By Zephyria For a moment, Ashley didn’t realize what he had heard.
Huff, huff, heaving with only rough breaths, he barely raised his head and soon met the eyes of the secretary who was looking down at him. He opened his mouth with a cool face as usual.
“Do you remember getting a blood test?”
Ashley just panted and listened. The secretary continued.
“Pheromones have accumulated to a dangerous level. You’ve never properly dealt with them before, have you? It’s only natural that you’re going into rut.”
“Then, this is…… what on earth.”
He was completely out of his mind. Pheromones that were similar to his own but different, and unfamiliar scents were swirling around him. Above all, this unfamiliar scent made it impossible to maintain his sanity. His chest felt like it was burning and his lower abdomen throbbed. Ashley, who barely made a sound while repeatedly gasping for breath, was told by the secretary.
“It’s a Pheromone party, for extreme Alphas.”
At first, he didn’t understand what that meant. The secretary opened his mouth to Ashley, who was just looking at him.
“I’ll convey Mr. Miller’s words.”
Ashley stared blankly at the slowly moving red lips. His lips moved slowly, as if in slow motion.
“Junior.”
〈Junior.〉
The man’s cold voice echoed in his ears. The secretary continued in a stiff tone.
“Get rid of all the accumulated Pheromones.”
He smiled at Ashley. The acrid scent of cigars and a deadly sweet scent revived at the tip of his nose.
〈It’s a New Year’s gift.〉
“Don’t…… talk such bullshit.”
Ashley tried to leave the spot, cursing. But the moment he got up with all his strength, he staggered again and collapsed. Two guards who were guarding the hallway came and stood on either side of him. The secretary opened his mouth between the guards who were waiting to stop him immediately if necessary.
“Do you know what effect extreme Alpha pheromones have on the brain? And what happens when they accumulate? So, we’re setting up a place to get rid of those pheromones in advance, on a regular basis.”
He was clearly talking, but Ashley couldn’t understand. Pheromones, what? The secretary noticed his still dazed face, but it was already expected. He just kept talking about what he had to say.
“There are several ways to get rid of pheromones, but there’s nothing more certain and efficient than this. That’s right, sex.”
The secretary deliberately looked around the hall once. Ashley also followed his actions as if possessed. The secretary opened his mouth, looking at the people who were tangled up in a mess.
“There are plenty of Omegas, so go and take care of it. That’s why we’re gathered here. It’s okay, Mr. Miller. You’ll soon be completely unconscious because of the pheromones anyway. Then your body will move instinctively.”
Haa, haa. Ashley just kept panting. He had been talking since a while ago, but he couldn’t understand at all. This terrible scent that filled his lungs every time he breathed was driving him crazy. The secretary, who looked down at him, gave him a light piece of advice.
“I heard there’s even an extreme Omega here. You know how hard it is to find an extreme Omega, right? Make good use of the opportunity.”
“Wait, just…….”
Ashley tried to grab him urgently. But his whole body was so weak that he couldn’t even reach out his hand. All he could do was try not to lose his mind. The secretary, who looked down at him, added one last thing.
“I hope you have a good time.”
He turned around and walked away, and as if that was a signal, the guards grabbed Ashley from both sides and pushed him into the hall.
“No……!”
Ashley shouted, but the door was firmly closed. And he was left alone in the pheromone scent that filled the room.
*
“Hmm hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm hmm.”
Koi hummed as he cleaned diligently. The New Year was coming soon. He had told Father that he couldn’t go home because of his part-time job. Of course, Father didn’t seem to like it, but he didn’t bother to say anything he didn’t want to hear.
I wish it could be like this every day.
Koi thought and patted the cushion to remove the dust. Everything was peaceful. His part-time job income had increased and his college entrance exam preparation was going smoothly. Koi was having the most satisfying days of his life so far. Except for one thing.
Ash is not here.
The feeling he had been excited about until now subsided at once as he thought of him. He had even lied to Father and was waiting at the mansion, thinking that he might come today, but it was just a foolish expectation.
He said he would come after the New Year, you fool.
He scolded himself for having such absurd expectations even after clearly talking to Ash on the phone. When he stopped moving, the huge mansion sank into silence at once. It was Koi’s first time staying here alone at this time, so he felt strange.
So this is such a quiet place.
His heart ached as he thought about always leaving Ashley alone and returning. Ash had always lived here alone.
How lonely he must have been…….
His heart ached anew, and he sighed. Still, it’s a relief, because he’ll be with his family there. Ashley didn’t say very good things about his family, but it would still be better than being alone here. Of course, if he had been here, he would have spent Christmas and New Year’s with Koi, but he would have been alone on other days.
At least he’s with other people every day there…….
On the other hand, Koi had been alone all the time he was gone. He had continued to maintain his friendship with the guys on the ice hockey team and the kids on the Cheerleading Team, but they always spent time with their families on holidays. Because of that, Koi had no choice but to spend time alone.
Ash and I are the same…….
He felt even more lonely when he realized this. In the end, he whispered in a small voice.
“I miss you, Ash.”He clamped his mouth shut, realizing his voice had been too loud. Just then, his cell phone rang, startling him. Koi, flustered, quickly answered, his eyes widening.
“Ash?”
*
Hearing the longed-for voice call out so happily, Ashley closed his eyes. He was breathless and disoriented. No, that wasn’t the only reason.
The Pheromone that had been building up inside him had gone berserk at the scent of an Omega, triggering a full-blown rut. His insides burned, and he couldn’t think straight. He huddled on the floor of the cramped room, gasping for air as he spoke.
“Koi.”
Koi responded joyfully from the other end of the line, hearing him barely manage to utter his name.
“Ash, what’s going on? Did you call to wish me a happy New Year?”
…What?
Ashley paused, then pulled the phone away from his ear to check the time. Koi asked,
“You must be exhausted. Did you set your alarm to match my time? It’s three in the morning there.”
Ah… Finally understanding, Ashley took a moment to catch his breath before replying.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Ashley managed to mumble between shallow breaths.
“Happy New Year, Koi.”
“Happy New Year.”
Koi’s voice was full of joy. Hearing it made Ashley feel happy too. His mind was drowning in Pheromone, desperate to release it somewhere, but the desire to hear Koi’s voice suppressed it.
“…It’s a good thing… you’re not here… right now.”
“What?”
Koi asked, sounding confused. He clearly doubted what he’d heard. Ashley wanted to laugh, but he didn’t have the strength.
“I bought… the ring, Koi.”
Koi asked cautiously, hearing the panting breaths between his words.
“The ring?”
“Yeah.”
Hooo, the trembling breaths shook the phone’s receiver.
“The last proposal… was a total mess, wasn’t it?”
Ashley recalled through his hazy consciousness. He couldn’t quite remember when it had been. Strange, had it been that long ago?
“I was going to get down on my knee and propose properly… when I saw you this time.”
“Ash…?”
Koi called his name hesitantly. Even the densest person would realize something was wrong at this point. Koi sounded clearly anxious. He probably wanted to ask what was going on, but Ashley spoke first.
“Koi.”
“Yeah.”
Ashley gasped for air and said to the hurried reply,
“Marry me, Koi.”
His voice wavered uncontrollably. Koi swallowed hard at the sound of his breaking breaths before answering.
“Yeah.”
“…I love you, do, Koi.”
“I love you too.”
Koi said firmly.
“No, I love you, Ashley Miller.”
Ashley finally let out a weak laugh. Koi couldn’t hold back any longer and was about to ask what was going on, but Ashley hung up before he could. He couldn’t take it anymore.
Haa, haa.
He staggered and pushed himself up. He barely managed to reach out and grope around until he found the toilet. Ashley leaned over and began to vomit into it.
Approximately thirty minutes later, his secretary found him passed out, a crumpled mess in the grimy stall of a deserted gas station bathroom in the middle of nowhere.