PIA 119

Attending an event to celebrate the new beginnings of a couple twice felt oddly repetitive.

In Ji-an’s original world, had welcomed such an event. It had felt like a forceful but necessary end to his hesitant, unrequited feelings. Back then, although he shed a few tears, it ultimately felt like a relief—a moment to finally hammer some sense into his foolish heart.

This time, there were no such bittersweet feelings. Ji-an genuinely wished the couple happiness with all his heart.

Regardless of his tangled, messy relationship with Seo Ji-hyuk. The two people’s happiness would bring a ‘happy ending’ to this world, and he would be able to feel at ease.

As Ji-an moved alone when the engagement ceremony was about to start, he could see the tables in the hall gradually filling up. Ji-an felt an awkward discomfort.

He had anticipated drawing attention simply by sitting at the family table for JM Group, but the surrounding gazes were far more blatant than he expected. It might be because Jeong Hee-seo was sitting prominently on his right. In fact, Ji-an knew that was the biggest reason. From the moment they entered the hall, curious glances had stung his entire body.

It wasn’t like they were holding hands tightly. They were merely brushing fingertips.

‘Is it because of our couple coordinated look?’

Ji-an sighed. Well, Jeong Hee-seo did look incredibly handsome.

From the moment they moved to the hall set up for the engagement ceremony, gazes followed them from hotel staff to unrelated guests. Ji-an tried to think of other things to avoid being conscious of it, but it was impossible not to be aware.

After entering the ceremony hall, the interest became even more obvious. Even people exchanging greetings at their assigned tables would close their mouths and follow the two with their eyes as Jeong Hee-seo and Ji-an passed by. It was clear that if he made any mistake today, it would become gossip fodder for the whole neighborhood.

“Dad, Dad, kiss Mom too!”

As Ji-an was staring at Jeong Hee-seo sitting next to him, feeling a bit tense, Yi-seo suddenly said loudly as if she had just thought of it.

At the long dinner table sat Jeong Hee-seo, Ji-an, Yi-seo, and Jeong Hee-young and her husband. Myeong Hyun-sook was still in the waiting room to manage her condition. Nevertheless, Yi-seo’s father, Han Hong-sik, was flustered and sweating profusely. He also seemed to be watching Jeong Hee-seo’s reaction.

“Ah, no… our Yi-seo says everything that comes to mind. Family members don’t do that kind of thing.”

“Then is Ji-an oppa not family?”

Ji-an was also flustered by Yi-seo’s pouty face. He felt Jeong Hee-seo’s long arm drape over the back of his chair. When he turned to look, he was smiling handsomely with the corners of his mouth raised. He had looked very satisfied for a while now.

“Our Yi-seo is so smart.”

The arm on the back of the chair felt like Jeong Hee-seo was putting his arm around his shoulders, and Ji-an was conscious of it. As he lightly touched his hand to tell him to lower his arm, he leaned in and kissed his cheek with an audible smack before pulling away.

“…!”

Ji-an wasn’t the only one with eyes widened at this table. Unlike Yi-seo’s flustered father, Jeong Hee-young seemed used to it now and just smiled.

“Ji-an oppa and uncle aren’t officially family yet. That’s why uncle needs to kiss more. That’s how they can become family.”

“You have to kiss a lot to become family?”

“Yes, that’s how Ji-an oppa will finally accept Uncle Hee-seo.”

Jeong Hee-seo, apparently enjoying the attention, leaned into the curious stares instead of shying away. It was as if he found delight in Ji-an’s embarrassment, taking pleasure in how flustered he’d become.

Ji-an looked around, rubbing his cheek where Jeong Hee-seo’s lips had touched. The reaction was truly intense. People who had been glancing now gave up trying to hide it and were buzzing with excitement.

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

Ji-an fiddled unnecessarily with the napkin on the still empty table. Jeong Hee-seo leaned in closer, grasped his chin, and turned his face towards him. Someone nearby audibly gasped.

“I have to introduce Ji-an.”

“Me? As what?”

As Ji-an rolled his eyes, Jeong Hee-seo seemed even more excited. The more his smile deepened, the more blatant the buzzing became.

When Ji-an slightly pulled his face back, Hee-seo raised an eyebrow.

“Why are you introducing me at  someone else’s engagement? And with Yi-seo here, an uncle shouldn’t be doing this.”

“It’s time to start letting people know. That you’re mine. It’s almost a shame that press coverage isn’t allowed today. And kids these days are quick. They’ll understand this much.”

“Still…”

“Yi-seo, close your eyes.”

As Ji-an raised his hand to block Jeong Hee-seo’s mouth as if expecting a kiss, he smiled mischievously with his eyes curving. It had started as a joke, but as everyone around reacted to their every move, it was becoming more and more fun.

Jeong Hee-seo hadn’t really intended to kiss him, but Ji-an blocking his mouth with his hand had as big an impact as a kiss would have.

Jeong Hee-seo thought his life was like a boring textbook, living only within the boundaries of what others expected, like a model student. It wasn’t because he had a particularly diligent personality, but simply because he never felt the need to deviate from the set path. He had never experienced deviation, never felt the meaning of it, and had never taken the kind of bold steps that other celebrities did.

His life had been lived considering potential news articles, even controlling the brands of clothes he wore and cars he drove. The watch he had given Ji-an today would obviously become a topic of conversation if someone happened to take a photo and it became known.

Jeong Hee-seo knew his position and power all too well. With everyone’s eyes on him, he intended to put on a show, making his stance unmistakable. He wanted to make sure no one dared to speak out against Ji-an—this was his way of marking his territory.

The softly playing classical music changed to something more upbeat. The sound technician raised the volume, signaling the start of the ceremony. Myeong Hyun-sook slowly walked in and took her seat, followed by the creation of a flower path for the couple.

The engagement ceremony for the happy ending had begun.

* * *

“Have a drink, Ji-an-ssi.”

Seo Ji-hyuk smiled gently as he offered champagne to Ji-an.

“Ah, no, thank you. I’m fine.”

Ji-an politely smiled and declined.

Ji-an regretted coming closer out of curiosity about the champagne tower with crystal coupe glasses stacked high and the giant cake. If he had known he would end up alone with him like this, he would have quietly taken some dessert and returned to his table.

As he scanned over Seo Ji-hyuk’s shoulder, looking for where Jeong Hee-seo might be, a soft laugh caught Ji-an’s attention.

“Why, this is non-alcoholic. It’s okay to drink.”

“…Still.”

“They specially prepared non-alcoholic drinks especially for me since I’m pregnant. What, is the baby in Ji-an-ssi’s belly so special that you need to be careful even with this?”

“…”

“Or is Ji-an-ssi recessive, so you need to be careful about many things?”

“It doesn’t seem non-alcoholic… judging by how drunk you are.”

As Ji-an retorted with a slightly sharp voice, Ji-hyuk whistled softly. Ji-an stepped back half a step, unconsciously placing his hand on his stomach. It was a reflexive action that came out when danger was detected.

During the couple’s grand entrance down the flower aisle, Ji-an had clapped enthusiastically, even throwing petals with heartfelt well-wishes. He had also eagerly responded and toasted next to Jeong Hee-seo as he gave a toast holding a champagne glass.

It seemed Ji-an had done his part, but Seo Ji-hyuk’s expression wasn’t very good, as if he had expected him to cry ugly tears or something.

“I don’t know how you did it, but…”

Seo Ji-hyuk pointed at Ji-an’s stomach with the hand holding his glass.

“You must have been pleased.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Ji-an narrowed his eyes. Of course, Ji-an wasn’t asking because he didn’t really understand what Seo Ji-hyuk meant.

“If you were going to be like this, why did you invite me? Wasn’t this meant to be a way for you to wrap things up too, hyung?”

“…”

“I just wish you’d focus on your own happiness on such a good day like this.”

If nothing else, Ji-an didn’t want to hear any unpleasant talk about his Poggle. To him, it was unacceptable for such a pure, innocent existence to be sullied by someone else’s spite.

He couldn’t bring himself to look at Ji-hyuk kindly anymore. If he stayed any longer, he might say something unforgivable. Not wanting to draw attention by ruining the party on a day like this, Ji-an turned to leave.

“Ji-an-ssi. Do you know what this is?”

Seo Ji-hyuk stopped Ji-an as he was turning away.

“What are you…”

He took out a small capsule from his pocket and split it in half. When he poured the powder inside into the champagne glass, it dissolved without a trace in an instant. His expression as he held out the empty capsule shell on his palm looked almost dejected.

“This is called a rut inducer. It’s hard to get. Because it’s illegal. But do you know where I got it? There’s a community where miserable Omegas gather.”

“…”

“I was going to use this on Han-joo today.”

“Why would you use that on Han-joo hyung?”

Ji-an asked as his face became pale. It was incomprehensible why a rut inducer would appear here, at this timing. And not as a conspiracy or threat, but so openly like this.

Seo Ji-hyuk laughed out loud at Ji-an’s clueless face.

“General Manager Jeong Hee-seo is so gentle. I see you still don’t know. Do you know that that kind of attitude only makes people more upset.”

“Explain so I can understand.”

As Ji-an stepped closer out of anxiety, Seo Ji-hyuk raised his glass high.

“Do you know what will happen if an Omega drinks this?”

“Hyung, don’t do such a thing. There’s a baby—”

Ji-an was so angry he saw red for a moment. Why would Seo Ji-hyuk do such a thing just because he resented him? Above all, what sin did the baby commit? It’s a small, fragile life!

Without any calculation, he swung his arm to snatch the glass from Seo Ji-hyuk’s hand.

“Give it here!”

Ji-an shouted fiercely as he struck at the hand holding the glass. The drugged drink spilled meaninglessly onto the floor, and just as he felt relief, there was a ‘plop’ sound and water droplets splashed on his cheek.

Turning around, he saw the tall champagne tower collapsing.