He’s a Fox Ch 47

Chapter 47

“Next Tuesday, we’re going out.”

It was about three days after the wolf had left. The sudden declaration made Hohyun forget all about balancing his 15-story “skyscraper” made of wooden blocks. He blinked up at the tiger in surprise.

Because he had a younger sister to care for, Kangwoon rarely left home. He usually managed his work from inside, sending out orders rather than going out himself—which was bearable. But at the end of the year, when everything piled up, that wasn’t quite possible.

He could not leave Yuri alone at home either, so at year’s end she was always sent to their parents’ house. Both mother and father were equally busy people, yet they at least weren’t drowning in immediate obligations. And since Mother had already messaged just days ago—asking when they would come—it seemed the timing had arrived.

At the news of an outing, Yuri’s face lit up immediately. Dropping the block from her hand, the cub tugged at her brother’s trousers.

“Oppa, Yuri too?”

“Of course. We’re going to the Big House early in the morning, so get ready.”

“Yay!”

Technically they should have called it “home” or “ancestral house,” but since a three-year-old couldn’t grasp complex Chinese characters, the family home was simply called “the Big House.” And it wasn’t wrong: several times bigger in scale than even Kangwoon’s current villa, the description was accurate.

Yuri stamped her little feet in glee, excited by the thought of visiting grandparents. At Kangwoon’s reminder to pack what she wished to bring, Yuri immediately latched onto Hohyun’s arm, demanding his help in choosing.

“And we’ll probably return around Thursday. If you have somewhere to go, I can drop you off.”

Two and a half, almost three full days of “free time.”

Yuri froze. Her delight collapsed into horror.

“Moong-moo’s not coming?”

“No.”

“Why not!”

Her betrayed gaze could have toppled a mountain. Kangwoon only replied gravely:

“Yuri knows Father is afraid of dogs, right?”

“…Appa?”

The excuse was flimsy, and Yuri’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. Still, Kangwoon insisted stubbornly.

“Have you ever seen a dog at the Big House?”

“No…”

“That’s because Father is afraid of them.”

The truth? Father simply disliked the scent particular to Canidae. But to Yuri, it sounded credible enough. Her little expression wavered, then she reluctantly nodded.

The cub accepted it easily, but the fox was not fooled. He had never met their father—but seeing the siblings, he could guess well enough what sort of man he must be. Nobody who commanded such presence would truly fear dogs. No, it was prejudice, buried under words like “tradition.”

When Yuri scampered off to pack, Kangwoon added quietly, “Sorry. Father’s… old-fashioned.”

Hohyun’s suspicion became certainty. At his age, Kangwoon’s father had to be quite elderly. And among older Eastern beast-families, foxes often bore prejudice. Hohyun nodded, unsurprised.

Seeing the fox so calm, Kangwoon reassured him gently: if he truly had nowhere else to go, he was welcome to stay here. But Hohyun was already thinking otherwise. It had been a long while since he’d returned to his own family home. With an empty house here and permission offered, it was a good chance. Kangwoon simply told him to go safely.

—

Tuesday morning arrived. The mansion bustled with preparations.

Checking his bag yet again, Hohyun made sure nothing essential was forgotten: clothes for a few days, charger, wallet. Destination was only his own home, so little else was needed. Satisfied, he brought up the bus map on his phone. Fortunately, there was one direct intercity bus. The nearest stop was a healthy walk from here, but walking was fine.

Two days absent was long enough that he wanted to say goodbye to Yuri first. He wandered until he guessed she must be in her room. For if the “princess of the mansion” had been anywhere else, everyone would have been gathered around her.

He stepped through her door—and stopped, blinking slowly in disbelief.

The cub’s round white cheeks and vivid sapphire eyes sparkled as always—but her outfit… was new.

Normally, clothing mattered little to the three-year-old; everything was selected by her guardian, which meant it was all Kangwoon’s taste. Lace-trimmed dresses, polished patent shoes, embroidered stockings—Yuri looked the perfect “miss” of the house.

Today, indeed, she wore another delicate dress. But beneath the puffed hem peeked… pants. Not stockings—bright ski-pants patterned with strawberries.

The upper and lower halves could have come from two different wardrobes.

And her hands—fluffy mittens meant for winter animals. Combined with the frilly frock, it was chaos.

Hohyun turned, staring straight at the alligator. What were you thinking, letting this happen? But the reptile averted eyes innocently. This choice had not been his.

No, Kangwoon had been busy since breakfast preparing for the long trip. So today’s outfit was purely Yuri’s decision.

She spun twice in place, skirt and snow-pants flaring. She watched him with a proud grin: Admire me.

Hohyun understood instantly. The stage had come—the age where children insist: I choose what I wear.

Better than some outcomes. At least she had not chosen a swimsuit in winter or a padded jacket in mid-summer. Her selections had mismatched style, but still seasonally correct. All misaligned pieces hidden from sight was the only salvation. He made a mental note to warn the alligator later to stash away the truly dangerous options.

“Your pants are cute. Did Yuri pick them herself?”

“Mmhm!”

He praised the bright strawberries further, and she chuckled happily. Together, they finished packing her play-bag.

Inside the round tiger-shaped satchel were her favorite books, blocks, colored pencils, sketchpad. Hohyun helped settle them in and zip. Done.

“Oppa, tail please.”

Was she trying to raise her “Moong-moo concentration” before being separated for days? Whatever the case, he obliged. Through the hole in his trousers, he slid his tail free.

Immediately, soft head snuggled into it, rubbing back and forth. Yuri sighed contentedly. He flicked it gently to tickle her nape, making her giggle.

It was just then—

A voice from behind.

The alligator sat docilely at the front with Yuri’s bag. So the only one entering must be—the great tiger himself.

Hohyun turned—and froze, breath catching.