Jeongin stared at the goose. The goose stared back at him, perched cozily inside a cardboard box filled with... his old, unused clothes?

“What... the fuck?” he whispered under his breath, letting his heavy suitcases drop to the floor near the entrance.

He had been gone on a tour for barely a month. What on earth had happened to his house while he was away?

“Babe?” He called out, slowly slipping off his shoes and placing them in the shoe rack.

The two of you had been together for over seven years, and for the last four, you had lived together after welcoming your daughter, Yang Sumin. She was a complete replica of him—inheriting his exact narrow, fox-like eyes, deep dimples, and bright smile.

He had purchased this spacious two-story house—complete with a large backyard garden and a serene koi pond—shortly after you became pregnant. Ever since, you had lived together as a family in every way that mattered.

It was 7:30 in the morning, and he was thoroughly exhausted from jet lag after driving all the way from Incheon Airport. The rest of his STRAYKIDS bandmates had scattered to their own homes to reunite with their respective partners and kids.

At 29—three years older than you, who was 26—Jeongin was the youngest member of Stray Kids, possessing soft yet striking visuals that balanced sharpness and warmth effortlessly. Dark, horizontally long, fox-like eyes held a playful gaze beneath straight brows, while dark, layered hair fell loosely around his forehead and ears.

His face was slim and sculpted, softened by bread-soft cheeks that stood out whenever he smiled, revealing his signature deep dimples. Smooth, fair skin enhanced his polished look, while his lean, athletic build—defined biceps, toned arms, and a firm chest—remained visible even beneath his casual jacket, shirt, and jeans.

Right now, though, his main concern was the feathered guest resting near the living room heater. It was late November, so the chilly draft explained the cozy setup... but it didn't explain why a wild bird was in his living room.

He slowly crouched down in front of the box. The bird appeared to be about a year old—a young adult with pure white feathers, an orange beak, and dark, beady eyes.

Wait, was it a goose? Or a duck? He squinted. A duck's beak is generally longer and wider than a goose's beak. This one's beak was not like that. Plus, it looked relatively larger than a duck.

“Well, you definitely are cute...” Jeongin smiled, reaching a hand out to pat its head—only to instantly yank it back with a pained yelp. “Ah—! You bastard—”

The goose had snapped aggressively at his fingers, letting out a sharp hiss followed by a series of loud honks.

"Did..." Jeongin gaped at the goose, which had fluffed up its feathers in pure offense. "Did you just fucking hiss at me?"

Yep, definitely a goose. Ducks quacked and acted timid; geese honked like a damn car horn, hissed like a pissed-off snake and held grudges.

From when it snapped its beak at his fingers, the goose had shifted its body enough to reveal what lay beneath its feathers. Wait—were those eggs underneath it? Yes, definitely a few eggs but not just eggs. He could also make out two tiny goslings nestled beneath its body, their little forms covered in soft, pale grayish-yellow down.

They looked around four weeks old since they were already noticeably bigger than newborn hatchlings, with lengthening necks, sturdier bodies, and small wings where darker feathers were beginning to emerge through their fluffy baby down.

They huddled close together beneath the goose's protective feathers, occasionally shifting or peeping softly, their tiny beaks and bright, curious eyes peeking out from the warmth.

So this goose was a female? No wonder it snapped its beak at him. It got an attitude just like you.

Within a month while he was away, a whole goose had taken over his house, laid eggs, and even hatched babies?!

"Babe! Sumin!" He called out again. "I'm home! Where are you? And why is there a goddamn goose in my house?"