Side Story 3
Eventually, Taemin managed to get Idam to sit on the bed. But soon after, Idam started bouncing around the hospital room again. Taemin tried to stop him, but Idam kept springing up like a toy with a spring, and Taemin kept trying to restrain him. In the end, it was Taemin who got tired, and he surrendered, sitting on the sofa.
Taemin felt confused by how different this Idam was from the one he knew.
Was the 14-year-old Idam originally like this? Or had the poison affected his mind? He had received information about Idam’s past through Secretary Kang before, but it seemed there were things he had missed… He felt he needed to look into Idam’s past again. It might also help recover Idam’s memories.
This made him think of Jang Hayun. He was someone who knew Idam’s past well and still kept in touch with Idam frequently. Honestly, Taemin didn’t want to talk to him one-on-one, but given the situation, he needed that omega now. Taemin stood up from the sofa.
Idam was still unable to control his pheromones and was running around the room. Although this was a VIP room and the floor below was used as storage so noise wouldn’t be an issue, Idam’s movements were becoming more violent and could actually become dangerous.
“Idam, stop now. You’ll get hurt.”
Thinking that simply telling him to stop wasn’t enough, Taemin grabbed Idam’s arm firmly to stop him. He didn’t want to use force on this small fairy, but he couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Huh?”
Idam’s eyes widened. For a moment, Taemin wondered if he had been too rough and slowly let go of Idam’s arm.
“I grabbed you too hard, didn’t I? I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I was just so amazed by my pheromones. I’m sorry.”
Taemin felt somewhat relieved at Idam’s ready apology. It seemed like a glimpse of the Idam he knew.
“It’s alright.”
“I’ll be good now.”
“Okay.”
Relieved, Taemin let his guard down. Perhaps because of this relaxation, he suddenly felt hungry. Come to think of it, Idam hadn’t had dinner either.
“Aren’t you hungry, Idam?”
“No, I’m fine! Just looking at your face fills me up.”
“What?”
Taemin froze for a moment, too shocked by Idam’s comment, which felt like an uppercut. The Idam he knew would never say something like this. Moreover, he was confused about what Idam meant by it, given that the 14-year-old Idam had just met him. Putting aside his bewilderment, Taemin continued speaking.
“Still, you should eat something. I’ll order some food.”
“Then, will you eat with me?”
“Of course.”
“In that case, I want chicken.”
“Seasoned?”
“Huh? How did you know? Oh… right. Of course you’d know since we’re married.”
Idam smiled. His slightly raised cheeks were peach-red, and his curved eyes were full of loveliness. Taemin unconsciously wanted to grab Idam and kiss him, but he held back. He felt the 14-year-old Idam would be uncomfortable with such skinship, and mentally he was a minor, so it didn’t seem right. Even just thinking about skinship made him feel guilty.
“Alright, I’ll order chicken. Just wait a bit.”
“Okay!”
Idam nodded. As Taemin was about to take out his phone to find a place that delivered, Idam’s phone on the bedside table rang. The caller was Hayun. Usually, he was a thorn in Taemin’s side, but at this moment, he was very welcome. Taemin quickly picked up the phone.
“Idam, I’m going to take this call. Wait here.”
“Okay, I understand!”
Idam energetically replied and headed to the bed. It didn’t seem like he would run around anymore. Reassured, Taemin went out to the corridor. He entered an empty hospital room right across.
“Hello.”
[Ji Taemin? Why are you answering Idam’s phone?]
Although Taemin and Hayun’s relationship had improved compared to before, it wasn’t exactly friendly. Especially on their wedding day, Hayun had cried and made a fuss as if Idam was marrying some monster, which had annoyed Taemin. But because Hayun’s feelings for Idam were fundamentally the same as his own, he had barely tolerated it. Though Hayun was such an uncomfortable person, at this moment, he was desperately needed.
“Well, you see…”
Taemin informed him about Idam’s current condition.
[Gasp. Is Idam’s condition very bad?]
“No, the detoxification went well, and his life isn’t in danger.”
[That’s a relief at least. So… Idam’s memories are stuck at age 14 now?]
“That’s right. You were with Idam at that time too, weren’t you?”
[Of course, we were in the same orphanage, so we were often together.]
Hayun’s voice sounded proud, as if boasting about being with Idam in their childhood. This really irritated Taemin, but he endured it once more. He felt this way because he was envious that Hayun knew all about Idam’s childhood, which he didn’t.
[Wow. Idam must have been incredibly surprised. Waking up to find he’s married and even has a baby…]
“Yes, he was very surprised indeed…”
Taemin recalled how Idam had been running around the room earlier, smelling his own pheromones.
“What was Idam’s personality like at 14?”
[At that time, before he manifested as an extreme heat omega, he was incredibly bright. Pure. He was so full of energy, he was even a bit wild.]
Wild…
Remembering Idam’s behavior earlier, this answer was quite understandable.
[But although the kid didn’t show it, he also felt lonely easily. So he tended to rely a lot on adults. Especially at that time, there was a male teacher at the orphanage named Han Seungwon, and Idam was like his shadow.]
“What? What kind of person was this teacher?”
[He was a dominant alpha teacher, handsome and gentle. So he was very popular among the kids. This teacher particularly took good care of Idam and adored him.]
Taemin felt burning jealousy rising from his solar plexus. He knew Idam had been close to a teacher at the orphanage, but he had assumed it was just omega or female teachers. He didn’t know there had been such a male alpha hidden behind the curtain.
[That teacher. He’s probably around your age, Ji Taemin.]
“What?”
[Oh. Come to think of it, his appearance is quite similar to yours too.]
“Ha. How could there be someone in this world who looks like me?”
Taemin retorted incredulously, his mood souring. Taemin had a strong stubbornness about his own uniqueness. So he hated hearing that he resembled someone else the most.
[The unpleasantness is similar too…]
“What?”
Taemin’s eyebrows furrowed strongly at Hayun’s continued remarks. Sensing that Taemin’s voice had lowered, Hayun quickly changed the subject.
[Anyway, that teacher left the orphanage for personal reasons just before Idam manifested as an extreme heat omega. I don’t know what he’s doing now. In any case, Idam at that time was really bright, kind, and lively. I sometimes found it hard to handle all that brightness…]
Hayun, in the middle of speaking, seemed to realize he had revealed too much of his inner thoughts. He coughed a couple of times before continuing.
[Anyway, take good care of Idam until his memories return. I’ll come to see Idam tomorrow.]
“No, don’t come. I’ll handle this myself.”
Taemin cut him off and immediately hung up. Currently, everything including himself would be unfamiliar to Idam. If he were to meet Hayun in this situation, he would likely depend on him completely. Taemin absolutely could not allow that. He felt the spark of jealousy growing even stronger.
Buzz.
Another call came from Hayun, but he didn’t answer. Just as he was turning to leave the room with selfish eyes, he let out an audible gasp.
“Huk.”
Idam was standing right behind him.
“What? When did you come here?”
Taemin swallowed, wondering if Idam had heard his conversation with Hayun.
“Just now.”
“Were you that eager to eat the seasoned chicken?”
“Ah, well… I…”
Idam carefully touched Taemin’s pinky finger. For some reason, his hand movement seemed shy.
“I was scared to be alone.”
“Ah…”
Taemin felt his heart flutter at Idam’s answer.
The mature Idam no longer feared even thunder, rarely cried over most things, and didn’t show displeasure. Seeing this younger Idam trying to rely on him made Taemin feel elated.
“Alright. I’ll try to stay with you as much as possible from now on.”
“Yes! I’d like that!”
Idam grinned and grasped Taemin’s hand. His grip was quite strong. For a moment, Taemin was surprised by Idam’s assertive action, but he felt so good that he couldn’t help but smile.
That night, Taemin ordered seasoned chicken delivery from every nearby chicken place. The 14-year-old Idam had an even bigger appetite than the current Idam. He showed the amazing feat of devouring three whole chickens by himself.
* * *
The next day arrived. As planned, Taemin was discharged from the hospital with Idam. As they left the hospital building, the autumn breeze greeted them refreshingly. Idam held Taemin’s hand tightly as they walked to the parking lot. His steps were full of cheerfulness.
“So, what kind of place do we live in, mister?”
“Just an ordinary traditional Korean mansion.”
“Wow! I bet it’s amazing, just like you!”
Taemin’s lips curved up involuntarily at Idam’s compliment. Especially as he felt the sincerity in Idam’s eyes, he felt a warmth. Just then…
“Yeo Idam?”
An unfamiliar man’s voice caressed their ears. Idam, who had been smiling brightly at Taemin, also widened his eyes in surprise.
“Huh?”
A man with brown hair approached from the opposite direction.
“Oh? Teacher Han Seungwon?”
What? Han Seungwon was the young teacher Idam had been close to at the orphanage. According to Hayun, he was supposed to resemble Taemin, but that wasn’t the case. He was just tall and lanky. Taemin thought he himself was much more handsome.
“It’s been a while, Idam. Has it been 7 years?”
At Han Seungwon’s question, Idam spoke with bewilderment.
“What? 7 years? I’m 14 now… Oh… no…”
Idam counted on his fingers, seemingly not yet used to the fact that he was actually 21 and had lost his memories.
“Yes, it has been 7 years. Have you been well, teacher?”
“I’ve been doing well. Is Idam in high school now?”
“He’s 21.”
Taemin abruptly interjected into their conversation and wrapped his arm around Idam’s shoulders.
Thinking that this person had been close to Idam in the past made his heart boil with jealousy.
“And who are you?”
Han Seungwon also looked Taemin up and down. His eyes were full of wariness.
“I’m Idam’s husband.”
At Taemin’s answer, Han Seungwon’s expression became flustered. Idam also looked surprised, but soon his cheeks turned as red as ripe peaches. Taemin, with his arm still around Idam’s shoulders, moved away from Han Seungwon.
As the two walked away, Han Seungwon’s lips curved up ominously.
“He doesn’t recognize me, huh?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
