狐

When you think of a fox, what words come to mind?
Bewitching, enchanting, or charming? Or cunning, insidious, and suspicious?
This is the first reaction of most people. Even an official encyclopedia describes them as "having no fixed abode" and "vindictive."
Ein has always scorned statements like these. Regarded as the future successor of his tribe since he was born, the entire tribe sees him as a sunny, cheerful, meticulous, and gentle boy. Nobody has shown him any prejudice because he is a fox.
However, when Ein left his tribe and traveled far away to find his own hunting grounds, he was dealt a hard blow by the outside world.
"Be careful of him." "Stay away from him." "He's definitely going to do something bad"... Comments like this could always be heard around Ein, even if he hadn't done anything but ask for directions with a friendly smile.
This is something that angers foxes, but Ein understood that he wouldn't be able to change others' opinion of him immediately, so his frustration at others' wary eyes and retreating steps gradually changed to acceptance.
"Excuse me, can you tell me how I can get to the subway station?" Ein repeats his question one more time to the clerk at the convenience store and places his hands on his chest to ensure that the person can see everything he is doing and avoid unnecessary suspicion.
After making sure that the fox in front of him wouldn't cause any trouble, a bold clerk finally walks up and prepares to answer his question.
However, accidents tend to happen when people least expect them. A loud scream ruins the leisurely atmosphere of the convenience store as a young man rummages through his bag in a panic. He shouts, "My wallet! My wallet is missing!"
Almost everyone in the convenience store looks at Ein at the same time. They look at him like he is a monster, and one of the customers has even pulled out their mobile phone to call the police if necessary.
This is their reaction even though they all know that this fox had just stepped into the store and hadn't come into contact with anyone.
No matter how good his temper is, Ein can't accept being accused without any grounds. He frowns and makes his stance on this matter clear. "It wasn't me."
"I'm not so sure of that." The young man who had lost his wallet turns around angrily. "You're a fox. Who knows what tricks you used! Do you dare to let me search you?"
"That's right. This is the best way to prove your innocence."
"You have nothing to fear if you didn't steal his wallet, right?"
"You can't blame us for suspecting you. There have been theft cases involving foxes in this city..."
The people in the convenience store all talk at the same time, making it seem like it's a sin for Ein to disagree with the young man's proposal to search him.
After unclenching his fists, Ein takes a few deep breaths and agrees under everyone's doubtful or disdainful gazes. "Okay, but everyone in this store is suspect and should also be searched by the clerk. Isn't that right?"
The atmosphere becomes tense as everyone suddenly realizes just how outrageous the request to be searched is, and they all make disapproving expressions.
Things seem to be at an impasse, and the only sound that can be heard is the heavy breathing of the young man who had lost his wallet.
After the situation drags out for a long time, a customer who has keen eyes spots the wallet under a shelf. The scattered notes and friction marks indicate that the wallet had just been accidentally dropped by its owner.
The crowd surrounding Ein disperses quietly, and the clerk tries to pretend that everything is fine to cover up the tense atmosphere just now, as if nothing had happened.
However, Ein has no intention of letting things slide this time.
"Stop right there." Ein stops the young man just as he is about to step outside the store. "Apologize to me."
"What?"
"You should apologize to me. Your suspicion and request are both disrespectful to me."
The young man opens his mouth to retort, "But you're just a fox..."
"You can't judge someone by their appearance. Even children know this." Ein has no intention of backing down. "There are good foxes and bad foxes, just like how there are good humans and bad humans."
The young man's face turns red because he doesn't know what to say to defend himself, but he is stubborn and refuses to apologize. The convenience store clerk, who has remained silent up until now, takes the initiative to talk to Ein. "Sir, you want to go to the subway station, right? You just need to..."
"No." Ein says as he looks at the situation in front of him and shakes his head. "Please tell me how to get to the railway station. I think it's time for me to go to another city."
Suddenly, Ein recalls an ad he saw on TV yesterday about a mysterious city in the Far East called One Han City.
He decides to go there next in the hope that this so-called "all-inclusive city" will not disappoint him.