PRSR | Chapter 8.2

Jjikjjiki lay sprawled on the ground for a long time, unmoving.

Would everything be resolved if time just stopped here?

He missed Soul.

“Why are you lying there like that?”

Someone approached and spoke, but Jjikjjiki ignored them. It wasn’t Soul’s voice.

“Did Soul abandon you?”

Flinch. Jjikjjiki’s limp body, pretending to be lifeless, twitched before he slowly got up. A small rat he had met in the woods stood next to him, tilting its head.

“Soul, that human earlier, right? I’m quick to pick up on things.”

“I told you not to bother me, jjik.”

“Fancy meeting you again like this. Isn’t it fate? Well, I did sniff you out and follow you.”

“My fate is Soul, jjik.”

“Don’t be like that. Come with me. The carriage heading to Nuol leaves tomorrow. They’ve already finalized the passenger list, but since we’re small, we’ll fit. I’ll share my spot with you.”

“Go away, jjik.”

“Is it because of the human? Just forget about it. Humans are never trustworthy. That Soul guy isn’t even good-looking, and his eyes are harsh—not appealing at all.”

“Shut up, jjik!”

“…W-what?”

“Don’t badmouth Soul, jjik! Soul is the most beautiful in the world, and his eyes are clear, jjik! He always smells like spring, and his skin is soft, jjik! I even slipped once trying to climb his arm! Get lost, jjik!”

“Ahh, why are you like this!”

Jjikjjiki flailed his short arms, chasing the small rat away. The other rat squeaked in surprise and bolted, not daring to look back.

Having driven off the rude rat who insulted Soul, Jjikjjiki collapsed onto the ground again.

“Soul, jjik….”

He hadn’t liked that rat from the start. He hated the idea of Soul paying attention to that yellow rat when Soul loved small, cute things.

But Soul always got mad whenever Jjikjjiki fought with other rats. Once, during one of Soul’s “socialization” attempts, a rat he brought home tried to climb onto his arm, so Jjikjjiki bit it—and got scolded badly. Worse, Soul fussed over the injured rat, comforting it and giving it all his attention. Jjikjjiki hated that more than anything.

He hated disappointing Soul, and he hated it even more when Soul paid more attention to other rats. That’s why he tried to handle things before Soul could take an interest. Even though he really, really hated it, he tried to manage.

If he had known those awful words would come out of that rat’s mouth, he would’ve chased it away sooner.

“Soul, jjik…. I miss you, jjik.”

Rustle. The sound of someone approaching reached his ears. It was the sound of human footsteps.

Could it be Soul chasing after him?

He knew the footsteps didn’t belong to Soul, but the faint hope made him leap to his feet, brushing the dirt off his messy fur.

“What’s this? A rat?”

The voice was unfamiliar. It wasn’t Soul. Jjikjjiki stopped grooming and slumped his shoulders.

“Didn’t catch any fish, but I caught a rat instead.”

“Jjik!”

An Awakened passing by grabbed Jjikjjiki by the scruff of his neck and lifted him up. Caught off guard while lost in thoughts of Soul, Jjikjjiki struggled in shock.

“A rat wearing a scarf? Is this a monster?”

“Don’t touch the scarf Soul gave me, jjik!”

“Squeaks a lot, huh.”

How dare this human interrupt his thoughts about Soul? Unforgivable. Jjikjjiki clenched his tiny fist, ready to break the Awakened’s arm.

And then—

“Jjikjjiki!”

A familiar voice called out to him.

“…Soul, jjik!”

Jjikjjiki’s world, dirty and bleak like a dust storm, brightened like a clear spring day.

“Please, let him go.”

Soul’s face was streaked with tears. Did Soul miss him, too? Was that why he was crying so sorrowfully? The thought made Jjikjjiki’s heart race.

He lifted a paw, ready to kick away the Awakened and run into Soul’s arms. But Soul spoke first.

“Please, let him go. He’s my rat!”

My rat… Soul’s rat!

Jjikjjiki’s eyes sparkled. He wanted to leap into Soul’s embrace right away, but—

“You can’t hold him like that. It hurts him. He hasn’t had much water today, so I need to make sure he drinks. Please, let him go.”

The rat Soul wanted was one that only squeaked, one that would whimper when grabbed by the scruff, and one that needed to be carefully fed water and kibble.

Not one that could speak, not one that could turn human. Just an ordinary rat.

For a moment, he wished he really was just a rat. But he couldn’t become one. Would pretending to be an ordinary rat make Soul love him?

Instead of kicking the Awakened and running to Soul, Jjikjjiki went limp, pretending to be a normal rat and letting out a small whimper.

“…Jjik.”

“Jjikjjiki, are you okay?”

“……”

“Jjikjjiki… look at me. It’s me.”

“He doesn’t seem interested. Are you sure it’s your rat?”

The rude Awakened sneered. Jjikjjiki was furious at the insult, but even more so at the idea that he wasn’t Soul’s. However, he kept up his act, thrashing weakly like a normal rat.

“Jjik!”

“Soul Jjikjjiki, what’s wrong? Are you sick? Did something bad happen? You’re just mad at me, right? Please, say something. Jjikjjiki….”

His resolve to stay a normal rat lasted less than a minute. Hearing Soul’s trembling voice, Jjikjjiki couldn’t hold back anymore.

“But if I talk, Soul will hate me, jjik!”

“I could never hate you! You’re my rat!”

“But you said you didn’t love me, jjik.”

“That was a misunderstanding. I didn’t mean it that way.”

Soul hurriedly added, his voice desperate.

“When you kissed me and asked if I loved you, I thought you meant like a lover. And back then, you were in human form. I was just confused…. But I love you more than anyone else in the world. You’re my precious family.”

“But I love Soul like a lover, jjik!”

“Jjikjjiki….”

“I don’t love you lightly, jjik. I want to be with you forever, jjik. I want you to be my mate, jjik!”

Tears rolled down from Jjikjjiki’s black eyes. He didn’t want Soul to see him like this, so he lowered his head to hide his tears.

“I want Soul to love me the way I love Soul, jjik.”

“Then you should’ve given me time to adjust!”

“…Jjik?”

Jjikjjiki looked up, startled by the unexpected response.

“Who just jumps into a relationship with their pet-turned-human? It’s already a lot when a guy confesses, but you’re not even human! You should’ve given me time to process, to adjust. Instead of suddenly kissing me, asking to be loved, or demanding belly rubs!”

Jjikjjiki’s eyes widened in realization.

Had he ever really considered Soul’s feelings? He’d only thought about how, now that he could transform, he could have a romantic relationship like the humans in dramas.

He assumed Soul would love him back just because Soul always said he loved him and showed him affection.

“Adjust… jjik.”

So Soul needed time. He loved Jjikjjiki like family now, but maybe, one day, he could love him as a partner.

‘If we become lovers, will Soul love me even more?’

Unimaginable. Soul already made him feel like melting whenever he held him—how could there be more?

“Sorry. I wasn’t angry. Come here, Jjikjjiki.”

Soul extended his hand toward him again, waiting for him to return.

‘If I wait, we can love each other even more!’

Filled with hope for the future, Jjikjjiki leapt toward Soul.

“Jjik!”

But the grip on his scruff held him back.

“What the heck.”

The Awakened, who had been ignored the entire time, muttered as he looked at the struggling rat. To him, their conversation sounded like, “I love you!” “Jjik!” “But you’re a rat, and I’m human.” “Jjik!”

After glancing between the rat and its owner, the Awakened came to a conclusion.

“You’re nuts.”

“Don’t insult Soul, jjik!”

Thud!

Jjikjjiki kicked the Awakened, sending him flying. Even the top contender of the Tutorial Quest was no match for a single kick from him.

Now free, Jjikjjiki bolted straight into Soul’s arms.

“Soul, jjik!”

“Jjikjjiki, I’m sorry. I’ll never say anything like that again.”

Soul hugged him tightly.

“You don’t mind that I’m not an ordinary rat, jjik?”

“Whether you talk, transform, or even turn into an octopus, I don’t care.”

“But you’re scared of octopuses, jjik.”

“That’s how much I love you.”

Jjikjjiki’s small hands trembled as they clutched Soul’s shirt.

“Say it one more time, jjik.”

“I love you, Jjikjjiki.”

It was still familial love for now, but one day, that confession would be one between lovers.

‘I’ll make sure of it.’

Jjikjjiki stretched his tiny arms wide and hugged Soul tightly.

* * *

After causing a scene with Jjikjjiki, I returned to the inn and fell into bed with a raging fever. Somehow, my body kept shivering and my head hurt—I guess I was coming down with something.

It probably explains why I was more irritable than usual and why my judgment was clouded. Everything turned out okay in the end, though.

“Did it really turn out okay?”

I turned my head toward Jjikjjiki, who was sitting beside the bed taking care of me. He had a bright, beaming smile on his face.

“You’re happy that I’m sick?”

“You said it’d be better if Soul adapted quickly while looking human. I’m glad Soul is actively trying to adapt.”

Why do I hear ‘adapt’ and think ‘romance’?

“Uh…”

“What’s wrong? Cold?”

“A bit.”

“What should we do? There’s no heater here…”

Jjikjjiki piled more blankets on me and glanced at the space beside me.

Usually, he would have snuggled up to me with a sly smile, saying, ‘Humans warm each other up with their bodies at times like this.’ But now that I needed time to adapt, he hesitated.

That’s pretty considerate.

“Come here.”

I patted the space beside me, and Jjikjjiki hurried under the blanket and lay down.

“Is this okay?”

“You’re already lying down.”

Jjikjjiki hesitated for a moment, then carefully pulled me into an embrace. Maybe I’m used to waking up each morning wrapped in his thick arms, or perhaps I no longer found it unpleasant to recognize someone who felt romantic towards me and not just as a companion rat.

Of course, it wasn’t like I enjoyed being held.

“Jjikjjiki.”

“Call me Rio when I look like this.”

“Didn’t you prefer being called Jjikjjiki?”

“It’ll help Soul adapt faster to me.”

Jjikjjiki… no, Rio must have realized that his name ‘Jjikjjiki’ highlighted our species difference as a crucial reason.

“And Rio is also a name Soul gave me, so I like both.”

“Rio was a name my friend Geonho gave you.”

“It’s a name Soul gave me.”

He seemed ready to get mad if I disagreed.

“Okay, Rio.”

“Yeah. What’s up, Soul?”

“You… liked the little mouse we met yesterday, didn’t you?”

Mentioning the little mouse made Rio’s arms twitch.

“Absolutely not.”

“Then why did you try to stick so close?”

“It’s because…”

His fingers twitched nervously on my back.

“I didn’t like Soul paying attention to another mouse. So, I took care of it first. Told you not to worry about the mouse.”

“I’m not interested in other mice.”

“You said before that the mouse was super small and cute.”

I had said that when I first brought Jjikjjiki home and was learning about rats, looking at pictures of mice.

‘Mouse? Is it a different species from a rat? Super small and cute.’

I muttered to myself, but he took it to heart.

“I said it was small and cute, not that I liked it because it was small and cute.”

“But Soul likes small and cute things, right?”

“Me?”