By Zephyria 
“…Omega matching, any progress?”
“If there were, would I be drinking with you like this?”
“That’s true, but… what was the matching rate?”
“Maximum 70%…”
He wondered if that was high or low.
“The average pheromone matching rate is definitely higher here than in Europe. Over there, the average was 65%.”
“Ah…”
“Still, it’s meaningless. Unless it’s over 90%, there’s no hope.”
The more he listened to Yu Shin-woo, the more he felt he understood what Young-min had done… how much hope he had crushed.
“I really wish you had been an Omega,” Shin-woo said bitterly. Then, he shook his head and downed his glass in one go.
“I’m sorry. Saying this to you…”
“No. I understand… I think so too. If I were an Omega, the matching rate would surely be high, so wouldn’t that have been a good thing for hyung…?”
“Exactly. If you were an Omega, I would have imprinted and locked you down that very day. How could I live in anxiety wondering who would take you away?”
“Huh?”
“You’re a really good guy. Surely the world won’t fail to recognize someone like you. Including me.”
His heart thundered. It had been a while since the sprouts of vain hope had grown again, but he had given them no water. But just now, rain was falling from the sky. The sprouts were sparkling, gazing at the rain of light.
“Hyung… that… these words…”
Jeong-min hesitated, shaking his glass. Was now the right timing to say this? He hesitated, but once his heart had lifted, it kept pushing him to move forward.
“Hmm? If there’s something you want to say, say it. Jeong-min, I’m listening.”
“That… I told you before when you were sick. I told you when you were struggling. That if I were an Omega, I hope you’d accept me… I wasn’t just saying that.”
“I know.”
Jeong-min looked at Shin-woo.
Since when? Shin-woo had been looking at Jeong-min. To think he was looking at him so directly… just since when?
“I know, Jeong-min.”
He put down his glass and took Jeong-min’s hand.
“I know everything you want to say, your heart, and your thoughts. And that it’s all sincere. You’ve never lied in the things you’ve said to me. You’ve always spoken honestly.”
“Shin-woo hyung…”
“For now… it might be too early. As you know, because of this body, it’s even more so. And I have a body that cannot survive without an Omega. That’s why I can’t accept your heart right now. Because I know better than anyone that doing so would be betraying you. So for now, I’ll just say that I know. Will this… be enough for now?”
Shin-woo spoke while stroking the back of Jeong-min’s hand. Jeong-min shook his head.
“That alone is enough, hyung, really… it’s really enough. Thank you. Thank you, hyung.”
His voice trembled. His heart felt full. Until now, he thought this heart would never reach. Even if it did, he thought it would never be rewarded… He really couldn’t think any other way. Because his love had never succeeded until now… So he feared that this too might be a dream, but he summoned his courage. Shin-woo was still looking at him. As if to tell him it wasn’t a dream, he patted the back of his hand while maintaining eye contact.
“I’m this kind of person… but if you have any hard times, tell me. I can at least drink with you like this.”
As he continued talking, he dispelled Jeong-min’s anxiety. Jeong-min smiled.
“You’re the one… before you say things like that to me, hurry up and get healthy. And if possible, I want you to get healthy because of me. So you can’t run away.”
“Haha, I’d like that.”
He threw out a sincere truth disguised as a joke, and Shin-woo accepted that truth pleasantly. If only one thing could be solved. If only that one wall that had blocked him since childhood could be torn down, it felt like everything would turn out well. And he made a resolution again. That he would definitely make it happen. Jeong-min clenched his fist, hiding his trembling hand from Shin-woo once more.
✽✽✽
After drinking pleasantly with Shin-woo, they parted ways. The depression that had been rising intermittently until the afternoon had completely vanished. Jeong-min stepped out of the taxi in a great mood.
─ Have you arrived?
“Yeah, I’ve arrived.”
─ I should have dropped you off. I ended up owing you instead.
Since Shin-woo was more drunk than Jeong-min, Jeong-min had just returned home after seeing Shin-woo off.
“What are you talking about, hyung… You’re the patient here.”
─ Why would a guy who would’ve been incredibly popular want someone like me…
“Whoa, forbidden. Forbidden. No matter if it’s you… I can’t forgive you for insulting yourself.”
─ …You really say things like that so casually.
“I can do more…”
─ Yes, yes, you’re a drunkard. Let’s hang up. Go inside and sleep. Rest, and call me tomorrow if you’re bored. I have nothing to do either.
“True, now there are two unemployed people. Haha. I’ll call you. Good night, hyung.”
─ Good night.
Even the ending was perfect. Jeong-min hung up the phone and beamed.
“What’s so joyful?”
That is, until he heard someone’s voice. Jeong-min slowly turned around. He suddenly felt the intoxication rush back. Was that why? The black sedan parked against the wall opposite his house and the silhouette leaning against it appeared blurry. In a way, he probably wanted to escape reality.
“Go away…”
Jeong-min waved his hand as if chasing away a ghost. He didn’t want to ruin this mood by seeing that demon right now.
“Why didn’t you answer the phone?”
He knew that the demon had called several times while he was drinking, but he didn’t answer, switching it to silent and leaving the phone face down.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you quit the hospital?”
Kim Ju-hwan asked as he walked toward Jeong-min, step by heavy step. Jeong-min tried to enter the house before he completely entered his territory, but he was too late. Kim Ju-hwan caught him first.
“What is it?”
He grabbed Jeong-min’s left wrist and lifted it. Jeong-min’s hand was trembling. Come to think of it, this was the first time Kim Ju-hwan had seen this side effect.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this first?”
Feeling that he wouldn’t let go of him like this, Jeong-min relaxed his body and sighed.
“Kim Ju-hwan.”
“I’m asking why you didn’t tell me first!”
Why is this bastard so angry?
“You get all the reports. Didn’t you come here because you received a report that I quit the hospital? So, what?”
“So you didn’t say a single word to me?”
“Correct. Why hear it twice and be bothered? Save your time.”
“Or was it that I wasn’t worth telling?”
Jeong-min flinched at Kim Ju-hwan’s words.
“…I see. That was it. My, I wondered if things would change after signing the contract, but it’s the same. On paper, I’m the ‘party A,’ but in reality, I’m treated worse than ‘party B.’ Anyway, I’m the one who has to be given that drug.”
“Kim Ju-hwan.”
“Right, well. That’s how it is.”
Kim Ju-hwan muttered and then let out a smirk. He let go of Jeong-min’s hand. Then he returned to his car and opened the passenger door.
“Get in.”
“Let’s talk tomorrow.”
“Where do I have the leisure to talk with you, Sunbae? As you said, my time is precious.”
“Then, why?”
“A new drug has come out.”
“…It hasn’t even been a week since I got the injection.”
“So? You hate it? If you hate it, stop.”
Kim Ju-hwan closed the car door again.
“I’ll be in the US on a business trip starting tomorrow, so I won’t be in Korea for two weeks.”
What is this. In the end, it means he has no choice.
“Fine.”
Jeong-min approached on his own, opened the car door, and sat in the passenger seat. Soon, Kim Ju-hwan sat in the driver’s seat and started the engine. The car departed smoothly, and soon a heavy silence filled the narrow space. It was so suffocating that Jeong-min intentionally opened the window, but it was soon closed again.
“Keep your body warm. If your body temperature drops, the drug won’t circulate properly.”
He’s completely offended. Jeong-min felt the effects of the alcohol vanish instantly.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you… but didn’t you already take into account that side effects might occur? Is this something to make such a fuss about?”
“I think it’s better if you stop talking, Sunbae. You’re just provoking me.”
“Hey, why is your way of speaking like that?”
“Then did I say something wrong? I know you went to a doctor to report what the side effect was. Yes, you did well. But—the first person who should know is me. That way, I can take the first measure! I can handle it first. Not anyone else, but I must know first. Do you understand?”
A slight agitation was felt, but it was clear he was suppressing his anger greatly. Especially seeing how he gripped the steering wheel tightly, Jeong-min could feel that Kim Ju-hwan was holding back what he truly wanted to say, so he just gave up, leaned back into the seat, and closed his eyes. He thought he would be able to sleep peacefully today, but it seemed it would be a long night.