My Cuteness Gets Me In Trouble

Say it with me: "We listen, and we don't judge."

Good? Great. Because what I'm about to tell you might sound a little… insane. But I swear on my (former) life, it's all true.

It started with a nap.

A harmless, innocent nap under a breathtaking cherry blossom tree. I was exhausted from being sick—blame my idiot brother for spreading his plague—and high off enough cough medicine to knock out a small horse. So, obviously, I wasn't responsible for what happened next.

But the universe? Oh, the universe decided I was guilty.

See, I may have unknowingly fallen asleep in the sacred home of a certain small, fluffy creature. And I may have, in my drowsy state, grabbed said creature and instinctively cuddled it to death.

Listen, I did not mean to murder the tiniest, most adorable squirrel to ever exist! Its tail was just so soft! And my unconscious brain was like, Yes. This. This is mine now.

…And then I woke up to hell itself.

A literal, seething, murderous demon goddess stood before me, glowing red eyes full of unspeakable rage, as her fluffy companion lay lifeless in my arms. A single thought went through my mind:

"Oh. I'm so dead."

And yeah, I was right.

The next thing I knew, a powerful force—aka an enraged demon foot—sent me flying. I think I crashed into another tree. Maybe a boulder. Either way, I blacked out from the pain and, surprise surprise, bled out.

Total time from nap to death? Maybe five minutes. New world record.

But the real kicker? I didn't just die. No, no, that would've been too easy. Instead, I woke up in the afterlife… as a squirrel.

Not just any squirrel. A baby squirrel. A tiny, fluffy, painfully adorable creature with a tail twice the size of my entire body. I blinked, my little paws twitching, as I took in my new reality.

"What. The. Absolute. Hell."

And then, as if things couldn't get weirder, I looked up… and saw her.

The demon goddess. My murderer. My doom.

And wow. She was even more stunning up close. Silvery hair, piercing crimson eyes, and curves that could bring empires to their knees. She stared down at me with an expression that I really didn't like—somewhere between reluctant acceptance and barely restrained murder.

Then, she sighed. "You owe me a pet."

I gulped. Or, well, I tried to. Squirrels aren't great at gulping.

…So yeah. That's how my second life started. As a squirrel. Under the ownership of the demon goddess I accidentally wronged.

Pray for me.

Okay. Breathe. Think. Process.

I am no longer human. I am a squirrel.

A tiny, fluffy, possibly cursed squirrel now being cradled in the hands of an outrageously beautiful demon goddess, who—let's not forget—killed me in my last life.

"You owe me a pet."

Her words rang through my tiny, panicked brain as I stared up at her, my new beady little eyes reflecting her terrifyingly calm expression. She wasn't angry anymore. No, this was worse. She was calculating.

I tried to speak. "W-Wha—"

What actually came out was a high-pitched squeak.

Oh, no. Oh, no.

The demoness raised an elegant silver brow, tilting her head slightly. "So, you can understand me."

I squeaked again. This time, in horror.

"Interesting." Her lips curled into a smirk, which was both mesmerizing and absolutely terrifying. "I considered simply erasing your existence, but this is far more amusing."

She brought me closer, her warm breath ghosting over my tiny form. "You wronged me, little one. What do you think should happen next?"

Panic. Panic now.

I flailed, but my stupid, stubby little limbs were useless. "Wait, wait, hold on! This is a misunderstanding!"

More squeaks. Dammit.

She chuckled, low and dangerous. "A squirrel with thoughts? How adorable."

Adorable? Adorable?! Woman, you drop-kicked me into a tree not five minutes ago!

I wriggled desperately, trying to escape her grasp, but she merely tightened her fingers around me, careful yet firm. She was toying with me.

Okay, let's assess the situation:

1. I am now a squirrel. A very small, very helpless squirrel.

2. The demon goddess, whom I unknowingly wronged, is not as enraged as before—but she's still clearly holding a grudge.

3. I have no idea how to survive in this tiny, rodent body.

4. There is a very real chance I am about to be turned into a demon snack.

Conclusion? I am so screwed.

"P-Please!" I squeaked, waving my little paws at her. "I didn't mean to kill your pet! It was an accident! I was sick! I didn't even know where I was!"

Her eyes narrowed. "A bold claim for someone who committed murder in their sleep."

I cringed. "I—I can make it up to you!"

That made her pause. A glimmer of curiosity crossed her expression before she leaned in, her crimson gaze glowing ominously. "Make it up to me, hmm?"

I nodded frantically.

She tapped a sharp nail against my tiny nose. "And how, exactly, does a squirrel plan to do that?"

Uh. Good question.

"I'll… I'll be your pet!" I blurted out. "Your new squirrel! Even better than the last one!"

Silence.

A slow, amused smile spread across her lips. "Better than the last one?"

I nodded so hard my head nearly popped off. "Yes! A million times better! The best squirrel you've ever had! I'll be loyal! Obedient! I'll—I'll groom your hair, fetch your things, whatever you want!"

She chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down my tiny squirrel spine. "Oh? And if I told you I have no interest in a mere pet?"

Oh no.

"T-Then…" My mind raced. "Then I'll be useful! You could train me! I—I could do tasks! Missions! Squirrel espionage!"

Her amusement deepened. "Squirrel espionage?"

"Yes! Just—just don't kill me again!"

She hummed thoughtfully, tapping a finger against her chin. Then, after a long, tense pause, she sighed. "Fine."

Wait. What?

"Fine," she repeated. "You will serve me. But if you prove to be useless, I will not hesitate to rid myself of you."

That sounded… fair? Maybe?

"Deal!" I chirped.

She smirked. "Good. Then as my servant, you will need a name."

Oh. Right. I had a name before, but somehow I doubted she wanted to call her new squirrel by my old human one.

She studied me for a long moment, then smirked. "I shall call you… Koko."

Koko? Like… a pet name? Not very menacing, but beggars can't be choosers.

"Koko…" I repeated, testing it out.

She nodded, satisfied. "Yes. It suits you."

With that, she stood, holding me gently in her hands. Her silver hair cascaded around her shoulders as she turned on her heel, her luxurious robes swirling around her. "Come, Koko. It is time for you to learn your place."

And just like that, I was officially a demon's squirrel servant.

Pray for me.

So. Yeah. I'm a squirrel now.

A squirrel named Koko.

Under the servitude of a demon goddess.

This is fine. Totally fine.

…No, it's not. It's so far from fine.

Currently, I was perched on my new master's shoulder, my tiny claws gripping onto the silky fabric of her robes as she strode through a vast, dimly lit hall. The floor was polished obsidian, reflecting the soft glow of eerie blue lanterns floating in the air. Towering pillars of dark stone lined the corridor, carved with intricate symbols that pulsed with faint energy.

I gulped—or, well, tried to—but my stupid squirrel throat wasn't cooperating.

Where the hell was I?

"Uh, Mistress?" I hesitantly squeaked.

She didn't stop walking. "You may address me as Lady Velistra."

Velistra. Fancy name. Fitting for someone who looked like she could obliterate a kingdom with a flick of her fingers.

"Right, uh, Lady Velistra," I corrected myself. "So… where are we going?"

"To my chambers."

My tiny squirrel heart did a nervous thump-thump. "A-And why are we going there…?"

She gave me a sidelong glance, her crimson eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. "To discuss the terms of your servitude, of course."

Oh. Good. Fantastic. Terms.

I was about to ask for clarification when the massive double doors ahead of us swung open on their own, revealing what I could only describe as the most luxurious—and mildly intimidating—room I had ever seen.

A grand canopy bed with deep crimson sheets took up one side, while the other featured a lavish seating area with dark velvet chairs and a low, ornate table. Heavy drapes of deep purple hung from the tall windows, which overlooked what appeared to be an endless sea of darkness speckled with floating islands.

Yup. Definitely not Earth anymore.

Velistra strode in like she owned the place—which, obviously, she did—and with a graceful motion, she plucked me off her shoulder and placed me on the table. I wobbled slightly on my tiny legs, looking up at her towering figure.

"So, Koko," she said smoothly, lowering herself onto one of the chairs. "Let us establish the rules of your new existence."

I straightened my fluffy tail, trying to look at least somewhat composed. "Rules. Got it. Hit me with them."

A slow smirk spread across her lips. "First and foremost, you are mine."

Okay. Yeah. Figured.

"You will serve me without question," she continued. "Whether it be fetching items, running errands, or—" her smirk widened, "—performing your so-called squirrel espionage."

I squeaked indignantly. "That was a joke!"

"Not anymore," she said, clearly entertained.

I gulped. "...Noted."

"Second," she continued, "you are not to leave the palace without my permission. The outside world is not kind to weak creatures like you."

Weak? Excuse me? I used to be a human with dignity! (Okay, maybe not much dignity, considering how I died, but still.)

"Third," she said, leaning forward slightly, "you must work to regain a form that is useful to me. If you truly wish to return to your previous human state, you will have to evolve."

I blinked. "Evolve?"

She nodded. "You were reborn as a creature of this realm. And like all beings here, you have potential for growth. However, that potential must be cultivated."

Oh. OH.

"You mean… I can level up?" I asked, excitement creeping into my tiny voice.

"Precisely," she said, looking pleased by my quick understanding. "But make no mistake—evolution will not come easily. You must prove yourself worthy of such power."

I took a deep breath (which, as a squirrel, felt a little weird). "Okay. Okay, I can do this."

"Good." She lifted a single golden chestnut and placed it before me. "Then your first lesson begins now."

I tilted my head. "...With a nut?"

She smirked. "Crack it open."

I stared at the golden chestnut. Then back at her. Then back at the nut.

"...You're joking, right?"

Velistra arched a delicate silver brow. "Am I?"

I hesitated. Okay. Maybe this was a test of strength? Some kind of weird demon-world training exercise?

Fine. Challenge accepted.

I grabbed the nut with my tiny paws and bit down with all my might.

…Nothing.

I tried again.

Still nothing.

I gnawed, chewed, and even smashed it against the table with my little squirrel fists, but the damn thing didn't so much as crack.

Velistra rested her chin on one hand, watching my struggle with clear amusement. "Weak," she mused.

"I am NOT weak!" I huffed. "This nut is just… abnormally strong!"

"It is enchanted," she admitted. "Only those with even the faintest trace of power can break it."

Oh. Great. So this was a power test.

I scowled (or, well, I tried—it probably just looked like an angry squirrel face) and focused harder.

Power. Come on, I had to have something left over from my human self, right? Maybe if I just… willed it into existence?

I took a deep breath, gripping the nut tightly. I could feel a tiny warmth in my chest, something there but just barely out of reach.

C'mon…

A faint golden shimmer flickered across my tiny paws.

Velistra's eyes gleamed. "Oh?"

And then—CRACK!

The nut split in half.

I blinked. "I—I did it!"

Velistra chuckled, reaching out to ruffle my tiny head with one elegant finger. "Not bad for a weakling."

I puffed out my chest. "Does this mean I passed the test?"

"For now," she said. "But you have a long way to go, little Koko."

I swallowed hard.

Yup. This was going to be a very long second life.

Okay, so cracking an enchanted nut open with my latent power was a good start. It meant that I wasn't completely helpless. But judging by the way Velistra smirked at me, it was also just the beginning of my suffering.

And hoo boy, was I right.

Because the very next morning, I was thrown—literally thrown—into training.

—*

"Move faster, Koko."

"I AM MOVING FASTER!" I screeched as I darted across an obstacle course made for demons ten times my size.

The so-called course was a nightmarish death trap Velistra set up in her private courtyard. It consisted of massive stone pillars I had to climb, flaming hoops I had to jump through (why did they need to be on fire?!), and a large chasm I had to cross by leaping from one precariously floating rock to another.

And let me tell you—tiny squirrel legs were NOT built for this.

"You expect me to do all this with a body the size of an apple?!" I wailed, narrowly dodging a floating spike that came way too close to my fluffy tail.

Velistra sipped her tea from a lavishly cushioned seat under a shady pavilion, looking entirely unbothered. "Of course. If you are to serve me, you must be strong enough to survive."

"I'M A SQUIRREL!"

"A squirrel with potential," she corrected smoothly. "Or would you rather I return you to your previous state? As a lifeless stain under a tree?"

I squeaked in protest, leaping onto a floating rock that wobbled ominously. "That was uncalled for!"

Velistra merely smirked, watching as I barely managed to fling myself to the next platform. "You wished to evolve, did you not? Then prove yourself worthy of it."

I grit my tiny teeth. Okay. Fine. I did want to evolve. I did want to get stronger. I refused to stay a tiny furball forever.

"Fine!" I huffed. "I'll show you! I'll become the strongest damn squirrel in existence!"

Velistra chuckled, sipping her tea again. "That remains to be seen."

—*

And so, my hellish training arc began.

For days, I was thrown (sometimes literally) into harsh training sessions that made me question every life decision I had ever made. Velistra's methods were merciless, but they worked. My reflexes sharpened. My speed increased. My ability to sense magic grew.

I even unlocked my first real ability.

"Shadow Dash!"

With a burst of speed, my tiny body flickered through the air, darting past a barrage of Velistra's enchanted projectiles. My vision blurred, and for a split second, it felt like I had phased through the air itself.

I landed on the final platform, paws skidding slightly. "I—I did it!"

Velistra clapped—slowly, teasingly. "Not bad, little one."

I panted, my tiny chest rising and falling. "Did I level up yet?!"

She smirked. "Not quite. But you're getting there."

Damn it.

Still, I couldn't deny it—I was changing. Growing. Becoming more than just some weak, fluffy rodent.

And for the first time since waking up as a squirrel, I felt something new.

Hope.

If I kept pushing forward, if I kept training, then maybe—just maybe—I could regain my human form.

One level at a time.