-jun decided to take a walk. Behind the stage was a small lake, a place Yumin had loved since childhood. Walking along the lakeshore hand-in-hand, Yumin pondered Tae-jun’s hint.

What exactly am I supposed to anticipate? It seems impossible to have a more lavish festival than this.

He was curious about the meaning of Tae-jun’s words but couldn’t come up with anything.

Looking back, Tae-jun had always acted and spoken beyond expectations, or rather, on a different level than expected. The way he had thoroughly hidden his Tiger Beastman identity before revealing it, and how he had suspected Kkabyang’s true nature and observed him early on – he was always one step ahead of Yumin.

On the other hand, there were times when Yumin had been one step ahead. Tae-jun had never dreamed that Yumin had approached him for the sake of the second-generation breeding project. He had never explained it in detail yet….

No, wait a minute. Come to think of it, I need to address this. I’m not just some cat!

As he calmly reflected on the past, Yumin realized he had overlooked something. Things went awry from the moment Tae-jun mistook Kkabyang for a stray cat. Since Kkabyang was Yumin, it was natural for Tae-jun to assume his partner was a cat Beastman.

One line break. Yumin felt dizzy from his own foolishness. For him, considered the top prodigy of the Go family, to make such a mistake.

Yumin calmly composed himself and stopped walking. Then, he took Tae-jun’s hand and met his gaze.

“Hey, Tae-jun. Come to think of it… you didn’t really know I was a wildcat, did you?”

“Yeah. As I said, a cat–”

“Stop talking about cats. My Black-footed Wildcat family isn’t a race that grovels subserviently to humans like cats. Let me introduce you to my deep-rooted family. I think you should know about me too.”

Yumin boldly revealed his identity. He was a wildcat, with a wild nature and a taste for meat, unlike a mere cat. Descendants of the Black-footed Wildcat, wild predators of nature who had never been tamed, it had taken thousands of years for them to settle here in Gangwon Province, their lineage originating from the distant lands of Africa.

As he recounted his family history, Yumin’s voice choked up.

“…Our numbers have dwindled. That’s why I came to the city. Because they said I could have children with a human man. At first, I thought that meant I could impregnate a man, but…”

“Hmm, you didn’t consider the opposite case.”

“Yeah. I never thought I would be the one to get pregnant. Honestly, not even the possibility.”

Yumin soon looked down at his belly with tender eyes.

“…Still, they’re my babies. I want to protect them no matter what.”

After speaking wistfully, Yumin suddenly turned fierce and pinched Tae-jun’s cheek painfully.

“Ow!”

“Anyway, I won’t let you off the hook. I’ll never forgive you.”

“Then what should I do? I’m going to live with you forever.”

“For now, I’ll make you work hard until the babies are born.”

“Okay.”

“You’ll attend to me all day, and you’ll do all the housework. I repeat, I’m the one pregnant, so everything else is your responsibility.”

“That sounds great. Then you won’t run away.”

Tae-jun relaxed completely and smiled. What a happy hardship. Yumin was giving him a reward, not a punishment.

“Hmph, if you break your promise even a little, there’s no mercy. I’ll take the kids and run.”

“No. If you run again, I’ll go crazy.”

Tae-jun grabbed Yumin’s shoulders and groaned playfully.

“Oh, wait a minute. I forgot something important. We haven’t named the babies.”

“Ah, that’s right. Do you have a name in mind?”

“Hmm… Not yet. They say the prenatal name should be cute and easy to call, but I can’t think of any ideas. But since they’re our babies, one will probably be a wildcat and the other a tiger.”

“I think so too.”

“Actually… I had a dream, and a black wildcat and a yellow tiger appeared.”

“If they’re born like that, they’ll both be beautiful, taking after you.”

Tae-jun gently stroked Yumin’s cheek. Yumin purred softly and leaned his face into Tae-jun’s hand.

“Then, Yumin, how about Salli and Hodori?”

“…Hodori?”

Yumin, who had been smiling, suddenly became serious. Hodori? That was a name that had briefly trended in the late 80s. It was incredibly tacky.

“Yes, Hodori.”

“Absolutely not. What is Hodori? It’s so provincial.”

“Isn’t it cute?”

“Not at all. Come up with another name, quickly!”

Yumin glared at Tae-jun and hit him on the chest. But inwardly, he wasn’t angry at all. Instead, he felt so at ease that he was almost languid.

As he bickered with his beloved lover, he could hear the chatter of familiar people around them. The lights illuminating the village twinkled, and the air was filled with the scent of a festival night. Even the darkness embraced Yumin softly. As if welcoming someone who had returned home after a long journey.

He wished this feeling could last forever. Yumin sincerely hoped so.

It was a dream that could come true as long as Tae-jun and the babies were together.

Returning to the audience seats, the two watched the performance hand-in-hand.

“Wow!”

After the trot singer’s performance, an idol group’s concert immediately followed. It was even Yumin’s favorite group. He had casually mentioned wanting to go to a concert to Tae-jun, and it seemed Tae-jun remembered. Yumin was so deeply moved that his eyes welled up, and he said to Tae-jun,

“Thank you so much. I never imagined this.”

“That’s a relief. But this isn’t what I was talking about.”

“Huh?”

“Another performance is starting. Let’s watch for now.”

“Uh, okay.”

Though he felt bewildered, he couldn’t miss the performance in front of him. Thanks to Tae-jun, Yumin enjoyed the concert from the very front row, center stage. He didn’t know how they managed to book such acts in this remote mountain village, but everything from the songs to the costumes, lighting, and choreography was perfect. Yumin was so moved he covered his mouth.

After the performance ended, he thanked Tae-jun again. Tae-jun smiled and gave Yumin a brief kiss.

“It starts now.”

“What starts?”

“What I was talking about.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a massive firework exploded in the sky. People cheered with joy at the unexpected fireworks. Yumin also looked up at the sky in surprise. Fireworks of an immeasurable size filled the night sky.

“My goodness… so…”

The light emitted by the bursting fireworks was more beautiful than any constellation. It wasn’t an exaggeration; it was the most romantic sight Yumin had ever seen. Tae-jun put his arm around Yumin’s shoulder, embraced him tenderly, and whispered in his ear. Yumin had expected sweet nothings, but Tae-jun said something unexpected.

“Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“The stage.”

“…What?”

Yumin asked again, startled, but Tae-jun simply led him forward without a word.

By then, the stage setting had changed. An enormous number of fresh flowers, sourced from who knows where, covered the stage, illuminated by soft lighting.

“What is all this…”

On one side of the stage stood a famous MC, whom Yumin had often seen on TV. And next to him stood Yumin’s great-uncle, who was also the village chief. He couldn’t even begin to guess what was about to unfold.

Looking around in a daze, the MC addressed the two.

“Alright, we will now begin the engagement ceremony for the two of you. Please come to the center of the stage!”

“What?”

“Let’s go.”

Gently pushing Yumin’s surprised shoulder, Tae-jun led him to the center of the stage. The Beastmen filling the audience seats cheered and applauded. In the audience were Go Seong-min and Hyeon-seok, as well as Go family relatives, and even Yumin’s parents. They all looked at Yumin on stage and smiled brightly.

“Now, we have the couple here. We hear that Mr. Beom Tae-jun has made extensive preparations for this engagement ceremony.”

“Yes. We worked hard to ensure our engagement ceremony would be a celebration for the entire village, not just the two of us.”

At his words, the crowd’s cheers grew even louder. Tae-jun smiled at the audience.

“Then, we will now begin the engagement ceremony. As a witness, the village chief of Yanggo Village has kindly joined us.”

As he said this, Tae-jun turned to Yumin and knelt on one knee. He then took out a small jewelry case from his pocket. As he opened the case, the ring inside glittered brilliantly, reflecting the stage lights.

“Yumin, please accept it.”

“Tae-jun…”

“Give me the rest of your life.”

“……”

His throat tightened. Yumin, as if mesmerized, stepped forward and stood before Tae-jun. He was still kneeling. All the events that had transpired until now flashed before Yumin’s eyes. There had been joyful and happy moments, as well as difficult and fearful ones, but in the end, Yumin had returned to Tae-jun. Wherever Yumin’s heart turned, it was always towards Tae-jun.

“Go Yumin, marry me.”

There was no need to think hard. There was only one choice.

Yumin reached out and accepted the ring Tae-jun offered. Tae-jun stood up and slipped the ring onto his finger. The ring fit perfectly, as if custom-made.

“I will marry you. And for the rest of my life… I will only love you.”

The moment Yumin answered, a colossal firework, unlike any he had ever seen, bloomed in the night sky. The bursting fireworks wove a new constellation above their heads.

Yumin looked at Tae-jun with dreamlike eyes. Before meeting Tae-jun, Yumin had wished for a baby wildcat that resembled him. He had thought that if he had a baby, his life’s goal would be achieved. So, he had simply searched for the perfect man.

But now, it was different. He must have stayed up all night searching for Tae-jun. It was an overwhelming gift he had never expected. Sometimes, a treasure is hidden in an alley you stumble into by chance. Yumin, who had grasped that fortune, desired no greater happiness than this.

Tae-jun felt the same. He had no desire to obsess over anyone, nor did he have anyone he wished to do so for. He firmly believed he would be content living alone from now on. Dating and love were things he felt indifferent about.

To him, Yumin was like a fender bender. A nuisance who had carelessly cut in and crashed into him while he was driving smoothly down the road. How dare you like me without my permission?* He had even felt indignant.

That nuisance had now transformed into the most important being in the world. What if Yumin hadn’t cut into his lane? He didn’t want to even imagine it.

“Thank you.”

Thank you so much for causing trouble. Keep bothering me, and I’ll indulge you to my heart’s content. Tae-jun whispered, barely audible to Yumin.