Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
A “pheromone shower.”
It referred to an alpha drenching their partner in their pheromones, essentially marking them from head to toe as their own.
“So, a pheromone shower is basically an unspoken rule among trait-holders—something that rarely happens unless it’s serious. You see, if an omega is exposed to too much alpha pheromones, they could go into heat regardless of their cycle.”
Ji-an spoke while practically scrubbing Ra-on down with the deodorizing spray she kept at home as a backup. By the time the sharp alcohol scent of the spray filled the entire house, the deep crease between Ji-an’s brows had finally smoothed out somewhat.
“The pheromones on you aren’t quite at the level of a full-blown pheromone shower, but even this level of intensity can be harmful to a beta. If things go wrong, a beta might unexpectedly manifest as an omega.”
Though rare, there were cases where dormant pheromone glands in betas were stimulated by exposure to potent alpha pheromones, reactivating their function. This was what led to late-onset manifestation.
That was why Ji-an was being so sensitive about it. She was worried Ra-on might suddenly manifest as an omega.
Click. Ji-an clicked her tongue inwardly, knowing all too well that Ra-on didn’t view trait-holders—especially omegas—in a favorable light.
The reason for her discomfort was clear. Ji-an knew it too—the reason behind Ra-on’s parents’ divorce.
That was why, when she heard that Hye-sung had manifested as an omega, Ji-an instinctively glanced at Ra-on, fearing her discomfort might extend toward him.
But fortunately, that concern turned out to be unfounded. Ra-on remained as close to Hye-sung as ever.
However, if she were to become an omega… Ji-an couldn’t predict how Ra-on would react.
As Ji-an recalled Ra-on obsessively muttering during their teenage years’ annual trait tests, “I don’t want to be an omega,” she gently wiped away the moisture on Ra-on’s face. Swallowing hard, she added:
“It’s already problematic enough for a beta to be covered in this much pheromone, but the fact that someone marked you with such filthy pheromones without even dating you? That’s even worse. What kind of nonsense is this?”
After hearing Ji-an’s pointed remarks about how embarrassing it was to have such pheromones clinging to her body, Ra-on fell silent.
Ji-an, not necessarily expecting a response, continued speaking:
“You said you met him because of work, right? But try to keep your distance from someone like that as much as possible. Got it?”
Believing Ra-on’s vague excuse about meeting him for work-related reasons, Ji-an emphasized her advice.
Under the towel covering her face, Ra-on let out a faint laugh, almost like a sigh.
But soon, the slight curve of her lips flattened into a tight line, and beneath the towel, her eyes grew heavy with contemplation.
Maybe… avoiding that alpha like you said isn’t so simple.
[If you do, I’ll pull Hye-sung out of that filth.]
[Think carefully. Which option costs less?]
Do-kyung’s voice echoed relentlessly in her mind, as if etched into her eardrums.
Ra-on bit down hard on her lip.
────────────
March. A new semester had begun.
“Are you not tired?”
With the phone wedged between her shoulder and ear, Ra-on asked the person on the other end of the line.
“You probably got home in the early hours again yesterday.”
Technically, it was already today since midnight had passed, but neither Ra-on nor Hye-sung, who chuckled softly at her words, seemed to care.
―”I’m not that tired, so it’s fine.”
Hye-sung had started working at a pub a few days ago, introduced by Ra-on.
Between tutoring jobs barely covering the interest on his debt and the double whammy of threats from both the thugs and Do-kyung, Ra-on had reluctantly introduced Hye-sung to the pub owner.
Given the severity of his situation, worrying about the complications of being an omega felt secondary.
Fortunately, he seemed to be adjusting well to the job.
“Who could stop Hye-sung’s stubbornness?”
Ra-on shook her head as she held the phone in her hand. Neatly folded laundry lay before her.
―”What about Ji-an?”
“She went to her parents’ house last evening. But before leaving, she said she wanted to make sure to smooth things over with Auntie. I was surprised she even thought of something so considerate for once.”
Hahaha! Hye-sung’s cheerful laughter brought a faint smile to Ra-on’s lips.
―”So Ji-an will head straight to the airport from her parents’ house?”
“Yeah. She packed all her luggage, so Uncle will probably drive her there.”
After checking that there were about six hours left until departure, Ra-on asked:
“Are you coming here right after?”
―”Yeah. I’m crossing the crosswalk now, so it’ll take about five minutes.”
“Alright. Then I’ll get lunch ready. We can eat and then head out. Be careful on your way, Hye-sung-ah.”
Ra-on ended the call and headed toward the kitchen.
Since returning to his sophomore year, Hye-sung had been eating lunch and dinner with her almost every day, except for breakfast. It was a decision Ra-on and Ji-an had made together after noticing how visibly thinner he was getting—something they couldn’t ignore any longer.
At first, Hye-sung had adamantly refused, but under their relentless pestering, he reluctantly started joining them for meals. That had been going on for nearly a month now.
By the time Ra-on finished preparing the food, the door lock clicked open, and the door swung wide.
“You’re here?”
Peeking her head out from the kitchen, Ra-on greeted Hye-sung while discreetly scanning him from head to toe.
This had become her secret routine over the past month—a thorough check to ensure his safety. It was because of Do-kyung’s ominous warning:
[Soon, those guys will swarm over to Ji Hye-sung.]
[He’s an omega, isn’t he?]
But contrary to Do-kyung’s words, nothing unusual had happened to Hye-sung in the nearly month that had passed. He hadn’t come home injured, and his complexion wasn’t bad either.
Perhaps it was the result of Ra-on’s efforts to maximize the time she spent with him. After dinner, she used the excuse of exercising to drag Ji-an along and escort Hye-sung back home. For lunch, she consistently called him, as she just had, to bring him over.
Ji-an had half-jokingly suggested they should just live together since Ra-on was practically glued to Hye-sung’s side. She couldn’t bear to leave him alone.
Glancing sideways at Hye-sung, who sat across from her, Ra-on casually asked:
“Anything unusual happen at school today?”
“Hmm?”
Hye-sung’s eyes widened as he paused mid-sip of water.
“What unusual thing would happen? I just attended one class and came back.”
And even that was an orientation session, so it ended early.
As Hye-sung added this detail, Ra-on smiled and nodded. Her tense shoulders, stiff with worry, finally relaxed.
Perhaps because they were in different grades—or maybe because Do-kyung hadn’t shown up at all—it seemed Hye-sung hadn’t crossed paths with him. Fortunately.
Thinking back to how Do-kyung hadn’t shown his face even once in the nearly month since that night, Ra-on continued eating.
Come to think of it, it was stranger when he kept showing up every night for cocktails despite being a busy loan shark.
With that thought, Ra-on asked:
“How about mentoring?”
“They said the sophomore class rep will post an announcement in the group chat soon.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
Hye-sung looked at Ra-on.
“Is this because of that guy, Ra-on-ah?”
“Huh?”
“That senior who was an extreme alpha—you know, the one we ran into at school. He said he was from our department.”
“...”
Ra-on’s silence spoke volumes, but Hye-sung brushed it off with a light laugh.
“As I’ve said before, there’s no need to worry so much. Our department has too many people. Today, the lecture hall was packed again. You know, right? Room 402.”
“Yeah, I know.”
It was one of the classrooms she frequented, so how could she not? Recalling the largest lecture hall in the economics building, Ra-on nodded.
Hearing her response, Hye-sung picked up some side dishes and continued:
“So don’t worry too much, Ra-on-ah.”
“...”
“And even if we happen to run into him, what’s the worst that could happen? It’s not like I’m the only omega in the department.”
While it was true that Hye-sung wasn’t the only omega, he was certainly the only one who had caught Do-kyung’s attention—though, to be precise, it was because of Ra-on that Do-kyung had taken notice of him in the first place. Whatever the case, Hye-sung had indeed drawn Do-kyung’s gaze.
And that was exactly what worried Ra-on.
She let out a small sigh.
If anything, the slim hope she clung to was the near-impossible chance of Hye-sung being paired with Do-kyung for mentoring, given the sheer number of students in their department. Trying to reassure herself that everything would be fine, Ra-on shoveled the last spoonful of food into her mouth.
Meanwhile, Hye-sung, who had already cleaned his bowl, stood up and checked the time. Pulling on rubber gloves, he said:
“I’ll take care of the dishes. Once I’m done, we can head to the airport.”
And so, they saw Ji-an off.
Hye-sung had held himself together until Ji-an disappeared beyond the departure gate, but as soon as she was out of sight, he crumbled, tears streaming down his face. Ra-on consoled him, swallowing her own bitterness.
The next day, after bidding Ji-an farewell and returning to their routine, Ra-on sat in a campus café, waiting for Hye-sung.
Resting her chin on her hand, she stared at a photo of a forest path displayed on her phone and muttered:
“…In the end, it’s still landscapes.”
Though she had tried to conceive her graduation project around a different theme, she had inevitably returned to the landscapes she had obsessively painted for nearly two years.
It was as if she could already hear the mocking voices of her peers echoing beside her as she held her brush: I knew you’d end up doing this.
“I thought I’d try something easier this time…”
Every single leaf, the rough texture of tree bark—landscape paintings demanded such meticulous detail when working with ink alone. Trying to capture all of it left her wrists and neck aching. Ra-on absentmindedly rubbed her wrist and groaned softly.
On top of that, this time she had to paint on a 100-size canvas for the exhibition. The thought of filling such a vast space solely with trees, forests, and animals felt exhausting. It would probably take at least three months, if not more.
But she had no other choice. Nothing else came to mind. Reflecting on how narrow-minded her thinking had become, Ra-on sighed deeply.
Even so, her expression remained serious as she scrutinized the photo on her phone screen.
“I guess I’ll sketch out a composition while I wait for Hye-sung.”
Murmuring to herself, Ra-on opened her sketchbook.
As she focused intently on sketching, a faint tapping sound interrupted her concentration.
“Ra-on-ah.”
The voice carried an awkward tone.
Unaware of its nuance, Ra-on looked up.
“You’re here, … huh?”
The faint smile that had been lingering on her face cracked, ever so slightly.
Click. A low chuckle preceded his voice.
“Hello there, underclassman. So, have you given it some thought?”
It was a question asked with the same familiarity as if they’d met just yesterday.
Standing beside Hye-sung, Do-kyung smirked, his grin dripping with mockery.
Google Sites
Report abuse