By Zephyria 
It wasn’t that his heart was racing. His heart had already stopped.
“Shin….”
His voice wouldn’t come out. It felt as if something was stuck in his throat, blocking his words. Still, fearing he might lose his hyung like this, Jeong-min rushed forward and grabbed the hem of his clothes.
“Hmm?”
Then, slowly… very slowly, the man turned around. My god. It really was Yu Shin-woo. Despite the years that had passed, he still had the same handsome and kind face.
The man looked at Jeong-min and, startled, grabbed Jeong-min’s shoulders.
“My god. Shin Jeong-min?!”
“…Hyung… Shin-woo hyung…. Is it really you, Shin-woo hyung?”
“…Thank you. Have you been well? You still remember me.”
“Hyung….”
He thought he had forgotten his hyung. He had placed him in a box of memories and wrapped it in chains time and time again, struggling to keep it closed. But the moment he saw Yu Shin-woo, that box opened far too easily. Memories he had forgotten and things he had ignored came pouring out like a burst dam. He felt as if he were about to cry.
“Wow, you’ve become a complete Alpha. I can’t believe you grew this much. You’ve grown up to be truly handsome, Shin Jeong-min.”
“Hyung… how have you been?”
“I’ve….”
At Jeong-min’s question, Shin-woo’s voice trailed off. He gave a slightly bittersweet smile. Why that expression? He had thought that after going to America, he would be smiling more and soaring high….
“Shin-woo. Who is this person?”
“Ah, Uncle.”
According to Shin-woo, he had come because there was a family gathering here today. It was a tremendous coincidence. Enough to be called fate.
Shin-woo introduced Jeong-min to his uncle.
“Oh, so you are young man Shin Jeong-min. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Shin Jeong-min.”
“Ah, you’re so handsome that if I had an Omega child, I’d want to welcome you as a son-in-law.”
“Thank… you.”
He wanted to talk more. He wanted to hear every single detail of how he had spent his days until now, but the atmosphere wasn’t right for it.
“Uncle, please go inside for a moment. I’ll be right in.”
“Alright, take your time.”
“Yes.”
After Yu Shin-woo’s uncle went inside, Shin-woo looked apologetic and told Jeong-min he was sorry. Jeong-min shook his head.
“Hyung….”
“Shin-woo sunbae?”
Just as Jeong-min was about to say something to Yu Shin-woo, another voice interrupted. Yu Shin-woo also recognized the voice clearly despite the time, and when he turned his head, Kim Ju-hwan was approaching.
“Wow, what is today? It’s Ju-hwan!”
“As expected, it’s Shin-woo sunbae. It’s been a long time.”
The two smiled brightly and shook hands.
“I heard about you even in America. You were incredible. I wonder if you’re going to take over the entire medical field at this rate.”
“Haha, surely not. I don’t hope for that much.”
“You’ve become truly impressive too. As expected, an Extreme Alpha is different. Have you been well?”
“Yes, I’ve been well.”
“But how are you both here?”
“Ah, I heard it was Jeong-min sunbae’s birthday today, so I asked him to have a meal together.”
“Ah! That’s right. Today is the twins’ birthday. Happy birthday, Jeong-min. I’ll buy you a meal next time.”
Ever since they were children, the twins had received a “Happy Birthday” greeting from Yu Shin-woo every year. Jeong-min loved that greeting. That was why hearing it again after so long felt so wonderful. No matter what gift the world gave him, it could never compare to that greeting.
“No, hyung. Don’t say that.”
“What, are you saying you won’t eat if I’m the one buying?”
“It’s not that. It’s just….”
Yu Shin-woo laughed and patted Jeong-min’s shoulder.
“In the past, I would have stroked your hair, but you’re a grown man now, so I can’t do that. I think I should head in now. Do you have a business card?”
“Ah, yes.”
Jeong-min quickly took out his wallet and gave a business card to Yu Shin-woo.
“It looks like you’ve become a wonderful doctor. Your card is quite fancy.”
“Shin-woo hyung….”
“I’ll be in touch. Let’s eat together.”
“Alright.”
“It was good to see you too, Ju-hwan. Get home safely, and I’ll see you next time.”
“Yes. Please go ahead.”
Yu Shin-woo waved his hand and soon entered the private room. Jeong-min stared at that spot for a long time. Soon, a server approached and handed jackets to Jeong-min and Ju-hwan.
“Looking at you, sunbae, it seems you’re no longer in the mood to eat. Shall we end this here?”
“…Yeah.”
Jeong-min took the jacket, put it on, and left the restaurant. Seeing Jeong-min standing blankly without getting off even though the elevator had reached the first floor, Kim Ju-hwan clicked his tongue.
“Sunbae. Get off.”
“Ah, yeah.”
Jeong-min got out of the car and walked forward blindly without a direction. Kim Ju-hwan caught him again and led him to the main entrance. Kim Ju-hwan called his driver, had Jeong-min get in, and sat in the seat next to him. A person who would normally absolutely say, “I’m not getting in your car,” had his mind floating in the clouds, as he entered the car quietly without a word.
Kim Ju-hwan gave the driver Shin Jeong-min’s home address. During the approximately 40-minute drive, Jeong-min said nothing and simply remained dazed. He reviewed the past he had sealed away, and everything up until the moment he met Yu Shin-woo again flowed by quickly, like a dream.
“Sunbae.”
No, could it really have been a dream? Or an illusion?
“Shin Jeong-min sunbae.”
He snapped back to his senses at the voice calling him firmly. Jeong-min looked around. He had clearly been at the restaurant, but before he knew it, he was in someone’s car, and that car was stopped in front of his house. And beside him, Kim Ju-hwan was so close that their noses almost touched.
“What?”
“Are you back to your senses now?”
“Here is….”
“We’re in front of your house. Do you not even remember getting in my car? No way?”
Kim Ju-hwan spoke as if it were absurd. He vaguely remembered leaving the hotel, but he hadn’t even realized he had come this far while lost in thought.
“Sorry. I lost my focus for a bit….”
“Because of Yu Shin-woo?”
“Why do you call him ‘sunbae’? Is hyung your friend?”
“Well, he’s not here right now.”
Kim Ju-hwan shrugged, got out of the car, walked to the other side, and opened the door for Jeong-min. A cool breeze entered the car. Jeong-min winced slightly and then slowly stepped out.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“I should be the one thanking you for making time today. Still, I feel a bit slighted. Why are you so happy to see Yu Shin-woo sunbae, but not as happy to see me?”
Jeong-min looked at Kim Ju-hwan without saying a word. Then, Kim Ju-hwan nodded.
“Yes. Yes… I know well. I know what I did and how I behaved. I am well aware.”
The playfulness vanished from Kim Ju-hwan’s voice. He stood straight and looked at Jeong-min.
“I regret it. Why I did such things. That’s why I actually arranged today’s meeting to apologize to you. I didn’t have the courage to contact you on my own, so I borrowed the help of Chairman Shin-sung.”
Jeong-min was flustered by Kim Ju-hwan’s sudden change in attitude.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Everything in the past, it was all my fault. I shouldn’t have done that. I was far too immature. So, sunbae, could you please forgive me just once?”
He didn’t know why he was acting like this suddenly. However, it was too sincere to be a joke. That made it even more frightening and awkward.
“No matter what you say, it’s something that has already happened, and it’s not a matter of forgiveness or anything. It’s already over. As I said before, I don’t want to think about the past anymore. So, as for the future… it will depend on how you behave from now on.”
In other words, it was the same as saying he had absolutely no intention of forgiving the past. Kim Ju-hwan gave a faint smile and sighed.
“Yes, I understand. Then, you’ll accept my contact information, right?”
Kim Ju-hwan held out his business card.
“Please give me a chance to make it up to you.”
Since he had said it would depend on how he behaved in the future, it would be strange not to take the card. Jeong-min had no choice but to accept it.
“I’ll take it. And I’ll be honest. I… still don’t want to be entangled with you.”
“I’ve always liked that you’re honest, sunbae. Even if you don’t say it out loud, I can see everything you’re thinking in your eyes. Fine. As you said, I’ll try not to get entangled if possible. But as I mentioned earlier, please tell me whenever you need me. I can do anything you want.”
“…….”
“Happy birthday once again, sunbae.”
Saying that, Kim Ju-hwan got back into the car and drove away. Looking at Shin Jeong-min’s figure in the rearview mirror, Kim Ju-hwan smiled.
Buzz— his phone vibrated. It was a text from Yu Shin-woo.
[Don’t tell Jeong-min anything about me. I’m asking you.]
[No way. Do you think I’d tell? He’ll find out eventually anyway. I’ll just watch and enjoy the process.] Kim Ju-hwan tapped his phone.
The time that had been stopped for a brief moment began to flow again. Slowly, from the second hand….