Collector’s Cage - Chapter 28

Regardless, Froy sat down at the greenhouse tea table and poured himself some tea. He didn’t seek Jobern’s permission.

“How can you be so shameless, coming to someone’s house without a word? Are you perhaps lacking in decency?”

“Decency… Let’s see, whose money went into building this greenhouse? How much time do you have left to repay your debt?”

“…Do you have to be so petty?”

“You brought up decency, I couldn’t help but ask.”

Jobern put his foul-mouthed parrot into its cage. Then, with a good-natured smile, he sat down in front of Froy. When a personality-deficient jerk was in a bad mood, it was wise to tread carefully.

“More troubles? Is Hermie giving you a headache? Confide in me. Aren’t I your only friend and emotional trash can?”

“Hermie is just too cute lately.”

“…I really want to curse, mind if I go curse and come back?”

“Hurry up and go. I have a lot to say.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Jobern got up from his seat and headed towards the back of the greenhouse. F**k, this is annoying, ah that bastard, if only I hadn’t borrowed money, etc., curses mixed with lamentations could be heard.

A much calmer Jobern returned to his seat.

“What’s the problem with her being cute?”

“The problem is that she’s too cute. My heart races, my face gets hot. It even makes my head spin.”

“I see… Are you sure your head isn’t messed up? You seem not quite in your right mind.”

“That’s not it. It’s only like this with Hermie. When I see Hermie, I feel like I’m not myself.”

“Mind if I go curse a bit more?”

“No.”

“Alright, I’ll hold it in.”

Jobern pressed his temples firmly, thinking hard to find an answer.

“Listening to your symptoms, it sounds exactly like a man who’s fallen in love. But Hermie is a hamster, right? It can’t be love…”

No matter how much he pondered, he couldn’t think of anything to say other than that it sounded crazy.

“I still think you’re crazy.”

Jobern concluded with difficulty and raised his head. But Froy was no longer listening to him. He was hung up on a single word, lost in deep thought.

“‘Love’…”

As he uttered the word ‘love’ aloud, a fierce wind swept through his heart. Like embers crackling and suddenly erupting into a roaring flame. Like the faint light of dawn instantly illuminating the world in a single moment.

His world was changing in an instant. Just as he couldn’t resist the impulse to buy her when he first met Hermie, this surging emotion was also an irresistible current.

“I imagine something sometimes.”

“I have a feeling I don’t want to hear this.”

“What if Hermie grew as big as me.”

Jobern closed his eyes and imagined a hamster grown as huge as a person.

“I think that would be terrifying.”

“She’d be beautiful.”

“If you’re asking my opinion, I hope you’ll listen.”

Froy lowered his gaze and sipped his tea. His face, lost in deep thought, was beautiful like a painting.

“But it’s a futile fantasy. That will never happen.”

“Are you sure you’re not crazy…? Hmm, you’re not listening.”

A gloomy shadow fell over his face as he let out a long sigh.

The small, lovely Hermie. Sometimes his heart swells so much it tickles, and he imagines hugging Hermie so tightly she can’t breathe.

In reality, Hermie is so small and fragile, even holding her in his hand is a frightening thought, so it’s a desire that must remain an imagination. Froy was frustrated, having no outlet to express his overflowing affection.

So, he occasionally imagined this. What if Hermie grew as big as a person?

Her beauty and loveliness would surely grow in proportion. If he could embrace her, filling his arms, his hollow heart would surely be filled and overflow with happiness.

***

Day 50 of confinement. Hermie was still inside the cage.

“Froy, Froy.”

“Yeah?”

“More treats.”

Hermie lay sprawled, lazily waving her hand. She was the picture of an idle housewife lazing around all day. Froy smiled faintly and handed her a treat.