DHG Ch 29

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“Thanks. I don’t know what’s wrong with me these days. It’s not like I’ve lived that long.”

“Ah… they say it could be because you’re young.”

The next morning, after sending off Daol, who had expressed his gratitude along with his lament, Heewoo lay back down on the mattress, now entirely his.

He wasn’t just tired from sharing the narrow bed with Daol. Heewoo, unable to sleep, replayed the previous night in his hazy mind.

The motel. And the kiss.

Both were unsettling and futile.

He couldn’t recall any more about the former no matter how hard he tried, and the latter was meaningless to dwell on.

They were memories to be buried. He hoped that when he fell asleep and woke up again, he would forget them as if they had never happened. Heewoo pulled the blanket over himself, having taken the nerve stabilizers hidden deep in his closet. His heavy eyelids fluttered closed.

Perhaps his desperate wish came true.

When he woke up around lunchtime, he moved about lightly as if nothing had happened. He washed the bedding, did some light cleaning, and changed clothes to leave for work early.

He paused briefly as he passed the front door, but that was all.

He ventilated the dark kitchen, checked the delivered ingredients, and began prepping. One by one, the kitchen staff arrived.

“Everyone, tonight, right?”

The Head Chef called out in a suggestive voice.

Deep into December, the atmosphere in the kitchen was buzzing with anticipation as the year drew to a close. Several of the staff, led by the Head Chef, were sports fanatics, and the second round of the Asian qualifying group stage matches was tonight.

[South Korea VS Iran]

Normally, they would have been too busy with the year-end rush to care, but the situation was different. Thanks to the decrease in customers at Benny, as some had worried about, they had more free time. It was also a Monday, their only evening-only workday, and since it was an away game, the broadcast started at exactly 11 p.m. It was fate.

“I didn’t think we’d be able to watch the live broadcast. Well, the workload has decreased, but the pay is the same, so I guess it’s a good thing?”

Park Chef remarked. Everyone felt a bit ambivalent, but they agreed to enjoy the upcoming soccer match and the end of the year for now.

They even postponed cleaning up after the last order. The kitchen staff hurriedly fried leftover vegetables, eggs, meat, and seafood scraps, paid for beer with the Head Chef’s card, and headed to the staff break room next to the kitchen.

Even the dim lighting of the break room couldn’t dampen their excitement. They were used to being swept up in the year-end rush of customers every year, so this unusual leisure was a welcome change.

“Heewoo! Stop washing dishes and come join us!”

The Head Chef, while encouraging his staff, didn’t forget to look after the newest kitchen member, who was still a bit distant. He made sure Heewoo sat right next to him, so he could join in the atmosphere.

[We are here at the Azadi Stadium, the hellish away ground! Tonight’s South Korean lineup is…]

Heewoo’s heart beat a little faster as he listened to the starting lineup. He had always been quite interested in watching soccer matches, having immediately thought of the World Cup schedule after receiving the new phone.

Finally, the whistle blew, and the match began.

“That bastard, isn’t that unfair? Ah, he’s an Alpha, isn’t he! Shouldn’t he be banned from sports?”

One of the cooks raised his voice at the dirty tackle by an Iranian player who was clearly using his size advantage. The controversy surrounding Alphas participating in sports was a topic that occasionally arose.

Of course, his outburst subsided when a Korean Alpha player appeared and tackled the offending player like a tank truck.

“Good job! He was all about tackling others, and now he’s gotten a taste of his own medicine!”

That’s just a regular tackle! Body check, body check!

The Head Chef chuckled at the cook’s quick change of heart. Due to the influence of pheromones, Alphas were generally larger than average, but this could be a disadvantage in some sports. Not all Alphas were naturally athletic either. Of course, he knew one Alpha who was so exceptional that he almost deserved a penalty for it.

Just then, the very person who, with his overwhelming physique and strength, could put an end to the Alpha controversy if he were to enter combat sports, barged into the break room.

“The lighting in here is crap.”

Jang Seungyung pushed open the frosted glass door and entered, looking up at the ceiling.

The staff, who had shrunk back like clams at the mere sound of the CEO’s voice even though they had done nothing wrong, brightened up. Jang Seungyung’s hands were full of chicken bags. As were the hands of Secretary Hwang, who followed him in.

“Wow, CEO!”

The cheering staff suddenly covered their mouths, remembering themselves. No matter how familiar they became, the CEO always had the same chilling aura, as if he exuded the scent of iron.

“Thank Secretary Hwang. He paid. I lost my wallet.”

Jang Seungyung said.

Secretary Hwang’s expression was surprisingly calm for someone who had suddenly been made to buy all this chicken. Jang Seungyung’s loud announcement, meant for everyone to hear, was obviously a lie.

“Enjoy.”

“Thank you, Secretary Hwang!”

“Wow, the CEO and Secretary brought us chicken, and we’re complaining about the lighting? Hurry up and change the bulb!”

The Head Chef joked.

As dozens of chicken boxes were quickly distributed, the staff beamed, but Heewoo couldn’t smile.

Jang Seungyung, holding the chicken boxes like mini pockets, was walking directly towards him.

“Long time no see.”

A flat, indifferent tone.

The man who had kissed him last night said that and plopped down next to him. Because of his large build and sharply defined features, he seemed oddly out of place, like a suited athlete who had suddenly appeared.

Everyone seemed to accept the CEO sitting between the Head Chef and Heewoo. Unless they were blind, they couldn’t help but notice the new CEO constantly coming and going to the kitchen like a regular visitor, clearly to see Kwon Heewoo. The staff, for their own sanity, focused their attention solely on the soccer match and the chicken.

Heewoo, who had shrunk back as if hit by a ball, felt the events of last night replaying in his mind like key highlights. The memories, which he had almost managed to bury until the man’s appearance, suddenly became vivid again. The touch, the breath, the warmth…

And the pheromones.

A sudden tingling ache pulsed in his stomach. He involuntarily pressed his knees together.

“…Thank you for the food.”

He quickly expressed his gratitude before the memories could become any clearer. He needed to focus on something else. Fortunately, Jang Seungyung opened a chicken box. The hot steam and savory aroma wafted up, indicating it was freshly fried.

“Eat quickly.”

The man said to Heewoo, who was opening the pickled radish packet.

“Please, you go ahead, sir.”

“Yes, yes. I’m eating, aren’t I?”

Contrary to his words, the man was opening a can of beer.

Urged on, Heewoo looked at the chicken pieces. He picked one, avoiding the tastier parts like the drumstick or wing, hoping Jang Seungyung would get them.

The hot, greasy chicken he put in his mouth was surprisingly crispy and delicious.

Jang Seungyung, who had pushed the entire chicken box towards Heewoo, talked with the Head Chef while holding his beer can. He looked natural, occasionally commenting on the coach’s tactics while watching the game.

“Hey, that, that bastard!”

A sudden change occurred with a sharp whistle. Heewoo also focused on the screen. A Korean player had collapsed, clutching his knee.

“That’s a yellow card! Free kick! Free kick!”

“That’s right! Finally, a proper call!”

Everyone reacted as if they were watching the game live at the away stadium. Finally, the player got up, and on the screen, the soccer ball soared through the air in a powerful arc. And then…

The net rippled.

Goal!

“Goal! Goooal!”

The Head Chef threw an uppercut into the air. Everyone jumped to their feet. Heewoo also raised his arms and stood up.

[Goal! Goal! South Korea has finally scored the first goal! Ah, what unbelievable guts!]

As he cheered, his heart pounding with excitement along with the commentator’s frenzied voice—

Heewoo paused and looked up.

As if his gaze had been captured, Jang Seungyung was looking at him.

His lips were relaxed in a slight smile. His eyes held a look of utter adoration.

Once again, the world around him fell silent. The commentator’s excited voice, the cheers of the kitchen staff, faded away. Everything seemed to be sucked into the man’s captivating eyes, fixed solely on him.

While the whole world was in an uproar, his gaze was only on Heewoo.

Captured by that gaze, Heewoo’s eyes wavered helplessly. As he hesitated, unsure of what to do, and slowly lowered his arms—

Jang Seungyung, with a wide grin, raised his hand. Heewoo instinctively raised his own hand in response. He high-fived the man’s large hand, his own hand dwarfed in comparison. The man’s eyes sparkled, his smile deepening.

Just as their fingers slowly, warmly interlocked—

“CEO! CEO-!”

Suddenly, the Head Chef’s voice cut through the air, as if the volume had been turned up.

Heewoo’s slowly flowing world returned to normal speed.