MM 79

Han Yu-young, holding tableware in both hands, put eggs and bacon into his mouth. Despite his small stature, he really seemed to love eating. Watching him like this, a smile unknowingly spread across Do-won’s face.

At first, he squinted, asking why he was laughing, but now it seemed like he didn’t care at all. He confidently took a fork and ate some salad. The crunching sound as he chewed made him look exactly like a hamster.

“Team Leader. …Next time, no, tomorrow, I’ll definitely prepare it. Please don’t keep preparing meals alone.”

“I get it. Just focus on eating. Don’t worry about those things.”

In between his bites, his determined words kept coming out. The sight of it made Do-won chuckle again. He’s sure when they made the contract, they included a clause about ‘sharing household chores in a reasonable proportion,’ but now that they were living together, it seemed like anyone with time would just do it.

After finishing his meal, Yu-young quickly got up and stacked the dishes.

“Thank you for the meal!”

“Alright. Hurry up and get ready.”

“I need to fix my hair… Team Leader, you go ahead. We agreed to commute separately anyway.”

Originally, it was supposed to be separate commutes. Even though we didn’t show it at work, commuting together every day would definitely seem suspicious.

But it wasn’t a big deal for just a day or two. Besides, it was the first time commuting together since they started living together. He didn’t read too much into it, but today, Do-won just felt like doing it.

“I’ll wait. Let’s go together. You’ve already finished washing up.”

“Well… then I’ll be quick.”

“Take your time.”

Since Yu-young always got up early. Even though he was waiting for him, there was plenty of time. Less than 15 minutes later, Yu-young had gotten dressed and fixed his hair, rushing out of the room.

“Team Leader! I’m ready!”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Yu-young naturally got into the car, fastening his seatbelt with determination, and Do-won began to drive smoothly, taking in the sight of him.

Yu-young crossed his arms lightly and hugged himself. He had turned on the heater right after getting in the car, but guess the air inside wasn’t warm enough yet, as he seemed cold. He immediately turned up the heater, thinking that he should warm it up beforehand next time.

“Wow, Team Leader. It’s really cold now. Looks like winter’s coming.”

“…I guess so.”

It was the usual commute, nothing special. There was no traffic because it was early, but he never really had any special thoughts while traveling the same road every day.

However, the feeling of someone sitting next to him was definitely new. As he breathed in the pheromones subtly filling the car, he could feel hid mood lift.

Now, Han Yu-young’s pheromones, blending with his own, created a soft mixture that was so pleasant it sent a chill down his spine. That was his honest feeling. And it all the habits of avoiding Omega’s scent that I’d lived with.

The word ‘winter’ felt the same way. A word that used to make me frown, but somehow when Yu-young said it, it didn’t feel unpleasant at all.

Maybe it was because he resembled winter. His skin and hands were so white, and he resembled the white, flowers he’d given him. His birthday was also in the winter.

“Ah, Team Leader. You go ahead. I’ll stop by the bathroom.”

“Alright.”

It seemed he didn’t want to enter together. Do-won nodded and went into the office first. The office was still cold and empty. Even though it was freezing, he had to air it out, so he turned on the lights and opened all the windows, just like someone always did.

While he was busy working in the office, the noise from outside gradually increased. He could hear his team members exchanging friendly greetings as he checked the performance reports and skimmed through the materials for the manager’s meeting.

Just when he was deeply immersed in work, there was a knock on the door.

-Team Leader. This is Assistant Manager Han.

“Come in.”

Whenever Yu-young knocked outside, his voice always grew soft with tension. It was expected, given his different attitude at work, but honestly, it was kind of cute.

Do-won looked away from the monitor and glanced at him as he entered with a proper posture and respectfully handed him some papers.

“This is the second version, improving on the points you mentioned yesterday.”

“Alright. Just a moment.”

Do-won flipped through the papers and confirmed the proposal. Just as Yu-young said, the points he had pointed out yesterday were perfectly addressed.

Han Yu-young was definitely good at his job. It was only natural that Do-won wanted to support and teach him more.

“Good job. You worked hard.”

Do-won smiled slightly. At his words, the tension in Yu-young’s shoulders visibly eased, and his expression brightened. His small red lips, curved into a smile, and his playful, slightly narrowed eyes had a charm that made anyone feel good, no matter how many times they saw them.

As Do-won shifted his gaze to his face, he couldn’t help but have such thoughts, surprising himself a little. He deliberately turned his eyes to the monitor to shake off the surprise. He didn’t know when he had started dwelling on Han Yu-young’s face like this.

“You can go now…”

“Oh, Team Leader.”

Just then, Yu-young walked confidently over to the desk with steady steps.

“What’s this? Did something get on you?”

His hand approached without hesitation, reaching toward the top of Do-won’s head. The moment Do-won’s eyes widened, a soft touch settled on his scalp. His fingers barely grazed it, but it felt as if a small electric current flickered in that spot.

“There’s something like a feather on you.”

Yu-young smiled slightly and shook the small feather gently.

“When did this get on me? I didn’t see it earlier at home… or in the car.”

The content of his chattering voice, when thought over, was a reminder of the secret and special relationship between them.

Moreover, until just now, he had treated him with respect as his team leader, but now, seemingly off guard, he casually initiated some intimate physical contact. It was amusing how, after teasing Do-won, he had such an innocent face, completely unaware. It was funny how he would blush even when joking around slightly, yet at times like this, he acted completely at ease.

But what was more ridiculous than Han Yu-young was how much he was flustered just by him removing a single feather. He couldn’t even look him in the eye and only let out a wry laugh. With a sigh, Do-won covered his face with one hand and refocused his gaze on the monitor. Perhaps sensing the silent order to leave, Yu-young awkwardly bid farewell.

“I’ll go now.”

“Han Yu-young.”

The heavy voice stopped him as he was about to leave. His expression was filled with doubt, perhaps due to the slightly sharper pheromones or the lower tone of voice than usual.

“Yes, Team Leader?”

Looking into his harmless eyes, Do-won inwardly cursed. What was I doing calling him back? He silently scolded his earlier recklessness and spoke quietly.

“…Never mind. Go ahead.”

“Understood… I’ll go.”

Yu-young tilted his head slightly as he left, still looking puzzled. As soon as the door clicked shut, Do-won let out a long sigh.

“Ha…”

For a brief moment, the impulse he felt was so overwhelming that he couldn’t bear it. Just now, he wanted to grab Yu-young’s wrist, the same wrist that had placed his hand on his head, and sit him on his lap. He imagined kissing his red, plump lips, and then pushing deeper into the small gap that he’d willingly opened for him.

“…Am I really crazy?”

He couldn’t believe how ridiculous he was feeling. He pulled out his phone to check his schedule but was even more stunned seeing how much time was still left. If it wasn’t the pheromones, then why was he feeling like this?

Without realizing, his hand had gone to his neck. The tie that had been neatly fastened suddenly felt like it was choking him, and he yanked it off with rough hands.

He admit that there were times when Yu-young appeared lovable. No, it was happening more and more frequently.

But he never expected that every time he looked at him, his gaze would start to heat up like this. He could still control himself for now, but the fact that he was feeling these impulses was deeply embarrassing.

Of course, it was true that whenever his pheromones mixed with his, his body would respond, and his mind would be all over the place. But for the past few days, he hadn’t had the need for that, and he’d forgotten about it. In the meantime, Yu-young had subtly expanded his presence within his space, and now, he had reached a point where he was feeling these impulses at any time and place.

No matter how he looked at it, this wasn’t something that should be happening at work…

Cursing himself again, Do-won stood up from his seat. This wasn’t the time to let his mind wander with such thoughts. Today was the day for an important meeting with the department heads. As he slammed the door to the office open, Do-won said in a rough voice.

“I’m heading to the department meeting.”

“Okay, Team Leader.”

Among the people responding energetically, Yu-young was there as well. As their eyes met for a brief moment, Yu-young flashed a bright smile and raised both of his fists, as if shouting “fighting!” Like a small, white puppy acting cute, the sight of him made Do-won’s heart lurch again. Cursing at himself once more, Do-won walked out of the office with quick steps.