“If what you’re saying were true, then it would basically mean that people with traits like ours live just for sexual desire. But that’s not actually how it is. I think there are actually fewer people who think like you… Ah! Or maybe you’ve only ever met people like that? Or maybe you’re that kind of person.”
That made sense, because the trait-bearers around Han-gyeom didn’t match what Han Su-hyeon was saying at all. There was no need to even mention Won-hyeok, and Han-ul was also gentle and kind. Ye Ji-won, the department representative, was an omega too, but she seemed to be in a stable, caring relationship with her alpha boyfriend of over five years.
“Fuck, what the hell did you just—”
“A-and earlier, you asked why I’m dating sunbae, right? That’s obvious—I’m dating him because I like him.”
When Han-gyeom smiled faintly, Han Su-hyeon had no choice but to shut his mouth.
“I’m dating him because I like him—what reason could be more important than that? Mm, and Su-hyeon.”
It was obvious from Han-gyeom’s face that he was hesitating over whether he should say this or not. Meanwhile, Han Su-hyeon could only stare at him blankly, as if he’d just been hit over the head several times. He had never expected the conversation to go in this direction.
His plan had been to take care of a drunken Han-gyeom, deliberately release pheromones to make him lose his senses, and then take him back to his place.
“You said earlier that you and sunbae aren’t that different in terms of looks… but that’s not true at all. S-sunbae is way more handsome.”
“……”
Han Su-hyeon’s mouth fell open. Not only had his plan completely fallen apart, but he was now getting hit with an unexpected uppercut on top of it.
“His eyes are prettier, and his nose is sharper too. Each of his features is perfect on its own, but when you put them all together, it’s even more perfect. So I felt like I had to tell you, because I think you’re misunderstanding something. It’s pretty important to know yourself, after all.”
Even as he said that, Han-gyeom’s face turned red, as if he felt embarrassed praising Won-hyeok when he wasn’t even there.
“As for sex… I don’t really know yet, but I’m not dating sunbae for that kind of reason anyway. I think maybe, because that’s how you behave, you assume everyone else is like that too. But that’s not true at all. Maybe you should try changing your way of thinking a little.”
Han-gyeom even added that gentle advice—maybe he should try learning to see things differently—and smiled as if satisfied. Meanwhile, Han Su-hyeon’s dazed expression gradually twisted into something vicious.
“Hey! Go fuck yourself. If you knew what that bastard Do Won-hyeok has done, you wouldn’t be saying that.”
With blood rushing to his head, Han Su-hyeon suddenly shouted and grabbed Han-gyeom’s hand again. Unlike before, his grip was much stronger and more threatening, making Han-gyeom frown.
And at that moment, something came flying through the air with a sharp slicing sound.
“Argh!”
The object struck Han Su-hyeon squarely in the temple. He let out a short scream and staggered. At the sound of clang!, they looked down to see a crushed, empty drink can on the ground.
“Fuck, what the hell!”
Han Su-hyeon shouted toward where the object had come from. At that moment, Won-hyeok strode forward and lifted his long leg. Without hesitation, he kicked Han Su-hyeon hard in the side, sending his already unsteady body crashing completely to the ground.
“Sunbae?”
Without even turning to look at Han-gyeom, Won-hyeok, his face cold and hardened, moved to charge at Han Su-hyeon again. But then his steps came to an abrupt halt at the scent of alpha pheromones rising from somewhere.
“……”
Won-hyeok turned his head to look at Han-gyeom. Around him lingered an unfamiliar pheromone scent, and Han-gyeom looked both flustered and faintly smiling.
“Kang Han-gyeom.”
“Yes? Ugh….”
Returning to stand in front of him, Won-hyeok grabbed his shoulders tightly.
“What did he do to you?”
“Sunbae, ah, that hurts.”
“I asked what that fucking bastard did to you. Or did you come onto him first?!”
The voice was unfamiliar, yet not entirely unfamiliar. Between the dizziness from alcohol and the discomfort in his stomach, being restrained by such force made it harder and harder for Han-gyeom to keep his balance. Even as his judgment started to blur, one thing was certain—
This was the angriest he had ever seen Won-hyeok.
“Fuck, you…!”
“Sunbae… c-could you let go for a second? I, I feel really nauseous….”
He gave an awkward little smile, as if asking whether he could at least lean against the wall. Won-hyeok, seemingly caught off guard, loosened his grip.
“…Ha. I told you to keep in touch. And not to drink too much.”
“I’m sorry. I was having fun hanging out with my classmates.”
Won-hyeok exhaled deeply, as if trying to release the anger boiling inside him through a sigh, forcing his emotions back under control. Then he reached out and pulled Han-gyeom into an embrace. Right—there was someone else his anger should be directed at right now.
Holding Han-gyeom in his arms, Won-hyeok stared indifferently at Han Su-hyeon, who was clutching the spot he’d been hit and crawling on the ground. Their eyes met.
Under Won-hyeok’s gaze—one that looked at him as if he were less than an insect—Han Su-hyeon gritted his teeth.
“Fucking hell, what a joke! Hey! Kang Han-gyeom! Do you even know that bastard stole my lover?!”
“…Come here. I’ll rip your tongue out first.”
After letting Han-gyeom lean against the wall, Won-hyeok put strength back into his leg. He moved quickly, intending to stomp him unconscious. Seeing this, Han-gyeom fidgeted anxiously before speaking.
“S-Su-hyeon, why are you acting like the victim?”
At Han-gyeom’s sudden, straightforward voice cutting in, both of them turned to look at him at the same time.
“I heard you cheated while you were dating someone, and even went after people who were already in relationships too.”
Just earlier, after moving seats, Han-gyeom had heard all about Han Su-hyeon’s past behavior from Ye Ji-won.
“And sunbae doesn’t do things like that.”
“H-How would you know! Who knows what kind of filthy intentions that bastard has inside, or what kind of face he’s hiding! How could you possibly know?!”
Though Han Su-hyeon had thrown those words out carelessly, they struck directly at Won-hyeok’s core.
“S-Still, it doesn’t matter!”
“What?”
Han Su-hyeon let out a hollow laugh, startled.
“I told you. I really like sunbae.”
The words were directed at Han Su-hyeon, but Han-gyeom’s gaze naturally turned toward Won-hyeok.
Not knowing what expression to make, Won-hyeok could only grit his teeth. What had Kim Sun-woo said earlier? That kid was pure to the bone? No—wasn’t he just stupid? What did he even know, saying such absurd things?
And yet, contrary to those thoughts, the strength drained from his body.
Won-hyeok let out another deep sigh. At this rate, it felt like the ground beneath him might collapse. Just moments ago, he had been ready to crush that Han Su-hyeon bastard, maybe even break one of his arms. If he could, he would’ve ripped his tongue out—but that would’ve killed him. At the very least, he had planned to deal with the arm that had grabbed Han-gyeom.
It had also been about time to release the stress he’d built up from constantly pretending to be a nice guy.
Whether Han-gyeom was watching or not, Won-hyeok had always dealt with the anger and stress piling up inside him in less-than-gentle ways—just like back in that fried chicken alley.
But now, the urge to do that had completely disappeared.
All because of that clear, guileless, almost foolish smile—and those foolish words filled with nothing but sincerity. Everything melted away like snow.
What was he even doing? Why had it seemed so important?
After dragging a hand over his face, Won-hyeok suddenly crouched down in front of Han Su-hyeon.
“W-What the…?”
“Was it Su-hyeon?”
When Won-hyeok smiled as usual, Han Su-hyeon, seemingly frightened, began scrambling backward along the ground. But Won-hyeok didn’t let him escape, reaching into his pocket.
“W-What are you doing?!”
Though he struggled, unable to properly move from the hard hit to his side, Won-hyeok easily found his phone. Taking it further, he unlocked it with face recognition, then used Han Su-hyeon’s phone to call his own number, saving Su-hyeon’s contact.
“You got lucky. Normally, I would’ve taken one arm and your tongue… well, ripping your tongue out would be a bit much, so maybe a couple of teeth instead. But I felt like handling this like a gentleman.”
“Fuck… what the hell are you even saying!”
“Just in case, I’ll take your number.”
He even pulled out his wallet and took a picture of his ID. Once he was done, Won-hyeok stood up and walked back over to Han-gyeom.
“How bad does your stomach feel?”
“J-just a little?”
“Let’s go for now. I’ll get you something for the hangover, so let’s stop by a convenience store first.”
Grabbing Han-gyeom’s hand, Won-hyeok led him out of the alley. Han Su-hyeon was left behind alone, overcome with defeat. Unaware of his empty stare following them, the two walked side by side.
“S-sunbae… are you really mad? I was going to message you, but….”
The hand holding his felt much stronger than usual. It was Han-gyeom’s first time attending a drinking gathering, and balancing conversation with friends while keeping up with messages had been difficult for him.
To begin with, he wasn’t the type to always have his phone on him. And toward the end, he had drunk more than expected and had barely been in his right mind. Even now, thanks to the conversation with Han Su-hyeon and Won-hyeok’s sudden appearance, he had sobered up a bit, but not completely.
“It’s not the first time you didn’t reply. I’m not mad about that.”
Arriving in front of the nearest convenience store, Won-hyeok sat Han-gyeom down at an outdoor table before heading inside. Han-gyeom stayed in his seat, looking a bit downcast, rubbing his sore eyes repeatedly as a dull ache crept in.
A little later, Won-hyeok returned with a black plastic bag and sat beside him. He pulled out hangover relief drinks, beverages said to help sober up, and even bottled water, unpacking them with a rustle before handing Han-gyeom the hangover drink first.
“Drink.”
“Thank you.”
Han-gyeom took it and tried hard to twist the cap open, putting strength into his hands, but it wasn’t enough. The alcohol had left him too weak. At that, Won-hyeok’s expression twisted again.
“Give it here.”
With one turn of Won-hyeok’s hand, the cap came off easily. Han-gyeom quickly drank the oddly flavored beverage in one go.
“What did that bastard do to you?”
“Huh?”
“I’m asking what he did to you when you’re so drunk you can’t even open a bottle.”
Won-hyeok ran a hand through his hair irritably.
