Even a Lonely Squirrel Has Its Burrow - Chapter 134

“Like your dad?”

It was a reason he hadn’t expected at all. On top of that, his mind had been a mess all day thinking about Garam’s late father, and for a moment, it even felt like Garam had read his thoughts.

As Sa Muheon’s voice rose slightly, Garam looked at him as if to ask why he was acting that way. Realizing his reaction might raise suspicion, Sa Muheon forced a smile and urged him to continue.

“And what does that have to do with studying so hard?”

“I was really young, so I don’t remember much, but I heard it from my grandmother. My dad also graduated with a degree in chemistry and worked as a researcher.”

Garam giggled as if recalling a memory from childhood and continued speaking.

“I do remember one thing—my dad liked explaining things to me when I was little. But sometimes, the things he said were too hard for me to understand… so my mom would scold him while listening.”

Garam looked happy as he smiled, reminiscing. But Sa Muheon’s mind grew more tangled. As if recalling more the longer he talked, Garam kept going.

“When I entered high school, everyone started worrying about college. I was the same… but at first, I was worried because I didn’t really have anything I wanted to do.”

“Really? That’s surprising.”

“That’s when my grandmother told me about my dad. Even though it was just a childhood memory… maybe because I remembered how much he loved his work? I suddenly wanted to study the same thing. I was curious—what was it that he liked so much?”

To some people, choosing a major for that reason might sound ridiculous, but to Sa Muheon, it felt like a very Garam-like decision.

“So, how was it when you actually tried it?”

“Hmm… I like it. I guess studying suits me better than I thought—it’s fun. Maybe I take after my dad? I think that sometimes…”

The last sentence came out as a quiet murmur. As if startled by what he had just said, Garam let out an awkward laugh and quickly changed the subject.

“Um, anyway, that’s why I chose my major at first, but once I started, it became fun. So I wanted to do better, and that made me work harder. It’s not a very special reason, right?”

Looking at Garam smiling like that, Sa Muheon finally found the answer to the question that had been troubling him all day.

“…Sounds plenty special to me. And in the end, you found something you enjoy, so isn’t that all that matters?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

Garam nodded with a soft laugh, as if he had been pondering it for a moment. Sa Muheon gently stroked Garam’s hair. The silky strands fell apart under his fingers.

Looking at Garam’s upturned face, Sa Muheon was reminded of the young Garam he had seen in photos. Back then, Garam’s hair had been a lighter shade of brown than it was now. The slightly curly ends gave him the kind of cuteness unique to kids that age.

Of course, to Sa Muheon, the Garam now beside him was always the most lovable.

Sa Muheon kissed Garam lightly. Garam didn’t push him away or act shy. Instead, as soon as Sa Muheon pulled away, Garam followed and returned a brief kiss.

“If what you want is to study more, then don’t worry about finding a job. Just do what you want.”

Hearing that, Garam’s eyes widened.

“But still, how could I…”

Garam said that and shook his head. But even so, it was clear he was hesitating, as if he truly did want to keep studying. Sa Muheon chuckled softly and placed his hand on Garam’s head.

“Why not? Once we get married, all my money is basically yours. Just live doing what you want to do. I can afford that much.”

That made Garam falter, clearly swayed by the offer, opening his mouth like he didn’t know what to say.

“Think about it carefully, okay?”

“…Okay.”

Satisfied with the obedient answer, Sa Muheon gave him a light kiss and stood up. He pulled Garam, who was looking up at him blankly, to his feet and took his hand as they headed to the bedroom.

Following behind him, Garam began to hum a cheerful tune, clearly in a good mood. Hearing it, Sa Muheon smiled without even realizing.

He wanted his partner—the one he loved, who would someday become his family—to always be happy. That’s why he decided not to tell Garam the truth.

Even if Garam were to learn the truth, he would endure it. Of course, he would go through a painful time, but eventually, he would rise again and move toward the future. Still, Sa Muheon didn’t want to make him go through that pain in the first place.

It wasn’t because he didn’t trust Garam. He just didn’t want him to experience sorrow that could be avoided.

“Wow…”

Garam pressed himself up against the wide living room window, admiring the garden. Sa Muheon sat on the couch, enjoying the sight of him.

With a naturally low body temperature, Sa Muheon absolutely hated cold weather. It made his body feel oddly sluggish, and maybe due to the nature of snakes hibernating, he found himself sleeping more than usual in winter.

He hated snow even more. But Garam was completely enthralled by the heavy snowfall, repeatedly gasping in awe as he looked out at the garden.

“Before my grandmother passed away, we used to build snowmen together whenever it snowed like this.”

“Mm…”

At his rather lukewarm response, Garam turned his head to look at Sa Muheon.

“You don’t like snow very much?”

“Not particularly. My mother used to say, ‘How can someone born on a snowy day hate snow so much?’”

“When’s your birthday?”

Now that he thought about it, he had never told Garam his birthday before. Of course, he knew exactly when Garam’s birthday was—down to the hour.

“February.”

“Huh? It’s already almost February…”

“Yeah, not much time left. So… it’s the Friday after next.”

“What…?”

When he checked the calendar and gave the exact date, Garam looked at him as if he’d just been hit with a great shock.

“…I forgot to mention it because I don’t usually celebrate my birthday.”

When he said that, almost like an excuse, Garam scooted over to him. Sitting right next to him, Garam began to pepper him with questions.

“Is there something you want as a present?”

“Not really.”

“Then is there anything you’ve been wanting recently?”

“You.”

“…Huh?”

At his answer, which came without a moment’s hesitation, Garam opened his eyes wide and then burst into laughter. He seemed to think Sa Muheon had just made a really funny joke. Of course, all Sa Muheon had done was state his sincere feelings, but he didn’t feel the need to correct Garam’s misunderstanding.

“Nothing besides me?”

“Nothing in particular.”

That, too, was the truth. Sa Muheon had little desire for material things. He didn’t have a hobby of collecting unnecessary items, nor did he ever feel the need for anything in particular.

Before Garam moved in, he used to buy all kinds of supplies to make things more comfortable for the hamsters he kept. But after Garam came, that had all stopped.

The only thing Sa Muheon had recently found joy in was buying piles of clothes he thought would look good on Garam, or feeding him food he might enjoy.

“…Really nothing?”

“Hmm…”

But Garam’s expression, as he asked again, was just too earnest, and so Sa Muheon quickly racked his brain.

No matter how little he wanted anything, if he said he didn’t want anything now, it would only be a matter of time before he received a reproachful look from his partner.

As he continued his brief contemplation, the corners of his lips curved upward in a smooth arc. Come to think of it, there was no rule that a gift had to be a physical object.

“I just thought of something I’d like.”

“What is it?”

Garam asked, his eyes sparkling. Even that look seemed utterly lovable. Unable to hold back the feeling rising within him, Sa Muheon pressed a kiss to Garam’s cheek.

Garam giggled and, while planting kisses all over Sa Muheon’s cheeks, urged him for an answer.

“Hmm? What is it?”

“I want us to go on a trip together.”

“That’s the present you want?”

Garam tilted his head, looking puzzled.

“You’re giving me your time, right? You’re busy studying, and yet you’re setting aside precious time for me—of course I should be grateful.”

“Still, I’m not sure that counts as a gift…”

“There’s really nothing else I want.”

Feeling like he was somehow getting swept up by Sa Muheon, Garam hesitated to respond. But when Sa Muheon firmly held his ground, Garam finally raised his hand in defeat.

“Okay, then. When are we going on this trip?”

When Sa Muheon heard the answer he’d been waiting for, he flashed a satisfied smile. That smile, as if to say he’d known it would go this way, was just a little annoying.

And at the reply that followed, Garam’s eyes widened once more, and soon, the sound of joyful laughter filled the air.