Would Tae-yi really let him go once everything was settled? Could they part ways cleanly, without strings? The thought nagged at Haram—would someone as obsessive as Kang Tae-yi really just send him home without a fight?
If he were still alone in the countryside, maybe the thought wouldn’t have even crossed his mind. But living under the same roof had changed something.
Tae-yi had used him—but not everything he said or did had been a lie. And more than anything, Haram could feel it: Tae-yi genuinely wanted him by his side. That much was undeniable. He mattered to Tae-yi.
And that scared him. He still hadn’t sorted out his feelings. What if he ended up getting swept along again like a fool, dragged wherever Tae-yi wanted?
Tae-yi had been staring quietly at Haram’s anxious face when he finally spoke.
“Once all this is over… you can do whatever you want.”
“…Whatever I want?”
“If you don’t want to see me, I won’t come looking for you. I won’t show up in front of you at all. So don’t worry about it. I’m not pulling out of the resort project just to keep you near me, and I’m not going to lock you up so you can’t go home.”
Sure, there were more persuasive ways to hold on to someone, but he knew exactly what Haram would say if he tried them. He couldn’t lie to him anymore. He couldn’t keep him by force. If Haram was going to stay, it had to be his choice. Tae-yi had no say in that.
Haram studied his face, trying to tell if he was being sincere. Then, finally, he gave a small nod.
“Let’s eat. But no staying in squirrel form today. I’ve got something to say.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll tell you after we eat.”
Tae-yi placed a hand on Haram’s shoulder and led him to the front door. For now, the most important thing was making sure Da Haram ate well. And since he was curious about what Tae-yi had to say, Haram followed without protest.
***
Haram still got overwhelmed in crowded places, even if he was better than he used to be. So, just like last time, Tae-yi had reserved a private dining room.
“You can eat whatever you want, but…”
Haram, eyeing the food laid out on the table, swallowed the saliva welling up in his mouth and looked across at Tae-yi. Every dish was something he loved. Not a single meat or seafood item in sight.
It was a feast he could dig into right away—but it bugged him that there didn’t seem to be much Tae-yi would like.
“I like this stuff too.”
Tae-yi answered casually and picked up a piece of simmered pumpkin. That was Haram’s cue to start, albeit a bit hesitantly.
One dish was mushrooms and chestnuts braised together. The mushrooms were thick enough to look like short ribs. Watching Haram pop a mushroom, then a chestnut, into his mouth in quick succession, Tae-yi couldn’t help but smile.
Knew he’d go for that first. Predictable little squirrel.
“If you like this place, should we come again?”
Haram, mid-bite, nodded so hard his bangs flopped—then suddenly froze and backtracked.
“N-no! That’s okay.”
He’d followed Tae-yi out to dinner, sure. But that didn’t mean he wanted to make any promises about a “next time.” Focusing on his bowl, he awkwardly shoveled in rice and fell into silence. Tae-yi didn’t push. He just ate quietly alongside him.
“So… what did you want to say?”
Once the meal was winding down, Haram finally broached the topic—nervous about whatever bomb Tae-yi might drop.
“I have to go overseas for work. Wanna come with me?”
“…Overseas?”
The completely unexpected offer left Haram wide-eyed. He blinked rapidly, staring at Tae-yi. He’d flown solo through the forest plenty of times—but he’d never once been on an airplane.
“Think of it like spending three days relaxing at a hotel and eating good food.”
Seeing the hesitation on Haram’s face, Tae-yi added a little nudge.
“I’ll think about it… until tomorrow.”
Haram’s voice was uncertain, and Tae-yi nodded. Honestly, it didn’t sound like he was going to agree. Tae-yi didn’t want to leave Haram alone, knowing he’d be distracted the entire trip if he did. But he couldn’t force him to come along either.
Swallowing down a sigh, Tae-yi kept his eyes on Haram, who sat fidgeting, head bowed in deep thought.
“But… I don’t have a passport.”
Haram’s cheeks flushed as he spoke, clearly embarrassed. He was worried Tae-yi might think he was some uncultured bumpkin.
Tae-yi let out a soft chuckle and replied in a calm, reassuring tone.
“Then we’ll get one made. Doesn’t take long.”
He said it like it was no big deal—but considering they had to fly out next week, time was tight. Honestly, he wanted to drag Haram to get a passport photo immediately. But if he rushed him, Haram would probably panic. So he played it cool.
“What do I need to do to get a passport?”
Seeing Tae-yi explain things so casually, without teasing him, made Haram feel a bit better. The embarrassment faded, and he shyly asked.
“Are you coming with me?”
Smiling at what sounded like a more positive attitude, Tae-yi asked right back.
Haram shook his head wildly.
“I-I don’t know!”
Clutching his tail to his chest like a blanket, he shot up from the chair and bolted out of the room. Just a little flustered and he was already fleeing. Watching him flee, Tae-yi couldn’t stop himself from laughing.
As he followed with light steps, he imagined it all—Haram swimming in the hotel pool, Haram happily eating breakfast, Haram smiling. If they went on this business trip together, it might as well be a honeymoon.
***
“He barely leaves the mansion, so we can’t get close.”
“That rat bastard’s the only one who can shake Kang Tae-yi. We have to use him.”
“Their relationship doesn’t seem quite like it used to, but Da Haram still came all the way to Seoul of his own accord. Given that, I don’t think it’ll be easy to use him.”
The soft hiss of an oxygen tank was the only sound in the hospital room as Kang Tae-jin and his secretary stood by the bedside.
Tae-jin, staring coldly at the man lying in the bed—his father—spoke again.
“We need to make him come out on his own.”
What would make that rat run from Kang Tae-yi?
The resort project was already falling apart thanks to that bastard. Tae-jin couldn’t just sit back and let the man who’d wrecked his business walk free.
He planned to destroy the project Tae-yi had poured everything into—an eye for an eye. It wouldn’t have been easy in the past, but now…
Tae-yi had a weakness.
As Tae-jin idly tapped the oxygen mask on Chairman Kang’s face, Secretary Kim swallowed hard and stole a glance at him.
“That rat… he’s an Omega, right?”
“…Yes. A recessive Omega, apparently.”
Tae-jin gave a slight nod at the reply and dropped his hand. Then he turned and left the hospital room.
It was time to use Kang Tae-yi’s weakness.
***
Curled tightly under his blanket like he was hiding something shameful, Haram stared intently at his phone screen.
“Wow…”
The more he looked up Tae-yi’s destination—Singapore—the more amazed he was by the extravagant tourist attractions.
I should be planning my return to the countryside, he thought, but this feels like I’m drifting farther away.
He hadn’t even agreed to go yet, but still…
Three days isn’t so bad, right…?
It wasn’t even a vacation, but just the thought of going overseas made his heart flutter. Sure, it would be crowded and chaotic—but maybe this could be a chance to experience something new. Like walking the village alone had been, it could be another personal challenge.
Knock knock—
A sudden knock startled Haram so much he flung his phone aside and started flailing his way out from under the blankets.
“Pfft—”
As soon as he popped out, the first thing he saw was Tae-yi’s lower half, filling his entire field of vision. So much for knocking.
“What are you doing?”
Tae-yi asked casually.
Was he… jerking off in there?
His hair was a wild mess, his face flushed, and his expression was comically startled.
“I-I was just sleeping! What… why?”
Haram’s voice trembled as he stammered, which only confirmed Tae-yi’s suspicions. With a hint of disappointment, he smacked his lips.
“You should’ve come to me.”
Why do it alone?
His tone had a scolding edge to it, and Haram, confused, perched awkwardly on the bed.
“What are you even talking about? And why are you here? Don’t you have work tomorrow?”
Tae-yi smiled as he explained the reason for the late-night visit.
“Came to tell you to get your passport photo taken and apply tomorrow.”
“…I never said I was going.”
Tae-yi’s eyes shifted to the phone sitting by Haram’s pillow. On the screen was a blog post listing Singapore’s top tourist spots.
So he wants to go, huh?
Fighting back a grin, Tae-yi looked down at Haram, who stared up at him with a sulky little pout.
“Good to have one anyway, right?”
His smooth, casual tone made Haram scratch his cheek awkwardly and nod in reluctant agreement.
Tae-yi gave him that usual warm smile and gently tidied up his tousled bangs before leaving the room.
Only after the door shut did Haram realize he’d just let him do that—had sat still and let Tae-yi fix his hair.
He wiggled his fingers and stared at the closed door, stunned by himself.
