Chapter 6: Mischief and Matrimony

I felt wronged just thinking about it.

Gritting my teeth, I marched over, grabbed his arm, and smiled at her. “Sorry, my fiancé already has plans to eat pizza with me tonight, so he’s not free.”

He was startled at first, then a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes.

“That’s fine, fiancé just means not married yet. I still have a chance.” The woman shrugged, giving him a wink straight out of The Real Housewives. “Handsome, let’s eat together another time.”

After she left, I turned to him, tone sour. “Didn’t expect you to be so popular.”

He just raised his brows noncommittally, like, what can you do?

Tch, what a scoundrel. Doesn’t even bother to explain!

I huffed, stomped off, but he grabbed my wrist.

Before I could react, he laughed behind me. “Why are you leaving? Didn’t you say we’re eating pizza together?”

I turned, blinking blankly, then broke into a wide grin.

Good, this man finally knows how to please me.

At the pizzeria, I even ordered three fewer slices to appear more ladylike. (Yes, I know Americans usually order whole pizzas, but we were definitely getting slices.)

He glanced at the menu, pursed his lips, and told the waiter, “Add a spicy buffalo chicken, please.”

I batted my eyes, softened my tone. “Rabbits are so cute. How could you eat rabbit?” (For the record, rabbit is not a pizza topping in the U.S., but I was just teasing.)

I’d mastered the art of the innocent act. No way he could resist.

He stayed calm. “Is that so? Then I’ll ask the waiter to cancel it.”

This man!

No wonder I like him!

He’s not like those flashy guys!

I grinned. “Rabbits are so cute—they’re meant to be eaten, aren’t they?” I teased, knowing full well it was a joke.

He twitched at the corner of his mouth.

I leaned closer and whispered in his ear, “But I want to eat Toby even more.”

He blushed, glaring at me with no real force. “Girls these days, you’re all so bold.”

I squinted with a smile and ordered three pitchers of draft beer. (Yeah, I know, that’s a lot for two people, but go big or go home, right?)

He frowned. “You know you shouldn’t drink so much out in public.”

“I know my limits. Don’t worry.” I patted my chest in assurance.

The result? After one beer, I was dead drunk—total lightweight. Didn’t even touch the pizza.

Toby hurriedly paid and helped me out.

I staggered, seeing double. I put my finger in front of my eyes, looked at him, and giggled. “Two Tobys! Buy one, get one free!”

He rolled his eyes and supported me as we walked.

“Hey, handsome over there! Want pizza with me?” I slurred at the double vision ahead.

Toby, veins popping like he was about to Hulk out, dragged me back, and I spun around.

“What are you doing?” I squinted, annoyed. “Didn’t we already eat together? If you want to again, you’ll have to wait your turn.”

He was so angry he laughed, then sneered through gritted teeth, “With such a full schedule, I’m honored you made time for me.”

I tried to pat his shoulder, missed, so I patted his chest instead. “It’s fine, you’re good-looking. I’ll make an exception for you, but don’t tell anyone…”

He was so mad his liver hurt, took a while to calm down, then asked, “Do you get drunk and act wild with other guys too?”

I shook my head. “Of course not. I never drink with others.”

“Then why with me?”

I tilted my head, thought hard, then answered, “Because I wanted to!”

Toby was speechless.

“No, wait,” I shook my head, correcting myself. “Because I trust you.”

His eyes softened, something warm and deep in them.

I poked his chest, annoyed. “Are you coming or not? If not, I’m leaving. It’s a full moon tonight, and I don’t want to run into any werewolves.”

Toby lowered his eyes, smiling gently. “I really can’t tell if you’re actually drunk or just faking it.”

Before I could reply, he scooped me up in his arms.

My head spun. “What are you doing?”

“Drunks walk too slow. This is faster.”

“I’m not drunk!”

“A pretty drunk.”

When I woke up, my head was pounding.

I rubbed my temples, trying to remember how I’d gotten home.

Looking down, my eyes nearly popped out.

Where were my clothes?!

Instinctively, I glanced at the other side of the bed. It was neat—nothing there.

I breathed a sigh of relief. At least nothing out of a Netflix drama happened.

But where were my clothes?

I racked my brain, finally recalling a few fragments.

“It’s a full moon tonight. I love full moons.”

“Here, let me show you my tail. It’s really nice to touch.”

“Do you like it?”

“Did you know, I’ve known you for a long time… you just don’t remember me…”

My face went pale.

It’s over. He saw my true form.

I’m not human.

I’m a kitsune—a fox spirit. (And no, not the anime kind with nine tails and a penchant for mischief. Just a little white fox, trying to blend in.)

But that’s not the point now!

I actually revealed myself to Toby, even let him touch my tail.

Isn’t that just throwing myself at him?!

My face flushed, then I shook my head.

No, the real problem is—my true identity was exposed!

Will he be scared? Will he never want to see me again, or call me a monster?

My lips trembled, eyes growing sore.

Actually, he doesn’t know, but I met him a long time ago. (To clarify: this was years before we met at the clinic.)

Back then, I’d just learned to take human form, but couldn’t keep it stable. A white fox wandering Maple Heights—you can imagine.

Curiosity, being chased, getting hurt.

At that time, he found me and treated my wounds.

It was love at first sight, not when I adopted a pet, but when I was still a fox that I fell for him.

But now, I’d messed everything up.

After that, I didn’t go to the clinic again.

Didn’t dare. I was afraid to see him look at me coldly, afraid he’d hate me for being a monster.

Better to avoid him and keep deceiving myself.

I hugged Rascal and opened the fridge, muttering, “Rascal, the fridge is empty. I don’t want to go to the grocery store. Can you go for me?”

Rascal scratched his ear and closed his eyes to nap.

Sure enough, can’t count on this guy.

I sighed, washed up, grabbed my keys, and headed out.

Sure enough, as the saying goes, if you don’t dress up, you’ll run into your ex—or, in my case, someone you had feelings for. (That’s just how the universe works, right?)

Toby and that puppy owner were chatting and laughing, shoulders nearly touching.

I couldn’t help feeling bitter.

Look at them—such a perfect match. A handsome man and a beautiful woman.

Human men should like human women.

That’s what I told myself, but I still followed them at a distance.

When they parted at the corner, I turned away, disappointed, planning to head to the grocery store.

A gust of wind blew, and I caught a faint scent of blood.

I frowned, my gaze locking onto that woman.

Her perfume was strong, but foxes have sharp noses. Even so, I still smelled it.

Curious—and a little selfish—I followed her.

All the way to the stairs of her building.

Nothing seemed off. Maybe I imagined it.

I turned to leave, but stopped the moment she opened her door.

A strong, pungent smell of blood—like something out of a horror movie—hit me. All kinds of animals.

I rushed over and blocked the door just as she tried to close it.

She looked at me, surprised and flustered. “Why are you here?”

I fought back my anger. “What’s in your house?”

She avoided my eyes. “N-nothing.”

I forced the door open and strode inside. (Yes, I know, not exactly legal, but animal emergencies call for desperate measures.)

My eyes widened in shock.

I trembled with anger and horror.

In the corner were several cages, each holding a different animal—cats, dogs, rabbits, chicks…

Every animal was covered in blood, some barely alive.

The puppy she’d brought before was in better shape, just overstuffed with dog food and now vomiting in its cage.

“What are you doing?! Get out! Or I’ll call the cops and report you for trespassing!”

“Why are you doing this?” My voice shook.

She sneered. “What am I doing? They’re just animals. So what if I hit them? It’s not illegal.”

“They’re living beings! They only get one life, even if they can’t talk! What gives you the right to treat them this way?!”

She laughed even harder. “Animals are just animals. I paid for them. Their lives are mine to do as I please. None of your business. Get out!”

I was furious.

The woman Toby liked should be a good person, not someone who treats life like nothing!

My hand curled into a claw behind my back, nails lengthening with a shimmer—if this were a Marvel movie, you’d know what was coming. I smiled darkly. “Animals are animals, but do you know some people aren’t even worthy of being called human?”

“Who are you calling a bitch?!”

She rushed to hit me.

I lunged at her, but just as my claws were about to scratch her neck, a strong hand grabbed me.

Toby had appeared at some point—classic dramatic timing.

I struggled, eyes red. “Let me go! I want to stop her! Why should she get away with hurting so many lives? Let me go!”

“There are laws here. You can’t just attack people. Calm down, okay?”

He soothed me until I retracted my claws.

Toby turned to the woman. “Ms. Sanders, I’ve already called the police. There may not be strict animal cruelty laws, but your drug use and fraud are enough to put you away.”

She paled. “How do you know?”

Toby looked at the cages, his eyes gentle and sad. “They told me.”

The police came, handcuffed her, and took her away.

They looked at the scene and sighed. “These poor animals. Feels like something out of a true crime documentary.”

Toby smiled. “Officer, I’m a vet. Here’s my license. If you’re willing, let me take them back for treatment.”

“That would be great. We were just wondering what to do.”

“Thank you.”

I squatted in front of the cages, finally letting my tears fall. “Don’t be afraid, we’re here to save you.”

Toby was busy in the operating room; I tended the less-injured animals outside.

Most had shaved fur, were skin and bones, and covered in wounds.

By the time we finished, it was already midnight.

I sat at the front desk. He pinched his nose and sat beside me.

I pursed my lips and asked quietly, “Aren’t you afraid of me?”

“Why would I be?”

“I’m a demon.”

“Oh, I’m not afraid.”

“Hm?”

“Are you free tomorrow?” he asked, tilting his head.

I nodded.

“You have your documents, right?”

I nodded again. (For spirits, the kitsune elder had helped me get special paperwork.)

“Alright. Let’s go register our marriage tomorrow.”

What?

Seeing my dumbfounded face, he rubbed my head. “So happy you’re speechless?”

I was happy, but still worried. “But I’m a demon.”

“I know. I don’t mind.”

And that was that.

The next day, walking out of the county office with our marriage license, I was still in a daze, unable to believe it.

“Let’s go home.”

Toby took my hand.

When we got home, I finally asked, “How did you know where I live?”

He paused while unpacking, didn’t answer.

“Did I tell you when I was drunk?” I muttered.

He looked at me, came over, and patted my head. “Be good. Show me your true form.”

Since there was nothing to hide, I immediately transformed, crawling out from a pile of clothes as a little white fox, looking up at him.

He picked me up and stroked my fur.

His technique was as good as ever—if there were an Olympic medal for petting, he’d take gold. I relaxed, closed my eyes, and soon dozed off.

In a haze, I heard him sigh, “Finally found you, little fox…”

The next morning, I woke up in bed, still naked—back in human form.

I pulled the comforter over myself and called for Toby.

Just as I was wondering where he’d gone, a furry rabbit head popped out from under the covers.

I jumped.

He crawled out—it was the lop-eared rabbit.

Pop—something clicked in my mind, like a lightbulb flicking on in a cartoon.

I poked him. “You… are you Toby?”

He gave a dry, indignant "Thump!" with his foot, which I took as confirmation.

I laughed and poked him again. “So I just need to feed you lettuce from now on?”

His black eyes glared at me, practically saying, "Very funny."

“So you’re a spirit too! No wonder you can talk to animals—your powers must be stronger than mine.”

He rolled his eyes at me.

Soon after, he turned back into human form, and we sat together in silence.

“Long ago, I saved a little fox.”

He spoke suddenly.

I had a feeling what he was about to say, so I stayed quiet.

“She was dirty and hurt. After I cleaned her up, I realized she was a white fox, but covered in wounds.”

“But she was beautiful. When she got better, she loved curling up in my arms to nap in the sun. But one day, she disappeared. I looked everywhere for her. Where do you think she went?”

I started sobbing, barely able to breathe. “Back then, I’d just learned to take human form, but it was unstable. I was afraid you’d hate me for being a spirit, so I ran away.”

“It’s okay. Luckily, my little fox came back on her own.” He kissed my forehead. “Anything you want to say?”

I sobbed, “I want to say, Mom, I did it! I brought a rabbit home to the fox den.” (I wasn’t sure if I was joking or being serious, but it felt right.)

He smiled helplessly, pulling me into his arms. “Silly fox.”

“Not silly…”

[Extra] (Bonus Scene)

I’d been with Toby for a while when, one vacation day, I suddenly asked, “Since you can talk to animals, when I was a fox, did you know everything I was thinking?”

He smiled, poked my forehead. “I can communicate with animals, not read minds.”

“Oh.”

I nodded, relieved, but then heard him add, “But I did hear someone muttering to herself.”

My heart skipped a beat.

“For example: ‘His eyes are so pretty, his figure is so nice, his lips look soft—I wonder what it’s like to kiss them?’”

I slapped my hand over his mouth, face burning. “Enough! Stop. Isn’t it shameless to praise yourself like that?”

He raised an eyebrow, pulled my hand away, and kissed it. “My wife praised me. Why would I be ashamed?”

“But my wife had a crush on me when she was still a fox. I’m pretty proud.”

His eyes sparkled with laughter. I couldn’t help thinking, what kind of rabbit is this? He’s even more cunning than a fox—so good at seducing people.

He put down his book and looked at me thoughtfully. “Babe, if I remember right, your period’s over, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

I answered automatically, then saw Toby’s eyes darken.

I swallowed. “Actually, my back still hurts. Maybe we should wait a few more days…”

He cut me off with a kiss.

The next morning, I rubbed my sore waist, grumbling.

Tch, perverted rabbit!

A few days later, he suddenly asked, “What about your job? I always see you at home. Are you a freelancer?”

I shook my head. “I don’t have a job.”

He was shocked. “No job? How have you been supporting yourself?”

I smiled mysteriously, pulled out a small pouch from a box, and showed him.

He gasped. “What’s this?”

I said proudly, “My mermaid friend once got dumped, and while he cried to me, I collected all the pearls he shed. Whenever I need money, I pawn a few.”

The more I spoke, the prouder I got, not noticing his face getting darker and darker.

He grabbed me by the back of the neck—not hard, just a gentle but firm hold—and snatched the pouch, gritting his teeth. “Autumn, you’ve been living off another man’s tears? Am I dead to you?”

I still didn’t sense danger, and corrected him seriously, “Watch your words—it’s a merman, and he didn’t want them. Why not use them? Besides, how could you be dead? At most, you’d be a dead rabbit.”

That day, I cried myself hoarse and he still didn’t let me off.

The next morning, he got dressed and looked coldly at me in bed. “You get today off, but tomorrow, come help at the animal clinic.”

I was devastated. Squeezed at night, worked by day!

“Tch! I’m not going! You just like bossing me around!”

He sighed, finally softening, sat by the bed, and said, “We’re married now. You’re my wife. Do you think I’d be happy if you used another man’s things?”

I muttered, “Didn’t think you’d be so possessive, especially since you’re smaller than me in human form…”

He raised an eyebrow. “As long as some parts are big, that’s enough.”

Huh?

I hit him with a pillow. “Pervert! Go away!”

He left, humming.

After just a few days of helping, an unexpected guest arrived.

I was overjoyed, rushing over. “Senior! Why are you here?!”

She patted my head, just about to answer, when the man beside her, whom I’d ignored, sobbed, “Doctor, please save my son.”

I looked at the bright-eyed child in his arms and twitched. “Sir, this is an animal clinic.”

“I know.” The man’s fancy suit and tear-streaked face made quite a sight. “But Jamie is a fox.”

Toby came over, quietly pulled me out of Senior’s arms, and explained, “Usually, when a spirit and a human have a child, they can go to a human hospital when young. Once they grow up, they rarely get sick. Of course, I can check your son too.”

Before I could say anything, Senior scolded him, “I told you to go to the hospital! You insisted on bringing our son to an animal clinic. Are you crazy?!”

The man pouted, aggrieved, not daring to speak.

“Jamie, don’t scold me. I’m not a thing… I’m your husband…” (For clarity, the man is Jamie’s husband, and he’s whining to her.)

She dragged him away, forcing a smile. “We have other things today. Next time, I’ll come again—and also…”

She glanced at Toby, teasing, “Also to hear about your ‘debt of gratitude’ romance.”

My face turned red.

“Let’s go.”

Senior left with her husband. I leaned into Toby’s arms. “Maybe we shouldn’t run this animal clinic.”

“Then do what?”

“Treat spirits?”

“You want to throw the whole human world into chaos?”

“True.”

“Sigh, silly fox.”

“Not silly!”