By Zephyria 
“From Korea, that is, um… ah, they’re from the Royal Hospital. They’re here to work on this policy studies project with us…”
The professor adjusted his glasses and awkwardly introduced Seo Baek-han. She clearly wanted to escape the situation immediately. Just as I had researched. A quirky individual, only interested in research, clumsy in social activities.
“Liam, could you please show the Director around the lab? I’m sorry, Director. I have… a meeting today that’s difficult to reschedule.”
“Yes, that’s fine. I came without prior notice, so please go ahead with your work.”
“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Hello.”
As the professor hurried away as if his tail were on fire, the young Omega greeted Seo Baek-han as if he had been waiting. Was he hoping for a handshake? He approached to a suitable distance, fidgeting his hands unnecessarily, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
As he knew Joo Tae-hyun well, he seemed to already know who I was.
Liam…
He knew all the names and brief information of the researchers, staff, and even undergraduate students in Joo Tae-hyun’s lab. Perhaps he was flustered by the sudden rush of Joo Tae-hyun’s pheromone, but for a moment, nothing came to mind. His vision flashed white, as if struck by lightning.
“…Seo Baek-han. I don’t particularly prefer titles, so feel free to call me comfortably.”
When Seo Baek-han didn’t end up offering a handshake, Liam stepped back with an awkward smile.
“I will. Um, our lab doesn’t really have much to see. You know how boring policy studies are.”
Liam shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly and gestured around.
“Shall we start with this lab? This is—”
“It’s fine. I really only came to see Professor today.”
He had rushed over hoping to catch a glimpse of Joo Tae-hyun from afar. He had no intention of wasting precious time looking at the lab or exchanging pleasantries with other researchers.
“Wow, it’s really similar. Tae-hyun talks with that kind of tone too.”
Did he sense my displeasure at Seo Baek-han’s polite refusal? Liam dropped the topic of the uninteresting lab tour and brought up his own interests.
“It’s like, you know, that English spoken by students who graduated from private schools? It sounds even smarter than a native speaker’s.”
“Is that so?”
The initial fluster from Joo Tae-hyun’s pheromone that suddenly wafted from Liam subsided, and Seo Baek-han regained his composure.
He vaguely recalled Liam’s basic personal details. Liam. The Omega son of this school’s chairman. The youngest of many siblings, born to a same-sex female couple. Was he a year younger than Joo Tae-hyun?
Still, Joo Tae-hyun wouldn’t associate with a bastard like that.
Would he get close enough to someone to have their pheromones transferred, to a rude person who spews evaluations about your English proficiency to a stranger from another country?
As Liam said, Joo Tae-hyun had many similarities to me. And as far as I knew, Joo Tae-hyun would never let someone like that get close.
“Ah, right. Tae-hyun isn’t here today.”
Then there was only one answer. Liam didn’t act so carelessly in front of Joo Tae-hyun.
“Tae-hyun. Tae… Ah, his name is too difficult to pronounce.”
The reason was probably that bastard’s interest in Joo Tae-hyun.
“Tae-hyun told me to call him comfortably, but if I really call him as I please, he teases me, saying I sound like a baby.”
It seemed like that bastard was trying to provoke me. His deliberate cute act and mangled pronunciation of Joo Tae-hyun’s name suggested as much.
“Ha, fuck.” Seo Baek-han rubbed his dry eyes and chided himself. Was it because he hadn’t slept well? He had really gone too far. Why was he taking this seriously, dealing with a child like that?
“By the way, Baek-han. It feels a bit awkward to bring this up on our first meeting, but—”
“If it feels like it would be rude, wouldn’t it be better not to bring it up at all?”
Liam’s eyes widened as Seo Baek-han cut him off with a faint smile. He hadn’t expected to be rejected so bluntly.
Well, Joo Tae-hyun would never embarrass someone like this. Even if his expressions didn’t change much, Tae-hyun was kind and had a soft side.
“Since we’ll be seeing each other for a while, I don’t want to misunderstand Liam.”
But I was different. Making people’s insides churn with a bright smile was also Seo Baek-han’s specialty. Whether the other person was young or not, he didn’t care. It was easier to nip it in the bud.
“Uh, um…”
A flustered Liam scratched his temple awkwardly.
“I wasn’t trying to blame Liam. But we’re from different cultures, so let’s be careful with each other.”
As Seo Baek-han turned to leave, saying he’d see him tomorrow, Liam hurried over.
“Just a moment.”
The young Omega lowered his eyes, looking dejected.
“I did intend to pick a fight with Baek-han. I apologize for that. But this is something Baek-han needs to know… Tae-hyun, his pheromone control hasn’t been good lately.”
…What?
“It’s not a major issue, just that Tae-hyun’s trace is left a bit stronger in places he’s stayed.”
As he said this, Liam pushed open the door to the nearest lab.
…Ah. Seo Baek-han closed his eyes briefly and opened them. It was because Joo Tae-hyun’s scent, which had been subtly lingering throughout the space, poured out. The imprinting partner’s pheromone, encountered after so long, was so sweet it felt like he could die. His heart felt like it could burst at any moment.
“It’s been especially like this lately. Tae-hyun knows about it, but he seems to be neglecting it, as if there’s no solution.”
Seo Baek-han took a deep breath, calming his pounding pulse.
It wouldn’t be a serious problem. If it were, the DH side would have informed him first. They would have bypassed all other topics but wouldn’t have let the news of Joo Tae-hyun’s poor condition pass by.
Thinking he should contact Doctor Woo, Seo Baek-han nodded lightly.
“I understand what you’re saying.”
Yes, at least Liam’s concern for Joo Tae-hyun seemed genuine.
“Liam, I understand your concern for Tae-hyun. However, it was careless. To blab about a shifter’s pheromone issues so easily.”
“I don’t do that to just anyone. Besides, I heard Baek-han is famous in morphology. So, I hope you can watch Tae-hyun’s condition closely and help him.”
Liam looked directly into Seo Baek-han’s eyes and clearly stated his feelings, wishing Joo Tae-hyun would stop hurting. He didn’t explicitly say he liked Joo Tae-hyun, but his emotions were palpable.
Didn’t I feel the same from Joo Tae-hyun? Even in his short question about whether I was back from work, I felt an undeniable affection and tenderness.
“Haha.”
Seo Baek-han placed one hand on his hip and gazed at the tip of his shoe for a moment.
Joo Tae-hyun is an Alpha. If he didn’t like me, dating an Omega or Beta like that would have been natural; he’s an attractive Alpha anyone would notice.
It was only now that it truly hit me that he had loved me so much that he would give up everything he had. While the thought was deeply painful, I also felt a sense of unease, which I found amusing. On the journey to Washington, I was so overwhelmed thinking about Joo Tae-hyun that I hadn’t anticipated the possibility of rivals.
Joo Tae-hyun dating someone else. Joo Tae-hyun dreaming of a future with someone else. Another Omega comforting him for the wounds I inflicted…
The mere thought made my head spin.
What Joo Tae-hyun loved wasn’t a same-sex Alpha, but ‘Seo Baek-han.’ And now, he had turned away from the existence of Seo Baek-han, disgusted by it.
Could I, an Alpha, gain the upper hand against an Omega?
“Then, since Baek-han’s misunderstanding about me has been cleared, shall we start the lab tour in earnest? This is—”
“It’s fine. I can hear it directly from Tae-hyun tomorrow.”
As Seo Baek-han gently drew a line, Liam’s usually smiling face stiffened slightly.
“I’ll gratefully accept your kindness. Let’s get along well from now on, Liam.”
Seo Baek-han turned away with a slight nod to Secretary Nam and the other staff.
“Ah, right. I won’t let Tae-hyun know about what I heard from Liam.”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly as I said. We’re scheduled to meet later anyway, so I’ll be able to tell Tae-hyun’s condition right away… and more importantly, Tae-hyun dislikes people talking about him behind his back in any way.”
“……”
“Joo Tae-hyun is proud. But he’s also very affectionate… He wouldn’t want to say harsh things to a younger person. And yet, he doesn’t not get stressed by it. Let’s keep what we discussed today a secret from him.”
“But—”
“Besides, Liam, you weren’t saying that out of genuine concern for Tae-hyun, were you? You said it for me to hear.”
And it was true that I was inwardly furious. Treating Liam’s attempt at deterrence as the transparent actions of a child, his face turned red.
Seo Baek-han left the lab corridor, leaving Liam unable to respond.
Does Joo Tae-hyun find this type of person comfortable? Cheon Seung-pil, Liam… they’re all such simpletons.
“Um, Director.”
Secretary Nam, who had remained silent throughout the childish charade, sighed and held out his phone.
“I’m sorry, but you should probably take this call…”
The caller was Joo Tae-hyun’s father, Chairman Joo Il-wook.
Seo Baek-han nodded and waved his hand at his staff. It seemed I would have to go down the stairs alone.
“Hello, Father.”
A booming voice that seemed to ask, “Who’s your father?” echoed from the phone. Accustomed to such encounters, Seo Baek-han pulled the phone slightly away from his ear and continued speaking nonchalantly.
“I apologize. I intended to contact you right after landing, but I was also preoccupied. …Ah, as for His Highness Prince Lee—”
The daunting presentation preparation was somehow completed.
I was reminded again why people value routine. Even with my heart elsewhere, having tasks to complete before me prevented me from getting too lost in other thoughts.
“…No contact at all.”
Still, I kept checking my phone while working, but there was no particular word from my family yet. Only messages from Liam, who kept pestering me to come over after finishing work, piled up.
They must be debating how to break the news to me. I felt guilty that the adults seemed to be tiptoeing around me.
I don’t know why such a trivial unrequited love of mine is causing so many people trouble.
Joo Tae-hyun fiddled with his phone for a moment, then stretched with a long yawn and stood up. It would be better to do something, like run around the neighborhood or go for a drive, rather than dwell on these gloomy thoughts.
Not to resent myself for liking Seo Baek-han.
Not to blame myself for not getting over it quickly.
Lately, Joo Tae-hyun had been trying to affirm himself.
When he ran away to America a few months ago, he was frustrated with himself for not being more decisive with Seo Baek-han. He hated himself for saying he would give up everything, yet his actions didn’t seem to change much.
But looking back now, it was natural that he couldn’t just shake it off and move on immediately.
No matter how luxurious a car, it cannot stop smoothly the moment the brakes are applied. The chassis will lurch significantly, and unsightly tire marks will be left on the road. The driver’s body, tense with effort, will also sway.
He decided to stop blaming himself for what was a natural phenomenon, something anyone would experience.
…So, I should be able to get through this one too.
As long as Seo Baek-han is ‘Seo Baek-han,’ it’s impossible to live without ever encountering him. Hadn’t I prepared for this? The day had just come a little sooner; it was something I had to face eventually.
“Hmm, maybe I’ll go for a swim.”
His own voice, speaking aloud, felt very awkward.
“Yes, let’s go swimming and eat something delicious.”
It was Doctor Woo’s advice to speak out the sentences that crossed his mind when having negative thoughts alone. Not to find his own voice, his subconscious, unfamiliar.
He had lost interest in running and had stashed his goggles and swimsuit somewhere, so he had to find them first.
“I think it was around here.”
Since he was using minimal staff, the house wasn’t very tidy. The walk-in closet, while appearing neat from the outside, was a mess of clothes shoved in everywhere.
He should set aside some time soon to sort it all out. Good, it’s better to do something when you’re feeling down. Thinking this, he rummaged through the sportswear drawer when the doorbell rang.
“…Who could it be?”
He hadn’t ordered anything. He was momentarily wary, as there was no food delivery or package expected, when he suddenly remembered Liam’s message about coming over after work.
Ah, I don’t have the energy to deal with Liam today.
Although the age difference wasn’t that significant, Liam would cling to him like a child. Showing up at someone’s house without permission? It wasn’t the first time.
Thanks to Liam’s boisterous presence, there were times he forgot his melancholy, but today, he just wanted to spend time alone quietly and go to bed early. I’m sorry, but I have to firmly turn him away now.
“I’m sorry, Liam.”
Joo Tae-hyun opened the front door, running a hand through his hair as if exhausted. He hadn’t unlocked all the locks, so only a sliver of his eye was visible through the gap.
“I’m a bit—”
Joo Tae-hyun trailed off, blinking blankly.
“……”
Through the locked gap, he saw unfamiliar shoes, not Liam’s usual sneakers. No… they weren’t unfamiliar. He couldn’t not* know them. They weren’t Liam’s, so he was momentarily flustered, but Joo Tae-hyun knew very well the person who favored this design of dress shoes.
“That kid is coming into my house?”
Through the narrow gap, he saw the man’s eyes, tinged with a smile.
“Tae-hyun.”
…It was Seo Baek-han, whom he hadn’t seen in three months.