By Zephyria 
Abandoning one’s family. Betraying a parent’s expectations. Making someone suffer…. It was certainly those kinds of things.
That’s why he agonized. The reason he couldn’t give an immediate answer to Su-han’s request and plea was clearly because someone would surely be hurt and struggle because of this. So Jeong-min met no one and agonized alone. Su-han only sent texts saying he would wait. Then, Jeong-min suddenly realized.
Perhaps this hesitation itself was the answer.
He felt as if he had never once lived for himself. He strove to meet his parents’ expectations, had to clean up after Young-min, and had to care about the eyes of the world. He even had to yield and inevitably give up on liking Shin-woo. He had wanted it desperately, but he had held nothing in his hands.
Yes, after Shin-woo, he hadn’t thought there would be such hesitation. The hesitation that comes from being able to throw something away for the sake of something else…. He hadn’t even expected it.
At that point, Jeong-min no longer delayed his decision. There was no time. He had to hurry. First, he called Su-han.
“Hyung.”
─ Yes….
Fear and worry were laced in Su-han’s voice. Along with a lack of confidence. Perhaps because he had already decided, Su-han’s voice felt cute to him. What on earth should I do with this Hyung? What to do—I’ll have to support him for the rest of his life. And I have the confidence to do so.
“Why does your voice sound like that? It’s not like you’re receiving a death sentence.”
─ How did you know? That’s exactly how I feel right now.
“…I’ll go.”
─ What?
“I said I’ll go. Whether it’s you or me, since our skills are recognized, we’ll be able to practice medicine well wherever we go. I’m not asking you to take responsibility for me. This is a decision I made.”
─ Jeong-min.
A voice far more lively than before. It felt as if he had poured in the water of life. He was glad. That his choice had saved one person.
“Wait, it’s not over yet. Just one thing. Promise me.”
─ Just say it. Anything…. I’ll promise anything.
Su-han’s voice was already full of tears.
“Don’t let go of me. You… must not let go of me. Hyung. Got it? In return, I won’t let go of you either.”
He tried not to cry, but tears fell from Jeong-min’s eyes as well.
─ Never… I will never let you go. Jeong-min. Jeong-min…. Where are you now? I’ll come pick you up. I want to hold you.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Focus on Su-eun first. I need to move quickly too. I have things to organize. So… I’ll call you later.”
─ Jeong-min…. I really don’t know what to say to you. Jeong-min… Shin Jeong-min.
“Don’t cry. Hyung, we’re heading into a war zone now. You have to keep your wits about you.”
─ Right. Right… thank you. I love you. I love you, Jeong-min.
His chest felt warm. Now that he had made his decision, all the emotions he had been suppressing surged deep into his heart. He could feel more desperately than ever how sincere Su-han was. Jeong-min hung up the phone and thought.
The day Su-eun originally intended to leave the country is next week. Fortunately, he said the plane ticket hadn’t been canceled. Even so, moving on the same flight would be dangerous. It seemed better to move on flights immediately before or after. That way, he felt he could protect Su-eun and his partner even if things became risky. There were only five days left. What should he do….
“Sigh….”
It was impossible to pack his own luggage right now. In the worst-case scenario, he might have to flee the country with nothing but his passport.
It wasn’t that he had no assets; if he had them with him, he could live abroad without discomfort. Was there anyone he could ask for help to siphon off the money?
If only there was someone who had an overseas account…. Jeong-min clutched his head in thought.
“Ah.”
Then, Kim Ju-hwan suddenly came to mind.
“Crazy….”
He was a man like a double-edged sword. It could lead to an even more terrible situation. Yet, he was the only person who came to mind right now. Jeong-min couldn’t bring himself to press the call button immediately and stared at the screen for a long time before unblocking the number and pressing the call button with determination.
─ You unblocked me?
That was the first thing he said as soon as he picked up.
“Kim Ju-hwan, help me.”
Just those few words. After a few minutes of silence, Ju-hwan told Jeong-min where he currently was.
✽✽✽
Where Ju-hwan was located was an outdoor bar set up near the Han River. It was a quiet place with a great atmosphere where no filth was in sight. It was exactly the kind of place Jeong-min would like.
Ju-hwan was sitting leisurely in the top-floor room of that bar. The room was filled with Omegas emitting pheromones of temptation, but Ju-hwan didn’t even glance at them, staring out the window while having a drink. He looked like a relaxed predator who possessed everything.
Ju-hwan took another sip, saw Jeong-min’s reflection in the window, smiled, and set the glass down. Then, he gestured for everyone in the room to leave.
“…I didn’t know a place like this existed.”
“It opened last week.”
“Is that so?”
Jeong-min offered a polite word and sat opposite him. Ju-hwan pulled an empty glass over and placed it in front of Jeong-min.
“It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve had drinks with Sunbae in a private setting like this….”
“Has it….”
Thinking about it, it really had been a long time. So long that he couldn’t even remember…… Jeong-min found being alone with Ju-hwan uncomfortable and did not welcome it.
He liked alcohol, but strangely, whenever he drank with Ju-hwan, the taste of the alcohol seemed to vanish. He just wanted to get away as quickly as possible. It was the same now. However, since he had come to ask for a favor, he felt he should cater to Ju-hwan’s tastes. As Jeong-min looked at the glass filled with alcohol and prepared to down it in one shot, Ju-hwan stopped him.
“Sunbae, when you drink alcohol like it’s poison, it doesn’t make the person pouring it happy.”
“…Give it. I can drink it.”
“Forget that. You didn’t ask to meet me just to drink, did you?”
His tone suggested he already knew everything. But Jeong-min couldn’t gauge how much he actually knew.
“Should I help Ji Su-han, or should I help Ji Su-eun?”
As expected… he knew everything.
“…Both.”
“Both, huh…. Then it’ll be quite a big job….”
Ju-hwan smiled and lit a cigarette. White smoke drifted out, and he crossed his legs leisurely, looking at Jeong-min.
“And me.”
Ju-hwan’s eyebrow twitched.
“I want to go with them.”
“…You’re joking, right?”
“No, I’m serious. So, I need you to pull some strings. I’m leaving the country next week.”
“Why?”
“Su-eun is… worried…!”
Bang!!
Before he could finish his sentence, Ju-hwan bolted upright and flipped the table over. Then, he approached Jeong-min and grabbed him by the collar.
“Where do you think you’re continuing to lie? Did you think I wouldn’t know? That you’re sleeping with Ji Su-han?!”
“No! Ugh, no. I’m not in that kind of relationship with Hyung!”
“I saw it with my own two eyes, so where is this lie coming from, Sunbae? I didn’t see everything, but you’ve become quite shameless lately.”
“Let go…. I can’t…!”
The moment he said he couldn’t breathe, Ju-hwan pulled him even harder. Only when Jeong-min’s lips turned pale as his airway tightened did Ju-hwan throw him onto the sofa.
“First Yu Shin-woo, then Ji Su-han. Following Alphas around like that, you’re worse than an Omega in heat. If you had become an Omega, you would have been the greatest temptress in the world; what a waste.”
“Say whatever you want. Just help me.”
“Do you think I’ll help you?”
“I’ll do anything. Please…. help me. Ridiculously, you’re the only person I can ask for help. As you know, my family has eyes everywhere; word will get out somehow. But not with you. That’s why I’m asking. Please.”
Looking at Jeong-min pleading on the floor, Ju-hwan was overcome by an impulse to kill him. He didn’t know why he felt this way, but he felt estranged from himself for having the horrific thought of snapping that neck right here and decorating the room with it.
An unbearable rage surged through his entire body. However, the more that happened, the colder Kim Ju-hwan became. Ju-hwan thought. Until the cigarette filter burned out. Then, at the moment the last ash fell, he gave a thin smile.
“Fine. I’ll help you.”
“Kim Ju-hwan.”
“In exchange, I have one request, Sunbae.”
“…Anything… just say it.”
“Don’t act like you’re about to offer your body. It looks cheap. I have no interest in an Alpha’s body.”
“What is it you want?”
“Instead, let’s make a bet.”
“A bet?”
“Since liking Alphas seems to be your preference, let’s put that aside. I’ve become curious about Ji Su-han. Sunbae, do you trust him no matter what? That ‘Alpha’?”
“…I trust him.”
“Then I’ll bet on the opposite result.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“You’ll find out soon. Just wait for my contact. The moment you win the bet, I’ll send a private jet filled with gold bars into the sky for you.”