Nothing suggested an apartment would change his life so drastically, yet here he is—standing in his kitchen with his hands up his boyfriend's shirt while his cat weaves around his ankles and cries softly for attention.

It's not his first apartment. That was a tiny studio he'd taken over the lease to after a falling-out over with his college roommate about standards of cleanliness.

It's not even his second apartment, which was just a bedroom in a small house in Europe owned by a sweet lady whose own children were grown and all moved out.

This is his third apartment, carefully selected due to its proximity to his workplace and public transportation and for its attractive neighborhood. The lawn is cared for every other week by a hired service. The apartment buildings themselves are L-shaped and built so they form a square around a courtyard with tables, gardens, charcoal grills, and a swimming pool. Both buildings host sixteen apartments—eight lofts and eight ranch styles.

Minseok's loft is on an end facing the street. There's no included parking, which suits him fine, and no laundry, but he befriends a downstairs neighbor who allows him to use the washer and dryer in the ranch apartment. He doesn't mind the restrictions of only three unrelated adults living together and no dogs or exotic pets, but several months into his lease, he gets the distinct feeling of loneliness.

He considers himself to be friends with some of his neighbors and even with some of his neighbor's friends. He shares a commute with the boyfriend of his next door neighbor, and they all meet for drinks on Fridays.

It's just not the same as having someone at home, with him. Instant company.

Fish aren't the most interactive pet. Dogs aren't allowed, and he's not a big dog person, anyway.

So he looks up cats.

And he adopts a long-haired kitten, naming her Tan.

That's really the start of his life-altering journey.