By Zephyria 
―Meet someone else? I absolutely refuse.
From the moment Jin Seon-yu first met Ham Gyu-ho as a child, he had been captivated by him at first sight. Even at an age where he didn’t understand what was happening, his heart fluttered every time their eyes met; he wanted to talk to him more, and the thought of parting was worse than death.
That was why he had stubbornly transferred to the school Gyu-ho attended. Even now, he couldn’t forget the terrifying glares from the older boys who looked after Ham Gyu-ho.
―Then, you know…
Jin Seon-yu’s eyes widened the entire time he listened to Seo Yi-kyung. His heart pounded violently. In contrast, Seo Yi-kyung’s face remained calm as he spoke. Then, a name slipped from his lips.
―Gi-jun?
Jin Seon-yu asked, filled with doubt. Seo Yi-kyung gave a barely perceptible nod.
―Why him? He hates me…
Kwon Gwi-jun was also a longtime friend of Ham Gyu-ho. Since Jin Seon-yu had attended the same school, he knew him well. He was naturally devoid of affection, expressionless, and above all, there was no way to know what he was thinking. He simply always looked at Jin Seon-yu coldly. In contrast, Ham Gyu-ho laughed a lot, was kind, and was good at sports—perhaps that was why. Omegas were always swarming around him.
―But, how do you know Gi-jun?
Seo Yi-kyung hadn’t attended the same school. At that, Seo Yi-kyung seemed to raise his hand to scratch his forehead, but he lowered it quickly as a surge of pain hit him.
―You’re hurt?
When Jin Seon-yu asked in surprise, Seo Yi-kyung hid his hand behind his back and spoke.
―I heard about it from Seung-jae.
―I see…
Since they’re a married couple, I guess they share things like that.
Must be nice.
Inside the fast-moving car, envy was etched in Jin Seon-yu’s eyes as he recalled the conversation he had with Seo Yi-kyung. He fidgeted with a paintbrush with his fingertips.
* * *
Swoosh—
Seo Yi-kyung extended his bandaged hand outward to prevent water from splashing on it. He washed his face and finished showering using only one hand.
Though it took time, it wasn’t too difficult this time since the injured hand was his left. When his right hand had been in a cast, it had been incredibly inconvenient. This was manageable.
Seo Yi-kyung slipped his arms into his robe. He kept his bandaged fingers upright, lightly tied the belt, and picked up a towel to tend to his hair.
He quietly gazed at his reflection in the mirror.
‘I don’t know if interfering in Seon-yu’s business was the right thing to do.’
Although Jin Seon-yu’s name appeared occasionally in the original novel, seeing him in person was slightly different from what Seo Yi-kyung had imagined. He laughed much more and had a more cheerful disposition. He felt a strong desire for someone like Jin Seon-yu to be more loved.
Kwon Gwi-jun seemed to like Jin Seon-yu. That must be why he had even gotten into a fistfight with Ham Gyu-ho.
―
I don’t know if he’ll meet me. You’re trying to trigger jealousy, right? I know that feeling. I get it. I’ll try.
Jin Seon-yu seemed to misunderstand throughout the conversation, but Seo Yi-kyung didn’t bother to explain. If possible, he wanted Jin Seon-yu to feel what it was like to be loved. He felt as if he were arranging a blind date.
He had set up the opportunity, but what should he do if he couldn’t change Seon-yu’s heart? He hoped Seon-yu could have a married life where he was loved…
…
With a towel draped over his head, Seo Yi-kyung was walking out when he reflexively flinched as he grabbed the doorknob. His previously indifferent face changed in an instant. Han Seung-jae was sitting on the bed, flicking his fingertips.
As if drawn, Seo Yi-kyung approached. He had spread out a first-aid kit on the bed. It seemed he intended to change the bandages on Seo Yi-kyung’s hand after his shower.
“I told you to be careful…”
He had washed his hair and body with only one hand to avoid getting it wet. Still, he couldn’t prevent a few splashes of water.
“Sit.”
“…”
Seo Yi-kyung pulled the towel down from his head. He sat down, leaving a bit of distance between them. Han Seung-jae glanced at him and told him to extend his hand.
As Seo Yi-kyung held out his hand, Han Seung-jae gripped his palm and checked the bandages from front to back.
“Between you being scared every time and all, haven’t I been kind to you?”
Kind… such a word was far removed from Han Seung-jae. It didn’t suit him. Seo Yi-kyung stared at him silently. It wouldn’t be easy for most people to say such things about themselves, but for him, it seemed possible.
“No, is this level not enough?”
He released Seo Yi-kyung’s hand. He tossed the bandage he was holding back into the kit.
“Ah, no…”
It was better for things to be lacking. Wasn’t excess from Han Seung-jae akin to poison? There was no knowing how he might suddenly change.
At Seo Yi-kyung’s answer, Han Seung-jae stood up and took a step forward.
Seo Yi-kyung’s gaze drifted toward the open first-aid kit. It was the moment his hand touched the open box. Firm, long fingers wrapped around beneath Seo Yi-kyung’s chin.
Han Seung-jae’s sharp Adam’s apple came deep into Seo Yi-kyung’s view. Because he couldn’t immediately judge the situation, his body froze with his hand still extended.
Han Seung-jae brought his nose to Seo Yi-kyung’s wet hair and inhaled the scent.
“It’s a bit better now.”
Seo Yi-kyung remained frozen until the hand gripping his chin slowly released. Soon after, the sound of the door closing echoed. Seo Yi-kyung let out the breath he had been holding.
Then, he felt the rushing scent of white sandalwood. Closing the first-aid kit, Seo Yi-kyung pressed the back of his hand to his nose.
As if escaping the pressure of Han Seung-jae’s pheromones that clung to his body, Seo Yi-kyung rose from the bed. He then went out to the terrace and approached the railing.
A warm breeze swept through his wet hair.
The shower had been for nothing.
* * *
Early in the morning, Seo Yi-kyung sat at the ceramic dining table, observing Han Seung-jae while eating.
Having come back from exercising since early morning, he was currently drinking water.
Seo Yi-kyung’s bandaged fingers fidgeted while gripping the soup bowl.
Han Seung-jae’s sharp features were devoid of expression. Rather, his eyes were full of acrimony. He was the kind of person who wouldn’t blink an eye even if a fingernail were ripped out rather than just lifted. Yet, the image of him carefully wrapping the bandages came to mind.
Setting down the water glass, Han Seung-jae suddenly locked eyes with him.
“What are you doing this afternoon?”
Seo Yi-kyung stopped just as he was about to put a spoonful of food in his mouth.
“I’m thinking of painting in the painting studio…”
“It must be boring since you have no friends?”
Seo Yi-kyung’s lips almost closed, then opened.
“I’m quite used to being alone…”
Seo Yi-kyung murmured, thinking of the ‘Seo Yi-kyung’ he had seen in the original novel. After all, that version of him had spent most of his time in the painting studio.
However, upon hearing those words, Han Seung-jae’s expression changed somehow. The problem was that he couldn’t tell exactly what had changed. Still, he could clearly feel that the pheromones touching his skin were different.
Pheromones emitted from the bodies of Alphas and Omegas tended to be heavily influenced by emotion. The more intense the emotion, the more uncontrolled pheromones leaked out.
Seo Yi-kyung watched Han Seung-jae’s back as he left the kitchen. The tips of his bandaged fingers tingled.
* * *
Step, step. Seo Yi-kyung headed to the painting studio. When he opened the door, traces of Seon-yu’s presence from the previous day remained everywhere.
Canvases with sketched lines, and canvases where objects in the studio had been drawn as practice. Seo Yi-kyung murmured while looking at the canvases where various colors were mixed.
“Somehow, it feels like I have my own things now.”
When he first arrived here, there was nothing he could call his own.
Seo Yi-kyung opened his bandaged palm and gently stroked the canvas.
Somehow, he felt he could understand the feeling the original ‘Seo Yi-kyung’ had while staying in the painting studio.
After all, this was the only place where things could be called his.
Seo Yi-kyung picked up a brush he had used and cleaned it thoroughly. Perhaps because he had learned from Seon-yu, the tools didn’t feel as foreign as before.
As Seo Yi-kyung carefully placed the brush on the table and left the studio, he ran into Butler Do, who was moving along.
“Are you going to the second floor?”
“Yes.”
When Seo Yi-kyung nodded, Butler Do said with a smile,
“Then I shall bring tea to your room.”
Seo Yi-kyung stepped up the stairs toward the second floor. As he leisurely looked around, a firmly closed door caught his eye. It was Han Seung-jae’s study.
He had brought tea inside once before; the study was closer to an office. It also housed many lavish collections.
Walking forward, Seo Yi-kyung stopped in front of the door. After hesitating for a moment, he grabbed the doorknob. Since he had already left for work, Han Seung-jae wouldn’t return until evening.
‘It should be fine to look around a little.’
He entered slowly. The door behind him remained slightly ajar.
Shelves that seemed to reach the ceiling were lined with various ornaments. One wall was designed entirely like a display case. From plain-looking ceramics to celadon.
“Are these crafts?”
Seo Yi-kyung examined the objects placed throughout the room. On one side of the bookshelf, items resembling rolled scrolls were piled up.
Seo Yi-kyung touched the shelf with his bandaged fingertips.
In the original novel, Han Seung-jae had a great interest in rare items. Some he acquired himself, but many were brought to him by people seeking to gain his favor.
Most of the items here were such things.
Step, step. As he moved, Seo Yi-kyung looked at a chest of drawers. A part of the original novel flickered before his eyes.
[…Seo Yi-kyung opened the drawer. His vision blurred. The gun that fit into his palm was incomparably cool, winding around him like a slender, smooth snake.]
His bandaged finger hesitated before slowly touching the drawer. It was a long drawer that had to be pulled with both hands using the handles on either side. Seeing that there was no separate lock, it might not be a place where very important items were kept. Rather, the ornaments placed on top of it looked more expensive.
Seo Yi-kyung gripped the metal handles of the drawer with both hands. His heart pounded.