Correction Chapter 84

As Kim Joohwan watched him, he gently placed a finger on Jungmin’s nose. Although no abnormalities were found, the drug, not yet officially approved, was dangerous, and there was no telling where or how the body’s reaction might manifest. Kim Ari had asked Kim Joohwan several times as she watched him check if Jungmin was breathing.

‘Are you worried you’ll get sued if Mr. Kim dies?’

Looking at her, speaking to her superior with such sarcasm, Kim Joohwan couldn’t answer. It just felt like he had to check like this. It was an instinctive action, so he couldn’t provide a reasonable explanation for it and thus couldn’t answer. He found himself ironic, too.

“Aah….”

His lips stung, and when he looked in the mirror, he saw that the lip Jungmin had hit was split. He could have been angrier.

He must have held back this much because it was a hornet’s nest he had walked into himself. He really is a soft person. But at least when he was hitting him, he was looking straight at him. That gaze didn’t scatter anywhere, but was fixed on one place. Kim Joohwan smiled, turned off the light, and left the hospital room.

✽✽✽

“How is your body feeling?”

Kim Ari asked Jungmin cautiously. It was understandable. She was probably the first person to see Jungmin in such a mess.

“Thanks to your excellent care, I’m fine.”

This wasn’t an empty platitude. He knew how much she and the medical staff had cared for him in many ways during his stay. Even if it was due to Kim Joohwan’s influence, their actions were enough to be grateful for. Thanks to them, his wounds healed quickly. He had some muscle aches, and the torn area was still swollen, but he was satisfied just being able to move. Of course, he had been bedridden for a week.

“This is medicine. Please apply it three times a day.”

Kim Ari handed him a paper bag and explained its contents one by one.

“And this is an alpha-use gel. Sex between alphas isn’t that uncommon in foreign countries, so they have related items like this.”

Aah…. Kim Joohwan said he would tell her. He wasn’t embarrassed. It was the path he had chosen anyway, and Jungmin was confident in his choice. If anything, he should be grateful for them taking care of him like this.

“If you feel it’s really tough, it’s also good to take this pill before intercourse. It will relax your body. But it’s probably best not to take other medications if possible when you’re being administered that drug.”

It seems she knows about ‘that drug’ too.

“Do you feel any other physical discomfort? Like your eyesight has worsened. Or your thoughts have slowed down. Or it’s become difficult to keep your balance.”

She asked Jungmin cautiously.

“Nothing. I’m the same as usual.”

“That’s a relief.”

She was relieved and once again explained to Jungmin about the things she had brought for him, and told him what to be careful about when having relations with an alpha. Jungmin, who was listening quietly, soon looked up at her.

“Is there anything you’re curious about?”

“Is there any abnormality in my secondary gender?”

“…No.”

As expected. He hadn’t thought it would work with just one time. He had thought that and been prepared for it from the moment he woke up in the hospital room. Still, he had checked just in case…. The result he wished for seemed to be in the distant future.

“Don’t be too impatient. It will probably be a lengthy process.”

She quickly added, as if to comfort him.

“Dr. Kim….”

“Yes.”

“You’re not telling me to stop.”

Even knowing the dangers of that drug, she doesn’t try to stop him.

At Jungmin’s piercing question, she seemed somewhat flustered, then sighed.

“I feel I should apologize.”

“No. You don’t have to apologize. After all, you and I will come to have the same goal.”

They both want a ‘perfect result’. She as a researcher, and Jungmin as a test subject.

“We did a pheromone matching test while you were hospitalized. It was a pheromone matching test assuming that you, Mr. Shin, were an omega. It came out to 89%.”

Those words made Jungmin’s heart pound more than anything he had heard in recent years.

“Perhaps, if you really do become an omega, Mr. Shin, we can expect an even higher match. So… I’m sorry. I’m hoping for your success, Mr. Shin. For that, I can help you with anything. All of our researchers will cooperate.”

“Yes, me too. I will also do my best. So, I look forward to working with you.”

Jungmin politely bowed to Kim Ari and left the hospital room with the things she had given him.

“Jungmin-ah.”

I should go home, rest a bit, and get ready for work. And I’m worried about Shinwoo’s health, so I should check if he’s doing well. Just as he was thinking that, as if by a lie, Yoo Shinwoo was sitting on a chair in front of Jungmin’s hospital room.

“Shinwoo hyung.”

“Jungmin-ah.”

He shot up and came over to Jungmin.

“My gosh. You were really in the hospital? You were sick?”

“Hyung, what are you doing here? How did you know?”

“Your room and my room are one floor apart. I overheard the researchers talking as they came and went. But I thought it couldn’t be true. Because you’re healthy. And if you were sick, you’d be in the main hospital building, not the research wing.”

“Ah….”

“Are you okay?”

Yoo Shinwoo worriedly checked Jungmin over. He liked that gentleness and wanted to act childishly.

“Jungmin-ah.”

To think he’s looking at me and worrying like that. To think he’s worrying about me, not Youngmin, like this.

“Are you really okay?”

“Can’t you… just hug me once?”

Yoo Shinwoo flinched slightly. He thought he had made a mistake. Just as he was about to say no, that he was just kidding, Yoo Shinwoo pulled Jungmin into a hug. Then he patted his back and stroked his hair. At the sudden warmth and comfort… Jungmin felt like he was about to burst into tears.

“What kind of request is that. Of course I’ll hug you.”

Shinwoo hyung…. You’re such a good person….

“Tell me anytime. I’ll hug you. So don’t be sick.”

“That’s what I should be saying. Hyung, you don’t be sick either. How’s your body? Are you okay?”

“I’m much better.”

“That’s a relief.”

Jungmin rested his head on Shinwoo’s shoulder and closed his eyes. He wanted to stay like this forever. But it’s still too soon. After gaining a little more certainty, when he has become the person he needs, then….

“How touching.”

Along with the sneering tone, he felt a spine-chillingly sharp pheromone. Jungmin and Shinwoo turned their heads in surprise, and sure enough, Kim Joohwan was leaning against the wall in a crooked posture, looking at the two of them. It was the first time seeing him since in the hospital room a few days ago. As always, Kim Joohwan was perfectly put together from head to toe, without a single flaw.

“I came to pick up Jungmin sunbae and I never thought I’d witness something like this. You two are still on good terms. I’m jealous.”

“Kim Joohwan….”

Yoo Shinwoo stood in front of Jungmin. Jungmin was surprised by that action. It was close to what an alpha would do to protect their omega.

‘That can’t be it.’

Kim Joohwan, too, frowned at Yoo Shinwoo’s action as he approached, but he soon regained his composed expression.

“What are you doing here, Jungmin sunbae? I told you I’d come to pick you up. Are you feeling okay?”

Wearing a gentle mask and smiling, Kim Joohwan naturally stood next to Jungmin.

“Yoo Shinwoo sunbae. I’m sorry, but I have a prior engagement with Jungmin sunbae. I will be taking Jungmin sunbae. Ah, and I heard that an omega matching test will be starting soon for you, Yoo Shinwoo sunbae. They say they’ll be testing with about 50 people. I hope this time we’ll find your omega so you can get well soon. Let’s go, Jungmin sunbae.”

Kim Joohwan grabbed Jungmin’s arm. In truth, this situation was one where Jungmin was thoroughly the subordinate. He couldn’t refuse, nor could he tell Kim Joohwan to wait. More than anything, the document envelope Kim Joohwan was holding was on his mind. Jungmin sighed and pulled his arm away from Kim Joohwan’s hand. Then he smiled at Yoo Shinwoo, who was standing there without a word.

“Shinwoo hyung, I’ll call you later.”

“Okay…. If I were feeling better, I would have taken you home.”

“What are you talking about. Shinwoo hyung, don’t say things like that. Make sure you answer my call later.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

For some reason, Jungmin felt bad leaving Shinwoo alone. But with Kim Joohwan’s sharp gaze constantly on him, he had no choice but to walk side by side with him and get on the elevator.

“I don’t remember you ever saying you’d come pick me up?”

“How harsh. Just because we mixed our bodies, the main wife comes first. Is that it? I’ll be too sad to live as a concubine.”

“Kim Joohwan.”

He called his name, but Kim Joohwan didn’t say anything more. He silently walked to the car and opened the passenger side door. It was a sign to get in. Jungmin clicked his tongue and sat in the passenger seat, and Kim Joohwan sat in the driver’s seat and handed the documents he was holding to Jungmin.

“Read this on the way.”

“Where are we going?”

“We’re going to my home.”

Did he really come here just to take him home? Jungmin couldn’t figure out Kim Joohwan’s thoughts at all. Not that he wanted to, though.

Inside the document envelope he handed him was a contract.