Correction Chapter 108

“Haaah…”

Jungmin sighed, sitting on the sofa while tearing at his hair. When he came to his senses, he saw that the living room had no space to set foot. Appliance technicians had come, installed all the latest electronics, and even cleaned up thoroughly, completely transforming the house in half a day. What was even more dumbfounding was that they had replaced the perfectly fine sofa and table as well. He couldn’t understand at all why Kim Joohwan had done such a useless thing and called him several times, but Kim Joohwan didn’t answer.

Of course, it made sense that he wouldn’t answer during work hours, but he had a strange feeling that he was being avoided. He must know that he had done something that would earn him a scolding.

“Just you wait.”

It wasn’t like they would never see each other again, and he’d probably have to get in touch soon because of the medication anyway. Thinking he would unleash a torrent of nagging then, Jungmin leaned back against the sofa.

“Hmm…”

Everything Kim Joohwan had bought and sent over was strangely to his taste. No, it seemed like he had bought them to match his taste. The sofa, and even the brand of the coffee machine, were ones that Jungmin liked. Was it a coincidence? Yes, it must be a coincidence. How would Kim Joohwan know things like that?

But it wasn’t unpleasant. Since uninvited guests had barged into his home anyway, if he liked what they brought, there was no reason to dislike it so much.

“I feel sluggish.”

Was it because he ate the dinner that was delivered and had a hectic day? Or was it because of the side effects from the shot he got yesterday? His body felt more sluggish than he expected. He felt like if he closed his eyes right then, he could fall into a deep sleep.

──Ding-dong.

Until the doorbell rang.

Jungmin shot up from the sofa. He was bewildered. There was no reason for the intercom to ring. If it were the people sent by Kim Joohwan, a confirmation bell would have come from the management office. But just now, it had been the doorbell at the front door. The one that had never once rung until now…. Yet, the reason he knew this chime was because Jungmin knew the sound of Shinwoo’s doorbell better than anyone.

His heart was pounding. Who is it? Kim Joohwan? No. A call would have come from the management office first for him too. If that’s the case, then could it be….

Jungmin started walking slowly, then at the sound of the bell ringing once more, he hurried over and opened the door.

“Ah.”

Even while thinking it couldn’t be, he had hoped. He had been disappointed every time, telling himself not to get his hopes up, only to repeat the same mistake and hurt. But not today. As soon as he saw Yoo Shinwoo standing in front of the door, Jungmin felt like he would break down and cry right there.

“Jungmin.”

Worried that Shinwoo might be disappointed by such a weak side of him, Jungmin fought to endure and not break down, showing a smile instead.

“Shinwoo hyung!”

“Can I come in?”

“Huh? Oh. Of course.”

It was the first time since the day he moved in. When Jungmin opened the door for him, Yoo Shinwoo came into the house. What a relief. The house is clean today.

“Wow, is this the first time since moving day? You’ve gotten a lot of stuff in the meantime.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Yoo Shinwoo gave the place a cursory glance, as if he was barely looking, and sat on the sofa.

“Want some coffee?”

“It’s okay. I can’t drink coffee right now.”

“Ah. Right. Hyung, you just came from the hospital, didn’t you?”

Yoo Shinwoo had been admitted to the research institute for a short time three days ago. It was for a new drug test and treatment. So, Jungmin understood why he hadn’t been in touch. Jungmin also knew that for security reasons, it wasn’t a place where you could freely use your phone.

“How are you feeling? Does the medicine suit you? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“One question at a time. Here, sit here.”

Shinwoo patted the spot next to him. Jungmin quickly sat down beside him.

“I was discharged because I’m fine, the medicine fortunately suited me, and I’m not in any pain right now. I don’t feel any pheromones either. I think I’m okay.”

“That’s a relief.”

What a true relief.

“Right. It is a relief.”

Yoo Shinwoo’s expression was bitter. Seeing the shadow fall over his face, Jungmin wanted to offer words of comfort and chose his words carefully. But he knew that no words would comfort him. He had seen him gasping for breath several times with his own eyes, so he knew that even more. If it was this hard even for him, how much worse must it be for the person going through it?

“As I was leaving the hospital, I really wanted to see you, Jungmin. That’s why I came like this. I hope I didn’t interrupt you while you were resting?”

Shinwoo’s hand stroked Jungmin’s hair. The tip of his nose tingled, and he felt like he was about to cry.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had heard such affectionate words. Shinwoo, exhausted by his unchanging illness, was always on edge, and he had become less talkative. It felt like they had gone back to the old days, for the first time in a very long time.

“No. Of course not. I’m happy you came, hyung.”

“Jungmin, I’m so sorry to you. Because I’m… pathetic. I have you, but I still have to sleep with an omega… and even though it’s for treatment, I feel like I’m doing something terrible to you…”

“Hyung, no. I told you it was okay to do that. I know better than anyone that it can’t be helped.”

The faint scent of an omega’s pheromones coming from Shinwoo’s body. He tried hard to ignore it, and in his heart he thought it couldn’t be helped, but he couldn’t stop the suffocating feeling in his chest. That made him feel even more selfish. To think he felt this way after pretending to understand it all.

“I want to stop now too. I want to stop mixing bodies with omegas I don’t know, and stop hurting and paining you.”

Shinwoo placed his hand over Jungmin’s. This was the first time. Shinwoo didn’t initiate skinship. Up until now, he had only ever hugged him. No kisses, nor did he ever take his hand first like this. Jungmin thought it was natural since they were both alphas. So he was actually very surprised right now.

“Shinwoo… hyung?”

“So, Jungmin, are you by any chance still taking that medication to become an omega?”

“…I am.”

“There’s still no progress?”

Jungmin avoided Shinwoo’s eyes and nodded.

“I see. Ah, I’m not trying to pressure you. It’s just… I’m hoping you’ll quickly become an omega so… so I can imprint on you and the person I share my body with is you. You know how I feel, right, hyung?”

“I know. I’m sorry, hyung. My alpha factor must be too strong.”

“An alpha should be like that. That’s right. That’s not what’s wrong. Hmm… actually, while I was admitted at the institute this time, I heard a few things. I heard an alpha got pregnant this time?”

“Ah, yeah. But I heard it wasn’t a trait transformation.”

“I see.”

What was he trying to say? And he couldn’t bring himself to ask. For some reason, Shinwoo’s touch, which had been thrilling just a moment ago, now felt only heavy.

“Hmm… right, you’re trying too. I’m always grateful, Jungmin. You’re my hope. You know that, right?”

“Of course.”

Shinwoo pulled Jungmin into a tight hug and patted his back.

“Thank you for not giving up. Thank you so much.”

As the strong scent of omega pheromones wafted from Shinwoo’s body, Jungmin closed his eyes and hugged him back. It’s all okay. He thought that surely, if he became an omega, both he and Shinwoo would be okay, and this too shall pass.

✽✽✽

“Hmm… your physical condition is the same as last week.”

Jungmin nodded at Doctor Kim Ari’s words. The regular check-ups he used to get once a month changed to once a week after he started sleeping with Kim Joohwan again. Fortunately, his physical condition hadn’t worsened as drastically as before, but he was also feeling that he wasn’t what he used to be.

“How is your body temperature?”

“I get cold at night. Then there are times I wake up because I’m suddenly hot. Still, thanks to the medicine you prescribed, it’s not to the point where I can’t sleep.”

“Hmm, I see.”

While Kim Ari was asking him various things, Jungmin felt a gaze on him and lifted his head. He didn’t know when he came in, but Kim Joohwan was leaning against the doorway. It was the first time he had seen his face in two days. The man who had diligently avoided his calls was now shamelessly showing his face, and Jungmin felt a surge of anger.

“Kim Joohwan, you wait right there.”

“Yes, yes. I have to listen to you.”

He said playfully, holding both hands up. He was so annoying that Jungmin felt he would have no regrets if he could just hit him once. Jungmin finished his conversation with Doctor Kim and stood up from his seat. As if he had been waiting, Kim Joohwan brought Jungmin’s jacket and draped it over his shoulders. Then he placed a hand on Jungmin’s forehead.

“What are you doing? I don’t have a fever.”

“I know. But I still have to check. Sunbae sometimes leaves the hospital without realizing he’s sick.”

Kim Joohwan was right. These days, he was sick almost every day, so he had become desensitized to the pain and sometimes failed to notice how bad his condition was.

“You seem okay today. Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

Perhaps because he was feeling unwell, he didn’t have the strength to refuse Kim Joohwan’s kindness like before. Jungmin nodded and followed him. He got into the now-familiar car, and as always, the man fastened Jungmin’s seatbelt and adjusted the temperature inside the car.

“How’s the temperature?”

“It’s fine.”

“Tell me if it’s cold or hot.”

“Okay.”

The car started smoothly. Jungmin closed his eyes, then suddenly felt a surge of anger and opened them. He turned his head to say something to him and was startled. Kim Joohwan was looking at him.