‘Don’t be sick, Mom.’

‘I’m sorry, Hae-gyeom. I should have let you finish school. You’d have an easier time if you at least had a high school diploma…’

Blinking in his dream, Hae-gyeom reached out his hand.

‘You have nothing to be sorry to me for, Mom. Just get healthy.’

It was a pity to leave school. Since it was a place where only omegas gathered, there were many kids in the same situation he could call friends. He had essentially given up the only place where he could laugh and chatter without a care, with his own hands, but he had to take responsibility for his choices.

Not long after he ran out and started manual labor, he realized it firsthand. That things like friendship were now a luxury. That the value of his labor in society was worth only a few pennies. That there was a limit to what he could achieve, no matter how hard he tried and struggled.

However, if he sold himself to the shop, he could receive an amount he had never imagined. Fifty million would be more than enough to cover his mother’s hospital bills. Hae-gyeom thought that was the price he had to pay as the son of a lonely omega who had struggled to raise him.

He didn’t realize he would regret every choice the moment he entered Madam Shin’s house. But he couldn’t escape, either.

Back at the shop, treated as a nuisance by the owner, who yelled at him every day to stop looking so miserable, he thought he would die worn out like a rag. But there was nothing he could do, even if he were sold for a pittance to become a semen receptacle for old men on some remote island.

Somehow, he still couldn’t believe he had come to a new place. A house where an alpha who didn’t even treat omegas as people lived. How would he live here?

“…”

When he opened his eyes, it was a bluish morning. The letters blinking next to the digital clock told him it was the weekend. A day had passed.

When he carefully opened the door, he saw a meal someone had left on the floor. Hae-gyeom sat on the floor, out of habit, and finished it. It had been a long time since he’d had a proper meal, so it took him some time to finish.

A while later, he pushed the cleaned tray back to where it had been and walked down the hallway. The swimming pool, with its calm water, was enormous. Beyond it lay the main gate, slightly ajar, but he could not leave through it. What bound an omega was not the ‘house,’ but the ‘room.’

He should have tidied up at least a little last night. He was a bit late because he had fallen into a deep sleep. Looking around, Hae-gyeom took out a clean, dry pole mop from a cabinet. At first glance, the floor looked clean, but when he scrubbed hard, something came off.

Just then, he heard someone approaching and turned his head. The door, which hadn't been fully closed, swung open, and Sang-yeon appeared, his red hair loud and vivid.

“Fuck, I told you not to come out of the room. If I see you, I’ll kill you.”

He glared the moment he saw Hae-gyeom. Where there is one kind of person, there is another. He decided to accept that there could be alphas who hated omegas. That, too, was their right.

Hae-gyeom’s heart was already hardened by calluses from obsessing over how people treated him and from being hurt. Harsh words were just words, after all, so they didn't really affect Hae-gyeom.

If it were him, he might use physical force, but at least he didn't seem likely to act as sadistically as Madam Shin. He didn’t look like the kind of man who would go to that much trouble for someone he disliked.

“The door’s open, so just run away. I have no intention of keeping you by my side, you hear?”

At Sang-yeon’s rough kick, the mop in Hae-gyeom’s hand fell weakly. As he bent over to pick it up, Sang-yeon kicked it again. The next moment, he roughly grabbed Hae-gyeom’s wrist to stop him.

“Be honest. You’re hanging around in front of me, hoping I’ll shove something into you, aren’t you?”

“…”

“Keep dreaming. I’m not like that. So either run or rot in that room and never come out. Do one or the other.”

It wasn’t unheard of for a buyer to return a purchase and pay a penalty of their own volition within six months. However, Sang-yeon only held the title of owner in name; he hadn’t used his own money to bring Hae-gyeom here, so it was impossible for him to send him back himself.

So, he could only vaguely hope that Hae-gyeom would run away. It was just as he was racking his brain, wondering how on earth he could get this bastard out of his sight.

“Baek Sang-yeon.”

Gi-seok, neatly dressed, opened the door to the annex and walked in. As soon as he entered, the air filled with the smell of cigarettes.

“You’ve got a lot of energy so early in the morning.”

“…I don’t want to see you right now, Hyung.”

“That’s why I came.”

Gi-seok swallowed a sigh as he looked at Hae-gyeom, who was being treated like vermin.

“I picked a kid who doesn't have the guts to run away, so if you’re hoping for that, give up. Right?”

The question was directed at Hae-gyeom. When Hae-gyeom nodded as if to confirm, Sang-yeon stomped over to stand in front of Gi-seok.

“Let’s be blunt. Hyung, do you have some kind of grudge against me?”

“What are you talking about? That’s hurtful.”

“Then why are you really doing this?”

“You were the one who said any omega you could use would do. I made the best choice I could within that.”

“How is this the best!”

Even including yesterday, Hae-gyeom could feel enough from their brief conversation. Sang-yeon loathed ‘male’ omegas. He seemed to recoil at the thought of emotional exchange between people of the same sex, let alone physical contact. There must be a reason. It was impossible to know for sure right now, though.

Hae-gyeom, standing a step away from the two, kept his head down and listened quietly while pretending not to.

“I told you. I hope you don’t take after the Chairman in that respect. In the long run, this is a much more beneficial path for you.”

“Hyung.”

“Anyway, your face and name are already out there, so you don’t have the ability to go around and find a replacement yourself.”

“…”

“Just accept it for what it is. Practice instead of wasting time on useless thoughts. How long do you think a career in that field lasts?”

Sang-yeon’s face crumpled as if he were about to cry at the pointed words. This was the first time Gi-seok had acted so overbearingly toward him. It was as if to say the distance between an adult who had navigated the fierce world and a child who had barely stepped into it was this great.

Passing Sang-yeon, who was just glaring at him with clenched teeth, Gi-seok headed toward Hae-gyeom.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

Hae-gyeom followed Gi-seok obediently. Then, he unintentionally looked back at Sang-yeon, whose face was flushed with heat. His broad shoulders were rising and falling. Was he crying? Probably not. His expression made Hae-gyeom uneasy about leaving him alone, even for a moment. It was a thought he shouldn't dare reveal.

“Is your skin sensitive?”

Standing in a corner, Gi-seok lifted Hae-gyeom’s wrist. He hadn’t noticed the vivid red mark there. It was the result of Sang-yeon grabbing him earlier. Hae-gyeom’s body was far too fragile to be used as a tool to discipline a loose-cannon brother.

“He is quite strong. He grew up spoiled and can't control himself. There are many people worse than he is, but I can't say he's a purely kind kid, either. I suppose I’m partly responsible for that.”

Oddly enough, he defended Sang-yeon in his absence.

In reality, Gi-seok didn't do this because he hated Sang-yeon. He just hoped he would realize something, no matter how small. It was the influence of his father, who spent his life worrying about the fate of omegas.

Gi-seok had long thought that treating others as slaves simply because one was born an alpha was disgusting. He believed no one was meant to have a messy life. He hoped that the fragile male omega, who would only become more pathetic the more he was hurt, would eventually mean something to Sang-yeon.

“Did you get some sleep? There isn’t much in the room.”

Hae-gyeom nodded quietly. Realizing he was still holding Hae-gyeom's wrist, Gi-seok lowered his gaze. It must hurt. Unconsciously, he tightened his grip slightly.

“Um.”

Hae-gyeom, who had been silent the whole time, carefully spoke up.

“Would it be okay if I called him by his name?”

Hae-gyeom’s gaze was directed at Sang-yeon.

“I’m worried he’ll hate it if I call him… Sang-yeon.”

“If he makes a fuss just because you called his name, let me know.”

Even though the answer to his question was given, Hae-gyeom didn’t take his eyes off Sang-yeon.

Gi-seok’s throat went dry for no reason in the ensuing silence. He carried the recessive gene and was relatively insensitive, but he became aware of the faint pheromones lingering around Hae-gyeom. A one-on-one meeting with an omega was unfamiliar to Gi-seok as well.

Only when he found himself swallowing hard did Hae-gyeom look at Gi-seok properly.

“Yes, Manager. Thank you.”

The title, which he must have picked up somewhere, sounded quite natural. It wasn't strange. As long as Hae-gyeom was here, Gi-seok couldn't avoid talking to him, and to talk, they needed to clearly recognize each other.

“Right. Try to bear with it. If you need anything, leave a note with your meal. The people in this house will take care of it for you.”

“…Thank you.”

This was nothing. It was just a small act of pity that couldn't even be called kindness. Still stuck at rock bottom.

Gi-seok returned to the grim-faced Sang-yeon.

“Don’t slack off just because the season is over. This is a concern I’m expressing on behalf of the Chairman.”

As he spoke, he patted Sang-yeon’s shoulder firmly. It was a touch that still held some affection.

At times like this, he looked like an ordinary older brother. Sang-yeon didn't respond. Without pressing for an answer, Gi-seok left the annex. Sang-yeon, his whole body burning with heat, muttered a curse.

“Fuck, this is so shitty…”

His head felt so hot that steam might have come out. He needed to soak himself in cool water. Sang-yeon stripped off all his clothes. Then, without even taking a proper stance, he plunged into the water. He repeatedly cut through the water with violent movements. Soon, his body became one with the water.

Then Hae-gyeom approached from a distance. The moment he appeared, Sang-yeon’s nerves sharpened. Because he was an omega who had just been with an alpha, his pheromone scent had intensified without his realizing it.

As his movements slowed, Sang-yeon slowly raised his head from the water. Hae-gyeom approached hesitantly and began to tidy the clothes Sang-yeon had discarded haphazardly.

“…U-Um, Sang-yeon.”

Then he called his name with careful pronunciation. Sang-yeon’s face, floating on the water’s surface, turned fierce.

“Heh.”

That pale face looked as if the blood had been sucked out of it. He didn't look like he would ever be regarded as a strong man anywhere.

Drenched in water, Sang-yeon quickly climbed out and approached Hae-gyeom. In front of the naked body, Hae-gyeom had no choice but to lower his head.

Pushing past Hae-gyeom’s shoulder, Sang-yeon grabbed a towel hanging from a chair, pretending to be nonchalant. Only then did Hae-gyeom look behind him. Sang-yeon’s footprints left traces like puddles.

The outline of Sang-yeon, who was drying the water from his body, caught his eye. Its proportions and form were like a sculpture, as if someone had put great effort into creating it. It was hard to look away without conscious effort, so Hae-gyeom had to force himself to look elsewhere.

Despite the distance, his sharp features were unlike Gi-seok’s. Most of the alphas he had encountered at the shop looked similar, no matter how imposing their aura was, but the men in this house were special. It was as if he were looking at the epitome of the upper class.

They called each other hyung and dongsaeng, but since their looks and names had nothing in common, he knew they weren't biological brothers. In fact, their vibes and attitudes toward him were completely different. Though he was incredibly stiff, Gi-seok didn't exactly loathe him. On the other hand, Sang-yeon had already shown several times, with his whole body, that he disliked him.

He had no way of knowing what kind of story lay between them. No, actually, he probably didn't need to know. Reminding himself once again that he just had to obediently follow Sang-yeon no matter what, Hae-gyeom finished tidying the scattered clothes.

Immediately after putting on his clothes, Sang-yeon left the annex without looking back. Hae-gyeom watched him go, eyes secretly fixed on his back. Sang-yeon. At the same time, he mulled over the name that felt awkward on his tongue once more.

He didn't know how long it had been since he had called someone by their name.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Strictly speaking, Gi-seok was now part of Seonjin Construction’s Hong Kong branch. He had only come to Korea temporarily because a local project was temporarily suspended. It was more of a visit, but Baek Ju-hwa hoped Gi-seok would demonstrate something even during this brief time.

Since opening a branch in Hong Kong, Seonjin Group had been focusing on seemingly legal business. As he had declared beforehand, two months would be enough to handle the small tasks needed to prove it. If the period was extended, he might really have to move back to Korea, so Gi-seok intended to strictly adhere to the deadline he had given.

“Adjust the tone of the report materials before uploading them. You shouldn't be overly optimistic about risks at this stage.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Let’s handle the rest via written reports.”

The papers he was flipping through were filled with tiny text. His eyes were sharp as he scanned them. Just then, the phone on the smoothly polished desk vibrated. It was an unknown number.

He had gone to work on the weekend specifically to avoid unnecessary appointments. As he just stared at the phone, the vibration stopped, but it soon started again. Eventually, he picked up the phone.

-Hyung!

As soon as the call connected, a lively voice came through. It was full of youthful energy, almost making him think of Sang-yeon, but it wasn't his voice.

There weren't many people who could call him hyung so casually. Gi-seok, who dismissed the employee with a gesture, fell silent as he wondered who the other person was. Then a somewhat disappointed voice came out.

-It’s In-ho. Did you delete my number?

Ah. Only then did a sound like a sigh escape. Swallowing the words that he hadn't even saved the number in the first place, Gi-seok brought a youthful face to mind.

He had seen In-ho, Sang-yeon’s only friend, a few times in the past. He was said to be the child of a university hospital director in Seoul. Since he used to cling to him warmly whenever he saw him as a child, it wasn't completely incomprehensible that he was happy to see him.

“It’s been a while. How did you know I was in Korea?”

-I heard from Baek Sang-yeon. I wanted to go and say hi that day too, but he kept throwing a fit and telling me not to come.

Afterward, In-ho said he would come to Gi-seok’s office of his own accord. Since he couldn't think of a proper excuse to refuse, he told him to do so, and the office door opened in less than thirty minutes.

“Wow, Gi-seok Hyung. It’s really been a long time.”

From his messy, straight hair to the piercings dangling from his ears, In-ho exuded a twenty-year-old’s boldness that differed from Sang-yeon’s. He also seemed unusually excited.

In fact, In-ho was quite elated. He had been this way since he called Gi-seok. He had spent days wondering how he could at least see his face. In the end, he couldn't think of a plausible excuse, so he decided to barge in. He figured Gi-seok wouldn't turn him away as Sang-yeon’s friend.

In-ho, who approached Gi-seok’s desk without hesitation, suddenly reached out his hand. He was asking for a handshake. Gi-seok glanced at the offered hand and quickly shook it.

“You were always handsome, but why did you get even more handsome?”

“I’m probably almost the same as before. You, on the other hand, have grown so much that I almost didn't recognize you.”

“I missed you.”

It felt so natural that he seemed like someone he had seen just yesterday, which was a bit flustering for Gi-seok, but he tried his best not to show it. However, as the distance closed, he couldn't help but frown.

A sharp scent that felt like one could get drunk on it. Even though the smell had no form, it felt as if it had a heavy texture. He couldn't help but notice that omega pheromones were mixed in with his.

“…I’m grateful that you’re welcoming me like this.”

Was he the only alpha in the world who felt uneasy about the alpha lifestyle? Gi-seok suddenly felt tired of himself for getting caught up in trivial thoughts even at a time that should have been spent happily greeting someone. His old-fashioned values would surely isolate him from his ‘own kind.’

Perhaps he had already become that.

At the same time, Sang-yeon’s expression remained grim as he focused on stretching in his room. In the quiet house, there wasn't a single person to talk to who could help him vent his anger. He briefly considered meeting In-ho as he had yesterday, but quickly dismissed the thought.

‘Fuck, should I just go to the gym?’

Sang-yeon, who was doing push-ups in the middle of the room, flopped onto the bed.

‘Sang-yeon.’

…Unless he was crazy, he was appalled that he could call him that. Seeing him babbling about ‘Manager’ and all that, Gi-seok must have been involved with that title.

Jo Gi-seok was needlessly intense about everything. Even though he had been given a place in Seonjin, he still lived a tiring life for no reason. Even if an easy path were available, he would still pour his own effort into it. To Sang-yeon, spending his time struggling in a foreign country was an incomprehensible choice.

Sang-yeon sincerely liked him, a man who seemed indifferent to everything yet was more diligent than anyone else. Once born, one usually cannot gain an older brother later in life. However, a miracle had happened to him.

For the past ten years, Gi-seok had also treated him like a real younger brother. About two years after Sang-yeon lost his father, it was definitely Gi-seok who had filled the void left behind.

Was it because they weren't actually family? Even before Gi-seok left for Hong Kong, Sang-yeon had never detected an omega scent on him, not even on his fingertips. Unlike his mother.

He was a pacifist and, at the same time, a stuffy prig who discussed moral standards regarding social hierarchy. He held an honest mindset that refused to divide ranks, claiming everyone was a human being under the same sky. Despite his appearance, Sang-yeon had realized, over the years they spent together, that he was sincere about such things.

He could let it slide as a plausible hypocrisy. But why did he have to be influenced by it too? Sang-yeon thought of omegas as objects. Because everyone said so. Just last year, at a club he followed In-ho to, he had seen for himself how they all acted like cheap trash.

It was supposed to be off-limits to minors, but if one proved their wealth with a single card, they could observe the omegas inside to their heart's content. Until then, Sang-yeon, intending to focus on swimming, had suppressed his boiling desires as much as possible. That one time at the club was his only visit.

Even after becoming an adult this year, he hadn't had the time to think about such things while preparing for competitions. He thought he could finally have an omega he could use in his room without worrying about others' opinions.

‘I don't want to leave names of establishments on the billing statement. It’s so tacky...’

Sang-yeon, glaring at the card on the desk, let out a small sigh. At the end of his grumbling, Hae-gyeom inevitably came to mind.

He was serious when he told In-ho that if Hae-gyeom was going to be born with a face like that, it would have been better if he had been a woman. He had heard that rare male omegas usually had nothing to show off but their holes.

To be honest, just looking at the face, Hae-gyeom was more striking than anyone he had ever seen. That pretty face seemed to irritate him even more. Acting as if he were someone special, even though his life was in the gutter.

It was impossible for Sang-yeon to kick him out on his own. After all, it was Gi-seok who had signed and paid the price. Strictly speaking, the right to decide his residence belonged to Gi-seok. Hae-gyeom was literally a 'gift' that Gi-seok had given him. So, for Sang-yeon, there was no choice but to keep Hae-gyeom in the annex.

Gi-seok told him to endure it at least while he was there, but the situation wouldn't change just because he left.

“…….”

Sang-yeon, who had been staring at the ceiling with a stiff face, finally headed to the annex. The interior fell quiet as soon as he opened the wide door. Sang-yeon's reflection was visible on the floor, which, upon a cursory glance, showed not a single speck of dust.

Looking down at the floor, Sang-yeon shifted his gaze. He recklessly scattered the items in the lounge area, then went to the front of the room where Hae-gyeom was staying, and spoke.

“Hey, come out.”

He couldn't kick him out, nor did he want to use him as a toilet. Then he would bully him, even if it was childish behavior.

After a moment, the door opened. Hae-gyeom appeared, wearing a shabby T-shirt and cotton pants. The scent that wafted into Sang-yeon's nose was probably medicine. He knew that omegas had to take medicine to regulate their pheromones at all times. Judging by how subtly different he looked from earlier, it seemed he had just taken it.

Thinking he shouldn't pay attention to useless things, Sang-yeon grabbed Hae-gyeom's wrist and pulled. The wrist was so thin it could be grasped in one hand, making him wonder whether it was a tree branch or a well-formed piece of flesh.

He threw Hae-gyeom toward the lounge area where books and clothes were scattered.

“If you're going to do it, do it properly. Is wiping the floor all you're capable of?”

The sensation of the wrist that had slipped from his grasp lingered as warmth. Sang-yeon, trying to ignore it, raised his voice. Hae-gyeom, who had been quiet, answered softly.

“I'll clean it up.”

His submissive attitude seemed well-practiced. He must have learned it while being used somewhere. It was natural for an omega. Beside him, Sang-yeon once again stripped off his clothes. Then he took out a swimsuit and a swim cap from the wall cabinet and put them on. Pointing his chin at his clothes scattered nearby, Sang-yeon said.

“Clean this up too.”

Afterward, Sang-yeon, wearing goggles to hide his eyes, stood in a straight line at the corner of the pool. Pretending to look ahead, he rolled his eyes to see Hae-gyeom busily moving on one side.

Below his round head, the structure of the back of his neck was particularly prominent. It was no different from that of his tiny wrist.

‘I could break it if I put strength into it.’

Such a thought came naturally. His eyelashes were so long and thick that they looked dark even from a distance. Every time Hae-gyeom leaned forward, his flat chest was almost visible through the T-shirt. Taking a breath, Sang-yeon bent his waist particularly slowly. His gaze remained fixed on Hae-gyeom.

As if he had sensed that gaze, his eyes met Hae-gyeom's, who was holding the clothes. At that moment, Sang-yeon hurriedly dove into the water, drawing an arc.

When he swam, he entered a world of his own that no one could invade. Because of the rhythm that enveloped his entire body, it almost looked like he was dancing from the outside. Sang-yeon, who turned around once, paddled his arms with a steady beat. The cycle from start to finish passed in a flash.

“Phew...”

Holding onto the cold tiles, he craned his neck. He briefly took off his goggles and cap, then rubbed his face vigorously. At the end of his ragged breath, he lifted his head. He saw Hae-gyeom staring at him, standing straight.

“What are you looking at?”

Hae-gyeom had been watching Sang-yeon all along. He had done so unconsciously. It was fascinating how the water droplets splashed like a painting every time he moved his arms. He even thought it felt unrealistic because the rhythm of his movements was so constant.

While he was violently cutting through the water, the vast, enclosed space seemed to be made of Sang-yeon's breath. He couldn't help but look at the one who had become the master of everything, without even realizing his own heartbeat had intensified.

“Ah, that...”

The answer to the question of what he was looking at should have been that he was looking at him. But he missed the moment to answer while looking at the wet Sang-yeon. Before he knew it, Sang-yeon had climbed out of the water and asked again in front of Hae-gyeom.

“I asked, what are you looking at.”

Perhaps because his nose was cleared from huffing and puffing, Sang-yeon thought the smell of medicine, which had been thick earlier, seemed to have faded. His reflection was clear in Hae-gyeom's pupils as he looked up at him.

Unnecessarily large, and unnecessarily clear.

“...You. I looked because you were cool.”

The small voice pronounced each syllable clearly.

“It's my first time seeing someone swim like this with my own eyes...”

“…….”

“It was cool. And fascinating.”

The words were recited calmly, but they were mediocre compared to the compliments Sang-yeon had heard so far. Even so, his eyebrows rose slightly.

Silence fell for a moment. Hae-gyeom just stared blankly at Sang-yeon. Was it because the figure, which seemed to have been sculpted by someone, was admirable? He ended up reaching out his hand while gazing at him.

The posture resulting from the unconscious action was ambiguous at first glance, as if he were trying to grope Sang-yeon. Instinct was evident in that movement. Sang-yeon let out a hollow laugh.

An omega is an omega. The nature that made him up was bound to be obvious. If he was an alpha, his head would be filled with the impulse to touch and be held. Because his body was made to harbor such lewd thoughts.

“Why. Do you want to try touching me?”

Sang-yeon grabbed Hae-gyeom's fingers, which had frozen in the air. The force was enough to almost break them. Hae-gyeom's expression distorted.

“Ugh...”

“Too bad. I can't let you.”

Even if he was of vulgar birth, if he had been a woman, he might have let at least a finger touch him.

Suddenly, the face of the guy he had beaten up in middle school flashed through his mind. That damn bastard who spat out his emotions and desires at him.

Sang-yeon pushed Hae-gyeom away irritably. Around then, droplets finally gathered in the corners of Hae-gyeom's eyes. Though he acted like a robot, he seemed to know what pain was.

Hae-gyeom's fingers turned white as the blood was cut off. He could see the handprints from when he grabbed his wrist earlier still remained. Even so, Hae-gyeom didn't make a sound of pain and bowed his head, as if he knew obedience even in this situation.

“I’ll give you five minutes. Clean everything up. I don’t want a single thing out of place.”

Only after leaving those cold words did Sang-yeon pass Hae-gyeom. Water marks were left with every step. Sang-yeon wasn't generous enough to care about what kind of expression the miserable omega would wear behind him. So he would soon erase the recent confrontation from his mind.

He had to erase it.

It was an impulse that made him pause briefly in front of the shower room.

“…….”

People sometimes do certain things unconsciously.

Sang-yeon lifted his right hand, which had been holding something just moments earlier. His hand rose slowly and came to rest near the bridge of his well-defined nose. He took a deep breath.

A slight smell of a damp rag, the scent of pills, and a human scent whose source was hard to name. An indescribable scent enveloped his fingers. Sang-yeon's expression distorted.

‘What the fuck am I doing?’

His palms grew sweaty, accompanied by an unexpected sense of self-loathing. It was a very unpleasant feeling.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

In-ho was reflected in the water's flickering glass. He sat on the sofa in Gi-seok's office as if it were his own home. The smile hadn't left his face for a while.

That was because In-ho was truly glad to see Gi-seok. After such a long time apart, he had grown into an even more handsome adult than when he last saw him. He hadn't seen anyone even remotely similar to him in his surroundings. Wanting to pretend to be closer somehow, words flowed out on their own.

Gi-seok never interrupted In-ho. Despite being only twenty, In-ho, who was recounting various life stories, showed a vigorous spirit. That also blurred the twelve-year gap between the two. It was as if there were no need to argue between fellow alphas.

After talking for a while, In-ho lowered his voice as if he had just remembered something.

“Oh, right. You know, Baek Sang-yeon came to my house yesterday, right?”

Gi-seok had heard through the grapevine that Sang-yeon had gone to a friend's house. This was while Gi-seok was meeting with Chairman Baek to discuss business while staying in Korea.

“I heard roughly.”

“As soon as he arrived, he was throwing a total fit... But after hearing about it, I got curious too.”

“About what?”

“Hyung, why did you do that? You know he can't stand it when men hit on him.”

The number of people who knew the story about the classmate who tried to violate Sang-yeon could be counted on one hand. It was just the people involved: Sang-yeon, Gi-seok, Baek Ju-hwa, and Jang In-ho.

At the time, Gi-seok had to take the lead in resolving the matter after hearing the news. He was also the one who witnessed Sang-yeon's anger firsthand, which was strong enough to trample a former friend like a piece of trash.

In all honesty, back then, Gi-seok was more surprised by the result than by Sang-yeon's emotions. That a dominant alpha could become this cruel when they lost their mind. The foundation must have been an extreme sense of betrayal. The betrayal stemmed from 'How could you do this to me?'

Of course, it wasn't pleasant that the current matter seemed to be reopening Sang-yeon's wound. But there was no doubt this was a choice made for his sake.

Because he believed that no matter what emotions built up inside, they shouldn't take precedence over people.

“Do you think I would do something like that to harm Sang-yeon?”

“Of course not, but.”

“He’s made a name for himself now, so it’s not wise to play around carelessly down there. It’s for his sake.”

They were brothers, even if only in name, and no matter the outcome, it began with good intentions.

In-ho, who had been staring intently at Gi-seok with his chin resting on his hand, pouted his lips.

“You really don't look alike, yet somehow you do.”

“Really?”

“The way both of you are incredibly stubborn.”

Gi-seok swallowed his response. He didn't care if it looked like stubbornness. Value judgments depend on experience. Sang-yeon's thoughts might change once he experiences Hae-gyeom. If his perspective shifts because of a kid who is entirely innocent when uncovered, many things might look different.

I’ll probably end up following my father's fate exactly like this. It’ll be a relief if I don't get beaten to death somewhere.

Meeting In-ho was truly a brief interlude, meant to celebrate their reunion.

“Let's see each other often from now on, hyung.”

“Just focus on going to school.”

“I’m saying I want to see you a lot, hyung.”

“...Sure. Contact me later.”

Gi-seok sent In-ho away without a second thought. He didn't know where In-ho was headed, but it certainly wouldn't be a place Gi-seok would like.

While he was deciding whether to head home, he received a message from Ju-hwa. She had just finished another lively time at a nearby hotel. Gi-seok, who had left the office abruptly, headed to the hotel where she was.

Ju-hwa was not alone in the suite she had mentioned in advance. Gi-seok, looking away from the closed bedroom door, stood in front of Ju-hwa, who was sprawled on the living room sofa in a robe.

“You called for me.”

Her face, unaffected by time, had no wrinkles at all.

“Why go to work on a weekend?”

“Because I hate wasting spare time.”

“If someone saw this, they’d think I’m the only one pestering you because I can't wait any longer.”

“It was closer to taking a break. You don't have to think that way.”

Ju-hwa laughed as if she were fed up. Under her leisurely gaze, Gi-seok tried hard to pull his consciousness away from the body odor seeping through the gap in the bedroom door. He wanted to remain forever ignorant of a life lived as an object for a sixty-year-old woman to satisfy her sexual desire.

“You remember my older sister, right?”

“Pardon?”

“Ju-yeon unnie.”

Ju-hwa, leaning her head back, mentioned someone. Gi-seok recalled the person without difficulty. Baek Ju-yeon. She was Baek Ju-hwa's only family, her sister, three years her senior, and lived a free-spirited life.

Ten years ago, when Gi-seok first met Ju-hwa, Ju-yeon was already a woman busy with business overseas, something about setting up a plastic surgery clinic in China. He knew she was living her own life diligently, changing common-law partners all the time, so why was that name coming up suddenly?

“Unnie says she's sick. So she's coming back to Korea soon.”

She seemed nonchalant just a moment ago, but a fair amount of fatigue was evident in her voice.

“You know the man who was with unnie the longest, right? The Korean doctor she took to the Chinese hospital.”

There was a man who was by her side whenever she came to Korea occasionally for business. He had a child, but Gi-seok knew him as the longest-lasting lover in Baek Ju-yeon's life.

“Yes, I remember.”

“You know how, when people are sick, they look for the person who accepted them best, right? Apparently, the two got back in touch recently. He said he’d look after her, so she’s coming back. Well, if there’s a man better than a younger sister, that’s a relief in its own way.”

He had never felt that her family's love was profound. What was always important to Baek Ju-hwa was honor and money. Nevertheless, was it an illusion that he felt subtle affection and worry in her words?

“If I don’t tell you this, who else would I tell?”

No matter how worldly a person is, is blood thicker than water? It was the moment he wondered at her unexpected attitude.

“Because if it leaks outside and rumors attach to me, it’ll be annoying. Just take care of that.”

...Blood is thicker than water, after all, but only up to a point.

“Understood.”

“Ah, I’m supposed to meet Chairman Cha’s family next week. It’s because of you.”

“Pardon?”

“I told you before. That man’s daughter.”

Chairman Cha Woo-seok was the owner of a representative hotel in Korea. He had a beta daughter.

“Make sure your afternoon schedule is flexible enough so you can come as soon as I call.”

Gi-seok understood the meaning behind Ju-hwa's words, which referred to an appointment made without any consideration for his wishes. The level of the stage she had set up to coincide with his return was low.

“I told you I won't be staying here long.”

“While you're here, meet whomever you can meet before you go.”

Ju-hwa straightened up and reached for the wine on the table. In the face of her commanding tone, as if it were no big deal, Gi-seok was left speechless.

Of course, it wasn't like he didn't know what kind of person she was.

‘The boy can live his life playing sports. I need someone who can do more important work than that. A son who can be my hands and feet.’

Ju-hwa had long expected Gi-seok to play a role she had in mind. Being a good older brother to Sang-yeon. And completing tasks that would benefit her. That meant he had to stand at the forefront in all sorts of places under the pretext of being like a son. To Gi-seok, who let out a sigh without either affirming or denying, Ju-hwa added.

“Manager Jo. Gi-seok.”

“Yes.”

“The kids I talk about are nothing more than playthings. They spend their days eating well, seeing the sights, and staying healthy while letting off steam. But if you live that way every day, you’ll regret it when you reach my age.”

“…….”

“It’s not bad to just clear your head and live a little, yet you seem worse at it than a twenty-year-old.”

When Gi-seok conveyed Sang-yeon's request to Ju-hwa about bringing an omega into the small room in the annex, Ju-hwa remarked that the boy took after her and had excellent decisiveness. That was her way of saying she would willingly be a mother who advocated sexual indulgence.

“I'll be going now.”

He had no intention of going back and forth with a predictable boss from the start. So, feeling even more disappointed was merely a waste of time. Gi-seok ended the encounter with a brief nod and closed the door behind him without hesitation.

While waiting for the elevator, he thought of the empty mansion. Of Sang-yeon and several employees, and of the new guest whom Sang-yeon’s mother, Ju-hwa, welcomed as a mere tool, even if Sang-yeon felt otherwise.

His pace slowed slightly as Hae-gyeom’s face filled his mind. It was clear that Sang-yeon, who had left the nameplate with him as if he were the owner, wouldn’t treat the boy properly. It would likely be even worse while Gi-seok was away.

Since he had resolved to provide at least a minimum level of treatment, he decided to stop by a department store on his way back to buy some winter clothes for the cooler weather and some snacks for the night.

Gi-seok concluded that his current attitude was a natural reaction to encountering such clear, pure eyes for the first time in a long while. He told himself this was merely the duty of an adult and an act of goodwill representing the barbarians.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Every omega must take medication starting in adolescence, when secondary sexual characteristics begin to emerge. It was a constant precautionary measure to prevent an unexpected heat cycle and to avoid stimulating alphas in society. To maintain the cycle, the most important thing was to take the medicine consistently at a set time.

Hae-gyeom had experienced his first heat cycle before he could even properly start taking the medication. One day, he woke up and found it impossible to go to school. Even when he stayed still, his toes felt numb and his hair felt as though it were standing on end. He groped his own body, craving affection he had never received. His private parts, which he had never shown to anyone, felt like tools worn down to nothing.

Upon learning of her son’s condition, Hee-ran pushed Hae-gyeom into a room stocked with expensive suppressants. That was the only way to calm his excitement without an alpha. After enduring that for a few days, he was finally released.

Since then, he had endured several heat cycles alone after entering the shop. That was why he hadn't been prepared at all, even when he was first sold. Because he had never experienced it, Hae-gyeom still lacked confidence in the very act of sleeping with someone. This was especially true in his position as someone who had just been sold.

Nevertheless, he was able to put his mind at ease, even a little, because the only two people he could communicate with here seemed unlikely to have any contact with him for their own reasons.

Of course, that sense of relief and the medication were two separate matters.

‘……I need to take my medicine.’

When taking medication regularly, one naturally learns to gauge when to take it. He had heard that if the routine wasn't maintained, the biological rhythm would be disrupted, potentially leading to the unfortunate situation of his heat cycle arriving unexpectedly. At least that hadn't happened yet, but he was still getting anxious.

Hae-gyeom took his medicine at noon and midnight every day. However, today he had passed noon without taking it. The problem was that he was unable to enter his room. It was because of the man who was his master.

‘Don't you dare move. Sit there and don't budge until I give you permission.’

Sang-yeon had made Hae-gyeom kneel in a corner while he was in the water. He used the excuse that Hae-gyeom had cleaned so thoroughly while he was away from the annex that the floor was too slippery and uncomfortable.

His knees were tingling because he hadn't been able to change his posture for several hours. They were numb, but he wasn't unhappy. It was up to Sang-yeon to decide what was right or wrong. If Sang-yeon said he had to do something, he would simply accept it.

The best he could do was tap his legs with his small fists whenever they felt stiff from the feet up. Judging by the scenery outside the window, it was already early evening. Would it be okay to take two pills at once tonight? It was just as he was swallowing his worry.

“What are you doing there?”

Someone entered the annex. He thought it was the housekeeper bringing dinner, but it was Gi-seok who appeared. He was carrying bags in both hands.

“Ah, Manager…….”

Hae-gyeom, who looked up at him blankly, hesitated to answer. Amid the awkward standoff, Sang-yeon emerged from the water.

“Technically, this is my room. You barge in way too often, hyung. Should I install a doorbell or something?”

Soaking wet, he took off his swim cap and shook his head as he spoke. Realizing what was going on, Gi-seok spoke with a sigh.

“Why is he like this?”

“Because I ordered it.”

It had only been a few hours since he had felt bitter about being lectured by Gi-seok. Sang-yeon’s tone was now nonchalant. As he passed by Gi-seok, Sang-yeon threw a towel onto Hae-gyeom’s lap.

“Stay like that for thirty more minutes.”

At the unsightly scene, Gi-seok’s expression finally hardened.

“What did he do wrong?”

“His very existence is a mistake. Do you have to ask because you don't know?”

“So you just made him kneel?”

“What’s that in your hand? Is it for me?”

Avoiding the question, Sang-yeon nonchalantly gestured with his chin toward Gi-seok’s bags. Refusing to play along with the diversion, Gi-seok pointedly grabbed Hae-gyeom’s arm and pulled him up.

“What are you doing, hyung?”

Sang-yeon’s brow furrowed. The muscles around his nose twitched. It was Hae-gyeom who spoke first.

“I’m fine. I’ll stay like this.”

It was an extremely calm request, but Gi-seok refused to grant it. He ignored him and led Hae-gyeom to his room.

From Hae-gyeom’s perspective, trying to listen to Sang-yeon was only natural. Picking apart every one of Sang-yeon’s actions might be a bit much. However, as someone older, he didn't want to overlook the act of making someone kneel without any justifiable reason.

He wondered if it was really that difficult to just think of him as someone who serves as your hands and feet. Did there have to be some other form of 'harassment' just because he wasn't being fucked?

He was once again worried that the violence dormant within Baek Sang-yeon might erupt. He had told him to exercise some restraint because he wore the national representative tag, but a pent-up impulse could become a time bomb at any moment.

He hoped it was a premature concern for now. He needed to finish what he had set out to do first. Gi-seok placed a bag into Hae-gyeom’s arms. A sweet-and-savory scent wafted up.

“What…… is this?”

“Just something to eat at night. You probably don't eat anything except regular meals. You seemed too thin.”

“……Thank you.”

As Hae-gyeom bowed his head, his hair swayed gently. The back of his round head looked like that of a middle schooler rather than a twenty-three-year-old's.

“The clothes are by the door. I noticed you didn't bring much with you.”

Hae-gyeom bit his lip and bowed his head once more. It was likely an unspoken rule not to keep pressing or prolonging the conversation.

What surged up could be called guilt. The realization that a life spent being called a product and a life spent kneeling to someone else’s command weren't actually all that different.

“Has Sang-yeon been acting like a total jerk both yesterday and today?”

The blunt phrase 'acting like a jerk' left Hae-gyeom at a loss.

“I don't think so.”

“He acted like he wouldn't even give you a second glance. I guess that's not the case. Was he like that all day?”

It had only been a few hours since his nagging. Hae-gyeom, looking at Gi-seok, who was clicking his tongue, spoke to change the subject.

“Sang-yeon was swimming during the day. He just swam.”

Since they were in the same space, he would have been able to watch Sang-yeon’s practice. The fact that his face was strangely flushed as he spoke about his impression caught Gi-seok’s eye.

“It was the first time I’d seen anything like that, and he was really good at it.”

No, it would be more accurate to say he was in a state of ecstasy rather than merely excited. It was as if he had seen the most precious sight in the world. Gi-seok didn't think it was that impressive.

“Well, he is an athlete.”

“When he came out of the water, his body was so beautiful it was fascinating. Like a statue…….”

The voice murmuring in admiration made it clear to him that this was his first time experiencing something like this. Gi-seok read sincerity in the curve of his lips, which hadn't moved until now. Suddenly, he just wanted to understand him.

‘So he knows how to smile, too.’

Even though he had been kneeling until just a moment ago, he was smiling as he talked about the person who made him do that.

He let out a soft breath. Looking into those clear eyes, it felt pointless to argue over who was right or wrong. Sang-yeon should see this too.

Following the vague thought, Gi-seok let out a faint smile as well.

“Fuck, seriously…….”

Because Gi-seok had taken Hae-gyeom into the room, Sang-yeon was left alone again. He fumed until he finally left the annex. Returning to the mansion half-naked, he collapsed onto his bed, his body still damp.

The rise and fall of his chest was irregular and out of rhythm. His breathing was erratic, consumed by anger. The only background noise in the large room was the sound of his breathing. The scene from moments ago was vivid in his furrowed brow.

“Argh!”

With a shout, Sang-yeon bolted upright. He felt terrible. He had the urge to throw, tear, and break everything he could get his hands on.

What the hell is hyung trying to do?

Steam seemed to rise from his head. He was so engrossed in that emotion that he didn't even hear Gi-seok opening the door.

“Why are you making such a fuss?”

Gi-seok stood, leaning against the doorway, with the same expression as before. The bag he had asked about earlier was no longer in his hand.

What was in it? Does he think he's the kid's mother? An alpha playing mommy to a filthy omega brat.

He didn't know what Gi-seok might say if he gave him a direct, spiteful look. So Sang-yeon deliberately avoided looking at him. An indifferent, cold voice continued.

“Isn't it easier to just ignore him?”

“……And who would that benefit?”

In a situation where his very existence was offensive, leaving him alone would only benefit Yoon Hae-gyeom. It was only natural for an omega to live a life of harassment by an alpha, like an ant underfoot. But it wasn't as if he were actually trampling on him. Even if he used foul language, that was the extent of it.

This was legal for him, so Jo Gi-seok’s behavior was an overreaction.

Once he reached that conclusion, he found courage. Realizing the part he couldn't understand, Sang-yeon turned his head. His wide eyes met Gi-seok’s.

“Let’s say I don't kick him out, just like you said. Then I can at least do this much, can't I? I never said I’d ignore him. Whether I do or not is up to me.”

“…….”

“In the first place, you know you were being damn extra just now, right? Do you really think he’s some kind of pet?”

The reason he had deliberately made Hae-gyeom kneel was that the scent left on his fingertips was unpleasant. He found it offensive that he pretended to be obedient while subtly releasing pheromones. He did it even though he knew it was childish. He made him kneel like a beast because he didn't want to treat him like a human.

“You’re the one who gave him to me, Hyung. You haven't forgotten that, have you?”

From his perspective, it was something he could certainly do. Because Yoon Hae-gyeom was his.

‘Think of him as 'yours.' That's why I brought him in. Make him do everything except that one act.’

Gi-seok was the one who had said those words.

“Whether he kneels for half a day, stays up all night, or starves all day, if it’s my command, there’s nothing that can be done. Aside from letting me use his hole, he has to do at least that much.”

Gi-seok’s mouth closed. In fact, Gi-seok had told Sang-yeon he could make him do anything. Regardless of morality or goodness, 'anything' ultimately had to follow Baek Sang-yeon’s standards.

“Seriously, fuck, hyung……. Please.”

When he didn't answer, Sang-yeon let out a deep sigh.

“Let’s not fight. Why should we act this way over that bastard?”

He decided to stop venting his anger about having a male omega brought in. There was no point in holding onto that rage. Sang-yeon was fine now, as long as he could vent his frustration. If he didn't at least do that, his head might explode.

“Like you said, he's mine now. So I’ll handle it. Without letting anything leak. Okay?”

“Yeah. I understand.”

“…….”

“I overstepped, like you said. I’ll dial it back.”

Only then did Gi-seok’s eyes, which had been lowered calmly, meet Sang-yeon’s.

“As long as you understand.”

The conversation, neither a promise nor a reconciliation, fizzled out just like that. Gi-seok left Sang-yeon’s room and the mansion with as composed a face as possible.

“……Ha.”

He admitted to being overly compassionate toward the young omega. His role as the buyer who provided the name was merely to preserve Hae-gyeom’s existence and to put the brakes on Sang-yeon’s excessive outbursts. This time, however, it wasn't quite that extreme. Hae-gyeom also said he was fine.

Passing through the garden, Gi-seok looked toward the annex for a moment.

‘Like you said, he's mine now. So I’ll handle it.’

He was the one who had placed the boy in the palm of Sang-yeon’s hand. Therefore, it was up to Hae-gyeom to decide just how much the innocence Gi-seok hoped to find in him would blossom there. It was purely a story between the two of them.

It would be better not to go to the annex for a while.

Gi-seok, having belatedly reached a decision he should have naturally made, left the mansion. He had a room in this house as well, but he never considered it his real room.

His steps toward the studio apartment he had secured in advance were heavy. It wasn't a very good feeling.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

For Sang-yeon, the purpose of visiting the annex was to practice. It had been that way for a long time. However, recently, another purpose had been added.

“Ten more minutes.”

Sang-yeon’s daily routine was simple. On days with lectures, he would show up late to school just to make an appearance, eat his meals at regular times, then go to the gym to practice, return to the annex at a leisurely pace, and rest.

In contrast to his rough way of speaking, Sang-yeon was a master at maintaining a steady, regular pattern, so he was also good at sticking to whatever he set his mind to.

Therefore, he wouldn't be half-hearted in tormenting Yoon Hae-gyeom. Even after several days, his mind remained unchanged.

To Sang-yeon, Hae-gyeom often didn't seem human. His face, staring blankly at him, often looked like a hollow ball-jointed doll. Granting human rights to an empty shell that lived only to listen to others might be a luxury.

“I told you not to even roll your eyes.”

Sang-yeon, who had finished his practice earlier, had ordered Hae-gyeom to stand still on the tiles and do nothing. As a result, Hae-gyeom was unable to even twitch a finger.

Sang-yeon didn't know the kind of pain that came with letting time pass while holding the same posture. He didn't particularly want to know, either. Just watching Hae-gyeom in that state felt like a satisfying scratch on an itch deep inside him. As he kept dragging out the time, two hours had already passed before he knew it.

‘……It feels stiff.’

Hae-gyeom even had to blink his eyes in secret. He was careful even with his breathing so that his shoulders wouldn't rise too much. Because Sang-yeon had said he had to.

While Hae-gyeom was doing that, Sang-yeon wasted time on activities that were completely unproductive. These included staring blankly at the ceiling, playing games on his phone, and plugging his ears with earphones and singing loudly along to music.

It was also Sang-yeon who sent back Yoon Hae-gyeom’s meal today. As a result, Hae-gyeom hadn't eaten anything until now, well past lunchtime. Although his mind told him to simply accept the situation, since there was nothing else to be done, his body betrayed his resolve by naturally revealing his physical state.

Growl.

Sang-yeon, who was lying on a beach chair by the pool, tilted his head and asked.

“Are you hungry?”

It was the first question Sang-yeon had asked Hae-gyeom today. Hae-gyeom, who couldn't lie, nodded.

In Sang-yeon’s hand was an energy bar said to be high in protein. With a smirk, Sang-yeon stood up and approached Hae-gyeom.

“Want a bite?”

As the snack was thrust right in front of his nose, Hae-gyeom’s eyes instinctively wavered. He hesitated over how to answer. No, actually, the answer was already decided, but he was truly hungry.

Even giving him room to think about what he wanted was treating him too much like a person. With a hardened expression, Sang-yeon added.

“Never mind.”

Appetite is a basic instinct that every living creature is born with. Whether alpha or omega, regardless of hierarchy. But Sang-yeon wanted to control even that within his own bounds. And Hae-gyeom was helpless against such a Sang-yeon.

It was sudden when Sang-yeon, stepping back with a serious expression, came to a halt.

He broke off a piece of the energy bar he was holding. Then, he dropped it right on the floor. A brief silence passed between the two. Sang-yeon gestured with his chin toward Hae-gyeom.

“If you really want it, have a bite.”

Hae-gyeom stared at Sang-yeon. He seemed to be asking, ‘Can I really do that?’

It wasn't that he read his mind through his gaze; Yoon Hae-gyeom’s expression was just that transparent.

“Eat it.”

“…….”

“But you’re forbidden from using your hands.”

They say there are some sights you can't see even if you pay an astronomical amount of money. How much did his brother spend to bring Yoon Hae-gyeom here? Even so, it probably wasn't a bargain. He wondered whether he was getting his money’s worth at that price.

Hae-gyeom, who was a head shorter than Sang-yeon, stopped hesitating. He bent his waist and slowly crawled toward the fallen snack on the floor. Then he carefully parted his lips. A red tongue emerged from those lips and touched the energy bar.

Hae-gyeom’s body lay flat on the floor as he carefully pushed the piece that barely fit into his mouth. His loose T-shirt slipped down without resistance, revealing his skin.

Sang-yeon watched every part of the process without missing a thing.

With his back straightened, Hae-gyeom stayed on his knees and chewed for a while. His pale cheeks bulged with each bite. He wiped his lips only after finishing a meal that looked not just leisurely, but almost peaceful.

“……Are you actually a dog?”

It was a remark that could be either a question or a provocation. Hae-gyeom’s head lifted listlessly. At a slant, their gazes met. Sang-yeon ground his molars for no reason.

“No sense of shame. Just like a damn beggar……”

Even as he spoke, Sang-yeon didn't take his eyes off Hae-gyeom. There wasn't a single blemish on his white skin. That was why the red of his tightly closed lips looked especially vivid. His small frame was so thin it almost looked like a sheet of paper, without any curves.

Looking like that, Yoon Hae-gyeom must have seduced a guy with a dick before. Even if he was acting like a brainless doll in front of him now.

Sang-yeon had never thought deeply about the breed known as omegas. The only thing that defined them was the disgusting tendency to go crazy if they were penetrated, regardless of gender. In his eyes, being an alpha and a dominant one at that, they all looked like they were born cursed.

He thought that if they were in a position to be sold for money, they should at least know shame. He hated the very idea of choosing to be a slut.

Even though Hae-gyeom seemed somewhat naive at first glance, he expected the man to reveal his lewd desires to him soon enough. It was strange that after several days in this house, there had been no movement in that direction. A worn-out omega couldn't possibly be insensitive to an alpha’s pheromones.

‘As if he weren't like that despite his circumstances….’

Thinking that giving him such special treatment was excessive as well, Sang-yeon consciously cleared his thoughts.

“Hey. You've done it with a guy too, right?”

“…….”

“Don't act shy and show your hand. Let me hear just how miserable your life is.”

Hae-gyeom, who was still sitting, shook his head while wiping away the crumbs around his mouth.

“I haven't done it.”

His low voice was calm. For Hae-gyeom, it was an answer he could give without difficulty. Because he truly hadn't.

More important than the current conversation was the fact that it was almost time to take his medicine. He had been quite concerned lately because the time he took it had become inconsistent. Just as he was debating whether to ask for permission today, a short scoff fell.

“Watch who you lie to. Where do you get off acting so innocent?”

As if he were actually a virgin. Hearing such an impossible act of playing the victim, he couldn't help but laugh.

‘Might as well say you're a woman.’

Just then, Sang-yeon’s phone, tucked in his pocket, vibrated. As Sang-yeon answered the call, Hae-gyeom carefully raised himself. He intended to ask whether he could take his medicine once the call was over.

“……Now? You didn't go to school today?”

Sang-yeon had a habit of stretching his whole body in all directions when he was on the phone. When he did, the shape of his muscles, which looked as if they were sculpted, became more prominent from his shoulders to his waist. His collarbones, his firm chest, and even his navel were part of a beautiful body. Enough to be overwhelmed just by observing.

Hae-gyeom was still thinking such things even after hearing blatant mockery. Was an omega’s body designed so they couldn't harbor ill thoughts about an alpha? Or maybe this level of admiration was the minimum instinct Hae-gyeom could perceive.

Right. With a man like that, anyone would…….

“Got it. Hang up.”

After finishing the short call, Sang-yeon gestured toward Hae-gyeom. Hae-gyeom snapped back to his senses. The gesture meant for him to return to his place. He could stand there for several more hours, but what was urgent now was the medicine.

“……Excuse me.”

Sang-yeon. That had been the first and last time he’d called him that. After seeing how displeased he was, he thought it was indeed a bit difficult. Since that day, Hae-gyeom’s form of address for Sang-yeon had always been ‘excuse me.’ It was relatively easy to say that since it wasn't something like 'Master,' which branded the master-servant relationship.

“I have to take my medicine now. Could I go to my room for a moment?”

Sang-yeon knew the faint scent of medicine lingering around Hae-gyeom. It was common knowledge, learned in school, that it would help mask the pheromones.

The attitude of seeming reluctant to be completely naked, despite having nothing to hide, suddenly grated on Sang-yeon’s nerves.

“They say you guys cum just by being touched during your heat cycle?”

So, this was close to pure spite.

“That would be a sight to see.”

“…….”

“Just try going to your room.”

Passing Hae-gyeom with bold strides, he quickly left the annex. The door slammed shut, leaving Hae-gyeom all alone in the spacious interior. If he was left alone, he could have just gone in for a moment. But if he disobeyed an order, Sang-yeon would get angry again.

‘……If the Manager were here at a time like this, wouldn't he have told him to take it easy?’

Come to think of it, several days had passed since he last saw Gi-seok. Recalling the vividly imprinted face of the man, he felt a slight sense of relief. Even if it was only for a moment.

Not long ago, he couldn't take his medicine on time either, but when he finally did, his body and mind quickly became comfortable. He believed it would be the same today.

During the day, the mansion was purely Baek Sang-yeon’s world. There was no one there but the people serving them. That was why he welcomed In-ho, who visited in broad daylight. He planned to decide what to do for fun after talking it over slowly.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“To see Baek Sang-yeon being ignored.”

However, as soon as In-ho crossed the main gate, he headed across the garden toward the annex. In-ho’s purpose for visiting today was to see Hae-gyeom. For a man who had to satisfy his curiosity to be at peace, his friend’s unwelcome guest was naturally something he wanted to see.

“It’s already been a few days. You really haven't done it during that time?”

“Of course not.”

“You boring bastard……”

Considering In-ho’s usually cheerful personality and indiscriminate tastes, it wasn't unexpected. Above all, since he himself had recently been the first to roll around with In-ho's omega, it was also difficult to dissuade In-ho.

‘……Dissuade?’

In-ho had always been pretty interested in male omegas as well. If it were him, he might truly coax Yoon Hae-gyeom into taking off his pants. With just a little thought, it was obvious there was no reason for him to stop In-ho.

Yet, strangely, he felt uneasy.

In-ho reached the annex in an instant and opened the door. Hae-gyeom, who was crouching in a corner far from the door, lifted his head.

There was a man he had never seen before, and he was with Sang-yeon. Based on the earlier call, he quickly realized he was Sang-yeon’s friend.

In-ho strode toward Hae-gyeom. Behind him, Sang-yeon just stood with a somewhat stiff expression. In-ho grabbed Hae-gyeom’s chin, admiring the small face, turning it this way and that.

“Your face is good. How old are you?”

“……Twenty-three.”

“Wow. Older? I thought you were a kid who just turned legal age.”

It was true that Hae-gyeom looked young for his age. Not wanting to admit it, Sang-yeon looked away.

It wasn’t that Hae-gyeom was unbothered by the touch of the man who had suddenly barged in and was scrutinizing his face. However, he couldn't move quickly because of the heavy scent, similar to cigarette smoke. He felt through his skin that the man in front of him was also a very precious alpha.

“What’s your name?”

“Yoon Hae-gyeom.”

“No, don't you talk.”

Sang-yeon, who was far away and intercepting Hae-gyeom’s answer, raised his middle finger toward In-ho. He had stepped in because Hae-gyeom didn't seem likely to answer on his own unless Sang-yeon gave permission.

‘It’s not like he’s a kid. Every single thing, fuck…….’

Once he realized he was nitpicking over such things, he felt a bit uncomfortable.

So, they are both acting unlike themselves.

When Sang-yeon went to In-ho’s house, In-ho had left Sang-yeon alone. He also hadn't asked for the omega’s name or age in that house. Jang In-ho thought of sex as a simple sport where introductions weren’t necessary, so why did he ask for both the name and age this time? As if he were truly curious about Yoon Hae-gyeom.

It was exactly at that point that dissatisfaction was beginning to stir, though Sang-yeon hadn't yet realized it himself.

“Hey, just come out. Let's play outside.”

“Why. Let's talk a bit.”

“……What a waste of time.”

“Besides that, what do you two do cooped up in here all day?”

“Why would I tell you that, you idiot?”

“It’s a damn waste……”

In-ho, who was smirking, soon pressed his nose into the nape of Hae-gyeom’s neck. Though startled, Hae-gyeom stayed still. Over that shoulder, Sang-yeon’s gaze remained intense.

“The smell is killer.”

At that moment, Sang-yeon’s eyebrows furrowed strangely. Just as he thought, ‘Is it really that good?’ he sensed that the air in the space had changed from just a few minutes ago.

“So you're saying you haven't even touched him yet.”

Actually, In-ho had really come today just to look. But his face and scent were even better than he'd imagined. He couldn't say it was his type, but the basic condition was too good. Since Gi-seok had brought him, he seemed to have good eyes after all.

It would be a pity to just watch in that case. In-ho, having made his decision, grabbed Hae-gyeom’s wrist. He then looked back at Sang-yeon and smiled thinly.

“Since there’s plenty of time, I’ll have a go.”

Unlike the plan, the voice declaring that he would do more than just look was brazen. This was a kind of equivalent exchange. You also took my place at my house before, something like that.

“You have no complaints, right?”

Because he also thought of that, Sang-yeon kept his mouth shut. The greatest condition of friendship without boundaries is fairness. And as an alpha, he had the right to take an omega whenever he wanted.

Instead of answering, he glanced at Hae-gyeom. He was in a position where he couldn't say a single word about the situation. Sang-yeon was suddenly curious about what on earth Hae-gyeom, who kept his mouth shut, was thinking right now.

Would he be happy that an opportunity had come? Since, as In-ho said, he would never violate Yoon Hae-gyeom the way he wanted.

“If it's good, I'll come often. If his owner doesn't play with him, he must be lonely, too.”

If In-ho wanted to do it with Hae-gyeom, he just had to throw an insult and cover his ears for a bit.

That should be it, but why was his stomach churning like this?

‘That bastard Yoon Hae-gyeom, too. I’m right here, and he's keeping his trap shut as if he's been waiting for this….’

As expected, he must have been waiting all along for someone to stuff him. A slut who didn't care even if it was an intruder he had just seen for the first time today.

He might be acting stupid, but inside he might be jumping for joy. After all, Yoon Hae-gyeom was an omega. A disgusting existence that couldn't help but want to be fucked. He was certain now that saying he had never done it even once earlier was indeed a lie.

“Hey, Baek Sang-yeon.”

In-ho called his name again, as if he needed final confirmation. Hae-gyeom remained silent. Sang-yeon recalled how calmly In-ho had reacted when he had sex with the omega he had borrowed at In-ho’s house.

There was only one thing he needed to say here.

“Do whatever you want.”

No matter who Yoon Hae-gyeom slept with, as long as it wasn't with him, it was fine.

An excited In-ho grabbed Hae-gyeom and headed for the small room. A scent wafted from Hae-gyeom as he passed by. It had certainly grown stronger than before.

What should I be doing while those two are rolling around? After a moment of contemplation, he sat on the dry beach chair. His legs on the tiles trembled slightly. It wasn't conscious, but once he saw the door finally close, it just happened.

There was no need to think deeply about it anymore. He just had to kill some time. He could get into the water. He could even leave the annex entirely. Whatever it was, anything…….

“……Fuck, seriously.”

But why did he keep feeling so dirty? Without any room for other thoughts to enter.

In-ho, who entered the room holding Hae-gyeom’s hand, was the first to throw off his clothes. Unbuttoning his shirt, he abruptly smashed his lips against Hae-gyeom’s. His tongue pushed into the gap, somewhat aggressively.

“Mmph……”

Hae-gyeom’s startled hands hovered in the air. Pushed by him, he eventually hit his head on the bookshelf.

It was his first time accepting someone’s tongue. That is, Hae-gyeom had never even kissed anyone before. The wet tongue was sucked into his mouth as if it were about to be split apart.

Because of the saliva pooling in his mouth, it soon made a squelching sound. It was overwhelming just to follow the movement. He wanted to stop, but his mind wouldn't let his body move. It felt like someone was whispering to him that he shouldn't.

Right. He should no longer run away as he had in the past. This was a natural situation. He shouldn't take issue with an alpha trying to take him. Anyone, not just Sang-yeon, could violate him at any time.

Once he gave up, his breathing grew even more ragged. Just then, In-ho, who was entangling his tongue, pushed his hand into Hae-gyeom’s clothes.

At that moment, the fluttering eyelids went still. Hae-gyeom’s body was trapped between the bookshelf and In-ho, who was now half-naked. Pulling his lips away, In-ho bit into the nape of his neck and spoke.

“What are you going to do if you can’t even suck a tongue properly? You would have gotten chewed out even if you had done it with him.”

The vivid sensation of a foreign object invading his lips lingered. Hae-gyeom’s heart raced. His breathing lost its rhythm and became ragged. What made Hae-gyeom even more lightheaded was the hand rummaging beneath his clothes.

He didn’t know what to do, having never shared such explicit physical contact with another person before.

“Did I tell you my name? It’s Jang In-ho.”

In-ho, his voice thick with heavy breathing, asked as he rubbed his lower body against him.

“From what I can see, you seem like the cautious type…”

“Ah, excuse me…”

“Well, let’s just do it for now. I’m good at it, so that doesn’t matter.”

And then he covered his lips again. Hae-gyeom’s hesitant hands barely managed to grab his shoulders.

He remembered Sang-yeon nodding to him just before he was dragged into the room. In other words, everything that was about to happen from then on was also a task Hae-gyeom was expected to perform. He thought he was finally mentally prepared, but once he was actually in the situation, his every nerve became tangled.

Just from their lips touching, just from exposing his chest, it felt like every hair on his body was standing on end. Amid his paralyzed thoughts, In-ho even slid a hand into his pants.

Hae-gyeom reflexively pushed In-ho’s upper body away. In-ho, who had been lingering on his lips, whispered.

“Why? You don’t like doing it standing up?”

“N-no…”

“No?”

“...It’s my first time…”

The voice confessing the truth trembled. It was filled with raw tension.

“First time? Jackpot. I hit the motherlode!”

He grinned, baring his teeth. Then he completely pulled off Hae-gyeom’s T-shirt, leaving him half-naked, just like himself.

“It’s my first time with a guy, too. You hit the jackpot, too.”

Before he could even understand what he was saying, In-ho’s lips scattered across his cheeks. The lips, gradually descending, settled on Hae-gyeom’s neck again. Fearing he might scream if he let go, Hae-gyeom bit his own lip hard. The more he breathed, the stronger the heavy body odor flowed deep into him.

So this is what it’s like when the scents of an alpha and an omega mix. Feeling the sensation of a tongue licking up his skin, Hae-gyeom lifted his head. A ticklish sensation surged through his entire body. It felt good, and his lower body twitched.

Then his body began to crave things it had never experienced. A groan slipped from his naturally parted lips. Looking into Hae-gyeom’s unfocused eyes, In-ho felt his muscles swell with excitement.

“Hey, your scent is really…”

Just as Hae-gyeom was instinctively about to offer his tongue to the dominant figure watching him, the closed door burst open. In-ho, who never thought to lock a door no matter where he went, turned his head.

“Hey, Jang In-ho.”

Sang-yeon’s low voice resonated. Even then, Hae-gyeom was still panting. He didn’t even realize the door had opened and was still clinging to In-ho.

Taking in the full spectacle, Sang-yeon stepped all the way into the room. He spoke flatly to In-ho, who stared back at him blankly.

“Hyung is coming. You, leave. You know our hyung hates this kind of mess the most, right?”

“Ah, crazy…”

When the unexpected name was mentioned, In-ho quickly picked up his discarded clothes. He agreed he couldn’t show himself in such a disheveled state in front of him, of all people. It was only natural to want to look good in front of an idol.

“Hyung is unpredictable as always.”

“Shut up and get out, fast.”

In-ho took a moment to look back at Hae-gyeom. Hae-gyeom was still dazed. A scent he didn't want to leave behind was radiating from his entire body, but if the reason was Jo Gi-seok, he had no choice.

In-ho obediently followed Sang-yeon out of the room. Left alone, Hae-gyeom finally came to his senses.

“...Haa…”

He carefully placed a hand on his left chest. His heart was beating as if it were about to burst through his skin. The traces of the alpha still hung in the air.

The emotion welling up now was, prematurely, ‘longing.’

Even though it had been very brief, he wanted to feel that tongue invading his mouth again. He couldn't keep his mouth still.

To clear his head, and since he was in his room anyway, he hurriedly looked for his medicine. He didn't know for sure, but maybe it would calm his current state of excitement. As he threw back the small pill and swallowed some water, a sudden chill ran through his body. Immediately after, his vision became a bit clearer.

At that time, In-ho left the front gate looking the same as when he had arrived.

“Don’t you dare say anything stupid to Gi-seok Hyung, okay? I’m going!”

After In-ho left, Sang-yeon returned to the annex. Hae-gyeom’s door was still slightly ajar. He moved toward it without hesitation.

When he opened the door, his eyes met Hae-gyeom’s, who had just finished tidying himself up. His face had finally returned to normal.

“...”

“...”

Seeing Sang-yeon made reality feel more palpable to Hae-gyeom. The scene he had just enacted in front of him replayed in his head. He had shown himself disheveled in front of another alpha far too vividly.

Since it was a side of himself he had never even imagined, he felt somewhat embarrassed. Sang-yeon just stared at him in silence. The silence lasted longer than expected.

Eventually, Hae-gyeom decided to speak first. Since it didn't seem right to bring up In-ho, with whom he had shared that scandalous moment, he asked about the person Sang-yeon had mentioned earlier.

“What about the manager?”

Sang-yeon, whose cheek bulged as he poked it with his tongue, finally answered after a brief pause.

“He’s not coming.”

It was a cold response. It was so firm that it was hard to understand. Was it a lie when he told his friend that Gi-seok was coming? As Hae-gyeom tried to gauge his intentions, Sang-yeon asked this time.

“Are you disappointed?”

He thought he was asking about Gi-seok not coming. Hae-gyeom nodded. He had wanted to greet him after a long time. At his quick affirmation, Sang-yeon let out a hollow laugh. His lips twisted.

“Right… I bet you are. You fuckers are all the same.”

Inevitably, contempt poured out without warning. It seemed he had shown a very bad side of himself earlier. Swallowing his self-reproach, Hae-gyeom fell silent.

Whether he was expecting an answer or not, Sang-yeon left the room without leaving even a trace behind.

‘...I made him angry again. I shouldn't have.’

As soon as he was alone, the previous situation came back to him. Perhaps the medicine was taking effect, because his body felt limp. Hae-gyeom sighed and sat on the bed. Until a moment ago, his mind had been a mess because of his heated body, but now only Sang-yeon’s angry face flickered before him.

He hoped he could fall asleep faster than usual today.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A foul mood. It was something Sang-yeon had been feeling frequently lately.

It all started when that damn omega fucker moved into the annex. The mere fact that his very existence had become the reason for certain impulses made him feel like fire was raging inside him.

“The upper arm position is good. Keep the stimulation on your shoulders, yes…”

Whether it was because he was lifting heavy equipment or simply because he was in a bad mood, the trainer swallowed hard as she looked at Sang-yeon’s fierce expression.

The person in charge of Sang-yeon’s strength training was a muscular beta woman. Having come regularly to oversee his workouts, she had been walking on eggshells around him since arriving a moment ago.

It had been nearly an hour. She was stubbornly coaching him, but she didn't know if he was even listening to a word she said. From the perspective of someone being paid, she just needed to fill the time, but being around someone so arrogant and ill-tempered made her feel suffocated.

In the end, the session finished thirty minutes earlier than usual.

“Since we’ve hit today’s goal, please use the remaining time to stretch and loosen your muscles properly.”

The trainer, who felt like she wanted to leave quickly for some reason, busily packed her things. It was a coincidence that her gaze drifted toward the side door just as she was about to leave.

“By the way, I think that room was empty last time. Is someone staying there now?”

She asked because there was something like a meal tray placed in front of it. Since betas cannot detect omega pheromones at all, it wasn't because she sensed anything beyond the door.

At that moment, Sang-yeon’s already hardened expression darkened twofold. He spoke irritably to the innocent woman.

“Mind your own business and get out.”

Feeling immediately like she had said something she shouldn't have, the trainer practically fled the annex. Catching his breath, Sang-yeon moved toward the shower room. On the way, he inevitably had to pass Hae-gyeom’s room.

Lately, he hadn't liked the layout of this place at all. The way that small room caught his eye no matter where he went was annoying. He almost kicked the empty tray in front of the door, but he held back. If he did, Hae-gyeom would come out.

Today, Sang-yeon didn't even want to see him.

Stepping into the shower room, he saw his reflection in the clean mirror, sweat half-dried on his body.

‘What are you so displeased about that you’ve had this face all day?’

He asked himself, but no answer came. He turned on the shower irritably. There was no better relief than cold water right after a workout. Sang-yeon’s soaked spine straightened rigidly.

At the same time, the dazed face he had seen yesterday surfaced beneath the stream of water.

‘Are you disappointed?’

It was a question about sending In-ho away. Why on earth he had asked that, he still didn't know the intention even a day later.

The previous day, after In-ho had disappeared into the room with Hae-gyeom, Sang-yeon had stood there for a long time before taking off his clothes. He had planned to take a dip in the water, but when he actually saw the calm surface, he didn't feel like jumping in.

I don’t want to swim. It was absurd to have such a thought while standing in front of the water.

In the end, he put his clothes back on. He abruptly opened Hae-gyeom’s door, and because he hadn't prepared an excuse, he used Gi-seok’s name. He knew In-ho wouldn't dare act out of line in front of his brother. He was certain that mentioning him would make In-ho give up quickly.

Why had he wanted Jang In-ho to give up so badly?

When he was left alone with Hae-gyeom, he was already dressed, but the brief glimpse of Hae-gyeom’s half-naked body had left a lasting impression on Sang-yeon ever since.

When you swim, nothing is as familiar as another person’s bare body. And yet, Yoon Hae-gyeom was just… a bit different.

First of all, he was so thin he looked pathetic. Because the skin clung flatly to his muscles, the outline of his body was vivid. It looked like if you shoved something inside, the shape would show through perfectly…

He hated the fact that he had begun to categorize Yoon Hae-gyeom ‘differently’ like that. No matter what, he was just another guy.

“Fuck… so annoying.”

Under the pouring cold water, Sang-yeon bit his lip. He shifted the blame onto In-ho, who wasn't even there, telling himself it was all his fault.

Why did he have to say he’d do it with Yoon Hae-gyeom? If he hadn't chased him out using Gi-seok’s name, they surely would have been holed up in that room for hours. Yoon Hae-gyeom must have anticipated that too. That’s why he nodded as if he’d been waiting for it when asked if he was disappointed. It was beyond vulgar.

He regretted not verbally abusing him, telling him he should have clung to Jang In-ho’s pant leg. Even if he had, it was already in the past. Sang-yeon was the only one still struggling, unable to move on.

As he repeatedly scrubbed his face with his thick hands, he heard a knock. Sang-yeon immediately turned off the water. He knew who it was by the sound alone.

Annoying Yoon Hae-gyeom…

“Um. I put a change of clothes out front for you.”

His dry tone felt repulsive. In front of the horny Jang In-ho, what kind of coquetry had he shown in that short time? It must have been a face he had never shown him. He could tell just by how exceptionally disappointed Jang In-ho had seemed.

‘I haven’t done it.’

Why tell a lie like that? Even though he had no intention of falling for it, it was unpleasant. He didn't like his position, being the one who blocked the welcome grinding of a cheap omega.

However, he hadn't done anything wrong. This was his house anyway. The annex was Baek Sang-yeon’s world, and Hae-gyeom was in a position where he had to prostrate himself before him. It was also Sang-yeon’s right to trample on his heart, which might have wanted to be taken by another alpha. Because that was the kind of being Yoon Hae-gyeom was.

He felt the presence move away from the door after the knock. Sang-yeon turned the water back on full blast.

Annoying Yoon Hae-gyeom.

‘I’m so fucking pissed…’

It twisted his gut that even chewing on such curses meant thinking of Hae-gyeom.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

“You’re much more handsome than the rumors said.”

The woman sitting across from Gi-seok smiled, her eyes crinkling. Gi-seok, bowing his head slightly, responded with an expressionless glance.

The woman was the daughter of Chairman Cha Woo-seok of ‘Hotel RM’ and a dance major at a prestigious university. She was eight years younger than Gi-seok. Jewelry-encrusted accessories sparkled incessantly on her. Aside from the fact that she seemed mature for her age, he had no particular impressions of her.

In this world, a meal where a man and a woman with grand titles flattered each other was quite common. Baek Ju-hwa, who had lamented that Gi-seok had left for Hong Kong just when he should have been spending plenty of time like this, had told them to at least get to know each other today.

Knowing her hidden agenda of being interested in the hotel business, Gi-seok had come to this meeting with a clear mind. He had no intention of putting in any effort into the conversation.

He had absolutely no appetite and hadn't touched a single bite of the food in front of him. In contrast, the woman seemed to like both the food and Gi-seok, as she had already finished half of the meat she had cut herself.

“This is a restaurant I like. I know many delicious places around here, so please let me know when you have time.”

As if she had experienced such moments many times, her way of assuming it would happen again was quite practiced. Gi-seok merely smiled it off while keeping his head held high.

“You said it hasn't been long since you returned to Korea, right?”

“Yes, it’s been a little over two weeks.”

“Isn't it nice to be in Korea after all?”

“There are comfortable aspects of it. But I liked where I was.”

“I went to Hong Kong once, five years ago. It was just okay then. More than anything, the cultural difference was so palpable that it was a bit off-putting.”

It wasn't as if there were no parts that could be felt as a so-called cultural difference. Hong Kong aims for a more liberal lifestyle compared to Korea. This was due to the growing voices of youth groups claiming that emphasizing personal freedom and individuality would be the benchmark for leading a new era.

A woman like the one in front of him would seem to prefer such a proactive atmosphere. It was puzzling that she called it off-putting. When he asked with his eyes, the woman continued in a reluctant tone.

“Because there are too many omegas on the streets. It was a bit scary to walk around outside. Even though I can’t feel anything.”

“...”

“It felt like walking among beasts, I guess…”

There was, of course, no reason for her, who had lived as a beta from a wealthy family and enjoyed a stable environment, to show generosity toward omegas. In the first place, opportunities for a beta to experience an omega are rare. This is because the social definition of an omega’s existence focuses on the ‘body.’

While it seemed natural for the woman to treat that group as dangerous, her tone, which didn't even hold a shred of goodwill toward them, was uncomfortable.

“I’m not the type to care about things like that.”

“Um, Gi-seok-ssi… you’ve used them often too, right?”

She was clearly referring to a person, but she was weighing their utility. Gi-seok raised an eyebrow instead of answering.

“I understand all of that. There are so many among my friends, too. I heard some people even purchase them from shops. I’m sure Gi-seok-ssi, too—”

“No. I have no interest in that.”

“Oh, I’m not such a close-minded person.”

He had seen many people like this woman. Most people who grew up receiving the level of education society defines as basic lumped the omegas together. If you looked closely, everyone inside had different stories and circumstances.

While there were alphas who thought all omegas should be stepped on like omegas, there could also be rebellious elements like himself. Similarly, if there were omegas whose holes itched every day, there would also be those who did not.

While someone might groom themselves in a shop, waiting only for the person who would become their owner, someone else might have lost even the will to leave, existing in a blank state, both in mind and body. Just as there are those born with a silver spoon, there were surely those born with innocence.

It was natural for Hae-gyeom to come to mind as he delved into these thoughts. Because he was the only one who was different among those with shining eyes.

The people he saw at the shop that day moved like objects, driven solely by the idea of a transaction. Each was priced with a string of zeros and longed only to leave that place. Since it was a society where the distorted structure between classes was taken for granted, he too had paid money and brought Hae-gyeom along.

So, in the end, believing he had seen him differently might be nothing but formless hypocrisy. After all, wasn't it he who had handed Hae-gyeom over to a twenty-year-old boy with a twisted mind, telling him to use him ‘as he pleased’?

In the first place, because his actions were for Sang-yeon and not for Hae-gyeom, he was the very person who had solidified Hae-gyeom’s disadvantageous position. After this sudden self-reflection, what remained was curiosity about his well-being.

The afterimage of the face that had surfaced lingered for a long time.

“I’m sorry, but I have a schedule for tomorrow morning. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Pardon? Oh, yes. If you’re busy….”

Even as he looked at the face clearly marked with disappointment, Gi-seok stood up indifferently.

He had only peered into that room a handful of times, intending to provide at least a minimum level of care. This was because he had agreed with Sang-yeon’s insistence that he not get involved. In truth, there was no reason for him to look after Hae-gyeom any further on his own.

Nevertheless.

‘This is definitely not a bad choice.’

Now might be the perfect time to use the excuse of ‘duty.’ Gi-seok hurried toward the exit. He didn't even realize that his eyes, catching the light from the chandelier, had briefly gleamed.