Superstar 839
by Cristae“Come here, Lily.”
Miyaong—
When Lily’s guardian shook the hand holding a treat, Lily’s eyes sparkled as she started moving toward it.
All eyes followed her—cameras, crew, Seo-jun and Haley Roge too.
On top of the wall.
As Lily reached out one dainty paw, a quiet “Ooooh” could be heard. Then another step—“Oooooh!”
Wilma had said the sound would be edited out later, so no one held back their admiration for Lily’s cuteness. Of course, they kept their voices low so as not to startle her.
That admiration seemed to fuel Lily’s confidence.
Mya!
As if she understood their amazement, Lily strutted down the wall like she was showing them what real catwalking looked like.
“Is it just me, or is her head held higher?”
“She must love the attention. She’s so cute!”
Smiles bloomed on everyone’s faces.
“I think we can leave all the walking scenes to Lily.”
“Yeah, definitely.”
Seo-jun nodded with a laugh at Wilma’s comment.
Lily’s first scene went smoothly. Then it was on to the second shot:
Getting magically flung off a two-story house and tumbling dramatically.
“Think she can roll like that?”
“If not, we’ll add it with CG.”
The staff watched with curious eyes as Lily was gently set down on a chroma-key-covered floor. Her guardian lured her with a treat, just like they practiced at home.
Miyaa—
Lily rolled forward toward the treat, drawing muffled laughter. The fuzzy black puffball tumbling across the green floor was a sight to behold.
“So cute!”
Haley Roge bounced on her toes.
Wilma, nodding in agreement, decided they’d do one more take. This time, she placed a box-shaped obstacle at the end of Lily’s path.
“She just needs to stop when she hits this.”
“Got it. Lily, ready?”
Chomp chomp.
Lily lifted her head from her snack as soon as her name was called. Maybe she was getting hungry with lunch approaching—or maybe the tiny treat wasn’t enough.
“One more roll, Lily.”
Mya!
Fixated on the treat, Lily gave a strong meow and obediently curled up and rolled again.
And then—bump!
She hit the box lightly, flopped onto her back, and came to a stop.
Myoong!
A funny, confused sound escaped her. She lay there upside-down, legs sprawled, fluffy belly exposed, head tilted like she didn’t know why everyone was upside down.
Seo-jun and the others couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
After lunch (Lily also had a hearty meal in her carrier), filming resumed.
“Let’s move on to the next scene. Jun, ready?”
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
Seo-jun answered Wilma with a warm smile.
Next up was a dialogue scene between Seo-jun and Lily.
Of course, Lily wasn’t really speaking. The voice of “Molly the Black Cat” would be dubbed in later. But for now, Seo-jun had to act out the scene alone, matching his timing to Lily’s meows and expressions.
Even though they could edit it later, matching her timing now would breathe more life into the scene.
He smiled up at Lily, perched on the wall.
“Let’s do our best, Lily.”
Miyaaong!
Lily answered bravely.
“Ready, action!”
“What are you?”
The black cat, who had tumbled and awkwardly hit a tree, sprang up and scampered nimbly back to the top of the wall.
She had heard it.
The man calling someone a “witch.”
Her golden eyes narrowed.
Despite her caution, the man grinned and spoke.
“Are you the witch’s cat?”
“I asked you first.”
Sniff sniff.
The little black nose twitched, trying to catch his scent.
Then, faint—almost too faint—but unmistakable.
This smell… I know this stench…
Her brows furrowed. She sniffed harder, thinking—
And then leaped.
“You! You’re—!”
Her fur stood on end from ears to tail.
“A wolf?! Why is a wolf here?!”
“Oh, you could smell it? I tried masking it…”
The man sniffed his sleeve, reeking of dirt and filth, and chuckled.
“You’re good.”
“Why are you here?!”
“Following the witch.”
“There’s no such thing here!”
The man looked at the leaping, shouting cat and smirked.
The cat shuddered.
“The witch’s cat is here, but you say there’s no witch?”
“Ugh…”
She paced atop the wall, then snapped back.
“Just leave already!”
“Nope. I’ve got business with the witch.”
His casual shrug made her jaws drop.
“With the witch? You? A wolf?!”
“So what?”
“You filthy mutt!”
“Who’re you calling mutt?!”
“Sheesh, you don’t even deny it!”
“No witch meets with wolves! Leave!”
“I said I have business! You tiny snack!”
“Snack?! Did you call me a snack?! You stinky mongrel!”
“It’s wolf, not mongrel!”
“Mongrel, wolf—same thing!”
Grrr!
Hiiissss!
In their growling match, neither noticed the new observer.
At the front door—
Claire stood soaked from the rain, jaw hanging open as she stared at the talking cat and man bickering on her doorstep.
“T-the cat’s… talking…?”
The cat was talking.
And the man… was arguing with her.
Even the rain-soaked forest outside the wall had turned into a sunny city.
“Ha…”
Claire turned and bumped her forehead against the door.
If this were a dream, the cold wet clothes wouldn’t feel so real.
“Director…”
She felt tears welling up.
Wait—
The man and cat noticed Claire’s presence.
“Ma—!”
“Claire!”
The cat was faster.
Claire flinched.
The talking cat knows my name?!
“Claire! Let me in, please!”
Molly flailed against an invisible wall—floating in midair.
It looked like she’d jump down into the yard, but she was stuck as if pressed against a transparent barrier. Her belly fur squished flat.
“You remember the granny who gave you this house?”
Claire’s eyes snapped toward her.
“That cat with her—that was me!”
A flying cat…
Claire clung to sanity as memories returned. Yes, there had been a black cat with the old woman.
And she had petted her.
Her name had been…
“…Molly?”
“Yes!”
Molly beamed.
“I’ve got so much to tell you! Please let me in!”
“What?! You’re going in alone?!”
“Don’t call me a snack again, you mutt!”
“Not a mutt! I’m a wolf!”
“Wolf or mutt, same thing!”
As they bickered again, Claire interjected.
“W-why can’t you come in? Can’t you just… walk in?”
There was a gate and wall, but any cat could climb over them.
“It’s blocked. There’s a magical barrier around this house. Only the owner—you—can grant permission.”
Molly’s sullen voice made Claire pause.
A talking cat and a shady guy… both weird.
But the cat seemed more manageable.
Besides, she needed answers.
This was her house now. She planned to open a shop. If the scenery outside turned into a rainy forest whenever guests visited, she was in serious trouble.
My house! My store!
Eyes sparkling with determination, she asked,
“What do I have to do?”
“Just think it. Think, ‘I allow Molly into the house.’”
Still unsure, Claire sighed.
“I allow Molly into the house…”
The moment she finished, Molly dropped from the sky—
—and landed gracefully in the yard.
“Claire, you’re the best!”
Molly meowed happily, scampering over.
But Claire, still wary, sidestepped her approach.
Molly’s ears and tail drooped.
“…Wait! Witch! What about me?”
The man called out in panic.
Claire finally looked at him properly.
Handsome, but pale.
Dirty, ragged clothes.
…I’ve seen that outfit before.
Wait—witch?
Her eyes widened.
The guy I ran into on the street!
How did he get here?
Unaware of her thoughts, the man said,
“Witch. Let me in too. I’ve got a job for you.”
“No! Not the mutt!”
Claire didn’t understand the mutt thing, but she did agree he shouldn’t come in.
“Wait!”
He slammed his hand on the barrier—
FWOOSH!
Sparks flew. His hand was scorched.
Unlike Molly’s case, this was aggressive.
“Ah!”
Claire gasped.
Molly, tongue sticking out smugly, explained,
“Because he’s a wolf! The barrier keeps enemies out. It lets in familiar animals like me, or normal ones. Not him.”
Claire didn’t get it all—but one thing was clear:
That man was not coming in.
She let out a breath of relief and opened the front door.
“Wait! Just hear me out!”
He tried to rush forward again, and the barrier flared with even bigger flames.
My bags…
Claire glanced at her stuff near the gate.
She’d come back for it once that guy was gone.
Then she stepped inside.
Molly darted through before the door shut.
“Witch! Damn it! Just a minute—!”
His voice cut off as the door clicked shut.
“Haa…”
Claire slumped against the door.
A weird guy. A forest that turns into a city. A talking cat. A house that shoots fire.
This day was too much.
“Claire!”
Called by bright, sparkling eyes, Claire sighed again.
Clearly…
The day wasn’t over yet.