Cherry Cake Chapter 3.1

“Honey, did I call you at a bad time?”

Seo Soohyun, who was setting down the containers of side dishes she had brought, turned her head at the voice of his Seoul Grandmother. Having just finished her work, Grandmother came out in changed clothes, wearing an apologetic expression.

“It’s okay. I left the store open.”

“Is that alright?”

Kang Yiseon, who was taking out the side dish containers from a large shopping bag, asked in a slightly surprised tone.

“I put a sign on the door. I told them the change is in the cash register and they can take it. I also wrote down how to use the card reader. Besides, there’s not much to steal, so it’s fine.”

Even though there would be more customers than usual because of the Lunar New Year holiday (Seol), leaving the store for a couple of hours wouldn’t be a big problem. Most people would buy their necessities from their local stores or large supermarkets, so the only customers at his small store would be children looking for snacks, men buying cigarettes, or maybe people looking for soju or sikhye for ancestral rites.

“You should lock up properly when you leave.”

Seoul Grandmother clicked her tongue disapprovingly. Soohyun just smiled faintly, seeing his own grandmother in her.

“I’ll make sure to lock up properly next time.”

As Kang Yiseon worried, some money might go missing, but Seo Soohyun didn’t take it too seriously. He still believed there were far more honest people than dishonest ones.

“And Grandmother, you also took care of my grandmother’s 49th-day memorial service. Of course, I had to come. Even though I didn’t do much.”

He had heard that Seoul Grandmother took care of his grandmother’s 49th-day memorial since it fell close to Seol. She had said it was okay to refuse if he felt uncomfortable, but Seo Soohyun had instead thanked her. He believed sincerity was more important than formality. There was no reason to feel uneasy just because Seoul Grandmother was a shaman.

“Didn’t do much? You brought all these kimchi and perilla leaf pancakes.”

Grandmother’s gaze turned to the side dish containers Kang Yiseon had arranged.

“It’s nothing. The kimchi was already at home, and the pancakes are quick to make.”

“Sit down with Yiseon. You should have tteokguk (rice cake soup) since it’s Seol.”

Seo Soohyun sat down at the table with Kang Yiseon. He should be helping, but Seoul Grandmother didn’t like people hovering around her, saying it was distracting.

“Soohyun, is everything alright?”

Kang Yiseon glanced at the busy Seoul Grandmother before whispering to Soohyun.

“About work?”

“The person I mentioned last time. Teacher (Seoul Grandmother) is also very worried. He seems to visit the store often.”

“It’s fine. My brother told me not to accept anything from him, so I return whatever he brings.”

Of course, he didn’t return the gifts exactly as they were, but in a different form. He thought that much should be okay. He had also bought hotteok with the excessively large check he’d received and given it to the man. It was far less than the amount he received, but he figured the gesture was what mattered, not the equivalent exchange of value.

“Really? That’s good.”

“What are you two whispering about in front of an old lady? Let’s eat.”

As Seoul Grandmother placed a large tray on the table, Soohyun quickly reached out to arrange the bowls. Despite calling herself an old lady, Seoul Grandmother had sharp ears and was very healthy for her age. Her strength was undeniable. The tray of bowls looked quite heavy, but she carried it without any apparent strain.

“This is Soohyun’s kimchi. It’s fermented well. Did you bring kimchi from the kimjang (kimchi making season)?”

“Yes. Well-fermented kimchi tastes best with tteokguk. I’ll bring you more when you’re done.”

“Please sit down, Teacher.”

Kang Yiseon quickly arranged the side dishes in the center and pulled out a chair. Then, sitting back down, he smiled at Soohyun.

“Thank you for the side dishes, Soohyun. Thanks to you, I’ll get to eat lots of delicious food.”

“It’s nothing. Eat a lot. Your brother likes perilla leaf pancakes, right?”

“Yes. They look delicious.”

He had chosen the side dish, remembering that both Kang Yiseon and Seoul Grandmother liked them.

“Yiseon made the tteokguk. I have to be busy on days like this.”

Seoul Grandmother, sitting across from them, picked up her spoon and joined the conversation.

“Your brother made it? I thought it looked really good.”

Seo Soohyun said, “Thank you for the food,” and followed Seoul Grandmother, picking up his spoon.

The tteokguk, with its abundant toppings, looked very appetizing. The yellow egg garnish, orange carrots, fresh green onions, and finely crumbled seaweed stimulated his appetite. Not to mention the plentiful rice cakes, the cloudy broth, and the thin slices of meat within.

“Mmm, it’ll be delicious. It’s just store-bought seolleongtang (ox bone soup) with rice cake added… Now that I say it, it’s a little embarrassing. I didn’t do much…”

“No, that’s all sincerity. And the toppings are so pretty. Thank you for the food.”

Kang Yiseon smiled bashfully, but Soohyun, as if wondering what the problem was, scooped up a large spoonful of tteokguk and put it in his mouth. The perfectly seasoned broth, the soft rice cakes, it was perfect for Seol.

“Make sure to finish everything. You don’t leave New Year’s food uneaten.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“You too, Grandmother.”

Seo Soohyun sat with the two and began to eat his breakfast-lunch. He had thought this first Seol after his grandmother’s passing would be lonely, but the warm broth warmed his stomach and his heart.

“Those guys haven’t said anything to you, Soohyun?”

At the sudden question, Soohyun nodded, poking a melon slice with his fork. The melon Kang Yiseon had cut was so neatly arranged it looked like a work of art.

“The Director sometimes stops by the store, but he hasn’t said anything.”

Only after Kang Yiseon nudged the back of his hand under the blanket did Seo Soohyun realize he had said something he shouldn’t have. He stealthily glanced at Seoul Grandmother to see her clicking her tongue disapprovingly.

“That Director can freeze to death… I found out he’s a gangster who uses a front man.”

Seo Soohyun silently ate his melon. The soft, sweet flavor spread across his tongue.

“Looking at the situation, it seems like you’ll have to sell the land.”

“Yes.”

Unlike Seoul Grandmother, who sighed deeply, Seo Soohyun answered calmly.

Since the elders often visited the store, there was no way he, as the owner, could miss the talk going around. He had been anticipating this outcome, so he wasn’t surprised.

“You must be very disappointed.”

“I’ll miss not seeing the grandmothers often, but I’m okay with the land. My grandmother always told me something.”

His grandmother had told him not to attach too much meaning to land. Even though land was treated as property in this era, it ultimately had no owner. So she also told him not to be too greedy.

“She said it would be a big problem if I thought of it as mine. So she said I should know how to let it go when the time comes. Oh, but she also said selling it for cheap would be foolish, so be smart about it.”

“She’s not wrong.”

The woman with a worried expression gestured to Kang Yiseon.

“Yiseon, bring that over here. Soohyun, come sit next to me.”

“Yes.”

Seo Soohyun got up and sat next to Seoul Grandmother, following Kang Yiseon. Meanwhile, Kang Yiseon brought a tablet and handed it to Seoul Grandmother before taking a seat next to Soohyun. The three of them sat in a row, chatting amongst themselves.

“If you combine Soohyun’s house and the land over there, it’s a little over 4,000 pyeong (approximately 3.3 acres), so… they’ll probably give you around this much.”

Seoul Grandmother, wearing her glasses, showed him a document while explaining. Seo Soohyun’s eyes widened at the rather large sum. He hadn’t expected to receive much, considering it wasn’t in the heart of Seoul, but a rural village with only fields. The amount was bigger than he’d expected.

“This much?”

“What do you mean ‘this much’ for a young man? This is why you should experience the big world when you’re young…”

Knowing her spending habits, Soohyun chose to stay quiet. She often went to look at land, so the amount probably seemed small in her eyes.

“I heard they want to proceed smoothly, so they’re offering more than the market price. That’s why everyone’s quiet. Even though they’re old country folks, those guys know they’ll hold on tight to their profits.”

“Yes…”

Wrinkled fingers swiped the screen, and a blueprint-like drawing appeared.

“I got this through someone I know… this is your house, Soohyun. I think the road will be built in this direction.”

Seo Soohyun listened to the explanation of the construction direction for a while. He didn’t understand it well, but it seemed important. According to Grandmother, the negotiated price would differ depending on what was built on the land.

“I’ve shortlisted a few neighborhoods you might like to live in, so take a look at them when you get home.”

“Are these places I can afford with my money?”

“Yes. I looked around this area first, but if you want to go to a different region, tell me. I’ll look into it for you.”

“Wow, thank you.”

Seo Soohyun also thanked Kang Yiseon, who got up, saying he would print the materials and bring them to him.

He felt relieved. Although he wasn’t surprised by the news that he’d likely have to sell the land, he was at a loss as to where to move. Thanks to Seoul Grandmother, he now had options.

“The problem is the current inheritance law…”

“Yes?”

Wondering what the problem was, Seo Soohyun stopped eating his melon and looked at Seoul Grandmother again. She rubbed her temples as if she had a headache and then shook her head as if giving up.

“Never mind. I’m having someone look into this, so you don’t need to worry about it beforehand, honey.”

Knowing she wouldn’t tell him even if he asked for details, Soohyun went back to his melon.

“By the way, does that guy still stop by the store?”

As if suddenly remembering what he had said carelessly, Seoul Grandmother asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Not often, just occasionally.”

“I told you to be careful with Alphas.”

Now understanding why Kang Yiseon had warned him, Seo Soohyun felt a little regretful. He knew she was saying it out of concern, but it was still a lecture, and it was hard to listen attentively. Moreover, his conscience pricked him as he lied.

“I’m being careful.”

Not only had his Omega status been discovered, but his genitals had also been rubbed. After that, he even had a lewd dream about a man.

Unable to confess these things, Seo Soohyun answered as briefly as possible. He thought she might find it suspicious if he talked too much.

“Soohyun.”

After staring at Seo Soohyun silently for a few seconds, the woman began in a serious tone.

“How about you live with Yiseon and me?”

“Yes?”

“My job is…like this, so it might be uncomfortable, but I can take responsibility for you and Yiseon.”

“Uh…”

Seo Soohyun was a little flustered by the unexpected suggestion. He hadn’t expected Seoul Grandmother to make such an offer.

“Or, even if we don’t live in the same house, moving to the same neighborhood would be good too.”

“…”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“No.”

He shook his head. He wasn’t uncomfortable at all. Rather, he was grateful that she brought it up. No matter how close she was to his grandmother, not many adults would suggest living together to a grown man.

“It’s just that I didn’t expect you to say that.”

“Then think about it slowly. Yiseon would probably enjoy being with someone his age more than just an old woman.”

Seo Soohyun stared blankly at Seoul Grandmother and then nodded. He liked both Seoul Grandmother and Kang Yiseon, but it was a future he had never imagined, so he needed some time to think. He also realized that the main reason she had called him today was for this conversation.

“Soohyun, here. These are the documents Teacher showed you earlier.”

“Thank you.”

Just then, Kang Yiseon came into the room and handed him a file folder. It was quite thick, filled with printed papers. Seo Soohyun stood up and took the clear file folder. He was thinking of leaving, as it seemed Grandmother had finished what she wanted to say.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes. I’m going to watch over the store this afternoon. I also heard a lot from Grandmother.”

As he followed Kang Yiseon, who seemed to be seeing him out, a gentle voice stopped him.

“Honey.”

Seo Soohyun turned around, holding the file folder in his arms.

“How about you sleep here tonight?”

It was phrased as a suggestion, but for some reason, her expression made it seem like he had to.

🍑

Thwack!

With a crisp sound, a white, hard object cut through the air. The object flew in a long arc and soon rolled onto the yellowed, dead grass. Gi Taeyeon, his eyes narrowed, confirmed that the ball had landed exactly where he intended and whistled. It was a rather refreshing sound to hear under the cold winter sky.

“The orders.”

Seo Jihwan, who was standing behind him, spoke immediately.

“I’ve had men close to Director Kang followed, and they’re being pulled out one after another.”

“Who doesn’t know that, Manager Seo?”

“We started by filtering out our own men and are working on them.”

“Them?”

“Director Kang seems to have formed his own line. The numbers are quite significant.”

Gi Taeyeon put a cigarette between his teeth and swung his golf club without saying anything. Thwack! Following the menacing whooshing sound, another crisp impact resonated.

“And I didn’t know this until now?”

“I planned to inform you after it was sorted, as you have a lot on your mind these days. My mistake. I apologize.”

Seo Jihwan bowed deeply, gauging Gi Taeyeon’s reaction. He said he didn’t know, but there was no way he genuinely didn’t. The fact he hadn’t said anything until now meant there was a reason.

“I guess that bastard we caught last time was also part of Director Kang’s line.”

Seo Jihwan finally straightened up.

The reason he thought Gi Taeyeon had known about Director Kang’s line all along was because of the topic at hand. He had suddenly said he needed to go to the site and drove off, making Seo Jihwan wonder what had happened. It turned out a small fry was stirring up trouble.

“Yes. After checking, it seems he was sent to sniff out the situation. He seemed to intend to muddy the waters, suggesting they could get a better price if they handed it over to Yusan Construction instead of us… I took care of him cleanly, so there’s no need for concern.”

“So our Director had another dick in his mouth besides mine. I wondered whose cock he was sucking…”

Director Kang, stuck in the hospital, couldn’t have been behind this. The fact that this happened while he was incapacitated meant that the people backing him were making moves. Since things had quieted down after the small fry was taken care of, it seemed they had come to their senses and changed their course. However, Seo Jihwan thought that new course was also a dead end. They wouldn’t have come running here so readily if they knew that.

Despite his words, Gi Taeyeon was the first to figure out whose cock Director Kang was sucking.

“And what about the small fry’s handling?”

Seo Jihwan recalled a piece of meat loaded in a car trunk a few weeks ago. They had caught a guy loitering around the residents at the site and beat him to a pulp. He remembered being ordered by Gi Taeyeon to drive the car and come back because the guy’s moans were as noisy as a pig being slaughtered. He had been delayed by a blizzard and returned only a day later.

“It’s all taken care of without any loose ends.”

Thwack! The third ball arced through the air. Unlike the previous stillness, a noisy atmosphere arose from a distance. However, no one paid it any attention. It wasn’t that they weren’t curious about the cause of the commotion, but rather they were indifferent because the reason was clear.

The golf course was empty for Seol. To be precise, only this particular field was empty. Gi Taeyeon was the only one who had come with just a golf club, no caddy or cart. It was even a cheap club rented from the golf course, not his own.

“And the land?”

As if tired of swinging, Gi Taeyeon dragged his club and walked towards him. One of his men, standing behind him, quickly offered an ashtray, and he stubbed out his short cigarette. The harsh smell of tobacco smoke drifted on the wind.

“That’s also proceeding without a hitch. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer.”

“Summer…”

The man stroked his chin, as if recalling something.

“Well, not bad.”

With a bored remark, Gi Taeyeon started walking slowly. Towards the direction the ball had flown earlier. Seo Jihwan followed him, glancing at the men trying to follow behind him. It was a signal to stay put.

Since the area was deserted, there was no risk of attracting attention from ordinary people, but Seo Jihwan knew Gi Taeyeon would snap at them, asking if they were puppies looking for their mother’s teat.

“By the way, what are your plans for the supermarket lot?”

“What plans? Are we going to leave it there?”

Gi Taeyeon twirled the golf club like a child playing a prank. It looked as though he was wielding a wooden stick rather than a golf club.

“You haven’t said anything, so…”

“I’ll take it last, so don’t worry about it, Manager Seo.”

Seo Jihwan, about to retort, closed his mouth. If Gi Taeyeon said so, then so be it.

He had been worried that Gi Taeyeon’s actions – buying colorful desserts every time he went there, even driving the kid to a traditional five-day market – might lead to trouble.

‘It would be better if it was just my needless worry.’

He didn’t think Gi Taeyeon liked the kid. But he was definitely interested. Seo Jihwan, who had assisted the man for a long time, could clearly see the subtle interest. It was less of a human-to-human interest and more of a curiosity, like the kind one might show a trivial but somewhat cute small animal.

‘It’ll be fine.’

It was nothing to worry about. There was no way Gi Taeyeon would ruin a deal worth hundreds of billions of won.

Seo Jihwan also stopped when Gi Taeyeon, no longer twirling his club, stood in the correct posture.

“A grown man shouldn’t take a shit in public, especially not on a golf course.”

With a light, teasing voice, and black shoes unsuitable for golf, he stepped on the grass near the white ball. The man casually took his stance and immediately raised his club.

“Aaack!”

The arm, raised high as if to strike hard, unexpectedly pushed the golf ball gently, like touching a fragile egg. Contrary to the frightened scream, the white ball rolled gently and tapped against the knee of the kneeling person.

“Why did you scare me like that?”

“Haa, haa… D-Director Gi. What’s going on? You said we were going to play golf, right?”

“We are playing.”

Gi Taeyeon retorted, placing his golf club against the ball touching the man’s knee. It was obvious that swinging it would shatter the kneecap. Yu Gukheon, held down by the shoulders on both sides, knew this and trembled uncontrollably, unable to move.

“After we finish this, you can go home and enjoy the ancestral rites prepared by your daughter-in-law.”

Gi Taeyeon laughed frivolously, unlike someone who had just made a tasteless joke.

“Oh, our boss got scared after being hit by a golf ball? It was a mistake, a mistake.”

No one present believed Gi Taeyeon had mishit the golf ball by mistake.

Despite never having formally learned golf, Gi Taeyeon, like most dominant Alphas, had exceptional athletic abilities. Sending the golf balls near Yu Gukheon and hitting him mid-game must have been intentional.

“But what to do…”

A voice laced with amusement escaped the man’s thinly parted lips.

“This one isn’t a mistake.”

The golf club, raised high towards the clear blue sky, glinted in the light.

“I’ll escort you.”

“Forget it. Go home and enjoy the national holiday.”

Gi Taeyeon waved his hand dismissively. As he stepped into the driver’s seat, Seo Jihwan approached him with a bewildered expression.

“Do you have another appointment? I haven’t received any information from the secretary’s office.”

“It’s Seol, Manager Seo.”

The man, who usually handed out generous holiday bonuses to his employees but never celebrated Seol himself, started the car and continued nonchalantly.

“A person has to eat tteokguk to get older.”

🍑

Seo Soohyun finally stood up. After accepting Seoul Grandmother’s invitation to stay, he had chatted with her for a while, eaten a late lunch, brushed his teeth, and even had a lot of fruit.

Perhaps due to memories of spending Seol with his mother and grandmother, he thought it would be better to be with good company than alone, so he had settled in, replying, “Shall I?” But now, he felt he should go home.

“Brother, I think I should go home.”

“You’re leaving?”

Since Seoul Grandmother was taking a nap in her room, Seo Soohyun lowered his voice.

“Yes. I want to spend more time with you, but I should go because of Bokshil and the store being open. And you need to rest, too. You were so busy helping Teacher today.”

“I’m fine, but… I guess it can’t be helped.”

In truth, neither Bokshil nor the open store was a big concern. He always made sure to leave plenty of food, water, and snacks for Bokshil before leaving the house. And the store was usually open whether he was out for a while or working in the garden, so there wasn’t anything to worry about.

But he had a strange feeling that it would be better to go home.

“Do you want to take some fruit?”

“Is that okay?”

“Yes. Teacher receives a lot of gifts. We can’t eat it all, so it’s fine. She’ll actually scold me if I send you back empty-handed.”

Kang Yiseon went into the kitchen and put some fruit in the shopping bag that had held the side dish containers.

“Thank you. Please tell Grandmother that I couldn’t say goodbye because she was sleeping. And wish her a Happy New Year.”

“Okay. Shall I walk you to the store?”

“It’s alright.”

Seo Soohyun shook his head. Kang Yiseon didn’t like going out much, and he was worried because it was Seol and there might be a lot of people.

After saying goodbye, Soohyun slowly walked towards the store. He had an uneasy feeling, and he thought it would be best to close the store early, cuddle Bokshil, and take a nap.

“Is there a customer?”

As he approached the store, he saw a parked car he didn’t recognize. Tilting his head in confusion, Soohyun entered the store. He had thought there might be a customer, but he didn’t sense anyone.

They must have just parked here. Dismissing it, he set down the shopping bag and locked the door from the inside. It was at that moment, before he even sensed anyone approaching, that a familiar yet strange scent pierced his lungs. He had definitely smelled it before.

Was that the Director’s car? He’s working even on Seol. As he turned around casually, thinking this—

“Where were you?”

Before he could properly examine the inside of the store, a familiar face appeared. Seo Soohyun, about to greet him as usual, faltered and let out a small sound.

“Uh…”

The man looked the same as always. His leisurely gait and the fact he was smoking inside the store were all familiar. The only difference was that he wasn’t smiling as he usually did.

That small difference made him feel strangely unfamiliar, and as he stood there, lips parted, the man approached and met his eyes. Seo Soohyun instinctively stepped back. His back hit the door with a thud. The sound of the securely fastened latch rattling.

Perhaps noticing his unease, the man tilted his head slightly and lifted the corners of his mouth. The sudden surge of pressure made Soohyun’s fingertips tremble faintly. The immense tension paralyzed him like a mouse frozen stiff before a snake.

The reason for the tension was clear.

It was his instincts screaming.

Run.

“Soohyun.”

Seo Soohyun unconsciously held his breath.

“Have you lost your virginity yet?”

Standing before him was an Alpha who seemed to be in rut.

Why did he suddenly go into rut? The question was fleeting. The word ‘suddenly’ didn’t even fit the question. Since Seo Soohyun didn’t know Gi Taeyeon’s rut cycle, it wasn’t even valid to wonder.

So the question of why the man had suddenly gone into rut changed to, Why did he come all the way here in rut?

“When an adult asks you a question, you should answer whether it’s long or not.”

He wanted to speak, but it was difficult. Although he had put on a smile as if he had never been expressionless, the man exuded a completely different atmosphere than usual. Like a complete stranger. So it wasn’t easy to open his lips.

What do I do? He kept repeating the unanswered question in his mind when a large hand suddenly reached out and gripped his cheek. Seo Soohyun, who had been staring at Bokshil sleeping soundly behind the counter to avoid eye contact, finally looked up at Gi Taeyeon.

The man’s eyes, even darker than they appeared at night, evoked a chilling tension.

“N-no…”

As he managed to stammer out a reply, Gi Taeyeon frowned as if annoyed.

“Ha… what have you been doing?”

The man let out a short sigh and glanced over Seo Soohyun’s shoulder, as if assessing the outside. It was early for evening, but the sky was already dyed a deep indigo. The vast fields were nothing but barren winter fields. A stark contrast to Seoul, with its dense buildings.

“Well, it would be hard to lose your virginity in a backwater like this.”

Seo Soohyun just listened quietly to the ambiguous voice, unsure whether it was directed at him or just a mumble to himself.

Perhaps due to their proximity, the pheromones intensified. Even though he had smelled it before, he wasn’t constantly exposed to Alpha pheromones, so he couldn’t just stand there blankly as he usually did. But raising his hand to cover his nose would be rude.

“I was wondering why I felt so fucking shitty today…”

Unlike the tense Seo Soohyun, Gi Taeyeon continued in a slow tone. His voice was still ambiguous, leaving it unclear whether he was talking to Soohyun or himself.

“Did someone drug me without my knowledge…”

Seo Soohyun carefully observed Gi Taeyeon, struggling to think with his dizzy head.

Even though he had no experience with Alphas, he was a South Korean adolescent who had received basic sex education under the benefits of public education. Even though he hadn’t attended kindergarten or high school, schools had age-appropriate sex education curriculums, which naturally included rut and heat cycles.

‘They said there’s usually a regular cycle…’

As a recessive, it didn’t apply to him, but he had heard that dominants, especially, had regular cycles. However, judging by the man’s expression, this rut seemed completely unexpected. He was certain, especially considering the mention of drugs. The health teacher’s warning about dangerous drugs circulating among Alphas and Omegas, which they should be careful of, echoed in his ears.

“Director.”

Soohyun raised his hand and grabbed Gi Taeyeon’s sleeve. The sleeve of the arm holding his cheek. For some reason, the man was wearing a jacket over his shirt, making it relatively easy to grab the sleeve. Perhaps due to his instinctive sense of crisis, he couldn’t grip it tightly, his hand kept losing strength, but lightly holding it between his thumb and index finger wasn’t difficult.

“S-suppressants… I have some…”

Perhaps because he kept inhaling the pheromones, his breath grew ragged. Seo Soohyun swallowed hard, pausing between words to mention the suppressants.

He sold suppressants at the store. Since it was a small village without a pharmacy, he kept basic medicines in stock, and naturally, that included suppressants. Of course, they rarely sold, gathering dust, but he had them nonetheless. Not just the Omega suppressants he took, but Alpha suppressants as well.

“Suppressants?”

Gi Taeyeon raised an eyebrow and twisted his lips into a thin smile.

“Why would I take suppressants?”

It implied there was no need for him to take them.

“I learned that you should take suppressants if you don’t have a partner…”

Despite his cheek being squished, Seo Soohyun recited what he had learned at school. He knew that some people had sexual relationships without being partners, but he didn’t fall into that category. Those relationships were presumably consensual.

Besides, he clearly remembered what the man had said to him the night they spent together. He hadn’t felt ashamed or embarrassed by the man telling him to lose his virginity. He hadn’t even fully understood what it meant at the time. It wasn’t until the next day, after the man had returned to Seoul, that he understood while replaying the previous night in his mind.

‘He clearly said he wouldn’t do it with a virgin…’

So, no matter how much in rut Gi Taeyeon was, the possibility of him wanting to sleep with Soohyun was slim. Then weren’t suppressants the best option? It was impossible to find him a partner here.

“That’s why you shouldn’t…”

He had thought he offered the best solution, but the man burst out laughing instead.

“I can just shove it in the hole.”

The more unfamiliar Gi Taeyeon felt, the stronger the pheromones became.

“Huh…”

Even though he had experienced it once, his body, which had been holding on, started trembling slightly as if it had touched something it shouldn’t have. Seo Soohyun groped behind him with the hand not holding Gi Taeyeon’s sleeve.

Even though he knew it was useless to try to open the door since the latch was at shoulder height, his instincts, sensing danger, sought a means of escape.

“Scared, huh?”

Gi Taeyeon sneered, taking a step closer. It trapped Seo Soohyun completely between the man and the door.

What do I do? There was a chance someone passing by might see the back of his head pressed against the glass and find it strange, coming to his aid. However, most customers who visited the store on Seol came during the day, so the probability of someone passing by now, as evening approached, was extremely low. Moreover, the store, with its lights off, would appear closed from the outside.

“Why are you trembling so much? You’re making me feel sadistic.”

His light tone conveyed no sympathy whatsoever.

“Uh…”

Seo Soohyun let out a whimper, almost a sob. It wasn’t that he was afraid of the man, but rather he was flustered by the sudden situation and the unfamiliar feeling of his body trembling uncontrollably against his will. It was clearly his body, but the more he inhaled the pheromones, the more his senses became entangled. His cheeks flushed, and his heart raced uncontrollably.

Gi Taeyeon, staring at his flushed face, moved the fingers gripping his cheek. Rough fingers, typical of someone who did manual labor, traced his lips, slipping between his soft, parted lips.

“Ugh.”

Seo Soohyun was startled by the sudden intrusion of fingers into his mouth. Even though he knew he should turn his head or bite down, he couldn’t do anything because of the man staring down at him without even blinking. He felt like a rodent frozen in fear before a venomous predator.

Gulp. He swallowed nervously, afraid that the slightest movement would result in being bitten. The man narrowed his eyes.

“Soohyun.”

“Uh…”

Even with the thick thumb pressing against his tongue, Seo Soohyun obediently replied.

“Stick out your tongue.”

When he just stood there blankly, not understanding, the man sighed irritably and this time, his index finger boldly parted his lips and entered his mouth. Before he could close his mouth in surprise, his tongue was caught between the thumb and index finger and pulled out. At the same time, the sleeve of the man’s jacket he was holding crumpled.

“Heek!”

Just as he was about to twist his head to escape the man, despite there being no more room to retreat, surprised by the act of someone pulling out his tongue with their fingers, Gi Taeyeon withdrew his hand. As soon as the rough fingers released his tongue, his entire mouth was covered.

Thud.

The back of his head slammed against the glass door, sending a cool sensation down his neck. However, the feeling of coldness didn’t register in Seo Soohyun’s mind. The body heat and shared breath were overwhelmingly hot.

“Mmm…”

Instead of calloused fingers, a slippery, fleshy thing now constricted his tongue. Unfamiliar with the sensation, Seo Soohyun squirmed, at a loss for what to do. As if annoyed by his movements, each time he exerted force with his fingertips, the hot, thick tongue pressed down on his struggling tongue, suppressing it.

What is going on? His mind, suddenly deprived of oxygen, couldn’t process the situation quickly. He could only stand on tiptoe, searching for a more comfortable position as his head tilted back, following the hand gripping his cheek. His hands, clutching the man’s sleeves as if they were lifelines, tightened their grip.

“Small tongue, small mouth.”

As if realizing he couldn’t breathe properly, the man pulled back slightly, letting out an annoyed sigh and a chiding remark before inserting his fingers back between his parted lips. Seo Soohyun, his mind reeling from the intense heat and the constant barrage of pheromones, could only gasp, unable to stop the rude intrusion. Even the back of his head, pressed against the glass, felt like it was burning.

“I said stick your tongue out.”

At the low, almost threatening tone, he instinctively stuck out his tongue.

Even though his vision was blurring, he could still see the man looking down at him. The man, his brow slightly furrowed, placed his knee between his thighs, causing his legs, balanced on tiptoe, to tremble.

Before he could instinctively pull back, their lips met again.

“Heuk.”

Just the man tightening his thighs made him feel like he was floating. Since he had been leaning against the door, it might not have been just his imagination. Seo Soohyun, helplessly swayed by the tongue roughly invading his mouth and rubbing against the roof of his mouth, unconsciously reached out. Supporting himself by wrapping his arms around the man’s sturdy neck instead of just clinging to his sleeves made it much easier to bear.

He couldn’t bring himself to think rationally that he should push the man away. Although a part of him realized that this was wrong, the sensation of being suffocated was too overwhelming to allow that realization to grow. Moreover, the pheromones made it difficult to think straight. A recessive like him had no power to resist a dominant Alpha’s pheromones.

“It’ll be a bit of a hassle to shove other things inside someone who can’t even handle a tongue properly.”

“Haa, hmm…”

Seo Soohyun didn’t even understand what Gi Taeyeon was saying. He could only gasp for air in the brief moments the man pulled away.

It was while he was desperately catching his breath. As fingers touched the corner of his mouth again, Seo Soohyun stuck out his tongue like a well-trained dog. The action Gi Taeyeon had demanded in a threatening tone now came out reflexively.

“Haha.”

The man chuckled lowly, as if amused, and tilted his head, sticking out his tongue. The tip of his nerve-rich tongue crushed against Soohyun’s, and the slick inner lining of his lips wrapped around it, sucking.

What is this? This feels strange… The raw, unfamiliar stimulation sent shivers down his spine. At the same time, pheromones he hadn’t been aware of began to seep out.

Fear suddenly washed over him. A sense of guilt, as if he had done something he shouldn’t have. Seo Soohyun strained his neck to pull back, but the large hand cupping the back of his head prevented him from moving, rendering his small resistance futile.

“Mmm…”

Instead, a thick tongue pushed in as if to fill his entire mouth. Each time the pointed flesh scraped against the roof of his mouth as if to pierce his throat, unfamiliar moans escaped him.

“Hmm, ha…”

His penis was already erect, and his backside was becoming wet.

He lowered his head, overwhelmed, but only for a moment. The hand on his cheek forced his face up. Like a marionette, Seo Soohyun moved his head at Gi Taeyeon’s command. As he looked up at the man with dazed eyes, Gi Taeyeon smirked.

“I’ll be the one to pop your cherry, Soohyun.”

Despite the man’s vulgar words about taking his virginity, Soohyun could only gasp, unable to react. The pheromones permeating his entire being were so intense that he felt dizzy. It was hard to stay conscious with his senses overwhelmed and his breath restricted.

The only reaction his dazed body managed was when he was lifted entirely.

“Ah!”

Strong, large thighs, as if belonging to a different species, sandwiched his knees, and his legs, held on tiptoe, were pulled up limply as the man exerted force. Taking advantage of the gap, thick arms slid behind his slightly lifted waist, and he was scooped up in an instant. Seo Soohyun clung to Gi Taeyeon desperately. His entire lower body was dangling in the air, making it difficult to maintain his balance.

“Heuk…”

Even in the precarious situation where he felt like he might fall, he blinked, trying to regain his senses. As Gi Taeyeon opened the sliding door and entered the house, he saw Bokshil trotting along behind him.

Oh, Bokshil… Perhaps having lost his wariness after seeing him a few times, Bokshil seemed indifferent to Gi Taeyeon striding across the living room. Instead, he lapped up some water from a bowl in the corner, settled onto a cushion nearby, and curled up. He seemed to be getting ready for a nap.

“Did you prepare this beforehand, knowing you were going to be fucked today?”

“What? …Ugh!”

With a thud, he fell back. Away from the pheromone-filled store and inside the house, his mind finally began to function. Seo Soohyun vaguely realized that the preparation Gi Taeyeon was referring to was the bedding spread out in the bedroom.

Although the floor was always warm, perhaps due to his grandmother’s influence, he always laid out bedding or a thick blanket in the bedroom. Today was no different, he had laid out a thick quilt before going to Seoul Grandmother’s house.

He tried to move back, as his instincts warned him to escape, but in the blink of an eye, his vision flipped. Before he could register that he was now on his hands and knees, his pants button was undone, and his clothes and underwear were pulled off in one go. His neatly pressed jeans, worn in observance of the holiday despite not placing much significance on Seol, slid off his legs easily, as if shedding skin. It was a swift and effortless undressing, like taking clothes off a newborn.

“Heukt!”

The initial surprise at the sudden turn of events was fleeting. Seo Soohyun’s shoulders flinched at the fingers touching his backside.

“Wh-what…”