By Zephyria 
Watching him, Kim Ju-hwan lightly touched Jeong-min’s nose with his finger. No abnormalities were found, but since the drug had not yet been officially approved, it was dangerous; there was no telling where or how the body might react. Kim Ari had once asked Kim Ju-hwan, as she watched him repeatedly check if Jeong-min was breathing.
‘Are you worried you’ll be sued if Doctor Kim dies?’
Looking at her as she spoke with heavy sarcasm toward her superior, Kim Ju-hwan had been unable to answer. He just felt like he had to check. It was an instinctive action, and because he couldn’t find a logical justification for it, he couldn’t respond. He found himself ironic.
“Ah….”
His lips stung, and when he looked in the mirror, the lip Jeong-min had hit was split. He could have been angrier.
He probably stopped there because he had walked into the hornet’s nest himself. As expected, the man was too soft. However, at the moment of the strike, he had looked straight at him. That gaze didn’t scatter anywhere; it was fixed on only one spot. Kim Ju-hwan smiled, turned off the lights, and left the room.
✽✽✽
“How are you feeling?”
Kim Ari asked Jeong-min cautiously. It was understandable. She was likely the first person to see Jeong-min in such a mess.
“I’m fine thanks to your excellent treatment.”
This wasn’t just a formality. He knew how much she and the medical staff had looked after him during his stay. Even if it was due to Kim Ju-hwan’s influence, the fact that they acted was enough to be grateful for. Thanks to that, his wounds healed quickly. He had some muscle pain and the torn areas were still swollen, but he was satisfied that he could move around. Though, of course, he had been bedridden for a week.
“This is the medicine. Please apply it three times a day.”
Kim Ari handed him a paper bag and explained the contents one by one.
“And this is a gel for Alphas. In foreign countries, sexual relations between Alphas aren’t that rare, so there are related products like this.”
Ah…. Kim Ju-hwan did say he would mention it. He wasn’t embarrassed. It was a path he had chosen, and Jeong-min felt confident in that choice. Rather, he should be grateful for such thoughtfulness.
“If it feels too difficult, it’s better to take these pills before intercourse. They will help relax the body. However, when administering that drug, it’s best not to take other medications if possible.”
She seemed to know about ‘that drug’ as well.
“Do you feel any other discomfort in your body? Like blurred vision, or slower thinking, or difficulty maintaining balance?”
She asked Jeong-min carefully.
“None. Everything is the same as usual.”
“That’s a relief.”
Relieved, she explained the items she had brought once more and told him what to be careful of when having relations with an Alpha. Listening quietly, Jeong-min eventually looked up at her.
“Is there anything you’re curious about?”
“Is there any change in my trait?”
“…No.”
As expected. He hadn’t thought it would happen in just one go. He had thought about that and braced himself from the moment he woke up in the hospital room. He checked just in case, but… it seemed the desired result was still a distant future.
“Don’t be too impatient. This is something that will take a long time.”
She quickly added the words as if to comfort him.
“Doctor Kim….”
“Yes.”
“You aren’t telling me to stop.”
Even knowing the dangers of that drug, she didn’t stop him.
Caught off guard by Jeong-min’s piercing question, she seemed somewhat flustered and sighed.
“I feel like I should say I’m sorry.”
“No. You don’t have to be sorry. After all, your goal and mine will eventually become the same.”
Both wanted a ‘perfect result.’ She as a researcher, and Jeong-min as a test subject.
“While you were hospitalized, we performed a pheromone matching test. It was a test assuming that Mr. Shin was an Omega. The result was 89%.”
Those words made Jeong-min’s heart beat faster than anything he had heard in the last few years.
“Perhaps, if Mr. Shin truly becomes an Omega, we can expect an even higher match. So… I’m sorry. I hope Mr. Shin succeeds. For that, I can help in any way possible. All our researchers will cooperate.”
“Yes, me too. I will do my best. So, I look forward to working with you.”
Jeong-min politely greeted Kim Ari and left the hospital room with the items she had provided.
“Jeong-min.”
He thought he would go home, rest a bit, and prepare for work. He also thought he should check on Shin-woo’s health since he was worried. Just then, as if by magic, Yu Shin-woo was sitting in the chair in front of Jeong-min’s room.
“Shin-woo hyung.”
“Jeong-min.”
He jumped up and approached Jeong-min.
“My god. Were you really in the hospital? Were you unwell?”
“Why are you here, hyung? How did you know?”
“You and I are only one floor apart. I heard the researchers talking as I passed by. But I didn’t think it could be true. Because you’re healthy. And if you were sick, you’d be in the main hospital building, not the research institute.”
“Ah….”
“Are you okay?”
Yu Shin-woo worriedly checked various parts of Jeong-min’s body. He loved that kindness so much that he wanted to act spoiled.
“Jeong-min.”
To think he was looking at him and worrying for him like this. Worrying for him, and not Young-min.
“Are you really okay?”
“Could you… hug me just once?”
Yu Shin-woo flinched slightly. Jeong-min thought he had made a mistake. Just as he was about to say it was nothing, just a random request, Yu Shin-woo pulled Jeong-min into an embrace. He then patted his back and stroked his hair. At the sudden warmth and coziness… Jeong-min felt as if he might burst into tears.
“What kind of request is that? Of course I’ll hug you.”
Shin-woo hyung…. Hyung is such a good person….
“Tell me anytime. I’ll hug you. So don’t be sick.”
“That’s my line. You’re the one who shouldn’t be sick. How is your body? Are you okay?”
“I’ve gotten much better.”
“I’m glad.”
Jeong-min rested his head on Shin-woo’s shoulder and closed his eyes. He wanted to stay like this forever. But it was still too early. Once he gained more certainty and became the person he needed, then….
“How touching.”
Along with a sarcastic tone, a chillingly sharp pheromone was felt. Startled, Jeong-min and Shin-woo turned their heads, and sure enough, Kim Ju-hwan was leaning against the wall in a crooked posture, watching them. It was the first time they had seen each other since the hospital room a few days ago. As always, Kim Ju-hwan was perfectly groomed from head to toe.
“I came to pick up Jeong-min sunbae, and I end up witnessing this. You two are still so close. I’m jealous.”
“Kim Ju-hwan….”
Yu Shin-woo stepped in front of Jeong-min. Jeong-min was surprised by the action. It was a gesture close to an Alpha protecting his Omega.
‘That couldn’t be.’
Kim Ju-hwan also frowned at Yu Shin-woo’s action as he approached, but soon regained his relaxed expression.
“What are you doing here, Jeong-min sunbae? I told you I’d come pick you up. Is your body okay?”
Wearing a mask of kindness, Kim Ju-hwan approached with a smile and naturally stood beside Jeong-min.
“Yu Shin-woo sunbae. I’m sorry, but I have a prior engagement with Jeong-min sunbae. I’ll take him. Oh, and I heard that the Omega matching tests for you will begin soon. I believe you’ll be tested against about 50 people. I hope you find your Omega this time and recover quickly. Let’s go, Jeong-min sunbae.”
Kim Ju-hwan grabbed Jeong-min’s arm. In truth, this was a situation where Jeong-min was completely the ‘underdog.’ He couldn’t refuse, nor could he tell Kim Ju-hwan to wait. Above all, the envelope of documents Kim Ju-hwan was holding bothered him. Jeong-min sighed and pried Kim Ju-hwan’s hand off his arm. Then, he smiled at Yu Shin-woo, who was standing there silently.
“Shin-woo hyung, I’ll call you later.”
“Okay…. If I were feeling better, I would have driven you home.”
“What are you talking about? Shin-woo hyung, don’t say that. Make sure to answer when I call.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
For some reason, Jeong-min felt bad about leaving Shin-woo alone. However, due to Kim Ju-hwan’s persistent, sharp gaze, he had no choice but to walk beside him and get into the elevator.
“I don’t recall you ever saying you’d come pick me up.”
“That’s harsh. Even if we’ve slept together, the primary wife comes first. Is that it? It’s hard to live as a concubine.”
“Kim Ju-hwan.”
He called his name, but Kim Ju-hwan said nothing more. He silently headed to the car and opened the passenger door. It was a signal to get in. Jeong-min clicked his tongue and sat in the passenger seat, and Kim Ju-hwan sat in the driver’s seat and handed the documents to Jeong-min.
“Read this on the way.”
“Where are we going?”
“We’re going home.”
Did he really come here just to take him home? Jeong-min couldn’t fathom Kim Ju-hwan’s thoughts. Of course, he didn’t want to.
Inside the envelope he handed over was a contract.