41
After hearing what Seunghyeok was saying, Junghyun felt even more embarrassed. Just as he was about to say that was enough, Seunghyeok spoke.
“I like your sincerity, how you try to do something even in difficult situations. I also like how you speak your mind when needed and how you stand up for others. I like how honest you are like this. And I like how you try to see the world positively.”
“…Um…”
The compliments flowed as if he’d prepared them in advance. Junghyun felt his face burning up. He would have preferred confirming their feelings for each other instead—this felt like he was begging Seunghyeok to list his good qualities.
The compliments felt excessive, too.
He regretted bringing it up, feeling like he’d gotten more than he bargained for.
He certainly wasn’t the amazing person Seunghyeok was describing.
Seunghyeok smiled at Junghyun’s flushed face.
“Anything else you’re curious about? I can tell you more.”
“Ah, no. No, no. …Um, well. Th-thank you for seeing me so positively.”
The more he tried to deny it, the deeper he felt he was sinking, so he finally just thanked him. He wanted to end this topic quickly. Seunghyeok smiled as if he found Junghyun’s reaction cute.
“I haven’t done anything worthy of thanks. It’s fine. I can say it as many times as you want. Our Junghyun is a rare find.”
“…Me?”
“Yes. That’s right. It’s hard to find someone like you.”
Being told it was hard to find someone like him made Junghyun even more embarrassed, especially since it didn’t seem like a direct criticism. He fidgeted with his fingers.
“I don’t think that’s true…”
“It is. I’ve met quite a few people, but never anyone like our Junghyun.”
Junghyun looked up at Seunghyeok quietly. Though unintentional, he felt like he was deceiving Seunghyeok. He could easily predict that no matter how much he denied it, Seunghyeok wouldn’t take back his words, and the compliments would continue endlessly. So Junghyun decided not to respond further.
Seunghyeok didn’t mention anything about pheromones. That fact brought some comfort, but Junghyun still felt unsettled. It seemed like the problem wasn’t completely resolved, and a lingering uneasiness remained.
After some time passed, Junghyun realized what he really wanted to ask.
The question he wanted Seunghyeok to answer wasn’t the soft “What do you like about me?” He regretted even bringing it up, wishing he could have remained ignorant. If possible, he wanted to quietly move on as if the issue was resolved. But he felt like there was something undigested sitting in his stomach.
He felt like he was deceiving Seunghyeok.
But if he kept his mouth shut and pretended not to know, wouldn’t Seunghyeok say it was okay?
After all, Seunghyeok was a good person, and Junghyun was just being spoiled by his kindness.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Huh? Oh… just thinking about you, hyung…?”
Only after speaking did he realize how embarrassing his answer was.
As Junghyun was about to say that wasn’t what he meant, Seunghyeok put his hand under Junghyun’s chin. Junghyun slightly hunched his shoulders at the ticklish feeling of fingertips gently caressing him.
“I appreciate you thinking about me, but when you’re with me, play with me. Push that guy out of your head.”
Even though he said “that guy,” it was still Seunghyeok himself.
They were the same person, so what was the difference? Junghyun pondered but couldn’t find an answer.
When Junghyun hesitated to respond, Seunghyeok pressed his forehead against his and asked, “Hm?” prompting an answer. Though unsure, Junghyun thought it would be better to agree. Seunghyeok laughed softly, seemingly satisfied with Junghyun’s nodding, and lifted him up in his arms, suggesting they brush their teeth.
The time spent brushing their teeth, with their toothbrushes placed side by side in a donut-shaped holder, looking at each other through the mirror, was strangely embarrassing yet happy. Their lips that touched briefly with a “chu” sound tasted of the same toothpaste.
“Let’s go to the hospital tomorrow.”
“Hospital?”
“I think we should check our Junghyun’s pheromone levels.”
Junghyun said he didn’t feel any discomfort now, so it seemed unnecessary and expensive to get additional tests. But Seunghyeok was adamant.
“Why do you think people spend good money on medical tests?”
“Um, to find what’s wrong?”
“No. Well, that’s not entirely wrong, but originally, you go to the hospital to hear that nothing’s wrong.”
What a strange logic. But somehow, it made sense. Junghyun nodded, agreeing. Seunghyeok smiled at him, not forgetting to add, “You’re so sweet.”
Lying in bed, pulled into Seunghyeok’s embrace, Junghyun couldn’t fall asleep for a long time with his eyes closed.
Seunghyeok was wrong about one thing.
Junghyun wasn’t honest.
If the standard of honesty was speaking what was in your heart without hiding anything, then Junghyun didn’t meet that standard.
The question he really wanted to ask was different.
‘Hyung, do you perhaps just like me because you’re mistaking it for pheromones?’
“…”
There was no way he could ask such a question. He was afraid. He became scared at the thought of what he would do if the answer came back, “Come to think of it, yes.” This kind of fear was new to him.
Seunghyeok had said he liked how honest Junghyun was. Anxiety washed over him at the thought of Seunghyeok learning the truth later and being disappointed. He wondered if he should have spoken up earlier, but regret couldn’t turn back time.
Junghyun quietly looked at Seunghyeok, then nestled deeper into his arms.
Junghyun’s tightly closed lips trembled slightly.
* * *
“…Huh?”
Junghyun opened his eyes, feeling drool at the corner of his mouth.
“Are you awake?”
Seunghyeok was sitting in a chair he had pulled up beside the bed. He appeared to have woken up early and prepared, dressed in a flawless suit without a single wrinkle. Seunghyeok approached Junghyun as he saw him wake up.
Seunghyeok looked handsome today too in the sunlight coming through the window.
Sunlight through the window?
Junghyun belatedly realized something was off.
“…Oh. Gasp. Aren’t you late for work?”
Seunghyeok gently pinched Junghyun’s cheek, as if amused by his reaction of bolting upright in bed. Junghyun blinked rapidly, trying to assess the situation, when he remembered what Seunghyeok had said yesterday.
“Were you waiting for me because of the hospital? You should have woken me up. What time is it? You must be very late. I’ll get ready quickly.”
“It’s not late, so it’s fine. I didn’t even notice it was boring while watching your sleeping face.”
Junghyun was embarrassed, wondering if his sleeping habits were bad, though he had no way of knowing what they were. Thinking he needed to get ready quickly, Junghyun got out of bed and went into the bathroom.
Seunghyeok said he could take his time, but that wasn’t possible.
After preparing quickly, Junghyun headed to the hospital with Seunghyeok. They registered at the same hospital as before, had blood drawn, and aside from waiting for the test results, they didn’t have to wait long for the consultation. Now that he was feeling better, Junghyun noticed they were in the VIP treatment area.
When their name was called and they entered the consultation room, it was a different doctor than before.
At the doctor’s gesture to sit down, Seunghyeok pulled out the chair to make it easier for Junghyun to sit. It was a bit embarrassing to have this done in front of others, but Junghyun didn’t forget to quietly say “Thank you.” The doctor looked alternately at the chart and monitor before speaking.
“Are you Jo Junghyun? Please sit comfortably. Let’s see… Your condition has improved a lot. It’s actually rare to stabilize this quickly, which is very good. Your levels… They’re all within the normal range. There shouldn’t be any problems. Just maintain this condition going forward. Well, though I’m sure it won’t happen, you should avoid exposure to other alphas’ pheromones for about four weeks. Very mild exposure is fine, but avoid large amounts of pheromones. Your stabilized pheromones could become disrupted again.”
The doctor gave a long version of the “no problems” diagnosis, just as Seunghyeok had said the day before. After hearing a few more precautions and responding that he understood, Junghyun was about to get up when Seunghyeok held the back of the chair and pulled it out for him. Junghyun thanked Seunghyeok too, but realized he didn’t seem about to leave.
“I’ll be out soon, so could you wait outside for a moment? I have something to discuss privately.”
Seunghyeok asked for Junghyun’s understanding as he looked at him with puzzled eyes. Junghyun nodded that he understood and also gave a slight bow to the doctor. After leaving the consultation room, Junghyun looked around the waiting area for a place to sit. Fortunately, it wasn’t too crowded, so he could find a seat with no one nearby.
He didn’t know what Seunghyeok wanted to discuss, but it was clearly something he didn’t want Junghyun to hear. Junghyun took out his phone and opened YouTube. He wasn’t sure what algorithm brought it up, but the title of the video that appeared at the top caught his eye.
[Consultation Office: Please Check Alpha and Omega Pheromone Compatibility – Part 1]
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
