TSG 125

When Se-hyun was intimate with Shin Tae-oh, he thought he might have imprinted—or at least come close to it. Otherwise, there was no way to explain the strange symptoms happening to him.

Since Shin Tae-oh had also said it was because of him, Se-hyun assumed he was the cause. But Se-hyun wasn’t the type to just accept that, so he did some research. Because pheromones are so unpredictable, many others have asked similar questions online.

The reasons for uncontrolled pheromones ranged from hormonal issues to imprinting, but the answers were vague and inconclusive.

While pondering what to do, Se-hyun received a call from Yoo Jin-ha. He immediately set up a meeting.

‘Why didn’t I think of this sooner?’

In the original story, Yoo Jin-ha ends up imprinting with Ha Min-hyuk.

When Se-hyun shared his situation with the experienced imprinted, Yoo Jin-ha analyzed it with a serious expression.

“So, you’re asking if the sudden release of pheromones is one of the reactions caused by imprinting?”

“Yes.” 

Se-hyun nodded earnestly. Yoo Jin-ha might not know everything about imprinting, but there was no harm in asking.

“Hmm, well, I’ve never experienced that myself.” 

Since Yoo Jin-ha hadn’t gone through it, Se-hyun tried to mask his disappointment and took a sip of water. For some reason, water felt more soothing than coffee today.

“But when I think about when I imprinted…” 

Se-hyun perked up immediately at Yoo Jin-ha’s intriguing comment.

“When I imprinted, it felt like everything inside me was being restructured. Like pouring a shot of alcohol into clear water and seeing the color change—it was as if pheromones gained a new hue.”

Se-hyun tried to imagine what Yoo Jin-ha was describing. The idea of pheromone reconstruction sounded like something from a documentary and didn’t quite resonate.

“Ha Min-hyuk said it felt like his pheromones gained consciousness. They would rise when I appeared.”

This meant that even though they both imprinted, they experienced it differently.

“It seems not everyone feels the same way. Does that help answer your question?” 

“Well… sort of?” 

It wasn’t exactly the answer Se-hyun had hoped for, but it was something he could consider a possibility.

Se-hyun smiled softly as he looked at Yoo Jin-ha. It felt like he hadn’t seen him in a long time since their brief encounter at the last event.

“How have you been lately?” Se-hyun asked, resting his chin on his hand.

“Oh, same as usual. Working, dating…” 

Yoo Jin-ha stirred the ice in his drink with a straw as he talked about his ordinary life. Though he said nothing had changed, the Yoo Jin-ha that Se-hyun saw was not the same as before.

‘He’s changed a lot,’ Se-hyun thought. 

Going through major life events tends to change people, whether they want it or not.

Yoo Jin-ha’s soft features now held a new strength, and he had developed a firm resolve towards his love. His imprinting with Ha Min-hyuk probably started with this change of heart.

“Oh! One thing has gotten easier, though.”

As if suddenly recalling something, Yoo Jin-ha put down his straw and raised his head.

“I’ve become free from pheromones.”

“Huh?” 

Se-hyun tilted his head, not quite grasping what he meant.

“After imprinting, I couldn’t sense other Alphas’ pheromones anymore.”

“Ah… right.”

Se-hyun vaguely remembered reading about this aspect of imprinting, but he hadn’t thought of it since he’d never experienced it himself.

One effect of imprinting is the inability to sense other Alphas’ pheromones while becoming more sensitive to your own Alpha’s pheromones.

“At first, it felt strange not smelling like the pheromones I was used to, but once I adapted, it became incredibly comfortable.”

Yoo Jin-ha’s face clearly showed how much he loved being imprinted with Ha Min-hyuk.

The main couple from the original story had met, fallen in love, and imprinted as if by fate.

Now Se-hyun could look at Yoo Jin-ha with a peaceful heart. He hadn’t interfered with their love and had even found his own love in the process.

‘This is the real ending.’

A conclusion more perfect than anything he could have asked for.

“Secretary Ahn?”

“Huh? Oh…”

Se-hyun belatedly responded to Yoo Jin-ha calling him.

“If you’re really worried, why don’t you go to the hospital?”

Se-hyun had considered visiting a specialist. However, after hearing that Shin Tae-oh had already asked his doctor about it, he had postponed making a decision, thinking it might be nothing.

“I’ll wait and see for a bit longer.”

He could always go later if needed. Se-hyun replied lightly.

***

Shin Tae-oh’s gaze toward Ha Jin-seong was filled with disdain.

“Tae-oh. If you’re going to look at me like that, go sit somewhere else.”

“Should I look at you lovingly then?”

At this gathering organized by a classmate who had returned from studying abroad, Shin Tae-oh and Ha Jin-seong were displaying their mutual displeasure.

“Love my foot. If you’re going to cheat, break up with Se-hyun.”

“Don’t casually mention someone else’s boyfriend. People might think you’re close to my partner.”

“We are close. The fact that I still disapprove of him dating you is proof of that.”

“Enough.”

Someone appeared and grabbed both Ha Jin-seong and Shin Tae-oh’s shoulders.

Choi Han-byeol, the classmate who had invited them, wore an awkward smile at their tense confrontation.

“Why are you fighting at a gathering meant to welcome me?”

“You should have chosen only one person to welcome you.”

Ha Jin-seong brushed off Choi Han-byeol’s hand.

“Are you asking me to choose between you two now? I can’t do that.”

Choi Han-byeol firmly grasped Ha Jin-seong’s shoulder again.

“You’re both important to me.”

Shin Tae-oh just looked on with annoyed eyes, as if even brushing off Choi Han-byeol’s hand was too bothersome.

“You guys haven’t changed a bit.”

Choi Han-byeol settled between Ha Jin-seong and Shin Tae-oh, commenting on how neither of them showed even a polite smile.

“Tell me how you’ve been doing.”

“Aren’t you the one who just came back from studying abroad?”

“I’ve got nothing to say since I only studied. But it seems you two have been living quite spectacularly?”

Choi Han-byeol’s reason for sitting between them became clear.

“You bastard, is this why you called us here?”

Ha Jin-seong gritted his teeth at Choi Han-byeol’s hidden motive.

“Jin-seong did some shameful things,” Shin Tae-oh chimed in before Choi Han-byul could explain himself. It was a sharp and merciless jab meant to cut down Ha Jin-seong.

Ha Jin-seong turned his head sharply to look at Shin Tae-oh. Did this guy just say what he thought he said?

“I… What?”

“I saved you from living like trash.”

“Hey, Tae-oh. You think you can talk to me like that…?”

“Well, Jin-seong did live a bit recklessly.”

As Choi Han-byeol agreed, Ha Jin-seong’s jaw muscles visibly tensed.

“What do you know to be talking like that?”

“Honestly, is there anyone here who doesn’t know you hate your half-brother?”

Choi Han-byeol spoke frankly, not minding Ha Jin-seong’s clenched teeth. Every group has someone like Choi Han-byeol. Someone who can become friends with anyone and speak unpleasant truths without being hated. Choi Han-byeol was exactly that.

“I told you not to hate your brother, but you kept stirring things up.”

“Hey, Han-byeol.”

“Have you forgotten? Jin-woong is my friend too.”

Choi Han-byeol snorted, hitting Jin-seong’s weak spot.

“I get that he’s being punished for doing something wrong, but I wonder how wronged he must have felt to do that. Jin-woong isn’t very smart.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

What does intelligence have to do with a grown adult making the wrong choices?

“When he feels your affection changing, he doesn’t know what to do.”

Choi Han-byeol seemed to understand Ha Jin-woong’s state without even seeing him. It was as if he had called them knowing Jin-woong had gone to prison, rather than to ask how they’ve been.

“He’s still your brother. So embrace him with love. In my opinion, your love should go to your siblings, not Tae-oh’s partner.”

“……”

Though visibly irritated, Ha Jin-seong eventually stayed silent. No one ever mentioned his brother to him—neither to comfort him nor to criticize him. It was a subject avoided entirely because there was no easy way to address Jin-woong’s imprisonment.

But Choi Han-byeol was different. He fearlessly delved into Ha Jin-seong’s weak points.

“I’m leaving.”

Ha Jin-seong stood up with a face that said he had nothing more to say. While it felt refreshing that Choi Han-byeol understood his feelings, he couldn’t fully sink into depression with Shin Tae-oh there.

After all, it was Jin-woong who had kidnapped Se-hyun. In the process, Shin Tae-oh had almost been seriously injured by the iron pipe Jin-woong had wielded during that incident.

Yet Shin Tae-oh seemed to have forgotten about it, which made Ha Jin-seong even more unable to face him.

Thinking about it, Choi Han-byeol was really something else.

Even Se-hyun rarely brought Shin Tae-oh along when meeting Ha Jin-seong, yet Choi Han-byeol had summoned them both without hesitation.

“You’ll regret it if you leave now, won’t you?”

Choi Han-byeol threw a tempting warning towards Ha Jin-seong.

“I’m about to ask Tae-oh about his boyfriend. Are you sure you don’t want to hear this?”

Just how much did Choi Han-byeol actually know?

Ha Jin-seong clicked his tongue and sat back down.