ETP Ch 13

Whether Yoohyun liked it or not, Sunjung and Bokseung got along better than expected, and naturally, their conversation lengthened.

Sungyeon found it especially fascinating that they were getting along so well despite the 10-year age gap between himself, Sunjung, and Yoohyun. Or maybe, he absurdly wondered, his thoughts had become younger since entering Bokseung’s body.

“Wow, Bokseung, you speak so maturely! Not like kids these days, huh!”

Sunjung praised, putting a snack in Bokseung’s hand.

It’s only a 3-year difference, what do you mean kids these days? Sungyeon scoffed inwardly.

It’s not that Bokseung is deep, it’s that I’m open-minded for a 33-year-old, kiddo.

Of course, it was just a thought. Outwardly, Sungyeon simply expressed his thanks and took a gulp of beer.

“You’re a good drinker too. Wait a sec! I raided the Japanese convenience store, you know?”

Sunjung excitedly headed back to the refrigerator, seemingly to refill their dwindling beer supply.

However, Sungyeon, already feeling his stomach sloshing from the beer he’d consumed, quickly retreated from the table.

Sunjung, returning with both hands full of beer, tilted his head.

“Why? Drink more! I brought other flavors too, this one’s delicious!”

“Oh, I’ve already had too much. I feel overwhelmed.”

Bokseung’s white hands fluttered in the air. Following the movement, the cat’s front paws twitched.

“If you’re tired, you can just sleep here.”

Sunjung’s lips pouted. Upon hearing this, Yoohyun smacked the back of Sunjung’s head with his palm. The smack was so resounding that it echoed throughout the living room.

“Ouch! That hurts like hell! You crazy bastard, why’d you hit me?! My head’s gonna split open!”

“That’s why I hit you. Kim Bokseung is an omega, you know? Don’t be saying crap like ‘sleep here’.”

At Yoohyun’s words, Sunjung flinched his bear-like frame with an ‘oops!’ expression. It wasn’t very effective though, considering he was still twice Bokseung’s size.

Come to think of it, Sungyeon had overlooked that point too. The three of them weren’t just ordinary beta males, they were second-gendered individuals. He’d come over to hang out without a second thought.

The beer-induced haze cleared from his mind.

These dark alphas could be targeting the rabbit-like Bokseung. Cold sweat trickled down his back.

Seeing Bokseung’s dazed expression harden, Sunjung panicked and shook his head frantically.

“Hey, hey! I didn’t mean anything by it! I just meant to hang out, eat good food, and chat! Oh, shit! Bokseung, don’t misunderstand!”

The more Sunjung explained, the more awkward the atmosphere became, and he just rolled his eyes.

Yoohyun, the one who’d created this situation, was calmly opening a beer can.

If left alone, Sunjung’s sweat might form a river, so Sungyeon quickly tried to smooth things over.

“Ah, um… It’s okay. I didn’t misunderstand. I enjoyed talking with you, seniors.”

“R-Right? I’m not that kind of a brute.”

Sunjung let out a whimpering sound and rubbed his chest. His slumped shoulders gradually lifted at Bokseung’s words. For some reason, that gesture reminded Sungyeon of his friend Hyungseop, and he smiled.

Sungyeon looked back and forth between the two across from him. One was like fire, and the other like ice, a stark contrast. Strangely, despite both being alphas, they were completely opposite types.

Knowing only rumors about second-gendered individuals, Sungyeon’s curiosity bubbled up.

“Senior? Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, ask two things!”

“You’re both alphas, right?”

“Huh? Yeah. He and I are both alphas. Why?”

Sunjung nodded in affirmation.

“But Hwang Yoohyun-senior has a subtle, constant scent, while Yoo Sunjung-senior has no scent at all. Why is that?”

Bokseung wrinkled his nose, sniffing the pheromones in the air.

Having smelled a familiar scent since entering the house, Sungyeon had noticed that Yoohyun’s pheromones were faintly permeating the place.

However, even after his friend arrived, only Hwang Yoohyun’s scent lingered; Yoo Sunjung’s pheromones were completely undetectable. He wondered why.

Does Yoo Sunjung also take suppressants like me? Or is it etiquette not to release pheromones when visiting someone else’s house?

Then does Hwang Yoohyun not take suppressants at all? Is that okay?

In any case, once his curiosity was piqued, questions kept popping up one after another. It was a wonderland of curiosity.

Like a meerkat on watch, Bokseung turned his head this way and that, as if monitoring the pheromones around him.

Watching this, Sunjung burst out laughing and answered.

“Ah! That, well, this guy tends to release his pheromones a bit even normally. He’s a dominant, you see.”

“Um, what do you mean…?”

Bokseung tilted his round face to the right at Sunjung’s answer. It meant, ‘So what?’

From an observer’s perspective, Bokseung’s behavior seemed like he didn’t know even basic common sense about second-gendered individuals, despite being an omega for three years.

Feeling touched that even that seemed like a trace of being abused by his grandmother without parents, Sunjung, uncharacteristically, continued with a kind explanation.

“Of course, both he and I take suppressants. That’s manners. But why does he release pheromones on purpose? Because if he doesn’t, he goes nuts during his rut because of the accumulated pheromones.”

Sunjung raised his index finger and twirled it by his ear.

The gesture was so realistic that it seemed like Hwang Yoohyun would actually go nuts at any moment.

So, because he’s dominant and has a lot of pheromones, if he doesn’t release them regularly, they build up and explode. Oh dear, he must have a hard time. Sungyeon nodded blankly.

Yoohyun let out a short sigh, looking at Bokseung, who was staring at him with wide, unconcealed surprise.

What do you expect from an engineering student?

“Kim Bokseung. Since you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of beast, let me tell you, it’s not like I actually go crazy like he said. It just gets a little annoying.”

“Same difference.”

Sunjung snorted at Yoohyun’s correction. Then he immediately raised both hands to protect the back of his head.

Disbelief appeared on Hwang Yoohyun’s face, but Sunjung, having successfully defended his head, simply laughed in satisfaction.

“Still, he’s a dominant for a reason. He manages his pheromones meticulously and only releases them within a range that doesn’t affect others. That’s why even I, another alpha, can be comfortable around him.”

Sunjung praised Yoohyun, saying dominants are dominants.

Knowing it was pointless to say such things now, Yoohyun clicked his tongue at his friend, who was grinning.

“Right, so can you stop giving me that distrustful look now?”

Yoohyun said, staring at Bokseung. Bokseung’s shoulders flinched at his blunt gaze.

‘I guess I stared too much.’

Sungyeon admitted that he had been looking at him like a curious animal.

So, with a brief reflection, he lowered his gaze. It was definitely not because he was afraid of getting the back of his head smacked.

He was 10 years younger than him, but his intensity was incredible.

After Yoo Sunjung’s ‘Ask Me Anything’ corner, it was late at night.

Checking the last bus time on his app, Sungyeon stood up and hurriedly prepared to leave.

The two alphas left in the house fidgeted, seeing him struggling to carry three heavy bags in each hand. If they hadn’t been drinking, they could’ve walked him home. They regretted drinking so carelessly without thinking about the consequences.

Meow, the cat meowed softly, circling around Bokseung’s small feet as if reluctant for him to leave.

Only Bokseung, who had to walk home alone at night, had an indifferent expression.

“Then, I’ll be going. Have a good night, seniors!”

Bokseung bowed his head in greeting. Telling two alphas to have a good night seemed like such an absurd thing to say that Yoohyun and Sunjung momentarily hardened their expressions.

Then, Sunjung, regaining his composure first, grabbed the small shoulder of the boy who had already turned around.

“Bokseung, take a taxi! It’s too late.”

“Huh?”

Bokseung looked at Sunjung with a puzzled expression. It was understandable, considering how much a taxi would cost from here. There were still plenty of buses that would take him right to his doorstep for a mere 1,500 won (∼1.02 USD). It was a ridiculous suggestion.

Recalling the considerable expense of buying toilet paper today, Sungyeon quickly shook his head.

“There are still a lot of buses, so it’s okay! I’ll really be going now!”

Sungyeon brushed off Sunjung’s hand and turned around. Then, his other shoulder was grabbed again. This time, it was Hwang Yoohyun.

“Take a taxi.”

Just as Sungyeon furrowed his brows in annoyance at the repeated words, Yoohyun pulled out a 50,000 won (∼34.16 USD) bill from his pocket.

“I’ll give you the taxi fare.”

Bokseung’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the 50,000 won. However, no matter how rich Yoohyun was, 50,000 won was still 50,000 won. His conscience pricked at the thought of accepting it so readily.

But with that 50,000 won, he could cover the cost of toilet paper, food, and bus fare.

He couldn’t help but be drawn to the alluring sight of the bill.

Noticing the boy’s hesitation, Yoohyun waved the 50,000 won bill in front of him. Bokseung’s brown eyes flickered, following the fluttering bill.

Suppressing a smile, Yoohyun asked again, “You’ll take a taxi, right?”

Sungyeon nodded, pretending to give in. His mind was already filled with the image of himself sitting on the bus, clutching his wallet containing the 50,000 won bill.