12
Though puzzled about what was happening, Junghyun figured there must be a reason Seunghyeok had deliberately called him over, so he went into the master bedroom. Thanks to the darkness outside, he could clearly see his reflection in the window, and it seemed Seunghyeok hadn’t just been making idle conversation.
Perhaps it was because Seunghyeok’s clothes were so large? The widely open neckline revealed his collarbone, making him look quite cold.
The sound of the front door opening could be heard. Based on the noisy presence that could be detected beyond the door, it seemed the person who had rung the doorbell had arrived. Since it sounded like they were having a somewhat heated conversation, Junghyun quickly changed clothes and left the room.
Through the slightly opened door, he could hear two people talking.
“Why did you come?”
“Well! There was such a juicy rumor going around, I had to see for myself if it was true.”
“You must have nothing better to do.”
“Oh come on, you’re one to talk. After all the running around I did to resolve your request, with my ass on the line? Even bringing it to you personally as a special service!”
“Your tongue sure is long for someone who didn’t do all that work without ulterior motives.”
The man was a bit taller than Seunghyeok’s shoulders. He had prominent double eyelids and a slim build, but he didn’t look weak at all. The man responded readily, his eyes curving pleasantly.
Listening to their conversation, Junghyun felt a strange sense of dissonance. But he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.
Seunghyeok was holding a brown paper envelope in his hand. It seemed likely that he had received it from the man he was currently talking with.
What could be in that envelope? Could it be something about his parents?
Junghyun couldn’t take his eyes off the brown envelope.
“Hahaha. This is how I make my living, after all. …Oh!”
Standing there blankly, he ended up making eye contact.
Junghyun awkwardly looked away before meeting Seunghyeok’s eyes. Seunghyeok let out a small sigh without saying anything. However, he made no attempt to hide the envelope he was holding.
That was only natural. From Seunghyeok’s perspective, what reason would he have to be so considerate of Junghyun? No matter how kindly he treated him, Junghyun shouldn’t mistake that. The difference in their positions became freshly apparent.
Recognizing that this wasn’t something he should involve himself in, Junghyun made a concerted effort to divert his attention elsewhere. Fortunately, the lively atmosphere persisted as the man continued to speak without pause.
The energetic man was much more handsome in person than he had appeared through the intercom. He made no attempt to hide his surprise when he saw Junghyun, opening his eyes wide.
“Wow. Isn’t that Ji CEO’s room over there? Hmm?”
Junghyun’s fingers twitched.
How did he know this was Seunghyeok’s room?
Just the other day, Seunghyeok had clearly stated that Junghyun was the only person he had ever brought to his home.
Had he lied? But thinking about it, there wouldn’t really have been any issue even if he had lied. Hmm, Junghyun made the sound as he nibbled on his lip.
Feeling the gaze fixed on him, he focused his blank eyes. Then he realized he hadn’t even greeted the visitor yet.
“…Ah, hello.”
Perhaps overwhelmed by the other’s intensity, Junghyun offered his greeting in a relatively embarrassed, quiet voice.
“Hello. Junghyun? Wow. You’re just a student, right? Man… your face is really small. Why didn’t you become an idol? I think you’d be super popular as an idol. Is your hair dyed?”
“What? Ah, no. I haven’t dyed it…”
Junghyun unconsciously stepped back as the man leaned in close, staring intently at his face. However, the man paid no attention to Junghyun’s reaction.
“Really? Natural brown hair? I don’t think you’d be wearing contacts at this hour either. Your eye color is light too. Wow. No, seriously, you should try being an idol. I hear they’re struggling to find talent these days. With a face like yours, you’d have tons of fans!”
“…No…”
Ratatata. Faced with the relentless torrent of words, Junghyun couldn’t gather his thoughts.
It was Seunghyeok who rescued him from this situation.
Tak, he grabbed the back of the man’s neck and pulled him back. It was a very bold action. The man stepped back a couple of paces with an “uh-oh,” but he didn’t seem offended at all.
“Right. I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Jeong Taejun.”
“Ah, yes. I’m-.”
“I know. Junghyun. I just called you by name a moment ago, and you’re trying to introduce yourself? That’s cute.”
It was the first time someone had said something like that so openly to his face. Junghyun, not knowing what to do, remembered that the man who had identified himself as Jeong Taejun was, after all, a guest.
He turned around, went to the water purifier, filled a glass with cold water, and offered it to Taejun.
“Ah, since you’ve come, I thought I should offer you something. …There’s nothing in the refrigerator- no, I mean, the refrigerator isn’t mine, so please at least have this.”
“Pfft!”
Laughter erupted from Taejun’s mouth.
“Ah-, so cute. Really cute, Junghyun.”
“…No…”
He didn’t understand why Taejun kept calling him cute.
Taejun stared at Junghyun without erasing his smile.
“Stop teasing him.”
Seunghyeok said in a warning tone.
Hearing this, Taejun shrugged and replied casually, “If someone heard that, they might misunderstand.”
And then Junghyun realized what had been causing the sense of dissonance.
Seunghyeok and Taejun were not using honorifics with each other.
Were they very close?
Junghyun blinked, looking back and forth between Seunghyeok and Taejun.
Now that he thought about it, Taejun also knew which room was Seunghyeok’s.
“No, wait a minute.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t know what it is, but I’ll say this isn’t it.”
Taejun made a statement out of nowhere. Caught off guard by the sudden situation, Junghyun tilted his head, not knowing how to respond.
“It’s just my intuition. But my intuition is rarely wrong. Anyway, this isn’t it.”
Not knowing what to say, all Junghyun could do was nod. It was awkward to explain anyway. What could he say?
“But it’s nice to meet another omega.”
Junghyun was surprised by Taejun’s words.
“Oh, you’re an omega?”
“Yes. Can’t you tell? It would be funny if someone with my face claimed to be an alpha.”
This time, Junghyun looked at Taejun, who spoke lightly, with different eyes than before.
This was Junghyun’s first time meeting another omega. In reality, the 1.5% population figure itself wasn’t that small when viewed objectively. But meeting one in person was rarely easy.
To think such a coincidence could happen.
“It’s nice to meet a fellow omega.”
“Ah… yes.”
“Your pheromones are cute, just like you, Junghyun.”
“…What?”
Junghyun’s eyes widened at the unexpected comment. Pheromones? He checked his pheromone state again, but he was definitely keeping them contained.
Learning how to control pheromones is the first thing taught in school from childhood. No matter how hot-blooded he might be, he wasn’t letting his pheromones flow unguarded. Especially since Junghyun had experienced strict supervision from his parents in this regard, he was all the more thorough and made sure not to let his pheromones leak, even by mistake.
But Taejun wouldn’t have mentioned pheromones without reason. He didn’t seem to be teasing either. That left only one conclusion: somehow, his pheromones had leaked without him realizing it.
Had he let his guard down unconsciously because Seunghyeok was a beta?
This had never happened before; he must have been really off his guard. Junghyun didn’t know what to do.
“I’m sorry. I must have unknowingly released pheromones. I’m sorry. You must have felt uncomfortable.”
“Ah, it’s not Junghyun’s fault.”
Taejun rolled his eyes while maintaining his smile. The suddenly awkward atmosphere, which Junghyun felt was his fault, made him even more flustered. He had to say something.
“M-maybe I was too comfortable because the CEO is a beta.”
“Huh?”
“No, I mean, I was so comfortable that my pheromones seem to have leaked out…”
“No, before that.”
Junghyun looked at Taejun, who was questioning him, with confusion. Seunghyeok was also looking at Junghyun with interest. Junghyun bit his lip, rolling it inward and biting it firmly with his teeth.
“A beta?”
“What? Oh… because the CEO is a beta… what?”
Junghyun paused briefly after seeing Taejun’s expression. Had he said something wrong? Taejun was looking at him as if he had heard something very strange.
“Hey… Ji CEO. Beta Ji CEO.”
Taejun turned to Seunghyeok as he called out. Why did it feel like he was mocking? It was difficult to quickly understand why he was reacting that way. Could it be that Seunghyeok wasn’t a beta?
It felt awkward to ask Seunghyeok directly in this situation.
“…Um…?”
“Hmm. No, never mind. I think I should stop here.”
Taejun smiled brightly.
Hearing his words about leaving soon, Junghyun slowly nodded in response, and Taejun’s eyes narrowed as he watched him.
Would it be okay to ask for his contact information?
It seemed a shame to just let this encounter with a fellow omega pass by. There had been omegas at school, but due to reasons like being in different grades, there had rarely been opportunities to speak with them.
After some hesitation, Junghyun gathered his courage.
“Excuse me, can I have your phone number?”
“Contact info? Ah. …Would it be okay to give it?”
Taejun wasn’t asking Junghyun. He was seeking permission from Seunghyeok.
“Seems like it’s okay. I’ll tell you, so save it.”
Junghyun quickly saved the numbers as they came out of Taejun’s mouth.
Leaning forward to look at Junghyun’s phone, Taejun laughed with a deflated sound.
“You’ve saved Ji CEO as ‘CEO’ in your contacts?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
