SPM 4.6

The more he knew him, the more interesting he was. If it were him, he would be able to quickly grasp the movement of all objects around him, so he would have noticed immediately even if Ian was 10 yards further behind him. But it took this slow-witted guy so long to realize it. But even that was so cute.

He didn’t know his taste would be like this.

No, actually, thinking about it, it wasn’t that he liked Ian because he liked cute things, but 

rather that he just liked every aspect of him.

He was gentle and kind to a fault, but seemed to try hard to act somewhat smart, yet was clumsy in some way… If it were anyone else, he would have sneered and not associated with them, but it felt endearing solely because it was Ian. Terrence was lately enjoying this thing he’d never done in his life, calmly understanding his own heart.

“Are you done studying?”

“Yeah… Are you all finished?”

“Yeah.”

When he said this while shaking his still-wet hair from running straight here from the shower, Ian’s eyes became dreamy looking at him.

Had he said he lived his whole life in Korea? Whether it was because this kind of appearance was unfamiliar to him or for some other unclear reason, whenever Ian looked at him with eyes like this, Terrence somehow felt pleased with himself.

Though he couldn’t be certain, it seemed his appearance was either fascinating or appealing to him. And Terrence was satisfied with even that aspect. Since he always thought it would be nice if Ian felt the same way he did, completely captivated at first sight just from seeing Ian walking from afar.

“Then let’s go.”

When he naturally took the books he was organizing and carried them for him, Ian stood up with a blush on his cheeks. It was as if peaches were attached to his cheeks too. While having the ridiculous fantasy of wanting to personally feed him pink canned peaches later, Terrence placed his hand on Ian’s waist.

Ian stiffened slightly when his hand touched him, but didn’t tell him to remove his hand or avoid his body. Terrence could only guess it was because physical contact had become somewhat familiar through the pretense of teaching basketball.

Basketball, going to and from school together, eating lunch together. Like this, Terrence was becoming Ian’s friend as promised while gradually devouring his life bit by bit.

From the moment he put Ian in his car, which he had never allowed anyone else in, and took him home, all his resolve stood firm.

To be with Ian forever.

Even if someone mocked it as an overly optimistic thought that only teenagers who don’t know reality and the future could have, or as a childish delusion, it didn’t matter. Terrence was confident he could really make his resolve a reality.

Hadn’t he been taught to stay away from overly tempting Omegas because they could shake and ruin his life and reason?

Then he just needed to not lose his reason. Not being impulsive and pathetic like a fool who abandons his life to chase only an Omega, but very meticulously, extremely planned and naturally. And very gently so as never to covet the other person driven only by passion and then hate them again. If they considered each other’s thoughts and feelings while adjusting to each other like this, couldn’t he keep this love completely by his side for life?

His father was utterly foolish. He lived his whole life intoxicated with arrogance and superiority, then encountered temptation, went crazy over it, and abandoned his life. But Terrence was different.

He had learned how to endure, endure, and endure again from the beginning. Sports were also an extension of the battle between patience and instinct. The method of enduring and waiting, then ultimately seizing victory was what he did best. Terrence was very confident. He wanted to gently permeate Ian’s life and eventually make it so Ian couldn’t do without him.

A very kind friend and colleague while simultaneously being an Alpha. So eventually becoming a companion and partner, and ultimately becoming Ian’s one and only love.

On the way home together, after stopping at a gas station to fill up the car, he took Ian into the store to buy snacks.

“Watch this, Ian. I’m going to make something amazing.”

Taking out several bags from his pocket, Terrence decided to show what he thought was the best combination. Of course, it was street snacks that would have horrified Bradley, who always managed his diet with high-end organic foods, but Terrence often enjoyed them away from his strict brother’s eyes, perhaps because of memories with his mother.

“Cool Ranch Doritos with Laughing Cow like this…”

After opening the snack bag and taking one out, he peeled and placed a small triangular cream cheese on top.

“Y-you want me to eat this?”

Ian’s blue eyes shook mercilessly, but Terrence gently pushed forward.

“Really trust me and just try it once. It’s delicious, I tell you.”

At those words, Ian opened his mouth with a dubious expression, and Terrence gently pushed the Doritos sandwich between his peach-colored lips. Ian initially made a crying face and chewed like someone eating bugs, but gradually his eyes grew wider.

“Huh…? Why is this delicious?”

It doesn’t make sense… When he added those words, Terrence lightly pinched and released Ian’s nose tip. The surprised look was so cute that his hand moved first.

“See? I told you to trust me. I said it was delicious.”

While saying this, he put sweet and sour, colorful Skittles and Airhead jellies together into his mouth that was still chewing. Ian’s eyes grew even rounder as he chewed the candy with satisfied nom-nom sounds.

“…It’s even more delicious eating it right away like this!”

“Right?”

Look at this. Even their tastes matched this well.

So their meeting was destiny.

The God who is said to have created heaven and earth with a word had planned and molded him and Ian as a pair from the beginning.

From falling in love at first sight to the compatibility of pheromones. Since learning of his existence, there wasn’t a single aspect that didn’t attract him.

His parents ultimately went their separate ways, keeping passion and reason apart, but Terrence was determined never to fail.

Therefore, he wanted to become very close friends first.

Didn’t everyone in the world say with one voice? That truly lasting love is with someone whose heart matches well like a friend.

He wanted to become the kind of relationship where they could just look at each other’s faces with nothing else and still have fun. More precisely, he hoped Ian would feel the same way he did.

And that resolve wasn’t bad even thinking about it now.

“…So I courageously told Dylan that wasn’t that kind of funny? But really, right there…”

Terrence listened intently to Ian, who was sitting in the passenger seat of his car, still chewing skittles and chattering away, occasionally interjecting with “Right” and “I see” as responses to his stories. Inside the car, all the flavors and scents of the snacks they had just enjoyed together enveloped them, savory, sweet, sour, and salty all at once. It was a scent that perfectly matched their youthful selves.

Before he knew it, Ian’s smiling face had come to resemble his own smiling face quite a bit.

‘You were really cute, Ian.’

Just thinking about that time made him so proud and happy that Terrence could pleasantly greet and get through even the superficial formalities that would normally have been unpleasant.

Being born into a political family meant social activities were more like duties regardless of his own will.

The reason he particularly couldn’t miss today’s charity party was, quite coincidentally, because of the event’s theme. “Gala for Youth Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention.” As soon as this title was announced, Bradley immediately positioned Terrence as a role model for local youth.

Nevertheless, Terrence remained skeptical.

While it outwardly claimed to be a meaningful event to help suffering American youth, nowhere on the greasy, gleaming faces of the attendees could he see even a speck of interest in the boys and girls struggling in the corners of society.

At best, they had come to boost their moral superiority or show their faces to donor networks. Such local charity events were ultimately occasions where figures from business, medical, educational, and political circles could all gather grandly under the guise of good causes.

And he was no different. In the party venue where faint cocktail fragrances drifted, Bradley led Terrence through formal dresses and suits to a table.

“Good evening, Mr. Croft. This is my brother Terrence. He’s Lloyd Jones’s quarterback and the future of the Hunt family we’re proud of.”

“Good evening.”

Terrence politely greeted the table full of elderly gentlemen according to his brother’s introduction. Then the man seated at the head of the table, the husband of today’s charity event host and president of a famous construction company everyone in Tennessee would recognize by name, laughed heartily at the two brothers.

“Well! We were just talking about student Hunt!”

“I thought he was handsome when he was on stage, but he looks even more impressive up close!”

Another businessman at the same table praised Terrence while tapping the white silk tablecloth with his champagne glass. Some even patted his arms or shoulders, gauging his physique.

“Truly a quarterback’s body. This is how it should be! I heard Lloyd Jones won the regional competition thanks to you?”

“I’m also a Lloyd Jones alumnus, so my shoulders are all puffed up with pride.”

“Now it would be perfect if you went to the University of Tennessee and became a key player for our Volunteers.”

True to being Nashville natives and community leaders, they were all huge fans of the SEC (Southeastern Conference) league. The local pride was tremendous, to the extent that there was a saying “You can’t call yourself a Tennessee man if you don’t watch Vols games.” Perhaps Tennesseans were more enthusiastic about college football than the NFL where professional players competed.

Particularly, the Tennessee Volunteers belonging to the SEC were a university team with 100 years of tradition, capable of completely paralyzing Saturday afternoons when there was a game. They were truly the pride of the local people, almost like a religion.

Bradley Hunt was introducing Terrence to these enthusiastic football fans and businessmen who controlled Tennessee’s financial lifeline.

“It will turn out as you expect. We’ve received overtures from the Volunteers coach, and there’s talk of a football scholarship.”

Bradley proudly patted his brother’s shoulder and assured them, while the sharp-eyed men cheered and exchanged satisfied glances with each other.

What followed was, well, the same as always. Terrence made rounds greeting each table with Bradley, his name continued to be mentioned among businessmen along with the wine fragrance and hearty laughter throughout the party venue, and familiar lobbyists’ business cards were exchanged afterward.

As the party reached its peak, Terrence confirmed that Bradley had moved to the terrace with MMC pharmaceutical company representative Dr. McCartney for a serious conversation, then quietly hid himself. He planned to come out again when he judged it was time to leave this place. After all, his role for today was finished here.

Bradley Hunt emerged from outside the party venue after a considerable amount of time had passed.

He slumped into the car where Terrence was already seated and irritably loosened his tie knot with an annoyed expression. Terrence glanced at his tired-looking brother’s face and told the driver to start the car.

“Damn old men.”

What seeped out between his clenched molars like grinding was the same complaint as always.

“Damn it, if I hadn’t lost to that Callahan guy last time, I wouldn’t have to endure such humiliation…! I’m dying trying to please old men with nothing but grease dripping from their bellies…”

He seemed quite wounded in his pride from making rounds at tables today. Bradley displayed his uncomfortable mood fully and eventually pulled off his tie completely with nervous hands and threw it away.

Terrence quietly picked it up while recalling when these kinds of things had started.

It was probably around two years ago, during the gubernatorial primary.

Becoming Tennessee’s governor was an indispensable goal in Bradley Hunt’s life plan, which always pursued perfection and dreamed of the family’s glorious reconstruction.

At the time, as a young politician and simultaneously the eldest son of a long-standing political family, Bradley was already serving his second term as a congressman, having firmly grasped local public sentiment by primarily appealing to traditional values. It was when his confidence was particularly high from his unbroken streak of successive victories.

However, a rival candidate who put forward more progressive slogans rose rapidly by riding the social atmosphere and trends of the time, and just before being confirmed as the party-endorsed candidate by the leadership and local influential figures within the Republican Party, Bradley narrowly slipped in the selection.

Terrence clearly remembered Bradley Hunt’s terrifying face as he stared intently at the subtitle on the TV screen that read “Republican Gubernatorial Primary: Young Reform Congressman James Callahan Confirmed for Party Support.”

And even the moment that terrifying face turned toward him.

Wasn’t that the moment Terrence was selected as the breakthrough solution for his political life that had taken a major fall? Bradley didn’t even hide his desires and schemes to use his brother.

‘Terrence. This is the only way we can reclaim our honorable name.’

‘You on the field, me on the stage. We must join hands and rise up from our respective positions.’

‘Finally, now it’s time for you to help me. How about it, little brother? Aren’t you happy?’

The hand that gripped Terrence’s shoulder tightly as he muttered madly was so prominent that the veins seemed about to burst, and so were his eyes. The bloodshot eyes, red to the point of bursting blood vessels, were persistently directed at his brother, who was much younger than himself.

It was probably from that point on. Bradley’s obsession with Terrence gradually became more severe.

Though he didn’t know exactly what Bradley had experienced or what humiliation he had suffered within the party, it was clearly conveyed that he had become razor-sharp.

Originally, Terrence had intended to do his best to help him as the duty of the Hunt family’s youngest son, and as a young dependent who had been raised by his guardian and received his help, or in his words, been pulled out of a dirty pigsty.

However, Bradley’s persistent desire toward his goal was swelling without end. At this point, it was confusing whether his goal was really to become governor and elevate the family’s honor, or if it was due to a desire for revenge and competitive spirit to somehow repay the humiliation of losing to a rival he had looked down upon. Perhaps it was both.

What was certain was that at some point his obsession had crossed the line, and Terrence had somehow fallen to being his brother’s tool. He could no longer find nobility in the brother he had always been proud of.

“Once you get that football scholarship, I’ll be done with appeasing these people.”

What had once been a means to him had now become a persistent goal in itself. In his obsession that everything would roll perfectly once that one thing was resolved, Bradley had lost the wisdom and objectivity to judge situations.

That’s why he probably couldn’t even notice that the brother he cherished and obsessed over so much was thinking the complete opposite of his wishes.

Terrence had started doing everything just adequately enough not to be criticized around the same time Bradley Hunt had fallen from candidacy. Terrence believed that if he fell short of his expectations, his brother’s twisted direction would find its way back.

But reality was different from his hopes, and since he was still being dragged toward a cliff by his brother who continued rushing in a strange direction, Terrence was filled with more pessimistic skepticism than ever.

‘I’m tired of it.’

That was why Terrence didn’t take the captain position or show any ambition, despite his brother’s fervent wishes. Of course, it was inevitable that he didn’t miss the MVP spot in every game due to his naturally excellent skills and competitive temperament that couldn’t stand losing.

“And Vincent came home on vacation. Make sure to show your face. That kid likes coming to our house.”

After chatting with Dr. McCartney, Vincent’s father, earlier, it apparently wasn’t just business talk. Terrence silently nodded toward Bradley, who was opening the window to get some air, seemingly frustrated.

Though Vincent, who always acted selfishly, was tiring, accommodating Cedric’s guest so he wouldn’t be offended was also part of Terrence’s role.

MMC Pharmaceutical had been an ally of the Hunt family since his grandfather’s time. Just as the medical business and politics were inseparable, it was an important connection that needed continued attention. Vincent was the only person Bradley, who was fed up with Omegas, allowed to freely enter and leave their home.

His brother’s sigh flew out the car window along with the night breeze through the open window.

The tedious time seemed endless, making it even more nauseating.

* * *

What made Terrence, who had been living so moderately, come to his senses was a quite unexpected person.

It was a few weeks after he had started going to and from school with Ian. When they weren’t very close yet and were still being cautious with each other. The time when they exchanged messages but worried about reply timing, or deleted and rewrote messages several times wondering whether to send this way or that way.

Saturday, one afternoon. Since they had promised to go see a movie together, Terrence went to pick up Ian as always.

However, when he rang the bell, the person who opened the front door wasn’t the lovely person he expected, but a bigger, more solid man with a somewhat stern expression.

“…Good afternoon, Mr. Bailey.”

After briefly hesitating at the unexpected situation, Terrence greeted him very politely out of ingrained habit.

Harrison, who was holding a rolled-up newspaper in the hand opposite to the one gripping the door handle, nodded toward Terrence.

“Come in, Hunt. Ian is currently washing the iguana with his younger brother.”

Iguana…? Were they keeping such a strange creature? Before Terrence, who had never had any creatures other than large furry dogs in his house, could develop more questions in his head, Harrison let him into the house.

“He’ll be out soon, so sit and wait a bit.”

And as he said, Ian appeared soon. More precisely, it was before Terrence had even sat down on the small living room sofa directly connected to the entrance, when Ian appeared in a strange state, wearing gray rubber gloves and completely soaked all over, startling Terrence into jumping up again.

“Oh, Terrence, you’re here already. Sorry. I’ll go to my room and wash up quickly. I got too wet… Just wait a little!”

“Iaaaan! You promised to help me dry him too!”

At the distant cry of a young boy, Ian hurriedly pulled off his damp rubber gloves and shouted back.

“Oh my, sorry Liam! Brother’s friend arrived!”

It seemed there was another sibling besides the much-talked-about Della Bailey. At that flustered appearance, Terrence couldn’t help but quickly nod.

“I’ll wait, so take your time. I’m fine. It’s okay if it takes long.”

The movie screening time was still far off anyway. Even if they were late, they could just buy different tickets.

“Oh, really sorry. I’ll be right back!”

Ian, who kept apologizing while touching his clothes and hair that were damp with either sweat or water, immediately disappeared back upstairs.

When Terrence, who had been staring blankly at that sight, came to his senses and carefully sat back down on the sofa, Harrison, who had been carefully observing the earlier situation and their appearance, more precisely, Terrence’s attitude, slowly opened his mouth.

“The more I see, the more I like you.”

At those words, Terrence slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

“Always calm, and careful too. I like everything about how you’re proactive while simultaneously considerate.”

When he slightly bowed his head and replied “Thank you,” Harrison looked Terrence up and down slowly, raising his gaze from bottom to top.

“Physique is perfect, and your game performance is flawless too. You have sufficient qualities as a quarterback. But Hunt, why are you avoiding the captain position?”

Those were sharp eyes. He thought he had seen enough of judging people and manipulating situations accordingly while living in a politician’s household, but this felt slightly different.

Perhaps because he wasn’t in a position where he needed to buy others’ favor. Harrison Bailey’s gaze felt more raw to young Terrence, unlike his family members. It was more like being evaluated by a businessman’s intuitive eye.

“……”

How did he know? Before he could ask how he had noticed the inner thoughts that even his brother, who watched him most closely, didn’t know, Harrison smiled as if he had heard an answer. Then he continued speaking alone in front of his son’s friend.

“Ian is the child I pay the most careful attention to.”

“……”

“He’s truly lovely. Kind and delicate. A child with beautiful thoughts too.”

“…I know that well.”

Because he had fallen even more for those aspects. He couldn’t help but know.

“And he’s more fragile than you’d think.”

Was fragility about the heart, or the body? Or perhaps both? While he was pondering such questions in his head, Harrison leaned toward him with a serious expression, as if warning him.

“Hunt, since you’re also an Alpha, you know well. We’re often closer to beasts than humans. There are plenty who can’t overcome their instincts.”

“…That’s right.”

“From what I can see, you seem to handle pheromones very well. Is that correct?”

At that question, Terrence nodded.

In fact, Terrence knew that Ian had recently been practicing completely hiding his pheromones in front of him. It was natural since he was focused on his every move.

Thanks to this, the maddening physical excitement like when they first met in front of Ian had disappeared, but enduring the remnants of pheromones that still leaked out unexpectedly was still Terrence’s job. And he had been enduring very well so far.

Of course, it was never easy. Detecting even the most minutely flowing pheromones was a characteristic of Hunt family men, and Terrence had inherited that blood most intensely. It was natural since he had stronger dominant traits than his older brothers.

But hadn’t he received harshly strict education from a guardian who was pathologically sensitive to pheromones from a very young age? Hiding his own pheromones and maintaining reason against others’ pheromones was something he could now do even in his sleep.

Harrison showed a satisfied expression at the fact that his guess was correct.

“Good eyes.”

That’s how a man, an Alpha should be. Harrison added while still looking him over with evaluating eyes.

“I take it to mean you can suppress instinct with reason. I trust you won’t cause any trouble.”

“Yes.”

It was exactly like a father dealing with his daughter’s date that he’d only seen on TV. However, that warning wasn’t a problem at all. Terrence had no intention of doing anything Ian didn’t want.

When they heard the sound of someone hurriedly clattering down the upstairs stairs, Terrence and Harrison almost simultaneously stood up from where they were sitting. Harrison placed his large hand on Terrence’s shoulder as he went out to meet Ian and gave advice-like words.

“I’d like to advise you to stop that attitude of just avoiding things.”

“…Excuse me?”

“If you keep developing the habit of avoiding like that, you won’t be able to face things when you’re really cornered.”

Harrison murmured near Terrence’s ear as if whispering.

“You need to show sincerity so I can trust you to the end.”

“……”

“I hope you can prove to the end that you’re a man who can protect my son.”

Patting his shoulder firmly with strong force, he gently pushed Terrence toward the stairs.

“Go on. Always take good care of him.”

Just as Terrence, who couldn’t continue speaking, silently nodded, Ian came running down the stairs breathlessly. He shouted that he was sorry for being late and greeted his father that he was leaving.

Harrison Bailey, as if it had never been when he showed a cold appearance until just before, made the most kind and affectionate face in the world, kissed the top of his son’s head, and waved his hand.

“Have a good time. Don’t be too late. Make sure to come back before ten o’clock.”

“Yes, I’ll be back!”

Terrence also greeted him together with Ian.

From that time on, Terrence never forgot those words. That’s why he actively changed his life attitude that had been soaked in ennui. Because Ian’s existence had rekindled the spark in Terrence’s heart.

Now, and in the future, he would protect him.

“Dream university? My first choice is Harvard. Both mom and dad are alumni. It’s been mom’s long dream for me to become an alumnus.”

Confidence could be seen in Ian’s eyes as he spoke about aiming for the Ivy League. It was the certainty that only someone who truly believed they could actually achieve it possessed. It was confidence that was hard to believe given his usual personality of worrying about seeming like an outsider and being a bit shy.

Yes… In fact, the original Ian might have been a more confident and bright person than now.

Terrence actively nodded beside Ian, who was chattering on about his future, while thinking alone. He hoped Ian would gradually find his original bright appearance. And he wanted to become someone worthy of standing beside him.

‘I wonder what we’ll look like when we leave Lloyd Jones.’

Currently, he was receiving everyone’s admiration as a high school team quarterback, son of a Greenwood Hill prestigious family, and treated as a promising future sports star.

But he wondered how long that would really last.

For now, it was only clear that he needed to work harder.

* * *

When Terrence first saw Ian, the impression he had of him was that he was like someone carefully walking on eggshells.

Well, it wasn’t unreasonable. If anyone had to start over from scratch in a completely different place from where they’d lived before, wouldn’t they be cautious with their guard up? Even though Terrence was indifferent to everything, he probably wouldn’t be any different.

That’s why he set his goal even more clearly. He wanted to stay by Ian’s side and sometimes be a guide, sometimes be shade where he could rest when tired, and at times be a fence that protected him.

“Come here, Ian. Stay right next to me.”

“Oh, okay…”

When they naturally held hands and walked, Ian would follow him earnestly with quick steps while blushing slightly. Seeing Terrence attached to Ian’s side, everyone shut their mouths. Even those who divided people into classes.

As time passed, senior Derek stepped down from the captain position as winter break approached. Terrence naturally took that vacant spot. Not only the coach but also the team’s support was overwhelming, to the extent that some said they felt more comfortable with him, the quarterback, taking on the captain role.

‘Did you finally decide to be ambitious? Well done, man! Football isn’t an easy sport where you can just get by with being moderate forever.’

The coach said exactly the same thing as Harrison and satisfyingly supported his changed attitude.

Ian was truly someone who made Terrence want to become a better person, to dream of the future.

‘Getting married early would be nice. But since we probably can’t make money right away, we’ll just get engaged while we’re both college students, then marry as soon as we graduate. If I become a professional player, I can more than support Ian. Since he seems to want to go to graduate school, I could fully cover his tuition too. Yeah, that would be best.’

His decision to definitely pursue a career as a professional player was also because of Ian.

However, there was something that bothered Terrence. It was Bradley’s attitude—if he found out about Ian’s existence, he would certainly humiliate him and tear them apart, just like he had done to the Omega who used to follow him around before.

Even if he became a college student, there was no guarantee Bradley would welcome Ian. While Bradley cherished Terrence, he didn’t hesitate to bring up Isadora’s existence and call it “dirty genes mixed with foreign blood.”

‘To become completely independent and self-reliant from my brother, I really need to become a professional player right around senior year.’

Ian had also grown up without want, having a wealthy father and capable mother. He couldn’t suddenly drag someone who had grown up so preciously into a poor, harsh life, so he had to become a prominent player who could earn a high salary.

Just his existence alone made him want to become a better person, and to marry him and live happily, he made him work even harder with joy. Ian was definitely his angel.

Thanks to Ian, his grades also improved. It was natural since he was always with someone who loved the library like a second home. His grades weren’t bad to begin with, but being attached to someone who put their heart and soul into both studying and assignments naturally made them even better.

For math and science subjects, Ian was already far beyond high school level and excellent, so Terrence was in a position to receive help. What Terrence helped Ian with was, quite surprisingly, English class, especially literature subjects.

Even though he used English at home and studied by reading many books, newspapers, novels, and poetry, Ian still hesitated sometimes since he wasn’t a native speaker. It was in very subtle literary expressions and metaphors, so Terrence studied like crazy in subjects he’d never been interested in to help Ian whenever he had difficulties.

Perhaps because he did it too enthusiastically… an annoying situation arose.

“My goodness, Terrence Hunt! How did you think to make such an interpretation? When I saw the interpretation and essay you submitted as an assignment, I thought I was going to faint, dear. Oh, dear Lord! A genius has appeared belatedly! I even prayed with my hands together.”

Mrs. Chamber, the literature teacher, was dramatically moved.

“Last class when you recited Robert Frost’s poem, your voice and pronunciation were so perfect~! How about it, Terrence? Shall we enter a poetry recitation contest together?”

What the f*ck… Terrence cursed in his mind while recalling last class’s recitation. He had only read slowly and calmly to avoid stammering or biting his tongue in front of Ian… Ian had turned bright red and couldn’t stop laughing while hiding his face behind his poetry book.

Being asked to do that again was no different from being told to die.

After class ended, he barely shook off Mrs. Chamber, who continued trying to persuade him to become a prince of the poetry recitation world, and hurried to the cafeteria. He was in a rush to find Ian, who had said he’d go ahead. However, when he arrived, what he encountered was a very unpleasant scene.

Ian was surrounded by big football team guys including David, just like he often was when with him, being asked incomprehensible questions.

“That’s impossible…! You guys are always together!”

“Right! Every day you ride to school together in his car and go home together! Don’t you know Terrence never lets anyone else in his car?”

“Oh, that’s because we’re neighbors and I’m still not good at driving…”

“What? F*cking hell… Does this make sense…?”

“Always together, always eating together, always waiting for each other!”

“Right! But you’re still not dating?”

“Yeah… We’re just friends…”

Among the big athletes who were having fits and being shocked as if asking if he was crazy, Ian smiled awkwardly with a flustered face like a single flower. It was the face of someone who firmly believed what he was saying was really true.

Through those crying out that this was impossible, Terrence walked steadily and placed his hand on Ian’s shoulder.

“Are you done eating?”

Then the guys who were freaking out started writhing and pretending to throw up. That Tyler bastard imitating him with a disgusting low voice saying “Are you done eating~~?” He saw everything and clearly marked it in his eyes. He was target number one for retaliation.

“You came?”

Ian covered and stroked the back of his hand while sliding his butt to the side to make room for Terrence to sit on the long bench. It was a bit narrow, but Terrence pushed Rob and Tyler next to him with his shoulder and squeezed his body into that space. Thanks to that, he could be satisfyingly close to Ian. Of course, Rob, who had been suddenly hit by his shoulder and sent flying, didn’t look satisfied at all.

However, in front of Ian, Terrence could be as shameless as he wanted. When he grinned, Ian smiled back bashfully and pushed his tray over.

“You haven’t had lunch yet, right? Eat this.”

My angel indeed. Unwrapping the sandwich he had bought for his portion too, Terrence replied with thanks.

“Why were you late? What did Mrs. Chamber say?”

“Nothing much.”

If it became known that he had been recommended for that ridiculous, disgusting poetry recitation, all the team members here would mock him for dear life until graduation. He could never tell them. Especially not in front of Ian.

When Terrence finished the sandwich in three bites, Ian rummaged around in his bag and pulled out something. It was a bag of mixed jellies. Ian often carried jellies, saying his little brother who attended Lloyd Jones elementary kept putting them in, and today seemed to be the same. He opened the bag and offered him a fried egg-shaped jelly.

“Ah.”

Terrence opened his mouth as if showing off. Ian smiled and naturally put the jelly in his mouth, just like they usually did.

“……”

“……”

Of course, all the guys who had been watching lost their words.

With the question they had asked earlier, they must be dumbfounded. Knowing what David and Tyler guys were probably thinking, Terrence proudly straightened his shoulders and chewed the jelly with a triumphant expression.

It was just that Ian hadn’t properly realized it yet, but they were already showing off that they were practically in a relationship.

Of course, that was just his story, and he had no intention of unnecessarily burdening Ian, who was busy adapting to this place and studying, and was innocently naive. Just naturally and subtly permeating his life like this was enough. Hearts could be slowly asked about and shared later. Their relationship was already like lovers or more.

As Terrence wore a smug expression, Rob, who had to be sent flying out of nowhere earlier, cried out “Does this make sense? Does it?” while frantically tugging at his hair and clothes. Other guys like David and Tyler were in similar states.

Anyone with sense wouldn’t dare treat Ian carelessly, knowing he was the football team captain’s Omega.

The school cafeteria was literally nothing short of a subtle social venue among high school students.

Everyone was pretending not to care while secretly stealing glances at Ian, who was surrounded by football team members full of popular kids. Terrence conspicuously gave Ian a light kiss on the back of his head. It barely touched, so Ian, who was busy distributing jellies to the guys clamoring for them, didn’t notice, but any student watching them could see it.

Most probably saw it. It wasn’t just once or twice. Not only cheerleaders but even Della Bailey, who had been mean to Ian. So basically everyone.

“Give me more too.”

“Here.”

“Ah—”

Ian put a cola-flavored jelly in his mouth again while looking at Terrence acting spoiled, not knowing anything was strange.

The taste of showing off. The sweetest in the world. With his hand on Ian’s shoulder as he smiled innocently, Terrence leaned back, raised one corner of his mouth, and smiled silently and deeply. It was the very embodiment of a winner’s smile. Then everyone watching shook their heads and muttered one by one.

“…That devil-like bastard.”

“Wicked, so wicked.”

“His persistence is insane.”

Regardless, Terrence lifted Ian up, wrapping one arm around his waist and holding the tray with his remaining hand.

“Let’s go now. You said you wanted to go to the library before chemistry class.”

“Right, I did say that.”

How many hours of basketball lessons were needed to make him not feel strange even when lightly embracing his lower back? Terrence moved forward, grateful for the time of patience it took to get Ian, who moved stiffly like a wooden sculpture, to dribble and shoot, and for the unexpected harvest that fell like a reward.

He left the cafeteria showing his middle finger back at David, who was cursing them with his eyes and fingers as they left. It really was a perfect new semester.

-To be continued in Volume 5-