DFLT 15

“His pulse is stabilizing, so it seems the suppressant is working this time… but with Executive Seo’s extreme dominant alpha traits, the next rut could be truly dangerous.”

“…What should we do then?”

“Suppressants are only a temporary fix. The most fundamental solution is pheromone release. We can’t ignore that the side effects of suppressants include triggering ruts either.”

Yeonoh knew well what pheromone release meant. So he stayed silent.

“Like a leaky faucet dripping into a bucket over time, thinking you’ve managed a rut with suppressants can lead to a gradual collapse of the hormonal system. It feels like Executive Seo’s symptoms are signaling that he’s reached his limit.”

“…….”

“I’ll leave an extra suppressant syringe just in case. Administer it if needed, and bring him to the hospital as soon as you return to Seoul.”

With that, Dr. Shim left the room. Since Heonyoung’s condition made an afternoon return unlikely, Yeonoh asked Manager Kim to oversee the task force.

His head was spinning. Deciding to catch some sleep downstairs, Yeonoh lingered by the bedside before leaving. Sitting on the floor, he propped his arms on the mattress edge and looked down at the sleeping Heonyoung. Seeing Seo Heonyoung, whom he’d always looked up to, from above felt oddly poignant.

But unfiltered thoughts were mere noise. So what if it felt poignant? There’s nothing you can do, Ji Yeonoh. Hopeless crushes and self-pity are like air. They leave no trace, becoming nothing once gone.

Still, just once.

“…I wish you wouldn’t.”

He wanted to leave a mark on these colorless, odorless emotions drifting about.

“Don’t get married.”

Even knowing how cowardly and violent this confession, hidden behind the other’s unconsciousness, was. He’d blame it all on his unsteady mind.

“I like you, Executive Director.”

Unable to resist the overwhelming drowsiness, Yeonoh’s head finally dropped with a thud.

Yeonoh’s eyelids twitched as he slept.

“Ugh, my legs…”

As his senses returned, Yeonoh groaned from the numbness in his legs. The dim surroundings suggested he’d been out for hours, and sleeping in an awkward position had left even his toes tingling.

Clenching his fist to tap his calves, he checked the bedside clock. And doubted his eyes.

“…Ten p.m.?”

No way. That’s insane. He’d been asleep for nearly seven hours. As he reached to turn on the bedside lamp to contact Jinhwan, the soft light gently illuminated the room, revealing Heonyoung’s sleeping face. His unrealistically refined features, still lost in deep unconsciousness, made Yeonoh forget about calling Jinhwan.

Propping his elbows on the mattress and resting his chin in his hands, Yeonoh gazed at him silently. When those closed eyes opened, they’d return to looking at him with the indifferent gaze of a stranger. A small sigh escaped. Why did he cling to hope and despair over something he had no right to want?

“Executive Director.”

Calling his name, Heonyoung showed no response.

“…Executive Director Seo Heonyoung?”

Even the second call didn’t crease his brow. Worried something was wrong, Yeonoh placed his fingers under Heonyoung’s nose. Thankfully, he was breathing, more steadily than before, with no fever. The suppressant had worked. Yeonoh sighed in relief.

Then his eyes fell on Heonyoung’s nose. The defined bridge, typical of an alpha’s physique, balanced perfectly on Heonyoung’s small face.

…Even his nose is handsome.

Before his mind could process, his hand moved on impulse. He extended his index finger, tracing the bridge. The firm bone beneath glided smoothly under his skin, sliding down to the tip without a single bump.

Had he known it would disturb Seo Heonyoung’s sleep, he never would’ve done it. Whether it was Yeonoh’s touch, Heonyoung’s brow furrowed. Before Yeonoh could pull back, Heonyoung’s eyes opened.

“…Uh.”

Only a dumb exclamation escaped. His mind went blank, unable to think of an excuse, and his vision darkened.

“Why is Ji Yeonoh…”

Still groggy, Heonyoung seemed unsure if this was reality or a dream. Had he heard the confession? Was that why he looked confused?

An eternal silence seemed to pass. As the haze in his eyes cleared, Heonyoung reflexively grabbed Yeonoh’s wrist.

“What’s with you?”

“T-that’s…”

Hiding his hand too late, Yeonoh looked at his wrist in Heonyoung’s grip, then lowered his head and mumbled. His cheeks flushed slightly.

“…You were sleeping so deeply, I was checking if you were still alive…”

Ugh, that’s the worst. Calling that an excuse? Yeonoh mentally tore at his hair.

“Sounds like you were hoping I’d die.”

“N-no, of course not…”

He opened a water bottle from the table and handed it to Heonyoung, who drank it all, seemingly parched.

“You.”

“Yes?”

“You’ve been here the whole time?”

Relief came first. If Heonyoung didn’t even realize he’d been here, he surely wouldn’t remember the blurted confession. Yeonoh nodded slightly.

“Staying by a rutting alpha’s side without fear, knowing what could happen.”

“B-but I’m a beta…”

“A rutting alpha is no better than a beast. You think I’d care if the human in front of me is an omega or a beta?”

Yeonoh had imagined it. If he pretended to be swept up in Seo Heonyoung’s rut, maybe Heonyoung would feel guilty and treat him kindly. But now, with Heonyoung’s marriage looming, even such foolish dreams were off-limits.

Unsure how to respond, Yeonoh decided to change the subject.

“Dr. Shim came by. He said the rut returned in just weeks and worsened to the point of losing consciousness. When we get back to Seoul, you should go to the hospital—”

“I know my condition better than you.”

“…But Executive Director.”

“I told you before. Don’t cross the line.”

“…….”

Heonyoung’s firm stance left Yeonoh chewing his lip, unable to add anything.

It’s a life-threatening issue—how could he not worry? Then don’t collapse like that. His words, oblivious to others’ feelings, were all thorns. Yeonoh inwardly vented a thousand complaints.

“…I was reckless.”

Sadly, Seo Heonyoung seemed incapable of understanding how “worry” worked. Otherwise, he wouldn’t dismiss someone’s kindness as an invasion of his space.

Overnight, they prepared media statements, estimated final damages, and finalized recovery plans and production schedules to meet launch quantities.

“Everyone, thanks for coming out on a weekend. Your efforts minimized damage and enabled a swift response. The headquarters team will wrap up in Seoul, and the Daejeon team will stay with Manager Kim to finish up.”

Manager Kim would complete the work at the Daejeon branch, followed by a team dinner, while Heonyoung, with a briefing scheduled with Chairman Seo that afternoon, needed to leave now.

The thought of spending hours alone with Heonyoung in the same space felt daunting. Before opening the car door, Yeonoh muttered to himself like a mantra.

“I’m an adult. I need to be responsible. It’s just for the paycheck.”

He couldn’t shake the feeling he was crazy, but what could he do? He repeated the even crazier act of crushing on his boss daily.

“What are you mumbling about?”

The ridiculous sight must’ve been visible from the backseat, as Seo Heonyoung tossed the question at Yeonoh as he got in.

“Oh, haha. I have a habit of talking to myself.”

“After the chairman’s meeting, I’ll stop by JM Medio.”

“Oh, to see Vice President Do…”

Heonyoung didn’t reply. It was an obvious statement. Less than five minutes after resolving to be responsible as an adult, Yeonoh had blurted out something thoughtless. He wanted to bury his burning face in a pillow and scream.