“Have you completed the analysis?”
“No, not yet.”
“Can I take a look?”
“Go ahead.”
Both were frightfully serious about research, so they soon became deeply engrossed in their own conversation. When Seunghyun came to his senses, time had already flown by.
“I should go now.”
Seunghyun hurriedly packed his things to return. He put the medication he’d received from Jaehyun into his bag and looked up, but Jaehyun, with a dark expression, was blocking the door, preventing him from leaving.
“Seunghyun.”
“…”
“Lee Seunghyun.”
At Jaehyun’s serious tone, Seunghyun’s face hardened. Just from the atmosphere, he could guess what Jaehyun was about to say. Looking at Seunghyun’s hardened face, Jaehyun slowly opened his mouth.
“You don’t have to forcibly date that guy because of us.”
“I told you it’s not like that.”
“Lee Seunghyun.”
“Really… it’s not like that.”
Feeling frustrated, Seunghyun sighed. Then, looking straight at Jaehyun, he said:
“I love him.”
“What?”
Who loves whom?
At first, Jaehyun didn’t properly understand his brother’s words. Then, as if realizing something, his face, which had been as white as a blank canvas, gradually contorted.
“Did that bastard tell you to say that?”
“Hyung.”
“Love? You love that Jin Suhwan? Are you crazy?”
At Jaehyun’s outburst, Seunghyun pressed his lips tightly together.
This is why he didn’t want to say anything from the beginning. Because they wouldn’t believe him anyway. Sighing again, Seunghyun tried to pass by Jaehyun to leave.
“I have nothing more to say.”
“Hey, Lee Seunghyun!”
Jaehyun reached out and grabbed Seunghyun. Perhaps because he was excited, Jaehyun’s pheromone scent wafted strongly. His pheromone, as a recessive omega, smelled like mint. Normally, this scent was barely perceptible to Seunghyun, but now it was blatantly apparent.
“You really… don’t need to push yourself for our sake. No matter what that bastard Jin Suhwan does, we’ll be fine.”
“Hah…”
“What kind of threats did you receive to be acting like this? Tell me.”
“…Threats.”
Yes, at first, it was definitely a relationship that started with threats. Threats that intimidated his family and friends. But now those memories were so faint that they were barely remembered.
“I’m not being threatened. Really.”
“You… shouldn’t you at least be honest with me?”
“I am being honest.”
“Ha, now who’s talking nonsense!”
Seunghyun looked down at Jaehyun, who was speaking angrily, with a tired face. He was truly sick of it. Despite their age difference, they had been like friends because of their similar interests, but now his brother had become someone he didn’t want to face even for a moment.
“Let go.”
“…”
“He’s been sick and in the hospital since Sunday. I’m worried and need to go see him.”
“Ha, damn it.”
The strength in Jaehyun’s hand gradually drained away. As soon as Jaehyun released his grip, Seunghyun opened the door without hesitation.
Just as Suhwan’s family opposed him, he had always expected his own family would not approve of Suhwan. However, when that imagination became reality, it didn’t feel good at all. No, it felt truly disgusting.
“Haah.”
After sighing for what seemed like the umpteenth time, he took out his phone. He realized he had forgotten to contact Suhwan while having a lengthy conversation with Jaehyun. Thinking that Suhwan would be waiting for him at home, he quickly pressed the screen.
“Huh?”
But no matter how many times he pressed the screen, the black color didn’t change. The phone was off. He pressed the power button, but it briefly showed a low battery warning before shutting down again.
“Damn it.”
Having been out almost the entire weekend without properly charging, his phone had completely died.
Frowning, Seunghyun thought for a moment before continuing on his way. He figured it would be better to hurry home rather than charging somewhere halfway and then contacting Suhwan.
And during that time, Seunghyun couldn’t even imagine how anxiously Suhwan was waiting for him.
***
“…That’s all.”
Suhwan blinked after hearing everything Seunghyun had to say.
Seunghyun didn’t go into detail about exactly what his brother had said. But judging from his stiff face and the displeased aura he was giving off, Suhwan could roughly guess.
Come to think of it, it wasn’t just Chairman Jin Gilnyeong who opposed their relationship. It was clear that Seunghyun’s family would dislike and oppose it even more than Chairman Jin. Jin Suhwan’s karma was that significant.
He felt depressed. He could easily imagine how much Seunghyun’s brother would disapprove of him. He also felt sorry for Seunghyun, who must have heard many unpleasant words from him.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“But.”
“Nothing happened, really. I just got the medication from my brother. Look.”
Seunghyun took out the pill bottle from his bag and shook it in front of Suhwan’s eyes. The suppressants, which were said to be tailored to Seunghyun’s constitution, rattled inside the bottle. Suhwan’s eyes widened as he watched.
Seunghyun and his brother would soon develop a new drug. According to the novel’s plot, they would develop the drug around winter. And that’s also when an epidemic would spread in Europe.
To quickly conduct clinical trials, obtain patents, and export overseas, they needed to gain a certain level of trust from Seunghyun’s family. That is, if Hwamyeong was to become HS’s investor. Until now, they had only been seeking Chairman Jin’s permission, but that wasn’t enough.
“Seunghyun.”
“Yes.”
“I… want to meet your brother.”
“What?”
Seunghyun’s eyes widened at Suhwan’s words. Taken aback, he asked in surprise.
“My brother?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why? It’s about time I meet him and introduce myself properly.”
“No, my brother is…”
Seunghyun was visibly flustered. He never expected Suhwan would want to meet Jaehyun first.
“I mean, my brother… has a difficult personality. He’ll definitely curse… say bad things.”
“That’s okay. I’ve done what I’ve done, so I have to accept that.”
“There’s no need to meet him. We don’t need his permission or anything.”
“Seunghyun.”
He stared intently at Seunghyun, who still looked displeased. He could understand why Seunghyun was objecting. Seunghyun was worried that Jaehyun’s words would hurt him. Though he was happy to feel Seunghyun’s concern, he couldn’t keep avoiding Seunghyun’s family forever.
“It’s probably not just your brother who’s against it. Right?”
“……”
“I want to convince your brother first, at least. We can’t live our whole lives without seeing your family.”
“I don’t mind that.”
“Seunghyun.”
At this admonishing tone, Seunghyun bit his lip. He didn’t want to live estranged from his family either. He just thought it was premature. It would be better to convince Chairman Jin first, then persuade their families afterward.
Of course, if persuasion proved impossible, they might really have to cut ties. Looking at Seunghyun’s stubborn face, Suhwan sighed and reached out his hand.
“You don’t really mean that, do you?”
Warmth emanated from the tightly held hand. Seunghyun looked down at that hand and moved his lips.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
