WGD Ch 5
by soapa“What are you doing?”
The culprit was Kang San.
“Just a moment, hyungnim.”
He scrutinized the photo he’d just taken with a serious expression, then busied himself with his phone.
“Let me just do this first.”
“Do what? And why did you take a picture?”
After a series of swooshing message-sending sounds, Kang San looked up at Siheon and replied brightly, “Nothing much, just sending some photos of you, hyungnim. To CEO Heo and Head Manager Cha.”
“What? Why are you sending pictures of me eating to them?” Siheon asked, bewildered.
Like an agent on a crucial mission, Kang San declared, “They told me to definitely! Definitely! Take pictures of you eating and send them.”
This was ridiculous. CEO Heo, fine, it’s part of managing his actors, but why Cha Wonwoo? Siheon, his eyes puffy from a rare good night’s sleep, narrowed his gaze.
“Was it you? Cha Wonwoo’s informant?”
“Huh? Informant?”
The bear-like Kang San tilted his head, looking puzzled as he held his small phone. It was actually the largest model available, but it looked miniature in his hands.
“Kang San, was it you who told Cha Wonwoo that I was rushed to the hospital? And is it you who keeps blabbing about me to him, not just this time, but all the time?”
“What are you talking about, hyungnim!” Kang San exclaimed, jumping up.
“You doubt my loyalty? I was completely shocked and out of it yesterday, how could I have contacted Head Manager Cha? I barely managed to call CEO Heo.”
He had a point. Kang San must have been quite shaken up by yesterday’s events. He wouldn’t have been able to contact Cha Wonwoo, maybe CEO Heo, but not Cha Wonwoo.
‘Surveillance. Location tracking. Background checks. Anything you can think of. That’s the answer.’
Could what he’d heard yesterday be true? Siheon paused mid-meal and glanced around the room suspiciously. Of course, there were no CCTVs.
“What are you looking for?”
“Nothing.”
“Tell me if you need anything.”
“I don’t need anything. Kang San, you must have skipped breakfast, right? There’s a lot of food here, want to share?”
Siheon offered to share his meal, which he wasn’t enjoying, but Kang San looked at him as if he’d said something absurd.
“Hyungnim, what are you talking about? Even if I come to work early, I always eat breakfast. Do you know how important daily nutrient intake is? These muscles weren’t built by sitting around doing nothing.”
Kang San then launched into a passionate lecture about the correlation between physical and mental health, and physical and mental strength. After finishing his meal with the earnest lecture as background music, Kang San diligently took a picture of the empty tray.
“He told you to take a picture of the empty tray too?”
Unbelievable. Siheon asked, exasperated. Kang San grinned, continuing to snap photos. Siheon chuckled in disbelief, but he was also grateful.
Actors and managers were just colleagues working together. He appreciated Kang San’s dedication and care.
“Kang San.”
“Yes, sir?”
“I’ll give you a generous wedding gift when you get married.”
Kang San, seemingly satisfied with the photos, grinned and replied as his fingers flew across the screen, “It’s okay, hyungnim. I’m not getting married anytime soon.”
“You never know.”
Siheon himself hadn’t expected to get married before retiring, let alone date, but then he met Cha Wonwoo, and everything happened so fast. The divorce happened just as quickly, too. Siheon offered some heartfelt advice based on his own experience.
“But be careful when you get married. One choice can change your life. Got it? Don’t want to end up like me.”
“What’s wrong with you, hyungnim! You’re my… well, not quite my role model, but you’re a great person anyway.”
Kang San finished sending his messages and put his phone away, speaking sincerely. It was so sincere that the “not quite my role model” part really stuck out. Siheon, who had been adjusting the bed, paused and frowned.
“Not your role model? Why?”
Kang San answered his question in a single sentence.
“My role model is Ronnie Coleman.”
“The legendary bodybuilder? Oh, right…”
Siheon, lacking the muscles to be Kang San’s role model, lowered the backrest with a whirring sound. He didn’t lie down completely after eating, just enough to rest comfortably.
He was planning to rest for a bit, then shower and get moving, when a polite knock interrupted him.
“Coming!”
Before even asking who it was, Kang San opened the door as if he already knew. The sliding door opened to reveal a man in a black suit, holding several garment bags.
“Give them here!”
Kang San took the bags, their contents unknown, and carried them inside. The man in the suit handed over the luggage in a businesslike manner, bowed to Siheon, and left.
“Are those my clothes?”
Siheon assumed they were clothes for him to change into, but there seemed to be too many. Kang San, his arms full, closed the door with his foot and shook his head.
“These aren’t your clothes, hyungnim.”
“Then whose are they?”
“Head Manager Cha’s.”
“Cha Wonwoo’s?”
“Yes.”
Kang San carefully placed the bags on the sofa to avoid wrinkling them.
“You couldn’t wear your clothes yesterday because of the blood. So, I was going to stop by your house today to pick some up, but Head Manager Cha called early this morning. He said there’s no need. He said you should wear these to be protected by his pheromones. Want to take a look?”
A name tag was attached to the neck of the garment bag Kang San offered.
『Hyung’s T-shirt』
The neat handwriting was Cha Wonwoo’s. Siheon stared at the clearly written words, then unzipped the bag. Cha Wonwoo’s pheromones wafted out. He instinctively buried his nose in the clothes and inhaled, then felt embarrassed when he realized what he was doing. He glanced up at Kang San, who seemed busy organizing the luggage.
“But why so many? One change of clothes is enough.”
“Oh, he said you should wear some when you leave the hospital and use the others whenever you need them.”
Smell them. Hug them. Cover yourself with them. Wear them. There were various ways to “use them whenever you need them.” Siheon’s face flushed. He zipped up the bag and asked, “Even so, why so many? It’s not like his house is a plane ride away. It’s right around the corner.”
“He must be anxious. He really emphasized it to me.”
“Aha, so you’ve become Cha Wonwoo’s spy? Kang San, you know my information is worth a fortune, right? Korea Dispatch followed me around and gave up. If you’re going to sell my info, don’t sell it cheap.”
“So, you’re saying it’s okay to sell it?”
Siheon shrugged. Cha Wonwoo probably knew everything about him already, even if Kang San didn’t say anything. He could be under 24-hour surveillance.
Kang San, who had finished organizing the luggage and was now fiddling with the humidifier’s water tank, seemed to realize this too, as he spoke in his usual tone, “But I don’t think I can sell your information to Head Manager Cha. He already seems to know everything. I heard he was on a business trip to China yesterday, but he rushed back as soon as he heard about you.”
Siheon’s hand, which had been touching the cool zipper, froze.
“What?”
Kang San, who had gone to the bathroom with the humidifier’s water tank, poked his head out from the doorway.
“Head Manager Cha was on a business trip to China yesterday, I heard. That’s why it took him half a day to get back after urgently wrapping things up there. If he’d been in Korea, he probably would’ve come right away after you collapsed. The point is, I didn’t breathe a word to him, but he knew everything when he arrived.”
Siheon frowned.
“How do you know that?”
“I overheard their conversation when Secretary Yang came early this morning.”
It wasn’t eavesdropping. Kang San smiled innocently and disappeared back into the bathroom. The sound of rushing water mingled with his humming.
A moment later, Kang San emerged with the filled water tank and attached it to the humidifier. He pressed the button, and a fine mist began to emanate from the round opening.
“Anyway, what should I say about Head Manager Cha… It’s like, he might ask me to sell your information, but if I actually tried to, he’d sell me out instead.”
As Siheon processed this sudden influx of information, Kang San winked reassuringly.
“So, I’ll never sell your information, hyungnim. Loyalty is Kang San! Kang San is loyalty!”
Perhaps because of yesterday’s incident, Kang San was being extra attentive. Siheon chuckled at his dependable manager.
＊＊＊＊＊
<
Cha Wonwoo
How are you feeling?
Finished all the tests and preparing for discharge
Siheon, having completed all the additional tests scheduled for the morning, was waiting for Kang San to return with the discharge paperwork. He sat on the bed, dressed in the clothes Cha Wonwoo had sent. He was surrounded by Cha Wonwoo’s scent.
It still felt surreal. Going back to their former shared home to sleep. What was the difference between this and those days when he used to return home from work?
Moreover, while Cha Wonwoo boasted that he could control information flow for about a month, Siheon was skeptical.
It was because of Chairman Cha Hyeoncheol.
The one-on-one meeting with the white-haired old man was an unforgettable experience. The look in his eyes as he stared at him like a worthless piece of meat. The sharp gaze dissecting every inch of him.
To calm his uneasy mind, Siheon pulled the neck of his t-shirt to his nose and inhaled. Cha Wonwoo’s scent filled him.
Just then, his phone rang, the message screen switching to the call waiting screen.
[Incoming call: Cha Wonwoo 010—XXXX—XXXX]
Siheon checked the familiar name and number, then answered.
—Hyung.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
—What time are you coming?
He could hear the excitement in Cha Wonwoo’s voice. It was barely past lunchtime.
“In the evening. Before bed.”
—What about a nap?
Siheon was momentarily speechless by the casual question. He could faintly hear the sound of a car horn, as if Cha Wonwoo was in a moving vehicle.
“I’m not a child. I can take a nap by myself.”
—You can come early. I’ve cleared out all the strange people around the house.
“Strange people?”
—Chairman Cha’s men.
Siheon knew the chairman had put people on him, but how did Cha Wonwoo get rid of them?
“Are they just pretending to be gone?”
It was possible they were hiding somewhere, watching him, ready to report back to the chairman.
He hadn’t thought much of it when Cha Wonwoo visited to deliver the plush toy, assuming it was a one-time thing, but now that he would be visiting frequently, he was genuinely worried.
Cha Wonwoo sighed at his concerned question.
—I made a deal with Chairman Cha.
Siheon’s heart skipped a beat. He hesitated, then cautiously asked, “What kind of deal would make Chairman Cha willingly withdraw his men?”
—It’s nothing… I’ll tell you later.
His evasiveness was suspicious, but Siheon had no grounds to press further. He looked at the garment bags piled on the sofa.
“Oh, right. I received the clothes. But you sent too many.”
—I just packed a variety. If it’s too much trouble, you can just stay at home all the time.
Cha Wonwoo was still persistent about living together. Just then, Kang San returned, having completed the discharge procedures. Siheon got up from his seat and ended the call.
“Oh, Kang San’s here.”
—Manager.
“Huh? Oh, my manager’s here. I’ll hang up.”
—Cold. Alright. See you later at home.
Wasn’t it strange to say “see you later at home” to someone you’re divorced from? But that strange situation was about to become his reality. Siheon hung up and, while gathering the clothes Cha Wonwoo had sent, asked Kang San, “We can go now, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why do you look like that?”
“Huh?”
Kang San looked startled, as if he had something to hide, and subtly avoided eye contact.
“What is it? Did you see reporters while you were doing the discharge paperwork?”
It was just a casual question, but Kang San flinched at the word “reporters.” Siheon looked him up and down.
“What was it you said earlier? Don’t doubt your loyalty? You look extremely suspicious right now.”
“No, it’s not…”
“Just tell me if it’s related to me or not.”
“…….”
It is. The fact that he didn’t answer right away confirmed it. Kang San hesitated, then finally confessed.
“It’s nothing, but it’s something. It’s annoying, but it’s also not worth responding to. You know?”
Reporters, response. Siheon already had a hunch. He nudged Kang San’s shoe with his foot and held out his hand.
“What is it? Show me.”
Kang San handed him his phone, displaying an internet page. Siheon read the article.
[Exclusive] Top Star A Bullies Younger Colleague B
They say a male omega’s jealousy is the most frightening? Actor A’s behavior seems to fit the bill!
Top star A, a former child actor, recently caused a stir on a filming set. On the day of a print ad shoot for a brand whose contract with him had expired, he visited the studio with his manager, seemingly to make a point.
This made everyone present uncomfortable, including the staff and especially junior colleague B, the brand’s new muse.
Furthermore, with A’s apparent consent, his manager harassed the agency staff, demanding to know why they weren’t using their actor and why he was replaced.
Witnessing this, B offered to speak with A and went to his car, only to be met with a cold reception…
A reportedly berated B, throwing the coffee B had brought for him, and displaying all sorts of unbecoming behavior fueled by jealousy!
An insider revealed, “A seems to be on edge after a recent difficult experience.” They added, “Other brands with existing contracts are also expressing concerns, besides the one whose contract just expired. The industry is leaning towards replacing him as a model as soon as their contracts end.”
Top star A, who recently went through a heartbreaking experience!
When will his wounds heal? When will his jealousy towards his younger colleague subside? Will he be able to make a successful comeback? Let’s keep an eye on him!
The article was a tabloid piece, cleverly mixing truth and lies. Siheon handed the phone back to Kang San. He knew exactly where this came from.
“Yeo Jeonghyeon?”
“Probably.”
“Were we enemies in a past life or something?”
Like he’d recovered memories of a past life and was trying to get revenge by tormenting Siheon. He entertained the absurd thought as he pulled up his mask to cover his face.
He hadn’t sensed anything strange from Cha Wonwoo during their call. If he had known beforehand, he would have stopped him. The lack of reaction suggested Cha Wonwoo was unaware. He probably knew by now.
Siheon, who had originally planned to rest at his own place before going to Cha Wonwoo’s in the evening, changed his plans. He quietly left the hospital, got in the car, and gave Kang San the new address.
He needed to clear his head in a safe place filled with Cha Wonwoo’s pheromones, rather than being alone in his own house, stressed out.
＊＊＊＊＊
Best │ [Exclusive] Top Star A Bullies Younger Colleague B
( Article Link )
Who could A be? I have no idea lol.
Comments (891)
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.
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- A is so obviously a specific person.
- The alphabet has been used.
└ Seriously
└ Is it really that hard to think of a letter other than A lol
└ They should have used K or G, why A lol
- Hiding his omega status from the beginning lol. Master of betrayal.
└ Hiding his differentiation for 20 years is not easy.
└ I unstanned after learning this. Disgusting how he deceived his fans.
└ (Comment deleted for violating community guidelines)
└ Are you a real fan? If you were, you’d know why he hid it. How can you call it disgusting?
└ Even if omega actors claim they’re discriminated against, they get more attention than betas. As a beta actor’s fan, it feels like unfair discrimination.
└ Un…fair…dis…crim…i…na…tion lol. Did you just finish reading “The Privilege of Poverty” or something?
└ The appeal is that a guy who doesn’t look like an omega is an omega. You don’t get it.
- KSH. Didn’t expect this from him. If the tabloid is true, he must have a terrible temper. Bullying a junior is one thing, but harassing the staff? Isn’t that abuse of power?
└ This is why you shouldn’t worry about celebrities.
└ It’s hilarious when fans try to defend their idols’ personalities lol. What do they know?
└ Isn’t it too early to jump to conclusions?
└ He was always known for abusing his power, it’s just that everyone kept it quiet.
└ I was wondering when this would come up. <He was always known for it>.
- I thought your light would ne–ver fa–de a–way
- Who cares about KSH anymore? He’s a has-been. Not interested.
└ A has-been who topped individual brand reputation rankings for over 30 months straight? He even set a new record lol.
└ His ranking dropped right after the divorce, didn’t it?
└ Yeah, dropped to number 2 >_<
└ Both of you stop. It’s childish.
- Is it okay to share tabloids here? Shouldn’t you delete it?
└ Do you own this forum?
└ Making up rules as you go.
└ Original commenter: Terms of Service 5) Refrain from speculation and rumors about celebrities.
└ Refrain, not prohibited.
└ Must be a KSH fan.
└ Stop trying to silence people.
- Why believe a tabloid?
└ Why not believe an industry insider tabloid?
└ Many tabloids turned out to be true, you know?
└ When tabloids about CWW and KSH dating surfaced, everyone denied them, but it turned out to be true.
- Of course, he got divorced with a personality like that.
└ That’s a bit much…
└ So much malice in this comment.
└ Did KSH steal money or something?
└ The phrase “got divorced” is nasty.
└ Well, considering they’re still following each other after the divorce announcement, and C Head Manager liked KSH’s photo, it’s hard to say he “got divorced.”
└ It’s a show.
└ What? If it was a show, they wouldn’t have gotten divorced.
- This is the most ridiculous tabloid since my former bias’s affair scandal.
└ So your current bias is KSH?
- I wish people wouldn’t share this kind of stuff.
└ 22
└ 333
└ 4444
└ 55 It’s scary to think what if this was my idol or actor.
└ Then stan someone who wouldn’t do this kind of thing. ㅇㅅㅇ)a
└ Yeah, who told them to do that in the first place? lol If they didn’t do it, they wouldn’t end up in tabloids. That’s a fact.
- It’s so funny how people act like they know who the subject is in articles without names lol. No comment.
└ I can’t understand why people even believe this crap.
└ It’s even funnier because the post right above this is about a drunk driving celebrity lol. They stan celebrities who committed actual crimes like drugs, DUI, stock manipulation, but bash an actor based on unverified rumors? Not normal lol.
└ People keep demanding names, but the answer is to not consume this crap in the first place. Everyone is just enjoying biting the bait lol. They’ll all delete their comments when a correction article comes out. Disgusting.
- Wow, the armchair detectives are out in force.
( See More )
Siheon scrolled through the comments with an indifferent expression. After reaching the last comment, he felt only bitterness, not anger or injustice.
He’d endured years in this industry.
Kang San, sitting across from him, seemed more agitated than Siheon himself. Although he said he was fine, he was breathing heavily. He seemed to hate seeing his actor entangled in such rumors, his body fidgeting restlessly on the sofa.
“What did CEO Heo say?”
The once-shared home felt familiar, even after all this time. Siheon, who had made tea for two instead of coffee to calm Kang San down, seemed unfazed by the rumors rapidly spreading online.
“He’s in a strategy meeting with the PR team.”
The tabloid first appeared on an obscure online news site plastered with adult ads. The article spread across the internet with suspicious speed, as if planned.
“They asked the news outlet to take the article down, but the reporter claimed he received a tip in an open chat room. He said he’ll file a request with the Cyber Investigation Unit to track down the initial source.”
Kang San, who had been sharing the meeting updates via text, suddenly groaned. He was rapidly exchanging messages; words like “YouTube,” “Shorts,” and “rumor spreader” flashed by, indicating that videos were starting to appear as well.
Everyone’s so busy. Siheon looked down at the table with an apathetic expression.
In moments like this, he felt like he was being dissected alive on a cutting board. The first time he experienced this, he was afraid of the sharp knife. The next time, it hurt. Now, he just wanted it to be over quickly.
Siheon stirred the teaspoon in his teacup.
“By the time they find the source, it’ll already be taken as fact, and people won’t care anymore. Yeo Jeonghyeon must have something up his sleeve to do this. Whether he hired someone or has backing. Even if they catch the source, I’ll already be labeled as a washed-up actor throwing a jealous fit.”
“Still, CEO Heo wants to take legal action. He said he’ll sue everyone who spread false rumors after the divorce article.”
Siheon had expected CEO Heo to take a firm stance. They needed to clear things up for a clean comeback. The problem was that some people would see this legal action as an admission of guilt.
“Ask him to hold off on the lawsuit announcement for now.”
Siheon took a sip of tea and spoke calmly.
“It’s not too late to announce it after public opinion shifts.”
“Will public opinion shift?”
Siheon looked at Kang San meaningfully.
“Do you think it will?”
“No. Honestly, bashing someone online is a national sport.”
People didn’t care about the truth. There were no videos or recordings, so proving the truth was difficult. Even if they brought Kang San as a witness, people would dismiss him as biased since he worked for Siheon.
“Me neither. I don’t think a lawsuit announcement will change anything.”
Siheon absently traced the rim of his teacup with his finger. The warmth of the slightly cooled cup seeped into his skin.
“Then what are you going to do?”
Siheon set his teacup down completely and leaned back into the sofa, replying, “That’s why I’m going to change it. Public opinion.”
He grinned and dialed a number.
“Hey, it’s Byeon Haewon.”
Kang San stared at him, as if asking, ‘Why Byeon Haewon in this situation?’
“Byeon Haewon, you got the tabloid too? People are fast. Anyway, it’s nothing much, I’m just calling to collect on your lodging fee from last time.”
Siheon listened to the voice on the other end, leaning back against the sofa, then said, “I’m thinking of charging a premium. Is that alright?”
＊＊＊＊＊
The house was quiet after Kang San left.
Siheon stepped out onto the private terrace connected to the living room. The relaxing space Cha Wonwoo had painstakingly created.
The fire pit table held only ashes, untouched for a long time. Siheon lay down on the long, plush couch, big enough to be a bed, and basked in the sunlight.
As the sun began to set, casting a melancholic glow, Cha Wonwoo returned from work.
His footsteps approached, then stopped at a respectful distance.
“…Strange.”
A voice, as warm as the sunset, murmured behind him.
Siheon asked, “What is?” and sat up. A hand reached out from behind and pulled him back by the waist.
“It’s strange that you’re here when I come home from work.”
Cha Wonwoo’s pheromones drifted towards him in the cool breeze. Siheon’s heart fluttered. The past few days had been exhausting. It was only natural to want to lean into the warmth behind him. He asked casually, “Did you see the tabloid about me?”
“I did.”
He felt Cha Wonwoo’s grip tighten around his waist.
“What should I do about it?”
“It’s my problem, so I’ll handle it.”
A low hum sounded behind him. After a brief pause, Cha Wonwoo said, “I want to help.”
Siheon had expected as much. He swallowed a laugh.
“Be honest. You already did something, didn’t you?”
“……Yes.”
As if worried about being scolded, Cha Wonwoo hesitantly continued, “But nothing strange. I just told them to take appropriate measures.”
What would a group heir consider “appropriate measures”? Whatever it was, it wouldn’t harm Siheon. Cha Wonwoo was shrewd enough to know that. He only acted clueless in front of Siheon. He was actually quite clever.
“Okay, I understand.”
At his nonchalant reply, Cha Wonwoo released his hold on Siheon’s waist, stepped forward, and peered at his face.
“…Aren’t you going to scold me?”
“Honestly, I’m annoyed too. I’m going to use every method available.”
Cha Wonwoo’s eyes lit up, as if seizing an opportunity.
“Then, can I do whatever I want?”
“No.”
A sense of foreboding washed over Siheon, and he refused flatly. Appropriate measures would likely stay within reasonable bounds, but if he gave Cha Wonwoo free rein, Yeo Jeonghyeon might disappear from the industry overnight.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Cha Wonwoo’s face, but Siheon pretended not to notice and walked into the living room.
Cha Wonwoo followed him like an excited puppy greeting its owner, chattering, “Since we both got off work early today, let’s eat together. The housekeeper will be here in five minutes to prepare dinner. Oh, and let’s do that pheromone leading thing the hospital mentioned before bed.”
“Alright, just go and wash up first.”
Siheon pushed Cha Wonwoo, still in his work clothes, towards the master bedroom. Cha Wonwoo obediently went, but turned around several times on the short walk.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll answer the door for the housekeeper.”
Only then did Cha Wonwoo seem reassured as he closed the bedroom door.
＊＊＊＊＊
At the same time.
4 million subscribers. Three entertainment reporters, formerly of cable news, gained immense popularity with their <Bold Reporters> channel. Their content, dissecting celebrity issues while mentioning real names (though bleeped out in the final cut), was a hit. An urgent announcement appeared on their channel’s community page.
Urgent Notice: Video Upload Change
Hello, this is <Bold Reporters>.
Our original content for tomorrow was
[Stars Caught Two-Timing!]
But as reporters who keep up with the latest issues, we couldn’t miss this hot 🔥 topic, could we? The Bold Reporters made an emergency trip to their hideout for a new shoot!
Attention! What’s the new content?
Verbal abuse towards a junior? Abuse of power towards staff? The truth about top star A!
Top star A to appear?!
For our waiting subscribers, today’s footage will be edited quickly and uploaded tomorrow! [Stars Caught Two-Timing!] will be uploaded next week, so we ask for your understanding. 🙏
The announcement spread to various online communities in less than an hour.
＊＊＊＊＊
Cha Wonwoo emerged from the shower with a strangely flushed face. Sitting across from him at dinner, prepared by the housekeeper, felt odd.
‘Even divorced couples can have a meal together, right?’
‘Once becomes twice, twice becomes thrice.’
‘Four, five times is fine with me.’
Be careful what you wish for; at this point, he’d be lucky if it ended at four or five times. How did things get this far?
Throughout dinner, Cha Wonwoo kept pace with Siheon’s eating, checking on him constantly. It was a similar meal to those they shared before the divorce, but the underlying atmosphere was different. Moments of awkwardness and discomfort crept in, though both pretended otherwise.
After the short yet strangely long dinner, Cha Wonwoo instinctively reached for the coffee, then stopped. Instead, he opened a cabinet, took out some decaffeinated tea leaves, and brewed tea. He carefully placed an ice cube in the teacup to cool it down, looking pleased with himself.
“Tea is better before bed.”
“Thanks.”
Cha Wonwoo’s pheromones intensified as he sat beside Siheon, but not enough to distract him from enjoying the tea. Siheon took a sip from the warm cup, his eyes fixed on the news.
“Who were you talking to in the study before dinner?” Cha Wonwoo suddenly asked, still watching the screen. He hadn’t forgotten to be polite, as if worried about offending Siheon with a personal question.
“A reporter.”
Siheon casually brushed off Cha Wonwoo’s attempt at being cute and gave a short answer. Cha Wonwoo echoed, “A reporter?”
“I’m extorting Byeon Haewon for his lodging fee.”
Siheon glanced at Cha Wonwoo, who frowned at the cryptic response. He set his teacup down and explained, “It’s like this. When someone screws you over, it feels even worse when you get screwed over the same way. So I’m going to do that to Yeo Jeonghyeon. Not exactly the same way, of course.”
Cha Wonwoo pondered the meaning, then asked, “So Byeon Haewon introduced you to this reporter?”
As expected of him, he quickly grasped the situation.
“Right. But it’s not just introducing a reporter. He set the stage for shifting public opinion.”
Byeon Haewon, a well-connected figure in the entertainment industry, maintained amicable relationships with both friends and foes. True to his nature of befriending anyone over drinks, regardless of age, he was close with many entertainment reporters.
The rules for winning a war of public opinion and a race against time were simple:
Video over text, credible sources over anonymity.
A 4-million-subscriber channel held more sway than an obscure news outlet Yeo Jeonghyeon had chosen.
The announcement teasing top star A’s appearance had successfully grabbed people’s attention. Now, all they needed to do was ride the wave of the video and turn public opinion around. Of course, the “appearance” was only a voice recording.
“I’ll tell Secretary Yang to back up the follow-up article.”
As if fired up by Byeon Haewon’s assistance to Siheon, Cha Wonwoo immediately texted Secretary Yang.
“I appreciate the help.”
Siheon accepted the offer he couldn’t refuse, and a smile played on Cha Wonwoo’s lips. He stared at Siheon, then moved closer.
“But…”
“…….”
“When are we doing the pheromone leading?”
The expensive designer sofa didn’t even budge as Cha Wonwoo shifted his large frame. Siheon had thought the sofa was too big and long when he first saw it, but with a single movement, Cha Wonwoo had practically closed the distance between them. Siheon lightly slapped Cha Wonwoo’s encroaching hand.
“I’m watching the news.”
He said that as an excuse, even though he was mostly tuning it out. Cha Wonwoo raised his eyebrows in displeasure, then lowered them and stayed by Siheon’s side until the news ended.
“…….”
“…….”
Once the ending signal played, there was no way to postpone it any longer. He glanced sideways; Cha Wonwoo seemed to be waiting for the right moment to speak.
Siheon sighed and stood up. Cha Wonwoo followed suit.
“Let’s go.”
With a sense of resignation, Siheon headed towards the master bedroom, a room he hadn’t entered since the divorce. Their footsteps echoed in the hallway, lined with empty picture frames.
Click.
The neat, gray-toned room looked unchanged. The out-of-place Pepero plush toy was still neatly placed on the bed.
‘I didn’t realize the bed was so big. I think I’ll hug this from now on.’
Seeing the toy, Siheon chuckled, feeling the tension drain away. He could feel Cha Wonwoo glancing at him, having heard his laughter.
Siheon sat heavily on the bed, placing the large Pepero plush toy on his lap. The soft texture tickled his skin.
“Do you really hug this to sleep?”
“I can’t sleep without it.”
“Honestly, you… You’re not a child, how can you not sleep without a plush toy? You didn’t care about this toy when we lived together.”
Cha Wonwoo sat on the edge of the bed and replied in a dejected voice, “Back then, I held you while I slept.”
“…….”
Siheon was speechless.
“I need your pheromones too, even if it’s not as much as you need mine. I asked for it because you always hugged it, so it has a lot of your pheromones.”
His heavy voice resonated in the quiet room. Siheon cleared his throat.
“You could have asked for clothes or something. A grown man obsessing over a plush toy… I thought you’d hidden a company confidential USB in here or something.”
“I did it in case you misunderstood. I didn’t want you thinking I’m a pervert doing weird things with your clothes, or that I have nesting syndrome. Things like that.”
“Nesting syndrome?”
Siheon echoed the term. Having lived most of his life publicly as a beta, his knowledge of differentiation was limited to the practical information provided by his agency.
Heat cycles were something to endure with suppressants, relationships and marriage were someone else’s business, and pregnancy, as a male recessive omega, was practically impossible.
So, his understanding of omega nesting syndrome, commonly seen in couples, was limited to something like, ‘omegas need their alpha’s clothes.’ Just like how it was portrayed in dramas and movies.
As Cha Wonwoo’s expression became unreadable, Siheon searched for “nesting syndrome” on his phone.
“Sadness, loneliness, and a sense of loss experienced by parents or caregivers after their children leave home…?”
Cha Wonwoo’s face hardened as Siheon read the results.
“You have to search for ‘omega nesting syndrome,’ not ‘empty nest syndrome,’ hyung.”
“Oh…”
He corrected his search, and the right results appeared.
『Omega Nesting Syndrome』
Summary: A side effect of pheromone resonance, where the pheromones of deeply
＊＊＊＊＊
Siheon, having read all the information, gave a pale smile.
“It seemed so romantic on TV, but this is scary.”
It was only natural, since the media loved to sugarcoat things and only show the good side.
Siheon felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he learned more about the clichés of romantic comedies featuring sensitives. Then, remembering the conversation he’d had with Cha Wonwoo, he frowned.
“But you… nesting syndrome? Isn’t that mainly an omega thing?”
Cha Wonwoo quickly denied it.
“No, it’s not that.”
To summarize, he had suffered from insomnia after Siheon’s pheromones disappeared from their shared space. He had asked for Siheon’s clothes, not because of nesting syndrome or being a pervert, but because he was afraid of being misunderstood.
Siheon, too, had suffered from insomnia after they started living apart, but he had no desire to cling to Cha Wonwoo’s belongings or to sleep surrounded by them.
In any case, Siheon suspected that Cha Wonwoo’s insomnia was not a side effect of pheromone resonance, but a psychological issue stemming from their separation.
“Now that I’m back, you don’t need the doll.”
Cha Wonwoo said, glancing indifferently at the Pepero doll resting on Siheon’s lap. Since they would be sleeping together until Siheon’s pheromone levels stabilized, the dark doll was no longer needed.
Siheon looked pitifully at the suddenly abandoned doll, then pushed it aside and patted the space next to him. Cha Wonwoo, who had been sitting at the edge of the bed, immediately took the spot.
“You’re very forward.”
“I’m always forward in bed.”
He probably said it to lighten the mood, but the suggestive comment made things even more awkward. Cha Wonwoo’s round ears turned red. Pretending not to notice, Siheon asked,
“What position do you think would be good?”
“…….”
Well, now that he’d said it, his own words weren’t much better. Siheon took a deep breath to avoid stuttering and spoke as calmly as possible.
“Let’s start by facing each other, like meditating, and holding hands.”
Cha Wonwoo, who had been reaching out boldly when they were in the living room, obediently followed Siheon’s instructions now that the situation was more intimate.
‘Pheromone reading is best done in bed before going to sleep, in the most comfortable position.’
According to the doctor, pheromones are most concentrated in the bed where people spend six to eight hours each day sleeping. Of course, considering Cha Wonwoo’s schedule, their actual sleep time would be less than that.
Since they hadn’t yet found the most comfortable position, the two sat facing each other.
“This is weird.”
“What is?”
“I’ve held your hand more than a hundred times, but why am I so nervous?”
“No cheesy drama lines.”
Siheon said firmly, reaching out his hand first to move past the awkwardness. It was his responsibility as the older one. When he pulled Cha Wonwoo closer with both hands, Cha Wonwoo allowed himself to be drawn in.
The movement caused Cha Wonwoo’s upper body to lean forward, the front of his nightgown parting slightly. The muscles visible beneath were not shy at all. Knowing from two years of marriage that Cha Wonwoo wore nothing but black boxers under his nightgown, Siheon quickly averted his gaze and swallowed.
Unaware, Cha Wonwoo straightened up and regained his balance. The open gown fell back into place. Siheon shook his head to clear the lingering image from his mind.
“Hyung?”
“Just warming up.”
Don’t look at his chest. Making this resolution, Siheon lowered his gaze only to see the scars on Cha Wonwoo’s ankles, calves, and inner thighs as he sat cross-legged.
‘Absolutely no sexual intercourse.’
Perhaps Dr. Yoo’s warning hadn’t been directed at the touchy-feely Cha Wonwoo, but at Siheon himself.
Unaware that his arousal was a temporary sexual urge caused by pheromone instability, Siheon cursed himself and closed his eyes.
“You’re going to do this with your eyes closed?”
“Yeah, I think I can concentrate better that way.”
Having blocked out all distractions, Siheon thought he was being quite composed.
Cha Wonwoo’s voice lowered, speaking seriously.
“Then I’ll begin.”
The surroundings were now enveloped by Cha Wonwoo’s dominant alpha aura, its wavelength even and steady. Within this cozy and secure feeling, Siheon focused on his senses.
The first thing he noticed was the familiar pheromones that brushed against the tip of his nose. The scent, so familiar from their dating and marriage, washed over him like gentle waves. Unhurried, taking its time.
The pheromones, which had only been teasing the surface, fully permeated Siheon as the temperature of their clasped hands grew comfortably warm.
Cha Wonwoo whispered softly,
“I’ll scent.”
Scenting. Releasing one’s true pheromone scent.
A sensitive’s pheromone scent, mixed with their natural body odor, rarely revealed their true scent, even though it varied slightly from person to person. It was considered private and intimate. The pheromones others could smell were just the unscented version.
While it was possible to scent in front of others and reveal one’s true scent, it was usually only done between lovers or spouses.
“Okay.”
As soon as Siheon answered, Cha Wonwoo’s true scent began to mingle with the familiar pheromones.
The scent of fog.
A sweet, cloudy fragrance mixed with the potentially sharp scent of pine, creating the feeling of walking along a quiet, fog-laden path.
Siheon’s furrowed brows smoothed out. The tension around his eyes and mouth dissipated into the fog. His tongue, as it darted out to wet his dry lips, was red and moist. Siheon opened his pheromone glands, following the scent, but nothing came out, as if they were blocked.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to push yourself right now. Just relax.”
Cha Wonwoo whispered gently, stroking the back of Siheon’s hand with his thumb. Slowly but steadily, he released his pheromones, saturating Siheon’s entire body. Not missing a single strand of hair.
“Hyung, how does it feel?”
“Hmm… it’s nice, but it’s frustrating that I can’t release my pheromones.”
Siheon took a deep breath and exhaled, trying not to feel anxious. He knew that rushing and worrying would only make things worse. But the frustrating feeling wouldn’t subside.
“Hyung.”
As if understanding his anxiety, Cha Wonwoo’s pheromones, flowing into Siheon’s body, gathered around his pheromone glands. At the same time, Siheon felt Cha Wonwoo shift his weight.
“I’m going to touch your pheromone glands now, so don’t be surprised.”
“I won’t be.”
“It’s a treatment.”
“I know.”
“Just let your pheromones follow mine slowly.”
Siheon kept his eyes closed. Cha Wonwoo released his grip on their clasped hands.
Now that he was focused on his senses, he could perceive many things without seeing.
Cha Wonwoo knelt down, leaning his upper body forward, one hand supporting himself on the bed and the other grasping the back of Siheon’s neck. Rather than pulling Siheon closer, he leaned his body in. He made his presence known, lingering near Siheon’s neck so he would be fully aware of his intentions.
Finally, unable to wait any longer, he pressed his lips to the skin behind Siheon’s ear, where his pheromone glands were located.
“Ah.”
Siheon’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down like a wave.
Cha Wonwoo parted his lips, taking the warm skin into his mouth and kissing it as if to draw it in. The pheromones pooled beneath the surface, vibrating faintly as if searching for their owner, but they couldn’t escape, blocked by Siheon’s closed glands. As if soothing both his own pheromones and Siheon, he lapped at the area with his tongue.
“Haa…”
Siheon let out a breath laced with a faint arousal. Cha Wonwoo clenched the hand bracing himself on the bed, trying to ignore the sound. Conversely, his fingers trembled as he struggled to keep the hand holding Siheon’s neck relaxed.
With incredible patience, Cha Wonwoo focused on kissing the spot behind Siheon’s ear. Chuup, wet lips and skin made a sticky sound as they parted.
At that moment, both of them felt a shiver run through their bodies, a tingling sensation in their lower abdomens.
“Mmm—”
Cha Wonwoo, letting out an involuntary moan, pulled his lips away with a start and licked his wet lips.
“Ha…”
Hot breath dispersed from Siheon’s neck.
“Cha Wonwoo, breathe.”
Cha Wonwoo’s ragged breathing near his ear was too stimulating. As Siheon spoke, Cha Wonwoo immediately pulled back.
As Cha Wonwoo moved away, Siheon slowly opened his eyes. At the edge of his blurry vision, he could see Cha Wonwoo’s chest rising and falling rapidly. The shape of his firm muscles was clearly visible beneath his nightgown.
“Hoo,”
Cha Wonwoo exhaled shakily, trying to catch his breath.
“You know,”
Siheon said abruptly.
“Let’s stop here for today.”
Cha Wonwoo, his face flushed, quickly nodded. He nodded so vigorously his long, straight neck seemed like it might snap. He covered his face with his large hand and sat up.
“Hyung, I’ll be right back.”
Cha Wonwoo left the bed and disappeared out of the room. Soon, the sound of the showerhead spraying water could be heard. The reason he’d gone to the shared bathroom in the hallway instead of using the master bathroom was obvious.
Siheon pulled the covers over his head to avoid looking at his heavy lower body.
‘Absolutely no sexual intercourse.’
Unfortunately, the human brain tends to think of a whale the moment someone says, “Don’t think of a whale.” Damn it. Kicking off the covers, Siheon rushed into the master bathroom before anyone could see him.
Bang. The door slammed shut like thunder, and the sound of running water leaked from the bathroom. It was inevitable that a sensation like lightning would pierce through his body, sweeping over the person in the bathroom.
＊＊＊＊＊
In the darkened room.
“…….”
“…….”
The two men lying side by side in bed said nothing. The atmosphere in the large bed was indescribably strange. Unable to bear the awkwardness, they tossed and turned, ending up facing each other.
“……!”
“……!”
In the darkness, the two men stared at each other for a moment, then turned their backs as if on cue. The fluffy goose down comforter rustled and then fell silent.
‘Absolutely no sexual intercourse.’
Dr. Yoo’s voice buzzed in his ears like a mosquito. Later, it sounded more like ‘Absolutely have s…’ which distorted the meaning. As if to say, “Absolutely have sex.”
“Damn it.”
Siheon sat up abruptly. Cha Wonwoo, startled, also sat up.
“What, what’s wrong?”
Siheon didn’t answer, instead bending his knees, resting his elbows on them, and running his hands through his hair. His lips were parched from the anguish of the previous night.
Thirty years old.
If he had no experience at all, it wouldn’t be a problem. But knowing what he knew, and being in this situation with the person he’d shared those experiences with, was pure torture.
“Nighttime doesn’t seem right.”
“Huh?”
“Maybe a nap at lunchtime. No, even then, it’s the same house, the same bed…”
He couldn’t visit Cha Wonwoo at the office, and even if he did, doing this in the office would be even, even, even… Siheon didn’t want to even think of the word that started with ‘per’ and ended with ‘verted.’
Shaking his head vigorously and muttering to himself, he looked like a fervent believer speaking in tongues.
“Hyung?”
“Nothing. Go to sleep.”
Siheon lay back down as abruptly as he’d sat up, placing his right hand over his heart. Thump. Thump. His heart, which had barely reacted to anything after the divorce, was pounding. He didn’t need to be reminded that he was alive in this way. He swallowed a bitter, empty laugh.
‘I recommend sleeping as close together as possible. Continuous exposure to pheromones during sleep…’
If they hugged each other tightly as Dr. Yoo suggested, things would get out of hand. Siheon wriggled away, creating some distance between them.
“If you’re going to hold me,”
Cha Wonwoo flinched at his quietly spoken words.
“Do it after I’m asleep, without me knowing.”
“…Don’t worry. I’m a professional.”
Siheon nudged the space next to him with his right hand, the one he’d had on his heart.
“Don’t be a professional at that kind of thing. Your specialty, Cha Wonwoo, is business management. Got it?”
“No.”
“No what?”
“My specialty is something else.”
Unsure what kind of response to expect, Siheon closed his mouth. So quick-witted. He heard a low grumble beside him. He could picture Cha Wonwoo pouting, his distinct eyebrows furrowed and his pretty lips protruding. To break the awkwardness, Siheon playfully ruffled Cha Wonwoo’s hair.
“Now be quiet and sleep. I’m tired.”
＊＊＊＊＊
Sori Entertainment conference room.
CEO Heo and Siheon sat in the center, surrounded by the management team, the PR team, and others. The screen everyone was watching displayed a rough cut of the <Bold Reporters> segment.
A photo of Siheon with his eyes blurred out, along with the caption [Top Star A’s Shameful Jealousy and Power Trip Controversy?], stood out.
“Then I’ll play it.”
Kang San pressed a key on his laptop, and the video began.
Three reporters, gathered in their underground studio, which they called their “hideout,” gave a boisterous greeting. Getting straight to the point, they looked at the tablet PCs in front of them and recited Siheon’s rumors. It was absurd even hearing it again.
「Everyone knows who this is, right?」
「Kang Siheon?」
His full name wasn’t revealed just because it was a rough cut.
Turning to CEO Heo, Siheon whispered,
“I asked them to use my full name.”
“Why not tell them to use the unblurred photo for the thumbnail too?”
“That wouldn’t draw attention. It needs to be slightly obscured to pique people’s curiosity.”
Clicking his tongue, CEO Heo turned his attention back to the screen.
「But Kang Siheon was a child actor. He’s had a remarkably clean record until now.」
「Aren’t you close with the film reporters? Heard anything?」
「Film reporters are too busy watching movies to gossip with actors. And Kang Siheon was hiding his sensitivity. You can bet he was careful. I mobilized all my contacts and couldn’t find a single crumb of dirt.」
「Damn, he’s thorough. So why this all of a sudden?」
While it might sound like they were cornering Siheon, the underlying meaning was more complex. They were suggesting that Siheon had been extremely cautious for 20 years while hiding his sensitivity and hadn’t actually done anything objectionable on set. The direction of the conversation fundamentally questioned the rumors.
「Let’s be clear. What’s this about Kang Siheon losing his advertising contract?」
「Ah~ I fact-checked that. The contract non-renewal is true!」
The words [Kang Siheon, Model Contract Non-Renewal] appeared on screen with a round “FACT” stamp next to it.
Several staff members who handled contracts glanced at Siheon and CEO Heo. It seemed they were uncomfortable, watching Siheon’s reaction after having handled the matter according to company regulations. He scratched the bridge of his nose, pretending not to notice their glances, and kept his eyes on the screen.
「I’m really curious. He lost a contract he was doing well with. Fine, models change, that’s not unusual. But why did he go to the set? It’s awkward for everyone involved.」
Whenever the conversation seemed to veer towards defending Siheon, the reporter playing the “cynic” would interrupt, shifting the focus. The other reporters would respond, subtly dispelling doubts or, conversely, amplifying suspicions.
「That’s true. I find that strange too. Lumiere was synonymous with Kang Siheon. But they replaced him right after the divorce.」
「He had a good run. It was time for a change. It’s not like they did it because of the divorce, come on.」
As the video progressed, the lighthearted atmosphere from the beginning gradually became more serious, subtly shifting the topic to “rumor manipulation.”
They mentioned incidents where rumors of unknown origin were fabricated into plausible gossip and spread through open chat rooms, and cases where anti-fans systematically spread rumors.
「Usually, we have our sources, right?」
Sources referred to informants who leaked information to reporters.
「Idols, actors, comedians, I have sources in every field. If someone like Kang Siheon did this, I would have definitely heard about it. But have either of you heard anything from your sources?」
「Nope.」
「We always emphasize this. We fact-check rigorously. We cross-check multiple times. But there wasn’t a single source who said Kang Siheon did this. That’s the mystery.」
「We often hear about rumors among ourselves before they go public. Word gets around.」
「Right, right. But with this one, no reporters knew anything. I asked around, and everyone said they were hearing it for the first time.」
「But it spread faster than any other rumor, didn’t it?」
The three reporters shared exciting stories about their own experiences with commissioned rumor campaigns.
Stories about competing actors’ agencies requesting articles to smear their rivals, or about someone who, drunk, had poured out their heart about a cheating lover, begging for a blind item exposé, only to plead with them the next day not to publish it.
While the gossip was entertaining, the hidden message was clear: “Rumors can be manipulated.”
「Now, unlike other rumors, we don’t have enough information to say whether this is true or not.」
「Right.」
A previously silent reporter tapped the table, drawing attention. As the others looked at him, he spoke with a solemn expression.
「So! I don’t know if this will work. I don’t know if it will be successful, but! I got Kang Siheon’s personal number?」
The video went into overdrive with sound effects and captions. Amidst his colleagues’ encouragement, the reporter nervously dialed the number.
The phone rang unanswered. The ringing continued in silence. Deliberate tension. The three reporters exchanged meaningful glances.
And then,
—Hello.
Kang Siheon, the subject of the rumors, answered the phone.