Even a Lonely Squirrel Has Its Burrow - Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Garam, not understanding the situation despite Sa Muheon saying they would buy clothes first, stared at Sa Muheon’s face intently.

However, as usual, Sa Muheon quickly noticed what Garam wanted to say, but this time he seemed completely oblivious to Garam’s feelings and followed the staff member ahead of them.

As Garam stood there, not moving, Sa Muheon, who hadn’t walked more than a few steps, turned around and motioned for Garam to come.

“Come here.”

“What?”

“You need to pick out clothes.”

Reluctantly, Garam followed Sa Muheon. Soon, he was led into a luxurious room, and his expression turned blank as he looked at the hangers filled with clothes.

Meanwhile, Sa Muheon comfortably sat on a sofa.

“Try on a few outfits. Pick ones that match your size and style. We can come back for the rest later.”

“Come back…?”

Confused by what Sa Muheon meant by buying so many clothes, Garam was snapped out of his thoughts when the staff, who had guided them, spoke up with a smile.

“I’m sure anything will look good on you. Are you part of the family, sir?”

“Don’t we look too different to be family?”

Sa Muheon chuckled as he answered, and the staff member laughed along with him, though she looked slightly uncomfortable. Fortunately, before she could feel any more awkward, Sa Muheon spoke again.

“We’re not family. We’re dating. Though, we could become family.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!”

The staff member, flustered by Sa Muheon’s comment, bowed awkwardly. But Sa Muheon waved it off carelessly.

“It’s fine. Just pick out something suitable first. Something he can wear right away. We need to go somewhere.”

“Understood. Do you have any particular preferences for style?”

The last question was directed at Garam. When asked, Garam didn’t respond, instead looking at Sa Muheon. He simply nodded in response, indicating that Garam should go along with whatever.

“Just… nothing too flashy.”

“Alright, then please follow me…”

The staff member led Garam further into the room and quickly picked out a few outfits from the racks. She then selected a few and handed them to him.

“Would you like to try these on first? If you’d prefer something else…”

“No, I’ll try these on.”

Before the staff member could finish, Garam took the clothes and headed to the changing room.

Inside, Garam noticed that the clothes were neat and polished in style, which was a bit different from his usual preference for comfort, but in the current situation, he couldn’t afford to be picky.

“Sigh…”

Garam sighed quietly, just loud enough for himself, and changed into the clothes.

When he came out, the staff immediately exclaimed how good it looked, and Sa Muheon, who had been looking at his phone, finally lifted his gaze.

He slowly looked Garam up and down. Garam felt nervous, as if he were being appraised.

Sa Muheon carefully checked Garam’s outfit before giving a slight smile, and upon seeing that, Garam sighed in relief. At the same time, Sa Muheon spoke.

“It looks good.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re so handsome, but I think anything would look good on you.”

Hearing the staff’s flattery, Sa Muheon smiled and checked his watch.

“Hmm… We need to go somewhere, so let’s keep this outfit and have them prepare similar styles.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, and as he said, anything other than flashy styles would be fine. He’s still young, so comfortable clothes will suit him better than something too fancy.”

“Yes, we’ll have them prepared and sent to your home.”

“Good.”

Sa Muheon, finally seeming satisfied, stood up from the sofa and stretched.

“I really don’t need that many clothes…”

Garam whispered quietly as he approached Sa Muheon, but Sa Muheon lightly shook his head.

“You can’t wear the same thing all the time. Just accept it.”

“But…”

As Garam tried to refuse again, Sa Muheon moved closer. Taken aback by the sudden closeness, Garam tried to step back, but Sa Muheon grabbed his waist and pulled him closer.

“What…?”

Surprised, Garam tried to push Sa Muheon away, but before he could, Sa Muheon leaned down and whispered in his ear.

“You said we’re dating, so it would be weird not to do this much. Just accept it quietly.”

“……”

Garam, who had placed his hand on Sa Muheon’s clothes to push him away, immediately relaxed his hand after hearing his words.

There was nothing wrong with what Sa Muheon said. It was something Garam hadn’t considered.

Although he had already told Ryu Beomju that they were in a relationship, he wasn’t sure if Ryu Beomju would believe it.

But the words had already been said, and if Ryu Beomju was to step into the trap set by Sa Muheon, the only way to make him believe their relationship was real was to make Ryu Beomju think so.

That was until Ryu Beomju reached out to Garam, whom he thought was Sa Muheon’s weakness.

After Sa Muheon finished speaking, Garam remained quietly in his arms as if he understood. Sa Muheon, thinking Garam had comprehended his words, gently let go of him.

The staff, who had been serving them, turned her back and focused on her own work, pretending not to notice anything.

Sa Muheon glanced at the staff before taking Garam’s hand. Garam looked up in surprise, but Sa Muheon simply mouthed the word “lover.” In the end, Garam had no choice but to quietly take his hand.

“Let’s go.”

Although it was directed at Garam, it also seemed like it was for the staff. The staff finally turned around and gave a bright smile, bowing slightly.

“Thank you for shopping with us today.”

After the goodbye, Garam was once again led by Sa Muheon to the elevator and down to the parking lot. The two of them continued to hold hands until Sa Muheon let go to open the car door for Garam.

Garam quietly got into the car. Sa Muheon, watching him fasten his seatbelt, finally closed the door and headed to the driver’s seat.

As Sa Muheon walked toward the driver’s seat, Garam fidgeted with his hand. The cool temperature that had been in their clasped hands earlier seemed to linger, tickling his fingertips.

However, as soon as Sa Muheon got into the driver’s seat, Garam placed his hand quietly on his lap as if nothing had happened. Sa Muheon smiled at this and spoke.

“Why are you sitting so formally?”

“…Just because.”

“Alright, if that’s comfortable for you, do as you like.”

Sa Muheon said this while grabbing the steering wheel.

An uncomfortable silence settled between them. As the car exited the department store building and headed somewhere, Garam’s attention drifted to the scenery outside the window.

Sa Muheon didn’t say anything about his behavior, so Garam felt a little more at ease and continued watching the view. Gradually, familiar sights began to appear in his line of sight.

“Um…”

Garam turned his head and looked at Sa Muheon in the driver’s seat. He had a small smile on his face but didn’t react to Garam’s gaze.

When Garam turned his head back, he saw the large letters of the name “Korea University” written clearly.

Sa Muheon’s car was heading toward the main entrance. When the security guard asked the purpose of their visit, Sa Muheon answered with a smile.

“I’m visiting the Department of Chemistry.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, my younger brother is canceling his leave of absence.”

As Sa Muheon said this, he slightly leaned back so the security guard could see Garam sitting in the passenger seat.

The guard nodded upon seeing Garam and allowed Sa Muheon’s car to pass through.

“…Your younger brother?”

“It would be a bit weird to say it’s my lover here.”

“Oh, I see…”

Garam answered vaguely, and Sa Muheon mischievously asked.

“Why? Were you upset I didn’t say you were my lover?”

“What?”

Although Sa Muheon was joking, Garam turned around in surprise. Sa Muheon grinned and spoke.

“I’m a person with some common sense. I know you’re uncomfortable with it, and there’s no need to lie in unnecessary situations.”

“…Yes.”

The surprisingly sensible response left Garam unable to hide his astonishment. But after quickly hiding his emotions, Garam nodded lightly and focused his gaze forward.

Sa Muheon’s car soon arrived at the parking lot near the Faculty of Natural Sciences. Garam, who hadn’t said a word, found it curious that they had arrived at the destination without him mentioning it and spoke up.

“…How did you know we had to come here?”

Sa Muheon smiled mischievously and asked.

“Why, is it that surprising?”

“Just…”

“I come here often.”

“Really?”

He said he came here often—what did that mean?

Before Garam could continue his thoughts, Sa Muheon answered.

“I’m an alumnus of this place.”