#43

The handsome man and Shin Ho-jae talked for quite a while. Just as Peter had said, he was a man with incredibly attractive long legs and dimples. The man’s clear, ringing laughter could be heard even from where they were.

Jung-hyun muttered to himself without realizing it.

『…Do all Alphas like that type of Omega?』

『Huh? Of course. Imagine if Brad Pitt in his prime started talking to you.』

『…….』

Even though he hadn’t come here with that intention, Jung-hyun reflexively brushed back his bangs and checked his appearance.

Does he look too much like a grandfather? It wasn’t as if he intended to do anything even if he caught the man’s eye, but he couldn’t help but feel self-conscious.

Just then, a small commotion broke out at the bar. When he looked up, it was at the same spot as before.

Shin Ho-jae was grabbing the handsome man’s wrist and shouting something. He couldn’t hear clearly because of the music, but he could tell immediately that the atmosphere was hostile.

Fellow players stepped in to separate the two and calmed Shin Ho-jae down. Piecing together the words he could faintly hear, it seemed the Omega man had tried to seduce Shin Ho-jae and failed.

『……I guess there are guys who even hate Brad Pitt in his prime.』

『…….』

Leaving Peter’s mutterings behind, Jung-hyun drank his beer with a dark expression.

Peter, born and raised in the US, might not understand, but in Korea, it is common for men and women to meet and marry, regardless of whether they are trait-bearers or not.

If one party is an Alpha or an Omega, marriage between the same sex is possible. However, that wasn’t because people’s perceptions had changed; it was purely a desperate measure by the government to raise the birth rate, which had hit rock bottom.

Perhaps Shin Ho-jae also had a mindset like an ordinary Korean. He had expected it, but seeing it in person was still a bit shocking.

Even an Omega who looks like that is outside his target because he is a man. To such a man, a Beta male like himself would be completely out of the question. Jung-hyun swallowed a bitter smile.

『Seeing a beauty like that with such a humiliated expression makes my mouth water.』

Peter murmured casually. Snapping out of his thoughts, Jung-hyun looked at Peter. He was glancing over anxiously, seemingly preoccupied with that Omega man.

『Why don’t you go to the heartbroken beauty? Don’t worry about me.』

At those words, Peter grinned and stood up.

『Phew, I take back what I said earlier. I like this neighborhood.』

Grabbing his jumper, Peter patted Jung-hyun on the shoulder and vanished. Now finally alone, Jung-hyun slowly scanned the room.

Where did he go?

The conspicuous black hair was nowhere to be seen. Had he left? But his teammates were still there. He had come all this way, and was it really going to end with just stealing a few glances? He felt a thirst in his throat.

It was then that Jung-hyun, craning his neck and looking around, spotted the black hair. He was outside. Jung-hyun stood up abruptly without realizing it.

Outside, snow had begun to fall. White snow piled up thinly on the ground that had been slushy with sleet, and white breath shattered in the air with every exhale.

From somewhere, he heard the nostalgic sound of the Korean language. Jung-hyun slowly walked toward the sound.

“…I’m eating well. Yeah, we won today too. One assist. Side dishes? No. They sell everything here too. When I want some, I just go to a Korean restaurant. Yeah, yeah.”

As he turned the corner, there was Shin Ho-jae, wearing a purple and yellow jumper, on the phone. It seemed to be clothing distributed by the club.

Jung-hyun stared blankly at his back, oblivious to the cold. The rounded shape of his head, the short hair, the towering height.

Whether it was because of the weather or because it was naturally a secluded area, there weren’t many people passing through the street. Clumps of snow were falling from the sky, and only the yellow light of the streetlamps dropped sporadically onto the road.

Soon, the call ended. Shin Ho-jae stared at the screen for a long time before accessing a social media app. Soon, a familiar screen filled the display. Jung-hyun’s heart began to beat wildly.

Jung-hyun slowly approached Shin Ho-jae and carefully tapped his arm.

Shin Ho-jae recoiled quickly, as if he had been burned. A look of sheer displeasure appeared on his face.

Then, after a brief silence, he muttered to himself, “Oh, it’s not him.” He seemed to have mistaken him for that Omega man from earlier.

Jung-hyun had always considered himself to possess highly rational and realistic judgment.

That was why, even while living in exile alone in this distant foreign land, he didn’t resent his family or fall into deep despair.

He understood their position. Since Kwon Ki-hyuk had manifested as an Alpha, the existence of a half-brother who ‘might become an Alpha’ was merely a nuisance.

Hadn’t he himself enjoyed Myeong-jeong’s benefits from the opposite position a few years ago? At that time, the whole household treated Jung-hyun like an heir, leaving Kwon Ki-hyuk to live as if he were the one in exile within that house.

Therefore, he could understand everything: Kwon Ki-hyuk who hated him, his father who tried to compensate him, his mother who didn’t want to lose the position of the mistress of Myeong-jeong, and his grandfather who stood by and watched it all.

That was why Jung-hyun never imagined he would be this flustered by a single look from someone.

Even though his mind knew this was just a happening caused by Shin Ho-jae mistaking him for someone else, Jung-hyun froze, unable to say a word.

He felt as if the dirty desires inside him had been exposed.

“…Are you perhaps Korean?”

Snapping back to his senses at Shin Ho-jae’s voice, Jung-hyun asked, reflexively avoiding eye contact.

『You’re player number 86 of the Montreal Highlights, right?』

What came out of his mouth was not their native language. A tiny bit of disappointment, embarrassment, and relief flashed across Shin Ho-jae’s face.

『Ah… yes. That’s right.』

The relief was likely because he had confirmed that the reason a strange man approached him was ordinary fan admiration, not something like flirting.

Keeping his gaze on the ground, Jung-hyun abruptly extended his right hand.

『I’m a fan. I’m always rooting for you.』

『…Thank you.』

Shin Ho-jae awkwardly shook his hand. The hand that met his was very large, cold, and hard. Since both he and Shin Ho-jae had been outside for a long time, their hands had frozen in the meantime.

Because his senses were dulled, the hand felt no different from a piece of cold, hardened bread. That made him feel regretful. This was likely the only moment he could touch him, and for that memorable first time to be just this.

If there were a next opportunity, he hoped they could hold hands in a warm indoor setting. It was while he was having such idle thoughts.

A voice he hadn’t expected heard again from above his head.

『…I guess you came all the way to see the away game.』

He seemed to think Jung-hyun was a home fan from Montreal.

『Ah, not really, my home is just closer to this area.』

『Ah….』

And the conversation cut off awkwardly. He wasn’t particularly skilled at fan service to begin with. Thus, the fact that he had attempted small talk like this was surprising in itself.

Why did he ask that? Did he feel a sense of kinship because they were both East Asian? Or was he sorry for being startled earlier? Whatever the reason, it was fine.

However, it seemed this was the limit; Shin Ho-jae gave a light nod and prepared to leave.

『Then…. It was nice meeting you.』

『Excuse me, could you give me an autograph?』

Shin Ho-jae didn’t ignore the request and stopped. Jung-hyun searched his pockets in an uncharacteristic flurry, looking for something to get an autograph on.

He realized then that he had come out without even bringing his outerwear. Aside from his wallet, all he had were his phone and the car keys that were originally in his pocket.

Rather than worrying that someone must have taken his things since he left them in the bar, he was flustered by the fact that he had nothing to get an autograph on.

『I’m sorry. I don’t have anything with me. Normally I have plenty of tickets and uniforms from every season. I just didn’t think I’d actually be able to meet and talk to you today….』

His words kept rambling. Just as he felt his face heating up, thinking he was looking foolish, a voice spoke.

『Actually, I don’t have a pen right now either.』

Shin Ho-jae, who had been quietly watching him, confessed. The unexpected remark caused an automatic laugh to escape.

『Ah, haha. Then…. It can’t be helped. It’s a shame, but….』

『Aren’t you cold?』

『Pardon?』

『I can’t give you an autograph because I don’t have a pen, but.』

Shin Ho-jae whipped off the jumper he was wearing. Then, he draped it over Jung-hyun’s shoulders. The jumper, which still held his body heat, wrapped around him cozily the moment it touched his shoulders.

Jung-hyun gasped, surprised and delighted. A player’s jumper. A rare item that wasn’t even sold in the souvenir shop.

『Uh, this. Isn’t this the only one you have?』

『I have plenty of similar ones. I’m sorry it’s one I’ve worn.』

『Ah…. No. I like it better this way.』

Naturally, one that had been worn was far better than a new one. After answering reflexively, Jung-hyun flinched inwardly. Did his comment sound too perverted or gay?

However, when he glanced up, an unexpected small smile was playing on the other’s face. Jung-hyun gazed at his face as if possessed, looking past his own shaggy hair.

He didn’t even remember how they said goodbye. Shin Ho-jae joined his fellow players who were just coming out and left his side.

When he returned to the bar alone, as expected, his shearling jacket and wallet were already gone. The waitress asked if he was okay with a worried face, but Jung-hyun was truly okay.

Because instead of memories with a fake father in his imagination, he had gained a coat filled with memories of the real Shin Ho-jae.

Jung-hyun got into his car parked in the parking zone on the street near the bar.

Even if he wanted to go back to his house in Long Island, he couldn’t drive because he had been drinking, and even if he wanted to stay at a nearby hotel, he had no money because he lost his wallet. But he wasn’t worried at all.

Jung-hyun quickly lit up his phone screen and clicked the blue bird icon. Soon, a single ID appeared on the screen.

LuckyShin @luck_86_shin

2 years ago

My Korean friends kept telling me to do social media, so I made this. Is this how you do it?

LuckyShin @luck_86_shin

2 years ago

— They were making such a fuss about making one, and then they roast me saying it was InstaXgram. So I checked out Insta too, but posting photos is a hassle and it’s not my style, so I’ll just hang out here… I don’t know who will see this, but please be kind to me (–)(__) bows

These were posts left by an 18-year-old, youthful Shin Ho-jae, who had just started his activities in Canada.

44 – Puck Drop