DG 9

“Y-You…….”

The drunkard couldn’t finish his sentence and stumbled backward. In contrast, Do Hwon took a step forward. The closer the distance, the more imposing his sturdy physique became. As a trait person where the law of the jungle is more thoroughly applied compared to Betas, the drunkard decided to lower his tail to the Alpha superior to him.

Even after comically falling on his butt, the drunkard, seemingly not feeling any pain, jumped up and ran towards the exit, circling around the display stand. The bell on the glass door screamed. The drunkard, holding onto his sliding pants, ran away without looking back. Only after the ringing subsided did the noisy interior become quiet in an instant.

“Are you alright?”

“Y-Yes……. I’m, alright. Thank you.”

Do Hwon, who had been silently watching the drunkard disappear out the door, retracted his pheromones and approached Ryu Jeong. Ryu Jeong was sitting on the floor, trembling. He barely managed to lift his gaze, but his eyes were filled with fear and tears. This is bad. Do Hwon sighed, looking troubled.

He had guessed from the first time he saw him that the part-timer at this convenience store was an Omega. Firstly, because of his pretty appearance, and decisively, because of the faintly felt pheromones. Honestly, the pheromones were ambiguous. If one wasn’t usually perceptive, they could easily miss it, as it only brushed the tip of the nose for a moment before disappearing. Do Hwon had initially dismissed it as a misjudgment.

But not now. The same scent of pheromones he had smelled before was emanating from the part-timer. Although it was denser than before, it was still weak, incomparable to the Omegas Do Hwon had met so far. A recessive. It seemed he was the extreme heat recessive, the closest to a Beta.

Whether he was a recessive or an extreme heat recessive, the fact that he was a trait person remained unchanged. The aggressive pheromones had clearly been unleashed by the fleeing Alpha, but perhaps because he was in the same space, he didn’t seem to be in good condition, as if he had been affected. Alright, my foot. He himself would know better.

“You don’t look alright at all.”

Do Hwon, who had lifted the counter up, hesitated to help Ryu Jeong, who was sitting down. A questioning look appeared in the eyes looking up at him. Despite what had just happened, his eyes, which showed no wariness, seemed quite innocent.

“May I touch you?”

“Yes?”

“I was going to help you up.”

“Ah…….”

Ryu Jeong sighed softly at the polite question. He looked around the narrow space inside the counter, where he couldn’t even sit properly, and took the hand that was readily offered. Relying on the firm hand supporting him, he slowly raised his body, but his legs were trembling.

“Drink this.”

Do Hwon opened the warmer right next to the counter and took out a bottle of soy milk. As Ryu Jeong hesitated, unable to shake off the thought that it was a product for sale, the man took out his wallet from his pocket, as if reading his mind. Ryu Jeong thought he would offer his card as before, but a yellow bill suddenly popped out.

“Do you know that your hands are shaking right now?”

Only then did Ryu Jeong realize that he was shaking severely. His fingers were trembling so much that they wouldn’t bend properly. Ryu Jeong barely managed to receive the bottle and took a deep breath. The warmed bottle was more than just warm; it was hot.

“Do those kinds of people come here often?”

“No… No, yes…….”

“Is that a yes or a no?”

He couldn’t even speak properly. Ryu Jeong shook his head to clear his mind and uttered each word clearly.

“Sometimes, very rarely. There are usually no customers at this hour.”

“It didn’t seem that way before.”

“…Ah, those guys…….”

What Do Hwon was saying was clearly referring to the students. Ryu Jeong rolled his eyes.

“They do come often. But they haven’t come once since you helped me before.”

“Helped…….”

He was about to pick a fight but stopped himself. Even if he corrected him again, he would obviously interpret it as he pleased. He just didn’t want to see him wasting time without any intention of paying. He was embarrassed that he kept thanking him for running away out of fear, but he had nothing to lose. There was no reason to stop him if he saw him as a good person.

Do Hwon scanned the part-timer, who was just fiddling with the drink he had given him. His cheeks were red. He had already retracted his pheromones, but it seemed the effects hadn’t completely worn off yet. Perhaps that was why he seemed shy at first glance. Ryu Jeong, who was blinking his eyes innocently, bowed his head.

“Thank you, for helping me twice…….”

“It’s nothing.”

“I don’t know how to repay this kindness…….”

“I didn’t do it expecting anything in return, so what’s there to repay?”

“Still…….”

“Just take care of yourself.”

Kindness, my foot. Do Hwon spoke curtly at the cheesy words, and Ryu Jeong looked bewildered, as if he didn’t understand what he meant.

Was he really that clueless? It was obvious what would have happened if he hadn’t barged in, but instead of pulling himself together, he was talking nonsense about repaying his kindness, which was pathetic. He didn’t know if it was because his personality was easygoing or if he had become desensitized because this kind of thing happened frequently. Do Hwon chose to speak indirectly instead of explaining it outright.

“Wouldn’t it be better to go inside and rest? You don’t look well.”

Ryu Jeong raised his hand and listlessly stroked his face.

“Ah… I have to work a little longer to go home. I’m alright.”

“…Okay.”

There was no need to urge him further since he said he was alright. Do Hwon nodded briefly and turned away without hesitation. Ryu Jeong was surprised and hurriedly grabbed him.

“Oh, um, weren’t you here to buy something……?”

“I forgot.”

However, Do Hwon was firm. Ryu Jeong awkwardly withdrew his hand, feeling like he was being forced to buy something.

“Okay… Goodbye…….”

Clink. He followed Do Hwon, who was disappearing beyond the gently ringing bell, with his eyes, then quietly looked down at the bill left alone on the counter. Ryu Jeong, who was constantly touching the still-warm glass bottle, opened the lid after much deliberation. Pop, a cheerful sound rang out. He carefully touched his lips to it, and the warm drink flowed into his mouth. The soy milk, which he hadn’t tasted in a long time, was savory and sweet.

The next night, Ryu Jeong, who had gone to work at the convenience store as usual, swept and mopped the store, which was always free of dust. He also changed the direction of the drinks so that the labels were clearly visible, and busily moved around, arranging the triangular gimbap by flavor, before suddenly staring blankly out the window.

His face was reflected in the glass window as if it were a mirror. Looking at the silhouette, which wasn’t entirely clear, Ryu Jeong recalled what had happened yesterday. The drunkard, who he thought was a kind customer, changed his attitude as soon as he realized that Ryu Jeong was an Omega.

‘Well, what else would such a pretty kid be if not an Omega?’

As if there was a face specifically for Omegas. Ryu Jeong raised his hand and rubbed his cheek. His lifeless and gaunt cheeks were just unsightly. Even so, the drunkard appraised Ryu Jeong’s appearance and smacked his lips as if he had a delicious cake in front of him. It certainly wasn’t the first time he had experienced something like yesterday, but Ryu Jeong couldn’t understand the situation that befell him every time. It was because not everyone had been like that to him.

His father frowned every time he saw him and spewed out curses, saying that his eyes were unpleasant. He was a person who had never given his child a compliment like “pretty,” which a parent would normally give. Even when he was very young, Ryu Jeong thought that his eyes were strange, as his father said, but after growing up a bit, he knew very well that it was because of his appearance, which resembled his mother. Even on days when he was beaten until his head burst and his mouth was torn, his father would sit by Ryu Jeong’s bedside in the early morning when the drunkenness had subsided and cry, calling out his mother’s name. Of course, the next day, his father would remember nothing.

Anyway, it was fortunate. Yesterday could have been a disaster, but he was saved by that handsome customer’s help. He must be a dominant, right? That was the first time he had felt such pheromones. Ryu Jeong naturally thought of the man.

The man was tall, bigger than others, and above all, handsome, and the atmosphere he exuded was extraordinary. He was much more like a celebrity than the celebrities he had seen while working as an extra. Could he be a celebrity? He had heard that there were many trait people among celebrities. Seeing him walking around at a late hour made him wonder if he was a celebrity, but seeing him appear in a cafe crowded with college students without covering his face made him think otherwise…….

Anyway, he was a little scary at first, but he thought he might be a better person than he thought. He was really lucky to have been helped by the same person twice. Ryu Jeong quietly stroked his arm. It was pathetic that there were no decent muscles and only soft flesh could be felt. From the beginning, Ryu Jeong had been weak since birth, so he couldn’t even think of doing jobs like loading and unloading packages, which paid relatively well.

Does he work out separately? Although it was hidden by his clothes, he wouldn’t have that kind of bulk just from being tall. He must have been born with it too, right? If he was as tall and had as good a body as that customer, he would do any hard work without hesitation, and he envied him anew.

“……!”

Ryu Jeong, who had been staring blankly into the air with a sullen face, inadvertently raised his head and flinched. Beyond the glass window, he saw the man who had been stirring up Ryu Jeong’s mind a little while ago. Ryu Jeong was startled and took a step back. He wondered if he was seeing things because he was so lost in thought, but the gaze directed at him was too direct to be a hallucination. Only after the man pushed open the glass door did Ryu Jeong realize that what he had seen was not a hallucination.

“O-Oh, welcome.”

“Hello.”

Even amidst the surprise, he muttered the greeting that was ingrained in his mouth, and an unusual greeting returned. He wasn’t mistaken in hearing the man nod his head at Ryu Jeong. Ryu Jeong hesitated, at a loss, and then jumped inside the counter. For some reason, his lips felt parched.

Today, what he held in his hand was Black tea drink. Ryu Jeong paused as he was about to scan the barcode as usual.

“Why? Is there a problem?”