Strategic Mating Partner Chapter 24

There was nothing to be gained by agonizing over unanswerable questions. The world was inherently unfair, absurd, and full of heartache. Nevertheless, Taehyun’s teaching from his coach was to never lose hope and to always do his best. The fact that this “best”… included this kind of method made his face burn, but Taehyun’s current condition was strangely pleasant. Of course, muscles he didn’t usually use, like those in his lower back and inner thighs, were stiff enough to predict they would scream in pain tomorrow, but he felt a distinct change in his other conditions.

‘Is it because I didn’t take the medicine…?’

He hadn’t expected immediate results, but even if it was just a placebo effect, it wasn’t bad. As long as there was a tangible improvement, it was helpful. Taehyun, having shamelessly borrowed Sejin’s shampoo, body wash, and other toiletries, dried himself and came out of the bathroom to find that Sejin had already finished his coffee.

“Where are you training? If you’re taking a taxi, I can give you a ride.”

It wouldn’t take that long to drop him off if it was in the vicinity. Since he had already driven his car out, he figured he might as well offer a ride. Sejin calmly shook his head.

“They built a separate gym at home for me to train. The hour I mentioned earlier was for when the coach arrives.”

“Ah.”

Only then did it truly hit Taehyun how different Sejin had become, how much of a young master he now was. Of course, he was the grandson whom Ilwoon Pharmaceuticals proudly presented as their representative face. It was a level of wealth so different from his own that instead of envy or jealousy, only admiration emerged.

“Must be nice. You hated sharing facilities with others.”

It wasn’t meant to be a pointed remark. Taehyun simply spoke casually, remembering how Sejin had extremely disliked sharing spaces with others. Sejin replied with his usual indifferent expression,

“Yes. It’s convenient to use it alone.”

And the conversation ended there again.

“…….”

Was there nothing else to talk about? He had quite a few things he wanted to ask, like how Sejin had been in France, what his future training schedule was like, when the fencing team’s group training would be, and so on, but Taehyun couldn’t easily bring himself to speak. It felt strange to be so cautious now, but since Sejin didn’t seem curious about his period of radio silence, it felt intrusive for Taehyun to pry unilaterally.

‘It’s ridiculous to expect that kind of sociability from him….’

What was the reason they got involved in the first place? It was because Sejin, who had come to Korea all alone, refused to rely on anyone, which eventually led to conflicts with his fellow athletes. But Sejin now, as he had just thought, was no longer in a position to need Taehyun’s help unilaterally. He was a fully grown adult athlete, perfectly capable of taking care of himself.

So, how was this going? How was that going? Showing interest beyond that of a simple mating partner was a clear intrusion. Just as Sejin might not want to answer if Taehyun asked about his past, Taehyun might feel the same way.

‘Forget it… I have enough problems of my own.’

Taehyun got up and started getting ready to leave.

“Check your pheromone levels before training starts and send me a message. I’ll check mine before going up from the parking lot.”

Confirming whether last night’s ordeal had been worthwhile was his top priority right now. The rest could be thought about later. Taehyun shrugged and put down his empty cup. Sejin nodded.

“Okay. See you later.”

His tone was still devoid of any emotion. He really was a strange guy. Taehyun grumbled to himself once more, complaining about Sejin internally, and left the apartment. As soon as he opened the door and stepped out, he was bathed in bright, dazzling sunlight.

‘The weather’s nice….’

The breeze was pleasantly cool. A day like this was perfect for going out somewhere. Taehyun knew better than anyone that he couldn’t afford to do that right now.

‘This is the last year for this, anyway.’

What would it feel like to no longer live as an athlete? Taehyun glanced down at his ankle at the entrance to the parking lot. This year was goodbye to the endless rehabilitation, the nauseating cardio, and the repetitive training that sometimes drove him mad with boredom. He sincerely hoped that this farewell would be a final one without regrets. Taehyun started his car.

🤺

A little while later, arriving at the center’s staff parking lot, Taehyun turned off the engine and took out the portable measuring device from his bag. He lightly pricked his fingertip with a disposable lancet, dropped a bead of blood onto the thread, and inserted the kit. A number appeared on the panel a moment later.

[07]

Taehyun’s jaw dropped in disbelief as he confirmed the number, a level that would be impossible without medication. The alpha injection was incredibly effective. He was somewhat stunned, not having expected it to be this good. So this is why everyone talks about partners. Taehyun felt a sense of betrayal towards the other athletes who had confidently claimed they didn’t need medication because they had steady partners. If it was this effective, they could have at least told him. He complained, completely forgetting the fact that he had only revealed his omega status to his partners, and only to a few of them who had presented traits.

He would have to wait and see how he felt during interval training to know the full effect, but at least it was clear that his pheromone levels had decreased thanks to his interaction with Sejin.

“Haa….”

Taehyun detached the disposable part of the kit and tossed it into the car’s trash can, then put the main body back in his bag. He rested his forehead on the steering wheel for a moment, the engine still off. Now, there was no escape. Just as Taehyun managed to compose himself and lift his head, his phone, which he had set to silent, flashed brightly. Getting out of the car and heading towards the elevator, Taehyun checked the screen and saw a message from Sejin.

09

9:46 AM

So, if it worked for him, it wasn’t useless for Sejin either. Taehyun ruffled his hair in frustration and got on the elevator. A moment later, the elevator, carrying Taehyun alone, stopped. As the doors opened to the 4th floor, where the athletes’ dedicated training facility was located, a familiar athlete, startled by Taehyun’s messy hair, greeted him.

“Taehyun… what’s with your hair?”

Taehyun, startled, quickly fixed his hair and hurriedly greeted the athlete before heading to the locker room.

“Ah, my hair was sticking out, so I was fixing it. See you later!”

Entering the thankfully empty men’s changing room and locker room, he sighed again. All that was left was to actually move his body and see if the condition he had attributed to the drug’s side effects had been resolved. Taehyun felt strangely conflicted. Half of him hoped it had worked, and half of him hoped it hadn’t. If it had worked, he had found a lifeline. If it hadn’t, he wouldn’t have to do that with Sejin. Even though he thought he had nothing to lose either way, Taehyun had a preference.

And finally. Finishing an hour of running and stepping off the machine, Taehyun ruffled his hair again. Even though it was natural for him to ache all over after yesterday’s strenuous activity, running felt much lighter than usual. He could have even increased the incline a little more without any problems. Oh god, please tell me this is a lie. Taehyun sat down on the floor near the machine, and the other athletes around him, surprised, approached him.

“Oh my god, Taehyun, what’s wrong? Did you get a cramp?”

“Oppa, are you okay?”

With everyone’s worried gazes on him, Taehyun wanted to die on the spot. But he couldn’t die now. At least not here, on the 4th floor of the We Sports Integrated Sports Center, in the athletes’ support fitness room, as a ghost who died without winning an Olympic gold medal.

“No, no, no, I almost fell coming down… It’s nothing, I’m really okay.”

“Are you really okay?”

“Of course. I’m sorry, I guess I overreacted a bit.”

“Oppa, there’s nothing to be sorry about. You surprised us.”

Taehyun forced himself to dismiss the athletes’ concern, sat on the bench, stretched his leg muscles, and swallowed his tears. If this was the case, he really couldn’t refuse his relationship with Sejin. So it’s come to this. Finally. Ahhhhh, Taehyun sighed again, screaming internally. Eighteen-year-old Sejin, when he first met Taehyun, would never have dreamed that four years later, he would have this kind of relationship with the annoying guy who kept clinging to him. Back then, even his rudeness was cute. Taehyun sighed, recalling memories from four years ago.

It was a spring day when the summer heat had started a little early.