Even a Lonely Squirrel Has Its Burrow

Sa Muheon: Age 32. A snake shifter and an executive at Mirae Capital. Born to a snake shifter mother and an ordinary father, he is a half-shifter. Contrary to his cold exterior, he cherishes small animals, having devotedly cared for and tearfully bid farewell to five pet hamsters. One day, his heart is stolen by a squirrel that appears before him.

Kang Garam: Age 21. A squirrel shifter and college student. While his true form is an adorable squirrel, he has a soft and handsome appearance. After losing his parents in an accident at a young age and then losing the grandmother who raised him, he resolves to avoid further separations. Amid this determination, he encounters a man who extends a warm hand.

Kang Garam, a squirrel shifter who lost both his guardian and home in an instant.

While evading loan sharks demanding repayment for a debt he never owed, he hides in a park in his squirrel form. There, he meets a suspiciously handsome man, Sa Muheon.

Garam finds comfort in Sa Muheon’s kindness as the man brings him nuts and cranberries daily. Before he knows it, he’s on the path to becoming Sa Muheon’s pet squirrel.

“Come to think of it… Is our squirrel male?”

“Our squirrel, are you hungry?”

“Are squirrels usually this smart?”

Though Garam feels awkward being treated as a pet by Sa Muheon, who doesn’t realize he’s a shifter, he finds himself drawn to the man’s sweet gestures. Then one day, Garam discovers that Sa Muheon, who had been so kind to him, is actually an executive at the loan shark company that has been tormenting him.

[Preview]

“I’m really sorry, but this is super important.”

With a serious expression, Sa Muheon began to speak. Garam, caught up in his gravity, gulped nervously.

“A good name is essential for a long life. Since you’re going to live with me for a long, long time, I need to give you the best name possible.”

“…Squeak.”

Garam let out a small squeak, touched by his words.

“Well, I don’t know if you’re male or female yet, but a cute and nice name should work either way.”

Garam nodded inwardly. Sure, what did it matter what he was called? It wasn’t a name he’d carry for life. As soon as he left this house, it would be gone. But what Sa Muheon said next was crucial.

“I’ll ask the vet about your gender next time we visit. I just spoke with the doctor earlier, and as long as you’re not meeting other squirrels, neutering might not be necessary. Since you’re so small and you’ll be staying home, it should be fine.”

Hearing those horrifying words, Garam’s tail fur stood on end.

“…Squeak?”

‘…Neutering?’

Neutering? What kind of insane talk was this? Garam, shocked, opened his mouth slightly and stared at Sa Muheon. Of course, Sa Muheon, completely unaware of Garam’s feelings, reached out to gently close his open mouth, commenting on how cute he was.

“So adorable.”