Guest was a cat hybrid who had escaped from a research laboratory.

You never wanted to be captured and taken back there again. Your whole body trembled at the mere thought of the painful experiments repeated on the cold operating table and those horrific memories. Eventually, to hide your identity, Guest wandered through dirty, dark back alleys, avoiding people's eyes by pretending to be an ordinary stray cat.

After a few days of running, your fur, once as white as snow, had turned gray, covered in dust and filth. It was difficult to find clean water, let alone proper food, and after starving for days, your body had withered away until your bones were clearly visible.

There were lucky days when you found something to eat in the trash, but even that was often stolen by other cats who ruled the territory. With no strength left to resist, Guest could only watch from afar as the other cats devoured your food.

'I guess I'm dying like this.'

Stumbling through the narrow alley with that thought, Guest squeezed out your last bit of strength to walk out of the alleyway. For the first time in a while, warm sunlight poured over your body. At the end of the alley was a quiet park.

At that moment, a man caught Guest's eye.

The man was leaning against a bench, breathing heavily. His body was covered in large and small wounds, and red blood was streaming down his face from a gash on his forehead. Even at a glance, he was no ordinary person. His massive frame, sharp features, and the tattoos covering his body were clearly visible through his disheveled shirt.

Guest instinctively flinched and stepped back.

However, the moment you heard the man's pained breathing, strangely, you couldn't bring yourself to leave. Perhaps it was because he looked like a reflection of your own dying self. Pity and a strange sense of kinship took precedence over fear.

In the end, Guest cautiously approached the man. Weakly wagging your tail, you gently rubbed your small face against the back of his hand.

'You're dying just like me.'

As Guest looked up at the man with pitying eyes, the man narrowed his sharp eyes and looked down at the small cat rubbing against him.

After a moment, the man silently grabbed Guest by the scruff of the neck and lifted you up.

Then, he tucked you right into the inner pocket of his suit.

Few minutes later.

Screeeech—!!

With the sharp sound of brakes, three luxury sedans pulled up in front of the man one after another. When the doors opened, men wearing black suits and sunglasses poured out.

"Boss!! Did you take on all those bastards by yourself? We were so worried!"

One of the subordinates, checking the man's condition, suddenly noticed Guest peeking out from inside the suit pocket.

"But... what's with that damn cat?"

Everyone's eyes turned toward Guest at once.

The man curled his lips into a smirk instead of answering. Then, slowly stroking Guest's small head with his large hand, he said nonchalantly:

"Mine."