Correction Chapter 88

“…Any progress with the Omega matching?”

“If there was, do you think I’d be drinking with you like this?”

“Well, that’s true, but… what was the matching rate?”

“70 at most….”

I couldn’t tell if that was higher or lower than expected.

“The average pheromone matching rate is definitely higher than in Europe. Over there, the average was 65%.”

“Ah….”

“Still, it’s meaningless. There’s no hope unless it’s over 90%.”

The more he listened to Yoo Shinwoo, the more Jungmin seemed to understand what a terrible thing he had done… how much hope he had shattered.

“I really wish you were an Omega.”

Shinwoo said bitterly. He then quickly shook his head and downed his glass in one go.

“I’m sorry. Saying something like this to you….”

“No, it’s okay. I understand…. I think so too. That if I were an Omega, the matching rate would surely be higher, so wouldn’t that have been a good thing for you, hyung….”

“I know, right. If you were an Omega, I would’ve imprinted on you and settled down with you that very day. How could I live with the anxiety of someone else taking you?”

“Huh?”

“You’re a really good guy. I’m sure the world won’t fail to recognize that about you. And neither will I.”

His heart was pounding. The seed of false hope had sprouted again a while ago, but he hadn’t watered it at all. But just now, it was as if rain was falling from the sky. The sprout was glistening, looking up at the rain of light.

“Hyung…. Um… saying things like that….”

Jungmin hesitated, swirling his glass. Was this the right time to say this? He was hesitant, but the thought, once it had raised its head, kept pushing him from behind to just go for it.

“Hmm? If you have something to say, say it, Jungmin. I’m listening.”

“Well… you know what I said before, when you were sick, hyung. I said it when you were struggling, too. That if I were an Omega, you should accept me… I wasn’t just saying that.”

“I know.”

Jungmin looked at Shinwoo.

Since when? Shinwoo had been looking at Jungmin. To think he had been looking at him so directly like this…. Just when did it start?

“I know, Jungmin.”

He put down his glass and took Jungmin’s hand.

“I know what you want to say, your feelings, your thoughts. And that it’s all sincere. You’ve never lied in anything you’ve said to me. You’ve always spoken honestly.”

“Shinwoo hyung….”

“It might be… it might be too soon. As you know, with a body like this, it’s even more so. And I’m someone who can’t live without an Omega. So I can’t accept your feelings right now. I know better than anyone that doing so would be a betrayal to you. So for now, I’ll just say that I know. With this… won’t that be enough for now?”

Shinwoo said, stroking the back of Jungmin’s hand. Jungmin shook his head.

“That’s more than enough, hyung. Really… it’s really enough. Thank you. Thank you, hyung.”

His voice trembled. His heart was full. He had thought that this feeling would never reach him. And even if it did, he thought it would never be reciprocated. In fact, that was the only way Jungmin could think. Because none of his loves had ever succeeded…. So he was afraid that this, too, might be a dream, but he worked up the courage. Shinwoo was still looking at him. He met his eyes and patted the back of his hand as if to show him it wasn’t a dream.

“I may be like this… but if you’re having a hard time, tell me. I can at least drink with you like this.”

He continued to talk, easing Jungmin’s anxiety as well. Jungmin smiled.

“You’re the one who should… get healthy quickly before saying things like that to me, hyung. And if possible, I hope you get healthy because of me. So you can’t run away.”

“Haha, I wish that were true.”

He threw out a joke that was half-serious, and Shinwoo received it pleasantly. If only one thing could be resolved. If he could just tear down that one wall that had been blocking him since childhood, everything seemed like it would be okay. And he resolved once more. That he would definitely succeed. Jungmin once again hid his trembling hand from Shinwoo and clenched his fist tightly.

✽✽✽

After a pleasant drink with Shinwoo, they parted ways. The depression that had been intermittently rising until midday had completely vanished. Jungmin got out of the taxi in high spirits.

─Did you get there?

“Yeah, I’m here.”

─I should have taken you home. Instead, I ended up being indebted to you.

Shinwoo had been more drunk than Jungmin, so Jungmin had just dropped Shinwoo off and come home.

“What are you talking about, hyung…. You’re the bigger patient.”

─A guy who must have been ridiculously popular, why someone like me….

“Hey, stop that. Stop. Even if it’s you, hyung… I can’t forgive you for badmouthing yourself.”

─…You really say things like that so easily.

“I can say more….”

─Right, right, you drunkard. Let’s hang up now. Go in and sleep. Get some rest, and if you’re bored tomorrow, call me. I don’t have anything to do either.

“That’s right, now there are two of us unemployed. Haha. I’ll call you. Sleep well, hyung.”

─Sleep well.

It was a perfect end to the day. Jungmin hung up the phone and smiled sheepishly.

“What are you so happy about?”

That is, until he heard someone’s voice. Jungmin slowly turned around. He suddenly felt a rush of drunkenness. Was that why? The black sedan parked against the wall across from his house and the figure leaning against it looked blurry. In a way, he probably just wanted to escape reality.

“Go away….”

Jungmin waved his hands as if shooing away a ghost. He didn’t want to ruin his good mood by looking at that demon right now.

“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

He knew that the demon had called him several times while he was drinking, but he didn’t answer and had put his phone on silent and turned it face down.

“Quitting the hospital, why didn’t you tell me?”

Kim Joohwan asked as he walked towards Jungmin, his steps deliberate and measured. Jungmin tried to get into his house before he completely entered his territory, but it was too late. Kim Joohwan grabbed him first.

“What is it?”

He grabbed Jungmin’s left wrist and lifted it. Jungmin’s hand was trembling. Come to think of it, this was the first time Kim Joohwan was seeing this side effect.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this first?”

Feeling like he wouldn’t be let go like this, Jungmin relaxed his body and sighed.

“Kim Joohwan.”

“I’m asking why you didn’t tell me first!”

Why is this bastard so angry?

“You’re getting all the reports, aren’t you? Aren’t you here because you received a report that I quit the hospital? So, what?”

“And so you didn’t say a single word to me?”

“That’s right. Why bother hearing it twice, it’s a hassle. Save your time.”

“Wasn’t it that it wasn’t worth mentioning?”

At Kim Joohwan’s words, Jungmin flinched.

“…I see. Right. Gosh, I thought things would change after we even wrote up a contract, but it’s the same. On paper, I’m the ‘party of the first part’, but in reality, I’m treated worse than the ‘party of the second part’. Since I’m the one who has to offer up the drug anyway.”

“Kim Joohwan.”

“Yeah, well. That’s how it is.”

Kim Joohwan muttered and then let out a smirk. Kim Joohwan let go of Jungmin’s hand. He then went back to his car and opened the passenger side door.

“Get in.”

“Let’s talk tomorrow.”

“Where do I have the time to talk leisurely with you, sunbae? As you said, my time is precious.”

“Then, why?”

“A new drug is out.”

“…It hasn’t even been a week since I took the last one.”

“So? You don’t want to? If you don’t want to, then don’t.”

Kim Joohwan closed the car door again.

“I’ll be in the US on a business trip for two weeks starting tomorrow, so I won’t be in Korea.”

What’s that about. In the end, it means I have no choice.

“Fine.”

Jungmin walked over on his own, opened the car door, and sat in the passenger seat. Soon, Kim Joohwan sat in the driver’s seat and started the engine. The car pulled out smoothly, and a heavy silence soon filled the small space. It was so suffocating that Jungmin deliberately opened the window, but it was closed again shortly after.

“Keep your body warm. The drug won’t circulate properly if your body temperature drops.”

He’s completely pissed off. Jungmin felt the effects of the alcohol wearing off completely.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you, but… didn’t we anticipate some side effects? Is this really something to make such a fuss about?”

“It would be best if you stopped talking, sunbae. You’re just making me angrier.”

“Hey, what’s with your tone?”

“Then did I say something wrong? I get that you went and told a doctor what kind of side effects you were having. Yes, that was good. But- the person who needs to know first is me. So I can take action first! So I can handle it first. Not anyone else, I have to know first. Do you understand?”

He could feel a slight agitation, but he could also tell he was suppressing his anger immensely. Especially from the way he was gripping the steering wheel, Jungmin could tell that Kim Joohwan was holding back what he really wanted to say, so he just gave up, leaned back in his seat, and closed his eyes. He had thought he would be able to sleep well tonight, but it seemed like it was going to be a long night.