He’s a Fox Ch 40

Chapter 40

“You don’t use knives?”

“If I use blades, tiny bones get left behind.”

For grown adults, swallowing the odd small bone was harmless, but it was different for a child. If Yuri happened to swallow one unnoticed, it could be dangerous—so instead of cutting through, Kangwoon pulled the bones out whole. That way there would be no chance of splinters.

As he exerted force, deboning by hand, his claws slipped free instinctively and tore a hole into the glove’s tip—this time on the right hand.

“Tch…”

Barely worn for a few minutes, and another glove ruined. It was the feline curse: when a big cat like a tiger flexed its paws with strength, the claws protruded as weapons. They were thick, sharp, and punctured latex like paper—unintentionally, even.

Kangwoon wordlessly drew for another new pair, the movements too practiced, suggesting this was routine. The edges around the fingers already thinned quickly, proof even this glove wouldn’t last long.

Hohyun noted the gloves covered all the way up the forearm, likely to protect the striped fur. Wouldn’t it be easier just to shed and shift into human form? The pros and cons were obvious. Then why insist on staying a tiger even in the kitchen?

As curiosity stored up, Kangwoon finally finished butchering. He swept bones aside, then finally, with one tool—the first—he unveiled a long, perfectly honed knife. With measured care, he sliced the raw meat into bite-sized pieces and stacked them neatly.

To Hohyun, there seemed to be a lot more meat today. He hadn’t heard anything about guests visiting—was it just his imagination? He shook the thought away—no eyes for measuring, just a feeling.

Plate after plate piled high. Nothing but meat, meat, meat. When he had first entered the tiger’s den, he remembered Yuri’s diet still included a puree-like baby food. But now… it seemed all meat.

Don’t they tire of it? Even if they were carnivores, monotony must set in eventually.

The omnivorous fox couldn’t help craving thoughts of the outside world: sweet-and-sour pork, black bean noodles, hamburgers. Food is always better fried, salted, sugared. Even meat could transform endlessly depending on spice, oil, seasoning. So why was it never cooked, only eaten raw? The puzzle burned enough that he finally asked.

“Um—Boss.”

Kangwoon’s ear alone flicked back toward him, clearly showing he was listening.

“…Can I ask something?”

“Why wouldn’t you? Ask.”

“Is it true? Carnivore species… must only eat meat?”

“…Why that question all of a sudden?”

Hohyun’s gaze shifted sheepishly across the blood-red plates. Kangwoon read instantly and rumbled:

“We’re not actual animals. We’re half human. Of course we can eat other things. Even herbivores can eat meat, can’t they?”

“Well, yes, that’s true.”

Every schoolchild knew this: unless one had allergies or applied human dietary rules, a beastman could eat pretty much anything—except usually not animals of the same clan. Herbivore beastmen could eat meat too, though most didn’t prefer it.

So tigers weren’t bound after all. Was it just taste, then? Like humans who refused to eat without meat at every meal? Hohyun thought of his second brother—suddenly, it made perfect sense.

Kangwoon crushed a bone in his palm, reducing bulk with a neat crack. “This is just because…” He cut himself off suddenly, ears pricking.

Only when he was certain Yuri wasn’t nearby did he finish:

“…Because of Yuri.”

“Yuri?”

“She’s little. It’s best to feed her mostly meat for growth. If she eats other food, the amount of meat she takes goes down.”

Despite a full-term pregnancy, their youngest cub had been born small—the single greatest concern of the Beom family aside from their patriarch. Doctors had given no special treatment—aside from the instructions: feed well, let her sleep.

Her small body meant a small stomach. If she filled it first with snack foods or grains, less room for the main meal. So all other foods had been banished from her reach, leaving meat as the sole staple.

She had eaten puree briefly for digestion when younger, but still the staple had always been meat. Kangwoon was explaining: a complete household ban on wheat, sugar, everything unnecessary—for her sake.

Hohyun felt overwhelmed. That’s… a massive, overwhelming kind of love.

“Wow…”

“When she clears average height, then I’ll let other foods come back.”

Hohyun had been astonished at the sheer thought of “all meat meals.” Kangwoon clarified: it wasn’t a hatred of bread or sweets. Simply necessity. Once her height caught up, the restriction could finally lift.

While they spoke, cutting and plating was finished. Hohyun helped carry dishes. The noise of setting food out lured back Juwon the alligator, with Yuri clinging happily to his side.

The young lady’s cheeks glowed, still breathless from whatever jaunt he had given her. Kangwoon settled her down, coaxing her gently back into calm, and the meal began.

As always, the little cub soon ate beyond her small stomach’s limit, but still wanted more. The adults, stuffed to the throat, stuffed it down anyway rather than waste. Resting briefly with some morsels left, it was Yuri—done with her first plate—who promptly demanded refills.

While her brother returned to fetch seconds, Yuri eyed the few scraps remaining on Hohyun’s dish. Her tiny fork trembled in her unsteady hand, jabbing futilely. Each time she lifted, the meat tumbled back—into her lap, onto the cloth—never in her mouth.

Frustrated, she sighed, finally holding her fork up with puppy eyes.

“Moong-moo Oppa, help Yuri please!”

There was no reason to refuse, not after such polite asking. Smiling, Hohyun collected the meat with his own fork and guided it toward her.

“Say ahh—”

Her mouth snapped open wide. Whether it was the taste of meat or simply being fed by Moong-moo Oppa, joy lit her face. Her little legs drummed against the chair in delight.

He couldn’t help laughing as she devoured piece after piece. Even after the very last bite, she smacked her lips, still hungry.

Casting a quick look for Kangwoon, Hohyun plucked one last morsel—from his own plate. She accepted without hesitation.

And just then, Kangwoon returned—catching the sight. His eyes cooled.

Like a mother bird feeding its chick: the fox leaning in, the cub eagerly taking food mouth-to-mouth. Clucking his tongue, Kangwoon came forward with fresh plates. Without a word, he halved the load—dropping one portion for Yuri, one for Hohyun.

The fox, already stuffed to his throat with meat, nearly yelped.

This isn’t necessary! He shook his head, shoving back the plate.

“No, seriously—it’s okay! Please, no more.”

“Really? You sure you’ve had enough?”

“Yes—already way too much.”

Kangwoon tilted his head. “Strange. Same as when you were a fox… I expected your intake to increase as a human.”

That was news to him. He blinked. Of course—he was “medium size.” Unlike extra-small species (who usually ate more as humans) or giant species (often less), mid-sized beastmen ate about the same regardless of form.

Still, Kangwoon respected his refusal. He said nothing more, simply turning back to feeding Yuri alone.

At last, full to bursting, the cub slid from her seat and scurried toward Juwon. Her belly pushed forward comically, ready for brushing teeth.

Hohyun made his own way to his room, brushing as well—the sharp mint bite of toothpaste freshening him.

Spitting, rinsing, he prepared to leave the room—when:

Knock knock.

Someone tapped the door.