“Ah…”

Joo Tae-hyun, who creaked for a moment like a poorly oiled robot, soon shook his head briefly.

Still, this was a huge improvement. The last time they’d discussed a similar topic while viewing an exhibition together at the National Museum of Korea, he’d reacted completely differently.

‘Huh? Why… why are you asking me that?’

‘Is it so surprising that I’m asking if you’re living with your boyfriend? You were the one going on about being fucked by the same Alpha, weren’t you?’

Since the special exhibition was just an excuse anyway, the two of them slowly wandered through the exhibition hall, exchanging conversation.

Seo Baek-han, after reviewing Joo Tae-hyun’s drug test results, asked him if he remembered who he was seeing and who he’d slept with. From Seo Baek-han’s perspective, it was something he needed to check.

‘This isn’t about whether or not I’m marrying you. I absolutely cannot stand the thought of seeing you in the news with a headline like “〈Haechi〉 Member Joo Commits Disgraceful Act.”‘

‘…’

‘If you’re uncomfortable with me having my secretary investigate, you can just write down the names of the people you’ve slept with. I’ll check it out myself. I just need to periodically confirm if you’re going around telling people you take Switch (likely referring to a drug or substance).’

Even after Seo Baek-han had kindly explained it in a way that anyone could easily understand, Joo Tae-hyun remained stiff and speechless.

Seo Baek-han chose to stand still and wait for him to react properly. It wasn’t to give him time to think or compose himself. It was to pressure Joo Tae-hyun into speaking, as he wouldn’t be able to endure it otherwise.

‘I don’t have anyone I’m seeing right now… and the people I’ve slept with…’

As expected, Joo Tae-hyun lost. He managed to open his mouth, but hesitated for a long time, keeping the most important words hidden inside.

‘Speak comfortably. I don’t care if you had a threesome or threw an orgy.’

‘Huh? N-no, nothing like that at all.’

‘You know it’s going to be way harder to deal with if I find out later, right?’

‘…’

‘It’s really okay. I never thought someone who’s gone as far as taking Switch (likely referring to a drug or substance) would have had a normal sex life in the first place. I’m not trying to criticize your promiscuous private life, I just really want to confirm the facts.’

Whether he choked on his saliva or wanted to avoid the situation… in any case, Joo Tae-hyun coughed roughly for quite a while.

‘I don’t have those kinds of tastes… it’s just.’

Joo Tae-hyun mumbled, covering his mouth, that he’d only slept with a few bodyguards out of curiosity. The confession he hesitantly made after a long time was bland and anticlimactic compared to what Seo Baek-han had been expecting.

‘I don’t go out much, so I don’t really have the chance to meet people in the first place.’

As if he didn’t think Seo Baek-han would believe him, Joo Tae-hyun also rattled off excuses. He was also wary of people and couldn’t trust just anyone, and any trouble he caused had to be something his parents could handle, but he was curious about sex… just the usual stories.

Sorry, but it was so boring that it made Seo Baek-han want to yawn. He would have preferred to hear about reckless escapades instead.

“Ah, um, he’s busy.”

Joo Tae-hyun hadn’t changed much since then. Except for having changed boyfriends several times, he still reacted to this topic in a boring and tedious way.

“You said he’s in the same lab as you?”

“…Yes, that’s right. He’s busy these days anyway, and, cough, I feel bad asking him to come all the way to Korea. Besides, I’m going back to the States today anyway, so what’s the point?”

Joo Tae-hyun fiddled endlessly with the wedding ring on his left ring finger. As if it was anything more than a meaningless object. It seemed he was feeling a pang of conscience now that the topic of his boyfriend had come up.

“Your boyfriend must be very upset. Even if it’s a contractual relationship, marriage is marriage. No one would be happy to hear that the boyfriend they’ve been seeing is registering a marriage with another guy. Plus, you’re moving back to Korea now, so it’s suddenly a long-distance relationship.”

When Seo Baek-han suggested he go back and comfort him, Joo Tae-hyun readily agreed.

Having watched him for about two years, Seo Baek-han didn’t think Joo Tae-hyun was the type to treat his boyfriend very well. Whenever they were together, he would put his phone far away and never seemed to contact anyone. If Seo Baek-han hadn’t separately found out that the same person from his lab regularly visited Joo Tae-hyun’s house in Washington and that he was steadily buying Switch (likely referring to a drug or substance), he would have doubted whether he even had a boyfriend at all.

“I’ll say it again, whether it’s a boyfriend or a one-night stand, be careful not to leave any photos or records.”

“……Yes.”

“You always clam up whenever this topic comes up, so I’m saying this because I’m worried.”

Was he being too overbearing? Seo Baek-han was well aware that he was acting like a nagging parent. But just looking at his face, who would imagine that Joo Tae-hyun would be taking Switch (likely referring to a drug or substance) and living such a promiscuous life?

He handed over the data whenever asked, and there was nothing particularly strange when Seo Baek-han investigated, so he would just have to poke at him like this from time to time. He still seemed to be pretending in front of him, but it was necessary to keep him on edge like this. Who knew what kind of trouble he might cause if he relaxed completely.

Seo Baek-han fully agreed with the need for Switch (likely referring to a drug or substance), but he didn’t look favorably on people who used it for the same purpose as Joo Tae-hyun. It was one thing to take the drug because you had no choice due to your beloved’s similar constitution, but it was another to become addicted to it because you were obsessed with sex.

And the order in which those who chased dopamine and stimulation caused trouble was usually similar.

Just look at his transfer to Pyeongyang University. He was a crazy bastard who took the exam on his own and then just notified him.

“Don’t forget that you’re supposed to tell me right away if you need any help. Don’t contact your family and upset them for no reason.”

“Um… hmm, yes. But I don’t think I’ll be bothering you, hyung.”

“I’m not just saying it. How many times have I told you? It’s much easier to deal with things in the early stages. And when it comes to covering up these kinds of things, power sometimes works better than money.”

Despite the casual offer, Joo Tae-hyun’s gaze lingered on Seo Baek-han for quite a while. Seo Baek-han wondered if he had something to say and raised his head, but he just shrugged as if it was nothing.

When Seo Baek-han mouthed, “Why?” Joo Tae-hyun also just mouthed, “Just grateful.”

“You’re so bland.”

Seo Baek-han ruffled Joo Tae-hyun’s neatly combed hair.

Joo Tae-hyun, straightening his back to make it easier for Seo Baek-han to pat him, was no different from a big dog, except he didn’t shed. He used to flinch and shrug his shoulders at the slightest touch, but now he seemed to have gotten used to it and even assumed a comfortable posture for both of them.

“Oh, and Tae-hyun.”

“Yes.”

“Take a look at this… ah, the battery’s dead.”

“What is it?”

“Pheromone neutralizer. I had a product name I found in advance… I’ll send it to you later.”

Joo Tae-hyun’s eyes widened at the words “pheromone neutralizer.” This was an extremely strong reaction for Joo Tae-hyun.

“Why? Do I smell bad or something?”

By Zephyria

Hello, I'm Zephyria, an avid BL reader^^ I post AI/Machine assisted translation. Mostly BL. Check my Ko-fi for more HSA chapters~

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