Chapter 101. Rаiny Seаsоn

Whеn реople think оf summеr vacаtion, therе аrе сеrtаin things they nаturаllу look fоrward to. Mоrnings that stаrt latе, the sоund of сiсаdas insteаd of аn alarm, vaсations takеn during the peаk of thе hеat, and the sight of a lush bluе sea unfolding bеfоrе оnе’s eyеs.

Until the first dау of the еnd оf the semester, Wоo-уеon had bееn intохiсatеd with hаpрiness, thinking of such things. It was becаuse he hаd officiаlly recоncilеd with Do-hyun, аnd аlthough it was mеntioned in рassing, thеу had рrоmised tо trаvel tоgеthеr; he eхрeсtеd thе futurе to be full of joyful events.

Whether to go to the East Sea or Jeju Island. Or perhaps pick one of the villas abroad. While he was brimming with dreams, the first day of vacation dawned, and a phone call came from Do-hyun.

—”I think I have to visit my family home for a few days.”

It was a sentence that caused his inflated dreams to shrink in an instant. All the plans he had made to do various things with Do-hyun vanished like bubbles. Woo-yeon was deeply discouraged, but he forced himself to craft a response that sounded okay.

“I’ll be doing my own things too.”

My own things, my foot. He had absolutely nothing to do and spent the entire day rolling around on his bed. And this was only three days into the vacation.

What did he usually do at times like this…? In America, he spent time with Daniel, and after returning to Korea, things had been hectic. During the semester, he was studying, and after exams ended, he was thinking about Do-hyun. It had been so long since his body and mind were in such a clean, empty state that he couldn’t adapt.

“Danny hasn’t contacted me either… I wonder if Teacher is very busy.”

Woo-yeon tossed and turned while looking at the message Do-hyun had sent. The news that he had arrived at his family home was the last contact they had exchanged. He felt that Do-hyun would answer if he called, but he felt uneasy about disturbing him.

With a sigh, Woo-yeon grabbed the doll he had left in the corner of the bed. It wasn’t a rabbit, but actually a fennec fox. As he hugged the white, fluffy doll, he found himself missing Do-hyun even more.

Maybe I should sleep. With that thought, Woo-yeon closed his eyes. He had already slept enough, but when there was nothing to do, sleeping was the best. As he slowly closed his eyes, various stray thoughts drifted into his mind.

“…The rainy season starts next week.”

Come to think of it, the rainy season was coming soon. When that time came, the currently blue sky would be completely covered in dark clouds. The thought of torrential rain pouring down left his mind feeling restless and complicated.

* * *

A week passed. Woo-yeon dyed his hair black and received a detailed pheromone examination from his primary physician. It was to find out why the suppressants hadn’t worked last time, but this time, all the levels were normal. The physician said there was a high possibility that he had been influenced by stress and the Alphas around him.

Soo-hyang had not shown her face for a single day since Woo-yeon’s vacation began. She seemed busy with work, but that likely wasn’t the only reason. Woo-yeon knew that around this time of year, Soo-hyang would cling only to her work and minimize her sleeping hours.

Regardless, because of that, Woo-yeon was spending a summer vacation more boring than anyone else’s. He had watched so many movies in the meantime that his eyes eventually became so dry he couldn’t focus. He exercised in the PT room and even swam in the pool, but once boredom set in, it did not easily disappear.

And so, the rainy season began. One drop, two drops; the rain hitting the window grew heavier just as Woo-yeon was about to go to bed. As luck would have it, no one was home, and Woo-yeon sat perched on the windowsill, clutching his phone with both hands.

“Should I… call?”

A week and three days. Hadn’t he waited long enough? He had received occasional messages asking if he had eaten, but he hadn’t heard his voice once. Honestly, wasn’t it a bit cruel to be left in a lonely room right after they started dating again?

[Are you busy?] 11:01pm

After sending the message, Woo-yeon began to fervently chant a spell. Call me, call me, call me. Knowing it was useless, he repeated it exactly five more times. Naturally, there was no way a call would come, and his mood continued to trend downward.

“I miss him…”

But surprisingly, as soon as he uttered those last words, the phone rang. The caller was ‘Do-hyun Hyung’—the Teacher Woo-yeon had been waiting for.

“Hello?”

Woo-yeon answered the phone in a hurried scramble. His heart began to beat wildly. From the other end of the line, an incredibly tender voice flowed out.

—Yeah, Woo-yeon. What were you doing?

“…”

An answer didn’t come immediately. Just a week, plus a few more days. The voice he faced after that gap was overwhelmingly emotional. It felt as if he would burst into tears the moment he uttered a single word.

“…Seonbae.”

So, Woo-yeon barely managed to squeeze out that address. As soon as he heard the title ‘Seonbae,’ Do-hyun let out a soft chuckle.

—You’re back to ‘Seonbae’ just because we haven’t seen each other for a few days?

What to do about the title he had already grown accustomed to? It was a relief he hadn’t called him Teacher instead of Seonbae. Of course, the title needed to be corrected.

“Hyung, when are you coming back?”

His voice sounded sullen. He tried not to show it, but he was already lonely to the limit, so he couldn’t help it. Do-hyun seemed to notice this, as a gentle question returned.

—Do you miss me that much?

“Yes.”

—…

“I miss you.”

—…

“I miss you…”

If he said he missed him, would he come? With that thought, Woo-yeon leaned his forehead against the window. The pouring rain left streaks on the transparent glass. Beyond the rainwater, all he could see were high walls and the garden.

—This is troubling.

Do-hyun uttered those words and swallowed a sigh. The silence that followed told Woo-yeon that he was choosing his words. As expected, had he acted too spoiled? Just as that thought occurred, he whispered softly.

—It’s late today, so I was planning to just go home.

The moment he heard that, Woo-yeon bolted upright and rushed out of the room. He crossed the unnecessarily spacious house, opened the front door, and ran out to the main gate, shoving his feet into his shoes. Through the gap of the wide-open door, he saw someone holding an umbrella.

“…”

“…”

A person standing with straight posture under a black umbrella. A person whose eyes widened in surprise the moment he saw Woo-yeon. The very person who had not left Woo-yeon’s mind for a single moment over the past few days.

Without even realizing he was getting rained on, Woo-yeon’s lips parted.

“…If you stay like that, you’ll be reported.”

It was a sentence devoid of any romantic sentiment. Naturally, Do-hyun let out a short laugh and tilted the umbrella toward Woo-yeon. Water droplets dripped from his already soaked hair.

“Is that the first thing you have to say?”

Woo-yeon didn’t answer and instead lunged into Do-hyun’s arms. He hugged him so violently that Do-hyun dropped the umbrella he was holding. With a splash of rainwater, Woo-yeon began to sob.

“Hyung…”

All sorts of sorrow rushed in. He had missed him, longed for him, and had been a little lonely. To exaggerate slightly, this past week had been harder than the four years the Teacher had been gone.

“Oh, I see.”

Do-hyun hugged Woo-yeon tightly and rubbed his cheek against his hair. He acted without hesitation, as if the soaked hair wasn’t unpleasant at all. Tightening his arms as if to crush him, he whispered tenderly into Woo-yeon’s ear.

“I missed you too.”

The two didn’t enter the house until quite some time had passed. Specifically, it was the moment Woo-yeon let out a loud “Achoo!” Do-hyun said he should leave since it was late, but Woo-yeon held onto him by saying no one was home.

“Why did you go to your family home?”

The two came out after showering in separate bathrooms. For a moment, he thought it would be okay to wash together, but before he could bring it up, Do-hyun had zipped away with a change of clothes. Woo-yeon regretted later that he hadn’t offered to find the clothes for him.

“My parents and sibling call me occasionally. Once I go, I have to pretend to be a good son, so I can’t check my phone much.”

“I see…”

After roughly drying their hair, they lay side by side on the bed and talked. Actually, he thought there would be more clingy skinship, but Do-hyun simply let Woo-yeon use his arm as a pillow and gently stroked his lower back.

Looking at Woo-yeon, who was nestled quietly in his arms, Do-hyun asked casually.

“What did you do while I was gone?”

“…I watched movies.”

“And?”

“I exercised, I swam… I tried to read a book, but I got lazy and stopped.”

“You played quite wholesomely.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Their legs tangled under the blanket. It was clearly a peaceful conversation, but gaps formed between the answers. Woo-yeon intentionally pressed closer to Do-hyun, but Do-hyun shook his head with a feigned sternness.

“No, this isn’t a house where you live alone.”

“…There’s no one here anyway.”

“You’re fearless, jumping in when you won’t be able to handle it again.”

It was a warning-heavy sentence. His pitch-black eyes were tinged with something dark, doubling the persuasiveness. The problem was that even such a gaze didn’t work on Woo-yeon at all.

“Then just a kiss…”

Woo-yeon wrapped his arms around Do-hyun’s waist and looked up pleadingly. As much as he had missed Do-hyun, he had also missed the pleasure he provided in many ways. He wanted to feel Kim Do-hyun himself entirely through the process of kissing, mixing tongues, and skin touching skin.

“Yeon-ah.”

However, instead of kissing him, Do-hyun gently ruffled Woo-yeon’s hair. Long fingers softly messed up the well-textured hair. The forehead, the corners of the eyes, and the bridge of the nose. Pressing his lips down in turn, he asked in a soothing tone.

“Are you feeling down?”

“…”

Woo-yeon lowered his gaze. As he leaned into Do-hyun, he patted his shoulder with a kind touch. Burying his face in Do-hyun’s chest, Woo-yeon mumbled.

“I’m okay now.”

Which meant he wasn’t okay before. Do-hyun, who couldn’t possibly be unaware of that fact, began to slowly release his pheromones. The gently released pheromones softly soothed Woo-yeon’s heart.

“I had a tutor when I was young.”

While held in Do-hyun’s arms, Woo-yeon began to tell various small stories. That he hadn’t attended elementary school and had seen various tutors while homeschooling. Among them was the story of an Alpha who remained particularly vivid in his memory.

“He taught English, but I only remember being scolded.”

He wasn’t physically punished, but he received lectures so severe that he would have preferred being hit. The tutor tore the young Woo-yeon down to the floor, saying he was bad at it because he was stupid. He learned English that way, and thanks to that, everything he wrote, heard, and spoke was still perfect.

“Alphas are always like that.”

It might have been a coincidence for Woo-yeon, but when a coincidence repeats, it becomes a necessity. The stereotypes learned since childhood were not corrected, except for a few exceptions. Even now, while held in an Alpha’s arms, Woo-yeon shuddered at the thought of Alphas other than him.

“Where did the Chairman go?”

Instead of empathizing, Do-hyun shifted the subject. Since Woo-yeon didn’t want to talk about it further, the timing was perfect. Fidgeting with his fingers, Woo-yeon answered casually.

“He probably went to my mother’s grave.”

“…In this rain?”

“He always does.”

It was the rainy season. Rain fell outside the window, and it had been over a week since Soo-hyang had come home. On days when torrential rain poured like this, he always felt unwell.

“The day after tomorrow is my mother’s death anniversary.”

“…”

“She’s always away from home around this time.”

The rain grew heavier. Do-hyun silently lowered his head toward Woo-yeon. The lips that softly touched felt as if they were offering consolation.

* * *

As soon as he opened his eyes the next day, Woo-yeon found the bed empty and sat up. He had clearly fallen asleep while talking with Do-hyun, but upon waking, he was nowhere to be found. No matter where he looked, there was no trace of Do-hyun.

‘No way… did he already leave?’

Thinking that, Woo-yeon sprang from the bed like a coiled spring. After how long had he finally met Do-hyun? It made no sense for him to leave while he was sleeping. Even if he had to go, he should have woken Woo-yeon up.

Even in his half-asleep state, Woo-yeon hurried toward the bedroom door. Just as he was about to open the door, dragging his indoor slippers, the door connected to the study suddenly clicked open. The person who came out was Do-hyun.

“Oh, you’re awake?”

“…Why are you coming out from there?”

Woo-yeon let go of the doorknob and slowly approached Do-hyun. Do-hyun, smiling beautifully, opened his arms and hugged Woo-yeon. A cozy warmth rushed in along with his pheromones.

“I went to the bathroom and saw the room where we used to have tutoring, so I checked it out. Sorry for entering without permission.”

“I thought you went home.”

“Where would I go, leaving you behind?”

Long fingers gently ruffled his hair. Even without looking in a mirror, he knew his hair must be sticking up in all directions. Do-hyun stroked the crown and back of his head and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.

“Your black hair is pretty too.”

A silly laugh escaped him. It was because Do-hyun’s voice was brimming with affection. As Woo-yeon nuzzled against him, Do-hyun kissed him a couple more times.

The two went down to the first floor before the atmosphere could become too suggestive. In the kitchen, there was a meal prepared by the employee, and in one corner of the living room, there were many mysterious boxes piled up. Do-hyun, who had been eating silently, suddenly asked a question.

“Was it like this every year?”

“Pardon?”

Every year? He didn’t know what he was talking about. Meals were prepared every morning, and the employee rarely encountered Woo-yeon.

“Well, always…”

As he trailed off vaguely, Do-hyun’s expression became serious. He frowned and sank into thought for a long while. Then, he spoke casually.

“Ga-ram said she moved.”

“Moved?”

“Yeah, looks like she moved from a studio to a two-room place.”

He wondered why there had been no contact since vacation started; it seemed she had been busy moving. To Woo-yeon, who nodded slowly, he asked in a suggestive voice.

“Want to go visit?”

* * *

Except for Do-hyun, Woo-yeon had never visited anyone else’s home. Furthermore, a space with the title ‘studio apartment’ was practically an unknown world. To such a person, the suggestion to ‘go visit Mungaram’s studio’ was more exciting than a proposal to go to an amusement park.

As soon as they finished their meal, they took a taxi to Ga-ram’s place. They could have used a car via the employee, but he didn’t want to notify the house. Do-hyun called a taxi without complaint and meticulously helped Woo-yeon put on his outerwear.

“The weather is a bit cool.”

After getting out of the taxi, they walked side by side under one umbrella. Since Do-hyun had held the umbrella for him from the moment they left the house, he had forgotten to pack an extra one. The umbrella was too narrow for two people, so their shoulders poked out unless they pressed tightly together, but that wasn’t bad either.

“You’re not getting wet, right?”

“I’m fine… but isn’t your shoulder getting wet, Hyung?”

“I’m fine too.”

One step, and then another. With every step, water droplets splashed. The drizzling rain tapped against the umbrella in rhythm. Woo-yeon looked at Do-hyun sideways and gripped his arm tightly.

“I think I like rainy days too.”

Having someone other than Driver Yoon hold the umbrella. Sharing one umbrella with someone else. Even walking the streets on a rainy day like this.

Everything he was doing for the first time was okay because it was with Do-hyun. Every time their shoulders brushed, his heart fluttered just as it had when he had a one-sided crush on him. Do-hyun, with a pleasant smile, tilted the umbrella toward Woo-yeon.

Ga-ram’s studio was in a newly built villa not far from the school. A password had to be entered at the entrance, and as soon as Do-hyun called, Ga-ram came down. Wearing a large oversized T-shirt and lime-colored shorts, her presence was distinct even from beyond the door.

“Oh, Woo-yeon dyed his hair?”

He thought she had come down quickly, but her shoes were mismatched. One foot had a flip-flop, and the other had a light blue three-stripe slipper. It was a colorful, chaotic sight.

“I haven’t unpacked everything, so it’s a bit of a mess, just deal with it. Seon-kyu arrived a bit ago too.”

Ga-ram spoke in a lowered voice and led the way up the stairs.

The narrow and low stairs were a bit tight for two people to climb together. Woo-yeon followed her, glancing around secretly.

“Kwon Seon-gyu! The kids are here!”

“You’ve arrived.”

Seon-kyu greeted Do-hyun and Woo-yeon while sitting in the living room as if it were his own home. He wondered how much could have changed in just a week, but he looked exactly as he did on the day the semester ended.

“The place is nice. Clean.”

Do-hyun looked around casually while closing the front door. Woo-yeon didn’t miss the chance and followed Do-hyun’s gaze. As soon as they took off their shoes, the kitchen appeared, and after about three steps, the bedroom door was visible. He hadn’t known it could be this fascinating to see the entire interior of a house at a single glance.

“First time visiting a place this small, right?”

Ga-ram patted Woo-yeon’s shoulder and smiled brightly. Woo-yeon, who had been looking up at the ceiling, suddenly looked back at Ga-ram.

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

“Look at him, not even denying it.”

Fortunately, he didn’t look displeased. If anything, he seemed amused. Giggling, Ga-ram nudged the pile of luggage with her foot.

“Just push these things aside… But why did you two come to a new house empty-handed?”

“Wow, I didn’t take you two for that. I actually bought toilet paper.”

Ignoring the shower of jeers, Do-hyun sat down near Seon-kyu. Woo-yeon hesitated for a moment before sitting cross-legged beside him. Since it was his first time visiting someone else’s home, he hadn’t even thought about a housewarming gift.

“Order whatever you want to eat. My treat.”

“Hey, I’ve been waiting for those words. Seon-kyu, open the app.”

Because there was no furniture, their voices echoed and boomed. The house was cluttered, and the sound of rain could be heard outside. Despite the far-from-pleasant environment, he felt nothing but excitement.

“Should we have Chinese food?”

“You brat, the rich guy is paying, so we have to eat something expensive.”

“But you usually eat Jajangmyeon when you move.”

“They deliver single bowls here too; you want me to order one for you?”

“No, I want to eat something expensive.”

“Good grief.”

If he hadn’t come out today, he surely would have wasted the day. He would have just stared blankly at the rain in an empty house. As always, he would have drifted through depression until the rainy season ended.

“What are we eating? Chicken, for something safe?”

“Woo-yeon can’t eat chicken.”

“Then pizza?”

“I had pizza yesterday.”

“Kwon Seon-gyu, I’m really not letting you off easy.”

“Ah, why are you only picking on me?”

Woo-yeon suppressed a laugh as he listened to Ga-ram and Seon-kyu bicker. It was as if they never got tired; whenever the two were together, the chatter never stopped. And all of it was completely useless conversation.

“How about sushi? Kim Do-hyun likes sushi.”

Ga-ram said this while pointing at Do-hyun. Woo-yeon, who was learning for the first time that ‘Kim Do-hyun likes sushi,’ instinctively turned his gaze. Do-hyun wasn’t paying attention to the conversation and was staring blankly at Woo-yeon.

“…You like sushi?”

The question came out almost reflexively. Because Do-hyun’s eyes were full of a look that said he found him cute, Woo-yeon’s lips moved, unable to overcome the embarrassment. Seeing this, Do-hyun’s eyes curved into a soft smile.

“Yeah, I like sushi.”

Woo-yeon felt his face flush hot. It wasn’t the first or second time he’d seen that smile, yet he didn’t know why it felt different every single time. While Woo-yeon pressed his earlobes, Ga-ram began picking a menu from the sushi restaurant with the highest rating.

Thus, the menu they chose was sushi, pizza, and Tteokbokki. Despite the bold claim of ordering something expensive, it wasn’t much different from what they usually ate. Ga-ram lamented their choices, saying that only people who have actually experienced fine food know how to order.

“Come to think of it, grades will be out soon.”

“Hull, you’re right. This is bad, I messed up my finals.”

Luckily, all the food arrived at roughly the same time. Since there was nothing resembling a dining table, Ga-ram roughly laid out some cardboard boxes and opened the packaging on top of them. It was the first time he had eaten something on the floor since the day they drank during Membership Training.

“Our study goal was a 4.0, right?”

“My foot. We didn’t do a thing for the study at the end. Whose dog is named 4.0?”

“Woo-yeon, do you think your grades will be good?”

At Seon-kyu’s question, Woo-yeon shook his head, saying he didn’t know. He felt he had done reasonably well, but since it was his first time receiving final credits, it was hard to be certain. Still, since Do-hyun had helped him, he would likely be in the upper tier.

“Have you two been on many dates? I intentionally didn’t contact you so you guys could hang out.”

“I couldn’t even meet him because I went to my parents’ house.”

“Ah, what? If I’d known that, I would’ve contacted you without worrying about the mood.”

Woo-yeon gave a vague answer to Ga-ram, who seemed to have been bored. When she asked what he had been doing, he mentioned the movies, exercise, and swimming, just as he had with Do-hyun. Ga-ram showed interest in the movies, and Seon-kyu’s eyes widened at the mention of a pool.

“You can come visit when you have time.”

“Where? Your house?”

“Yes. You can watch movies, and you can use the pool…”

“Daebak. Ji Su-hyang’s house… no, it’s my first time going to such a huge house.”

Since Soo-hyang was rarely home, she wouldn’t mind whoever came. The employee would actually be happier if guests came. Last time, when he mentioned a friend was coming, hadn’t they prepared a magnificent dinner?

I shouldn’t drink champagne this time. Woo-yeon thought to himself.

Even after eating, they rolled around the house for a long time. They kept eating the leftovers until nightfall, and in between, Ga-ram ordered coffee and cake.

They had done nothing but eat, lie down, and chatter, yet it was already close to midnight.

“Ahem.”

With ten minutes left until 12:00. Just as he was thinking it was time to head back, Ga-ram cleared her throat awkwardly. She nudged Do-hyun with her foot and gestured toward the entrance with her chin.

“Hey, go out with Woo-yeon and buy some ice cream.”

It was almost a command, but Do-hyun stood up obediently. As he reached out his hand, Woo-yeon awkwardly pushed himself up as well.

“Shouldn’t we be going now?”

“Stay and play more. It’s a house where he lives alone anyway.”

“Right, right. Hyung, I like cones.”

Woo-yeon tilted his head while holding Do-hyun’s hand. It was hard to explain, but the atmosphere felt strange. If no one else did, Seon-kyu’s expression was awkwardly stiff.

“Let’s go, Yeon-ah.”

Well, it must be his imagination. Trying to shake off the uneasy feeling, Woo-yeon slipped into his shoes. At that moment, Woo-yeon didn’t see Do-hyun secretly exchanging glances with the others.

* * *

Even though July was approaching, the night air was quite cool. Fortunately, it wasn’t raining, but the humid air left a cold residue on the skin. Holding a convenience store bag in one hand, Do-hyun gently swung the other hand, which was interlaced with Woo-yeon’s.

“Did you have fun today?”

It was a soft voice that blended well with the dark surroundings. Sweet, tender, and the characteristic kindness of Do-hyun that Woo-yeon loved. Woo-yeon nodded without hesitation.

“I think both of them are so funny.”

Although Woo-yeon’s social circle was narrow, he knew that Ga-ram and Seon-kyu were kind. To the point where he thought it would have been better if he had met them sooner. Daniel was also a good friend, but since their starting points were different, he was an exception.

“That’s a relief. As long as you had fun.”

Do-hyun nodded and checked the watch on his wrist. He had already checked it more than five times since leaving the convenience store. Does he have to go home? While he was thinking that, Do-hyun spoke slowly.

“Today…”

Was it his imagination, or did their walking speed slow down? Woo-yeon didn’t rush him and stared blankly at Do-hyun. Under the streetlight, the straight bridge of his nose looked smooth.

“Since you can’t sleep at Mungaram’s house…”

“…”

“Do you want to go to my house later?”

Wait, he didn’t understand those words. However, the moment their eyes met, Woo-yeon immediately nodded.

“Yes.”

It was late anyway, and no one would suddenly contact him regardless of where he slept. No, in the first place, they probably didn’t even know he wasn’t at home.

“I want to sleep at Hyung’s house.”

Upon hearing that answer, Do-hyun winked and curled the corners of his mouth. Seeing the expression of pure happiness, Woo-yeon’s mood began to lift naturally. No, actually, he was already halfway there. He had been with Do-hyun last night, and he could be with him today as well. Just the thought of it made him happy.

“Ah, about the day we drank champagne.”

Because Do-hyun’s pace had slowed, it took quite a while to reach the villa. It felt like it took almost twice as long as it did to go to the convenience store. Only upon reaching the building did Woo-yeon ask the part he had been curious about.

“Back then… why did you have muscle pain?”

The day Woo-yeon had woken up wearing a robe. The day, according to Do-hyun, he had spoken about Daniel himself. Clearly, nothing had happened with Do-hyun, yet his lower back had hurt vaguely. Of course, it was a pain too slight to be the aftermath of intercourse.

“Ah… muscle pain.”

Do-hyun winked and murmured slowly. Then, he shrugged playfully.

“So you did have it. I just threw that out there to see.”

“…To see?”

“Yeah, because there was a loud noise in the bathroom.”

Woo-yeon gave him a bewildered look, but Do-hyun didn’t mind at all. He simply curved his eyes playfully and pulled Woo-yeon’s hand toward his face. Chu, the lips that touched the back of his hand detached with an embarrassing sound.

“Forgive me just this once. I did it because I was feeling grumpy.”

“…What is there to forgive now?”

To think he could be cheered up by a single kiss. Even he thought he was truly simple.

“It was either a hangover, or you fell in the bathroom without me knowing. It must be one of the two, right?”

Saying so, Do-hyun took out his phone. 12:01. After checking the time, he frowned as if calculating something. Then, looking at the screen, he began to press the entrance password.

“Did Ga-ram Noona tell you?”

“Yeah, she told me to press it and come in.”

Isn’t this a bit dangerous? Even if it is a house where she lives alone. Just as Woo-yeon thought that, he suddenly tilted his head. He felt like he had heard something similar from Do-hyun once. No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t remember.

“Watch your step.”

Until they passed the stairs and reached the 3rd floor where Ga-ram’s house was, Do-hyun said only those words. Since it was night, they naturally had to be quiet, but for some reason, that silence felt awkward.

“…Did she tell you the front door password too?”

Woo-yeon stood close behind Do-hyun and lowered his voice to a whisper. Seeing him press the front door password without hesitation, it seemed that was the case.

Soon, with a beep-beep-beep sound, Do-hyun stepped aside. His softly curved eyes were full of mischief. Woo-yeon blinked with a dazed face.

“Yeon-ah.”

“Yes?”

For some reason, he felt strange. He felt nervous, and perhaps a bit shaky. The moment Do-hyun opened the door felt unnervingly long.

“Happy birthday.”

He didn’t even have time to respond to those words. Because the moment the door swung open, Pop! the sound of a party popper exploded. Woo-yeon widened his eyes and slowly turned his head.

“Happy birthday, Seon Woo-yeon!”

“Happy birthday, Woo-yeon!”

Pop! Pop! The sound of party poppers exploded twice more. Unlike the dim hallway, inside where the lights were brightly on, Seon-kyu was holding a cake with lit candles. Ga-ram quickly approached Woo-yeon and placed a cone hat on his head.

“Hey, hey, close the door first. The other neighbors will complain.”

Woo-yeon entered as if possessed, led by Ga-ram. Do-hyun closed the door, and Seon-kyu held the cake out in front of him.

“Make a wish, make a wish!”

“Hurry up and wish, then blow them out. The wax is going to drip.”

“Woo-yeon, make a wish!”

The candlelight flickered before his eyes. One pink candle and one yellow candle atop a cake loaded with strawberries. To the still-dazed Woo-yeon, Do-hyun spoke tenderly.

“You have to blow out the candles.”

Only then did everything make sense. Ga-ram’s unnatural act of kicking him out, Seon-kyu’s awkwardly stiff face, and Do-hyun repeatedly checking the time.

“This is…”

“Oh, Woo-yeon. The candles first.”

Unable to withstand Ga-ram’s urging, Woo-yeon blew out the candles in a daze. Faint smoke scattered over the extinguished flames. At that, Seon-kyu shouted with a look of regret.

“Ah, the wish is the important part!”

“Forget it, you brat. What if we can’t eat the cake?”

Ga-ram cleanly removed the candles from the cake. Woo-yeon looked around with an expression that still lacked a sense of reality. While the delivery food was still spread out, the confetti from the poppers they had set off was scattered messily everywhere.

“…Ha.”

A short breath escaped him. It sounded like an exclamation, and perhaps half a sigh. After making a few more similar sounds, Woo-yeon covered his mouth and burst into laughter.

“What is all this…”

Simply, the whole situation was funny. Ga-ram being unconsciously nervous, Seon-kyu regretting the extinguished candles, and Do-hyun quietly observing his reaction.

“…How did you know it was my birthday?”

It was a birthday he had never told anyone. It was also a birthday he had never been congratulated for once in his life. Today was the anniversary of his mother’s death, and Soo-hyang had always left Woo-yeon alone. He would receive more than enough gifts, but this was the first time he had received a heartfelt celebration from someone.

“How could I not know your birthday?”

Saying so, Do-hyun reached over Woo-yeon’s head. After clearing away the paper scraps from the poppers, he straightened the cone hat. Finally, gently stroking the reddened corners of his eyes, he gave a smile that was nothing less than radiant.

“Thank you for being born.”

Ah, what should he call this feeling? Should he say he wanted to cry, or that he wanted to laugh? What was certain was that either way, his eyes stung.

“Hey, hey, I acted crazy so he wouldn’t cry, but he’s doing all the cool stuff by himself.”

“That’s right, they say if you cry on your birthday, your luck goes away.”

It was a clumsy consolation, but Woo-yeon forced himself to swallow his tears. Fortunately, no tears fell, and Seon-kyu thrust his phone forward, saying he would take a photo. Woo-yeon had to take a commemorative photo holding the cake with an awkward expression that was neither crying nor laughing.

* * *

To Woo-yeon, a birthday was simply the day he was born, nothing more and nothing less. Around this time, the rainy season was always in full swing, and on rainy days, his mood would plummet. That’s why, when he was young, he had hoped and hoped that this day would never come.

But on his twentieth birthday, for the first time, he thought it was a good thing he was born. An anniversary celebrated by people he liked was a more precious experience than he had imagined. Woo-yeon remained intoxicated by happiness the whole time, and as soon as he entered the house, he dove into Do-hyun’s arms.

“What’s wrong, hmm?”

Do-hyun soothed Woo-yeon with a gentle, soft voice. As Woo-yeon rubbed his cheek, Do-hyun took off his shoes and picked him up like a small child. Normally, Woo-yeon would have struggled, but today he leaned quietly against Do-hyun.

“How old is Woo-yeon?”

“…I want to get down.”

“I’m joking.”

Laughter tinged his voice. Without showing any sign of struggle, Do-hyun carried Woo-yeon to the living room. In his home, which he returned to after a long time, a dry pheromone was felt in abundance.

“It’s late, you should wash up and sleep.”

He shook his head. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to wash, but that he didn’t want to be separated. Instead, pressing closer, Woo-yeon spoke pleadingly.

“Let’s wash together.”

He didn’t know when the clothes came off. By the time he came to his senses, he was kissing Do-hyun in a bathroom thick with steam. Water poured from the showerhead, and because of the deeply blooming pheromones, even the air was now sweet.

“Hng, ah…”

Woo-yeon wrapped his arms around Do-hyun’s back, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His hands kept slipping, but the tongue that entered his mouth was relentlessly persistent. Whether it was water or saliva, a wet, messy sound echoed every time their lips overlapped.

It was hot, soft, and his head felt melted as much as he was out of breath. Even the breath that seeped through their momentarily parted lips was filled with a heat that felt like it would burn.

“Yeon-ah, look at me.”

Do-hyun cupped Woo-yeon’s face with both hands and kissed the area around his cheeks. Chu, chu, every time the lips touched, Woo-yeon’s eyelids fluttered. Beyond his blurred vision, he could see Do-hyun’s gaze shimmering with desire.

“I’m hot…”

“You’re hot?”

They had clearly entered the bathroom to wash, but the shower was an afterthought, and they were only rubbing lips. If he was going to be like this, why had he held back so much last night? Gasping for air, Woo-yeon leaned his forehead against Do-hyun’s shoulder.

“It’s standing right here… you’re just going to leave?”

As he spoke, Do-hyun gently gripped Woo-yeon’s genitals. Just by holding it, Woo-yeon’s shoulders trembled. Since he had been erect for a long time already, it felt like he would come from even a small stimulus.

“Ugh, hng…”

The large hand slid, stimulating the shaft. Because his whole body was wet, the feeling was different from when he was touched before. How should he put it—it was more stimulating, and he even felt a slight sense of fear.

“Should I do it with my mouth?”

It was a temptation like a devil’s whisper. Do-hyun smiled kindly, but Woo-yeon swallowed hard and shook his head. It was clearly an expression of refusal, yet despite that, Do-hyun knelt before him.

“Wait… ah!”

Do-hyun stuck out his tongue and lightly rubbed the rounded glans. Woo-yeon hurriedly grabbed his hair and twisted his body. Before he could even push him away, his genitals were swallowed whole. The shaft pushed deep inside, reaching the back of Do-hyun’s mouth.

“…!”

It was a sensitive spot even when touched by hand. But since it was rubbed against the tender mucous membrane, the pleasure was indescribable. His thighs trembled, and his entire body was thrown into a climax as if falling.

“…Hng…”

Before he could move more than a few times, Woo-yeon squeezed his eyes shut and ejaculated into Do-hyun’s mouth. As he surged with semen, Do-hyun did not pull away, drinking every drop. Trembling with thin spasms, Woo-yeon’s strength gave out, and he collapsed.

“Huu…”

Watching Woo-yeon sink down, Do-hyun swallowed the remaining semen with a gulp. He seemed completely indifferent to the resentful look in Woo-yeon’s eyes. His eyes, curving softly, looked quite seductive.

“I told you it was enough…”

“If it felt good, that’s enough.”

Woo-yeon gripped Do-hyun’s arms, shaking as he righted his posture. His strength kept failing him, but he was fine thanks to Do-hyun holding him firmly. Nestled against that broad chest, Woo-yeon let out a voice like a mere breath.

“…I want to do it too.”

The words were spoken out of a half-impulsive feeling. Naturally, Do-hyun chuckled and stroked Woo-yeon’s back.

“Why would you do something like that on your birthday?”

‘Something like that’? Who was the one who had been attempting ‘something like that’ all this time?

Woo-yeon blinked in a daze. The remnants of pleasure had not yet faded, causing pheromones to leak out intermittently. His thoughts were fragmented, but his hands moved on their own.

His hand slid down slowly and gripped the stiffly erect penis. It wasn’t Woo-yeon’s; it belonged to Do-hyun, who was embracing him. The moment he softly stroked the shaft, a groan escaped through Do-hyun’s teeth.

“Ugh…”

Resting his forehead between Do-hyun’s neck and shoulder, Woo-yeon rubbed the glans with his thumb. He didn’t forget to move his fingers in a slow, kneading motion, just as Do-hyun had done for him. Seeing him react to every single touch was far more thrilling than he had imagined.

“I’ll do it with my mouth.”

“….”

Conflict flickered in those pitch-black pupils. Do-hyun remained silent, but Woo-yeon knew he was contemplating it. Just as he was about to move his hand further, Do-hyun suddenly flipped Woo-yeon’s body over.

“Later.”

Chu, lips touched his ear. The outer rim, the lobe, and down to the jaw and nape. After kissing him in sequence, Do-hyun wrapped his right arm around Woo-yeon’s waist.

“Not right now.”

Do-hyun didn’t tell him exactly what wasn’t allowed. He simply rubbed Woo-yeon’s stomach, moving his hand up to the protruding nipples.

“Hngh…”

A thick penis rubbed between his buttocks. The shaft, sliding long from the tailbone downward, brushed against the area near the entrance. Pinching the nipple with his fingertips, Do-hyun gave a gentle command.

“Lean against the wall.”

“…Hng.”

“Keep your legs closed.”

Woo-yeon leaned against the wall with both hands and closed his thighs as told. He didn’t know what Do-hyun intended to do, but he had no bad memories of following Do-hyun’s lead during sex. As he obediently took the position, Do-hyun kissed the nape of his neck a couple of times as if praising him.

“Don’t open your legs.”

“Hng, mmm…”

Do-hyun moved the hand that had been around his waist downward, caressing the penis that had already ejaculated once. Even with little stimulation, the soft organ quickly reared its head. After massaging the shaft and the testicles below, he pushed his penis between Woo-yeon’s thighs.

“…What are you trying to do?”

At the innocent question, Do-hyun rubbed his nose against Woo-yeon’s nape. Water droplets clinging to his hair dripped down his shoulders. With his free hand, Do-hyun gripped Woo-yeon’s chin and kissed him at an angle.

“For the time being…”

The penis wedged between his thighs slowly retreated. It was just his legs, yet the area below his waist felt tingly and strange. Thrusting his hips forward again, Do-hyun spoke in a suppressed voice.

“I have to do it, at least like this.”

“Ah…”

The penis pushed in firmly, rubbing against the area below the testicles. Reflexively arching his back, Woo-yeon leaned his forehead against the hand gripping the wall. Even though there was no direct insertion, the sensation was incredibly strange.

“Ugh…”

Do-hyun increased the speed slowly, very slowly. He toyed with various parts of Woo-yeon’s body, savoring the soft skin to his heart’s content. Then, just as Woo-yeon could no longer resist and tried to open his legs, Do-hyun whispered lowly in his ear.

“Yeon-ah, your legs.”

“Ha-eung, hng…”

Poke, poke, the smooth glans touched Woo-yeon’s penis. It scraped the perineum when pulling out and deliberately passed through the wet entrance when pushing back in. The touch on the front was wonderful, but the sensation of touching the back was frustratingly teasing.

“Ugh, hng… Hyung…”

Woo-yeon barely managed to turn his head to look at Do-hyun. As their gazes met perfectly, it felt as if a spark of electricity shot through him. Rubbing himself and pushing his lower body back, Woo-yeon pleaded in a tearful voice.

“I want you to put it in, hng…”

Do-hyun stopped moving. The pheromones that had been pouring out vanished instantly. Woo-yeon grabbed Do-hyun’s wrist with the hand that had been on the wall, his eyes drooping.

“Please put it in…”

There was no need to add anything more. The moment those words were uttered, Do-hyun’s pupils darkened deeply. Letting out a breath, he bit firmly into the rim of Woo-yeon’s ear.

“…Let’s go to the bed.”

* * *

The impact of the request to “put it in” was immense. Without even a chance to dry off, Woo-yeon was tormented by Do-hyun on the bed all night. At first, he groaned while clutching the pillow, and then he whimpered while gripping the sheets. The act, oscillating between fear and pleasure, finally ended around dawn.

Woo-yeon opened his eyes when the sun was high in the sky. The sound of steady rain shook him awake from his deep slumber. Peering through his eyelids, he saw a sky filled with dark clouds.

“…Ah.”

As he spoke softly, his voice came out completely hoarse. Woo-yeon blinked slowly, watching the rain streaks flow down the window. How many condoms did they use yesterday? While he was thinking this, a tender voice drifted down.

“Did you sleep well?”

The culprit who had tormented him all night stroked his hair with an utterly affectionate touch. He kissed the cheek near his ear and pulled Woo-yeon into his embrace. De-gururu, rolling his body, Woo-yeon snuggled deep into Do-hyun’s arms.

“Your eyes are all swollen.”

Do-hyun was beaming with a full smile, as if something was incredibly pleasing. Unlike the puffy Woo-yeon, his face was neat and clean. Feeling inexplicably grumpy, Woo-yeon lightly bit the hand resting on his cheek.

“Ouch.”

It didn’t hurt at all; it was just a courtesy performance. The funny thing was that Woo-yeon’s mood improved from such a prank.

“What time is it?”

“A little past 1. Your voice is completely gone, what should we do?”

“You’re the one who did this, Darling…”

Responding bluntly, Woo-yeon buried his face in Do-hyun’s chest. Unlike Woo-yeon, who was wearing a large T-shirt, Do-hyun was wearing only a pair of black briefs. It seemed he had dressed Woo-yeon while he was asleep but hadn’t put on any clothes himself.

‘It’s warm…’

Perhaps because they were under the covers, the parts where their bare skin touched were hot. If he closed his eyes, he felt as if he would swoosh back into a dream. However, Do-hyun did not let Woo-yeon fall easily into the abyss of sleep.

“I have a birthday present…”

Those words made his ears perk up. He had received presents from Ga-ram and Seon-kyu (a bath bomb and a phone case), but something about a gift from Do-hyun felt different.

“…What is the present?”

Woo-yeon peeked through his eyelids. At the utterly honest reaction, Do-hyun let out a laugh. He interlaced his fingers with Woo-yeon’s left hand and brought it up to his face.

“This.”

The interlaced left hand—specifically, the left wrist. A cleanly designed watch reflected the light. At a glance, the design looked ordinary, but the unique hands and the mark engraved on the side were from a brand Woo-yeon knew well.

“I thought you’d recognize it immediately. Didn’t you get a feeling?”

Woo-yeon’s mouth hung open as he examined the watch. Even Woo-yeon, whose sense of money was close to zero, knew the price range of this brand. Without a doubt, it was not a product a college student could afford.

“This… isn’t this expensive?”

“Hmm…”

Do-hyun trailed off with a slightly troubled expression. Then, he winked and gave a smiling look.

“Well, let’s call it the reward for being a good son.”

Blink. Their eyes met. Almost as a conditioned reflex, Do-hyun leaned in and kissed his cheek.

“Happy birthday.”

It was a phrase that felt good to hear again. About four years ago, it was a phrase he had hoped to hear from Teacher. At that time, Do-hyun had disappeared before his birthday arrived, but now, they would be together even after the birthday had passed.

“Actually, I wanted to give you a ring, but I was afraid that would be too burdensome.”

Many answers rose to the tip of his throat. That he was grateful, that he liked it, or that a ring wouldn’t be burdensome at all.

He resented his own lack of eloquence, but Do-hyun’s eyes curved beautifully.

“It’s a couple’s watch.”

Only then did Woo-yeon burrow into Do-hyun’s embrace and pour out his emotion. A single confession was enough, more than ten words of gratitude.

“…I like you, Hyung.”

“….”

“I like you so much.”

He felt a pleasant pheromone. It was a dry and fresh pheromone, though he couldn’t tell whose it was. Do-hyun let out a ticklish laugh and hugged Woo-yeon as if he were going to crush him.

After that, they rolled around in bed for about another hour. They didn’t engage in the sticky acts of the dawn; instead, they shared meaningless conversation with their legs entwined. The topic was, ‘How is Teacher’s birthday so special?’

“Is it that surprising that my birthday is Christmas Eve?”

“It is. I feel like I’ll never forget it.”

Woo-yeon picked out Do-hyun’s birthday present a full six months early. Since he was tall, a coat would look pretty, and a knit scarf would suit him well. Since he received a couple’s watch, it seemed a good idea to buy other items as a couple’s set too.

“Yeon-ah.”

Do-hyun kept Woo-yeon on top of his body and gazed steadily into his eyes. Woo-yeon, who had been lying prone like a puppy, peeked up.

“I’m just asking lightly…”

What was he going to say that required such a pause? There had been a similar situation last night. What was it… asking him to go to his house together?

“Do you want to live with me at my house?”

“…What?”

Woo-yeon’s eyes widened, and he went blank. Unlike the suggestion to stay for a night, this was the kind of question he couldn’t answer immediately. As if telling him not to overthink it, Do-hyun gently stroked Woo-yeon’s hair.

“I’ve felt this since the tutoring, but I think being alone in that house would be too lonely for you.”

His mind went completely blank. The heart that had been turbulent for days settled like a calm lake. Do-hyun continued speaking softly with infinitely serious eyes.

“I’m not asking for an answer right now. We’ll need the Chairman’s permission, and there will be many inconveniences. I also know that this apartment is dangerous because of the reporters.”

“….”

“Still, Yeon-ah. I want you to have a place to run to when things get really hard.”

The words were so tender they almost brought tears to his eyes. The voice was calm, but Woo-yeon, hearing those words, was not. It was because the scenery he would face upon returning home and the days that would repeat themselves all tangled together complexly.

Honestly, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t tempted. If he could escape that prison-like house and have a place to run to, then his days would be more comfortable than they are now. He might never have to feel that suffocating loneliness again.

“I…”

Woo-yeon opened his mouth frustratingly slowly. Unlike when Do-hyun told him to stay over yesterday, the words wouldn’t come even after much deliberation. His chest felt tight, as if someone were blocking his throat.

“That is…”

Suddenly, a vibration began. Zzz, zzz, the repeating vibration was not a message, but a call.

“…I think I have a call.”

Woo-yeon stood up as if deliberately trying to change the subject. Instead of holding him back, Do-hyun reached out and grabbed the phone from the nightstand. The call was coming to Woo-yeon’s phone.

“….”

The moment he checked the screen, Woo-yeon’s face distorted. He wasn’t frowning; he just looked pained. Woo-yeon stared blankly at the phone and spoke like a sigh.

“…I think I have to go.”

Reporter Yoon. Those four syllables blocked his throat. Reality rushed back in an instant, as if cold water had been splashed on him.

* * *

No matter when he saw them, the high walls seemed twice as grand on rainy days. The ceaseless rain soaked the dark bricks and left traces. The black water stains felt just like Woo-yeon’s inner heart.

“Get home safely.”

As soon as Woo-yeon hung up, Do-hyun personally drove him home. He didn’t forget to put the birthday present Woo-yeon received into a clean shopping bag and place it in his hand. Woo-yeon stood before the main gate with a miserable face, like livestock being led to a slaughterhouse.

“I don’t want to go…”

It wasn’t as if he’d never see him again, but the parting felt excessively regrettable. The feeling that he would be alone again once he passed this gate played a part. He wasn’t being imprisoned, so he could leave if he set his mind to it, but the thought of entering of his own accord was unpleasant.

“We can just see each other again tomorrow.”

Do-hyun softened his voice and gently caressed Woo-yeon’s cheek. He seemed to be trying to cheer him up, but it only amplified the regret.

“I’ll leave after seeing you go inside.”

Eventually, Woo-yeon let out a sigh and turned around. He was about to press the password, but before his hand even touched it, a mechanical sound was heard. Beep, the security system was deactivated, and the gate opened with a heavy sound.

Creak, through the open gap of the door, a person dressed entirely in black was visible. With hair neatly swept back and wearing a black suit, they would look like a Grim Reaper if seen at night. If Driver Yoon hadn’t been holding an umbrella over them, one might have believed they were a ghost.

“Where have you been that you’re only now…”

Soo-hyang spoke softly with a tired face. She had always seemed sensitive, but today the sharp edge felt stronger. Her pheromones were so thick that it was suffocating even from a few steps away.

“…Welcome back.”

Woo-yeon spoke the words Soo-hyang was about to say. Although Woo-yeon was the one returning, strictly speaking, Soo-hyang had been away from the house longer. Soo-hyang looked back and forth between Woo-yeon and Do-hyun, then pressed her eyes as if exhausted.

“You’re late.”

It wasn’t that late. Thanks to the longer days, it was still bright outside. Moreover, it was usually before dinner time.

“On a day like today, you should have stayed home. Do I have to go as far as calling to find you?”

Woo-yeon bit his lip hard and took a step inside the gate.

‘A day like today.’ That day surely didn’t mean his birthday. Perhaps it was the anniversary of the death of the Omega Mother that Soo-hyang loved and whose face Woo-yeon couldn’t even remember.

“I just went out for a bit.”

“I heard you’ve been gone since yesterday.”

Soo-hyang took the umbrella from Driver Yoon and gestured toward Woo-yeon. Driver Yoon habitually approached Woo-yeon and opened the umbrella for him. Woo-yeon glanced back at Do-hyun and spoke in a voice that was barely audible.

“Thank you for dropping me off.”

Once the gate closed, today’s happiness would end here. In a house where all the employees had gone home, he would eat cold seaweed soup and open presents sent by people whose faces he didn’t know. Just as he did every year, without hearing a single human voice.

“….”

Do-hyun watched Soo-hyang and Woo-yeon with an expressionless face. Although Woo-yeon moved away, he remained standing there and did not turn around. Like someone who had something to say.

“You should leave too.”

Soo-hyang said this and turned her back without hesitation. That habitually cold voice was as freezing as frost. As she walked away, Soo-hyang added like a sigh.

“I’ll assume you came this far because you don’t know what day today is.”

Those words made Woo-yeon surge with emotion. The feelings he had been suppressing suddenly poured out. With his head bowed low, Woo-yeon spoke self-deprecatingly.

“That damn ‘today’…”

The voice uttering those words was so small it was almost buried by the sound of the rain. If the rain hadn’t weakened just then, no one would have heard. But Soo-hyang heard perfectly and spoke coldly.

“Seon Woo-yeon.”

Only three syllables, but his whole body reacted. As always, the words he intended to say vanished beyond his throat.

“Don’t act childish. Not today.”

‘As if it was ever okay.’ That thought occurred to him. When had she ever listened to him, that she spoke as if it was only because it was ‘today’ that it wasn’t allowed?

“….”

Woo-yeon bit his lower lip firmly and raised his head. It was still raining, and Driver Yoon held the umbrella without moving. Looking at Soo-hyang’s face, covered in fatigue and stress, Woo-yeon clenched his fists tight.

“Ah…”

It felt as if everything had turned into a mud pit. The more enjoyable last night had been, the more messed up today felt. The good mood collapsed miserably, and his fluttering heart was hacked to pieces by something sharp.

“I really hate this now.”

With those words, Woo-yeon moved his feet. Not toward the house, but toward the gate where Do-hyun was standing.

“Seon Woo-yeon!”

Despite Soo-hyang’s thunderous reprimand, Woo-yeon did not stop walking. He didn’t even seem to notice the robot-like Driver Yoon wearing a flustered expression. Looking only at Do-hyun, he walked straight up to him and abruptly grabbed his arm.

“Let’s go. I’m not going back to that house.”

“What do you think you’re doing right now!”

With a furious face, Soo-hyang strode toward Woo-yeon. At some point, the umbrella she had been holding had fallen to the ground. The moment she tried to snatch Woo-yeon’s arm, Do-hyun stepped between Soo-hyang and Woo-yeon.

“Chairman, please wait a moment.”

“Move.”

“Chairman.”

“Can’t you hear me telling you to move?”

Having passed down his genes to Woo-yeon, Soo-hyang was also a dominant Alpha, a rarity. The pheromones leaking out were so sharp they stung even from behind the shoulder. Despite this, Do-hyun calmly hid Woo-yeon behind his back.

“Please calm down.”

His low voice was calmer than ever. Do-hyun completely blocked out Soo-hyang’s pheromones and gripped Woo-yeon’s hand tightly. The warmth touching his palm made his heart feel a little more at ease.

“Don’t overstep your bounds and move. This is a matter for me and Woo-yeon to resolve.”

Soo-hyang pressed her eyes firmly and glared fiercely at Do-hyun. Her eyes, like those of a predator, lacked their usual composure today. From the moment she opened the front gate, she had radiated nothing but sensitivity and anxiety.

“I’ll move, so just for a—”

“Kim Do-hyun.”

It was a single word laden with pheromones. Do-hyun reflexively shut his mouth. Then, Soo-hyang spoke in a flat, toneless voice.

“I have nothing to say to someone who doesn’t even know who their parents are.”

“Mom!”

It was a cruel thing to say. Even Woo-yeon, who had been listening silently, was hurt, but Do-hyun answered without blinking an eye.

“Why wouldn’t I know? While others only have two, I’ve had four.”

Soo-hyang fell silent with an unreadable expression. It was likely just a feeling, but she looked as if she had realized she’d made a slip. Turning his head and letting out a sigh, Do-hyun spoke in a polite tone.

“Don’t do this today; tell him tomorrow.”

“…….”

“In a situation like this, we can’t even have a proper conversation.”

This time, Soo-hyang couldn’t refute him immediately. She only slowly opened her mouth while clenching her teeth.

“Not any other day, but today……”

“Today is Woo-yeon’s birthday.”

Soo-hyang wasn’t the only one who stopped moving. Woo-yeon also flinched at the sudden mention of his name. Do-hyun’s voice flowed out, as calm as always.

“Today is the Chairman’s son’s birthday.”

He didn’t know why his suppressed emotions came pouring out at that moment. He didn’t know why the tears, which had been fine until then, felt as if they would spill over at any second.

“While the Chairman was away, Woo-yeon was alone at home. This small child spent the whole day in that vast house just watching the rain fall.”

“…….”

“It is the miraculous day the Chairman’s son was born. Even if you can’t congratulate him, he shouldn’t be made to feel that he should never have been born.”

Soo-hyang’s lips trembled in silence. Her unfocused, shaking eyes looked somehow shocked. Woo-yeon, clutching Do-hyun’s collar, leaned his forehead against his back.

“That’s enough.”

The rain intensified again, crashing noisily between them. Thump, thump—Do-hyun’s heartbeat was vivid to Woo-yeon. Tears didn’t flow, but the accumulated knot in his chest finally burst.

“Stop it, Teacher.”

It was a plea mixed with sobbing. As soon as he heard those words, Do-hyun turned his head. The way he covered his eyes with one hand suggested that he, too, was quite agitated. Woo-yeon stood there for a long time before lifting his head to look at Soo-hyang.

“You should have……”

“…….”

“You should have just taken me to Mother’s grave.”

No answer came. The three people, now drenched in rain, maintained their own respective silences. Woo-yeon pulled Do-hyun’s arm and stepped outside the gate.

* * *

Nothing collapses as easily as a tower built without care. A balance maintained by unknown means is bound to be destroyed by a single, insignificant foreign object. The relationship between Woo-yeon and Soo-hyang was nothing more than a precarious tightrope walk that could snap at any moment.

A day where nothing remained but wounds. Even after that day passed, the rainy season continued for a long time.

Woo-yeon stayed at Do-hyun’s house, and no contact came from Soo-hyang. Was she the kind of person to give up over something like this? It was a hollow conclusion, enough to make him think so.

“Who among these do you think is me?”

“Uh… this person?”

“Wow, you knew right away.”

Woo-yeon woke up in the early afternoon and looked through a graduation album with Do-hyun. Do-hyun had promised to show it to him someday, but it had ended up being this late.

“The school uniform really suits you.”

Even among the students in uniforms, Do-hyun stood a head taller than the rest. Because he had grown so quickly, he said he always sat in the very back row at school. Thinking that he wanted to see him in a uniform someday, Woo-yeon took in the youthful image of Do-hyun in the photo.

It was several days later that Woo-yeon received a phone call. He was having a late dinner with Do-hyun, and the topic of conversation was how the rainy season had lasted too long. Woo-yeon checked his phone, which had been lying face down on the table, and his expression froze.

“What’s wrong?”

It was a call from none other than Soo-hyang. The caller ID that read ‘Mom’ felt so foreign it made his mind go blank. She had always sent messages through Driver Yoon; this was the first time she had called him directly.

“The call……”

Woo-yeon stood dazed, unable to even think about answering. Whether he should pick up or not. While he was pondering, the call disconnected. However, before long, the phone began to ring again.

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

Do-hyun asked lightly, but Woo-yeon couldn’t respond easily. It was just one phone call, yet his throat felt bone-dry.

The reason Woo-yeon finally answered the phone was because of a single sentence from Do-hyun.

“Something might have happened.”

* * *

Woo-yeon pressed his solar plexus, feeling as if he might vomit. A spacious study smelling of thick Alpha pheromones and woody scents. An Alpha who fit perfectly into that heavy space sat on the sofa opposite Woo-yeon.

“Tea?”

“……No, I’m fine.”

Soo-hyang was someone he had spent four years without any contact. She was the mother he had lived with his whole life, yet she was also a stranger more than anyone else. Even Do-hyun, whom he hadn’t known, began to reveal his inner thoughts after spending a few days together, but it felt as if Soo-hyang’s inner heart would remain hidden even after several more years.

“Just tell me your business.”

Having answered Soo-hyang’s call a short while ago, Woo-yeon was extremely tense, though he pretended not to be. As Do-hyun had said, he wondered if something had happened. For example, an accident, an illness, or other unavoidable risks. Of course, Soo-hyang, who was followed by a string of bodyguards and had more than three personal physicians, would likely avoid even those.

“Yes… I suppose I should.”

Fortunately, Soo-hyang’s business was not some gloomy accident. She simply asked about his schedule and told him to stop by the main house if he was okay. He could have ignored her and pretended not to know, but Do-hyun’s words held him back.

‘If you want to start over with anything, you have to end it completely first. Like the relationship between you and me, Woo-yeon.’

Why on earth did he use that as an example? Unable to offer any rebuttal, he answered that he would meet Soo-hyang. It was a very reluctant answer, but that alone brought a look of relief to Do-hyun’s face.

“…….”

“…….”

Silence fell again. It was a silence that had never disappeared since Woo-yeon entered the study. Even while they spoke, a stillness mixed with awkwardness constantly hovered around the room.

“……If you have nothing else to say, I’ll leave.”

Unable to bear the atmosphere, Woo-yeon stood up. He thought he had been polite enough, but Soo-hyang’s gaze immediately sharpened.

“Stay seated. We aren’t finished talking.”

Her attitude was still overbearing. He had thought something might have changed since she had called him first. He had known Soo-hyang for too long to expect such a miracle. As soon as he realized this, a sneer escaped him.

“I thought you called me to apologize.”

Knowing it was impossible, why had he harbored such vain hope? In Woo-yeon’s life, the fact that he had become lovers with his Teacher was enough of an absurdity.

“I was stupid. You aren’t the type of person to do that, Mom.”

Woo-yeon spat those words out and grabbed the umbrella he had set aside. He wasn’t even disappointed anymore; he just desperately hoped it wouldn’t rain on his way home. Since it had been raining when he came to the main house, the possibility of the rainy season’s evening rain stopping was very low.

“In the future, have Driver Yoon contact me. When ‘Mom’ pops up on my phone……”

“Woo-yeon.”

“…….”

Suddenly, Woo-yeon stopped in his tracks. The word that came from her mouth was incredibly foreign. Not ‘Seon Woo-yeon,’ but ‘Woo-yeon.’ It felt stranger than when Kang Jun-seong had called his name.

“……Please speak.”

Without realizing it, Woo-yeon gave Soo-hyang another chance. It was better to clearly hear what she had to say than to just go home. Fortunately, Soo-hyang mentioned a reason he had already heard several times.

“I wanted to protect you, at least.”

“That isn’t protection.”

Woo-yeon’s answer was also one he had given before. As if she had fully expected this, Soo-hyang brought up a completely unfamiliar name this time.

“Ha-yeon,”

It was a voice filled with all sorts of longing. To the point where a gaze that seemed like it would never break crumbled at a single name. Soo-hyang, her brow deeply furrowed, spoke in a suppressed voice.

“Your mother… gave you the name Woo-yeon.”

This was the first time Woo-yeon had heard this as well. He had never once asked about the origin of the name Woo-yeon. Watching Woo-yeon sit back down as if possessed, Soo-hyang smiled bitterly.

“To be precise, it was a prenatal name.”

* * *

Seon Ha-yeon.

A name that had disappeared into the far reaches of his memory because it had been so long since he’d heard it. A name he had barely heard a few times, and even when he did, he hadn’t thought he needed to memorize it.

Soo-hyang continued talking about Ha-yeon for quite a long time. The order was a complete mess, and she would suddenly return to the beginning in the middle of speaking. Woo-yeon kept every single word of the faded memories Soo-hyang laid out in his heart.

‘She was someone so frail she couldn’t even go on a trip far away.’

She said Ha-yeon was a person with pale skin and was so thin she seemed as if she would break. Her family wasn’t poor, but the family fortune declined while treating her illness. Just as they were on the verge of bankruptcy and she was about to give up on life, she and Soo-hyang met by chance.

‘There was strong opposition at home, but at the time, I couldn’t see anything else.’

The connection that began at the young age of seventeen continued until they were over twenty. First as friends, then as lovers, and finally as spouses who promised a future together.

‘I only brought Ha-yeon home after she became pregnant with you.’

Until then, Soo-hyang believed everything would work out. They had already completed the marriage registration, and Ha-yeon’s chronic illness was something that could be fixed by spending hundreds of millions. What Soo-hyang overlooked was the basic difference in the environments she and Ha-yeon had lived in.

‘I was stupid. At the time, I thought the only best option was to inherit the company as quickly as possible. I was so preoccupied with securing the future that I couldn’t see the present right in front of me.’

Amidst Soo-hyang’s indifference, Ha-yeon withered under excessive media attention. Unable to endure a life where every single move was monitored, she gradually hid herself inside the house.

‘It wasn’t me who locked Ha-yeon away.’

By the time Soo-hyang realized there was no improvement in the illness, it was already too late. Since she had no will to get better herself, no matter how much was spent, it had no effect. As the month of childbirth drew near, Ha-yeon continued to waste away.

‘Perhaps she would have lived happily if she had never met me.’

The end of the connection they thought was destiny was irreversibly cruel. Ha-yeon breathed her last before giving birth to Woo-yeon, and skilled doctors saved Woo-yeon. Even after giving Woo-yeon the surname ‘Seon,’ Soo-hyang could not face the face that looked exactly like Ha-yeon.

‘Except for bringing back the dead, there is nothing in this world that money cannot do.’

Having lost the person she loved, Soo-hyang didn’t want to lose the child as well. Despite not even being able to hold him properly, she decided to hide him for fear that someone else might covet him. Erasing Ha-yeon’s traces and making Woo-yeon a non-existent person was not a difficult task for Soo-hyang.

‘I couldn’t protect that person, so I just wanted to protect you, at least.’

Soo-hyang said she loves Ha-yeon sincerely. Not ‘I loved her,’ but ‘I love her.’ Woo-yeon couldn’t dare guess the scale of that heart. He also didn’t rashly define how affection that had lost its object had been twisted and expressed.

‘I… suppose I should apologize to you.’

A person who had never bowed to anyone in her life. To someone so arrogant, overbearing, and typical of a chaebol, the words ‘I’m sorry’ must have been incredibly difficult. Perhaps that’s why the apology she uttered was beyond awkward.

‘I’m sorry.’

Naturally, Woo-yeon did not tell her it was okay. It was inevitable since it was absolutely not okay. He had no intention of making her heart feel at ease, even with a lie.

‘I don’t know why you’re suddenly apologizing.’

It was a natural question for Woo-yeon. It was a rift of emotion built over twenty years. Wasn’t it too sudden to end it in the time it took for a rainy season to pass?

“So, you just ended up coming to our house?”

Do-hyun, who was lying beside him, gently stroked Woo-yeon’s hair. After rummaging through the ticklish strands, he covered the pale nape of his neck with his palm. Woo-yeon shrunk his neck and shook his head.

“I settled things before coming. I decided to move out and live on my own again when the second semester starts. I’ll stay somewhere close to school so I can attend university properly.”

“Won’t it be dangerous?”

“I think the number of bodyguards will increase.”

After finishing the conversation, Woo-yeon took Driver Yoon’s car and returned to Do-hyun. Despite witnessing everything that happened that day, Driver Yoon didn’t say a single word about it. Well, that’s probably why he’s stayed by Soo-hyang’s side for so long.

“She says she’s sorry, but people don’t change easily. If that were enough for forgiveness, I wouldn’t have fought with Hyung.”

His feelings were strange beyond words. He felt relieved, yet unsettled. Since nothing changed immediately, he lacked a sense of reality. Do-hyun gazed at Woo-yeon for a moment and then pulled him into his embrace.

“Well… they say the way to get close to a family you have a bad relationship with is to live far apart.”

“Is that from experience?”

“Halfway.”

A faint pheromone lingered at the tip of his nose. Perhaps because he had just smelled Soo-hyang’s, he finally felt a sense of relief. How could pheromones be this good? Woo-yeon wrapped his arms around Do-hyun’s waist, thinking like a fool in love.

“I didn’t know you two were in such a loving relationship.”

Woo-yeon had heard the story of Ha-yeon from the employees. The gossip shared while moving through the house was heard all too well by the young Woo-yeon.

That the Vice Chairman brought in a poor Omega, that she died because he was too obsessed. The words that the young master of this house would eventually end up like that Omega still remained vivid in his mind.

“I can’t imagine it. The Chairman liking someone.”

“Me neither.”

The lover of that Ji Soo-hyang. Even though she was his mother, he couldn’t imagine it at all. Even the expressions he had caught glimpses of were erased as if his brain rejected them.

“Teacher.”

“…….”

“Seonbae.”

“…….”

“Hyung.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

Woo-yeon let out a soft laugh and buried his face in Do-hyun’s chest. He used to mix in ‘Teacher’ whenever he needed something, but now he only responded to ‘Hyung’ quite openly.

“Just… because I’m thankful.”

“What’s there to be thankful for?”

There were many things that wouldn’t have changed if Do-hyun hadn’t been there. For instance, Woo-yeon’s middle school years, his way of thinking, and even his attitude toward Soo-hyang.

“This and that……”

“This and that?”

“……I heard you called my mom.”

‘……A call came. From that child.’

It was obvious who ‘that child’ was. There would be only one person in this world who would dare call Soo-hyang to demand answers about Woo-yeon.

‘I wasn’t the only one who lost family, but I realized that fact too late. I also didn’t expect to hear it from someone other than family.’

She had a truly apologetic expression. Soo-hyang, who seemed like she wouldn’t bleed a drop even if pricked with a needle, had smiled bitterly, unlike herself.

‘Now it’s just you and me… if I ask you to come home, would you?’

It was a brazen question, if it could be called that. Naturally, Woo-yeon let out a hollow laugh and shook his head. Even if it wasn’t Soo-hyang who had locked Ha-yeon away, it was true that he was the one who had locked Woo-yeon away.

“……I.”

Do-hyun hesitated for a long time after starting to speak. Then, tightening his arm around Woo-yeon, he spoke without confidence.

“I thought I was providing you with a sanctuary.”

The nuance of the word ‘sanctuary’ wasn’t particularly positive. The gentle tone of the words that followed was no different.

“I wondered if I had added fuel to the fire by telling you to stay at my house.”

Do-hyun likely believed that he had provided the cause for this situation. He seemed to be worrying, in his usual tender manner, whether he had escalated things that would have otherwise passed quietly.

“It’s not that I didn’t think that……”

Woo-yeon spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully in his head. Of course, it would be a lie to say he hadn’t thought of Do-hyun’s house on the day he left his family home. It was also true that he had stepped away so readily because he had a place to flee to.

“It was just an excuse.”

But even if it hadn’t been Do-hyun, this was something that would have exploded eventually. The timing had simply been moved forward; Woo-yeon had always wanted to escape that place.

Looking at Woo-yeon, Do-hyun slowly patted his back.

“The Chairman would feel the same.”

“…….”

“Even if it wasn’t me, he would have apologized eventually.”

His breathing was steady. The heartbeat audible in Woo-yeon’s ear was calm and gentle.

“So don’t think this is all thanks to me.”

It was a statement that pierced right through Woo-yeon’s thoughts. Just as Woo-yeon had considered all of this to be Do-hyun’s doing, it seemed Do-hyun had noticed as well. True to Kim Do-hyun’s reputation for being quick-witted, he was incredibly delicate.

“……Shall we go on a trip?”

“A trip?”

The first love that Woo-yeon had never once forgotten. The person who had been his comfort, his salvation, and now, even his sanctuary.

“They say the rainy season ends today, so I think it would be nice to go travel here and there.”

Four years ago, he had broken up with that Do-hyun before two seasons had changed. In the short moment between spring and summer. In a period where it hadn’t rained even ten times. In those moments, Woo-yeon had soaked into Do-hyun, like a body drenched in spring rain.

“Domestic is fine, or overseas……”

A relationship that had ended before the rainy season even began now continued even after the rainy season had passed. Perhaps, even as the seasons changed again, Do-hyun would remain by Woo-yeon’s side.

“Anywhere is fine as long as I’m with Hyung.”

His heart fluttered with a soft, swelling emotion. Do-hyun let out a ticklish laugh and slowly nodded. The answer that anywhere was fine for him as well was filled with deep affection for Woo-yeon.

“I love you too, Yeon-ah.”

It was an answer that didn’t quite match the question, but Woo-yeon didn’t point it out. Instead, he simply closed his eyes softly as Do-hyun leaned in to kiss him.

Even after the rainy season stopped, Woo-yeon remained soaked in him. The dark clouds that had tormented his heart had now retreated without a trace. It was a night where it no longer rained, and he was no longer alone.

Alpha Trauma

―fin.

Chapter Sidе Stоry 1. Guardian

Summеr, whеn thе swеltеring heat was аt its рeak. Insidе the housе, with thе аir соnditiоner running, it was рlеаsant, unlike thе lush greenerу outsidе. Thе air wаs cооl, аnd the blankеts werе fluffy. As if prоving it was the pеrfect envirоnment fоr а deep sleeр, a lump wraрреd in blаnkеts lay аsleер on the bеd.

Dо-hyun rolled ontо his side аnd рeerеd аt thе fасe реeking оut. Eyes softly clоsed, and liрs ocсasionallу twitching. Nо matter hоw сool thе room wаs, it must havе bеen а bit hоt beсаuse оf thе blаnkets, yеt his bеlovеd lоvеr wаs in a state of utter, deep slumber. It was likely because Do-hyun had pushed him to his limit last night.

“Yeon-ah, how long are you going to sleep?”

A gentle, sweet voice asked. It was clearly a question, but the voice was small, as if trying not to wake the other. As expected, Woo-yeon didn’t budge, letting out steady, soft breaths.

It had already been a month since summer vacation began. Woo-yeon, who had said he would stay at his parents’ house during the break, ended up spending most of his time at Do-hyun’s house. At first, it was because he felt awkward around Soo-hyang, and then simply because he hated to part. Since Soo-hyang didn’t impose any particular restrictions, they spent the entire month stuck together like one body.

In truth, Do-hyun was not the type to welcome someone invading his space. Even if he became close with others, there was always a certain line, and bringing someone home was an act of trampling over and crossing that line. Even the Omegas he had dated in the past had not been allowed to set a single foot inside Do-hyun’s house.

Furthermore, unlike Woo-yeon, whose sense of money was zero, Do-hyun knew how to objectively judge his own standard of living. An apartment with four rooms and a spacious living room and kitchen felt far too excessive for a college student living alone. It was obvious, even without seeing it, how such an environment would look to others.

But Woo-yeon was different. Do-hyun had never hesitated to bring him home. The slight discomfort he felt for a brief moment was guilt over the things he hadn’t told Woo-yeon. He didn’t feel even a shred of the repulsion one usually feels toward someone intruding on their space.

Of course, the certainty that Woo-yeon wouldn’t show interest in the size of the house played a part. Woo-yeon had looked more closely at Ga-ram’s studio apartment, so his nature was well-known. Indeed, for someone who treated a high-rise penthouse as a ‘normal apartment,’ it would be stranger if he were surprised now.

Days that started with Seon Woo-yeon and ended with Seon Woo-yeon. Every single day was filled with happiness. Until he received the apartment from his parents, he thought a large house was pointless, but his feelings changed just by being able to keep Woo-yeon comfortably by his side.

Not long ago, as soon as the rainy season ended, they went on a trip. At the mention of wanting to see the ocean, they left the house without a plan and stayed for about four days in a hotel that was needlessly expensive. They couldn’t move around freely because of the reporters, but thanks to the scenery visible outside the window, it was a decent place to stay.

‘This is my first time coming on a trip like this.’

More than anything, Woo-yeon loved the fact that he had come on a trip with Do-hyun. Whether it was feeling the sea breeze on the balcony, picking from the menu to order room service, or dissolving bath salts in the tub, his eyes sparkled with excitement as he looked at Do-hyun. His flushed cheeks were so lovely that Do-hyun wanted to bite them.

“You sleep so cutely.”

Recalling that moment, Do-hyun let out a soft laugh and kissed his forehead. Perhaps feeling his deep sleep being disturbed, Woo-yeon frowned and squirmed. Despite complaining as if telling him not to touch him, the place he eventually settled was in Do-hyun’s arms.

“Shh…”

With a few gentle pats, Woo-yeon’s expression became peaceful again. He had clearly felt a sense of security from the familiar pheromones and warmth. Looking at him like this, he seemed just like a baby… Do-hyun held the bundle of blankets tightly, harboring rather shameless thoughts.

It was about ten minutes later when Woo-yeon opened his eyes. It was around the time Do-hyun had kissed him a couple of times, stroked his back over the blanket, and released his pheromones to soak him thoroughly.

“Mmm…”

His eyelids opened slowly. Eyes with thin double eyelids revealed clear pupils. Perhaps he wasn’t fully awake yet, as his eyes, usually sharp, were incredibly hazy.

“Are you awake?”

“Yeah…”

Even while thick with sleep, Woo-yeon habitually acted spoiled. With his eyes narrowed into slits, he rubbed his face against Do-hyun’s palm. He was like a cat acting cute.

“I’m hot…”

He seemed fine while sleeping, but he felt the heat as soon as he woke up. Even if it was a summer blanket, it was bound to be hot if he was rolled up like a kimbap. Moreover, combined with Do-hyun’s body heat, the air conditioner must have been useless.

Woo-yeon squirmed and pushed the blanket away. Beneath the blanket pushed to the side, a naked body without a single thread of clothing was revealed. Unlike Do-hyun, who at least wore pants, he was completely naked.

“Want to sleep more?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Do-hyun obediently gave one arm to Woo-yeon, who clung to him. Woo-yeon, who burrowed into his chest with familiarity, leaned his small head against his chest. The skin pressed tightly against him was warm, like that of a child.

“You’re completely naked right now.”

Not only his fair upper body, but his plump buttocks and pale thighs were all covered in the reddish-purple marks of their sexual encounter. Normally, he would have put a t-shirt on him, but it was because Do-hyun had been capricious, unlike usual. Of course, after stripping him bare, he had rolled him in blankets for fear he might catch a cold.

“Teacher is naked too…”

Teacher. The words clearly showed he was still half-dreaming. Whether to correct the title or to correct the statement that he was naked. While pondering between the two, Do-hyun chose to stroke his lean lower back. At the sensation of the palm rubbing, Woo-yeon opened his eyes slightly.

“…”

“What?”

“…”

“If you’re sleepy, sleep more.”

It was a gaze full of grievance. Then don’t touch me. That was clearly the meaning, but Do-hyun pretended not to know and caressed his waist. If he lowered his hand just a bit, he could grip the soft buttocks in one hand.

“How can I sleep like this…”

Woo-yeon grumbled his complaints and turned around like a slug. It was to escape Do-hyun’s hand, but Do-hyun didn’t mind and kept his hand moving. From the lean stomach to the flat chest, as he enjoyed the skin that clung to him, the slender neckline looked particularly appetizing.

I want to bite it… As soon as that thought occurred, he pressed his lips down without hesitation. From the nape of the neck where heat flowers had already bloomed, Woo-yeon’s characteristic pheromones wafted strongly. As Do-hyun sucked and licked as if drinking nectar, Woo-yeon shrugged his shoulders and pulled his legs in.

“Hng…”

The round curves of his ears turned bright red. The thing rising between his legs didn’t seem to be simply because he had just woken up. The fresh pheromones became fully ripe, and the intervals between Woo-yeon’s flinches grew shorter.

“I’ll stop if you’re sleepy.”

In truth, he hadn’t particularly intended to wake him. He thought it would be nice if he woke up since he had opened his eyes, but he intended to put him back to sleep if he was truly tired. Of course, while thinking that, his hand was moving diligently.

“Keep… mmm, touching…”

“Should I stop?”

Do-hyun said something without much sincerity and moved his right hand between the legs. Perhaps having completely given up on falling back asleep, Woo-yeon didn’t offer any particular resistance. As he gripped the erect penis, Omega pheromones surged out.

“Huu…”

Woo-yeon, whose skin was exceptionally white, had light pigmentation even in areas others rarely saw. For example, around the chest or the tip of the penis. The color was pink, and since there was very little pubic hair, gripping it made him feel as if he were doing something wicked.

“Ugh, hng…”

Pre-cum that had flowed in the meantime glistened, wetting the glans. Perhaps because he cried easily and felt things intensely, the reaction was great even with a little touching. He trembled his shoulders and even gripped the edge of the blanket, not knowing what to do.

Do-hyun adjusted the speed moderately so that Woo-yeon wouldn’t ejaculate. If he came quickly, he would tire out just as quickly, and in that case, Do-hyun would be the only one disappointed. Just last night, hadn’t Woo-yeon come three times before Do-hyun came once?

“Yeon-ah, try to hold it.”

It was an unreasonable request, but Do-hyun was sincere. However, upon hearing those words, Woo-yeon glared at Do-hyun with teary eyes. Do-hyun kissed his eyes and cheeks and reached for the condom that was next to the pillow.

“…I want to go, Hyung…”

“…You only do this at times like this.”

It was an incredibly bad habit. Normally, he didn’t have a speck of aegyo (though he was still cute), but on the bed, he was busy whining and pleading if he was teased even a little. He didn’t dislike that sight, but the problem was that it fueled the fire for Do-hyun, who had already lost his composure.

“Just a little, okay?”

Do-hyun gently coaxed Woo-yeon and pulled out his menacingly erect penis. As he put on the condom and positioned himself, Woo-yeon instinctively stiffened his body. Do-hyun, who was rubbing the area below the tailbone, brought the hand that had been acting as a pillow into Woo-yeon’s mouth.

“You have to relax.”

“Huuu…”

Neat teeth touched his fingertips. When he pressed the tongue down with his middle finger, Woo-yeon frowned. He had felt it before, but the inside of Woo-yeon’s mouth was exceptionally red and hot, making the sensation feel quite erotic.

‘If I put it in his mouth…’

It would be incredibly tight.

“Ah…”

Press, the tip of the penis widened the entrance. Even though he hadn’t loosened it with his hand, it was looser than usual. It was partly because he was already soaking wet, and partly because he had been tightly gripping Do-hyun’s thing until dawn.

“Hng, ugh…”

Do-hyun continued the insertion slowly, closely observing Woo-yeon’s reaction. It was to stop immediately if there was any sign of pain. But this little guy was moaning and wrapping his tongue around the finger.

“…Ha.”

Even knowing it was an unconscious action, tension entered his lower abdomen. The string of reason also snapped momentarily. Simultaneously, the thick penis pushed deep inside.

“Ah-hng!”

Woo-yeon reached a climax the moment he was pierced. Because he had spent the night ejaculating, the semen was watery. The hot and narrow inner walls clung tightly to the shaft, and Do-hyun let out a low growl, frowning.

“Ugh…”

Despite having had intercourse several times, Woo-yeon’s inside was always narrow. It was because Woo-yeon, who never seemed to get used to the act, tightened his lower half every time.

“Ah, hng…”

“Good boy… it’s all in.”

Do-hyun increased the amount of pheromones and turned Woo-yeon’s head. He intended to soothe him with a kiss, but as soon as their eyes met, those beautiful eyes drooped. His eyes were already moist.

“Hyung… it’s too big…”

Ah, I think I’m developing a wicked taste.

To be clear, Do-hyun basically had a dry way of having sex. Leaving marks was unimaginable, and he never rushed in out of desperation. There were people who were obsessed with Do-hyun, but there was no one he clung to first.

But with Woo-yeon, that didn’t work. Just looking at him made his insides burn, making him want to keep touching. Not only was biting, sucking, and leaving his marks not enough, but he even felt the urge to chew him up and swallow him whole.

“…Yeon-ah.”

It was severe. Since he lunged without knowing the limit, he had no right to complain even if Woo-yeon was disgusted.

“Look at me.”

“…”

A teary gaze turned toward Do-hyun. His pupils were so glossy and pretty that Do-hyun’s heart kept softening. The funny thing was that, even in the midst of that, a sadistic urge welled up.

“Does it hurt?”

“Ugh…”

Instead of answering, Woo-yeon’s eyelashes trembled. However, as Do-hyun caressed his eyelids and rubbed his lips against his cheeks and ears, the tense body gradually relaxed. Biting the earlobe gently, Do-hyun whispered softly in his ear.

“Still?”

“…No.”

Only then did Woo-yeon shake his head. His eyes were still red, but it didn’t seem to be because of pain. Because the things he said on the bed were mostly either exaggerations or acting spoiled.

“I just hate this position…”

The whimpering voice was cute. While pouting like a child, he obediently gave his tongue when their lips met. Every little thing felt cute; was this what people commonly called ‘rose-colored glasses’?

“Shall we do it while looking at each other?”

Do-hyun also knew that Woo-yeon liked the position where they faced each other. He also knew the reason was that he wanted to be hugged tightly. For someone not used to pleasure, all sensations must feel simply frightening, so that emotion was not an exaggeration.

As expected, Woo-yeon immediately nodded. As he turned his body as if asking to be held, Do-hyun slowly raised his upper body. Since he was still inserted deeply, Woo-yeon let out a slender moan.

“Mmm…”

Press, the penis stimulated the inside. Leaning his upper body down, Do-hyun repeatedly kissed Woo-yeon’s face. The forehead, eyelids, bridge of the nose and cheeks, and finally the lips. As he turned his head while holding the slender chin in one hand, Woo-yeon placed his hand on Do-hyun’s broad shoulder.

As if that gesture were a signal, Do-hyun pulled his waist back. Woo-yeon trembled at the sudden movement, but he didn’t pull away from the overlapping lips. Do-hyun rubbed his tongue softly and pushed the half-withdrawn penis back in.

“Ha-hng…”

A feverish breath burst out. His supple, curved waist twitched in spasms. With one hand beside Woo-yeon’s face and the other on his soft cheek, Do-hyun pulled the penis out again.

“Ah, wait…”

The hand on his shoulder tightened. Scratching his back with nails was something that always happened during sex. Seeing as it felt particularly stinging today, it seemed it was time to trim his nails.

“Yeah, it’s okay.”

“It’s not o… hng…”

Like a cat. Do-hyun thought so as he lowered his posture. To give Woo-yeon time to adjust, he occasionally tapped the shallow area. Shaking his head wildly, Woo-yeon protested in a sorrowful voice.

“You said… you said we’d do it looking at each other’s faces…”

“Ha…”

A laugh escaped him involuntarily. Not because it was funny, but because he felt the urge to tease him more. He wasn’t an elementary school student, yet Do-hyun kept wanting to be mean to him.

“I am looking at your face, Yeon-ah.”

“Not like this… hng, hng!”

I really think I’m developing a wicked taste.

The tiny face turned bright red. Focus left his pretty eyes, and sweet moans flowed from his throat.

He knew it was a perverted taste, but Do-hyun loved it when Woo-yeon cried on the bed. Normally, his heart would break if Woo-yeon was even slightly upset, but the tears shed because he couldn’t overcome the pleasure made the depths of Do-hyun’s stomach tingle.

“Ah-hng… Hyung, hng.”

He stuck out his tongue and licked away the tears gathered at the corners of his eyes. Press, as he inserted to the limit, Woo-yeon gasped for air. Do-hyun hugged Woo-yeon’s waist tightly and buried his face in his shoulder.

Sweet pheromones overflowed like a wave. Do-hyun was a dominant himself, but he was no match for Woo-yeon. Pheromones so stimulating they made his throat thirsty filled the air as if to intoxicate him.

“Hng, slow, slowly…”

“I’ll be gentle, it’s okay.”

A large hand caressed Woo-yeon’s upper body. He rubbed his stomach as if soothing a child with a stomachache, then moved up to the flat chest. His other hand was wrapped around Woo-yeon’s shoulder, providing an arm pillow.

“Hold my arm… that’s it.”

Do-hyun enjoyed the skin touching his hand and touched the protruding nipple. His body, which reacted sensitively no matter where it was touched, would stand erect both above and below even with a little excitement. When he pinched the pointed nipple with his fingertip, an erotic reaction returned as expected.

“Hng…”

The inner walls tightened sharply. At that dizzying sensation, Do-hyun bit Woo-yeon’s nape hard. As if accepting even that as pleasure, Woo-yeon flinched and dug his nails into the gripped forearm.

“Huu.”

With a short breath, Do-hyun began to move his waist in earnest. The entrance was softly loosened, and now he, too, had reached his limit. Besides, hadn’t Woo-yeon, who had already ejaculated, been erect since a while ago?

Do-hyun slowly pulled out the penis and stimulated the spots Woo-yeon felt. The area close to below the navel, and deep inside the stomach. Even at movements so slow they were tantalizing, Woo-yeon let out moans as if he were falling apart.

“Ha-hng…”

“Do you like it here?”

“Ah, no, I hate… hng, ah…”

Hate it, my foot. Do-hyun could tell whether Woo-yeon liked it or not just by the sounds coming from his throat. More accurately, he could tell just by the reaction of the inner walls tightening as he withdrew. No, in the first place, Woo-yeon wasn’t experienced enough in these acts to hide whether he liked it or not.

“Hng… Hyung, ah, no…”

Thump, thump, the thick glans struck the inside. The hand that had fully toyed with his chest moved down to the lower abdomen, pressing against the bulging skin. Every time the thick shaft entered and exited, a wet, lewd sound was heard.

“Hyung, Hyung……”

“Yes, Yeon-ah.”

“This, hic…… your hand……”

Woo-yeon, not knowing what to do, grabbed Do-hyun’s hand. Seeing him shake his head, it was clear he meant ‘don’t do it.’ Despite understanding perfectly, Do-hyun deliberately pushed his palm down, inserting himself all the way to the root.

“Haaah……”

His shrinking shoulders trembled violently. Pheromones erupted in a surge, and Do-hyun could feel Woo-yeon holding his breath. Instinctively realizing he was on the verge of climax, Do-hyun pressed firmly against the prostate with his member.

“……!”

Woo-yeon ejaculated while gripping Do-hyun’s hand tightly. Semen, thinner than before, splattered across the duvet. Ah, I should have caught it with my hand. Thinking this, Do-hyun hugged Woo-yeon as if he were going to crush him.

“……Ugh.”

While Woo-yeon experienced the climax, the inner walls tightened as if they would sever the member. The sensation of being clung to from the glans to the root was enough to induce a distant euphoria. Do-hyun, who had stopped moving for a moment, moved the hand that had been supporting Woo-yeon’s head to the gap between his lips.

“Shhh…… breathe, breathe.”

“……Haa, ha….”

The shallow breaths gradually turned into panting. The inner walls, which had tightened to their limit, twitched and relaxed. As Do-hyun gently massaged the soft member, Woo-yeon bit the finger inside his mouth with his front teeth.

“Ouch.”

It didn’t hurt at all, but Do-hyun reacted out of courtesy. It seemed he bit him out of a sense of unfairness, but unfortunately, there was no strength in his jaw. He was like a child grinding their teeth.

“Really……”

Do-hyun didn’t need to hear the rest to know. That he was mean, or hateful, or something else filled with sorrow.

“I won’t do it next time.”

Do-hyun made a promise he wouldn’t keep while grabbing Woo-yeon’s thighs. Woo-yeon, who had been slumped like water-soaked cotton, blinked and looked at Do-hyun. Without withdrawing his member, Do-hyun lifted his body and raised the limp legs.

“Hng……”

His delicate brow furrowed. It was because the angle of insertion changed as his body shifted. From lying on his side to lying flat on the bed. Woo-yeon’s eyes widened at the sudden change in position.

“……Why?”

His expression was one of complete confusion. Looking at him, Do-hyun let out a thin smile. Cutely, both then and now, he thinks that once Do-hyun is finished, everything is finished.

“You said let’s do it while looking at each other’s faces.”

Press. The bottom adhered tightly. The entrance, still tight, accepted Do-hyun more easily than before. Leaning his upper body down to bring their faces close, Do-hyun carefully brushed away the sweat-soaked hair.

“I’m not done yet.”

“There’s no such thing as……”

Though he spoke as kindly as possible, Woo-yeon’s face became stunned. Despite that, as soon as their lips touched, he obediently wrapped his arms around Do-hyun’s neck. At that cute behavior, Do-hyun felt a tickle in his chest and poured in his pheromones.

“Hup……”

His flat chest heaved deeply. Woo-yeon wrapped both legs around Do-hyun and clung to his upper body like a koala. Do-hyun habitually supported his back and thrust deeply into the spots that would make him feel it.

“Huu, ng……”

The moans Woo-yeon let out couldn’t escape his lips. The pheromones, the breath, everything was slowly devoured by Do-hyun’s respiration. Every time he moved his hips slowly, the soft tongue twitched and convulsed.

Regardless of everything, Woo-yeon was ultimately weak to pleasure. Even though he knew he could end it if he truly refused, the way he gave in as if he couldn’t help it was sly. Well, it was uncertain if Do-hyun was the type of person to call someone ‘sly.’

“Ah, hng, hnn……”

It was then that a vibration sound was heard. Because he had been taking his time unnecessarily, it happened just as the two of them had a sliver of reason left. Do-hyun slowly pulled his lips away and locked eyes with him.

“…….”

“…….”

Heated breaths scattered in the air. Do-hyun’s face was blurredly reflected in those eyes, beautiful as glass beads. After exhaling softly once, then twice, Do-hyun asked in a low voice.

“……Do you want to take the call?”

Regret appeared in Woo-yeon’s eyes. Seeing this, Do-hyun curved his eyes like a fox. After hesitating for a moment, Woo-yeon shook his head with a face flushed with excitement.

“Later……”

With their lips meeting once more, no reason remained. The moment Woo-yeon lifted his hips as if pleading, Do-hyun’s reason also flew far away.

It was about half a day later that the two discovered a missed call from someone named ‘Danny.’ It was a peaceful day, just like any other.

* * *

Sitting by the cafe window, Woo-yeon exuded the atmosphere of full-blown summer. His clearly exposed nape, a t-shirt stained with Alpha pheromones, oversized shorts, and a watch of the same design as Do-hyun’s.

Do-hyun thought that his usual attire was particularly bothersome today. Was it because the legs visible beneath the shorts were snow-white, or was it because the area around his neck was as clean as a blank canvas? Either way, it was certain that his nerves were on edge.

[You lost your phone?]

Sounds like an English listening test. Do-hyun thought of the bland impression while reaching for the drink on the table. It wasn’t particularly hot, yet his thirst wouldn’t go away. As he pushed the paper straw aside with his index finger and pressed his lips to the glass, Woo-yeon glanced his way.

[Yeah, I barely found it, but the police couldn’t speak English, so……]

The man sitting opposite showed not a shred of interest in Do-hyun. He simply smiled with a beaming face, his blue, clear eyes fixed on Woo-yeon. Soon, the man showed his teeth in a grin and spoke in an excited voice.

[That’s why I contacted you.]

Thud. The ice in the coffee he set down rattled. It was a sound that could be quite annoying, but the man didn’t care and was busy sharing his recent news. Do-hyun silently observed the man while tracing the condensation on the surface of the cup.

[I’m really relieved now.]

Dull, dark blonde hair, gentle eyes like a puppy. He was shorter than Do-hyun, but his build was intimidatingly large. Unlike his visuals, which could easily fit a quarterback if he played American football, his impression was nothing but innocent.

‘So this is the “Danny.”‘

Do-hyun had been facing this man, with whom he would normally have no connection, for ten minutes already. Although Do-hyun was looking at him, and he was looking at Woo-yeon, regardless.

The reason they had such an awkward meeting went back to about an hour ago.

An hour ago, after washing Woo-yeon clean, Do-hyun pondered the dinner menu while drying his wet hair. Since the weather was hot, he wondered if he should give him some nourishing food. While he was worrying about Woo-yeon, who seemed to run out of battery whenever they had sex (something Woo-yeon would find absurd if he heard), Woo-yeon suddenly let out a bewildered exclamation.

‘Huh?’

His half-closed eyes snapped open. On the phone equipped with the case Seon-kyu had gifted, there was a name that Do-hyun had heard occasionally. Woo-yeon immediately pressed the call button and asked the person on the other end abruptly.

‘Danny? Are you in Korea?’

That question was the starting point of the entire situation. Starting with the explanation that he couldn’t answer because he was busy, Woo-yeon checked Do-hyun’s reaction while saying he couldn’t go out right now. The conversation was conducted in English that Do-hyun could easily understand, and Do-hyun played the role of the generous lover while stroking the back of Woo-yeon’s half-dry head.

‘If you want to meet, I’ll take you.’

In truth, it was a bit of a probe. Half greed, wishing Woo-yeon wouldn’t go, and half stubbornness, wanting to see ‘Danny’ once. It was also a question he was certain would be rejected, as Woo-yeon’s stamina was completely drained.

‘……Is that okay?’

But Woo-yeon nodded with a face that was quickly tempted. Seeing the eyes filled with anticipation, Do-hyun couldn’t bring himself to say ‘no.’ He simply silently grabbed the car keys and put a t-shirt on Woo-yeon that was heavily stained with his own pheromones.

Thus, the two headed to the meeting place with ‘Danny’ with tired bodies. In his heart, he wanted to feed him first, but he gave up since Woo-yeon said he had no appetite. I’ll let him eat some cake at the cafe, Do-hyun thought, while Woo-yeon, oblivious, talked about ‘Danny.’

‘Danny can’t speak Korean, so……’

‘When I was being discriminated against, Danny……’

‘At that time, Danny brought me suppressants……’

Danny, Danny, and Danny again.

Do-hyun, who had been listening quietly, smiled with an infinitely kind face around the time the mention of ‘Danny’ helping him through his first heat cycle came up. Then, tapping the steering wheel, he asked softly.

‘But…… is Danny an Omega?’

Fortunately, ‘Danny’ was a Beta. Relieved by the fact that he couldn’t feel pheromones, Do-hyun belatedly realized the t-shirt he had put on Woo-yeon and clicked his tongue. He can’t feel pheromones. It was a relief, yet not a relief.

‘I think it’s there.’

The meeting place was a famous franchise cafe that also existed in the US. It had a wooden sign, and the customers inside were clearly visible through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Do-hyun spotted a foreigner wearing sunglasses among them and parked the car on the side of the road.

‘I’ll be waiting nearby, so contact me when you’re done with your friend.’

‘Uh……’

Even though Do-hyun had personally unbuckled the seatbelt for him, Woo-yeon shifted his gaze ambiguously instead of getting out of the car. At the sight of him hesitating, Do-hyun looked at Woo-yeon with a feigned look of regret. Internally, he was praying, Come on, just ask me to come.

‘……Do you want to come along?’

When Woo-yeon said that, Do-hyun truly wanted to cheer. However, since he couldn’t show it too hastily, he simply stroked the pale cheek and narrowed his eyes softly.

‘It’s been a while since you’ve seen your friend, so it might be a bit weird if I join.’

These were words that didn’t reflect his heart. Because it was a friend he was meeting after a long time, he had to see exactly what kind of guy he was.

‘It’s okay. He’s not the type to care about that.’

Kindly, Woo-yeon tilted his head and rubbed his face. He used to be busy being shy, but now he had become accustomed to skinship like a well-tamed small animal.

Slowly lifting his eyes, he suggested in a plain voice.

‘Let’s meet together.’

In the end, Do-hyun got out of the car as if he couldn’t help it. Before entering the cafe, he didn’t forget to ask for ‘Danny’s’ full name out of courtesy. Woo-yeon told him the name was ‘Daniel Connor’ and added that he could call him whatever he liked.

And so, now. The three of them were in the middle of talking about their recent lives with three drinks on the table. Daniel was primarily the one speaking, Woo-yeon was in charge of reactions and questions, and Do-hyun took charge of the silence. After the initial handshake with Do-hyun (he was very glad, but didn’t ask who he was), Daniel didn’t even give him a glance.

[No wonder you didn’t answer the phone……]

At Woo-yeon’s murmur, Do-hyun looked at him askance. Did you call? That was the intention, but unfortunately, it didn’t reach Woo-yeon. Then again, what was so big about making a call to a friend.

[Phone? You called me?]

But it seemed to be quite a big deal to Daniel. Judging by the way his eyes widened and his face became slightly touched. In contrast, Woo-yeon shook his head as if it were nothing.

[I called because of the article back then. Saying that I probably couldn’t let you stay at my place.]

[Ah.]

Daniel’s expression quickly deflated, and he pouted. He even shrugged as if he had expected it.

[I figured. You wouldn’t call me without a reason…… no, wait. You couldn’t let me stay?]

It was a face that had heard news like a bolt from the blue. His bright blue eyes wavered without a place to land.

[Then what do I do?]

[That’s why you should have told me the dates accurately.]

Do-hyun thought that Woo-yeon, acting so coldly, was very unfamiliar. Although he occasionally showed a detached side, he was basically weak to affection. This was the first time he had drawn a line so sharply.

[Woo-yeon…… I’m really starting to feel hurt. Are we the kind of relationship where we have to set an appointment to meet?]

[As I always say, we are that kind of relationship……]

‘He’s a friend, but it’s a bit ambiguous.’

So that’s what he meant.

Do-hyun felt a distant sensation as he looked at Woo-yeon’s profile. An expression overwhelmed by betrayal flashed through his mind, and disappointed eyes came vividly to mind.

If he hadn’t caught Woo-yeon then. If so, he too would have become a relationship no different from Daniel’s. An ambiguous relationship where they wouldn’t care whether they were in contact or not.

‘……I can’t trust that Teacher.’

His vision went dark. The deeply dyed hair, the forehead that peeked through, the sharp bridge of the nose, and the pretty lips—the fact that he almost never saw them again was dizzying.

“……Hyung?”

As if possessed, Do-hyun reached out and touched the back of Woo-yeon’s head. As he stroked the nape, the round earlobe turned red.

“Why……”

Despite having done far more erotic things, his face turned red just because a hand touched him. Although he had touched him quite densely, hadn’t he habitually rubbed his cheek against his palm earlier?

“Is there a problem with your friend?”

Do-hyun naturally withdrew his hand and glanced at Daniel. Woo-yeon, who still looked like a ripe apple, covered his ear with his palm.

“That…… I was originally supposed to let Danny stay. But since he has no place to stay now……”

“Really? If that’s the case, my place is fine too.”

Only then did Daniel look at Do-hyun. Do-hyun, wearing a good-natured smile, met Daniel’s gaze.

“There’s a spare room. It won’t be uncomfortable.”

“Why would Hyung do that?”

Woo-yeon shook his head as if asking what he was talking about. Seeing him furrow his brow deeply, it seemed he thought there was no need for that. Daniel, who had a subtle expression for a moment, glanced at Do-hyun.

[But this person is…… just a friend?]

A short, hollow laugh escaped. He must look like a lover at a glance. The intention of deliberately calling him a ‘friend’ was transparent. The way he subtly acted as if he didn’t exist, and the way he scanned him up and down when they first met. His already sensitive intuition buzzed a danger signal.

[No.]

But that danger signal didn’t last long and lost its power. Woo-yeon, who had regained his composure, fiddled with his wristwatch and blurted out.

[Lover.]

Ah, he’s so pretty I could die. Seriously.

[……Lover?]

[Yes, lover.]

It wasn’t a boasting tone. It was just that he held his neck stiff and fidgeted with his hands meaninglessly. Plus, the words he added without missing the opportunity.

[It hasn’t been long. About three months.]

Do-hyun couldn’t hold back the laughter and covered his mouth. Thanks to a light cough, the movement wasn’t too unnatural. He thought Woo-yeon brought him along fearing he would be jealous, but thinking about it, Woo-yeon wasn’t a lover quick enough to notice that.

[Today is the 78th day.]

‘So cute……’

It was exactly the behavior of someone who had their first lover. Counting the days they met, subtly boasting about their partner. This wasn’t a place to introduce Daniel to him, but a place to show him to Daniel. Thinking that far, Do-hyun swallowed his laughter.

‘I should celebrate the 100th day.’

He had never celebrated anniversaries, but he wanted to try it with Woo-yeon. He felt that if he put candles in a cake and gave a small gift, Woo-yeon would like it with sparkling eyes. No, since the partner is Woo-yeon, perhaps a new experience like a trip would be better than material things.

[……Anyway.]

Woo-yeon subtly avoided Do-hyun’s gaze and changed the subject. Despite speaking confidently in his own way, he seemed to have become shy anew. Whether it was because he was four years younger or simply because of Do-hyun’s rose-colored glasses, he was an incredibly cute lover in many ways.

[I’ll get you a hotel, so stay there. How long will you be in Korea?]

It meant that while he couldn’t let him stay at home, he would provide a place to stay. It was the minimum courtesy Woo-yeon could provide, and a normal friend would have been grateful.

[……Woo-yeon.]

However, instead of saying thank you, Daniel parted his lips with a sorrowful expression. Frowning deeply at the bridge of his nose, he shook his head.

[I want to visit an ordinary Korean home. There are plenty of hotels in America too, right?]

It was a shameless and contradictory statement. If he wanted an ordinary home, Woo-yeon would be even less of an option. Not to mention the family home, even the penthouse he stayed in briefly could hardly fall into the category of ‘ordinary.’

[And I don’t want to stay alone after coming all the way here. How lonely and boring would that be.]

[Danny…… then you shouldn’t have come on a trip alone.]

[What are you talking about? I came to hang out with you.]

Daniel, who replied brazenly, beamed with an innocent face.

[I told you to keep your time free because I’d come to see you. Don’t you remember?]

Do-hyun also vaguely remembered. The words they exchanged over the phone in the morning on the day he took a drunk Woo-yeon home. Although he couldn’t hear Daniel’s voice, he could gauge the general content from what Woo-yeon said.

[That’s true, but……]

Woo-yeon trailed off ambiguously, his eyes darting around. Since his friend had flown in from so far away, he seemed to feel bad about treating him coldly. But honestly, wasn’t providing a place to stay enough? Do-hyun, who deliberately kept his words brief, glanced out the window.

[Woo-yeon, why are you overthinking this?]

Beyond the glass pane, the world was filled with the refreshing colors of summer. The lush green leaves, people dressed in light clothing as if they might float away, the slightly stinging sunlight, and the cars parked along the main road.

Suddenly, Do-hyun felt a subtle sense of incongruity and frowned. The trees, the people, the main road—the scenery, which should have been unremarkable, felt strangely out of place.

Especially one van with heavily tinted windows.

[Just for a few days, stay at a hotel with me…]

He moved his arm abruptly. As he spread his large hand wide, he completely blocked the view of Woo-yeon’s profile. Do-hyun stared intently out the window and whispered in a low voice.

“There’s a reporter.”

The table fell deathly silent. Not only Woo-yeon, but even Daniel shut his mouth and looked toward the window. He shouldn’t have seated him by the window. Muttering this to himself, Do-hyun gave a stern warning.

“Don’t look. You’ll get your picture taken.”

“Uh… I don’t really mind.”

“I mind.”

Woo-yeon seemed accustomed to it, but Do-hyun was not at all. Whenever he felt the gaze of others like this, anxiety made his heart race. It was just a photo; they wouldn’t even be able to publish it as an article. It was because the ‘what if’ scenarios played endlessly in his head.

“First, let’s move seats…”

What if they were strange people, what if bad things were said, what if Woo-yeon got hurt because of it.

The chain of fears led to the desire to hide him away from sight. Because Woo-yeon was precious, and because he was dear. If he could, he wanted to hide him in a place only he knew.

Ridiculously, this impulse wasn’t much different from how Soo-hyang had treated him. If Woo-yeon heard this, he might be disgusted and reconsider his relationship with him.

[What’s wrong? What’s happening?]

Do-hyun looked at Daniel and then looked back out the window. Amidst the various thoughts flashing through his mind, only one sentence came out.

“Let’s go home.”

* * *

On the way home, Daniel chatted incessantly. Do-hyun remained silent, focusing on driving, while Woo-yeon, sitting in the passenger seat, occasionally looked back to respond. Seeing him occasionally gauge the mood, it seemed he had noticed that Do-hyun’s atmosphere was unusual.

[Whoa, it’s so tall.]

From the moment they entered the apartment complex, Daniel couldn’t stop marveling. He was so excited that Do-hyun could barely understand half of what he was saying. There must be apartments in LA too. His fantasy about Korea seemed immense.

“Is this all your luggage?”

A small suitcase, a wallet, and a phone. Despite flying a distance of over ten hours, Daniel’s belongings were very meager. Woo-yeon’s eyes widened as he watched Do-hyun take out the suitcase for him.

“Are you really going to let him sleep here?”

“Yeah, he said he has nowhere to go.”

“Even so…”

Woo-yeon seemed reluctant, but for Do-hyun, this was the best option. He had overheard that Daniel hated being alone; he couldn’t let him go to a hotel together. Especially since it wasn’t just anyone, but the person Woo-yeon had mentioned in bed.

‘Ah, Danny…’

When Daniel’s name had come up that day, Do-hyun felt for the first time what it meant to be blinded by jealousy. The sensation of sparks flying before his eyes and his chest burning was enough to drag out the ambitions he had kept deeply hidden. It wasn’t even comparable to the feelings he had felt for Tae-gyeom a long time ago.

“Hyung, it’ll be uncomfortable for you.”

“I’m more comfortable with this.”

Well, if it was the Woo-yeon he knew, there was a high possibility they had only seen each other while changing clothes at most. The reason he had given a vague answer was likely because he was upset that he had once liked Yun-woo. If it was revenge, it was a success, but the problem was that it had remained in his memory until now.

[You said your name is Daniel, right?]

[…Huh?]

As soon as Do-hyun spoke to him, Daniel blinked with a surprised expression. Because Do-hyun had been quiet the whole time, he likely hadn’t expected him to speak English. Do-hyun handed him the suitcase and smiled with a gentle face.

[There’s a spare room at my place, so stay here for the time being.]

It was the smile that Woo-yeon called fake. It was also an expression that broke down the guard of everyone except Woo-yeon. Fortunately, Daniel was the latter, so Do-hyun decided to drive the point home.

[Hotels are boring. Right?]

The three of them went up to the house together. Inside the elevator heading up, Daniel observed Do-hyun with somewhat ambiguous eyes. The gaze, which seemed like a mix of curiosity and hostility, was so blatant that it was impossible to miss.

However, Do-hyun didn’t blink and ignored all the stares. He also pretended not to hear Woo-yeon whispering for him to reconsider even now, turning his head away. Maintaining a blank expression wasn’t that difficult.

[Come in. Take off your shoes.]

A house far too large for one person is very useful at times like this. Even after creating a bedroom, a study, and a dressing room, there was still one guest room left. Do-hyun gave Daniel the guest room next to the bedroom he shared with Woo-yeon.

[Unpack your things in this room. The bathroom and restroom are in the living room, but I use the one attached to my room, so feel free to use them.]

The room, equipped with a large bed and a wardrobe, was one used whenever his younger sister, Jin-ah, visited. Even on the day Woo-yeon got drunk, he should have originally let him sleep here. Despite that, the greed that led him to let Woo-yeon sleep in his own room was something Daniel would never know, even if he died and came back to life.

[If I use this, where does Woo-yeon sleep?]

As if he had never been wary of Do-hyun, Daniel looked around the room with sparkling eyes. He set his suitcase to one side and opened the wardrobe and drawers. Woo-yeon, who had been standing there with a lukewarm expression until then, replied nonchalantly.

[I use the room next to that one.]

[Hmm… I see.]

Do-hyun leaned against the doorway and stared intently at Daniel. Sitting on the edge of the bed and pressing down on the mattress, Daniel curled his lips into a smirk.

[Then let’s sleep here together.]

Do-hyun’s face stiffened. He had gone through the trouble of bringing him home, and here he was saying things that turned his stomach. Unaware of that, or perhaps fully aware, Daniel slyly added.

[We can sleep in different rooms for a few days. The bed is wide, so it’s perfect.]

His beaming face was irritating. Friends could share a room, but the story changed when a lover was firmly planted there. No wonder he asked which room he would use without being told they were living together.

[That’s not possible.]

Do-hyun rejected Daniel’s proposal flatly. Woo-yeon, who had just parted his lips, glanced over. Without changing his expression, Do-hyun grabbed Woo-yeon’s arm.

[I can’t sleep alone at night.]

Swoosh, he slid his hand down and interlaced his fingers with the soft hand. The loosely entwined fingers flinched. Daniel stared blankly at the joined hands and asked.

[Why can’t you sleep alone?]

[Because I’m scared.]

It was a truly brazen answer. Woo-yeon also let out a short laugh, trailing off with, “Scared…?” Do-hyun didn’t let go of the hand and pulled Woo-yeon toward him.

[Unpack slowly and come out. Let’s eat something.]

With those words, Do-hyun led Woo-yeon out of the room. Daniel didn’t follow, but instead, the sound of a deflating laugh could be heard from behind. Woo-yeon followed Do-hyun silently before teasingly asking.

“Are you scared of sleeping alone?”

“Yeah, didn’t you know?”

Even as he answered, he kept chuckling. Because even he thought it was absurd. Scared of sleeping alone? Had he ever had such a thought in his life? Woo-yeon also seemed to find it ridiculous, as amusement leaked into his voice.

“Then how did you sleep when I wasn’t here?”

“I slept while crying because I was scared. Hugging a pillow.”

“Wow… you can really lie through your teeth.”

Do-hyun stopped abruptly and turned to Woo-yeon. They were in front of the door to their bedroom. Before any more words could come out, Do-hyun suddenly leaned his head down.

“…”

With a shy sound, their lips parted. As if the short contact was regrettable, Woo-yeon blinked his closed eyes. Do-hyun curved his eyes prettily and rubbed his nose against the other’s.

“I put saliva on my lips.”

It was a childish joke, but Woo-yeon didn’t mock him. He simply flushed red in the cheeks and fidgeted with their interlaced hands.

“To tell a lie like that… isn’t this not enough?”

His free hand slowly gripped Do-hyun’s collar. At the gesture whose intention was clear to anyone, Do-hyun gently caressed the corner of his eye. And when their lips met again, they didn’t part for quite a long time this time.

* * *

Daniel came out to the living room after a long while. Having changed into comfortable clothes, he said he was tired today and would rest at home, and immediately wanted to try ordering delivery food. Do-hyun readily handed over his phone and helped him choose the food he wanted to eat.

The menu Daniel chose was a lunch box and Tteokbokki; he mentioned that he had heard about Tteokbokki from Woo-yeon and had always wanted to try it. Considering Woo-yeon’s empty stomach, Do-hyun pushed the Tteokbokki to dinner and first ordered a lunch box consisting of Korean food. Fortunately, the food tasted good, and Daniel seemed satisfied.

The day spent like that wasn’t as bad as expected. It was interesting to see Daniel be surprised by the various types of delivery food, and it was fascinating to see him marvel at how quickly the delivery arrived. It was a bit annoying when he had conversations with Woo-yeon that only they knew, but the way he acted boastfully, as if intentionally wanting Do-hyun to hear, was almost cute.

[You want to visit the university?]

And the next morning. Meeting in the living room, Daniel asked Do-hyun to show him around the school as soon as he saw him. Naturally, there was no greeting asking if he slept well, nor did he ask if Woo-yeon was still asleep.

[Yeah, I was curious about the school Woo-yeon attends.]

Whether he was brazen or just naturally sociable. Looking at the messy blonde hair, Do-hyun trailed off ambiguously.

[That’s not hard, but…]

He thought he had met a wide variety of people, but Daniel was a strange type he had never seen before. One moment he treated people like they were invisible, the next he openly tried to incite jealousy, and then today he spoke to him in a friendly manner.

Do-hyun’s eye for people was quite accurate. Sensitive to the gazes and emotions of others, he noticed in just one day that Daniel did not view Woo-yeon sexually. First, it was the fact that he didn’t ‘get jealous’ of the skinship with Woo-yeon, and second, it was the fact that there was nothing more than friendship in the eyes he used to look at Woo-yeon.

Then why was Daniel being temperamental toward him?

It was awkward to say it himself, but Do-hyun’s appearance was by no means bad. From his gentle eyes to his neat and straight features, he had heard he was likable, but he had never heard he was unlikeable. (Tae-gyeom was the sole exception.)

Despite that, from the moment he entered the cafe with Woo-yeon, Daniel had looked at him with a gaze that wasn’t kind. Even when shaking hands and greeting, he had intentionally kept his words short. However, since it didn’t feel like he hated him, Do-hyun had simply watched calmly.

In any case, that meant the hostility Daniel showed him wasn’t hostility toward ‘Kim Do-hyun.’ Rather, since he had spoken to him without hesitation around yesterday evening, this too was a contradiction.

[Then I’ll take you after breakfast. It’s not far from here.]

[Oh, there’s something I want for breakfast.]

[What do you want to eat?]

Actually, the original Do-hyun wouldn’t have given a shred of interest to how he was evaluated. He had already realized long ago that it was difficult to be loved by everyone, so there was no need to care about a foreigner who would soon return to his home country.

Nevertheless, the reason he was seriously considering it was that Daniel was Woo-yeon’s friend and the only person who had looked after Woo-yeon when he wasn’t there. Since it was clearly a precious connection for Woo-yeon, it would be wrong to cut it off out of blindness from jealousy.

Or perhaps it was sympathy for a relationship that started on the wrong foot, just like his own.

[Can’t ‘Kimchi-jjigae’ be delivered?]

[It can. Is that what you want?]

[Not delivery… I want to eat some made at home. Can’t you cook?]

Do-hyun let out a chuckle as he looked at Daniel, who was making an openly obnoxious request. He didn’t know what he was thinking, but it was clear he intended to bother him while Woo-yeon was away. He could tell by the expression that clearly said ‘I bet you can’t cook’ while asking him to ‘do it.’

[I’ll make it for you.]

So, this level of pettiness was cute.

[Sit and wait. While you wait, if you have nothing to do, look up things you want to do today.]

Regardless, Do-hyun wanted to get Daniel on his side if possible. He wanted to be recognized as a partner worthy of Woo-yeon, and further, he wanted to hear how Woo-yeon had lived in America. What kind of life Seon Woo-yeon had lived without him, and if his absence had been significant. It would be good to have those things confirmed.

[…You’re really going to make it?]

[Yeah.]

He had made simple stews for Woo-yeon a few times. Since that picky young master had eaten it deliciously, it would be better than delivery food. He wasn’t exceptionally good, but he wasn’t exceptionally bad either.

Do-hyun left the dazed Daniel and entered the kitchen. As he took the kimchi out of the refrigerator, Daniel, who had followed him before he knew it, peered into the fridge. With a spark of interest in his blue eyes, he wondered what there was to see in a refrigerator filled with side dishes and drinks.

[Korean beer! I love this!]

Daniel pointed to a blue can like a child who had discovered a toy. It was similar to how Woo-yeon’s eyes had sparkled when he saw the arcade some time ago. As expected of friends, they were alike in strange ways.

“I can see why you two are friends.”

Muttering this, Do-hyun closed the refrigerator door. Daniel blinked a couple of times and smiled with a bright face, his head tilted to the side.

[What did you say?]

[Nothing.]

It would have been good to add ham or tuna, but unfortunately, there were no canned goods left. The only reason he had side dishes prepared was because he had been taking care of Woo-yeon. He couldn’t feed him outside food every day when he had only eaten the finest things at his family home.

[Are you just going to stand there? Wait in the living room.]

[I want to watch you make it.]

This was exactly why Daniel’s intentions were confusing. Normally, one would hate to even be in the same space as someone they didn’t like, but he maintained an excessively unreserved attitude. As long as Woo-yeon wasn’t mentioned, he was just like a curiosity-filled tourist.

[Kimchi? Did you make this yourself too?]

[No, I bought it.]

[I thought people in Korea made Kimjang every winter…]

[It varies by household. These days, many people buy it.]

Do-hyun took out a pot and skillfully began to sauté the kimchi. A savory smell filled the air along with a sizzling, delicious sound. Daniel sniffed the air and wrinkled the bridge of his nose.

[I love the smell of kimchi so much.]

His voice was quite moved. He had shown a similar reaction when eating Tteokbokki yesterday. He liked Korean beer, and he liked the smell of kimchi. Perhaps he would like things like Hanok houses too.

[But is Woo-yeon still sleeping?]

“…”

He was momentarily speechless. He could have just answered yes, but he felt a prick of conscience for no reason. That was because about 80% of the reason Woo-yeon was oversleeping was his own responsibility.

‘Hng… Hyung, wait a second…’

‘Shh, you can’t make noise.’

Last night, as usual, Woo-yeon had squirmed in Do-hyun’s arms, saying he couldn’t sleep. His body temperature was hot, and his pheromones were wafting everywhere. Kissing Woo-yeon, who was openly flirting, without hesitation had been the start of everything. Out of conscience, he hadn’t performed insertion, but it seemed even light petting had been too much.

[…He must be tired.]

Do-hyun replied vaguely and poured water into the sautéed kimchi. In the first place, the fact that his night sleep had decreased recently was also his fault, but he deliberately ignored that part. Even if he was the one to start, it was always Woo-yeon who lit the fire first.

[Really?]

Fortunately, Daniel didn’t ask anything more and hummed a tune. He seemed to be in a good mood thanks to the fragrant smell of the kimchi stew. The timing seemed right; he figured he should wake Woo-yeon up around the time it boiled vigorously and then simmered down.

After that, a few small questions and answers were exchanged. Daniel asked if he could make every food he knew, and Do-hyun replied that it was possible as long as he knew the ingredients and method, while making rolled omelets.

Woo-yeon woke up around the time Do-hyun thought he should slowly wake him. Turning his head at the familiar pheromone, he saw Woo-yeon walking in sluggishly. Looking at the two people in the kitchen, he rubbed his eyes as if he couldn’t believe it.

“…Since when were you two so close?”

It was an utterly strange sight. Two people who had met for the first time only yesterday were huddled together, cozily cooking kimchi jjigae. It was only natural to be bewildered.

“Danny said he wanted to eat kimchi jjigae.”

“Danny…”

With a face still heavy with sleep, Woo-yeon looked back and forth between Daniel and Do-hyun. ‘Since when did they…’ The sound of him muttering this was clearly audible to Do-hyun.

[Woo-yeon, have you tried kimchi jjigae? It smells amazing.]

[I have. More importantly, if you’re awake, you should have woken me up. Why are you bothering my lover?]

At the word ‘lover,’ Do-hyun secretly stifled a laugh. Woo-yeon probably used it because he couldn’t think of a suitable title, but to the listener, it sounded sweet. Daniel widened his eyes and asked with an innocent face.

[What? Are you actually jealous?]

Immediately, Woo-yeon’s face turned pouty. He replied curtly while taking water out of the refrigerator.

[No.]

Do-hyun knew he was wearing rose-colored glasses, but Woo-yeon’s English had a certain sexiness to it. Perhaps it was because he had just woken up; his voice was lowered, making it even more so. Even though it was just one syllable, it felt quite erotic.

“You two…”

Woo-yeon spoke tentatively, fidgeting with the water bottle. His still-sullen face stared blankly at Do-hyun. Knowing exactly why those clear cheeks were twitching, Do-hyun barely managed to hold back a laugh.

“You look like a newlywed couple.”

Woo-yeon, who didn’t know how to be subtle, tended to let his emotions show plainly whenever he felt jealous. His expression would change, his gaze would shift, and his tone toward Do-hyun would even grow prickly. Compared to the time when he used to just endure everything, it was nothing short of immense progress.

“Yeon-ah.”

In times like this, Do-hyun knew exactly how to soothe his mood. He wasn’t angry, just sulking, so the method to fix it was simple.

“Come here.”

Woo-yeon obediently approached Do-hyun, holding the half-opened water bottle in his hand. Do-hyun took the bottle, opened the cap for him, and stroked his disheveled hair.

“Why are you awake already? I was going to go wake you up.”

With just a few strokes, those sharp eyes softened. The corners of his mouth, which had been drooping, curled upward again. With a face that looked as if he might start purring at any moment, Woo-yeon mumbled in response.

“I woke up because the spot next to me felt empty.”

Since he woke up every day surrounded by pheromones, it was understandable that the empty space felt hollow. He had probably trotted out to the living room looking for him the moment he woke up. The image of a chick searching for its mother was vivid in Do-hyun’s mind.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“Just… is my hair sticking up a lot?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Do-hyun habitually tried to lean in for a kiss, but conscious of Daniel’s presence, he pulled away. Sweet pheromones began to bubble up around Woo-yeon. If Daniel hadn’t been a Beta, his face would have turned bright red.

“Go wash up. Let’s eat.”

Woo-yeon nodded obediently and left the kitchen. Left alone, Daniel watched his retreating back with a bewildered expression. A hollow laugh escaped his parted lips.

[My god.]

It was a single phrase containing many meanings. His gaze seemed to demand an explanation, but Do-hyun simply shrugged. Just in time, the kimchi jjigae was finished.

After a modest breakfast, the three of them headed to the university together. As always, Woo-yeon sat in the passenger seat, and Daniel took the back seat with an excited face, just like yesterday. This time, Do-hyun chose to participate in the conversation instead of remaining silent.

When they arrived at the campus, there were very few people coming and going. A few students taking seasonal courses, a few people presumed to be graduate students, and some outsiders. Since the summer break was still in full swing, there was no sign of a bustling atmosphere.

[Wow, it’s huge!]

Do-hyun parked the car deep inside the school and guided him primarily around the Humanities building. Since he couldn’t show the entire interior—which was large enough to require shuttle buses—he planned to show the buildings they used most. Fortunately, the highly excited foreigner responded with nothing but exclamations regardless of what was shown.

[Why on earth did you try to quit such a great school?]

At Daniel’s words, Do-hyun looked back at Woo-yeon. You tried to drop out? When he sent that look, Woo-yeon awkwardly avoided his gaze.

“…It was because I messed up my course registration.”

It felt like there was more to it, but Do-hyun didn’t press further. During the beginning of the semester, he himself had made more than a few mistakes. Since he had intentionally teased an awkward Woo-yeon, he could understand why the latter would mention dropping out.

[Is that a smoking area?]

[Yeah, smoke if you want to. I’ll wait.]

The scent of cigarettes wafted from the smoking area shielded by a screen. Likely, graduate students exhausted by their theses were burning their murderous intent toward their professors along with their cigarettes. With his hands in his pockets, Do-hyun recalled something from just a few months ago.

‘I should try it.’

It was a memory from when Woo-yeon, not knowing any better, had tried to learn how to smoke. It was also the catalyst for Do-hyun’s resolve to quit the pheromone cigarettes he had smoked for four years. Perversely, at the time, Do-hyun had felt a strange sensation watching the filter caught between those red lips.

[What about you?]

“…Ah.”

Snapping back to his senses, Do-hyun looked up. Perhaps because he had thought of cigarettes for the first time in a while, a slight thirst arose. Only after swallowing dryly did he speak in a casual voice.

[I quit.]

[Really? Then I’ll quit too.]

Daniel walked ahead as if it didn’t matter. Following behind him, Do-hyun glanced at Woo-yeon inconspicuously. The way his eyes kept drifting to those lips felt like a withdrawal symptom in several senses.

[What about the club room? I want to go there too.]

A building where club rooms were concentrated was visible not far from the smoking area. Daniel mentioned it just in time, but Woo-yeon shook his head with a firm expression.

[Outsiders are forbidden from entering the club room.]

Strictly speaking, entry for outsiders wasn’t exactly ‘forbidden.’ They had simply decided to discourage it as much as possible because frequent visits made management difficult. After thinking it over, Do-hyun asked tentatively.

[Do you want to go?]

Two gazes followed. One was Daniel’s, and the other was Woo-yeon’s. The two asked simultaneously with very different expressions.

[Can I go in?]

“Can he go in?”

Seriously, now he knew why they were friends.

“Why not? I’m the club president.”

Do-hyun took his phone out of his pocket and weighed his options. Since it was break, there was no way other club members would be there, and the key was with him as the president. Since the weather was hot, it might be better to let Woo-yeon rest in a cool place rather than leaving him under this scorching sun.

“Should I call Mungaram and Seon-kyu too?”

* * *

The club room, left abandoned for a month, was filled with the stifling heat of midsummer. Do-hyun first opened the windows to ventilate the oppressive interior. Setting the air conditioner aside for a moment, it seemed he first had to deal with the thick layer of dust.

“Hey, how long has it been!”

“Hello, Hyung!”

Ga-ram and Seon-kyu arrived around the time the club room was mostly tidied up. Perhaps they had met nearby, as both were carrying identical plastic bags in both hands. Hearing the sound of glass bottles inside, the contents were easy to guess.

“You two are exactly the same as before the break.”

Even though only two people had been added, the inside of the club room became noisy. Daniel seemed to feel the same, widening his eyes with a bewildered face. Ga-ram, who was walking inside, stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing Daniel.

“…What’s this, an exchange student?”

“No, Woo-yeon’s friend.”

“Woo-yeon’s friend?”

Ga-ram asked back as she approached the sofa. Woo-yeon sat next to Daniel, Do-hyun sat diagonally from them, and Ga-ram and Seon-kyu sat on the opposite sofa.

Only after they had settled in did Woo-yeon introduce Daniel to the two. He explained that this was ‘Daniel Connor’ and a friend he had become close with in the US. Ga-ram, who was about to greet him warmly, froze like a machine upon hearing the next words.

“He… can’t speak Korean?”

“No.”

“At all…?”

“He knows things like ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank you.’”

“…Wow, damn.”

Ga-ram was more sociable than anyone, but a lack of communication was the exception. Just as being an English Literature major didn’t necessarily mean one was fluent in conversation, Ga-ram was someone who detested English.

“Hey, Seon-kyu, you try greeting him for me.”

“Noona, I specialize in CSAT English.”

“You brat, you’re still better than me.”

“In times like this, a Seonbae should set an example.”

“As if there’s such a thing.”

The sound of their bickering whispers was noisy. Their voices were certainly low, but being this disruptive was a talent in itself. Do-hyun burst into an absurd laugh watching the two exchange “How are you today?” and “I’m fine thank you, and you?”

[Can you say their names? They’re ‘Ga-ram’ and ‘Seon-kyu’.]

[Ga-ram?]

Meanwhile, Daniel was busy practicing the names Woo-yeon taught him, his brow furrowed in concentration. Watching him clumsily repeat ‘Ga-ram’ and ‘Seon-kyu,’ Do-hyun suddenly realized that Daniel hadn’t called him by his name once so far.

[Danny, try this.]

It was just a simple whim. He felt they had become quite close, and he also felt that the distance between Woo-yeon and Daniel was far too close. Tilting his head slightly, Do-hyun spoke in a gentle voice.

“Kim. Do. Hyun.”

[…….]

Daniel’s eyebrows twitched. Letting out a small snort, he confidently lifted his chin. A crooked smile hung on his lips.

[No.]

“Hey.”

The one who was flustered instead was Woo-yeon. Woo-yeon grabbed Daniel’s arm with a stern face. He seemed worried about Do-hyun’s mood, but Do-hyun was more bothered by the fact that those slender fingers were touching someone else.

[Why are you…]

Because Woo-yeon whispered in his ear, the rest of the words were barely audible. Watching this, Do-hyun curled his lips into a slant. What had he said earlier? That he had no sexual feelings for Daniel. Regardless of Daniel’s feelings, the sight of them pressed so closely together was not welcome.

“Hey, I don’t care, let’s just drink. Daniel? Connor? What is it, what should I call you?”

Just as Do-hyun’s patience was reaching its limit, Ga-ram jumped up. Perhaps she couldn’t reach a conclusion in her conversation with Seon-kyu, as she had a somewhat enlightened expression. Do-hyun was very glad for her intrusion, though he pretended otherwise.

“Mungaram, you’re exhausting. Is drinking the only thing you can do after meeting for the first time in a while?”

“You sound like a couple in a slump. If you’re annoyed, don’t drink.”

“I can’t drink anyway because I brought my car.”

“Ugh, you bourgeois bastard driving your own car.”

Even though a real bourgeois was right in front of her. Her choice of vocabulary was always unrestrained. Of course, Woo-yeon didn’t care in the slightest.

[Oh, I like this!]

“What, you like that? Drink it all. There’s plenty over there.”

[Can I drink this?]

“Drink, drink. Drink it all.”

The drinking party started in an instant. With a swift motion, Ga-ram locked the door and half-closed the windows while turning on the air conditioner. The way she distributed the alcohol and brought out the snacks made her look like someone who had been waiting for this exact moment.

“What should we order? Anything you want to eat?”

“How about Tteokbokki?”

[Tteokbokki? I love Tteokbokki!]

Do-hyun eavesdropped on the three of them selecting the menu as if watching a performance. Two were using Korean and one was using English, yet the conversation somehow worked. To be precise, they were all just saying they liked Tteokbokki, but who cared.

[Woo-yeon, aren’t you drinking?]

[Ah, I’m a bit…]

Woo-yeon hesitated, unable to readily reach for the alcohol. Seeing his hesitant face, it seemed he felt uncomfortable with drinking due to past mistakes. Do-hyun was about to tell him to drink comfortably, but Daniel was faster.

[Why? Let’s drink together for the first time in a while.]

A flinch, and his eyes narrowed. For the first time in a while. It was a phrase that made his lips close instinctively.

[I’ve wanted to try Korean beer with you.]

As far as Do-hyun knew, Woo-yeon was not of legal drinking age when he was in the US. That meant he was a minor who couldn’t buy alcohol, nor should he have. And yet, he had drunk with Daniel. Moreover, the nuance suggested they had done so quite often.

[Can’t you just have a little? Please?]

[…Be quiet.]

Woo-yeon lowered his voice, glancing at Do-hyun to gauge his reaction. He wondered why he was reacting so quickly, but the truly shocking words came next.

[Because of you, I developed a weird drinking habit.]

“…….”

This time, Do-hyun truly struggled not to let his expression crumble. Because a single phrase caught in his ear amidst the fluent English pronunciation. Daniel seemed to feel the same, as he tilted his head and asked back.

[Drinking habit?]

‘It was just…’

In a brief moment, a memory passed by. A phrase Woo-yeon had said with a flushed face on a terrace with a beautiful night view.

‘It was a drinking habit.’

His eyes narrowed. The corners of his mouth dropped into a straight line, and a deep frown formed between his brows.

Woo-yeon avoided Do-hyun’s gaze and fidgeted with his earlobe. He didn’t offer an excuse, nor could he readily respond. He simply shook his head, frowning clumsily.

[There is such a thing.]

“Such a thing…”

Where is it.

He couldn’t utter the last part. It was because he happened to lock eyes with Daniel, who had looked up. Do-hyun closed his parting lips and covered his mouth with one hand.

He had almost made things awkward for Woo-yeon in front of so many people. Since Woo-yeon himself was avoiding the answer, he couldn’t force him to speak. Perhaps he could gently persuade him later when they were alone.

Do-hyun struggled to suppress the impulse and calmly organized his thoughts. Memories of the days Woo-yeon had been drunk surfaced one by one. One day he clung to him saying it was cold, another day he tried to take off his clothes saying it was hot, and another day he insisted on showering despite being unable to even steady himself. Generally, he was cute and lovely, but if he had been with someone else, Do-hyun would have lost his mind.

Jealousy surged like a burning fire in his throat. The bold words he had uttered—asking to be held or kissed—were still vivid in his mind. It felt like only yesterday that he had been smiling softly while holding a cute doll like him in his arms; which of those drinking habits had been developed because of Daniel?

“…Yeon-ah.”

Do-hyun tried to manage his inner turmoil and raised his voice kindly. Woo-yeon, who had been arguing with Daniel, looked back at Do-hyun, asking what was wrong. Even then, the way their shoulders were pressed closely together was incredibly irritating.

“If you want to drink, feel free. If you get drunk, I’ll take good care of you.”

He didn’t smile sweetly. If he did, Woo-yeon would recognize at a glance that his insides were twisting. Instead, he pretended to be as calm as possible, opened a beer can, and set it on the table.

“You’re seeing a friend after a long time, you should have a drink.”

“But… Hyung, you can’t drink.”

“It’s fine. If necessary, I’ll just leave the car behind.”

When Do-hyun went this far, Woo-yeon also seemed to hesitate. The desire to drink flashed in those glossy, beautiful eyes. His pale hand slowly reached toward the beer can Do-hyun had handed him.

“Then, just a little…”

[Oh, you’re drinking?]

Since it wasn’t a situation where someone was forcing him to drink, nor was it drinking out of depression, Do-hyun intended to let him if he wanted to. Since he and Ga-ram were the only Alphas, if pheromones leaked out, he could simply cover them with his own.

“Everyone, raise your glasses. Hey, Daniel! Cheers, okay?”

Starting with a clear voice, beer cans and paper cups clashed. It wasn’t the refreshing clink of glass, but it was enough to lift the mood. Do-hyun suppressed the bubbling in his chest while sipping from a paper cup filled with a beverage.

He would find out exactly which drinking habit he was talking about once he got drunk.

* * *

Three hours passed.

From the time Seon-kyu became dazed and unable to gather his senses, to the time Ga-ram became an English genius—exactly three hours.

[Listen, Dan. I really hate English.]

[Really? But you’re speaking in English right now?]

[No, no. I can’t speak English.]

Perhaps having found confidence in the alcohol, Ga-ram attempted to converse with Daniel from the moment she became half-drunk. Her pronunciation was clumsy and her vocabulary limited, but there was no problem communicating. It made him think that if she had brought soju in a tumbler during last year’s oral exam, she would have received a good grade.

“Ah, Noona, why do you keep speaking English…”

Conversely, as time passed, Seon-kyu became less able to understand Daniel’s words. He understood roughly at first, but now he was practically deaf to it. No, seeing as he couldn’t understand English or Korean, it seemed he had just become slow-witted.

Even in this chaotic situation, Do-hyun watched only Woo-yeon. It was so he could take care of him if he fell over, spilled his drink, or leaned on Daniel due to intoxication. Fortunately, Woo-yeon didn’t make any mistakes and just sipped his beer.

“Hey, Baby. Don’t just drink; eat some snacks too.”

“…….”

Twitch. Woo-yeon’s brow furrowed. Despite having drunk quite a bit, his complexion remained remarkably clear. He was slightly more expressionless than usual, and only his gaze was a bit hazy. To an outsider, he looked like someone with a high alcohol tolerance, but Do-hyun reached only one conclusion upon looking at him.

‘He’s drunk.’

“Why am I a baby?”

His pronunciation was precise, but the speed at which he spoke had slowed. While his voice remained calm, the tone was low, and every time he blinked, his head tilted slightly. He clearly had a face that didn’t betray his intoxication despite being drunk. This was exactly why Do-hyun repeatedly told him, “You shouldn’t drink.”

“Anyone smaller than me is a baby.”

“I’m taller than Noona.”

“Look at you, talking back.”

Others probably wouldn’t know. The fact that Woo-yeon, who was spitting out bold words with such an ordinary face, would remember nothing the next day. Seeing as he was managing his pheromones well, he was fine for now, but Do-hyun would have to stop him soon.

“How tall is Noona?”

“Noona is tall. Just under 2 meters.”

“……I am too.”

Between the talk of height and whether he was a baby or not, Do-hyun let out an involuntary pfft of laughter. Perhaps because they were both drunk, they were having a serious discussion over a trivial topic. The most amusing part was that, unlike his usual self, Woo-yeon was stubbornly insisting on his point.

“I don’t like being called that.”

“It’s a habit, a habit.”

“I still don’t like it.”

Ga-ram’s use of the term ‘baby’ was merely a drunken habit, but Woo-yeon seemed dissatisfied with the cute nuance of it. Eventually, unable to watch any longer, Do-hyun reached out and stroked the back of Woo-yeon’s head.

“She calls everyone a baby when she’s drunk.”

‘She probably has about fifteen babies.’ As Do-hyun added that, Woo-yeon’s expression softened considerably. It might have also been because of the hand gently petting the back of his head. Either way, it was a rather unfair sight for Ga-ram.

“Wow, he wouldn’t listen when I said it. How am I supposed to live with this sorrow?”

Ignoring Ga-ram’s words, Woo-yeon grabbed Do-hyun with both hands. Rubbing his face against Do-hyun’s palm as if acting spoiled, he looked as though he wanted to be petted. Since that was essentially the meaning, Do-hyun toyed with his soft cheeks to his heart’s content.

“Your face is hot.”

“I know.”

The unpleasant feelings melted away like snow. Simply by touching Woo-yeon, his heart felt surprisingly peaceful. Good grief, it wasn’t like he had separation anxiety, but his mood fluctuated over every little thing.

[Woo-yeon, are you okay? Are you drunk right now?]

[I’m fine. I’m not drunk.]

[Look at me. Are you really okay?]

[I said I’m fine.]

Finding the well-behaved Woo-yeon curious, Daniel turned his upper body to observe him. Despite having drunk together before, it seemed this was the first time he had seen him drunk. Or perhaps it was the first time he had seen him act this cute.

‘I guess he didn’t learn this from Daniel.’

While releasing gentle pheromones, Do-hyun calmly retraced his memories. He had forgotten it earlier because he was blinded by jealousy, but wasn’t there one other drunken habit of Woo-yeon’s besides skinship?

Foolishly, rational thought only became possible after the overflowing jealousy subsided. Even though he knew it couldn’t be true, he had ruined his own mood with baseless assumptions. While Woo-yeon hadn’t even thought of wavering, Do-hyun had been fluttering like a flag in the wind.

“……Let’s finish cleaning up and go.”

Letting out a short, hollow laugh, Do-hyun pulled his hand away from Woo-yeon. He caught the look of regret on Woo-yeon’s face, but he could pet him at home too. It was just that he wasn’t sure if he could only pet him.

Do-hyun began clearing the tables one by one on behalf of those who were wasted. The alcohol had been finished long ago, and Seon-kyu had already fallen asleep leaning against the sofa. Since Ga-ram got tipsy quickly but didn’t get completely blackout drunk, it was fine to leave her be.

“Hey, just leave it. I’ll clean up and take Seon-kyu home.”

Thud. Ga-ram brushed Do-hyun’s hand away and mumbled. As she did, she tilted her head toward Woo-yeon, signaling him to take him and leave quickly. No matter what anyone said, she was quick-witted, and she seemed to have noticed that he had been strange throughout the drinking session.

“Then I’ll leave it to you. Yeon-ah, can you walk?”

“Yes.”

Woo-yeon stood up abruptly and confidently. Then, he immediately stumbled and landed in Do-hyun’s arms. It wasn’t so much that he truly couldn’t keep his balance, but rather that he felt safe enough to collapse now that there was something to lean on. That sight was so endearing that Do-hyun let out a ticklish laugh.

“You said you could walk.”

“I can walk.”

[…My god.]

Daniel looked at them with eyes full of shock. Once at Woo-yeon, once at Do-hyun. The gaze shifting back and forth was excessively burdensome. Hah, Daniel exhaled and sighed once more.

[My god……]

‘He’s a bit drunk too.’

Seeing him repeat the same words over and over, it was clear he was also feeling the effects. Well, he had drunk that much beer, saying Korean alcohol was great. No matter how low the alcohol content, if you pour in that much volume, you’re bound to get drunk.

“Yeon-ah, put some strength in your legs.”

Do-hyun first wrapped his arm around Woo-yeon’s waist to support him firmly. He didn’t forget to block him with his body so that his pheromones wouldn’t reach Ga-ram. Perhaps because he simply loved being close to Do-hyun, pleasant pheromones surged from Woo-yeon.

“Dammit, Kwon Seon-gyu won’t wake up. I want to go smoke.”

“Just try smoking here.”

“I won’t, you brat. Just go. Danny, you go too!”

“Goodbye!” shouting that, Ga-ram sprawled out on the sofa. Daniel, who had been staring at Woo-yeon until then, finally moved his feet only after making eye contact with Do-hyun. The gaze following Do-hyun and Woo-yeon looked somehow hollow.

* * *

August, when the days grew longer. A season where the red light stretching across the window at sunset was exceptionally beautiful. A surreal landscape, as if dye had been spilled over the swarm clouds embroidered across the vast space.

With such a sky as his backdrop, Daniel stared blankly down from the balcony. His fluttering hair sparkled like gold threads in the sunset. Despite the picture-perfect scene, Do-hyun parted his lips without much emotion.

[Danny.]

Daniel’s gaze slowly returned. It was a sudden call, but he showed no sign of surprise. He simply smiled brightly with that same innocent face.

[What about Woo-yeon? Is he sleeping?]

As he said, Do-hyun had just come out to the living room after putting Woo-yeon to sleep. Since he had washed him clean and even dried his hair, he would likely sleep soundly for at least two or three hours. He might toss and turn during the night, but that was a common occurrence.

[I put him to sleep and came out.]

[Good job.]

Responding lightly, Daniel began to hum a tune. It was the same song he had been humming beside Do-hyun this morning while he was cooking kimchi stew. Do-hyun sat in the chair next to him and spoke casually.

“You seem to like that song.”

[Huh?]

Because Do-hyun spoke in Korean, Daniel tilted his head as if asking what he meant. With a still-beaming face, he asked back.

[What did you say?]

A humid breeze tickled the edges of his cheeks. The air characteristic of summer held all the heat that had been baked during the day. To think the sun hadn’t set yet despite all that daytime drinking. Do-hyun stared at the fading sky and spoke calmly.

“You can speak Korean, can’t you?”

The gaze shifted diagonally downward. He was still smiling, but Do-hyun realized that he was flustered. Seeing the slightly raised eyebrow, Do-hyun slowly added the following words.

“I’m quick-witted.”

From the first time they met, there were more than a few strange things. He only asked who Do-hyun was after he offered to let him stay over, and he shut his mouth tight the moment he heard there was a reporter. If he truly couldn’t speak Korean, he would have shown a frustrated expression occasionally, but Daniel had been consistently unfazed.

“You didn’t even ask what I was saying when I talked to Woo-yeon.”

“…….”

“And yet, you’d ask what I meant with ghostly precision whenever I spoke to you.”

If he denied it, Do-hyun intended to just pretend not to know. The reason he brought this up in the first place was that Daniel had been acting strange for a while. To be precise, it bothered him that Daniel kept making a bitter expression after the drinking session ended.

“The song you just hummed, that’s a Korean pop song too.”

“……Hmm.”

Daniel rolled his eyes and tucked his chin. The lips that had been pleasantly upturned had now drooped. Blinking with a listless face, he answered softly after a long silence.

“I’m not good at it.”

The pronunciation was clumsy. Just as he said he wasn’t good, the intonation was uneven. Before Do-hyun could react, a deep sigh was heard.

“I learned it to get close to Woo-yeon.”

“…….”

“But Woo-yeon doesn’t know.”

It was natural that he wouldn’t. Probably no one he met today had noticed. Only Do-hyun, who was exceptionally sensitive to such things, had realized it; if he hadn’t been Woo-yeon’s friend to begin with, he wouldn’t have observed him this closely.

“Why did you pretend you couldn’t?”

This time, it was genuine curiosity. He wondered what the purpose was in deliberately deceiving him for two days when there seemed to be no particular reason. Surely it wasn’t to secretly eavesdrop on what Woo-yeon was saying.

“It wasn’t on purpose……”

Various complex emotions were contained in the long, trailing end of the sentence. It was an unidentified lingering attachment and regret that even Do-hyun couldn’t fully guess. After hesitating for a moment, Daniel slowly parted his lips.

“I just wanted to.”

It wasn’t an answer at all, but Do-hyun didn’t press him. He could tell just by looking that there was no malicious intent, and regardless of everything, it was certain that he liked the human Seon Woo-yeon quite a bit.

“You know.”

Daniel began softly. He turned his body to look at Do-hyun. Because he was standing with the sun behind him, his expression wasn’t clearly visible.

“Are you curious? About the Seon Woo-yeon in America.”

“…….”

Of course he was curious. He just hadn’t imagined those words would come from Daniel’s mouth first.

“Want me to tell you?”

Do-hyun didn’t reject a gift that fell right into his lap. He simply looked back at him with a gaze full of affirmation. And the words that followed were something Do-hyun hadn’t expected at all.

“I was that kid’s bodyguard.”

* * *

Daniel continued talking about Woo-yeon for quite a long time. How he met Woo-yeon, how they became close, and how he opened his heart. The content was mostly as expected; the only surprising part was that they had been roommates in the same dormitory.

“At first, he was really small. About this height.”

Listening to him talk about Seon Woo-yeon, Do-hyun recalled the middle schooler he knew. The young Seon Woo-yeon whose head barely reached his chest and whose hands and feet were tiny.

“I struggled a lot to get close to him. Guarded? He was incredibly guarded.”

He said he was a more difficult person to deal with than anyone he had ever met. He was so bundled up in wariness that he responded to everything with silence, making it hard to even start a conversation. Despite that, he added that the reason he tried until the end was simply because of money.

“Money…… you know, right? That Woo-yeon’s family is incredibly rich. I was originally ga-na, ga-na-hada?”

“Ganan (Poor).”

“Yeah, I was poor.”

He wanted to ask how he had come to know Soo-hyang, but he couldn’t ask that far. In the meantime, Daniel asked Do-hyun for a few words, and then, deciding it wasn’t working, switched to English.

[I even studied to pretend I was interested in Korea. I looked up Korean culture, listened to songs…… practiced things like ‘Annyeong’ and ‘Gomawo.’ Ah, I really like it now. Korea is a very charming country.]

He said the thing he worked hardest on was pronouncing Woo-yeon’s name correctly. It took exactly one month, and around that time, Woo-yeon opened his heart to Daniel. To be precise, it seemed they just ended up spending time together because there was no one else to hang out with.

[Woo-yeon is really…… the more you know him, the more particular he is. He’s a huge picky eater. If it tastes even a little bad, he won’t eat it. No, he can’t eat it. I had a hard time finding food that suited his taste.]

He spoke as if complaining, but his expression was actually one of longing. Do-hyun noticed the affection underlying it and narrowed his eyes. No matter how guarded Woo-yeon had been, there was no way he wouldn’t have been permeated by such tender kindness.

[Then, was it half a year later? Woo-yeon manifested as an Omega.]

He said that Woo-yeon, who manifested overnight, suffered through his first heat cycle for a whole week. Daniel, who initially thought it was a cold, had no choice but to realize it as the symptoms worsened. Daniel immediately contacted Soo-hyang, and Soo-hyang had the primary physician prescribe suppressants.

[Honestly, I still don’t understand. Why did that person tell me to hide the fact that I was an employee, and while she’s so interested that she wants to hear every single move he makes, why doesn’t she contact Woo-yeon directly?]

Even if he was curious, he wasn’t in a position to ask. Daniel simply protected and observed Woo-yeon as Soo-hyang ordered; he had no authority beyond that.

[I heard Woo-yeon is dominant. A super-dominant one at that.]

What were the chances that a super-dominant Omega who had just manifested could skillfully control overflowing pheromones? Do-hyun frowned, recalling memories from the orphanage. Daniel was scrunching his face similarly to Do-hyun.

[Do you know how dangerous he was?]

The scattered puzzle pieces gradually fell into place. The reason Soo-hyang had specifically attached Daniel to him. The reason she, who usually hired Alphas, had recruited a ‘Beta bodyguard.’

Soo-hyang had likely predicted it. The fact that Woo-yeon would inevitably manifest as either an Alpha or an Omega. Unique Traits are inherited only between Unique Traits, and Woo-yeon was the precious fruit born between an Alpha and an Omega.

[Alphas attacked him several times. They already looked down on him for being Asian, and since he manifested, he must have looked like an easy target.]

[……Did that happen often?]

It was a question he had once asked Woo-yeon. When Ga-ram lost her mind in the club room, Woo-yeon had answered in an indifferent voice.

‘It doesn’t happen often.’

[It happened countless times.]

The hair on the back of Do-hyun’s neck stood up. Whether it was anger or something else, the creeping emotion clouded his vision.

Do-hyun already knew that those words were a lie. The expression Woo-yeon wore, his behavior, and his reactions afterward—every gesture showed that he was ‘used to it.’ It was just that since it wasn’t a memory worth digging up, he hadn’t asked in detail.

[I told him to be careful because he’s dominant…… Oh, don’t look at me like that. I know it’s not something he can control. I just said it because I was worried.]

Do-hyun sighed, pressing his eyelids with one hand. His mood had turned strangely sour, and his stomach felt tight even though he hadn’t drunk. While he struggled to calm his pheromones, Daniel slowly continued.

[I thought it wouldn’t do, so I taught him how to exercise. He has to be able to protect himself somehow. You’ve never seen it, right? Woo-yeon’s athletic nerves are really good. He’s good at physical fights too.]

There was no way he had seen it. He had occasionally felt that Woo-yeon was strong, but even that was only for a moment. No wonder he had fearlessly charged at that bear-like Kim Jin-sang. It was because he had something to rely on.

[He grew nearly a foot in height back then, but since he lost weight at the same time, the problem was……]

He didn’t need to hear the rest to know. If he was pretty in Do-hyun’s eyes, how pretty must he have been to others? It was obvious what would happen if a younger, softer Woo-yeon had been emitting pheromones.

[So, do you know what I taught him?]

Daniel curled his lips into the most confident expression he had shown so far. Then, showing his teeth in a bright grin, he crinkled his nose.

[Swearing.]

A hollow laugh escaped Do-hyun. Not out of surprise, but because he felt that he should have expected it.

[I taught him every swear word there is. In these things, seizing the initiative is the most important part.]

Of course, he said Woo-yeon didn’t follow along. The reason was that it would be troublesome if he developed a habit. Watching Daniel click his tongue in regret, Do-hyun recalled the memory of the last Membership Training. They say rote learning is scary, but hadn’t he learned it more perfectly than anyone?

[Admit it. At first, it was a sense of duty, but later it wasn’t. Woo-yeon is my friend, and in a sense, he’s like a child to me.]

Emotions have many branches. Just as Do-hyun had seeped into Woo-yeon and finally felt sexual desire, Daniel must have developed a significant amount of affection over four years. Moreover, since he had watched him grow, it wasn’t strange for him to act like a guardian.

[I naturally thought Woo-yeon felt the same. Since he continued to be my friend even after knowing I was someone Soo-hyang hired.]

Do-hyun vaguely realized the identity of the bitterness Daniel had shown. The reason for the emotion that flickered across his face when Woo-yeon acted spoiled with him, or leaned on him pretending to be weak.

[But it turns out he doesn’t.]

It was similar to a parent being petty toward their child’s lover. Not sexual desire, but friendship, or further, something like familial love. The way he had measured Do-hyun from head to toe was a behavior derived from that.

[My contract ended a long time ago, but Woo-yeon still keeps his distance from me. After returning to Korea, he wouldn’t even contact me unless I reached out first.]

The voice, grumbling and lamenting, sounded aggrieved. He pouted his lips and blurted out a question as if seeking agreement.

[Can’t you become friends regardless of how you meet? Just because my contract ended, does my relationship with Woo-yeon have to end too? Is a human relationship the kind of thing that just snaps off like that?]

No one could answer. Do-hyun turned his gaze away, unable to say a word. Twilight had already descended upon the sky where the sunset had been.

“……I guess so.”

‘Teacher is going to the army.’

If they had been surgical about cutting ties, their reunion wouldn’t have been dragged out this long. The moment the contract was severed to end the relationship, all ties would have vanished into thin air.

[I swear, I didn’t even know about Woo-yeon’s family history.]

It seemed he knew the general gist of it now. After all, with the massive news articles that had been published, the news must have reached him.

[It’s unfair. We just started from different starting lines, yet I’m still stuck at this level.]

The reason Do-hyun couldn’t say anything was that he knew that feeling better than anyone. Since he had stood side-by-side at that same starting line, all he could do was quietly listen.

[I know you’re a good person. To be precise… I know you’re a good partner.]

“Because of the kimchi stew?”

[It was delicious.]

Daniel gave a small smile and let out a shallow sigh. Even the corners of his upturned lips betrayed the turmoil he felt.

[I just… I was just a bit envious. Of you, and of the friends I saw earlier. Since our beginnings were different, the process must have been easier for you.]

[The process…]

What should he say? Do-hyun’s lips parted as he searched for the right words. He felt that if he spoke too hastily, emotions he hadn’t yet managed to contain would spill out. After blinking once, then twice, Do-hyun spoke softly.

[My starting line wasn’t different from yours.]

Once, Do-hyun had also resented an irreversible beginning. He had chewed over the proposal he had accepted without thinking and felt despair while watching a receding back. Amidst the endless surge of regret, he clung only to a thread of hope.

[If anything, my destination was further away.]

[……What?]

Daniel stopped moving, his face blank with bewilderment. The gaze that met Do-hyun’s was filled with surprise. After observing Do-hyun for a long while, he asked with a quite serious expression.

[Are you a Beta?]

It was an abrupt question. Even Daniel, the one asking, seemed certain that it couldn’t be true. Do-hyun didn’t answer, but Daniel shook his head and smirked.

[……Want me to tell you something?]

There was an edge to his voice. A prickle of bad emotion could be felt in the way he looked at Do-hyun. Do-hyun could sufficiently guess why he was angry and why he felt so aggrieved.

[In the end, you won’t be able to beat Teacher either.]

If you’re going to regret it after saying it, you might as well not say it at all. It was clear that he had spoken out of a sudden impulse and was immediately regretting it. Do-hyun pushed those things aside for a moment and focused only on the one word he had uttered.

[Teacher?]

[……Yeah, Teacher.]

There was no need to ask who it was. Do-hyun knew very well who that was. Depending on how he interpreted Do-hyun’s silence, Daniel added in a small voice.

[You’re a ‘Hyung,’ not a ‘Teacher.’]

Hyung and Teacher—only those two words were in Korean. Both referred to the same person, and both were spoken by the same person. Though Daniel likely didn’t know the latter.

[When I was in the US, Woo-yeon talked about Teacher every chance he got.]

“…….”

[He said he’s a Beta, but a very kind and gentle person. Neither I nor you will ever be able to become someone like Teacher.]

Do-hyun lowered his head and organized his complex emotions. While he was happy that Woo-yeon had talked about him, it was heartbreaking that he had missed him all the way in America. The most absurd part was the sense of superiority he felt unconsciously.

[……Daniel Connor.]

Inevitably, Do-hyun spoke in a sunken voice. He didn’t have a hobby of meddling, but remaining silent felt like a deception toward Daniel. While it was embarrassing to admit he was the ‘Teacher,’ he wanted to clear up the misunderstanding. Because if Daniel left now, that little guy might get hurt again.

[I think you’re misunderstanding…]

Daniel looked at Do-hyun with a stiff expression. He seemed worried that Do-hyun was angry because he had used his full name. Softening his expression slightly, Do-hyun began gently.

[Woo-yeon considers you a friend, too.]

Up to this point, it was consolation offered out of politeness. Daniel seemed to feel the same, nodding with a deflated face. Seeing the expression that seemed to say ‘go on,’ Do-hyun intentionally spoke in Korean instead of English.

“He just doesn’t know how to treat you because you’re the first friend he’s ever made.”

“……First?”

Honestly, he hoped Daniel wouldn’t understand. He didn’t want to admit that someone other than himself was a precious existence to Woo-yeon. Wanting to monopolize Woo-yeon, even if it was out of childish jealousy, Do-hyun added generously.

[The first friend he’s ever made.]

Daniel’s eyes widened in disbelief. He said he didn’t know the family history, but it seemed he also didn’t know the environment Woo-yeon grew up in. Well, it was unlikely that so many details were contained in a mere news article.

“Woo-yeon has exactly two proper friends. One is you, and the other is Seon-kyu, whom you saw earlier. Mungaram is a Seonbae, so that’s a bit different, and I’m the partner, so I’m outside that category.”

[……You’re talking too fast.]

“Just listen and consider it a study session.”

Since Daniel had been acting moody the whole time, Do-hyun didn’t intend to let him off easy this time. He even gave a belated lecture, saying that if he came to Korea, he should use the Korean language. Daniel, who had been frowning deeply, listened more intently than anyone once the story actually began.

“When the article about Woo-yeon came out, Mungaram once bought him a cake to cheer him up.”

It was a memory as vivid as if it were yesterday. The day the article broke that Woo-yeon was the heir to Selection Group, and reporters lined up in front of the school. Do-hyun hadn’t seen it personally, but according to Garam, that little guy had been detached, as if he had given up on everything.

“But Woo-yeon said this. He asked if she was pitying him right now.”

“Pity?”

“Sympathy.”

“Ah……”

“So Mungaram… you know how she worries, right? She said it wasn’t pity but worry, but apparently, he said he felt uncomfortable with that.”

Daniel made a subtle expression. He must have thought Woo-yeon’s reaction was strange too. Do-hyun sighed, recalling Garam telling him this.

“Woo-yeon is just not used to it.”

‘He asked what would happen if he got used to people worrying about him.’

“He had more than anyone else, but he’d never had a single common friend, so he didn’t know how much it was okay to lean on someone.”

Some might curse and call it a first-world problem. In fact, until Do-hyun met Woo-yeon, he also thought he was just a young master living in a nice house acting spoiled.

“He was like that even while dating me.”

However, for Woo-yeon, who was experiencing everything for the first time, everything from one to ten was clumsy. He didn’t know how to lean, didn’t know how to hide, and while he knew how to express, he didn’t know how to receive.

“He endured even when he was jealous, endured even when there was something he wanted to do, and endured even when he felt like I didn’t like him. Then, when he felt like he was going to get hurt, he’d just cut it off and run away.”

“…….”

“He’s prickly. Hard to deal with.”

While he felt sorry, he also felt aggrieved. It was true that he had resented him, wondering what he had done so wrong. Then, suddenly seeing those clear eyes, he felt his tension melt away and thought:

“But how scared must the kid be to act like that?”

Do-hyun had developed his intuition to survive, but Woo-yeon had developed his vigilance to survive. While Do-hyun clung desperately because he didn’t want to miss a single thing, Woo-yeon gave up on possessing because he feared losing. Both had simply done their best to protect themselves; there was a contradiction in trying to determine who was right or wrong.

“I’m not telling you this so you’ll understand everything. There’s surely some of Woo-yeon’s fault in why you feel that way. But no one knows a person’s heart unless they say it in words.”

Most things are half-solved by speaking honestly. The disappointment Daniel felt would be no problem as long as he conveyed it properly. In the first place, if Woo-yeon didn’t consider him a friend, he wouldn’t have reminisced about his time with ‘Danny’ with such an excited face.

“So instead of acting moody with me, talk to Woo-yeon. Want me to do it in English?”

“……No, I understand.”

Daniel shook his head with a very complex expression. ‘Roughly,’ he added. He seemed to be thinking a lot, but he didn’t have that aggrieved expression from before. He simply turned his head away with a face of belated regret.

After that, no words were exchanged. Do-hyun had said everything he wanted to say, and Daniel sank into deep thought in silence. Just as the subtle silence had grown quite long, Daniel, who was leaning on the balcony, suddenly spoke.

[You… are really mature.]

Do-hyun shrugged. ‘What a thing to say,’ he added, and Daniel laughed awkwardly.

[Is that why I’m different from you?]

It was an ambiguous monologue. Do-hyun didn’t answer, and Daniel remained silently quiet. Soon, looking straight at Do-hyun, he spoke clearly.

“I’m sorry, Do-hyun. I made a… mistake.”

It was an apology containing several meanings. He spoke slowly and checked Do-hyun’s reaction at the word ‘mistake.’ Even so, the reason Do-hyun didn’t tell him it was ‘okay’ was because he thought Daniel needed time to reflect.

[Then I’ll go in first.]

Daniel left the balcony with his shoulders slumped. Watching his back, Do-hyun secretly clicked his tongue. Because he thought of him as Woo-yeon’s friend, he kept acting too soft.

“Think about where you want to go tomorrow.”

A pause, and those broad shoulders jolted. The gaze that looked back was full of bewilderment. Do-hyun habitually frowned his left eye.

“You came all this way to visit, we can’t just spend the day aimlessly drinking like today.”

After a slight pause, Daniel nodded. He might not be good at speaking, but he seemed decent at listening. Since his walk back inside was more energetic than before, Do-hyun finally looked up at the sky comfortably.

‘In the end, you won’t be able to beat Teacher either.’

He didn’t know why those words lingered in his heart. He had already put in countless efforts to move past being ‘Teacher.’ The position of ‘Hyung’ that he had barely managed to obtain was this precious and rare.

He shook his head once and stood up. He planned to go inside and give the sleeping Woo-yeon a tight hug. Since Woo-yeon rarely woke up, a few kisses should be fine.

Slide, beyond the closed window, the sky had already turned dark. His gaze, which had touched the pale blue moon, quickly dropped without lingering. It had been a truly fleeting day.

The next day, the three of them set out for full-scale sightseeing from early morning. This was because Daniel, who had woken up at the crack of dawn, had knocked on the door saying he wanted to visit various places. Woo-yeon grumbled with a tired face, but in the end, the victory went to the foreigner who loved Korea.

Before going out, Do-hyun put a hat and his own T-shirt on Woo-yeon. He couldn’t get him to change out of the knee-length shorts, but he felt good because Woo-yeon brought two watches. It was a mean thing to say to Woo-yeon, but it looked like a puppy bringing its leash for a walk.

[So where do you want to go?]

Instead of the typical tourist spots, Daniel was very interested in trivial activities. For example, movie theaters, fast-food restaurants, and the street stalls scattered everywhere. Do-hyun first booked three seats for a horror movie that Woo-yeon liked and took the two immature ones to a burger joint.

[Oh, the taste really is different from the US.]

[I told you. I said it’s subtly different.]

Clearly, one of them was Korean, but the reactions were similar. If anything, Daniel, who ate silently and well, looked more Korean. Perhaps because of a previous memory of indigestion, Woo-yeon couldn’t swallow his burger, so Do-hyun fed him a milkshake while he sat there with a face like he’d chewed on poop.

After finishing the burgers, they went to see the pre-booked horror movie. The movie, which exuded an eerie atmosphere from the poster, was a hit running as the number one most-booked film this summer. Woo-yeon watched with a calm face, but unexpectedly, Daniel showed a weak side.

[Why on earth! Why would you pick up such an ugly doll? It looks cursed just by looking at it! There are so many cute dolls in the world!]

Was it a problem that they had chosen a work in English? He, who oscillated between screaming and sobbing throughout the movie, finally covered his ears after startling even the composed Woo-yeon three times. Do-hyun watched him as if watching a fire across the river, while secretly interlocking his fingers with Woo-yeon’s.

[How are you guys not surprised even once? Aren’t you scared of that doll?]

[You were scarier than the doll, Danny…]

Woo-yeon, who wasn’t surprised by anything in the movie, was terrified by Daniel’s sudden jolts. For some reason, his fingers were twitching. It seemed he had been scared without realizing it.

“More than that, weren’t the subtitles weird?”

“Yeah, there were a lot of mistranslations.”

Cursing the subtitles with the strange translations, they headed to an arcade. It was a place they hadn’t been able to visit during his previous date with Woo-yeon. Daniel wasted a lot of money on a machine with puppy dolls, and unexpectedly, Woo-yeon performed well in the basketball shooting game. Do-hyun won two small keychains through shooting and handed them to Woo-yeon and Daniel respectively.

It felt like today was compensating for the wasted yesterday. Walking side-by-side on the street, eating cheap soft-serve cones, and then finding a street stall to satisfy a sudden hunger. Since everything was a first for not only Daniel but also Woo-yeon, there was no time to be bored with the routine-like schedule.

[Where do you want to go tomorrow?]

So, on the way home, Do-hyun readily asked Daniel. Since he likes it this much, I should take them both to a Hanok village tomorrow. He thought to himself.

Whether he knew that thought or not, Daniel replied with a beaming smile.

[I fly out tomorrow.]

* * *

The airport at dawn was crowded with people carrying suitcases. A few foreigners who couldn’t speak the language, a few stewardesses walking in a line, and plenty of people preparing for travel with excited faces. Among several people who belonged to none of those groups, Do-hyun silently watched the two people going through departure procedures.

[Did you leave anything behind?]

[No, I’ve got everything.]

[Passport and phone too?]

[Of course.]

Daniel, who had suddenly announced his departure yesterday, began packing his things, leaving the two of them bewildered. One day for reuniting with Woo-yeon, one day for drinking at the university, and one day for enjoying minor sightseeing. Because he had stayed for barely three days, the unpacked luggage wasn’t much.

‘……Going back already?’

Woo-yeon had tried to hold onto Daniel several times, telling him to stay longer. He said it wasn’t that hard to postpone the flight, and wouldn’t it be a shame to leave like this? His face was full of regret as he asked. However, Daniel simply shook his head with a fairly firm expression.

‘If I stay longer, I’ll feel too sorry for your partner.’

Since when did he care about such things? It seemed he had developed a sense of shame in just a few days. Do-hyun, unable to watch, told him it was okay, but as expected, it didn’t work at all.

[It’ll be morning when you arrive.]

[Yeah, I’ll sleep on the plane.]

And so, as soon as morning broke, they headed to the airport to see Daniel off. Do-hyun put a hat and mask on Woo-yeon and made full preparations against any potential reporters. Woo-yeon simply watched what Do-hyun was doing obediently and blurted out a half-joke, half-truth: ‘I look like an airport thief.’

[I owe you a lot. Thanks for the seat, Woo-yeon.]

The seat, which was originally economy, had been upgraded to first class by Woo-yeon. Daniel, who had been startled and tried to decline, shut his mouth after hearing, ‘How can someone your size fly economy?’ Though he didn’t know for sure, it seemed the journey to Korea had been quite difficult.

[I should head in now.]

Daniel, looking at Woo-yeon, shrugged his shoulders. There was still plenty of time until takeoff.

[Isn’t there still a lot of time before the flight?]

[I’m going in to look around the duty-free shops. I heard this is the biggest airport in Korea.]

Daniel replied and pointed to the ceiling. Do-hyun, unconsciously following his fingertip, spotted a screen hanging on the wall and fixed his gaze. Just then, an advertisement for a newly released phone from Selection was playing on the screen. Pretending it was nothing, Do-hyun looked away and spoke to Daniel.

[Get home safely. I’ll let you stay over again next time you visit.]

His gentle, puppy-like eyes curved into a broad smile. Do-hyun thought he was happy about the offer to stay over, but the response he got was completely unexpected.

[But you’re really good at English.]

Do-hyun had once studied conversation with the possibility of being adopted abroad in mind. After being adopted, he attended a foreign language high school to meet his parents’ expectations. Given his natural intelligence and the occasional trips he took, it would have been stranger if he weren’t proficient in English.

[Did you study abroad or something?]

They had been talking for three whole days; was this fact suddenly becoming important now? He really is peculiar, Do-hyun thought, giving a wink.

[Everyone does this well if they get a public education.]

[Wow, really?]

It was a lie. And Daniel didn’t believe it.

[Anyway… thanks. For everything.]

As he spoke, Daniel shook the keychain in his hand. It was a trinket Do-hyun had won for him at a shooting game, a small fluff-ball of cotton. It would have been fine if he had thrown it away immediately, but surprisingly, both of them liked it.

[Woo-yeon, you make sure to eat well and get plenty of sleep too. And don’t do things like weed for no reason.]

[I told you, marijuana is illegal in Korea.]

Marijuana—it was a pointless worry for Woo-yeon, who couldn’t even smoke cigarettes.

[Danny, even if you aren’t my guardian.]

Woo-yeon replied with a pout. Since he had already taken off his mask, his sulky expression was clearly visible. Daniel looked at Woo-yeon, his lips curling into a smirk as he asked:

[Then what am I to you?]

[What?]

His expression was one of confusion, as if asking what on earth he meant. Seeing the way he raised his eyebrows, he seemed somewhat awkward. Woo-yeon quietly lowered his gaze and fiddled with his earlobe.

[Well…]

He was slow to choose his words. The sudden question seemed to be too difficult for Woo-yeon. Glancing up at Daniel, Woo-yeon spoke with deliberate indifference.

[You’re a friend.]

In that moment, Do-hyun clearly saw Daniel’s expression change. His eyes, which held the blue of the clear sky, wavered with an indefinable emotion. Soon, he smiled like warm sunlight and nodded with a tender face.

[Yeah, that’s right.]

Perhaps this was the thing he wanted to hear most. Not more, not less—just the acknowledgment that they were friends. Why had he traveled all the way to Korea for something so simple?

[Take care, Woo-yeon.]

Woo-yeon wasn’t the only one reluctant to say goodbye. His softened voice starkly revealed his longing for Woo-yeon. After blinking once, then twice, Daniel glanced at Do-hyun before pulling Woo-yeon into a hug.

“…I’ll miss you.”

Whether it was because he spoke in ‘Korean’ or because the sudden physical contact was unfamiliar, Woo-yeon remained unresponsive for a long time. Only after a significant pause did he mumble, his face buried in Daniel’s chest.

“Next time…”

“…”

“I’ll come see you.”

His tone was the same as usual, but his actions were not. Seeing him lift his arms to hug Daniel back, Do-hyun forced himself to look away. Since he felt like pulling them apart if he watched, avoiding the sight was Do-hyun’s best option.

[Then I’ll really go now.]

The farewells were full of lingering attachment, but the actual parting was quite clean. As soon as Daniel let go of Woo-yeon, he turned around immediately. Woo-yeon, who had been watching him blankly, called out to him just before Daniel stepped away.

[Danny.]

Daniel’s gaze slowly returned. Do-hyun looked at Woo-yeon, feeling Woo-yeon grab his hand. Holding out their interlaced fingers, Woo-yeon spoke slowly.

[I really wanted to show you the person I’m dating.]

It was a sudden remark. Much like how Daniel had complimented Do-hyun’s English. Regardless of the puzzled expression, Woo-yeon added in a calm voice.

[It’s Teacher.]

Very slowly, Daniel’s eyes widened. His face flushed with shock, and his bright blue pupils shook aimlessly. After confirming that Do-hyun was awkwardly avoiding his gaze, Daniel let out a low, hollow laugh.

[Hah…]

It was a feeling difficult to describe. Should it be called guilt, or perhaps embarrassment? And if he pressed them on why they hadn’t told him sooner, what would they even say?

Despite such worries, Daniel was generously happy.

[I’m glad. That you’re with Teacher.]

Woo-yeon nodded with a pleased expression. He shyly narrowed his eyes when Daniel told them to date for a long, long time. Do-hyun remained speechless, and this time, Daniel waved his hand and headed toward the departure gate.

Even after Daniel left, the two of them walked through the airport for a long time, sharing trivial conversation. Beneath the arched ceiling, the clear blue sky was visible. Like a contrail forming in the wake of a flying plane, it was an encounter that would remain in their memories for a long time.

Chapter Sidе Stоrу 2. Outsider

Summеr vасаtiоn ended. Woо-уeon, whо had staуеd аt Dо-hуun’s hоuse throughоut thе brеak, got а studio apаrtment аs soоn as thе new sеmеstеr began. It wаs an оfficetel with а large window thаt let in the sunlight and аn interiоr sрacious enough tо run around in for а whilе. It fеlt а bit еxcеssive tо bе callеd а “studio,” but Woo-yеon thоught it wаs more оrdinаrу thаn thе prеviоus pеnthouse.

Do-hyun exрressed а fleeting sеnse of regrеt ovеr Woo-уеon moving оut. It was beсausе hе had bесomе fаr toо асcustomеd tо the dаilу rоutinе of seeing Woo-yeon’s face every morning and evening. He tried to stop Woo-yeon a few times, but he gave up after realizing that the new officetel was a place where one couldn’t even press the elevator button without an access card. He seemed to judge that, one way or another, the officetel would be safer than his own apartment.

Regardless, Woo-yeon became independent, and the time he spent facing Do-hyun decreased. Although Do-hyun visited every day, it was woefully insufficient compared to when they had practically lived together. Feeling a growing sense of emptiness, Woo-yeon began to suffer from an even more extreme thirst starting a week ago.

“……Do you have to go right away today, too?”

Woo-yeon sat in the passenger seat of the car, fiddling with the seatbelt. Do-hyun, who had no afternoon classes, had waited for Woo-yeon’s classes to end and had just dropped him off at home. Since the officetel was newly built, it was impossible to enter the underground parking lot unless the vehicle was registered.

“Yeah, she’s probably waiting.”

Even as he answered, Do-hyun had a look of utter reluctance on his face. To be precise, he looked as if he were deeply regretful about parting with Woo-yeon. Frowning slightly between his straight brows and letting out a shallow sigh, he reached out toward Woo-yeon.

“Sorry. I’ll persuade her quickly and send her back.”

Long fingers traced the tender skin beneath the eye. When Woo-yeon reflexively blinked, Do-hyun’s eyes curved softly. He lightly held Woo-yeon’s head, tilted it, and locked their lips.

Chu. The lips parted lightly, then repeated the action a couple more times. Chu, chu. Despite the ticklish sensation, there was no sign of Woo-yeon’s expression softening. Seeing the sulky, sunken face, Do-hyun continued the kiss more deeply. In the close proximity, his eyes were filled with an inscrutable desire.

“……Should I not go?”

Only then did Woo-yeon let out a silly laugh. It was because he felt he had been too spoiled, considering they were both in a position of regret. Woo-yeon rubbed his face against Do-hyun’s hand and obediently lowered his eyes.

“I’ll endure it just a little longer……”

There was one reason why they shared farewells as poignant as long-distance lovers. It was because of an outsider who had come to stay at Do-hyun’s house for a few days. Well, to be precise, it wasn’t an outsider, but his family.

“Jin-ah will give up soon, too.”

The identity of the outsider was a younger sister four years younger than Do-hyun. Her name was Kim Jin-ah, and her genetic trait was Beta. Having followed Do-hyun since childhood, she had currently left home and was staying at Do-hyun’s house on her own whim. The reason was something like a fight with their parents. According to Do-hyun, it was something that happened often.

“Get inside safely. Contact me when you get home, okay?”

“Yes, you too, Hyung.”

Woo-yeon stepped out of the car, hiding his deep sense of disappointment. Before leaving the car, he didn’t forget to rub his lips against Do-hyun’s once more. Pheromones tangled and clung, but both pulled their lips apart before the act became too dense.

Do-hyun’s car did not leave until Woo-yeon disappeared from sight. Woo-yeon sighed as he tapped his access card at the entrance and stepped into the elevator. His right hand was habitually fiddling with the watch on his left wrist.

‘I shouldn’t have gotten a place……’

It was a decision made because he felt sorry for continuing to rely on him and was conscious of Soo-hyang’s gaze. If he had known it would be like this, he should have just settled into Do-hyun’s house. Then the sister named Jin-ah wouldn’t have stayed away from home for this long, either.

Woo-yeon bit his lip as he watched the numbers on the elevator rise one by one. He already began to miss Do-hyun, whom he had parted with just a moment ago. If it were simply that their meetings had become shorter, it would be one thing, but physical contact beyond kissing had been absent for roughly a few weeks.

‘Those times were great.’

Recalling those events, his ears naturally turned red. It was around the time the semester was about to start, the day Do-hyun had bought a cake to celebrate their 100th day. Since Woo-yeon had no concept of keeping anniversaries, he had greeted Do-hyun without preparing anything.

‘What is all this?’

‘Today is our 100th day.’

Do you count the days? Woo-yeon had a reason to hesitate before asking that. The image of himself proudly reciting the counted days when Daniel came to Korea. He hadn’t meant they should keep anniversaries. Just as he was about to correct that, Do-hyun spoke in a gentle voice.

‘Let’s go on a trip somewhere nearby tomorrow.’

‘…….’

His feeling of apology vanished instantly. In its place rose anticipation for the trip. As Woo-yeon’s face flushed, Do-hyun smiled brightly.

‘You’re going to eat the cake, right?’

As a result, they didn’t go on the trip. It was because their eyes suddenly met while eating the cake topped with strawberries. The act, which began at the dining table without even time to go to the bed, did not stop until the dawn of the next morning. Woo-yeon lost consciousness in Do-hyun’s arms as he washed him, both of them smeared with whipped cream and bodily fluids.

Although he always knocked out first, the acts with Do-hyun were always satisfying. Pheromones as dry as withered leaves became feverish with heat, and pitch-black pupils were covered in passion. The only moment when the always-composed man lost his composure. The surging satisfaction and the pleasure that felt like it was massaging his brain were simply unforgettable.

“I miss Teacher……”

He hadn’t known, but it seemed he, who had lived his whole life without sexual desire, was actually a quite vigorous Omega. Seeing how his lower abdomen felt tight at the thought of Do-hyun even when it wasn’t his heat cycle. Do-hyun’s large hands and firm upper body came to mind vividly.

He was sexually frustrated.

* * *

One day, two days, three days. Time flowed as slowly as a turtle. Woo-yeon, who missed Do-hyun every night, eventually had an embarrassing dream and resorted to masturbating. When Woo-yeon arrived at school with hollow eyes, Ga-ram made a fuss, asking what on earth had happened. At the mention of whether something was wrong with Kim Do-hyun, Woo-yeon couldn’t hide his gloominess. Because he was practically praying that something—anything—would actually happen.

“Did Do-hyun Hyung not come to school today?”

“Yeah, he has a free period.”

“He usually comes to see Woo-yeon even during his free periods.”

He could hear Ga-ram and Seon-kyu whispering. Woo-yeon recalled the message he had received from Do-hyun this morning.

Hyung: [Sorry, I don’t think I can drop you off today because of my sister.] 07:32am

Setting aside the ride, Woo-yeon also had a free period starting tomorrow. That meant he wouldn’t see Do-hyun until Monday. He was already going crazy, and now he couldn’t see him for another three days. The Tteokbokki he was holding with chopsticks was miserably crushed.

Even while listening to the afternoon lecture, Woo-yeon’s head was filled entirely with Do-hyun. When he took out his phone to check, the ‘unread’ mark was still there on the message saying it was okay, which he had sent in the morning. ‘Hyung, I miss you.’ He wrote and erased those words dozens of times. In the end, the lecture ended without him sending it, and before he knew it, he was in Driver Yoon’s car.

“Haa.”

It was only three days. Since today was already gone, it was ‘only’ three days starting tomorrow. He was someone he hadn’t seen for four years once; not seeing him for three days should be no big deal.

And yet, as soon as Woo-yeon returned home, he flopped onto the bed. He missed Do-hyun so much that he felt beyond thirsty; he felt like he was going insane. He pulled a white fennec fox plushie into his arms, but the thirst was not quenched at all.

[I miss you, Hyung] 06:00pm

Eventually, Woo-yeon picked up his phone and sent a message to Do-hyun. Surprisingly, the ‘read’ mark appeared immediately. Woo-yeon bolted upright and sat kneeling politely. The plushie he had been holding was now rolling around on the blanket.

“…….”

However, even after several minutes, no reply came. One minute, two minutes, five minutes. Even after a full ten minutes, it was the same. Woo-yeon blinked and sent one more message.

[Hyung?] 06:11pm

“…….”

Do-hyun had vanished. Moreover, without any reply to a read message. At the blatantly visible ‘unread’ mark (for the second message), Woo-yeon set his phone down irritably.

* * *

The next day, waking up early, Woo-yeon checked the missed calls on his phone. It had come late in the evening, and the caller was Do-hyun. Woo-yeon practically tumbled out of bed and touched the missed call record. After a few rings, a familiar voice was heard over the phone.

—……Hello?

“Hyung!”

—Yeah, Yeon-ah.

The gentle voice wrapped around his ear. It was the characteristic kindness of Do-hyun, soft and sweet. Wow, he really is a teacher. Overwhelmed with emotion, Woo-yeon let his eyebrows droop.

“Hyung… I fell asleep early yesterday, so I couldn’t answer the phone……”

—Is that so?

If he had known a call was coming, he would have waited until late at night. Strictly speaking, the reason he slept early was that Do-hyun had ignored his message, but he didn’t remember that fact at all. He was simply becoming impatient hearing the disembodied voice.

“I miss you……”

A whining tone came out. Whenever he dealt with Do-hyun, a spoiled side he didn’t even know he had would pop out. It was because he knew Do-hyun didn’t dislike it or find it annoying.

—……Yeah, I miss you too.

Woo-yeon thought the reason his voice sounded low was because he missed him. He was too happy to realize that it had been that way from the moment he answered the phone. Focusing on the quiet sound of breathing, Woo-yeon tentatively asked Do-hyun.

“Is your sister still at home?”

—Hmm……

It wasn’t a difficult question, but the answer was excessively slow. Woo-yeon waited for Do-hyun’s response, feeling unnecessarily nervous. Making a sound that could have been a sigh or a laugh, he replied lowly.

—I think she went home.

“…….”

If she went, she went; if she didn’t, she didn’t. Why was there a reason to speculate rather than be certain? He thought she was still at home, so had she gone out without a word?

“What does that even mean……”

—Yeon-ah.

“…….”

Woo-yeon gasped. It was because the voice heard over the phone was too stimulating. His heart pounded, and his face turned red. Whether he knew it or not, Do-hyun whispered in a smooth, seductive voice.

—Do you want to come to my house now?

* * *

Woo-yeon threw on a thin knit sweater and headed straight to Do-hyun. The thought ‘Why isn’t he coming to pick me up for once?’ occurred, but only for a moment. Do-hyun wasn’t his personal driver, and he couldn’t always pick him up or drop him off.

As soon as he got out of the taxi, he entered the door code and went upstairs. He was in such a hurry that even the elevator felt slow. Only after entering the familiar password wrong twice was Woo-yeon able to fling open the door to Do-hyun’s house.

“……Hyung?”

Contrary to his expectation that Do-hyun would come to greet him at the door, there was no sign of anyone inside. Only the exceptionally thick pheromones informed him that Do-hyun was in the house. Woo-yeon slowly entered, fully savoring Do-hyun’s scent.

“Hyung.”

He was sitting on the living room sofa without looking back. He had a towel on his head, as if he had just showered, and the table was full of headbands used during the festival. At the completely random combination, Woo-yeon approached with a puzzled face.

“Hyung.”

For the third time, Woo-yeon called Do-hyun. Do-hyun, who had been sitting askew, slowly looked at Woo-yeon. He was a person with naturally perfect posture, so there was no way he would sit so crookedly. Thinking this, Woo-yeon realized a new fact only after their eyes met.

‘……He’s drunk?’

“Yeon-ah.”

The double eyelid on his left eye was languidly loosened. His eyes blinked slowly, and a faint smile hung on his lips. It was a face with a certain amount of intoxication, just as it had been at a drinking party once.

“Did you drink?”

“Uh……”

Instead of denying it, Do-hyun looked around the table with awkward eyes. Judging by the fact that he added, “I cleaned it all up,” it seemed he had intended to keep the fact that he drank a secret. Not a chance. With reactions this slow, who did he think he was fooling?

“Why are you drinking alone?”

Woo-yeon murmured in a worried voice and sat next to Do-hyun. Now that he looked closer, water was dripping from his half-dried hair. Fearing he might catch a cold, Woo-yeon began to dry his hair with the towel, and the corners of Do-hyun’s mouth curved softly.

“Why did you take out the headbands?”

“Jin-ah was looking at them. She asked to borrow them later.”

“Ah,” Woo-yeon, who had answered half-heartedly, blinked as he saw Do-hyun’s expression change. To be precise, the moment the name ‘Jin-ah’ came out, his elegant eyes furrowed.

“Did something happen with your sister?”

He had asked it impulsively, but the answer came immediately. It was only three words, but that was enough.

“We fought.”

“……Why?”

While fighting between siblings was common, drinking after a fight was strange. Woo-yeon didn’t have siblings, but he knew that Seon-kyu often fought and brawled with his only older brother. That bastard would come to school saying his brother wasn’t even a brother, only to reconcile as if nothing happened the next day.

“It just happened.”

Do-hyun avoided his eyes as if he didn’t particularly want to talk about it. Since he was someone who generally hid nothing after a certain incident, Woo-yeon didn’t pry and kept his mouth shut. Once he sobered up, he would spill it without being pressed.

“…….”

“…….”

Silence continued for a while. Because the surroundings were quiet, the sound of hair brushing was vivid. While Woo-yeon moved his hands, Do-hyun wore a pleasant smile and emitted languid pheromones.

“I’ve dried it all.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Woo-yeon wasn’t the only one who became more spoiled when drunk. It was evident from the way Do-hyun rubbed his head against Woo-yeon’s shoulder as soon as the towel was removed. Do-hyun interlaced his fingers with Woo-yeon’s and asked softly.

“How did you get here?”

“I took a taxi.”

“That’s dangerous…… You should have asked Reporter Yoon to bring you.”

“Waiting for Reporter Yoon takes longer.”

What was so dangerous about a taxi that everyone else takes? He had a tendency to overprotect him. It seemed to have worsened after they met a reporter during a few outings.

“Hyung.”

Woo-yeon wiggled the hand that was being held. Warmth and pheromones tickled his palm. Various emotions surged and mixed deep within his stomach.

“Are you feeling very bad?”

“Hmm……”

As he had done last time, Do-hyun raised the hand that wasn’t being held and slightly bent his thumb and index finger. Through the gap in his fingers, his elegantly curved eyes were visible.

“A little?”

“…….”

“But I’m okay now.”

He already had a gentle face, but when he was drunk, that goodness was indescribable. His eyes folded as if closing, and straight teeth were visible through the gap of his parted lips. Not the fake smile he wore in front of others, but the real smile he showed only to Woo-yeon.

“Hyung……”

Woo-yeon spoke slowly, fiddling with Do-hyun’s hand. His face was as beautiful as an angel’s, but his fingers were long with thick joints. While they were on the pretty side, Woo-yeon thought they were cool rather than pretty.

“Hyung, should I……”

Instead of rushing him, Do-hyun blinked. His black pupils repeatedly disappeared and reappeared behind his eyelids. As if enchanted by the picture-like scene, Woo-yeon brought Do-hyun’s hand to his own cheek.

“Shall I make you feel better?”

It was an impulsive question, but he didn’t regret saying it. First, because Do-hyun looked at him with eyes that found him cute, and second, because he asked ‘How are you going to do that?’ with a satisfied smile. Woo-yeon immediately let go of the hand and slid down below the sofa.

“That’s not a place to sit.”

However, Do-hyun put his hands under Woo-yeon’s armpits and lifted him up. He even shook his head with a mock-stern face. Woo-yeon was hugged tightly in his arms and protested timidly.

“What do you mean ‘that place,’ this is your house, Hyung……”

“What reason would you have to kneel in my house?”

Even while drunk, only that one sentence was firm. Woo-yeon, who had turned his head slightly, wrapped his arms around Do-hyun’s neck. A large hand calmly stroked Woo-yeon’s back.

“I was going to do it with my mouth……”

“…….”

In an instant, the movement stopped. While he usually would have realized the intention long ago, this time he seemed genuinely flustered. Woo-yeon spoke softly, his face buried in the crook of the neck.

“How can I do it if I don’t sit on the floor?”

It was a conclusion reached from very simple thinking. Because Do-hyun seemed to be in a bad mood, and because his stomach felt strangely ticklish while looking at him. A cunning thought to kill two birds with one stone naturally moved his lips.

“……Exactly.”

Do-hyun let out a shallow breath, his voice trailing off. His thinking was clearly slowed down by the alcohol.

“Who on earth did you learn this from……”

Who did I learn from? I’ve only ever had one ‘Teacher’ from childhood until now.

“I’ll do it for you, too.”

Woo-yeon whispered in a voice like a breath. It was because he had felt a belated sense of shyness, despite having the audacity to climb down from the sofa. He didn’t forget to subtly check, as Do-hyun might not be in the mood.

“Do you hate it?”

“…….”

Was it just his imagination, or did the loosely released pheromones suddenly tighten? Seeing that the amount had decreased compared to before, it was clear that Do-hyun was intentionally suppressing them. After remaining silent for a moment, Do-hyun pushed Woo-yeon away from his embrace.

“Woo-yeon, you can’t do it.”

“……Why?”

“What do you mean, why……”

He slowly examined Woo-yeon’s face. It was a gaze so explicit that it made his cheeks flush. Tilting his head slightly, he fixed his eyes on the reddened lips.

“What exactly are you planning to put in this tiny mouth?”

“…….”

The words didn’t sound like a joke at all. It felt even more so because he added, “It’ll rip,” while gently touching the corner of his lips. Woo-yeon rolled his eyes and mournfully lowered his eyelashes.

“……So, do you hate it?”

“…….”

Drunk Do-hyun was about 120% more honest than usual. The fact that he couldn’t hide his wavering gaze even a little bit proved it. Unable to answer whether he hated it or liked it, Do-hyun reached out toward the table.

“Just, well……”

Out of countless headbands, he picked up one with rabbit ears. Then, he placed it on the bewildered Woo-yeon and wore a satisfied smile. The touch as he gently tidied the hair was incredibly careful.

“Ah, cute……”

At the sound of the laughter vibrating in his throat, Woo-yeon lowered his head, his face turning bright red. He had confidently said he would use his mouth, yet he felt embarrassed over a mere headband. Even though he knew Do-hyun was trying to change the subject, the memory of wearing a headband in the club room previously came flooding back.

“Teacher, look at me.”

He must really be drunk. Seeing as he was calling him ‘Teacher’ with his own mouth, something he never usually did. But as always, Woo-yeon responded faithfully to Do-hyun’s words. When he lifted his head and met his eyes, Do-hyun softly pressed their lips together.

“Mm……”

It was a kiss where lips simply met lips. No tongue entered, and there was no wet mixing of saliva. He simply held the lower lip slightly and nibbled on it with his front teeth.

Woo-yeon wrapped his arms around his neck and wiggled his toes. Do-hyun must have drunk quite a bit, but Woo-yeon felt only things other than the smell of alcohol. The fragrant scent of shampoo and Do-hyun’s characteristic dry pheromones. The soft lips gradually heightened the sexual arousal.

‘I love this so much……’

Sexual desire stirred in his lower abdomen. Before he knew it, his loosened pheromones poured out, soaking Do-hyun. Gently stroking the nape of Woo-yeon’s neck, he slowly pulled his lips away. Woo-yeon stared blankly at Do-hyun with unfocused eyes.

“I can’t tell who’s the drunk one.”

Even the playful voice sounded strange. Long fingers wrapped around his ear as obsessively as a snake. Pinning the earlobe between his fingers and rubbing it, he whispered with their foreheads touching.

“Can you do it?”

“……Yes.”

Woo-yeon nodded, letting out a heated breath. His heart pounded with an emotion he couldn’t tell was anticipation or fear. When he carefully raised his body, this time Do-hyun didn’t hold him back.

“…….”

“…….”

Kneeling below the sofa, Woo-yeon spread Do-hyun’s legs left and right. Thanks to the plush rug, his knees didn’t hurt. Before starting, as he stroked the right thigh with his palm, he felt something other than a leg starting from the middle.

“……Yeon-ah.”

Do-hyun’s fingers twitched. He let out a low laugh while stroking Woo-yeon’s hair with a languid touch. When Woo-yeon looked up at the laugh that didn’t fit the situation, the eyes he met were full of dark lust.

“Do you know what you’re wearing right now?”

“……!”

Woo-yeon stopped moving as he belatedly remembered his appearance. The rabbit ears Do-hyun had put on him were still there. The moment Woo-yeon, red as a ripe tomato, grabbed the rabbit ears, Do-hyun stopped his hand.

“Why? Just do it like that.”

The tone was clearly teasing. That included the way he pulled the captured wrist toward the space between his legs. But if he pushed him away and said no, the act he wanted to perform would probably be stopped too.

“If you can’t do it, tell me now.”

A large hand slowly traced the curve of his ear. After touching the outer rim and stroking the earlobe, he gripped the slender jaw in one hand. Pressing the lower lip with his thumb, he leaned down and warned.

“I’ve been drinking, so…… I can’t stop halfway. You know that, right?”

“…….”

These were clearly words meant to intimidate him. In fact, Woo-yeon’s spirit was half-broken, and his hand twitched. Even though he wasn’t fully undressed, the outline revealed through the clothes was large, menacing, and scary.

‘……No, it goes in the back too.’

But the more someone knows nothing, the easier it is to find courage. In Woo-yeon’s opinion, it was equally burdensome to put it in the front or the back. He had put Do-hyun’s thing in a place narrower than his mouth several times, and he didn’t remember it ever ripping.

Woo-yeon swallowed hard and reached for the waistband. Do-hyun was still observing Woo-yeon with obsessive eyes. After a few clumsy attempts, as he pulled down the pants and underwear at once, the protruding member twitched threateningly.

“…….”

Even though he had touched it and had it inside him before, it felt strangely unfamiliar now. Something so thick, long, and large seemed impossible to fit entirely in his mouth. First, as he carefully wrapped his hand around the shaft, he felt a body temperature so hot it felt like it would burn.

“……Ugh.”

He had simply stroked it up and down, but Do-hyun groaned, the sound vibrating in his throat. Gaining confidence, Woo-yeon rubbed his lips against the member held in both hands. When he stuck out his tongue to lick the sensitive area, the fingers gripping his head tightened.

“Huu……”

Do-hyun’s pupils turned pitch black. Blinking slowly, he touched Woo-yeon’s eyebrows. Woo-yeon thought he would tell him to stop if it was too much, but surprisingly, he even helped him.

“Just take the tip.”

It was similar to when he used to get a cigarette to smoke. The observing gaze meticulously touched Woo-yeon from head to toe. Fragrant pheromones brushed the tip of his nose, and the member before his eyes swelled a bit more. Feeling the surge of pheromones, Woo-yeon opened his mouth and took the glans inside.

“Uuu……”

The smooth tip filled his mouth tightly. He had only put it in a tiny bit, but it was already overwhelming. Ah, it’s too big, way too big…… The moment he thought that, he heard a cracking voice.

“Don’t let your teeth touch……”

“…….”

“Use your tongue.”

Woo-yeon moved obediently as he was told, like a well-behaved child. He opened his mouth wider to ensure his teeth didn’t scratch and rubbed the glans with his tongue. As if praising him, a large hand patted the back of his head.

“Lower your jaw more……”

“…….”

“Use your hands, too.”

Even he thought he was a mess. Saliva leaked from the corners of his mouth, and he had not a shred of knack for this. How on earth did Teacher do this? He was managing to hold it somehow, but at this rate, his jaw would probably dislocate before Do-hyun ejaculated.

“You haven’t even taken half of it.”

Do-hyun seemed to find Woo-yeon simply adorable. The gentle hand was now wiping away the tears that had welled up. Feeling inexplicably wronged, Woo-yeon swallowed the saliva that had gone down his throat while still holding the member.

“…….”

The hand wrapping around the back of his head tightened. With a slightly coercive touch, Do-hyun fixed Woo-yeon’s head in place. Then, rubbing his member against the inside of the mouth, he murmured quietly.

“I told you I can’t stop……”

At the same time, he moved his hips. Woo-yeon’s eyelashes trembled as he looked up, meeting those pitch-black eyes. The moment the clinging tears flowed down his cheeks, the member slammed into the back of his throat.

“Khek……”

It was a depth incomparable to when he had put it in voluntarily. The member, pressing down on the root of his tongue, forced open his throat without giving him room to breathe. Woo-yeon squirmed, but Do-hyun didn’t let him go and released his pheromones.

“It’s okay, breathe.”

Breathe? How am I supposed to breathe like this?

“Uuu……”

“Good boy……”

Despite pushing in mercilessly, his touch was excessively tender. Do-hyun rubbed the back of his head and nape, loosening his grip. Simultaneously, the member slid out slightly, making it easier to breathe than before.

But soon, he slowly entered again, scraping the roof of the mouth.

“……!”

It wasn’t a sudden insertion like before. It was a movement so slow it was almost teasing, allowing Woo-yeon to adapt. As the object smelling of lust entered his mouth, Woo-yeon’s shoulders trembled.

“Lower your tongue……”

The experience of the throat being forced open was not a particularly pleasant sensation. It was clearly difficult even to breathe, but perhaps because of his knack, he didn’t gag. To Woo-yeon, who was making whimpering sounds, a soft command fell.

“You have to suck it.”

“…….”

Reflexively, he tightened his throat. When he pressed his tongue in the mouth where there was no gap, Do-hyun stroked his hair as if praising him. With his other hand, he touched the stiff rabbit ears and slowly moved his hips.

“Uuu, hng……”

It was torture if it was anything. He couldn’t breathe, and tears flowed continuously. Yet, from a certain point, Woo-yeon’s hips began to heave. It was clearly an agonizing act, but every time he touched the tender mucous membrane inside the mouth, the sexual pleasure intensified.

Do-hyun touched Woo-yeon with a hand so careful it felt as if he might break. Since slamming it to the end of the throat earlier, his actions had never become rough again. However, the question he asked, his voice vibrating in his throat, was terrifyingly threatening.

“Can I cum in your mouth?”

“…….”

After hesitating for a moment, Woo-yeon closed his eyes and sucked the member. Just as he had learned from him, he opened his throat to take it deep and tighten around it. When he pursed his lips to keep his teeth from touching, Do-hyun’s eyes twitched.

“…….”

A surge of semen was vomited out. Half went down the back of his throat, and the other half remained in his mouth. Startled, Woo-yeon’s shoulders heaved, but Do-hyun didn’t pull out the member until the ejaculation was finished.

“……Cough!”

Eventually, Woo-yeon choked and hurriedly turned his head. A long string of saliva stretched from the member as it left his mouth. Do-hyun rubbed the wet tip against the clear cheek and licked his lips like a sated lion.

“Uuu……”

He couldn’t tell if the liquid flowing down his jaw was saliva or semen. Thanks to the constant flow of tears, the corners of his eyes were flushed red. The member that touched his cheek left a watery trail, and Woo-yeon let out a dry cough while clutching his throat, which still felt the presence of a foreign object.

Do-hyun carefully reached out to such a Woo-yeon. He wiped the corners of his eyes and cheeks and gripped his jaw to make him look up. Kissing the damp corners of his eyes, he brought his right foot between Woo-yeon’s legs. His hunched shoulders flinched.

“Here……”

“……Hng.”

“Why are you hard?”

The stiffly erect member was pressed under the sole of the foot. It had increased in volume on its own without him realizing it. Woo-yeon shook his head frantically, but Do-hyun didn’t pretend not to know and traced the outline with his foot.

“Don’t, hng, don’t do that……”

Woo-yeon hurriedly grabbed Do-hyun’s leg. Only when he pressed his forehead against the knee with a desperate face did the movement stop. To Woo-yeon, who was letting out ragged breaths, Do-hyun tenderly reached out his hand.

“Come here, Yeon-ah.”

Do-hyun picked Woo-yeon up in his arms and headed for the bedroom. Although it was Do-hyun who had ejaculated, it was Woo-yeon’s legs that had gone weak. As if the cloudy liquid didn’t bother him, he kissed the wet face a couple of times even as he walked.

Carefully laying Woo-yeon on the bed, he crossed his arms and took off his T-shirt. Below the disheveled hair, a straight nape and shoulders were revealed. Woo-yeon unconsciously opened his mouth and scanned the toned upper body.

“…….”

It was a body he had seen many times, but his impression differed every time. The broad shoulders and the finely defined abs were enough to make him admire them instinctively. Even Woo-yeon, who had exercised quite a bit in America, hadn’t achieved such a body; it seemed he was born with a lean, correct physique.

“You can touch me.”

Do-hyun took Woo-yeon’s hand and brought it to his upper body. He felt the moderately firm chest through his palm. As he instinctively curled his hand, the soft skin clung to him.

“It’s all yours.”

The subtle voice felt like it was casting a spell. With a face red as if it would explode, Woo-yeon moved his hand slowly. Passing the chest, he touched the bumpy abs and traced down to the barely revealed iliac crest. The sound of him swallowing was excessively explicit.

“Hyung, really……”

I love you so much…… The rest of the words didn’t come out. It was because his throat tightened due to his heart beating excessively. Watching Woo-yeon touching him with both hands, Do-hyun couldn’t hold back the smile leaking out. Even so, he didn’t forget to steadily strip Woo-yeon’s lower half.

“Ugh.”

Thick fingers entered inside. The knit Woo-yeon was wearing had rolled up, exposing his chest. Do-hyun pressed and widened the narrow inner walls while tracing the upper body with his lips.

“Hng……”

Was it because it had been a long time since they had a relationship? Even though only fingers had entered, he felt like he was going to come. Forgetting the fact that he was still wearing the headband, Woo-yeon rubbed the back of his head against the pillow. The rabbit ears revealed between the messy hair bent awkwardly.

“I didn’t know I had this kind of taste……”

Whispering almost inaudibly, Do-hyun increased the number of fingers. Thanks to being intoxicated by the pheromones, widening the bottom wasn’t that difficult. Normally he would have widened it more, but Do-hyun wasn’t in a very relaxed state either.

“Yeon-ah…… do you want to try it on top?”

“Hng, on top……”

Hazy, unfocused eyes turned toward Do-hyun. Do-hyun got a condom from the nightstand next to the bed and handed it to Woo-yeon. Then, he supported Woo-yeon in his arms and changed their position. Having ended up sitting on top of Do-hyun helplessly, Woo-yeon braced himself with both hands on the chest.

“You know how to put on a condom, right?”

“I know, but……”

Woo-yeon had only seen condoms being used; he had never used one himself. As he peeled off the rustling plastic, the rolled-up rubber was revealed. Woo-yeon stared blankly at the condom and then quite aggressively stripped Do-hyun’s pants.

“Just hold the tip and slide it down from the top.”

As if he had never ejaculated, Do-hyun’s member was menacingly erect. Recalling what he had done, Woo-yeon put the condom on starting from the tip. While he slid his hand from top to bottom, Do-hyun half-raised his upper body and tidied Woo-yeon’s hair. With the touch of taking the headband off and putting it back on, Woo-yeon couldn’t help but realize the existence of the rabbit ears belatedly.

“……Am I still wearing this?”

I really seem like a pervert……

Even though he said it with a bright red nape, it didn’t have much of an impact. Rather, Do-hyun brazenly even touched the bare skin inside Woo-yeon’s knit. Reflexively shrugging his shoulders, Woo-yeon’s thighs trembled.

“I’ll be a pervert just for today.”

It was a way of telling him to keep wearing it. Instead of arguing, Woo-yeon frowned his eyelids and let out a moan. This was because Do-hyun pinched his stiffly erect nipple and gripped his buttock with the other hand.

“Relax……”

In the end, Woo-yeon didn’t receive permission to take off the headband. To be precise, the anticipation for the act to follow blurred his rational thinking. He couldn’t see it anyway, and other things were more urgent now, so there was no time to bicker over something like this.

“Our Woo-yeon is small everywhere.”

The large hand kneaded the soft flesh wildly. At those words, Woo-yeon widened his eyes and glared at Do-hyun. As expected, it wasn’t a threat; Do-hyun slid his middle finger down the buttock crack and pushed it into the wet entrance.

“This is where it goes in. You can do it, right?”

“Hng……”

The middle finger rotated as if indicating the position. The entrance, already loosened and soft, nibbled at the finger. Woo-yeon lifted his trembling thighs to escape Do-hyun’s finger.

“Haa, hng……”

Even before insertion, pre-cum gathered on Woo-yeon’s member. Do-hyun held his own member with one hand and gripped Woo-yeon’s pelvis with the other, aligning the glans with the hole. Holding his breath, Woo-yeon slowly, slowly lowered his position.

“Haa-ugh……”

His shoulders curled round. The hands bracing his upper body twitched, and his stomach sank flat. He tried to insert it several times, pushing down, but the narrow entrance only pushed the glans back out.

“Hng, hng……”

Do-hyun didn’t rush him and quietly watched what he was doing. His entire body was flushed pink, and he breathed raggedly through parted lips. White rabbit ears were perched atop his dark hair, and the loose knit at the nape revealed his prominent collarbones.

“It… it won’t go in…… hng……”

The low, locked voice grew wet. The hole, which had once again taken the tip, stretched to its limit and twitched. Woo-yeon parted his small lips and shook his head.

“I can’t do it…”

It was an object that had felt overwhelming even when Do-hyun put it in. But trying to insert it himself, the pressure and fear were no joke. He felt that if he forced it in, things below would go very, very wrong.

“It won’t go in, Hyung, hic…”

“Why won’t it go in, hm?”

Do-hyun coaxed the whining Woo-yeon, rubbing near his tailbone. He whispered, You can do it, and gripped his pelvis tightly. As Do-hyun pressed firmly downward, Woo-yeon tilted his head back.

“Ha-eu…”

The hole, forced open, barely managed to take the glans. If he could just get past the thickest part, it would be fine, but since his body was stiff as a rock, it wasn’t easy. Left with no choice, Do-hyun stroked the inside of Woo-yeon’s thighs with his palm and firmly gripped the penis before him.

“…!”

In an instant, the strength left his entire body. The moment his weight shifted, the penis that had been hovering at the entrance pushed through the inner walls. At the sensation of being pierced all at once, Woo-yeon widened his eyes and gasped.

“…Ah, ah, it hurts, hng….”

After a short pause, new tear tracks formed on his tear-stained cheeks. Woo-yeon’s round eyes distorted as tears streamed down. With a trembling body, he buried himself deep in Do-hyun’s embrace.

“Hic… it hurts… it hurts, Hyung…”

It wasn’t so much that it truly hurt, but rather that the feeling of his body opening was unfamiliar. It had been so long, and because he wasn’t used to the position, the fact that he was being pierced felt only frightening. Knowing this, Do-hyun held Woo-yeon tightly and softened his voice.

“It’s okay, good boy…”

“Hng, hng…”

It felt just like the day they first had sex. Though they had mixed their bodies incessantly since then, a few weeks of absence had reset everything to zero. The sensation of his insides being filled was too heavy, yet it felt strange that his sensitivity remained so acute.

“I’ll stay still until it feels okay.”

Do-hyun wiped his wet face and kissed both eyelids. Chu. The lips that pulled away then moved toward the lips letting out moans. Their tongues mixed wetly, slowly calming the splashing sorrow.

“Hng…”

Woo-yeon breathed heavily while sprawled on top of Do-hyun. He was still pierced below, and he felt a foreign sensation in his throat. Despite that, he loved the fact that he was touching Do-hyun so much that he rubbed his face against him like he was acting cute.

“Are you okay now?”

“Hic… I’m not okay…”

“I guess you are.”

Every time Do-hyun laughed, the penis inside him vibrated. The pain was gone from the start, and even the slight lingering feeling of being overwhelmed turned into pleasure. The twitching, trembling inner walls were waiting for the stimulation they had grown accustomed to.

“Now try moving, Yeon-ah.”

“…Me?”

“You can do it yourself, right?”

It was like a bolt from the blue. He couldn’t even put it in by himself, so how was he supposed to move? Seeing Woo-yeon’s face turn pale, Do-hyun smiled kindly.

“What if it hurts because I’m the one doing it?”

It was clearly a trick, but the face saying it was far too gentle. The smile that settled softly like sunlight made Woo-yeon place infinite trust in him.

Right. Nothing he had told him to do so far had ever been wrong, so it would be fine if he just did as he was told this time too.

“…….”

With a determined face, Woo-yeon slowly lifted his upper body. As he got into position and lifted his hips, he saw Do-hyun’s brow furrow slightly. Woo-yeon pulled the penis out halfway and sat back down heavily.

“…Hng….”

A tingling pleasure shot up his spine. He had only thrust once, but it was stimulating enough to make his toes curl. Chasing the pleasure, Woo-yeon bounced his hips and sat down again, putting his full weight into it.

“Ha-eut…”

It was a different feeling from when Do-hyun did it. There was a slight sense of emptiness, but the difference was that he could prepare for the coming pleasure. Unlike when he was always intoxicated by ecstasy without pause, he moved toward the climax step by step.

“Hut, hng, nng…”

Woo-yeon forgot that Do-hyun was watching and moved his waist solely by instinct. He would pull out slightly and then shove it in deep, or press and rub against the most sensitive spot. However, still feeling something missing, he gripped the swaying penis with his hand and shook it.

“Hng, it feels good… hng…”

“…….”

The thick pheromones mixed sweetly. Even though he was just shaking it without any real technique, he felt so far gone that he seemed ready to ejaculate at any moment. Moving back and forth while keeping his hips pressed low, the sensation of crushing his insides wasn’t bad.

“Hng-eut…”

It was closer to masturbation than sex. Do-hyun seemed to think so too, as he let out a hollow laugh and grabbed Woo-yeon’s wrists. Woo-yeon, who had been moving well, lifted his eyelids with an aggrieved expression.

“Yeon-ah.”

Woo-yeon’s both wrists were quickly bound. Do-hyun, gripping both wrists with one hand, grabbed his buttocks with the other. It was a grip strong enough to leave deep finger marks.

“I told you to move yourself, I didn’t tell you to use me as a dildo.”

“…Ngh, I didn’t… let go of this…”

“If I let go, are you going to try doing it alone again?”

“…….”

He was just a little more away from the climax, and the lingering regret was indescribable. As Woo-yeon, unable to let go of the desire, shifted his lower body, Do-hyun wrapped an arm around his waist. Then, he thrust hard against the most sensitive part.

“…!”

The pale penis spat out semen. The liquid surged out, splattering across Woo-yeon’s knit sweater and Do-hyun’s chest. A moan escaped his open mouth at a pleasure so intense it made his brain tingle.

“Ha-eu…”

“See, you came alone.”

It wasn’t as if Woo-yeon coming alone was a new occurrence, but Do-hyun pointed it out for no reason. He lifted Woo-yeon’s body slightly and easily stripped off the semen-stained knit.

“We should do it together, right?”

Along with the knit, the headband fell to the floor. Instead of putting it back on, Do-hyun traced the pure white naked body with his fingertips. He passed over the chest without leaving a mark, pinched the small bud, and then caressed the solar plexus, the navel, and the penis that had lost its erection.

“Hut, if you touch there…”

The penis that had just ejaculated raised its head again. Do-hyun massaged the shaft and stroked the wide-open thighs with his palm. Then, without warning, he pierced Woo-yeon deeply.

“…Ah-hut!”

Woo-yeon’s upper body collapsed weakly. His bare skin pressed tightly against Do-hyun’s upper body. Do-hyun hugged Woo-yeon as if to crush him and began to move his waist as much as he had been holding back.

“Ah, hut! Wait, you… you’re too fast… hic…”

Thump, thump, the sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed obscenely. Woo-yeon, who had been enjoying himself leisurely, couldn’t adapt to the belated stimulation. Seeing him shaking without even being able to hold his body up, Do-hyun supported Woo-yeon’s back and lifted his upper body.

“Ha-eung!”

“…Ha.”

The thick shaft slid inside. The already sensitized inner walls clung tightly from the tip to the root. Do-hyun buried his lips in the pale nape of the neck, lifting Woo-yeon with the strength of his arms before letting him down.

“Ah, ah…”

He wondered why Do-hyun wasn’t leaving marks for once. He was someone who picked only the places that wouldn’t be seen even in summer to leave traces, but now that it had become quite cool, there was no reason to hesitate. Biting from the neck to the collarbone as if grinding teeth, he rubbed his sweat-soaked forehead against the shoulder.

“Hut, slow, slowly… hng…”

Woo-yeon scratched the area with the long lettering tattoo with his fingernails. Since it was a place that was touched when gripped, there were scars carved here and there from previous times. Even though he always kept his nails short, they became useless whenever he couldn’t overcome the pleasure.

“Ah… uugh.”

It seemed the few weeks of abstinence had been grueling for Do-hyun as well. Judging by how he pushed Woo-yeon to the limit as if no matter how much he put it in, it wasn’t enough. Soon, he kissed him urgently and hurried his movements while inserted to the very root.

“…….”

“Ah…”

The moment of reaching the climax was similar for both. As soon as Do-hyun let out a low moan, Woo-yeon also met his second ejaculation. The penis that spat out thin semen rubbed against the firm stomach.

“Haa…”

Do-hyun grabbed the panting Woo-yeon’s chin and kissed him softly. He sucked on the small tongue and playfully bit it. How long did they enjoy the afterglow like that? After teasing him a few more times, Do-hyun pulled his penis out and laid Woo-yeon down straight.

“Yeon-ah, lift your waist.”

“Ah-hut…”

Having changed the condom, Do-hyun started the second round as promised. Woo-yeon did not push him away; instead, he clung tightly to the firm shoulders.

“Hut, hng, ah-heu…”

Until then, Woo-yeon had almost forgotten the fact that Do-hyun had fought with his sibling. That this act started to cheer him up, and that Do-hyun had been distressed to the point of drinking alcohol, which was unlike him.

It was late the next afternoon when Woo-yeon thought of him again.

* * *

Ding-dong—

He had slept a deep sleep for the first time in a while. Whether it was because he had used up all his strength the day before or because he was drenched in Do-hyun’s pheromones, by the time he opened his eyes under the cozy blanket, the sun was already high in the sky.

Ding-dong—

“Ugh…”

Woo-yeon groaned, tossing and turning his stiff body. Do-hyun, who had been giving Woo-yeon an arm pillow, patted his back. Normally, he would have been up long ago, but it seemed the past day had been just as exhausting for him.

Ding-dong—

“Hyung… I think someone’s here.”

“It’s okay, there’s no one who would come.”

Do-hyun replied languidly and buried his face by the pillow. The warmth filled with morning sunlight gently called for sleep. As he closed his heavy eyelids, the annoying sound was heard again.

Ding-dong—

“…….”

Inevitably, Do-hyun got up from his spot with a low sigh. The thick blanket slid down, revealing an upper body without a single stitch of clothing. He kissed the forehead of Woo-yeon, who couldn’t even open his eyes, and picked up the clothes on the floor to put them on.

Ding-dong—

“Who on earth is it…”

Click, the sound of the bedroom door closing was heard. Woo-yeon barely opened his eyes to look at the entrance where Do-hyun had left. Not long after, the doorbell rang once more, and the sound of the door lock opening was heard.

“…….”

Should I go out? That thought was brief. The muscle pain hitting his entire body was too intense to get up out of mere curiosity. Woo-yeon hugged the pillow that held Do-hyun’s pheromones and buried himself in the rushing sleepiness.

‘Ah, there… hut.’

‘Here?’

‘Yes, hut, hng…’

Yesterday, the sex that followed immediately was much more relaxed than the first time. Driven by a desire for revenge, Woo-yeon bit Do-hyun’s nape, and Do-hyun let him. After waiting for him to leave marks bit by bit, he suddenly changed and pushed him to the limit.

By the time they finished everything, it was already past noon. Not only Do-hyun’s drunkenness, but also Woo-yeon’s own sorrow from not seeing Do-hyun for a while had flown far away. They had a light meal and repeated the cycle of matching their bodies whenever their eyes met, as if filling each other’s deficiencies.

Having spent such a day, it was no wonder Woo-yeon couldn’t get up. Every time he tossed and turned, a moan escaped, making him think he would be miserably stuck for the next two days. Still, it wasn’t this bad when they did it every day. It was definitely harder because it had been a while.

“…….”

But why… isn’t Teacher coming back?

In a state of drifting in and out of sleep, Woo-yeon slowly lifted his eyelids. He thought he could fall asleep instantly, but it felt empty now that the person who was there was gone. Even soaking up the pheromones on the pillow, the void couldn’t be filled to this extent.

Eventually, Woo-yeon managed his heavy body and decided to go look for Do-hyun. He planned to check who the visitor was, bring Do-hyun back, and go back to sleep. It was already broad daylight, but since it was a day off anyway, it would be okay to be a bit more lazy.

Even when Daniel came, Woo-yeon woke up as soon as he realized the spot next to him was empty. It was because he had grown accustomed to Do-hyun in just a few months, despite having slept alone his whole life. Now, if he went to bed alone, he had to toss and turn for a long time before falling asleep.

‘I really shouldn’t have gotten a house.’

They say you don’t notice when someone arrives, but you notice when they leave. Once he had been tamed by the warm heat, there was no way out. No, even if he could escape, he didn’t actually want to.

“…so….”

“You…”

As he stepped out wearing any random clothes, he heard the sound of murmuring voices. He thought it would be a solicitor at most, but it seemed to be someone important enough to let into the house. Woo-yeon rolled up the sleeves of a t-shirt that wasn’t his and approached the direction of the voices.

“I told you it’s not like that.”

Two figures were visible in the middle of the living room. Woo-yeon blinked at the voice that sounded somewhat troubled. He wondered who it could be that made Teacher, who rarely gets shaken, so flustered.

“What do you mean it’s not? Oppa, this isn’t the first or second time you’ve done this.”

‘…Oppa?’

Woo-yeon stopped awkwardly and looked at them. It was because he realized who the other person was upon hearing the title ‘Oppa’. Should he avoid the situation? In the moment he was contemplating, his eyes met with the person in front of Do-hyun.

“…….”

The eyes without double eyelids widened. The eye shape, which curved downward like water droplets, felt somewhat similar to Do-hyun’s. Not in appearance, but in atmosphere or expression. Unless Do-hyun had two siblings, that person must be ‘Jin-ah’.

“What… if there’s a guest, you should have told me.”

Do-hyun suddenly turned his head. Woo-yeon frowned, not even thinking of avoiding the gaze. It seemed too late to excuse himself from the spot.

“Ah… you’re awake?”

Awkwardness flashed across the neat face. He looked back and forth between Woo-yeon and Jin-ah and winked his left eye. In that utterly awkward silence, Woo-yeon barely managed to start the conversation.

“I wondered who came…”

His voice wasn’t like usual. Since he had spent the whole day crying and moaning, it was no wonder his voice was thin. The object that had filled him up to the end of his throat also played a part, but he had completely forgotten that fact.

“…Please continue your conversation. I’ll go back inside.”

Woo-yeon gave a knowing nod and stepped back. Do-hyun had even drunk alcohol because he fought with his sibling, so he couldn’t interfere with their conversation.

A low voice stopped such a Woo-yeon.

“You don’t have to go back in.”

Jin-ah adjusted his bag and glanced at Woo-yeon. The gaze that scanned from the messy hair to the oversized t-shirt was incredibly burdensome. Woo-yeon awkwardly avoided the gaze, covering his likely mottled nape with his hand.

“I just came because I left something, so I’ll just take that and go.”

Having spoken without much emotion, Jin-ah strode inside. Woo-yeon, who had worried he might enter the bedroom, felt relieved seeing him head toward the guest room in the back. It was the room where Daniel had stayed last time.

“Sorry, I guess you woke up because of me.”

Do-hyun, who had approached unnoticed, tidied up the messy hair. When fixing the clothes, he also stroked the marks left on the nape. Unaware that he himself had heat flowers blooming all over his collarbone.

“No, it’s not really because of Hyung…”

Woo-yeon trailed off ambiguously, glancing at the room Jin-ah had entered. It was his first time seeing a partner’s family, so he didn’t know how to treat them. Moreover, the atmosphere was unusual.

“You said you fought with your sibling. Shouldn’t you make up?”

“…….”

Do-hyun would usually say it’s fine, but this time he just sighed while turning his head. Woo-yeon read the worry on his face and asked with a feeling of doubt.

“…You didn’t fight because of me, right?”

“No.”

He answered immediately, but Woo-yeon couldn’t believe it. As if to reassure him, Do-hyun softened his expression.

“What would there be to fight about because of you?”

“…….”

Indeed, what reason would there be for him to be linked with a sibling he was meeting for the first time today? A lingering uneasiness remained, but he couldn’t ask further.

“Anyway… I’ll leave you two alone, so make up. Hyung, you even drank alcohol yesterday because of that.”

Do-hyun showed hesitation and couldn’t answer easily. At that moment, Jin-ah, who had gone into the room, walked out aggressively. It was a stride full of intimidation that didn’t match his small stature.

“…….”

Jin-ah headed for the entrance without looking back. As a flustered Woo-yeon looked at Do-hyun, he reluctantly called out to Jin-ah. At the call of ‘Jin-ah,’ Jin-ah glanced back.

“What?”

“Wait a second. I’ll drive you.”

“Forget it, I’m not going home.”

“Kim Jin-ah.”

“Ah, what!”

Leaving the raised voices behind, Woo-yeon slowly returned to the room. As soon as he closed the door, the sound of the conversation was completely cut off. No, the sharp question asking what business the older brother had was clearly conveyed even through the gap in the closed door.

‘Why did they fight?’

As far as Woo-yeon knew, Do-hyun wasn’t the type to start trouble. Seeing how he treated his hubaes, it was clear he would be very good to his younger sister as well. Above all, hadn’t he said he was doing his best for his family to adapt to the place where he was adopted?

Filled with curiosity, Woo-yeon opened the closet and took out the clothes he had left behind previously. The outdoor clothes he had worn yesterday were stained with various things and were unwearable. Once he put on a comfortable hoodie and shorts, the marks on the nape of his neck were hidden to some extent.

When he stepped outside again, the two were still bickering in the middle of the living room. To be precise, it was a situation where Jin-ah was angry on her own and Do-hyun was enduring her irritation. Even at a glance, a one-sided fight felt strange for some reason.

“Oppa, every single time…”

Jin-ah, who had been shouting emotionally, bit her lip hard. It was because she locked eyes with Woo-yeon as he stepped out of the room. Looking at her distorted face, Woo-yeon spoke slowly.

“…I think I’ll be going now.”

“….”

“I feel like it might be uncomfortable if I stay.”

He couldn’t stay in the room indefinitely when he didn’t know how long the conversation would last. He planned to go home first and wait for contact from Do-hyun. Seeing Do-hyun remain silent, it seemed he also judged that it was better to let Woo-yeon go.

“See you later.”

Woo-yeon gave a subtle nod of farewell and passed them. He also nodded back to the worried gaze, signaling that he was okay.

“…Ah, so annoying.”

The moment Jin-ah spoke was the exact moment Woo-yeon stepped out the front door. It was also the moment he felt the fresh outdoor air and realized the house had been filled with pheromones. Just as he felt relieved once again that Jin-ah was a Beta, Jin-ah strode forward and gripped Woo-yeon’s arm firmly.

“Kim Jin-ah!”

Startled, Do-hyun raised his voice sharply. However, Jin-ah closed the front door without even looking back. With a loud thud, Woo-yeon’s eyes widened, and his lips parted.

“What is this…”

“….”

Jin-ah dragged Woo-yeon along without a word. Since it was his first time being handled so roughly by someone, Woo-yeon stood before the elevator without even thinking of resisting. In the meantime, Do-hyun, who had followed them, grabbed Woo-yeon’s other arm.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“….”

Do-hyun’s face was pale, showing how flustered he was. Suddenly caught between the siblings, Woo-yeon frowned slightly. Jin-ah pressed the elevator button repeatedly and warned in a low voice.

“Don’t follow us.”

“What?”

Ding— the elevator doors opened. Jin-ah brushed Do-hyun’s hand away and ushered Woo-yeon inside. Since he couldn’t bring himself to use force against Do-hyun’s sister, Woo-yeon obediently moved as Jin-ah told him to.

“If you follow us…”

Blocking the door with determination, Jin-ah looked up at Do-hyun. Her clipped voice sounded quite ominous.

“I’ll tell Mom and Dad about the tattoo on your back, and that you’ve been drinking and smoking since high school.”

“….”

Do-hyun’s face crumpled mercilessly. Woo-yeon found it fascinating that he was showing his emotions this much. He had seen him cry and seen him smile brightly, but this was the first time he’d seen a face that looked like he’d been properly pranked.

“If you understand, move.”

Jin-ah pressed the first floor and then immediately hit the close button. However, instead of backing down obediently, Do-hyun caught the elevator door with his hand. With a clank, the door swooshed open again.

“If you have a complaint, tell me.”

“I don’t have a complaint.”

“You really…”

“Wow, Oppa, you actually know how to get angry.”

Her tone was openly sarcastic. Not stopping there, Jin-ah even glared at Do-hyun defiantly.

“I thought you were just a pushover who couldn’t get angry for the rest of his life.”

“….”

The words that followed, spoken as if chewing them, sounded thorny even to Woo-yeon. Looking at Jin-ah’s wavy hair, Woo-yeon reached a conclusion on his own. He didn’t know exactly what it was, but the conflict between the two might actually be quite deep-rooted.

“…Yeon-ah, get off.”

“Hyung.”

What should he do?

It wasn’t hard to organize his thoughts. Since he had received Do-hyun’s help in all his human relationships so far, he wanted to be of help at least once. And to do that, it seemed it wouldn’t be bad to take a bit of a gamble.

“I’ll contact you.”

He reached out and gently pushed Do-hyun’s hand away. Perhaps not expecting Woo-yeon to act this way, Do-hyun’s face was colored with shock. Not missing the opportunity, Jin-ah pressed the close button, and the elevator doors shut with a thud.

* * *

The shabby-looking pork belly restaurant was clean compared to the traces of time on its exterior. Round steel tables, drum-shaped chairs, and smoke vents hanging from the ceiling. Jin-ah handed Woo-yeon an apron provided by the staff as he shifted his hips awkwardly.

“Wear this. Your clothes are white.”

The apron featured a famous soju brand that Woo-yeon recognized. Woo-yeon looked at his white hoodie once, then at the worn piece of fabric, and put the apron around his neck without a word. He didn’t spill food while eating, but oil would likely splatter while grilling meat.

“What do you want to eat? I just brought you here randomly, but you can eat meat, right?”

A moment ago, Jin-ah had abruptly dragged Woo-yeon out and then abruptly put him in a taxi. She didn’t give any explanation, nor was there even an apology. It was only after arriving in front of the shop with the shabby sign that she bluntly asked, ‘Do you drink?’

“Stop looking around. You’ve been acting like this is your first time coming to a place like this.”

“….”

It was his first time, but Woo-yeon didn’t bother to confirm it. He remembered the looks Ga-ram and Seon-kyu had given him when he said it was his first time eating tteokbokki. As he remained silent, Jin-ah made another suggestion.

“I’ll buy, so pick whatever you want to eat.”

“No, you don’t have to buy.”

Anyway, Woo-yeon couldn’t even put smelly pork in his mouth. He wasn’t particularly hungry, nor did he feel like being treated by his partner’s sister. So he refused first, and Jin-ah’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you rich?”

“….”

He was. Very much so.

“Where would a student get the money to refuse a treat?”

Jin-ah, who had no way of knowing Woo-yeon’s circumstances, called the staff with an indifferent expression. She ordered two servings of pork belly and soju, and even took out her ID to verify her age. At her fluid, natural movements, Woo-yeon also presented his ID.

“I’m the one who dragged you here, so I’ll pay. I have plenty of money.”

Again, Woo-yeon didn’t bother to correct the misunderstanding. There was no need to insist he was rich, nor did he have the desire to bicker unnecessarily. He would just stay quiet. As soon as he thought that, an awkward silence descended again.

It was inevitable. They had no common ground, and there was no way they would have a proper topic of conversation having met for the first time today. Since Woo-yeon was shy and quite taciturn even with people he was close to, it was obvious that the conversation wouldn’t start unless Jin-ah spoke first.

However, Jin-ah also just stared at Woo-yeon. A gaze that subtly resembled Do-hyun’s scanned his face intently.

“…Is there something on my face?”

“No.”

He barely managed to ask a question, but it was cut off immediately as if with a knife. Unfortunately, since it was early, Woo-yeon and Jin-ah were the only customers. There was the humming sound of an unknown machine and the sound of a boring drama coming from the TV above. Only after a long silence did the side dishes, soju, and meat arrive.

Without a word, Jin-ah poured soju to fill Woo-yeon’s glass and then filled her own. He thought they might toast, but the clear liquid disappeared into her mouth in one gulp. Woo-yeon just watched Jin-ah’s actions without even thinking of drinking the soju. With a ‘kh,’ Jin-ah’s throat bobbed, and she picked up the tongs to start grilling the meat.

“Why did you follow me out?”

“…What?”

Sizzle— the pork belly sizzled on the heated grill. The skill with which she placed the meat and added garlic and kimchi suggested she had grilled meat more than once or twice. Jin-ah filled her glass with the hand holding the tongs and clinked the tongs together.

“I asked why you followed me out. It’s strange that you just obediently followed a stranger who suddenly dragged you away.”

Actually, this was something Woo-yeon should have asked Jin-ah. ‘Why did you take me out?’ He could have asked that, but Woo-yeon answered directly without taking the long way around.

“Because I was curious why you two fought.”

He didn’t know how to beat around the bush to subtly get what he wanted. Nor did he want to engage in a power struggle with Do-hyun’s sister.

“I was also curious where you were dragging me.”

“Ah, you’re quite curious.”

Jin-ah flipped the pork belly. The golden-brown surface looked appetizing even to Woo-yeon. Of course, he wouldn’t be able to eat it because it would smell like pig as soon as it entered his mouth.

“First… there’s no particular reason why I dragged you out. I heard you were Oppa’s lover, so I wanted to talk to you. And…”

The words that followed seemed important, but Jin-ah just trailed off. After cutting the meat with scissors and arranging it neatly, she downed a shot of soju.

“…Do you want me to tell you why we fought?”

Woo-yeon nodded while pretending to be expressionless. Just hearing that would make following her worth it. He didn’t want to interfere in someone else’s family history, but since Jin-ah had brought it up, it must be something she was okay with sharing.

“First, the superficial reason is… I saw Oppa’s phone. A message that said, ‘I miss you, Hyung.’”

“….”

And she said it was nothing.

Woo-yeon knew better than anyone who had sent that message. Jin-ah flipped the meat again as if it were no big deal.

“I wondered if it was a lover, so I asked a few things to tease him, and Oppa suddenly snatched the phone away and got angry. You can eat the ones that are cooked.”

“…Hyung got angry?”

“Yes. Or more accurately, was it irritation?”

He couldn’t imagine it at all. The Do-hyun Woo-yeon knew was not a person who would get angry over something like that. He might dislike others looking at his phone, but he wouldn’t say something so harsh that his sister would get upset and go home.

“But the funny thing is, he got angry himself and then apologized himself.”

“Then why did you fight?”

“Because the apologizing was annoying.”

Once again, he couldn’t understand. Seeing Woo-yeon’s bewildered expression, Jin-ah furrowed her brow.

“You don’t understand, do you?”

“No.”

“Wow, usually people say ‘no’ out of politeness in times like this.”

Jin-ah chuckled and downed another glass of alcohol. She took a handful of meat with the tongs and pushed some toward Woo-yeon.

“Oppa doesn’t usually get angry.”

Jin-ah smiled bitterly and put new meat on the grill. She urged him to eat before it burned, so Woo-yeon reluctantly took a piece of meat. As he clumsily made a wrap, Jin-ah lowered the heat.

“He’s never raised his voice at me in my life. Even if I wake him up from sleep, or interfere with his studying, or even if I break something and pin it on him, he just says it’s okay and ends it with a smile.”

He was a brother that others would call ideal. Jin-ah seemed to think so too, as she blurted out in a light tone.

“He seems like a really great brother, right?”

This time, Woo-yeon couldn’t answer easily. The image of a gently smiling Do-hyun came to mind. A teacher who doesn’t get angry and just says everything is okay. That was less ‘great’ and more…

“Actually, he’s just drawing a line.”

“….”

“And stupidly, nobody knows it.”

Even when tutoring Woo-yeon, Do-hyun had always been kind and gentle. While Woo-yeon didn’t do things to make him angry, there was definitely an intended kindness. That was something he only vaguely felt now that it had all passed.

“Honestly, I did it on purpose. I know Oppa is sensitive about his private life. He’s never shown his friends, the person he’s dating, or family, so it was obvious he’d be unpleasant if I showed interest. Sure enough, he got angry saying it’s none of my business…”

She frowned slightly. Chewing the meat aggressively, she swallowed the food along with the soju. Thud, the soju glass she put down made a heavy sound.

“And then he apologized again. With a face that clearly said ‘Oops’.”

Actually, it was hard to understand just by hearing it. What exactly is wrong with getting angry and then apologizing? Woo-yeon was about to ask that but swallowed the question. It was because Jin-ah continued immediately.

“You can’t know this unless you experience it. It’s not that he’s yielding; he’s just giving up. It’s not that he has a good personality; he just hates the hassle. Because getting angry, being irritated, and fighting are things you can only do with people inside your line.”

“….”

Woo-yeon had already had a similar experience once. Hadn’t Kang Jun-seong been met with a consistent lack of reaction whenever he picked a fight? He had maintained an attitude of ‘You bark, I’ll leave,’ because even the energy to deal with him was a waste.

“Do you know what I think whenever Oppa does that?”

Their gazes met in the air. It was the same look he had seen when she fought with Do-hyun. Jin-ah gave a light snort and muttered as if chewing the words.

“Wow, he really acts like a stranger.”

“….”

He instinctively thought that Do-hyun must have heard these words last night as well. If they had simply fought, there was no way he would have drunk all night and called him from the early morning. He felt he could roughly understand why Do-hyun hadn’t felt good.

“That’s why we fought. That’s why I left Oppa behind. Though I didn’t expect him to call his lover and hang out immediately.”

As soon as Jin-ah finished speaking, she ate the meat aggressively. It didn’t look delicious; it was merely venting her anger. Woo-yeon quietly placed the wrap he was holding onto his plate.

“Did you say that to Hyung too?”

“Say what?”

“That he acts like a stranger.”

“Ah.”

The answer was vague, but it was also an affirmation. Woo-yeon looked down at the ruined wrap and chewed the inside of his cheek.

‘Did something happen with your sister?’

‘We fought.’

The things he wanted to say grew like a snowball. However, the clumsily gathered snowball crumbled before it could take a proper shape. Whether it was something he was allowed to say, or something he shouldn’t say. He couldn’t gauge such things at all.

“…Don’t you know why Hyung draws a line?”

At the sudden question, Jin-ah made a puzzled expression. She probably didn’t expect him to ask this. Reading the ‘Could it be?’ curiosity in her gaze, Woo-yeon spoke in a calm voice.

“I heard he was adopted.”

Do-hyun had previously explained his family situation to Woo-yeon. Things like what his relationship with his parents was like, and how he got along with his sister. Woo-yeon couldn’t perfectly empathize with the situation, but he could guess to some extent why Do-hyun was so quick-witted.

“I’m not Do-hyun Hyung, so I don’t know for sure, but…”

Various emotions tangled inside him. The face of Do-hyun he had seen last as they parted came to mind as clearly as if it were drawn.

So he chose his words. He picked and chose them carefully, fearing that a single word of his might cross the line.

“If I heard that I act like a stranger, I think I’d be heartbroken rather than angry.”

But after saying this much, something surged up inside him.

“Because he really is a stranger.”

“….”

“Only Hyung is.”

He shouldn’t have added the last part. Woo-yeon thought that only after seeing Jin-ah’s expression. However, since spilled water cannot be gathered back, he looked down, pretending to be as calm as possible.

“Anyway, you… no, the sister is a biological child, so if I were Hyung, I don’t think I’d feel good hearing those words.”

The weight of words spoken by a real one to a fake one, and words spoken by a fake one to a real one, is fundamentally different. Especially if Do-hyun considers himself an outsider.

“Hyung drank all night that night.”

“….”

“It must be because he was heartbroken.”

Jin-ah fell silent with a face that looked as if she had been splashed with filth. The juices of the meat on the grill rose appetizingly. Jin-ah, who flipped the meat mechanically, spoke softly.

“He’s not a stranger.”

It was a firm statement. Or it sounded like a vow.

“You don’t have to share blood to be family.”

Woo-yeon deeply empathized with that. There are cases where people don’t feel like family even if they share blood, so how could the fence of family be classified only by blood ties?

“Don’t talk like that.”

Despite her words, it was Jin-ah who looked as if she had made a mistake. She seemed to have realized only now what impact his words might have had on Do-hyun. Woo-yeon apologized, saying he was sorry if she felt bad, and awkwardly turned his head.

For a while, no conversation passed between them. Jin-ah moved her chopsticks in silence, and Woo-yeon, without touching either the meat or the alcohol, pictured Do-hyun who would be at home. He felt a belated regret that he should have pushed him away and not come.

“…There was an incident like that once.”

When the soju bottle hit bottom, Jin-ah tentatively broached the subject. Despite having finished a bottle on her own, her complexion remained unchanged.

“I went to visit Oppa at school, and he was with a friend. Do you happen to know who? A girl who’s really tall and looks a bit scary.”

From the description alone, it was Ga-ram. Jin-ah let out a small chuckle, as if she wasn’t particularly expecting an answer.

“Anyway, the face Oppa was making while getting annoyed at his friend back then…”

Her droplet-like eyes drooped melancholily. It was incomparable to the times she had glared fiercely at Do-hyun. Letting out a self-deprecating sigh, Jin-ah tapped her side plate with her chopsticks.

“Even though he was being blunt, he looked more comfortable than when he’s with family.”

“…….”

“Once I saw that, I started noticing the difference. The expression he shows us, and the expression he makes when he’s actually happy.”

Woo-yeon was someone who reacted more sensitively to that difference than anyone. To the point where he could tell it was fake even if Do-hyun smiled with just a hint of pretense. Thus, he fully understood the sense of deprivation Jin-ah must have felt.

“It wasn’t just a matter of friends being different from family. It was a fundamental problem. Oppa is still uncomfortable with us. He hasn’t been able to accept us as family.”

Jin-ah was speaking about the disappointment she felt toward Do-hyun. Regardless of her own slip of the tongue, it was a fact that Do-hyun treated her like a stranger. It seemed she simply couldn’t accept that subtle distance.

“It’s not like I’m asking for much.”

Without a word, Woo-yeon picked up the soju bottle and ordered another. As soon as the server brought the bottle, Jin-ah popped the cap and filled her glass.

“Just small things. If it’s a hassle for me to come home, just say it’s a hassle. If there’s something to discuss at home, discuss it. If he needs to meet a lover, just say he’s going without walking on eggshells.”

It’s not like I’m throwing a tantrum telling him not to meet anyone. Woo-yeon had a response to her grumbling addition.

“He said his sister would be waiting at home.”

“Ah, of course I’d wait. Because I’m bored! But would I really tell him to cancel a date and come home? That’s something I only did in elementary school.”

Did she really do that in elementary school? Woo-yeon started to ask but decided against it.

“Oppa tries too hard to be perfect. Going to a foreign language high school, going to his current university—none of it was his own opinion. He just goes ‘yes, yes’ to whatever our parents tell him to do. But annoyingly, there’s nothing he can’t do, so our parents end up scolding me instead…”

He remembered hearing from Do-hyun once. That the reason Jin-ah fought with their parents was related to him. Likely, Jin-ah had been compared to Do-hyun again, leading her to leave home and end up at Do-hyun’s place.

“You heard earlier, right? Oppa has a tattoo on his back. He’s been drinking and smoking since high school. All that ‘good boy’ act at home is just a facade; if you think about it the other way, it makes me wonder how suffocating home must be for him to act like that outside.”

Woo-yeon was surprised by how much Jin-ah worried about Do-hyun. While it was surprising that she knew about his delinquency, he hadn’t expected her to guess the reason behind it. And quite accurately, at that.

“I don’t know why he walks on eggshells so much. Why does he keep acting like someone who’s about to leave? He’s clearly family, he’s my brother, but I know his inner thoughts less than I know the neighbor’s dog.”

At the mention of the neighbor’s dog, Woo-yeon couldn’t help but laugh a little. Ridiculously, it was because he couldn’t deny it. A dog at least wags its tail, but Do-hyun just stood there smiling quietly.

“Oppa isn’t like that with you, is he?”

Unlike Woo-yeon, who had been pondering how to address her, Jin-ah had no hesitation in calling him ‘you’ (geu-jjok). Of course, Woo-yeon replied without minding at all.

“He was like that with me, too.”

Jin-ah’s eyes widened. Her thick eyelashes curled upward. Thinking that she was a person with a very diverse range of expressions, Woo-yeon fiddled with his soju glass.

“Hyung didn’t tell me a single thing about himself.”

Whenever there was something he didn’t want to say, Do-hyun would gloss over it with an impeccably sweet smile. To avoid upsetting Woo-yeon, he would talk in circles, showing only the outer shell.

“We were clearly dating, but I didn’t even know what he was thinking. What he was worried about, what made him anxious, what on earth he was hiding from me.”

“…….”

“I even started thinking that I was the only one who liked him.”

It was a relationship spent solely on reading the other’s mood. He liked Do-hyun, but he was so afraid of being hated in return that he couldn’t even attempt to find out, pushing past an inexplicable feeling of unease. In the end, the emotional part was just a worry, but their relationship had been ruined beyond repair.

“And then we broke up.”

Jin-ah’s mouth fell open. She seemed not to have known they had broken up, trailing off with, “No, how did you get back together…?”

“Right after the breakup, it felt like the world was collapsing…”

At that time, Woo-yeon was certain he could never trust Do-hyun again. Hating himself for being anxious even while liking him, he thought running away was the best option for now. He believed that whatever Do-hyun said was nothing more than sweet talk.

“Once the disappointment faded, curiosity set in.”

“What kind of curiosity?”

“Why didn’t he say a single word to me?”

“…….”

“Did I not give him enough trust? Was I only that much to Hyung?”

These were the things Woo-yeon had thought about all night under his covers after returning to his parents’ house. The resentment toward Do-hyun was brief, and the arrow soon turned toward himself. Of course, his selfish mind ultimately shifted the weight of the guilt more toward the other person.

“There’s something Hyung told me when he apologized to me back then.”

So Oppa caught him first. Jin-ah seemed surprised only by that fact. It was evident from the way she murmured with a stunned face. Instead of reacting, Woo-yeon recalled the words Do-hyun had spoken.

‘Yeon-ah, I…’

He wondered if it was okay to say this. Even if they were lovers, he worried if he was interfering too much in family affairs.

Nevertheless, Woo-yeon hoped his meddling would be the catalyst for clearing up the misunderstanding. If Do-hyun were to drink alone in loneliness again, he felt that even those embarrassing rabbit ears wouldn’t be enough to comfort him this time. He didn’t want Do-hyun, who had been his salvation, to fall into a piercing loneliness.

“Hyung said he was just scared.”

Yeon-ah, I was just always scared. That one sentence still occasionally echoed in his ears. The thinly trembling voice was the raw form of Do-hyun’s fear.

“He said he didn’t want to be abandoned.”

“…….”

Jin-ah’s eyes shook violently. She had clearly remembered something at the mention of being abandoned. Jin-ah couldn’t possibly be unaware of the fact that Do-hyun had been abandoned in front of an orphanage.

“Because he didn’t want to ruin the relationship, he was more cautious, and he tried harder to show only his best side.”

“…….”

“I don’t think I could ever do something like that.”

Understanding is not based entirely on reason and thought. There were countless cases where the heart didn’t follow, no matter how much the head accepted it.

“How hard must it have been for him.”

That’s why he realized it later. The fact that Do-hyun must have been more exhausted and lonely than anyone else.

“Every single day must have been a struggle.”

Do-hyun was only fourteen when he was adopted. When he became Woo-yeon’s tutor, he was twenty, the same age Woo-yeon was now. No matter when he thought of him, he seemed so young; how hard must he have worked to be adult-like?

“He’s not acting like a stranger.”

Woo-yeon murmured and looked at Jin-ah. Jin-ah, with her hand on the soju glass, was looking at Woo-yeon without even drinking. Her blank gaze somehow looked dazed.

“He’s scared of becoming a stranger.”

Her front teeth gnawed at her tightly closed lips. After crushing her lips enough to leave teeth marks, Jin-ah turned her head and drank. Woo-yeon watched her without filling her glass or turning his gaze away.

Jin-ah drank two more glasses of soju, ate some soybean paste soup, and then put down her spoon.

“……I know.”

A voice like a sigh settled on the table. The meat on the grill had already burnt black.

“Actually, I understand it all in my head. I’m just disappointed.”

The latter part sounded extremely self-deprecating. Jin-ah, who had been smiling bitterly while talking about Do-hyun, now spoke with a truly lifeless face.

“The fact that Oppa is like that is partly our parents’ fault too…”

“Your parents?”

“They’re a bit… They have a lot of money, but they’re also greedy, so they attract the wrong kind of people. Bringing Oppa here was also… no, forget it.”

Woo-yeon unintentionally wore a surprised expression. It was because it was hard to believe that Jin-ah knew that too. Seeing how she interpreted that expression, Jin-ah let out a hollow laugh.

“I guess Oppa has no secrets from you.”

“…….”

Feeling awkward, he tried to drink water, but oil was floating on the surface. When Woo-yeon quietly put the cup down, Jin-ah had the server bring a new cup.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Jin-ah casually cleared away the burnt meat and put up the last remaining strip. Since Woo-yeon hadn’t eaten a single bite, it meant Jin-ah was handling two portions alone. Jin-ah likely knew this, but she didn’t bother urging him to eat.

“When I was young, I thought our parents did a good thing. I liked having a brother, and I thought it would be great if he earned a lot of money too.”

Pausing for a moment, Jin-ah sighed. “But now that I’m older, it’s strange,” she added, her voice tinged with irritation.

“Sometimes it gives me the creeps to think that if it weren’t for Oppa, I would have grown up the same way.”

Woo-yeon recalled his memory of meeting Do-hyun when he was in the third year of middle school. In a space that was entirely suffocating, he was the only existence that allowed Woo-yeon to breathe. If it hadn’t been for Teacher, Woo-yeon wouldn’t have reached his current stable state.

“I’m telling you this so you don’t misunderstand, but our parents do cherish Oppa. To put it bluntly, how could they hate a son who does everything so well? That’s why those stingy people bought him a car and an apartment.”

He habitually fiddled with the watch on his wrist. The product, far too expensive for a student to buy, was a gift Do-hyun had given him for his birthday.

‘Well, I guess it’s the price for being a good son.’

There are many ways to express affection, and sometimes those methods fail to contain complete love. Generally, people tend to give the form of affection they want to give, rather than the form the other person wants to receive.

“What do you like about Oppa?”

Jin-ah asked Woo-yeon abruptly. Woo-yeon couldn’t answer immediately and his cheeks twitched.

“……Why so suddenly?”

“I’ve been curious for a while. Usually, people like him for his money and face, so I wondered if you were the same.”

While he could deny the former, he couldn’t deny the latter, so Woo-yeon averted his gaze ambiguously. He tried to act as calm as possible, but his ears were already flushed red.

“Just…… everything.”

“Eh, there’s no such thing. Then tell me exactly three strengths.”

Jin-ah held up three fingers. She firmly added, “Excluding money and face.” Since he had no intention of mentioning money in the first place, Woo-yeon rolled his eyes and parted his lips.

“He’s kind.”

It was a safe reason. Jin-ah nodded in great agreement.

“Oppa is kind.”

“He’s also sweet…”

“Pass on that. Being kind and being sweet are the same thing. Let’s combine those into ‘personality’.”

One finger folded. Looking at the extended index and middle fingers, Woo-yeon instinctively thought of Do-hyun’s face.

“The way he smiles…”

Do-hyun was the man who smiled the most beautifully of anyone he knew. When he folded his eyes gently and smiled brightly, he sparkled so much that Woo-yeon sometimes wondered if he was hallucinating.

“The way he smiles?”

“……Because it’s pretty.”

Woo-yeon answered in a trailing voice and took a sip of water. It was to cool down his flushed face, but it didn’t seem to have much effect. Jin-ah, who he thought would immediately nitpick that it was ‘face,’ folded another finger without a word.

“And the last one?”

What should he say for the last one? A safe answer would be his voice, but he didn’t want to focus Do-hyun’s good points only on external aspects. Because the reason he liked him wasn’t simply for those reasons.

“Hmm……”

Woo-yeon slowly reflected on the days he spent with Do-hyun. Their first meeting during the time he couldn’t adapt to school, the sweet words he spoke to him, and the various sides he showed after entering university.

To say it was simply because of the specificity of the situation, Do-hyun was too precious a presence to him. Without a doubt, no matter when or where he had met him, Woo-yeon would have fallen deeply for the person named Kim Do-hyun. The reason for that emotion was something too vast to be called a single element.

“……I can’t pick.”

“Wow, are you rubbing it in right now?”

Jin-ah shuddered her shoulders, but she didn’t seem to intend to pry further. She simply picked up her chopsticks with her open hand and took a piece of well-cooked meat. After chewing and swallowing the meat, she winked.

“I thought pheromones or something would come out. You are an Omega, right?”

Winking with the left eye was one of Do-hyun’s long-time habits. The sister is the same. As Woo-yeon drank water thinking this, Jin-ah spoke in a nonchalant tone.

“I guess you didn’t just like each other for your faces.”

“……How can someone like a person based only on looks?”

“Why? It’s possible. I like people based only on their faces.”

Jin-ah replied confidently and pointed at Woo-yeon with her chopsticks. At the sudden pointing, Woo-yeon blinked blankly.

“You’re very handsome too. I think you’re the second most handsome person I’ve ever seen. Ah, the first isn’t Oppa, so please keep this a secret.”

“Yes, well……”

He nodded slowly. He was curious who the first was, but not enough to actually ask. Jin-ah ate one more piece of meat and poured the remaining soju into her water cup.

“But Oppa must really like you. He has such strong pride, yet he apologized first after the breakup.”

“I heard that proud person apologizes to his sister every time.”

“…….”

It was a look of being caught off guard. Jin-ah, who lightly bit the tip of her tongue, gulped down the alcohol in the water cup. Thud, the motion of putting it down was rough.

“Drinking like that…”

“By the way, how old are you?”

Woo-yeon swallowed the words telling her to drink moderately and looked at Jin-ah. Shaking her head, Jin-ah tilted her chin.

“Twenty? Twenty-one? I saw your ID earlier, so you’re not a high schooler.”

“……I’m twenty.”

“Wow, really? We’re the same age.”

Her grinning face looked innocent. Only then did Woo-yeon realize why she looked like Do-hyun.

“Is your name Yeon? What’s your surname?”

“I’m Seon Woo-yeon. Surname Seon, name Woo-yeon.”

“Yeon is a nickname then. Your name is pretty.”

Every single one of Jin-ah’s expressions resembled Do-hyun. The smiling face, the way her eyes narrowed when frowning, and even the way she quickly took care of Woo-yeon. As if proving they grew up in the same house, their small habits were similar.

“I am……”

“I know, Kim Jin-ah.”

“Right. You called me Kim Jin-ah, Kim Jin-ah, so many times earlier.”

They were definitely family. A sister and a brother. Even to Woo-yeon, the bond they shared seemed stronger than the one between him and Soo-hyang.

“Drop the formalities. It’s weird using honorifics when we’re the same age.”

Jin-ah said this and held out a soju glass. It was the first time she had suggested a toast during this gathering. Without a word, Woo-yeon raised his glass and clinked it cheerfully against Jin-ah’s.

After that, they had a proper drinking session, pouring drinks for each other. Woo-yeon, who couldn’t even touch the meat at first, began to eat little by little as Jin-ah picked out the right cuts and grilled them for him. He ended up laughing awkwardly at her playful grumbling that he had a ‘high-class palate.’

“My major really doesn’t suit me. I’m thinking of retaking the entrance exam. But then my parents would scold me again…”

Jin-ah said she was on a leave of absence as soon as the first semester of university ended. She added that she didn’t want to stay at home because her parents scolded her, telling her to be even half as good as her brother. Woo-yeon had no siblings, but he knew how painful it was to have someone to be compared to.

“Ah, right. Do you know what the tattoo on Oppa’s back means?”

Now quite flushed from the alcohol, Jin-ah lowered her voice secretly. Woo-yeon held the soju glass with both hands and slowly shook his head. With half-closed eyes, Jin-ah playfully parted her lips.

“That is……”

* * *

As the weather entered autumn, a chilly wind blew at night. While people still wore short sleeves during the day, it felt cold without an outer garment once the sun set.

Woo-yeon put one hand in his hoodie pocket and brought his phone to his ear. The ringing signal, drrrr, cut off shortly after.

“Hello?”

—…….

He waited for a long time, but no answer came from the other end. Noisy sounds drifted out from the shop behind him. Woo-yeon pulled the phone away from his ear to confirm the call hadn’t been disconnected and tapped the ground with the toe of his shoe.

“Hyung, please come pick me up.”

―…….

“I’m at the pork belly place at that intersection…”

―…….

“……You’ll come, right?”

A low sigh was heard. Woo-yeon swallowed his apology and counted the cigarette butts on the ground. One, two, three. Just as he reached four, a gentle voice came through the phone.

―It’s cold, so wait inside the shop.

The call ended immediately, leaving Woo-yeon unable to respond as he put his phone away. The sky, where a sliver of a crescent moon hung, was thick with clouds. Even in this situation, he worried about him being cold, despite knowing exactly what he was wearing.

‘This is why I love him.’

His kindness had a sweetness that almost made the inside of Woo-yeon’s mouth ache. Already fond of sweet things, once Woo-yeon became addicted to it, it was difficult to break free. Not that he had any intention of doing so, anyway.

Instead of going inside, Woo-yeon stood beside the shop and waited for Do-hyun. He was worried about Jin-ah, whom he had left inside, but she was slumped over and out cold, so she should be fine.

He looked at the sky, checked on Jin-ah through the glass door, and hopped around occasionally to shake off the smell. After about ten minutes of waiting, a familiar car parked on the roadside next to the alley.

“…….”

Do-hyun stepped out of the car and looked at Woo-yeon expressionlessly. His steady stride seemed a bit hurried. Woo-yeon waited for him to draw closer before breaking into a beaming smile.

“Hyung……”

“…….”

“I missed you.”

He opened his arms and hugged Do-hyun around the waist. Despite telling him to stay inside because it was cold, Do-hyun himself was wearing a short-sleeved shirt without even a coat. As Woo-yeon rubbed his face against the thin t-shirt, Do-hyun’s characteristic pheromones wafted fragrantly.

“Haa….”

Do-hyun let out a small sigh and hugged Woo-yeon tightly. Resting his chin on the crown of Woo-yeon’s head, he reached his hand under the hoodie’s cap and rubbed gently. The warmth from the large hand put his heart at ease.

“You smell like meat.”

“I know.”

“You know, huh.”

That same tender voice was now laced with worry. The thumping of his heart seemed a bit faster than usual. Do-hyun gave Woo-yeon one firm squeeze before pulling him away from his chest.

“Where’s Jin-ah?”

“She’s inside.”

“Go wait in the car.”

Handing over the car keys, Do-hyun walked into the shop. Woo-yeon approached the parked car and climbed into the passenger seat. Before long, he saw Do-hyun walking back, supporting Jin-ah.

With a click, the door opened and Do-hyun laid Jin-ah down in the back seat. He didn’t say a word until he had walked around the car and climbed into the driver’s seat. He simply fastened Woo-yeon’s seatbelt and silently started the engine.

“…….”

“…….”

A heavy silence lingered in the car all the way home. Woo-yeon fidgeted with his seatbelt and turned his head to check the back seat. Jin-ah, completely wasted, was sleeping very comfortably.

“……Hyung.”

“Yeah.”

Do-hyun answered in a blunt voice. Usually, even a single word was gentle, but right now, a cold wind was blowing. Woo-yeon rolled his eyes and asked tentatively.

“Are you angry?”

“…….”

It took quite a while for an answer to return. Tapping the steering wheel, Do-hyun’s lips parted slightly. “A little.” Even that response sounded stiff.

“Can… can’t we talk while looking at each other?”

“I’m driving.”

“Ah.”

Perhaps because of the alcohol, his perception of his surroundings was sluggish. He wasn’t drunk, but it was true that he felt a bit lightheaded. As Woo-yeon lowered his head with a sullen expression, another sigh was heard.

“……I just thought my anger would fade if I saw your face.”

His voice was much softer than before. Relieved by this, Woo-yeon leaned his head against the car window. Looking at him, Do-hyun looked polished and wonderful even from the side.

“I’m sorry for making you angry.”

Do-hyun’s chest rose and fell slowly. He seemed to be regulating his breath to control his anger. Checking the back seat through the rearview mirror, Do-hyun tentatively spoke.

“Then tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

“Exactly what you’re sorry for, and how.”

Woo-yeon made a troubled face, like someone facing a legendary conundrum. Drooping the corners of his eyes, he worked hard to organize his thoughts. He had to speak well now to soothe Do-hyun’s anger.

“I’m sorry for going without listening to you……”

“…….”

“And for meddling in your family history on my own……”

“…….”

“……And for asking you to pick me up even though you were angry?”

As he spent a long time reading Do-hyun’s mood, Do-hyun let out a short chuckle. Stopping the car at a red light, he reached out toward Woo-yeon. The hand that approached interlaced fingers with his left hand before returning to the wheel.

“You’re wrong about all of them.”

Do-hyun spoke nonchalantly, even adding that the last one was something to be praised for. As he sighed, he looked as if he were feeling relieved. After some thought, Woo-yeon guessed one more reason.

“I’m sorry for making you worry.”

“…….”

Fortunately, this time it seemed to be the right answer. His expressionless, stiff face softened as if he couldn’t help it. Do-hyun sighed once more and continued in that same soft, measured voice.

“If you were going to go, you should have contacted me.”

“…….”

“I didn’t know where you were or what you were doing all day, and you weren’t answering your phone, and the sun was setting, and it was getting dark outside……”

He glanced at Woo-yeon. It was only for a brief moment, but Woo-yeon knew that he had been checking his complexion.

“You’re probably not feeling well, so why are you wandering around like that?”

“…….”

His face flushed instantly. The only reason Woo-yeon’s body would be “not feeling well” was because of their sexual encounter. In fact, the shop’s chairs had been uncomfortable, and his lower back had been aching all day.

“From now on, at least tell me where you are. It’s not like you don’t have a way to contact me.”

“Yes…… I’m sorry.”

His voice came out weak. Woo-yeon fidgeted with his earlobe and turned his head toward the window. The scenery flashing by was very familiar. They were heading to Do-hyun’s house, not Woo-yeon’s.

Was he planning to let Jin-ah sleep over too? While he was thinking this, Do-hyun entered the apartment complex. Then, in the middle of parking, he suddenly frowned.

“Ah, out of habit……”

A large hand swept across his face. Do-hyun let out a deep sigh and looked at Jin-ah in the back. He had likely forgotten about Jin-ah and brought them home as usual.

“I’ll take a taxi home.”

“……It’s dangerous at night.”

Do-hyun finished parking and shifted the gear to P. As Woo-yeon tried to get out of the car, Do-hyun spoke first.

“Kim Jin-ah, stop pretending to be drunk and go up. The passcode is 0626.”

“…….”

Naturally, the already asleep Jin-ah did not answer. Seeing her consistent silence, Do-hyun sighed again. If the ground could be pierced by the sighs he let out, they would have reached the other side of the Earth by today.

“Kim Jin-ah.”

“…….”

“Hyung, how is a drunk person supposed to wake up just because you say so?”

As Woo-yeon spoke calmly, Do-hyun’s eyes twisted. He looked back and forth between Woo-yeon and Jin-ah, his lips parting as if to speak. Eventually, having organized his thoughts, Do-hyun unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car first.

“I’ll take her up. Wait here. Lock the car doors.”

“I’m really okay……”

“You said you were sorry for making me worry, Yeon-ah.”

“…….”

His ability to leave someone speechless was truly top-tier. Without effort, Do-hyun carried Jin-ah and disappeared into the apartment. Woo-yeon obediently locked the car doors and leaned back comfortably against the seat.

‘I wish Oppa could be a bit more comfortable at home.’

The words Jin-ah had said kept echoing in his mind. The image of Do-hyun drinking all night and feeling upset followed vividly.

Thanks to Do-hyun, Woo-yeon had pulled out a thorn that had been embedded for a long time. The wound hadn’t fully healed yet, but it was almost closed. Now, even when he was in the same space as Soo-hyang, he didn’t feel as suffocated as before.

‘I wish the same for Hyung……’

He knew how greedy such a thought was. If Do-hyun drew a line and told him not to interfere, he was ready to step back willingly. Since he was more immature and knew less, he wasn’t even sure if he could be of any help.

‘Still……’

Despite that, Woo-yeon worried about Do-hyun. The voice that said he had had parents twice, unlike others, felt excessively bitter. He didn’t know the coziness a family provides, but because he didn’t know it, he wanted Do-hyun to have it even more.

Knock, knock.

Do-hyun, who had returned before he knew it, tapped on the driver’s side window. Woo-yeon unlocked it and nodded to him. Do-hyun climbed back into the car and fastened his seatbelt.

“We’re going to the officetel, right?”

The car started smoothly and headed toward the officetel along a familiar route. Since Do-hyun always acted as Woo-yeon’s driver, there was no need for a navigation system. Woo-yeon leaned his head against the seatbelt and spoke playfully.

“Siblings are exactly the same when it comes to fighting and drinking.”

“Well…… everyone is like that.”

Do-hyun didn’t particularly deny the reason for drinking. That was so like Do-hyun that Woo-yeon barely managed to pull down the corners of his mouth. He was about to discuss something important; he couldn’t just giggle.

“I heard why you fought.”

As expected, Woo-yeon didn’t know how to beat around the bush. As he brought up the subject abruptly, Do-hyun glanced at him.

“Why get angry about her looking at your phone when she was going to apologize anyway? In the end, you’re the one who drank all night, Hyung.”

Woo-yeon understood the dislike for interference in one’s private life. He too had felt suffocated when Soo-hyang monitored his every move. However, the reason Do-hyun got angry at Jin-ah seemed to be of a different nature.

“I didn’t get angry because she looked at my phone.”

Do-hyun corrected Woo-yeon’s misunderstanding in a gentle tone. Then, he added a barely audible remark.

“I got angry because she was asking this and that about you.”

“Is that not allowed?”

“It’s not that it’s not allowed, but……”

Trailing off, Do-hyun turned the steering wheel. No matter when he saw him, Teacher looked truly sophisticated while driving.

“It would be troublesome if my parents found out about you through her. I told them I’m seeing someone, but I didn’t say that person is the heir to Selection Group.”

“…….”

“My parents are… quite interested in Selection.”

Do-hyun frowned with a troubled expression. Recalling the reason for his adoption, Woo-yeon parted his lips. I’m okay. Just as he was about to say that, Do-hyun was faster.

“I hate it.”

The voice was so firm that the words he intended to say flew far away. To Woo-yeon, who was blinking blankly, Do-hyun spoke in a serious tone.

“I hate the idea of my parents treating you with other intentions, and I hate that you take it so lightly. Human relationships shouldn’t become a purpose or a means.”

He was likely worried that his relationship with Woo-yeon would be used as a business tool. Even if it were impossible to be used, such a gaze might be unwelcome.

“Actually, I didn’t need to be like that with Jin-ah; I was just being a bit sensitive.”

Adding that his nerves were on edge, Do-hyun moved his eyebrows awkwardly. The next sentence that followed was embarrassing even for Woo-yeon to hear.

“I was sexually frustrated.”

“…….”

“It’s been too long since I could touch you.”

Heat began to rush to his face. Do-hyun didn’t usually speak so directly, so he was clearly still grumpy. That’s why he was lowering his voice softly, knowing Woo-yeon would be embarrassed.

“Anyway…… that’s just the reason. I was sharp, and Jin-ah was just teasing me as usual.”

“…….”

“The problem is how my apologizing first appeared to her.”

Woo-yeon’s eyes widened. Surprisingly, Do-hyun had accurately pierced through the reason why Jin-ah was angry. It was as if he understood Jin-ah as well as she understood him.

“You heard it from Jin-ah, didn’t you? The reason she’s angry at me.”

Do-hyun asked in a casual tone and turned on the turn signal. One more turn here, and the entrance to Woo-yeon’s officetel would appear.

“……You knew too?”

“I’ve known Jin-ah for years; of course I know that much.”

With a short laugh, Do-hyun closed and opened his eyes. His neat eyelashes seemed to tremble for some reason.

“Yeon-ah.”

Woo-yeon didn’t know why the gaze fixed straight ahead felt so desolate. He only gripped the seatbelt tightly upon hearing the words that followed.

“I still remember the people who gave birth to me.”

Do-hyun had been abandoned in front of an orphanage at the age of eight. Eight was an age where one could vaguely remember their early childhood.

“It’s awkward to say it myself, but I’ve been smart since I was young. So, as soon as those people left me, I realized immediately. ‘Ah, they’re never coming back.’”

A bitter smile hung on his lips. Woo-yeon listened to Do-hyun’s story without being able to say a word.

“I still don’t know why they abandoned me. Only after I grew up did I vaguely guess it might have been for financial reasons.”

The light from the underground parking entrance seeped inside. Even in the darkness, the expression Do-hyun wore was etched strongly into his mind.

“It’s not that I have trauma. I was adopted into a good home, I’m dating a good person, and I don’t think there’s anything lacking in myself.”

Various emotions mixed in his dark pupils. It looked like his usual confident gaze, yet also like the fragile gaze he had shown before. Beyond that, Woo-yeon discovered a small, anxious emotion.

“Still, I’m cautious sometimes.”

“…….”

“After all, I’m not their biological child.”

Woo-yeon felt his mind go blank, as if he had been hit in the back of the head. He knew the reason for the anxiety, but hearing it directly from his mouth felt different. Whether it was pity, worry, or shame for having presumed too hastily. Swallowing all of that, Woo-yeon spoke about something he had felt all day.

“……I noticed that Jin-ah resembles you a lot.”

Do-hyun looked puzzled. After parking in an empty spot, he didn’t get out but looked at Woo-yeon. Facing him, Woo-yeon counted on his fingers the things Jin-ah resembled him in.

“The way she smiles, her habit of frowning, the way she takes care of others while eating—the small things are like that.”

“…….”

“A younger sibling is a younger sibling, after all. I don’t know how many times I thought that today.”

Do-hyun tilted his head slightly. Warmth filled his eyes, as if he found Woo-yeon’s effort to comfort him cute. Keeping eye contact, Woo-yeon calmly repeated the words Jin-ah had said.

“You don’t have to be related by blood to be family. It’s not like that’s the only way to open your heart.”

He knew it was a cliché expression. But Woo-yeon was someone who knew the meaninglessness of blood relations better than anyone.

“If you put it that way, we’re strangers too, yet here we are meeting like this.”

Do-hyun’s expression changed subtly. He looked blank with surprise for a moment, then let out a breathy laugh. When Woo-yeon looked at him curiously, his eyes curved softly.

“No…… I just didn’t expect to receive advice about human relationships from you.”

“……Am I not allowed to do that?”

“I mean I like it.”

A pleasant pheromone drifted softly. A large hand gently caressed Woo-yeon’s cheek. Habitually, Woo-yeon rubbed his face like a small animal.

“You must have become quite close. Seeing as you call her Jin-ah.”

Fortunately, Do-hyun wasn’t angry at Woo-yeon’s meddling. Seeing the softened gaze, Woo-yeon held Do-hyun’s hand with both of his.

“I hope there’s nothing that makes you feel anxious, Hyung.”

His heart beat irregularly. It was the first time he was confessing the things he had always been thinking to Do-hyun.

“I survived my middle school years thanks to Teacher. And now, thanks to your help, I’ve escaped my home without having to cut ties with my mother.”

It was an abrupt statement. Instead of answering, Do-hyun simply nodded.

“Now I know that not all Alphas in the world are bad, and I know that someone worries about me.”

“…….”

“You’re the one who taught me all of that, Hyung.”

Do-hyun’s eyes narrowed. The two eyes curved as if smiling, but it was actually closer to suppressing emotion than smiling. Woo-yeon kissed Do-hyun’s hand, looking up at him with only his eyes.

“If Teacher hadn’t taught me…… if you hadn’t told me, I would have known nothing until now.”

There may be a reason for not speaking, but if it isn’t said in words, nothing can be known. This was something Do-hyun had told Woo-yeon many times, and it was something Woo-yeon had felt about him many times.

“Try talking it over with your family.”

“…….”

“I hope you do.”

Do-hyun caressed Woo-yeon’s cheek for a long while. He traced his skin as if handling something precious, his fingers dancing along the curve of the ear. When Woo-yeon’s eyelids trembled from the ticklish touch, a gentle voice drifted over.

“I’m not such a fool that I’d lose someone precious to the same mistake.”

Suddenly, Woo-yeon regretted not telling Jin-ah that Do-hyun’s voice was lovely. The softly whispering tone made him feel utterly sweet.

“I intended to resolve it through conversation eventually. I just didn’t know when that would be.”

The swirling emotions slowly settled behind his eyes. Woo-yeon realized a moment too late that what he was feeling was being moved.

“I’m sorry for making you worry.”

“…….”

“Thank you for worrying about me, Yeon-ah.”

He kissed Woo-yeon’s cheek and then followed it with a soft peck on the lips. As if the brief warmth was not enough, he lingered on the lips again for a longer moment. Before the kiss grew too long, Do-hyun pulled away and spoke with their foreheads touching.

“I’ll try talking to Jin-ah when I get home today.”

“Do it tomorrow. Jin-ah is drunk.”

“Well… I guess that works too.”

Do-hyun laughed playfully and rubbed both of Woo-yeon’s cheeks. Kneading them as if they were clay, he peppered them with kisses. Then, pulling Woo-yeon into his embrace, he whispered sweetly.

“I love you.”

Woo-yeon felt his face turn bright red and gripped Do-hyun’s collar. A heartbeat—he didn’t know whose—thumped loudly around them. The weight of ‘I love you’ as opposed to ‘I like you’ was so overwhelming it made his eyes sting.

“I… too…”

The rest of the words came out as small as an ant’s voice. Fortunately, Do-hyun seemed to understand everything, as a laugh scattered around the crown of Woo-yeon’s head. Only after holding him like that for a long time did he carefully release Woo-yeon from his arms.

“Go inside. I’ll contact you.”

If he held on any longer, it was certain he wouldn’t want to let Do-hyun go. Woo-yeon obediently got out of the car and waved through the window. The softly smiling face tickled the area around his chest.

‘I don’t want to part.’

Even after getting into the elevator, that was all Woo-yeon could think about. He wished they could go up here together every day; such greed constantly circled in his mind. It was a night where Do-hyun’s absence felt exceptionally large.

* * *

Time passed quickly. That day, Do-hyun, upon returning home, mentioned for some reason that he would be staying at his parents’ house for a while. Woo-yeon hadn’t heard the detailed story, but he figured it out roughly when Do-hyun returned home carrying a lot of expensive clothes. No matter what anyone said, the mature Teacher had surely handled everything perfectly without needing to be worried about.

“Are you contacting Jin-ah again?”

Woo-yeon, who had been lounging at Do-hyun’s house today as well, was finally able to check his phone after being thoroughly tormented by him. As expected, messages from Jin-ah filled the lock screen.

“You two really hit it off since you’re the same age.”

After eating grilled pork belly together, Jin-ah sent messages to Woo-yeon at all hours. At first, she pestered him, asking if he had spoken to her brother, but after a few days, she sent plenty of gifticons, saying she was grateful and sorry. Do-hyun had a strange expression upon learning they had exchanged numbers, but he ended up chuckling when told that this was his first friend of the same age since Seon-kyu.

“Jin-ah keeps saying she wants Hyung’s house.”

“This apartment? She’s always begging me to give it to her anyway.”

Jin-ah lived with the desire to live on her own constantly on her lips. It seemed her parents gave her nothing, as she was constantly eyeing Do-hyun’s apartment. When asked why, she said her mother was furious because she had taken a leave of absence on her own whim.

“I’m saying this because he’s not here, but don’t get too close to Jin-ah. It’s not because of Selection Group or anything, but you’re exactly the type of look Jin-ah likes.”

Do-hyun pushed himself up from the bed and stretched his stiff shoulders. Woo-yeon, who had just put down his phone, looked at the broad back. The finely knit muscles were wide and firm.

“She told me I’m the second most handsome person she’s ever seen.”

“Ah… did she say who the first one is?”

First of all, Do-hyun had said it wasn’t him. Woo-yeon didn’t say that. He simply asked suggestively if he knew who it was. Do-hyun let out a few chuckles and lifted Woo-yeon up suddenly.

“The Management God.”

“Ah…”

Had he been called the Teaching Assistant’s lover? He had only seen him once, but the fact that he was a dazzling beauty remained in his memory. Setting aside the fact that he was an Alpha, he was certainly a handsome man.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the Teaching Assistant Hyung at school lately.”

“Yun-woo Hyung?”

Do-hyun habitually carried Woo-yeon toward the bathroom. Thanks to his preparation, the bathtub was filled with warm water. Entering the tub while holding Woo-yeon, Do-hyun replied nonchalantly that Yun-woo Hyung had graduated last August.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t know?”

“No… it was during break, so…”

Now that he thought about it, he felt like he had heard something similar. He just hadn’t been interested, so it had gone in one ear and out the other.

“You even went to the graduation celebration drinks, so what’s with that? Then again, the person himself didn’t even show up.”

Woo-yeon felt unnecessarily embarrassed and snuggled deep into Do-hyun’s arms. The warm water splashed, reaching up to his shoulders. Because they were hugging face-to-face, the shoulder blades were right in front of his eyes.

‘A tattoo…’

He absentmindedly toyed with the Latin words visible before him. Because Woo-yeon had scratched him plenty today, there were scratches here and there. Resting his chin on Do-hyun’s shoulder, Woo-yeon murmured in a small voice.

“I have a large penis.”

“…….”

Do-hyun’s shoulders stiffened. It seemed the meaning Jin-ah had told him was exactly correct. Woo-yeon asked the still-frozen Do-hyun softly.

“How could you get such a scandalous tattoo?”

“……Hmm.”

After a short pause, Do-hyun embraced Woo-yeon. After stroking his lean back, he slowly lay back against the tub. Something heavy brushed beneath his hips.

“Well… it’s not a lie.”

It seemed he decided to be brazen since he’d been caught. Woo-yeon gave up on teasing him and leaned comfortably into his embrace. His whole body relaxed languidly, and his eyelids kept closing.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

It was just one word, but it felt full of sweet affection. The softly sunken voice was fluffy and ticklish.

“Do you want to live with me?”

His tone was light, like asking, ‘Do you want to eat together?’ Perhaps because of that, instead of reacting immediately, Do-hyun’s hand paused for a moment on Woo-yeon’s back. Nuzzling deeper into the embrace, Woo-yeon spoke in a drowsy voice.

“You could come to my house… or I could come here…”

“…….”

“But I wish you’d just give this house to Jin-ah and we could move to an officetel.”

It was something Do-hyun had once suggested. He remembered the voice that had whispered tenderly, saying he wanted to create a sanctuary for Woo-yeon. But now, Woo-yeon wanted to suggest it to him.

“I’m not saying we do it right now, so think about it.”

Actually, he had already received a vague permission from Soo-hyang. The only variable Woo-yeon hadn’t anticipated was the normal response asking if moving in together wasn’t a bit too early. Well, regardless, he had managed to get the answer that since the house was his, he could do whatever he wanted with it.

“I can’t sleep when Hyung isn’t here…”

Woo-yeon wrapped his arms around Do-hyun’s back and rubbed his hair against the nape of his neck. Damp hair clung to the area around the neck. Do-hyun flinched his shoulder, as if the sensation was ticklish.

“…….”

No, it seemed it wasn’t ticklish.

“……Why is this getting bigger?”

Do-hyun didn’t answer the question and tilted his head back. His exposed Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. Looking at the pheromones wafting about, it seemed he was trying to calm his excitement somehow.

“You can’t take those words back.”

The words that barely escaped were full of suppressed emotion. Stroking Woo-yeon’s back, he kissed the crown of his head.

“Our Woo-yeon… it would be a disaster if he couldn’t sleep…”

“…….”

“I guess I’ll have to just give the apartment to Jin-ah; this won’t do.”

It was a playful remark, but it was more sufficient than ten answers. Unable to overcome the surging emotions, Woo-yeon brought his lips to Do-hyun’s ear. After a peck, he whispered something small, and Do-hyun hugged Woo-yeon tightly.

“How did you come to me…”

It was an honest reaction, as if pouring out all his heart. Woo-yeon, blushing like someone receiving a confession for the first time, burrowed into Do-hyun’s embrace. Holding such a Woo-yeon, Do-hyun whispered over and over, and over again.

That he, too, loved him very much today.

Alpha Trauma Side Story

―End.