LM 56

His rut would be coming soon. At the earliest, this evening, or perhaps tomorrow. He needed to inform Park Hae-jeong in advance, since he knew he would fall into a deep sleep the moment he injected the suppressant.

In reality, there was no need to prepare an injection. He could simply ask for Kwon Siyul’s understanding and find another omega. It wasn’t like he had never been with betas before, and most understood the nature of ruts. He could just end relationships with those who couldn’t accept it.

At first, he thought about explaining it to Kwon Siyul. But he didn’t feel like it. Meeting someone else, mixing bodies with them—it all seemed too bothersome to deal with.

Why?

He couldn’t tell if it was simply because he had grown older and realized the futility of it all, or if there was another reason for it.

His body felt languid. As he closed his eyes, feeling like he was sinking into water, his phone’s ringtone chased away his drowsiness. Wondering if Kwon Siyul had changed his mind and called, he picked up the phone. As soon as he answered, he heard a cheerful “Oppa!” It turned out to be his youngest sister, Woo Jihye.

“Yeah. What’s up?”

Hiding his disappointment that it wasn’t the one he had hoped for, Woo Hyunse answered as kindly as he could. In contrast, Woo Jihye’s voice on the other end was full of excitement.

—I heard you met Seohee unni!

“Where did you hear that from?”

—Taeju told me, and unni did too. That’s great. Are you having an engagement ceremony soon?

How did they always pick up news he hadn’t even mentioned? At this rate, he’d probably hear about his child being born from others first.

“We were thinking of skipping that.”

—That’s a shame. It would be nice if you went through with it. Exchanging rings, taking photos. And it would keep others from eyeing you.

Despite growing up in this world, Woo Jihye still had a fairy-tale sensibility. Well, having been raised preciously in a gilded cage by the elders, she might not be aware about the dirty affairs of the adults. For some reason, Kwon Siyul came to mind as a comparison, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

Kwon Siyul, like a weed with a thin stem, dropped alone into the world and grew up alone, without any protectors.

—Actually, I have a recital this month. I thought it would be nice if you and Seohee unni came together. I’ll send you an invitation.

“Do I have to go with…Seohee-ssi?”

—Of course! Make sure to come that day. Taeju said he’s coming too.

“Alright. I’ll keep my schedule open.”

Going wasn’t difficult. Kwon Siyul was the first to come to mind. He wanted to go together, but Woo Gibbeum, like a hyena, would be there too. He didn’t want to expose Kwon Siyul to that drooling mouth.

If she had finished speaking, she should have hung up, but Woo Jihye seemed to have more to say. After prodding her with a “What is it?”, she finally came out with it.

—…Actually, I already told Seohee unni. I asked her to come with you. I sent her an invitation in advance.

“Is this a notification?”

—I’m sorry. I happened to meet Seohee unni the other day and it came up. I had the invitation with me, so I gave it to her ahead of time.

Woo Jihye apologized, laughing sheepishly as if there was no malice. On the other hand, Woo Hyunse felt a headache coming on. Why does everyone…He almost cursed. He reminded himself that the person on the other end was a fragile princess who might be sick for days if she heard a curse. Unlike Woo Gibbeum, who would return curses tenfold, Woo Jihye was like a thin glass plate that would shatter at the slightest touch.

“Okay.”

—Thank you, oppa.

He ended the call early, using work as an excuse. His eyes felt strained, so he pressed them shut and tilted his head back. The forced smile disappeared the moment the voice on the other end of the line was gone.

He felt tired.

He wanted to see Kwon Siyul. He wanted to hear Kwon Siyul’s voice. He wanted to fall asleep holding Kwon Siyul, thinking of nothing. Restraining those fidgeting limbs and burying his face in that hollow of the neck. He wanted to lie there and burrow himself in that gentle voice and sweet scent. With those chattering lips pressed against his cheek and his fingers tangled in that soft hair.

But the cold-hearted Kwon Siyul ignored him and said he was going back to that cramped inn. The house would be empty without Kwon Siyul. He didn’t want to go into that empty house alone. Should he kidnap Kwon Siyul on the way? How could he tie Kwon Siyul to the house? He wanted to put shackles on those ankles or keep him in a large birdcage so that he never left.

He wished Kwon Siyul would swim around the house like a goldfish in a tank. Whether intentionally or by chance, wearing clothes much too large for his frame like a sack, fluttering thin cloth like fins, treading lightly on the floor with fair feet that showed no signs of hardship.

Had he ever felt this way before?

He found himself ridiculous for being swept up in such emotions, not even being in his emotionally turbulent adolescence anymore. Woo Hyunse chuckled to himself. He might not have realized that his fever was rising too high, his rational thoughts were fading, and madness was taking their place.

Even before the last customer lifted their bottom from the chair, Kwon Siyul hurriedly began closing up. He was anxious. He wanted to rush to Woo Hyunse right away to tell him about his differentiation and get rid of those damn syringes from sight. He wanted to beat his chest and say there was nothing to worry about now even if a rut came—that he could handle it too.

But just as red lights seemed to catch you more often when you were in a hurry, today’s last customer seemed possessed by a snail spirit, lingering and showing no signs of leaving.

He had purposely thrown up a smokescreen, telling Woo Hyunse he’d be staying at the inn again tonight. He’d also refused Woo Hyunse’s offer to pick him up, fearing Kwon Yuwon might see him. He planned to surprise Woo Hyunse by showing up unexpectedly.

With his heart pounding in his chest, he was so focused on watching the customer’s back, waiting for them to leave, that he didn’t notice Woo Taeju staring at him. When Woo Taeju called out “Hyung,” Kwon Siyul jumped as if startled.

“Do you have plans tonight?”

The shop usually closed at 2 a.m. Normally, it would be an unlikely time for plans. Especially for Kwon Siyul, whose social circle was narrower than a needle’s eye.

“No. It’ll be dawn when we finish. What plans could I have?”

He shook his head, wondering if his impatience had been so obvious. Just then, the customer began to leave, and Kwon Siyul quickly grabbed a cloth, ignoring Woo Taeju’s narrowed, questioning eyes on his back.

Usually, he’d lock up with the other staff members, but tonight he was in a hurry. Kwon Siyul quickly finished his tasks and ducked into the changing room to switch out of his uniform.

“I’ll be heading out first.”

It was 20 minutes earlier than usual. Kwon Siyul rushed out of the shop, his hood flapping, faster than Alice’s rabbit. As he bounded down the stairs two or three at a time, Woo Taeju, twice Alice’s size, chased after him like an arrow. He grabbed Kwon Siyul’s shoulder as soon as they exited the building.

“Hyung, why are you in such a rush today?”

“Ah, I’m tired so I want to get home quickly.”

“That doesn’t seem like the real reason. Are you really not meeting someone?”

If he’d known Woo Taeju would be this bothersome, he would’ve told him a lie about meeting a friend. Kwon Siyul twisted his shoulder uncomfortably, slipping out of Woo Taeju’s grasp. In truth, Woo Taeju wasn’t even on his mind. He was already booking a taxi on his app.

“If you don’t have plans, can’t you stay with me for a bit? I won’t keep you long.”

“It’s difficult today. I need to get home early.”

“Just for a little while.”

Kwon Siyul’s brow furrowed, wondering why Woo Taeju was being so clingy. Still, not wanting to sour things with a coworker, he forced out a smile.

“Next time.”

Just then, the taxi arrived, and Kwon Siyul escaped into it. He knew Woo Taeju was watching him with a bitter, abandoned look from outside, but he didn’t look back.

The taxi sped through the quiet pre-dawn streets, quickly arriving at Woo Hyunse’s place. Kwon Siyul took the elevator up and punched in the familiar passcode. As soon as the door opened and he stepped in, he took a deep breath, his chest swelling.

It was Woo Hyunse’s scent.

Though he called it a scent, it was more like moisture seeping into his skin. It slid over his skin like lotion and filled his lungs through his nose. Kwon Siyul closed his eyes gently. Then, like someone entering a lush green forest on a clear day, he drew in a deep breath.

This was Woo Hyunse’s scent. He finally understood Kwon Yuwon’s description of it being like a snowy birch forest. It was the scent of crisp dawn air filling the spaces between white-barked trees reaching for the sky, of untouched white snow layered so thickly that the earth beneath was hidden—the pure scent of a winter forest. Though he’d never been to such a place, he knew it. The scent touched not his nose, but his skin and his senses.

Kwon Siyul took off his shoes and moved slowly, savoring the scent with each step he took. Every corner of the house was filled with Woo Hyunse’s scent. He felt cheated for not having noticed it until now.

Kwon Siyul lay on the sofa for a moment, hugging a cushion to his chest. As he had done multiple times before, he buried his face in it. A scent different from fabric softener permeated first. It welled up from his toes to the crown of his head like rising water. Like dust dancing in the air when you shake out a blanket, Kwon Siyul’s own unique scent unknowingly flowed from his entire body.