He’s a Fox Ch 45

Chapter 45

“Ta-da!”

The cub, who had never seen snow before today, naturally didn’t know what a snowman was. She leaned in with wide, curious eyes, investigating the creation. Sitting down with a plop, Yuri prodded at it with round little hands, looking every bit like a freshly steamed potato dumpling. She sniffed, touched, and examined it to her satisfaction before raising her gaze to Hohyun.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a snowman. These are the arms, and these are the eyes.”

“…Where are the legs?”

“Mmm, the legs are hidden inside.”

“Yuri wants a snowman too!”

After fiddling around a bit more, the cub’s creative spark ignited. Mimicking what Moong-moo Oppa had done, she pressed her small palms into the snow.

Clumsy, yes, but her mini snowman still had form. Watching delightedly, Hohyun rolled the snowball he had been preparing. Now that he’d taught her the basics, it was time to build something larger.

Because of the blizzard, it didn’t take long for his snowball to swell to a size difficult to lift even with two hands. Yuri stared, mouth round as a coin—the amazement on her face at the idea it could grow that big was priceless.

Carefully setting her tiny snowman to the side, she waddled closer, clearly wanting to help. Hohyun showed her how to roll properly. Not long after, alongside a cluster of palm-sized little creations, a big three-tiered snowman rose proudly. Yuri beamed with pride, staring at the cluster of snowmen.

But she wasn’t satisfied. She started rolling more snowballs, dragging any passing beastman into helping. Seeing the gathering army, Hohyun slipped away; he had another idea.

Three options had been in his mind for snow play—snowmen, sledding, or an igloo. With no slope, sleds were out. That left the igloo. He darted toward the mound of snow piled earlier with the black bear’s help.

When he’d been Yuri’s age, his older brothers had once built him an igloo together. Using empty storage containers to mold bricks, stacking them one by one—it had left him a glowing memory.

Today’s method would be less professional. Instead of bricks, he stacked snow high and hollowed it out. More a cave than an igloo, honestly. But working alone in a single day, this was best.

The snow, compacted in the chill wind, was harder than expected, but Hohyun’s claws shredded through. At first, progress was slow, but then—he shifted into fox form. For digging snow, claws were far superior to human hands.

Shedding his bundled clothes like a husk, paws scrabbling, he clawed the snow furiously. The difference was dramatic—three times faster at least. Within hours, the igloo was finished. Panting, he licked his wet, freezing paws, glancing around.

Yuri was still busy with her uncles, assembling a three-tier giant snowman. Hohyun sat back quietly, letting her finish. The igloo wasn’t going anywhere.

He admired the snowy sculptures—large figures, small ones, none identical. One had a little horn-like ball perched atop its head, another three branches jutting awkwardly as arms.

That one looks huge-headed, that one stubby-armed… he thought with a serious face, studying them as if art. Nearby beastmen shuffled awkwardly—wanting to say something, clearing their throats, yet no one dared approach.

Then suddenly—

“Moong-moo Oppa!”

Yuri came pelting over, tossing away the pebble she had been holding. She flung herself full force onto him. His chest compressed with an audible gack. He paw-patted her shoulder carefully, coaxing her up. Bright eyes immediately fixed on the igloo, widening further with awe.

The closer they drew, the rounder they grew. From the small entrance to the domed ceiling, everything screamed: this is mine! Yuri realized—it was her gift.

She circled three full laps in wonder before finally ducking in.

Inside, sunlight filtered faint, casting a hexed glow. Despite being hollow ice, it felt snug. Yuri stared at the ceiling in quiet reverence. Hohyun, recalling only sweat and aching paws from building it, smiled to see her happy. She purred softly—throat rumbling in kittenish joy.

Then, wriggling, she shifted into tiger form—fur fluffed thicker now in winter. Bundled under clothes, her cuteness doubled. Hohyun rubbed his cheek against hers, sighing at the destructive adorableness.

They exchanged affectionate nuzzles—until crackle! Static electricity shocked them apart. Yuri squealed in surprise, fur standing on end. Hohyun laughed openly, making her giggle in return.

But winter days were short. The sun dipped lower, and Yuri frowned at being called back in early. To comfort her, Hohyun exaggerated a shiver. Seeing her Moong-moo Oppa “freezing,” Yuri reluctantly agreed. Still, as they left, she kept glancing back with longing.

Inside, Hohyun shifted back to human form, pinky-swearing with her under Kangwoon’s watchful glare. Tomorrow—they’d play again.

Despite being heavily dressed, both of them sniffled from the cold afterward. Not severe, but enough to concern Kangwoon. Quietly, he fetched blankets.

Excited, Yuri ran to explain to her brother all she’d seen. Pointing to the massive snowman towering among the others, she declared proudly:

“That one’s Oppa.”

“…That’s supposed to be me?”

“Mm!”

The snowman bore no tiger resemblance—just three big balls with stick and pebbles. Yet Kangwoon saw—branches as tail, yellow-tinged stones for eyes. He looked long, mouth tugging into rare smile.

Encouraged, Yuri took on the role of docent—explaining: “That’s Uncle Woni, that’s Uncle Gondu, that’s Uncle Jebi…” She proudly pointed each snow replica of those dearest to her.

What Kangwoon found most touching, though, were the three together—her big “Oppa” snowman, a small one beside it (Yuri’s), and another slightly bigger (the Fox’s). Grouped side by side, like one family. His broad hand landed gently on Yuri’s head; she beamed.

After warm baths, she tumbled half-asleep before drying. Kangwoon coaxed water into her mouth and laid her down.

If even strong Yuri had collapsed, Hohyun couldn’t be in better shape. A day of carving igloo and rolling snow left him staggering. Kangwoon quietly turned up the house heating.

Thanks to that, night was warm, peaceful. By next morning, the den was visited by someone unexpected.