He’s a Fox Ch 56

Chapter 56

“Eugh, gross.”

Crumpling up the used tissue into a ball, Hohyun tossed it lazily into the bin. Immediately, Jini bared her teeth in a low growl, as if to insist she was not a baby. Given her hulking black frame, the sight might have been intimidating—were it not for the soggy nose and the neatly tied handkerchief hanging from her neck that only made her look ridiculous.

Slipping off his shoes, the fox craned his neck into the living room. If two of them were already down, there was no way the other had escaped. Sure enough, on the sofa, the little yellow ball barely managed to lift her head and peer out pitifully toward the entryway.

The moment their eyes met, Seon whimpered miserably. Not that she hadn’t come—she couldn’t.

Quickly washing his hands, Hohyun hurried back and scooped the limp “yellow injeolmi rice cake” into his arms. Though her body was small, her oversized retriever paws drooped heavily; her tail brushed weakly against him.

By palm-test alone her body felt warm, but imprecisely so. As he wavered with doubt, Jun and Jin began raking their paws at his trouser cuffs. Look here. The moment he glanced down, they erupted in duet barking:

WOOF! AROOF! WHIINE!

Barking in turns like a round-song. Obviously deliberate. The house was soundproof enough, but keep this up and soon neighbors would lodge complaints.

Not wanting needless conflict, the fox surrendered before even hearing their demands. The twins, satisfied at his show of submission, cut their chorus and panted grins. In unison came their verdict:

“Woooof!”

“…A walk? No! You’ve got colds! What if it gets worse—”

At once, Jini’s eyes sharpened. Not listening? Then we’ll bark again.

The manic gleam in her gaze broke his will. Defeated, Hohyun trudged toward the kids’ room, muttering apologies to his brother and sister-in-law. I cannot withstand these little tyrants…

As he opened the closet with a sigh, the twins bumped snouts proudly. His chest flooded with a mix of disbelief and resignation. Poor cubs—restless, no doubt—but also, so quick to bully their easiest target: the youngest uncle. Until now, every day he added new losses to his “record.”

Surrendering, he pulled out their dog-clothes. Better beasts in padded coats than fevers run wild.

Six puffy jackets. One baby sling.

Seven garments in total. Double layers for each mutt, sling for Seon. Under normal conditions they’d squirm dramatically, but today they submitted docile—proof of their serious intent. He tucked Seon into the sling tied before his chest.

Now, the twins. Prodding along the jackets, he found the sewn-in leash-loops. Unlike real dogs, one couldn’t fit beams or harnesses on children—but special loops sufficed. He clipped short lines to both, unwilling to risk bolting accidents.

Once, when smaller, he could have lifted one pup per arm. Now, impossible. Each was already twenty kilos, tugging like rice sacks with legs.

Water bottle. Treats. Secured.

Right hand clutched Jini’s leash, left Jun’s. At the threshold, he bent down with stern voice:

“Listen—only follow where Uncle goes. If I say we turn back, we turn back. Got it?”

Jini bobbed solemnly. Jun ignored, scratching the door eagerly. The fox’s gut sank—today would not be easy. He wound the lines tighter in hands and opened the door.

—

From the outset, chaos pressed. Jini sniffed wildly, only to snort in frustration—stuffy nose, no scents. Jun was simply thrilled to stomp at the dirt. Seon peeked her nose from the sling, wind ruffling her whiskers. Tails swung cheerfully.

Midway through, things seemed calm—only once did he tug Jini back from veering off. Emboldened by the long peace, he grew careless.

Then Jun whimpered for water. Stopping in the park, the fox pulled out a bottle, pouring into the cap. Just as he handed it over—

His right arm yanked forward with brutal force.

“Uwahh!”

“Yelpp!!”

Even tumbling, he never forgot Seon strapped against him. Slam prone, and she’d be squashed like burger patty between buns. Desperately twisting midair, he collapsed onto his back, sparing her.

The bottle burst open wet, soaking him. Still, he clenched the leashes, dragged along asphalt three meters flat on his back. Heat of friction scorched—the winter coat saved his skin, else it would have peeled raw.

Bodily damage less stung than spirit. To be dragged helpless, overpowered by cubs not yet out of elementary age—his pride ached.

Groaning faintly, he felt Seon push out from the sling, fretting. Uncle, are you hurt?

“I’m fine, Seon. Are you okay? Not bumped, right?”

Eyes wide in shock, but otherwise fine. Relief.

Then Jun shoved muzzle at his face anxiously, humming boiler-like snuffles. Jini noticed and scurried up as well, so now three noses pressed in—black as midnight sky, yellow as soybean powder, mottled pink like dabs of sauce.

But—Jini’s mouth clenched something new. Each time she twisted head, it scraped his cheek. Whap, thwack. He winced and shut his eyes. Startled, she dropped it.

A branch. Long, clean, perfect stick.

Hohyun understood. He held it up, staring at Jini.

“…Jini. You dragged me half across the park… for this?”

“Arf! Amazing, right?!”

With pride, she barked, tail lashing. Snatched it before anyone else!

Jun’s eyes lit with longing—he wanted one too. Seon squeaked admiration for her “incredible sister.”

Surrounded on both sides by yips of envy and in front by triumphant barking, chest wriggling with whines too—Hohyun could only sigh.

It was, to put it simply—

utter dog-chaos.

Footnotes

1. Injeolmi (인절미) – A type of Korean rice cake, soft and pale yellow like Seon’s fur; nickname for her. 
2. Padded dog clothes with leash loops – A realistic touch; children too large and strong had to be “harnessed” by adapted clothing. 
3. Hamburger patty metaphor – Fox’s protective instinct toward Seon; comedic exaggeration of crushing risk. 
4. Dog term pun “개판 (gaepan)” – Literally means “dog-yard mess,” colloquially “total chaos.” The scene embodies absolute pandemonium of young dog-beast children.