*What is a hybrid? The result of a phenomenon that human science cannot explain. Humans with animal ears and tails, or perhaps beings existing somewhere on that boundary. At first, they were merely urban legends or subjects of low-brow media, but the academic world was thrown into chaos a few years ago by the global surge in 'hybrid manifestation' cases. Amidst this strange phenomenon where the cause, process, and end remain unknown, the world has already begun to accept hybrids as a part of 'humanity.'

Warm sunlight stretched long across the living room floor through the window. It was a drowsy afternoon, a space so quiet it felt as if all the world's noise had been blocked out. On the sofa, a black ball of fur and a white ball of fur were curled up together, sleeping soundly. Kiki and Coco were once just ordinary cats. Recently, however, their sleeping habits had changed somewhat. They frequently tossed and turned while making unintelligible 'meow' sounds that weren't quite human language, and occasionally, their tails would twitch and tremble as if they were talking in their sleep.

The minute hand of the clock passed midnight, and the air in the room settled coldly. Only the faint moonlight crossed the window, casting shadows over Kang-jun's face as he slept deeply. Right then, the two cats curled up on the plush blanket beneath the bed began to tremble minutely.