By Zephyria 
“Haa…”
Jeong-min pressed his tired eyes, the result of not sleeping properly. Even after parting with Kim Ju-hwan, he had sat alone at the bar and continued drinking. Even after returning home, sleep wouldn’t come, and he spent a long time staring awake through the night.
His mind was complicated. Does an Omega who is a 100% match for Yu Shin-woo even exist in this world? Standard Alphas and Omegas sometimes take a matching test before marriage, like checking compatibility, but getting a 100% result was nearly impossible.
However, according to Kim Ju-hwan, if the pheromones didn’t fit Shin-woo even slightly, there was a high probability he would experience hypersensitivity. That meant that even if a cure existed, it was nearly impossible…
The only hope was that the imprint had lasted slightly longer when the Sunbae took a matching test with a British-Korean, and as the Sunbae had mentioned before, he could only cling to the fact that the pheromone rejection was less severe with Asians.
“It’s not easy. It’s not easy…”
“What isn’t?”
Other doctors walking behind Jeong-min asked.
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
“How dull. Anyway, it seems like the number of trait patients has increased since the research institute opened. At this rate, we’ll become a trait specialty hospital.”
“Our hospital is the best trait hospital in the country… isn’t that a good thing?”
“That’s how talk of discrimination starts. Don’t forget that Betas make up 30% of our society.”
“Ah, I suppose so. But I heard that the number of Betas who manifest late has increased significantly recently.”
“Ah, I heard that too. Wasn’t there someone in our hospital not long ago? Someone who didn’t know they’d become an Omega and just kept taking cold medicine.”
“Yes, that’s right. But it’s increasing not just in our country, but globally. I don’t know if this is a discriminatory remark or not, but to put it carefully… the trait society is talking about evolution. It seems the final evolution of humans is the trait, and Betas are gradually evolving, and because they are unconsciously exposed to trait pheromones, they seem to manifest…”
“Like how you unconsciously become a smoker if there’s a smoker next to you?”
“Yes, exactly that. These days, there’s at least one Omega or Alpha in every household.”
“That might be the case, but don’t blindly believe those old men at the society. They’re just old folks obsessed with evolution theory.”
“Ah, I know. But there’s no way an Alpha becomes an Omega or an Omega becomes an Alpha, right?”
“Why? You scared? Scared you’ll become an Omega even though you’re an Alpha?”
“No! I don’t mind either way, I’m just curious.”
“If that happened, wouldn’t it cause chaos? I think a trait individual’s trait changing would be a bigger deal than a Beta becoming a trait individual… Then, evolution theory or whatever, our hospital would be turned upside down immediately.”
“True… Ah, what do you think, Dr. Shin?”
“About what?”
“A Beta becoming a trait individual.”
“I think it wouldn’t be bad. I hear there are many Betas who feel alienated because they aren’t trait individuals. But it’s a bit sad that a member of society would disappear. I’d prefer it to be maintained if possible… but then again, it’s not like it happens according to our will…”
“What about an Omega becoming an Alpha, or an Alpha becoming an Omega?”
“That’s also not something that happens according to my will…”
As Jeong-min continued talking, he felt a sense of déjà vu. Kim Ju-hwan had said it yesterday.
‘Sunbae Shin Jeong-min. It will be hurtful to you. You might have to dig up something you’ve buried deep in your heart.’
He hadn’t known what he meant at the time. He thought he was just talking nonsense as usual…
Jeong-min clenched his fists. He was so angry he couldn’t stand it. If he had realized the meaning of those words then, he probably would have thrown a punch. Jeong-min tightly gripped the fabric of his shirt over his chest, where Kim Ju-hwan had pointed. It will not go as Kim Ju-hwan wants. This time is different from then. Therefore, he will absolutely not dig it up. This must be buried even deeper.
✽✽✽
“Welcome. Jeong-min.”
Yu Shin-woo greeted Jeong-min with a bright smile. Seeing that smile made the fatigue of the day vanish, but on the other hand, his heart felt heavy.
“It’s not much, but come on in.”
“Thanks, Hyung.”
Jeong-min forced a smile and entered Shin-woo’s home. Seeing Jeong-min suddenly rummage through his bag as if remembering something while taking off his shoes, Shin-woo tilted his head.
“I’ll just spray this.”
Jeong-min smiled awkwardly and sprayed a spray on his body. It was something Shin-woo knew well. It was a pheromone neutralizer.
“You don’t have to be that concerned. I took my medicine. I’m fine for a few hours.”
“Still… I should do what I can.”
Having taken an alpha suppressant just in case, Jeong-min thoroughly applied the neutralizer and stepped into Shin-woo’s home. After living in a hotel upon arriving in Korea, he had found a place to live alone. It was an officetel about a 20-minute walk from the hospital. Located on the 20th floor, the officetel had high ceilings as befitting the top floor, making the space feel open and airy. With mountains in front and the city behind, both the location and the view were excellent.
“Wow, the natural light is really great.”
When Jeong-min spoke with a smile, Shin-woo nodded.
“Right? As soon as I saw the light, I signed the contract immediately. It was a bit hard in the US or UK because there wasn’t much light. So in Korea, I absolutely wanted a place where the light comes in well.”
“True. Those countries are like that. When I went to the UK for a society meeting a long time ago, I was surprised by how early the sun set. I thought, ‘I can live like this for about two days,’ but then, like clockwork, I became depressed from the third day. That’s when I thought I couldn’t do anything but be in Korea.”
“Haha, I know what you mean.”
While engaging in natural daily conversation, Shin-woo took Jeong-min’s coat and bag to hang them up, handed him a glass of water, and guided him through the house. His officetel was reminiscent of a model home, and the decisive part was the room on the second floor filled with gym equipment. A variety of exercise machines were lined up, enough to make any gym envious.
“Hyung, you must have spent a lot of money.”
“I figured if I was going to do it, I should do it properly.”
“I can cancel my gym membership now. I can just do it here?”
“Sure. Come every day and work out with me.”
Actually, Jeong-min thought he was just telling him to come over and hang out, but he was wrong. Shin-woo sincerely seemed to want to work out with him. This wasn’t bad either. Jeong-min smiled and said he would go change, taking workout clothes out of his bag. Then, suddenly feeling a gaze, he looked beside him to find Shin-woo smiling slightly awkwardly.
“Shin-woo hyung. Why?”
“Just because.”
“It’s not ‘just because’.”
“I just thought it was so like you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You always listen to me seriously. Other people would ask why I’m working out and suggest we just play, but you’ve already brought all your workout gear. It’s proof that you didn’t take my words lightly.”
“What… you’re making me blush. I just did it because Hyung asked.”
Jeong-min gripped the workout clothes tightly in his hand. Then, Shin-woo approached and patted Jeong-min on the shoulder.
“I know. That’s why I said it’s so like you. Go change quickly. I’ll get ready too. I was so excited at the thought of working out with you.”
“Weren’t you thinking of skipping out with me?”
“That’s good too.”
Looking at Shin-woo, who smiled kindly while saying that, Jeong-min gripped the workout clothes even tighter. No. I must bury it. Because those feelings are wrong. Jeong-min quickly entered the bathroom, saying he’d be right back. The large bathroom had no scent at all. Not even the scent of soap.
It hit him suddenly that this was what Shin-woo’s life was like. The life he had to live from now on. How could he have ended up so broken? Could there have been another way? The more he thought about it, the only thing that came to him was the regret that he should never have sent him to America.
“Phew…”
No. Let’s not think like this today. Hyung invited me for the first time in a while, so I should smile. I should spend the day happily.
Jeong-min came out after changing. In the meantime, Shin-woo had also changed into workout clothes and was waiting.
“Wow, Shin Jeong-min. You’ve all grown up.”
Shin-woo said, looking at Jeong-min. Indeed, even though he was wearing loose workout clothes, the firm muscles and the lines of his body could not be hidden.
“Right? I’ve grown up, but why do I see a beer belly on Hyung?”
“Ah! Was I caught?”
Shin-woo pretended to rub a non-existent beer belly. The sight was so funny that Jeong-min laughed for a long time as he went up to the second floor with Shin-woo to work out. Then, they spent over two hours just exercising. They chatted, corrected each other’s posture… for the first time in a long while, he spent a normal day with Shin-woo. Like a dream…