MM 47

“It’s fine.”

Amid the tense atmosphere, Yu-young answered with a bright smile.

“I’m the youngest, you know. At home, my father, and at work, the team leader, both take good care of me, so I don’t really have to struggle.”

Yu-young’s remark openly acknowledged the societal stereotype that male Omegas are seen as “not manly.” It was a direct question: Is this what you were trying to say?

Yu-young’s mother, who had expected him to either deny his words or flush with embarrassment, found herself speechless for a moment. She had been caught off guard by his nonchalant acceptance and even smiling response.

“Alright, let’s stop here. If I’ve been rude, please forgive me. Do-won, even if you get upset, you shouldn’t yell at your mother like that.”

Still glaring coldly, Do-won turned his gaze between his mother and Yu-young. Meanwhile, Yu-young subtly reached out under the table, feeling for Do-won’s hand. When he found it, Do-won gave a slightly surprised expression, and the coldness that had been lingering around him began to fade away.

“By the way, what do you like? Hobbies, that kind of thing.”

To break the stiff atmosphere, Do-won’s father changed the subject. In a family like theirs, where discipline was important, he should have scolded Do-won for raising his voice at his mother, but since it was the mother who had spoken out of turn, he decided to let it slide.

“I… just do a bit of everything, as much as others do. Golf, Go, things like that.”

“Golf? How much do you play?”

“I’m not particularly great… but I usually hover between under and even par.”

Do-won’s father’s eyes lit up as he adjusted his seating position.

“Don’t be so modest! You’re actually quite good.”

“Haha, you’re too kind.”

For families like Yu-young’s and Do-won’s, golf wasn’t exactly seen as something extraordinary, but Do-won’s father had a particular fondness for the sport. Among his many acquaintances, he hadn’t found anyone with the skill to match his. He had even invited pros a few times to play, but as someone who believed that golf was about getting to know others while circling the course, he couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

There was just a limit to the conversation that could be had between a player and a businessman. He longed for a more natural round with acquaintances or business partners. And now, with his son bringing Yu-young, who seemed promising, it was the perfect opportunity to get to know him better. So when Yu-young mentioned he had some skill, his ears perked up.

“Well, this is fate, so how about we play a round together next time?”

Do-won’s father, pleased, made the suggestion. Just as he was about to speak up to stop his father, Yu-young tapped Do-won’s thigh under the table.

“I would be honored.”

Yu-young smiled brightly. Golf had always been considered an essential sport by his father, and he had grown up going to the golf course with him. His father often told him that the golf course was where all business discussions happened.

Looks like it’s coming in handy today.

Yu-young remembered how he had often complained about not wanting golf lessons when he was younger. His coach had even told him that he had some talent. It all seemed to be coming together now, and Yu-young couldn’t help but smile proudly inside.

After the meal, they moved to the living room, where tea and snacks had been prepared.

Do-won’s mother, citing feeling unwell, went upstairs. Though she said she was going to rest, she left with the words, “Enjoy your conversation”, and the cold atmosphere she left behind was felt by everyone. However, Yu-young found it more comfortable this way, as it wasn’t like he was going to see her again.

Surprisingly, Do-won’s father didn’t directly ask about their future plans. As a result, during tea, the three of them could relax and spend time without feeling tense. After discussing company matters, stocks, and golf for about 30 minutes, they finally stood up when Do-won’s father said it was time to leave.

“Take care. I’ll have Do-won let you know when we’re going for the round.”

“Yes, sir. …I’ll see you soon.”

Unlike Yu-young, who thought I won’t be seeing him again, Do-won’s father clearly thought otherwise. Still, Yu-young couldn’t outright refuse, even if he tried. Smiling, he bid him farewell, and as they walked through the garden together, Do-won quietly asked.

“Was it hard to refuse?”

“The round?”

Do-won nodded silently as he looked at Yu-young. Yu-young smiled awkwardly.

“I don’t know… it just felt a little hard to say no.”

“……”

“It’s fine. We’ll play a game another time. Does the team leader play well?”

Somehow, Yu-young thought there was no sport that Do-won couldn’t do. As expected, Do-won nodded.

“I’m not amazing, just about the same level as a junior.”

“Really? Then you must have gone out with your father often.”

“We’re both busy, so we couldn’t go too often. And, as you can see, I’m not exactly a warm and affectionate son.”

Yu-young remained silent as he watched Do-won, who spoke with a bitter smile. They both got into the car and fastened their seatbelts. Just like before, Do-won glanced over to check that Yu-young had fastened his seatbelt properly before stepping on the gas.

For a while, the car was silent. The tension that had been in the air slowly dissipated, and Yu-young, without thinking, let out a soft sigh, melting into the passenger seat. Seeing him, Do-won couldn’t help but let a faint smile appear on his lips.

“It must have been tough today.”

Amid his indifferent tone, a hint of warmth seeped through.

“…No, it wasn’t. After all, it’s the same for you, team leader. You’ll have to come to my house anyway.”

“Still, the atmosphere would be different, wouldn’t it?”

Turning the steering wheel gently to the left, Do-won spoke with a calm tone.

“At least, they wouldn’t show any open hostility like my mother did.”

That’s true… Yu-young thought to himself. He imagined that if his mother saw Do-won, she would likely fall over in excitement. He didn’t want to admit it, but objectively speaking, Do-won was the perfect candidate as a son-in-law.

Before long, the car was entering the underground parking lot beneath their apartments. The once clear, handsome profile that had been visible in the bright sunlight was quickly swallowed by the darkness. After parking, Do-won didn’t get out immediately but instead turned to look at Yu-young.

Yu-young, looking at him as if to ask why, saw Do-won open his mouth.

“Truly, you worked hard today. And…”

Do-won paused for a moment before continuing. Unlike his usual calm demeanor, this time his voice carried a hint of regret.

“…I apologize for my mother’s rudeness. I’m sorry.”

“Ah…”

“As I mentioned earlier, it’s not because Assistant Han has any flaws. She simply dislikes me, that’s all. I don’t mean to justify the disrespect towards you, and I hope you don’t misunderstand.”

“……”

“I just want to apologize sincerely.”

After speaking, Do-won looked at Yu-young with a calm gaze, waiting for his response. Yu-young, unsure of how to answer, simply stared back at him.

It wasn’t something trivial that he could brush off with a smile and say, It’s fine. What had happened today was a clear reflection of the discomfort Yu-young had felt growing up as a male omega. As Do-won said, it was certainly something unpleasant, and he had every right to be apologized to.

However.

As he looked at Do-won’s face, faintly illuminated by the indirect lighting, Yu-young inexplicably felt a pang of sadness.

Although his father was strict at times, Yu-young had always received love from his parents and could confidently say that he had never lacked in that regard. If he were to suddenly show up at his family home, his mother, Kim Jung-sook, would rush out to greet him with open arms.

How old had Do-won been when he started experiencing things like this? How many cruel words and gazes had he endured until he became so accustomed to receiving hostility so naturally and calmly?

Yu-young didn’t know Do-won’s circumstances, so he wasn’t pitying him hastily. He wasn’t in a position to do so, nor did he feel he had the right to pity anyone. But, as he thought about how Do-won couldn’t have always been this cold and expressionless as a child, he couldn’t help but feel a little concerned.

But he couldn’t show that emotion. Yu-young quietly spoke to Do-won as he gazed at him.

“…You don’t have to apologize, team leader.”

“It’s something I should apologize for. After all, I was the one who brought Assistant Han to that situation.”

“Hmm.”

Yu-young met Do-won’s direct gaze, and with a smile, he spoke.

“Then… I’ll accept it with a set special sushi.”

At the unexpected mention of sushi, Do-won raised an eyebrow slightly.

“You said you were apologizing, right?”

“……”

“If you buy me sushi from the place near the office, I’ll forget all about today.”

The gaze that had been locked between them broke. As Do-won suddenly looked down, Yu-young tilted his head in confusion. But what appeared on Do-won’s face next was a smile. Seeing the wide grin stretching across his face, Yu-young’s eyes widened. It was the first time he had seen him smile like that.

Do-won, who had been silently smiling, finally spoke with a cheerful expression.

“Not sushi from that place near the office. Let’s go somewhere better and tastier.”

“Yes, sounds good.”

A gentle smile appeared on Yu-young’s face. The slight bitterness he had felt when he saw Do-won’s side profile earlier seemed to fade away.

Yeah, there’s truth in the saying You can’t spit on a smiling face. Even if he had once hated him, cursing him as a punk or brat, Yu-young now found Do-won’s smiling face far more pleasant than before.

“Team leader, you worked hard today too. I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Alright. See you Monday.”

After exchanging goodbyes, the two of them parted in front of the entrance. Once he got home, Yu-young headed straight for the bathroom. He filled the bathtub with hot water and chose a bath bomb to drop in. Sitting in the tub, he stared at the ceiling.

It felt like it had just happened yesterday when he thought of him as an arrogant punk. Yu-young chuckled softly.

Back then, could he have ever imagined that he would end up going to that arrogant punk’s home and meeting his parents? It’s true—life is unpredictable.