The Main Character is Obsessed With a Foreign Substance

Time passed quickly. Suhwan felt the noticeably chillier weather and thought to himself. It seemed like just a short while ago it was hot enough to sweat during the day, but winter was already approaching rapidly as the days grew increasingly cold.

Wearing a thin coat over his suit, Suhwan left work early. Today, instead of Yunhyun, Suhwan was scheduled to visit the laboratory to review the progress.

The new drug development was proceeding smoothly. The fact that an epidemic would spread in Europe around the coming winter was something only Suhwan knew for now. And that HS’s new drug would become the treatment for that epidemic.

If the drug could be developed without any issues, and with Hwamyeong’s help for distribution, everything would be perfect. Suhwan didn’t want to break up with Seunghyun. He wanted to stay with him far into the future. Even though this world was originally a novel, and he had manifested into a character who was nothing more than a foreign entity.

Despite making that resolution, a faint uneasiness remained in his heart. Would the story really end so simply? Would the main character Ju Geonyul and Hansung easily give up on HS? Above all, would this world simply allow him and Seunghyun to be together? Undeniable anxiety would occasionally raise its head.

Buzz.

His coat pocket vibrated. Suhwan quickly took out his phone. And when he saw the name on the screen, his previously somber face brightened immediately.

—Hyung.

“Yes, Seunghyun.”

Answering the phone, Suhwan replied in a gentle voice. From the other end, he could sense a hint of fatigue. Seunghyun seemed overwhelmed lately, helping with research that was approaching its final stage. He often complained that it was even more difficult than exam period.

—Where are you? Are you on your way?

“I’m on my way after leaving work. I was going to buy some of that bread we got last time.”

Fortunately, since Suhwan’s supervisor Yunhyun became the person in charge of HS investments, he could see Seunghyun, who was in the midst of his research, quite often. Today too, since Yunhyun was busy with other matters, Suhwan was planning to stop by the laboratory instead. And on the way, remembering the bread that the researchers liked, he was heading to the bakery.

—Why bother buying that? Just come directly.

“But everyone liked it last time.”

—I just want to see you quickly.

Suhwan’s face reddened at the unexpected words that hit him. Having reached the bakery entrance, he looked around unnecessarily and cleared his throat. Then in a small voice, almost whispering, he said:

“I… want to see you too.”

—Then hurry…

Suddenly, instead of Seunghyun’s voice, someone else’s voice cut in. “Go outside to talk on the phone!” The irritated voice unmistakably belonged to Jaehyun. Though the words weren’t directed at him, Suhwan instinctively hunched his shoulders.

—Ah, seriously.

Along with Seunghyun’s grumbling voice, there was a rustling sound. Seunghyun was apparently yielding to Jaehyun’s pressure and preparing to leave the laboratory. Surprised, Suhwan tried to dissuade him.

“I’ll just buy the bread and come right over. Don’t go outside or anything. It’s cold.”

—…

“I’m right in front of the bakery. It won’t take long to buy it.”

After repeated insistence, Seunghyun finally let out a small sigh. Then, as if making a request, he added:

—Just buy something quickly and come.

“Okay, I got it.”

—It’s just going to make us fat anyway.

Jeers erupted along with the grumbling. A female voice was heard speaking irritably. Something about how she doesn’t gain weight, calling him out for his rude comment. It must be Kim Hana, the youngest researcher in Jaehyun’s lab after Seunghyun. Suhwan burst into laughter.

“I’ll buy it quickly and come.”

—Be careful on your way.

“Yes.”

Nodding, Suhwan ended the call with a regretful expression. But perhaps because he had heard Seunghyun’s voice, his heart was pounding. He wanted to see him in person soon. Suhwan put his phone back in his pocket and opened the door to the bakery.

“Welcome.”

After nodding politely to the greeting clerk, Suhwan entered the bakery. The rich aroma of bread stimulated his nose. He quickly approached the display counter.

Being a popular bakery and late afternoon, there wasn’t much bread left. Still, glancing over, it seemed there was enough to buy for everyone. Suhwan, holding a tray and tongs, examined the bread quite seriously. Hana definitely liked the mango-topped tart, Yohan liked the green tea castella, and Professor Jaehyun preferred the not-too-sweet coffee bun.

Precisely aware of the researchers’ preferences, Suhwan neatly stacked the bread on the tray. Finally, he added a strawberry cream cake for himself and almond cookies for Seunghyun. With a pleased expression, Suhwan approached the counter.

“Have a nice day.”

“Yes, thank you.”

After completing the payment and greeting the clerk, Suhwan left the bakery. His previously empty hands now held a heavy bag of bread. Just as Suhwan was smiling, thinking of the people who would enjoy the bread…

Buzz.

The phone in his pocket vibrated again. Seunghyun? Already impatient? Naturally thinking this, Suhwan took out his phone with a smiling face. Because his hands were full with the bread bag, he barely managed to pull out the phone with one hand. However, as soon as he saw the name on the screen, Suhwan’s smiling face froze.

[Ju Geonyul]

“…”

He swallowed hard. The three characters he had been trying to forget for a while pierced Suhwan’s eyes.

Standing motionless in place, Suhwan blankly stared at the vibrating phone. Why was he calling? Had he still not given up on Seunghyun? What exactly did he want to say?

While his mind was in disarray, the call ended. But he should have answered to hear what he wanted to say. As Suhwan bit his lip with an anxious face, a familiar voice was heard.

“That’s harsh. You didn’t have to deliberately ignore the call.”

“…!”

Geonyul approached, playfully waving the phone he was holding to his ear. Suhwan looked up at the approaching Geonyul, feeling his body increasingly stiffen. Was the memory of being crushed by an alpha’s pheromones still lingering in his body? The hand holding the phone trembled uncontrollably.

“It’s been a while.”

Looking down at the frozen Suhwan, Geonyul grinned.

“…Ju Geonyul.”

Suhwan finally opened his mouth. With a pale face, he looked at Geonyul and bit his lip.

“Why are you here?”

“…”

Without answering, Geonyul glanced at the bag Suhwan was holding. Then, still smiling, he spoke again.

“The bread there is good. I often buy it too.”

“…”

“It’s close to my house.”

This was something Suhwan didn’t know at all. He had no interest in where Geonyul lived, and he couldn’t have imagined that a bakery he frequented would be close to the main character’s home. Suhwan faced Geonyul with a dismayed expression.

“What? Did you think I was stalking you?”

“Well…”

“I called because I thought I saw you from across the street, but I didn’t expect you to ignore it.”

“…”

“Are you still afraid of me because of what happened last time?”

Geonyul chuckled as if finding it amusing. Suhwan looked at that face with displeasure before asking in a stiff voice.

“Do you have some business with me?”

Geonyul’s eyes scanned Suhwan’s rather defiant face. But no matter how much he tried to appear unaffected, he couldn’t hide his stiff neck from tension and his slightly trembling eyes. Geonyul’s smile deepened. An omega before an alpha was nothing more than prey before a predator.

“Business? Well, I do have something to talk about since we’ve met.”

“…”

“Shall we chat for a bit?”

Geonyul twisted his face to the side and gestured with his chin toward something. A black sedan could be seen parked right beside them. Was he asking him to get in there? Suhwan glanced at the sedan with disapproval.

While he was curious about what the main character Geonyul wanted to say, being alone with him seemed unfavorable in many ways. Suhwan had already nearly suffered greatly at his hands once. If he were to lash out over the Seunghyun situation, Suhwan wouldn’t be able to stop Geonyul.

It seemed best to avoid him now. Later, maybe if he told Hwalyeon and had bodyguards accompany him, it might be different. But for now, he shouldn’t follow Geonyul. Suhwan resolved and opened his mouth.

“I’m not getting in. If you have something to say, say it here.”

“Ha…”

In a place where people were passing by, Geonyul wouldn’t be able to do anything reckless. Seeing Suhwan’s refusal to comply, Geonyul laughed incredulously.

“Do you really need to be that cautious?”