Chapter 35
“Sometimes you would pause. Did you feel it then? The feeling that someone was watching you? Something like that.”
“That’s right. It happened several times. I tried not to show it in front of you.”
“…This might sound really immature, really childish. Call me ignorant if you want. I don’t know. So first I’ll apologize, and then I’ll just say something that makes me feel better.”
“Say anything. I won’t get angry if it’s coming from you.”
“Don’t say things like that, just… Could you maybe just give them some of your genetic material or whatever? Like sperm or blood… Wouldn’t that be better than dying or getting hurt?”
“Why put such strange prefaces before saying that? Everyone thinks that at least once. I thought about it too. But my father said that people who approach suspiciously like that wouldn’t use my genetic material for anything proper. He said absolutely not. Dominant alphas and omegas have excellent healing abilities. You know that, right?”
“I know. Dominants have many superior traits compared to ordinary alphas and omegas.”
“Right. They have excellent healing abilities and physical capabilities. That’s why many people value dominants. Many people want to marry dominants, and many want dominant sperm. I heard that dominant sperm can be traded for hundreds of millions of won on the black market.”
“Wow… that’s the first time I’ve heard that.”
“But I’m more than twice as powerful as a typical dominant. Even the government hasn’t tested beyond that level. Because it’s scary.”
“Then when you sparred with me, were you holding back or not using your full strength? Are you actually… stronger?”
“No, that’s not it. Right now, I’m using a special suppressor. It reduces all alpha cell abilities to about that of an ordinary alpha. Oh, this is a drug that has passed drug testing, so there’s no problem. Not many people know about it… So my current abilities are somewhere between an ordinary alpha and a recessive alpha. I gave my all with that level of strength, so there was not a hint of deception when sparring with you. I really did my best when sparring with you. So don’t worry about it.”
“What worry? That’s not it. I was just thinking… if you’ve been going easy on me all this time, that would be weird. I’d feel upset and bad about it. I’m glad that’s not the case. Though I’m not sure if this is better for you. Is your body okay with that kind of suppression?”
“Well… so far, there haven’t been any abnormalities. My attending physician is worried and said we should adjust the amount of suppressant after the Olympics. Said it could burst at any time.”
“…That’s good to hear, I guess… Yes, after hearing your secret, I get it. Your father is right. People who would use it legitimately wouldn’t use such cowardly and dirty methods. Are they Koreans?”
“Various. There are Koreans, Chinese, Russians. The good thing is, they seem to think it shouldn’t spread further among themselves. It’s not spreading that quickly.”
“That’s some useless loyalty. Hah… It must have been hard for you.”
“It would be a lie to say it wasn’t hard. But I’ve already accepted everything. This is my current situation. But I can’t stand… people around me getting hurt. My fathers, Jae-woo, Tae-eun, and you…”
“Me…?”
“Why do you think I’ve been telling you all this? You’re in danger too.”
“Me?? Why me?”
“I told you, there was a suspicious person in front of the dormitory. You could become a target too.”
“…Even if they catch me, there’s nothing… Wait, is it possible that they might capture me as a hostage and then demand something from you… Is that what you’re saying might happen?”
“…That’s right.”
“Hey, then I could become a burden to you.”
Han Taekyung was secretly surprised by Igeon’s words. Honestly, he thought Igeon would blame and curse him, and he would have no response. Because of him, Igeon’s life would become inconvenient, difficult, and he would have to be wary of people in many ways. If Igeon said, “Why should I go through this because of you?” he thought he wouldn’t have any response. But the answer he got was unexpected.
“Wow, those crazy bastards. I didn’t even think of that. They’re trying to use me to threaten you? Hey, don’t be ridiculous! That will never happen. Do they think I’ll just sit still? If I ever get kidnapped, don’t come looking for me. I’ll crush them all. Just call the police! Got it?! This makes me so angry.”
“Don’t you… resent me? Me, who created this situation…”
“Why? You’re a victim too. Those guys are crazy. And how can they touch family and friends? Are they even human? Oh right, you called them cockroaches. That fits perfectly. A real human being would never do something like that. Hey, Han Taekyung. There’s no need to feel down. You didn’t do anything wrong. What did you do wrong? Nothing! Really nothing. And from now on, I’ll be cautious and careful too. I promise I won’t be a burden to you.”
Always… you save me. Being by your side, I always find comfort. Seo Igeon, do you know that? How many times your words have saved me.
“I’m going to the bathroom for a bit.”
“Okay. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Aren’t they really crazy?”
Leaving Igeon behind, who was muttering angrily to himself, Taekyung went to the bathroom, leaned against the door, and covered his face with both hands. All the hardship he had been enduring burst into tears with a single word from Seo Igeon. He was truly grateful. After washing his face and going back out, Seo Igeon had brewed another cup of coffee and was drinking it.
“Why did it take so long? Did you eat something delicious today?”
“No, with everything that happened, I couldn’t eat.”
“Oh, then do you want to eat ramen? I’ll make it for you.”
“Didn’t you eat a lot today?”
“I did eat a lot, but I was busier talking than eating, so my stomach emptied quickly. Shall I make three servings?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll have to start controlling our weight soon. Let’s eat now while we can.”
“I’ll make it.”
“No, I’ll make it. You sit down.”
Igeon filled a pot with water and took out the ramen he had stored. He also took out eggs and kimchi from the small refrigerator, set everything up, and put the ramen into the boiling water. Watching this, Han Taekyung smiled. He got up from his seat and slowly approached Seo Igeon from behind, embracing him.
“Ahh! You scared me! What are you doing? So gross.”
“Because I’m grateful.”
“For what?”
“For listening to everything I had to say.”
“Well… I should be the one who’s grateful. You don’t usually talk about such things. Honestly. But you trusted me and told me. So I’m the one who’s happy. And don’t be too afraid of those guys. The only people who can block my kick are you and Instructor Jin, so just crush them with that skill. Of course, I’ll do the same. Oh, I forgot to put in the soup packet.”
As he quickly tore open the soup packet and added it, Han Taekyung rested his forehead on Igeon’s shoulder. He could smell Igeon’s pheromones. The pheromones of a fellow alpha, but he didn’t feel any aversion or dislike. Rather, he wanted to stay like this for a longer time. If Seo Igeon knew this fact, he would probably say it was gross and tell him to get away quickly.
“It’s ready. It’s hot, so move away a bit.”
Well, even if I didn’t stay long, he’d still tell me to move away like this. Taekyung reluctantly pulled away from Igeon. Having no idea what Han Taekyung had been thinking just now, Igeon placed the ramen on the tea table, set out two plates and chopsticks, and called Han Taekyung. Sitting in a chair and eating the ramen that was being shared, the anxiety he had felt earlier at the banquet hall had somehow disappeared.
He only thought about cherishing this time, this situation, and Seo Igeon.
â—†
It had become full summer.
The school, which had entered summer vacation, was quiet and peaceful. Igeon and Taekyung decided to continue training at school instead of returning home because of the national team selection coming up in the latter half of the year, and Kang Yuhan visited them every Thursday for counseling sessions.
“Isn’t your training hard for both of you?”
“It’s a bit tough right now because of the heat, but we can’t help it.”
“Does the gym have air conditioning?”
“It does, but the coach doesn’t turn it on much. He says enduring the heat is also part of training.”
“Wow…”
The senior kept talking, initiating conversation, and bringing up new topics, but it was always Igeon who answered, while Taekyung only gave short answers to questions directed at him. Seeing the senior’s eyes waver each time, Igeon felt heartache. It seemed the senior still had feelings for Taekyung. When he had talked about Kang Yuhan with Instructor Jin, the instructor had said this to Igeon, who was finding it hard to give up:
‘If you’ve done your best, and you think you’ve done your best, but that person still doesn’t look at you, then give up. If you’re not careful, you might become a burden to that senior. Igeon, organizing your feelings for that person’s sake is also a form of love.’
He didn’t expect to hear such sweet advice… For someone who’s single, he’s quite the romantic. Igeon smiled, thinking of Instructor Jin. He couldn’t easily say he had done his best yet. But he felt it might be time to let go of the senior. Since the senior’s heart was too focused on Han Taekyung… If you really like someone, you should support them, right?
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
