ETP Ch 93

Even though they were facing each other, neither of the two opened their mouths. It was a standoff filled with only silence.

“Sunbae-nim.”

In the end, Sungyeon called out to Yoohyun first. He really didn’t like how Yoohyun was insisting on leaving in his current state. He was filled with worry about what would happen if he got into an accident.

However, Yoohyun shook his head as he looked at Bokseung, who had taken a step closer to him.

If he were to speak with Bokseung now, he would definitely get angry. No, not even angry. He was certain he would spew hurtful words mixed with petty and vile jealousy. He didn’t want to do that.

“Kim Bokseung. Let’s talk tomorrow.”

“Haah, I understand. But please don’t think about going anywhere and just sleep here. I’m saying this because I’m worried you might get into an accident.”

To Yoohyun, who didn’t want to open his mouth, Sungyeon also had nothing more to say. But he really didn’t understand why he had to leave.

Then again, it was unlikely he would get a proper answer no matter what he said to a drunk person. Seeing Hwang Yoohyun’s attitude now, it seemed that even if he stayed here, Yoohyun would just keep saying he was leaving. Letting out a small sigh, Sungyeon turned his body and grabbed the door again.

And that’s when it happened.

“You.”

Yoohyun called out to Bokseung.

“Yes?”

Bokseung turned around.

Yoohyun had tried to hold it in, but there were some things he just couldn’t suppress.

Feelings of inferiority, unfairness, and envy rising from deep within coalesced and filled Yoohyun’s chest.

“You can’t forget him? Is it really impossible to forget him?”

Yoohyun’s reason screamed at him to shut up now, but his inner feelings, swallowed by alcohol, urged him to push Kim Bokseung further and get even angrier.

“Wh-what are you talking ab…”

“Lee Sungyeon. That person.”

“…!!!”

Sungyeon’s heart dropped at the sound of his own name coming from Yoohyun’s mouth. He didn’t know how he had found out, but Yoohyun, with an angry expression, continued to speak to Bokseung.

“So, is that why I’m not good enough? If I had met you first, things might have been different.”

“That’s, Sunbae-nim! Just a moment!”

“They say you’re my mate, you’re definitely my mate, so why am I…!”

The lingering effects of the alcohol, the sorrow of not having met Bokseung first, and the unfairness of not even being able to start because his mate couldn’t forget someone else.

Once he started speaking, the things that had been inside him came rushing out, one after another.

“Right now, the one you should be worried about is not me, but you.”

Seeing Bokseung’s expression, as if he couldn’t understand his words, Yoohyun bit his lip.

Yes, he didn’t want to admit it, but it meant that he was a person who didn’t even provide any stimulation to Bokseung.

Yoohyun, who just a few minutes ago had told Bokseung not to come near him, closed the distance to the boy’s face in a single stride.

At the suddenly close distance, Bokseung took a step back.

Witnessing that small movement, Yoohyun grabbed Bokseung’s wrist and pulled him back to his original spot.

“Heup!”

The sound of Bokseung’s small gasp, as if startled, stimulated Yoohyun’s ferocious instincts. It urged him to release his pheromones and ensnare the small Omega.

“If I just put my mind to it, you would…!”

“Stop!”

Sungyeon stretched out his free hand and covered Yoohyun’s mouth. If this went any further, it was as clear as day how much Yoohyun would regret it the next morning.

When Bokseung covered his mouth, a vein popped on Yoohyun’s forehead. The hand gripping Bokseung’s wrist tightened even more.

Yoohyun was determinedly saying and doing mean things to hurt him. When in fact, the one who was hurt was Hwang Yoohyun himself.

“Ugh, that hurts.”

Sungyeon had tried to endure it as much as possible. But the strength of an Alpha, especially one who couldn’t control it properly due to alcohol, was so brutally strong that he was afraid something might happen to Bokseung’s wrist.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Sungyeon shook his wrist free. Then, he felt the grip on his wrist loosen, albeit very slightly.

See, you can’t even do mean things properly.

Looking at this pitiful Alpha, Sungyeon somehow found him cute. Although it seemed crazy to be having such thoughts in this situation, at this time.

“Sorry. Does it hurt a lot?”

As Yoohyun spoke, his lips tickled the palm of Bokseung’s hand.

Look at this. How can he not be cute?

He was like a puppy that had thoroughly messed up the entire room and was now dejected, anticipating a scolding. A very large, gentle, big dog at that.

He could almost see his invisible ears and tail drooping. Feeling like he might laugh without realizing it, Sungyeon bit his lip hard.

“Sunbae-nim.”

“…”

“Don’t do anything you’ll regret. As for what you brought up, I will tell you everything tomorrow morning.”

At the soothing words spoken in a gentle, calm voice, Yoohyun nodded his head. His pheromones, which had been running wild according to his instincts, were now slowly tucking their tails, afraid of upsetting Bokseung.

“And Sunbae-nim, you’re all sober now, right?”

“…Yeah.”

Just as Bokseung said, the effects of the alcohol had also worn off while he was angrily shouting. Yoohyun was amazed and at the same time scared of Bokseung, who had figured that out as if by magic.

“Then that’s settled. Let’s sleep for now and continue our talk tomorrow morning.”

“Now.”

“I need time to prepare myself, too.”

At Bokseung’s words, Yoohyun’s heart skipped a beat.

Has he lost interest in me after all? Is he going to run away, saying he’s tired of me?

All sorts of negative scenarios ran through Yoohyun’s now somewhat sober mind.

He couldn’t be with anyone but Bokseung. He didn’t want to be in a relationship with anyone other than Kim Bokseung.

“For now, please sleep. Come on, don’t think bad thoughts. Hurry.”

Sungyeon, who had removed the hand covering Yoohyun’s mouth, led him to the bed. He didn’t forget to take off Yoohyun’s outerwear on the way.

When they reached the bed, Sungyeon patted the pillow, signaling for Yoohyun to lay his head down.

Yoohyun, who did as Bokseung said, laid his head on the pillow and then looked up at Bokseung.

“Are you sure I don’t have to think bad thoughts?”

Yoohyun asked, seeking confirmation one more time. Seeing his desperate gaze, Sungyeon’s nose tingled again.

“Of course! You don’t have to think bad thoughts! Don’t worry and just sleep!”

“Oh, okay.”

The sober Hwang Yoohyun had returned to being a gentle lamb, as if he had never been angry.

Only after confirming that Yoohyun’s eyelids were completely closed a short while later did Sungyeon leave his room.

In the living room, Yuja was sitting in front of Yoohyun’s door, waiting for Sungyeon to come out.

“Yuja, let’s go.”

At Sungyeon’s words, Yuja replied with a small ‘nyaa’ and trotted after him.

“Haah.”

A big sigh escaped Sungyeon’s lips once he was in his own room. The person who had thrown a drunken tantrum and gotten angry was Hwang Yoohyun, but the one who was truly doing something terrible was him. So, he didn’t even have the right to be this upset.

It didn’t matter how Yoohyun had found out about his and Bokseung’s story. What mattered most was the hurt he must have felt upon finding out.

Sungyeon resented his past self, who, when he first woke up in Bokseung’s body, had glossed things over, thinking it was for the best.

“Because of the Lee Sungyeon back then, the Lee Sungyeon of now is cleaning up this mess like crazy.”

Muttering blankly at the ceiling, Sungyeon gathered his thoughts and busily went through his phone.

Capturing remaining conversations, finding backup data, organizing it by date… By the time he lifted his stiff neck, the sun had already risen.

🍑‧₊ ⋆˙

Yoohyun opened his eyes to the sight of Yuja crying ‘nyaa’ on top of him.

And the memories of last night that followed made him jolt upright. Because of that, Yuja, who had leaped off Yoohyun’s chest, let out a dissatisfied cry, but this was no time to be soothing a cat.

“Kim Bokseung!”

He couldn’t even call out his name loudly. Breathing out Bokseung’s name as if in pain, Yoohyun quickly opened the door.

Hwang Yoohyun, you bastard! To actually fall asleep when he told you to! Anyone who heard would laugh their heads off.

Yoohyun roughly wiped his dry face. He was even scared to check if Bokseung was still here.

“…!”

However, contrary to his worries, as soon as he turned his gaze, Bokseung came into view.

Bokseung was sitting at the kitchen table, continuously organizing something. Yoohyun cautiously approached him. Then, as if sensing his pheromones, Bokseung lifted his head, which had been bent down.

“Ah, you’re awake.”

Bokseung greeted Yoohyun with a slight smile. Yoohyun just nodded his head, afraid that if he opened his mouth, a trembling voice would come out.

Bokseung brought a cup of warm honey water. And as he placed it on the table, he said.

“Um, then please have a seat here for a moment.”

Yoohyun obediently did as Bokseung said.

Sitting in the seat facing the boy, Yoohyun’s shoulders stiffened with tension. Even though he was holding a warm mug, his fingertips were still cold.

How long had they been facing each other like that?

“First of all…”

Bokseung opened his mouth. And.

“I’m truly sorry!!”

He apologized in a loud voice and bowed his upper body deeply.

At the sudden apology, Yoohyun’s anxiety reached its peak. He looked as if he would burst into tears with just one light touch.