1

Read Before Reading!!

TLN: This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the Alpha Trauma novel. This is the first time
ever translating a novel. I found the full novel in Vietnamese. I am using two different AI
translators to help, then proofreading and then editing it. I will not be posting any of this
translation on any websites because I do not speak Vietnamese or Korean and it takes
away from people who might want to pick this up and properly translate it. Please DO
NOT copy and paste this translation to any website. This is an informal way of
translating. I also don't have a certain time that I will be translating. This is simply when
I have free time.

While translating I have already noticed a language difference. Some of the AI

translations aren't picking up some words in Vietnamese. I have tried my very best to
make the translation as perfect as possible. But there still could be some type pos that I
didn't catch. But overall I would say the translation is pretty spot on.

If you have answer questions please DM me.

Thank you <3

-Zoe

Tiktok: Animegirl10120

Updates: Side Story / Chapter 20 (12/15/2024) …speical side story in progress :)

“Special side stories” will be coming after the side stories!!! (So don't you worry there are
more chapters to go)

Main Story Completed (Chapter 69-98) (Page 3 - 197)

Side Story Completed (Chapter 1-20) (Page 198 - 326)

Enjoy :)
 3

CHAPTER 69
---

It was an awkwardly simple comfort, almost too simple. Just a few pastries; if he wanted,
he could buy the whole bakery. But strangely, his mood shifted because of these words.

"I’m fine."

So, Wooyeon said, as if nothing had happened. That he was fine. No need for more cake,
it was alright with the teasing words the two of them had exchanged, and there was no
issue with the article that had been published.

"You don’t need to worry about me."

In truth, Wooyeon didn’t care at all. Even if they cursed him out, Wooyeon would just
listen and let it go.

"You don’t need to buy me any cake either."

A strange silence fell. Seongyu and Garam could only look at Wooyeon in silence. He
lowered his gaze and spoke in an even tone.

"You don’t need to worry about me."

That was also what he had told Dohyun before. It wasn’t that he hated being cared for,
but this wasn’t something that deserved attention. His life wasn’t tragic, and he didn’t
have any serious emotional wounds. These were just things that were bound to happen
sooner or later, and now they had just come a bit sooner.

"To be honest, this kind of concern makes me uncomfortable."

Wooyeon had never been used to this kind of concern. This was something he had to face
on his own, and he didn’t want anyone’s help. He had always thought that way, and now,
nothing had changed. At least that’s how Wooyeon saw it.

"Well... I guess that’s true."

Garam was the first to speak up. She frowned with a detached expression.

"The most people care about are celebrities or rich kids."

 4

That was a provocative remark. It was so sharp that Seongyu widened his eyes and
looked at Garam. Garam ran her hand through her hair, which was tied up, and leaned
forward.

"Illegitimate child or secret child, if you say you’re fine, then what right do I have to
say anything?"

Her face became unusually serious, her voice cold and calm. Garam stared directly at
Wooyeon.

"But."

Her long eyes, sharp like those of a wild animal, glinted. Her low voice sent a chill down
one’s spine.

"How can I not worry when some random person posts a picture of someone I
know?"

Wooyeon couldn’t say anything; he just stayed silent. It was as if his mind went blank, his
throat dry, and his chest heavy.

"Do you know what I spent the whole weekend searching for? I looked up whether I
could file a lawsuit, how much of an invasion of privacy it was, and whether the
journalist could just post an article like that."

"......"

"And you call this pity?"

"So, what should I say?"

Wooyeon replied and put his fork down. His hand felt hot from gripping it too tightly for
too long.

"Things like this don’t just happen once or twice. To be blunt, it’ll keep happening in
the future. So every time something like this happens, should I just let everyone
worry about me?"

"Why not?"

"What?"
 5

Wooyeon’s voice grew sharp. He unconsciously bit his lip and frowned. Garam looked at
him with a confused expression.

"Concern doesn’t have a limit. When you’re in trouble, you can ask others for
comfort, right? Have you never received care in your life?"

"I’ve heard it once or twice."

Seongyu turned his head away, his gaze briefly flickering toward Wooyeon with
confusion. Wooyeon clenched his fists and spoke with difficulty.

"I have heard it."

Garam raised an eyebrow. Her dark brown eyes fixed steadily on Wooyeon, unwavering.
Wooyeon struggled to control his emotions and slowly spoke.

"But what if I get used to it?"

This was what Wooyeon feared most. The thought of getting used to warmth, to comfort,
to emotions he once thought he would never experience.

"Everyone can’t keep doing this for me."

On the way to the lecture hall and throughout the class, Wooyeon realized that he had
been too naive. He should’ve kept a reasonable distance, but he had let his guard down
too easily. There was no guarantee that this kindness would last forever.

"If something like this happens again..."

"I’ll buy you cake again."

It was a light-hearted comment. Garam handed Wooyeon the fork again and complained.

"Why make it complicated? These things don’t even cost 50,000 won, and I can buy it
every time something happens."

Wooyeon looked at Garam, bewildered. The warmth from her fingertips no longer
bothered him like before. He had once thought that even touching an Alpha would make
him uncomfortable, but now Garam’s pheromones made him feel warm.

"When you’re tired of it and tell me not to do it anymore, I’ll comfort you. Now eat
your cake and stop talking nonsense."
 6

Wooyeon couldn’t help but laugh. Seongyu was secretly watching, Garam was a bit
embarrassed, and the pile of cakes on the table felt surreal.

"...I can’t eat all of this."

He weakly protested, but Garam didn’t care. She took the piece of cake that he had been
poking at and took a large bite. The sight of Garam eating the cake so eagerly made
Wooyeon feel awkward.

Wooyeon picked up his fork and poked at the strawberry cake. Garam’s and Seonyons
eyes instinctively followed his every move. When Wooyeon picked up the strawberry
from the cake, Garam smiled.

"I knew it, you’d like that one."

The atmosphere immediately softened. The three of them shared the pastries as if there
had never been an argument. The cake was dry, and the cream was cheap, but Wooyeon
ate it without complaint.

They spent a lot of time chatting about trivial things. There were no messages from
Dohyun, and Wooyeon felt strange looking at his silent phone. Not just from Dohyun, but
there was no communication from anyone else either.

"But can they really write an article based on someone else’s post? Is there no
problem with that?"

"Of course there’s a problem. Those crazy journalists."

Garam and Seongyu couldn’t stop expressing their anger, taking turns cursing out the
journalists and the writer, as if they were personally involved. Especially Garam, who
was busy clicking "dislike" on all articles related to Wooyeon.

"So, can you guess who took the photos?"

After half the meal had been eaten, Seongyu asked softly. Wooyeon put down his fork
and began to think.

"The person I suspect is..."

Actually, Wooyeon did suspect someone. The mention of "a middle school classmate" had
raised his suspicions before, and when he saw the photos taken in the lecture hall, those
suspicions became even stronger. Although there was no evidence, the feeling was too
 7

clear. The only thing he wasn’t sure about was that, since the festival, he hadn’t seen the
person’s face.

"Hey, I did some research, we could sue. Let’s do it. People like that deserve to be
crushed."

Garam ground her teeth, looking extremely angry. In contrast, Wooyeon remained
unusually calm.

"Even if we sue, it won’t change anything, and I haven’t really been harmed."

"No harm? What do you mean?"

Seongyu asked with a worried look. In reality, Wooyeon’s personal information had been
leaked, and rumors were spreading all over the school. Just stepping out of the school
gate, reporters were everywhere, yet Wooyeon said there was no harm? But Wooyeon’s
thinking was different.

"Anyway, you can find my information just by searching."

If you type "Jisoo Hyang" into the information portal, his date of birth, place of residence,
educational background, and even his mother’s name, "Ji Kyung Sook," would pop up.
Sooner or later, Wooyeon would have to face the public reveal, so he didn’t feel afraid of
his secret being exposed.

"The articles and photos will be taken down in a week, and the company will handle
the rest."

Lawsuits were not Wooyeon’s responsibility. The legal department of Seonjeong

Corporation would collect evidence and deal with everything quietly.

"There will be an investigation into the university admission and grades, but there’s
no problem."

Although his study abroad was somewhat questionable, it wasn’t illegal. Wooyeon had
entered university through the international student admissions and studied harder than
anyone else.

So, Wooyeon had nothing to worry about.

"That’s why I said I’m fine."

"......"
 8

"......"

The two of them looked at Wooyeon with surprised expressions. Their bewildered faces
were completely different from the worry they had shown before. As the heir to
Seonjeong Corporation, a chaebol heir, it might sound like a lot, but this was the first
time they’d actually met someone like this.

"You really… live in a different world from us."

Garam said in astonishment. Wooyeon replied with a somewhat bitter tone.

"...We’re living in the same world."

For a moment, he felt a bit anxious. What if they changed their attitude and started to
feel distant?

But in contrast to Wooyeon’s concern, everyone continued the conversation seriously.

"Can eating cheap pastries like this really comfort you? With your pocket money,
you could probably buy the whole café, not just the cakes, right?"

"Wooyeon, do you have a fiancée?"

"Hey, if Kim Dohyun hears this, you’re going to get scolded."

"...Is Dohyun really going to scold me?"

Wooyeon let out a helpless laugh and shook his head, then said that he didn’t have a
fiancée. Garam laughed mockingly, saying that what they saw in movies was all made up.
The fact that Wooyeon didn’t have a fiancée was just because he hadn’t gone public
about it yet. He didn’t want to explain the reason in this situation.

"If you’re a chaebol, you must have private tutors, right?"

(TLN: Chaebol is a large family controlled business conglomerate in South Korea)

Wooyeon’s face suddenly stiffened. For a brief moment, he even felt uncomfortable with
Garam’s pheromones. Wooyeon tried to calm himself and swallowed.

"Before… I did."

"Wow, that’s interesting. I bet you only invited the best people in each field, right?"
 9

Wooyeon couldn’t even smile because it was true. Since he had been homeschooled for
elementary school, he had a private tutor for each subject. His mother handled
everything with money, so if they weren’t the best, she wouldn’t have cared.

‘Dohyun is the only exception.’

Dohyun was a special case. Although he was a student at a prestigious university, at the
time, he was only 20 and in his first year.

"But why hasn’t Kim Dohyun come yet?"

"It seems like it took a long time to fix his phone."

"Why get it fixed right now? He could just keep using it."

Wooyeon tried to push away the memories from the past and thought about Dohyun.
Anyway, it was all over now, and he didn’t need to dwell on old wounds. Fortunately, just
thinking about his serious face was enough to make him feel happy.

"Oh, and..."

Wooyeon spoke softly and looked at his two friends. Although it wasn’t that important,
he felt like he should clarify to avoid misunderstandings. After all, it wasn’t a huge
secret.

"I’m not an illegitimate child."

"...Huh?"

Garam’s eyes widened in surprise. It was something she hadn’t dared to ask, but
Wooyeon brought it up himself. Wooyeon continued as if it were no big deal.

"My mother is married."

_________________________________________________
 10

CHAPTER 70

The sound of a mobile phone rang repeatedly. Wooyeon stood in front of the smoking
area, lightly scuffing the floor with the tip of his shoe. Passersby cast curious glances his
way.

― "The user is unavailable to take your call..."

Wooyeon immediately ended the call and dialed another number. After about three
rings, a familiar voice answered from the other end.

― "Hello?"

It was Dohyun's voice.

"Did you get the phone screen fixed, hyung?"

Adjusting his phone, Wooyeon leaned against a wooden panel. Inside the smoking area,
Garam and Seongyu were smoking, indulging in their post-meal cigarette routine.

― "Yeah, I'm on my way. Were you able to focus on the lecture?"

Dohyun's voice over the phone sounded slightly different from usual. Though still gentle,
there was a certain subdued quality to it. Wooyeon lowered his gaze and answered
slowly.

"Yes... I stopped by the café earlier. Now I'm waiting for Garam and Seongyu to
finish smoking."

― "...At the smoking area?"

"Yes. Are you driving?"

Wooyeon could hear faint voices on the other end of the line instead of the sound of an
engine or street noise. After a short pause, Dohyun replied.

― "No, I'm walking."

Apparently, he hadn’t gotten into his car yet. Wooyeon nodded instinctively, even though
Dohyun couldn't see him. Dohyun's soft voice continued.

― "You should wait in the club room. There are reporters around; it might be
risky."

"I'm not alone."

― "Still..."
 11

For now, reporters wouldn't approach him openly. If they had any sense, they wouldn't
swarm him yet. Without any official images of Wooyeon released, the situation hadn't
escalated to a critical point.

"Ah... Hyung."

Wooyeon spoke slowly, unconsciously touching the back of his ear. Even after the
conversation at the café, a heaviness lingered in his heart. He had thought it was over,
but the memories of the past still unsettled him.

― "Yeah? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, really..."

He hesitated, torn between speaking up or staying silent. After just three hours apart, he
didn’t want to act like a child and bother Dohyun. Yet, as if on instinct, the words slipped
from his lips.

"...I miss you."

― ...

No sound came from the other end, only the faint sound of breathing confirming the call
was still connected. Just as Wooyeon started to feel embarrassed and tried to say
something to fill the silence, Dohyun murmured.

― "Stay right there."

"Huh?"

Beep... The call was disconnected. Wooyeon stared at the screen, bewildered. The call
duration disappeared, leaving a blank display. He stood frozen, wondering what had just
happened.

"...Did he just hang up?"

He had just said he missed Dohyun, and this was how he responded. Before Wooyeon
could gather his thoughts, footsteps sounded from afar.

Wooyeon stepped away from the panel and slowly lifted his head. The footsteps, steady
yet quick, grew louder, matching the rising rhythm of his heartbeat. The familiar scent of
pheromones lingered in the breeze.

"..."
 12

It felt like an illusion. Dohyun's hair was slightly disheveled, his steps brisker than usual,
and his gaze softened the moment he spotted Wooyeon.

"Yeon-ah."

In this world, there exists something called a dog star. On gray days, this star appears
momentarily between the clouds, only to vanish again, like the universe playing a
fleeting trick, captivating and consuming the onlooker's mind.

"...Hyung?"

Dohyun approached swiftly, wrapping Wooyeon in a firm embrace without hesitation.

His pheromones seeped into Wooyeon's skin, radiating warmth. The faint scent of fabric
softener mixed with Dohyun's unique fragrance soothed Wooyeon's unease.

"Haa... I'm exhausted."

Dohyun exhaled deeply, his voice a dreamy murmur as if speaking to himself. Wooyeon
could feel the strong, rhythmic beat of Dohyun's heart beneath his shirt. After taking
another deep breath, Dohyun tightened his embrace around Wooyeon.

"It’s been a while since I’ve run this fast."

"...You ran here?"

Wooyeon raised his hands, wrapping them around Dohyun's waist, and buried his face in
his chest. Dohyun smiled, nuzzling Wooyeon's hair as a soft chuckle tickled his ears.

"I was heading to the club room."

"..."

"As soon as I entered the building and got your call, I ran here."

Wooyeon said nothing, simply curling into Dohyun's arms. Dohyun's large hand gently
stroked his back, soothing him like a child, tracing each vertebra with care.

"You said you missed me, so I had to come right away."

His voice was deep and warm, like the dog star in the sky. Its tender cadence was
hypnotic, pulling Wooyeon into a comforting trance.

"People will see."

"...Even if you were alone, they’d still watch."

 13

Wooyeon replied softly, inhaling Dohyun’s pheromones bit by bit. If he was going to be
scrutinized no matter what, he decided to do as he pleased. Thankfully, Dohyun seemed
to have no intention of letting him go either.

Garam and Seongyu emerged after a while, carrying the faint smell of cigarette smoke.
When they saw Dohyun, their eyes widened in surprise.

"Whoa? Dohyun hyung?"

"What’s going on here? Kim Dohyun’s already here?"

Hearing the familiar voices, Wooyeon flinched and stepped back from Dohyun’s
embrace. If it were strangers, he wouldn’t mind, but he wasn’t comfortable showing
affection in front of friends. However, Dohyun held onto Wooyeon, pulling him back into
his arms.

"Why would you bring someone who doesn’t smoke into the smoking area? Now he
reeks of smoke."

With one arm draped over Wooyeon’s shoulder, Dohyun directed a disapproving look at
Garam and Seongyu. It was clear he was intentionally shielding Wooyeon from the smell
of cigarettes.

"Hey, Wooyeon said he didn’t mind."

"Even so, it’s not right."

"You’re so annoying, you know that? Every time you act like this, I dislike you
more."

Garam grumbled, scolding Dohyun without holding back. She accused him of using this
as an excuse to cling to Wooyeon and even called out his hypocrisy since he had smoked
in the past. Finally, Dohyun responded in a calm tone.

"If you know it’s just an excuse, pretend you don’t."

"..."

Wooyeon’s face flushed as he hurriedly pushed Dohyun away. A quick glance to the side
revealed Garam smiling mischievously, her eyes glinting with playful curiosity.

"What’s wrong? Don’t want to stay in your boyfriend’s arms?"

"...Enough."
 14

Even Seongyu, whom Wooyeon usually trusted, was laughing and enjoying the situation.
Only Dohyun seemed regretful, slipping his hands into his pockets. Turning away from
the group, Wooyeon tried to cool the heat rising to his cheeks. Their teasing gazes only
made his embarrassment worse.

As he raised a hand to cover his face, a group of people approached the smoking area.

"That guy today... seriously..."

Most were strangers, but among them, two familiar faces stood out: Kang Junseong with
his bright blonde hair, and one of Junseong’s classmates. As Wooyeon furrowed his brow,
Junseong noticed him.

"...Seon Wooyeon?"

Junseong’s eyes widened in surprise, while his companion looked confusedly between
him and Wooyeon. Wooyeon tried to ignore them, averting his gaze.

"Isn’t that Jisoo Hyang’s son?"

"Who? Jisoo Hyang has a kid?"

"You don’t read the news? That illegitimate kid..."

"What the hell are you guys saying?"

Garam was the first to react, her brow furrowed in annoyance. She glared at the group
and shouted, leaving them startled into silence.

"Hey! Who talks trash like that in front of someone else?"

Garam’s voice carried a warning, but Wooyeon remained composed and stopped her.

"Don’t mind them."

People whispering wasn’t new to Wooyeon. There was no need to respond to every
comment. Besides, judging by Junseong’s pale face, Wooyeon was sure of one thing: he
was guilty.

"I’m used to it... It’s fine."

But Wooyeon’s calm words only made the expressions of the three around him shift.
Even Seongyu, who was usually cheerful, frowned. Dohyun draped an arm around
Wooyeon’s shoulder and spoke slowly.

"Let’s go."
 15

His tone was soft but firm, though there was an undercurrent of displeasure. Instead of
getting angry like Garam, Dohyun merely shot a cold glance at Junseong before leading
Wooyeon away.

Just as they were about to leave...

"Wait, wait! Wooyeon!"

Suddenly, Dohyun’s pheromones turned sharp. Wooyeon looked up at him, noticing how
his face had grown colder and more serious.

"Hey, can we talk for a second?"

Junseong rushed forward, reaching out toward Wooyeon. This time, Wooyeon was ready
to twist Junseong’s arm back, but Dohyun intercepted, stepping between them.

"..."

Junseong’s hand faltered mid-air. Dohyun, standing protectively in front of Wooyeon,

stared at Junseong with an unyielding gaze.

"Making the first move seems to be a habit of yours."

His voice remained gentle, but his eyes were icy. His pheromones radiated a tense,
intimidating aura. Behind them, Garam whispered to Seongyu, their words barely
audible.

"Isn’t that guy the one from before?"

"Probably. He was in the group last semester."

Junseong glanced between Dohyun and Wooyeon, visibly flustered. Though his irritation
was evident, Junseong seemed intimidated by Dohyun’s imposing height. Finally, he
clenched his fists and ignored Dohyun, directing his words toward Wooyeon instead.

"I need to talk to you. There’s something I need to say."

"I don’t need to hear it."

Wooyeon responded firmly, tugging at Dohyun’s hand to leave. He had no interest in

hearing whatever Junseong had to say. Judging by Junseong’s disheveled and exhausted
appearance, it was likely just more excuses.

"Wait... Seon Wooyeon, hey!"

 16

Refusing to give up, Junseong called out again. Though he didn’t dare grab Wooyeon’s
arm, he persistently followed. Garam turned back and scolded him, but Junseong
suddenly shouted.

"I didn’t do it!"

Wooyeon halted abruptly. Dohyun, pulled back with him, slowly turned to face Junseong.
The latter ruffled his hair in frustration, his voice tinged with desperation.

"Damn it. I didn’t do it!"

A heavy silence followed. Garam exchanged puzzled glances with Seongyu. Among the
stunned group, Junseong stammered again.

"I read the article too. I saw it... but I wasn’t the one who did it. I tried calling you to
explain, but you didn’t answer..."

"Calling me?"

Wooyeon’s expression shifted. He frowned, trying to recall, and replied calmly.

"I never received any calls."

_________________________________________________
 17

CHAPTER 71

Junseong's words made no sense to Wooyeon anymore. Throughout the weekend,

Wooyeon had checked his phone countless times but had received no messages from
Junseong, let alone any calls.

“…What?”

“Something about contacting…”

But as soon as he said it, Wooyeon felt something was off. After the sudden apology that
day, Junseong had not contacted him. Even though the phone number was still there, and
their group chat for assignments was still active.

“What the hell are you talking about? I’ve contacted you so many times…”

“How many ‘times’ is that?”

Suddenly, Dohyun intervened. He looked at Junseong with an indifferent expression and

spoke.

“Why would you contact someone that much?”

Immediately, a possibility flashed in Wooyeon's mind. But before he could think further,
Dohyun's cold voice shattered that thought.

“Only contact for group assignments.”

The atmosphere grew tense. Dohyun and Junseong stared at each other, as if they
wanted to tear each other apart. In a brief moment, Junseong gritted his teeth and shifted
his gaze to Wooyeon.

“Hey, talk to me privately.”

“…I have nothing to say to you.”

“Damn it, Seon Wooyeon!”

The terrifying pheromone emanated not from Wooyeon, but from Dohyun. Junseong
flinched and stepped back, his face contorted with displeasure.

“Ugh… so disgusting.”

Junseong's expression changed, filled with hatred, as his gaze slid past Dohyun and
locked onto Wooyeon.

“Are you dating him?”

 18

“What?”

This time, Wooyeon really felt Junseong’s question was ridiculous. Whether he was
dating someone or not, it wasn’t Junseong’s business, especially when he looked so
betrayed.

“Damn it, you pretend not to care.”

“What’s he talking about?” Garam asked quietly. But Junseong didn’t stop, smirking
disdainfully.

“This guy doesn’t know anything, does he?”

Before Wooyeon could ask what Junseong was referring to, Junseong muttered,
“Probably doesn’t know, that’s why he’s acting like this,” and smirked sarcastically.

“You were a pig back then.”

All three pairs of eyes turned toward Wooyeon. The atmosphere shifted, completely
different from before.

“If you knew Seon Wooyeon in high school, you could never get along with him,
right?”

Junseong looked around at Wooyeon’s friends with a victorious expression, then turned
back to Wooyeon.

“Even if you fix your face with money, your rotten personality won’t change.”

“….”

“Did you guys know? He beat me like a dog and then paid money to settle things.”

Wooyeon couldn’t say anything, only clenching his fists. Not because Junseong’s words
were true, but because he didn’t have the courage to face his friends. Perhaps feeling
confident, Junseong took another step forward.

“Maybe these people are only around you for the money…”

But Junseong couldn’t continue. As he approached, Dohyun immediately released his

pheromone. The pheromone surged, aiming like a sharp needle toward Junseong.

“What? Go on.”

Dohyun released a cold pheromone as he spoke. His voice was deeper and colder than
ever. When Wooyeon turned to look, he saw Dohyun’s cold face, which showed no
change in expression.
 19

“Kang Junseong?”

“….”

“Right… I think your name is that, right?”

Dohyun’s dark eyes flashed intensely. The gentle expression he usually wore was now
filled with fury. He smirked and spoke slowly.

“You.”

Junseong flinched, his shoulders shaking. Though he stood firm, his face showed signs of
struggling with something painful. Fortunately, when Dohyun released his pheromones,
Junseong didn’t collapse like last time.

“If you want to explain that you didn’t do it, then you need to clarify exactly what it
is you didn’t do.”

“….”

“You mentioned high school, and now you’re saying you didn’t do it? Who would
believe that?”

Dohyun’s voice was calm, patient as always, and his pheromones seemed strangely
rational. After making sure Junseong was out of breath, Dohyun spoke in the same tone.

“If you want to explain, go ahead. If you want to start trouble, just start. Don’t
bother others by doing one thing and then another.”

Wooyeon could see Junseong biting his lower lip. He clenched his teeth so hard his lips
turned pale, and his eyes, shaking, looked at Wooyeon with an expression of injustice.

“…I didn’t post that photo.”

“….”

“Really. Damn it… I don’t even have an account on that site…”

Wooyeon was surprised to see that Junseong genuinely seemed “wronged.” Everyone
had assumed he was the culprit, but his words sounded more sincere than fake. Just as
Wooyeon was about to speak, Dohyun responded coldly.

“Then you were the one who took those photos, right?”

Junseong’s face turned pale. It was clear he had been hit in a vulnerable spot. While
everyone was stunned, Dohyun simply assessed him indifferently.
 20

“Idiot.”

As if there was nothing more to say, Dohyun grabbed Wooyeon’s hand. He intertwined
his fingers with Wooyeon’s, not forgetting to retract his pheromone. As they were about
to leave, Garam grabbed Junseong’s collar.

“Damn, so it was you, huh?”

“Hyung!”

Seongyu quickly held Garam back. Wooyeon also wanted to stop her, but couldn’t
because Dohyun wouldn’t let go of his hand. Without turning around, Dohyun led
Wooyeon away.

“Hey, wait. Hey!”

Wooyeon tried to use all his strength to stop Dohyun, but the noise around them grew
louder, and Dohyun didn’t show any intention of letting go. Garam, Seongyu, and the late
friends of Junseong began to gather around them.

“Let go. Today, I’ll deal with this bastard!”

“Hyung, no!”

“God, how did it end up like this! Hey, Kang Junseong, hey! Snap out of it!”

Finally, Wooyeon used all his strength to pull Dohyun back. Dohyun stopped and slowly
turned to look at Wooyeon. Wooyeon frowned and looked toward Garam.

“Are you seriously just going to walk away like this? You need to stop her!”

“Why should I stop?”

“What?”

Wooyeon asked in surprise. Dohyun remained silent, looking at him for a long time.

“Moon Garam is very good at fighting. Even if there’s a fight, she’ll be the one
beating someone else, not getting beaten.”

“No, that’s not the point. If there’s a fight, I should be the one to fight.”

If this led to a lawsuit, things would get complicated. Wooyeon could pay the damages,
but causing trouble at school was another matter.

In the end, Dohyun nodded in agreement.

 21

“Ah… right, you make sense.”

He left Wooyeon standing there and quickly moved toward Garam. His speed was so
quick that Wooyeon could only stand there, stunned.

In no time, Dohyun was near them and easily separated Garam from Junseong.

“Damn it, Kim Dohyun, you too…”

Then, something unexpected happened. Dohyun grabbed Junseong by the collar and
punched him hard. The dull sound of the punch echoed, and Junseong’s head jerked to
the side.

“….”

“….”

The surroundings fell into silence, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over
them. Both Wooyeon and Garam stared at Dohyun in shock.

While everyone remained silent, Dohyun released the unconscious Junseong and looked
toward his friends.

“Remember this.”

“…What?”

“If you can’t remember, take out your phone and write it down.”

The phone number began with the digits 010 and continued with a total of eleven digits.
Junseong’s friend stared blankly as he wrote the number down as Dohyun instructed,
then looked up. Dohyun flicked his right hand and squinted one eye slightly.

“When he wakes up, tell him to call this number.”

Dohyun’s voice was as calm as ever. The pheromone he released still maintained its
restraint. After seeing Junseong cough, he continued speaking in his usual steady tone.

“Even if he sues or asks for compensation, if he contacts Wooyeon, I won’t let it

slide.”

Although he said that, Dohyun whispered, “Anyway, they won’t be able to do anything.”
He looked at Garam and Seongyu, and when he saw Garam still in a daze, he calmly
added.

“If anyone needs to fight, I’ll be the one to fight.”

 22

_________________________________________________

CHAPTER 72

Junseong said that Wooyeon didn’t answer his calls. It didn’t seem like he was lying, and
there was no reason to make something like that up. He might have actually called, but
the call didn’t reach Wooyeon.

"Yes, I blocked him."

It was a straightforward answer, without any unnecessary words. Wooyeon widened his
eyes, his lips trembling slightly, not expecting him to admit it so quickly. Dohyun tilted
his head slightly and raised his chin.

"Is that not okay?"

"……"

"It bothers me."

His tone sounded almost whiny. His eyes, with their downturned corners, seemed to
plead with Wooyeon. Dohyun spoke to him in an insinuating tone, making it hard for
Wooyeon to refuse.

"He will keep trying to contact you, and I don’t want to see that."

After saying that, he reached towards Wooyeon’s legs. He slightly lifted Wooyeon’s shirt
and reached into his pants pocket where the phone was. Although it was just a motion to
grab something, the sensation of his hand brushing against the fabric felt strangely
intimate.

"Anyway, just ignore it, but when the call comes, it’s a hassle."

Dohyun handled the phone very skillfully, as though it were his own. He tapped on the
screen, opened the ‘junk mail’ folder, and deleted all the messages inside. Everything
happened in the blink of an eye for Wooyeon.

"...Did you delete him?"

"Yeah, I deleted him."

"It can’t be restored." His addition came out as lightly as a feather. Dohyun put the phone
back in Wooyeon’s pocket and undid his seatbelt.

"Things like that aren’t worth looking at."

"Ha..."
 23

Wooyeon chuckled softly. He was really bold to use Wooyeon’s phone without permission
like that. What surprised him even more was that, instead of getting angry, he felt no
issue with it.

"When did you block him?"

"Probably the day we decided to date."

"Did you even have time back then...?"

"Of course. We were together the whole time."

The two of them got out of the car and walked up to the house. Although they had only
been together for a few days, Dohyun’s house already felt as familiar to Wooyeon as his
own home. As soon as they entered, before Wooyeon could even take off his shoes,
Dohyun captured his lips.

"Wait, hold on… hmm."

‘Click,’ the door gave a slight tremor. Dohyun held Wooyeon’s chin firmly, while his lips
pressed against Wooyeon’s, leaving no gap. With his other hand, he held onto the door,
his eyes half-closed as his tongue entered.

Wooyeon squeezed his eyes shut, clutching Dohyun’s collar. Although they had kissed
many times, Wooyeon was still not used to this sudden intimacy. The sensation of their
breaths mingling with pheromones, or the soft, gentle friction of their tongues, was all
unfamiliar and a bit awkward.

It seemed like Dohyun either didn’t notice or didn’t mind. He persistently kissed
Wooyeon’s mouth, his tongue sliding over his teeth and enveloping Wooyeon’s small
tongue, occasionally releasing a bit of pheromone. The sweet mixture of breath and
pheromone melted Wooyeon’s thoughts.

"Haa…"

Their lips parted, and a short breath escaped from Wooyeon’s mouth. Even though it had
been an active kiss, Dohyun’s gaze remained surprisingly gentle.

"Why so suddenly…?"

"Suddenly, what?"

Dohyun replied softly, his hand caressing Wooyeon’s neck. His long fingers grazed over
Wooyeon’s pulse, stopping at the spot between his ear and chin.

"I’ve wanted this since earlier."

 24

Every time he spoke, his lips brushed against Wooyeon’s skin, making him feel a little
ticklish. Even though it was just a short kiss, Dohyun’s lips were slightly swollen, making
them look very tempting. Dohyun blinked gently and whispered softly.

"I missed you too."

"Ah... um, huh..."

The wet sound echoed in his ears. Wooyeon buried his face in the pillow and clutched the
edge of the blanket tightly. The position of lying face down on the bed, only lifting the
hips, made Wooyeon feel extremely shy and embarrassed.

"Stop... ugh..."

Wooyeon gently shook his head in refusal, but Dohyun seemed unwilling to stop. His
middle finger slipped into the tight space, gently rubbing the inside. Dohyun twisted his
finger, his other hand gripping the soft curve of his bottom.

"This place is so cramped, and you want me to stop?"

The middle finger plunged deep, stimulating the prostate. From the sensitive part that
had stood up, a clear liquid flowed down. Dohyun squeezed the buttocks so hard that
fingerprints were left on them, then he inserted another finger inside.

"If you keep pushing it in like that, it's going to hurt..."

‘Ugh, um…’

The wrinkled, narrow entrance creaked open. Just inserting two fingers already seems
too much. Just as Dohyun licked his lips, Wooyeon glanced at him with eyes that seemed
about to cry.

"Then... sniff, can't you... not look?"

Setting aside the somewhat embarrassing position, even though he was lying face down,
Wooyeon could still clearly feel Dohyun's naked gaze. Looking at the neck, back, or waist
is fine, but the fact that he is intently staring at the small hole between the buttocks is
truly unbearable.

"Not allowed."

Dohyun had no intention of taking his eyes off and continued to move his hand. The
sound of pleasure "slurp, slurp" rang out clearly.

"Because I don't like doing it with my mouth, I have to use my hands to solve it. If
you don't look, how can you do it, right?"
 25

After saying that, the two exchanged a passionate kiss as if they wanted to devour each
other, then both moved towards the bed without anyone saying a word.

After finishing their conversation, the two exchanged an intense kiss as if wanting to
devour each other, then both moved towards the bed without anyone saying a word.
Dohyun skillfully removed Wooyeon's clothes, and with hurried gestures, he let his lips
glide over Wooyeon's entire body. When Dohyun bent down to kiss that spot like before,
Wooyeon shook his head vigorously to stop him.

"Don't, ugh... ah, ugh uh uh..."

Dohyun's rough fingers touched the sensitive spot, causing Wooyeon to tremble. He
moved like scissors, then expertly added another finger. When the third finger finally
slipped inside, Dohyun began to move gently in and out.

"A... a uh... huff..."

Wooyeon's lower abdomen twitched slightly when tense. Every time Wooyeon tensed up,
the upper part of his buttocks slightly caved in. Dohyun let out a light breath, skillfully
twisting his right hand gracefully.

"...Hic."

"Maybe now I can get in..."

Dohyun murmured softly, then slowly withdrew his finger. The small hole, just released
from the finger, immediately closed and opened as if gasping for breath. Watching that
scene intently, Dohyun suddenly bit hard into Wooyeon's left buttock.

"A!"

Wooyeon was startled and looked up. A sharp pain spread, leaving bite marks on the
smooth white skin. Looking into Wooyeon's wide, astonished eyes, Dohyun raised an
eyebrow mischievously.

"Looks so biteable."

"You really..."

"Seonsaeng really is..."

Wooyeon muttered in frustration, burying his face in the pillow. "Such a pervert." Just
with that one sentence, the corners of Dohyun's mouth slightly curled up into a deep
smile. He leisurely put on the condom, knelt down, and adjusted his position.

"Let me show you what true perversion is."

 26

Dohyun's large hands tightly gripped Wooyeon's waist. Instinctively, Wooyeon froze in
place due to the tension. Dohyun placed the tip right at the small opening, causing his
pheromones to fill the air around Wooyeon.

"Relax."

"......!"

At the same time, he penetrated deeper inside. The feeling of being completely filled
made Wooyeon's stomach tighten. The friction of the mucosa made Wooyeon unable to
hold back and he released a bit.

"Haa..."

The slender legs trembled violently. Even though Wooyeon's body had collapsed, Dohyun
still held his waist tightly with both hands. A low, excited chuckle softly echoed.

"Is it already over when we've just started?"

"Too... huff, deep... ah..."

The object slowly withdrew. Before he could feel the lingering pleasure, he entered once
more. The powerful thrust penetrated deeper than before, causing Wooyeon to tremble.

"A...!"

“…Hic.”

Dohyun's face briefly showed signs of tension, his eyebrows furrowing deeply. Wooyeon
hugging him so tightly made him feel pressured as well. Dohyun hugged Wooyeon tightly,
his hands gliding gently over his smooth skin.

"Relax."

As soon as he finished speaking, Dohyun began to move rhythmically. Holding Wooyeon

tightly, he pushed deep inside, rhythmically. The hand moved up to the chest, gently
pinching the small nipple.

"A... hick... so fast... hick!"

Wooyeon trembled and moved on his knees, almost instinctively, but this time Dohyun
didn't let it go. He pressed against Wooyeon like a mistletoe, then lightly bit the exposed
part of her neck.

"Please... hic... slowly... slowly... hic!"

"You're going slowly, right?"

 27

The inside was pierced deeply with each rhythm, and every time he entered, Wooyeon's
pheromone lingered in the air. Dohyun lightly licked the clear bite mark he had just left,
enveloping Wooyeon's entire body with his pheromone.

"Seonsaeng... no, seonsaeng... hic..."

"Not allowed what, you have to tell me so I can know."

This time, he didn't correct the way of addressing anymore. He gently replied,
simultaneously moving his hips in a circular motion. The object filled the inside,
rhythmically touching the sensitive spots.

"Huh?" What do you mean by not being able to, Yeon-ah?

Even though it was only the second time they were together, today Dohyun was
unusually persistent with a frightening determination. If you ask what made him feel
that way, it's hard to say specifically, but an inexplicable sense of danger kept rising in his
heart.

"Hyung, Hyung...!" Hyung, please... sob…

Therefore, even though no one told him, Wooyeon automatically adjusted his way of
addressing. Unable to withstand the overwhelming pleasure, he shook his head
repeatedly. Dohyun moved his hands all over Wooyeon's upper body, then gently
brushed his lips near his temple.

"...You're very good."

Dohyun murmured softly, then reached out to grasp Wooyeon's sensitive area. The
sensation of being kneaded from top to bottom made Wooyeon's waist tremble
uncontrollably. Burying his nose in the back of Wooyeon's neck, Dohyun began to move
his hips again.

"A... a...!"

Those were continuous moments full of madness. Pheromones thick in the air, along
with an irresistible pleasure. Dohyun kept moving, and Wooyeon, with a hazy mind,
could only cling tightly to him.

The feeling of impending danger seemed not to be an illusion, as their revelry lasted
until late into the night.

***
 28

The atmosphere is about to transition into summer, and every time the sun rises, it is
filled with dazzling heat. Although it hasn't gotten too hot yet, people have chosen to
wear short-sleeved shirts instead of long ones like before.

However, while everyone else was dressed lightly, Wooyeon wore an oversized shirt and
sat sadly on the sofa.

"The chairman said he would be right there."

"You can wait outside."

After bowing, the secretary stepped out of the room. Only when the office was empty did
Wooyeon comfortably lean back in the chair. A sharp pain in his back made him sigh.

"Are you planning to meet your mom tomorrow?"

Last night, after everything was over, Dohyun took care of Wooyeon, helped him wash
up, and then put him to bed. Although he stayed for another night, the issue wasn't there.

"Yes, I find it a bit strange that I haven't received any news for so long."

There should have been news a long time ago, but for several days now, there has been
no response. Even if you leave it to the driver, at least you should check in a bit; the
silence makes him uneasy.

"I will contact driver Yoon."

"Oh... is that so?"

At that moment, Wooyeon still hadn't realized his condition. He only thought that
Dohyun's awkwardness when touching his neck was due to the remnants of the previous
night. But by morning, when Wooyeon looked in the mirror, he was stunned.

“…What is this?”

The neck was marked with bright red, as if it were sick, with concerning bruises
spreading everywhere. Even though it doesn't hurt, it's really hard to go out with marks
like that.

"Last time it wasn't like this..."

"Well..."

Dohyun calmly draped his shirt over Wooyeon, buttoning it all the way to the collar and
rolling up the sleeves a few times. His awkward expression back then is still vividly
etched in his mind.
 29

"That time, you were in a place where you couldn't be seen."

________________________________________________
 30

CHAPTER 73

No need to ask "where is the unseen place," because as soon as I heard that question,
different locations popped into my mind. The inner thigh, or the back, for example.

Anyway, for that reason, Wooyeon had to wear an ivory-colored shirt to school. The shirt
was soaked with Dohyun's pheromone and a bit loose on him, but it was still acceptable
to wear temporarily. The problem is that right after the lecture ended, driver Yoon
contacted me.

"The chairman is calling you."

Driver Yoon arrived to pick up Wooyeon at the exact moment, as if he knew in advance
that the boy would contact him. The car stopped right in front of the school gate, forcing
him to get into the limousine under the curious gazes of everyone.

"Why didn't you call like usual..."

It has already attracted attention, and now even more people are watching. Even when
driver Yoon opened the door, the flashes from the reporters continued to blink
incessantly. The most vivid memory is the round, surprised eyes of Garam and Seongyu.

"Phuh..."

Wooyeon let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck gently. Behind the collar of the
high-neck shirt are dark red marks. The marks are quite clear, but if the shirt buttons are
not undone, they won't be visible.

"10 more minutes..."

Wooyeon glanced around the room, estimating the remaining time. The classic wooden
furniture hasn't changed much since before he went to America. The commemorative
plaques are still full on the walls, and the chandelier remains the same as before. The
sofa has been replaced, but it's not too different.

As expected, 10 minutes later, the door to the room opened. Instead of getting up,
Wooyeon just turned his head to look in that direction. Through the wide-open door, a
tall woman with a cold demeanor stepped in.

"..."

She looks like a predator. From her sharply cut hair to her perfectly fitted suit, she
exuded an air of neatness, with no gaps. The sound of high heels echoed steadily on the
marble floor, as if each step were meticulously calculated.

"Chairman, the car is ready..."

 31

"Go outside."

She walked straight to the end of the room and sat down at the desk with the nameplate
"Ji Soo Hyang." Her sharp gaze, like a predator, swept past the assistant and landed on
Wooyeon. The assistant bowed and stepped outside.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Just one sentence, but the air in the room was filled with a strong pheromone. Wooyeon
instinctively sat up straight, looking directly at her.

“…This time, Mom, you were a bit late in contacting me, weren't you?”

That is your mother, someone everyone in the country recognizes. The only person
Wooyeon calls "mother," who can be summed up by the name "Ji Soo Hyang," an
exemplary figure of the upper class.

"Mom, please go ahead." Surely you don't have much time, Mom. I just want to hear
the reason and then I'll leave."

It's been 4 years, but instead of feeling nostalgic, the only thing Wooyeon feels is
discomfort in this situation. He sat on the guest sofa, while Soo Hyang sat behind her
desk. The distance between them was not just physical, but also emotionally cold.

"Alright." Surely both of us are busy."

Soo Hyang replied nonchalantly, picking up the tablet from the table. Not asking polite
questions is indeed her style.

"I found the one who posted in the community." He is twenty years old, studied at
the same middle school as you. His name is Lee Young Bin, I don't know if you know
him."

The words were surprising, but Wooyeon was not taken aback. However, the name Lee
Young Bin didn't ring any bells, causing him to frown. Anyway, except for Kang Junseong,
Wooyeon also doesn't remember anyone's name.

"Yes, he did post, but it seems like he didn't go to university. The photos taken in the
classroom could be from someone else..."

"I know who that person is."

Soo Hyang's gaze turned towards Wooyeon. With her particularly bright eyes, sometimes
her gaze sends shivers down his spine.

"Before continuing, I have something to say."

 32

Wooyeon spoke slowly and looked down.

"About the matter of... you and..."

The question "should I call him seonsaeng" didn't require much thought. Right after that,
an appropriate term slipped out of my mouth.

"The one who is dating you."

That is a rather strange way of addressing someone and it evokes a sense of

embarrassment. Soo Hyang squinted slightly.

"The person hit the one who took the picture."

Wooyeon's original purpose when meeting his mother was this. The moment Dohyun hit
Junseong, he concluded that he had to prevent any trouble from coming to Dohyun.

"He did it for you, and he might get sued."

Although the explanation was brief, it was essentially a subtle request for her to handle
it. Unlike you, the clever mother would surely understand immediately.

"Did he really hit him?"

But strangely, Soo Hyang rarely showed any signs of surprise. Her eyes narrowed slightly,
and she pursed her lips in silence for a moment before nodding.

"Alright, I understand."

Wooyeon breathed a sigh of relief in silence. Even though she said "I know," it surely
wasn't just a simple acknowledgment. For now, you can be a little at ease.

"And here it is..."

Soo Hyang handed Wooyeon the tablet. Wooyeon stood up silently and walked closer to
her.

"This article will be published this week. I will distribute this content to three
major newspapers, take a look at it once”.

On the screen is a neatly composed article. The official statement from the Chairman of
Seonjeong Group, Ji Soo Hyang, and the truth about her son, Seon Wooyeon. The content
is mostly true, and Wooyeon asked nonchalantly.

"If I say don't post it, will you cancel it?"

"Are you asking the obvious?"

 33

As if it weren't worth answering, Soo Hyang added.

"You don't have that right."

"...I don't think Mom called me just to show me this."

Perhaps disappointment? No, more precisely, it's a feeling of loss. Wooyeon put down the
tablet and slowly began to speak.

"So, you still couldn't cancel it."

"..."

"..."

"Because mom plans to make it public."

"Mom can't hide it from you forever."

"From the beginning, you had no intention of hiding it."

The article also includes details that Wooyeon is her biological child, not an illegitimate
child. Although his face has not yet been revealed, it is only a matter of time before his
living range becomes limited.

"This is the way to protect you." Soo Hyang said in a calm voice, to the point of
sounding cold.

Soo Hyang spoke in a calm tone, to the point of sounding cold. Hearing that, Wooyeon let
out a bitter laugh.

"I guessed you would say that."

Even though there were many things he wanted to say, he no longer had the strength to
argue further. They say that pheromones from loved ones can bring peace, but for
Wooyeon, it only makes him more exhausted. Every time he is near her, he always feels
suffocated.

"I don't understand why you have to call me just to say things that have already
been decided... next time, just let Driver Yoon convey the message." Don't make me
come to this noisy place."

Tomorrow when you go to school, you will definitely become the center of attention
again. Thinking about having to face everyone's gossiping makes his head ache.

Soo Hyang looked at Wooyeon and gently spoke.

 34

"If I said I called you because I wanted to see you..."

Wooyeon looked up. Their eyes met in the void, leaving an indescribable feeling of
discomfort.

"Do you believe it?"

"Mom, you're asking the obvious, aren't you?"

That was exactly what Soo Hyang had just said earlier. Meaning whether you believe
what she said or not. As expected, Soo Hyang slowly blinked.

"I won't go on and on. Go home”

"No."

Without thinking, Wooyeon immediately refused and gave a reason.

"I already said I won't come back until I graduate."

When entering university, Wooyeon made an agreement with Soo Hyang. He would
receive inheritance training after graduation, but before graduation, he asked his mother
not to interfere in his life. If it weren't for this agreement, Wooyeon might still be in the
U.S.

"Mom didn't make me drop out of school."

"You already said you didn't want to."

“Seon Wooyeon.”

Wooyeon was startled into silence. With her pale complexion, Soo Hyang's eyes radiated
a special brightness, sometimes sending chills down the spine of those who faced her.

Soo Hyang lowered her pheromone, her voice deep and firm.

"Don't act like a child anymore. Think about your honor and position."

This is a phrase that Wooyeon has heard countless times since childhood, to the point of
being unable to forget it.

"If this article goes public, it will be difficult to go to school without a bodyguard."
Do you think I can stay in that house?"

“…If mom doesn't make the article public.”

"You know your mother doesn't like repeating herself."

 35

Her bright, clear eyes flashed with a cold glint. On that face, there was no room for
concession. Just as Wooyeon bit his lip, Soo Hyang continued.

"Moving anywhere is not as safe as staying at the main house. Taking Yoon's car
every morning and evening, and having a bodyguard accompany you when going to
school. The house you are living in will soon be liquidated.”

"Not to mention, it's also hard for you to go back there because of the reporters'
surveillance."

Wooyeon opened his eyes wide, surprised. Soo Hyang spoke as if it were not important.

"Do you think Mom wouldn't do that?"

Actually, Wooyeon had never thought about this. He was busy staying at Dohyun's house,
so he didn't pay any attention to the condition of his own house. He vaguely thought that
reporters wouldn't come there.

"If you don't want me to live in that house, then go ahead, I won't stop you."

Her voice was calm but pierced the heart like a dagger. Soo Hyang looked down at
Wooyeon, slightly tilting her chin.

"He can't protect you."

"..."

“At most, I can only let you stay for a few days and wear my clothes.”"

Yes, there's nothing she doesn't know. As someone with a stronger pheromone presence,
Soo Hyang must have definitely noticed the different pheromone on the shirt. From the
very beginning, she knew it was someone else's shirt.

"Mom didn't tell you to break up." Mom also has no intention of forcing you to leave
the person you've loved for the past 4 years."

"..."

"It's just the current situation..."

"Mom."

Wooyeon interrupted her, looking straight at her with a question that flashed amidst the
chaotic thoughts in his mind.

"Do you know who I'm dating?"

 36

In a brief moment, surprise flickered across Soo Hyang's face. Even though it was just a
fleeting change, Wooyeon noticed it very clearly. Her eyes, usually full of confidence,
now avoided looking directly at him.

But right after that, Soo Hyang quickly regained her composure and replied as if nothing
had happened.

"...Mom knows."

Soo Hyang slowly opened her mouth, her gaze no longer wavering, her voice calm.

"Pheromones don't change even after four years."

This makes sense. In the past, Wooyeon couldn't sense pheromones, but Soo Hyang
definitely sensed Dohyun's pheromones. Therefore, it was no surprise that she
immediately recognized it.

"Then..."

However, Wooyeon still couldn't shake off the suspicion. That's not the only strange
thing.

"How did you know I was at his house?"

________________________________________________
 37

CHAPTER 74

It has been 4 years since Wooyeon last met her mother, Soo Hyang. During that time, she
didn't send a single greeting, not a single message, so neither of them knew anything
about each other's lives. She might hear from the servant that he is away from home, but
she certainly doesn't know where he is.

However, Soo Hyang specifically referred to "that child's house" when mentioning
Dohyun. Just with the shirt, she had a certainty that exceeded normal speculation.
Gradually, everything led to a single conclusion.

"...Did you send someone to follow me, Mom?"

She didn't answer, but that silence was no different from an affirmation. Wooyeon
scoffed with a tone full of self-mockery.

"Of course, and yet I thought Mom would leave me alone."

You must have been daydreaming too much. Wooyeon knew very well that Soo Hyang
would never just stand by without intervening, but he still tried to ignore that. When
entering university, he only thought about meeting the seonsaeng again and forgot to pay
attention to everything around him.

"Don't you find it boring, Mom?"

From the personal doctor, the housekeeper, the chef, to even the tutor since childhood.
Wooyeon always, and forever, lived in the cage of Soo Hyang. Every action of his is
reported in detail, and that monitored life has become all too familiar to him.

"Yet I thought you had stopped at Danny... but you haven't."

Soo Hyang looked up at him. The prolonged silence was also an acknowledgment. After a
while, she said calmly:

"Go home. Mom has nothing more to say."

Saying that, she stood up, adjusted her outfit, as if subtly signaling that the conversation
was over. Wooyeon clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

"I'm not going back."

"Seon Wooyeon."

"Even if mother says something, I will not go back." He resolutely refused to do as she
wished. Even if he is surrounded by reporters and loses his place to stay, he still doesn't
 38

want to go back to that prison. He would rather wander without a home than be
imprisoned behind those towering walls.

"In that house, every day that passes is hell for me."

Wooyeon looked at Soo Hyang with eyes full of resentment. Even without shedding tears,
he looked like he was crying.

"Before coming to America, I had never lived like a human."

"..."

"Even when in America, you still have to do as your mother says."

The discovery that Danny was Soo Hyang's person also came from small details. He
always happened to run into Danny, who then showed excessive concern for him. Danny
knows your eating habits and always prepares suppressants whenever you're about to go
into heat.

Wooyeon is inherently sensitive to insincerity. From childhood to adulthood, the

environment around him has always been filled with fake people. He gradually
developed the ability to recognize the intentions of those who approached him.

"The first time I told Danny, 'Go tell Mom that the previous inhibitor was too weak,
send a stronger one,' he wasn't surprised, but smiled as if he already knew
everything."

Even though he knew clearly, Wooyeon still considered Danny a friend. Your first friend
turned out to be someone your mother knew. So what about the new relationships you
make in college?

"This time, who could it be?"

The faces appeared in his mind, those who had once comforted him, cared for him, and
treated him with affection. But what if it was all just a setup? How will you endure that?

"Who did you send to be with me this time?"

Soo Hyang's face was slightly perplexed, both angry and indifferent. A hint of remorse,
but perhaps it was just Wooyeon's illusion.

"How much do you need to feel satisfied?"

"Mom just..."
 39

Soo Hyang hesitated for a long time, then stated the reason Wooyeon had heard too
many times.

"...to protect you."

"Protect you, huh?"

Wooyeon let out a bitter laugh, asking back with a feigned innocent expression.

"Like protecting a mother and child, right?"

Soo Hyang's pheromone is sharper and heavier, fitting the characteristics of an Alpha, as
if it were suffocating his lungs and cutting into his flesh. Even though he was choking,
Wooyeon continued to speak.

"Because of my mother's possessiveness, that person ultimately lost their life."

Besides Soo Hyang, Wooyeon has another mother. A gentle Omega, who once married
Soo Hyang and gave birth to him, but gradually withered under her "protection."

"That's not protection."

"..."

"That's surveillance."

Soo Hyang's eyes flared with anger. Her eyelids trembled slightly, a sign of emotions yet
to be fully expressed. She slightly tilted her head and replied coldly.

"I don't know what you plan to do to annoy me, but if you need to vent your anger,
do it outside.""Mom doesn't know what you're planning to do to annoy her, but if
you need to vent your anger, do it outside."

Her face was icy, no longer showing any surprise. Only the pheromones spread strongly,
like an unending wave. She pressed her lips tightly, her voice icy.

"If you have recognized that Danny is your mother's man, you should have also
known that he is not the first."

Wooyeon's mind went blank. Everything in front of him seemed to darken, and the
suffocating pheromone suddenly vanished. He opened his mouth as if to say something,
but her icy voice interrupted.

"It's really a pity if you don't know."

"..."
 40

"Mom thought you knew well but still accepted it."

That was the last word. As if there was nothing more to say, Soo Hyang walked past
Wooyeon and left the room. The door slammed shut, the sound louder than ever.

On the way home, Wooyeon stared out the window as if his soul had left his body. The
driver was silent, and Yoon didn't start a conversation, and the scenery passed by so
quickly that it made him dizzy.

"Your name is... Seonwoo Yeon?""

From the first meeting until now, all the images flash by like a slow-motion film. The
initial meeting was neat and mature, the gentle and thoughtful moments of that person
are still vivid in memory.

"Nice to meet you, Yeon."

Looking back, there were quite a few strange things. Your mother usually only hires top
tutors, yet she brought in an ordinary student. And above all, Dohyun, who was just a
tutor, was overly concerned about you.

"I heard you were home alone, I'm really worried."

How did Dohyun know that Wooyeon was home alone? On the day the phone broke, he
couldn't contact him, and Wooyeon himself took a while to realize that his house was
empty.

In the end, it was all just like with Danny. Dohyun brought affection and care to him, but
the root of that care was not clear. Even though the kindness he shows may not be fake,
who knows if it truly comes from his own will?

"That's not a pleasant memory at all."

"Ha, damn it..."

He felt nauseous. The feeling of tightness in the chest made it difficult to breathe.
Wooyeon rested his forehead against the car window, but the glass quickly warmed up
due to his body temperature.

"I tried to keep my distance, but it wasn't easy at all." At first, it was because I was
paying attention, then it was out of guilt. Even though he knows he shouldn't, he
likes the feeling of being liked by you."

Now, you finally understand the true meaning of those words, and the fragments of
memories you once overlooked have now become arrows that turn back and cause you
pain. Even if you want to deny it, the conclusion remains unchanged.
 41

"I’m scared too, Yeon."

"I'm afraid you will be disappointed in me."

"And then... you’ll stop liking me."

Perhaps you had vaguely sensed this before. The moment you couldn't say that you
weren't disappointed, Wooyeon instinctively realized it. Perhaps there will be a time to
be disappointed. Perhaps everything will vanish like the stars that briefly appear in the
dark night.

"Master, we've arrived." "

"Uncle, don't go back, just wait here."

Wooyeon walked away, not looking back, heading towards Dohyun's house. He knew that
person was hiding something, but he was so immersed in that sweet moment that he
overlooked it. You had no idea that everything would come back to this pain.

When Wooyeon rang the doorbell, Dohyun quickly opened the door. He was still holding
his phone and car keys in his hand, dressed as if he was about to go out. Seeing Wooyeon,
his eyes sparkled with tenderness.

"You arrived quickly." I was planning to come pick you up."In a brief moment,
Wooyeon thought that if he pretended not to know, perhaps he could continue living in
this relationship without it being broken.

In a brief moment, Wooyeon thought that if he pretended not to know, perhaps he could
continue living in this relationship without it being broken. But that thought quickly
vanished when he looked straight into Dohyun's eyes, and the sadness came rushing
back. His eyes blinked slightly, and tears fell.

"..."

Dohyun's expression changed. I don't know what he sensed, but even his pheromones
were radiating tension. Wooyeon looked up at Dohyun and finally spoke.

"Why did you do that?"

His voice was heavy. Even when trying to finish the sentence, the emotions surged as if
wanting to drown everything. The tears kept flowing, leaving marks on the pale cheeks.

"Why are you treating me like this?"

 42

Dohyun didn't say anything. He didn't ask for a reason, nor did he wipe away your tears.
He just remained silent, bit his lip tightly, bowed down, exhaled a light breath, and softly
said.

"I'm sorry."

That was not a denial. Instead of the answer Wooyeon expected, it was the words he
wished he had never heard.

"I didn't mean to."

"...Why didn't you say it wasn't like that?"

Wooyeon felt a sharp pain in his heart. Everything in front of him went dark, and his
mind felt like it was being severed. The unstable atmosphere around clearly reflects his
mood.

"Why didn't you deny it, why didn't you argue that it wasn't true?"

Wooyeon looked at Dohyun with eyes filled with suffering and resentment. His
tear-streaked face was burning and drenched. Taking a deep breath, Wooyeon spoke
with a voice full of bitterness.

"I don't understand you."

After saying that, Wooyeon turned and left the door. If it weren't for Dohyun's hand
pulling him back, he would never have turned around again. Dohyun held him tightly,
speaking urgently.

"I will tell you everything.""

This time, his hurried demeanor was completely different from usual. The tense
pheromone transmitted where their hands touched.

"I will explain everything until you understand..."

You had heard this sincere plea before. In the club room that day, your heart wavered
once because of him.

"No."

But this time, Wooyeon pushed Dohyun's hand away instead of looking at him. The hand
that was pushed away fell down helplessly.

"I don't want to hear it."

 43

Thinking that you didn't need to know the truth turned out to be a self-deception. The
feeling of betrayal, anger, and above all, the grievance of having known nothing until
now.

"That's not what I wanted to say, but what I had to say when you found out."

_________________________________________________
 44

CHAPTER 75

There have been too many opportunities to reveal the truth. From the moment they met
Wooyeon again, when they officially got to know each other, or even this morning.

"You didn't intend to tell me, did you?"

If Wooyeon hadn't asked, perhaps today they would still have gone through an ordinary
day. Eating together, sleeping on the same bed, sharing small talk, and going to school as
usual. Today, tomorrow, and even after that. Each day passed, with Wooyeon knowing
nothing, and that time has stretched all the way to now.

"But why are you only saying it now?"

"...I was also planning to tell you."

Dohyun's voice was so low that it was almost inaudible. The hand that Wooyeon pushed
away hung limply.

"I had planned to tell you everything soon."

"When?"

The grievance turned into outrage. The emotion choked in my throat burst out as bitter
words.

"After reporting that we are dating, and that you are at my house, right?"

As soon as Wooyeon heard Soo Hyang's words, everything started to take shape in his
mind. Instead of rejecting it, suspicion was the first thing that came to mind. The
conclusion had been anticipated long ago; it was evident without needing to see it with
one's own eyes.

"You know what you mean to me."

For Wooyeon, every moment in life is Dohyun. He is the bridge to the outside world, the
first warmth he ever felt, a feeling he had never experienced before and could never find
again. Dohyun is the only support he clings to. So what if the beginning of this salvation
is just a deception?

"If it only took a word, things wouldn't have come to this."

He wished he had known the truth earlier, before he discovered everything. If I had
known earlier, perhaps everything would have been very different.

"Because I like you, maybe I'll just let it go."

 45

Maybe, they stopped at a close seonsaeng-student relationship. Or like Danny, become a

friend. If not, at least you would have given up your feelings.

"But now it's too late."

Even now, Wooyeon's heart still trembles when looking at Dohyun, and that gentle face
still makes his heart race. If he turned a blind eye, perhaps he could still get over it, but
now he knows too much.

"It's too late, seonsaeng."

Dohyun didn't answer right away. After a moment, he spoke in a low voice.

"It was precisely because of this fear that I didn't dare to speak."

His pheromones were tense, the silence in the air became heavier than ever. Dohyun
clenched his fists, his voice heavy with sorrow.

"I know for sure that you will be hurt, I know I shouldn't do this, but I can't say it."

"..."

"Just a word?" Yes, one word is not difficult. But..."

The fragmented words were like their current relationship. His eyes gradually revealed a
look of pain as he stared directly at Wooyeon.

"How could I possibly make you disappointed all by myself?"

His voice was gentle like a sigh, full of despair. His expression increasingly turned to
regret.

"...Really..."

But all of that is not what Wooyeon wants to hear. He bowed his head, one hand covering
his face, mumbling.

"Finally, you still don't think it was just a misunderstanding."

He felt like he was stabbed one last time. Dohyun's expression and gaze seemed to
shatter the last remaining glimmer of hope, as if telling you not to expect anything
anymore.

"Since when...?"

His mind gradually became calm. The chaotic emotions also subsided, and reason began
to grasp reality clearly.
 46

"When did it start...?"

His words were jumbled, but the meaning was clear. Dohyun looked down and began to
speak slowly, with a calm tone.

"Since childhood, I have known the Chairman."

The beginning was something Wooyeon had never known. You couldn't have imagined
that Dohyun already knew Soo Hyang.

"She said that you couldn't adapt to school life, so I offered to help."

"..."

"And then when you went to university, I only contacted you to make sure she
wasn't too worried about you."

At first glance, the words didn't seem wrong. The voice was gentle, as if trying to soothe
your heart.

"I don't intend to supervise you. Just that..."

"But in the end, you knew everything, didn't you?"

However, he didn't feel the anger subside, only heartache. Even if you try to break free,
everything is still under the control of Soo Hyang, Danny, and even Dohyun. All these
relationships are arranged. If you had known that beforehand, you wouldn't have let
your heart sink so deeply. The late regrets only add to your suffering.

"I don't know anything about you."

The tears had stopped but were still falling down his cheeks. Tears fell from his chin,
lingering vaguely.

"You have never told me about your family, your friends, and I don't even know the
meaning of the tattoo on your back. Isn't this a bit unfair?"

Looking back, he rarely heard Dohyun say anything about himself. Wooyeon was always
curious, but he never told him anything. The lack of understanding gradually erodes his
trust.

"Seonsaeng, you know my name is Wooyeon, right?"

"You can't forget the warm feeling of being affectionately called Yeon-ah. That was the
first time someone saved you from the depths of despair."

But now he doubts, could it be that even that was just staged?
 47

"Seonsaeng, you know I hate Alphas, right?"

Dohyun still didn't respond. His gaze turned elsewhere, without a hint of explanation.

"You also know that I was bullied, that I don't get along with my mother, that I hate
loneliness..."

"..."

"Did you treat me well only after knowing everything?"

The unfillable crack will gradually create a void in the soul. The lingering and
accumulated pain has finally seeped deep into Wooyeon's heart. From that empty space,
the pent-up resentment erupted uncontrollably.

"I would rather you didn't treat me well."

If you had known earlier, you would never have immersed yourself in the tenderness
that Dohyun showed you. If so, you wouldn't have to face your own pitiful shame like
this.

"What do you get out of this?"

His voice burst out, full of thorns and sharpness, like an arrow shot towards Dohyun.

"Money? Or a job?"

"...Not like that."

Dohyun pressed his lips tightly together, his expression as stiff as stone, his lips forming a
straight line.

"Don't say that."

"So how am I supposed to say it!"

His emotions were in constant turmoil. Sometimes in pain, sometimes in anger, and tears
would well up only to be quickly replaced by rage. He felt choked, unable to escape those
mixed emotions.

"Do you know that you are avoiding the most important things? You know what
your mother is like, how long you've known me, what is true and what is false. You
don't say anything but expect me to trust you?"

Everything is just an excuse. No matter how much you embellish it, the truth remains
unchanged.
 48

"Do you think this time you will believe me?"

Even if you hear words of love a hundred times, just one secret is revealed, and
everything will collapse. A lie brings countless suspicions, spreading uncontrollably.

"How do you know that's not a lie?"

Ironically, Dohyun seemed genuinely pained when he heard that remark. His dark eyes
became gloomy, his lips trembled, and it was rare to see him so shaken. He whispered in
a deep, hoarse voice, as if pleading.

"I have never been dishonest with you."

His gaze was directed towards Wooyeon, filled with unease. Pheromones escaped,
carrying an unusual feeling, and his hand clenched tightly as he whispered like a plea.

"Others might not understand, but you do."

"I..."

Wooyeon let out a long sigh, his voice weak, and his heart finally settled on a decision.

"How could you know?"

A fleeting despair crossed Dohyun's calm face, as if the one being hurt right now was
him, not you. Nevertheless, Wooyeon continued speaking.

"You said that if you don't say it, I won't know, right?"

"..."

"That was exactly what the seonsaeng said."

‘Reng’, the phone's ringtone suddenly rang, breaking the suffocating atmosphere.
Dohyun's gaze turned towards the screen, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across
his face.

"...What's wrong?"

Wooyeon stared and let out a cold laugh.

"Another spam call, is it?"

This time, Dohyun truly showed a look of panic. He hurriedly grabbed Wooyeon's arm,
looked straight into his eyes, and spoke urgently.

"It's not true, it's just a misunderstanding, Wooyeon."

 49

Wooyeon didn't push his hand away, but turned his face away, as if he didn't need any
further explanation. Even though he couldn't see the name of the caller, he had already
guessed it. Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, it no longer mattered now.

"I will return to the main house."

In the end, everything still went according to Soo Hyang's wishes. Even if you try to run
away, the place you have to return to has already been decided.

"This week the company will publish the article. I am still going to school, but I can
no longer join the club. And this will also be the last time we meet like this."

That word "last" made Dohyun's pheromone more intense. He clenched his fist and
stepped closer, exuding a scent that enveloped Wooyeon.

"You can't break up with me."

"..."

Even in this situation, he still misses Dohyun's embrace. You want to be immersed in his
pheromones, to drink deeply of the sweetness and intoxication. Like those who dare to
taste the forbidden fruit, you know you'll regret it but still want to hold on.

However, Wooyeon did not let himself be swayed by a momentary impulse.

"I can't trust you anymore."

You spoke with a trembling voice, and Dohyun let go of you with a dazed expression. His
fingers slowly slid away from the hem of your shirt, barely holding on.

"I will send the shirt back with driver Yoon."

Wooyeon turned away without looking back. A soft voice rose, like a final farewell.

"I'm leaving now."

There were no goodbyes. Just like when they started, their separation came as abruptly
as that. Dohyun's pheromone still lingered, but Wooyeon didn't look back, just walked
away. This time, Dohyun could only stand there, quietly watching his back fade away.

____________________________________________________________________________________
 50

CHAPTER 76 11/29/2024

Nothing happens by chance. Dohyun understood that very well.

“The number you are calling is currently unavailable…”

The automated voice echoed in the quiet living room. He ended the call and redialed the
number. But once again, the same mechanical voice responded.

“The number you are calling…”

Thud! The phone hit the floor hard. Its screen, recently repaired, shattered into
fragments, but Dohyun didn’t seem to care. He lowered his head, tightly pressed his lips
together, and his body curled inward.

“…I’m leaving.”

“Damn it…”

When did everything start to go wrong?

Since Wooyeon left, Dohyun had been in this state. The image of Wooyeon’s retreating
figure, eyes brimming with tears, haunted his mind. The moment Wooyeon’s fingers
slipped away from his sleeve, a part of Dohyun’s soul had begun to crumble.

“I can’t understand you.”

Maybe it was karma. He had lied, concealed the truth, and in the end, Wooyeon found
out. If Wooyeon had unleashed his anger, Dohyun would have accepted it willingly. It
was a price he deserved to pay.

“How can I know this isn’t just another lie?”

But not like this. He couldn’t bear it when Wooyeon, the one he cherished, was the one to
deliver such painful words with that anguished expression. It felt like a dagger to his
heart.

“I can’t trust you anymore.”

“Haa…”

Pain churned in his chest. Dohyun covered his face, biting down hard on his lips. He
struggled to piece together why Wooyeon had learned the truth at that exact moment,
why driver Yoon had called him just then. It had to be Soo Hyang’s doing. An Alpha who
always got what she wanted—this time, she hadn’t held back.
 51

Dohyun suppressed his rage, clenching his jaw. Though fury boiled within him, he
couldn’t let it erupt here. His deep black eyes rested on the shattered phone on the floor.

Dohyun first met Soo Hyang when he was about ten years old.

It was at a small orphanage in the suburbs of Seoul. Dohyun had grown up there. He had
been orphaned at eight and labeled a burden before he even truly understood what
loneliness felt like. At that age, he was already deemed too old for adoption but too young
to fend for himself.

To survive, Dohyun learned to observe and adapt. He tried to gauge the moods of those
around him and earn favor from the staff. He endured bullying from his peers, but it
wasn’t an insurmountable obstacle. With his intelligence and more refined appearance
compared to other children, he gradually found his footing. His gentle demeanor made it
easy for him to play the role of the “good kid” among the others.

Time passed, and two years later, he still hadn’t found a family. If things continued like
this, he’d have to leave the orphanage as an adult with only a temporary job to support
himself.

“They say someone from the Seonjeong Group is coming.”

The rumor spread quickly. An orphanage had caught the attention of Seonjeong Group,
which was scouting for future talent. Ji Soo Hyang herself would be visiting to make a
selection.

For the first time in his gray and monotonous life, a glimmer of hope appeared.

Dohyun knew where his chance lay. He understood he had to carve out his own path, just
as he had when he first arrived at the orphanage. Even at ten years old, he was sharp
enough to grasp this.

“Hyung, what’s Seonjeong Group?”

“They’re people who can help us.”

The following week, Soo Hyang arrived at the orphanage. She brought along a swarm of
reporters and bodyguards, embodying the image of a “benevolent billionaire.” A facade,
nothing more. Dohyun realized this immediately.

“This is Vice President Ji Soo Hyang.”

Most of the children were intimidated by the woman. Her hawk-like eyes and
panther-like presence, coupled with the cold aura surrounding her, were enough to make
anyone shrink back.
 52

“Come now, everyone. Say hello.”

“Hello, ma’am.”

Dohyun was the first to bow, wearing an innocent expression. He clasped his hands
before him and bent deeply, catching Soo Hyang’s gaze. He didn’t miss the opportunity
and clearly introduced himself.

“My name is Kim Dohyun.”

Amid the dirty, ragged children, he alone stood out—clean and tidy. Though his clothes
were as worn as theirs, his demeanor set him apart.

“Kim Dohyun?”

Soo Hyang’s eyes lingered on him for a long moment without a word. Though her gaze
was piercing enough to daunt anyone, Dohyun didn’t blink.

After a pause, a faint smile tugged at her lips.

“This boy is quite interesting.”

It was mere pity for a stray cat she happened upon, not genuine affection or sympathy.
She simply appreciated the cunning she saw in this child.

Months later, news broke that Seonjeong Group had taken an orphanage under its wing.
Dohyun became “the child sponsored by Ji Soo Hyang.” By the time he turned fourteen,
he had differentiated as an Alpha.

A rare, exceptional Alpha. However, the orphanage lacked the resources to help him
manage his pheromones. In the confined space, the chaotic pheromones from other
children posed significant risks to someone like Dohyun.

He worked tirelessly to suppress his pheromones, avoiding trouble and ensuring he

wouldn’t be expelled from the orphanage. He remained constantly vigilant, leaving
whenever he sensed the pheromones of others starting to affect him.

One day, when Soo Hyang visited the orphanage, she looked at Dohyun with an
unreadable expression. In a cold voice, she said:

“Someone wants to adopt you.”

That moment changed Dohyun’s life forever. It was the opportunity he had endured each
day for. Without hesitation, he agreed.
 53

The family that adopted Dohyun was a wealthy and kind Beta couple. They also had a
younger daughter who was four years younger than him, but getting along with her
wasn’t too difficult. As the eldest in the orphanage, he was used to dealing with younger
children, so befriending a ten-year-old girl was effortless.

Years went by—three years, to be exact. During middle school, Dohyun played the role of
a model son in his new family. He got into a prestigious high school as his adoptive
parents had hoped, maintained a close relationship with his younger sister, and excelled
in his studies. Although he occasionally stayed in touch with Soo Hyang, her responses
were rare.

In his fourth year with the family, when he was seventeen, Dohyun was on his way home
with a report card full of straight A’s when he overheard a conversation in his adoptive
parents’ bedroom.

“…we only brought Dohyun in because of…”

“This partnership with Seonjeong Group…”

Fragments of the conversation lingered in his mind. The adoption, seemingly out of
kindness, was revealed to be tied to a deal, a form of mutual benefit, with an
unbridgeable distance between him and his new family.

“The boy is good, but sometimes he feels… fake.”

Dohyun understood then that nothing happened by chance. The harmony he had tried so
hard to preserve was beginning to show cracks.

He stood frozen outside the door until his parents exited the room. When they noticed
him, they asked cautiously:

“…Did you hear everything?”

But Dohyun had been masking his emotions since he was a child. He had long mastered
the art of concealing his feelings, and this moment was no different.

“No, what were you talking about?” he replied innocently.

Relief washed over their faces as they patted his shoulder to ease the tension. Dohyun
smiled brightly and showed them his report card as if nothing had happened.

After that, Dohyun continued treating his adoptive parents as usual. He studied
diligently, helped his younger sister with her schoolwork, and acted like the perfect son.
On rare occasions, when he felt the weight of his emotions becoming unbearable, he
would sneak away for a cigarette to release his frustration.
 54

“That guy is so fake,” his friends at school often said.

It shocked them to learn that a model student like Dohyun was associated with a group of
misfits. Some admired his clean-cut appearance, while others bluntly propositioned him.

“Wanna bet on something? Loser gets a tattoo.”

Tattoos were a passion for one of his friends. Dohyun had no intention of agreeing, but
on that day, he was too exhausted to care. When his friend suggested a game of
rock-paper-scissors, he threw out his fist without even thinking.

“What do you want tattooed? I can only do text, no images.”

“Anything’s fine.”

“Wait, are you serious?”

The permanence of the tattoo or the possibility of his parents discovering it didn’t matter
to Dohyun at that moment. He simply requested it be placed on a hidden part of his back.

The result was a Latin phrase, Habeo a magnus mentula. It had been chosen as a joke and
poorly translated using an online tool. When Dohyun later discovered its crude meaning,
he was furious. His friend laughed and shrugged it off, saying it wasn’t entirely
inaccurate.

(TLN: Habeo a magnus mentula means “I have a big penis” in latin)

In hindsight, it was an act of teenage rebellion—recklessness born out of suppressed

frustration. The danger, mingled with a desire to feel alive, burned out quickly. Though
the tattoo remained, and he never completely quit smoking, Dohyun refrained from
indulging in anything more destructive.

In the spring of his 20th year, Soo Hyang contacted him again. By then, Dohyun had been
admitted to a prestigious university, and his adoptive parents celebrated by buying him
an apartment and a car. Around that time, news spread that Seonjeong Group had
successfully signed a significant partnership with his parents’ company.

“It’s been a while. How’s university?” Soo Hyang asked during their meeting.

“It’s been two months since the semester started, and you’re only asking now? But I
doubt that’s the only reason you called me here, right?” Dohyun replied, his posture
respectful but his tone sharp.

Soo Hyang ignored his rudeness and gestured for her assistant to leave the room. Once
the door closed, her deep voice broke the silence.
 55

“I heard you were very nurturing toward the younger children at the orphanage.
And you seem to get along well with your adoptive sister.”

Her words seemed unrelated, but Dohyun stayed calm, meeting her gaze without
flinching. The hawk-like sharpness in her eyes no longer intimidated him. Soo Hyang’s
expression tightened slightly before she continued.

“My son… is about the same age as your sister.”

_________________________________________________
 56

CHAPTER 77

"Your son?"

Dohyun was taken aback when he heard those words. He wanted to ask if Soo Hyang
really had a child, but his surprise rendered him speechless.

While he was trying to form the words, Soo Hyang continued in a calm tone.

"Two years ago, I enrolled him in middle school, but it seems he couldn’t adjust well
to school life."

"…Couldn’t adjust? Was he bullied?"

There was no answer, only a faint click of her tongue and a furrowed brow.

"Children like that don’t really need to go to school... but still..."

A strange emotion flickered in her pale eyes. Floating to the surface was something even
Dohyun could recognize as worry. It startled him, albeit briefly. Soo Hyang shook her
head gently.

"Anyway, I called you here thinking you might be able to talk to him. At the very
least, he might feel more comfortable with someone close to his age. You’ve just
been accepted into a good university, so teaching him English shouldn’t be too much
of a burden, right?"

"Teaching him?…"

Her words kept catching Dohyun off guard. She mentioned having a child, that the child
was bullied, and now she wanted him to teach the child English. The chain of events
grew increasingly baffling.

"It’s not difficult to teach. He’s already learned the basics of English since he was
young, so I’m not expecting you to dive into advanced topics."

"But… actually…"

Dohyun let out a wry laugh, leaving his sentence unfinished. Hiring a tutor without
focusing on academics left him unsure of what to say.

"What do you really want from me?"

Finally, he asked bluntly. Soo Hyang raised an eyebrow as if it didn’t need clarification,
but Dohyun maintained his composed demeanor.

"If you don’t spell it out, how would I know?"

 57

"All you need to do is teach him, talk to him about school, and report back to me.
Three sessions a week, two hours per session—a total of six hours. I’ll pay you
whatever amount you want."

Dohyun considered naming an outrageous sum but stopped himself. If it was Soo Hyang,
she’d pay exactly what he asked, and she’d take everything she wanted in return.

"You could just go to school and throw money at the problem."

"It’s not that simple."

She spoke of spending money as if it were nothing. Dohyun raised an eyebrow in

confusion.

"Is he… an illegitimate child you’re hiding?"

"If he were, I wouldn’t be telling you about him."

He thought his assumption was reasonable, but it was wrong. Soo Hyang glanced at the
watch on her wrist and tapped lightly on the table.

"You don’t need to know the details. Just tell me if you’ll do it or not."

Her tone remained unchanged, but her eyes were different. Slightly narrowed, they
seemed anxious. Dohyun tilted his head slightly and answered slowly.

"I’ll do it."

He never thought someone as flawless as Soo Hyang would show this side of herself.
Seeing her worry firsthand gave him an odd thrill.

"Pay whatever you think is fair. I don’t care if you don’t pay me at all."

Even the resilient Ji Soo Hyang grew worried when it came to her child. Was it love,
obsession, or something else entirely? Whatever it was, it fascinated him. Yet, beneath
that curiosity, a faint discomfort stirred in his heart.

"The child isn’t an Omega, is he? If he is, that might be troublesome."

"No way. Do you think I’d trust you that much?"

"…I wouldn’t mess with someone four years younger than me, anyway."

After all, Soo Hyang had been a turning point in Dohyun’s life. He wouldn’t call her his
savior, but she had helped him. A small favor (even if it felt more like an order) like this
was something he could manage.
 58

"What’s the child’s name?"

"Seon Wooyeon."

Seon Wooyeon. Dohyun repeated the name a few times before nodding. She claimed he
wasn’t an illegitimate child but hadn’t given him her surname. Maybe it was the Omega’s
surname, or perhaps she wanted to keep their relationship hidden.

"What a beautiful name."

He gave the compliment naturally, but Soo Hyang’s expression turned strange. Her faint
smile looked as if she were reminiscing about something. Bowing her head with a hint of
regret, she murmured softly, just loud enough for Dohyun to hear:

"…Yes, a beautiful name."

Hearing that, Dohyun asked no further questions and remained silent. It was the first
and only time he ever saw Soo Hyang wear such a sorrowful expression.

The tutoring session they had scheduled came sooner than expected. Soo Hyang hadn’t
asked Dohyun’s opinion; she simply set the time herself. Since he didn’t have any specific
plans, Dohyun didn’t object to the date she chose.

On the day of the first session, Dohyun felt an unusual sense of nervousness as he made
his way to Soo Hyang’s house.

It was in such an upscale area that even taxi drivers were hesitant to enter. The houses
were so far apart that walking between them seemed impossible. He silently told himself
three times that he wouldn’t refuse the offered chauffeur service next time before finally
arriving at the front gate.

"This feels like a prison."

The towering walls were more like a fortress than a fence. The way they were built not
only kept outsiders from getting in but also gave the impression of trapping someone
inside. With a security system this tight, it felt entirely possible to detain someone here.

"Please wait here for a moment," said the housekeeper, inviting him to sit in the living
room before heading upstairs. When Dohyun overheard the housekeeper calling for the
“young master” to come down, he realized that Soo Hyang’s child was a boy. Other than
his name, Dohyun knew absolutely nothing about him.

"I wonder if he looks like her…"

Dohyun glanced around the spacious living room, vaguely imagining what Seon Woo
Yeon might look like. Since he was Soo Hyang’s son, he might resemble her, and his
 59

personality probably wouldn’t be very pleasant, considering he’d been raised in wealth.
But those thoughts quickly faded the moment Dohyun saw him.

"…Hello."

It was a soft voice—a boy whose voice hadn’t yet broken. He was shorter than Dohyun by
about two handspans, a bit plumper than he had expected, and his pale face seemed as if
it might give off a scent of milk. The eyes behind thick glasses bore no resemblance to
Soo Hyang.

"My name is Seon Wooyeon."

Dohyun didn’t know why this sight reminded him of his days in the orphanage, nor why
the boy’s innocent eyes left such a lasting impression on him. Perhaps it was the purity in
his gaze that caught Dohyun off guard.

"That’s a beautiful name."

Dohyun hadn’t expected the boy to blush at the compliment, nor for him to fidget
awkwardly. He also hadn’t anticipated the boy’s wide, innocent brown eyes to affect him
so much.

"Looking forward to helping you, Yeon."

The boy shyly bowed his head, his hand lightly tugging at his earlobe, looking like a stray
cat unaccustomed to kindness. In a soft voice, he replied:

"Thank you for helping me. Uh… but…"

"You can just call me seonsaeng."

It was a way to protect himself. That fleeting sense of unease made Dohyun want to
maintain a clear boundary with the boy. Yet, almost unconsciously, he added:

"When you get to college, you can call me 'hyung.'"

This boy was different from the children Dohyun was used to. He wasn’t brimming with
energy or mischievousness; instead, he seemed to lack something. Whenever Dohyun
tried to be open with him, the boy would act cautious and attempt to maintain distance.

"…Seonsaeng, are you an Alpha?"

That was why, when the boy asked this, Dohyun couldn’t admit it outright. He noticed
how the boy’s eyes seemed to hope for the answer to be "no."

"What, do I really look like an Alpha?"

 60

As he asked, Dohyun saw a mixture of emotions flicker in the boy’s eyes. Wooyeon
frowned, looked down, then backed up to meet Dohyun’s gaze. His eyes blinked slowly,
piercing through Dohyun’s heart.

"…No."

The tension in Wooyeon’s eyes dissipated. Replacing it was a tranquility that Dohyun had
never seen in him before.

"You don’t seem like an Alpha."

Instinctively, Dohyun realized that the boy’s guard had dropped. A twinge of guilt arose
but was quickly overridden. The trust shining in the boy’s gaze satisfied a deep longing in
Dohyun that had been dormant for years.

From that day forward, Dohyun eagerly awaited his tutoring sessions. Sitting beside the
boy and listening to him filled him with an unparalleled sense of happiness. The boy
would look up at him with wide eyes, blush, and quietly share his deepest worries.

"So, it doesn’t seem to be physical bullying," Dohyun would report.

On the days they didn’t have lessons, Soo Hyang would call Dohyun over to hear about
the boy. If she was too busy, she would call him on the phone, but she usually preferred
to meet in person. Her eyes, sharp yet filled with maternal concern, probed for every
detail about her son and his interactions with Dohyun.

"Come to think of it, you seem to enjoy playing little tricks like that," Soo Hyang
remarked.

"Like what?"

"Calling him 'Yeon-ah.'"

Dohyun learned during their second meeting that the boy’s full name was Seon Wooyeon.
A housekeeper had overheard Dohyun calling him "Yeon-ah" and corrected him,
emphasizing that the boy’s full name should be used. Yet, Dohyun continued using the
nickname until Wooyeon objected himself.

"Keep a proper distance. Don’t let him grow attached to you unless you’re ready to
take responsibility."

"…"

"Of course, I wouldn’t expect you to take responsibility either."

 61

A flurry of emotions surged within Dohyun—guilt, irritation, and an odd sense of

satisfaction. He realized he was feeling an unusual jealousy toward a mother’s love for
her child.

"…You should tell Wooyeon yourself," Dohyun said calmly. "That his tutor is
someone you arranged for him."

Imagining the boy’s disappointed face made Dohyun’s chest tighten and his throat dry.
Yet he maintained a composed expression as he stared directly at Soo Hyang.

"If you’re not ready to tell him, don’t threaten me. You know better than anyone
which side will regret it more if I walk away."

Soo Hyang didn’t respond, and Dohyun left the room quietly. He appeared resolute, but
inside, he was anything but certain. Even he didn’t know which side would end up
regretting it more.

_________________________________________________
 62

CHAPTER 78

It was a profound sense of inferiority, shaped over a long time and through many
experiences. Dohyun had always been the one waiting to be chosen, fearing when he
might be abandoned. On the outside, he tried to appear calm, but in the end, he was
always the weaker one.

"Seonsaeng."

But this was the first time he had received an affection without any ulterior motive. He
met someone who simply gave without expecting anything in return. Every time he saw
his reflection in the pure eyes of that person, Dohyun felt like he was someone
special—something he had never considered before.

Six hours a week. Even combined, it was just half a short day. He poured his care into
Wooyeon, like watering parched land. He opened his heart, gradually expanding his
presence.

And so, two weeks passed. Within just two weeks, Dohyun had come to understand many
things about Wooyeon: his strained relationship with Soo Hyang, his picky eating habits,
his high self-esteem but low confidence.

As Dohyun had sensed from the start, Wooyeon wasn’t a naive child. Soo Hyang’s
attention, which Dohyun had once envied, was, in reality, a form of stubbornness that
only deepened Wooyeon’s loneliness. Wooyeon was young, clumsy, and fragile—so much
so that he didn’t even recognize his own solitude.

Perhaps that was why Wooyeon reacted with childlike joy to Dohyun’s smallest words.
He was easily moved by minor acts of care, yearning for affection.

What started as curiosity gradually turned into concern. The guilt Dohyun had tried to
ignore grew stronger by the day. Even though he knew he should stop, he ignored Soo
Hyang’s warnings.

It was the day of his first college festival when Dohyun was 20. That day, he had a
tutoring session scheduled but took leave, and Wooyeon didn’t respond to his messages.
Worried, Dohyun received an unsettling call from Soo Hyang.

“I sent Wooyeon home early. He hates being alone, but no one’s at home. Could you
check on him?”

The tone of command and Soo Hyang ignoring his plans didn’t matter. What mattered
was that Wooyeon hated being alone and that no one was there with him.

Dohyun couldn’t hide his restlessness while working at the club’s bar. He couldn’t serve
tables, instead busying himself sorting trash and arranging things unnecessarily. His
 63

jittery demeanor caught Minjeong’s attention, even though she had cleared everyone out
of the kitchen.

“Just go. Didn’t you say you had somewhere else to be?”

As soon as Minjeong spoke, Dohyun rushed to Wooyeon. Without fixing his disheveled
hair or changing out of his shirt that read "Romantic Pub," he headed straight for
Wooyeon’s house.

And there, Dohyun finally stepped into Wooyeon’s world.

“Seonsaeng… hic…”

He had seen many people cry before. At the orphanage, the kids were always crying, and
later, so were his exes. But no one had ever left him as flustered as this time.

“What’s wrong, Yeon? Are you okay?”

Dohyun sat beside him, patting Wooyeon’s trembling shoulders. He cried like a child,
leaving Dohyun’s mind blank.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Look at me, okay?”

After a while, Wooyeon stopped crying. Gasping for breath, he didn’t realize his glasses
were crooked. Dohyun gently wiped away the tears and placed a hand on Wooyeon’s
forehead.

“Finished crying?”

Wooyeon exuded a soft childlike scent, likely from the mild lotion he used for his
sensitive skin. The fragrance, delicate yet piercing, seeped deeper into Dohyun’s heart
than any pheromone.

“Doesn’t seem like you’re hurt…”

Their eyes met. Wooyeon blushed and took a deep breath. His emotions were laid bare,
impossible to ignore.

“…”

Sixteen years old. A young, unformed child. Love was not something to feel for someone
that young, nor was it permissible.

Dohyun knew he was wrong. He needed to keep his distance but couldn’t, should have
drawn the line but moved closer. Knowing full well he would fall for Wooyeon if this
continued, he didn’t know how to refuse and instead kept Wooyeon close.
 64

“…Are you okay now?”

But Dohyun’s worry was solely for Wooyeon. He feared something might happen to
him—that he might be hurt or drown in his sorrow alone. Even if others called it
arrogance, he knew he was the only one Wooyeon could rely on.

From that day on, Dohyun realized that Wooyeon’s feelings for him grew stronger with
each passing day. Day by day, Wooyeon’s gaze changed, his expression shifted. Clearly,
Wooyeon didn’t know how to stop, with no one pulling the brakes.

Truthfully, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. He even found it gratifying. At last, he had

become someone special—a singular and cherished focal point in Wooyeon’s life. While
it wasn’t the first time someone had liked him, he couldn’t help but feel joy from this
affection.

“Seonsaeng, I like you.”

But on the day Wooyeon confessed, Dohyun admitted his mistake. Letting these feelings
grow unchecked had ultimately become his responsibility.

And in that moment, he realized:

“Yeon.”

The one ensnared by blind affection wasn’t Wooyeon—it was himself. Although he knew
Wooyeon had no choice but to become immersed, Dohyun deluded himself with a sense
of superiority. It was he who was truly captivated, yet he arrogantly believed he was in
control.

“I’m enlisting soon.”

At 20, Dohyun didn’t know how to resist this newfound sweetness. It wasn’t just about
feelings; it was the worry and unease about the overpowering emotions consuming his
heart. Having been swept up in these raw feelings, he was certain that if he continued, he
wouldn’t escape.

“…I’m sorry.”

He didn’t know if Wooyeon even heard his apology. Dohyun quit tutoring, changed his
number, and severed all contact. It was an act of evasion, but he couldn’t think of
another way. “That’s enough,” Soo Hyang didn’t stop him either.

Every encounter carries the shadow of a farewell, with no promise of reunion. Whether
it’s a lifelong bond or an emotion believed eternal, all are fragile, capable of ending at
any moment.
 65

Until that moment, Dohyun believed this was goodbye forever.

The dawn began to creep through the window. The fury that had burned so intensely
earlier now faded, becoming a faint light from some distant moment. Dohyun blinked his
tired eyes a few times, covering the corners with one hand.

“Ha…”

Despite staying up all night, his mind was unnervingly clear and sharp. By endlessly
recalling Wooyeon’s retreating figure, he managed to regain some composure. Although
there was still no word from Soo Hyang, it no longer felt as important.

Dohyun rose from the sofa and stepped into the bathroom. First, he planned to wash his
face and head to school early. Without a car, he would walk to clear his thoughts. If he
waited near the lecture hall, perhaps he might see Wooyeon.

“It’s too late, Seonsaeng.”

“…”

Cold water from the shower cascaded down his body. Even as he stood soaked from head
to toe, Dohyun remained still, receiving the stream as the restless waves of pheromones
subsided to calm at his feet.

Since reuniting with Wooyeon, every moment had been laden with regret. The past he
was aware of but couldn’t change seemed to crash over him like a tide of bitterness. Lies
piled upon lies to cover past mistakes, making everything worse.

In truth, Dohyun wasn’t entirely without excuses. If he wanted, he had plenty of ways to
justify himself to Wooyeon. Just as he had done before, there were countless ways to
navigate this situation.

But even if he managed to overcome this challenge, he doubted Wooyeon would trust
him unconditionally as before. The lingering discomfort would explode eventually, and
between them still lay a massive mountain to overcome.

“…I don’t even know why you like me.”

“…”

“I don’t know how long you’ll keep liking me either…”

Wooyeon had quickly discerned Dohyun’s fear of love. He must have thought the
distance between them stemmed from differing emotions—that Dohyun was the one
making decisions, while he was merely clinging on.
 66

“In the end, if it’s not me, there must be plenty of people who like you…”

Dohyun understood exactly what Wooyeon was afraid of. Perhaps Wooyeon feared their
relationship was nothing more than a fleeting breeze, and that fear left him anxious and
scared. Because of that, he hadn’t dared to step forward, and so he withdrew further into
himself. Maybe he didn’t fully grasp how Dohyun felt when he said those words.

“You’re the only one I like.”

It wasn’t a statement meant to placate. If Dohyun was the only one for Wooyeon, then for
Dohyun, out of countless people, Wooyeon was the only one for him. The gap between
having no choice and choosing just one person was much larger than Wooyeon might
have realized.

“What should I do…”

Dohyun lowered his head and closed his eyes. Droplets of water slid down his soaked
hair. In the darkness behind his eyelids, the image of Wooyeon walking away surfaced
once more.

It wasn’t the first time he had seen that retreating figure. Just months ago, at the
freshman welcome party, Dohyun had witnessed the same scene.

It was the biting cold of February.

Dohyun was not the type of student who excelled academically or enthusiastically
participated in school events. Although he had accidentally become the president of a
club, it wasn’t something he particularly wanted. He often drank but rarely joined
departmental activities.

“This is such a hassle…”

That day, the only reason Dohyun attended the freshman welcome party was because of
Garam’s insistence. Normally, he would ignore such things, but the earnest invitation to
make an appearance couldn’t be brushed off. As the club president, he also needed to
promote the club, and Garam’s explanation was convincing enough.

There were only two things Dohyun hadn’t anticipated. One was that the weather would
be colder than expected, and the other was encountering someone he never expected to
see there.

“Ah.”

Typically, he wouldn’t turn around just because someone passed by. Even if they
exclaimed in surprise or stared at him, such things had nothing to do with him. But this
time, he turned his head because of the rare pheromone that brushed past his nose.
 67

“Uh…”

It was an extraordinary omega. The pheromone, fresh like an unripe fruit, was entirely
different from any omega Dohyun had encountered before. The face looking at him
curiously was equally captivating, incomparable to anyone else.

“…Are you an alpha?”

Before he could recognize the strangeness of the question, Dohyun felt a familiar
sensation. Slowly, he blinked and replied.

“Yes.”

Those eyes…

“I’m an alpha.”

They were exactly the same.

_________________________________________________
 68

Chapter 79

There was no time to say anything more. As soon as those words were spoken, the other
person turned away without even glancing back, walking off with long, angry strides.
Dohyun stood frozen in place, dazedly watching the direction in which the figure
disappeared.

“Why are you so late?”

Garam couldn't hold back and walked up to Dohyun, unleashing a barrage of complaints.
She grumbled about having to come all this way and said it wouldn’t have been so hard if
Dohyun had arrived just a bit earlier. After venting much of her frustration, Garam’s
tone quickly turned lighter.

“Hey, you saw that person earlier, didn’t you? That new freshman? Isn’t he
adorable?”

At first glance, he looked younger, but it turned out he was 20. His fair complexion and
delicate features on his small face were entirely Garam’s type.

“Is he from our department?”

Dohyun asked, gradually losing interest in the person. Regardless of their looks or
pheromones, if they were a freshman from his department, things would be different.
Getting involved in the wrong way could make campus life exhausting.

“Yeah, invited him to the party, but he said he was busy and left right away. Cold
and didn’t bother chatting much.”

“Doesn’t seem like a fan of parties.”

“Damn… this won’t work…”

“Where’s your dignity? He’s just a freshman.”

“I wasn’t planning to flirt or anything. Just wanted to invite him to the club.”

On a quick assessment, Garam noted that he seemed very studious and even mentioned
some fortune-telling nonsense she’d looked up. Clearly, she was impressed enough to
regret not asking for his number.

“I heard his name is beautiful too.”

“What’s his name?”

 69

If the conversation had ended there, Dohyun might have just agreed absentmindedly and
moved on. Since they were in the same department, there was always a chance they’d
run into each other eventually.

The problem was the name Garam mentioned.

“Seon Wooyeon.”

“…”

A shiver ran through Dohyun’s body. His pupils dilated, and his breath caught in his
throat. Even the pheromones naturally radiating from him abruptly halted. Without
hesitation, Dohyun dashed off in the direction the other person had disappeared.

“Hey, where are you going? Hey, Kim Dohyun!”

It was an almost reckless act. Dohyun ran until he was gasping for breath, searching
around the school gate like someone chasing a ghost. He grabbed a few people in similar
clothing, but unfortunately, none of them were Wooyeon.

“…Ha.”

Opportunities always came at unexpected moments. This chance meeting, without any
warning, had become a turning point in his monotonous days. A connection he thought
would never cross paths again was now within his reach.

The memories he believed he had buried were merely things he avoided confronting. As
soon as he recognized the chance to unravel those tangled threads, he clung to it like
grasping at a straw.

If someone had asked what he was thinking, Dohyun wouldn’t have known how to
answer. He understood well how absurd it was to turn back now, especially since he had
been the one to leave first. Perhaps it was a simple sense of joy, or maybe lingering
affection. Belated regrets for a relationship that had hurt them both in their youth.

The only certainty was that, while he wished for it deeply, it wasn’t romantic feelings.

For now, Dohyun decided to wait. He waited for the new semester to begin, waited for
Wooyeon to appear before his eyes, and waited for Garam to invite Wooyeon to join their
club.

This time, he hoped their meeting would start naturally, without any ulterior motives.

“Do you know someone named Seon Wooyeon?”

 70

When Yoon Woo asked him that, Dohyun nearly jumped with excitement. Although he
hadn’t doubted it much, the last bit of uncertainty was now gone.

“That kid asked about you. I thought he wanted to join the club, but it doesn’t seem
like that’s the case. If he were someone Garam knew, she would’ve invited him to
today’s club meeting…”

He had no intention of acting rashly. Because their relationship had gone wrong once
before, he intended to approach cautiously and carefully. If it weren’t for Garam’s
drunken antics annoying the kid, Dohyun wouldn’t have spoken to him first.

“Wow, Wooyeon sure has a lot of friends, huh?”

Garam’s habit of being overly friendly when drunk was troublesome. Regardless of who
it was, she always acted chummy, sometimes even physically affectionate. That night, she
lost control of her pheromones, and it was clear how uncomfortable Wooyeon felt.

“She’s at it again…”

“Garam is acting like a tipsy old lady.”

Wooyeon’s shoulders tensed up. Sitting against the wall, covering his mouth with his
hand, he looked like a hedgehog curling into a defensive ball. Dohyun remembered that
Wooyeon had always disliked Alphas.

“He’s not feeling comfortable.”

Dohyun stepped between Garam and Wooyeon as if oblivious. He shielded Wooyeon

from Garam’s pheromones and handed him a glass of water to help with his hiccups.
Only after Dohyun urged him to drink did Wooyeon take the glass.

“Thank you.”

His voice was lower and more grounded than before. It was no longer the weak, delicate
tone of the past but had grown steady and mature. Four years had passed, after all. That
realization brought a mix of relief and regret.

“That’s him.”

Garam’s face, flushed with alcohol, made her words sound rude despite her drunken
cheer. When she asked, “See what I mean, right?” Dohyun couldn’t help but glance at
Wooyeon, even though he knew it was impolite.

Under the dim lights, Wooyeon’s pale face stood out. Though thinner, his facial features
hadn’t changed. He still looked nothing like Soo Hyang, and his clear eyes remained as
they were.
 71

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Garam had said he looked adorable, hadn’t she? Saying his face was a mix of cute and
beautiful wouldn’t be wrong. Dohyun had known about those big eyes and high nose
since four years ago.

“Can I talk casually with you?”

Now, perhaps he could tell him everything about the past. That thought briefly crossed
his mind. The past was behind them, so maybe he could confess honestly. Then they
could become good friends—or at least two people who once relied on each other.

“What’s your name?”

“Seon Wooyeon.”

But unlike Dohyun, Wooyeon didn’t seem to want to acknowledge their connection.
When Dohyun confirmed his name, Wooyeon maintained an air of unfamiliarity. He
firmly corrected him, stating his name wasn’t “Seonwoo Yeon” but “Seon Wooyeon” with
an unyielding tone.

“Oh, Wooyeon.”

What were the odds that a student he had once tutored four years ago would end up in
the same university, in the same department? He’d heard Wooyeon had studied abroad
in the U.S., a place where he could’ve pursued higher education.

“What a coincidence.”

If it truly was a coincidence, he hoped it was inevitable. It would be better to start fresh,
pretending not to know each other as Wooyeon seemed to want. If they rebuilt their
connection step by step, perhaps one day, Wooyeon might call him "seonsaeng" again.

“…It’s fine.”

The fact that Wooyeon smoked caught him off guard, but it wasn’t shocking. He
understood that Wooyeon had stepped out partly because he felt uncomfortable. What
really surprised Dohyun was a single statement from Wooyeon.

“I don’t like that smile of yours. It looks fake.”

It was a blow. Perhaps it stung a little. The words were so unexpected and surprising that
he couldn’t believe them.
 72

It had been four years. Not too long, not too short—a solid four years. A period long
enough for Wooyeon’s appearance and voice to change. And now, the person he reunited
with after all these years told him his smile was fake.

Dohyun didn’t think it was just a passing remark. He was self-aware enough to know his
smile could come off as insincere at times. But the fact that Wooyeon could see through it
unnerved him.

Dohyun had never faked a smile in front of Wooyeon. Not four years ago, not now. Every
time he faced Wooyeon, he was completely genuine.

Perhaps that was why those words left him feeling a bit stubborn. Knowing it was
somewhat childish, he still wanted Wooyeon to see his smile as sincere. He didn’t want to
be misunderstood—especially by Wooyeon.

Fortunately, there were plenty of opportunities to clear up the misunderstanding. By

coincidence, they shared a class on Fridays, and Wooyeon joined the "Classic English
Literature Reading Club." Though Wooyeon occasionally seemed irritated, he looked
undeniably cute when flustered by being asked if he was uncomfortable.

“…Has anyone ever told you your personality is annoying?”

That was a question Dohyun had only ever heard from two people: Soo Hyang and
Wooyeon.

For several weeks, Dohyun did everything he could for Wooyeon. He helped him register
for classes, assisted with his studies, and even bought him inexpensive snacks that Soo
Hyang would have sneered at. The “young master” who’d never opened a car door
himself turned out to love simple treats like chocolate and spicy rice cakes.

Those were meaningful days. Watching Wooyeon adapt to the club, blush while fiddling
with his ears, or drunkenly curse people in English were all endearing moments. While
Dohyun occasionally felt a strange flutter, he dismissed it as mere excitement.

“Then today, let’s have a study group at Wooyeon’s place.”

The decision to hold the study group was impulsive. He felt uneasy about how Wooyeon
had been avoiding him since the club’s first meeting, and he was also annoyed by an
Alpha who’d left a note for Wooyeon in the library. From the very first orientation party,
Dohyun had noticed that Wooyeon drew far too much unwanted attention.

“This… feels like a model home…”

The penthouse offered a breathtaking view. Amid that luxurious setting, Dohyun caught
a glimpse of the Wooyeon he’d known four years ago. Although the house was different
 73

from the “prison” he used to live in, seeing him isolated in such a high place made
Dohyun think of Wooyeon as someone lonely.

“What are you looking for?”

“Glasses. It feels awkward handing drinks out like this.”

Dohyun chuckled when he saw Wooyeon fumbling to prepare drinks, clueless about
where the glasses were stored.

Even though there were likely glasses in the lower cabinets, Wooyeon searched the
higher ones at eye level. Dohyun couldn’t help but think he might break one. And sure
enough, as if on cue, a glass slipped from Wooyeon’s grasp.

“…Always like this…”

Dohyun’s reflexes surprised even himself. He’d expected the glass to fall but hadn’t
thought he’d catch it. His pheromones flared from the shock, and Wooyeon’s wide eyes
reflected his image.

“Can’t take my eyes off you.”

The distance between them was barely an arm’s length. During their tutoring sessions,
they’d been even closer than this. Yet for some reason, this familiar proximity now made
Dohyun’s heart race.

“I… I’m sorry, I need to use the restroom…”

Wooyeon hurriedly left, while Dohyun stood rooted in place, unable to move for a long
moment. The faint pheromones lingering in the air seemed to settle deep within his
chest. Dohyun realized his pounding heart wasn’t from narrowly catching the glass.

On the way home, Dohyun’s thoughts were a whirlwind. Whenever he closed his eyes,
Wooyeon’s face appeared, and his heart stirred at the emotions reflected in Wooyeon’s
expressions. His feelings began to shift, and even the name in his heart changed.

It was romantic. It was affection, it is love.

But before he could even begin to panic over this realization, Dohyun had to immediately
suppress those emotions. The next day, he received a call from Yoon, his driver.

—“The chairman wants to see you.”

_________________________________________________
 74

Chapter 80

The events unfolded like a death sentence. Dohyun had never been bothered by Soo
Hyang’s calls, but that day, his instincts warned him of something ominous. Throughout
his lecture and on his way to the company, an uneasy premonition clung to him.

“Sit down. Don’t just stand there and listen.”

Soo Hyang skipped the pleasantries. The secretary brought out a cup of tea, but instead
of picking it up, Dohyun stared intently at her. The face he was seeing after four years
hadn’t changed much.

“You know why I called you, don’t you?”

The straightforward question left him unable to respond immediately. He looked away
awkwardly. Even though he hadn’t done anything wrong, the timing seemed far from
ideal.

“Yes… I have a general idea.”

At his hesitant answer, Soo Hyang began speaking calmly.

“Four years ago, after you left without a word, Wooyeon fell seriously ill.”

“…Ill?”

It was the first time he’d heard about it. With no one to keep him updated on Wooyeon’s
situation, it wasn’t entirely surprising. Dohyun’s expression betrayed his shock, but Soo
Hyang remained indifferent.

“They say it was a form of ‘lovesickness.’”

Dohyun was at a loss for words. Images of the Wooyeon he had met yesterday and the
Wooyeon from four years ago flickered in his mind. He could still vividly recall the look
on Wooyeon’s face when they parted ways.

“He couldn’t eat and only slept like a sick chicken. He cried so much he couldn’t
even sip water; it’s no wonder he fell ill.”

Soo Hyang’s cold voice cut through Dohyun’s heart like an unyielding blade. Though her
tone was measured, the more he listened, the more he felt as if needles were pricking his
skin. Perhaps it was her subdued pheromones intensifying the heavy atmosphere.

“I sent him to the U.S., thinking a change of environment might help him forget
you.”
 75

Looking back, it made sense. Wooyeon had initially wanted to attend a specialized
language school, and studying abroad hadn’t been part of his plans. There was no reason
for him to abruptly leave South Korea like that.

“But now he’s back after four years.”

“…”

“Tell me—if you were in my position, would you keep someone like you near your
child?”

Soo Hyang’s voice exuded pheromones, the weight of her words pressing down on
Dohyun’s shoulders. Her icy gaze bore into him.

Dohyun bowed his head like someone guilty. His mind was blank; he didn’t know what to
say. Even though Soo Hyang might not have intended to reprimand him, just hearing
these things was a trial in itself.

“Letting you stay by his side in the first place was my mistake.”

Even though Dohyun remained silent, Soo Hyang continued. After lowering her gaze
briefly, she looked up again.

“But you were the one who ended everything.”

With her hands clasped tightly on the table, Soo Hyang spoke in a light, almost friendly
tone.

“I hope our encounter this time doesn’t end everything.”

Her words were layered with subtlety but also carried a clear warning: this time, she
wouldn’t show mercy. Dohyun couldn’t respond, and the conversation ended there.

Meeting again after four years had been incredibly unlikely. Given Wooyeon’s financial
situation and decision to study abroad, there was no reason for him to return to Korea.
His enrollment in the English department and questions about someone named Kim
Dohyun—all of it led Dohyun to one conclusion.

But it was only an assumption he had reached. In reality, Wooyeon showed no sign of
recognizing him and even seemed to avoid him lately. Perhaps he simply wanted to close
the chapter on their past relationship.

After much thought, Dohyun decided to let go of his feelings for Wooyeon. He distanced
himself, pretending to take a different path. During their shared classes, he sat at the
back but couldn’t help watching Wooyeon’s back with longing.
 76

At that moment, he thought he could stop. Wooyeon was avoiding him, and his own
feelings were still in the early stages. He thought everything would be fine. But soon
after, Dohyun realized that was just his arrogance.

That day, to cheer up the club members preparing for their midterms, Dohyun bought
hamburgers for everyone. Unfortunately, it was a Wednesday, the day he and Wooyeon
had group study. Regretting his timing, Dohyun still booked a study room near the
school.

“Hey!”
“Dohyun! We missed you!”
“You guys are so predictable.”

The club room was unusually full. Everyone was eating hamburgers and greeting
Dohyun with cheerful faces. He smiled habitually, scanning the room.

“Only when there’s food, huh…”

Wooyeon was sitting on the sofa in a white hoodie, making his pale complexion stand out
even more. His small hands held a hamburger tightly, and his pouting face, with his
mouth stuffed, was so adorable that Dohyun couldn’t look away.

“What’s wrong?”

It was because Wooyeon was cute, and because Dohyun’s heart ached. The sight of
Wooyeon struggling with the hamburger was simply too endearing.

But then, Dohyun avoided Wooyeon’s gaze and turned away.

“It’s nothing.”

Just a fleeting glance. A moment that passed before it could even be called an encounter.
Yet it felt like his heart had been ignited.

Dohyun tried to compose himself, sitting as far from Wooyeon as possible. But he
couldn’t stop himself from stealing glances at Wooyeon from across the room. The young
master, who had likely never tried fast food, was hunched over, eating the hamburger
ravenously.

“Sorry, I have to leave early.”

He thought maybe Wooyeon was having digestive issues. His face didn’t look good—pale,
strained. It must’ve been hard for him to stomach food he wasn’t used to.

“And… the study room?”

 77

“I’ve already booked it.”

Still, Dohyun couldn’t bring himself to ask if Wooyeon was okay. He couldn’t offer a
comforting word, nor even meet Wooyeon’s eyes. All he could do was pretend to be his
usual self, speaking lightly.

“There’s space at the café in front of the school. After class, just head to the school
gate.”

He felt the heavy, sorrowful gaze lingering on him. Wooyeon’s fresh pheromones had
dimmed, becoming as gloomy as the weather outside. Wooyeon said he’d see them later
and left the club room, while Dohyun didn’t turn to look at him as he walked away.

Waiting for him later, Dohyun felt compelled to stop by a convenience store. Dark clouds
were gathering, signaling a coming storm. Along with an umbrella, he picked up a small
bottle of digestive medicine.

“You guys go ahead to the café first.”

Anxiety gnawed at him as Wooyeon failed to show up at the school gate even after the
appointed time. The class had surely ended long ago, but there was no call or message.
Sending Garam and Seongyu ahead, Dohyun walked briskly across the campus.

It was instinct, more than anything else. As raindrops began to fall, he opened his
umbrella and let his steps guide him. The name of Wooyeon’s class, Global Leadership,
was imprinted in his mind.

As he had feared, Wooyeon was sitting on a bench near the classroom building. Under
the blooming cherry blossoms, his curled-up figure looked more fragile than ever. Each
step closer sent Dohyun’s heart pounding harder.

“…I was wondering why you didn’t come.”

If someone asked when it began, he wouldn’t know. That feeling had crept in unnoticed,
and by the time he realized it, it was uncontrollable. Whether it started four years ago or
after meeting Wooyeon again, he couldn’t distinguish.

“You’ll catch a cold like this.”

He liked Wooyeon. He liked the pure look in his eyes, the sincerity in his heart. He liked
this innocent, awkward young man named Wooyeon.

“Th…”
 78

He remembered the voice that called him seonsaeng. He couldn’t forget the warmth of
Wooyeon’s embrace when he cried and held onto him. No matter how much time passed,
Dohyun remained bound to Wooyeon.

“…Seonbae.”

That voice brought him back to reality. The image of Soo Hyang surfaced, along with the
words about Wooyeon’s past pain.

“Sometimes…”

Sometimes, a single decision could change the future. Whether to reach out or hold back
was a choice that even after four years, he found difficult.

“It’s not easy.”

Wooyeon didn’t respond, simply burying his head on his knees. Raindrops slid down his
sharp nose.

“Let me carry you on my back?”

“…”

The words escaped before he could stop them. Yet the moment he said them, he wanted
to act on them. To give up, ignore, or pretend not to know—he had done enough of that
four years ago.

“Let me take you home.”

Without hesitation, Dohyun crouched down and all but forced Wooyeon to climb onto his
back. His cold legs brushed against Dohyun’s fingers, but the warmth from his body
offered some relief. Dohyun didn’t want to miss any more of Wooyeon’s breaths, words,
or quiet murmurs.

“Why are you being so kind to me?”

Wooyeon’s pheromones, fresh as ripe fruit, were still a little naive, making Dohyun feel
at peace.

“I just want to be good to you.”

An apology was just an excuse to hide his feelings. The desire to start over was a selfish
wish he couldn’t suppress.

Dohyun simply didn’t want to lose this precious connection again.

“…Then keep being good to me.”

 79

“I’ll make sure not to hurt Wooyeon.”

When Dohyun showed up unannounced, Soo Hyang didn’t immediately drive him out of
the room. Instead, she addressed him with a cold gaze, saying, “I don’t trust you.” Taking
a deep breath, Dohyun spoke softly.

“I intend to tell him everything.”

Before it was too late, he wanted to reveal the truth and beg Wooyeon not to leave him.
He hoped that, with Wooyeon’s gentle heart, forgiveness might be possible.

“You’re awfully confident.”

Soo Hyang dismissed Dohyun’s determination with a single comment. Her calm question
carried a sharp undertone.

“Do you think Wooyeon will still love you once he knows everything?”

That was something Dohyun wasn’t sure of, and Soo Hyang seemed to have expected his
hesitation. She clicked her tongue.

“If this were just a fleeting, foolish romance, I wouldn’t intervene. But no matter
the outcome, you’ll have to bear the consequences yourself.”

He wasn’t entirely sure why he interpreted her words as a form of approval. Perhaps it
was because her reaction was less harsh than he had expected, and she wasn’t actively
obstructing him.

Yet her final words were as cold as ice.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my child.”

_________________________________________________
 80

Chapter 81

Dohyun patiently waited for the right moment. When the situation, timing, and location
were all favorable, he would calmly express himself. Sometimes, he wanted to pretend to
be oblivious and let things go, but he constantly reminded himself that he couldn’t do
that.

“I also… want to smoke.”

Unaware of his thoughts, Wooyeon trailed after Dohyun like a newly hatched chick. He
even expressed a desire to try smoking, prompting Dohyun to secretly decide to quit.
Still, he couldn't deny that this presented a good opportunity.

“I’ll take you to see a movie.”

A "reward" disguised as a date and a stepping stone to confess everything. Knowing that
Wooyeon would resolutely pursue a goal once determined, Dohyun proposed this
challenge. If Wooyeon focused on studying, that alone would make Dohyun happy.

“I’ll even get you popcorn and soda.”

As innocent as ever, Wooyeon quickly agreed to this “reward.” With tasty treats and an
enjoyable activity in sight, he was sure to give his best effort for a good result.

In truth, Dohyun deliberately set vague criteria, planning to praise Wooyeon regardless
of the outcome.

However, two things didn’t go as planned: Wooyeon was devastated by his final exam
results and later got so drunk at a party that he blacked out.

“Can you help me take off my pants?”

Even after acknowledging his feelings, Dohyun never thought of Wooyeon in a sexual
way. He had seen him in his uniform, and apart from the pheromones, Wooyeon still
gave off the scent of a child. Even if Wooyeon initiated undressing, Dohyun was
confident he wouldn’t falter.

“…You’re lying on my bed.”

But his mind went blank. Blaming the pheromones wasn’t enough; Wooyeon's flushed
face radiated deadly innocence. His dreamy eyes and pale legs shattered all of Dohyun’s
self-control.

“Ha… Damn it, to hell with it.”

 81

He almost let everything unfold naturally. He gently caressed Wooyeon, his touch urging
him on. Surrounded by pheromones, their gazes met, and an overwhelming impulse
surged through him.

“…”

“…”

He wanted to kiss him. To taste the sweetness in his mouth, mix with the pheromones,
and explore every inch of his lips.

That was the final limit of his restraint. Wooyeon barely touched his jaw, but Dohyun
could only close his eyes, grit his teeth, and keep his hands busy. When Wooyeon reached
his peak, Dohyun’s suppressed breath escaped like a spring uncoiling.

“…Yeon-ah.”

Of course, Wooyeon didn’t hear that whisper. He simply lay there, relaxed, letting out
soft moans.

“Ah… seonsaeng…”

The next day, Wooyeon ran away without looking back. Dohyun didn’t have the chance to
ask about Danny—who had come to Korea to meet Wooyeon—or why he was staying at
Wooyeon’s house instead of a hotel, nor why Wooyeon pretended not to remember
anything from the previous night.

But in truth, none of that mattered anymore. Once Wooyeon had called him “seonsaeng,”
the second time would be easier. Perhaps beginning their next conversation with that
memory wasn’t such a bad idea.

Dohyun helped Wooyeon with group assignments and, based on Yoon Woo’s suggestion,
planned a movie date. Wooyeon, like an obedient child, followed everything he said
without suspicion.

Finally, the date arrived. Without hesitation, Wooyeon invited Dohyun to his house.

“…Do you want champagne?”

After drinking to the point of doing such things, Wooyeon still wanted to drink. It seemed
he hadn’t fully grasped that this was his house and they were on a date.

“You remember, don’t you, Wooyeon?”

 82

Honestly, Dohyun felt frustrated. Wooyeon had called him “seonsaeng” yet acted as if he
didn’t remember anything. A little reminder of the past would surely make him
withdraw in embarrassment.

“…Why are you so sensitive, seonbae?”

“Everything becomes easier with experience.”

Understanding other people's eyes was something Dohyun had become accustomed to.
From the orphanage to his foster home, he lived every day on edge.

“Why are you used to that?”

“Hmm… I don’t know.”

He didn’t answer because of insecurity. Talking about his circumstances with Wooyeon,
who grew up in a good family, made him feel ashamed. Even though Wooyeon seemed
sad, Dohyun’s fragile pride wouldn’t allow him to explain.

Luckily, Wooyeon didn’t ask further and changed the topic, though his response wasn’t
what Dohyun expected.

“It’s because of the alcohol.”

That statement drained the blood from Dohyun’s face. It felt as though, even if it hadn’t
been him, that night would have unfolded similarly.

“So, if it had been someone else, you’d have done the same?”

Dohyun’s emotions bubbled as he pressed Wooyeon gently but firmly. He knew he was
being unreasonable, but seeing Wooyeon flustered threw him off balance. Wooyeon said
nothing, merely opened his mouth and suddenly grabbed the champagne bottle with
determination.

“…!”

This was unexpected. Before Dohyun could stop him or take the bottle, Wooyeon had
already gulped the champagne, only to slump forward onto the table moments later.

“…Pfft.”

Dohyun chuckled, covering his eyes with one hand. This wasn’t how he envisioned
things, and the important words still hadn’t been said. He felt a mix of disappointment,
confusion, and humor.

“I can never win against you…”

 83

He was always swept along by Wooyeon without knowing what lay ahead. Wooyeon’s
simple thoughts and genuine expressions were unpredictable. Just today, when Dohyun
thought he had cornered him, Wooyeon had drunk champagne to escape the situation.

After a few moments of disappointment, Dohyun got up and approached Wooyeon. As he

gently touched the top of his head, Wooyeon groaned and turned away.

“Your forehead is red.”

Wooyeon's pale face highlighted the redness on his forehead. Fortunately, there was no
bruise, but the spot he hit looked painful. Dohyun lightly rubbed the area with his thumb
before crouching in front of him.

“Seon Wooyeon.”

“…”

“Wooyeon.”

“…”

“Yeon-ah.”

Wooyeon’s long lashes fluttered softly. His rosy lips moved slightly, as if he were tasting
something. The sweet scent of his pheromones mingled with his ragged breathing,
creating an enchanting atmosphere.

“…Do you trust me so unconditionally?”

An exceptional Omega, yet lying there with such an innocent and careless expression.
Wooyeon was clearly Soo Hyang’s son, but he had so many vulnerable gaps. What if
Dohyun were to do something he shouldn’t?

Contrary to those thoughts, Dohyun couldn’t bring himself to touch him, simply watching
Wooyeon in silence. He tilted his head, as if to imprint every feature of Wooyeon’s face in
his mind. His skin was pale and smooth like fine flour, without a single rough
spot—delicately flawless.

After a long moment, Dohyun reached out to Wooyeon. Supporting his limp body, he
lifted him effortlessly, as though carrying a child. Earlier, when he had Wooyeon on his
back, it felt like he could carry him anywhere with ease.

“But that wouldn’t be right, would it?”

 84

Dohyun chuckled softly as he carried Wooyeon. Guided by intuition, he found the

bedroom and placed Wooyeon gently onto the bed. As soon as he did, Wooyeon’s eyes
fluttered open. They blinked, hazy with intoxication.

“Are you awake?”

“…”

Without replying, Wooyeon sat up slowly, nearly tipping over before regaining his
balance. Bowing his head, he murmured faintly, lips slightly parted.

“I need to take a bath…”

He began to undress, seemingly oblivious to Dohyun’s presence. Pulling off his hoodie
and undoing his pants, he stumbled toward the bathroom, shedding his clothes like
discarded layers.

“This is just…”

Dohyun could only watch Wooyeon’s retreating figure, speechless. When Wooyeon was
about to remove his last piece of clothing, Dohyun turned away in exasperation. Despite
being drunk, Wooyeon moved with a strangely agile clumsiness, leaving Dohyun no
chance to intervene.

Dohyun opened the bathroom door only after hearing a loud noise inside. Perhaps
Wooyeon had slipped or dropped something. Either way, it wasn’t safe to leave him like
that.

Thankfully, it was just a shampoo bottle that had fallen. Wooyeon sat obediently in the
bathtub, letting water cascade over him from the showerhead. When Dohyun stepped in,
Wooyeon looked up with wide eyes.

“…seonsaeng?”

“You still recognize me?”

Dohyun chuckled in surprise, approaching him slowly. He adjusted the water

temperature to make it warmer, and Wooyeon reached out of the tub, grasping Dohyun’s
shirt with a bewildered expression.

“Where did you go?”

“Go where? I was outside and came in here.”

“No, not that…”

 85

Steam rose thickly in the room. Deciding to help, Dohyun began washing Wooyeon,
intending to get him back to bed afterward. Wooyeon leaned his head forward
obediently, mumbling under his breath.

“You weren’t here…”

“I’m here now.”

His experience caring for his younger siblings came in handy. Drunk Wooyeon wasn’t
much different from a child unable to look after themselves, except for his larger frame.
If it weren’t for the uneasy stirring in his gut, taking care of Wooyeon would have been
simpler.

“Alright, let’s get you to bed now.”

Playfully, Dohyun dressed Wooyeon in a bathrobe instead of regular clothes. He tied the
belt securely, though it seemed he was the one suffering for it. Wooyeon, unaware of how
he looked, clung to Dohyun’s shirt.

“Are you leaving now?”

His gaze was forlorn, his round, glistening eyes full of unshed tears. No one could
possibly say goodbye in such a moment.

“Do I have to stay?”

In the end, Dohyun gave in and lay down beside Wooyeon. Because Wooyeon didn’t like
the damp feeling, Dohyun took off his shirt, but even that wasn’t enough for him. Dohyun
finally offered his hand, letting Wooyeon grasp it tightly. Wooyeon smiled contentedly,
holding on as if afraid to let go.

“You like this?”

“Yes.”

The answer was resolute. Drunkenly, Wooyeon was completely unhesitant. Dohyun
chuckled softly, murmuring.

“Why do you like me?”

“Because you’re my seonsaeng, so I like you.”

What an adorable drunken habit. His pronunciation was clear, and his answers were
straightforward. If Dohyun hadn’t seen him drunk before, he might have thought
Wooyeon was completely sober.
 86

“Then who is Danny?”

It was a childish question, but Dohyun wanted clarity. Wooyeon gazed into the distance,
his eyes dreamy.

“Maybe…a friend.”

“Maybe?”

A vague response. A friend is a friend, or they aren’t. What did “maybe” even mean?
Perhaps it was some special relationship from the U.S.? As Dohyun speculated, Wooyeon
elaborated.

“A friend, but it’s complicated.”

“How complicated?”

“It’s just…”

Something felt off. His tone carried a hint of bitterness, unlike when he spoke about a
friend.

The dim voice escaped his flushed lips.

“It was my mom who made me get close to him.”

The previously lighthearted atmosphere turned icy. Dohyun’s heavy pheromones seemed
to freeze the air. Wooyeon, oblivious to the shift, continued in a weary, sleepy tone.

“I can’t fully trust him.”

_________________________________________________
 87

Chapter 82

It felt like a heavy blow to the back of the head. Dohyun's mind went blank, and his
vision blurred. The words he had prepared to say to Wooyeon vanished meaninglessly
into the air.

Sometimes, being perceptive isn't a blessing. If only he hadn’t understood the meaning
behind Wooyeon’s words, it might have been better. But Dohyun instantly grasped the
situation—who Danny was, how Wooyeon and Danny had grown close, and what
Wooyeon’s reaction would be if he revealed the truth.

“Hold me, seonsaeng.”

Wooyeon pulled Dohyun closer as he said this. His unfocused eyes slowly closed and
reopened, still lacking clarity. Dohyun gently ran his hand through Wooyeon’s hair.

“A hug can mean so many things.”

Instead of responding, Wooyeon simply stared at Dohyun. His half-closed eyes, tilted
upward, seemed to be asking for a kiss. As Dohyun leaned in, their lips barely brushed
together, light as a feather.

“…”

“…”

Their lips parted briefly before meeting again, this time because of Wooyeon’s whispered
plea.

“Just one more time…”

As if hypnotized, Dohyun held Wooyeon’s lips once more. He gently bit his lower lip,
creating a space to slide his tongue inside. The sweet and tight sensation within made
him dizzy with desire.

“Mm…”

Wooyeon let out a soft, pleasurable sound, but Dohyun knew he wouldn’t remember any
of this tomorrow. He would forget the mingling pheromones, the moist breaths, and
everything that had passed between them.

“…Yeon-ah.”

Even so, Dohyun clung to the hope that maybe this time, Wooyeon would remember. He
slowly broke away, cupping Wooyeon’s chin, and prayed silently.
 88

“Call me ‘seonsaeng’ again tomorrow, okay?”

“…”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know me.”

If there were even a small chance, he was ready to bare it all. Despite knowing what the
future held, he wasn’t ready to give up. He knew he was being a coward, but all he
wanted was one more chance.

“…I can’t.”

But things didn’t go as he wished. Wooyeon’s cold voice crushed the last of his hope.

“I won’t say it.”

With that, Wooyeon fell into a deep sleep. Dohyun clenched his right hand tightly and
sighed in disappointment.

As expected, Wooyeon didn’t remember anything the next morning. Dohyun, who had
stayed awake all night, realized several things when he saw Wooyeon’s confusion. For
one, Wooyeon would never bring up the past first. And for another, he himself would
never have the courage to tell Wooyeon everything.

He couldn’t understand why Wooyeon pretended not to know. Perhaps Wooyeon had his
reasons, but without sharing them, nothing could be resolved.

In the end, even the courage to speak was something Dohyun had lost.

While showering, memories of the past kept playing in his head, eventually taking him
back to the day he and Wooyeon broke up.

Wooyeon had looked utterly devastated, tears streaming down his face as he said he
wanted to end their relationship.

“From now on, I won’t like you anymore.”

Was it wrong of him to call out “Yeon-ah” in anger when Wooyeon wanted to end it all
after just one night? Or was it his own sense of betrayal—despite being the one to leave
Wooyeon first—that was the real mistake?

The moment the thought of losing Wooyeon surfaced, Dohyun couldn’t think straight. He
just wanted to keep Wooyeon by his side, regardless of guilt or morality. Any justification
he had for the past crumbled like a sandcastle.
 89

Once again, Dohyun let Wooyeon slip away, and this time, he couldn’t think of any way to
hold onto him. All he could think was that he needed to see him, even without a concrete
plan.

Dohyun checked the time on his watch and stood waiting outside the building where
Wooyeon’s first class was held. With final exams approaching, the campus was bustling
early in the morning. Wooyeon was expected to arrive in about two hours.

“Phew.”

It had been a long time since Dohyun felt this tense—his whole body seemed twisted in
knots. Maybe it was the sleepless night or the memories that had resurfaced, but
something felt off.

“Hey, good morning!”

“You’re here early, huh?”

As he waited, several people passed by and greeted him. On a normal day, he would have
responded, but today he only managed a brief nod. Even strangers could probably tell
something was wrong.

“Hey, there you are!”

The voice calling out to him now belonged to Seongyu, who had arrived on campus
earlier than Wooyeon. He quickly walked over, noticing Dohyun’s pale face.

“Did you not sleep? You’ve got dark circles under your eyes.”

“Yeah, I stayed up all night… Is it that obvious?”

Dohyun rubbed his eyes sheepishly. Though he felt tired, he hadn’t thought he looked
this bad. He wanted to make a good impression on Wooyeon, but his appearance
betrayed him.

“No worries, you’re still handsome!”

Seon gyu laughed and gave him a thumbs-up, clearly trying to lighten Dohyun’s mood.
Dohyun tried to smile back but couldn’t muster the energy.

“Uh, so…”

Seongyu looked at him hesitantly, as if piecing something together. He paused for a

moment before asking softly:

“Did you and Wooyeon… have a fight?”

 90

“Just some things happened,” Dohyun replied vaguely.

“…You haven’t broken up yet, right?” Seongyu asked cautiously.

As those words left Seongyu’s mouth, a car pulled up in front of the building. It was a
rare luxury car with tinted windows, exuding an aura that made it clear its owner wasn’t
an ordinary student. Dohyun stared at the car, muttering as if speaking to himself.

“I don’t want that, which is why I’m waiting.”

The door clicked open—not the backseat, but the driver’s door. A sharply dressed man
stepped out, ignoring Dohyun completely as he walked around the car to open the back
door. His face was all too familiar to Dohyun.

“…Driver Yoon.”

Leaving a confused Seongyu behind, Dohyun headed toward the car.

A few students nearby turned to look when a man in a white cap stepped out of the
vehicle. His fair complexion and perfectly balanced features stood out—it was Wooyeon.

“I’ll come to pick you up on time, young master…”

But Wooyeon didn’t seem to hear Driver Yoon’s words. He walked away without glancing
back, ignoring the curious stares around him. One hand held his bag, the other pressed
his cap firmly onto his head as he strode toward the building.

Taking a deep breath, Dohyun called out in a hoarse voice.

“Yeon-ah.”

“…”

Wooyeon stopped in his tracks. Driver Yoon, about to return to the car, also glanced over.

There was a chance Driver Yoon would report everything that happened here to Soo
Hyang. If Soo Hyang had given any instructions, the driver might step in to stop Dohyun
from approaching Wooyeon.

But Driver Yoon acted as if he hadn’t seen anything and returned to the car. There were
no bodyguards with Wooyeon, likely due to an agreement between him and Soo Hyang.
After the incident Wooyeon had mentioned, even starting a conversation might soon
become impossible.

“Let’s talk for a bit.”

Wooyeon lifted his head and looked directly at Dohyun.

 91

The distance between them was just one step. Dohyun stopped there, not closing the gap.
Although many students surrounded them, it felt as if they were the only two in their
own world.

“Just for a moment.”

At Dohyun’s plea, Wooyeon bit his lower lip. Dohyun’s gaze never left him, watching
every subtle shift in Wooyeon’s expression. As his pink lips turned pale, Wooyeon finally
spoke in a low, almost inaudible voice.

“I have nothing to say.”

Wooyeon turned away, brushing past Dohyun without stopping. From a distance,
Seongyu stood frozen, eyes wide in surprise. But Dohyun had expected this reaction and
silently followed Wooyeon.

“…”

“…”

It was a strange sight. Wooyeon walked ahead, looking straight ahead, while Dohyun
trailed behind without saying a word. Both were well-known figures on campus, and if
they continued like this, it was bound to spark rumors.

“Yeon-ah.”

When Wooyeon reached the door to his classroom, Dohyun called him once more.
Wooyeon hesitated but didn’t turn around as he replied.

“Don’t call me that.”

“…”

“That’s not my name.”

Wooyeon’s voice was cold and sharp, carrying an air of authority befitting Soo Hyang’s
son. Still, Dohyun didn’t give up and persisted.

“I’ll wait until your class is over.”

“…”

“Honestly, I’d like to sit in this class with you.”

With that, Dohyun swung the door to the classroom open. Coincidentally, it was a
first-year core course, so there were many familiar faces inside. As the students greeted
him warmly, Dohyun nodded toward Wooyeon.
 92

“Are you coming in?”

“…What are you doing?”

Finally, Wooyeon turned to face him. Though his expression was stiff, it was the face
Dohyun had been thinking about all night. Resisting the urge to embrace him, Dohyun
whispered just loud enough for only Wooyeon to hear.

“You can’t break up with me.”

It was the same thing he had said the previous day. And it was the same thing Wooyeon
had countered by saying he couldn’t trust Dohyun anymore. Wooyeon’s brows furrowed,
as if preparing to repeat that sentiment.

“You…”

“Course registration.”

Dohyun cut him off with those two words. Wooyeon’s frown deepened, and his lips
pressed into a tight line. Ignoring Wooyeon’s protests, Dohyun grabbed his bag and
placed it on a desk near the back of the room.

“You said you’d treat me to a meal if I helped you register for classes.”

Even if it seemed ridiculous, that didn’t matter. Even if Wooyeon complained that too
much time had passed, it didn’t matter. As long as there was a chance to talk, Dohyun
was willing to hold on, no matter how desperate it made him look.

“You said it’d be a good meal—not cheap. You said so yourself.”

Wooyeon glared at him, his eyes filled with defiance beneath the brim of his cap. The
silence stretched, but Dohyun knew this tactic would work.

“I’ll treat this as the last time.”

The word "last" caused Wooyeon’s eyes to waver. The emotions he couldn’t suppress
revealed that he hadn’t entirely let go. Placing his hopes in that sliver of vulnerability,
Dohyun gave him a faint, weary smile.

“Just this once, Yeon-ah.”

_________________________________________________
 93

Chapter 83

Seongyu entered after them and chose a seat far away but kept an eye on the situation.
Wooyeon grabbed his bag and quickly distanced himself from Dohyun, but Dohyun
immediately sat down next to him. Perhaps Wooyeon thought the professor would kick
Dohyun out of the class, but unfortunately, the professor was delighted to see him.

"It's been a while since you've attended class. Feel free to come whenever you like,"
the professor said cheerfully, and Dohyun responded with a polite smile.

As the lecture began, Dohyun rested his chin on his hand, attentively watching Wooyeon.
On his desk was a notebook borrowed from Seongyu and a pen belonging to him, but
Dohyun's eyes were fixed solely on Wooyeon. Wooyeon ignored Dohyun's gaze, trying to
focus on the lecture.

‘He's probably like his Omega mother’ Dohyun thought. If Soo Hyang was vivid and lively
like an oil painting, Wooyeon was gentle and delicate like a diluted watercolor. Large
eyes under a cap, a straight nose, and a refined face created a harmonious and soft
image.

Wooyeon seemed tired, perhaps from lack of sleep? Dohyun noticed his neck partially
concealed by a soft turtleneck. Though the material was light, wearing it in this weather
seemed unnecessary. Dohyun knew why Wooyeon wore it—to hide the dark marks left
from their previous intimacy.

‘How can I give him up like this?’ he thought. Even though Wooyeon tried to avoid him,
just having him nearby made Dohyun's heart flutter. Wooyeon's subtle pheromone scent
captivated all his senses, and even his smallest gestures mesmerized him. Even
Wooyeon's habit of touching his ear was so endearing that Dohyun wanted to keep him
by his side forever.

"Aren't you paying attention to the lecture?" Wooyeon asked, turning to him.

"I don't need to," Dohyun replied.

Wooyeon blushed slightly, part embarrassment, part irritation. Dohyun felt an urge to
tease him more. Would he get angry if he touched him? Just having Wooyeon in front of
him like this was satisfying, but the thought of him leaving again was unbearable.

Spinning a pen in his hand, Dohyun covered his mouth with his palm and continued to
watch Wooyeon diligently take notes. However, the content of Wooyeon's notes seemed
incorrect.

"You're writing it wrong," Dohyun pointed out.

"..."
 94

"Romanticism began in the late 18th century."

Wooyeon crossed out the "19th century" he'd written and corrected it. Dohyun
considered helping him list notable authors but stopped when he saw Wooyeon sigh.

Wooyeon picked up a pencil from his case and wrote a small note in the corner of his
notebook: "I can't concentrate because you’re here."

Initially, it said "seonbae," but he changed it to "you’re." Dohyun smiled and used
Wooyeon's pen to write a reply: "Sorry."

Wooyeon erased his note but left Dohyun's "Sorry" untouched. When Wooyeon tried to
take his pen back, Dohyun wrote another question: "What do you want for dinner?"

Wooyeon looked at him, surprised, as if thinking, ‘Why are you talking about dinner
when we haven't had lunch yet?’

As expected, Wooyeon wrote: "Why talk about dinner when lunch isn't done?"

Dohyun suppressed a laugh, his eyes soft as he gazed at Wooyeon. Wooyeon's candid
reactions always warmed Dohyun's heart.

"Then what do you want for lunch?" Dohyun wrote back.

Wooyeon finally realized his intentions, but before he could refuse, Dohyun had already
prepared a list:

*"1. Meat; 2. Noodles; 3. Rice

1-1. Pork 1-2. Beef
Nothing cheap."

Wooyeon chuckled softly, finding Dohyun's detailed list amusing, especially since he
hadn't even confirmed the meal yet. Eventually, Dohyun circled "Beef" and added: "How
about the place we went last time?"

He recalled their previous outing when Wooyeon preferred sweets over rice. When
Dohyun handed him a chocolate truffle, Wooyeon had such a complex expression that
Dohyun felt like crying too.

Wooyeon pursed his lips and gripped his pencil tightly, seeming lost in thought. After a
moment, he wrote quickly: "I'm having lunch with Seongyu."

"Seongyu has student council work," Dohyun replied confidently.

Wooyeon shot a glare at Seongyu. In truth, Dohyun wasn’t sure, but he guessed as usual.
Wooyeon, endearingly easy to fluster, struggled to refuse without a valid reason.
 95

"Stop glaring at Seongyu."

The two continued their back-and-forth note exchange, their conversation mundane yet
somehow unending. Even when the professor occasionally called out Dohyun for smiling
too much, he responded with his usual friendly charm.

"Let's end today's lecture here," the professor announced.

"Oh..." Wooyeon was startled and looked at the board. Unlike the densely written board,
his notebook contained barely anything except the correction of "19" to "18." Seeing his
flustered expression, Dohyun put his pen down.

"I'll lend you my notes."

Wooyeon looked at him with an almost betrayed expression. Stifling a laugh, Dohyun
gently offered:

"I'll also give you my study materials for finals."

"No need," Wooyeon retorted gruffly, even though it was clear he did. Closing his
notebook, he avoided meeting Dohyun's eyes.

"I've never done this before, you know. Writing notes back and forth during a
lecture."

"..."

Wooyeon's expression changed slightly. Although he said nothing, it was likely his first
time experiencing something like this too. Perhaps that’s why his movements as he
packed his notebook were so hesitant and slow.

"So, what do you want for lunch?"

Just as Wooyeon zipped his bag shut, Dohyun casually picked it up. Wooyeon frowned
like a puppy whose food was taken. He glanced at his bag, then at Dohyun, his thoughts
clearly racing.

"Not lunch... What about dinner?"

It was the only excuse he could muster after thinking hard. Dohyun tilted his head,
encouraging him to continue. Wooyeon averted his eyes, nervously clutching the hem of
his shirt.

"I'll treat you to dinner, but I can't have lunch now."

 96

A blatant lie, as Dohyun had set Wooyeon's schedule himself. Perhaps Wooyeon was
stalling for time to think of a better excuse.

"Then what time for dinner?"

"...I'll text you later."

In reality, even if today passed, tomorrow Wooyeon would still have a class with Dohyun.
Wooyeon never skipped class and always showed up consistently. However, Dohyun
didn’t have the patience to wait until tomorrow.

"I don’t have a phone."

"What?"

Wooyeon squinted in disbelief, as if he hadn't heard correctly. Dohyun shrugged and

replied nonchalantly.

"It’s broken."

This morning, when he checked, his phone wouldn’t turn on. In truth, he had thrown it
so hard that it would’ve been strange if it hadn’t broken. He didn’t mind not receiving
calls, but missing alarms was a bit of an inconvenience.

"But you just got it fixed the other day! How?"

"I just..."

Dohyun hesitated as usual but stopped when he noticed Wooyeon's expression—a mix of
frustration and exasperation that seemed to say, ‘Not this again.’ Not wanting to appear
weak, Dohyun turned away awkwardly and tightened his grip on the bag strap.

"...I threw it."

"What?"

"I was angry, so I threw it..."

"..."

"And now it won’t turn on."

Dohyun felt Wooyeon’s incredulous gaze on him—a look of bewilderment mixed with
disbelief. Wooyeon murmured, as if talking to himself, ‘What could possibly make you
throw it…’
 97

Instead of explaining, Dohyun reached out toward Wooyeon. Out of habit, Wooyeon
intertwined their fingers, but after a brief moment, he pulled his hand back awkwardly.

"…"

"…"

The atmosphere between them grew tense and awkward. Now, only the two of them
remained in the classroom, with no one else around. Wooyeon, his expression
complicated, lowered his head and pulled his cap down further.

"...Let’s go eat lunch."

As usual, they headed to the clubroom. Dohyun hadn’t brought his car, and going too far
would risk drawing the attention of reporters. Leading Wooyeon into the room, he
immediately locked the door.

"Why are you locking the door?"

"Because I don’t want to be disturbed."

The key was in Dohyun's possession, and he had informed Garam beforehand. No one
would enter this room until their conversation was finished. He worried that Wooyeon
might feel uneasy, but the other seemed unfazed by the locked door.

"Yeon-ah, sit down."

Estimating they had about two hours, Dohyun placed the bag on the table and observed
Wooyeon, who reluctantly sat on the sofa, looking confused. Wrapped in an oversized
jacket and a pulled-down cap, Wooyeon looked as though he was hiding within layers of
fabric.

"What do you want to eat? Anything you like."

"I feel uncomfortable around you."

Wooyeon's unexpected response left Dohyun speechless, cutting off whatever he had
planned to say. The calmness in Wooyeon's voice seemed to trample on Dohyun's heart.

"I’ll treat you to a meal later, but for now, I just want to hear what you have to say
and leave. Besides, you don’t look hungry."

That was a clear rejection. Dohyun knew it. His chest tightened as though a heavy weight
had settled there.

"You might not notice it, but I can’t pretend like nothing’s happened, unlike you."
 98

"Do you think I’m unaffected by all this?"

Wooyeon said nothing, merely pressing his lips together. It was evident he couldn’t deny
the truth of Dohyun's words. Anyone could see that Dohyun was struggling with
something significant.

"I haven’t slept at all, thinking about you."

"...Do you think I’ve been able to sleep?"

Wooyeon’s voice was tinged with sorrow, his emotions spilling out after being suppressed
for so long. Dohyun let out a soft sigh and began speaking slowly.

"Yeon-ah, I..."

There was so much he wanted to say. Things he wanted to express and things he needed
to clarify. He had been dishonest for so long, and this time he wanted to be truthful. That
was why he had sought out Wooyeon before even facing Soo Hyang.

"I’ve always been afraid."

Though his words seemed cryptic, Wooyeon didn’t interrupt. He simply looked up, his
dreamy eyes fixed on Dohyun, patiently waiting for what he would say next. This was the
first time Wooyeon truly looked directly at ‘Kim Dohyun.’

"When I was eight years old, I was abandoned at the doorstep of an orphanage."

_________________________________________________
 99

Chapter 84

If someone asked Wooyeon whether he had ever felt abandoned, he would firmly say no.
From a young age, he had always been the one in the position to choose, not to be
chosen. There were people who tried to win him over, but he never had to work hard to
be accepted by others. However, for the first time in his life, Wooyeon felt abandoned,
and it happened yesterday. When he was abandoned by his mother, who had been by his
side all his life. When he was abandoned by his seonsaeng, whom he relied on in life.
And when he was abandoned by the world, in which he had tried to exist. Wooyeon was
simply curious about who Kim Dohyun was.

“…So,”

Dohyun told a long story. He talked about his childhood, how he met Soo Hyang, and
when he started living with his current parents. The story was complex with many
hidden layers, but his voice remained calm.

“I can’t tell you.”

Dohyun’s gentle words were like a soft breeze brushing through Wooyeon’s soul. His face
wore an expression of worry that Wooyeon had never seen before. Dohyun’s tightly
clenched hands showed how tense he was.

Wooyeon slowly turned his head to look out the window. The cherry blossoms had fallen,
leaving only green leaves that signaled the arrival of summer. Perhaps it would rain
soon, and this semester would soon be over.

“I’m sorry.”

In Wooyeon’s memories, Dohyun had always been a calm person, with no cracks in his
demeanor. He was always sensitive to Wooyeon’s emotions and would gently comfort
him when he felt sad. Whatever Dohyun said, no matter the meaning, it always left a
deep mark on Wooyeon’s heart.

“I’m sorry, Yeon-ah.”

That’s why Wooyeon had always been curious about Dohyun. Who was he? What had his
life been like? What did he think and feel?

“I don’t want you to abandon me.”

A Dohyun who had always made Wooyeon curious now said that he had been very
afraid. He begged not to be abandoned and apologized for all his mistakes. Although
 100

Wooyeon felt anger toward him, at the same time, he also felt sympathy for Dohyun’s
weakness.

“…I…”

Wooyeon struggled to speak, then hesitated. Dohyun’s long story was not something that
could be concluded with just a few words. In Wooyeon’s confused mind, Dohyun’s words
seemed to intertwine with one another.

“I… understand.”

These were the only words he could manage to say. It was simply an acknowledgment
that, rationally, he understood Dohyun’s situation. Gradually, words of sympathy toward
him began to form.

“If I were you, maybe I wouldn’t have been able to say it either. Maybe, even telling
someone else would have been impossible.”

Wooyeon lifted his head and looked at Dohyun, who was biting his lips beneath his
lowered hood. It wasn’t the usual smiling face or the calm, patient expression Wooyeon
was used to. Seeing this, Wooyeon hesitated.

“I understand, I understand intellectually… but…”

Wooyeon listened to Dohyun’s story and understood the painful circumstances he had
gone through. He couldn’t imagine the loneliness that a child like Dohyun must have
endured. While Wooyeon felt suffocated in his own small world, Dohyun had no
protection, not even a small crib.

“…But I can’t say I’m okay.”

Even if no one was at fault, there are always those who get hurt. Wooyeon knew that
Dohyun had no other choice, but that didn’t make him feel any less heartbroken. Even
though he might have told him everything, even though he might have revealed more,
the pain still remained, blocking forgiveness.

“It’s only been one day.”

After leaving Dohyun yesterday, Wooyeon had cried until he was exhausted. He cried in
the car with Driver Yoon, cried while passing the high wall, and cried when he walked
into the house after four years apart. He poured all his sadness into his tears.

“How could I be okay in one day?”

 101

To say that he was okay was impossible. Reason could not overcome the heart, and
Wooyeon still felt heartache for him. The wounds of betrayal were still there, piling up
and blocking his path.

“I can’t do that, seonsaeng.”

“…As time passes, will you feel better?”

Dohyun looked at him as if asking with a bit of hope, but in his dark eyes, there was
nothing but resignation. Realizing this, Wooyeon softly replied.

“No.”

“…”

“I’m sorry.”

His words, like a gentle breath, brought silence between them. Dohyun didn’t say
anything more, and Wooyeon lowered his head, put his hood back on, and stood up.

As he was about to grab his bag and leave, a low voice spoke up.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me.”

Dohyun lowered his head, covering his eyes with his large hand. The veins on the back of
his hand stood out, showing his tension. He sighed softly and murmured.

“I know that no matter what I say, you can’t change your mind. My one-sided
attempts to hold on won’t bring you back.”

His voice was calm, but the emotions within it were not. For the first time, Wooyeon
could clearly see Dohyun's feelings. It was as if a curtain had been lifted, revealing
everything inside.

“I know the feeling of understanding but still not accepting it... I guessed you would
feel that way.”

Dohyun took a deep breath, and Wooyeon could sense the dry pheromone scent in the
air. He lowered his head and whispered.

“But I still like you, what can I do?”

“…”

It felt as if time had stopped. Every moment seemed to revolve around Dohyun’s words.
The surroundings were quiet, with only Dohyun’s sincere voice echoing.
 102

“I’ve thought a lot about you.”

“…”

“Maybe it would be better to just part ways like this, because I’m the one at fault, so
I probably don’t have the right to hold on.”

“…”

“In fact, I planned to be honest with you, and if you still rejected me, I would give
up. I thought continuing to hold on to you would be selfish, so I prepared myself to
do whatever you wanted.”

Dohyun lowered his head, his face hidden behind his hand, so Wooyeon couldn’t see his
expression. He might have been furrowing his brows, or his lips might have been
trembling, but Wooyeon couldn’t tell.

“But I can’t give up.”

“…”

“I can’t do that.”

Dohyun slowly lifted his head and looked at Wooyeon. His eyes were red, but no tears
fell. His kind and sincere gaze slowly twisted with pain.

“Don’t go, Wooyeon.”

Wooyeon didn’t stop Dohyun’s hand as he grasped his. The hand holding his bag was
tightly clenched, but he didn’t try to pull his hand away.

Dohyun lifted Wooyeon’s hand and gently touched his forehead to it.

“I can’t let you go like this.”

Wooyeon felt the warmth of Dohyun’s body, the heat transmitting through every place
they touched. His sad pheromone scent filled the space, making Wooyeon’s heart ache.

“Please, don’t leave me…”

Dohyun’s plea was so sorrowful that Wooyeon had never heard anyone beg like that.
Seeing Dohyun with his head lowered, Wooyeon bit his lip, feeling like his heart was
breaking. If his feelings had truly cooled in just one day, perhaps he wouldn’t feel this
pain.

“…I like you, seonsaeng.”

 103

Wooyeon’s soft words made Dohyun lookup. But in his eyes was a flash of concern.
Wooyeon slowly withdrew his hand and turned his face away.

“But there are some things, no matter how much you like them, that can’t be
changed.”

Wooyeon realized that he no longer had the courage to love Dohyun. He no longer
wanted to open his heart and pour all his emotions out for him. The heart that had once
been full was now empty.

"Everything has been wrong from the start."

After saying this, Wooyeon picked up his bag. If he left this clubroom, he knew that
everything would truly end. When the door closed, his heart would close as well, and
their relationship would become nothing more than a past.

A relationship just like that of fellow students. Perhaps, looking back, he would
remember him as a beautiful memory, like the experiences he had with Danny. But it
would all just be a relationship with an expiration date.

Dohyun silently watched Wooyeon walk toward the door. It felt like he was reliving the
moment of their parting yesterday. But just as Wooyeon was about to open the door,
Dohyun’s deep voice came from behind.

“…Then let’s start over.”

The voice from behind was filled with determination. Wooyeon’s hand froze before he
could open the door.

“Not as your seonsaeng, but as a man—just a man you know, let’s start over.”

“What are you talking about?”

Wooyeon couldn’t help but turn around and look at Dohyun. What he was saying seemed
completely illogical. But Dohyun didn’t pay attention to Wooyeon’s surprised expression
and continued speaking seriously.

“I will confess to you every day.”

In that moment, Wooyeon didn’t understand Dohyun’s words. Confess every day? Why?
Dohyun, as if reading his thoughts, explained clearly.

“I won’t ask you to like me, and I won’t force you to date me, I’ll just confess.”

“…”
 104

“You can ignore me, even yell at me or kick me, I’ll accept it.”

His words were stubborn, even somewhat foolish. Wooyeon didn’t understand why
Dohyun wasn’t giving up, nor did he understand how this would change anything.

“…It’s useless.”

“Whether it’s useless or not, you have to try to know.”

Dohyun didn’t approach him but simply stared at Wooyeon with a determined gaze, his
voice slow and serious.

“I like you.”

“…”

Those were the words he had promised to say until Wooyeon believed them, the day they
decided to be together. But after that, Wooyeon had never really heard those words from
him again.

In the moment Wooyeon bit his lip, those words rang out again.

“I like you, Wooyeon.”

Wooyeon no longer hesitated and opened the clubroom door. Dohyun didn’t stop him,
but his firm voice rang out.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Of course, Wooyeon didn’t reply.

But even after the door closed, Dohyun’s words, “I like you,” seemed to echo in his mind.
For some reason, Wooyeon felt that their relationship would change in some way.

_________________________________________________
 105

Chapter 85

Wooyeon’s house was a two-story villa with a large garden and high walls. It was a place
where managing even the simplest tasks required a lot of staff, and Wooyeon always
wanted to escape from it. Because every time he entered, and the gate closed behind him,
a feeling of loneliness and complete isolation from the outside world would overwhelm
him.

There were many reasons why Wooyeon hated his house. First, every one of his actions
was watched by the servants, and then, he couldn’t eat or drink as he pleased. Wooyeon
was under strict control, from eating and sleeping to moving around, like a pet kept in a
house.

Of course, the thing he hated most was that even when he went outside, he had to have
bodyguards following him.

On Friday morning, Wooyeon sat in the car driven by Driver Yoon, heading to school, just
like the day before. Since the Seon Jeong group hadn’t officially announced any news yet,
the only person with him was Driver Yoon. It was a fairly normal school morning, but
Wooyeon wasn’t sure how others would perceive it.

“Master, we’ve arrived.”

As usual, Driver Yoon stopped the car in front of the building and spoke in his
monotonous, robotic voice. Wooyeon didn’t pay attention as he unbuckled his seatbelt
and opened the car door himself. Driver Yoon was about to say something but, before he
could, Wooyeon hurriedly got out of the car.

“…People are still looking.”

As soon as he stepped out, students glanced in his direction. Even though no one opened
the car door for him, his shiny car still attracted attention. Wooyeon sighed inwardly and
walked straight toward the building.

‘This is why I hate it.’

Even though he tried to use a simpler car and reduce the number of bodyguards, being
the center of attention still made him uncomfortable. No matter how hard he tried to
think positively, he still couldn’t shake the feeling of being like a monkey in a zoo. The
way to school had always been like this. Back in high school, he would go to school
noisily like this. At that time, Wooyeon didn’t even understand what “normal” was, so he
didn’t realize that the chauffeur opening the door and bowing would attract so much
attention.

“I must be annoying to others.”

 106

The teenagers around his age probably saw Wooyeon as a thorn in their side. With his
“I’m rich” image, he easily became a target for odd people like Junseong. Wooyeon
quickly shook his head and walked faster.

Having a nice car and eating delicious food should never be a legitimate reason for
bullying. There were times when he thought it was all his fault, but Dohyun had
confirmed that wasn’t true.

“You’re not at fault.”

“…”

Wooyeon stopped. He smiled self-deprecatingly and gently stroked his ear. Just yesterday,
he had rejected Dohyun, and now he was remembering his seonsaeng’s words as usual. If
that was the case, it would have been better not to reject him at all. It felt so
contradictory.

“Haa…”

Wooyeon took a deep breath and pushed open the back door of the classroom. He
thought that arriving this early meant no one would be there, but on his usual seat,
something white was placed there.

“…What is this?”

Wooyeon’s attention was drawn, and he immediately walked over. The soft white object
was something he knew well. It was the stuffed rabbit Dohyun had won for him when he
was drunk.

Why was it here? Wooyeon wondered as he slowly reached out to touch it. When his
fingers brushed its ears and feet, the soft sensation brought back many memories. For
instance, the feeling of waking up in Dohyun’s arms, everything that had happened
between them, and the conversation they had the next day.

Humans are strange; you think you’ve forgotten everything, but with just a small object,
emotions flood back. The bad memories seemed to blur, and the events at that time
appeared beautiful.

“You came early today?”

Dohyun walked in just as Wooyeon was lost in his memories. Hearing his familiar voice,
Wooyeon looked up and saw Dohyun holding two cups of coffee. One was an Americano,
and the other was a strawberry smoothie. Dohyun smiled gently and walked toward
Wooyeon.

“You came earlier than I thought.”

 107

His buttoned-up shirt suited his neat appearance perfectly. His dress pants showed off
his ankles, and his low-heeled shoes gave off a seemingly normal but stylish vibe. Ah, it
seemed like he had even styled his hair.

“Drink up.”

Dohyun placed the smoothie next to the stuffed rabbit. The rabbit, with its pale pink ears
and feet, matched the large cup well. Seeing Wooyeon staring at it, Dohyun spoke softly.

“It’s not the bad coffee from the cafe that day.”

“What’s all this?”

The stuffed rabbit, the drinks, and the well-dressed Kim Dohyun. It was a combination
that seemed mismatched but made Wooyeon feel embarrassed.

“What else?”

Dohyun responded gently and sat down next to Wooyeon. It was the second seat, slightly
to the right, where they often sat together during lectures. After signaling Wooyeon to sit
beside him, Dohyun didn’t hesitate to say more.

“I’m flirting with you.”

The sudden remark caught Wooyeon off guard, and he didn’t have time to respond.
Dohyun gently pulled the chair out for him and continued.

“The rabbit is yours, so I brought it here. I bought the drink on the way. You have to
leave a good impression on someone you like, right?”

Wooyeon sat down next to him, feeling confused. He had a lot of things he wanted to say,
but the memory of the rabbit lingered in his mind. Plus, the image of Dohyun dressed so
stylishly evoked indescribable feelings.

“And this too.”

Dohyun said, taking a phone out of his pocket and holding it out to Wooyeon. This shiny
phone was a different model from the one Dohyun had used before.

“I just bought it. Changed my number too.”

“Are you showing off your phone?”

“Showing off?”

Dohyun chuckled softly, his gaze looking at Wooyeon as if he found him truly adorable.
He gently placed the phone in Wooyeon’s hand.
 108

“Give me your number.”

“My number?”

“Yeah.”

“Your number?”

“Who else’s would it be?”

“…Did you lose your contacts?”

Wooyeon reluctantly entered his number into Dohyun’s phone. After dialing it and
waiting for three rings, Dohyun ended the call, the corner of his mouth curving into a
gentle smile.

“We said we’d start over, right?”

Wooyeon looked at Dohyun’s long fingers as he typed in the numbers. He simply watched
his actions quietly.

Dohyun placed the phone on the table and looked directly at Wooyeon.

“This number, no one else knows it.”

“…”

“Not even the president.”

Dohyun’s deep black eyes glinted, and his left eyelid slightly narrowed. It was his habit
when he was deep in thought.

“I’ve thought a lot about it, and I’ve realized it’s all just a matter of trust.”

Having said that, Dohyun placed the rabbit into Wooyeon’s hands. Reflexively, Wooyeon
took it and looked up at him. His gaze shifted from the rabbit to Dohyun, who turned it
toward himself, took out his phone, and turned on the camera.

“Now I don’t get any more support, and I don’t have a way to contact the president. I
won’t hide anything like I used to.”

“…Are you taking a picture now?”

“Yeah, look here.”

 109

In an instant, the sound of a photo being taken rang out. Dohyun smiled contentedly and
showed Wooyeon the picture he had just taken. Although he was caught off guard,
Wooyeon’s expression and posture actually looked fine.

“To be honest, I just wanted to show you the best of me… but maybe it’s too late, and
I’m not a good person.”

“…”

“…I won’t try to act arrogant or show off. Can I set this picture as my wallpaper?”

That question didn’t really need an answer. Before Wooyeon could speak, Dohyun had
already set it up and placed the phone down. Wooyeon tilted his head slightly, holding
the stuffed rabbit with both hands.

“Are you trying to make me feel guilty…”

“Not like that.”

Dohyun’s firm voice denied his words. With a serious expression, he added:

“You’re not at fault.”

Those were the words Wooyeon had heard a long time ago, back in middle school. It was
also what helped him endure the times he was bullied without blaming himself.

“It’s just that I was wrong.”

“…”

Wooyeon frowned, feeling confused. At Dohyun’s self-blame, he didn’t know what to say.
Dohyun had bravely admitted his mistakes and reached out, while Wooyeon was just
running away. That made his heart ache.

“…You’re not at fault either.”

Upon hearing that, Dohyun froze. His eyes briefly scrunched up, as if he were about to
cry, but quickly returned to normal before Wooyeon could notice. With a mischievous
smile, he reached out to gently stroke the rabbit’s ears Wooyeon was holding.

“That’s right, the bad guys are the world.”

His big hand gently stroked between the rabbit’s ears. Wooyeon looked at his long
fingers, recalling the sensation when Dohyun stroked his hair. Then, Dohyun leaned
gently toward him and softly whispered.

“Yeon-ah.”
 110

Wooyeon looked up and saw Dohyun's face only a few inches away from his. They were
so close that with a slight movement, their lips could touch. From such a short distance,
Dohyun's deep gaze made it impossible for Wooyeon to look away.

"Would you want to go out with me?"

Wooyeon hesitated, unable to respond immediately. For a brief moment, he was truly
moved by the words. Seeing Dohyun so serious, Wooyeon felt he could let go of
everything and accept his proposal. But just then, the classroom door opened.

"Hey, we’re the earliest..."

Students flooded into the room and immediately noticed Dohyun and Wooyeon. They
froze, their eyes widening in surprise as they noticed the unusual intimacy between the
two. Wooyeon quickly stepped away and turned in the opposite direction.

There was a sound of Dohyun clicking his tongue beside him. Wooyeon blushed, covering
his ears to hide his embarrassment.

"...You said you wouldn’t bring up dating."

"Oh... right, I did say that, didn’t I?"

Their conversation ended there. Soon after, the classroom filled with students, and the
professor entered, starting the lesson. Wooyeon hid the stuffed bunny beside him, trying
to ignore Dohyun throughout the class.

_________________________________________________
 111

Chapter 86

After the class ended, Dohyun couldn't stop Wooyeon when he decided to head home. All
he could do was conceal his regret and leave behind a promise, "I'll reach out this
weekend," along with the words, "I like you." Those words sent Wooyeon out of the
classroom in a state that resembled running away.

The plush toy he carried was too large to fit into his bag. Its ears were so long that they
kept sticking out even as he tried to zip it up. With no other choice, Wooyeon had to carry
it in his arms as he got into Driver Yoon's car.

"Welcome back, young master."

The house staff looked at the plush bear Wooyeon brought home with curious eyes.
Though no one asked directly, their gazes spoke volumes. Wooyeon completely ignored
their curiosity, took the stuffed animal to his room, and placed it on his desk.

"...What am I supposed to do with this thing?"

Although it was his now, it had become an awkward item to deal with. He shouldn't have
accepted it, but a small sense of attachment had prevented him from saying no. Perhaps
Dohyun had known that and had deliberately brought the bear to him.

Wooyeon sighed, sprawled across the desk, and stared at the bunny. Its long, soft ears
didn’t look much like a rabbit’s; the pointed ends made them resemble fox ears instead.

"How does this look like me at all..."

He lightly pressed the stuffed animal and recalled the stories Dohyun had
shared—memories of the environment he grew up in, the moments when the two of
them met, and the unavoidable circumstances surrounding him.

"I don’t want to be abandoned by you."

In truth, Wooyeon felt regretful, too. He should have acted as though nothing had
happened, turned a blind eye, and mended the relationship. Just as Dohyun had once
been his solace, he could become a refuge for Dohyun.

But Wooyeon wasn’t mature enough to do that. Offering comfort and apologizing both
required a level of readiness. Although he knew it was selfish, he didn’t have the strength
to face the issue just yet.

"Ji Soo Hyang's statement... 'My child is not an illegitimate child.'"

The article appeared on Sunday morning. Immediately, articles flooded the search
rankings and became headlines on all three major television networks.
 112

The content was similar to what Wooyeon had read before: Soo Hyang had a child, and
her Omega partner had passed away 20 years ago. Soo Hyang declared that she wanted
to honor her late partner and did not want her child to appear in the media.

The issue was that the accusation of Wooyeon’s university admission fraud was also
raised at the same time. The story of a student allegedly paying for admission spread,
and Wooyeon became the target. Although Soo Hyang denied it, the media continued to
stir the controversy.

"Young master, don’t get out of the car."

"...I can’t get out here anyway."

On Tuesday morning, when Wooyeon arrived at school, he sighed at the sight of a crowd
of reporters waiting at the gate. Although he knew he had to maintain a confident
attitude at that moment, their cold, piercing gazes made him just want to avoid them. If
he did so, rumors would spread that Wooyeon had admitted to the admission fraud.

"Don’t take photos!"

"Please don’t block the way!"

Wooyeon walked through the noisy crowd, escorted by bodyguards—something he

hated. Fortunately, with the school’s help in blocking outsiders, he was able to stay calm
as he entered the building. Although students' eyes were still fixed on him, it was
somewhat less bothersome without cameras pointing at him.

"Wooyeon!"

As soon as Seongyu saw Wooyeon in class, he immediately ran over. After checking if
Wooyeon was okay after reading the article, Wooyeon noticed the looks from his
classmates and simply nodded. Seongyu, however, didn’t hesitate to speak up loudly.

"Hey, what’s this nonsense about admission fraud? No one works as hard as you!"

A few students flinched and fell silent, as if they had already had a conversation before
Wooyeon arrived. He could guess what was going on, so he didn’t pay much attention.

After class, the two of them headed to the club room. A bodyguard followed them from
behind, making Seongyu feel very awkward. Still, not wanting to make Wooyeon
uncomfortable, he didn’t say anything about wanting to leave the club.

“We’re here.”
 113

As usual, Garam and Dohyun were in the club room. Garam was fine, but Dohyun—today
was supposed to be his day off, yet he was at school. As soon as he saw Wooyeon, he
immediately stood up, and Wooyeon could guess what he intended.

“This is really chaotic…”

Garam muttered as she set the food down. She occasionally checked the news, which
even featured Wooyeon’s photo when he returned from America.

“How did they even manage to take these pictures?”

“Maybe... everyone already knew. Back in middle school, you didn’t hide much
either.”

The reporters must have always been keeping an eye on Wooyeon. Even though they
hadn’t written any articles, they had surely been prepared and waiting for the right
moment. Now, with Soo Hyang openly releasing the "bait," it was understandable that
they all rushed in like a school of fish.

"Still, no one dares to confront Wooyeon directly."

Wooyeon nodded lightly at Seongyu’s words. Even though he was alone, having a
bodyguard with him made anyone who wanted to criticize him hesitate. Even if
Wooyeon was a thorn in their side, if they had any sense, they would hold back their
words.

"Anyway..."

Dohyun looked at Wooyeon and Seongyu, then slowly spoke up. Wooyeon, who had been
paying attention to Dohyun unconsciously, was startled and turned to look at him.
Dohyun’s face had become serious, his left eye slightly narrowing.

"You still need to be careful."

"…"

"There are a lot of crazy people in the world."

Dohyun's voice was unlike his usual self. His worried gaze was so evident that Wooyeon
felt a chill run down his spine. Wooyeon couldn’t respond, and Garam looked between
the two of them with a puzzled expression.

Dohyun’s warning became a reality when the group had just finished lunch and was
leaving the club room. Garam had to attend another class, and Dohyun had no plans, so
he accompanied them. In the somewhat tense atmosphere, they encountered a man
smoking in front of the building.
 114

"Oh, who’s this?"

A large man with a fierce expression. His chewing on a cigarette reminded Wooyeon of a
few months ago.

"Need me to play the 'black knight' for you?"

"…"

It was the senior who had returned to school after taking a break. He had flirted with
Wooyeon, but after Wooyeon shut him down with words, he had backed off from the
field trip.

"Why aren’t you greeting your senior?"

"...Hello, hyung."

Seongyu greeted him quietly, while Wooyeon ignored him and kept walking. Anyway,
campus life had been ruined, so he had no intention of trying to win over any seniors.
The senior exhaled a puff of smoke and watched Wooyeon as he walked away.

"This brat is the only son of Ji Soo Hyang?"

The only person who reacted to the comment was Dohyun. He had been showing signs of
discomfort all this time, and when the senior spoke, Dohyun froze. Despite that, the
senior continued mocking and adding more sarcasm.

"Figures, acting all high and mighty from the moment we first met."

Clearly, even though the senior was as large as Mount Namsan, in Wooyeon’s mind, he
was nothing more than a rat's droppings. The mention of the field trip from a few
months ago showed that the event had left a deep sense of shame in him.

"A worthless person like me could never recognize a big shot..."

The mocking tone became even more repulsive. Despite the bodyguard, the man
wouldn't intervene unless there was violence or camera use. Initially, Wooyeon intended
to ignore it and move on.

"Really... so annoying."

A terrifying silence descended. It was the atmosphere created by Dohyun’s soft yet cold
voice. Both Seongyu and Wooyeon, who had been keeping neutral expressions, now
looked at him with confused eyes. But the one who was the most surprised was the
senior.
 115

"...What did you just say?"

The senior tossed his cigarette to the ground and stared at Dohyun, unable to believe
what he had just heard. Dohyun slightly smirked and continued.

"You heard me? I said it quietly, after all."

Seongyu’s eyes widened as he grabbed Wooyeon’s hand, trying to signal him to stop
Dohyun. But it was too late; Wooyeon couldn’t do anything. Dohyun looked the senior up
and down and calmly spoke.

"I thought you were deaf, but it turns out you just don’t understand what people are
saying."

Dohyun’s voice was incredibly calm, neither raising his tone nor resorting to insults. It
was only his gaze, filled with contempt as he looked at the senior like a bug.

"Don’t you get tired of doing such pathetic things? If it were me, I’d be too embarrassed
to even show my face at school."

"...You bastard, hanging out with Moon Garam, and picking up her temper, huh?"

The senior’s face turned bright red. He walked over and slapped Dohyun’s shoulder
roughly. Despite his large size, his height was still shorter than Dohyun’s, so the action
didn’t come across as threatening.

"Say it again—what’s so pathetic?"

"Calm down, hyung..."

Seongyu seemed unable to bear it anymore and approached them. But the senior
irritably shoved Seongyu’s hand away. Watching this, Dohyun coldly said:

"Go ahead, hit me."

"..."

"I’ll take the hit."

_________________________________________________
 116

Chapter 87

Wooyeon reflexively stepped forward. Suddenly, the senior squinted his eyes, and they
gleamed. He exhaled sharply, then grabbed Dohyun's shoulder tightly.

"Hey... you think I won't dare hit you?"

Normally, idiots have a very low threshold for tolerance. Even if they didn't initially
intend to hit, once provoked, their rationality is overridden. Dohyun must have known
this, but instead of panicking, he just smiled disdainfully.

"I don't know, but I think you don't dare. Does your family have a lot of money?"

Dohyun's words were filled with sarcasm. He didn't push the senior away, nor did he step
back. He simply stared directly at him. His voice, coming from his steady lips, remained
calm as usual.

"If you were going to start trouble, you should have done it right after the field trip.
Why wait until now? You're grown up, but you're still holding onto something that
happened months ago."

Wooyeon thought that Dohyun's cold tone sounded strange. This was the first time he
had seen Dohyun argue with someone, even looking angry. Not stopping there, Dohyun
even chuckled bitterly.

"What's the matter? Is that little thing bothering you so much?"

"…"

"Then you shouldn't have said anything in the first place."

The attention of everyone started to focus on them. Perhaps realizing this, the senior
gritted his teeth and let go of Dohyun. He must have known that causing a scene here
wouldn't be good for him.

Dohyun looked at him with a friendly smile.

"You wouldn't dare hit me."

"Dammit!"

The senior swore under his breath and turned to leave. As he passed by, he intentionally
shoved Dohyun's shoulder hard. But Dohyun didn't budge; instead, a pained grunt came
from the senior.

"Tch, what a bad day..."

 117

Although he was the one who started the trouble, he acted as if he had just run into bad
luck. Seongyu arrived a bit late, stomping his foot in frustration.

"Ugh, that's too much! Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go, or you guys will be late for class."

Dohyun comforted the agitated Seongyu, lightly brushing off his shoulder. His shirt had
been grabbed so tightly that it was wrinkled. Wooyeon looked at Dohyun, who was
walking ahead, and whispered.

"...Are you really going to let him hit you?"

Dohyun turned back to look at Wooyeon, his smile bright as if he was genuinely happy
that Wooyeon was speaking to him.

"Someone like him wouldn't dare hit me."

Wooyeon couldn't say anything more and fell silent. He wanted to ask what if the senior
really did hit him, why Dohyun was being so reckless. There were many things he
wanted to ask, but all his questions were filled with worry.

"Will that senior keep picking on you whenever you see him?"

"Alright then. You're pretty good at getting on people's nerves."

In a relationship that isn't yet love, how far can concern go? Wooyeon thought to himself
as he walked slowly. But no matter how much he thought about it, he still couldn’t
understand what “just enough” really meant.

Dohyun casually sat in on their class. He shamelessly greeted the professor, and this
time, he even brought along a notebook and pen. Wooyeon couldn’t really blame him, so
he just went through the class in disbelief.

After class, Seongyu left earlier than everyone else. He glanced at Wooyeon, as if wanting
to advise them to make up, but Wooyeon pretended not to notice and focused on packing
his things. Dohyun waited for Wooyeon to finish packing and then took his bag, as if
holding him hostage.

"Why are you sitting in on our class? Today’s your day off."

Driver Yoon's car was waiting outside the building. Unlike in the morning, there were no
reporters pushing their way through, just a few curious students looking at the black
sedan. Dohyun looked around cautiously, slightly furrowing his brow.

"I’m worried about you."

 118

"…"

Wooyeon was speechless. So, everything was because of concern. The gloomy face, the
restless attitude—it seemed all his actions stemmed from this reason.

"But there’s a bodyguard with me already..."

Wooyeon looked down at the floor and gently rubbed his ear. With a bodyguard, what
was there to worry about? Dohyun looked at Wooyeon and spoke softly.

"Well..."

His voice was so quiet that it seemed as though only Wooyeon could hear. The next
words were fragile, easy to miss if not focused.

"At least this way, I can be by your side."

Wooyeon looked up. Dohyun's profile, with a slight sadness, was in his line of sight. But
before Wooyeon could speak, they reached the car.

"Be careful on your way home."

Dohyun quickly recovered his expression and handed the bag back to Wooyeon. When
Driver Yoon opened the car door, Wooyeon got in with a complex expression.

He thought the door would close immediately, but Driver Yoon unexpectedly turned to
Dohyun and spoke.

"You should come along too."

Dohyun’s expression stiffened. He slowly looked over, his gaze wavering. Driver Yoon’s
voice remained cold, as usual.

"The chairman told me to take you."

"…"

"…"

The car was silent. If only there was the sound of an engine, the atmosphere might have
felt less tense, but this expensive car was completely soundproof. Dohyun sat next to
Wooyeon, quietly looking out the window.

"…Are we going to the company?"

Unable to stand the awkward silence, Wooyeon asked Driver Yoon. The response was
stiff and serious.
 119

"No, we’re going to the residence."

Wooyeon had expected they were going to the office, but it seemed Soo Hyang was home
today. For someone who always called him to the company even when they met in
person, this was a rare event in the past four years.

The car fell silent again. Normally, Driver Yoon wasn’t talkative, but with Dohyun also
silent, the atmosphere became even more uncomfortable. Wooyeon sighed and turned
his gaze outside the window.

‘Why did Mom call the seonsaeng here, though?’

He was wondering aloud, but Dohyun had been looking at him. He slightly parted his
lips, almost like a sigh.

"...I’ll say it first.”

"…"

"Actually, the day we went to fix the phone screen, I went to see the Chairman."

This was the first time Wooyeon had heard about this. Even yesterday, when he had
heard everything about Dohyun, this detail wasn’t mentioned. Dohyun looked at
Wooyeon and said that he hadn’t meant to hide it.

"That day, I told her that we’re together, and that for now, you’ll stay at my house."

Wooyeon silently looked into Dohyun's eyes. In those dark eyes, there were complex
emotions. Perhaps regret, or maybe tension. Unconsciously, Wooyeon parted his lips
slightly.

"Why?"

Driver Yoon glanced at them through the rearview mirror. Wooyeon turned around to
face Dohyun directly.

"Why did you tell my mom about that?"

"The chairman is worried about you..."

This was the answer Wooyeon had predicted. He thought Dohyun would say that he had
informed her to put her at ease. But Dohyun’s answer was a little different from what
Wooyeon expected.

"I wanted to ask for permission."

 120

The way he said it sounded strange, as if it were his decision, not something Soo Hyang
had requested. And the phrase "ask for permission" was odd as well.

"Ask for permission for what?"

"We've arrived."

Driver Yoon interrupted their conversation. Wooyeon stopped talking and looked
around. The car had now entered the garage.

"It's been a while since I’ve been here."

Dohyun stepped out of the car with a nostalgic expression. Wooyeon followed suit as
Driver Yoon opened the door.

Wooyeon walked ahead, and suddenly, Driver Yoon spoke to Dohyun from behind.

"I'm sorry about the other day."

Wooyeon heard the apology but didn’t understand what Driver Yoon was apologizing for.
However, Dohyun smiled a sad smile, and Wooyeon pretended not to have heard it.
Dohyun scoffed and responded to Driver Yoon.

"You know it’s too late now, right?"

It seemed like Wooyeon was seeing many unexpected sides of Dohyun today. A
seonsaeng like Dohyun, usually so gentle, was now sarcastic and sharp in his comments.
Over the past two days, Wooyeon felt like he was seeing the true facets of Dohyun.

They followed the assistant to Soo Hyang’s office. Actually, Soo Hyang had only called
Dohyun, but Wooyeon stubbornly ignored the assistant’s attempts to stop him and
followed him inside. Though a little overconfident, he believed the conversation would
involve him.

"Why are you coming in with him?"

Soo Hyang, dressed in a light striped suit, was busy with work. The reddish-brown suit,
paired with a silk tie, looked very fitting on her. Her light-colored eyes scanned Dohyun
and Wooyeon one by one.

"It seems like you two haven’t made up yet, have you?"

"Thank you for that."

 121

Dohyun replied casually, then entered and sat on the sofa opposite Soo Hyang. Wooyeon
suddenly realized how comfortable Dohyun was around Soo Hyang, as though they had
often sat and talked privately together.

"Wooyeon, go back to your room."

Soo Hyang said, putting down the tablet. But instead of leaving, Wooyeon walked over
and sat next to Dohyun on the sofa. Soo Hyang’s voice rang out, sternly calling his name.

"Seon Wooyeon."

"...If it’s not something related to me, I’ll leave right away."

He was too tired of thinking that he was the only one who didn’t know what was going
on. He didn’t care what he heard, as long as he didn’t find out everything too late.

"If it truly doesn't concern me, I will leave on my own without needing anyone to
remind me."

Soo Hyang stayed silent for a long while. She narrowed her eyes, as if contemplating
something. After a moment of thought, she turned to look directly at Dohyun.

"You've changed your phone number."

Although it didn’t concern him, Wooyeon still didn’t stand up. This time, Soo Hyang
didn’t ask him to leave.

"I didn’t answer the phone that day because I was busy with work. It wasn’t to
deliberately ignore your calls."

"Your words sound rehearsed. The chairman is always busy."

Dohyun lowered his head, replying sarcastically. He paused for a moment, then
continued.

"Why did you call me here?"

Dohyun’s tone implied that he didn’t need any pleasantries; he just wanted to know the
real reason for the meeting. Even though Wooyeon wasn’t involved, he immediately
straightened up. It felt as though being in the same room with Soo Hyang and Dohyun
was like walking on thin ice.

"Well, I guess no need for greetings then."

Soo Hyang crossed her arms, crossed her legs, and furrowed her sharp brows.

"Kang Junseong said he’s going to sue you."

 122

"Who? Sue the seonsaeng?"

The surprised person asking was none other than Wooyeon. When he realized that
everyone’s gaze was on him, he immediately went quiet, feeling embarrassed. Soo Hyang
let out a small laugh.

"Now that you mention it, Wooyeon did ask me for help once."

A memory from before suddenly came rushing back. He had once worriedly asked Soo
Hyang if his boyfriend’s actions of assaulting someone who had been secretly filming
would result in a lawsuit. Soo Hyang laughed with amusement.

"Looks like you were worrying for nothing, huh? He already had a lawyer prepared
for himself."

_________________________________________________
 123

Chapter 88

The sentence wasn't immediately clear. A lawyer? When did you have a lawyer? As soon
as that question popped up, a brief memory flashed through Wooyeon’s mind.

"Remember that name."

The sequence of eleven numbers that Dohyun had read out, one by one, slowly. At that
time, Wooyeon had thought it was definitely his number, but it turned out it might not
be. As soon as he realized this, a surprised question escaped his lips.

"You remembered the lawyer's number?"

That struck Wooyeon as very strange. Most people couldn’t even remember the numbers
of their family members, yet he remembered the lawyer's number. Dohyun merely
shrugged, as if it was nothing special.

"I still remember your number."

It was an answer filled with confidence. Wooyeon fell silent, not asking anything further.
Dohyun added calmly:

"You should remember it too. It's necessary in case of an emergency."

He didn’t think he would need a lawyer’s number. However, with a clear mind, Wooyeon
wondered.

“Why do you have a personal lawyer?”

An ordinary student would never need a personal lawyer. Although he had heard that
Dohyun was adopted by a wealthy family, he didn’t know just how rich they were.
Clearly, Dohyun didn’t prepare a lawyer just to deal with Junseong.

“His mother is the one who provided the lawyer for him.”

Soo Hyang answered instead. Her sharp gaze swept over Wooyeon and landed on
Dohyun.

“But it’s not for the purpose of hitting people.”

“If you have a lawyer, you might as well use them.”

Dohyun casually nodded. It was a somewhat arrogant gesture. Soo Hyang didn’t seem to
mind, and Dohyun continued to ask.

“How much compensation did you give?”

 124

“We’re not compensating. Instead, we’ll silence him.”

Soo Hyang turned on her tablet and handed it to Dohyun. Dohyun glanced at the screen
disinterestedly, but as soon as he saw the content, his face immediately turned cold.

“What’s this about?”

Wooyeon tilted his head, puzzled. He was about to look at the screen, but Dohyun quickly
turned the tablet away, preventing him from seeing. At the same time, Soo Hyang began
speaking in a calm voice.

“This is proof that Kang Junseong took a photo of Wooyeon.”

Dohyun’s face briefly showed signs of annoyance. It seemed like he didn’t want Wooyeon
to know about this. After a moment of hesitation, Dohyun finally spoke.

“This really isn’t necessary…”

“You.”

Wooyeon’s voice was cold and resolute. He extended his hand, speaking calmly.

“This is my business.”

“…”

Dohyun briefly regretted letting the words slip. His gaze seemed somewhat sorrowful,
but in the end, he handed the tablet to Wooyeon, his face full of resignation.

“A group chat?”

Wooyeon looked at the series of photos on the screen. They were screenshots of a group
chat with about five people. He flipped through each page, his face gradually stiffening.

“This is a group chat of middle school friends. Kang Junseong posted the photos
there, and Lee Young Bin took those photos and posted them online.”

The photos Wooyeon had seen online were still intact in this group chat. They weren’t
even blurred out, and there were many of them. If it had stopped there, Wooyeon might
not have felt so upset.

“We obtained this evidence from Lee Youngbin during the legal process. He only
took one photo at the festival, but that’s not enough to charge him.”

Junseong's words were like a knife to his heart. There were others who had also joined in
criticizing his appearance, but the line that caught his attention the most was this one.
 125

Kang Junseong: [This is the guy] 05:02 pm

“…”

Wooyeon felt strange. He was both angry and felt that everything was pointless. What
started as comments about his appearance had slowly turned into contempt, making his
mind feel colder.

“If you dig deeper... just taking the photo isn’t enough to sue him. Even if he was
stalking, you could only demand a small amount of compensation.”

Wooyeon turned off the screen when he saw the message "Send it to us too." The nausea
he felt made it impossible for him to look any further.

At that moment, Dohyun spoke slowly.

“So… don’t tell me you’ve used this method to settle things?”

He said it as if hoping that wasn’t the truth. But Soo Hyang didn’t show any mercy as he
had hoped.

“Correct.”

Bang! The sound of a forceful slam echoed. Dohyun slammed his hand on the table,
releasing a wave of angry pheromones, his fist clenched so tightly that his knuckles
turned white.

“Do you even know what you're saying?”

He spoke in a choked voice full of anger. Sharp waves of pheromones spread out, causing
Wooyeon to shrink back. Soo Hyang looked up at him.

“Reel in your pheromones.”

“…”

“You haven’t finished talking yet.”

The pheromones slowly faded. Wooyeon managed to glance at Dohyun at that moment.
He was trembling, his lower lip pressed tightly together.

“There are far more effective ways than asking for a small amount of compensation. You
don’t intend to let this go just because of my trivial lawsuit.”

Finally, Dohyun sat down on the sofa. He still clenched his lips, but no longer seemed as
agitated as before. He avoided Wooyeon’s gaze, turning his head away.
 126

“What’s the more effective way?”

Wooyeon reluctantly spoke and asked. Soo Hyang looked from Dohyun to Wooyeon, then
slowly responded.

“I investigated Kang Junseong.”

It was nothing to be proud of. Soo Hyang smirked cynically. Her thin lips curved slightly
in self-satisfaction.

“His family is quite wealthy.”

Wooyeon stared blankly into space, his mind floating with thoughts that hung in the air.
Most of it was what Soo Hyang had said, but in the end, only the image of Dohyun
remained in his mind.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

After the conversation with Soo Hyang ended, Dohyun returned home with a
complicated expression. Although he had suggested calling Driver Yoon, he politely
declined. Based on what Wooyeon had heard, everything should have been fine, but
Dohyun’s reaction seemed strange.

Perhaps that was why Wooyeon didn’t return to his room but instead stood in the study,
pondering every word Dohyun had said, recalling the conversation in the car and even
Driver Yoon’s apology. Gradually, a small question formed in his mind.

“Did something happen on the day I went to fix my phone?”

Dohyun had said that he had asked his mother’s permission. From the conversation in
the car to the argument that day, Dohyun had always made it clear that he was the one
who contacted Soo Hyang first, not the other way around. It was as if all of this was his
intention, not something Soo Hyang had forced him into.

“If you have any questions, just ask.”

Wooyeon’s train of thought was interrupted by a comment from Soo Hyang. Wooyeon
slowly turned his head. In the study, designed like Soo Hyang’s office, there was still a
lingering trace of Dohyun’s pheromones.

“I have a few things I want to ask.”

Soo Hyang looked at Wooyeon with an expression as if waiting. Her sharp eyes, unlike
his, seemed to carry some weight.

“Last week… I heard he met with you.”

 127

“That's right. Why?”

“Why did he go to see you?”

It was something obvious, so Wooyeon had never questioned it. He had gone to see Soo
Hyang to report on Wooyeon’s situation, but now he suddenly wanted to ask about the
connection between these events.

“This is not something you need to know.”

Soo Hyang cut him off firmly. But Wooyeon had already prepared his answer.

“This is my business.”

“…”

“And the thing that just happened, it’s all related to me.”

Soo Hyang remained silent, not objecting, which was a sign that he would get the answer
he wanted. She kept a complex expression but didn’t ask Wooyeon to leave. Finally, after
a moment of staring at Wooyeon, she spoke.

“Dohyun said he suspected someone was the one who posted, and that investigating
that direction would save more time.”

This started somewhat differently from what Dohyun had told him. But the next part was
quite similar to what Wooyeon had heard before.

“He said it would be dangerous to leave you alone and wanted to take you to his
house for a while.”

“…”

“When asked why, he said he was sorry for having a relationship with you.”

This was somewhat different from what Wooyeon had imagined. He had thought it was
Soo Hyang’s request, but clearly, it was entirely Dohyun’s wish. In fact, it had nothing to
do with “reporting.”

“…Is that all?”

“No.”

Soo Hyang turned her head away. Her gaze shifted for a moment before she looked back
at Wooyeon with some hesitation.

“He also asked to wait until he could tell you himself.”

 128

There was no need to ask what he wanted to tell him. There was only one thing Dohyun
had wanted to say to Wooyeon from then until now. The important thing here was why
Soo Hyang was the one to reveal the truth, not Dohyun.

“But… why did you speak first?”

If she had kept quiet, Wooyeon might not have felt so hurt. Dohyun hadn’t been pleading
desperately, and their long argument might not have happened. Though it was possible
Dohyun had remained silent, at least the situation would have been better than it was
now.

“Mother simply considered the importance of the situation.”

Despite being with Soo Hyang all his life, Wooyeon still couldn’t fully understand her
heart. Especially when her eyes didn’t show any emotion like this. Her transparent eyes,
which seemed as though they could see right through him, revealed nothing about her
true thoughts.

“If I hadn’t said anything, do you think you would have left his house?”

“…Ha.”

Wooyeon felt choked, as though a shackle was pulling at his feet from deep below,
trapping him. The pressure gradually tightened to the point where it felt as if his breath
would be cut off.

“No, this is just a misunderstanding, Wooyeon.”

The feeling of Dohyun gripping his wrist was still fresh in his memory. The look of rare
urgency in his eyes, the memories of that moment flashing through Wooyeon’s mind like
a rewound film. From when he pushed Dohyun away, turned his back, and climbed into
Driver Yoon’s car to return to the main house, every image replayed.

Why did the call come at that moment? Even though he knew he would meet Dohyun,
why did Soo Hyang still intentionally make the call? He didn’t check the caller ID, but
now he was sure of who made that call.

“The other day, mother apologized for disturbing you.”

“Indeed, I did it on purpose.”

Dohyun must have realized. He was sharp enough to figure out where everything started
and how it unfolded. That’s why he sarcastically told Driver Yoon that it was too late.

“I did it on purpose so you’d return to the main house…”

 129

Wooyeon felt dizzy. His vision blurred, and his body gradually grew weaker. While
feeling like he couldn’t breathe, he heard a calm voice speak.

“That was the best solution.”

A completely irresponsible statement. To hurt his heart and speak so brazenly.

“Time can heal the wounds caused by others. Not to mention, he left a bruise on
your wrist. Can you really trust him to be by your side?”

“Ah…”

The bruise on his wrist. Remembering that moment, Wooyeon gasped, his breath a
mixture of laughter and tears, gradually turning into deep resentment.

“And what about the wounds you caused me?”

Just a brief question, but Soo Hyang suddenly froze. Her sharp eyes rarely became so
dull. Wooyeon didn’t look at her but stood up and left the study.

_________________________________________________
 130

Chapter 89

The gloomy clouds that had gathered for days finally found their target to release their
fury, and a downpour poured down. At first, Wooyeon was angry, then cried out of
frustration, and finally, felt a sense of injustice when he realized he had been deceived.
The tears that night soaked the pillow until he could finally clear his mind and think
things through.

Wooyeon felt sad because Dohyun hadn’t been honest. Although he could understand his
circumstances, he still couldn't fully forgive him. Even though the wound might heal, the
scars would remain, and he decided to wait for time to heal everything.

However, upon further reflection, Wooyeon realized he wasn’t the only one who felt
unjust. Dohyun had also been pushed into a corner, without the chance to express
himself, not even the chance to confess his feelings. Dohyun had been exploited by Soo
Hyang, and it was he who should have been the one to resent her.

But Dohyun didn't get angry. Instead, he turned to Wooyeon to apologize. He apologized,
tried to explain, and made an effort to start over. Unlike Wooyeon’s frustration, Dohyun
tried to break free from his current situation.

"The important thing is not to give up on your own circumstances."

Those were the words Dohyun had said to Wooyeon when he was still in middle school.
When Wooyeon was looking for reasons to justify the bullying he had to endure, Dohyun
had whispered that to him many times. That it wasn’t his fault, and he should never give
up. Once you accept the present, it becomes even harder to escape.

"If at any point, you find it too difficult, tell me, and I’ll help you."

"Sniff..."

If anyone asked why Wooyeon was so sad, he wouldn’t know how to answer. And if
anyone asked whether he was completely without fault, he couldn’t confirm that either.
It was just heartbreaking and regretful that everything, from start to finish, was
orchestrated by someone else.

The next morning, Wooyeon arrived at school early. This time, he walked past a crowd of
reporters and made his way into the classroom. Seongyu was surprised to see his swollen
face and only asked carefully after the lesson had ended.

"Are you going to the clubroom?"

Actually, Wooyeon had planned to quit the club. He no longer felt confident about
meeting Dohyun and was also worried that Soo Hyang would interfere with his life at
school. But now, he suddenly realized that maybe he didn’t need to leave after all.
 131

"No need to quit..."

"What do you mean? Don't tell me you're quitting the club?"

Seongyu widened his eyes, looking at Wooyeon with suspicion. On the way to the
clubroom, he gave a long speech about why one shouldn’t quit the club in the middle of
the semester. Despite Wooyeon's bad mood, Seongyu’s concern made him feel a little
better.

"Hey, everyone. There's a new dish at the tteokbokki place. We have to try it today."

In the clubroom, Dohyun wasn’t there. Only Garam, who was always unclear about
whether she really came to school, was excitedly choosing what to have for lunch. When
Garam saw the shopping bag Wooyeon had been carrying, she curiously asked.

"Hey, what's that?"

"Oh, this."

Garam's eyes stopped on the bag Wooyeon had been holding since this morning. It was a
bag with a famous brand logo, but the items inside had nothing to do with that brand.

"I borrowed this and wanted to return it. I didn't have another bag, so I just put it in
here."

"I thought you bought something."

Garam didn’t ask any further and quickly moved on to ordering the tteokbokki. She even
showed Wooyeon a picture of the brand’s wallet on her phone, saying it was beautiful
and that Soo Hyang often used this brand too.

"But it's so expensive, buying this would mean skipping meals for a month."

"Really? Dohyun uses a wallet from that brand too."

"Yeah, it seems like his family is pretty well-off."

The casual comments were made in front of someone who was actually rich, but perhaps
it was this carefree attitude that made Wooyeon feel more at ease. The funny part was
that after mentioning Dohyun’s name, both of them became more reserved, looking at
each other, then at him.

While listening to their conversation, Wooyeon glanced at the clock. The short hand was
close to the number 1. Normally, Dohyun would have arrived by now, but today he was
late.
 132

He didn’t know how long he had been waiting, but as Garam and Seongyu’s conversation
shifted to "why department stores are closed on Mondays," the clubroom door opened.
The person Wooyeon had been waiting for all this time finally walked in.

"You’re here? Why are you so late today?"

"The semester is almost over..."

Wooyeon immediately stood up. At the same time, Dohyun’s gaze stopped on his face, full
of surprise.

"Your face..."

Before he could ask any further, Wooyeon grabbed the shopping bag and quickly walked
over to him, grabbing his arm.

"I need to talk to you."

Dohyun couldn’t push Wooyeon away and let him pull him out of the clubroom. Just
before the door closed, Garam heard Wooyeon’s surprised voice.

"...You?"

They ended up near the vending machines outside the building. It wasn’t exactly
planned, but Wooyeon simply chose a spot with a bench. Dohyun let him pull him along,
and when Wooyeon stopped, he cautiously spoke up.

"Wooyeon, coming out here like this..."

He looked around, seemingly checking if anyone was doing something suspicious.

Wooyeon could feel Dohyun's pulse pounding through his wrist as he held his hand. He
took a deep breath and handed him the shopping bag.

"First, this..."

"...Huh?"

Dohyun stared at the bag in confusion. When Wooyeon let go of his hand, Dohyun
seemed taken aback, gently biting his lip. Inside the bag was his shirt, the one Wooyeon
had worn a few days ago.

"I said I would have Driver Yoon give it to you."

Dohyun looked at Wooyeon with a tense expression, his eyes slightly squinting as if he
was trying to gauge his reaction. It seemed like he had sensed the tense atmosphere, so
his gaze dropped down, avoiding Wooyeon’s eyes.
 133

"...You pulled me out here just to return this?"

Wooyeon swallowed, struggling to keep his emotions in check. Even though he had
thought about it all night, standing in front of Dohyun made it hard to speak. It felt just
like the time he had been nervous confessing to him.

"No... there’s something else I want to say."

The words Wooyeon needed to say were already clear. An apology, or something to
explain that he had misunderstood. Or at least an explanation for rejecting him.

"What is it you want to say?"

But sometimes, admitting one’s mistakes is harder than forgiving someone. Because of
the embarrassment and shyness, Wooyeon could only lower his head, unable to say
anything.

"It’s…"

"…"

"I heard from my mom. I wasn’t thinking clearly..."

The words seemed to get stuck in Wooyeon’s throat. He looked up, deciding he couldn’t
just let everything pass like this. He was about to suggest meeting again for dinner, the
one they had canceled earlier.

But before Wooyeon could say anything, Dohyun suddenly stepped closer.

"…"

A soft "click" echoed as Dohyun gently wrapped his arm around the back of Wooyeon’s
head, pulling him close to his chest. The bag with the shirt fell to the ground, and
Wooyeon collapsed into his wide embrace, where the distinct scent of Dohyun’s
pheromones surrounded him.

"…So it really is..."

Dohyun spoke slowly, his arms tightening around Wooyeon. His actions weren’t
romantic; they were protective, like he was shielding Wooyeon from something. His
voice was gentle and warm, in a way that was almost indescribable.

"It would be safer if you stayed at the main house."

His voice seemed to carry a hint of resignation. Wooyeon felt his heart drop, like he had
swallowed a block of ice.
 134

"Someone already took a photo."

"…"

"If you’re worried, I’ll go delete it."

Even in this situation, Dohyun was gentle. Mature, thoughtful, always prioritizing
Wooyeon’s safety, just as he had done four years ago, and still now. He was someone
Wooyeon couldn’t help but love.

"Sorry, I startled you."

Wooyeon felt like he wanted to cry. He wrapped his arms around Dohyun’s waist and
buried his face in his neck, causing Dohyun to flinch slightly and pause. The scent of his
pheromones became even stronger.

"I’m sorry."

The world around them seemed to stop. They were outside, and it didn’t matter that
Dohyun was flustered. Wooyeon exhaled heavily, whispering like a soft breath.

"I’m sorry, seonsaeng."

Dohyun’s fingers trembled slightly. His hand that had been holding Wooyeon’s head
gently slid into his hair, and from above, he softly responded.

"Why are you apologizing?"

Wooyeon held him tighter, biting his lip. It had only been a few days, but the familiar
warmth made him feel so nostalgic, it was hard to believe he had ever thought of letting
go.

"...I thought everything was arranged by my mother."

Wooyeon spoke slowly, stumbling over his words. His mind felt empty, and he could only
speak the thoughts that were gradually emerging in his head.

"I thought our relationship, me staying at your house... it was all planned and
monitored by her."

Dohyun silently stroked his head, then lowered his head, gently pressing his cheek
against Wooyeon’s hair.

"...But I lied to you, that hasn't changed."

His voice sounded a bit regretful. Even though Wooyeon was the one who initiated the
hug, Dohyun's arms still held him with hesitation.
 135

"Even if I had explained everything from the start, you probably wouldn't have
forgiven me."

Wooyeon couldn't argue with that. Even if Dohyun had explained things earlier, he
wasn’t sure he wouldn't feel the same way he did now.

"There are things that can only be resolved with time."

"…"

"Or sometimes, all it takes is someone worse than me for everything to pass."

Dohyun's words slowly soothed Wooyeon's anxious heart. Everything he said was true,
and it comforted Wooyeon. As his pheromones calmed down, Dohyun gently spoke
again.

"Do you completely forgive me now?"

Wooyeon carefully nodded. Although it was just a small nod, Dohyun understood and
smiled. But his next question came out timidly.

"Then... can you love me like before?"

"…"

Wooyeon didn’t know why he couldn't answer. It felt like Dohyun’s words weren’t really
focused on the word "love," but rather on "like before," so Wooyeon couldn’t respond
right away.

Dohyun seemed to have anticipated Wooyeon’s reaction, whispering as if speaking to

himself.

"I’ve made you wait too long."

Wooyeon had been in unrequited love for four years. From his naive days, he had only
looked towards Dohyun, pouring all his heart into this one-sided love. While Dohyun had
avoided him out of fear, Wooyeon had silently given him everything.

"Sorry for making you say sorry."

Dohyun said, then gently pulled Wooyeon away from his embrace. He softly wiped the
tears from Wooyeon’s reddened eyes.

"I’m good at waiting."

"…"
 136

"So, I’ll wait for you, just like you’ve waited for me."

"I love you, Wooyeon."

His confession was so sweet it made Wooyeon’s throat tighten. Though he couldn’t
respond, Dohyun seemed satisfied, giving a slight smile with a squint. Wooyeon’s heart,
once empty, slowly began to fill again, warmer than ever before.

_________________________________________________
 137

Chapter 90

Since that day, Dohyun has always been calm beside Wooyeon. He helped him study for
specialized subjects, and if he had time, he even attended freshman classes with him. His
presence was impossible to overlook, so much so that even the professor jokingly called
his name during the roll call near the final exam period.

"Hey, have you all read the article about our school?"

The atmosphere at school began to get noisy after Wooyeon finished his first exam of the
final exams. Thanks to the effort and materials Dohyun provided, he had done very well
on the test. As he overheard a conversation passing by, Wooyeon slowed down to listen.

"That's crazy, some people have to work hard to get into college, while others just
get in because their parents are powerful..."

When the student saw Wooyeon, he lowered his voice. Wooyeon pretended not to hear
and continued walking. Behind him, the whispers started again.

"Isn't that him? The one from the article."

"Really? Oh my god... it's definitely him. I thought he got into school by cheating."

"That's not really confirmed yet. But... maybe not..."

Although he couldn't hear everything they said, Wooyeon could guess the content of their
conversation. Anyway, it didn't affect him.

"[Exclusive] Investigation into the admissions fraud at the prestigious school" "Suspicion
of Ji Soo Hyang's admission fraud... 'No evidence'" "Accusations of admissions fraud
related to forged documents"

This morning, a series of articles appeared, causing a huge stir at the already noisy
school. Journalists blocked both the front and back gates, and officials from the Ministry
of Education were everywhere on campus.

"That guy is really crazy, right?"

Garam was back in the club room today, constantly cursing with her usual high-pitched
voice. She complained and scolded, saying she couldn't believe someone could be so
crazy, and that the school was such a mess. She wore a purple sports outfit, with a pen in
her mouth, looking completely indifferent.

"That guy lives in luxury, yet he treats Wooyeon so badly!"

 138

Wooyeon remained silent, his head lowered, saying nothing. The messy notebooks on the
table were signs that the group was preparing for the final exams. In reality, none of
them were really focused on studying.

"Really, you should have punched him!"

The person who made Garam so angry was the one caught cheating during the
admissions process, and also the one who had "bothered" Wooyeon. Wooyeon had
known exactly who that person was even before this situation occurred.

"His family is really rich."

Recently, Soo Hyang had talked about Junseong's family as if it were a normal story. One
of his parents was a professor, the other was the CEO of a company, and he had three
older siblings who held important positions in large corporations.

"At first, I thought it was just a rumor, but it turns out the one who needed to be
exposed was him."

If no one had exposed him, things might have calmed down over time. But after the
journalists found out about Soo Hyang's son's identity, they swooped in like hyenas.

"Coincidentally, they both enrolled the same year, so when you investigate
thoroughly, it comes to light right away."

Whether it came to light or not, Soo Hyang spoke in a tone as though she would make
sure the truth came out. After saying this, her eyes flashed coldly.

"He should know who he's messing with."

"Is he coming to school today? Probably not, right? Ah, damn it!"

The rumors about the cheater spread unbelievably fast. A student with poor study habits
suddenly went missing. Professors even omitted his name during roll call. The rumors
started from the engineering building and spread to the humanities building within half
a day. When Wooyeon entered the club room after the exam, Garam was angrily talking
to Dohyun.

"Of course, he's not coming. Wooyeon, he hasn’t contacted you, right?"

"Contacted? Not exactly..."

Wooyeon was about to answer but then frowned, realizing his phone hadn’t rung,
though that alone didn’t prove anything.

"Not really sure."

 139

Seongyu looked at Wooyeon with wide eyes, surprised, as if asking, "Not sure how?"

"The thing is, I blocked his number."

Dohyun finished Wooyeon's sentence. Both Seongyu and Garam stared at him in
confusion. Dohyun placed a notebook in front of Wooyeon and calmly explained.

"I thought he would try to contact Wooyeon, so I blocked his number beforehand."

Dohyun's tone was so confident that no one could come up with a response. Wooyeon
took out his phone, but when he met Dohyun's gaze, he froze. Dohyun spoke gently.

"I won’t stop you if you want to check... but..."

"I think it's better to just leave it as it is, Wooyeon."

His tone wasn’t forceful, but concerned. Wooyeon thought for a moment before handing
his phone to Dohyun.

"If there are any messages... can you delete them for me?"

Dohyun took the phone, and returned it after deleting all the messages. No one knew if
there had been any messages, only Dohyun knew the truth.

The long-standing grudge since Wooyeon was 14 finally came to an end, and everything
stopped.

"Cheers to the summer!"

"Cheers!"

The sound of glasses clinking echoed. This was the fifth toast, and the atmosphere was
already lively. Garam’s face was flushed as she mixed soju with beer, while Seongyu was
laughing and chatting happily with the others. Wooyeon placed his soju glass down on
the table and glanced at the person sitting next to him.

"Are you going to be top of the class again?"

"Of course. It’s because of him that I didn’t get the scholarship."

"You didn’t get it because of you."

On the final Friday night of the exam period, the club held a drinking party to celebrate
the end of a turbulent semester and to welcome the summer break. At the fried chicken
restaurant next door, another class was holding a meet-up, but Seongyu, a student
council member, chose to go with the club. Wooyeon had planned to sneak home, but in
the end, he hesitated and followed Seongyu to the party.
 140

"I don’t know if I’ll be top of the class this time. I haven’t been able to study much
lately."

As soon as they entered the bar, Wooyeon chose a secluded corner to avoid being
pressured into drinking. Although no one forced him, to avoid getting swept up in the
festive atmosphere and overindulging, he decided to sit there. Lately, despite the
attention from the reporters decreasing because of Junseong's incident, Wooyeon still
didn’t want to make any careless mistakes.

Next to him, as expected, was Dohyun.

"Hey, have another drink!"

"Come on, bottoms up, 100%! Cheers!"

As soon as he sat down, Dohyun kept drinking the shots that the younger students
poured for him. Each time he finished one, another appeared immediately, and
occasionally, a glass of Somaek was handed to him. Normally, Dohyun would politely
decline or drink in moderation, but tonight, he drained each glass without hesitation.

"Seems like Dohyun is drinking quite a bit today!"

Wooyeon leaned his head against the wall, silently observing Dohyun. His large hands
gripped the soju glass tightly, his throat moving up and down with each sip, and his
gentle eyes occasionally blinked in a soft, serene way.

"Why is everyone only making him drink today?"

His voice was tired, slower than usual, and his eyes, which blinked drowsily, showed he
was already starting to get tipsy.

"Maybe you should stop drinking..."

Wooyeon couldn’t help but speak up. Dohyun had been drinking without eating any
snacks, which made Wooyeon a little worried. Dohyun slightly trembled and turned his
head to look at him.

"Yeah... maybe I should stop."

He said that but then went ahead and drank the next glass. The issue was that as soon as
his glass was empty, another younger student quickly filled it again. It seemed that the
student was also quite drunk, pouring without any moderation.

"Who wants to drink this special mix?"

 141

Wooyeon was both curious and concerned as he watched Dohyun drinking so much. He
had always known Dohyun to be someone who could manage himself well, never getting
drunk at any party. Or rather, Wooyeon had always gotten drunk first, so he had never
seen Dohyun drink so much before.

"Here, this is the special mix from the club president. Not everyone gets a chance to
drink this!"

Garam placed the special mixed drink in front of Dohyun. Despite calling it "a mix," the
color made it look more like barley water. The alcohol content probably made up at least
50%. Wooyeon couldn't help but frown as he looked at Garam.

"Is this really what you'd call a 'mix'?"

"Drink it, drink it!"

"Yeah! Drink it! Drink it!"

"Wait a second..."

Wooyeon suddenly realized something: In parties like this, the sober one is the one who
loses. The club members were all completely drunk, so no matter what Wooyeon said,
they only cheered and clapped. Even worse, Dohyun, who was usually so calm, took the
glass without any hesitation.

"Are you really going to drink this?"

Wooyeon asked, astonished. Even though he was surprised, Dohyun didn't seem to mind.

"Yeah, if they pour it, I have to drink it."

Since when had he become so easy to follow orders? Normally, Dohyun was skilled at
politely refusing to maintain the fun atmosphere.

"You’re already drunk..."

Wooyeon hesitated to stop him forcefully, simply tugging lightly on Dohyun’s sleeve.
Their relationship was unclear—it wasn’t exactly romantic, but it wasn’t not either. In
this situation, Wooyeon didn’t know how far he could intervene.

But that small gesture triggered a big reaction from Dohyun.

"...Ah."
 142

Dohyun let go, and the drink spilled onto the table. A large amount of alcohol spilled
over, some even splashing onto his pants. The club members, who had been joyfully
cheering, froze and quickly scrambled to grab napkins.

"Napkins! Quick, napkins!"

Wooyeon widened his eyes, quickly grabbing napkins from the corner of the table and
handing them to Dohyun, but he just sat there, dazed, without reacting. With no other
choice, Wooyeon started wiping from the seat to his thigh.

"Why don’t you wipe it yourself?"

His light beige pants were soaked with alcohol, turning dark brown. Moreover, since it
was beer, there was much more liquid than with soju.

As Wooyeon hurriedly wiped from the seat to Dohyun's thigh, suddenly, Dohyun grabbed
Wooyeon's wrist tightly.

"Why..."

As their eyes met, Wooyeon froze, staring at Dohyun’s face. His lips pressed tightly
together, and the words he meant to say disappeared in his throat. His wrist was held so
tightly that it hurt, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask Dohyun to let go.

"..."

Dohyun’s face was completely different from usual, his expression tense. His eyes were
wavering, but they still held onto Wooyeon’s gaze. One second, two seconds, three
seconds passed. As the tension between them reached its peak, Dohyun’s face flushed
red.

"...I’ll step outside for a moment."

After saying this, Dohyun suddenly stood up and left the table. Wooyeon remained
seated, staring at his back and then looking down at his wrist.

_________________________________________________
 143

Chapter 91

Even though some time had passed, Dohyun still hadn’t returned to the table. The club
members seemed to have forgotten his presence and were happily chatting. Seeing this,
Wooyeon decided to stand up and look for him. Dohyun appeared to be quite drunk, and
there was no reason why he would disappear for such a long time.

He tried searching around the cafe, from the bathroom inside, the smoking room in the
corner, to even the emergency exit next to the entrance. But he couldn’t find Dohyun
anywhere. Eventually, he decided to go downstairs and head outside.

“Where could he have gone…”

Outside, the neon lights sparkled, and the cool breeze created a comfortable feeling. The
night air was still slightly chilly, but it wouldn’t be long before the summer heat arrived,
bringing with it warm, stuffy nights. By then, perhaps the media's attention would also
fade away.

Instead of wandering aimlessly, Wooyeon decided to take out his phone and call Dohyun.
For someone like him, who often got lost, using the phone to search was more effective
than blindly looking around. Fortunately, the sound of a vibrating phone came from
nearby right after he dialed.

‘Is it behind me?’

He walked step by step towards the sound of the vibration, and he arrived at a small
alley behind a streetlamp. There, a metal staircase led to an outdoor restroom, and a
person was sitting with their back against the wall. Even though the streetlamp's light
was dim, it was easy to recognize the person as Dohyun.

Instead of calling his name out loud, Wooyeon quietly approached. Dohyun was sitting
there, a cigarette unlit between his lips, his eyes staring intently at his phone screen,
where the name “Wooyeon” was clearly displayed in the darkness.

“If you keep staring like that, is the phone going to answer the call by itself?”

Dohyun jumped, his broad shoulders slightly tensing. His straight back became stiff.
After a short pause, he slowly turned his head.

“Ah…”

His face seemed surprised. After all, anyone would be startled if called out unexpectedly
from behind. Wooyeon turned off his phone and slipped it into his pocket.

“Didn’t you say you quit smoking?”

 144

Dohyun blinked a few times and quickly removed the cigarette from his mouth. The
cigarette gently swayed between his long fingers. He opened his mouth, then closed it
again, repeating the motion several times before finally furrowing his brow in an
awkward manner.

“…Why did you come out here?”

Dohyun’s question didn’t seem very welcoming, making Wooyeon feel a bit awkward.
Was it inappropriate to follow someone outside when they were drunk, given their
uncertain relationship?

“Ah… it’s not like I wanted anything…”

Seemingly understanding Wooyeon’s thoughts, Dohyun slowly shook his head. He leaned
his head against the wall, his eyes half-closed, the drunken haze still lingering.

“I think I’m hallucinating…”

“Why is that?”

“Because I’m thinking about you…”

Then, he smiled brightly, his eyes curving like a crescent moon, and his lips forming a
soft curve. His gentle face looked so innocent in that moment.

“Yeon-ah…”

Wooyeon couldn’t find the words to say, simply staring at him. He had always thought
Dohyun’s smile was beautiful, but now, he looked like an angel. Wooyeon nearly
collapsed, as though all the strength in him was melting away.

“Come here, sit here.”

He pointed to his lap. Wooyeon almost found himself charmed into sitting down, but
managed to snap out of it. He hadn’t had a single drop of alcohol; there was no reason to
so easily fall for drunk teasing like this.

“Are you drunk?”

“Mm…”

Dohyun tilted his head, his hair falling over his forehead, and with the cigarette between
his fingers, he winked playfully.

“A little?”

“…It doesn’t look like ‘a little’ at all.”

 145

“But it really is just a little.”

Wooyeon didn’t know how to argue further, so he finally gave in and sat down beside
him on the stairs. The floor might be a bit dirty, but at that moment, it didn’t matter.
Dohyun gently rested his head on Wooyeon’s shoulder.

“It’s too low…”

He complained casually while leaning on Wooyeon’s shoulder, even asking him to sit up
straighter so he could rest more comfortably. Amusingly, Wooyeon obediently
straightened up so Dohyun could lean properly.

“What are you doing out here?”

Dohyun didn’t answer, instead nuzzling his cheek against Wooyeon’s shoulder like a cat
or dog marking its territory. Wooyeon didn’t expect Dohyun to be so cute when he was
drunk. It was yet another new side of him Wooyeon hadn’t known before.

“You’ve been out here too long, everyone’s worried.”

Actually, no one was worried, but Wooyeon said that anyway. Without this excuse, he
wouldn’t have been able to explain why he went looking for Dohyun. But Dohyun didn’t
care and saw Wooyeon’s words as just a lie.

“You really don’t know how to lie.”

“……”

This wasn’t a statement, but more like teasing. When Wooyeon turned his head away, a
soft, sweet voice whispered.

“I’ve been thinking about you.”

There was an itch deep in Wooyeon’s throat. It felt different from hearing someone say
they liked him. Dohyun continued softly, his voice tinged with a dreamy quality.

“I’ve thought about wanting to see you, thought you were really cute, and wondered
when you’d accept me... thoughts like that.”

“…… Why did you go outside to think about those things?”

“I was a little drunk… but when you’re here, it feels really strange.”

“You said you weren’t drunk.”

“I said I was a little drunk.”

 146

Dohyun’s body carried a faint scent of alcohol and pheromones. The scent was stronger
than usual, probably because he had lost control due to the alcohol. Wooyeon didn’t
remind him of that, only speaking softly.

“You…”

“Call me ‘hyung’.”

Once again, it felt like they’d been in a situation like this before. He had asked many
times, enough that Wooyeon still remembered it clearly.

“Not seonsaeng, not seonbae… just hyung.”

“……”

“I want to be the person you call hyung.”

This sentence carried so much meaning. It was an unspoken hint that he wanted a
different relationship than in the past, to become someone closer, more intimate with
Wooyeon.

Wooyeon understood all of that. Perhaps because of the alcohol, Dohyun’s heart seemed
easier to read than ever. No, to be more precise, his feelings had become clearer over
time.

“The rabbit you gave me isn’t a rabbit.”

Though the topic changed suddenly, Dohyun easily accepted it. When he asked, “Then
what is it?”, Wooyeon sighed in relief and replied.

“It’s a desert fox.”

“Desert fox?”

Dohyun murmured to himself, as if imagining the fox. Then he let out a soft laugh and
rested his head on Wooyeon’s shoulder.

“Just like you.”

“Like what?”

“Just like that.”

Wooyeon felt his breath on his neck in a way that felt strange. Dohyun didn’t seem to be
thinking about anything in particular, but Wooyeon’s body was more sensitive than ever.
It seemed Dohyun didn’t notice, just laughing lightly.
 147

“I thought it was a rabbit... So cute, cute enough to be enchanted by it.”

Dohyun’s hand slowly intertwined with Wooyeon’s. The feeling of their fingers lacing
together was so familiar that tears nearly welled up. He tightened his grip and whispered
gently.

“I really like you, so much that I don’t know what to do.”

Sometimes, in everyday life, people suddenly realize something. It could be that wounds
have healed, or painful memories have been forgotten. Or realizing how quickly time
has passed.

“I love you, Wooyeon…”

Summer was approaching. A semester had ended, and once today was over, it would be
summer vacation. Seeing Dohyun, or even talking to him, wouldn’t be as easy anymore
unless there was a set time to meet.

“……I…”

Wooyeon slowly began to speak with a blank mind. Dohyun still rested his head on
Wooyeon’s shoulder, holding his hand tightly. The warmth from his palm spread through
Wooyeon, stirring up emotions inside.

“I… also…”

His heart was beating so strongly that he could hear every thump. The pheromones
lingering in the air made his ears burn. Although this wasn’t the first time he’d said these
words, the tension was a million times stronger this time.

“I… also like you.”

Wooyeon mumbled, his voice so soft that even he could barely hear it. But this time, it
wasn’t an accidental confession, but a heartfelt, emotional admission.

“I’ve thought about it carefully…”

“No matter what anyone says, I can’t live without you.”

In the end, it was still Dohyun. No matter how far the journey had gone, Wooyeon’s heart
always belonged to one person.

“I like you, hyung.”

 148

The moment he expressed his feelings, the emotions that had been suppressed for so
long began to rise, like a sponge expanding as it soaked up water. Emotions that once
only appeared like a drop of water now surged, filling his entire heart.

“……”

Dohyun seemed to hold his breath, unable to move. The world around them felt like it
had stopped, with no sounds reaching his ears—no rustling leaves, no distant chatter of
people.

“…Did you just say…”

His voice was faint, filled with surprise and confusion. Perhaps he hadn’t expected a
response from Wooyeon.

“…What did you just say…”

“I said I like you, hyung.”

Wooyeon repeated each word clearly. Perhaps the first time was always the hardest, but
as he said it again, the nervousness began to fade. Dohyun didn’t say anything more, only
covered his eyes with his hand.

“…Ha.”

He exhaled deeply. The pheromones around them thickened, and he lowered his head to
rest on Wooyeon’s shoulder. Their intertwined fingers began to tremble slightly.

“It can’t be…”

Wooyeon stared at Dohyun, wanting to see his face, but due to the angle, he couldn’t. The
only thing he could clearly see was Dohyun’s lips pressed tightly together, prompting him
to ask.

“…Are you crying?”

The pheromones around them grew even stronger. Dohyun’s shoulders shuddered
slightly, his voice low as if trying to explain.

“It’s because I drank.”

“Are you really crying?”

“…I told you, it’s because of the alcohol.”

 149

There was a hint of choking in his voice. The tone trembled, and his breath grew deeper.
Dohyun turned and wrapped his arms around Wooyeon, leaving him standing still,
unable to move.

“Please… say it again.”

Wooyeon awkwardly wrapped his arms around Dohyun. It was the first time he had held
him like this—not as someone crying and needing comfort, but as someone offering it.
Though the position was somewhat awkward, Wooyeon could feel the weakness and
vulnerability in his embrace.

“I like you.”

“…Call me ‘hyung’.”

“I like you, hyung.”

“One more time…”

“I really like you, hyung.”

The more he expressed it, the more Wooyeon felt his heart strengthen. He realized that
this feeling wasn’t just because Dohyun was his seonsaeng, or because of his maturity
and kindness. It was because of Kim Dohyun as a person. No matter how it began, this
time, it was Wooyeon’s decision.

“Look.”

“I told you, you won’t regret it.”

Dohyun no longer had the strength to say anything, and simply rested his head on
Wooyeon’s shoulder. Wooyeon’s shoulder gradually grew damp, and when he gently
patted Dohyun’s back, a sincere confession came from him.

“I like you too.”

“......”

“I really like you, Wooyeon…”

The persistent rain that had been falling for so long finally began to ease. The rain
stopped, and the sky cleared. Even though a long time had passed, Dohyun still hadn’t let
go of Wooyeon, holding him tightly in his arms.

_________________________________________________
 150

Chapter 92

Garam rested her chin on the table, staring at the two empty spots in front of her. Due to
the effects of the alcohol, her vision was blurry, as if covered by a fog. Despite trying to
rub her eyes a few times, she couldn’t regain her focus.

“Do you think they’ll make up?”

Seongyu, who was sitting beside her, asked softly. Despite having drunk quite a bit, he
was still the most sober among the remaining club members. Garam tilted her head and
lazily responded:

“Probably… they will.”

It had been nearly two hours since they began the drinking party for the summer break.
Dohyun and Wooyeon had left, leaving the other members to continue with the drinking
games. Normally, Garam would have joined in, but today she wasn’t interested.

“If someone’s drunk and someone else follows them, it’s pretty much certain,
right?”

“Yeah…”

Seongyu nodded, sipping his soju mixed with beer. He seemed relaxed, which made
Garam tease him, jokingly asking:

“You seem to care about them a lot, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. Don’t you care?”

“I… care a little. If those two don’t get along, Wooyeon will probably leave the club,
right?”

The conflict between the two was something everyone in the club, including Garam,
knew well. Dohyun, who was known for being cold toward anyone who confessed their
feelings, had publicly said he was dating a freshman, an omega who always followed
him. When Wooyeon, who had been very close to Dohyun, suddenly changed his attitude,
no one in the club could miss it.

“But actually, I’m not that worried. Dohyun will definitely figure it out, you know
that too.”

Since she saw the two of them becoming distant, Garam had believed Dohyun would find
a way to resolve the issue. Even though they hadn’t known each other for long, having
spent about two years together, she understood what kind of person Dohyun was.
 151

What she hadn’t expected was how much Dohyun had gotten involved in this situation.

“Wooyeon is really impressive, huh? Even Dohyun seems awkward around him.”

“Yeah… I think he’s amazing. When I saw how he joined the freshmen’s major class,
I thought, he must really like him a lot to do that.”

Though she didn’t say it aloud, Garam agreed. She had sensed Dohyun’s feelings for
Wooyeon a long time ago.

It was from the first day Garam met Wooyeon.

“His outfit is all brand-name, right?”

Garam, who was passionate about fashion, immediately recognized the brand of each
item Wooyeon was wearing. His light gray coat, thick sweater, sneakers, and even his
jeans – everything was luxury. The value of that outfit could be as much as a house
deposit, or even more.

“Another rich kid, huh?”

At first, Garam had a bit of a negative bias against people from wealthy backgrounds.
However, those thoughts only lasted for a brief moment. The moment Wooyeon turned
around to look at her, her negative feelings quickly transformed into a sense of warmth.

“… What’s his name again?”

With large, round eyes and smooth, fair skin, Wooyeon looked like the perfect ideal type
for Garam.

Of course, that wasn’t the reason she intended to get closer to him.

“The teaching assistant said his name is really beautiful too.”

The only reason Garam wanted Wooyeon to join the club was to have a cute younger
member she could invite to eat tteokbokki with every day. So, she had mentioned this to
Dohyun, not expecting him to have such a special reaction when he heard Wooyeon’s
name.

“Wooyeon, Seon Wooyeon.”

“…”

As soon as Dohyun heard that name, he immediately rushed toward Wooyeon. Watching
him leave with such determination, Garam suddenly realized something. “Ah, looks like I
 152

won’t have a chance this time.” Even though she told herself she wasn’t pursuing
anything personal, the feeling of disappointment lingered.

“It seems like they know each other from before.”

“Yeah, he even called Dohyun ‘seonsaeng’ back then.”

What kind of relationship did they have that could make “Kim Dohyun” so obedient?
With her instincts, Garam could only guess that Wooyeon was the student Dohyun had
once tutored, as he had mentioned before.

“… So he really is a thief.”

Garam had witnessed many people trying to approach Dohyun. On the streets, during
school festivals, there were always people wanting to get to know him. Even though he
kept his distance at school, Garam knew that Dohyun had his own relationships outside
of school.

So when Dohyun started showing interest in Wooyeon, Garam became a bit suspicious.
She thought maybe he was just teasing a naive freshman. Even though she sensed there
was something special between them, she didn’t want to lose a cute younger member
over some trivial romance.

“Why are you trying to get close to Wooyeon like that?”

To be honest, she was a little resentful of how many omega’s she liked had been “taken”
by Dohyun. Nearly every person she had liked ended up paying attention to him.

However, her concern for Wooyeon was genuine.

“Don’t do it unless you’re really serious. I want Wooyeon to stay in the club for the
long run.”

Garam, with her friendly personality, couldn’t help but care about Wooyeon, who was
not only cute but also innocent and lovable. It would be strange if she didn’t feel
concerned for him.

“He said my smile is too fake.”

At first, Garam thought it was absurd. But the moment he said that, it felt like someone
had punched her in the head.

“Let’s see how long he’ll think that.”

 153

The content of his words wasn’t as important as the expression on his face when he said
it. Dohyun’s gentle expression, with his warm eyes and soft smile, made Garam’s heart
race, even though she had no personal feelings for him.

“Wow… you really are…”

At first, Garam only intervened out of curiosity. She thought of herself as someone who
cared about the club, a senior looking out for her juniors, and a friend worried about
Dohyun. But if Dohyun was really serious…

Since then, Garam began to observe the relationship between Dohyun and Wooyeon
from a distance, rather than intervening like Seongyu. She just stood by and watched.

In fact, there had been many signs that Dohyun liked Wooyeon. At parties, Dohyun
always sat next to Wooyeon and often looked at him with affectionate eyes when he ate
something.

‘Maybe Wooyeon still hasn’t noticed…’

Garam thought to herself, recalling how Dohyun would frown every time Wooyeon
called her "nuna" or how he nervously waited outside the café when Wooyeon went to
class. Dohyun always hated troublesome things, but he helped Wooyeon register for
courses, stayed up all night during their extracurricular trips, and even refrained from
smoking when he was near Wooyeon.

(TLN: Nuna means “older sister”)

"Now that I think about it, this guy even joined the group class just for Wooyeon."

Dohyun was really clever. He had arranged to have opportunities to meet Wooyeon, and
when the two of them became a couple, the group class participation was gradually
forgotten.

“Well, I’ll go outside to smoke then.”

Garam stood up and took out her cigarette pack, planning to ask Seongyu to come along,
but he shook his head, declining because he was a bit tipsy. She thought smoking with a
hazy mind would be perfect.

However, when she arrived at the smoking room, it was already crowded. She decided to
go outside, not wanting to endure the smoke from others.

Outside, the night air was still a bit chilly, signaling that rain was coming. Garam looked
up, took a deep breath, and thought that smoking outside in the open air was the best. At
that moment, she heard voices from somewhere:
 154

“You should dye your hair again.”

“I’ve been thinking about that too, maybe I’ll dye it black…”

Even though she had drunk quite a bit, Garam easily recognized the voices of Dohyun
and Wooyeon. She couldn’t help but sneer, then put the lighter back in her bag.

“If it’s summer break, let’s travel.”

“Where to?”

“Somewhere close, in the country. We can just drive in my car.”

So, they must have made up, right? Garam felt relieved, but also a little disappointed. It
was time for Wooyeon to forgive Dohyun. She felt a bit lighter inside, but also a bit
empty.

“I also have a driver’s license, you know.”

“That’s not useful here.”

“…Why not?”

Hearing Wooyeon’s pouty tone, Garam smiled lightly. She was about to step forward to
strike up a conversation but didn’t want to disrupt their joyful atmosphere. Smoking
right next to them wouldn’t be a good idea either, as the smoke could bother both of
them.

“Oh right, your shirt still has the scent of your pheromones on it.”

“Really? I washed it clean already.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s just that the scent still lingers.”

Dohyun continued complimenting, saying that Wooyeon’s pheromone scent was so

wonderful that Garam had to agree. His scent was pleasant, with a unique sweetness that
was hard to compare with any other omega.

“It’s going to rain next week.”

“... Yeah, it’s probably the season for it.”

Garam took a drag of her cigarette, tying her long hair up. Her hair reached her
shoulders, and she thought maybe it was time for a trim.

“Wooyeon.”
 155

“Yeah?”

“Wooyeon.”

“......”

“Yeon-ah.”

“Why do you keep calling me like that?”

“Just because I like it.”

“Kim Dohyun, you’re hopeless.”

Garam tied her hair back neatly and then turned to leave. It had been two years since
she met Dohyun, and she had never seen him so deeply in love like this. Smoking here
only made her mood worse.

“Well, I’ll go inside to smoke.”

Though she hadn’t helped much, she still felt happy and a little proud. She was about to
let Seongyu know and then head to the smoking room.

“Sigh... I really want to fall in love.”

The words slipped out of Garam’s mouth like a sigh. She lowered her head and walked
into the bar, feeling weighed down and sad. In her hand, the unlit cigarette felt more
bitter than usual.

_________________________________________________
 156

Chapter 93

When talking about summer vacations, people often expect things like starting the day
late, the sound of cicadas replacing alarm clocks, trips during the hottest days, and
endless stretches of blue beaches before their eyes. On the first day after the school term
ended, Wooyeon was also immersed in happiness, thinking about those things. He had
officially reconciled with Dohyun, and though it was just an offhand comment, the two of
them had promised to travel together. Thinking about the joys ahead, Wooyeon felt full
of hope.

He wondered whether they would go to the East Sea, Jeju Island, or even choose one of
the villas abroad. While Wooyeon was lost in these dreams, the first day of summer
vacation arrived, and he received a call from Dohyun.

― "I think I’ll need to go home for a few days."

His burgeoning dreams instantly deflated. All the plans he had envisioned with Dohyun
vanished like bubbles. Although Wooyeon was deeply disappointed, he tried to respond
casually.

"I'll just take care of my own things then."

But in reality, he had nothing to do. With no plans, he spent the entire day lying around
in bed. And it had only been three days since the vacation began.

“What did I used to do during times like this...” Wooyeon wondered. In the U.S., he used
to spend time with Danny, and after returning to Korea, everything had been so hectic.
During the school term, he was busy with studies, and after exams ended, his mind was
consumed with thoughts of Dohyun. It had been a long time since both his body and
mind felt this at ease—so much so that he didn’t know what to do with the feeling.

"Danny hasn’t reached out either… The professor is probably busy," Wooyeon
muttered to himself.

He rolled back and forth on his bed, staring at the last message Dohyun had sent,
informing him that he’d arrived home. Wooyeon thought that if he called, Dohyun would
probably pick up, but he didn’t want to disturb him. Letting out a sigh, he reached for the
stuffed animal in the corner of his bed. It wasn’t a rabbit as he had once thought, but
actually a fennec fox. Hugging the soft, white fox close to his chest only made him miss
Dohyun more.

“Maybe I should just take a nap,” Wooyeon thought. He had already slept a lot, but with
nothing else to do, sleeping seemed like the best option. He slowly closed his eyes, letting
scattered thoughts fill his mind.
 157

“…The rainy season starts next week.”

Suddenly, Wooyeon remembered that the rainy season was approaching. The current
blue skies would soon be completely overshadowed by dark clouds. Thinking about the
heavy downpours ahead made his heart sink a little.

A week passed. Wooyeon dyed his hair back to black and visited the doctor for a
thorough pheromone checkup. The last time, the suppressants hadn’t worked properly,
but this time, all his levels were normal. The doctor suggested that it might have been
due to stress and the presence of an alpha nearby.

Soo Hyang hadn’t dropped by since Wooyeon’s summer break began, likely because of
work, but Wooyeon knew that wasn’t the only reason. Around this time of year, Soo
Hyang usually dedicated all her time to work and hardly got any sleep.

No matter what, it turned out to be the loneliest summer vacation Wooyeon had ever
experienced. During this time, he watched so many movies that his eyes felt dry and
strained, making it hard to focus. He worked out in the PT room, swam in the pool, but
once boredom had set in, it wasn’t easy to shake off.

Then the rainy season arrived. Raindrops began to pitter-patter on the windows, and as
Wooyeon prepared for bed, the rain intensified. With no one else in the house, he sat by
the windowsill, phone in hand.

"Should I call him?"

A week and three days had passed. He thought he’d waited long enough. Occasionally,
Dohyun would send a message asking if he was eating well, but Wooyeon still hadn’t
heard his voice. It felt cruel to endure such loneliness so soon after their reconciliation.

[Are you busy?] 11:01 PM

Wooyeon sent the message and silently began to pray. Call me, call me, call me. He
repeated it five times, knowing it was futile. Naturally, the phone didn’t ring, and his
mood sank even further.

“I miss you…”

Just as those words escaped his lips, his phone suddenly rang. The caller was none other
than Dohyun. The name he had been longing to see.

"Hello?"

Wooyeon quickly answered, his heart pounding. Dohyun’s sweet voice came through the
receiver.
 158

― "Hey, Wooyeon. What are you up to?"

"…"

Wooyeon didn’t know how to respond. It had only been a week and a few days, but
hearing Dohyun’s voice filled him with emotion. He could cry at any moment, just from
hearing those words.

“…I missed you hyung.”

In the end, all he could do was softly whisper his feelings. Hearing Wooyeon call him
“hyung,” Dohyun let out a chuckle.

― "It’s only been a few days, and you’ve already gotten used to calling me ‘hyung,’
huh?"

Wooyeon had grown accustomed to addressing him this way, thankful that he didn’t slip
up and call him “seonsaeng.” Still, he knew he needed to adjust his tone.

“When are you coming back?”

His voice carried a hint of sadness. No matter how hard he tried to stay strong, the
loneliness had reached its peak. Dohyun seemed to sense this and gently asked:

― “Do you miss me a lot?”

“Yes.”

― ……

“I miss you.”

― ……

“…I miss you.”

Resting his forehead against the window, Wooyeon wondered if confessing his longing
over and over would make Dohyun come back. The rain continued to pour, leaving trails
on the glass. Beyond the rain-streaked window, all he could see were the high fence and
the garden.

― “You’re making this hard for me.”

Dohyun sighed after saying this. The pause that followed hinted that he was choosing his
words carefully. Perhaps Wooyeon was being too clingy. Just as regret started creeping
in, Dohyun’s tender voice broke the silence.
 159

― “It’s late, so I was planning to head back now."

Hearing those words, Wooyeon leaped up and dashed out of the room. He ran through
the large house, opened the front door, slipped on his shoes, and sprinted to the gate. As
the gate swung open, he saw someone standing under the rain with an umbrella.

“….”

“….”

The figure standing upright, holding a black umbrella, was the person he had been
yearning for. Dohyun looked at him, wide-eyed in surprise. Without thinking, Wooyeon
spoke up.

“…If you keep standing there, someone might call the police.”

His words weren’t the least bit romantic. Naturally, Dohyun just chuckled, tilting the
umbrella towards Wooyeon. Raindrops trickled down from Wooyeon’s already drenched
hair.

“That’s the first thing you say to me?”

Wooyeon didn’t respond. Instead, he flung himself into Dohyun’s arms, hugging him so
tightly that the umbrella fell to the ground. Rain splashed around them as they stood in
the downpour, and Wooyeon murmured softly.

“…I missed you.”

All the emotions he had been bottling up overflowed. He missed him, deeply, and felt a
pang of loneliness. If he exaggerated, perhaps the past week had been harder than the
four years they had spent apart.

“Oh, you think so too?”

Dohyun embraced Wooyeon tightly, brushing his cheek against Wooyeon’s wet hair
without a hint of hesitation. Holding him close, he whispered tenderly.

“I missed you too.”

It wasn’t until Wooyeon sneezed that they finally went inside the house. Dohyun
intended to leave since it was late, but Wooyeon convinced him to stay, mentioning that
no one else was home.

“Why did you go back home anyways?”

 160

After they had showered in separate bathrooms—though Wooyeon briefly considered

suggesting they share one—Dohyun quickly took the clothes and disappeared. Wooyeon
regretted not giving him the outfit beforehand.

“My parents and sister call me back sometimes. When I’m home, I have to play the
role of the good son, so I couldn’t check my phone often.”

“I see…”

After towel-drying their hair, they lay on the bed talking. Wooyeon had imagined cuddles
and intimacy, but Dohyun simply held him close and gently stroked his back.

Looking at Wooyeon lying docilely in his arms, Dohyun suddenly asked:

“What did you do while I was away?”

“Watched movies.”

“And?”

“Exercised, swam…thought about reading, but I got too lazy.”

“You live such a wholesome life.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Under the blanket, their legs tangled together. Though the conversation was serene,
there were moments of silence between replies. Wooyeon intentionally moved closer to
Dohyun, but Dohyun shook his head with mock sternness.

“Not here. This isn’t a private place.”

“…But no one’s home.”

“You wouldn’t be able to handle it. And yet, you still dare to try.”

Dohyun’s warning sounded slightly threatening, his darkened gaze adding weight to his
words. Yet, that gaze had no effect on Wooyeon.

“Then… just a kiss…”

Wooyeon wrapped his arms around Dohyun’s waist, looking up at him with earnest eyes.
He missed not just Dohyun but also the sensations he brought. He longed to kiss him, to
feel him completely through every touch.

“Yeon-ah…”
 161

Instead of kissing him, Dohyun gently ran his fingers through Wooyeon’s hair, caressing
it tenderly. He kissed Wooyeon’s forehead, his eyes, and the bridge of his nose before
asking softly:

“Is something bothering you?”

“…”

Wooyeon averted his gaze, then nestled closer into Dohyun’s chest. Dohyun soothingly
rubbed his shoulders as Wooyeon buried his face against him, whispering:

“I’m okay now.”

That confession implied he hadn’t been okay before. Dohyun understood this and
released calming pheromones, easing Wooyeon’s restlessness.

“When I was a kid, I had a private tutor.”

Wooyeon began sharing his story while lying in Dohyun’s arms. He talked about not
attending elementary school, being homeschooled by various tutors, including one alpha
who left a lasting impression.

“The tutor taught English, but all I remember is being scolded.”

Though he wasn’t physically punished, the tutor’s constant criticisms sometimes hurt
more than any physical blows could. The tutor often belittled Wooyeon, calling him
stupid, leaving him feeling humiliated. Yet, it was thanks to that tutor that Wooyeon
mastered English flawlessly.

‘Alphas are always like that.’

Perhaps it was only Wooyeon’s personal experience, but when such incidents repeated,
they turned into a prejudice. Even now, though he was being held in the arms of an
alpha, he couldn’t stand being around any alpha other than Dohyun.

"Where’s the Chairman?"

Dohyun didn’t attempt to empathize; instead, he shifted the topic. Wooyeon felt grateful
for this and didn’t wish to elaborate further. He absentmindedly fidgeted with his fingers
as he replied nonchalantly.

"She’s probably visiting my mother’s grave."

"…In this rain?"

"She doesn’t have much choice."

 162

The rainy season had arrived. Outside, the rain continued to pour, and Soo Hyang hadn’t
been home for over a week. Rainy days like these always dampened Wooyeon’s mood.

"The day after tomorrow is my mother’s death anniversary."

"…"

"During this time of year, she’s usually away."

The rain grew heavier, its sound filling the silence between them. Dohyun leaned down
quietly, softly pressing his lips against Wooyeon’s in a tender gesture, as though trying to
comfort him.

_________________________________________________
 163

Chapter 94

Wooyeon woke up the next morning to find the bed empty. He clearly remembered
talking to Dohyun before falling asleep, but when he opened his eyes, there was no sign
of him. Worried, Wooyeon looked around, but there wasn’t a single trace of Dohyun.

"Could it be... he already left?"

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Wooyeon sprang up from the bed. It had been
so long since he last saw Dohyun, and the idea of him leaving quietly while Wooyeon was
asleep was unacceptable. If Dohyun really had to leave, the least he could have done was
wake him up.

Still drowsy, Wooyeon rushed out toward the door. Just as he was about to open it, the
door to the study room next to his opened, and Dohyun stepped out.

“Oh, you’re awake?”

“…What were you doing in there?”

Wooyeon let go of the door handle and slowly approached Dohyun, who smiled gently
and opened his arms to embrace him. The warm feeling and the familiar scent of
Dohyun’s pheromones filled the space around Wooyeon instantly.

“I just went to the bathroom and noticed the room we used to study in, so I took a look
around. Sorry for going in without asking.”

“I thought you’d already left.”

“How could I leave without you?”

Dohyun gently ruffled Wooyeon’s hair with his long fingers. Wooyeon knew his hair
must be a mess, but Dohyun still smiled as he pressed a light kiss on the top of his head.

“Black hair suits you, too.”

Wooyeon chuckled at the affectionate tone in Dohyun’s voice. Dohyun placed a few more
light kisses on his head before they decided to go downstairs, avoiding letting the mood
become too sentimental.

When they got to the kitchen, they found the dining table already set by the housekeeper,
and the living room was stacked with boxes that Wooyeon didn’t recognize. While eating,
Dohyun suddenly asked:

“Do you eat like this every morning?”

 164

“Pardon?”

Dohyun didn’t seem pleased with Wooyeon’s vague response. After thinking for a
moment, he said softly,

“Oh, I heard Garam just moved.”

“Moved?”

“Yeah, I think she moved from a single room to a double.”

Hearing this, Wooyeon nodded slightly. That must be why Garam had been so busy since
the summer vacation started and hadn’t been in touch much. Dohyun looked at Wooyeon
meaningfully and asked:

“Do you want to visit her?”

Wooyeon had never visited anyone’s home other than Dohyun’s, especially not a dorm
room, so when Dohyun suggested they visit Garam, he felt excited as if he’d been invited
to an amusement park.

Right after breakfast, they took a taxi to Garam’s new place. They could have asked the
housekeeper to drive, but neither wanted to alert the family. Dohyun carefully wrapped
Wooyeon in a coat before stepping outside.

“It’s a bit chilly out.”

When they got out of the taxi, they shared an umbrella Dohyun had brought, as they’d
forgotten to bring another one. The small size of the umbrella forced them to stand close
together, but Wooyeon didn’t mind.

“Are you getting wet?”

“No, I’m fine. But is your shoulder getting wet?”

“I’m fine too.”

Walking in the drizzle, water splashed under their steps. Occasionally, their shoulders
brushed, making Wooyeon’s heart race like when he used to have a one-sided crush on
Dohyun. Seeing Dohyun’s relaxed smile, he felt lucky to be walking under the umbrella
with the person he loved.

Garam’s dorm was in a newly built building near campus. When they arrived, Garam
came down to greet them, dressed in oversized pajamas and mismatched house slippers.

“Oh, Wooyeon dyed his hair back to black, huh?”

 165

As they stepped into the compact apartment, Garam laughed, asking them to ignore the
mess of unopened boxes.

“Take a seat and pick something to eat—my treat today.”

Grinning confidently, Garam spoke with enthusiasm, while Wooyeon, seated next to
Dohyun, felt both excited and cozy being with his friends on such a romantic rainy day.

With the room still unfurnished, their voices echoed slightly. The interior was cluttered,
while outside, the rain fell steadily. It wasn’t an ideal environment, but Wooyeon’s mood
was incredibly cheerful.

“Let’s order Chinese food,” Wooyeon suggested.

“Come on, when someone’s treating, you should order something fancy,” Garam
countered.

“But isn’t it tradition to eat black bean noodles when you move?” Wooyeon laughed.

“Well, they do sell individual portions here. Do you want to order a bowl?” Garam
asked with a laugh.

“No, I want to eat something more expensive too,” Wooyeon shook his head,
declining.

If he hadn’t gone out today, Wooyeon might have spent another wasted day in the empty
house, just sitting and watching the rain fall. He had been prepared to drift in his sadness
until the rainy season ended.

“Then how about chicken?” Garam suggested.

“Wooyeon doesn’t eat chicken,” Dohyun replied.

“Then pizza?” Garam proposed.

“I just had pizza yesterday,” Wooyeon responded.

“Honestly, why is it always so hard to make a decision with you guys?” Seongyu
complained.

Wooyeon stifled a laugh as Garam and Seongyu continued their endless back-and-forth.
Those two, whenever they were together, would chatter on endlessly about all sorts of
random things.

“How about sushi then? Dohyun likes sushi, doesn’t he?” Garam suggested.
 166

It was the first time Wooyeon learned that Dohyun liked sushi, and he looked at him
curiously. Dohyun, still gazing at Wooyeon, seemed completely oblivious to the ongoing
conversation.

“Do you really like sushi?” Wooyeon asked.

“Yes, I do,” Dohyun replied with a smile, his eyes filled with warmth.

Wooyeon’s face grew hot. He had seen Dohyun’s smile many times before, but somehow,
it always made his heart race. While he was still flustered, Garam had already found the
highest-rated sushi restaurant and placed the order.

In the end, they decided on sushi, pizza, and tteokbokki. Despite their earlier talk of
choosing something extravagant, they settled on familiar, everyday foods. Garam
muttered that even though they said they’d go fancy, they ended up with basic options.

“I guess the grades will be out soon, huh?” Garam said.

“Oh no, that’s right! I’m doomed—I did terribly on my finals,” Seongyu fretted.

The food arrived almost all at once, and since there was no dining table, Garam spread
the boxes out on the floor. The group sat together in a circle. It had been a while since
Wooyeon had a meal like this, not since the group’s last outing.

“We’re aiming for a 4.0 GPA, right?” Seongyu joked.

“Yeah, right. We barely studied this whole term. A 4.0 GPA is just a dream,” Garam
replied with a laugh.

“Wooyeon, do you think your grades will be okay?” Seongyu asked.

Wooyeon simply shook his head, unsure. He felt he had done fairly well, but since it was
his first time being graded, he couldn’t predict the outcome.

“So, have you two been on many dates? I deliberately didn’t contact you so you’d have
some space,” Seongyu teased.

“I had to go back home, so we didn’t meet up much,” Dohyun replied with a laugh.

Hearing that, Garam seemed regretful for not reaching out sooner. Wooyeon just smiled
as Garam asked what he had been up to during that time. He repeated what he’d told
Dohyun earlier about watching movies, exercising, and swimming. Garam got excited
about the movies, while Seongyu was surprised to learn that Wooyeon had a swimming
pool at home.

“You guys can come over anytime you have free time,” Wooyeon offered.
 167

“Your house?” Garam asked, her eyes lighting up.

“Yes, you can watch movies or swim, whatever you like…”

Garam seemed thrilled, saying it would be her first time visiting such a spacious house,
making Wooyeon feel cheerful as well.

They ate, chatted, and laughed late into the night, the hours slipping by unnoticed. Near
midnight, Garam suddenly stood up and told Dohyun and Wooyeon to go out and buy
some ice cream.

“Go on, get some ice cream,” Garam said, gently nudging Dohyun and gesturing toward
the door with her chin.

Dohyun stood, holding out his hand to Wooyeon. Hesitant, Wooyeon eventually got up as
well.

“Shouldn’t we be heading home by now?” Wooyeon asked nervously.

“It’s fine, stay and hang out longer. I live alone anyway,” Garam replied casually.

Wooyeon took Dohyun’s hand, glancing around uncertainly before stepping outside with
him. Even as they left the room, Wooyeon didn’t notice the subtle, knowing glances
exchanged between Garam and Dohyun.

_________________________________________________
 168

Chapter 95

Although it's almost July, the night winds still carry a chill. Fortunately, there is no rain,
but the damp air still leaves a cool feeling on the skin. Dohyun held a convenience store
bag in one hand, while his other hand was intertwined with Wooyeon's, gently swaying.

"Did you have fun today?"

His warm, calm voice blended with the night, filled with the sweetness and gentleness
that Wooyeon loved about Dohyun. Without hesitation, Wooyeon nodded.

"They are really funny."

Although Wooyeon didn’t have many friends, he knew that Garam and Seongyu were
good people. He thought, if only he had met them earlier. While Danny was also a good
friend, they came from different starting points.

"I'm glad, as long as you're happy."

Dohyun nodded and glanced at the watch on his wrist. He had checked it more than five
times since they left the convenience store, making Wooyeon wonder if he needed to
head home urgently. While he was thinking, Dohyun slowly spoke.

"Today..."

It seemed like even his footsteps had slowed. Wooyeon watched him intently, not rushing
him. Under the streetlights, his straight nose looked perfect.

"I can't sleep at Garam's house..."

"......"

"So, would you like to come to my place?"

Wooyeon froze for a moment, but when their eyes met, he quickly nodded.

"Yes."

Anyway, it was already late, and no one would call to check. They probably wouldn’t
even know Wooyeon wasn’t home.

"I want to sleep at your place."

Upon hearing this, Dohyun winked and smiled. His satisfied smile made Wooyeon feel
excited. In fact, he was already so happy. He had been with Dohyun last night, and now
he could be with him again. Just thinking about it made him overjoyed.
 169

"When we drank champagne that day..."

Since their steps had slowed, it took them almost twice as long to return to the building
as it did when they were shopping at the convenience store. Standing in front of the
building, Wooyeon asked something that had been on his mind.

"That day… why did my muscles hurt?"

When Wooyeon woke up in a bathrobe, Dohyun had mentioned that he had spoken
about Danny. Although nothing had happened between them, Wooyeon felt a vague
soreness in his back. Of course, it wasn’t significant pain, but it was enough to make him
wonder.

"Ah… muscle pain?"

Dohyun winked, slowly muttered, and then shrugged mischievously.

"Turns out, it’s true. I just made it up."

"Made it up?"

"Yeah, because I heard a loud noise from the bathroom."

Wooyeon looked at him with a confused expression, but Dohyun just smiled and pulled
Wooyeon closer to his face. He gently kissed the back of his hand, making a sweet sound.

"Sorry about that. I was just a little jealous."

"Apologizing now doesn't really help."

With just one kiss, Wooyeon felt his heart lighten. It was so simple.

"It could be because I was drunk, or maybe you fell in the bathroom and I didn't
notice. Maybe it was one of those two."

As Dohyun spoke, he took out his phone to check the time. 12:01 AM. He frowned slightly
and began entering the door code.

"Did Garam give you the code to the house?"

"Yeah, she told me to just come in freely."

Wasn’t that a bit dangerous, though? But after all, this was a private home. Thinking
about it, Wooyeon suddenly remembered something similar Dohyun had said before, but
he still couldn’t recall it clearly.

"Watch your step."

 170

As they walked up the stairs to Garam's apartment on the third floor, Dohyun said only
that one sentence. The late hour made everything quiet, but the silence created a bit of
awkwardness.

"Do you also know the door code?"

Wooyeon whispered, pressing close behind Dohyun as he entered the code with ease.

When they heard the door unlocking, Dohyun stepped aside slightly, his eyes glinting
with a bit of mischief. Wooyeon, still confused, blinked at him.

"Wooyeon."

"Yes?"

He felt something strange, nervous, and a little shaky. The moment when Dohyun opened
the door seemed to stretch out.

"Happy birthday."

Just as Wooyeon was about to respond, he was interrupted by the loud "Bang!" of party
poppers exploding as the door swung open. His eyes widened, and he slowly turned
around.

"Happy birthday, Seon Wooyeon!"

"Happy birthday, Wooyeon!"

Two more loud "Bang!" sounds from the poppers went off. Unlike the dark hallway, the
apartment inside was brightly lit, and Seongyu was holding a birthday cake with lit
candles. Garam quickly placed a birthday hat on Wooyeon’s head.

"Hey, hey, close the door! The neighbors are going to complain now."

Under Garam’s guidance, Wooyeon felt almost hypnotized, quietly stepping inside.
Dohyun closed the door, and Seongyu came forward, holding the birthday cake in front
of Wooyeon.

“Make a wish!”

“Hurry up, wish and blow out the candles. They’re almost melting.”

“Wooyeon, make a wish!”

The candlelight shimmered in front of him, with pink and yellow candles on the cake,
which was covered with strawberries. Dohyun gently reminded Wooyeon, who was still
dazed.
 171

“You have to blow out the candles.”

At that moment, Wooyeon understood everything. He realized why Garam had

awkwardly pushed him out, Seongyu’s stiff face, and why Dohyun had kept checking the
time.

“What’s this…”

“Oh my gosh, Wooyeon, just blow out the candles already.”

Under Garam’s urging, Wooyeon blew out the candles in a half-dazed state. A light smoke
rose from the extinguished flames. Seongyu sighed in regret.

“Oh, the important thing is to make a wish!”

“Alright, fine. What are we going to do if we don’t eat the cake?”

Garam carefully removed the candles from the cake. Wooyeon was still in shock, looking
around the room. The food delivery was scattered around, and party poppers were
everywhere.

“…Ha.”

Wooyeon let out a short breath, half a sigh, half a laugh. He covered his mouth with his
hand and chuckled.

“What is… all this?”

Everything was so funny. From Garam’s invisible worry, Seongyu’s regret when the
candles went out, to Dohyun’s watchful gaze.

“How did you all know it was my birthday?”

This was his birthday that he had never told anyone. From the day he was born until
now, he had never been wished a happy birthday. Today was also the anniversary of his
mother’s death, and Soo Hyang always left him alone. Perhaps he had received countless
gifts, but this was the first time anyone had sincerely wished him a happy birthday.

“How could I not know it was your birthday?”

Dohyun said, brushing off the confetti from Wooyeon’s hair, then adjusting the party hat
on his head. He gently stroked the corners of Wooyeon’s eyes, which were turning red,
and then flashed a bright smile.

“Thank you for being born.”

 172

Oh, how should he describe this feeling? Should he cry or laugh? All he knew was that,
no matter what, the corners of his eyes were getting a little teary.

“Hey, hey, we did everything we could to keep you from crying, and now he’s taking
all the emotional credit.”

"That's right, crying on your birthday means you'll lose your luck."

The clumsy words of comfort, but Wooyeon tried to hold back the tears. Fortunately, he
didn't cry, and Seongyu quickly raised his phone to take a picture. In the commemorative
photo with the birthday cake, his face was stiff, half smiling, half on the verge of tears.

For Wooyeon, a birthday is simply the day he was born, nothing more, nothing less. At
this time of year, the rainy season usually drags on, and every time it rains, his mood
plummets. That's why, when he was young, he always wished this day wouldn't come.

But on the exact day of his twenty-first birthday, for the first time in his life, he felt truly
wonderful about being born. A day of celebration when the people he loved
congratulated him turned out to be an experience even more precious than he had ever
imagined. Wooyeon was immersed in happiness all day, and as soon as he stepped into
the house, he immediately ran into Dohyun's arms.

(TLN: Wooyeon is legally 19 but in korean age he is 21)

"What's wrong, huh?"

Dohyun gently comforted Wooyeon with a soothing and pleasant voice. When Wooyeon
rubbed his cheek against him, Dohyun didn't hesitate to take off his shoes and lift him up
like a child. If it were a usual day, Wooyeon would probably have struggled and
protested, but today he obediently leaned against Dohyun.

"How old is our Wooyeon now?"

"...I want to get down."

"I'm just kidding."

Dohyun's voice carried a hint of laughter. Without showing any signs of fatigue, he
carried Wooyeon all the way to the living room. In the familiar space of Dohyun's house,
a gentle and airy scent of pheromones filled the air.

"It's late, let's take a shower and go to sleep."

Wooyeon gently shook his head, not because he didn't want to bathe, but because he
didn't want to leave Dohyun's embrace. On the contrary, he snuggled closer to him and
said in a spoiled tone:
 173

"Take a shower with me."

Before they knew it, both of them had taken off their clothes. When he became aware,
Wooyeon found himself kissing Dohyun amidst the rising steam in the bathroom. From
the shower, the water poured down in torrents, and the atmosphere became sweeter and
more intense as the strong pheromones spread around them.

"Um..."

Wooyeon let out a soft moan, wrapping his arms tightly around Dohyun's back and
swallowing each heavy breath. His hand slipped lightly, unable to hold on due to the
damp skin, while Dohyun's tongue kept searching, lost in the passionate kiss.

Everything around seemed to disappear in the steam, each time their lips parted and
pressed back together, the wet kisses and the feeling of their bond resonated throughout
the space. The temperature kept rising, both of their breaths seemed ready to ignite in
the suffocating atmosphere filled with intense emotions.

"Yeon-ah, look at me,"

Dohyun gently said, cupping Wooyeon's face with both hands, then softly placed a kiss on
his cheek. Every time their lips met, Wooyeon couldn't help but close his eyes for a
moment. Through the misty veil of his gaze, he saw an undeniable longing flicker in
Dohyun's eyes.

"I'm... I'm so hot..." Wooyeon whispered.

"Hot, huh?"

Clearly, they went into the bathroom to take a shower, but the showering was left behind;
they were both just engrossed in touching each other's lips. If it was like this, then why
did they try so hard to hold back last night? Wooyeon gasped and rested his forehead on
Dohyun's shoulder.

"Standing here... and planning to just walk out like that?"

At that moment, Dohyun gently grasped Wooyeon's sensitive area. Just a light touch, and
Wooyeon shivered slightly, his shoulders trembling. Because it had been hard for a long
time, even a small stimulus could make him reach the peak.

"Uh... hmm..."

The large hand glided lightly over the body, stimulating bit by bit. The whole body was
drenched in water, creating a different sensation compared to previous touches. You
could say it was more stimulating, but there was also a hint of fear creeping in.
 174

"Do you want me to use my mouth?"

It was like a whispering temptation from a devil. Dohyun smiled gently, but Wooyeon
swallowed hard and shook his head. It was clearly a sign of rejection, but despite that,
Dohyun still knelt down in front of him.

"Wait a minute... A!"

Dohyun stuck out his tongue, gently touching the round tip. Wooyeon quickly grabbed
his hair, but before he could push it away, that part was completely enveloped by him.
He felt it slide deep into Dohyun's mouth.

"……!"

This is a very sensitive area, even just touching it with a hand. Yet now it is being rubbed
against the soft mucous membrane, a feeling of pleasure that cannot be described in
words. Her legs trembled, and his whole body seemed to reach the peak of ecstasy.

“… Hmm…”

Wooyeon closed his eyes tightly and released it into Dohyun's mouth. While the liquid
overflowed, Dohyun did not pull his head away but accepted it all. Wooyeon was
twitching slightly in intervals, gradually losing strength and collapsing, exhausted.

"Um..."

Dohyun swallowed the remaining semen in his mouth while looking at Wooyeon, who
was slumped down. He seemed completely unconcerned by Wooyeon's slightly
reproachful gaze. His eyes curved mischievously.

"I told you it was enough..."

"Just as long as you feel comfortable."

Wooyeon grabbed Dohyun's arm, trembling as he stood up. Although his legs kept
wanting to give way, thanks to Dohyun's steady support, he was still okay. Wooyeon
leaned against his sturdy chest, whispering softly like a breath:

"...I want to do that too."

_________________________________________________
 175

Chapter 96

Wooyeon said that with a hint of half-hearted annoyance. Of course, Dohyun just smiled
gently and stroked his back.

"It's your birthday, why do you have to do all that?"

What are those things anyway? All this time, who was the one who started "all that" first?

Wooyeon blinked with a dazed mind. The echoes of pleasure had not yet completely
faded, causing pheromones to occasionally escape. Even though his thoughts were
fragmented, his hands still moved automatically.

The hand slowly descended, grasping the erect member of the person holding him – not
his, but Dohyun's. As he gently stroked downwards, Dohyun couldn't help but let out a
soft moan through his teeth.

"Ugh..."

Wooyeon rested his forehead in the middle of Dohyun's neck and shoulder, his thumb
gently caressing the round head. He didn't forget to move his fingers slowly and steadily,
just like he had done for him. Seeing Dohyun react to each of his movements brought a
more thrilling sensation than he had imagined.

"I will use my mouth to please you."

"……."

Dohyun's deep black eyes glimmered with a hint of hesitation. He didn't say anything, but
Wooyeon knew he was troubled. He was about to continue moving his hand when
suddenly, Dohyun flipped him over.

"Let's save it for later."

‘Chut’, his lips gently touched Wooyeon's ear. He kissed the rim of the ear, the earlobe,
then gradually moved down to the jawline and the back of the neck. Dohyun wrapped
his right arm around his waist, gently tightening his grip.

"Not right now."

Dohyun didn't explain why it was "not yet," he just gently rubbed Wooyeon's belly and
then moved his hand to the protruding nipple.
 176

"Ugh..."

Between the two cheeks, his firm member rubbed, sliding down from the coccyx, lightly
touching around the entrance. Dohyun gently squeezed the tip of his chest with his
fingertips and softly commanded.

"Lean against the wall."

"...Ugh..."

"Close your legs."

Wooyeon placed both hands on the wall, followed Dohyun's instructions, and tightly
closed his thighs. Wooyeon didn't know what he intends to do, but he never regretted
listening to Dohyun in moments like these. When you obediently held the position,
Dohyun seemed to praise him, kissing the back of his neck lightly several times.

"Don't spread your legs."

"Uh... um..."

Dohyun lowered his hand from the waist down, touching Wooyeon's chest, the place that
had just reached its peak. Even though he had only touched it a little, that softness
quickly hardened. He caressed both the body and the lower part, then pushed his
member between Wooyeon's thighs.

"...What are you planning to do?"

Before Wooyeon's innocent question, Dohyun pressed his nose against the back of his
neck. The droplets on his hair slowly trickled down his shoulders. Dohyun used his other
hand to lift Wooyeon's chin, leaning in for a gentle kiss.

"For now..."

His member slowly withdrew from the space between your thighs. Just the legs, but
there was a strange tingling sensation below the abdomen. Dohyun pushed his hips
forward again, letting out a hoarse voice, trying to hold back.

"Even if it's just like this, I still have to do it."

"A…!"
 177

The rough, hot object pushed in, rubbing against his sensitive area. Wooyeon reflexively
arched his hips, resting his forehead against the hand propped up against the wall. Even
though it wasn't direct penetration, the feeling was still very strange.

"Ugh..."

Dohyun slowly, very slowly picked up the pace, enjoying Wooyeon's soft skin as he
touched each part of his body. When Wooyeon could no longer endure and started
wanting to spread his legs, he whispered gently in his ear.

"Yeon-ah, your legs..."

"Haa... no..."

The smooth glans gently touched Wooyeon's part. When pulling out, it brushed against
the base, and when going back in, it intentionally glided over the moist entrance. The
hand caressing the front brought a wonderful feeling, but the light touch at the back
made him feel like something was missing, full of regret.

"Ugh... huff... you..."

Wooyeon struggled to turn his head and look at Dohyun. Their eyes met perfectly,
creating a feeling as if an electric current was running through. He gently pushed his
hips back, his voice choked, pleading through sobs.

"I want you to come in... ugh..."

Dohyun stopped. The intense pheromone wave that was flooding the air also temporarily
subsided. Wooyeon grasped Dohyun's wrist with the hand pressed against the wall, his
eyes shimmering, weakly pleading.

"Please... come in..."

No need to say anything more. The moment you said those words, Dohyun's gaze became
profound. He let out a soft sigh and gently bit Wooyeon's earlobe.

"...Let's go to bed."

The power of the plea "please come in" is truly intense. Wooyeon didn't even have time to
dry off, enduring all night under Dohyun's fervent advances on the bed. At first, he
tightly hugged the pillow, moaning, and then later grasped the bed sheet, sobbing. The
mixture of fear and pleasure continued like that until dawn.
 178

Wooyeon opened his eyes when the sun was high in the sky. The sound of rain falling
gently outside woke him from his deep sleep. Through his slightly opened eyelashes, he
saw the gloomy sky, filled with gray clouds.

“…Ah.”

When he spoke, Wooyeon's voice sounded much hoarser. He slowly blinked, watching
the raindrops flow down the window frame. Suddenly, he thought about how many
condoms they had used yesterday. Amidst those thoughts, a gentle voice rang out.

"Did you sleep well?"

The one who made Wooyeon suffer all night now gently strokes his hair, places a kiss on
his cheek, close to his ear, and pulls him into his embrace. Wooyeon turned a bit and
rested his head on Dohyun's chest.

"My eyes are all swollen."

Dohyun smiled brightly, his face looking cheerful and not at all tired like Wooyeon,
whose face was all swollen. A bit envious, Wooyeon lightly bit the hand that was stroking
his cheek.

"It hurts."

Dohyun pretended to groan softly, even though he wasn't in any pain at all; it was just
part of his prank. But that made Wooyeon feel happier.

"What time is it?"

"It's past 1 o'clock." How come your voice is so hoarse like that?

"You were the one who caused this..."

Wooyeon replied irritably, burying her face in Dohyun's chest. Unlike Wooyeon, who was
wearing a large t-shirt, Dohyun was only wearing black underwear. It seems that
Dohyun dressed Wooyeon while he was sleeping but didn't dress himself.

"Too warm..."

Perhaps it's because they are under the blanket, their skin touching each other feels
warm. If he closed his eyes, he might drift off to sleep again. But Dohyun didn't let
Wooyeon easily drift off to sleep.
 179

"I have a birthday gift for you..."

The words made his ears perk up. Wooyeon also received gifts from Garam and Seongyu
(a bath bomb and a phone case), but Dohyun's gifts always felt different.

“…What is this gift?”

Wooyeon gently opened his eyes, his honest expression made Dohyun burst into
laughter. He intertwined his fingers with Wooyeon's left hand and brought it up to his
face.

"Here."

The watch on Wooyeon's left wrist reflected the light. The design looks simple yet elegant,
with a unique watch hand and a logo next to it that Wooyeon immediately recognizes as
belonging to a famous brand.

"I thought you would recognize it right away, don't you feel anything?"

Wooyeon looked at the watch, slightly biting his lip. Even though he wasn't good with
finances, he still knew that the value of this watch was not cheap, definitely not
something a college student could afford.

"This one... isn't it really expensive?"

"Um..."

Dohyun hesitated for a moment and then winked at him.

"Consider it a reward for a good boyfriend."

Their eyes met, and as a reflex, Dohyun leaned down and placed a kiss on Wooyeon's
cheek.

"Happy birthday."

No matter how many times he hears it, he still feels warm inside. About four years ago,
he had wished to hear this congratulatory message from his seonsaeng, but Dohyun had
left before his birthday. And now, he is still by his side even though his birthday has
passed.
 180

"Actually, I intended to give you a ring, but I was afraid you might feel awkward, so I
didn't do it."

There are many words I want to say, but they get stuck in my throat: thank you, I really
like the gift, or even the ring wouldn't make me feel awkward.

At that moment, Dohyun smiled brightly, his beautiful eyes sparkling.

"It's a couple's watch."

Finally, Wooyeon quietly nestled into Dohyun's embrace, expressing his emotions with a
simple word, more than ten thank-yous.

"...I like you."

"..."

"I like you so much."

A pleasant wave of pheromones spread – dry and fresh, unclear whose it was. Dohyun
chuckled softly, hugging Wooyeon tightly as if wanting to melt into each other.

After that, they lazily lay on the bed for about another hour. Not the passionate actions of
the early morning, just intertwining their legs and chatting aimlessly. The main topic
revolves around "Why do you have such a special birthday?"

"Is there anything unusual about having a birthday on Christmas Eve?"

"Of course. Never going to forget it."

Wooyeon had chosen a birthday gift for Dohyun six months in advance. With his height,
a long coat would look very nice, and a wool scarf would also be suitable. Now that we
have matching watches, it would be great to add a few more matching items.

"Yeon-ah."

Dohyun looked into Wooyeon's eyes, who was lying on him like a little puppy. Wooyeon
looked up.

"Just asking gently..."

The words were a bit hesitant, just like last night when he suggested coming to his house.
 181

"Do you want to live with me?"

"...What did you say?"

Wooyeon widened his eyes in surprise. This is not the kind of proposal that can be
answered immediately like an overnight invitation. Dohyun gently stroked his hair,
seemingly not wanting him to think too much.

"Since I started tutoring you, I've felt that house is too lonely for you."

His mind went blank, and the emotional storm that had been raging inside him suddenly
stilled, like a calm lake. Dohyun continued speaking, his voice sincere.

"I'm not forcing you to answer right now. You still have to ask your mother for
permission, and it might be inconvenient in many ways. I also know this house is
dangerous because the press could find it at any time."

"…"

"But Yeon-ah, I want you to have a place to escape to when you feel tired."

His gentle words were so moving that they made him want to cry. Despite his calm tone,
hearing them made Wooyeon unable to stay composed. He thought back to the
suffocating days in his current home.

The truth was, he couldn't deny that he had been wavering. If he could leave that
suffocating house, he would feel better every day. He wouldn't be overwhelmed by
loneliness anymore.

"…I..."

Wooyeon spoke slowly. Unlike his response to the invitation to stay over the night before,
his answer came slowly this time. He felt choked, as though someone was squeezing his
throat.

"This..."

Suddenly, the phone rang. The constant vibration indicated that it was a call, not a
message.

"...It seems like there's a phone call."

Wooyeon sat up, as if to change the subject. Dohyun didn't stop him but instead reached
for the phone on the side table. The call was for Wooyeon.

"…"
 182

As soon as he looked at the screen, Wooyeon's expression changed. It wasn't just a frown,
but an expression of distress. He stared at the phone for a while and sighed.

"...I think I have to go."

The name "Driver Yoon" displayed on the screen squeezed his heart. It felt like a bucket
of cold water had been poured over him as reality came crashing in.

_________________________________________________
 183

Chapter 97

The towering wall seemed even more majestic in the rain. The heavy downpour soaked
the dark bricks, leaving streaks like a reflection of Wooyeon’s inner turmoil.

"Be careful when you go in."

As soon as Wooyeon ended the call, Dohyun had driven himself to bring him back. He
didn’t forget to put the birthday gift Wooyeon had received into a clean bag and handed
it to him. Wooyeon stood in front of the gate, looking dejected, like an animal being led to
the slaughterhouse.

"I don’t want to go in..."

Though it wasn’t the last time they would meet, the feeling of parting still left him with
an odd sadness. Just thinking about being alone again once he passed through this gate
made him feel regretful. Although he wasn't being imprisoned, the idea of having to go
back there on his own made him reluctant.

"We’ll meet again tomorrow."

Dohyun gently stroked Wooyeon’s cheek as if to calm his feelings, but that only made his
sadness grow.

"I’ll stand here and watch you go in before I leave."

Finally, Wooyeon sighed and turned away to walk. With no other choice, he approached
and began entering the password. But just before he could touch the keypad, the security
system’s sound rang out. The heavy gate opened with a loud creak.

Through the gap in the door, a person dressed in all black appeared. They had neatly
combed hair and wore a black suit, and if it had been night, they would have looked like
the Grim Reaper. Without the driver Yoon standing beside her, holding an umbrella to
shield her, people might have mistaken her for a ghost.

"Where have you been coming back this late?"

Soo Hyang spoke with a tired expression. Though she usually had a cold demeanor, today
she carried a special tension in the air. The pheromones surrounding her were so thick
that they made Wooyeon feel suffocated, even from a few steps away.

"...I’m home, Mom."

Wooyeon spoke, as though answering the words Soo Hyang didn’t say. Though it was him
returning, the one who had been gone longer was actually Soo Hyang. She glanced
 184

briefly at Dohyun and Wooyeon, then pressed her hand to her temple as if overcome
with exhaustion.

"You’re late."

It wasn’t really that late; it was still bright out because of summer, and it wasn’t yet time
for the usual dinner.

"You should have been home today. Do I have to call to find you?"

Wooyeon bit his lip and took a step inside the gate.

"Today" was probably not referring to his birthday but to the anniversary of the death of
Soo Hyang’s Omega mother, someone Wooyeon didn’t even remember.

"I was just out for a bit."

"I heard you haven’t been home since yesterday. If you’re going to lie, don’t bother."

Soo Hyang took the umbrella from Driver Yoon’s hand and motioned for him to pass it to
Wooyeon. Wooyeon quietly glanced at Dohyun and whispered just loud enough for him
to hear.

"Thank you for bringing me back."

When the gate closed, the joy of the day ended there. In the house, without any servants,
he would eat cold seaweed soup and open gifts from strangers. As every year, there
would be no voice heard in the house.

Dohyun stood there, looking at Wooyeon and Soo Hyang with an emotionless expression.
Wooyeon began to walk inside, but Dohyun remained still, as though he wanted to say
something.

"You should go home too."

Soo Hyang said coldly, then turned away without hesitation. After taking a few steps, she
sighed, adding one last remark.

"Probably because you didn’t know what day it is, that’s why you came all the way
here."

Wooyeon felt a lump in his throat. The emotions that had been suppressed suddenly
surged. He lowered his head, his voice tinged with self-mockery.

"That damn day..."

 185

His voice was so soft that it was drowned out by the sound of the rain. If it hadn’t been
raining so heavily, perhaps no one would have heard. But Soo Hyang heard clearly and
responded in a cold tone.

"Seon Wooyeon."

Just those three words caused his body to react. As always, the words he wanted to say
got stuck in his throat.

"Stop acting foolish. Not today."

But when had it ever been okay? He thought to himself. When had she ever listened, that
today she was suddenly saying it wasn't allowed?

"…"

Wooyeon bit his lower lip tightly and looked up. The rain was still pouring, and Driver
Yoon stood there, holding the umbrella impassively. Seeing Soo Hyang’s exhausted, tense
face, Wooyeon clenched his fists.

"Ah..."

Everything felt like it was sinking into mud. As joyful as last night had been, today was as
chaotic. The feeling of happiness completely shattered, and the heart that had once raced
with excitement now felt torn apart by the sharp blade of reality.

"I really hate all of it."

After saying that, Wooyeon turned and walked away, but not toward the house—he
headed toward the gate where Dohyun stood.

"Seon Wooyeon!"

Soo Hyang’s shout echoed, but Wooyeon didn’t stop. He didn’t even acknowledge the
confusion of Driver Yoon. He only looked toward Dohyun and grabbed his hand.

"Let’s go. I’m not going into the house anymore."

"What do you think you're doing?!"

Soo Hyang walked toward them, her face furious, the umbrella having fallen to the
ground sometime earlier. As she reached for Wooyeon, Dohyun stepped in between
them.

"Please calm down, Chairman."

"Get out of the way."

 186

"Chairman."

"Did you not hear me telling you to get out of the way?"

Like Wooyeon, Soo Hyang was also a rare dominant Alpha. The powerful pheromones
she released made even Dohyun’s shoulders shiver. But he remained calm, pulling
Wooyeon behind him.

"Please calm down."

Dohyun’s low voice was calmer than ever. He completely blocked the pheromone from
Soo Hyang and held Wooyeon’s hand tightly. The warmth of his hand, though slight,
helped soothe Wooyeon’s heart.

"Stay out of matters that aren’t your concern. This is between me and Wooyeon."

Soo Hyang narrowed her eyes, glaring at Dohyun with a predatory gaze. Today, it seemed
that the usual calmness she exuded had vanished; ever since the gate opened, she had
shown only tension and impatience.

"I will leave, but..."

"Kim Dohyun."

She spoke just one word, laced with pheromones. Dohyun immediately fell silent. Soo
Hyang continued in a flat tone.

"I have nothing to say to someone like you, someone who knows nothing about their
own parents."

"Mom!"

The words were harsh. Even as a mere bystander, Wooyeon felt hurt, but Dohyun
remained calm, responding without a flicker of hesitation.

"Why wouldn’t I know? Other people have two, but I have four."

Soo Hyang fell silent. Her expression was unclear, but there was a hint of surprise.
Dohyun turned away, sighed, and spoke in a composed tone.

"Not today. Let’s talk about this tomorrow."

"…"

"In this situation, we can’t have a normal conversation."

 187

This time, Soo Hyang couldn’t immediately counter him. There was only the sound of her
grinding her teeth before she spoke slowly.

"Not tomorrow, but today..."

"Today is Wooyeon’s birthday."

Not only Soo Hyang but Wooyeon himself froze. His name being called so suddenly
startled him. Dohyun’s voice remained as calm as ever.

"It’s the day your son was born. Today."

Why the emotions he had suppressed suddenly surged at this moment, Wooyeon couldn’t
understand. Why, when he had held back tears, did they now feel like they were about to
overflow?

"While you were out, Wooyeon had to stay home alone. In that huge house, he had
to watch the rain all day, all by himself."

"…"

"Today is the wonderful day your son was born. Even if you can’t celebrate it, don’t
make him think he shouldn’t have been born."

Soo Hyang fell silent, her lips moving but no words escaping. Her lifeless eyes seemed to
reflect her bewilderment. Wooyeon clutched Dohyun’s shirt, resting his forehead against
his back.

"...That’s enough."

The sound of the rain crashing down surrounded them. Dohyun’s heartbeat seemed to
echo clearly in Wooyeon’s chest. Though the tears didn’t fall, the emotions that had been
held back were finally released.

"Alright, sir."

The words were choked, almost bringing him to tears. Hearing this, Dohyun turned his
head. He raised his hand to cover his eyes, as if he, too, were moved. Wooyeon stood still
for a moment, then looked up at Soo Hyang.

"Could have..."

"…"

"Could have taken me to visit the grave."

 188

There was no answer. The three of them, soaked by the rain, stood in silence, each
consumed by their own pain. Wooyeon grasped Dohyun’s arm and walked out through
the gate.

Nothing is as easy to crumble as a tower that was not built carefully. The relationship
between Wooyeon and Soo Hyang was just as fragile, balanced on a knife’s edge, ready to
break at any moment.

After a day that only left wounds, the rainy season continued without end. Wooyeon
stayed at Dohyun’s house, and there was no contact from Soo Hyang. The sad conclusion
made him even question if something as trivial as this had truly caused everything to
end this way.

"Guess who’s in this photo?"

"Uh... this person?"

"Wow, you got it right."

Late in the afternoon, Wooyeon woke up and joined Dohyun in looking through his
graduation album. Dohyun had promised to show it to him, but it wasn’t until now that
he kept his word.

"You look great in your uniform."

Dohyun stood out with his above-average height among his classmates. He had
developed early, so he often sat in the back row. Wooyeon admired the youthful image of
Dohyun in the photo, wondering if he could see him in the uniform.

A few days later, Wooyeon received a call from Soo Hyang while having a late dinner
with Dohyun. The topic of their conversation at the time was how the rainy season had
dragged on for too long. When Wooyeon checked his phone, his expression fell.

"What’s wrong?"

The caller was none other than Soo Hyang. The name "Mom" appeared on the screen,
something that felt so unfamiliar, leaving him stunned. Normally, she only contacted him
through Driver Yoon, and this was the first time he had received a call directly from her.

"A call..."

Wooyeon couldn’t decide whether to answer or not. Should he pick up or not? While he
was still hesitating, the call ended. But only a moment later, his phone began ringing
again.

"Aren’t you going to answer?"

 189

Dohyun asked gently, but Wooyeon still couldn’t answer. Even a simple call was enough
to leave his throat dry.

But Dohyun’s words made Wooyeon decide to take the call.

"Do you think something might have happened?"

_________________________________________________
 190

Chapter 98

Wooyeon felt nauseous, placing a hand on his chest to steady himself. The vast library
room was filled with the scent of Alpha pheromones and a faint hint of wood. Sitting
opposite him on the sofa was an Alpha who perfectly matched the heavy atmosphere of
the room.

“Would you like some tea?”

“…No, I’m fine.”

It had been four years since Soo Hyang last contacted him. His mother, who had lived
with him from childhood to adulthood, was also the person he felt most distant from.
Even after just a few days together, Dohyun had started to open up, but Soo Hyang
probably never would, no matter how many years passed.

“Just get straight to the point, Mom.”

From the moment he received the call from Soo Hyang, Wooyeon had tried to remain
calm, though his heart was full of tension. He was afraid something bad had happened,
like an accident or an unavoidable illness. Even though he knew Soo Hyang was always
surrounded by bodyguards and had three private doctors, he couldn’t shake the worry.

“Alright… let’s get to it.”

Fortunately, the reason Soo Hyang wanted to meet wasn’t an accident or anything grim.
It was simply to ask about his schedule and request that he come home if possible.
Wooyeon could have ignored it, but Dohyun’s advice made him hesitate.

“Whatever you do, you have to end it completely. Just like it was between you and
me.”

What a coincidence—the example Dohyun gave was about their relationship. With
nothing left to refute, Wooyeon reluctantly agreed, though even that small concession
seemed to relieve Dohyun.

“…”

“…”

Silence engulfed them again. Since stepping into this study, that silence had never truly
lifted. Even when they spoke, an awkward and subdued atmosphere lingered between
them.

“If there’s nothing else to say, I’ll be leaving.”

 191

Unable to bear the oppressive quiet any longer, Wooyeon stood up. He believed he had
shown enough courtesy, but Soo Hyang’s gaze immediately sharpened.

“Sit down. We’re not finished.”

Her tone remained as firm as ever. Wooyeon had thought this time might be different
since she had reached out to him, but that hope was just an illusion. Years of living with
her had taught him better. Realizing this truth made him chuckle bitterly.

“I thought you called me here to apologize.”

He knew it was impossible, so why had he entertained such a naive hope? The
absurdities in Wooyeon’s life already included one too many—falling in love and being
with his seonsaeng was more than enough.

“I’m such a fool. You would never do that.”

With those words, Wooyeon grabbed the umbrella resting beside him. He no longer felt
disappointment, only hoping it wouldn’t rain on his way back. It had been raining when
he arrived, so the chance of it clearing up was slim.

“Next time, just have Driver Yoon call me. If I see your number pop up…”

“Wooyeon.”

“…”

Wooyeon stopped in his tracks. That voice felt unfamiliar. She hadn’t addressed him as
“Seon Wooyeon” but simply as “Wooyeon.” It felt even stranger than when Junseong
called his name.

“…Say what you want.”

Against his better judgment, Wooyeon gave Soo Hyang another chance. Perhaps it was
better to hear her out than to leave with lingering questions. At last, Soo Hyang brought
up a reason he had heard many times before.

“I only wanted to protect you.”

“…That’s not protection.”

Wooyeon responded with the same line as always. It seemed Soo Hyang had expected
this, as she shifted the topic to an entirely unfamiliar name.

“Hayeon…”
 192

Her voice was tinged with nostalgia. The once unshakable look in her eyes softened at
the mention of that name. Soo Hyang’s deeply furrowed brow relaxed, and she spoke in a
low, gravelly tone.

“Your mother… named you Wooyeon.”

This was the first time Wooyeon had heard such a thing. He had never asked about the
origin of his name. As if hypnotized, he sat back down while Soo Hyang gave a bitter
smile.

“More precisely, it was the name given to you when you were still in her womb.”

Seon Hayeon.

It had been so long that the name felt forgotten in his memory. He had only heard it a
few times and never thought to remember it.

Soo Hyang continued talking about Hayeon for quite some time. The story was scattered,
often circling back to the beginning before moving forward again. Wooyeon listened
intently, missing none of the faded memories she recounted.

“Your mother was so frail that she couldn’t travel far.”

Hayeon had pale skin and a fragile, delicate body. Though her family wasn’t poor, the
cost of treating her illness had drained their finances. When they were on the brink of
bankruptcy, she had a chance encounter with Soo Hyang.

“Her family strongly opposed it, but at that point, I wasn’t afraid of anything
anymore.”

Since the age of seventeen, their relationship lasted into their twenties. It began as
friendship, grew into love, and eventually became a partnership built on promises for
the future.

“It wasn’t until Hayeon was pregnant with you that I brought her home.”

At that time, Soo Hyang still believed everything would turn out fine. She had completed
the marriage registration, and Hayeon’s illness seemed solvable with enough
money—billions of won, if necessary. But what Soo Hyang overlooked was the
fundamental difference in the worlds she and Hayeon came from.

“How foolish. Back then, I thought taking over the company as soon as possible was
the best thing to do. I was so focused on the future that I ignored the present
unfolding right in front of me.”
 193

Hayeon gradually withered under Soo Hyang’s indifference and the excessive scrutiny of
the media. Unable to endure a life where every move was watched, she withdrew into
the house.

“I wasn’t the one who imprisoned Hayeon.”

By the time Soo Hyang realized that Hayeon’s condition wasn’t improving, it was too late.
No amount of money could help if the person had lost the will to live. Time passed, and
the due date approached, but Hayeon grew weaker and weaker.

“If she hadn’t met me, she might have lived a happy life.”

In the end, what Soo Hyang thought was destiny ended cruelly. Hayeon passed away
before she could give birth to Wooyeon, and skilled doctors managed to save Wooyeon.
Soo Hyang gave him the surname “Seon,” but she couldn’t bear to face his face, which
was identical to Hayeon’s.

"Except for bringing back the dead, there’s nothing in this world money can’t do."

After losing the one she loved, Soo Hyang didn’t want to lose their child too. Though she
had never truly embraced him, she feared someone might try to take him away, so she
decided to hide him. Erasing all traces of Hayeon and making it seem like Wooyeon
didn’t exist was not difficult for her.

“I couldn’t protect her, so I just wanted to protect you.”

Soo Hyang claimed that she truly loved Hayeon—not that she “had loved” her, but that
she “loved” her still. Wooyeon couldn’t gauge the depth of that love. Nor did he intend to
determine whether it had been warped or expressed in the wrong ways.

“I owe you an apology.”

A woman who had never bowed her head to anyone—proud, domineering, the epitome
of a corporate magnate. For someone like her, saying “sorry” was likely an immense
challenge. The apology sounded strange, awkward, devoid of natural ease.

“I’m sorry.”

Of course, Wooyeon didn’t say he was fine. He had never been fine and couldn’t lie just to
ease her guilt.

“I don’t understand why you feel the need to apologize.”

To Wooyeon, it was an entirely valid question. Twenty-one years of emotional distance

couldn’t be bridged in the short span of a rainy season.
 194

“…There was a call. From him.”

It wasn’t hard to guess who “him” referred to. In this world, only one person would dare
call Soo Hyang to talk about Wooyeon.

“I wasn’t the only one who lost a family, but I realized it far too late. And I never
thought I’d have to hear that from someone outside our family.”

She genuinely looked regretful. Soo Hyang, a woman who seemed invincible, as if even
stabbing her wouldn’t draw blood, now smiled bitterly in a way that didn’t match her
usual strength.

“It’s just you and me now... Will you come back home?”

A bold question. Wooyeon chuckled softly and shook his head. While Soo Hyang hadn’t
imprisoned Hayeon, she had indeed imprisoned Wooyeon.

“So, you chose to come to my place?”

Lying next to him, Dohyun gently stroked Wooyeon’s hair and placed a hand on his neck.
Wooyeon shrank away slightly, shaking his head.

“I’ve made everything clear. When the new semester starts, I’ll move out and live
closer to school so I can focus on my studies.”

“Are you sure it’ll be safe?”

“There will probably be more bodyguards.”

Wooyeon left the grand house and got into Driver Yoon’s car to return to Dohyun. Despite
witnessing everything that had happened that day, Driver Yoon didn’t bring it up. That
was likely why he had remained by Soo Hyang’s side for so many years.

“She says sorry, but people don’t change that easily. If it were that simple, I wouldn’t
have argued with you in the first place.”

His feelings were indescribable. There was relief, but also plenty of frustration. Nothing
had truly changed, so it was impossible to feel a difference yet. Dohyun looked at him for
a moment before pulling him into his arms.

“Sometimes, the best way to get along with family is to live apart.”

“Is that your experience?”

“More or less.”
 195

A gentle trace of pheromones lingered around them. Perhaps because he had just
endured Soo Hyang's intense pheromones, Wooyeon finally felt a sense of peace.
Wrapping his arms around Dohyun’s waist, he thought to himself how pheromones could
be so comforting.

“I didn’t know they really loved each other.”

Wooyeon had heard stories about Hayeon from the house staff. Rumors filtered into the
ears of a child like him with perfect clarity.

They said the chairwoman brought home a poor Omega, that her controlling nature
eventually led to the woman’s death. Some even speculated that Wooyeon would meet
the same fate as his mother. Those whispers remained etched in his memory.

“It’s hard to imagine her loving anyone.”

“I think so too.”

The idea that Soo Hyang had someone she truly loved, especially his mother, was difficult
to grasp. Any fleeting expressions he might have noticed were quickly rejected by his
own mind.

“Seonsaeng…”

“…”

“seonbae…”

“…”

“Hyung…”

“Yes, what is it?”

Wooyeon smiled, burying his face in Dohyun’s chest. Before, whenever he needed to call
out, he would alternate between “seonsaeng” and other titles. But now, only when he
said “hyung” did Dohyun respond.

“I just… want to thank you.”

“What for?”

If it weren’t for Dohyun, Wooyeon’s life might have remained unchanged—like his high
school years, his thoughts, and even his attitude toward Soo Hyang.

“For so many things…”

 196

“So many things?”

“…I heard you called my mom.”

“…I thought…”

Dohyun hesitated, tightening his embrace around Wooyeon as he spoke with uncertainty.

“I thought I gave you a place to escape to.”

The phrase “place to escape” didn’t feel particularly positive. Even Dohyun’s gentle tone
couldn’t soften its weight.

“I wonder if asking you to stay with me only added fuel to the fire.”

Perhaps Dohyun felt that he had sparked everything. He worried that situations that
could have quietly passed escalated simply because of him. How gentle he was.

“I’m not saying I haven’t thought about that…”

Wooyeon began slowly, choosing his words carefully. Truthfully, he couldn’t deny that
when he left the house that day, he had considered Dohyun’s home a place to go. Having
a destination made it easier to walk away.

“But that was just an excuse.”

With or without Dohyun, this would have happened. Perhaps the timeline had simply
been accelerated because, deep down, Wooyeon had always wanted to escape.

Dohyun gently patted his back.

“The chairman would have done the same.”

“…”

“If it wasn’t me, one day, she would have apologized.”

Dohyun’s steady breathing and the soft rhythm of his heartbeat near Wooyeon’s ear
brought him comfort.

“So don’t think it’s all because of me.”

It seemed Dohyun could read Wooyeon’s thoughts. While Wooyeon thought everything
had happened thanks to him, Dohyun had apparently recognized this, too. As perceptive
as ever—this was Kim Dohyun.

“Let’s go on a trip.”
 197

“A trip?”

Dohyun was Wooyeon’s first love, the one who had comforted and saved him, and now
the refuge he sought.

“I heard the rainy season ends today. We could go somewhere.”

Four years ago, the rainy season hadn’t yet begun when they parted ways. It was a
fleeting moment, during the transition from spring to summer, with fewer than ten
rains. In those brief moments, Wooyeon had soaked into Dohyun like spring rain into the
earth.

“Somewhere domestic, or abroad…”

Even though the rainy season had passed, their bond endured. Perhaps even as seasons
changed, Dohyun would remain by his side.

“As long as I’m with you, anywhere is fine.”

Wooyeon’s heart swelled with joy. Dohyun chuckled shyly and nodded, his eyes full of
affection for Wooyeon.

“I love you too, Yeon-ah.”

It wasn’t quite the answer to the question, but Wooyeon didn’t complain. Instead, as
Dohyun kissed him, he softly closed his eyes.

Even though the rain had stopped, Wooyeon stayed beside him, drenched in his love. The
dark clouds that once loomed over him had vanished. This was a night without rain,
without loneliness.

Alpha Trauma

― The End.

_________________________________________________
 198

Side Story / Chapter 1

Summer arrived with its sweltering heat. Inside the house, the cool air from the air
conditioner made it far more comfortable than the scene outside, where the dense trees
bent under the oppressive heat. The refreshing atmosphere, paired with a soft blanket,
created the perfect environment for a deep slumber. On the bed, a small, curled-up
figure was nestled in the blanket, sleeping soundly.

Dohyun turned and looked at the face peeking out from the layers of the blanket. Eyes
tightly shut and lips faintly moving in sleep. Though the room was cool, it might have
been a little warm under the blanket. Still, his lover remained deeply asleep—likely
because Dohyun had pushed him to his limits the night before.

“Yeon-ah, how long do you plan on sleeping?” he asked softly, his voice gentle, as if not to
wake the other. As expected, Wooyeon didn’t stir, his breathing steady in deep sleep.

It had been a month since summer break began. Initially, Wooyeon had planned to stay
at his mother’s house during the break but ended up spending most of his time at
Dohyun’s. At first, it was out of hesitation to face Soo Hyang, but later, it was simply
because he didn’t want to be apart. Soo Hyang didn’t mind, so the two had practically
been inseparable for the past month.

In truth, Dohyun wasn’t the type to let others invade his personal space. No matter how
close he was to someone, he always maintained clear boundaries, and bringing someone
to his home crossed that line. Even his previous lovers had never set foot inside his
house.

Moreover, unlike Wooyeon, who had little concept of money, Dohyun was well aware of
his standard of living. A spacious apartment with four bedrooms, a large living room,
and a big kitchen was clearly excessive for a college student living alone. One didn’t have
to look twice to know what others might think about it.

But Wooyeon was different. Dohyun had never hesitated to bring him home. The brief
discomfort Dohyun felt was a sense of guilt for the things he hadn’t yet shared with
Wooyeon. The feeling of rejecting others from entering his personal space simply didn’t
exist when it came to Wooyeon.

Of course, part of it was because Dohyun believed Wooyeon didn’t care about the size of
the house. In fact, Wooyeon seemed more interested in Garam’s small apartment, which
made Dohyun understand his personality well. After all, to Wooyeon, a penthouse in a
high-rise building was just “a regular apartment,” so it would have been strange if he had
been surprised.

Days that began and ended with Seon Wooyeon were filled with happiness. When
Dohyun first received the apartment from his parents, he had thought the spacious house
 199

was pointless, but just having the chance to bring Wooyeon there had completely
changed his feelings about it.

Recently, right after the rainy season ended, they even went on a trip together. Because
Wooyeon had mentioned wanting to see the sea, the two packed their bags and left on a
whim, staying in a luxurious hotel for about four days. Although they couldn’t move
around freely due to reporters, the scenery from the window alone was enough to make
them both content.

“This is the first time I’ve ever traveled like this.”

Wooyeon loved traveling with Dohyun the most. Whether it was feeling the sea breeze on
the balcony, choosing dishes from the room service menu, or soaking in the bathtub, he
looked at Dohyun with sparkling eyes and an excited face. His flushed, adorable
expression made Dohyun want to playfully nibble on his cheek.

“Such an adorable sleeper.”

Thinking back to that moment, Dohyun smiled and placed a gentle kiss on Wooyeon’s
forehead. Perhaps the disturbance in his sleep caused Wooyeon to frown and mumble
under the blanket, but eventually, he nestled comfortably in Dohyun’s arms.

“Be good now…”

With just a few light pats, Wooyeon returned to his peaceful state. He clearly felt at ease
with Dohyun’s familiar warmth and pheromones. Watching him like this, resembling a
small child... Dohyun wrapped his arms tightly around the fluffy figure on the bed, a bold
thought crossing his mind.

About ten minutes later, Wooyeon slowly opened his eyes. At that moment, Dohyun was
kissing him and gently stroking his back through the blanket, filling the air with his
pheromones.

“Mm…”

His eyelids fluttered open, revealing clear, delicate eyes with thin lids. Normally sharp,
his gaze softened with the lingering haze of sleep.

“You’re awake?”

“Mm-hmm…”

Even in a sleepy state, Wooyeon still naturally acts cute. He rubbed his face against
Dohyun's palm, looking like a cat being affectionate.

"I'm so hot..."
 200

When sleeping, it's fine, but just waking up, he feels burning hot. Even though it's a
summer blanket, being wrapped up tightly like a kimbap makes it hot. Adding to
Dohyun's body temperature, the air conditioner was no longer effective.

Wooyeon turned over, pushing the blanket away from his body. Under the blanket, his
bare body was exposed. Unlike Dohyun, who was properly dressed, Wooyeon was
completely bare.

"Do you want to sleep a bit more?"

"Yes..."

Dohyun extended an arm for Wooyeon to lean on. Wooyeon comfortably nestled in,
resting his small head on his chest. The skin, hot like a child's, touched him.

"You are not wearing anything."

The upper body was pale white, the round buttocks were firm, and the two pale thighs
were marked with traces of intimacy. If it were usual, Dohyun would have dressed him,
but today he changed his mind. Of course, he had wrapped you tightly in a blanket to
avoid catching a cold.

"Seonsaeng is also shirtless..."

"Seonsaeng," huh? Clearly, words spoken in sleep. He wasn't sure whether to correct the
way he was addressed or the phrase "shirtless." After thinking for a while, Dohyun chose
to gently stroke his back. As his hand softly brushed over, Wooyeon opened his eyes
slightly to look at him.

"...."

"What's wrong?"

"...."

"If you're sleepy, just go back to sleep."

The eyes were full of resentment. That gaze seemed to say, "Then don't touch me
anymore." That look seemed to say. But Dohyun pretended not to know and continued to
caress his waist. But Dohyun pretended not to know, still caressing his waist. Just
lowering his hand a little bit would allow him to grab Wooyeon's butt.

"How can I sleep like this..."

Wooyeon mumbled in complaint and turned his back like a caterpillar, trying to escape
from Dohyun's hand, but he remained unfazed and continued to move his hand. From
 201

the flat stomach to the smooth chest, feeling the soft skin, Wooyeon's slender neck made
him even more delighted.

"I want to bite it..." Thinking that, Dohyun didn't hesitate to lean down and kiss
Wooyeon's neck. On the already flushed neck, Wooyeon's distinctive pheromone was
released in abundance. As if savoring sweet honey, he kissed passionately, causing
Wooyeon to slightly shrug his shoulders and close his legs.

"Hic..."

Wooyeon's round earlobes turned bright red. It seemed that not only was it because he
had just woken up, but there was another reason making his breath shorter. The fragrant
pheromone has now become more intense, and the intervals between Wooyeon's slight
shivers are getting shorter.

"If you're sleepy, then I'll stop."

Actually, Dohyun didn't intend to wake him up. He just thought that if he was already
awake, he might get up, but if Wooyeon was still tired, he would let him sleep more.
However, despite thinking that way, his hand kept moving.

"You... keep... touching me..."

"Or should I stop?"

Dohyun replied with a rather unserious remark, while his right hand moved down
between Wooyeon's legs. It seems Wooyeon has completely given up on the idea of
sleeping more, as he no longer tries to stop anything. When Dohyun grabbed Wooyeon's
hardened cock, the distinctive pheromone of an Omega immediately filled the air.

"Haa..."

Wooyeon's white skin is very distinctive, with areas on his body where the color is so
light that it's hard to see clearly, like around his chest or at the tip of his member. With its
pale pink hue and sparse hair, touching those spots made Dohyun feel like he was doing
something mischievous.

"Ugh... ha..."

I don't know when it started, but a clear liquid has been flowing out, making the tip of
the penis wet and glossy. Perhaps because it is very sensitive and easily stimulated, just a
slight touch causes a noticeable reaction. The shoulders trembled, not knowing what else
to do but grip the edge of the blanket tightly."

Dohyun adjusted the speed moderately so that Wooyeon wouldn't shoot too early. If you
go too fast, you'll get exhausted quickly, and the only one who will feel regret will be you.
 202

Didn't Wooyeon reach his peak three times last night before Dohyun shot once? "Yeon-ah,
try to hold on a bit."

Even though it was an unreasonable request, for Dohyun, it was sincere. However, after
hearing those words, Wooyeon looked at Dohyun with tearful eyes. Dohyun kissed the
corners of his eyes and cheeks, then took the condom from beside the pillow.

‘…I want to come now…’

‘…It's only in moments like this, isn't it?’'

It really is a hard habit to break. Normally, there's nothing particularly cute about it
(though still endearing), but on the bed, just a little teasing and it starts becoming whiny
and demanding. While Dohyun doesn't dislike this side of him, the problem is that it only
fuels his growing impatience.

"Just a little bit, okay?"

Dohyun gently coaxed Wooyeon and then took out the terrifyingly erect penis. After
putting on a condom and getting into position, Wooyeon instinctively tensed his body.
One hand, Dohyun gently rubbed under Wooyeon's tailbone, while the other hand, acting
as a pillow, was brought to Wooyeon's mouth.

"You have to relax."

‘Haa…’

The tip of his finger touched his white, even teeth. When Dohyun pressed Wooyeon's
tongue down with his middle finger, Wooyeon slightly frowned. Until now, Dohyun
always felt that the inside of Wooyeon's mouth was particularly pink and hot, providing
an incredibly stimulating sensation.

'If I put that thing in my mouth...'

It would surely be very tight.

‘A…!’

The head of the penis widened the entrance. Even though I didn't use my hands to soothe
it, it still felt more comfortable than usual. This is partly because it was soaked, and also
because that place had tightly held onto Dohyun's until early morning.

'Hmm, uh….'
 203

Dohyun carefully observed Wooyeon's reaction as he slowly entered, ready to stop

immediately if he saw any signs of pain. However, he only let out a soft moan, wrapping
his tongue around the finger.

‘…Ha.’

Although knowing that it was an unconscious action, a feeling of tension rose in the
lower abdomen. The thread of reason was immediately severed. At the same time, the
thick object pushed deep inside.

‘Ah!’

Wooyeon immediately reached orgasm when penetrated from below. After a long night
of release, his semen was as thin as water. The inner walls were hot and tight, gripping
the iron rod, causing Dohyun to let out a soft moan and frown.

‘Ugh…’

Even though they had been intimate many times, Wooyeon's insides were still always
tight. This is because Wooyeon tightens up each time, never getting used to it.

‘Ah… huff…’

‘Good now… it’s all in.’

Dohyun increased the pheromone level and turned Wooyeon's head. He intended to give
him a gentle kiss to soothe him, but as soon as their eyes met, Wooyeon's sharp gaze
softened. The corners of his eyes were slightly wet.

"You... are too much..."

It seems like your tastes are becoming bolder and bolder.

_________________________________________________
 204

Side Story / Chapter 2

It can be said that Dohyun is the type of person who tends to keep things dry and
restrained when it comes to intimacy. Leaving marks is something he has never thought
of, nor has he ever lost patience to the point of initiating aggressively. Some might cling
to him, but he has never been the one to cling to anyone first.

But with Wooyeon, things are different. Just looking at him is enough to set his heart
ablaze, making him constantly want to touch him. Simply biting and leaving his mark
isn’t enough; sometimes, he feels like swallowing him whole in one go.

“…Yeon-ah.”

Truly, he’s deeply in love. Throwing himself into it like this without restraint—even if
Wooyeon were to hate him for it, he couldn't blame him.

“Look at me.”

“……”

Wooyeon’s glistening eyes turned toward Dohyun. They were so radiant and beautiful
that they softened his heart continuously. The funny thing was, even at that moment, a
cruel desire to possess him entirely arose.

“Does it hurt?”

“Uh…”

Wooyeon didn’t reply, letting his trembling eyelashes speak for him instead. But as
Dohyun gently caressed his eyelids, then kissed his cheek and ear, Wooyeon’s tense body
gradually relaxed. Dohyun softly bit his ear, whispering tenderly.

“Does it still hurt?”

“…No.”

Finally, Wooyeon lightly shook his head. The corners of his eyes were still tinged with
red, but perhaps not from pain. Most of the words he spoke in bed were mere sulks or
affectionate grumbles.

“It’s just… I don’t like this position…”

His choked voice was so endearing. Wooyeon whimpered like a child, but obediently
parted his lips when kissed. Every small gesture of his was unbelievably adorable;
perhaps this is what people mean by “love-blinded.”
 205

“Then let’s face each other, okay?”

Dohyun knew Wooyeon liked the face-to-face position. He also understood it was because
Wooyeon wanted to be completely embraced. For someone unaccustomed to the
sensations of pleasure, it was probably all just fear; at least, that wasn’t just a mere
whim.

As expected, Wooyeon immediately nodded. He shifted as if wanting to be held, and

Dohyun slowly lifted him. With his hard length still buried deep inside, Wooyeon let out
a soft moan.

“Uh…”

Dohyun pressed deeper inside, causing Wooyeon to tremble slightly at the overwhelming
sensation. Leaning down, he placed a series of kisses across Wooyeon’s face—his
forehead, eyelids, nose bridge, cheeks, and finally, his lips. One hand gently cupped
Wooyeon’s slender chin, tilting his face slightly, while Wooyeon instinctively placed his
hands on Dohyun’s broad shoulders.

As if waiting for that cue, Dohyun began to move his hips back. Despite the unexpected
motion, Wooyeon didn’t break away from the kiss. Dohyun teased Wooyeon’s tongue
with his own, all while slowly pulling halfway out and then pushing back in, deepening
the intimate connection between them.

“Haa…!”

A breathy moan escaped, and Wooyeon’s back arched in shivering waves. Dohyun braced
one hand beside Wooyeon’s face, while the other gently caressed his soft cheek, slowly
withdrawing again.

“Wait… just a moment…”

The hand resting on Dohyun’s shoulder gripped him tighter. Each time they were this
close, Wooyeon often left scratch marks on his back, and today the sensation felt
sharper—perhaps it was time to trim his nails.

“Yeah, it’s okay.”

“It’s okay… but… ah…”

“Just like a cat,” Dohyun thought to himself, lowering his body slightly. To give Wooyeon
time to adjust, he began with shallow thrusts. Wooyeon shook his head repeatedly, his
voice choked with frustration.

“You said you’d look at me…”

 206

“Haa…”

Dohyun chuckled—not because it was amusing, but because he felt an even stronger
urge to tease him. Although Wooyeon was far from a child, Dohyun couldn’t resist
provoking him like this.

“I am looking at you, Yeon-ah.”

“That’s not… what I meant… ah…!”

Dohyun realized he was developing a peculiar habit. Wooyeon’s small face flushed
crimson, his beautiful eyes losing focus, while sweet moans spilled from his lips.

He knew it was a strange fascination, but Dohyun enjoyed seeing Wooyeon tear up in
bed. Normally, even the slightest hint of sadness from Wooyeon would soften his heart,
but these uncontrollable tears of pleasure stirred something deep and primal within him.

“Ah… I… hic…”

Dohyun leaned down, his tongue lightly brushing away the tears collecting at the corners
of Wooyeon’s eyes. As he pushed all the way in, Wooyeon let out a startled gasp.
Wrapping his arms tightly around Wooyeon’s waist, Dohyun buried his face into the
softness of his shoulder.

The air seemed saturated with Wooyeon’s sweet pheromones, filling the space entirely.
Although Dohyun was a dominant alpha himself, he couldn’t compare to the intoxicating
effect Wooyeon’s presence had. The scent was so overpowering it made his throat dry, as
if the very air was infused with an addictive allure.

“Hic… slower… please…”

“I’ll be gentle, it’s okay.”

Dohyun’s large hand gently caressed Wooyeon’s upper body. Like soothing a child with a
stomach ache, he rubbed Wooyeon’s abdomen lightly before moving slowly to his flat
chest. His other hand served as a pillow, cradling Wooyeon’s shoulder protectively.

“Hold my hand… that’s it.”

Dohyun savored the feeling of soft skin beneath his fingertips, lightly brushing against
Wooyeon’s perked nipples. Wooyeon’s sensitive body reacted instantly, tightening both
above and below at even the slightest touch. When Dohyun pressed gently on the
sensitive peak, a captivating reaction followed, making it impossible for him to stop.

“Ah…!”
 207

Wooyeon’s inner walls tightened, sending a wave of intense pleasure through Dohyun,
prompting him to nip softly at Wooyeon’s neck. Wooyeon seemed to feel the pleasure too,
trembling as his nails dug lightly into Dohyun’s arm.

“Haa…”

Dohyun exhaled softly and began to move his hips rhythmically. Wooyeon’s body had
relaxed slightly, and Dohyun himself was reaching his limit. Despite having reached his
peak earlier, Wooyeon was now responding sensitively again.

Dohyun slowly pulled out and pushed back in, aiming for the most sensitive spots inside
Wooyeon—from just below his navel to the deepest parts. Even with such teasingly slow
movements, Wooyeon couldn’t help but let out intense moans.

“Haa… ah…!”

“Does it feel good here?”

“No… no, it doesn’t… hic… ah…!”

There was no way it didn’t feel good. Just the sounds coming from Wooyeon’s throat told
Dohyun everything he needed to know. The tightening of Wooyeon’s body every time
Dohyun pushed in was proof enough. Truthfully, Wooyeon wasn’t yet accustomed to
hiding his feelings during moments like this.

“Hic… I… no, you can’t…”

Each deep thrust from Dohyun caused the tip of him to press against the most sensitive
spots inside Wooyeon. His hand, which had been caressing Wooyeon’s chest, slid down to
rest on his lower abdomen, rising and falling with each movement. With every thrust,
the wet sounds became more pronounced, carrying an undeniable sensuality.

“Ah… I…”

“Yes, Yeon-ah.”

“This… hic… your hand…”

Wooyeon, flustered, grabbed Dohyun’s hand and shook his head lightly, as if asking him
to stop. Though fully understanding his intent, Dohyun deliberately thrust deeper,
pressing his hand down at the same time.

“Haa…!”
 208

Wooyeon’s trembling shoulders jerked as waves of pheromones filled the air when he
held his breath. Realizing Wooyeon was close to his climax, Dohyun pressed gently
against a particularly sensitive spot inside him.

“…!”

Wooyeon gripped Dohyun’s hand tightly as he reached his peak. Thin streams of release
spilled out, staining the blanket. Dohyun thought he should have caught it, then wrapped
Wooyeon tightly in his arms, holding him close as if to keep him from breaking apart.

“…Ah.”

As Wooyeon climaxed, his inner muscles tightened around Dohyun as if trying to hold
him in place, sending a wave of intense sensation coursing through Dohyun’s entire
body. He paused his movements momentarily, raising the hand that had been serving as
a pillow to brush against Wooyeon’s parted lips.

“Shh… breathe, take a deep breath.”

“Haa… ha…”

Wooyeon’s shallow breaths turned into gasps as the tension in his body gradually eased.
As Dohyun gently touched him, Wooyeon instinctively bit down lightly on his finger with
his front teeth.

“Ah…”

Though Dohyun reacted to the action, it didn’t hurt at all. Wooyeon’s bite carried a hint of
frustration, but it was so gentle, it resembled a child nibbling in irritation.

“You’re really…”

Even though Wooyeon didn’t finish his sentence, Dohyun could guess the rest—likely a
soft reproach, mild annoyance, or a trace of lingering sadness.

“I won’t do that again next time.”

Dohyun made a promise he knew would be difficult to keep, his hand gently holding
Wooyeon’s thigh. Wooyeon, lying there like a drenched rag doll, blinked up at him.
Dohyun didn’t withdraw but instead shifted, lifting Wooyeon’s relaxed legs.

“Hic…”

Wooyeon’s delicate brows knitted together as his body moved, the angle of their
connection changing as Dohyun shifted him from lying on his side to lying flat on the
bed. Wooyeon’s wide eyes betrayed his surprise at the sudden adjustment.
 209

“…What are you doing?”

He looked completely bewildered, as if he didn’t understand what was happening.

Dohyun gazed at him and smiled faintly. How adorable. Wooyeon always assumed things
would end once he had reached his peak.

“You said you wanted us to look at each other.”

Dohyun pressed in deeply again, their lower bodies still firmly connected. The tightness
inside Wooyeon began to ease, accommodating him more easily. Dohyun leaned down,
carefully brushing aside Wooyeon’s sweat-dampened hair.

“I’m not done yet.”

“No way…”

Though Dohyun spoke in the gentlest tone possible, Wooyeon still looked a little shocked.
But as soon as Dohyun kissed him, Wooyeon obediently wrapped his arms around his
neck. This endearing act stirred something deep within Dohyun’s chest, and he released a
subtle wave of pheromones into the air.

“Hmph…”

Wooyeon’s chest rose and fell as he wrapped his legs around Dohyun, clinging to him like
a small koala. Dohyun, familiar with this posture, supported Wooyeon’s back and
adjusted his movements to target the places that Wooyeon could feel most clearly.

“Ha… ah…”

Wooyeon’s moans were muffled as his breaths and pheromones seemed to intertwine
with Dohyun’s, as though he was being wholly claimed. With each deliberate thrust,
Wooyeon’s soft tongue quivered.

No matter what he said, Wooyeon was vulnerable to pleasure. Dohyun knew that
Wooyeon could stop him if he truly wanted to, but instead, Wooyeon feigned submission,
unable to resist. Not that Dohyun had any right to judge when it came to pretending.

“Ah… hic… ah…”

Just as they both reached a crescendo, a faint vibration echoed in the background. At the
edge of their dwindling rationality, Dohyun pulled back slightly, looking directly into
Wooyeon’s wide eyes.

“……”

“……”
 210

Their heavy breaths dissipated into the air. Dohyun’s faint reflection lingered in
Wooyeon’s crystalline gaze. After a few beats, Dohyun spoke in a low, more composed
voice.

“…Do you want to answer the call?”

A flicker of regret passed through Wooyeon’s expression. Seeing this, Dohyun narrowed
his eyes, looking like a sly fox. After a brief moment of hesitation, Wooyeon shook his
head lightly.

“Later…”

When their lips met again, all semblance of reason vanished. As Wooyeon gently raised
his hips in a silent plea, Dohyun’s restraint completely dissolved.

It wasn’t until half a day later that they noticed the missed call from “Danny.” It was just
another peaceful day, like any other.

_________________________________________________
 211

Side Story / Chapter 3

Wooyeon sat by the window in a café, surrounded by the atmosphere of summer. His
neck was exposed to the light, his shirt soaked with the pheromones of an alpha, loose
shorts, and a watch designed similarly to Dohyun’s.

Dohyun felt that although the outfit wasn't anything special, it made him more
uncomfortable than ever. Perhaps it was because of the pale, smooth legs visible under
the shorts, or the clean neck that looked like a flawless piece of white cloth. Whatever it
was, it clearly made him uneasy.

"Did you say you lost your phone?"

Danny's voice rang out, sounding like an English listening test. Dohyun reached for his
drink on the table, feeling his throat dry even though the weather wasn’t hot. As he
removed the paper straw and put his lips to the rim of the cup, Wooyeon glanced at him.

"Yeah, I finally found it, but the police didn’t know English, so…"

The man sitting across from Wooyeon stared at him with a cheerful expression,
unconcerned about Dohyun’s presence. Danny’s bright blue eyes were fixed on Wooyeon,
a wide smile on his face as he continued talking enthusiastically.

"That’s why I called you."

When Danny set his coffee down, the sound of ice clinking in the cup rang out, but he
paid no attention, absorbed in his story. Dohyun’s finger traced the condensation on the
glass, silently observing the man.

Danny had dark blond hair, and his gentle eyes were like those of a puppy. Though his
build was shorter, his broad shoulders and physique could have made him a quarterback
in a football team. Yet, his face looked incredibly innocent.

‘So this is the Danny I’ve heard about.’

Normally, Dohyun wouldn’t have any connection to this man, but now he had been
observing him for almost 10 minutes. Though Danny was paying attention only to
Wooyeon, Dohyun didn’t take his eyes off him.

This strange encounter had begun about an hour earlier.

An hour ago, after showering and drying Wooyeon’s hair, Dohyun had been thinking
about what to have for dinner. It was so hot, and he thought Wooyeon could use some
nourishment, especially since Wooyeon always seemed drained after being intimate
(though if Wooyeon had heard this, he would definitely have disagreed). While he was
pondering, Wooyeon suddenly exclaimed.
 212

"Huh?"

Wooyeon’s normally half-lidded eyes opened wide. On the phone screen, inside the case
Seongyu had given him, appeared a familiar name even Dohyun knew. Immediately,
Wooyeon answered the call and asked the person on the other end directly.

"Danny? Are you in Korea?"

That question was the start of everything. After explaining that he had been too busy to
answer the call, Wooyeon secretly glanced at Dohyun and said he couldn’t go out right
now. The entire conversation was in English, a language Dohyun understood, so he
smiled, gently rubbing the back of his still-damp neck, playing the role of a tolerant lover.

"If you want to meet him, I’ll take you."

Actually, it was a test. Half of him hoped Wooyeon would refuse, and half of him wanted
to meet this person named "Danny." He was confident that with Wooyeon’s current state,
Wooyeon would refuse.

"...Really?"

But Wooyeon nodded eagerly, his face shining with anticipation. Seeing his expression,
Dohyun couldn’t say “no,” and silently handed him the car keys and his
pheromone-scented shirt to wear.

So, despite feeling exhausted, they went together to meet “Danny.” Dohyun had wanted
to feed Wooyeon first, but he said he wasn’t hungry, so Dohyun thought of stopping at a
café for some pastries. On the way, Wooyeon innocently talked about Danny.

"Danny doesn’t know Korean, so…"

"When I was racially discriminated against, Danny…"

"When I had my first heat, Danny brought inhibitors for me…"

Danny, Danny, and again Danny.

Dohyun patiently listened, but when Wooyeon said that Danny had helped him through
his first heat, Dohyun smiled gently, but with a sharp edge, tapping his fingers lightly on
the steering wheel and asked in a soft tone.

"So… Danny’s an omega?"

Fortunately, Danny was a beta. Dohyun sighed in relief, knowing that he couldn’t sense
pheromones, but then he became annoyed when he remembered the shirt Wooyeon was
wearing. Not being able to sense pheromones was both lucky and unlucky.
 213

"There it is."

The famous café in Korea also had a branch here. Inside was a large glass wall, making it
easy to see the customers inside. Dohyun quickly noticed a foreigner wearing sunglasses,
parking by the road.

"I’ll wait here. Call me when you’re done with your friend."

"Okay…"

Dohyun unbuckled Wooyeon’s seatbelt, but Wooyeon didn’t get out of the car, his eyes
darting back and forth uncertainly. Seeing Wooyeon’s hesitation, Dohyun looked at him
regretfully, hoping he would change his mind.

"Do you want to come inside with me?"

At that moment, Dohyun really wanted to shout with joy. But instead, he gently stroked
Wooyeon’s cheek and smiled warmly.

"It would be a bit weird if I went with you to meet your friend after such a long
time."

It wasn’t a sincere statement. In fact, it was exactly because it had been a while since
they had seen each other that he wanted to know who this guy was.

"It’s fine. He doesn’t care about things like that."

Wooyeon tilted his head, rubbing against his hand. In the past, Wooyeon had been shy,
but now he was used to such affectionate gestures, like a little pet who had been tamed.
He looked up at Dohyun and calmly made the suggestion.

"Let’s go meet him."

Finally, Dohyun pretended to reluctantly agree and got out of the car. Before entering the
café, he politely asked for Danny’s full name. Wooyeon replied that it was “Danny
Connor” and said he could just call him that.

And now, the three of them were sitting together with drinks, talking about recent
events. Most of the talking was done by Danny, with Wooyeon responding and asking
questions, while Dohyun remained silent. From the moment he first shook hands with
Dohyun (in a very cheerful manner, without asking who he was), Danny hadn’t glanced
at him once.

"It seems you didn’t answer my call…"

 214

When Wooyeon mumbled, Dohyun glanced at him, wondering if he had called Danny.
Unfortunately, Wooyeon didn’t realize what he was thinking. After all, calling a friend
wasn’t a big deal.

"Did you call?"

But for Danny, it seemed important. His blue eyes widened, his face showing a touch of
emotion. In contrast, Wooyeon just shook his head as if it wasn’t a big deal.

"At that time, the situation hadn’t calmed down, so I called to tell you that you couldn’t
stay at my place."

‘Ah…’

Danny’s face fell, and he shrugged as if he had already anticipated this.

"That makes sense. I didn’t expect you to… wait, you can’t let me stay over?"

Danny’s face seemed stunned when he heard this, his bright blue eyes showing some
confusion.

"So what should I do?"

"If you had said so from the beginning!"

Dohyun thought it was strange to see Wooyeon become so indifferent. While Wooyeon
sometimes appeared aloof, he was usually very affectionate. This was the first time
Dohyun had seen him so cold.

"Wooyeon… you’re making me feel sad. Are we really that distant?"

"As I said, it really is like that…"

"Not close, but not distant either."

So that was what he meant. Dohyun glanced at Wooyeon with a feeling of estrangement.
The thought that if he hadn’t managed to keep Wooyeon, he might have been just like
Danny—a relationship that was neither here nor there, with no one really caring.

Suddenly, everything before him seemed to darken. The thought that he almost lost the
boy with bright eyes, a delicate nose, and lips as beautiful as that made him shiver.

"Hey?"

As if hypnotized, Dohyun gently stroked the hair at the back of Wooyeon’s neck. When he
ran his hand down to his nape, Wooyeon’s ears turned red.
 215

"What’s wrong…"

Although Wooyeon had done bolder things before, just this gentle touch was enough to
make his face turn bright red. Even though just a moment ago, he had rubbed his cheek
against Dohyun’s palm without any shyness.

"Is there something going on with that friend?"

Dohyun suddenly pulled his hand back and glanced at Danny. Wooyeon’s face was still as
red as a ripe apple, hurriedly covering his ears with his palm.

"Actually, I was going to let Danny stay over. But now I don’t have a place to stay,
so…"

"Is that so? If it’s that kind of thing, we have a spare room at our place."

Finally, Danny looked over at Dohyun. Dohyun smiled kindly, locking eyes with him.

"We have an extra room at our place, so it won’t be inconvenient for him."

"Why are you doing this?"

Wooyeon was surprised, shaking his head as if he didn’t agree. His frown showed that he
thought it was unnecessary. Danny glanced at Dohyun for a moment and asked:

"So, is this guy just… a friend?"

Dohyun gave a faint smile. It was obvious what their relationship

It was so cute.

"Your boyfriend?"

"Yes, my boyfriend."

Wooyeon didn’t seem like he was showing off, but he was trying to sit up straighter,
awkwardly fiddling with his hands. On top of that, he even emphasized another point.

"We’ve only been dating for three months."

Dohyun couldn’t help but smile, covering his mouth to suppress a soft chuckle. He had
thought he was coming here out of jealousy, but now he realized that Wooyeon wasn’t
the kind of person to be so subtle.

"Today’s the 78th day."

"How cute…"
 216

This was really the type of person who counted each day they were together and secretly
showed off their partner. This meeting wasn’t really about Danny introducing him to
Wooyeon, it was for Wooyeon to show Danny his boyfriend. Dohyun smiled to himself,
thinking that he should probably plan something special for their 100-day anniversary.

_________________________________________________
 217

Side Story / Chapter 4

Dohyun had never really cared about commemorating dates, but with Wooyeon, he
wanted to try it once. He imagined the scene of Wooyeon, delighted with sparkling eyes,
receiving a cake with candles and a small gift. However, for Wooyeon, he might prefer
new experiences over material things, like a trip, for example.

“… Anyway…”

Wooyeon turned away to avoid Dohyun's gaze, skillfully changing the subject. Despite
having spoken confidently, he now felt embarrassed. Perhaps it was because he was four
years younger than him, or maybe because of the special feelings Dohyun had for him.
Wooyeon’s cuteness was irresistible to him.

“I’ll book a hotel for you, so you can stay there. How long are you staying in Korea?”

Even though he couldn't let him stay at his place, Wooyeon still thoughtfully arranged
accommodation. It was the minimum kindness he could show to a friend, and for most
friends, it was still something to appreciate.

“…Wooyeon…”

But Danny didn't respond with a thank you. Instead, he wore a contemplative expression,
then gently shook his head, frowning as if facing a difficult issue.

“I want to experience life in a regular family in Korea. There are plenty of hotels in
the U.S. already.”

It was a ridiculous and contradictory request. If he wanted to experience a normal life,

Wooyeon's family was not the right place for that. Even the penthouse he had lived in
couldn’t exactly be called "normal."

“And I don’t want to stay alone when I get here. Being alone is lonely and boring as
hell.”

“Danny…if that’s the case, you shouldn’t have traveled alone in the first place.”

“What are you talking about? I came here to see you.”

Danny replied naturally, putting on an innocent expression.

“I told you to make time for me, didn’t I? Don’t you remember?”

Dohyun vaguely remembered this. It was in the morning when he had taken Wooyeon
home after one of their drunken nights. Wooyeon had a phone conversation. He couldn't
clearly hear Danny's voice, but Wooyeon’s words had painted the situation for him.
 218

“That's true… but…”

Wooyeon hesitated, his gaze awkward. It seemed he didn’t want to turn down a friend
who had traveled so far to see him. But Dohyun thought differently. He believed that
preparing a place to stay was enough. He glanced out the window.

“Wooyeon, why make it so complicated?”

Outside the window, the vibrant colors of summer filled the scene. The green trees,
people walking on the street in comfortable clothes, the dazzling sunlight, and cars
parked along the avenue.

Suddenly, Dohyun felt a slight unease, causing him to furrow his brows. The scene
outside was nothing out of the ordinary, yet he had a feeling that something was wrong.

Especially the van with its thick sunshield.

“Just stay with me for a few days at the hotel…”

Dohyun slowly raised his hand, covering one side of Wooyeon's face. He stared intently
out the window, his voice low as he spoke:

“There’s a reporter over there.”

The atmosphere around the table immediately grew tense and silent. Both Wooyeon and
Danny turned their heads to look outside. Dohyun muttered, berating himself for letting
Wooyeon sit near the window.

“Don’t look, they’ll take your picture.”

“That... I don’t really mind.”

“But I do.”

Wooyeon seemed used to this, but Dohyun was not. Whenever he sensed someone’s gaze,
he felt anxious. Those pictures might never be published, but the "what ifs" kept
haunting him.

“We should move…”

What if it’s someone with bad intentions? What if there are rumors? What if Wooyeon
gets hurt?

The fear that continuously arose pushed him to want to protect him, to hide Wooyeon
somewhere only he knew. Because Wooyeon was so precious, and the most important
person to him. If he could, he would keep him safe forever.
 219

Ironically, this feeling wasn’t much different from how Wooyeon’s mother had always
sheltered him. If Wooyeon knew, he would probably be surprised and might even
reconsider their relationship.

“What’s wrong? Is something happening?”

Dohyun glanced at Danny, then turned back to look out the window. Amidst his chaotic
thoughts, he simply said one sentence:

“Let’s go home.”

On the way home, Danny kept talking non-stop while Dohyun remained silent, focusing
on driving. Wooyeon, sitting in the passenger seat, occasionally responded to Danny but
kept glancing at Dohyun, as if sensing his tension.

“Wow, it’s so tall!”

When they reached the apartment, Danny kept marveling. He seemed so excited that
Dohyun couldn’t quite understand, even though there were plenty of tall buildings in LA.
It seemed Danny had an idealized view of Korea.

“Is that all your luggage?”

Just a small suitcase, a wallet, and a phone. It was surprising that he had flown over 10
hours with such little luggage. Wooyeon looked at Dohyun as he took out the suitcase, his
eyes wide with surprise.

“Are you really planning to have him stay here?”

“Yeah, he said he didn’t have a place to stay.”

“Anyway…”

Wooyeon seemed dissatisfied, but for Dohyun, it was the best option. He had heard that
Danny didn’t like staying alone, but having the two of them stay at a hotel would have
been awkward, especially since Wooyeon had mentioned Danny even when they were
on the same bed.

“Ah, Danny…”

When he heard Danny’s name, Dohyun, for the first time in his life, understood what it
felt like to be blinded by jealousy. His eyes burned with intensity, and his chest felt hot.
This feeling exposed his deepest desires. It was far more intense than anything he had
ever felt with Tae Gyeom before.

“Don’t you find it inconvenient?”

 220

“I feel more comfortable this way.”

If it was the Wooyeon Dohyun knew, it was highly likely that he had just accidentally
seen Danny’s body when he changed clothes. Wooyeon’s evasive answer might have been
due to his sadness upon realizing he once liked seonbae Yoon Woo. If this was meant as a
form of revenge, it had been quite effective, as it served as a painful thorn in Dohyun’s
heart.

“You’re Danny, right?”

“Huh?”

Danny blinked in surprise at Dohyun’s sudden question. He probably didn’t expect that
Dohyun could speak English, especially since he had been silent up until now. Dohyun
pushed the suitcase toward Danny and smiled warmly.

“There’s an extra room at my place, so you can stay here for a while.”

That was the smile Wooyeon had called fake, but to others, it was the kind of smile that
broke down all defenses. Fortunately, Danny was one of those who fell for it, and Dohyun
decided to take advantage of this opportunity to wrap things up decisively.

“A hotel would be boring, right?”

The three of them made their way up to the apartment. In the elevator, Danny looked at
Dohyun with a vague expression, both curious and somewhat cautious. The look was so
clear that it couldn’t be ignored. But Dohyun completely ignored it, pretending not to
hear Wooyeon’s whisper suggesting that he should rethink, maintaining his calm
demeanor.

“Come in, and remember to take off your shoes.”

The spacious apartment really came in handy at times like this. Even though there was a
bedroom, a study, and a storage room, there was still a guest room. Dohyun arranged for
Danny to stay in the living room next to his and Wooyeon’s bedroom.

“Leave your luggage in this room. The bathroom and restroom are outside the
living room, we’ll use our private room, so feel free to use the outside room.”

This was the room that Dohyun’s younger sister, Jinah, usually stayed in when she
visited. In fact, when Wooyeon was drunk that night, Dohyun should have let him sleep
here, but in the end, he had taken him to his own room out of a bit of selfishness that
Wooyeon would never know about.

“If I stay in this room, where will Wooyeon sleep?”

 221

Danny asked with sparkling eyes, as if he had forgotten about his earlier wariness.
Wooyeon, standing there, wasn’t particularly bothered and responded casually.

“I’ll be in the room next door.”

“Ah, I see…”

Dohyun leaned against the door, watching Danny carefully. Danny sat on the bed, testing
the mattress and smiling mischievously.

“Then let’s sleep in the same room.”

Dohyun’s face stiffened. He had brought Danny all the way home, and now he was saying
something that made him uncomfortable. Danny, seemingly unaware, kept laughing and
continued.

“We could sleep in the other room for a few days. The bed’s big, there’s plenty of
space.”

Danny’s bright smile was irritating. Friends might sleep in the same room, but when
there was a romantic partner involved, that was a completely different matter. Now
Dohyun understood why Danny had asked where Wooyeon would be sleeping.

“No.”

Dohyun flatly rejected him. Wooyeon glanced at him with lips slightly moving. Dohyun
didn’t change his expression and firmly held Wooyeon’s hand.

“I can’t sleep alone.”

He intertwined his fingers with Wooyeon’s, gently squeezing. Wooyeon’s fingers subtly
curled, a little embarrassed. Danny looked at their hands holding each other and asked.

“Why can’t you sleep alone?”

“Because I’m scared.”

It was a blatant lie that made Wooyeon laugh in amusement, but Dohyun didn’t let go of
his hand, pulling him out of the room.

“Finish unpacking and come out. We’ll eat something.”

After saying that, Dohyun pulled Wooyeon outside, leaving behind Danny’s giggling
laughter. Wooyeon silently followed him, then suddenly joked.

“Are you scared to sleep alone?”

 222

“Yeah, didn’t you know?”

Dohyun laughed, even though he realized how ridiculous his own words sounded. Since
when was he scared to sleep alone? Wooyeon also laughed.

“So, what do you do when I’m not around?”

“I’m so scared I sleep hugging a pillow.”

“God… you’re not even a little embarrassed.”

Dohyun stopped in front of the bedroom door and looked at Wooyeon. Before he could
say anything else, he suddenly leaned down and placed a light kiss on his lips.

“…”

Wooyeon blinked, looking slightly disappointed by the brief kiss. Dohyun smiled and
rubbed his nose against Wooyeon’s.

“I just put a little ‘spit’ on you.”

It was a childish joke, but Wooyeon didn’t mock him. He just blushed and gently wiggled
his hand in Dohyun’s.

“If you’re going to lie, that’s not enough.”

Wooyeon slowly grasped the hem of Dohyun’s shirt, a gesture full of implication. Dohyun
gently stroked his gaze, then leaned down again. Their lips met once more, and this time,
the kiss lingered much longer.

_________________________________________________
 223

Side Story / Chapter 5

A long time later, Danny finally came out to the living room. After changing into
comfortable clothes, he said that he was tired today and wanted to rest at home, and he
also wanted to order food delivery. Dohyun immediately handed his phone to Danny to
let him choose what to eat.

The dish Danny chose was a bento box and tteokbokki, with tteokbokki being something
he had heard of from Wooyeon and wanted to try. Dohyun remembered that Wooyeon
was hungry, so he decided to order the Korean bento box first and save the tteokbokki
for dinner. Fortunately, the food was quite delicious, and Danny seemed to be satisfied.

The day went by more smoothly than expected. Danny was surprised by the variety of
food delivered and was also amazed by how quickly the food arrived. Although the
conversation between Danny and Wooyeon occasionally made Dohyun a bit
uncomfortable, in fact, Danny's boastful attitude appeared rather endearing.

“Do you want to visit the university?”

The next morning, when they met in the living room, Danny asked Dohyun to take him
on a tour of the university. He didn’t even greet Dohyun about his sleep, nor did he ask if
Wooyeon was awake.

“Yeah, I’m curious about the school that Wooyeon is attending.”

It was unclear whether it was due to being straightforward or having good social skills.
Dohyun looked at Danny’s messy blonde hair and replied vaguely.

“It’s not that hard…”

Dohyun thought that he had met many types of people, but Danny was a special kind of
person he had never seen before. He deliberately ignored others, made him feel jealous,
and today was being unexpectedly friendly.

Dohyun often had a good ability to assess people. With his sensitivity to emotions and the
way others looked at him, in just one day, he realized that Danny didn’t look at Wooyeon
in a romantic way. First, Danny wasn’t “jealous” when he and Wooyeon were being close.
Second, the way Danny looked at Wooyeon seemed only to be in a friendly manner.

So why was Danny so unpredictable with him?

Although he didn’t like to boast, Dohyun considered his appearance to be quite decent.
His gentle eyes and clean features – he was often praised for being more likable than
unlikable. (The only exception was Tae Gyeom.)
 224

However, right from the moment he walked into the café with Wooyeon, Danny had
looked at him with a displeased expression. Even when shaking hands and greeting him,
he purposely interrupted. But it didn’t feel like dislike, so Dohyun calmly observed.

Anyway, this meant that Danny’s hostile attitude wasn’t directed at “Kim Dohyun.” In
fact, even last night, Danny had chatted comfortably, clearly showing a very
contradictory behavior.

“Then after breakfast, I’ll take you. It’s not too far.”

“Oh, I have something I want to eat for breakfast today.”

“What do you want to eat?”

Actually, if it were the old Dohyun, he wouldn’t have cared about what Danny thought of
him. After all, he understood that it was impossible to be liked by everyone, and there
was no reason to worry about a foreigner who would soon return to his home country.

However, the reason he seriously considered this was because Danny was Wooyeon’s
friend and the only person who took care of Wooyeon when he wasn’t around. For
Wooyeon, he couldn’t just cut ties with him because of jealousy.

Or maybe it was empathy for their somewhat awkward relationship.

“Can we order ‘Kimchi soup’?”

“Sure. You want kimchi soup?”

“Not delivery… I want homemade food. Don’t you know how to cook?”

Dohyun looked at Danny, who had bluntly made the request, and laughed. He might not
know what Danny was thinking, but it was clear that he wanted to take advantage of the
fact that Wooyeon wasn’t there to bother him. Seeing Danny’s face as if he were saying
“cook for me” with the thought that Dohyun couldn’t cook, he found it quite amusing.

“I’ll cook for you.”

So, this little bit of cheekiness was actually rather cute.

“Sit and wait. If you have nothing to do, find out where you want to go today.”

Dohyun wanted to keep Danny on his side, to be recognized by Danny as someone

suitable for Wooyeon, and, moreover, he wanted to hear about Wooyeon’s life in the U.S.
He wanted to know how Wooyeon was living without him around, whether his absence
had any significant impact. It would be great if he could confirm all of this.
 225

“…You really are going to cook?”

“Yeah.”

This simple soup was something Dohyun had made for Wooyeon several times. The picky
eater had enjoyed it each time, so it was definitely going to be better than ordering
delivery. While not excellent, Dohyun wasn’t a bad cook.

When Dohyun entered the kitchen, Danny stood there, staring blankly. While he took
kimchi from the fridge, Danny stood next to him, peering into the refrigerator. His blue
eyes lit up, much like a child discovering a new toy.

“Korean beer! I love this!”

Danny pointed at the green can of beer with excitement, much like how Wooyeon had
reacted when he first saw a claw machine. It was strange how much they had in
common.

“Now I understand why you two are friends.”

Dohyun muttered as he closed the fridge. Danny blinked a few times, then smiled
brightly with an innocent expression, tilting his head.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

If there had been some deli meat or tuna, it would have been even better, but
unfortunately, there weren’t any cans left. These side dishes were available only because
of the time he had spent living with Wooyeon. At the small master’s house, Wooyeon had
gotten used to eating good food, so it wouldn’t be right to feed him takeout every day.

“Are you planning to stand here? Go wait in the living room.”

“I want to watch you cook.”

This was the reason why Dohyun found Danny’s intentions so confusing. Normally,
people wouldn’t want to stay in the same room with someone they didn’t like, but Danny
acted so naturally. If you ignored the references to Wooyeon, he seemed like a curious
tourist.

“Kimchi? Did you make this yourself?”

“No, I bought it.”

“I thought every household in Korea makes kimchi in the winter…”

 226

“Depends on the household. These days, many people buy it.”

Dohyun took out a pot and began stir-frying the kimchi expertly. Along with the fragrant
aroma, the sizzling sound was enticing. Danny inhaled the scent and scrunched up his
nose.

“I really like the smell of kimchi.”

His voice was full of emotion. Yesterday, when eating tteokbokki, Danny had a similar
reaction. He liked Korean beer, the smell of kimchi, and probably things like traditional
hanok houses.

“But hasn’t Wooyeon woken up yet?”

“…”

The question made Dohyun hesitate. He could have easily answered with a simple "yes,"
but he felt guilty. After all, the main reason Wooyeon was still asleep was because of him.

‘A... Wait a minute...’

‘Shh, don’t make any noise.’

Last night, just like always, Wooyeon had been tossing and turning, unable to sleep, and
had cuddled up in Dohyun’s arms. His body temperature was warm, and the pheromones
kept pouring out. It started when Dohyun, without hesitation, placed a kiss on Wooyeon’s
forehead. Though his conscience held him back from going further, even the lightest
touch seemed to overwhelm Wooyeon.

“…I think he’s just tired.”

Dohyun answered vaguely and poured water into the stir-fried kimchi. Even though he
knew that Wooyeon had been sleeping less lately because of him, he decided to ignore it.
After all, while it started with him, Wooyeon was the one who always made everything
more intense.

“Is that so?”

Fortunately, Danny didn’t ask any more questions but instead hummed a tune. It seemed
that the aroma of the kimchi soup made him feel more comfortable. Everything seemed
to be going well. Dohyun thought that once the soup began to boil and the seasoning had
soaked in, it would be the perfect time to wake Wooyeon.

After that, they exchanged a few questions and answers. Danny asked if Dohyun could
make all the dishes he knew, and Dohyun replied that if he had the ingredients and
instructions, he could. He also made a rolled omelet.
 227

Wooyeon woke up just as Dohyun was about to call him. When he smelled the familiar
pheromones, he turned around and saw Wooyeon walking over, still half-asleep.
Wooyeon rubbed his eyes when he saw the two of them in the kitchen.

“When did you two get so close?”

The scene surprised him. These two had only met yesterday, and now they were happily
cooking kimchi soup together. He couldn’t help but wonder.

“Danny said he wanted to eat kimchi soup.”

“Danny…”

Wooyeon looked at Danny and Dohyun with a still drowsy expression and mumbled,
loud enough for Dohyun to hear, “You just met yesterday…”

“Wooyeon, have you ever had kimchi soup? It smells really good.”

“I’ve eaten. But if you’re awake, you should wake me up, not bother my boyfriend.”

Hearing the word “boyfriend,” Dohyun couldn’t help but smile to himself. Although there
wasn’t a better word for it, the term sounded so sweet. Danny blinked innocently, asking
with a puzzled look.

“What? Are you jealous?”

Wooyeon’s face immediately scrunched up in a pout. He grabbed water from the fridge
and replied indifferently.

“No.”

Even though he knew Wooyeon was jealous, there was something alluring about his
English. Maybe it was because he had just woken up, but his voice was deeper, making a
simple word sound almost seductive.

“You two…”

Wooyeon fiddled with the water bottle and spoke quietly, still giving Dohyun a displeased
look. Dohyun found it amusing and tried hard to hold back his laughter.

“You two are like newlyweds.”

Wooyeon wasn’t good at hiding his emotions. When he was jealous, everything showed
on his face—his gaze, his expression, and even his tone when speaking to Dohyun.
Compared to before, when he used to just endure things, this was a big improvement.

“Wooyeon.”
 228

Dohyun knew how to cheer him up. This wasn’t anger—just a bit of sulking—so
comforting him was easy.

“Come here.”

Wooyeon obediently walked over to Dohyun, still holding the water bottle with the cap
off. Dohyun took the bottle, opened it for him, and gently ruffled his messy hair.

“Why are you up so early? I was going to wake you.”

Just a few gentle strokes, and Wooyeon’s sharp gaze softened. The corners of his mouth,
which had been drooping, slowly lifted. Wooyeon responded with a relaxed expression,
as if he wanted to nuzzle against Dohyun, his voice dreamy.

“I woke up because it felt too empty beside me.”

_________________________________________________
 229

Side Story / Chapter 6

Every day, I wake up in the embrace filled with pheromones, so it's no surprise that I feel
emptiness when I wake up. Perhaps as soon as I open my eyes, I hurriedly run to the
living room like a chick looking for its mother.

"Don't you feel tired?"

"Just... is my hair too messy, hyung?"

"No, it's fine."

Dohyun intended to give a good morning kiss as usual, but noticing Danny's gaze, he
stopped. Around Wooyeon, a sweet scent of pheromones wafted. If Danny were not a
beta, his face would probably be red right now.

"Go wash your face, then have breakfast."

Wooyeon obediently nodded and left the kitchen. Danny was left alone, staring after him
in surprise.

He chuckled awkwardly, muttering, "Huh."

"Oh my God."

His words carried a lot of meaning. His gaze seemed to seek an explanation, but Dohyun
just shrugged. At that moment, the kimchi soup was ready.

After a simple breakfast, the three of them headed to university together. Wooyeon sat in
the passenger seat as usual, while Danny happily sat in the back seat like yesterday. This
time, Dohyun decided to join the conversation instead of staying silent.

When they arrived at the campus, there weren’t many people around. Only a few
students attending the summer semester, some likely graduate students, and a few
outsiders. The usual bustling atmosphere hadn’t returned yet since the summer break
had only just passed halfway.

"Wow, the campus is so big!"

Dohyun parked the car inside the campus and led the way around the humanities
building. The campus was so large that there were even buses running inside, so he
intended to only show the buildings they would use regularly. Fortunately, this excited
foreign guest kept exclaiming in awe.

"Why would you consider dropping out of such a good school?"

 230

Hearing Danny’s question, Dohyun turned to look at Wooyeon. His gaze seemed to ask,
"Are you planning to drop out?" which made Wooyeon avoid eye contact.

"...Because I failed a course."

There seemed to be something deeper behind it, but Dohyun didn’t want to probe
further. He, too, had made his share of mistakes at the start of the semester. Sometimes,
he even made Wooyeon uncomfortable, so it wasn’t hard to understand why Wooyeon
might want to drop out.

"Is that the smoking area?"

"Yeah, if you want to smoke, go ahead. We’ll wait."

The smoking area was enclosed by a screen, and the smell of cigarettes lingered. It was
probably graduate students who were tired, smoking their frustrations away with their
professors. Dohyun slipped his hands into his pockets and recalled a few months ago.

"You definitely have to quit."

He remembered when Wooyeon naively wanted to learn how to smoke. That was also
when Dohyun made up his mind to quit the pheromone cigarettes he had been smoking
for four years.

"What about you?"

"...Ah."

Dohyun snapped out of his thoughts and looked up. It had been a while since he quit
smoking, and a faint craving resurfaced. After swallowing, he spoke as casually as
possible.

"I quit."

"Really? Then I’ll quit too."

Danny stepped forward naturally. Dohyun followed behind, discreetly glancing at

Wooyeon. His gaze again focused on Wooyeon’s lips, feeling a sense of absence in more
ways than one.

Everyone knew Garam was friendlier than anyone, but that was only when there was no
language barrier. Even though she studied English, that didn’t mean she was good at
communication. Garam had always disliked English.

"Hey, Seongyu, can you greet them for me?"

 231

"Sis, I’m only good at English for the university entrance exam."

"Anyway, you're still better than me."

"In situations like this, you should set an example, seonbae."

"Set an example? What example?"

The two of them kept whispering complaints to each other, their voices soft but still loud
enough to be heard. Dohyun couldn’t help but laugh when he saw them communicate
with phrases like “How are you today?” and “I’m fine, thank you, and you?”

"Can you at least say their names? This is ‘Garam’ and ‘Seongyu.’"

"Garam?"

Meanwhile, Danny was struggling to pronounce the names Wooyeon had just taught him,
fumbling through “Garam” and “Seongyu.” Watching this, Dohyun suddenly realized that
Danny had never called him by his name.

"Danny, repeat after me."

It was just a fleeting thought. Partly because he saw the two had become quite familiar,
and partly because he felt Wooyeon and Danny were becoming too close. Dohyun
lowered his head slightly and spoke in a gentle tone:

"Kim, Do, Hyun."

Danny raised an eyebrow, chuckled lightly, and arrogantly lifted his chin. The corner of
his mouth curled into a mocking smile.

"I don’t want to."

"Hey."

It was Wooyeon who was surprised. He tried to appear stern and grabbed Danny’s hand.
It seemed like he was concerned about Dohyun’s feelings, but what bothered Dohyun
was the fact that Wooyeon’s fingers were touching someone else.

"Why…"

Wooyeon whispered softly into Danny’s ear, making it nearly inaudible to anyone else.
Dohyun watched the scene, slightly curling his lips. Didn’t Wooyeon say he had no special
feelings for Danny? No matter what Danny felt, this overly intimate scene was anything
but comfortable.

"Sigh, forget it. Let’s have a drink. Danny? Connor? What should I call you?"
 232

At that moment, Garam stood up, as if she had reached her limit of patience. It seemed
she couldn’t win the argument with Seongyu and looked quite dissatisfied.

"Moon Garam, you're really boring. It's been so long since we've seen each other,
and all you can think about is drinking?"

"That’s the tone of people who are tired of each other. If you don’t like it, don’t
drink."

"Anyway, I’m driving, so I can’t drink."

"Oh, the bourgeoisie driving their own car."

Right in front of them was a real rich person. Garam never hesitated to use her words. Of
course, Wooyeon didn’t mind at all.

"Oh, I love this!"

"What? You like that? Drink it all, there’s plenty."

"Can I really drink it?"

"Drink, drink. Drink it all."

Before long, the party atmosphere was set. Garam quickly locked the door, turned on the
air conditioner, and cracked the window open. She divided the drinks and snacks,
looking like she had been anticipating this moment for a long time.

"Do you want to buy anything else? Anything you want to eat?"

"How about tokbokki?"

"Tokbokki? I love tokbokki!"

Dohyun watched the three of them picking dishes as if he were watching a movie. Two
people were speaking in Korean, and one was speaking in English, but strangely, the
conversation flowed smoothly. The important part was that they all liked tokbokki, but
that didn’t really matter.

"Wooyeon, aren’t you drinking?"

"Well, I..."

Wooyeon hesitated as he looked at the glass of alcohol, seeming uncomfortable because

of the mistakes he made while drinking before. Dohyun was about to tell him to just
relax, but Danny was quicker.
 233

"Come on, it’s been a while since we drank together."

Wooyeon flinched slightly, his face showing a hint of embarrassment. The phrase "it’s
been a while" made his lips instinctively close.

"I wanted to try some Korean beer with you."

As Dohyun remembered, when they were in the U.S., Wooyeon wasn’t old enough to
drink. He was still a minor, not allowed to buy or drink alcohol. And yet, he was drinking
with Danny? The way Danny said it made Dohyun realize this must have happened quite
often.

"Can’t you just have a little? Huh?"

"...Shut up."

Wooyeon sneaked a glance at Dohyun's reaction and lowered his voice slightly. But the
next words truly shocked everyone.

"I only started drinking like this because of you."

"..."

This time, Dohyun really had to fight to keep his expression unchanged. Among the
fluent English words, there was one sentence that he could hear clearly. It seemed like
Danny heard it too, as he tilted his head and asked again.

"Bad habit?"

"It’s just..."

In that instant, a memory flashed by. Wooyeon, with a slightly flushed face, had said
something on the rooftop while gazing at the beautiful night scene.

"That’s my habit when I drink."

_________________________________________________
 234

Side Story / Chapter 7

His eyes narrowed, the corners of his mouth pulling down into a straight line, and a deep
wrinkle appeared between his eyebrows.

Wooyeon avoided Dohyun's gaze, absentmindedly fiddling with his ear. He didn’t explain
or answer immediately. He just frowned awkwardly and shook his head back and forth.

"Is that really the case?"

"Where did that even come from?"

Before he could speak the next words, his eyes unintentionally met Danny's, who was
looking up at him. Dohyun shut his mouth, raising a hand to cover it. He had almost
made Wooyeon uncomfortable in such a public place. Since Wooyeon avoided
answering, he couldn’t force him to speak. It would be better to remind him gently when
it was just the two of them.

Dohyun tried to hold himself back, calming his thoughts. Memories of Wooyeon getting
drunk started to surface. Sometimes he’d say he was cold and jump into his lap, other
times he’d say he was hot and want to take off his clothes, and there were moments
when he couldn’t stand up but still insisted on going to take a shower. Overall, those
were all cute moments, but if it had been anyone else, Dohyun would have definitely
turned and walked away.

The feeling of jealousy slowly rose, like a fire burning in his throat. The rebellious words
like "Hug me" or "Kiss me" were still clear in his mind. Just yesterday, Wooyeon had been
like a small, obedient doll, lying in his arms and smiling. But what bad habit had come
about because of Danny?

“…Yeon-ah.”

Dohyun tried to control his emotions and spoke gently. Wooyeon, who was arguing with
Danny, turned around and looked at him in confusion. Even so, the closeness between
the two still made him incredibly uncomfortable.

“If you want to drink, just drink. If you get drunk, I’ll take you home safely.”

He didn’t offer a gentle smile. Because with Wooyeon, if he smiled, Wooyeon would
immediately notice the unease in his heart. Instead, he tried to act calm, opened a can of
beer, and placed it on the table.

“When you meet an old friend, you have to drink a little.”

“But… you can’t drink.”

 235

“It’s fine. Worst case, we leave the car here and come back later.”

Wooyeon seemed hesitant at this point. His bright, sparkling eyes briefly showed a desire
to drink. His fair hand slowly reached for the can of beer Dohyun had given him.

“Then… just a little…”

“Oh, you’ll drink, huh?”

It wasn’t being forced to drink, nor drinking out of sadness, so if he wanted to drink, then
let him. After all, besides him and Garam, no one else here was an alpha, so if any
pheromones were released, he could use his own to counteract them.

“Alright, everyone, let’s raise a glass. Hey, Danny! Cheers, okay?”

The cans of beer and paper cups clinked together with a cheerful "cheers." Although it
wasn't the resonant sound of glass, it was enough to create an upbeat atmosphere.
Dohyun sipped from his paper cup filled with soda, trying to suppress the boiling feeling
inside. The habit of drinking something – when you're drunk, everything becomes clear.

Three hours passed.

Since Seongyu could no longer stand and Garam had become an English genius, it only
took exactly three hours, no more, no less.

"Hey, Dan, I really hate English."

"Really? But you're speaking in English right now."

"No, no, I don’t know English."

It seemed that the alcohol gave Garam more confidence, and she, half-drunk and
half-aware, started trying to speak with Danny. Her pronunciation was awkward, her
vocabulary limited, but enough to communicate. Dohyun even thought that if she had
brought soju to the oral exam last year, her score would have been higher.

"Hey, why do you keep speaking English..."

In contrast, Seongyu seemed to understand less and less as he drank. At first, he

understood a little, but now he couldn’t catch a single word. It seemed that he could no
longer comprehend either English or Korean, as if nothing was getting through.

Although the situation became chaotic, Dohyun only had his eyes on Wooyeon. If he
stumbled, spilled his drink, or leaned against Danny, he would take care of him right
away. Fortunately, Wooyeon didn’t make any mistakes, just sipping his beer.
 236

"Hey, kid, stop just drinking and eat something too."

"..."

Wooyeon flinched slightly, frowning. Despite drinking quite a bit, his face remained quite
composed. It was just a bit expressionless, and his gaze seemed a little distant. Onlookers
might think he was good at drinking, but Dohyun concluded:

"You're drunk."

"Why do you call me 'kid'?"

His pronunciation was clear but slower. His tone calm yet deep, eyes blinking and head
slightly tilted. It was a demeanor that could make others not realize he was drunk, but
Dohyun knew too well why he often reminded him, "You shouldn’t drink."

"I’m younger than you, so you’re a kid."

"I’m taller than you."

"Oh, you’re arguing now?"

Others might not notice, but Dohyun knew that tomorrow Wooyeon wouldn’t remember
any of these direct words. He controlled his pheromones well, but it wouldn’t be long
before Dohyun would have to step in.

"How tall are you?"

"I’m nearly 2 meters tall."

"...I’m the same."

Who was taller, who was the kid – Dohyun let out a light laugh. They were both drunk,
yet still debating seriously over something so silly. What was most amusing was that,
unlike usual, Wooyeon was being very insistent on his stance this time.

"Stop calling me that."

"It’s just a habit."

"Still, I don’t like it."

The nickname "kid" that Garam used was just a habit when drunk, but Wooyeon didn’t
seem too happy with the cuteness it brought. Finally, unable to stand it any longer,
Dohyun reached out and gently stroked the back of Wooyeon’s head.

"When Garam is drunk, everyone calls her 'kid' too."

 237

"‘Kid’ must have a hundred people by now," he added, and Wooyeon’s face softened
noticeably. Perhaps it was because of the hand gently stroking the back of his neck.
Whatever the reason, this scene seemed a bit unfair to Garam.

"Well, when I say something, she doesn't listen. It really hurts."

Wooyeon paid no attention to Garam's words, instead, he clung to Dohyun and nuzzled
his face into the palm of his hand, as if seeking affection. And just as expected, Dohyun
gently touched Wooyeon's soft cheeks.

"Your face is so hot."

"I know."

The feeling of discomfort melted away like snow. Just a simple touch on Wooyeon, and
Dohyun’s mood was remarkably calm. It was almost like a fear of separation syndrome –
emotions swaying because of small things.

"Wooyeon, are you okay? Are you drunk?"

"I'm fine. I'm not drunk."

"Really? Are you sure you're okay?"

"I told you I'm fine."

Danny turned to look at Wooyeon, seeming surprised to see him so obedient. Although
they had drunk together before, it was probably the first time Danny had seen him like
this. Or maybe it was the first time he saw him act so cute.

"Clearly, you didn’t learn that from Danny."

Dohyun remembered, releasing a calm pheromone to soothe himself. The jealousy

earlier had clouded his judgment, but Wooyeon’s drunk habits weren’t just about
touching others. It was foolish that only after the jealousy faded did he finally think
clearly. Even though he knew there was nothing to it, the unfounded jealousy had made
him uncomfortable.

"Alright, let’s clean up and head home."

Dohyun chuckled lightly and let go of Wooyeon. Wooyeon briefly looked a bit regretful,
but Dohyun could still stroke his head when they got home. He just wasn’t sure if that
would be all he’d do.
 238

Dohyun began cleaning the table, taking over for those who were already too drunk. The
alcohol had run out, and Seongyu had already fallen asleep on the couch. Garam, though
quickly tipsy, hadn’t passed out, so leaving her was fine.

"Hey, leave it. I’ll clean up and take care of Seongyu."

Garam pushed Dohyun’s hand away, speaking quietly and giving a subtle nod toward
Wooyeon, signaling that he should take him home. Wooyeon was perceptive and must
have noticed something unusual about Dohyun throughout the evening.

"Alright, I’ll leave it to you. Wooyeon, can you go by yourself?"

"I can."

Wooyeon confidently stood up but then wobbled, falling into Dohyun’s arms. It wasn’t
that he couldn’t stand, but probably because he knew he had someone to lean on, so he
let himself fall freely. Dohyun couldn’t help but laugh.

"You said you could go by yourself."

"I can go by myself."

"...Oh my God."

Danny looked at the two of them with a surprised gaze. He kept alternating between
looking at Wooyeon and Dohyun, which made Dohyun feel a bit pressured. Danny sighed
with resignation.

"Oh my God…"

"He’s drunk too," Dohyun thought.

He kept repeating that phrase, and Danny must’ve been tipsy by then. He praised the
Korean liquor and had drunk a lot of beer, and though it had low alcohol content,
drinking too much would make anyone drunk.

"Wooyeon, you need to stand up straight."

Dohyun wrapped his arms around Wooyeon’s waist to steady him. He also made sure to
stand between Garam and Wooyeon to prevent their pheromones from mixing. The
feeling of Wooyeon’s pheromones made it clear he was happy being close to Dohyun.

"Ugh, Seongyu won’t wake up. I want to go outside and smoke."

"Just smoke here."

"I don’t smoke, damn it. Go ahead, and Danny, you should go too!"
 239

"Goodbye!" Garam yelled before flopping back onto the sofa. By that time, Danny was still
looking at Wooyeon, only turning away reluctantly when his gaze met Dohyun’s. There
was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

The August days were long and sunny. As the sun set, the red light spilled through the
window, creating a mesmerizing scene. White clouds drifted lazily across the sky, like a
painting that wasn’t quite real.

Danny stood on the balcony, looking down at the courtyard while the sunset bathed his
hair, making it glow like strands of golden silk. The scene resembled a painting, but
Dohyun didn’t feel moved at all. His lips parted slightly as he spoke.

"Danny."

Daniel’s gaze slowly shifted back to him. Though surprised to be called, he didn’t show it,
simply offering his usual innocent smile.

"Where’s Wooyeon? Is he sleeping?"

_________________________________________________
 240

Side Story / Chapter 8

As Danny had said, Dohyun had just finished putting Wooyeon to sleep and stepped out
into the living room. He had given him a bath and dried his hair, so at least Wooyeon
would sleep well for a few hours. His sleep at night might be a bit restless, but that wasn't
unusual.

"He’s asleep now."

"Good."

Danny replied softly, then started humming a tune. It was the same song Dohyun had
heard him humming earlier this morning while making kimchi soup. Dohyun sat down
on the chair beside him and casually started a conversation.

"You seem to like that song."

"Huh?"

Since Dohyun spoke in Korean, Danny tilted his head in confusion. He still smiled and
asked again:

"What did you say?"

A cool breeze brushed against his cheek. The characteristic summer air still carried the
heat of the day. They had drunk quite a bit since noon, and the sun hadn't set completely
yet. Dohyun looked up at the evening sky, now growing darker, and said calmly.

"You know Korean, don't you?"

Danny was slightly surprised. Although his face still wore a smile, Dohyun could tell he
was a little flustered. Noticing his raised eyebrows, Dohyun continued slowly.

"I’m very perceptive."

From the very first meeting, there had been many strange things. When they discussed
where to sleep, Danny didn’t ask any further questions, and when he learned that there
were reporters present, he immediately became silent. If he really didn’t understand
Korean, he would have seemed uncomfortable or confused at times, but Danny hadn’t
shown any signs of that.

"When I talk to Wooyeon, you never ask us what we’re saying."

"……"
 241

"But when I speak to you, you always ask in detail about the meaning of every
sentence."

If Danny denied it, Dohyun had planned to pretend not to know. He brought this up only
because of Danny’s strange attitude after the drinking session had ended, with his face
wearing a sad expression.

"The song you just sang, it's also a Korean song."

"……Hmm."

Danny rolled his eyes and lowered his chin. His lips, which had been smiling earlier, now
drooped. After a long silence, he quietly replied.

"I’m not very good."

His pronunciation was awkward. As he had said, his tone wasn’t steady. Before Dohyun
could respond, Danny sighed.

"I learned it to get closer to Wooyeon."

"......"

"But Wooyeon doesn't know."

Of course, he didn’t know. Perhaps no one who met Danny today would have realized
this. Only Dohyun, who was sensitive to such details, had noticed. If he weren't
Wooyeon’s friend, he wouldn’t have paid such close attention.

"Why pretend not to know?"

This time, it was a simple question. Danny had kept this secret for two days, but what
was the reason? Did he want to secretly listen in on what Wooyeon was saying about
him?

"It’s not intentional..."

His voice stretched out, showing a complicated emotion that Dohyun couldn’t guess.
After a moment of hesitation, Danny slightly parted his lips.

"I just... wanted to."

It wasn’t a clear answer, but Dohyun didn’t press further. He could tell that Danny meant
no harm, and after all, he did genuinely care about Wooyeon.

"Hey..."
 242

Danny gently spoke up. He turned around, facing Dohyun directly. Since his back was to
the sun, his face was hard to see.

"Are you curious? About Wooyeon in America?"

"......"

Of course, he was curious. Dohyun hadn’t expected Danny to bring it up first.

"Do you want to know?"

Dohyun didn’t pass up this chance. He silently looked at Danny, conveying his curiosity
through his gaze. And what Danny said next was something Dohyun hadn’t anticipated.

"I used to be his bodyguard."

Danny shared the story of Wooyeon over a long period of time. He talked about how they
met, how they became close, and how he got Wooyeon to open up. All of it was what
Dohyun could have predicted, except for the fact that they had been roommates in the
dormitory.

"At first, he was very small. He was only this tall."

As Danny spoke, Dohyun remembered what Wooyeon was like back in high school. He
was only as tall as Dohyun's chest, with small, delicate limbs that were quite cute.

"It was really hard to get close to him. He’s extremely cautious."

Danny said that Wooyeon was the most difficult person to approach he had ever met.
Always on guard, Wooyeon would often remain silent with others, making it hard to
strike up a conversation. But Danny had persisted, all for the money.

"Because of the money... you know. Wooyeon’s family is very wealthy. And me, I
used to live... how should I put it?"

"Poor."

"Yeah, I was very poor."

Dohyun wanted to ask how Danny had met Soo Hyang, but he didn’t have the courage to
bring it up. During this time, Danny seemed slightly displeased at having to ask Dohyun
for a few words in Korean, so he switched to speaking in English.

"I tried to show interest in Korea, so I learned Korean. I also learned about Korean
culture, listened to Korean music... then practiced saying things like 'Hello' or
'Thank you.' But now, I actually really like Korea. It’s a very captivating country."
 243

Danny mentioned that the hardest part was getting Wooyeon’s name right. It had taken a
full month, and through that, Wooyeon started to open up to him. In fact, since there was
no one else close to him, perhaps Wooyeon had no choice but to live with Danny.

"Wooyeon really... the more I get to know him, the more complicated he seems. He’s
extremely picky with food; if it doesn’t suit his taste, he won’t eat, no—he can’t eat.
I’ve had a hard time finding food he can eat."

Danny said this with a bit of a sigh, but there was a hint of nostalgia in his expression.
Dohyun could see the emotions hidden in Danny's eyes. No matter how cautious
Wooyeon was, he couldn’t help but be softened by this gentle care.

"About half a year later, Wooyeon started to shift into omega."

Wooyeon shifted into an omega overnight and had to endure his first heat for a whole
week. At first, Danny thought he had caught a cold, but when the symptoms worsened,
he realized what was happening. Danny immediately contacted Soo Hyang, and she
arranged for a doctor to prescribe suppressants for Wooyeon.

"Honestly, I still don’t understand why she insisted I hide my identity as a

bodyguard, while still paying such close attention to Wooyeon’s every action
without contacting him herself."

Though curious, Danny didn’t feel in a position to ask. He simply followed Soo Hyang’s
instructions to protect and watch over Wooyeon, nothing more, nothing less.

"Wooyeon is an exceptional omega, even more so—extremely gifted."

A newly shifted dominant omega would still have a lot of difficulty controlling their
pheromones. Dohyun remembered his time at the orphanage and frowned. Danny’s
expression also tightened in the same way.

"How dangerous he was."

The vague pieces began to fall into place. The reason Soo Hyang insisted on having
Danny by Wooyeon’s side. The reason she hired a beta bodyguard, even though alphas
are usually the ones hired.

Perhaps Soo Hyang had already anticipated that Wooyeon would shift, whether as an
alpha or omega. The special genetic traits passed down through specific genes made
Wooyeon a rare result between an alpha and an omega.

"Many times, alphas tried to pick fights. Originally, being Asian, he was looked
down upon, and now, as an omega, he’s even more vulnerable to bullying."

"Does this happen often?"

 244

This was a question Dohyun had once asked Wooyeon. When Garam lost her composure
in the clubroom, Wooyeon had answered calmly.

"Not very often, hyung."

"Actually, it’s countless times."

Dohyun’s hair stood on end. Was it anger or something else? A vague emotion began to
wash over him.

Dohyun knew Wooyeon wasn’t being truthful. His expression, his actions, and his
reaction afterward all suggested he had grown too accustomed to it. But since it was a
memory Wooyeon didn’t want to revisit, Dohyun didn’t press any further.

"I told him to be careful… Well, don’t look at me like that. I know this is something
that can’t be controlled on your own. I’m just worried about him."

Dohyun sighed, rubbing his eyelids. His emotions were in turmoil, his stomach uneasy
even though he hadn’t drunk any alcohol. As he tried to calm his pheromones, Danny
continued slowly.

"Seeing that he wasn’t doing well, I taught him some martial arts. He has to be able
to defend himself, at least a little. You haven’t seen it, but Wooyeon is really quick
and skilled at hand-to-hand combat."

Dohyun had never seen that. Occasionally, he got the feeling that Wooyeon was very
strong, but it was always fleeting. Thinking back, it made sense that Wooyeon could
confront people like Kim Jinsang. Perhaps he was confident because he knew he had the
ability.

"At that time, he grew nearly 30 cm taller, but he lost weight, so..."

Dohyun didn’t need to hear the rest. From his perspective, Wooyeon had always been
adorable, and to others, he must have been incredibly attractive. A young, innocent
Wooyeon radiating pheromones—it was no surprise if trouble arose.

"Do you know what I taught him?"

Danny gave the most self-satisfied smile he had ever worn. He scrunched his nose and let
out a soft laugh.

"I taught him how to curse."

Dohyun chuckled softly. Not because he was surprised, but because it was exactly what
he had expected.
 245

"I taught him every possible curse word. In situations like these, the best way is to
overwhelm the opponent right from the start."

Of course, Wooyeon hadn’t followed through. He was afraid it would become a bad habit,
so he refused. Dohyun watched Danny shake his head in regret, remembering the
camping trip they’d had before. Indeed, that kind of crash education had been very
effective; Wooyeon had learned perfectly.

"At first, I only saw it as my responsibility, but later, it wasn’t like that anymore.
Wooyeon is my friend, and in a way, he feels like my son."

There are many different kinds of emotions. Just like Dohyun had grown fond of
Wooyeon after spending time together, Danny had developed deep feelings after four
years of being by his side. It was understandable that he saw himself as Wooyeon’s
protector after witnessing his growth.

"I thought Wooyeon would think the same way. He knew I worked for Soo Hyang,
but he still continued being my friend."

Dohyun began to understand the sadness Danny had once shown. The reason for the
fleeting emotions on his face when Wooyeon acted spoiled or leaned on him.

"But it wasn’t like that."

It was like how parents might feel jealous of their children’s romantic partners. It wasn’t
romantic love, but friendship, or even familial affection. The way he judged him from
head to toe also stemmed from that affection.

_________________________________________________
 246

Side Story / Chapter 9

"My contract ended a long time ago, but Wooyeon still keeps his distance from me.
After returning to Korea, if I don't take the initiative to reach out, he never contacts
me."

Danny's tone sounded like he was feeling a bit unfair and uncomfortable. He pressed his
lips together, asking as if seeking agreement.

"Friends are friends, no matter how it starts. Just because the contract ends doesn’t
mean my relationship with Wooyeon has to end, right? Are human relationships
something that can be easily severed like that?"

Dohyun couldn't answer anything. He just turned his face away and looked up at the now
completely dark sky.

"Yeah, maybe."

"If relationships were that easy to cut off, then his story with the teacher wouldn’t
have lasted this long."

If severing connections were as simple as ending a contract, all the ties would have been
gone long ago.

"I swear I didn't know anything about Wooyeon's family."

Now it seemed like he had some basic understanding. After all, the news had spread, so
Danny must have heard it.

"It's so unfair. Just because the starting points are a bit different, I’m still stuck at
this level."

Dohyun didn’t say anything, partly because he understood that feeling all too well. Like
Danny, he had once started from the same starting line, so he could only stay silent and
listen.

"I know you're a good person. More specifically... a good lover."

"Because of the kimchi soup?"

"It’s delicious."

Danny smiled lightly, then sighed. Even though he was smiling, his lips curved with a
hint of unease.
 247

"It’s just... it’s just that I feel a bit jealous. You and the friends I met earlier. You all
have different starting points, so maybe everything comes easier for you."

"The process..."

Dohyun didn't know what to say. He parted his lips, trying to find the right words. If he
spoke too hastily, his uncontrolled emotions might spill out. After blinking once, then
twice, he spoke slowly.

"You and I don’t have different starting points."

"Sometimes, Dohyun used to resent a starting point that couldn’t be changed, to rethink
decisions he had unknowingly accepted, and to feel helpless as he watched the distance
grow between them. Amid the rising sea of regret, all he could do was cling to a faint
hope."

"The destination is still much farther away."

"...What?"

Danny stopped, looking bewildered. His eyes were filled with astonishment as he looked
at Dohyun. After a moment of focused observation, Danny asked seriously.

"Are you a beta?"

The question seemed out of place. Even Danny, as he asked, seemed to not fully believe it.
Dohyun didn’t answer, and Danny shook his head in exasperation.

"...Do you want me to tell you something?"

His voice suddenly became cold, and his gaze was filled with discomfort. Dohyun could
guess why Danny felt so angry and misunderstood.

"In the end, you can't be that teacher."

If he knew he would regret it, it would have been better not to say it. Danny had blurted
it out in frustration but quickly showed signs of regret. Dohyun temporarily put
everything aside and focused on one word Danny had just said.

"Teacher?"

"...Yes, the teacher."

There was no need to ask who it was; Dohyun knew very well. Though he didn’t
understand why Dohyun was silent, Danny continued in a lower voice.
 248

"He’s a 'beta,' very caring and gentle. You and I, we can never become someone like
that teacher."

Dohyun lowered his head, trying to soothe the complex emotions in his heart. He was
happy that Wooyeon had mentioned him, but he felt heartbroken that Wooyeon
remembered him even in America. But what surprised him the most was the strange
sense of pride within him.

"Danny Connor."

There was no other way. Dohyun spoke in a low tone. Although he wasn’t used to
intervening in others' affairs, he felt that staying silent would be deceiving Danny. He
might misunderstand again, and if Danny left because of that, he might get hurt once
more.

"It seems like you’ve misunderstood..."

Danny looked at him with a tense expression. Perhaps because his full name was called
out unexpectedly, he thought Dohyun was angry. Seeing this, Dohyun softened his tone.

"Wooyeon sees you as a friend, too."

This was just a casual consolation. Danny probably sensed it and nodded with a resigned
expression. His eyes seemed to ask him to continue, and Dohyun deliberately spoke in
Korean.

"He doesn’t know how to treat you because this is the first time he’s had a friend."

"...The first time?"

Honestly, Dohyun hoped Danny didn’t understand. He didn’t want to accept that anyone
other than him could be special to Wooyeon. Out of childish jealousy, Dohyun wanted to
keep Wooyeon to himself.

"The first time he has a friend."

Danny widened his eyes in disbelief. It seemed he didn’t know anything about Wooyeon’s
living situation. And rightly so, no article could capture everything.

"For Wooyeon, true friends are just two people. One is you, and the other is Seongyu,
whom you met earlier. Moon Garam is a senior, so it's a bit different. As for me, because
I’m a lover, I don’t count."

"You’re talking too fast."

"Consider this a listening practice."

 249

Danny frowned, looking uncomfortable, but as the conversation continued, he listened

more intently than anyone. Dohyun didn’t back down, even reminding him that since
they were in Korea, they should use Korean.

"When the article about Wooyeon was published, Moon Garam bought pastries to
cheer him up."

It was a vivid memory, as if it had happened just yesterday. When the article about
Wooyeon, the heir to the Seonjeong Corporation, was published, reporters flooded the
school gate. Dohyun hadn’t seen it firsthand, but according to Garam, that little guy
seemed like he had given up on everything.

"But Wooyeon said… he thought Garam pitied him."

"Pity?"

"Sympathy."

"Ah…"

"That’s why Garam explained that it was concern, not pity, but Wooyeon found that
really uncomfortable."

Danny looked confused. Perhaps Wooyeon’s reaction surprised him. Dohyun sighed as he
recalled when Garam told him about it.

"Wooyeon just wasn’t used to it."

"He once said, what would happen if he got too used to being cared for by others?"

"Wooyeon has everything, but he’s never had a real friend. He doesn’t know how
much he can rely on others."

Some might think Wooyeon was speaking meaningless words from someone born into
wealth. In fact, even Dohyun, when he first met Wooyeon, thought he was just a spoiled
rich kid throwing a tantrum.

"When we were dating, he was the same."

But for Wooyeon, everything was new—relying on others, hiding his emotions. He knew
how to express affection, but didn’t know how to receive it.

"Even when he was jealous, he would hold it in, when he wanted something, he
would suppress it. When he thought I didn’t like it, he chose to stop and walk away."

"…"
 250

"He’s hard to get close to, and hard to understand."

Dohyun felt a bit guilty but also wronged. Sometimes he wondered what he had done
wrong, but then, when he looked into those clear eyes, everything seemed to melt away.

"But think about it, how afraid must he have been?"

Dohyun had learned to read situations to survive, while Wooyeon had learned to be
cautious in order to protect himself. If Dohyun tried hard to cling to everything, afraid of
losing anything, Wooyeon, on the other hand, let go of everything out of fear of loss. Both
were trying to protect themselves in their own ways, and the concept of right or wrong
was really blurry.

"I'm not saying you have to understand everything. Maybe Wooyeon is at fault for
making you feel uncomfortable. But if we don’t speak out, no one will ever
understand each other’s feelings."

Most things can be resolved halfway just by speaking honestly. The sadness Danny was
feeling wouldn't have been an issue if he had openly communicated it. If Wooyeon didn’t
see Danny as a friend, he wouldn’t have remembered the moments with “Danny” with
such a bright smile.

"So, instead of being upset with me, why don’t you talk to Wooyeon? Do you need to
speak in English?"

"...No, I almost understand now."

Danny shook his head with a complex expression. He added the word "almost," as if he
hadn’t fully grasped it, but the frustration he had earlier had faded, leaving only a
thoughtful and regretful look.

Then, no one said anything more. Dohyun had said everything he needed to, and Danny
remained silent, lost in thought. The silence lasted a while, until Danny leaned against
the balcony and spoke.

"You’re really mature."

Dohyun shrugged. "You talk too much nonsense." Danny gave a forced smile.

"So... you’re different from me."

It was an unfinished sentence. Dohyun didn’t respond, and Danny was silent too. Then,
Danny looked directly at Dohyun and said each word firmly.

"Sorry, Dohyun. I was... wrong."

 251

The apology carried a lot of weight. After saying it, Danny looked into Dohyun’s eyes with
some worry, as if wondering about the word "wrong." However, Dohyun didn’t say "It’s
okay" because he thought Danny needed some time to reflect.

"Alright, I’ll go to my room now."

Danny bowed his head and stepped inside, and Dohyun watched him go, secretly rolling
his eyes. He only softened because Danny was Wooyeon’s friend.

"Think about where you want to go tomorrow."

Danny paused. He turned back with a surprised look, and Dohyun narrowed his eyes, a
habit of his.

"You’ve come all the way here, are you just going to sit and drink the whole time
like today?"

After a pause, Danny nodded. Even though his Korean wasn’t perfect, he understood it
quite well. As Danny’s footsteps faded into the room, Dohyun finally looked up at the sky.

"You’ll never beat that teacher."

He didn’t know why that sentence kept lingering in his mind. He had tried so hard to
escape from the role of "teacher." The position of "him"—one he had fought so hard to
earn—was truly precious and worth cherishing.

Dohyun shook his head again and stood up. He was about to quickly enter the room and
hold Wooyeon, who was fast asleep. Perhaps a few kisses wouldn’t wake him up.

Under the dark sky, the soft blue moonlight shone through the window. His gaze swept
across the moonlight before he left without a second thought. It truly had been a
meaningless day.

_________________________________________________
 252

Side Story / Chapter 10

The next day, early in the morning, the three of them began their sightseeing trip. Danny
woke up at the crack of dawn, knocked on the door, and said he wanted to explore
everywhere. Wooyeon, with a tired face, grumbled, but in the end, the victory still went
to the foreigner who loved Korea.

Before heading out, Dohyun helped Wooyeon put on a hat and wore his own T-shirt on
him. He couldn’t replace Wooyeon’s knee-length shorts, but when he saw Wooyeon
carrying both of his watches, he felt a surge of emotion. Wooyeon looked a bit like a
puppy getting ready to go for a walk.

“So, where do you want to go?”

Danny wasn’t interested in famous tourist spots but was excited about very ordinary
activities, like movie theaters, fast-food restaurants, and street vendors. Dohyun booked
three tickets for a horror movie that Wooyeon liked, then took the two “kids” to a burger
joint.

“Oh, the taste is really different from in the U.S.”

“I told you. It’s very different from the U.S.”

Despite being Korean, both reacted similarly. On the other hand, Danny, eating heartily,
seemed more like a local Korean. Perhaps recalling the stomach ache he got last time,
Wooyeon couldn’t bring himself to eat the burger, and Dohyun, holding back his
laughter, had to buy him a milkshake.

After finishing their meal, the three headed to the cinema to watch the pre-booked
horror movie. The film had an eerie atmosphere from its poster and was the biggest
summer hit. Wooyeon watched the movie with a calm expression, but surprisingly,
Danny turned out to be the weaker one.

"How could you pick up such an ugly doll? You can tell it’s cursed just by looking at
it! There are so many cute dolls out there!"

Maybe it was because the movie was in English that Danny reacted so strongly.
Throughout the film, he kept screaming and crying, startling Wooyeon three times before
he finally covered his ears. Dohyun, sitting on the other side, watched quietly and
secretly held Wooyeon’s hand.

“Why aren’t you startled? Isn’t that doll scary?”

“You’re scarier than the doll, Danny…”

 253

Even though Wooyeon wasn’t afraid of the scenes in the movie, he was startled by
Danny’s reactions, his fingers trembling slightly. Perhaps he had unconsciously absorbed
some of the fear.

“But don’t you think the subtitles were a bit strange?”

“Yeah, there were quite a few mistranslations.”

After complaining about the poor subtitles, they headed to the arcade. It was the place
Dohyun had planned to take Wooyeon on their previous date. Danny lost money at the
claw machine, while Wooyeon did surprisingly well at the basketball toss. Dohyun won
two small keychains and gave one to each of them.

Today seemed to make up for the wasted time yesterday. The three of them strolled
around, ate cheap ice cream, and stopped by street vendors for snacks. For Danny, and
even Wooyeon, it was the first time experiencing many things, so no one felt bored.

“Where do you want to go tomorrow?”

On the way home, Dohyun cheerfully asked Danny. He was thinking about taking them to
see hanoks the next day. As if reading his mind, Danny smiled and replied.

“Tomorrow, I’m leaving the country.”

At dawn, the airport bustled with people pulling suitcases, foreign travelers unfamiliar
with the language, flight attendants walking in rows, and countless eager faces preparing
for their journeys. Dohyun quietly watched as the two went through the departure
procedures.

“Did you forget anything?”

“No, I’ve packed everything.”

“You’ve got your passport and phone, right?”

“Of course.”

Yesterday, after suddenly announcing his return home, Danny started packing, leaving
his two friends surprised. He had only been here for three days: one day to reunite with
Wooyeon, one day drinking at the university, and one day sightseeing. With such a short
stay, he didn’t have much to pack.

“...You’re really leaving already?”

 254

Wooyeon tried to persuade Danny to stay several times, suggesting he could postpone his
flight and that it would be a shame to leave so soon. His face was full of regret, but Danny
simply shook his head firmly.

“Staying longer would only bother your boyfriend.”

For the first time, he seemed a bit hesitant. Dohyun had assured him that it was fine, but
Danny still didn’t change his mind.

“So, you’ll arrive in the morning, right?”

“Yeah, I’ll sleep on the plane.”

And so, as soon as the sun rose, they all headed to the airport to see Danny off. Dohyun
put a hat and mask on Wooyeon to avoid reporters. Wooyeon quietly let him do it, joking,
“I look like a thief at the airport.”

“Thank you for helping me. And for the seat, thank you, Wooyeon.”

Danny’s original seat in economy class had been upgraded to first class by Wooyeon. At
first, Danny had refused, but when Wooyeon said, “With your build, there’s no way you’d
survive economy,” he finally relented. The flight to Korea had already been
uncomfortable enough.

“It’s time for me to go.”

Danny shrugged as he noticed Wooyeon staring at him. There was still plenty of time
before his flight.

“It’s still early, isn’t it?”

“I want to go inside and explore the duty-free area. I heard this is the biggest
airport in Korea.”

Danny said this and pointed to the ceiling. Following his gesture, Dohyun saw a large
screen hanging on the wall, playing a commercial for Seonjeong Corporation’s latest
phone. Quickly averting his gaze, he addressed Danny.

“Travel safely. Next time you visit, I’ll let you crash at my place again.”

Danny beamed like a happy puppy, but instead of being excited about the offer, he
suddenly remarked, “But your English is really good.”

Dohyun had learned English with the hope of being adopted abroad. Later, he attended a
foreign language high school to meet the expectations of his foster family. With his good
memory and opportunities to travel, it was natural for Dohyun to speak English fluently.
 255

“Did you study abroad?”

After spending three days together, was this question even relevant now? Dohyun
thought Danny was truly a unique person. He squinted his eyes and smiled.

“Just attending public school is enough to get this good.”

“Really?”

Dohyun lied, and Danny didn’t believe him.

“Anyway… thank you for everything.”

Danny gave the small keychain in his hand a gentle shake as he spoke. It was the prize
Dohyun had won at the arcade game, a little trinket with a soft puff of cotton attached to
it. Even if it was disposable, both recipients cherished it.

“Wooyeon, make sure to eat and rest properly. And stay away from things like
marijuana.”

“In Korea, marijuana is illegal.”

Marijuana? Wooyeon didn’t even smoke cigarettes—what a pointless concern.

“Danny, you’re not my guardian, you know.”

Wooyeon replied with a pout. He had taken off his mask, and his slightly grimaced
expression was now visible. Seeing him like that, Danny smiled faintly and asked,

“So, what am I to you?”

“What?”

Wooyeon looked at him with confusion, his eyebrows raised slightly in embarrassment.
Then he averted his gaze, fiddling nervously with his ear.

“That’s…”

He slowly searched for the right words. The sudden question seemed too difficult for
him. Glancing at Danny, he finally mustered a response in a slightly indifferent tone.

“You’re my friend.”

At that moment, Dohyun noticed a subtle shift in Danny’s expression. His sky-blue eyes,
usually clear and bright, momentarily revealed an indescribable emotion. But then
Danny smiled warmly, nodding gently.
 256

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Perhaps that was all he wanted to hear. Nothing more, nothing less—just the
acknowledgment of being a friend. For that, Danny had traveled all the way to Korea.

“Take care, Wooyeon.”

It wasn’t just Wooyeon who felt regret over this farewell. Danny’s soft voice carried a
tinge of longing. Blinking a few times, he hesitated before tightly hugging Wooyeon.

“…I’ll miss you.”

Perhaps because Danny said it in Korean, or because the hug came so suddenly, Wooyeon
froze for a moment. Only after a long pause did he speak timidly, his head still resting
against Danny’s chest.

“Next time…”

“…”

“I’ll come visit you.”

His tone was as usual, but his actions were not. As he raised his arms to hug Danny back,
Dohyun turned away, pretending not to see. He thought that if he kept watching, he
might want to pull them apart, so this was the best way to avoid that temptation.

“So, I’m really going now.”

Despite the lingering farewell, Danny turned and walked away decisively. Wooyeon
watched his retreating figure, and just as Danny was about to leave, he called out loudly.

“Danny.”

Danny slowly turned back. Dohyun felt Wooyeon’s hand tighten its grip on his own.
Wooyeon looked at Danny and spoke, his voice deliberate.

“I really wanted to introduce you to the person I’m dating.”

The words felt unusual, much like when Danny had complimented Dohyun’s English
earlier. Ignoring Danny’s surprise, Wooyeon continued in a calm tone.

“This person is my teacher.”

Danny’s eyes widened in shock, his expression visibly changing. His blue eyes wavered
slightly, and when he caught Dohyun’s averted gaze, he let out a soft chuckle.

“…Oh…”
 257

He wasn’t sure how to describe the emotion he felt. Was it awkwardness? A pang of
guilt? If he were to ask why this hadn’t been mentioned earlier, would he even get an
answer?

Still, Danny smiled, his expression relaxing.

“That’s good. You’re with your teacher.”

Wooyeon nodded, his face glowing with happiness. When Danny wished for their
relationship to last, Wooyeon shyly lowered his head. Dohyun remained silent, and this
time, it was Danny who waved goodbye before heading through the international
departure gates.

Even after Danny left, Wooyeon and Dohyun continued to stroll through the airport,
chatting about trivial things. Under the soaring dome, the sky stretched out in a clear,
endless blue. Like the contrail of an airplane streaking across the sky, this meeting would
remain an unforgettable memory for years to come.

_________________________________________________
 258

Side Story / Chapter 11

The summer break has ended. Wooyeon had stayed at Dohyun's house throughout the
vacation, and as the new semester began, he moved into his own new apartment. The
apartment was bathed in bright sunlight through the large window, and it was spacious
enough for him to run around freely—a perfect high-end studio. Calling it a "room" felt
too modest, but for Wooyeon, it was still more ordinary than the penthouse he used to
live in.

Dohyun seemed quite regretful that Wooyeon was living alone. He had gotten so used to
seeing Wooyeon every day in their daily lives. Many times he wanted to keep him
around, but after realizing that at the new apartment, without the access card, even the
elevator button wouldn’t work, he changed his mind. After all, the studio was safer than
his apartment.

So, Wooyeon became independent, and the time they spent together decreased. Dohyun
still visited Wooyeon every day, but it wasn’t the same as when they lived together. As
time went by, Wooyeon felt more and more empty, and since last week, his longing had
become even more intense.

“…Do you have to go home today too?”

Wooyeon sat in the passenger seat, fiddling with the seatbelt. Dohyun didn’t have classes
in the afternoon today, but he still waited until Wooyeon finished school to take him
home. Wooyeon’s new apartment had a parking garage that only registered cars could
enter.

"Yeah, she’s probably waiting at home."

Dohyun replied, but his face showed reluctance to part from Wooyeon. His brows
furrowed as he sighed lightly, then reached out to Wooyeon.

"Sorry, I’ll try to convince her to leave soon."

His long fingers gently touched the soft skin under Wooyeon’s eyes. Wooyeon reflexively
closed his eyes, and Dohyun’s expression softened. He gently cradled Wooyeon’s head
and leaned in to kiss him on the lips.

A soft touch, lips meeting and pulling away, repeating several times. Even though the
feeling was sweet and ticklish, Wooyeon’s face didn’t soften. Seeing his sad expression,
Dohyun deepened the kiss, and his eyes glinted with an unreadable emotion.

“…What if I don’t go back?”

When Wooyeon heard those words, he let out a small laugh. He knew he had been a little
clingy, so he lowered his head and nuzzled into Dohyun’s hand.
 259

“I’ll try to hold on a little longer…”

The reason they had to say goodbye like a long-distance couple was actually one – the
person who had been staying at Dohyun's house these days. Although it wasn’t exactly a
stranger, it was someone from his family.

"It won’t be long, Jinah will give up soon."

That "other person" was Dohyun’s younger sister, Kim Jinah, a Beta who was four years
younger than him. She had always been very attached to her brother since childhood
and was currently staying with him after a fight with their parents. Dohyun mentioned
that this wasn’t the first time this had happened.

"Be careful on your way home. Let me know when you get there, okay?"

"Okay, you too."

Wooyeon tried to hide his sense of loss as he got out of the car. Before leaving the car, he
didn’t forget to kiss Dohyun once more. The pheromones mixed, but both stopped before
it became too intense.

Dohyun’s car didn’t leave until Wooyeon’s figure completely disappeared from sight.
Wooyeon swiped his card at the entrance, then stepped into the elevator with a sigh. His
right hand, by habit, touched the watch on his left wrist.

"I shouldn’t have rented a place…”

He decided to move out partly because he didn’t want to keep causing trouble and also
because he was embarrassed by Soo Hyang’s gaze. If he had known this would happen,
he probably would have just stayed at Dohyun’s house. That way, maybe Jinah wouldn’t
have stayed for so long.

As the floor numbers increased on the elevator screen, Wooyeon bit his lip. Even though
they had just been apart, he missed Dohyun already. It wasn’t just about seeing him less;
he didn’t have as many chances to be close to him like before. The last time they were
truly together was several weeks ago.

"That time was amazing."

Remembering it, his cheeks unknowingly turned red. It was just before the school year
started when Dohyun brought a cake to celebrate their 100-day anniversary. For
Wooyeon, the concept of celebrating anniversaries didn’t exist, so he didn’t prepare
anything and just welcomed Dohyun into his home.

"What’s this?"
 260

"It’s to celebrate our 100 days together."

"Are you counting the days?"

Wooyeon felt a little embarrassed asking, remembering how he had quietly counted the
days since Danny arrived in Korea and even said it out loud. He was going to say that he
didn’t want to remember anniversaries, but Dohyun gently spoke.

"Let’s go on a trip tomorrow."

The awkwardness immediately disappeared, replaced by excitement. Wooyeon’s face

turned pink, and Dohyun smiled brightly when he saw it.

"Do you want some cake?"

In the end, they didn’t go on a trip. While eating a strawberry-covered cake, they started
gazing at each other lovingly. Then, before they could enter the room, they were together
right there at the dining table until morning. By then, their bodies were covered in cream
and sweat, and Wooyeon had fallen asleep in Dohyun’s arms.

Though he was always the first to pass out, Wooyeon always felt fulfilled after every time
spent with Dohyun. His pheromones burned brightly like dry leaves in a fire, and
Dohyun’s dark eyes were full of passion. It was the only time Dohyun lost his usual calm
demeanor. The sense of satisfaction and pleasure that enveloped him was unforgettable.

"Seonsaeng, I miss you…"

He hadn’t realized that, throughout his life, he had lived without desires, and that he was
a rather healthy Omega. The dull ache in his lower abdomen from missing Dohyun made
everything flash before his eyes: his large hands, his strong body.

It was clear he was in a state of intense longing.

One day, two days, three days passed. Time crawled like a turtle. Every night he missed
Dohyun, and finally, Wooyeon had an embarrassing dream and even had to satisfy
himself. When he went to school with dark circles under his eyes, Garam immediately
asked what was wrong. When asked if something had happened with Kim Dohyun,
Wooyeon couldn’t hide the sadness on his face. He even thought that it would be better if
something actually happened.

"Is Dohyun not coming to school today?"

"Yeah, he doesn’t have any classes today."

"Usually, even if he doesn’t have class, he still comes to see Wooyeon."

 261

Wooyeon remembered the message Dohyun had sent him this morning:

Dohyun: [Sorry, I can’t pick you up today because I have to take care of my sister.]
07:32 am

It was fine that he couldn’t pick him up, but tomorrow Wooyeon didn’t have any classes
either. That meant he wouldn’t see Dohyun until Monday. Now, he was missing him like
crazy, and having to wait three more days was unbearable. The chopsticks in Wooyeon’s
hand pressed into the rice cake, breaking it into pieces.

Throughout the afternoon class, Wooyeon’s mind was filled with thoughts of Dohyun.
When he checked his phone, the message “I’m fine” sent in the morning had still not
been read. Wooyeon had written and erased “I miss you” many times. In the end, the
class ended, and he still hadn’t sent any message. When he realized it, he was already
sitting in Yoon’s driver’s car.

Sigh...

It had only been three days. Today was over, and from tomorrow, there would be exactly
three more days. There was a time when they hadn’t seen each other for four years and
still managed, so three days shouldn’t be a big deal.

However, when Wooyeon got home, he immediately threw himself onto the bed. The
longing for Dohyun was suffocating, driving him mad. He grabbed his white stuffed
desert fox and hugged it, but the longing didn’t ease.

[Hey, I miss you] 06:00 pm

Finally, Wooyeon picked up his phone and sent the message to Dohyun. To his surprise,
the message was marked as “read” immediately. Wooyeon sat up quickly, kneeling and
waiting. The stuffed fox was left forgotten on the bed, rolling around.

“...”

However, minutes passed, and no reply came. One minute, two minutes, then five
minutes. Ten minutes passed, and still nothing. Wooyeon blinked and sent another
message.

[Hey?] 06:11 pm

“...”

Dohyun disappeared. No reply, even though it was marked as “read.” Seeing the "read"
label clearly with no response, Wooyeon frustratedly placed the phone down on the bed.
 262

The next morning, when Wooyeon woke up early, he noticed a missed call from Dohyun
late the previous night. Wooyeon tapped on the missed call. After a few rings, Dohyun’s
familiar voice came through on the other end.

“…Hello?”

“Hyung!”

“Yeah, it’s me, Yeon-ah.”

Dohyun’s gentle, warm voice wrapped around Wooyeon’s ears. The characteristic
warmth and care in his tone. Wooyeon was lost in the feeling of joy, his furrowed brows
relaxing.

“Hyung... I went to bed early last night, so I couldn’t answer the phone…”

“Really?”

If only he had known that Dohyun called, Wooyeon would’ve stayed up all night waiting.
Actually, he had gone to bed early because he hadn’t heard from Dohyun. But now that
feeling was completely forgotten, replaced by an intense yearning just from hearing his
voice.

“I miss you…”

Wooyeon’s voice became naturally whiny. When he was with Dohyun, he easily showed
his vulnerability because he knew Dohyun wouldn’t dislike or find it annoying.

“…Yeah, I miss you too.”

Wooyeon believed that the reason Dohyun’s voice sounded deeper was because he also
missed him a lot. He was just too happy to realize that since the start of the call, Dohyun’s
voice had already softened with emotion. Focused on the sound of his breath, Wooyeon
hesitantly asked.

“Is your sister still at your place?”

“Mm…”

The answer wasn’t difficult, but it came slowly. Wooyeon felt a little nervous as he
waited. He heard a sigh, or maybe a small chuckle, and then Dohyun finally responded.

“I think she’s gone back home.”

“...”
 263

If she had gone home, why say “I think”? Wooyeon had thought they were still together,
but it seemed that his sister had left.

“What do you mean by that...?”

“Yeon-ah.”

“...”

Wooyeon took a deep breath. Dohyun’s voice on the phone was so seductive. His heart
raced, and his face flushed. It was unclear whether Dohyun knew this, but he whispered
in a way that was simply enchanting.

“Do you want to come over to my place now?”

_________________________________________________
 264

Side Story / Chapter 12

Wooyeon put on a thin sweater and walked straight to Dohyun. Although he briefly
thought, "Why didn't he come to pick me up today?", that thought quickly passed.
Dohyun wasn't his personal driver, after all, and couldn't always be there to pick him up
or drop him off.

After getting out of the taxi, Wooyeon entered the code for the door and went upstairs.
His impatience made the elevator feel like it was moving incredibly slowly. After
entering the wrong code twice, he finally managed to open Dohyun's door.

"...You?"

Contrary to his expectation that Dohyun would greet him at the door, the place was
completely quiet. The only sign that Dohyun was home was the stronger-than-usual
pheromone scent that indicated he was inside.

Wooyeon slowly entered, savoring the familiar scent of Dohyun.

"Hey."

Dohyun didn't turn around but was sitting on the couch in the living room. He still had a
towel wrapped around his head, probably just out of the shower, and the table was
cluttered with headbands used during the festival. The strange combination surprised
Wooyeon, and he walked closer with a puzzled expression.

"Hey."

Wooyeon called him again. This time, Dohyun, who had been sitting lazily, slowly turned
his head to look at him. He was always someone who maintained a straight posture, so
seeing him slouch like this was unusual. Wooyeon only realized something was off when
their eyes met.

"...Are you drunk?"

"Yeon-ah."

Dohyun's left eye, which had a slight fold, appeared droopy, and he blinked slowly with a
faint smile on his lips. His face was exactly like the time at the drinking party when he
had reached a certain level of drunkenness.

"Did you drink?"

"Yeah..."
 265

Dohyun didn't deny it but instead looked around the table awkwardly. He even muttered,
"I cleaned everything up, right?" as if trying to hide the fact that he had been drinking.
But how could anyone miss it? His slow reactions made it obvious.

"Why did you drink alone?"

Wooyeon mumbled, worried, and sat next to Dohyun. Only then did he notice that
Dohyun's hair was still damp, with droplets of water falling from it. Fearing he might
catch a cold, Wooyeon took a towel and started drying his hair. Dohyun's lips curled
slightly into a gentle smile.

"Why did you take out these headbands?"

"Jinah looked at them. She said she'd borrow them next time."

Ah... Wooyeon was about to answer indifferently, but his eyes flickered when he saw
Dohyun's expression change. Specifically, when the name "Jinah" was mentioned,
Dohyun's sharp eyes narrowed slightly.

"Did something happen with your sister?"

Wooyeon's question was answered immediately with just two words.

"We fought."

"...Why?"

It was common for siblings to argue, but it was odd that Dohyun had drunk afterward.
Though Wooyeon had no siblings, he knew from Seongyu that sometimes, after a fight
with his only brother, they would argue one day and then make up the next as if nothing
had happened.

"It just happened."

Dohyun avoided his gaze, not wanting to elaborate further. After that event, he had
stopped hiding anything, so Wooyeon didn't press him and fell silent. Later, when
Dohyun sobered up, he would likely talk about it without anyone needing to prod him.

"......"

A long silence passed. The stillness was so complete that even the sound of hair brushing
against the towel was clear. While Wooyeon focused on drying his hair, Dohyun smiled
contentedly, releasing a gentle pheromone that created a calming atmosphere.

"All done."
 266

"Yeah, thanks."

Not only Wooyeon but Dohyun too became more affectionate when drunk. This was
evident as he immediately nuzzled his head into Wooyeon's shoulder when the towel was
set aside. He intertwined his hand with Wooyeon's and gently asked:

"How did you get here?"

"I took a taxi."

"That's dangerous... Why didn't you ask Yoon to drive you?"

"It would have taken longer to wait for Uncle Yoon."

There was nothing dangerous about taking a regular taxi. Dohyun tended to be overly
protective of Wooyeon, and after several outings together, their encounters with the
press had only made this worse.

"Hey."

Wooyeon gently shifted his hand that was being held by Dohyun. The warmth and
pheromone from his hand stirred the palm of Wooyeon's hand, sending waves of
emotion throughout him.

"Are you... not in a good mood?"

"Yeah..."

Like before, Dohyun lifted his other hand, slightly curling his thumb and index finger.
Through the gap between his fingers, his slightly curved eyes peeked through.

"Just a little bit?"

"......"

"But it's better now."

Dohyun's kind face became even softer when he was drunk. His eyes were half-closed, as
if he wanted to sleep, and his lips parted slightly, revealing his perfect white teeth. It was
a smile not for anyone else, but one that was reserved for Wooyeon alone.

"Hey..."

Wooyeon spoke slowly, his fingers tracing Dohyun's hand. His face was angelic, but his
fingers were rough, with prominent joints—long and strong. Though they were
considered beautiful, Wooyeon found them to be more powerful and alluring than
merely beautiful.
 267

"Hey, I..."

Instead of urging, Dohyun just blinked at him. His black pupils were momentarily hidden
by his eyelids, only to reappear again, like a scene in a painting, making it impossible for
Wooyeon to look away. Wooyeon gently took his hand and placed it on his cheek.

"Can I make you feel better?"

It was an impulsive question, but Wooyeon didn’t regret asking. Because Dohyun was
looking at him with affectionate eyes and smiling, he asked back: "How would you do
that?"

Wooyeon immediately let go of his hand and slid off the couch to the floor.

"Don't sit there."

But Dohyun quickly slid his hand under Wooyeon's arm and gently lifted him. With a
somewhat serious expression, he shook his head. Wooyeon was pulled into his embrace,
and he softly protested:

"What do you mean by 'there'? This is your house..."

"Even if it's my house? There's no reason for you to kneel in my house."

Despite being drunk, his words were firm. Wooyeon turned his face away and wrapped
his arms around his neck. Dohyun's large hands gently stroked his back.

"Are you going to... use your mouth?"

"......"

For a moment, everything stopped. Normally, Dohyun would have noticed Wooyeon's
intentions long ago, but this time, he seemed genuinely confused. Wooyeon buried his
face in his neck and whispered:

"If I don’t sit on the floor, what should I do?"

That is a very simple thought. Because Dohyun's mood was not good, and because it
made Wooyeon's heart restless. The boldness rising within him turned that thought into
action without needing too many reasons.

"......Really."

Dohyun let out a sigh, his voice gradually fading. It seems that the alcohol has slowed
down his thinking.

"This thing... Who did you learn it from?”

 268

Learn from whom? Until now, Wooyeon's "seonsaeng" has been the only one.

"I will do it for you."

Wooyeon whispered in a voice as light as a breath. Although he had boldly slid down
from the sofa earlier, now he felt embarrassed. Perhaps thinking that Dohyun might not
be in the mood, he cautiously asked further:

"Do you... not like it?"

"……."

"I'm not sure if it's just a feeling, but the pheromones are gently spreading, then suddenly
tightening. Compared to earlier, the amount of pheromones has decreased, clearly
Dohyun is deliberately holding himself back.

He stayed silent for a moment, then gently pulled Wooyeon out of his embrace.

"Yeon-ah, you can't do it."

"...Why not?"

"Why, huh..."

He slowly looked at Wooyeon, his gaze so direct that it made Wooyeon's cheeks flush.
Dohyun tilted his head slightly, his gaze lingering on Wooyeon's full red lips.

"With this tiny mouth... what do you plan to do?"

"..."

His words were not playful at all, especially when he gently touched the corner of
Wooyeon's lips and added, "It might tear." This only made his words sound even more
serious. Wooyeon innocently rolled his eyes, then lowered his lashes, his face full of
sorrow.

"...So, you don't like it?"

"......"

When he's drunk, Dohyun becomes 120% more honest than usual. His wavering gaze,
which couldn't hide anything, was clear proof. Unable to say a word, whether "don't like"
or "like," he silently reached out for something on the table.

"It's just... what was it..."

 269

He picked up a bunny ear headband from the many on the table. Then, he placed it on
Wooyeon's head, who was still dazed, and smiled contentedly. His hands gently adjusted
Wooyeon's hair, every movement so careful that others could feel his tenderness.

"Wow, so cute..."

His deep, hoarse laugh rang out, causing Wooyeon to lower his head, his face turning
bright red. He had just boldly said, "I'll do it with my mouth," yet with just a headband,
he felt so embarrassed. Even though he knew Dohyun was intentionally steering the
conversation away, Wooyeon couldn't help but recall the time he had worn this
headband in the clubroom before. Those memories suddenly flooded back, making his
heart race.

"Look at me."

Clearly, he was drunk. Just by hearing him refer to himself as "seonsaeng," a title he
never used when sober, it was obvious. But as always, Wooyeon obediently responded to
Dohyun's words. He lifted his head, their gazes met, and right after that, Dohyun gently
pressed his lips to Wooyeon's.

"Mm..."

It was a simple kiss, just lips touching lips. There was no tongue slipping in, nor was it a
deep, wet kiss. He merely gently nibbled on Wooyeon's lower lip, biting lightly with his
front teeth, slowly, as if tasting it softly.

Wooyeon wrapped his arms around Dohyun's neck, his toes twitching slightly. Although
Dohyun must have drunk quite a bit, Wooyeon couldn't smell any alcohol. Instead, there
was only the faint scent of shampoo and the distinctive dry pheromone smell of Dohyun.
His soft lips slowly heightened Wooyeon's feelings, bit by bit.

‘I like it so much...’

A burning desire rose in his lower belly. The pheromones from Wooyeon, which had
loosened earlier, now filled the air, enveloping Dohyun. He gently caressed the back of
Wooyeon's neck, then slowly pulled away from the kiss. Wooyeon's dazed eyes seemed to
melt, looking at Dohyun blankly, completely swept away by the atmosphere.

"Who's the one that's drunk now, huh?"

His teasing voice echoed, but there was something unusually different about it in the
current atmosphere. His long fingers, like snakes, curled around Wooyeon's ear in a
persistent manner. He gently pinched Wooyeon's earlobe between his fingers, caressing
it, then whispered while pressing his forehead to Wooyeon's.

"Can you do it?"

 270

"...Yes."

Wooyeon exhaled with quick breaths and nodded slightly. The emotions in his heart beat
loudly, unsure whether it was from anticipation or fear. As he slowly sat down, Dohyun
didn't stop him this time.

"......"
"......"

Wooyeon knelt in front of the sofa, gently spreading Dohyun's legs apart. Thanks to the
soft rug beneath him, his knees didn’t feel uncomfortable. Before starting, he placed his
hand on Dohyun's right thigh, slowly caressing it. But gradually, the sensation under his
hand was no longer his thigh—it was something else.

"...Yeon-ah."

Dohyun's voice called out, his deep tone softly resonating in the quiet space.

Dohyun trembled slightly, his fingers shaking. He gently stroked Wooyeon's hair with
slow gestures, then let out a low chuckle. The sound of laughter, which didn't fit the
situation, made Wooyeon look up, and immediately his gaze met Dohyun's pupils, filled
with dark, overwhelming desire.

"Do you know what you're wearing on your head?"

"...!"

Wooyeon suddenly realized the situation, and his hands immediately froze. The bunny
ears Dohyun had placed on his head were still there. Wooyeon's face turned bright red,
like a ripe tomato, and he quickly reached up to remove it. But before he could do so,
Dohyun held his hand firmly, stopping him from doing so.

"Why? Just leave it on and keep going."

_________________________________________________
 271

Side Story / Chapter 13

It is clear that he is teasing him. The act of pulling his tightly held wrist towards the
middle of his legs is the same. However, if he were to refuse and push it away, he might
be stopped, preventing any further actions.

"If you can't do it, then tell me now."

The large hand slowly slides past his ear. After touching the edge of his ear, it moves over
the earlobe, then grabs the slender chin with one hand. He presses his thumb gently
against the lower lip and lowers his head, giving a warning.

"Right now, I have been drinking... so I won't be able to stop in the middle. Do you
understand?"

"……."

Clearly, these words are meant to intimidate. However, they have caused Wooyeon to
lose some of his confidence, his hands trembling slightly. Though his clothes aren't fully
off, the exposed contours look large, aggressive, and intimidating.

'...It should be fine, it can still fit below.'

However, people who don't know much often find it easier to gather courage. In
Wooyeon's mind, whether it is above or below, the act of "inserting" seems just as
difficult. Even though he had let Dohyun "enter" places tighter than his mouth multiple
times, he couldn't recall ever being torn or anything happening.

Wooyeon swallowed hard, then reached down to his waistband. Dohyun's gaze remained
fixed on him, not missing any movement. After a few attempts, Wooyeon pulled both his
pants and underwear down at the same time, causing his member to spring out
forcefully, twitching menacingly.

"……."

Even though he had touched it, even let it "in," the strange feeling still unexpectedly
arose. Too big, too long, and too large, making it really difficult to fit it all in the mouth.
He carefully tried to grasp the body with his hand, and immediately felt the scorching
temperature as if it would burn his hand.

"......Ugh."

Simply stroking up and down, but Dohyun let out a soft moan, a low sound vibrating
from his throat. Encouraged by that reaction, Wooyeon placed his lips on the shaft that
he was holding with both hands. When he extended his tongue, licking over the sensitive
spots, Dohyun's fingers tightened more on his hair.
 272

"Phuh..."

Dohyun's gaze gradually sank into a deep, enchanting black. He slowly blinked, then
gently stroked Wooyeon's eyebrows. You thought he would say, "If it's too hard, then just
forget it," but surprisingly, Dohyun not only stayed silent but also spoke up to help you.

"Just hold the tip."

Dohyun's voice was deep and calm, just like that time when he taught Wooyeon how to
smoke. His gaze meticulously observed him from head to toe, as if wanting to capture
every small movement. A faint scent of pheromone brushed past the tip of Wooyeon's
nose, while the part in front of him seemed to swell even more.

Wooyeon felt the wave of pheromones rising in the air, and he couldn't help but part his
lips and take the tip.

"Mm..."

The smooth, slick tip filled Wooyeon's mouth cavity tightly. Just a little bit in his mouth
and he already felt difficulty. "Really... too big..." He was lost in thought when a deep
voice broke the silence.

"Don't let your teeth touch..."

"……."

"Use your tongue."

Wooyeon obediently followed like a well-behaved child. He opened his mouth wider to
avoid scraping with his teeth, while gently licking around the tip with his tongue. In
response to that effort, Dohyun's large hand gently stroked the back of Wooyeon's head
as a compliment.

"Lower your chin a bit more..."

"……."

"Even the hands, you have to use your hands."

Wooyeon felt really clumsy. Saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth, and he had no
skills whatsoever. "I wonder how the seonsaeng did this." Even though you've tried to
hold on tightly, with the current method, your jaw might give way before Dohyun
reaches his climax.

"I've only been able to hold half of it."

 273

Dohyun seemed to find Wooyeon really adorable. His gentle hands softly wiped away the
tears welling up at the corners of your eyes. Wooyeon felt a bit unjustifiably aggrieved,
but still continued to take his hard object into his mouth, while swallowing a mouthful of
saliva that was rising in his throat.

"……."

The hand gripping the back of his head tightened, creating a gentle yet firm pressure,
keeping Wooyeon in place. Then, with slow movements, he pushed the organ deeper into
his mouth, doing it while softly murmuring something unclear.

"I told you it can't be stopped..."

As soon as those words ended, Dohyun began to move his hips. Wooyeon slightly
trembled his eyelashes, looked up, and his gaze met his pitch-black pupils. Just as the
tears were rolling down his cheeks, the other part suddenly penetrated deep into his
throat.

"Cough…!"

The depth this time was completely different from when Wooyeon was in control. The
thick and long shaft pressed down to the root of the tongue, causing the throat to open
without a moment to catch a breath. Wooyeon squirmed, trying to break free, but
Dohyun didn't let go. Instead, a strong pheromone wafted out, enveloping the entire
space.

"It's okay, just breathe."

Breathe? In this condition, how can I breathe?

"Um..."

"Very good..."

Although he pushed in without mercy, Dohyun's hands were incredibly gentle. He gently
rubbed the back of Wooyeon's neck and head, easing the pressure on his hands. At the
same time, that part of the body was pulled out a little, making it easier for Wooyeon to
breathe compared to before.

However, before long, he slowly pushed deeper, gently brushing against the roof of the
mouth.

"……!"

This time, it wasn't an unexpected intrusion like before. Dohyun moved very slowly,
enough for Wooyeon to adapt, even to the point where it made him feel suffocated by the
 274

slowness. When that sensual thing slowly filled his mouth, Wooyeon trembled his
shoulders uncontrollably.

"Let your tongue down..."

The feeling of the throat being wide open is not pleasant. Although breathing became
difficult, it seemed that Wooyeon had gotten used to it to the point where he no longer
felt nauseous. When he let out a small groan, a gentle command echoed.

"Suck it."

"……."

By reflex, his throat constricted. In that cramped space, when the tongue was pressed
down, Dohyun gently patted his head as a compliment. His other hand caressed the
rabbit ear standing upright on Wooyeon's head, while his hips moved slowly.

"Ugh... no..."

If this is a torture, then it is indeed a brutal kind of torture. Wooyeon couldn't breathe
easily, tears streamed down endlessly. However, without realizing when, his body began
to move in response, his hips gently lifting. Although this action was very uncomfortable,
every time he touched the sensitive membrane inside the mouth, the feeling of pleasure
surged again.

Every gesture of Dohyun was gentle as if Wooyeon could shatter at any moment,
caressing him with caution. Since the last time he pushed deep into the throat, he no
longer acted violently. However, his voice, when he asked the question in a low tone, was
full of threat:

"Can I shoot into your mouth?"

"……."

After a moment of hesitation, Wooyeon closed his eyes and began to suck hard. He
followed the instructions, opening his throat to take it deeper and tightening. When you
carefully pursed your lips to avoid your teeth touching, the corner of Dohyun's eye
twitched slightly.

"……."

Immediately after, the stream of semen overflowed. Half of it flowed down the throat,
the other half remained in the mouth. Wooyeon flinched, his shoulders trembling
slightly, but Dohyun didn't pull out until he was completely finished.

“…Cough cough!”
 275

Finally, Wooyeon choked and hurriedly turned his head to the side. Saliva stretched into
a long strand from the part that had just left his mouth. Dohyun, like a well-fed lion,
licked his lips in satisfaction while gently touching the wet tip of his tongue to Wooyeon's
flushed cheeks.

"U...u..."

The liquid dripping down the chin was unclear whether it was saliva or semen. The eyes
were red and swollen from incessant crying. The part of the body that just touched
Wooyeon's cheek left a wet mark, and he held his throat, still feeling a strange dry cough
for a few moments.

Dohyun gently reached out his hand towards Wooyeon. He wiped away the tears from
the corners of your eyes and cheeks, then held your chin, forcing you to look up. Then, he
placed a kiss on Wooyeon's wet eyes, while sliding his right leg between his legs. His
shoulders slightly tensed and trembled at his action.

"Here..."

“…Sniff.”

"Why is it getting so hard?"

The lower part, which was erect, was pressed down under the sole of Dohyun's foot.
Without even realizing it, it had grown on its own. Wooyeon shook his head repeatedly,
but Dohyun didn't ignore him; instead, he gently rubbed his foot against its shape.

"Don't... sniff, don't do that..."

Wooyeon hurriedly grabbed Dohyun's leg, his trembling hands holding it tightly. When
he bowed his head and pressed his forehead against his knee with a pleading expression,
Dohyun finally stopped his movements. While Wooyeon was panting, Dohyun gently
reached out his hand towards him.

"Come here, Yeon-ah."

Dohyun picked Wooyeon up and headed towards the bedroom. Even though it was
Dohyun who had reached climax, Wooyeon's legs were weak and unable to stand. It
seems that he didn't feel uncomfortable with the cloudy, sticky substance on his body. On
the way, he even placed a few kisses on Wooyeon's drenched face.

Dohyun gently laid Wooyeon down on the bed, then crossed his arms and pulled the
t-shirt over his head, revealing his muscular physique. Under the messy hair was a
straight neck and broad shoulders. Wooyeon unconsciously opened his mouth, his gaze
sweeping over his toned body.
 276

"……."

Even though I have seen this body many times, each time it brings a different feeling.
The broad, firm shoulders and the well-defined abs were so striking that one couldn't
help but exclaim in amazement. Even though Wooyeon also trained hard in the U.S., he
never achieved a physique like that. Dohyun's body seems to have been born perfect,
without a single excess.

"You can touch."

Dohyun took Wooyeon's hand and placed it on his upper body. Through the palm of his
hand, he felt the firm, toned chest. When Wooyeon slightly flexed his arm, the smooth
and firm skin seemed to cling tightly to his fingers.

"Everything belongs to you."

His deep, enchanting voice seemed to cast a spell. Wooyeon's face turned bright red as if
it were about to explode, and he slowly moved his hand. From the chest through the
clearly defined abs, to the hip bones peeking out at the edge of the pants, all of it
captivated him. The sound of Wooyeon's gulping was so clear that he felt embarrassed
himself.

"Hyung, really..."

"Like it so much..."

But Wooyeon couldn't finish the sentence. His heart was beating so fast that his throat
felt choked. When he realized that both of his hands were unconsciously caressing
Dohyun's body, he felt embarrassed, but Dohyun just smiled, unable to hide the delight in
his eyes. At the same time, he didn't forget to pull down Wooyeon's lower part.

"Ugh..."

Dohyun's sturdy fingers ventured inside, probing with patience and certainty. Wooyeon's
sweater had been pulled up, exposing his chest and upper body. While using his fingers
to slowly widen the tight little mouth below, Dohyun leaned down, his lips brushing
lightly over Wooyeon's upper body.

"Mm... hmm..."

Perhaps because it had been a long time since he was close to Dohyun, just one finger
entering was enough for Wooyeon to feel like he was about to reach his limit. He forgot
that he was still wearing the bunny ear headband, his head gently rubbing against the
pillow, causing the bunny ear in his messy hair to bend oddly.

"I didn't expect you to have this kind of hobby..."

 277

Dohyun whispered, his voice so soft it almost melted into the air, then added more
fingers. Thanks to the influence of the pheromone, the internal expansion was no longer
too difficult. If it were normal, he would carefully take a little more time, but even
Dohyun couldn't keep his patience at this moment.

"Yeon-ah... do you want to try being on top?"

"Huh, on top...?"

Wooyeon's dreamy eyes turned towards Dohyun. He took a condom from the bedside
table and placed it in Wooyeon's hand. Then he supported him to change positions,
making Wooyeon sit on him helplessly. Wooyeon placed both hands on Dohyun's chest to
maintain balance.

"Do you know how to wear a condom?"

"I know how to... but I..."

Until now, Wooyeon had only seen others use condoms, never done it himself. When he
peeled off the plastic wrapper that made a rustling sound, the rolled-up rubber inside
was revealed. Wooyeon looked at the condom vaguely, then quickly became bold and
pulled down Dohyun's pants.

"Hold it at the tip, then put it on from the top down."

Even though he had just ejaculated, Dohyun's member remained intensely erect.
Wooyeon recalled what Dohyun had done before, then began putting on the condom
from the tip. His hand slowly glided down along the length, and Dohyun half-sat up,
adjusting Wooyeon's hair.

That action made Wooyeon realize the existence of the bunny ears. Dohyun gently took it
off, adjusted it, and placed it back on his head again, as if wanting it to become an
indispensable part of this moment.

“…Do I have to wear this the whole time?”

Really, it feels so perverted…

_________________________________________________
 278

Side Story / Chapter 14

Even though Wooyeon's nape was flushed red, his voice couldn't shake Dohyun. On the
contrary, he even slipped his hand under Wooyeon's sweater, touching his bare skin.
Wooyeon instinctively shrank his shoulders, his legs trembling slightly.

"Today, I will be the pervert."

What he meant was, he should just keep wearing those bunny ears. Wooyeon didn't
object, just squinted tightly and let out a small moan. That's because Dohyun not only
lightly pinched the erect nipple but also used his other hand to tightly squeeze his butt.

"Loosen up..."

In the end, Wooyeon was still not allowed to take off the bunny ear headband. More
precisely, the anticipation of what was about to happen had clouded his rational
thinking. Anyway, he didn't see it, and now there are more important things to worry
about, so there's no time to waste arguing over something trivial like that.

"Everything about our Yeon-ah is small, isn't it?"

Dohyun's large hand gently squeezed the soft flesh of his skin. That remark made
Wooyeon widen his eyes and glare at him, but his gaze clearly held no threat. Dohyun
seemed unconcerned, sliding his middle finger along the crack of the buttocks, inserting
his finger into the wet entrance.

"We will put it in here. Can you do it?"

"Hic..."

The middle finger twirled, as if indicating a position. The entrance, already soft and
moist, gently constricted, swallowing the finger. Wooyeon trembled, his thighs slightly
lifting as if trying to escape the intrusion of Dohyun's finger.

"Haa... no..."

Without any penetration, Wooyeon's glans had already oozed out a clear fluid. Dohyun
held his member with one hand, while the other hand firmly grasped Wooyeon's waist,
slowly placing the tip at the entrance. Wooyeon held his breath, slowly lowering himself
bit by bit.

"Haa... uh..."

His shoulders slightly hunched, his hands bracing his trembling body, and his stomach
sucked in deeply as if to relieve the pressure. Dohyun tried to push in little by little, but
despite trying many times, the cramped entrance still pushed his head out.
 279

"Hic... huh..."

Dohyun didn't rush to urge, just quietly observed Wooyeon trying his best on his own.
Wooyeon's entire body was flushed, and breathless gasps escaped from his slightly
parted lips. On the dark hair, the pure white rabbit ears still stood out, and the loose
sweater revealed the collarbones prominently.

"Ah... can't get in... sniff..."

Wooyeon's deep voice, tinged with a slight tremor, resonated as if soaked in water. The
entrance just took the tip once more, stretching to its maximum, then gently retracting.
The small lips trembled, and he gently shook his head as if wanting to give up.

"I can't do it..."

This task was already difficult enough even when Dohyun did it himself. But now he has
to force it in himself, the pressure and fear make it almost unbearable for Wooyeon. He
felt like if he forced it in, it could cause serious damage down there.

"I can't get it in, hyung... sniff..."

"Why can't you go in, huh?"

Dohyun gently comforted Wooyeon, lightly rubbing the area near his coccyx. He
whispered, "You can do it," while firmly holding his hips and gently pressing down.
Under that pressure, Wooyeon tilted his head back, gasping for breath, his whole body
trembling.

"Haa..."

The entrance was struggling to stretch out, finally managing to engulf the head. If they
could get past this biggest part, everything would probably become easier, but Wooyeon's
body had stiffened like a rock, making everything more difficult.

With no other choice, Dohyun gently caressed the inner thigh of Wooyeon with his palm,
while slowly and gently grasping his penis.

"…!"

Wooyeon's entire body suddenly lost all its strength. When the weight pressed down, the
part of the body that was just at the entrance finally penetrated through, pushing deep
inside. The feeling of being pierced in an instant made Wooyeon widen his eyes, his
breath choking.

“…A… a… it hurts so much… hic…”

 280

After a short while, the new tears that fell created more streaks on his already
tear-streaked face. His round eyes squinted in pain, while tears streamed down
endlessly. With his trembling body, Wooyeon threw herself into Dohyun's arms, seeking
comfort.

"Hic... it hurts so much... it hurts so much, hyung..."

Not exactly real pain, but the feeling of the body being pierced is too unfamiliar. It had
been a long time since he had done this, and the unfamiliar position made the piercing
sensation below only bring fear. Perhaps Dohyun also realized that, so he held Wooyeon
tightly, his gentle voice reassuring him.

"It's okay, be good now..."

"Hic... hic..."

It feels like going back to the first day the two of them made love. Although they had
been entwined with each other non-stop before, a few weeks of interruption had brought
everything back to square one. The feeling of being filled inside the stomach is really
heavy, but strangely, the body's sensitivity has increased significantly.

"I won't move until you feel better."

Dohyun wiped Wooyeon's drenched face, then placed a kiss on both of his eyelids.
Smooch. The lips parted, this time moving towards Wooyeon's lips, which were softly
moaning. Two tongues intertwined, gradually soothing the pain and loneliness that had
overwhelmed them.

"Huh..."

Wooyeon lay on top of Dohyun, breathing heavily to regain composure. Below him, he
was still penetrated, and his throat felt strange. However, touching Dohyun made him
feel incredibly comfortable, and he nuzzled against him like a child seeking affection.

"Is it okay now?"

"Hic... not at all..."

"From the voice, it seems fine."

Every time Dohyun laughed, the inner part of him gently vibrated, creating a slight
sensation. Currently, the pain is gone, and the lingering discomfort is gradually turning
into pleasure. Inside you, the muscle walls gently twitch, waiting for the familiar
stimulation to which you have gradually become dependent.

"Now move on your own, Yeon-ah."

 281

"...Me?"

"You can do it yourself, right?"

The words hit like a bolt of lightning. Even putting it in, you couldn't do it yourself, so
how can you expect to move it on your own now? Seeing Wooyeon's face pale with
worry, Dohyun smiled gently to reassure him.

"If I do it, what if you get hurt?"

Although it was clearly a deception, Dohyun's face when he spoke was incredibly gentle.
That gentle smile, like the morning sun, made Wooyeon unable to not trust him
unconditionally.

That's right. So far, everything he has told me to do has never been wrong, so this time I
just need to follow his instructions.

"……."

With a determined expression, Wooyeon slowly lifted himself up. When he adjusted his
posture and lifted his hips, Dohyun's slightly narrowed gaze caught his attention.
Wooyeon pulled his body out halfway, then suddenly squatted down, bringing it all back
to its original position.

"…Damn…"

A numbing sensation of pleasure ran down Wooyeon's spine. Just with one powerful lift
and drop, the stimulation spread to the point where his toes curled. Chasing that feeling,
Wooyeon lifted his hips again and let his entire body weight drop down.

"Haa... uh...!"

This time, the feeling was completely different from when Dohyun was the one taking
the initiative. There was a bit of emptiness, but being able to control and prepare for the
next waves of pleasure brought a refreshing experience. No longer caught in a
suffocating whirlwind of pleasure, he gradually approached the peak slowly and with
great ecstasy.

"Hic... huh... mm..."

Wooyeon forgot that Dohyun was watching, focusing solely on instinct as he moved his
hips. He gently lifted up, then pushed deep down, sometimes pressing against the spots
that made him feel the most stimulated. However, there was still a slight feeling of
emptiness, so Wooyeon took his trembling penis in his hand and moved it up and down
himself.
 282

"Ugh... it feels so good... sniff..."

"……."

The scent of pheromones in the air blended together sweetly. Even though he was
moving clumsily, he felt like he could reach climax at any moment. When Wooyeon
lowered his hips and moved back and forth, the feeling of the deep inside being crushed
became incredibly pleasurable.

"Uh... huh..."

What Wooyeon is doing seems more like self-satisfaction than intimacy. Perhaps Dohyun
thought the same, so he let out a light laugh and grabbed his wrist. Moving with great
enthusiasm, Wooyeon suddenly stopped, looked up with a face full of grievance.

"Yeon-ah."

Before long, both of Wooyeon's wrists were tightly held by Dohyun. His hand was big
enough to grip both of Wooyeon's wrists with just one hand, while the other hand firmly
squeezed Wooyeon's waist. His strength was enough to leave a distinct red mark on your
skin.

"I told you to move on your own, not to use me like a toy."

"…Ugh, I didn't… I didn't do that… Please let me go…"

"Let you go so you can do it all by yourself?"

"……."

Just a little more and Wooyeon could reach the climax, but the regret left him speechless.
However, Wooyeon still couldn't give up that feeling, he gently lifted his hips, but was
immediately held tightly by Dohyun's arms around his waist.

And then, he thrust deeply into the most sensitive spot inside you.

"…!"

Wooyeon's pale-colored semen sprayed out. The liquid sprayed and splattered onto
Wooyeon's sweater and also on Dohyun's chest. The intense feeling of pleasure numbed
his entire brain, causing Wooyeon to let out a soft moan through his slightly parted lips.

"Haa... hic..."

"Look, you finished by yourself again."

 283

Although it's not uncommon for Wooyeon to reach climax on his own, Dohyun still
deliberately teases him about it. He gently lifted Wooyeon's body, quickly removing the
sweater stained with his semen.

"We have to do it together, right?"

The sweater fell to the floor along with the bunny ear headband. Instead of putting the
headband back, Dohyun gently touched Wooyeon's fair skin with the tip of his finger. He
glided over the chest, leaving no trace, then gently pinched the small, perky nipples,
continuing down the sternum, navel, and finally touching the softening member.

"Hic, don't... touch that..."

But the part that had just been released not long ago began to harden again. Dohyun
gently massaged Wooyeon's body while caressing the inner thighs that were spreading
apart with his palm. Then, without any warning, he thrust deep inside him.

“…A…ugh!”

Wooyeon's body collapsed, completely losing all strength. His bare skin, without a single
piece of cloth, pressed tightly against Dohyun's upper body. With arms wrapped tightly as
if wanting to crush him, Dohyun began to move his hips, releasing the pent-up tension
from before.

"Aa, hic!" Wait… you… too fast… hic…!”

Thud, thud. The sound of flesh colliding echoed provocatively. Wooyeon, who had
previously been comfortably enjoying himself alone, was now overwhelmed by
unexpected stimuli, unable to keep up with the pace. He couldn't keep his balance, his
frail body shaking with each thrust from Dohyun.

Seeing that, Dohyun supported Wooyeon's back, gently lifting him up to relieve the
pressure.

"Haa... um!"

“…Haa…”

The thick shaft slid inside smoothly. Wooyeon's already sensitive inner walls tightly
embraced from top to bottom. Dohyun leaned down and placed his lips on Wooyeon's
pale neck, while using the strength from his arms to lift him up and then let him down
again.

"A... a...!"
 284

It's rare for Dohyun not to leave a trace. In the past, even in summer, he always chose
places where no one could see to leave his mark. But now, when the weather has become
cooler, he no longer hesitates. From the neck to the collarbone, Dohyun bit lightly as if
wanting to mark, while rubbing his sweat-drenched forehead against Wooyeon's
shoulder.

"Hic... just... just a bit... no..."

Wooyeon lightly scratched the area with the long letter tattoo on Dohyun's body with his
nails. That is a spot that he would accidentally touch every time he held hands. In the
past, he had left a few small scratches there, and although Wooyeon often kept his nails
short, this became useless in moments of uncontrollable pleasure.

"A... uh... uh..."

It seems that Dohyun is also enduring the torment of the weeks apart. It is evident in the
way he pushes Wooyeon to the limit, as if it were never enough even after going deep.
Then he leaned down and kissed him hurriedly, while thrusting deeply to the hilt, and
continued to move without stopping.

"……."

"A…!"

The moment both reached their climax almost coincided. Just as Dohyun let out a low
moan, Wooyeon also reached his second climax. Thin semen was released, soaking into
the firm abs of both as he rubbed against him.

"Haa..."

Dohyun gently held Wooyeon's chin and placed a tender kiss on his lips. He playfully
sucked on the small tongue and even lovingly bit it. Both of them immersed themselves
in the afterglow of that moment, savoring every intimate second.

After a few more playful teasing moments, Dohyun withdrew the hard object from
Wooyeon and gently placed him back on the bed.

"Yeon-ah, lift your hips up."

"Ah... ugh...!"

After Dohyun put on a new condom, he started the second round as promised. Wooyeon
didn't push him away; instead, she tightly hugged his strong shoulders, clinging on as if
to keep herself from being swept away.

"Hic... huh... aa..."

 285

At that moment, Wooyeon had almost forgotten about Dohyun's argument with his sister.
He no longer remembered that this started just to soothe his mood, or that he, usually a
calm person, had drunk to the point of disorder.

Wooyeon only thought about it again late the next afternoon.

_________________________________________________
 286

Side Story / Chapter 15

Ding-dong—

He had slept for a long time. Perhaps it was because he had used up all his strength the
day before, or because he had been immersed in Dohyun’s pheromones, but when he
opened his eyes, the sun was already high in the sky.

Ding-dong—

"Ugh..."

Wooyeon groaned as he turned over in bed. Dohyun, who was using his arm as a pillow,
gently patted his back. Normally, Wooyeon would have been up early, but it seemed that
yesterday had been very exhausting.

Ding-dong—

"Someone’s at the door."

“It’s fine, there’s no one there.”

Dohyun answered tiredly, burying his face in the pillow next to him. The warmth of the
morning sunlight filled the room, making sleepiness take over. As his eyelids grew heavy
and he began to close his eyes, the doorbell rang again.

Ding-dong—

"..."

Unable to avoid it, Dohyun sighed and got up. The thick blanket slid off, revealing his
bare upper body. He kissed Wooyeon’s forehead, who still couldn’t open his eyes, and
picked up some clothes from the floor to put on.

Ding-dong—

"Who the hell is that…"

The sound of the door closing echoed. Wooyeon gently opened his eyes and looked
toward the door Dohyun had just walked out of. Soon after, the doorbell rang again,
followed by the sound of the electronic lock opening.

"…"

Should I go outside? That thought crossed his mind briefly. The intense muscle pain
made it hard for Wooyeon to get up, even out of curiosity. He hugged the pillow still
 287

holding Dohyun’s pheromones and buried himself in the sleepiness that was flooding
over him.

"Ah, that... yeah."

"Here?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…!"

The events that followed yesterday were much more comfortable than the first time.
Though Wooyeon still felt a bit of anger inside, he bit Dohyun’s neck, and he let Wooyeon
do it. After waiting for the clear marks to appear, everything quickly escalated, pushing
them to their limits.

By the time everything had ended, it was already past noon. Both Dohyun’s drunkenness
and Wooyeon’s sadness about not seeing him for so long had vanished. They ate a light
meal and continued meeting each other's needs whenever their eyes met.

The day passed by like this, so it was no surprise that Wooyeon couldn’t get out of bed.
Every time he turned over, a groan escaped his lips, and the thought of the next two days
being full of endless pain was certain. Usually, he wouldn't hurt this much, but maybe
because it had been a while, it was harder than usual.

“…”

But what about him... why hasn’t he come back?

Wooyeon was awakened, thinking he’d fall back asleep immediately, but there was no
one around, which made him feel empty. No matter how much he inhaled Dohyun’s
pheromones from the pillow, the emptiness couldn’t be filled.

Finally, Wooyeon decided to drag his tired body in search of Dohyun. He wanted to see
who had arrived and, once they were done, return to bed to sleep with him. Even though
it was already noon, it was still a day off, so he thought he could afford to be a bit lazy.

“It’s really not a good idea to search for a private home.”

They say you don’t realize the value of something until you’ve lost it. He had grown so
accustomed to the warmth that it was hard to break free from it. In fact, even if he could
leave, he didn’t really want to.

“…So…”

“Hyung…”
 288

As he threw on a random shirt and stepped outside, a whispering voice rang out. He had
thought it was just someone selling something, but it turned out to be someone important
enough to be invited inside. Wooyeon pulled up the shirt that wasn’t his and moved
toward the voice.

“It’s not like that.”

In the living room, the figures of two people were clearly visible in the house. The voice
sounded somewhat awkward, causing Wooyeon to blink in curiosity. Who could make
someone as calm as Dohyun so embarrassed?

“This isn’t the first time you’ve done this.”

“…Older brother?”

Wooyeon stopped in his tracks when he heard the word “older brother.” He immediately
realized who the other person was. Should he leave? As Wooyeon was still hesitating, the
person in front of Dohyun suddenly looked at him.

“……”

The girl’s eyes, without eyelids, widened and round. The corners of her eyes drooped,
resembling water droplets, and there was something about her that resembled Dohyun.
Not in appearance, but in her atmosphere and expression. If Dohyun didn’t have two
younger siblings, this girl must be “Jinah.”

“What’s going on... you have guests, but why aren’t you saying anything?”

Dohyun jerked his head around. Wooyeon didn’t have time to hide from his gaze and
could only frown awkwardly. It seemed like it was too late for him to quietly leave now.

“Ah... you’re awake?”

A slightly flustered look appeared on Dohyun’s well-groomed face. He glanced back and
forth between Wooyeon and Jinah, then blinked awkwardly. In the silence filled with
discomfort, Wooyeon finally spoke, breaking the atmosphere.

“I heard someone at the door, so I came out to see…”

Wooyeon’s voice wasn’t his usual one. After a day of crying and groaning, it was
understandable that his voice had become hoarse. Moreover, the sensation of being filled
up to his throat wasn’t comfortable, but he had completely forgotten about that.

“…You two go ahead and talk. I’ll go back inside.”

 289

Wooyeon politely bowed and began to retreat, planning to return to his room. Since
Dohyun had been drinking after an argument with his sister, he didn’t want to interrupt
their conversation.

But a low voice stopped him.

“No need to go inside.”

Jinah adjusted the strap of her purse and discreetly glanced at Wooyeon. Her gaze slid
from his messy hair to his oversized T-shirt, making him feel incredibly pressured.
Wooyeon raised his hand to cover the flushed part of his neck, awkwardly avoiding her
gaze.

“I just came to grab something I forgot, I’ll leave right after.”

Jinah spoke in a neutral tone, then strode inside. Wooyeon was briefly worried that she
might head to the bedroom, but when he saw her head toward the guest room, he sighed
in relief. That was the room Danny had stayed in before.

“Sorry, I guess you woke up because of me.”

Wooyeon didn’t know when Dohyun had approached, but he was fixing Wooyeon’s
messy hair. As he adjusted Wooyeon’s clothes, his hand accidentally brushed over the
marks on Wooyeon’s neck, where he had left his mark. However, he seemed unaware
that his own collarbone was also covered in hickeys.

“It’s fine, it’s not really because of you…”

Wooyeon glanced toward the room where Jinah had gone, his voice hesitant as he
extended his reply. This was his first time meeting his lover's family, so he wasn’t sure
how to behave, especially since the atmosphere between them wasn’t exactly
comfortable.

“You said you had an argument with your sister, right? Shouldn’t you make up?”

“……”

Normally, Dohyun would have answered “It’s nothing,” but this time, he only turned his
head and sighed. Seeing the concern on his face, Wooyeon suddenly had a bad feeling
and asked, a bit nervously.

“…It wasn’t because of me, was it?”

“No.”
 290

He answered immediately, but Wooyeon still couldn’t fully believe him. Perhaps noticing
the doubt in his eyes, Dohyun relaxed his expression and tried to reassure him.

“There’s no reason to argue because of you.”

“……”

In reality, there was no reason for Wooyeon and the sister he had just met to be involved.
Though the sense of unease remained, Wooyeon didn’t know what else to ask.

“Anyway... I’ll stay out of the way. You two make up. You even drank because of
this.”

Dohyun hesitated, not answering right away. Just then, Jinah walked out of the room she
had entered. Her steps were firm and imposing, contrasting with her petite frame.

“……”

Jinah didn’t turn around, walking straight toward the door. Wooyeon was a bit surprised
and confused, looking toward Dohyun. It seemed like Dohyun, urged by Wooyeon’s gaze,
reluctantly called her back.

“Jinah.”

At the sound of his voice, Jinah glanced back, her eyes cold.

“What?”

“Wait. I’ll drive you home.”

“No need, I’m not going home.”

“Kim Jinah.”

“Ugh, what now?”

Wooyeon quietly returned to his room, leaving behind the increasingly loud voices. As
soon as he closed the door, the sound from outside was completely muffled. But the
sharp question, “What’s it to you?” still filtered through the gap in the door, clear enough
to make it impossible to ignore.

“Why are they fighting?”

From what Wooyeon knew, Dohyun wasn’t the type to start conflicts. Based on how he
treated his juniors, he likely treated his sister very well too. Furthermore, hadn’t he once
said he always tried his best to get along with his adoptive family?
 291

Filled with doubt, Wooyeon opened the closet and took out the clothes he had left behind
last time. The outfit he had worn out yesterday was stained with all sorts of things and
couldn’t be worn again. After changing into a comfortable hoodie and shorts, the marks
on his neck were partially covered.

When Wooyeon stepped out, the two of them were still in the middle of a heated
argument in the living room. More precisely, Jinah was angrily shouting, while Dohyun
reluctantly endured. At a glance, there was something off about this argument this
afternoon.

“You always…!”

Jinah’s furious shouting suddenly stopped as she clenched her lips tightly when she saw
Wooyeon stepping out of the room. Wooyeon felt uncomfortable facing Jinah’s twisted
expression and slowly spoke.

“…I think I should leave.”

“……”

“It might be uncomfortable for me to be here.”

He didn’t know how long this conversation would last, but he couldn’t stay locked up in
the room forever. Wooyeon thought he would leave first and wait for a message from
Dohyun. Seeing Dohyun stay silent, it seemed like he too thought it would be better for
Wooyeon to leave.

“See you later.”

Wooyeon gave a slight nod of his head and walked past them. Seeing the worried look in
his eyes, Dohyun nodded slightly in acknowledgment, signaling that he was fine.

“…Ah, so troublesome.”

Jinah spoke as soon as Wooyeon stepped out the door. As he felt the fresh air outside,
Wooyeon suddenly realized that the house was filled with pheromones. He sighed in
relief when he remembered that Jinah was a Beta, but Jinah quickly moved closer and
grabbed Wooyeon’s arm.

“Kim Jinah!”

Dohyun jumped, shouting loudly in surprise. However, Jinah didn’t look back and
slammed the front door shut.

Thud!
 292

With the sound ringing, Wooyeon widened his eyes and his lips barely moved.

“What is this…”

Jinah silently pulled Wooyeon forward. Since this was the first time someone had treated
him so roughly, Wooyeon stood frozen, not thinking to resist, and then stopped in front of
the elevator.

At that moment, Dohyun had run after them, hastily grabbing Wooyeon’s other arm.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“…”

Dohyun was so frantic that his face turned pale. Wooyeon was now caught between the
two siblings, frowning slightly. Jinah pressed the elevator button firmly, lowering her
voice to warn:

“Don’t follow me.”

_________________________________________________
 293

Side Story / Chapter 16

Dinh― The elevator door opened. Jinah shoved Dohyun’s hand away and pushed
Wooyeon inside. Unable to use force against Dohyun’s younger sister, Wooyeon
obediently followed Jinah’s instructions.

“If you dare follow me…”

Jinah stood right in front of the elevator door, looking up at Dohyun. Her voice was
broken and full of menace.

“I’ll tell mom and dad about the tattoo on your back, the fact that you’ve been
drinking and smoking since high school.”

“……”

Dohyun’s face contorted in extreme frustration. Wooyeon found it amusing to see him
show such emotion. He had seen him cry, seen him smile brightly, but this was the first
time seeing him look so tricked.

“If you understand, then move aside.”

Jinah pressed the button for the first floor, then pressed the close door button. But
instead of stepping back, Dohyun blocked the door with his hand. The door shook and
slowly reopened.

“If you’re dissatisfied with anything, tell me.”

“I’m not dissatisfied with anything.”

“You really are…”

“Oh, so you do know how to get angry.”

Her words were clearly mocking. Not stopping there, Jinah shot Dohyun a challenging
look.

“I thought you were the type who never gets angry.”

“……”

The sharp words that followed made Wooyeon frown as well. He looked at Jinah’s long
hair and came to a conclusion. Something unclear had happened, but the conflict
between these two seemed very deep.

“Wooyeon, come here.”

 294

“Hyung.”

What should I do now?

It wasn’t too hard to sort out his thoughts. In all of his relationships, he had always
received help from Dohyun. This time, he wanted to be the one to help him. And to do
that, a little risk might be worth it.

“I’ll get in touch later.”

He gently removed Dohyun’s hand. Perhaps Dohyun didn’t expect even Wooyeon to do
that, as his face showed a look of surprise. Jinah didn’t miss the opportunity and quickly
pressed the close door button. The elevator door closed with a “clink.”

The old, worn exterior of the barbecue restaurant still looked cleaner than its age. There
were round metal tables, chairs without backs, and a smoke exhaust hanging down from
the ceiling. Jinah handed a staff member’s apron to Wooyeon, who was still awkwardly
unsure about where to sit.

“Put this on. It’s a white shirt.”

The apron had the logo of a famous soju brand that Wooyeon was familiar with. He
looked at his white hoodie, then glanced at the old cloth again, before quietly tying it
around his neck. Although he never spilled food while eating, the grease could splatter
when grilling meat.

“What do you want to eat? I brought you here, don’t tell me you can’t eat meat?”

A few minutes ago, Jinah had unexpectedly pulled Wooyeon out and just as unexpectedly
shoved him into a taxi. She didn’t explain anything, nor did she offer an apology. It
wasn’t until they stood in front of the restaurant with its old sign that Jinah casually
asked, “Can you drink alcohol?”

“Stop looking around. You look like it’s your first time in a place like this.”

“……”

It was indeed his first time, but Wooyeon didn’t say anything. He remembered the look
Garam and Seongyu gave him when they found out it was his first time eating spicy rice
cakes. So, he chose to remain silent. Jinah spoke again, offering.

“I’ll treat you. Just choose whatever you want.”

“No need, I don’t need you to treat me.”

 295

Anyway, Wooyeon didn’t like pork, especially grilled meat. He wasn’t hungry and didn’t
want his boyfriend’s sister to pay. So, he politely declined, but Jinah’s gaze turned sharp.

“Are you rich or something?”

“……”

Rich. Very rich.

“How can a student have money to turn down someone offering to treat?”

Jinah didn’t know Wooyeon’s circumstances and called the waiter over. She ordered two
portions of pork belly, a bottle of soju, and took out her ID card to verify her age. Her
movements were so natural and smooth that Wooyeon took out his ID card as well.

“I pulled you out, so I’ll pay. I’m rich, you know.”

This time, Wooyeon didn’t bother to correct her. There was no need to explain how rich
he was, and he didn’t want to argue unnecessarily. It was best to stay silent and go along
with it. But as soon as he thought that, the atmosphere became awkward.

It made sense. The two of them had nothing in common, and this was their first time
meeting today. How could there be a common topic to talk about? Wooyeon was already
a man of few words, even with people close to him, so unless Jinah took the initiative, the
conversation would never begin.

But Jinah just silently observed Wooyeon. Her gaze, strangely similar to Dohyun’s,
scanned him from head to toe.

“…Is there something on my face?”

“No.”

As soon as the question was asked, the conversation seemed to be cut off completely.
Ironically, at this hour, the restaurant only had two customers—Wooyeon and Jinah. The
sound of an odd engine hummed in the background, blending with the monotonous
noise from the TV drama playing above them. After a long silence, the side dishes, soju,
and grilled meat were finally brought out.

Jinah didn’t say a word as she poured soju into Wooyeon’s glass, then poured some for
herself. Wooyeon thought she would toast to welcome him, but the clear liquid quickly
disappeared into her mouth. Wooyeon didn’t drink but just watched her actions. Jinah
gently inhaled, feeling the burn as the soju went down, then picked up the tongs and
started grilling the meat.

“Why did you bring me out here?”

 296

“…Huh?”

Sizzle! On the hot grill, the pork belly began to sizzle. Jinah’s grilling skills, along with her
adding garlic and kimchi, showed that she was no novice at this. She poured more soju
into her own glass and lightly tapped the tongs on the table.

“You’re asking why I brought you here? A stranger suddenly pulls you away, and
you obediently follow without thinking it’s weird?”

“I’m curious why you two fought.”

He wasn’t good at beating around the bush to get what he wanted, nor did he intend to
argue with Dohyun’s sister.

“And I’m also curious why you dragged me along.”

“Oh, you’re really curious, huh.”

Jinah flipped the pork belly. The golden-brown meat looked so tempting even to
Wooyeon, although he knew he wouldn’t be able to eat it due to the smell of pork.

“Actually… There's no special reason. I heard you’re my brother’s boyfriend, so I

wanted to talk a little. And also…”

The next part seemed important, but Jinah hesitated, not finishing her sentence. She cut
the meat into small pieces with scissors and neatly arranged it before finishing another
glass of soju.

“…Do you want to know why we fought?”

Wooyeon kept his face neutral and nodded slightly. Just knowing the reason was enough
for him to feel that being dragged here had been worth it. Although he didn’t want to get
involved in someone else’s family matters, since Jinah had opened up, perhaps it was
something he was allowed to know.

“The surface reason is… I looked at his phone. A message came in, ‘I miss you.’”

“…”

To say it’s unrelated… yet now she’s saying this. Wooyeon understood better than anyone
who the message was from. Jinah said it like it was nothing, then flipped the meat again.

“I think it’s normal for a boyfriend to tease a little, ask this and that. He grabbed the
phone and got mad. Oh, the meat’s done, eat.”
 297

“He got mad?”

“Yeah. More like annoyed, actually.”

It was hard to imagine. The Dohyun Wooyeon knew wasn’t the type to get mad over
things like that. Even though he didn’t like people looking at his phone, he wasn’t the
type to get so angry that his sister would storm off in a huff.

“The funny part is, after getting mad, he apologized.”

“So why did you two fight?”

“Because he apologized, and that pissed me off.”

It was really hard to understand. Wooyeon frowned, his face showing confusion. Jinah
saw his reaction and raised an eyebrow.

“You don’t get it, do you?”

“No.”

“Oh, normally people would say ‘No way’ out of politeness.”

Jinah smiled faintly, then finished another glass. She grabbed a large pile of meat and
pushed it toward Wooyeon.

“My brother never gets mad.”

Jinah gave a small, bitter smile, continuing to add more meat to the grill. She urged
Wooyeon to eat before the meat burned, making him reluctantly grab a piece. Fumbling
as he wrapped the meat in a lettuce leaf, Wooyeon heard Jinah speak again in a
monotone.

“Since we were kids, he’s never yelled at me. Even when I woke him up while he was
sleeping, or disturbed him while he was studying, or blamed him for breaking
things. He would just smile and say ‘It’s okay,’ and that was the end of it.”

Sounds like an ideal older brother that everyone dreams of. Jinah also thought so, but
her voice was full of sarcasm.

“He sounds like a good brother, doesn’t he?”

Wooyeon couldn’t answer right away. The image of Dohyun appeared in his mind,
always with a gentle smile, patient with everyone. A seonsaeng who never lost his
temper. That wasn’t necessarily a good thing, it was...

“Actually, he’s just drawing a boundary.”

 298

“...”

“It’s just that no one is stupid enough to notice.”

When Dohyun tutored Wooyeon, he was always gentle and calm. Partly because
Wooyeon had never done anything to make him angry, but it was clear that there was an
intentional patience in that. Now, looking back, Wooyeon vaguely realized this.

“To be honest, I did it on purpose. I know he’s very sensitive about privacy. Whether
it’s friends, a lover, or family, he’s never let anyone see what’s his own. I knew if I
tried to intrude, he would definitely be upset. And just like I thought, he got mad
and told me not to care about things that didn’t concern me.”

Jinah furrowed her brows slightly. She bit into the piece of meat in her mouth,
swallowing it along with a gulp of soju. She set her glass down with a heavy “clink” and
continued.

“And then he apologized, with a face like he realized he had said something wrong.”

Just hearing this was hard to understand. What’s wrong with getting mad and then
apologizing? Wooyeon was about to ask, but he held back his question as Jinah continued
explaining.

“You wouldn’t understand if you haven’t been through it. He doesn’t yield, he just
gives up. It’s not out of kindness, it’s because he doesn’t want any trouble. Feelings
like anger, frustration, or arguments—he only spends them on people who are truly
within his boundary.”

“...”

Wooyeon had experienced something similar. When Kang Junseong picked fights with
him, Wooyeon always kept a nonchalant attitude. Because even responding to him was a
waste of energy.

“Every time he does that, you know what I think?”

Jinah’s gaze met Wooyeon’s. It was the same look that Wooyeon had when he looked at
Dohyun during their arguments. Jinah smirked faintly, her voice dripping with
bitterness.

“Wow, he really does seem like a stranger.”

_________________________________________________
 299

Side Story / Chapter 17

"..."

Unknowingly, Wooyeon thought that maybe Dohyun had also heard these words last
night. If it was just an argument, he wouldn't have drunk all night and called him over
early in the morning like that. He vaguely understood part of the reason why he was
upset.

"So, we had a fight. I abandoned him and left. But I didn't expect him to call his
lover over right after that."

As soon as she finished speaking, Jinah angrily took a bite of meat. It didn't seem
appetizing at all; it was clearly just a way to vent her anger. Wooyeon placed the
unfinished wrap back onto his plate.

"Did you say that to him?"

"Which one?"

"The one where you told him to treat you like a stranger."

"Oh, that one."

Although Jinah answered dismissively, it was an admission. Wooyeon looked down at the
messy wrap in his hands and gently bit the inside of his cheek as if thinking.

‘Did something happen between you and his sister?’

‘We had a fight.’

The things he wanted to say kept accumulating like a snowball. But the snowball melted
before it could take shape. He wasn't sure what he should say, or if he even had the right
to say anything.

"Do you know why he's keeping his distance?"

The unexpected question surprised Jinah, and her expression showed confusion as if she
didn’t understand what was going on. Perhaps she didn’t expect Wooyeon to ask this.
Seeing the doubt in her eyes, Wooyeon calmly spoke.

"You know he was adopted, right?"

Dohyun had once told Wooyeon about his family situation: his relationship with his
adoptive parents, how he treated his sister. Wooyeon couldn't fully understand, but he
could somewhat guess why Dohyun was so sensitive.
 300

"Even though I'm not Dohyun, but..."

His emotions were a mess, and Dohyun's face, the last time Wooyeon saw him, suddenly
appeared clearly in his mind.

Wooyeon carefully considered his words. He feared that his words might cross a line.

"To hear someone say you're like a stranger, it's probably not anger, but
heartache."

But as he spoke, he suddenly felt a strong emotion rising within him.

"Actually, you are a stranger."

"......"

"Only him."

He shouldn't have said that last sentence. After seeing Jinah’s expression, Wooyeon
realized that. But the words were out, and he could only try to remain calm, lowering his
eyes.

"Anyway, you... no, you are also the biological child of your parents. If it were me, I
wouldn’t feel happy hearing that."

Words from a real person to a fake one, and vice versa, carried different weight from the
very nature of things. Especially if Dohyun truly considered himself an outsider, it would
hurt even more.

"That night, he drank all night."

"......"

"Probably because he was sad."

Jinah didn’t say anything, her face seemed to be submerged in guilt. The smell of grilled
meat wafted from the barbecue, making it more tempting. Jinah turned the meat
mechanically and spoke softly.

"He’s not an outsider."

It was a firm statement, or perhaps a reminder to herself.

"Family doesn’t have to share the same blood."

Wooyeon completely agreed. There were families who didn’t feel close despite sharing
the same blood, so how could blood be the only factor in defining family?
 301

"Don’t say things like that anymore."

Even so, it seemed Jinah had realized her mistake. Perhaps she had just realized how her
words had affected Dohyun. Wooyeon gently apologized in case his words had made
Jinah uncomfortable, then turned his head to ease the awkwardness.

They both fell into silence for a long while. Jinah quietly ate, while Wooyeon didn’t touch
the meat or alcohol, his mind focused on Dohyun at home. He regretted leaving him
behind to follow Jinah.

“…I’ve seen something like this before.”

As the soju bottle neared its end, Jinah spoke softly. Despite finishing the bottle, her face
remained unchanged.

“I went to his school, and he was with a friend. Do you know who? Tall, a bit
scary-looking.”

Just describing it was enough to know it was Garam. Even though Jinah didn’t expect an
answer, she gave a small, ironic smile.

"Anyway, at that time, I saw him getting mad at his friend..."

Jinah's eyes, like droplets of water, drooped, completely different from the sharp look she
had when arguing with Dohyun. She sighed, self-deprecatingly, and lightly tapped her
chopsticks against her plate.

"Even though he looks cold, he seems more comfortable with his friends than with
family."

"......"

"After that, I started to notice the difference. The expression he shows us is so different
from what he looks like when he's actually happy."

Wooyeon, more sensitive to those differences than anyone else, could instantly recognize
even a forced smile from Dohyun. So, he understood the feeling of loss that Jinah was
experiencing.

"It's not just that friends and family are different. It's deeper than that. He still
feels uncomfortable with us, like he hasn’t really accepted us as family."

Jinah was talking about the disappointment she felt from Dohyun. While her careless
words were part of the reason, the fact that Dohyun always kept his distance was the
truth. That distance was something Jinah couldn’t accept.
 302

"I don’t ask for much."

Wooyeon silently picked up the soju bottle and ordered another one. Jinah quickly
opened the new bottle that arrived and filled both her and Wooyeon's glasses.

"Just small things. If he finds it annoying to go home, he can just say so. If he needs
advice on something, he can ask. Or if he wants to meet his lover, he can just say it
outright, don’t mind it."

She muttered another sentence: "Do I have to ask him to cancel a date just to come
home?"

"You said you were waiting at home."

"Of course, I’m waiting, because I’m bored! But am I supposed to ask him to cancel
his date just to come home? That’s something you only do in elementary school."

Wooyeon was about to ask, "Did you do that when you were in elementary school?" but
decided against it.

"He always wants to be perfect. Going to a foreign language school, entering this
university, none of it was his idea. He just listened to whatever his parents said. But
what frustrates me is, he can do everything, so then my parents turn and yell at
me..."

Wooyeon remembered what Dohyun had once told him: that most of Jinah's fights with
their parents were related to him. It seemed like it was the same this time—Jinah was
compared to Dohyun and had left home to come here.

"You heard, right? He has a tattoo on his back. He used to drink and smoke in high
school. At home, he always acted obedient, but just think about how suffocating the
house must have been for him to live like that outside."

Wooyeon was surprised to realize that Jinah cared about Dohyun more than he thought.
It was astonishing that she knew about Dohyun's rebellious behavior, but what was even
more surprising was how accurate her reasoning was behind it.

"I don’t understand why he’s so sensitive. Why does he always seem like he’s ready
to leave? He’s clearly family, a brother, but I don’t understand him more than the
dog next door."

The comparison to "the dog next door" made Wooyeon laugh. It was funny, but he
couldn’t deny it. A dog wags its tail, while Dohyun just stands there with a smile.

"He probably doesn’t act that way with you, right?"

 303

Jinah didn’t hesitate to call Wooyeon “you,” and Wooyeon didn’t mind the address,
replying casually.

"He’s the same with me."

Jinah widened her eyes in surprise, her long lashes curving as if rolling up. Wooyeon
thought it was interesting how Jinah had so many expressions, then picked up his soju
glass and twirled it in his hand.

"He never says anything about himself."

If something was bothering Dohyun, he would smile sweetly and avoid the topic. He only
showed a perfect exterior, hiding everything inside to keep Wooyeon from feeling
uncomfortable.

"We’re dating, but I don’t know what he’s thinking. What he worries about, what
he’s afraid of, or if he’s hiding something from me."

"......"

"There are times when I think that maybe I’m the only one who likes him."

It was a relationship full of hesitations. Wooyeon loved Dohyun so much, but was so
afraid of being rejected that he ignored his own insecurities and didn’t dare to probe
further. Eventually, their relationship became so tangled that it couldn’t be fixed.

"Then we broke up."

Jinah gasped. She probably didn’t expect that they had broken up, murmuring, "How
could you get back together..."

"Right after we broke up, I felt like the world was falling apart..."

At that time, Wooyeon thought he would never be able to trust Dohyun again. He thought
leaving him was the best way to avoid the feelings of insecurity, and every word Dohyun
spoke was just sweet talk.

"But when the sadness passed, I started to wonder."

"Wonder about what?"

"Why didn’t he say a word to me?"

"......"

"Was it that I didn’t make him trust me? Or for him, was I just... enough?"
 304

These were the thoughts that kept Wooyeon tossing and turning in bed all night. The
resentment towards Dohyun faded, and the arrow turned towards himself. But in the
end, reason found a way to blame Dohyun more.

"And when he apologized, he said one thing."

"He was the one who apologized?" Jinah asked, focusing only on that detail, surprised.

"He said... he was just scared."

That sentence still echoed in Wooyeon’s ears, as if he had just heard it yesterday.
Dohyun’s trembling voice revealed all his fears.

"He’s afraid of being abandoned."

"......"

Jinah’s eyes wavered violently. It seemed she also remembered that Dohyun had been
abandoned at the orphanage door.

"Because he was afraid of ruining the relationship, he tried so hard to always

appear perfect."

"......"

"That’s something I could never do."

Understanding wasn’t just based on reason. Even if you understand with your mind, if
the emotions don’t align, it’s still useless.

"He must have been so tired."

Wooyeon realized that more than anyone, Dohyun must have felt exhausted and lonely.

"Every day must have been a battle for him."

_________________________________________________
 305

Side Story / Chapter 18

When Dohyun was adopted, he was only 14 years old. By the time he started tutoring
Wooyeon, he was 20, the same age as Wooyeon now. Thinking about that, Dohyun was
still very young back then, but how much did he have to strive to mature and become
more responsible?

“He didn’t try to act like a stranger.”

Wooyeon mumbled, his gaze directed at Jinah. Jinah was holding a glass of soju, but she
wasn’t drinking it; she was simply looking at him, her eyes distant as if lost in thought.

“He was just afraid of becoming a stranger.”

Jinah pressed her lips together, biting her lower lip so lightly that it left an impression.
Then, she turned away and drank the rest of her soju. Wooyeon didn’t pour her another
drink, nor did he take his eyes off her, silently observing.

Jinah drank two more glasses and then took a spoonful of soybean paste soup before
setting the spoon down on the table.

“…I know.”

Her voice sounded like a sigh that fell onto the table. The meat on the grill had already
burned black without anyone noticing.

“Actually, I understand everything in my head. But so what? I still feel hurt.”

Her words sounded self-deprecating. Jinah gave a faint smile when talking about
Dohyun, but now her face showed an oddly empty expression.

“He’s like this partly because of his parents…”

“Parents?”

“Yes. Our family is rich, but also full of ambition. So no one really lives comfortably.
The whole adoption thing… Never mind, forget it.”

Wooyeon couldn’t hide his surprise. He hadn’t expected Jinah to know about this. Seeing
his expression, Jinah gave a small, quiet smile.

“It seems like he doesn’t keep any secrets from you, huh?”

“…”
 306

Wooyeon tried to take a sip of water to cover his embarrassment, but then noticed the oil
floating on the surface of the glass. Jinah noticed this too and called the staff to bring a
new glass of water.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Jinah cleared the burnt meat and placed the last piece on the grill. Since Wooyeon hadn’t
touched his chopsticks, she ate the two pieces of meat herself. However, she didn’t
pressure Wooyeon to eat.

“When I was young, I thought my parents were right. I wanted to have an older
brother, someone who made a lot of money, so I thought it was fine.”

Jinah paused and sighed. "But as I grew up, I realized something was wrong." Her
voice was filled with frustration.

"Sometimes I think, if it weren’t for him, I’d probably be the same. Just thinking
about it sends chills down my spine."

Wooyeon suddenly remembered the time he met Dohyun when he was in 9th grade. In
such a suffocating environment, Dohyun felt like the only breeze that allowed him to
breathe. If he hadn't met him, Wooyeon probably wouldn’t have found the stability he
has now.

"I don’t want you to misunderstand, but actually, my parents really cherish him.
Honestly, how could they hate such a perfect child? That’s why they bought him a
car, bought him a house."

Jinah fiddled with her wristwatch as a habit. It was too expensive a gift for a student, but
it was the birthday gift Dohyun had given her.

"Why do you like my brother?"

Jinah asked suddenly. Wooyeon froze, not answering immediately, only giving a faint
smile.

"...Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"

"I’m curious. Usually, people like others because of money or looks, don’t you?"

Money, no. But looks, it was hard to deny. Wooyeon glanced away, trying to maintain his
composure, but his ears were flushed red.

"...I like everything about him."

 307

"That’s not possible. Be specific. Name three things."

Jinah raised three fingers and said, "Money and looks don’t count." Wooyeon hadn’t
planned to talk about money, so he tried to think.

"He’s really kind."

A simple reason, but Jinah nodded in agreement. "Yes, he’s very kind."

"And he’s very gentle..."

"That doesn’t count. Kindness and gentleness are the same thing. Let’s count them
as one trait." Jinah folded one finger, leaving two.

Wooyeon inadvertently thought of Dohyun’s face. "His smile..."

"What about his smile?"

"...It’s beautiful."

Wooyeon spoke softly, his voice almost breathless. He took a sip of water to cool his
flushed face, but it seemed to have no effect. Jinah didn’t argue, just folded another
finger.

"And the last one?"

Wooyeon pondered. What should the last reason be? He didn’t want to focus only on
appearance or voice because his feelings for Dohyun weren’t solely based on that.

"...I can’t choose."

"Really? Are you trying to tease me now?" Jinah shivered but didn’t ask more. She
picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a piece of meat, and winked at Wooyeon.

"I thought you’d mention something like pheromones. You’re an Omega, right?"

"Yeah."

The left wink was one of Dohyun’s habits. Seeing Jinah do the exact same thing, Wooyeon
thought of that and took another sip of water. Jinah casually remarked:

"I didn't expect that the two of you love each other for more than just looks."

"......How could you fall in love just because of someone's looks?"

"Why not? I fell in love just because of the face."

 308

Jinah replied casually, then pointed her chopsticks toward Wooyeon. The sudden gesture
made Wooyeon blink a few times, staring at her in confusion.

"You’re quite handsome too. Out of all the people I’ve met, you’re second. Oh, and
the first isn’t my brother, so keep that a secret."

"Uh, alright..."

Wooyeon nodded slightly, not curious enough to ask who came first. Jinah ate another
piece of meat and then poured the remaining soju into her glass of water.

"But, it seems like my brother really likes you. A proud person like him, after
breaking up, still goes and apologizes first."

"A proud person like that who always apologizes to you."

"......"

Jinah paused for a moment, biting her tongue lightly. Then she drained the glass of liquor
in her hand and slammed it down on the table with a bit of force.

"Don’t drink so quickly..."

"How old are you?"

Jinah's sudden question made Wooyeon swallow the words he was about to say. Jinah
tilted her head and raised her chin, asking again:

"Twenty? Twenty-one? From your ID, I can tell you’re not in high school."

"I’m twenty."

"Really? That’s the same age as me."

Jinah smiled brightly, her face looking oddly innocent and youthful. Wooyeon suddenly
understood why he felt that Jinah resembled Dohyun.

"Your name is Yeon, right? What’s your full name?"

"I’m Seon Wooyeon. Seon is my last name, and Wooyeon is my first name."

"Nice name. Yeon is your nickname, right?"

Her smile, the way she furrowed her brows, or the subtle way she observed others—all
of it was just like Dohyun. The small habits that only people who live together could
share.
 309

"As for me..."

"I know already, Kim Jinah."

"Yeah, I guess he kept saying Kim Jinah, Kim Jinah, earlier."

In truth, they really were a family. Siblings, even closer than the relationship Wooyeon
had with his own cousin.

"Just talk comfortably. We’re the same age, so using formal language feels
awkward."

Jinah raised her soju glass in a gesture of invitation. This was the first time during their
drinking session that she actively invited Wooyeon to toast. Without saying anything
further, Wooyeon lifted his glass and lightly clinked it against Jinah’s.

After that, the atmosphere of the drinking session became more relaxed. At first,
Wooyeon didn’t dare to eat the meat, but when Jinah picked out the best pieces for him
and grilled them carefully, he started eating little by little. Every time Jinah joked about
Wooyeon being picky with food, he would just smile shyly.

"Science just isn’t for me. I was thinking of changing majors, but if I do, my parents
will scold me."

Jinah mentioned that she had taken a leave of absence after finishing her first semester.
She didn’t want to stay at home, being lectured by her parents about not being able to
match up to her brother. Even though Wooyeon didn’t have siblings, he could
understand the discomfort of being constantly compared like that.

"Oh, by the way. Do you know what the tattoo on my brother’s back means?"

Jinah, slightly tipsy, leaned in close and asked in a mysterious tone. Wooyeon, holding his
soju glass with both hands, slowly shook his head. Jinah’s eyes were hazy, and her lips
moved slightly.

"The thing is…"

The autumn weather brought a chill as the night fell. During the day, people could wear
short sleeves, but by night, a jacket was a must.

Wooyeon slipped one hand into the pocket of his hoodie, the other holding the phone to
his ear. The phone rang with a beep beep, but it was cut off after a moment.

"Hello?"
 310

―……

There was no answer from the other end. Only the noisy sounds of a grill restaurant
echoed behind him. Wooyeon lowered the phone to make sure the call hadn’t ended,
then gently tapped his shoe against the ground.

"Hey, can you come pick me up?"

―……

"I’m at the barbecue place by the intersection…"

―……

"…Are you coming?"

A soft sigh came through the phone. Wooyeon swallowed an apology, his eyes drifting to
the ground as he counted the cigarette butts. One, two, three, four—on the fourth one, a
gentle voice finally spoke.

―It’s cold, go inside and wait.

The phone clicked off right after, before Wooyeon had a chance to respond. He tucked
the phone into his pocket, looked up, and stared at the sky. The crescent moon glowed
faintly between the thick clouds.

Dohyun knew exactly what Wooyeon was wearing, yet in this moment, he still worried
that Wooyeon might be cold.

'That’s why I like him.'

_________________________________________________
 311

Side Story / Chapter 19

Dohyun's tenderness was so sweet that it left Wooyeon almost paralyzed. Being someone
who loved sweets, Wooyeon had become addicted to that tenderness, and it was hard to
break free from it—though, in truth, he didn't want to.

Instead of going back into the shop, Wooyeon stood by the door, waiting for Dohyun. He
was a bit worried about leaving Jinah inside, but since he had made sure Jinah was
resting comfortably, it should be fine.

He looked up at the sky, then glanced at the glass door to look inside the shop, sometimes
hopping on one foot to shake off the smell of grilled meat sticking to him. About 10
minutes later, a familiar car stopped next to the alley.

"......"

Dohyun stepped out of the car, his expression neutral but his movements slightly
hurried. He quickly walked straight towards Wooyeon. Wooyeon smiled brightly when
Dohyun got closer.

"Hyung..."

"......"

"I missed you."

Wooyeon opened his arms and hugged Dohyun around the waist. Despite having told
Wooyeon to wait inside because it was cold, Dohyun was only wearing a short-sleeved
t-shirt without a jacket. Wooyeon pressed his face into the thin fabric of his shirt,
inhaling the soft scent of Dohyun's pheromones.

"Haa..."

Dohyun let out a small sigh and hugged Wooyeon tightly. He rested his chin on
Wooyeon's head, slipped his hand inside the hoodie, and gently rubbed his hair. The
warmth of his large hands made Wooyeon feel incredibly peaceful.

"You smell like grilled meat."

"I know."

"Do you really?"

Dohyun's voice remained gentle but carried a hint of worry. His heartbeat was loud and
seemed faster than usual. After holding Wooyeon once more, he gently pushed him
away.
 312

"Where's Jinah?"

"She's inside the shop."

"Get in the car and wait for me."

Dohyun handed Wooyeon the car key and went into the shop. Wooyeon walked to the car
parked nearby, opened the passenger door, and sat inside. A while later, Dohyun helped
Jinah out of the shop.

The car door opened, and Dohyun carefully laid Jinah down in the back seat. He walked
around to the driver's side, sat down, and started the car without saying a word. He only
fastened Wooyeon's seatbelt before starting the drive in silence.

"......"

"......"

On the way home, the car was filled with silence. Wooyeon fiddled with the seatbelt,
occasionally glancing back at Jinah, who was sleeping soundly and looked completely
comfortable.

"Hyung."

"Yeah."

Dohyun answered briefly, his tone cold. Normally, even a single sentence would sound
warm, but now it felt like a cold wind cutting through. Wooyeon, feeling uneasy,
hesitantly asked:

"Are you mad at me?"

"......"

It took a long moment before Dohyun responded. He tapped lightly on the steering wheel
a few times and then said softly:

"A little."

Although his voice was still a bit stiff, it was somewhat softened.

"So... can I talk to you face to face?"

"I'm driving."

"Ah."
 313

Perhaps due to the alcohol, Wooyeon was slower to grasp his surroundings. He wasn't
drunk, but he was clearly tipsy. Seeing him slump with a downcast expression, Dohyun
sighed again.

"...If you look at me, maybe I'll calm down."

This time, his voice softened significantly. Wooyeon felt relieved and leaned his head
against the car window, not taking his eyes off Dohyun. Even his profile looked perfectly
beautiful.

"I'm sorry for making you mad."

Dohyun's chest rose and fell lightly, as if he was trying to suppress his emotions. Through
the rearview mirror, he glanced at Jinah, who was still asleep, then spoke:

"Well then, tell me."

"Tell you what?"

"Specifically, what are you apologizing for?"

Wooyeon looked like he was facing a difficult problem. He frowned, trying to organize
his thoughts. He knew that if he didn't phrase it carefully, Dohyun's anger wouldn't
subside.

"I'm sorry for not listening to you and going there on my own..."

"......"

"And for intruding into your family's matters..."

"......"

"Did you still come to pick me up even though you're mad?"

Wooyeon sneakily looked at Dohyun's face. After a moment, he let out a soft laugh. When
the car stopped at a red light, Dohyun reached out to Wooyeon. His hand clasped
Wooyeon's for a moment before letting go.

"You guessed everything wrong."

Dohyun said casually, even suggesting that the last thing Wooyeon said was more
praiseworthy than reproach. He sighed, but it seemed more like a sigh of relief than
frustration. Wooyeon thought for a moment and tried to guess another reason.

"Because I made you worried, right? I'm sorry."

 314

"......"

It seemed like this time Wooyeon was right. Dohyun's stiff expression slowly relaxed. He
sighed once more, then spoke softly in his familiar warm voice.

"If you were going to leave like that, at least let me know."

"......"

"I had no idea what you were doing all day, couldn't reach you, the sky was getting dark...
And it's dangerous outside."

Dohyun glanced at Wooyeon. Even though it was just for a moment, Wooyeon noticed
that his eyes were checking his expression.

"My body doesn't feel well, yet you're wandering around like this..."

"......"

Wooyeon’s face turned bright red. The reason he wasn't feeling well could only be related
to what had happened between them last night. On top of that, he had spent the whole
day sitting in an uncomfortable chair at the shop, making his back sore.

"Next time, at least tell me where you are. It's not like we don’t have ways to stay in
touch."

"Yes... I'm sorry."

His voice was weak, and his head was lowered. Wooyeon rubbed his ear, turning his face
toward the window to watch the familiar scenery pass by. This wasn't the road to his
home; it was the road to Dohyun's apartment.

He thought to himself that Dohyun might intend to let Jinah stay at his place. As he was
thinking, the car entered the apartment complex. Dohyun stopped the car and frowned.

"Oh my... I did it out of habit."

He rubbed his face with his hand and sighed heavily. His gaze stopped on Jinah in the
back seat. It seemed he had forgotten about his sister and had unconsciously driven
home out of habit.

"I’ll take a taxi home."

"It’s late. It’s dangerous outside."

Dohyun finished parking and shifted the car into park. Just as Wooyeon was about to
open the door to get out, Dohyun spoke first.
 315

"Kim Jinah, stop pretending to be drunk. Go upstairs, the code is 0626."

"......"

Of course, Jinah didn't respond. Dohyun sighed once more. If every sigh of his could
create a hole in the ground, perhaps he would have already dug through to the other side
of the Earth by now.

"Kim Jinah."

"......"

"The drunk person can’t walk on their own."

Wooyeon said calmly, causing a flicker of discomfort in Dohyun's gaze. He looked at both
of them, his lips slightly moving as if he wanted to say something but then decided
against it. Finally, he unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car.

"I'll take her upstairs and come back. You wait here and make sure to lock the car."

"I'm really fine..."

"Didn't you just apologize for making me worry, Yeon-ah?"

"......"

Dohyun truly had a talent for making others speechless. Without any trouble, he picked
up Jinah and walked straight into the building. Wooyeon obediently locked the car and
leaned back in the seat.

"I hope he can relax more when he's home."

Jinah's words kept echoing in Wooyeon's mind. The image of Dohyun drinking alone all
night, feeling sad, also became clear in his thoughts.

Thanks to Dohyun, Wooyeon had pulled out the thorn in his heart. Though the wound
wasn’t fully healed, it was almost closed. Now, even when he was in the same space as
his mother, Soo Hyang, he no longer felt as suffocated as before.

"I hope he'll be the same..."

Wooyeon knew his wish might be too selfish. If Dohyun wanted him to stay out of his
personal matters, Wooyeon was ready to step back. After all, he was still young, lacking
in experience, and sometimes unsure if he could truly be of any help.

"But..."
 316

Despite that, Wooyeon still worried about Dohyun. His joking comment about having two
parents made Wooyeon feel bitter. Wooyeon didn’t understand what it was like to have a
warm family, but because of that, he hoped Dohyun could experience it.

Knock knock.

Dohyun had gotten out of the car and tapped lightly on the driver’s side window.
Wooyeon unlocked the door and nodded at him. As Dohyun stepped into the car and
buckled his seatbelt, Wooyeon asked,

"Shall we go to my apartment?"

The car smoothly drove along the familiar road leading to Wooyeon’s apartment. Dohyun
was always a professional driver, never needing GPS to find his way. Wooyeon rested his
head against the seatbelt and joked,

"You and Jinah drink whenever you two fight, huh?"

"Well… who doesn’t?"

Dohyun didn’t deny the reason for drinking, and this made him feel even more "Dohyun"
in Wooyeon’s eyes. Wooyeon suppressed a smile because he was about to bring up
something important.

"I know why you two argue now."

As usual, Wooyeon wasn’t good at beating around the bush, so he spoke directly, which
made Dohyun glance over at him.

"You immediately apologized, so why did you get angry when Jinah looked at your
phone? You were the one who drank all night."

Wooyeon understood that being interfered with in personal matters was uncomfortable.
He himself had often felt suffocated when Soo Hyang managed even his smallest actions.
But Dohyun’s situation with Jinah seemed more complicated than that.

"I didn’t get angry because she looked at my phone."

Dohyun gently corrected him. His voice lowered, as if confessing something difficult:

"I got angry because she asked too many questions about you."

"What's wrong with asking?"

"Nothing, but..."
 317

Dohyun didn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he expertly maneuvered the steering wheel.
The way he drove always impressed Wooyeon.

"I don’t want my parents to know about you. I’ve told them I’m dating, but I’ve
never told them that the person I’m dating is the heir of Seonjeong Group."

"......"

"My parents… seem very interested in Seonjeong."

Dohyun furrowed his brows, his face filled with discomfort. Remembering the reason
Dohyun was adopted, Wooyeon opened his mouth as if to say something. But Dohyun
spoke first.

"I don’t like it."

His firm tone made Wooyeon pause. Dohyun continued, his face serious:

"I don’t want my parents to see you as something else, and I don’t want you to think
that’s normal. Relationships shouldn’t be tools or means to an end."

Maybe he was worried their relationship would become part of some business plan.
Even if that didn’t happen, he wasn’t comfortable with the thought.

"I don’t need to do that with Jinah, but I guess I’ve been too sensitive."

Dohyun forced a smile, his eyebrows slightly twitching. But his next words made
Wooyeon blush:

"I’m frustrated… because I haven’t been satisfied."

"......"

"It’s been so long since I’ve touched you."

This blunt remark was unlike Dohyun’s usual self. Wooyeon knew that he was still a little
frustrated, but the way he lowered his voice to make Wooyeon embarrassed was clearly
intentional.

"Anyway… that’s all. I’ve been stressed, and Jinah’s been joking as usual."

"......"

"The problem is, with me apologizing first, I wonder how she feels about it."

Wooyeon widened his eyes in surprise. Dohyun seemed to understand exactly why Jinah
was upset, just as Jinah seemed to understand him.
 318

“Jinah told you the reason she’s angry with me, right?”

Dohyun’s voice was calm as he switched on the indicator light. With just one more turn,
they would be at the entrance to Wooyeon’s apartment.

“So... you know about it too?”

“I’ve lived with Jinah for many years, so at least I understand that much.”

Dohyun smiled lightly, then blinked. His neatly arranged eyelashes seemed to flutter
slightly.

“Yeon-ah…”

His gaze was fixed ahead, but there was an indescribable sadness in his eyes. Wooyeon
didn’t understand why, but he instinctively tightened his seatbelt when he heard the next
words.

“I still remember my real parents.”

_________________________________________________
 319

Side Story / Chapter 20

Dohyun was abandoned at the entrance of an orphanage when he was just eight years
old. It was an age when childhood memories were still vague but enough to recall what
had happened.

“I’m not saying this to boast, but I’ve been very smart since I was young. As soon as
they left, I understood right away. Ah, they won’t come back.”

A faint bitter smile appeared on his lips. Wooyeon remained silent, unable to speak,
listening to Dohyun’s story.

“To this day, I don’t know why they abandoned me. When I grew up, I could only
guess it was for financial reasons.”

The light from the entrance to the underground parking lot filtered inside, revealing
Dohyun's expression even in the darkness. His words made that image stick in
Wooyeon’s mind.

“But I don’t think of it as a psychological wound. I was adopted into a good family,
have a wonderful partner, and I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.”

Dohyun’s dark eyes conveyed mixed emotions. He looked as strong as usual, yet there
was a vulnerable gaze Wooyeon had seen before. But above all, Wooyeon sensed a hint of
insecurity hidden deep inside.

“Still, sometimes I have to be careful.”

“…….”

“After all, I’m not their biological child.”

Wooyeon felt as if someone had struck him on the head. He had known the reason for
Dohyun's insecurity before, but hearing it directly from him felt completely different.
Was it pity? Worry? Or perhaps embarrassment for having assumed too much? Wooyeon
swallowed all these feelings and said what he had realized throughout the day.

“……Jinah is very much like you.”

Dohyun looked at him in surprise, his expression curious. He parked the car in an empty
spot, not rushing to get out, but instead looking at Wooyeon attentively. Wooyeon, in
turn, looked straight at him and listed the similarities between the siblings.

“Even the way she smiles, the way she furrows her brow, and the habit of eating
while caring for others. All those little things are so alike.”
 320

“…….”

“After all, she’s still your sister. I’ve thought about it so many times today.”

Dohyun tilted his head slightly, his gaze softening as if he appreciated Wooyeon's effort to
comfort him. His warm eyes made Wooyeon continue, repeating what Jinah had once
said.

“Being family doesn’t require sharing blood. And you don’t need that to open up to
each other.”

Wooyeon knew these words might sound cliché. But more than anyone, he understood
the futility of relationships based solely on blood ties.

“If we look at it that way, then we’re strangers, yet we’re still together like this.”

Dohyun’s expression changed slightly. He seemed a bit surprised, then softly chuckled,
his laughter light as breath. When Wooyeon looked at him curiously, his gaze became
even gentler.

“I didn’t expect that one day I would receive relationship advice from you.”

“……Am I not allowed to say it?”

“I mean, it’s wonderful.”

The pleasant scent of pheromones spread through the air. Dohyun’s large hand gently
caressed Wooyeon’s cheek. By instinct, Wooyeon nuzzled his head into his hand like a
little animal.

“You two must have gotten closer now. You even call her Jinah.”

Fortunately, Dohyun wasn’t bothered by Wooyeon’s attention. His eyes were soft as he
looked at him, causing Wooyeon to hold his hand with both of his small hands.

“I just hope you no longer have those insecurities.”

Wooyeon’s heart beat wildly. It was the first time he had confessed the thoughts that had
always been in his heart.

“Thanks to you, I got through those difficult middle school days. And now, thanks to
you, I can leave home but still maintain my relationship with my mother.”

His words came suddenly. Dohyun didn’t respond, only nodding quietly, listening.

“Now, I realize not all alphas are bad. I also realize that there are people who truly
care about me.”
 321

“…….”

“It’s all thanks to you.”

Dohyun’s eyes narrowed slightly. They seemed to be smiling, but in reality, it looked
more like he was holding back his emotions. Wooyeon placed a kiss on his hand, looking
up at Dohyun’s face.

“If you hadn’t taught me, hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have understood anything by
now.”

Maybe he had his reasons for not saying it, but if he didn’t speak, no one would
understand. That was something Dohyun had taught Wooyeon many times, and
something he had felt from him.

“Try talking to your family.”

“…….”

“That would be great.”

Dohyun gently caressed Wooyeon’s cheek for a long time, as if touching something
precious. His fingers traced along the edge of Wooyeon’s ear, making him feel ticklish
and causing him to shiver slightly. His warm voice resonated softly.

“I’m not foolish enough to lose someone important to me because of the same
mistake.”

Wooyeon suddenly regretted not telling Jinah that Dohyun's voice was so soothing. His
soft, whispering tone was like a sweet candy, making Wooyeon feel weightless.

"I had planned to resolve everything with a conversation. I just didn't know when,"
Dohyun said.

The chaotic emotions within Dohyun gradually settled after his eyes. Wooyeon realized it
was a sense of gratitude, though a little delayed.

"I'm sorry for making you worry."

"......"

"And thank you for caring about me, Yeon-ah."

Dohyun kissed Wooyeon’s cheek, then gently placed a kiss on his lips. The warmth from
the kiss was fleeting, and before Wooyeon could fully savor it, Dohyun bent down to kiss
 322

him again, longer this time. When their lips parted, Dohyun rested his forehead against
Wooyeon’s and whispered.

“I’ll go home today and talk to Jinah.”

“Tomorrow, Jinah’s still drunk.”

“Yeah... I guess that's okay.”

Dohyun smiled softly and gently rubbed Wooyeon’s cheeks as if molding clay. Then he
planted several quick kisses on his face before pulling him into a tight embrace and
whispering sweetly.

“I love you.”

Wooyeon felt his face turn bright red, his hand clutching the collar of Dohyun’s shirt. The
sound of a beating heart echoed in the space, unclear whose it was. The words “I love
you” were not just a confession, but carried a weight filled with overwhelming
happiness.

“I… love you too…”

His answer was so small, it was like the sound of a mosquito buzzing. But fortunately,
Dohyun seemed to hear it clearly, smiling beside his ear. After holding each other for a
long while, Dohyun slowly released Wooyeon.

“Go inside, I’ll contact you.”

If he had stayed just a little longer, Wooyeon surely wouldn’t have wanted Dohyun to
leave. He obediently stepped out of the car, waving through the window with Dohyun’s
smiling face, a smile that made his heart flutter.

‘I don’t want to be apart.’

Even after entering the elevator, Wooyeon couldn’t stop thinking about that. He longed to
walk in with Dohyun every day, a desire that kept echoing in his mind. It was an evening
where the absence Dohyun left behind felt bigger than ever.

Time passed so quickly. After returning home that day, Dohyun suddenly decided to stay
at the main house for a while. Wooyeon didn’t catch all the details, but when he saw
Dohyun come back with a pile of expensive clothes, he could guess what had happened.
The grown man had clearly handled everything perfectly, leaving Wooyeon with nothing
to worry about.

"Are you texting Jinah again?"

 323

That day, while lounging at Dohyun’s place, Wooyeon had to fight off his teasing before
finally checking his phone. As expected, the lock screen was filled with messages from
Jinah.

“You two must really get along, huh?”

Since the BBQ, Jinah had been texting Wooyeon nonstop. At first, she asked if he had said
anything to Dohyun, then after a few days, she sent a series of gifts to apologize and
thank him. When Wooyeon mentioned this, Dohyun only frowned slightly at the fact that
the two exchanged phone numbers but eventually laughed when Wooyeon mentioned
that Jinah was his first friend of the same age since Seongyu.

"Jinah keeps saying she likes your house so much, she wants one just like it."

“This apartment? She kept begging me for it.”

Jinah had often complained that she wanted to live independently. It seemed like she was
eyeing Dohyun’s apartment, as if her parents hadn’t left her anything. When Wooyeon
asked why, Jinah only grumbled that her mother was furious for her quitting school
without permission.

“I'm not saying this to scare you, but don’t get too close to Jinah. Not because you’re
from Seonjeong Group, but because you’re exactly the type of appearance she
likes.”

Dohyun sat up from the bed, his arms sore. Wooyeon put down his phone and admired
the broadness of his back. The firm, harmonious muscles made him unable to look away.

"She said I'm the second most handsome person she's ever met."

"Oh... So who's the most handsome?"

It wasn’t Dohyun. Wooyeon simply replied like that, trying to gauge if he knew the
person. Dohyun chuckled before suddenly lifting Wooyeon up.

"He's the 'business department's heartthrob.'"

"Ah..."

Could it be the teaching assistant's boyfriend? Wooyeon only met him once, but he
clearly remembered that he was a strikingly handsome man. Whether he was an alpha
or not didn’t matter; his good looks were undeniable.

"Speaking of which, I haven’t seen your teaching assistant at school lately."

"Yoon-woo?"
 324

Dohyun casually carried Wooyeon to the bathroom, where a warm bath had already
been prepared. As they entered the tub, Dohyun answered the question softly. If it’s Yoon
Woo, then he graduated in August.

"You really didn’t know?"

"No… I didn’t pay attention during the summer break."

Thinking back, Wooyeon vaguely remembered hearing about it, but he hadn’t cared
enough to retain the information.

"You even went to the graduation party and still didn’t know? Ah, well, the guest of
honor didn’t even show up."

Wooyeon felt a little embarrassed, burying his face in Dohyun's chest. The warm water
reached his shoulders, creating a soothing sensation. The two of them embraced each
other in a facing position, and Wooyeon’s eyes fell on Dohyun's shoulder.

"Tattoos..."

Unconsciously, Wooyeon reached out and touched the Latin inscription on Dohyun's
shoulder. Because Wooyeon had scratched him so many times, Dohyun’s shoulder was
covered with small marks. Wooyeon rested his chin on Dohyun’s shoulder, softly reading
aloud.

"My seonsaeng has a very big..."

"…"

Dohyun's shoulder stiffened immediately. It seemed that Jinah's revelations had been
spot on. Wooyeon, still calm, gently asked.

"Why did you choose such a bold tattoo?"

"Well..."

Dohyun remained silent for a moment before pulling Wooyeon closer. He gently stroked
his back, then leaned back against the edge of the bathtub, slowly reclining.

"Actually... it’s not wrong."

It seemed that once he had been caught, Dohyun decided to be upfront about it. Wooyeon
gave up teasing him and comfortably nestled against Dohyun’s chest. The warmth
spread, making him feel lighter, his eyes gradually closing.

"Hey..."
 325

"Yeah, what’s up?"

His answer was filled with tenderness. Dohyun's warm voice made Wooyeon’s heart
flutter.

"Would you move in with me?"

The question slipped out softly, as if inviting him to dinner. Dohyun didn’t respond
immediately but paused in his gentle stroking of Wooyeon’s back. Wooyeon shifted
slightly, burying himself deeper into his embrace, his voice becoming dreamy.

"You can move into my place... or I could move here... whichever you prefer."

"…"

"But I think it’s better if you give this apartment to Jinah and move into a studio
apartment instead."

Dohyun had suggested this before. He wanted to create a safe haven for Wooyeon, and
his gentle voice from back then still echoed in Wooyeon’s mind. But now, it was Wooyeon
himself who wanted to make a similar suggestion.

"Not immediately, take your time to think about it," Wooyeon said.

In fact, Wooyeon had hinted at the idea to his mother and received her approval.
Although his mother thought living together seemed a bit too soon, she left the decision
up to him.

"Without you, I can't sleep..." Wooyeon wrapped his arms around Dohyun and nuzzled
his head into his neck. The damp strands of his hair clung to his skin, and the sensation
made Dohyun shiver slightly.

"..."

But it didn’t seem to be because of ticklishness.

"How did it… grow so much?"

Dohyun didn’t answer, simply tilting his head back. His throat moved, as though he was
trying to swallow something. The faint scent of pheromones around them made
Wooyeon realize he was holding back his emotions.

"Don’t take back what you just said."

His voice was deep and strained, as if trying to stay calm. Dohyun lightly stroked
Wooyeon’s back before placing a kiss on the top of his head.
 326

"Yeon-ah, if you can't sleep, that’s a big problem..."

"..."

"Then I’ll give this apartment to Jinah. It’s the only way."

Although it sounded like a joke, to Wooyeon, it carried more weight than a hundred
affirmations. Unable to hold back his emotions, Wooyeon whispered in Dohyun's ear,
placing a kiss there.

"I love you..."

Those sincere words made Dohyun's heart race even faster. He hugged Wooyeon tighter,
then whispered in his ear.

"I love you too, so much. Today and forever."

_________________________________________________
 327

Special Side Story / Chapter 1

…To be Continued :)