RFL Ch 10

“I see. Thanks.”

Hyerin must have heard all sorts of nonsense from behind, yet he remained unchanged. Feeling a fresh wave of gratitude, Sooin offered a genuine smile. Hyerin chuckled, saying “Don’t mention it,” and playfully punched Sooin’s arm again, right on the spot where she’d hit him earlier.

“Well, I’m off! Good work, Jaeyi.”

Song Jaeyi didn’t respond to the cheerful farewell. It wasn’t surprising at this point, so Sooin waved goodbye on his behalf as well. To the conventional “See you tomorrow,” Hyerin teased, “I’m not working tomorrow,” with a hearty laugh. His sing-song laughter faded quickly along with his light footsteps.

As he left, a heavy silence descended. So, this is how I end up having the one-on-one I’d been avoiding all day… Sooin laughed hollowly and brushed past Jaeyi. Opening the break room door, he asked lightly, “Do you have something to say to me, too?”

“No.”

The reply was quick and concise. However, contrary to his answer, Song Jaeyi followed him into the break room. He even closed the door behind him before striding closer. He was close enough that Sooin could smell him.

A warm flush crept up Sooin’s neck. A premonition washed over him, and he tried to turn around. But Song Jaeyi’s hand was faster. He felt his touch near his waist. Before he could react, his apron was tugged.

“It’s hard to untie with one hand.”

The pressure instantly disappeared. As the knot came undone with a soft rustle, Sooin let out a deflated sigh. He felt silly for having momentarily thought something else was about to happen, and laughter escaped him.

“Yeah, thanks…”

Sooin murmured, opening his locker. The untied apron was easily removed with one hand.

“What’s that?”

“What?”

As he was carelessly stuffing the removed apron into his locker, a hand suddenly reached in. Folding the apron neatly and handing it back, Song Jaeyi nodded towards the inside of the locker. Only then did Sooin notice the card stuck in the middle.

“Hyung’s a good teacher, huh?”

Song Jaeyi muttered coldly. His voice, right behind him, was so frigid that Sooin rubbed the back of his neck involuntarily. He felt a chill.

❤︎₊ ⊹

Despite his cold demeanor, Song Jaeyi consistently opened the car door for him. Regardless of his mood, he seemed determined to take responsibility for his wrist. Sooin got into the passenger seat, feeling truly reluctant.

Of all places, his next destination was his tutoring student’s house. After hearing “Hyung’s a good teacher, huh?” it wasn’t easy to tell him he was going to teach someone else.

Still, there was no reason to lie, so he spoke honestly. Song Jaeyi didn’t respond, just entered the address. Sooin parted his lips several times beside him as he silently steered the wheel.

They both knew better than anyone that explanations or excuses weren’t necessary between them. Yet, the silence was excessively uncomfortable.

After enduring it with a furrowed brow, Sooin finally surrendered. They would see each other tomorrow anyway, so some explanation might be necessary.

“He used to work at our cafe. He said he’s coming to help out for a day tomorrow.”

Even though he spoke with as little hesitation as possible, Song Jaeyi remained silent. His profile, glimpsed from the side, was still cold.

Sooin closed his eyes. He thought he had done enough and tried to pass the time. However, it didn’t work. Geonhui and his friends’ words kept swirling in his head. Maybe those words would reach Song Jaeyi tomorrow, too.

In that case, wouldn’t it be better to tell him himself? Sooin slowly opened his eyes.

“He asked me to go out with him for a week, so I did.”

He thought it was a rather complicated story to explain briefly, but once he started talking, there wasn’t much to say.

“Even though he didn’t know me well, he was so earnest, I thought he was just attracted to my looks. I thought he’d cool off easily once he got to know me, but it didn’t work out that way.”

“….”

“That’s it. It happened because I took his feelings lightly. It was my fault.”

He expected the look of disdain, like he was looking at trash, to return. But Song Jaeyi remained silent for a while longer. Then, as they entered a familiar neighborhood alley, he asked a strange question.

“Then what does Hyung look at?”

It was such an unexpected question that he couldn’t even ask him back right away. As he turned his head, looking at him quizzically, Song Jaeyi added, as if exasperated, “Besides looks. What does Hyung look at in a person?”

His expression was still sullen, but the tone of his voice wasn’t cold. Sooin laughed and leaned his head against the car window.

“Well, personality?”

Even at the clichéd answer, obviously meant to lighten the mood, Song Jaeyi didn’t laugh. The car, quietly driving down the alley, gradually slowed down. A familiar gray wall appeared in front of them.

“…Does that noona have a good personality?”

“Who?”

“The one from earlier. The one you work with.”

“Are you talking about Hyerin?”

“Yes.”

“Well, yeah, she’s good. She looks young, but she’s deep down, mature, and a good worker.”

Around that time, the car came to a complete stop in front of a drab house. Song Jaeyi, who had been listening silently, pressed a button. Click, the car unlocked.

“I see.”

“…Uh, thanks for the ride. I appreciate it.”

“Yeah.”

The thawed atmosphere seemed to freeze over again. Sooin sighed and got out of the car. Then, as if for him to hear, a murmur pierced the back of his head.

“You really like mature people, huh?”

The unexpectedly mature response made him burst out laughing. Even at his incredulous laughter, Song Jaeyi just raised an eyebrow. What? Go on, quickly. Despite the irritated tone, Sooin quietly obeyed. As he closed the car door and turned around, walking past the gate of the house and up the steps, he received a text from Song Jaeyi.

Song Jaeyi:
I’ll contact that socially inept sunbae first. To apologize.

I’ll tell him I’ll buy him a drink. Is that okay?

Sooin stopped midway up the stairs. Looking back, the white car was still parked in front of the wall.

He could vaguely see a large figure holding a phone inside the car. The broad shoulders that made even the large car look small were strangely endearing, and Sooin felt defeated.

They say love blossoms even in wartime, but he didn’t know flowers bloomed in the mud, too.

“Flowers, my foot…”

Sooin muttered softly and turned back to continue up the stairs. He deliberately didn’t reply. 

But Song Jaeyi’s text kept coming back to him. While tutoring, on the crowded bus home, even in the middle of his shower, it kept intruding on his thoughts. It wasn’t even anything special, but it kept making his mind noisy.

Late at night, lying in bed, Sooin picked up his phone again with a troubled expression. The text that had been following him all day was displayed on the screen.

Why send such a message? As if you want to win me over.

Just as he was blaming him needlessly, another message suddenly appeared on the screen.

Song Jaeyi:

Should I pick you up tomorrow too?

It was a simple question, and the answer was predetermined. Even though he knew the answer, Sooin added a laughing emoji after the short three words, “Why bother.” It was a deliberate attempt to draw a line with him, who kept sending messages without receiving a reply all day. Perhaps offended by the perfunctory response, Song Jaeyi didn’t push it any further.

Thanks to that, on his way to work without Song Jaeyi, Sooin’s morning was quite gloomy, finding the fact itself that his absence felt awkward absurd. The thought that he might have been influenced by Song Jaeyi quite a bit in a short period kept lingering. When did he let him in so much? The empty space that felt hollow even though he pushed him away was strange.

When unproductive and draining thoughts pile up, it’s better to keep busy. So, Sooin arrived at the cafe much earlier than his shift. He planned to help the opening staff and clear his head.

However, as soon as he opened the door, he ran into an unexpected person.

“You’re here?”

It was Song Jaeyi. He was already wearing an apron, expressionlessly wiping the table closest to the entrance.

Because of the time, it was something he hadn’t expected at all. Quite flustered, Sooin immediately checked his cracked wristwatch. There were still more than 30 minutes left until his shift.

“You’re early.”

Despite his unusually unguarded greeting, Song Jaeyi remained impassive.

“As an adult, you have to do your job properly. Responsibly.”

After reciting the solemn answer like a textbook, he continued wiping the table. Noticing a stubborn stain, he put more force into his hand. Thump, the flimsy table leg creaked.

Looking at Song Jaeyi, focused with a frown, Sooin was momentarily speechless. What sudden whim possessed him, why was he acting like this? He wanted to ask, but the person who could answer was engrossed in his work. Sooin’s gaze, filled with questions, turned to the opening staff member.

The staff member, standing far away behind the counter, shook their head. At the mouthed words I don’t know either, Sooin narrowed his eyes. As he glared, questioning if they had asked him to come early, the staff member looked wronged. Stamping their feet and waving their hands, they made a crying face. At that point, Sooin looked away.

“Right…”

There was no need to exert himself like this in the morning, especially since Geonhui was working today. Feeling the anticipated fatigue already creeping in, Sooin just gave a tired reply and entered the break room. The day already felt long.

Fortunately, Geonhui’s shift started in the late afternoon, so their overlap wasn’t long.

Moreover, Song Jaeyi was called out by the manager all afternoon. Chosen because of his height, he spent the day outside fixing the awning. Because of this, even when Geonhui arrived, there was no time for them to even greet each other. Sooin felt unknowingly relieved.

Geonhui, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, had changed a lot. From his flashy gray-dyed hair to his piercings and tight-fitting pants. His attire, more suited for a club than a cafe, was unfamiliar. But Sooin greeted him with a light smile as before.

The old Geonhui would have been shy even at such a simple greeting. He would’ve bowed his head without making eye contact or barely responded with a quiet “Yes.” But now it was different. Even at a simple eye contact devoid of emotion, Geonhui responded with a sharp look.

“It’s been a while, Hyung.”

The sharp gaze accompanying the ordinary greeting was piercing. Since this reaction was fully anticipated, Sooin responded calmly. Yeah, it has, he replied kindly, filling coffee and tidying up. All the while, Geonhui maintained his sharp eyes. Like a predator before a hunt, he quietly watched Sooin.

Should I ask him if he has something to say? Just as Sooin thought about it for exactly the sixth time, Geonhui, who had been standing at a distance, started to approach him with large strides. His face, as serious as if he was about to challenge him to a duel, quickly drew near.

“Look at this.”

Geonhui, standing right in front of him, suddenly held out his hand. Sooin thought he might slap him, but that wasn’t it. His five fingers, spread wide open, had a different purpose.

Not immediately understanding his intent, Sooin stared blankly. Geonhui then turned his hand over. He wiggled his fingers one after another, exposing the back of his hand. Something sparkled along with his fingers moving like he was playing the piano. Only then did Sooin notice the gemstone ring on his fourth finger.

“Pretty, right?”

“Ah, a ring.”

“Yes, a ring. We’ve only been dating for ten days, and he already bought me this.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty.”

It seemed that Geonhui had found new love. Feeling inwardly relieved, Sooin smiled comfortably. Then Geonhui’s eyes sparkled mischievously again.

“Right? As they say, out with the old, in with the new.”

He remembered him having a more cautious and timid personality before, but he seemed to have acquired a sharp tongue in the meantime. Having nothing to say in response, Sooin smiled with his lips only. He had called himself a clunker, so it served him right.

“But Hyung, you really haven’t changed.”

“Hm?”

“I heard you brought another boyfriend right after I left.”

However, he couldn’t just let this misunderstanding slide. Shaking his head, the smile disappeared from Sooin’s face.

“No.”

“No?”

“Yeah, really no. He’s my hoobae from school. He’s just helping out for a while because my hand is like this.”

It wasn’t that different from what Hyerin had asked, but he couldn’t laugh it off. Sooin carefully kept his tone from becoming sharp and made an effort to soften his words.

“Hmm…”

The reaction he received was lukewarm. Geonhui stroked his chin with narrowed eyes. His averted gaze went towards Song Jaeyi outside the window.

Song Jaeyi was pulling the awning back and forth as instructed by the manager. Unlike his large physique that easily reached the sign, his pouting expression was childlike. Before the thought that he was cute could form, Sooin turned his gaze away. Then, he looked at Geonhui with a suddenly serious look.

“Geonhui, I know what you think of me, but Jaeyi really isn’t like that.”

As soon as he said it, he knew. It was something he didn’t need to say. His unusually earnest explanation might make him look even more suspicious. Sooin belatedly added an awkward smile as an excuse. At that, Geonhui laughed coldly.

“Really? Ah…, he’s not like that.”

He shouldn’t have said anything. The obvious sarcasm in Geonhui’s raised eyebrows was evident.

On the contrary, Sooin maintained his smile. Even though he was thinking I’m screwed inside, he pretended to be fine. Geonhui lightly flicked Sooin’s arm.

“Hyung, stop sinning so much. You’ll really get what’s coming to you.”

He was hit in the same spot Hyerin had hit him yesterday. It was a playful gesture of similar force as yesterday. Despite that, it felt particularly stinging today. Probably this, too, was his just desserts… Smiling soundlessly with his lips only, Sooin quietly nodded.

“I should.”

At the obedient reply, Geonhui seemed strangely annoyed. He quickly dropped his forced playful smile and brushed past Sooin with angry steps.

❤︎₊ ⊹

As expected, it was a long day. It was better than the worst-case scenario he had imagined, but it was emotionally draining.

While he wasn’t usually affected by being disliked, Geonhui’s constant nagging was particularly irritating. Unlike usual, it was hard to simply ignore it. The remarks involving the innocent Song Jaeyi were especially so.

So this is what it feels like to be verbally assaulted. Sooin massaged his stiff shoulders as if he had just come back from a day of manual labor in -12 degree weather. His body, drained of energy, felt heavy.

Still, thanks to Song Jaeyi being called around by the manager all day, nothing major happened. If the three of them had worked together all day, it would have been much harder. Just imagining how Song Jaeyi would have reacted to Geonhui’s numerous taunts sent shivers down his spine. It was a relief that things could end like this.

Entering the break room alone, Sooin took off his apron and tidied it up. Just as he was about to put the folded apron in his locker and close the door, he paused. Staring at Geonhui’s card stuck in the middle, he flicked it hard. The metal locker rang loudly.

He took the card off. Perhaps because he wished Geonhui well whenever he saw it, he found a new car, and the frustration he had vented today was enough penance. There was no reason to keep it like a Hyung-vengeance.

Even after throwing away the card, Sooin sat in the break room chair for a while. He thought he should at least say goodbye to Song Jaeyi, even though they hadn’t made any plans.

Song Jaeyi was a young master who normally wouldn’t even glance at this kind of part-time job. Yet, because of his darn social skills, he was doing something he normally wouldn’t. Even though he couldn’t even exchange a proper word all day, let alone teach.

So, shouldn’t he at least say goodbye? If he just left, he’d probably grumble about him being a scammer…

Deliberately justifying his reason for waiting, Sooin checked his watch again. It was already past his closing time, but there was no sign of him. He wondered if they were still keeping him there even though he had come in early, and frowned. Thinking he should go check, Sooin stood up abruptly.

Before he could even take a step, the door suddenly opened. The person who entered through the roughly opened door was Geonhui. As soon as he entered the break room, he immediately closed the door again. The loud bang echoed as if he was about to break the door frame.

Thanks to the loud noise that resembled an explosion, Sooin’s eyes widened. He could even faintly hear the surprised murmurs of people outside.

However, Geonhui, who had caused the commotion, didn’t offer any explanation. Instead, he just glared at Sooin as if he was the one who had done it, and threw his apron on the floor. Wondering what that was about, Sooin blinked. His actions were so sudden that he couldn’t even tell whether he should be angry or try to calm him down.

Meanwhile, the door opened once more. This time, it was Song Jaeyi.

“It’s not broken, thankfully.”

He entered, saying something that sounded like a joke with a straight face. At the sarcastic remark, Geonhui clenched his fists.

“Hyung hasn’t left.”

Song Jaeyi’s tone was calm. He was so nonchalant, as if he hadn’t noticed the angry Geonhui or the loud commotion just moments before. Because of that, Sooin almost replied with a “Uh huh” without realizing it. He would have, if Song Jaeyi hadn’t suddenly picked up the apron that had fallen on the floor.

“You dropped this.”

With a hand as indifferent as his expressionless face, he tossed the apron to Geonhui. After carelessly shoving it somewhere near his side without even looking at him, Song Jaeyi stood in front of his locker. Putting his apron inside, he asked, “Are you free the day after tomorrow evening?”

He was treating the fuming Geonhui like he was invisible. Sooin suppressed a sigh and replied, “Why?”

“Hyung told me to set it up. To grab drinks.”

“Ah, Pyo Hyungyeon. He finally decided to come.”

The fact that he had agreed to the drinking invitation meant he was willing to reconcile. Feeling relieved, Sooin momentarily forgot about Geonhui. He turned to Song Jaeyi without realizing it.

“Nothing else?”

“No. He just asked if he could invite more people.”

Song Jaeyi smiled faintly as he closed his locker door. The smile on his usually expressionless face was nice to see. His gaze lingered.

“…He has no shame, asking his hoobae to pay. So, you said yes?”

“Yes. Hyung told me to use his overflowing money.”

“I never said that.”

“You said something similar. But what are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“Aren’t you leaving?”

Only then did he remember Geonhui. Sooin turned around with a half-startled look. Geonhui was still standing there. At his Oh right look, Geonhui’s fists trembled.

“…Ha, seriously.”

Letting out a hollow laugh, Geonhui cursed openly. It seemed his anger hadn’t subsided despite nagging him all day.

Right now, he couldn’t afford to have a ticking time bomb with him. Sooin awkwardly stretched his lips, hiding his embarrassment. He tried to soothe him with the kindest eyes possible.

“Geonhui, is something wrong…”

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

Before he could even ask a proper question, his words were cut off. Muttering under his breath with a sneer, Geonhui opened the door again. Throwing the apron Song Jaeyi had given him back on the floor, he left, slamming the door as if he was about to break it again. At the successive loud bangs, Sooin tapped his numb ears.

“Did something happen between you and him?”

Despite his worried frown, Song Jaeyi replied lightly.

“What’s that? Are you tutoring again today, Hyung?”

“No. I’m asking what you talked about with Geonhui.”

“We didn’t talk about much. So, are you doing that social skills class today then?”

“…Where? But saying you didn’t talk about much means you did talk about something, right?”

Song Jaeyi didn’t answer. He picked up the apron Geonhui had thrown down twice, placed it on a chair, and pushed Sooin’s back. Let’s go, come on. The irritated tone deepened Sooin’s sigh. Clearly, he’d heard something strange—no doubt about it.

So far, he’d never paid any mind to the rumors floating around. Over the years, he’d heard all sorts of bizarre things—that his family were billionaires, that he sold his body, that he was obsessed with women—but he’d laughed them off. He didn’t have the luxury of being swayed by ridiculous gossip.

Unlike the people who’d just pass through his life, reality never left Sooin’s side. No matter how much he wished it would disappear, it didn’t fade with the seasons or time. Reality always stared him down from the same spot.

Especially in moments like receiving court summons in the mail or standing at the hospital payment counter, endlessly reading the same numbers. Every time he felt utterly alone, reality’s piercing gaze grew sharper, refusing to let him drop his guard.

Jooyoung always said, “Rumors are the fate of a guy whose thoughts you can’t read,” and Sooin had planned to live accepting that fate. So, rumors were just that—rumors.

But why did he feel the urge to explain himself now? He knew full well that even the exaggerated rumors weren’t entirely untrue.

“Let’s go to your place, Hyung. I don’t want to go to the café again.”

Song Jaeyi still didn’t relay what Geonhui had said. Yet, his arm stubbornly pulled Sooin along. Standing in front of the now-familiar car, Sooin let out a sigh-like laugh.

“Where’d you learn these tricks? Jaeyi, didn’t you say you don’t like me?”

“What nonsense are you spouting again?”

“Then why are you subtly suggesting we go to my place? Huh? What are you planning?”

“You said you’d teach me. Are you joking?”

Song Jaeyi, who’d seemed to be exercising some patience, finally snapped. His expression froze mid-motion as he opened the driver’s side door of the white car, radiating coldness. Sooin laughed, “Aha,” and opened the passenger door.

“Alright, alright.”

Climbing in silently, Song Jaeyi started the engine with a grumbled complaint. Even with his face scrunched in annoyance, his hands turned the steering wheel with surprising gentleness.

“Every time you do that, it pisses me off, seriously.”

His expression was harsh, but his face was beautiful; his tone was childish, yet his actions sometimes felt mature.

Sooin gazed at the contradictory Song Jaeyi with curious eyes before turning away. Why are you staring at me like a pervert again? The sulky accusation in Song Jaeyi’s glare came back at him. Sooin propped his chin on the window, hiding a smile. His mind was still unsettled about the Geonhui thing, yet the corners of his mouth twitched.

“Hmm… I do it to piss you off, so what can I do?”

“What do you mean, ‘what can I do’? Stop it… You can’t even understand me, so how are you supposed to teach?”

“Then should I not teach?”

“Hyung, why do you live like that, seriously?”

Sooin hurriedly pressed his palm to his lips, but it was too late. Kuh, a laugh slipped out, and Song Jaeyi whipped his head around. The reproach in his glaring eyes was unmistakable. Sooin mimed zipping his lips shut.

❤︎₊ ⊹

Even after arriving at the house, Song Jaeyi didn’t spill what he’d discussed with Geonhui. He just ordered pizza on his own and wandered around.

The house still bore clear traces of Sooin’s parents and Suye. The family photo on the living room wall had been painstakingly removed, but the rooms remained untouched. He always resolved to tidy up, yet couldn’t bring himself to throw away even the smallest trinket. So, whenever Song Jaeyi asked what something was, Sooin was surrounded by items he couldn’t easily explain.

Drained from the day, Sooin flopped onto the sofa. Despite the hunch that a barrage of tiresome questions might come, he didn’t feel like following Song Jaeyi around to stop him. He just raised his voice slightly and asked,

“Why are you suddenly touring my house now?”

The sound of a sliding window closing came from the veranda. Moments later, Song Jaeyi returned to the living room, staring at Sooin intently.

“No fish tank here?”

“…Huh?”

“Didn’t you say you raise fish, Hyung?”

“Me?”

“…You don’t?”

Sooin, sprawled out with his head tilted back, looked up at Song Jaeyi. Even upside down, that handsome face began to twist slightly. As if caught off guard, Song Jaeyi clamped his mouth shut, unable to hide his embarrassment. That gave Sooin a clue.

“Did Geonhui say that?”

“…No?”

His evasive reaction only confirmed it. By then, Sooin could guess what Geonhui might’ve said, so he closed his eyes. A deflated, hollow laugh escaped him.

“A fish tank, fish, huh.”

“…”

“He meant I’m playing with you. Pretending to like you, just to toy with you and toss you aside.”

“I got the gist of it.”

“The guy who got it is looking for a fish tank at my house…”

As Sooin’s laughter deepened, the doorbell rang. Song Jaeyi trudged out with an annoyed gait and returned with the pizza.

“I got it, okay? I told him you’re not that kind of person too.”

Song Jaeyi naturally pulled out cups like it was his own home, then opened the large pizza box.

“Come eat. Pizza’s easy to eat with one hand, right?”

Sooin stayed frozen in his awkward position, head half-hanging off the sofa’s edge. His blank gaze slid slowly to Song Jaeyi.

“You even took my side, saying I’m not that kind of person? I’m touched, Jaeyi.”

To keep things from getting serious, a light response was his first move. Especially with a joke like this, it could be a surefire way to make Song Jaeyi scrunch his face—the perfect remedy.

“You’re about to say something weird again, aren’t you?”

“You don’t like me too much, do you?”

As expected, Song Jaeyi made a face of disgust. Thanks to that, Sooin could laugh lightly, as if he’d never been lost in thought. Eutcha, he added a sound effect on purpose as he got up and headed to the table. Song Jaeyi shot him a glare full of irritation.

“I didn’t take your side. It’s just, you’re not that kind of person, right?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, Hyung’s got no vibe. You might fake other things well, but when it comes to love, you don’t take sides.”

With that cold verdict, Song Jaeyi began slicing the pizza. His large hands tore a single slice into six jagged pieces.

“You’re not the type to confuse people, Hyung. Even if you became someone’s lover, you’d probably never give your true heart.”

Song Jaeyi diligently transferred the six-part pizza to a plate.

“If someone dated you and didn’t figure that out, they’d be the idiot.”

“…You said that to Geonhui too, didn’t you?”

“Maybe.”

Song Jaeyi replied indifferently, setting the plate down. Sooin looked at the tattered mess labeled as pizza in front of him. It was as brutal as the sharp diagnosis.

He’d been the one to draw the line, declaring that anything beyond casual sex or playing boyfriend didn’t exist. He’d chosen to brush off any tilting feelings with jokes.

Song Jaeyi’s conclusion was clear and flawless. It had to stay that way going forward too.

“Thanks for the food.”

In the end, Sooin didn’t explain himself. He just smiled, like he always did with the countless people who’d pass through his life.

❤︎₊ ⊹

Sooin had a long history of tutoring. Thanks to that, he’d mastered efficient strategies for any exam middle or high schoolers might face. Just a level test on the first day, and he could see exactly how to teach them moving forward.

But the “social skills class” was a different beast entirely. It had no textbook, and the student was a full-grown adult. No matter how immature he seemed inside, the sheer physical presence sitting side-by-side at a desk felt unfamiliar from the start. Especially the warmth of an arm brushing against him, stirring up memories—that was the biggest problem.

Of all places, it had to be this room. The day he’d relieved a barely-suppressed heat cycle.

It was recent, and it’d been with the student now sitting calmly beside him. The instant feeling of turning into irredeemable trash made Sooin press his temples. That’s why he sat a bit farther from Song Jaeyi, keeping some distance.

“Hmm… Anyway, my goal is just to get through group projects without issues, so we don’t need to overhaul your whole personality.”

He didn’t bother adding that such a thing seemed impossible anyway. Instead, Sooin wrote “minimum goal” on a blank notebook page.

“Let’s just figure out how to handle Pyo Hyungyeon the day after tomorrow.”

Song Jaeyi nodded faintly. His furrowed brow, as if holding back annoyance, didn’t look thrilled. Wondering if he hated it that much, Sooin chuckled softly.

“You know he’s childish, so he won’t be hard to deal with.”

“…”

“When you offered to buy drinks, he was probably already half-won over… Right now, he just wants to show off in front of people, so humor him a bit.”

“…”

“Just endure it that day and play the good junior. If he pushes too much alcohol on you, pass it to me.”

Worried Song Jaeyi might think he was only siding with Pyo Hyungyeon, Sooin chose his words carefully.

Song Jaeyi sat there, face full of displeasure, saying nothing. He glared at the scrawled “just endure one day” in the notebook like he wanted to tear it apart.

To soothe his sulky student, Sooin scooted closer, nudging his side with an elbow and playfully asking if he got it. But the wrinkles on Song Jaeyi’s high-bridged nose only deepened. Looking ready to snap, he grumbled,

“How can you pass drinks to someone who’s hurt? Say something that makes sense.”

“I’d be embarrassed to call myself ‘hurt’ with just a half-cast.”

“It’s not just that…”

Song Jaeyi, raising his voice in a flare of temper, abruptly shut his mouth. Instead, a deep sigh escaped through his nose. His chest heaved as he exhaled sharply, rubbing his brow. Seeing him endure rising irritation so intensely left Sooin baffled.

The lesson had barely started. He hadn’t given long-winded explanations or assigned homework. Yet Song Jaeyi was already trembling with impatience, as if longing for it to end.

“You were the one begging to be taught—when did you start hating it already?”

“…That’s not it.”

After letting out another heavy sigh, Song Jaeyi turned his body. The warm arm that had been pressed against Sooin’s shifted away, and his broad shoulders angled toward him. His eyes, meeting Sooin’s, were smoldering.

“Then what?”

Even when pressed, Song Jaeyi kept his lips sealed. Frustrated by his stubborn silence, Sooin let out an exaggerated sigh. Hoo, mixing in a vocal huff to mirror his own irritation, Song Jaeyi squeezed his eyes shut. He even tilted his head away, as if dodging the breath.

Oh, really? Doubly dumbfounded, Sooin flipped the pen around. He jabbed the blunt end into Song Jaeyi’s rock-hard thigh.

“Our Jaeyi’s got quite the attitude in class. Not gonna open your eyes?”

Sooin flashed a bright smile as a warning. Song Jaeyi flinched as if burned. His jabbed thigh tensed, straining his pants dangerously. It looked like something’s outline might show if he wasn’t careful. Only then did the amusement slowly fade from Sooin’s face.

Sensing it even with his eyes closed, Song Jaeyi furrowed his brow deeper and muttered,

“You haven’t switched suppressants yet, have you, Hyung?”

The grim, gritted-teeth tone made Sooin laugh awkwardly.

“…What, can you smell it again?”

“Hoo…”

The reason Song Jaeyi had been scowling from the start wasn’t because he hated the lesson. No wonder he’d looked like he was holding something back… Embarrassed, Sooin shifted away and pulled a pill bottle from the drawer. His excuse dragged on in his sheepishness.

“I did switch, but I guess this one doesn’t work either. I haven’t had time to go to the hospital, so I just got it from the pharmacy…”

Song Jaeyi muttered something unintelligible under his breath at the lame explanation. It definitely wasn’t anything nice, so Sooin didn’t pry. He just quickly poured water to take the pill.

For the past few days, Sooin had tried hard not to leak pheromones. He hadn’t gotten a proper prescription, but he’d switched meds, listened to beginner omega lectures whenever he could, and checked his pheromone levels every morning. This morning, they’d been in the normal range. Teetering on the warning line, sure, but he’d thought it’d be fine. It’d only been a few days since he’d last faced a dominant alpha head-on.

But he’d been naive. Fundamentally, he hadn’t cut back on work, so his sleep hadn’t increased either. Since overwork was the root cause, it was only natural the symptoms would return as fatigue piled up—yet he couldn’t fix it. Maybe he never would.

So what do I do? Feeling a bit lost, Sooin popped the pill into his mouth.

Only then did Song Jaeyi open his eyes again. Sooin offered an awkward smile toward those slowly widening eyes, as if asking for forgiveness for the mistake. But Song Jaeyi’s gaze sharpened further. Gulp, the pill went down.

“This is, fuck…”

Suddenly, Song Jaeyi snatched the pill bottle, spitting out a curse. Veins bulged on the back of his large hand.

“It’s a rut suppressant.”

Song Jaeyi rarely swore like that unless he was in the heat of sex.

Hearing him curse sober was unfamiliar. It didn’t slide past but stuck in Sooin’s ears. Still, he couldn’t call out his language. If rudeness was the issue, Sooin was the bigger problem—cluelessly leaking pheromones everywhere.

“Oh, then this suppressant… Want to use it, Jaeyi?”

He masked the dumb feeling with a laugh again. Tapping the crumpled pill bottle in Song Jaeyi’s hand, Song Jaeyi let out an incredulous scoff. You’re saying that now, Hyung? His raised eyebrows seemed to shout already.

“Then, I guess we’ll have to finish the lesson another time?”

To cut him off, Sooin jumped in quickly. He snapped the notebook shut and rolled his eyes playfully. Song Jaeyi let out another deep sigh. His broad chest swelled fully before deflating with a whoosh, the crushed pill bottle squeaking in his grip.

“If I leave?”

“…Huh?”

“You want to walk around leaking pheromones all morning tomorrow?”

Tossing the pill bottle aside, Song Jaeyi grabbed Sooin’s wrist in an instant. His large hand engulfed the wristwatch too, squeezing tight. Before Sooin could say huh, the wheeled chair slid with a screech.

Song Jaeyi’s eyes were right in front of him, wild with intensity. But before they could fully meet, their foreheads touched. His high nose pressed against Sooin’s, and a hot hand cupped broadly from his neck to his ear.

“I seriously don’t get what you’re thinking, Hyung.”

Each muttered syllable tickled Sooin’s lips. The warm breath and soft sensation brushed his sensitive skin, raising goosebumps. He hadn’t done anything, yet a moan nearly slipped out.

“Tell me honestly.”

The lips pulled back slightly. Song Jaeyi left just enough space to see his eyes, moving his fingers instead. The warmth rubbing his earlobe dripped with lust. Sooin swallowed slowly.

“Should I leave?”

Was it the closeness? Song Jaeyi’s scent felt overwhelmingly strong.

Sooin closed his eyes as if entranced and took a deep breath. The aroused smell rising from heated skin and the tingling scent shaking his senses rattled his rationality. The deliberation didn’t last long.

Sooin devoured Song Jaeyi’s lips in one swift move. He bit and licked at the teasingly ticklish mouth. The sealed lips parted only when Sooin yanked the back of his head, letting a hot tongue invade at last.

Red warning lights flashed incessantly in his mind. This might really turn into something serious with Song Jaeyi, the blaring siren screamed, but Sooin ignored it.

He already knew. Song Jaeyi had seen too much of him already, and even knowing he’d crossed a line, Sooin couldn’t push him away. Over the past few weeks, he’d been overly emotional and impulsive with him alone. What better proof was there that something unusual was budding?

He knew, yet there was no hesitation as he climbed onto Song Jaeyi’s lap. At this point, one more round of sex wouldn’t change anything. Even if it became real, he’d never, ever let it show.

Sooin pulled back briefly, lifting his good hand to grip Song Jaeyi’s jaw. He turned that handsome face as if appraising it, then said, “Ah,” demonstrating. Song Jaeyi followed obediently despite his scowl, his flushed lips parting prettily.

Lately, looking at this face often brought thoughts like cute or pretty. Sooin chuckled softly, lowering his lips again. Knowing it was a trap, he dove in with a deep kiss, and Song Jaeyi grabbed his waist tightly. The searing body heat slipped under his clothes in an instant. At that, Sooin deliberately pulled back slowly. Pressing Song Jaeyi’s shoulders to calm his clinginess, he rested their foreheads together like before and whispered,

“If you’re gonna keep asking what I’m thinking, leave.”

“…”

“If you’re gonna quietly stick it in, stay.”

Pressing his hips down and grinding, the body beneath him jolted. Eyes black with lust locked onto Sooin.

“Hyung, you’re really…”

A curse trailed off. Fuck, Song Jaeyi sighed it like a lament before lunging in. Sooin laughed aloud, biting the eager lips as if scolding them. Ah, Song Jaeyi frowned, brushing his own lips. His sulky Why? glare shot at Sooin.

“Where’d you learn to curse at Hyung like that? Especially in bed.”

Truthfully, a single curse wasn’t worth reprimanding. Sooin usually enjoyed dirty talk in bed anyway, and Song Jaeyi was tame by comparison. He actually liked it—waiting for the polite guy to lose control and swear in the heat of the moment.

So this was petty nagging. It was just spiteful venting because he couldn’t treat Song Jaeyi like everyone else anymore and resented it.

“Didn’t seem like you hated it.”

Song Jaeyi was only sharp-witted at times like this. Raising one eyebrow, he studied Sooin, curious about his thoughts again. Sooin shook his head.

“Just pointless revenge.”

Sooin left a playful, smacking kiss and stood up. Song Jaeyi followed like a magnet. Before fully climbing onto the bed, their bodies overlapped, and Sooin naturally ended up face-down on the mattress. Song Jaeyi pressed his lips to the smooth nape of his neck, grumbling,

“Why’s Hyung taking revenge on me?”

Because I’m already too turned on before we’ve even undressed. Because while alarms blare in my head, my whole body’s freaking out over treating you special, and it pisses me off. Sooin thought of answers he’d never voice, reaching back instead. Tracing down firm abs, he groped Song Jaeyi’s bulge.

His hand filled with an excited cock. It was so stiff it’d spring free the moment the underwear came off. Sooin curiously outlined and fondled it. That it was fully hard from just kissing was impressive. Knowing he wasn’t the only one worked up softened his mood.

“Should I suck it?”

He’d said it without much intent, purely out of kindness. But Song Jaeyi froze as if he’d been handed a warning.

The hand tracing his outline was grabbed in an instant. Song Jaeyi exhaled hotly on his nape, starting to grind against him. The motion, like he was already thrusting inside, sparked heat. Mmm, Sooin let out a satisfied sigh, matching the rhythm. Moving his hips fluidly as if swallowing the cock, the pressing force grew stronger. The menacing bulge rose over his pants, blatantly rubbing against him.

The arousal was strangely intense. Even with his face buried in his own bed, Song Jaeyi’s scent was overpowering. His head spun.