Even a Lonely Squirrel Has Its Burrow - Chapter 19

“Ah, yes. There’s something great. We’ve got a new family member.”

 

“Another hamster?”

 

Manager Han understood Sa Muheon’s love for pets a little better than Chairman Go, but even he couldn’t fully grasp Sa Muheon’s peculiar tastes. However, Sa Muheon didn’t mind at all.

 

When Sa Muheon shook his head, Manager Han looked at him with a genuinely surprised expression, waiting for his answer.

 

“This time, it’s a squirrel.”

 

“…A squirrel?”

 

His tone suggested Sa Muheon had brought home yet another bizarre creature. But Sa Muheon didn’t care.

 

“Yeah. I rescued it from the park. Apparently, squirrels can live for up to ten years, you know?”

 

“That long?”

 

“That’s what they say. Since they live much longer than hamsters, I want to make this one truly happy.”

 

Sa Muheon was already smiling with anticipation, exuding happiness. Manager Han observed his expression and asked another question.

 

“Have you decided on a name?”

 

“Ah, a name. Right.”

 

Only then did Sa Muheon realize he hadn’t named the squirrel yet. Normally, naming a new family member would have been the first thing he did, so he found it puzzling that he had forgotten such an important task this time.

 

“I’ll name it when I get home tonight. Since we’ll be living together for a long time, I’ll make sure to put extra thought into it.”

 

“That’s a good idea.”

 

Manager Han nodded as Sa Muheon mentioned he was heading out. After leaving the office, Sa Muheon got into his car parked in the lot and remembered a crucial matter.

 

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

 

Or female? He thought he should have asked at the hospital earlier. Worst case, he’d figure it out himself.

 

Sa Muheon brushed it off lightly and started the car.

 

—

 

“Let me see your face, okay?”

 

“……”

 

Sa Muheon paced back and forth in front of the cat tower in the living room, trying to make eye contact with Garam.

 

“I’m sorry. It was my fault.”

 

“……”

 

By this point, Sa Muheon seemed to have reflected enough. Garam almost turned around but stopped when Sa Muheon muttered something under his breath.

 

“What does a tiny thing like you even know to get so mad…”

 

“Chirp.”

 

“…Forget it.”

 

Far from reflecting, Sa Muheon didn’t even seem to understand what he had done wrong. Of course, that might have been expected since he thought Garam was just an ordinary squirrel. But still, but still…!

 

“Chirp, Chirp!”

 

Garam, unable to contain his anger, let out a high-pitched cry. He was still tucked away in the small house model at the topmost part of the cat tower, which Sa Muheon had bought for him. Though Sa Muheon, being tall, could easily see Garam even at the top, Garam had stubbornly hidden his face, showing only his round back and fluffy tail, driving Sa Muheon to frustration.

 

“Baby, hmm?”

 

“…Chirp?”

 

‘…Baby?’

 

Garam doubted his ears. But Sa Muheon seemed to think his words had gotten through because he started calling Garam by the cringeworthy nickname repeatedly.

 

“Baby, I was planning to give you a name today.”

 

“……”

 

“But to name you, I need to know if you’re a girl or a boy….”

 

Before Sa Muheon could finish speaking, Garam whipped his head around so fast it made a whooshing sound. Though curled up into a round shape like a fluffy rice cake with a tail, his gaze as he glared at Sa Muheon was sharp.

 

“Chirp!”

 

Garam stomped his feet in frustration. Yes, that was the issue.

 

It was nice to greet Sa Muheon after he got off work. It had been a while since Garam had welcomed someone home, and Sa Muheon, too, seemed delighted to be greeted by Garam, who had scampered over to him. With a bright smile, Sa Muheon picked up Garam, as though the world was his.

 

But then, the very next moment…

 

“Hold still, I just need to check something.”

 

“Chirp, Chirp?!”

 

‘W-What?!’

 

With careful yet swift hands, Sa Muheon checked between Garam’s legs. Garam, startled, tried to escape, but there was no getting away from Sa Muheon’s grasp.

 

“Can’t really tell like this….”

 

Moreover, Sa Muheon tilted his head, wondering what he couldn’t figure out, and stared at the area between Garam’s legs for a long time. Overwhelmed with shame and anger, Garam could only tremble uncontrollably. Not understanding Garam’s feelings at all, Sa Muheon finally noticed the squirrel’s trembling and leaned in with a concerned expression.

 

“Why are you shaking so much? Are you okay? Are you cold…?”

 

The moment Sa Muheon’s face got close enough, Garam seized the opportunity. Just as his face was near, Garam reached out and slapped Sa Muheon on the cheek.

 

Slap!

 

Though he hit with all his might, the tiny squirrel’s paw produced only an adorable sound. Still, it was enough to shock Sa Muheon, who stared blankly at the squirrel in his hand with wide eyes. Taking advantage of the loosened grip, Garam swiftly escaped from his hand.

 

“Ah…”

 

Sa Muheon could only watch helplessly as the squirrel darted across the living room. And now, here they were.

 

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

 

Sa Muheon spoke with a serious expression, which made Garam, now equally tense, gulp.

 

“Choosing a good name is the key to a long life. Since you’re going to live with me for a long time, I have to give you the best name.”

 

“…Chirp.”

 

Garam let out a small sound, slightly moved by the sentiment.

 

“Well, I’m not sure if you’re a boy or a girl, but I’ll come up with a cute and good name.”

 

Garam nodded inwardly. Fine, what did it matter what he was called? It wasn’t a name he’d carry for life; it would vanish the moment he left this house. But what mattered was Sa Muheon’s next words.

 

“I’ll ask about your gender the next time we visit the vet. I spoke with the doctor earlier, and it seems you don’t need to be neutered if you’re not meeting other squirrels. You’re so small anyway… Besides, since you’ll be staying indoors, you won’t run into other squirrels, so it should be fine.”

 

The chilling words made Garam’s tail fur stand on end.

 

“…Chirp?”

 

‘…Neutered?’

 

Neutered?! What kind of madness was this? Shocked, Garam unconsciously parted his mouth slightly and stared at Sa Muheon. Of course, Sa Muheon didn’t understand Garam’s feelings at all. He merely thought the sight was cute and reached out to close Garam’s slightly open mouth.

 

“Cute.”

 

The touch of his hand sent another shiver through Garam’s body. While Garam trembled slightly, Sa Muheon obviously continued stroking his back.

 

“Still, that’s a relief. If surgery had been necessary, I wouldn’t have been able to sleep without worrying.”

 

Sa Muheon spoke casually, as if recounting his day. Meanwhile, Garam, who had almost undergone an unexpected neutering, was still grappling with the absurdity of it all. Though he hadn’t seen the vet’s face, he was immensely grateful to them. He had narrowly escaped being carried to the hospital in Sa Muheon’s hand.

 

“Whew…”

 

As Garam let out a small sigh, Sa Muheon seemed to think his anger had subsided. Carefully, he reached into the small house and gently pulled Garam out. At this point, Garam didn’t even have the strength to resist. Moreover, the shocking conversation earlier had left him completely drained.

 

Sa Muheon lifted Garam carefully and placed him in the palm of his hand.

 

“You’re not mad anymore, right?”

 

“…Chirp.”

 

Garam responded half-heartedly, lying flat on his back in the palm of Sa Muheon’s hand. Sa Muheon looked down at the sight of Garam sprawled out, beaming.

 

“Good boy.”

 

He then playfully tickled the soft fur on Garam’s belly with his fingers.

 

“Chirp, chirp!”

 

Garam couldn’t hold back his laughter as Sa Muheon’s fingers tickled his belly. Thinking Garam was enjoying it, Sa Muheon tickled him a few more times before stopping.

 

“…Chirp…”

 

It really felt like he was becoming Sa Muheon’s pet squirrel. Garam suddenly felt a sense of crisis, fearing he might end up living as a squirrel for real. He got up and scurried down Sa Muheon’s body. This time, Sa Muheon didn’t try to stop him and headed toward the sofa instead.

 

Garam kept his distance and observed Sa Muheon from afar. He watched as Sa Muheon casually removed his wristwatch, loosened the tie around his neck, and adjusted his glasses. The sight, combined with the way he lowered his gaze, was captivating. Garam, entranced, continued to stare until Sa Muheon’s eyes met his.

 

“What are you doing over there?”

 

Caught staring at Sa Muheon from beside the sofa, Garam snapped back to his senses and darted over to him. Despite feeling indignant about what had been done to him earlier, Garam decided to trust Sa Muheon’s promise not to have him neutered.

 

“Chirp!”

 

“Hmm? Want to come up?”

 

Sa Muheon gently picked up Garam and placed him on the sofa beside him.