“Okay.... why are you gifting me responsibility on my special day?” Jeongin asked, glaring dead into Hyunjin’s eyes.

“Because you’re our maknae who just turned twenty-five, and we all collectively decided to make your life harder!” Hyunjin grinned, leaning against Changbin.

“Why?! I literally work with you guys at JYP! My life is already hard enough!”

“Well, nobody asked,” Minho shrugged carelessly.

Jeongin groaned into his hands, feeling a mix of amusement and genuine annoyance.

Today, February 8, marked Jeongin’s twenty-fifth birthday. As the youngest of his friend group, the absolute maknae to his seven older hyungs, he had grown into someone so handsome it was almost offensive. He wasn't their adorable baby bread anymore; he had officially evolved into a whole french baguette.

He possessed soft yet striking visuals that effortlessly balanced sharpness and warmth. His long, narrow, fox-like eyes were a deep dark brown, carrying a playful yet intense gaze beneath naturally straight brows. Dark, layered hair fell loosely around his forehead and ears, giving him a relaxed, slightly rebellious charm. His face was slim and sculpted, yet softened by those familiar, bread-soft cheeks that still showed up whenever he smiled.

Deep dimples added to his appeal, contrasting beautifully with his defined jawline and smooth, fair skin. His build was lean and athletic, with toned arms, visible biceps, and subtle abdominal definition beneath his clothes. Nothing about him felt bulky; instead, he carried the balanced proportions of someone naturally fit. His overall aura was gentle, approachable, and effortlessly charming—combining soft sweetness with a quiet confidence.

He worked as a vocal instructor at JYP alongside his friends, earning a hefty enough paycheck every month to afford this spacious, cozy, modern two-story house all to himself.

His seven older friends were just as successful, each owning their own places: Bang Chan, twenty-nine, a composer at JYP alongside Seo Changbin, twenty-seven, and Han Jisung, twenty-six; Lee Minho, twenty-eight, a dance instructor alongside Hwang Hyunjin, twenty-six, and Lee Felix, twenty-six; and finally, Kim Seungmin, also twenty-six, who was a vocal instructor just like Jeongin.

But now, Jeongin was going to have to share his cozy house with someone else. You.

For his twenty-fifth birthday, Chan and the others had put their heads together and decided to adopt an arctic fox hybrid for him.

“What? Don't you like her? Look at her!” Chan laughed, pointing toward you. “And she's even more beautiful in her human form.”

You sat comfortably on the sofa in your animal form, a small arctic fox. Your fluffy white tail curled around your side as your small body sank into the cushions. Resting your head gently on your soft front paws, your bright sapphire-blue eyes gazed up with quiet curiosity and innocent warmth. Your plush, snow-white fur looked irresistibly soft, and your pointed ears stood perked and alert, your tiny black nose and delicate muzzle completing your gentle expression.

“Wait...” Jeongin froze, his eyes snapping toward the others. “She...? You mean this hybrid is a female?!”

“CORRECT!!” Felix giggled, clapping his hands together. “A girlfriend for our Innie!”

“What?!” Jeongin gaped at you, dumbfounded. “What do you mean, a girlfriend?!”

“Well, who else is going to take care of her when she goes through her heat?” Seungmin smirked. “You, her guardian, obviously. Plus, she’s twenty and a rescued hybrid.”

“Oh, great. So she’s the youngest,” Jeongin groaned. “Even younger than me.”

After another ten minutes of teasing, the hyungs finally filed out of Jeongin’s house, leaving the two of you completely alone. You remained on the sofa, a duffel bag filled with your necessities sitting right beside you.

“I guess you're my hybrid now. You are cute...” Jeongin sighed, walking over and kneeling on one knee on the floor right in front of you. “So... you're a part-human, part-animal hybrid, huh?”