Although he had washed up before leaving home, Seo Dong-eun took another shower. He just wanted to. He wiped the steam from the foggy bathroom mirror with his hand and looked closely at his reflection. A thin body; there wasn't a single thing about it that might stir desire in Kwon Woo-kyung. So he had no choice but to be as clean as possible. There was nothing else he could do.

Act naturally. Don't be clumsy. With that resolve, Seo Dong-eun shook out his wet hair. As he wrapped himself tightly in a bathrobe and carefully opened the door, the cold air from outside rushed in. Although the residence was likely kept at a comfortable temperature, the air on his skin felt chilly, making his shoulders tremble slightly.

“Are you cold?”

Startled by the sudden voice, he instinctively turned his head. Kwon Woo-kyung was approaching the guest room. He was also wearing a bathrobe and holding a small glass. It seemed he was on his way back to his bedroom with a drink.

“No.”

The collar that barely covered his firm chest seemed woefully insufficient. At the sight, his face flushed helplessly again. Seo Dong-eun quickly lowered his head. His hand instinctively rose to touch his bare neck. Both he and the other man were fully aware this time. He absolutely could not find anywhere to look.

“Want a drink?”

When he shook his head to decline, the man didn't press further. Because he had a history of making a fool of himself while drinking, he had become consciously averse to alcohol since then.

“Come.”

He might have stayed there forever if the man hadn't spoken. Even though he knew he was being foolish, he kept hesitating. Only after hearing Kwon Woo-kyung's words did Seo Dong-eun move. He followed him into the bedroom.

As Kwon Woo-kyung leaned against the tea table by the bedside, Seo Dong-eun took his place on the bed. Once seated, he felt awkward and kept shifting restlessly. As he fidgeted, his back bumped into the headboard. He wondered if this was how he was supposed to wait, and just as he relaxed his shoulders, it happened.

“I feel like I’ve been filling you up for about three days straight. I suppose it wasn't enough.”

“……?”

He felt one side of the bed sink. Before he knew it, Kwon Woo-kyung had approached and was staring at him, propped up on one arm. He saw the glass, already empty, lying carelessly on the table. The bitter scent of alcohol wafted over him. Kwon Woo-kyung drew closer, a faint smile playing on his lips as he tilted his head.

“I hate it when people play coy.”

“…….”

Is he talking to me? What does he mean by that? Unable to make sense of it, Seo Dong-eun remained silent. Kwon Woo-kyung spoke again, firmly gripping Seo Dong-eun's cheek. The distinct scent of alcohol grew stronger.

“Especially when someone with a face like yours does it, it makes the person on the receiving end look ridiculous.”

“What about my face…….”

He wanted to ask what the problem was, but the words wouldn’t come out. It was only natural for his expression to stiffen after being criticized for his face several times. Kwon Woo-kyung readjusted his grip on the head that tried to pull back. The touch, once light, gradually grew harsher. The jaw held in his grip felt utterly fragile. Pulling it right up to his face, Kwon Woo-kyung smiled a bit more.

“I mean I prefer it when people are honest. Like right now.”

“What are you talking about, I’m just……! Mmph!”

He was quite literally devoured. His head was tilted back by the hand lightly supporting the back of his neck. As his lips parted instinctively, a tongue slid inside. A dizzying scent pierced his throat.

“Open your lips a bit more.”

The voice that murmured as their mouths were locked was dreadfully erotic. Seo Dong-eun had to open his mouth as wide as he could. So that Kwon Woo-kyung could devour him more deeply. So that his tongue could toy with him more ruthlessly.

After sucking on the lower lip several times, he withdrew his tongue. He was skilled at gently coaxing the tongue, stiffened by the unfamiliar intrusion, into relaxing. Wet sounds escaped before the saliva could even pool in their mouths. The sensation of their tongues tangling at the root and scraping against the roof of his mouth was overwhelmingly stimulating.

“Hngh. Eu…….”

Seo Dong-eun trembled. He squeezed his eyes shut and fumbled with his hands. Unaware that he had been completely laid flat, he shivered, clutching only his bathrobe.

“Try sucking on my tongue.”

Kwon Woo-kyung commanded as he stripped off the cumbersome, tightly wrapped gown. His voice sounded casual, yet there was a subtle trace of impatience. The hesitation didn't last long. When Kwon Woo-kyung tilted his head toward him again, Seo Dong-eun took his tongue into his mouth.

He carefully licked his lips and entered. He wrapped their tongues together, which felt overwhelming, and pulled them toward himself. The scent of alcohol was no longer mingled with the soft touch. The thick saliva was shared between Kwon Woo-kyung and him. Unconsciously, he lifted his face. Matching Kwon Woo-kyung's movements, he chased the tongue, fearing Kwon Woo-kyung might pull away.

“Haa…….”

When their lips finally parted, a moan escaped, involuntary and sharp. Startled by the sound he’d made, his unfocused eyes widened. The sensation of air on his saliva-slicked lips was unfamiliar.

“Down below.”

Fortunately, Kwon Woo-kyung didn't seem to mind. He simply overlapped his hand with Seo Dong-eun's and guided it downward. Now, both of them were naked. Kwon Woo-kyung had made sure of that. With their skin fully touching, Kwon Woo-kyung's semi-erect member brushed against his fingertips. His hand curled instinctively.

“Nngh……!”

As if it were only natural, Kwon Woo-kyung guided Seo Dong-eun's hand to his cock and lowered his head. Immediately, his lips toyed with the chest. He kissed the pale nipples and then sucked on them. Though he bit his lip hard to suppress the sound, a moan inevitably escaped. His body reacted instinctively to the stimulation. A jolt of electric pleasure shot through him as his nipple was drawn into that wet mouth. His waist arched and his chest heaved.

Just from having his nipples sucked, his vision went white, then black; he couldn't regain his senses.

“Haguh……. Ah, ah, ngh!”

Seo Dong-eun shuddered, unable to suppress a low moan. Then, suddenly, a sharp sting made him snap his eyes open. Looking down, he locked eyes with Kwon Woo-kyung, who was still smirking as he held Seo Dong-eun's nipple in his mouth.

“You like being sucked. Did you know you're especially sensitive here?”

As the damp breath and voice washed over him, a ticklish sensation pooled and scattered across his chest. The sight of Kwon Woo-kyung, face buried in his chest, sucking on him... the mere sight of it was almost unbearable. A faint thread of saliva stretched from Kwon Woo-kyung's lips to the nipple. It was visibly swollen and prominent from relentless sucking and biting. The contrast with the other side, which hadn't been touched, was striking. Heat rushed to his face in embarrassment. Seo Dong-eun shook his head, avoiding his gaze.

“I guess you haven't had anyone suck them for you. Poor thing.”

Kisses rained down on his lowered eyelids. Contrary to the humiliating nature of the situation, the tone and gaze directed at him were filled with genuine pity and deep sympathy. His touch was no different. The way he brushed back his hair and traced his fingers along his arm and bare shoulder was gentle. It was the kind of behavior that made one want to misunderstand. If he had known nothing, it would have been easy enough to do.

“Lie on your stomach.”

Ending the soft movements that felt as if they would last forever, Kwon Woo-kyung sat up. Through the small gap between them, his lower half was revealed. Seo Dong-eun gasped at the sheer scale of it. Even though it felt like he hadn't touched it much, Kwon Woo-kyung's cock was now fully erect. It was a size he could never get used to. To think such a thing had entered and exited his body, multiple times at that. Even with the memory of it, it was hard to believe.

“I'm going to put it in.”

Kwon Woo-kyung smiled mischievously, lightly patting his butt. His intent to tease was unmistakable. It was clear what he read in the fear-filled gaze, even without saying it. The rims of his ears must have been burning. His exposed body was no different. Seo Dong-eun kept his mouth shut and pushed himself up.

Contrary to the relief he had felt at having his face hidden, exposing his most intimate parts while fully conscious was no easy task. Even though he couldn't see, he could clearly feel where his gaze fell, and soon the touch of hands spreading his cheeks followed. Seo Dong-eun trembled violently, struggling to keep his arms steady.

“I-It's okay.”

Muttering in confusion, Seo Dong-eun pulled his body back. Kwon Woo-kyung, who was about to pick up the gel, quirked an eyebrow and frowned.

“Come here. I'll loosen you up. Don't cry because it hurts.”

“N-No. I, I…….”

“You're saying you did it yourself, Mr. Seo Dong-eun?”

“……I did.”

The mumbled words, spoken while he was unable to lift his head, came out trembling and miserable. It wasn't a loud voice, but it wasn't so soft that it wouldn't reach the other person. Still, for a moment, he was silent. Until the unbearable silence forced Seo Dong-eun to look up.

“You loosened yourself up.”

Kwon Woo-kyung said, staring straight into his eyes. The slow blink, the gaze that examined him as if seeing him anew, was burdensome. Seo Dong-eun quickly nodded and swallowed hard. He hadn't seen blood since the first time they slept together, but the second time hadn't been easy either. Kwon Woo-kyung seemed to have noticed that Seo Dong-eun had cried while taking him. It had been during a rut, but an alpha's perception was always sharp.

“Show me.”

“What?”

He hoped this moment would pass as quickly as possible. Since it was the third time, he hoped it would be better; that was the only thought Seo Dong-eun had as he forced himself to touch down there. For Seo Dong-eun, who had to touch and loosen his own hole for the first time in his life, it was a memory he didn't want to dwell on. He thought it would have been easier if he were a proper omega, but then he scoffed, knowing that if he were a real omega, he wouldn't even be in this kind of relationship with Kwon Woo-kyung in the first place. Now that his Pheromones had dried up, he felt a strange satisfaction in being this close to him. Even he thought he was a lost cause when it came to Kwon Woo-kyung.

However, before he could mock himself, Kwon Woo-kyung made an unexpected request. Seo Dong-eun wondered if he had misheard and asked, but the only response was that blunt gaze.

“I have to check if it's loose enough to put it in before I do. Hurry, I'm in a rush.”

Kwon Woo-kyung's erection, which had been hard for a while, was now pressed against his lower abdomen. Thick veins stood out prominently against the rigid shaft. The glistening glans was terrifyingly large. As expected, it was not something he could look at for long.

Hurry, Kwon Woo-kyung urged again. Seo Dong-eun had no choice but to lie back down. He could feel his own body temperature reaching its peak. Kwon Woo-kyung was likely seeing the exact same sight from behind. At that thought, his face turned even redder.

“Spread it yourself.”

At the low command, Seo Dong-eun moved his trembling hand. He thought he heard a rustling sound, but he didn't have the capacity to care. With one hand braced against the floor, he reached down with the other. Fumbling, he gripped his buttocks and pulled them apart. As they parted, the cool air touched the hidden entrance.

“Mmph!”

Only for a moment did something touch the hole that had contracted against the cold. By the time he felt it, it was already too late. He was pierced through in one go. His body was slammed down with a thud. There was no way his arms could bear the weight of the alpha crashing down on him. Trapped between the mattress and Kwon Woo-kyung's heavy frame, Seo Dong-eun’s mouth fell open. The pressure of the thick cock forcing its way in made him instinctively clench below.

“Haa……. It's tight.”

Kwon Woo-kyung seemed to pull back slightly as he whispered, almost to himself. Pale and shaken, Seo Dong-eun trembled. He clenched his teeth and held his breath. His slender back shuddered pitifully. Kwon Woo-kyung eagerly gripped the lean waist. He continued speaking while staring at the reddened hole that held his member.

“Did you stretch it with your fingers?”

The sensation of the inner walls, which had been stretched to the shape of the thick member, returning to their original state was vivid. Guessing that the cold, foreign sensation was probably the gel, Seo Dong-eun gave a vague nod. His jaw hurt from clenching his teeth. Even though it was the third time he had received him, it hadn't gotten any easier. It felt hopeless.

“Hmm.”

With a low rumble in his throat, Kwon Woo-kyung began to move. Guessing he might pull out completely, Seo Dong-eun tensed his arms. Suddenly pressed deep into the mattress, his tense body screamed in protest.

“Where are you going?”

But Kwon Woo-kyung didn't allow even that small movement. Feeling Kwon Woo-kyung's body heat pressing back against him, Seo Dong-eun squeezed his eyes shut. Contrary to his expectation that he would immediately thrust upward, nothing happened. Seo Dong-eun blinked slowly.

“Your fingers are only this big, how many did you put in?”

“……Two, two.”

“Did you think just those two would be enough to open it up properly?”

“……No, I didn't.”

He knew it was absurd to think two of his fingers could replace Kwon Woo-kyung's, but anything more was impossible. Seo Dong-eun shut his mouth gloomily. Somehow, it felt as if Kwon Woo-kyung was blaming him.

“Relax.”

Kwon Woo-kyung's cock was still lodged deep in his hole. The entrance, struggling to hold his thick glans, was stretched tight. Seo Dong-eun didn't know how to relax. Because of that, he didn't realize that the more he fidgeted, the more he provoked the savage beast.

“Whew, stop clenching.”

The hole repeatedly opened and closed, clamping down on Kwon Woo-kyung's member. He could feel it too, and it was agonizing. Seo Dong-eun took a deep breath and tried to release the tension in his lower abdomen.

“……!”

It was then. Suddenly, Kwon Woo-kyung's hand groped toward the front. His touch made the semi-erect member harden further, shamelessly surging with renewed vigor. Kwon Woo-kyung didn't hesitate to knead it.

“No, wait, not there.”

“Stay still.”

There was no composure left in Kwon Woo-kyung's voice. Whispering urgently, Kwon Woo-kyung began to move his hand. The fact that he couldn't reproduce because his pheromones had disappeared was an issue for later, but the front had never been involved in reproduction to begin with. However, his penis reacted instantly to the unfamiliar stimulation. Gasping, Seo Dong-eun dropped his head. Rubbing his forehead against the soft bedding, he clenched his teeth.

“Make some noise.”

“Ah, w-wait a moment…….”

He felt a heavy weight and warm body heat pressing against his back as he flinched. Kwon Woo-kyung spoke with his mouth pressed against his ear. His hand continued to stroke and caress the other man’s cock. It was a place he had never even properly touched himself. The sensation of the shaft being stroked and the glans being rubbed sent a jolt of pleasure so intense that his jaw trembled. A shiver raced across his skin at the sound of that low, husky voice against his ear.

His shoulders hunched involuntarily. It felt as if every place he touched had become an erogenous zone. The hand pressed into the mattress curled, gripping the sheets.

“Hngh……, ah, please.”

He mumbled words that didn't even make sense. He couldn't bear it.

“Open your mouth.”

Their bodies were already pressed tight against each other, leaving no space between them. Legs intertwined, backs and chests flush. Yet Kwon Woo-kyung gave another command. He forced open the tender lips and thrust a finger inside.

“Mmph!”

His mouth, helpless and agape, was ruthlessly invaded. The finger that had been caressing his tongue soon scraped the roof of his mouth and probed beneath his tongue. Saliva pooled instinctively.

“Ngh, ahup. Ah, ah……!”

While he was squirming, completely dominated from both above and below, he felt the cock begin to thrust deep into the hole. Helpless moans slipped through his parted lips.

But it wasn't the reckless, pounding thrusts like before. Slowly and deliberately, the member penetrated him, and the hole yielded willingly. Under the alpha who completely swallowed him, Seo Dong-eun could only groan.

The tightly stretched inner walls gripped his cock. Coarse pubic hair brushed against his backside. After that, there was nothing to hold him back. With his hips anchored, Kwon Woo-kyung began thrusting. The fluid motions ignited waves of pleasure wherever they touched. He pulled out completely and thrust back inside without warning. The erratic movements stimulated various parts of the inner walls. Though the angle shifted constantly, not a single spot escaped his touch. The sound of flesh meeting flesh grew increasingly rapid. White foam began to bubble at the entrance of the pink hole, stretched to its limit. Seo Dong-eun flailed, unable to close his mouth, which had fallen open in shock. Every attempt to escape was met with a firm, restraining grip.

“……Hah! Euuugh……!”

With a hand pressing firmly against his back, only his hips were forced high into the air. His pale private parts were fully exposed, swept up in the lewd act. Red marks remained on the white skin where the muscles had been struck. With every thrust in and out, his inner walls spasmed, straining to follow the movement. No matter where he rubbed, it felt like an endless, dizzying abyss. Until the moment the frenzied thrusting member reached the deepest, most secret point of ecstasy.

“……!”

He rode out the waves of pleasure while still sheathed around that thick cock. Upon reaching climax, his semen dripped listlessly down. Kwon Woo-kyung licked the white fluid scattered across his hand, making a show of it. Seo Dong-eun had to watch the entire scene while still impaled on that member below. He felt that it would have been better if one of them had simply lost their mind. Under the bright lights, the dark-red member digging into the swollen hole glistened lewdly. Kwon Woo-kyung didn't stop until Seo Dong-eun ejaculated two or three more times.

“Agh! Haa……. Nngh, ha-ah……!”

Messy moans poured out unfiltered. His hips arched, and the inner walls fiercely clamped down on his cock. The act of milking the alpha's semen was beyond erotic. Even then, Seo Dong-eun couldn't pull himself together. He seemed unaware of what he was doing. Kwon Woo-kyung simply smiled deeply as he looked down at him, listening to his low, pained whimpers. Overwhelmed by pleasure that surpassed all limits, his body moved in a beautiful, involuntary rhythm. With nothing left to give, the omega thrashed in a futile struggle to break free from the alpha who held him captive.

“Stay, stay still.”

But Kwon Woo-kyung wouldn’t allow even that weak resistance.

“Hah! Ah, no……. I-I'm coming……!”

The inner walls convulsed again under the relentless stimulation. Feeling the inner flesh grip his cock tightly, Kwon Woo-kyung bit Seo Dong-eun's lip. The already swollen, red lips parted helplessly. He captured the tongue—as soft as skin and as red as the inner flesh—and swallowed it, leaving not a single moan behind. The warm lining enveloped him, the body winding around him with heightened sensitivity; there wasn't a single thing that wasn't sweet. The stimulation was so intense that his reason was on the verge of evaporating; it wouldn't have been surprising if his rut had been triggered all over again.

“Kh!”

Kwon Woo-kyung climaxed just like that. Even then, his hips did not stop their greedy movements. Seo Dong-eun's body trembled repeatedly as lukewarm warmth spread through him. In his vacant eyes, where reason had vanished, a thick moisture gathered, perfectly suited to him.

“Haa...”

Sucking that moisture to his heart's content, Kwon Woo-kyung became erect again. The moist inner walls swallowed his member as if it were natural.

“Fuck.”

Uttering a sudden curse, Kwon Woo-kyung laughed fiercely. He sucked on the eyelids that had finally closed as Dong-eun fainted. Then he licked them as if he wanted to devour the pupils hidden beneath. If he could swallow them, he truly would. That was how much he craved Seo Dong-eun. The vicious climax, held back for so long, showed no sign of ending.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A week had passed. For the entire week, Seo Dong-eun had to answer Kwon Woo-kyung's calls every day without fail. He had to visit the hotel residence where Woo-kyung was staying at the time he had designated.

For the first few days, Seo Dong-eun was skeptical. Kwon Woo-kyung was a widely known star, an actor busy filming a movie. Because of that, he thought it would eventually stop. He guessed it might last only a day or two. After all, Woo-kyung was a dominant alpha in the prime of his youth. Naturally, his pheromones would be powerful. Add the onset of his rut to the mix, and it was only natural that he would need to release his desires.

However, after a week of torment, he realized this was no ordinary matter. He wondered in despair whether that kind of relationship was always like this, but it was frustrating that there was no one he could openly ask about it. By Seo Dong-eun's standards, the very nature of such an ongoing relationship was incomprehensible, yet the person involved was Kwon Woo-kyung. A top actor whose face anyone would recognize, the son of National Assembly member Kwon Tae-seok, and a member of the conglomerate Cheon-il. Perhaps people like that could act this way... He managed to organize his complicated thoughts by finding a reason that made sense to him. Perhaps he should consider himself lucky to be unemployed and not working a regular job.

Seo Dong-eun had longed so desperately for an ordinary life. When he was kicked out of his company because of an incident he had never imagined, it was simply agonizing. Yet time marched on. Now, the days he didn't commute to work were no different from any other day. He had lived for ten years since running from Kwon Woo-kyung. Is it simply human nature to go on living, no matter what happens? Or was there something wrong with him? Would he always just be someone who merely survives?

His thoughts wandered off on a tangent again. Seo Dong-eun shook his head to clear the stray thoughts. Then, looking at the message window on his phone screen, he tried to refocus on the task at hand.

Kwon Woo-kyung hadn't contacted him yet today. However, given that she had been visiting him every day for over a week, there was no guarantee that today would be any different. That was why Seo Dong-eun was considering whether he should be the one to contact him first.

A few hours ago, reliable information about Park Jeong-tae's whereabouts had come in. The only person still in contact with Seo Dong-eun was Assistant Manager Yoo, and she never failed to pass along information. Given the effort she had put in, he felt he should go look for Park Jeong-tae today.

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

He hesitated, preoccupied with how to send the message. Suddenly, the phone in his hand vibrated. He was startled, so startled that he answered the call without even realizing it.

“Hello?”

-You answered quickly. Were you looking at your phone?

“...Ah.”

It was Kwon Woo-kyung. Answering the phone without checking who it was first had been a mistake. And of all times, it happened while he was thinking about him. Seo Dong-eun froze, his mouth hanging open.

-Hello? Mr. Seo Dong-eun?

“Ah, yes. Yes, yes. I was just... doing something.”

-Are you at home?

“Yes.”

-That's good. I had a shoot near your place. Let's go back together in my car today.

“....”

Uttering those few words, that today probably wasn’t a good day, proved incredibly difficult. It would have been better to send a text message as quickly as possible. No, that would have been much better. Hearing his voice made his already stiff mouth refuse to open.

-Mr. Seo Dong-eun?

There was no way Kwon Woo-kyung wouldn't notice the other person's strange reaction, met only with silence after his words. Feeling a bit awkward, Seo Dong-eun scratched his forehead and forced himself to speak.

“Um... I'm sorry. I don’t think I can make it today.”

-...I suppose you might have plans. It is the weekend, after all.

He felt a pang of guilt at that voice, at every word he uttered. His anxious mouth went bone-dry. After gnawing at his chapped lips for a while, Seo Dong-eun cautiously continued.

“It's not that, but something urgent came up. It's something I absolutely have to check today. Tomorrow... tomorrow is fine.”

He immediately regretted saying the last part. What if he thinks I said it because I'm desperate? Regret washed over him the moment the words left his mouth.

-...Alright, then. I'll see you tomorrow.

The call ended before he could say anything more. Seo Dong-eun blinked slowly and set down the phone he was holding. The phone, whose light had already gone out, was black as always, showing only a dark surface.

For over a week, ever since his rut began, he had slept with Kwon Woo-kyung every day. It would be a lie to say he hadn’t wondered, just a little, whether the man actually liked his body.

“...Right.”

Kwon Woo-kyung had never once asked for a reason, nor had he held on to him. Of course he hadn’t. He felt embarrassed for entertaining such an absurd assumption. He should have sent a message from the start. Then they could have avoided such an unnecessary phone call. A small, scoffing laugh escaped him, and time flew by. Seo Dong-eun stood up briskly. He couldn't stay like this if he wanted to go to the place Assistant Manager Yoo had told him about and find out where Park Jeong-tae was.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

“Assistant Manager!”

As Seo Dong-eun waved, Assistant Manager Yoo, who had stepped out of her car, waved back vigorously and ran toward him.

“Dong-eun! Why do you look like you've lost so much weight? It’s because of all that stress, isn’t it?”

“Oh, no. I'm eating well and sleeping well.”

“Still. You've been busy chasing that guy, Park Jeong-tae, right? What are you going to do now that you're coming up empty again today?”

Assistant Manager Yoo genuinely felt sorry for Seo Dong-eun, who must have spent the whole day making useless trips based on her information. He hadn't expected much, but it still didn't feel good to come up empty again. Seo Dong-eun just shook his head and gave a bitter smile.

According to information gathered by Assistant Manager Yoo, someone had spotted Park Jeong-tae's wife nearby. Unlike Seo Dong-eun, Park Jeong-tae had ample direct evidence against him for leaking confidential information and embezzling public funds. Since his bank accounts would likely be frozen, it would be difficult for the whole family to flee together. In any case, the police investigation would focus on Park Jeong-tae himself. Thus, Seo Dong-eun had been scouring the area to find Park Jeong-tae's wife. At one point, he even waited for a long time near a place said to be the home of Park Jeong-tae's wife's friend. Of course, it was all in vain.

“What about a job? Are you looking into it?”

With the weather turning significantly colder, they couldn't just chat outside. Assistant Manager Yoo led Seo Dong-eun to a nearby barbecue restaurant. This evening’s meeting had been suggested by Assistant Manager Yoo after hearing that Seo Dong-eun had come up empty-handed again. Concerned about Seo Dong-eun's haggard appearance, Assistant Manager Yoo aggressively handed him pieces of grilled meat.

“Just... it's a bit difficult right now. Director Park's matter isn't settled yet.”

“Director my foot. Ugh, this is so frustrating.”

Muttering as if answering her own question, Assistant Manager Yoo downed a shot of soju in one go and set the glass down with a loud clack. Then she vented her indignation as if it were her own problem.

“I mean, I understand the company's position, but they should catch that bastard, Director Park, first. All the funds went to him, and there's clear evidence he ordered it. What about the lawsuit? Did it arrive?”

“Yes.”

A few days ago, a lawsuit arrived in Seo Dong-eun's name. Seeing the lawsuit detailing the company's accusations firsthand made it feel as if his heart had dropped to his feet. He had to appear at the police station for questioning in three days. Even though he had experienced something similar before, the mere thought of being interrogated made his vision go dark. That was why Seo Dong-eun had been feeling somewhat gloomy lately.

“That... what about that time the police came to the office? Was that all resolved?”

“Ah, yes. That's all been settled.”

While Seo Dong-eun had been in a holding cell, framed as a trafficker of underage omegas, the police had visited the company to investigate. Since that was also one of the decisive factors in him leaving the company, it was natural for Assistant Manager Yoo to worry.

“Is it a streak of bad luck? Why do these things keep happening?”

Muttering to herself, Assistant Manager Yoo gulped down more alcohol, seemingly frustrated. Feeling that he was driving a good person into a drunken stupor, Seo Dong-eun tried to stop her, but Assistant Manager Yoo kept drinking and drinking and drinking.

“Dong-eun. Once this case is settled, I'll introduce you to a good place. Don't worry.”

Seo Dong-eun didn't know whether to laugh at Assistant Manager Yoo's behavior, as she muttered the same words three times like a drunkard. Even if she was drunk, her attitude was very serious.

“Assistant Manager. Thank you, as always.”

So, as if he were also drunk, he blurted out his thanks. Truly, no one else in his life cared for him this much besides his parents. Worried that meeting a former employee who had been kicked out of the company for a scandalous reason—one too embarrassing to even mention—might be a burden to her, Seo Dong-eun had intentionally avoided contacting Assistant Manager Yoo first.

“Aw, whatever. We're all in the same boat. Anyway, I'll contact you if I have any other news. You should keep in touch, too. Got it?”

“Yes. Get home safely.”

Assistant Manager Yoo patted Seo Dong-eun on the back instead of saying a formal goodbye, then walked away toward the taxi stand. Watching her go, Seo Dong-eun hesitated for a moment. He didn't feel right letting Assistant Manager Yoo, who seemed quite drunk, go home alone. Seo Dong-eun approached Assistant Manager Yoo, who was waving her hand loosely to hail a taxi, and tapped her shoulder.

“Um, Assistant Manager.”

“Huh? Dong-eun, you haven’t left yet?”

“I'll take you home.”

“Eh? I'm perfectly fine!”

“Hehe, even so. Your place isn't that far from mine. I can just hitch a ride in the taxi too.”

“Really? All right then. But to get from my neighborhood to yours at this hour, you'll have to take a taxi anyway.”

Assistant Manager Yoo muttered in confusion but, unable to think further due to moderate intoxication, only frowned. Meanwhile, a taxi pulled up in front of them.

“Oh, a taxi's here. Let's get in, Dong-eun.”

It wasn't easy to catch a taxi in a busy district late at night. Delighted by its arrival, Assistant Manager Yoo quickly ushered Seo Dong-eun inside, and the two climbed into the taxi.