Even a Lonely Squirrel Has Its Burrow - Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Sa Muheon once said with his own lips that Chief Han, whom he shared a relationship with as close as, if not closer than, his father, and Jang Seokgyu, who was also deeply trusted by him, were two people he relied on immensely.

Jang Seokgyu, who had known Sa Muheon since the beginning of his involvement in this field, was a year younger than Sa Muheon but had entered the business earlier, effectively making him a senior in the industry. Sa Muheon, who had mentioned this, once gave a faint laugh, saying it was absurd to talk about seniority in such matters. That moment remained vividly in Garam’s memory. Nevertheless, regardless of what he said, Sa Muheon clearly trusted Jang Seokgyu.

Sa Muheon often described Jang Seokgyu as being like a bear.

Among their kind, being likened to a bear was almost a compliment. It carried connotations of being steadfast and diligent, so Garam instantly understood what Sa Muheon meant.

Even while he was assigned to Garam’s protection, Jang Seokgyu maintained an appropriate distance and adhered to proper decorum, never crossing any lines. Focusing solely on the task Sa Muheon had assigned him — Garam’s protection — Jang Seokgyu was neither overly cold nor easy to get close to.

“Oh, that. Right, if you’re coming, it’d be good if you could also bring the documents related to that matter.”

While continuing his conversation with Jang Seokgyu over the phone, Sa Muheon absentmindedly stroked Garam’s back with his free hand.

Even though Sa Muheon wasn’t looking Garam’s way, his fingers brushed lightly and delicately against Garam’s fur.

Under that touch and listening to Sa Muheon’s voice, Garam’s eyes began to close. The satisfying meal he had just finished seemed to contribute to the sudden wave of drowsiness.

Still holding onto his last almond, Garam started nodding off as he succumbed to the soothing sensation.

He tried his best to resist the drowsiness washing over him, but with his small squirrel body, it was nearly impossible to fend off the sleepiness. Eventually, his flickering eyelids fell shut completely, and his tiny head drooped forward.

Only then did Sa Muheon’s gaze shift to Garam, who was dozing off in front of him.

The little squirrel, even while nodding off, shook his head a few times as if trying to wake up. But it wasn’t long before those attempts ceased, and he quietly bowed his head and drifted into sleep.

Even in his slumber, his tiny paws held the almond tightly to his chest, as though he would never let it go.

“Ha…”

– Is something the matter?

“No. It’s nothing.”

Sa Muheon couldn’t help but let out a faint laugh, prompting Jang Seokgyu on the other end of the phone to ask curiously.

But Sa Muheon didn’t feel like sharing what he was seeing with anyone, so he quickly dismissed the inquiry with a short answer, blocking any further questions. Without realizing it, his voice had grown softer, almost as if he were whispering. His strokes along the little squirrel’s fur became even gentler.

Although he offered no explanation, Jang Seokgyu seemed to pick up on something from Sa Muheon’s subdued tone. He simply replied that he would leave as soon as he was ready and ended the call.

Sa Muheon glanced at his phone, which now showed the ended call screen, and smiled silently. For someone as bear-like as Jang Seokgyu, his actions often seemed surprisingly fox-like.

Meanwhile, the squirrel, enjoying Sa Muheon’s touch, wriggled a little as if settling in for a more comfortable nap. Curled up with his tail tucked into his body, he looked adorably round.

Hoping that the quick-witted Jang Seokgyu would take his time arriving, Sa Muheon watched the scene with a smile, feeling genuinely delighted.

—

Garam was deeply immersed in a pleasant nap, lulled by the soft strokes gently brushing against his back.

Even in his sleep, he could sense how soothing that touch was. Every time his mind briefly surfaced from sleep, his entire body seemed to float from the sensation, and an unconscious smile would tug at his lips. Of course, being in his squirrel form, no one could see that smile.

He didn’t know how long he had been asleep, but he started to think it was time to wake up.

As soon as that thought crossed his mind, he suddenly became aware of an unfamiliar touch on a different part of his body, and his eyes shot open.

“…Squeak?”

“Oh… uh…”

Garam, who had been in a deep sleep, was suddenly dragged back to reality, and there wasn’t the slightest trace of drowsiness in his eyes. Instead, his wide, startled eyes were filled with confusion.

The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was Sa Muheon’s unfamiliar, flustered expression.

Sa Muheon looked frozen, as though he couldn’t even think to withdraw the hand that had been stroking Garam. His hand remained resting on Garam’s soft, fluffy tail.

Garam’s gaze slowly moved downward. After confirming Sa Muheon’s hand on his tail, Garam’s head lifted again, and his gaze returned to the man, who was still frozen in place.

Even then, Sa Muheon made no move. His hand remained on Garam’s tail, and his expression was one of greater surprise than even Garam’s, who had been the one touched.

He touched my tail. Garam couldn’t hide his disbelief. He couldn’t fathom what on earth Sa Muheon was thinking, keeping his hand on Garam’s tail like that.

For fully grown shapeshifters, showing their ears or tails was something reserved for very close relationships—family, lovers, or perhaps a spouse. That’s how sensitive ears and tails were to every shapeshifter.

Though it wasn’t as if adults frequently went around showing their ears or tails, letting others see them didn’t mean it was acceptable to touch them. Doing so was undoubtedly an act of violation, even when in their original animal form.

Thus, Garam was in utter shock at the idea that someone had touched his tail while he was asleep. He was so stunned that he couldn’t even say anything about the fact that Sa Muheon’s hand was still on his tail.

While the two of them stared at each other, unable to move or speak, a familiar sound came from afar. It was the sound of the door lock being disengaged.

Sa Muheon’s gaze, which had been fixed on Garam all this time, briefly flicked toward the source of the sound. Only then did Garam snap out of his daze. The person ringing the bell was probably Jang Seokgyu. Garam had heard Sa Muheon speaking with him before he fell asleep, so it had to be him.

And now that Jang Seokgyu had arrived, this was the perfect opportunity for Garam to escape the situation.

Quickly regaining his composure, Garam’s mind raced. The small squirrel’s eyes glinted sharply. Without hesitation, Garam sank his teeth into the fingers of Sa Muheon’s hand that rested on his tail.

“Ah!”

Sa Muheon let out a startled cry, clearly not expecting Garam to bite him. At the same time, his hand reflexively pulled away from Garam. Garam didn’t waste the opportunity.

Thud—!

The moment Sa Muheon’s hand lifted slightly, Garam sprang into action. Without a second’s hesitation, he darted off the sofa and threw himself beneath it. Sa Muheon, who had always forbidden Garam from recklessly jumping off the sofa, was so startled that he half-rose to his feet.

But by the time Sa Muheon reacted, Garam had already landed safely on the floor and was darting across the living room.

“Kang Garam!”

Sa Muheon shouted Garam’s name, but the squirrel didn’t falter for even a moment. He zipped out of the living room, heading straight for the front door. Sa Muheon clenched his teeth as he watched Garam sprint without hesitation and yelled once more.

“Jang Seokgyu! Catch him!”

His voice was loud enough to carry all the way to the front door. Even before shouting, Sa Muheon had risen to chase after Garam, but keeping up with the small and nimble squirrel was impossible. In the few seconds it took to reach the front door, countless thoughts raced through Sa Muheon’s mind.

What if the little squirrel slipped outside through the open door? Could Jang Seokgyu manage to catch such a small creature? As these worries swirled in his mind, Sa Muheon rounded the corner and took in the sight of the front door.

Standing just inside the doorway, Jang Seokgyu had one hand on the door handle, as if he had hastily pulled it shut upon hearing Sa Muheon’s shout. With a baffled expression, he looked toward Sa Muheon. On Jang Seokgyu’s shoulder, peeking out while clutching his collar, was the small squirrel.

“…Ha.”

Seeing that Garam hadn’t made it out of the house, Sa Muheon let out a deep sigh of relief.

But while he felt reassured, the squirrel perched on Jang Seokgyu’s shoulder didn’t seem to share that sentiment. Its fur bristled as it glared at Sa Muheon, clearly still on high alert.

At least, Sa Muheon thought, the squirrel’s chosen escape destination was Jang Seokgyu’s shoulder and nowhere more dangerous. That was fortunate enough.

The one most bewildered by the situation was undoubtedly Jang Seokgyu, who alternated between looking at the bristling squirrel on his shoulder and his boss, who was heaving sighs. After some hesitation, Jang Seokgyu cautiously opened his mouth.

“Um…”

As soon as he spoke, both the squirrel on his shoulder and Sa Muheon, standing in front of him, fixed their gazes on him. Swallowing nervously, Jang Seokgyu let out an awkward laugh before continuing.

“…May I come in?”

Garam held his breath. After a brief silence, Sa Muheon, who had been standing still, quietly turned around and walked back inside.