10 – Treatment

As Seo Jeong-woon had said, he tried it thinking he’d be fooled, but surprisingly, kissing was truly effective for pheromone rejection syndrome. The rejection symptoms hadn’t completely disappeared, but he could manage reasonably well when riding the elevator or when an employee who couldn’t control their pheromones passed by. It was a subtle difference, but that alone was encouraging.

Until now, he had failed to alleviate pheromone rejection syndrome with any medication or injection.

‘Is it just that my condition is good enough to endure?’

However, since there were too many variables, he couldn’t hastily conclude that he had absorbed pheromones through the mucous membrane. It might be because he had been eating well. Or it could be the effect of being exposed to a lot of Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones.

On his way home, Do Yi-hyun immediately called the Doctor to ask.

-Absorb pheromones through the mucous membrane? There have been some related studies recently. A few papers have been published in the US. But the applicable cases are so few that it’s ambiguous to say it’s effective. Why are you asking?

Could I coincidentally be included in that rare minority?

Do Yi-hyun wiped his face.

“…….”

Do Yi-hyun said nothing. He couldn’t bring himself to say that he had kissed his superior and his pheromone rejection syndrome had improved. Nor did he feel like lying.

-……I see. But even if you have a constitution that can absorb through the mucous membrane, it doesn’t mean you can absorb Alpha pheromones with poor compatibility.

The Doctor, who had grasped the situation from the awkward silence, spoke with evident discomfort.

-Is your physical condition okay?

“Yes, it’s much better now.”

-Hoo. I see. If anything happens, come to the hospital anytime.

“Thank you.”

Despite the worried words, the Doctor’s tone was brusque. Do Yi-hyun silently nodded. The two had a relationship beyond just doctor and patient.

As soon as he hung up, his phone rang repeatedly. Seeing the name “Vice President Seo Jeong-woon” on the screen, Do Yi-hyun slowly moved his finger.

“Hello.”

-Umm, Lee Hyun. Where are you? You’re not in the office.

Do Yi-hyun tapped the steering wheel. The affectionate voice coming through the receiver felt very awkward. In contrast, Seo Jeong-woon acted as if they called each other every day, without any hesitation.

“……The underground parking lot.”

Do Yi-hyun swallowed dryly and answered in a low voice.

-You already left work? We agreed to have dinner together. Why didn’t you wait and leave first?

Seo Jeong-woon fired off questions in an urgent tone. Though hazy as if foggy, his expression, likely filled with irritation, came to mind.

“I’ll stop by home first and then go to your place.”

-……To my place?

The reply came late, as if the answer was unexpected. What expression was he making now? Do Yi-hyun lowered his gaze and imagined Seo Jeong-woon.

He’d probably be blinking his big eyes. If they were together, he might have suddenly brought his face close again.

‘Would he have grabbed my wrist?’

Do Yi-hyun glanced down at the wrist Seo Jeong-woon had held earlier. Occasionally, Seo Jeong-woon would hold onto him as if he might run away at any moment.

“Yes. If it’s inconvenient…”

-No, it’s fine. I’ll wait. Should I come pick you up?

Seo Jeong-woon continued speaking in a voice full of delight, as if he had never been irritated.

“That won’t be necessary.”

Do Yi-hyun lightly closed his eyes and pressed his sore eyelids with his thumbs. Listening to Seo Jeong-woon’s voice in a quiet space made sleepiness gently wash over him.

“Then I’ll hang up.”

-How long does it take to get home?

But Seo Jeong-woon, who seemed to have no intention of hanging up, spoke again.

“About 20 minutes.”

Do Yi-hyun pondered, not hiding his reluctance. Strictly speaking, Do Yi-hyun was off work. Even if Seo Jeong-woon was his superior, wouldn’t it be okay to unilaterally hang up around now?

-Can’t we stay on the call until then?

As if sensing Do Yi-hyun’s thoughts, Seo Jeong-woon tried to coax him gently.

“Why should I do that?”

-Our baby must want to hear Mommy’s voice so much.

“…….”

Do Yi-hyun swallowed a sigh. It wasn’t yet the time for hearing to develop. But trying to counter with common sense wouldn’t work on Seo Jeong-woon at all.

“I need to focus on driving.”

At the very least, Seo Jeong-woon didn’t insist when it came to Do Yi-hyun’s safety.

-Hmm. Then I guess there’s no choice.

Fortunately, Seo Jeong-woon reluctantly hung up. Do Yi-hyun glanced at the blackened screen. It was strange how well it had worked, better than expected.

He felt like he was gradually learning how to handle Seo Jeong-woon, albeit unwillingly.

***

After stopping by home and changing into comfortable clothes, Do Yi-hyun headed straight to Seo Jeong-woon’s house.

“Lee Hyun.”

As advised to contact before arrival, he had sent a message 10 minutes earlier, and Seo Jeong-woon had come out to meet him. Do Yi-hyun briefly looked Seo Jeong-woon up and down. Having only seen him neatly dressed in suits lately, seeing him in a knitwear felt very unfamiliar.

“Lee Hyun looks pretty no matter what she wears.”

Seo Jeong-woon also smiled brightly upon seeing Do Yi-hyun’s changed attire. Do Yi-hyun wore a thin sweater and slacks under a black long coat. It was an extremely ordinary outfit.

“Why did you come out here?”

Do Yi-hyun ignored Seo Jeong-woon’s habitual empty compliment and said only what he needed to.

“It’s uncomfortable for you to take the elevator without me, right?”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled prettily with his eyes crinkled and wrapped an arm around Do Yi-hyun’s shoulder. Do Yi-hyun wanted to say it was nothing, but the timely arrival of the elevator made him miss the chance to deny it. The spacious elevator contained only the two of them.

Do Yi-hyun, who had habitually held his breath, watched the rapidly ascending numbers and tried to breathe slowly. He had also tested whether his pheromone rejection syndrome had improved in the company elevator when leaving work. It wasn’t unbearable, but his stomach churned, making it difficult.

However, this time, only a fragrant pheromone was detected.

“Why are you using pheromone…?”

Reflexively turning his head, Do Yi-hyun looked at Seo Jeong-woon with a bewildered expression. While each Alpha had different tendencies in using pheromones, they largely fell into two categories. Those who freely used pheromones anytime, anywhere, and those who only revealed their pheromones in their personal space.

Based on Do Yi-hyun’s experience, Seo Jeong-woon was the latter. The biggest evidence was that even people at the company, who were quite interested in Seo Jeong-woon, didn’t know his pheromone. There couldn’t be a fool like Do Yi-hyun who didn’t even realize it was a pheromone, so if even one person had smelled Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromone, rumors would have spread long ago.

Even Do Yi-hyun, who had become sensitive to others’ pheromones due to pheromone rejection syndrome, couldn’t easily detect Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromone unless he got very close. The only space in the company where he could possibly encounter Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromone was the executive office. Whether the pheromone was too strong, or revealing pheromones to unspecified individuals was unpleasant.

There were various reasons why an Alpha would deliberately hide their pheromone. Seo Jeong-woon was a bit curious about which category he fell into.

“It’s only natural for me to use my pheromone to protect… my own.”

Seo Jeong-woon curved his red lips gently and twisted his upper body toward Do Yi-hyun.

‘He doesn’t hesitate to do things he normally wouldn’t, all for the child’s sake.’

Facing that confident smile, Do Yi-hyun slightly revised his assessment of him. Though it was excessive kindness, in the end, thanks to Seo Jeong-woon, Do Yi-hyun could comfortably arrive at his house.

“So, what’s the reason?”

Almost as soon as the front door closed, Seo Jeong-woon threw out a question.

“There’s no way Lee Hyun-ssi would willingly come to our house without any purpose.”

Seo Jeong-woon playfully wrinkled his nose. Just as Do Yi-hyun was getting to know Seo Jeong-woon, Seo Jeong-woon also had a good grasp of Do Yi-hyun.

“Where did you get the information that pheromones can be absorbed through the mucous membrane?”

“Was it effective?”

“Answer me first.”

Do Yi-hyun put force into his eyes. If Seo Jeong-woon evaded the question vaguely again this time, he had no intention of letting it slide.

“Haha. I was worried about Lee Hyun-ssi, so I looked into various things. About pheromones and pheromone rejection syndrome.”

The quick-witted Seo Jeong-woon answered immediately. Then, as if to soothe him, he gently stroked Do Yi-hyun’s firm cheek.

‘Unexpected.’

It wasn’t just to tease him; he meant he had looked into it, whether through papers or experiments. Of course, someone in Seo Jeong-woon’s position probably had people do the searching rather than doing it himself.

“It seems effective. Though it’s still too early to be certain.”

Since he had gotten an answer from Seo Jeong-woon, it was his turn now. Do Yi-hyun honestly laid it out.

“Haha. So that’s why you came looking for me in such a hurry? You’re really cute.”

Seo Jeong-woon, his eyes sparkling, laughed heartily, bending at the waist. Do Yi-hyun watched him with his usual expressionless face.

“Let’s go inside and continue talking.”

Seo Jeong-woon, who had stopped laughing immediately, wrapped his arm around Do Yi-hyun’s waist, who was standing dumbfounded in the entryway. Do Yi-hyun glanced disapprovingly at Seo Jeong-woon’s hand placed on his side but reluctantly moved his feet.

“I found out that the most effective way to absorb pheromones is sex…”

Seo Jeong-woon tilted his head toward Do Yi-hyun and gave a suggestive smile. Perhaps because a way to alleviate pheromone rejection syndrome had emerged, he seemed to be in a very good mood.

“That would be included in the ‘strange things,’ right?”

Seo Jeong-woon muttered in a tone of great regret and shrugged his shoulders. Like Do Yi-hyun, it seemed he didn’t mind sex, let alone kissing.

‘…Is having sex okay?’

Do Yi-hyun fell deep into thought. It wasn’t a moral dilemma but rather a worry about whether having sex before entering the stabilization period would be too much for the child. Since both were adults anyway, there was nothing wrong with it if they both consented.

As long as the premise of neatly settling their relationship after the child was born was clear. Do Yi-hyun looked at Seo Jeong-woon, who was smiling brightly. He couldn’t easily decide because he didn’t know how Seo Jeong-woon would turn out.

“Shall we eat first?”

Unlike Do Yi-hyun, who was making a serious face, Seo Jeong-woon was smiling broadly. When he said it smelled delicious from somewhere, the wide dining table was filled with all sorts of side dishes. It felt like being treated to a hearty homemade meal.

“Did you make this yourself?”

“Of course. Though I bought a few. Want to try guessing which ones?”

Seo Jeong-woon answered confidently and then playfully added a follow-up.

“I’ll eat well.”

Do Yi-hyun silently began his meal. His mind was so complicated he hadn’t realized he was hungry, but the moment he ate the seasoned vegetables, hunger struck.

“Haha, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Try this too.”

Seo Jeong-woon placed a meat side dish on Do Yi-hyun’s rice bowl and smiled softly. Do Yi-hyun stared at Seo Jeong-woon for a moment. It was amazing how he was always smiling.

It seemed his facial muscles didn’t even hurt.

“Thank you for the meal.”

Do Yi-hyun cleaned out his heaping bowl of rice in an instant.

“Shall I give you another bowl?”

“…Just a little more, please.”

After hesitating briefly, he held out his empty rice bowl, and Seo Jeong-woon gave a pleased smile.

“Come here. Let’s kiss.”

When Do Yi-hyun came out after brushing his teeth, Seo Jeong-woon, leaning against the sofa, gestured lazily. Somehow, obediently responding to Seo Jeong-woon’s call felt damaging to his pride, but for the child’s sake, there was no choice.

“Sit here.”

As Do Yi-hyun became docile, perhaps delighted, Seo Jeong-woon patted his own thigh.

‘How far do I have to indulge him?’

Do Yi-hyun, standing before Seo Jeong-woon, was greatly conflicted. He couldn’t tell if it was just simple teasing or something sincerely desired. At any rate, going against Seo Jeong-woon’s mood wouldn’t do any good.

“……”

Do Yi-hyun, with a stiffly hardened face, climbed onto his thigh. Somehow feeling like his upper body might topple over, he placed his hands on Seo Jeong-woon’s shoulders.

“Ah.”

Then Seo Jeong-woon let out a pained sound and buried his face in his hands.

“I’m sorry.”

It seemed it was just a joke, but he had taken it too seriously. Do Yi-hyun tried to stand up right away.

“Eugh.”

But Seo Jeong-woon pulled Do Yi-hyun’s waist and sat him back down.

“You know what? Lee Hyun-ssi, sometimes you drive people crazy.”

What nonsense was this now? Do Yi-hyun looked down at Seo Jeong-woon indifferently.

“It’s even more maddening because it’s not intentional.”

Seo Jeong-woon let out a deep sigh and rubbed his cheek against Do Yi-hyun’s collarbone. His neatly arranged hair tickled Do Yi-hyun’s chin. Soon, Seo Jeong-woon raised his head and gently closed his eyes.

“Kiss me. You, Lee Hyun-ssi.”

At the mischievous request, Do Yi-hyun pursed his lips. All he had to do was lower his head, but his body stiffened like a rusty robot. Seo Jeong-woon seemed determined not to move a muscle until Do Yi-hyun kissed him.

He only faintly curled the corners of his mouth. Do Yi-hyun took a deep breath, hesitated for a long while, and finally pressed his lips to Seo Jeong-woon’s. But as if taking revenge for earlier, Seo Jeong-woon didn’t open his lips.

‘What do I do?’

Not knowing what to do and just keeping his lips pressed, Do Yi-hyun carefully licked his lips, just as Seo Jeong-woon had done. Though he already knew, Seo Jeong-woon’s reddish lips were soft and tender. Though the act itself was still awkward, it didn’t feel too bad.

“Aah.”

Seo Jeong-woon let out another pained sound, then grabbed the back of Do Yi-hyun’s neck with his large hand. Then he bit Do Yi-hyun’s licking tongue with his lips.

“Hng.”

Do Yi-hyun reflexively pushed Seo Jeong-woon’s shoulders away, but he couldn’t escape. Seo Jeong-woon leisurely explored inside Do Yi-hyun’s mouth as if it were his own, releasing a thick pheromone. It was more intense than any pheromone Do Yi-hyun had smelled so far.

Even staying still, his thighs were trembling to the point of shaking.

“Hah…”

When Do Yi-hyun exhaled a heated breath, Seo Jeong-woon smiled with his eyes closed. Then he obediently opened his mouth.

“Fuck me too.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I want you to mess me up.”

“Tha, that kind of talk…”

“Hurry up.”

At the absurd demand, Do Yi-hyun rarely stammered. Seo Jeong-woon, shamelessly, even stuck out his slightly reddened tongue. Do Yi-hyun, staring down at Seo Jeong-woon as if entranced, bit his tongue with his front teeth.

“Mmm.”

Seo Jeong-woon let out a low groan. It was clearly a deliberate sound. But strangely, every time Seo Jeong-woon made a low sound, his lower back tingled.

Do Yi-hyun pushed his tongue deep inside as Seo Jeong-woon desired. Seo Jeong-woon obediently opened his mouth wider. It felt strange, as if actually inserting something.

When he slowly rubbed the roof of Seo Jeong-woon’s mouth, Seo Jeong-woon tickled the underside of Do Yi-hyun’s tongue.

“Hoo.”

Do Yi-hyun forcibly exhaled the breath that had risen to his chin. Only then did he realize Seo Jeong-woon was again groping his side and collarbone. Moreover, a sweet yet bittersweet pheromone mercilessly enveloped Do Yi-hyun.

Clearly, he was the one fucking Seo Jeong-woon’s mouth, yet it felt like he was being messily taken by Seo Jeong-woon.

“…This much is enough.”

Only after biting Seo Jeong-woon’s persistently pursuing tongue without hurting him could Do Yi-hyun barely end the kiss. The lingering tingling pleasure made his lips tremble. Not only that, but his skin seemed to have become sensitive, as even his clothes brushing against it felt irritating.

Just a few hours ago, he wondered why people kissed, but now he thought he understood the reason.

“Already?”

Seo Jeong-woon pitifully raised his gently closed eyelids. His moist, red lips looked sensual. When Do Yi-hyun turned his head without answering, Seo Jeong-woon laughed with a subdued voice.

“Are you staying over today?”

“No…”

“You didn’t come just to get a measly kiss, did you? Then I’d be disappointed.”

Seo Jeong-woon made a pitiful expression and grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s clothes to prevent him from escaping. Do Yi-hyun glanced at him, who was deliberately acting sorrowful. No matter how much he had pushed him away until now, he had stubbornly clung on, and now that he had caught a pretext, it was already daunting to think how much he might wield it.

“Do you want me to stay over?”

This time, instead of trying to guess Seo Jeong-woon’s intentions, he asked directly.

“Of course.”

Seo Jeong-woon nodded without a moment’s hesitation.

“Because I want to be with our baby for a long, long time.”

“……”

Do Yi-hyun was at a loss for words. Even if it was understandable for him, since he was carrying the child, Seo Jeong-woon couldn’t even feel the child’s presence, yet his affection seemed to be growing day by day.

‘If it’s not just a sense of duty but he genuinely cares for the child…’

Somehow, he had an unwelcome premonition that even after giving birth, he wouldn’t be able to easily settle his relationship with Seo Jeong-woon.

“Want to change into pajamas?”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled brightly and lightly leaned against Do Yi-hyun’s chest. Then he gently patted Do Yi-hyun’s lower back. It was a prompt urging for a definite answer.

Do Yi-hyun looked at Seo Jeong-woon with a sour expression. When their eyes met, Seo Jeong-woon lightly rubbed his cheek against Do Yi-hyun’s collarbone. Until now, even though Do Yi-hyun had shown such obvious discomfort and pushed him away, Seo Jeong-woon never tired and kept pestering him each time.

Perhaps unwillingly numbed by his persistent attempts, despite Seo Jeong-woon sticking close, it wasn’t as unpleasant as before. Not only that, but his affectionate clinginess looked rather cute.

‘Am I crazy?’

Do Yi-hyun let the corner of his mouth drop sullenly. Though it might be a case of ‘the more you hate, the more you care,’ finding a man much larger than himself cute… His eyes must be mistaken.

“No. I think I’ll head back now.”

After blankly staring at Seo Jeong-woon’s long eyelashes for a moment, Do Yi-hyun managed his expression and bluntly pushed his forearm. Sitting on someone else’s thigh felt extremely awkward and uncomfortable, so he wanted to stand up quickly.

“What? Are you using me and throwing me away now?”

Seo Jeong-woon, seemingly displeased with Do Yi-hyun’s answer, briefly frowned. Then he stubbornly grabbed Do Yi-hyun, who was trying to get up, and sat him back on his thigh. Due to the firm arm tightly holding his waist, Do Yi-hyun couldn’t move an inch.

“…Not throwing away, but using is correct. I came to test whether what you said was true.”

Throwing away. Since earlier, Seo Jeong-woon had been using unusual words. Do Yi-hyun suppressed the sigh that threatened to burst out and calmly stated his intention.

Though his current physical condition was as good as it could be, he didn’t know when it might rapidly deteriorate again. Or he might suddenly show rejection to Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromone. He wanted to test various methods while his condition was relatively good.

That was also why he had rushed to find Seo Jeong-woon as if chased by something. He planned to ask the Doctor to continue looking for an Alpha with compatible pheromones during his next hospital visit. Though only a few days had passed, seeing how much Seo Jeong-woon was doing, it didn’t seem like he would suddenly act irresponsibly and pretend not to know.

However, for Do Yi-hyun, the situation of having to rely entirely on someone else was extremely uncomfortable. He wanted to prepare so he could endure on his own. That was the way Do Yi-hyun had lived until now.

“That’s too much, Lee Hyun-ssi.”

Seo Jeong-woon made a tearful face and looked up at Do Yi-hyun affectionately. He looked like he might burst into tears at any moment.

“You promised to cooperate actively.”

Do Yi-hyun didn’t even blink. Though he had to allow his obstinacy to some extent since he was the one in need of help, there still had to be a reasonable limit.

“If I stay over now, I won’t know whether my condition is okay because I absorbed pheromones through the mucous membrane or because I received enough pheromones.”

Do Yi-hyun dealt with it as professionally as possible.

“Then why did you ask?”

Seo Jeong-woon grumbled in a disappointed tone and leaned his forehead against Do Yi-hyun’s chest. Even though it was clearly an act, the dejected look was so evident that Do Yi-hyun paused for a moment. Not knowing how to react, he froze with his hands awkwardly raised.

“Sigh. Do you think if you say that, I’ll just let you go? Aren’t you worried about what I might do?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s cute that you don’t sense any sense of crisis, but sometimes it makes me angry too. I don’t know if you trust my patience or if I’m just not in your sights at all.”

Seo Jeong-woon buried his face in Do Yi-hyun’s shoulder and just said his piece.

‘Sense of crisis?’

Do Yi-hyun, not understanding Seo Jeong-woon’s meaning at all, just looked down at his round head with an indifferent expression. At any rate, Seo Jeong-woon having some dissatisfaction with him wasn’t a good sign. Do Yi-hyun’s mind instantly became complicated.

“Fine. Let’s call it a strategic retreat for future advancement, or whatever. I’m letting it slide this time too. Remember that.”

Seo Jeong-woon muttered softly to himself, then loosened the strength in his arms holding Do Yi-hyun. His two arms fell powerlessly onto the sofa with a thud. Instead of immediately leaving the spot, Do Yi-hyun carefully observed Seo Jeong-woon.

He seemed quite upset, but fortunately, he didn’t look truly angry. Do Yi-hyun cautiously stood up and straightened his clothes. Seo Jeong-woon, with his arms crossed, watched that sight as if licking it with his eyes.

“I’ll pack some side dishes for you. Take them.”

Almost as soon as Do Yi-hyun finished tidying up, Seo Jeong-woon strode toward the refrigerator.

“There’s no need for that.”

“I made a lot, so I can’t eat it all alone.”

He followed and tried to dissuade him, but Seo Jeong-woon insisted stubbornly. This time, it seemed he wouldn’t listen no matter how much Do Yi-hyun refused. It seemed like since he conceded on going home, this time he should listen to him.

He quickly filled a large paper bag with side dishes. Do Yi-hyun looked at the heavy paper bag with a strange expression. It seemed he wouldn’t have to worry about breakfast for a while.

“…Thank you.”

“I’ll even carry it to the car.”

Do Yi-hyun reached out his hand, but Seo Jeong-woon gestured toward the entryway as if it were natural.

“I can carry it.”

“It’s fine. If your hands feel empty, just hold my hand instead.”

Seo Jeong-woon hid the paper bag behind his back so Do Yi-hyun couldn’t take it and held out his empty hand. Do Yi-hyun quietly turned away from that hand.

“Ahaha.”

Seo Jeong-woon, letting out a clear laugh, bumped his shoulder against Do Yi-hyun’s. Then he wrapped his arm around Do Yi-hyun’s waist again. Do Yi-hyun twitched his lips and then firmly closed them.

Seo Jeong-woon, who had followed him all the way to the parking lot, only after personally putting the belongings he had brought into Do Yi-hyun’s car, waved his hand with a relieved expression.

“Be careful on your way.”

“Yes.”

Do Yi-hyun lightly bowed his head and was about to get into the car.

“Ah, right.”

But then Seo Jeong-woon suddenly grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s wrist to stop him and gave him a quick peck on the lips. It was such a fluid, natural action that there was no time to block or avoid it.

“Ugh.”

Do Yi-hyun hurriedly covered his mouth and pursed his lips. Although the kiss felt awkward, he hadn’t thought much of it, but with just that light peck, his heart sank with a thud. Thump.

Thump. Thump. Perhaps he was more flustered than he realized, as his heart began to beat rapidly and strongly.

“Hah.”

Do Yi-hyun let out a sigh-like, incredulous laugh. Seo Jeong-woon was smiling brightly, seemingly curious about what kind of reaction Do Yi-hyun would show.

“…….”

Do Yi-hyun stiffened the corners of his mouth. No matter what he said now, he felt like he would be losing to Seo Jeong-woon, so he quietly got into the car. As he smoothly started the car, he glanced at Seo Jeong-woon through the side mirror.

Seo Jeong-woon stood stiffly in place until Do Yi-hyun’s car completely disappeared from view. With a smile tinged with regret.

“Haa.”

Once he turned the corner, Seo Jeong-woon was no longer visible. Do Yi-hyun let out a long sigh. The tension that had gradually built up without him realizing it had surged all the way to the tip of his chin.

Even as he loosened his tie and took a deep breath, the tension wouldn’t easily subside.

‘Does he want to pretend we’re a loving couple or something?’

Do Yi-hyun looked up at the red light and touched his lips. The soft sensation that had briefly touched and then left at the end was hard to forget.

‘He might have a lover, they say.’

Of course, Do Yi-hyun knew well that rumors weren’t reliable. Whether he had a lover or not, Seo Jeong-woon was acting overly intimate.

***

“Lee Hyun-ssi.”

As he was walking down the hallway, someone called Do Yi-hyun from the side. At the now-familiar address, Do Yi-hyun instinctively turned his head. A man with one corner of his mouth slightly twisted stood a few steps away.

But their eye levels weren’t much different.

‘It’s not Executive Director Seo.’

Do Yi-hyun slightly furrowed his brow. Seo Jeong-woon alone was more than enough for someone to use such a familiar address without permission.

“Haha, this is the first time Team Leader Do has reacted so quickly. Did you think it was the Executive Director?”

The man mischievously laughed and took a step closer to Do Yi-hyun. However, Do Yi-hyun didn’t respond and just stared blankly at the man. He had no idea who it could be.

“Darling. Did you forget your colleague’s face again?”

He shook his head side to side, then pulled out his employee ID card from his shirt pocket and held it right in front of Do Yi-hyun’s nose. Do Yi-hyun maintained an indifferent gaze as he read the name written in print. Lee Tae-joon.

He was Do Yi-hyun’s colleague.

‘This is annoying.’

Tsk. Do Yi-hyun clicked his tongue silently. Lee Tae-joon seemed to find it quite amusing that Do Yi-hyun couldn’t remember his face.

Whenever he spoke to Do Yi-hyun, he would deliberately pretend to be someone else by changing his part or altering his voice. Earlier, perhaps trying to imitate Seo Jeong-woon, Lee Tae-joon had lowered his voice more than usual. Of course, it was nothing like Seo Jeong-woon’s voice.

If it weren’t for the address ‘Lee Hyun-ssi,’ he would never have been confused.

“What do you want.”

Do Yi-hyun looked at Lee Tae-joon with disinterest. It meant, if you have business, say it quickly and get lost. Even though they hadn’t exchanged many words, he felt strangely irritated.

“Do we need to have business to talk? I was just curious that our Team Leader Do is somewhere other than the office during work hours.”

Do Yi-hyun and Lee Tae-joon were the kind of acquaintances who might run into each other once a month at most. Lately, it felt like only shameless people were gathering around him.

“…….”

It seemed Lee Tae-joon had no business at all. Do Yi-hyun ignored him and started walking again. It was a waste of time to chat with a colleague he wasn’t even close to.

Since kissing Seo Jeong-woon last night, Do Yi-hyun had deliberately wandered around crowded places. On his way home, he stopped by a supermarket, and today, whenever he had time, he walked around the hallway. Even so, it was barely over 15 minutes, and he had to hear comments all morning about why he was out at this time.

“Want to have lunch together for old times’ sake?”

Lee Tae-joon invited with a smiling face, but Do Yi-hyun brushed it off as usual. For it to be ‘old times’ sake,’ he had never eaten alone with Lee Tae-joon even once.

“Are you eating with Executive Director Seo again today?”

At the silent refusal, Lee Tae-joon asked subtly with a voice full of curiosity. When Seo Jeong-woon’s name came up, Do Yi-hyun glanced at Lee Tae-joon. It seemed Lee Tae-joon’s goal had been Seo Jeong-woon from the start.

“Wow, really? Let me join too.”

Lee Tae-joon, arbitrarily assuming Do Yi-hyun’s answer, smoothly requested. He seemed quite pleased, as if he didn’t consider the possibility of refusal at all.

“Darling, what are colleagues for? Isn’t this when we help each other?”

Seeing that Do Yi-hyun might say something negative, Lee Tae-joon made an exaggerated gesture and resolutely nodded.

“Each other?”

“Yeah. Anyway, if it’s just you and Executive Director Seo, you won’t be able to communicate and it’ll be awkward, right? I’ll help mediate.”

Lee Tae-joon asserted as if it were obvious that awkwardness would flow between them.

‘Come to think of it…….’

Because he was poor at communication, whenever he was with others, conversations would frequently become awkward and cut off. But when he was with Seo Jeong-woon, although it was bothersome, it was never awkward. Even when silence fell occasionally, it was comfortable.

“How about it? Not bad, right?”

Lee Tae-joon, though mischievous, wasn’t a bad person. Instead, he never missed an opportunity once he grabbed it. It was clear he would follow Do Yi-hyun around endlessly until he secured a meal with Seo Jeong-woon for the time being.

‘Was Lee Tae-joon an Omega?’

Do Yi-hyun narrowed his eyes. He couldn’t even remember his face, so there was no way he’d know such miscellaneous information. Whether absorbing pheromones through the mucous membrane was really effective, since last night, others’ pheromones felt relatively less intense.

Moreover, Lee Tae-joon was quite good at handling pheromones, so from a few steps away, his trait couldn’t be gauged. Do Yi-hyun approached Lee Tae-joon with an expressionless face, taking one more step. A faint lavender-scented pheromone was detected.

‘He was an Alpha.’

Having achieved his purpose, Do Yi-hyun stepped back. But then Lee Tae-joon’s eyes sparkled as he quickly followed.

“What is it?”

Lee Tae-joon’s neat face was full of interest. Do Yi-hyun rarely approached others first. Since he was doing something he normally didn’t, it seemed curiosity was piqued.

“Darling, have you finally taken an interest in me?”

Lee Tae-joon winked one eye and asked a playful question. At the same time, the faint lavender scent wavered and subtly intensified.

‘More of that nonsense.’

Do Yi-hyun furrowed his brow and twisted his pale lips. Since before, Lee Tae-joon would often ask Do Yi-hyun if he was interested in him. It wasn’t just Do Yi-hyun he did this to.

Do Yi-hyun pressed his lips into a straight line. No matter how much he had improved, he was quite tired from being exposed to various pheromones. Dealing with Seo Jeong-woon’s persistence alone was already overwhelming.

“That’s impossible.”

But an answer flew from behind. At the familiar voice, Do Yi-hyun stopped walking. A tall man was now standing behind the two.

Do Yi-hyun cautiously observed the man’s striking features. Under the blatant gaze, the grayish-brown eyes that had been directed at Lee Tae-joon shifted to Do Yi-hyun. A faint smile spread across the corners of the man’s previously expressionless eyes.

‘Seo…….’

“Executive Director, hello.”

But before Do Yi-hyun could recall it was Seo Jeong-woon, Lee Tae-joon bowed first. Do Yi-hyun slowly bowed his head following him. Clearly, he was the one who had met Seo Jeong-woon more often, but it felt strangely odd that he had noticed later than Lee Tae-joon.

“Lee Hyun-ssi isn’t the type to easily take an interest in others.”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled faintly. It seemed to be an answer to the question Lee Tae-joon had just thrown.

“Haha. Executive Director, you seem quite close with our darling.”

Lee Tae-joon suddenly acted familiar and closely approached Do Yi-hyun. If their clothes had even brushed, he would have irritably pushed him away, but their shoulders barely missed touching. So when Do Yi-hyun took a step back to the side, Lee Tae-joon followed again.

“……Of course. We’re very close. Lee Hyun-ssi, come here.”

Seo Jeong-woon, who had been quietly watching the scene, brightly smiled and reached out his hand to Do Yi-hyun. Do Yi-hyun looked at the long fingers with mixed feelings. Whether he took that hand or not, it seemed troublesome things would happen.

“Come on.”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled with his eyes crinkled and wiggled his wrist.

“Ah, Executive Director. We colleagues are having a cozy conversation, isn’t that too much?”

Lee Tae-joon deliberately complained. It was more of a friendly tone than rude.

“Sorry. I have something to ask of Lee Hyun-ssi. I’ll take him now.”

Seo Jeong-woon, with a faint smile, grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s wrist just like that. Then he strode away.

“Where are we going?”

“To the executive director’s office.”

Seo Jeong-woon answered softly without looking back. Bzz. Bzz.

Do Yi-hyun’s phone vibrated briefly in succession.

[Colleague Lee Tae-joon: Darling be careful seems like the executive director is interested in you does he like alphas?]

It seemed Lee Tae-joon had seriously misunderstood something.

‘Nonsense.’

Seo Jeong-woon didn’t like alphas, and he wasn’t interested in him either. Do Yi-hyun put his phone back in his pocket without replying.

“Who was it?”

“Nothing you need to know.”

Do Yi-hyun replied indifferently and got on the elevator.

“Ah, is that so?”

Seo Jeong-woon faced Do Yi-hyun with a smileless face, leaning his shoulder against the wall while standing. Seo Jeong-woon’s gaze was fixed on the pocket where Do Yi-hyun had put his phone.

“What about that person earlier? Are you close? Also nothing I need to know?”

The gentle tone was strangely sharp. Although not openly showing it, Seo Jeong-woon was clearly in a bad mood.

‘Is it because of the “nothing you need to know” remark?’

Do Yi-hyun slightly frowned. Come to think of it, Seo Jeong-woon reacted sensitively even to the word ‘unrelated.’ He had done the same when told not to mind the child.

It seemed he disliked others drawing a line and pushing him away.

‘What a bothersome personality.’

Do Yi-hyun’s thick eyebrows slightly twisted. It seemed Seo Jeong-woon was only satisfied when he was the center of the world. That behavior felt extremely self-centered and selfish.

“……He’s a colleague.”

Do Yi-hyun slowly answered and bent his arm to cover his pocket. Seo Jeong-woon brought all sorts of rumors with him. The text Lee Tae-joon just sent was also gossiping about Seo Jeong-woon based on assumptions.

He had only thought there was no good in spreading nonsense, but perhaps he had misspoken again. Do Yi-hyun lowered his gaze. Suddenly, Lee Tae-joon’s question about whether it was awkward with Seo Jeong-woon came to mind.

What if Seo Jeong-woon felt the conversation was cut off, but only he was fine? Useless thoughts kept surfacing.

“Hmm. Are you close?”

“We’re not close.”

Erasing the unnecessary thoughts, he answered quickly. At Do Yi-hyun’s firm tone, Seo Jeong-woon’s stiff expression loosened slightly.

“What did you need to ask?”

“Are you changing the subject now?”

Seo Jeong-woon narrowed his eyes and tested Do Yi-hyun. The grayish-brown eyes were still full of dissatisfaction.

“Do I have any reason to change the subject?”

Not wanting to be nitpicked over something trivial, Do Yi-hyun replied bluntly as usual. Seo Jeong-woon carefully examined him, then let out a deep sigh as if there was no choice.

“It’s not a request, but I have something to give you.”

Seo Jeong-woon took something out from his pocket and handed it to Do Yi-hyun. It was a thin, square case about the size of a palm, opaque so the inside wasn’t visible.

“What is this?”

“Emergency pheromones.”

Seo Jeong-woon playfully grinned, tapping the case Do Yi-hyun held with his fingernail.

‘What’s that?’

Do Yi-hyun squinted one eye and tried to open the case.

“I guarantee you’ll regret opening it here?”

Then Seo Jeong-woon stretched out a long finger to block Do Yi-hyun.

“What do you mean?”

Do Yi-hyun looked at him suspiciously. In other words, it meant he had given him something dangerous.

“Haha, let’s go up and open it together. I’m curious about Lee Hyun-ssi’s reaction too.”

Seo Jeong-woon, who laughed clearly aloud, stood side by side with Do Yi-hyun. The desire to scold him was immense, but Do Yi-hyun had no choice but to follow Seo Jeong-woon to the executive director’s office. Click.

Do Yi-hyun twisted the seam as soon as the door closed. Having been scared so much, he found a pure white handkerchief inside.

“What is this, kheuk!”

Without thinking, Do Yi-hyun picked up the handkerchief and staggered. The white handkerchief was heavily soaked with Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones. It was so strong that for a moment, his vision nearly went completely black.

He reached out to brace against the wall, but his vision was blurry, causing him to miss a couple of times.

“Haha, I told you to be careful. It’s strictly for emergencies.”

Seo Jeong-woon, as if he knew Do Yi-hyun wouldn’t be able to hold on, calmly wrapped his arms around his waist.

“It’s okay, so try breathing it in slowly. Relax.”

He embraced Do Yi-hyun and slowly patted his back.

“Haa, ah, haa.”

Do Yi-hyun, who couldn’t breathe properly and was gasping as if hyperventilating, followed the gentle touch and slowly continued breathing. Do Yi-hyun’s shoulders, which had been tense with effort, slumped. Then the dizzyingly piercing pheromones began to warmly envelop Do Yi-hyun.

‘……Good.’

Do Yi-hyun muttered silently. Even though his limbs trembled intermittently, his extremely tense nerves loosened in an instant. His mind became hazy and relaxed.

Do Yi-hyun, who had been gripping the handkerchief tightly, instinctively pressed his nose into his palm. It felt as if the fragrant yet bittersweet pheromones were transmitted directly to his brain through his nose.

“No. What are you doing when the real thing is right in front of you.”

Seo Jeong-woon pouted and snatched the handkerchief away. Do Yi-hyun had gripped it with all his might, but with no strength in his limbs, he helplessly lost it.

“Give it…….”

Reflexively about to get angry, Do Yi-hyun managed to stop thanks to his remaining rationality. Grr. A teeth-grinding sound came from Do Yi-hyun.

‘It’s mine.’

Do Yi-hyun glared at the handkerchief in Seo Jeong-woon’s grasp. Without even realizing it, an intense desire for possession flared up like fire. Those pheromones were his.

Even in the midst of confusion, he couldn’t suppress the greed.

‘I need to get a grip.’

Do Yi-hyun clenched his fists and tried to straighten his upper body, which was leaning against Seo Jeong-woon. He tried to escape his embrace, but the arm tightly wrapped around his waist made it difficult.

“Let go.”

Do Yi-hyun twisted his shoulders. It was as if he had drunk heavily; strength wouldn’t properly gather in his body. Moreover, whether it was due to his mood or not, his pronunciation seemed to slur and stretch.

“I didn’t know you’d like my gift this much.”

Seo Jeong-woon leisurely stroked the back of Do Yi-hyun’s head. Do Yi-hyun twisted his body again. Even though Seo Jeong-woon wasn’t using much force, he couldn’t move at all.

Seo Jeong-woon, who had been watching Do Yi-hyun’s faint trembling with a strange gaze, suddenly released his pheromones strongly.

“Ah, euk…….”

Do Yi-hyun, unable to control pheromones, had no means to resist the Alpha’s pheromones. His legs completely gave out.

“Oops.”

Seo Jeong-woon chuckled and lifted Do Yi-hyun into his arms.

“What, are you, euk, doing. Put me down.”

Do Yi-hyun, trembling from the pheromones’ influence, glared fiercely at Seo Jeong-woon. The floating sensation of hovering in mid-air was very unfamiliar. That Seo Jeong-woon lifted him so lightly made the feeling even stranger.

“Haha. I felt it before too, but Lee Hyun-ssi is lighter than I thought.”

Seo Jeong-woon playfully rubbed his cheek against Do Yi-hyun’s collarbone and adjusted his hold. A faint vibration transmitted through their touching chests. The ‘before’ seemed to refer to when he moved him to the bed last weekend.

Light? That was utter nonsense. Do Yi-hyun clenched his jaw and bent his legs.

“If you keep struggling, it’s dangerous. Stay still.”

Do Yi-hyun had resisted as best as he could, but Seo Jeong-woon admonished him with a calm voice. Then he stretched his long legs and began walking quickly.

“Euk.”

Thump, thump. With each step Seo Jeong-woon took, an unfamiliar shock arose. It felt as if his body would tilt and even fall to the floor at any moment.

‘High.’

Do Yi-hyun unknowingly gripped Seo Jeong-woon’s shoulder tightly. Even though the floor wasn’t more than a few dozen centimeters away, it felt incredibly distant.

“Ouch. That hurts.”

Seo Jeong-woon whined playfully, rubbing his cheek against Do Yi-hyun’s arm. But Do Yi-hyun couldn’t loosen his grip. He could only stiffen his body and freeze in place.

Finally, Seo Jeong-woon let go only after seating Do Yi-hyun on the sofa. Do Yi-hyun glared at him with a thoroughly irritated expression.

“Are you angry?”

Seo Jeong-woon tilted his head. His expression showed he had no idea why Do Yi-hyun was upset.

“I dislike being treated like a fragile Omega.”

Do Yi-hyun snapped, his lips pressed into a hard line. Of course, it was true that he was an Omega and not all Omegas were fragile, but he didn’t like how Seo Jeong-woon treated him as if he would collapse at the slightest touch. Do Yi-hyun had a sturdy build that could rival any Alpha.

Every time Seo Jeong-woon worried excessively and fussed over him, Do Yi-hyun felt embarrassed and mocked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just treating you preciously.”

Seo Jeong-woon was perceptive. Even though he clearly knew Do Yi-hyun was serious, he shamelessly smiled and pressed his forehead against his. The prettily folded corners of his eyes seemed particularly annoying today.

“You’re a special person to me, Lee Hyun.”

At the sweet whisper, Do Yi-hyun clenched his teeth tightly. Was this how every Alpha acted affectionately toward an Omega carrying their child? Even if there was no affection involved.

Perhaps because he had never been in a deep relationship with anyone else, Do Yi-hyun felt a bit confused every time Seo Jeong-woon acted this way. By Do Yi-hyun’s common sense, Seo Jeong-woon’s behavior was hard to understand.

‘What exactly is our relationship?’

He had tried not to pay much attention, thinking they wouldn’t interact after the child was born, but as it seemed unlikely they could cut ties so cleanly, he began to worry a little. While Do Yi-hyun was lost in thought, Seo Jeong-woon neatly folded the crumpled handkerchief and placed it back into its case.

“You must carry this with you wherever you go. Understood?”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled and slipped the small case into the inner pocket of Do Yi-hyun’s suit jacket.

“Since we’re here, should we kiss?”

Seo Jeong-woon whispered sweetly, cupping Do Yi-hyun’s chin. He was grinning brightly, as if amused by Do Yi-hyun’s unusual reaction.

‘Does he really want to play lovers?’

Or perhaps he needed a convenient toy to relieve his sexual desires. It shouldn’t matter much how Seo Jeong-woon saw him or what he did. Yet, strangely, Do Yi-hyun felt hollow.

Instead of answering, Do Yi-hyun slowly closed his eyes. Soft lips bit his lower lip with a hint of urgency.

***

Time flew by, and soon it was Saturday.

In just a week, more had changed in Do Yi-hyun’s life than he had expected. It had become natural to have lunch and dinner with Seo Jeong-woon every day, and whenever they had time, they would visit the managing director’s office to steal kisses. Employees whispered when they saw Do Yi-hyun and Seo Jeong-woon together, but they no longer looked at them strangely.

It seemed they misunderstood that Do Yi-hyun and Seo Jeong-woon had become close friends during their business trip. Unable to resist Seo Jeong-woon’s insistence, Do Yi-hyun visited his house early in the morning.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

Seo Jeong-woon greeted him with a bright smile and immediately held out a neatly folded set of clothes. It was a colorful checkered pajama set.

“……What is this?”

“Pajamas. Change into them.”

There was no way Do Yi-hyun didn’t know they were pajamas, but Seo Jeong-woon was shameless.

“Aren’t we going out soon?”

Do Yi-hyun frowned and asked back. They had agreed to go to the hospital together in the afternoon. Do Yi-hyun had refused several times, but Seo Jeong-woon had stubbornly insisted on going with him.

Of course, if he wanted to, Do Yi-hyun could have visited the hospital secretly without Seo Jeong-woon, but he reluctantly agreed, fearing the potential fallout if he were caught later.

“Since we’re here, it’s better to be comfortable.”

Even as Do Yi-hyun tried to refuse indirectly, Seo Jeong-woon grinned.

‘……Let’s not try to understand.’

Though it made no sense, Do Yi-hyun sighed and accepted the pajamas. Since receiving Seo Jeong-woon’s help, his physical condition had noticeably improved day by day. He could overlook this level of coercion.

Entering the bathroom, Do Yi-hyun quickly changed his clothes. However, like the previous pajamas, this one was also uncomfortably tight around the chest. After a moment of hesitation, Do Yi-hyun changed only the bottoms and came out with his upper body bare.

It wasn’t as if he and Seo Jeong-woon were newlyweds, and wearing a pitch-black knit shirt over the colorful pajama pants looked utterly ridiculous. Besides, Seo Jeong-woon had wandered around the Busan hotel in a state close to naked, so he probably wouldn’t mind.

“……Did you change everything?”

Seo Jeong-woon, who was preparing breakfast, blinked his large eyes, seemingly quite surprised to see Do Yi-hyun half-naked.

“The size doesn’t fit, so it’s uncomfortable.”

“……Is that so?”

Seo Jeong-woon approached Do Yi-hyun with a bewildered expression.

“I’m a little confused right now.”

He swept his gaze over Do Yi-hyun’s upper body and ran a hand through his hair.

“You have no intention this time either, right?”

“Huh?”

Do Yi-hyun furrowed his brow. He hadn’t understood what Seo Jeong-woon was talking about from the start.

“Haa. You’re really bad, you know?”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll put on the rest……”

“No, it’s fine. What matters is that you’re uncomfortable, right?”

The reaction seemed unusual, so Do Yi-hyun considered wearing the pajama top or asking for other clothes, even if they were a bit tight, but Seo Jeong-woon shook his head.

“……Let’s eat first.”

After sweeping his gaze over Do Yi-hyun once more, Seo Jeong-woon let out a long sigh and guided him to the dining table. Throughout breakfast, Do Yi-hyun kept feeling piercing stares. But whenever he turned his head, Seo Jeong-woon was quietly eating with his eyes downcast.

‘Maybe it’s just my imagination.’

Do Yi-hyun brushed it off casually.

“Hah……”

After finishing the meal and brushing his teeth, Do Yi-hyun was caught by Seo Jeong-woon as he left the bathroom and had to receive a kiss. Usually, Seo Jeong-woon would tilt his head and close his eyes as a signal for a kiss, so the sudden kiss felt a bit disorienting. Losing his balance and staggering, Do Yi-hyun leaned his back against the wall and habitually tilted his head back, parting his lips.

Each time their tightly pressed lips parted and met again, wet sounds echoed. Do Yi-hyun closed his eyes as his tongue tangled with Seo Jeong-woon’s. Having kissed several times a day, Do Yi-hyun had become quite skilled at kissing.

A subtle pleasure spread from the base of his tongue throughout his body. His palms and soles tingled, and occasionally his waist twitched.

‘Feels good.’

Do Yi-hyun focused all his attention on sensing the pheromones enveloping him. Seo Jeong-woon spread his hand wide and roamed over Do Yi-hyun’s upper body. It was a familiar act, as he would subtly touch him during every kiss.

“Hah, ngh, mmph.”

But the problem was that Do Yi-hyun currently had nothing covering his upper body. Only toward the end of the kiss did he vaguely become aware of Seo Jeong-woon’s touch, which now felt starkly vivid. Seo Jeong-woon gently stroked the curved side of his waist, then pressed his fingertips along the deep groove of his lower abdomen, and finally softly grasped his chest.

“Ahh……!”

Do Yi-hyun twisted his waist. Already sensitive to the Alpha’s pheromones, a sudden surge of excitement rushed through him.

“Stop, ngh, that’s enou—ah, mmph!”

Do Yi-hyun hurriedly tried to push him away, but Seo Jeong-woon didn’t budge. Instead, he inserted his tongue deeper and began lightly kneading the gentle curve of his chest.

‘This is bad…….’

He could feel blood pooling in his lower abdomen. His member began to gradually swell. Although there had been a few dangerous moments during kisses lately, this was the first time it had become this erect.

He wanted to hide it, but Seo Jeong-woon slid his knee between Do Yi-hyun’s legs. He must have clearly sensed the heavy presence. The corners of Do Yi-hyun’s eyes flushed red.

“Haha, it’s up.”

As expected, Seo Jeong-woon glanced down and let out a light laugh.

“Should I help you release it?”

Seo Jeong-woon whispered sweetly, showing no signs of panic or distaste.

“No need.”

Do Yi-hyun replied sternly. However, the end of his voice cracked. Seo Jeong-woon must have noticed his flustered state.

“Haha. Don’t refuse. It’s not good to let it build up.”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled with prettily narrowed eyes, gave Do Yi-hyun a peck on the lips, and then swiftly lifted him into his arms. Do Yi-hyun irritably grabbed his shoulders. Despite telling him several times not to lift him so casually, Seo Jeong-woon remained stubbornly unyielding.

“I’ll handle it myself.”

Do Yi-hyun’s blunt tone was faster and more unstable than usual. Release it? What exactly?

How? Why? He couldn’t understand at all. He had resolved to endure Seo Jeong-woon’s coercion as much as possible, but there were limits to everything.

Kissing was merely part of the treatment for pheromone rejection syndrome. Do Yi-hyun had agreed initially because Seo Jeong-woon had lightly suggested it as a “nothing to lose” kind of deal. The problem was that the more he kissed Seo Jeong-woon, the faster the pleasure surged.

Even the indifferent Do Yi-hyun felt a sense of unease that something was going wrong. Whenever he felt even slightly aroused, he would push Seo Jeong-woon away, careful not to let the kisses turn into sexual acts. But this time, his body had heated up unconsciously, and he couldn’t respond properly.

He hadn’t realized that the presence or absence of a single layer of clothing could make such a difference.

“I want to do it for you.”

Seo Jeong-woon, seemingly unfazed, calmly rubbed his cheek against Do Yi-hyun’s shoulder. He even began subtly stroking Do Yi-hyun’s waist without hesitation.

‘What’s his game?’

Do Yi-hyun glared at Seo Jeong-woon’s ash-brown hair. Even if it was for the child’s sake, it should have been annoying to set aside time every day out of obligation, but Seo Jeong-woon never showed any sign of displeasure. Regardless of the process, thanks to Seo Jeong-woon’s help, Do Yi-hyun no longer had to worry about something going wrong with the child.

Do Yi-hyun had been inwardly grateful to him. But seeing what he was doing now, he began to suspect that Seo Jeong-woon’s active cooperation wasn’t out of a strong sense of responsibility.

‘Is he still bothering me because he finds me amusing?’

Since they worked at the same company, they were acquainted, but their first direct interaction was their one-night stand. From that day on, Seo Jeong-woon had persistently pursued Do Yi-hyun. On the day he found out about the pregnancy, Seo Jeong-woon admitted that he had acted harshly because his pride was hurt.

At the time, Do Yi-hyun thought it was because he had been cold after spending the night together, but perhaps Seo Jeong-woon had been eyeing him for a long time. After all, Do Yi-hyun was almost the only one in the company who didn’t show clear favor toward Seo Jeong-woon. Otherwise, there was no way he would have hit on a subordinate he happened to meet at a bar.

‘Does he see me as someone he can treat however he wants?’

Since their start was casual, it was highly likely he viewed Do Yi-hyun lightly. It was like buttoning the first button wrong. Looking back, Seo Jeong-woon’s fault also lay in touching Do Yi-hyun’s bare body without permission, leading to this embarrassing situation.

Do Yi-hyun had encountered many people who had made advances toward him. Without exception, they all judged him as they pleased, placed expectations on him, and were disappointed. He was sick and tired of others’ misconceptions and misunderstandings.

So, it didn’t matter whether Seo Jeong-woon treated him as a pastime toy or as an Omega carrying his child. It shouldn’t matter…….

‘Annoying.’

Do Yi-hyun’s neat eyebrows twisted mercilessly. He felt a chilling sensation as his blood ran cold. A whirlwind of emotions—whether shame or anger—washed over him, hard to distinguish.

More than anything else, he felt unfamiliar and displeased with himself for being helplessly swayed by others.

‘Maybe I should end it all now.’

What Do Yi-hyun wanted was to safely give birth and return to his previous peaceful daily life. He had an instinctive feeling that if he continued this ambiguous relationship with Seo Jeong-woon, he wouldn’t achieve that wish. Even a small twist could grow uncontrollably over time.

Though he felt sorry for the child in his womb, he wanted to endure and endure, seeking Seo Jeong-woon only when his body reached its limit. Do Yi-hyun’s lips twitched, but he couldn’t utter a word. Knowing he would suffer terrible pain again without Seo Jeong-woon made it difficult to make a choice.

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s all for the child. You need to relieve some stress or sexual desire, but you always hold back.”

Noticing Do Yi-hyun’s expression turning cold, Seo Jeong-woon added as if making an excuse. He stroked Do Yi-hyun’s lower back with a gentle touch, as if soothing a child, while simultaneously releasing a rich, strong wave of pheromones. He seemed determined to coax Do Yi-hyun.

“You need to release pheromones too.”

Seo Jeong-woon whispered almost inaudibly, pressing his lips to Do Yi-hyun’s neck. He had heard something similar from the doctor before. If pheromones were accumulated without being released, problems could arise.

However, Do Yi-hyun not only couldn’t control his pheromones but also produced significantly less than the average Omega, so he hadn’t experienced any major issues so far.

“It’s the same as kissing. No different.”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled coyly with narrowed eyes and gave Do Yi-hyun’s chin small pecks. His attitude was utterly confident, as if there was nothing to question.

“I don’t understand.”

Do Yi-hyun scrutinized him with suspicious eyes. If neither of them attached meaning to it, they could have sex right away. But the moment he became curious about Seo Jeong-woon’s true intentions, doubts arose.

“I told you. It’s for our child. I’m just doing my best.”

He smiled even more brightly, his transparent eyes gleaming. Since Seo Jeong-woon was so skilled at lying, it was difficult to discern the truth.

‘Did I misunderstand?’

Do Yi-hyun was quite confused. Honestly, he felt unfairly treated. Seo Jeong-woon had a knack for confusing people.

He acted sweetly toward everyone but threw all sorts of tantrums in front of Do Yi-hyun, only to suddenly smile brightly and act affectionately. Above all, he kept misdirecting his affection for the child. Seo Jeong-woon had already reached the sofa.

Even while his mind was tangled, immersed in the thick pheromones, Do Yi-hyun’s member showed no signs of subsiding. Instead, it grew even larger as it rubbed subtly against Seo Jeong-woon’s lower abdomen.

“If you don’t like it, close your eyes.”

Seo Jeong-woon naturally knelt between Do Yi-hyun’s legs. Do Yi-hyun gritted his teeth. In truth, what had been most bewildering from the start was that he didn’t particularly dislike Seo Jeong-woon’s excessive skinship.

Perhaps it was because of his plain expression and calm demeanor. Even pressed closely against Seo Jeong-woon, Do Yi-hyun felt no aversion. Even his playful act of rubbing his cheek against his knee looked quite cute.

Interpreting Do Yi-hyun’s hesitation as permission, Seo Jeong-woon, with a faint smile, slowly traced the shape bulging under the thin pajama pants with his fingertips.

“Ngh!”

Do Yi-hyun held his breath and gripped the sofa. Even the slightest stimulation made every hair on his body stand on end. His reason told him to push Seo Jeong-woon’s arm away immediately, but his instincts craved stronger pleasure.

“It’s nothing much, right? Don’t feel burdened.”

Seo Jeong-woon meticulously observed Do Yi-hyun’s reactions as he moved his hand carefully. Soon, he slid his broad palm over Do Yi-hyun’s member.

“Ahh.”

Do Yi-hyun could only shudder his shoulders and suppress his moans. It felt as if heavy pheromones had bound his limbs, leaving him unable to move. An unfamiliar sense of helplessness washed over him.

Seo Jeong-woon licked his lower lip and, without any warning, abruptly pulled down Do Yi-hyun’s pajama pants.

“Wait……”

Startled, Do Yi-hyun reflexively reached out. Seo Jeong-woon caught his wrist and pressed his lips to his palm. Then, with his other hand, he skillfully stripped off the clothing.

Seo Jeong-woon wrinkled his nose at the starkly revealed black briefs and, without a moment’s hesitation, slipped his hand inside Do Yi-hyun’s underwear. His large hand grasped Do Yi-hyun’s member.

“Kgh.”

At the stronger-than-expected grip, Do Yi-hyun tried to curl up. But since Seo Jeong-woon held his thighs and leaned forward, his legs spread even wider.

“Haha.”

Seo Jeong-woon playfully smiled as he hooked his finger into the underwear and pulled it halfway down. Do Yi-hyun’s erect penis twitched.

“I’ve thought this for a while, but you’re really pretty here too, Lee Hyun-ssi.”

He rubbed the glans, beaded with transparent fluid, with his thumb and grinned.

“Please, just shut that mouth.”

Do Yi-hyun, panting roughly from the tingling pleasure, swept a hand over his face. Seo Jeong-woon was increasingly saying outrageous things, like asking to be stabbed in the throat or messed up.

“Should I?”

For some reason, Seo Jeong-woon cheerfully replied to Do Yi-hyun’s scolding. Then, in an instant, he took Do Yi-hyun’s penis into his mouth.

“Ah…!”

He never expected Seo Jeong-woon to swallow his penis. Do Yi-hyun faced dizzying sexual pleasure in a defenseless state.

“Huh, ahh!”

Do Yi-hyun trembled violently, his back arched. The inside of Seo Jeong-woon’s mouth was hot and wet. His soft yet slightly rough tongue moved lightly along the bulging veins.

“Hey, hah, ugh, stop, stop…”

To think he was licking someone else’s penis—Seo Jeong-woon had a strong stomach. Do Yi-hyun tried to pull away from Seo Jeong-woon by bending his knees. But the more Do Yi-hyun struggled, the deeper Seo Jeong-woon inserted it, firmly gripping his hips.

Soon, the tip of Seo Jeong-woon’s nose touched Do Yi-hyun’s lower abdomen. Hot breath spread over Do Yi-hyun’s tensed abs.

“Kuh!”

Seo Jeong-woon’s throat tightly squeezed the glans. It was on a completely different level from masturbating alone. Do Yi-hyun, at a loss, frantically scratched the sofa.

With each gasping breath, Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones stabbed into his lungs. Do Yi-hyun’s usually sharp black eyes grew hazy. Seo Jeong-woon, glancing up, slowly began moving his head up and down.

“Ah-ugh, haah, ah…”

Do Yi-hyun jerked his head back. The stimulation was so intense his mind went blank. Overwhelmed with excitement, Do Yi-hyun unconsciously grabbed Seo Jeong-woon’s hair.

Seo Jeong-woon let out a low laugh, then tightened his lips and pursed them. He even began sucking strongly, as if trying to pull Do Yi-hyun’s penis out. His hand mischievously stroked the inside of Do Yi-hyun’s trembling thigh.

“Ah-yuk!”

Do Yi-hyun could no longer hold back his moans. Even if Seo Jeong-woon just twitched a finger, his waist would flinch. Seo Jeong-woon caressed the firm thigh, then slowly moved his hand toward the groin.

While keeping only the rounded glans in his mouth, he lightly traced the bulging perineum with his thumb.

“Huh…”

In response, Do Yi-hyun, now practically naked, slowly spread his legs. Knowing a stronger pleasure, he instinctively desired the Alpha. Seo Jeong-woon swallowed Do Yi-hyun’s penis down to his throat again and quickly rubbed the perineum.

Since it was already wet behind, it soon grew slick.

“That’s enough, s-suh, huh, please, ah-yuk!”

Even though he hadn’t touched the hole itself, the urge to ejaculate surged instantly. Do Yi-hyun shook his head and pushed Seo Jeong-woon’s head away. But no matter how much Do Yi-hyun twisted his waist and struggled with his legs, Seo Jeong-woon didn’t let go.

Instead, he smiled with narrowed eyes and caressed Do Yi-hyun’s pelvic bone in a circle, as if telling him to come in his mouth.

“Kut!”

In the end, Do Yi-hyun ejaculated into Seo Jeong-woon’s mouth. With each contraction of his sharply defined lower abdomen, sticky semen continued to spurt out.

“Haa, haa.”

Do Yi-hyun lay sprawled on the sofa, unable to move a finger. It was due to being excessively exposed to the Alpha’s pheromones. His body trembled intermittently from the overwhelming pleasure.

Seo Jeong-woon nonchalantly gulped down Do Yi-hyun’s semen. Then, he persistently licked the slit at the tip of the glans.

“Ugh, Vice President, stop, ugh, please.”

Having just ejaculated, having his penis stimulated repeatedly was driving him crazy. A different sensation arose. Do Yi-hyun struggled with all his might but couldn’t remove even one of Seo Jeong-woon’s fingers gripping his waist.

“Call me Jeong-woon-ssi.”

Since he was still mumbling with Do Yi-hyun’s penis in his mouth, Seo Jeong-woon’s pronunciation was slurred. Seo Jeong-woon’s playful smile was annoying. Do Yi-hyun glared at the shameless Seo Jeong-woon.

It seemed it wasn’t just a simple suggestion for treatment purposes after all. Irritated for a moment, he picked up a nearby cushion and hit Seo Jeong-woon’s head with it.

“Huh!”

But it was a bad choice. Seo Jeong-woon wasn’t fazed at all. Instead, as if scolding him, he bared his teeth against Do Yi-hyun’s penis.

It wasn’t exactly painful, but goosebumps ran down his spine. It seemed Seo Jeong-woon really intended to keep Do Yi-hyun’s penis in his mouth until he called him by name. Come to think of it, Seo Jeong-woon had a tendency to fixate on trivial things.

“…ssi.”

Thud. Do Yi-hyun dropped the cushion, pressed his forehead, and muttered.

“Hmm?”

“…Jeong-woon-ssi.”

Do Yi-hyun uttered Seo Jeong-woon’s name with an unfamiliar expression. Calling a superior familiarly was awkward enough, but it was even more embarrassing since that superior currently had his penis in his mouth. The peak pleasure had gradually subsided, but his rationality hadn’t returned yet.

It seemed impossible to think normally until Seo Jeong-woon withdrew the pheromones that thoroughly enveloped the surroundings.

“Haha. You finally called me.”

As promised, Seo Jeong-woon spat out Do Yi-hyun’s penis. But he didn’t leave it alone; he kept licking Do Yi-hyun’s limp penis with his tongue.

“It’s soft and cute.”

Seo Jeong-woon chuckled and even gave the tip a peck.

“Get off me.”

Unable to bear it, Do Yi-hyun spoke up, but Seo Jeong-woon buried his lips in his lower abdomen and rubbed his face against it. It looked like lovers enjoying afterplay. Tsk.

Clicking his tongue, Do Yi-hyun twisted Seo Jeong-woon’s shoulder with a hint of emotion.

“Your collarbone and chest line are the prettiest, Lee Hyun-ssi.”

Despite it probably hurting quite a bit, Seo Jeong-woon shamelessly raised his head and lightly grabbed Do Yi-hyun’s chest.

“I dislike being touched without permission.”

This time, Do Yi-hyun clearly expressed his opinion. The more he refused, the more persistently Seo Jeong-woon acted, and if left alone, it seemed endless.

“Is that so? Then should we kiss more instead?”

Seo Jeong-woon raised both hands with a regretful expression. Then, he brought his face close.

“No.”

Do Yi-hyun, with a stern face, left no room for argument. He didn’t want to swap tongues with someone who just had his penis in their mouth. Especially since they even swallowed his semen, he was even more unwilling.

“Ahaha.”

As if knowing why Do Yi-hyun refused, Seo Jeong-woon burst into a bright laugh.

“…I’ll go wash up.”

Do Yi-hyun tried to adjust his pants but clicked his tongue. It was really uncomfortable. With Seo Jeong-woon naturally supporting his waist, Do Yi-hyun shook his head.

Sometimes, Seo Jeong-woon acted so bothersome that it seemed like he might like him.

‘Don’t get the wrong idea.’

But he mustn’t be confused. Seo Jeong-woon’s affection was directed not at him, but at the child in his womb. The corners of Do Yi-hyun’s mouth stiffened.

“Shall we go on a date on the way back from the hospital?”

“No.”

Do Yi-hyun refused Seo Jeong-woon’s suggestion more coldly than usual.

“There’s a place I want to go with our child.”

“…”

Then, Seo Jeong-woon whined, bringing up the child. Every time Seo Jeong-woon mentioned the child, Do Yi-hyun was at a loss for words.

“Don’t be like that, come with me. Hmm?”

“…I’ll think about it.”

Under the persistent urging, Do Yi-hyun answered as if sighing. Knowing he’d eventually be dragged along as Seo Jeong-woon wanted made him feel stifled. Entering the bathroom, Do Yi-hyun stood under the lukewarm water falling from above for a long time.

The tingling sensation on his skin wouldn’t easily fade. He wanted to shower with cold water, but couldn’t for fear of harming the child. After a light wash, when he came out, a bright mint-green pajama set with irregularly placed round patterns was waiting for him.

‘Does Vice President Seo sleep in something like this?’

Do Yi-hyun frowned as he examined the colorful pajamas. He couldn’t quite imagine Seo Jeong-woon wearing such cute pajamas. But considering the oddly colored suits he usually wore, these pajamas probably suited him well too.

After putting on the pants, Do Yi-hyun hesitated briefly before putting on the top as well. Seo Jeong-woon, who was as stubborn as a mule, would probably try to touch his body arbitrarily again. It was much better to endure a little discomfort than to repeat the same mistake while aware of the risk.

“Hmm, you’re all dressed this time?”

Perhaps because his target for mischief was gone, Seo Jeong-woon looked regretfully at Do Yi-hyun’s chest. The fit was tight, causing the buttons to gape slightly.

“Sometimes, you look more like an athlete than an office worker, Lee Hyun-ssi.”

Seo Jeong-woon blinked his large eyes and tilted his head. He acted completely nonchalant, as if nothing had happened just moments ago.

“I used to be one.”

Do Yi-hyun, who had been uncomfortably eyeing the sofa, sat at the dining table and answered vaguely.

“Sports? What did you do?”

Seo Jeong-woon showed interest. Meanwhile, his hands were diligently peeling an apple.

“…I did judo until high school.”

Do Yi-hyun hesitated but told the truth. In the past, he would have ignored it out of annoyance, but the more he got to know Seo Jeong-woon, the more he felt closer to the child, making it hard to simply brush it off.

‘It’s confusing.’

Do Yi-hyun always had clear likes and dislikes, right and wrong. Naturally, he rarely hesitated when making decisions. But since becoming pregnant, especially regarding matters related to Seo Jeong-woon, everything felt unclear and uncertain.

“You must have been good at judo too, Lee Hyun-ssi.”

Seo Jeong-woon handed over a bowl of neatly sliced apples and smiled plainly.

“…”

Do Yi-hyun silently gazed at the unwavering smile. Usually, traits manifested in middle school. How an Omega could belong to a sports club until high school, why an Omega was so big-built.

When people found out Do Yi-hyun was in a sports club until high school, they usually asked probing questions, but Seo Jeong-woon was quiet.

“What color do you like?”

“I prefer achromatic colors.”

“I thought so.”

Instead, Seo Jeong-woon asked trivial, meaningless questions. As they exchanged questions and answers, sleepiness began to pour over him.

“Go to the bedroom and take a nap.”

“Isn’t there another bed? Like a guest room.”

“Nope, there isn’t.”

Seo Jeong-woon answered without a moment’s hesitation. Do Yi-hyun glanced at the unopened room doors he hadn’t seen before and headed to Seo Jeong-woon’s bedroom. If he hadn’t done those strange things earlier, he would have slept on the sofa, but it felt too awkward to lie there again.

“Should I stay with you?”

“It’s uncomfortable. Please leave.”

“…Alright.”

At Do Yi-hyun’s dismissal, Seo Jeong-woon made a sulky face but strode out. Do Yi-hyun took a deep breath. He couldn’t deny that Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones, faintly permeating the space and bedding, were comforting.

‘…I need stronger pheromones.’

Half-asleep, Do Yi-hyun buried his nose in Seo Jeong-woon’s pillow and pulled the blanket up to his chin. Suddenly, he remembered the white handkerchief he had brought in his coat pocket. Perhaps because the first impression was so strong.

He hadn’t opened it again, but Do Yi-hyun often fiddled with the case Seo Jeong-woon had given him. As if addicted, Do Yi-hyun was gradually captivated by the euphoria from Seo Jeong-woon’s pheromones.

‘Or else…’

With eyes hazy from sleep, Do Yi-hyun glanced at the door. It would be nice if Seo Jeong-woon released strong pheromones again. Even though he knew it was a futile thought, he couldn’t stop.

Do Yi-hyun forced his eyes shut and tried to sleep.

***

“Hmm. The baby is growing well. Above all, I’m glad you’ve become much healthier, Lee Hyun-ah. If you maintain this, you should be able to last until the delivery date.”

The doctor, checking the test results, beamed.

“I fed him well and put him to sleep well.”

Seo Jeong-woon boasted with a proud expression, as if he had accomplished something great. Do Yi-hyun shot a sidelong glance at his gleamingly smiling face. Anyone hearing would think he stayed by his side 24/7, taking care of him.

“Tsk tsk.”

As if displeased with Seo Jeong-woon showing off, the doctor clicked his tongue. He still didn’t think highly of Seo Jeong-woon but no longer showed his dislike so blatantly.

“Come again for the next regular check-up.”

The doctor typed something into the computer and glanced at Do Yi-hyun.

“Is that all?”

“Yeah.”

At Do Yi-hyun’s bewildered question, the doctor nodded curtly. It was the first time the appointment ended without additional tests or treatment, leaving him feeling somewhat empty.

“Doctor.”

Having gauged Seo Jeong-woon’s mood, Do Yi-hyun called the doctor quietly. The doctor, who had been avoiding Do Yi-hyun’s gaze, reluctantly made eye contact. The doctor made a sour face, sighed deeply, and turned his body toward Seo Jeong-woon.

“Mom, step out for a moment.”

“Is there something I shouldn’t hear?”

At the doctor’s suggestion, Seo Jeong-woon narrowed his eyes, smiling, and looked back and forth between Do Yi-hyun and the doctor. He seemed to have sensed something odd.

“Yeah, so just step out for a bit.”

The doctor waved his hand dismissively, as if explaining was bothersome.

“Can’t I stay too, Lee Hyun-ssi?”

“It’s a private matter, so no.”

Seo Jeong-woon changed targets and stared intently at Do Yi-hyun. But Do Yi-hyun maintained the most indifferent expression possible and ignored his pleading request.

“I’ll wait outside.”

He thought Seo Jeong-woon might throw another unreasonable tantrum, but perhaps because it was a hospital, Seo Jeong-woon obediently left the examination room.

“It’s not possible, Lee Hyun-ah.”

Click. As soon as the door closed, the doctor shook his head with a serious face. Deep wrinkles were etched between his brows.

“Please.”

Do Yi-hyun slowly bowed his head. Because Seo Jeong-woon persistently insisted on always going to the hospital together, Do Yi-hyun had separately left a message for the doctor saying he wanted to continue searching for an Alpha’s pheromones with good compatibility. The doctor had flatly refused, telling him not to talk nonsense, but Do Yi-hyun hardly gave up his stubbornness.

They had finally agreed to meet and talk, concluding the conversation for now.

“Are you still on about that?”

The doctor twisted his chapped lips and crossed his arms.

“You’ve just stabilized. Why would you want to do that again? Did that bastard say he doesn’t want to give you pheromones? Or did he do something terrible to you?”

The doctor glared fiercely at the door Seo Jeong-woon had left through. If Do Yi-hyun nodded even slightly, he seemed ready to rush out and grab Seo Jeong-woon by the collar.

“It wouldn’t hurt to prepare in advance. I’m accepting the Vice President’s pheromones well now, but who knows when rejection symptoms might appear again.”

Do Yi-hyun continued his explanation calmly. Even if his constitution suddenly changed again, there was no way to treat it since the cause was unknown. That’s how unique Do Yi-hyun’s trait was.

“…I understand what you mean. But not now. If you really want to look for another Alpha’s pheromones, it’s only possible after you enter the stabilization period at the earliest.”

The doctor tapped the desk rapidly with his fingernail and chewed on his lower lip.

“When is that?”

“Let’s see. It should be around 16 weeks, so roughly 4 weeks left.”

“…”

Hearing that, Do Yi-hyun clenched his fist.

‘That’s too long.’

Even testing pheromones didn’t guarantee quickly finding an Alpha’s pheromones with good compatibility. There was a high chance of just harming his body and failing to find one in the end.

“…I understand. Let’s do that.”

But he couldn’t just stay still, dependent on Seo Jeong-woon like this. The longer he spent time with him, the more he felt the path back to his original daily life would become difficult. Perhaps because of that.

Unknown anxiety and unease frequently unsettled Do Yi-hyun. It was a very unfamiliar feeling.

“Hoo. I’ll start inquiring about pheromones in advance from now.”

“Thank you.”

Having finished what felt like a tug-of-war with the doctor, Do Yi-hyun slowly stood up. Do Yi-hyun originally had a long stride and walked quickly. Even after learning of the pregnancy, he couldn’t easily change it, but lately, with Seo Jeong-woon clinging to him and making a fuss every time, his steps had unconsciously become cautious and slower.

Suddenly realizing his gait had changed quite a bit, Do Yi-hyun made an ambiguous expression. The changes in himself due to Seo Jeong-woon felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Casually scanning the chairs in the hallway, Seo Jeong-woon was nowhere to be seen.

To be more precise, no one approached me first, calling me “Mr. Lee Hyun.”

‘Where on earth did Executive Director Seo go?’

Since I couldn’t even imagine that Seo Jeong-woon would leave me behind and go somewhere else, I was quite bewildered. Do Yi-hyun kept looking around with a stiffened face, fumbling in his pockets. The most uncomfortable part was not being able to tell whether Seo Jeong-woon wasn’t here or if I just couldn’t find him.

“Ah, are you looking for your guardian? They went to the payment counter.”

A nurse who spotted Do Yi-hyun standing tall in the hallway discreetly informed him.

“……Thank you.”

‘Guardian.’

Do Yi-hyun let his arm, which had been rummaging through his pocket, drop powerlessly. It felt strange for Seo Jeong-woon to be designated as his guardian. On the other hand, a peculiar sense of relief washed over him.

Do Yi-hyun slowly moved his feet. His black eyes quickly scanned the people inside the hospital.

‘Not this person. Not that one either.’

Still, it hurt his pride that he still couldn’t recognize Seo Jeong-woon’s face despite having tried to memorize it over the past few days. All around were strangers whose faces he couldn’t recognize. Amidst people wearing white masks, he felt an unfamiliar sense of isolation, as if he had become a lone outsider.

For the first time, he keenly felt that he suffered from prosopagnosia. Swallowing his anxiety, Do Yi-hyun persistently wandered, searching for a tall, handsome Alpha. He should have been noticeable enough, but no one who could be presumed to be Seo Jeong-woon was in sight.

Just as Do Yi-hyun, unable to bear the unfamiliar irritation, picked up his phone.

“Mr. Lee Hyun.”

A low call came from behind. Do Yi-hyun swiftly turned his body.

“You’re already out? I thought it would take a bit longer. If it was going to end so quickly, I should have just waited until Mr. Lee Hyun came out.”

Seo Jeong-woon muttered with a regretful expression, wrapping his arm around Do Yi-hyun’s waist. Then he placed a warm canned drink in Do Yi-hyun’s hand.

“Hah……”

Do Yi-hyun forcibly exhaled the breath he had held up to his chin. Without even realizing it, his heart was racing as if he had sprinted 100 meters at full speed.

“How much was the hospital bill?”

“Hmm. I forgot. You should forget it too, Mr. Lee Hyun.”

Seo Jeong-woon tilted his head cutely and grinned slyly.

“I’ll send it to you.”

However, Do Yi-hyun firmly lowered the corners of his stiffened mouth. Of course, it would be pocket change for Seo Jeong-woon, but he didn’t want to be financially indebted to him.

“I don’t want to.”

“I don’t want to either.”

“If it really bothers you, go on a date with me.”

Seo Jeong-woon beamed a bright smile, bringing his face close. Do Yi-hyun reflexively turned his head to the side. Despite there being about a hand’s breadth of distance, it felt like their lips might touch at any moment.

“I told you there’s no reason for me to date the Executive Director.”

“And I told you I’d say I’m dating our baby.”

Knowing it was childish, Seo Jeong-woon paid him back in kind when Do Yi-hyun picked on his words. Do Yi-hyun glared at Seo Jeong-woon, who was grinning mischievously. Somehow, Seo Jeong-woon was becoming more and more annoying as days went by.

“You choose, Mr. Lee Hyun. Among a musical, a classical concert, and a movie.”

Seo Jeong-woon spread his long fingers, presenting the options.

“……Are those places you’d want to go with a baby?”

Do Yi-hyun twisted his lips in disbelief. None of the three were places suitable for going with a child.

“We need to do prenatal education too.”

“That’s unnecessary.”

“I need it. I want to do prenatal education.”

Even when Do Yi-hyun flatly refused, Seo Jeong-woon shamelessly persisted. He even spoke as if he were personally doing the prenatal education, despite not being the one carrying the child. If the doctor had heard, he would have scolded Seo Jeong-woon to stop all this prenatal education nonsense.

The doctor had said that prenatal education was doing what you wanted within the bounds of maintaining health. Suddenly, a drama his mother used to watch came to mind. In the drama, the chaebol did all sorts of prenatal education; perhaps Seo Jeong-woon’s family was like that too.

Not that he intended to go along with it, but he was curious.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Seo Jeong-woon smiled bashfully, lowering his eyes. His lush eyelashes cast thin shadows over his ash-gray irises. Do Yi-hyun wanted to refuse until the very end.

But facing Seo Jeong-woon, who was smiling brightly with a genuinely expectant face, his mouth wouldn’t open.

“……Please choose the shortest one among them.”

Once again, Do Yi-hyun gave in to Seo Jeong-woon’s insistence. A sigh escaped him naturally. He was aware that he was being excessively soft on Seo Jeong-woon, but every time Seo Jeong-woon used the child as a pretext, it felt awkward to refuse.

“Then a movie would be better.”

Perhaps happy that Do Yi-hyun agreed, Seo Jeong-woon smiled brightly and nodded his chin. It was a lovely smile, like a flower bud blooming. Even the indifferent Do Yi-hyun keenly felt gazes flying in from all around.

“Shall we go?”

Seo Jeong-woon carefully embraced Do Yi-hyun and leisurely began walking.

‘He keeps doing unnecessary things.’

Do Yi-hyun watched Seo Jeong-woon’s actions with mixed feelings. Even a heavily pregnant woman wouldn’t be this careful. As they exited the hospital corridor, Do Yi-hyun’s eyes suddenly caught the reflection of himself and Seo Jeong-woon in a glass window.

A beautiful Alpha with a gracious smile and a large, blunt Omega. It was a mismatched combination. Behind them, curious glances followed.

If this weren’t an omega-only hospital, most people would surely have mistaken them for two Alphas sticking together. Do Yi-hyun let out a short, dry laugh. No matter how he thought about it, there were far more reasons for Seo Jeong-woon not to like him than to like him.

Yet, he had worried that Seo Jeong-woon might like him. Even if it was just for a moment, he found himself ridiculous for having such a worry.

“Why are you laughing?”

Seo Jeong-woon suddenly turned to look at Do Yi-hyun.

“I wasn’t laughing.”

Do Yi-hyun touched the corner of his mouth, feigning innocence. It must have been a barely audible sound, but Seo Jeong-woon had sharp ears.

“Liar. I just heard you laugh.”

It would have been nice if he backed off appropriately, but Seo Jeong-woon stared intently at the corner of Do Yi-hyun’s mouth. The more he did, the more Do Yi-hyun’s mouth corners descended with gravity.

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“Then laugh for me again now.”

When Do Yi-hyun denied it again, Seo Jeong-woon made a strange, baseless request.

“Why should I do that?”

Do Yi-hyun shot him a sharp look.

“Haa. Mr. Lee Hyun, you’re really too much.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

The two engaged in meaningless bickering as they boarded the elevator.

‘What am I doing right now?’

Do Yi-hyun gritted his teeth. He wanted to keep his mouth shut, but every time Seo Jeong-woon said something, he kept wanting to retort. The more Do Yi-hyun answered back precisely, the deeper Seo Jeong-woon’s smiling eyes became.

It somehow felt like he was being teased, and it was unpleasant to see. Do Yi-hyun pursed his lips and coldly turned his head away.

“Mr. Lee Hyun, look at me. Hmm?”

Then Seo Jeong-woon whispered affectionately, rubbing his head against Do Yi-hyun’s shoulder. He could feel the other people in the elevator glancing their way.

‘Does Executive Director Seo have no shame?’

Having never imagined Seo Jeong-woon would cling to him even outside, Do Yi-hyun was left speechless. At the company, he maintained boundaries well, so it was unimaginable.

“If you say one more word, I’ll cancel our movie plan.”

“……”

When Do Yi-hyun warned him, Seo Jeong-woon pouted his lips with a wronged expression. Seeing Seo Jeong-woon flustered felt quite satisfying. The corners of Do Yi-hyun’s mouth loosened slightly.