By Zephyria 
Clutching his phone, Haon’s voice trembled like a newborn goat. However, he didn’t let himself cry until the end.
Contrary to his fragile image—looking as if he might burst into tears at any moment—Haon surprisingly had very few memories of actually crying out loud in his life. Excluding, of course, the times he lost his reason during a heat.
“Hyung, you’re listening, right…?”
He had summoned the courage to confess his true feelings, but Seong-gu’s reaction was slow to come.
Wondering if the call had dropped, Haon checked his phone and called out to him again. Still, there was no answer.
“Hyung…”
Only the faint sound of breathing reached him.
“…Are you laughing right now?”
No, I’m not. Ahem, I’m not laughing. I was just thinking.
Haon’s brow furrowed deeply at the sound of his brother’s voice, which was thick with suppressed laughter. It was a breath that clearly indicated he was holding back a laugh. Haon knew because he had done it often himself.
“I’m serious right now. I’m not joking.”
I’m not laughing because it’s funny, but because it’s surprising.
What was so surprising about one person liking another?
With a hurt expression, Haon hugged his pillow and switched the call to speakerphone. The phone was too large and heavy to hold for long.
“You’re mean. I’m not talking to you anymore.”
Despite saying that, he didn’t hang up. Burying his face deep into the pillow, he simply waited for his brother to apologize.
I’m sorry. I laughed a bit because it’s surprising and makes me happy.
“What’s so happy about it? I’m sad.”
And very much so.
At those sorrowfully added words, Seong-gu’s faint laughter could be heard again. It sounded like he was covering his mouth with his hand, but the phone’s quality was so good that the sound leaked through.
Jeong Haon is all grown up. Having a one-sided crush and everything.
Haon, who had been preparing to get angry at his brother, blinked in surprise. Hearing the genuine warmth in Seong-gu’s voice made his prickly heart soften again.
“I’ve been grown up for a while…”
So, is it a girl or a guy?
“…A guy.”
The trait… another Beta?
Lying on his side, Haon hesitated before whispering, “An Alpha.” By lowering his voice as if sharing a secret that had to be hidden, Seong-gu intuitively realized that the trait was a significant barrier.
Do they say they only date Omegas?
It was actually the opposite, but Haon didn’t deny it.
He still didn’t have the courage to admit the fact that he had manifested as an Omega. If he confessed that as well, Seong-gu would surely rush up to Seoul this instant and drag him back home.
That person didn’t actually tell you that you’re pitiful, right?
The sound of a canned beer opening—tsss—could be heard over the phone. Seeing as he was drinking, it seemed he had finished work early today.
“That’s… not it.”
Then why did you think that?
Gulp, gulp. Haon listened to the sound of the beer being swallowed and fiddled with his blanket. He couldn’t keep his hands still as he remembered the first day he drank with In-ho.
“It’s just because he’s so kind to me. He’s a very wealthy person. I only receive… but he just keeps giving.”
Do you think he does that because he pities you?
“Yeah.”
Seong-gu, who had been listening calmly, let out a sigh between gulps of beer. He knew the day would come when he’d be giving dating advice to Haon, but he hadn’t expected such a heartbreaking story.
Couldn’t it be that he’s kind because he likes you?
“No. Why would he like me?”
Because it’s you. You’re pretty, kind, and hardworking—how could he not like you? Anyone who doesn’t like you must have something wrong with their eyes.
Provoked by Haon’s low self-esteem, Seong-gu poured out a long rant. He even added some curses, saying there was no need to deal with someone with such poor taste.
“It only looks that way to you, Hyung.”
Whatever. Just how rich is he? Does he work at a good company? One of those places you know just by hearing the name?
Seong-gu felt upset that his beloved younger brother seemed intimidated by the specs of the person he liked. Judging by how well he treated him, it didn’t seem like the man lacked feelings for Haon.
Then was the trait really the only barrier? Seriously, those Alpha bastards are always the problem.
“I think so.”
Since Haon still didn’t know In-ho’s profession, he answered vaguely. Having finished a 500ml can of beer in one go, Seong-gu continued to ask in a dissatisfied tone.
Does he have a house too?
“Yeah. It’s like a palace. It’s bigger than the village hall.”
What car does he drive? Is it a nice one?
“It’s… a Lamorni.”
Lamor? What kind of car is that? Is it a foreign car?
“I think so. It looks a bit strange.”
Haon described In-ho’s unique car as best as he could. Seong-gu, who drove a large power tiller, shuddered, wondering why a car would be shaped like that. It was because Haon’s explanation was far from sufficient.
“It suits him. His hair is healthy and light brown, so he looks like some foreign actor. You’d be surprised if you saw him in person, Hyung.”
This time, he listed praises for In-ho’s amazing skin, always perfect attire, and kind personality. As if he had never been depressed, a smile bloomed on Haon’s simple face.
Do you like him that much?
Seong-gu, who had been quietly listening to the praise, asked abruptly. His voice was bright, suggesting he was smiling too.
Listening to Haon’s story, it seemed that regardless of how blinded by love Haon was, the man didn’t seem like a bad person. He just sounded like a capable guy who didn’t go out of his way to hide his wealth.
If you like him that much, keep liking him. Don’t give up easily.
To Seong-gu, who had watched Haon since childhood, this moment was very precious. For a child who had never been greedy for anything to have someone he liked so much that he was on the verge of tears.
Aside from when Haon announced his plan to move to Seoul, this was the first time he had seen him want something this intensely.
You won’t have regrets if you give it your all.
So, even if he got hurt, he hoped Haon would find more courage. Haon was still young and had many things to experience.
On the other hand, if the other person refuses because they don’t like you, learn how to let go cleanly. Got it?
Haon became a bit dazed by his brother’s unexpected support. He had naturally expected to be told to know his place and give up.
But to be told to give it his all… it was a huge shock to Haon, who had only thought about hiding his feelings.
After that, Seong-gu gave Haon various pieces of advice, along with the remark that one-sided loves are always painful.
Don’t you remember me back in the day? When Suyeon Noona got married and I only drank water for a week.
There was no way he could forget. Haon had skipped meals with him back then, thinking his brother might actually starve to death.
Recalling those distant childhood memories made him smile again.
Later on, even the parts where you cried and wailed become good memories. It’ll be the same for you, Haon.
Seong-gu encouraged Haon not to be intimidated and not to give up easily since he had found someone he liked. Perhaps because Haon only emphasized the good points, Seong-gu also thought In-ho sounded like a pretty good person.
If so, he hoped Haon would leap over the barrier of traits and make it work. Marriage was a matter for later anyway.
“Thanks, Hyung.”
Yeah, kid. Even if it doesn’t work out this time, just don’t grow up to be a bad guy who makes women cry.
If he had known that Haon had manifested as an Omega, he would have poured out completely different advice. Everything had been said under the assumption that Haon was an ordinary Beta male.
Regardless, Haon gained great strength from the call with Seong-gu. His mood, which had plummeted, returned to its place, and he was able to smile sincerely. He felt that it was a good decision to be honest.
Other than that, nothing else is going on, right?
It was just as Haon was hugging the pillow instead of Seong-gu. He shrugged, feeling a prick of guilt at his brother’s detailed question.
“Yeah, nothing.”
Except for the fact that his trait had changed.
If there’s nothing, then that’s fine. Eat well. They say it’s going to rain for a while, so carry an umbrella.
Haon thanked his brother one last time and hung up.
Perhaps because his energy had recovered significantly, he was able to return to his original bright expression. His body still needed sleep, but at least his mind felt vivid.
He energetically pushed himself off the bed and stripped off the knit sweater and pants he was wearing. After changing into the clothes In-ho had gifted him, he organized the rest of his clothes and put them in the wardrobe. He folded them carefully and placed them where they were most visible.
Regardless of the intention, it was a gift the man had gone to a department store to pick out personally for him. Haon vowed to remember only that fact. Even if it was something given to everyone and not just him, it was special to Haon.
After finishing the laundry, he went out to the living room to wait for him. When would he arrive? He thought about checking the time on his phone but decided against it. He felt that if he became conscious of the time, the wait would feel even longer.
Waiting endlessly for In-ho, he paced between the living room and the kitchen before sitting at the dining table. He rested his head on the cold table and drifted into a shallow nap for a while, only to snap awake at an unfamiliar mechanical sound.
“Wh…?”
What was that sound?
Looking around with a bewildered face, he realized it was the doorbell. This was the first time the doorbell had rung since he started staying at In-ho’s house. The only person who entered and exited was the owner, In-ho, and he had no reason to ring the bell.
Haon, who was heading toward the entrance hallway across the wide living room, came to a sudden halt. What entered Haon’s wavering sight was the intercom.
He had always wondered what that little TV-like thing was; it seemed to be a machine to check who was outside the door.
With his mouth agape, Haon narrowed his eyes and rushed toward the intercom. As the stranger continuously pressed the doorbell, his nervous heart began to thumping.
And the moment his focus hit the small screen, Haon’s eyes widened further.
On the clear intercom screen stood a woman who looked exactly like In-ho. She continued to press the bell as if she wouldn’t leave until the door was opened. She seemed to know that there was someone inside the house.
In the end, Haon had no choice but to open the door.