Correction Chapter 25

The Shin household was in a festive mood after Jungmin presented as an Alpha.

Even his half-brothers congratulated him, and his father’s business partners sent him congratulatory gifts.

“Tch, an Alpha.”

Youngmin grumbled, sitting on Jungmin’s bed and picking at the blanket. Jungmin, with an impassive face, took off the suit he had worn that day.

“Must be nice to be an Alpha.”

“…….”

“Hey, Shin Jungmin. Must be nice!”

“…Yeah.”

“What? Why so indifferent? Are you showing off? Or are you ignoring me because I’m an Omega?”

“What seems so good about it?”

“Are you kidding me? Alphas and Omegas are treated differently.”

“You’re talking about the old days. And you wanted to be an Omega.”

It used to be that way, but now the discrimination between Alphas and Omegas has lessened considerably, and if Omegas are treated carelessly, Alphas might not find mates, so gradually, Alphas have started to be mindful of Omegas.

“You’re still naive, Shin Jungmin. Alphas still subtly hold more power. Ha, if I were an Alpha, I’d have slept with every Omega in this world.”

“You’re already sleeping with Alphas.”

Youngmin was slightly surprised by Jungmin’s words, then chuckled.

“That’s true. Heh heh. So when are you going to go sleep with an Omega? Shouldn’t you graduate from your virginity?”

Jungmin suppressed the urge to retort, “Are you talking about yourself?”

“Youngmin, I’m tired. I want to rest.”

“Damn it, fine! You’re so great.”

Youngmin threw Jungmin’s pillow on the floor and left the room. Jungmin knew Youngmin was bound to be sensitive. After all, since Jungmin presented as an Alpha, the whole family’s attention had been focused on him. Since Alphas are rare, it’s inevitable, but still, he felt guilty.

But that was all.

After changing into comfortable clothes, Jungmin opened his desk drawer. Inside was a ring. The ring’s previous owner had probably forgotten about its existence.

“Sigh.”

The ring, which had fit until recently, no longer did. It was because of the growth spurt that had started again after he presented as an Alpha. In about ten days, his height had increased slightly, and his body had changed into a physique that easily gained muscle, making him increasingly Alpha-like, unlike Youngmin. It was definitely not the form Jungmin desired.

Feeling down, he shook his head and tried putting the ring on his little finger, the only one it would fit, then kissed it.

I should forget and move on. I should give up everything now. Despite his resolve, Jungmin couldn’t do it. He acted even more foolishly, clinging to his feelings. This wasn’t right. He knew this wasn’t good for him or for Shinwoo.

Shinwoo had been avoiding Jungmin ever since he came to the hospital. He talked to Youngmin but not to Jungmin. He avoided him. He pretended not to notice when their eyes met. He didn’t visit home and didn’t call.

The reason was simple. He knew it. It was because Shinwoo wanted Jungmin to let go.

“Shin Jungmin, I heard you’re an Alpha?”

“Wow, congratulations.”

“Jungmin! You’re an Alpha?!”

Jungmin started going back to university about ten days after presenting as an Alpha.

Everyone admired Jungmin, who appeared with his hair neatly trimmed the day before. Betas and Omegas alike were captivated by his sharp nose, firm lips, and clear brown eyes.

But Jungmin wasn’t interested. He only searched for Shinwoo with his eyes. But as expected, he couldn’t find him. Would Shinwoo only see him if he gave up?

But how does one give up? He didn’t know how to stop these feelings he had nurtured for over ten years. Just becoming an Alpha wouldn’t make it possible, would it?

The first thing he did after becoming an Alpha was learn to control his pheromones. Since the pheromones of the same Alpha are said to cause aversion, Jungmin didn’t want to make Shinwoo feel repulsed, so he controlled his pheromones.

Although it was recommended to experience the first rut, he took suppressants to prevent it. All so that Shinwoo wouldn’t be uncomfortable. But were even those efforts pointless now that he was an Alpha?

“Jungmin.”

Just as he was becoming exhausted day by day, it was Shinwoo who called out to Jungmin as he was walking across campus. Drawn to the voice he longed to hear like a magnet, he ran towards him.

“Shinwoo hyung!”

Shinwoo smiled awkwardly as Jungmin ran towards him.

“It’s been a while.”

Sensing the awkwardness, Jungmin stopped a step away.

“Yes, hyung… It’s been a while.”

“You’ve grown a lot. Do your bones hurt?”

Shinwoo raised his hand to compare their heights. Jungmin had grown so much that he was almost as tall as Shinwoo, who was 189 centimeters.

“It’s tough growing up.”

They were having a normal conversation. Listening quietly, Jungmin wanted to ask him.

Hyung, why are you avoiding me? Do you hate seeing my face now that I’m an Alpha? Do you really want me to… give up on you?

“Um, Shinwoo.”

There were so many things he wanted to ask. If he didn’t ask, his heart felt like it would burst. Desperate to survive, he cautiously opened his mouth when a man, hidden behind Shinwoo, peeked his head out.

A cute face and a slender body. He was clearly an Omega. The moment he saw the Omega, Jungmin’s heart sank. Did hyung have an Omega?

“Ah, Hanyoung. Sorry.”

Shinwoo smiled awkwardly and pushed the Omega forward.

“Jungmin, say hello. He’s a friend from the club who… asked me to introduce you.”

“Hi, Jungmin. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Perhaps… if he were hyung’s new Omega, he wouldn’t feel this way. It felt like he was suddenly falling into hell. It felt like all his blood was draining and his body temperature was dropping. He wanted to disappear. Shinwoo had introduced him to an Omega. That must mean he wanted him to get along with this Omega. Now that you’re an Alpha, love only Omegas. Don’t even look at Alphas.

“Jungmin?”

He was cruel. Afraid he would show his pathetic side if he stayed any longer, Jungmin quickly left.

“Jungmin!”

Even though Jungmin wished to be left alone, Shinwoo persistently followed him, calling his name. Unaware of how much it stung, he cruelly stabbed at Jungmin.

“Jungmin! Please!!”

Shinwoo finally caught up and grabbed Jungmin, and Jungmin pushed him away. His breath caught in his throat, and he felt like he would die of suffocation. No, he wished he would die.

“Why? Why are you introducing me to an Omega?”

“…Because you’re an Alpha now. Meet someone nice…”

Why did hyung never deviate from his expectations?

“I never wanted this.”

“Jungmin.”

“Do you think my feelings for you will disappear if I date an Omega? If so, I wouldn’t have even started.”

His heart felt like it was being torn apart.

“Are you asking me to accept you as an Alpha? That’s not it either. Couldn’t you just wait until I could sort out my feelings? Hyung… can you really sort out feelings you’ve held for over ten years so easily?”

“I just thought it would be better for your future. There’s absolutely no other meaning.”

“I’ll decide my own future. Not you. And like I said, I don’t need it.”

“No. When you meet an Omega… when you date an Omega, Alphas change. You’ll soon realize what you are. That’s how secondary genders work. As if ordained by God, Alphas are drawn to Omegas, and Omegas to Alphas.”

“I liked you not because you’re an Alpha. And when I… liked you, I hadn’t even presented.”

“That’s why I’m saying this. You’ll realize it too. Those feelings you had for me… were ultimately nothing.”

“I’ll realize that if I date an Omega?”

“Yes.”

“Haha….”

Jungmin wanted to cry at Shinwoo’s firmness.

“Hyung… you seem to have a knack for making me miserable.”

Jungmin quickly fled, feeling like he would shatter and tear apart if he talked to Shinwoo any longer. Why didn’t he become an Omega?

He wanted to be an Omega. So he could be loved by this man. Why did he become an Alpha and get pushed away? If these feelings were false, then what was real?

Jungmin became genuinely curious. So, not long after, he started dating the Omega Shinwoo had introduced him to. They went through heat cycles together, went on dates, and he tried to give his heart.

In the end, he couldn’t give his heart to that Omega, even after spring and summer passed, so they broke up on the day autumn began. After breaking up, Jungmin felt relieved. As if proving that Shinwoo was wrong.

And that day, on his way home, Jungmin bought a vape.

“What scent would you like?”

Since it was a vape, he could choose a scent. He could even sample the scents. It was a new world.

“The reason people prefer vapes is that the scent masks pheromones. Sometimes people choose the scent of their Alpha or Omega. It doesn’t have the same effect as a pheromone shower, but they say it makes them feel like they’re together.”

Listening to the clerk, Jungmin considered choosing Shinwoo’s pheromone scent, then shook his head. It would seem too stalker-like.

“Would you like to try this scent?”

Jungmin smelled the scent the clerk offered. It was woody, slightly cool, and somehow, unlike anything he had smelled before, it gave him a sense of calm. Surprised, Jungmin chose that scent.

He sat on a park bench on his way home and vaped for the first time.

From that day on, the frustration inside him seemed to dissipate, even if just a little.