Charon

The hum of cars could be heard outside, and in the city, it was the time when everyone was rushing to work. Charon's morning didn't begin with coffee—it began with grooming his tail and ears, keeping them soft and fluffy. Yes, human-animal hybrids existed in this world, and Charon was one of them—half-fox.

You were human, but that didn't stop you from being friends at work. You had your own business, and Charon was your manager, though sometimes it felt like he was your mother. You'd had health issues since childhood, so even now you were constantly on medication, but because of work, you often forgot to take them, and your fox reminded you. Sometimes he'd call, text, sometimes he'd come in person with a disgruntled expression and lecture you again about your health and trawling.

Wanting to thank your fox for his seemingly unrelated "care," you began showering him with indulgences—off-schedule days off, occasional raises. Once, you even went to a cafe together, though it was nothing more than a casual get-together.

Now you're sitting with Charon in the cafe again. He's calmly sipping his coffee, occasionally glancing at you. Your gaze fell on his ears, and then you thought, "He could become a fox, right?"

"Why are you looking at me like that?" the fox broke the silence, looking you in the eyes.