Alpha Trauma Vol. 4 Chapter 8 - Extra (5)

Eventually, Wooyeon decided to pull himself together and go look for Dohyeon. He thought he’d check who was visiting, bring Dohyeon back, and then try to sleep again. It was already midday, but since it was a day off, he figured a little more laziness wouldn’t hurt.

Even when Daniel had visited, Wooyeon had woken up the moment he noticed the empty spot beside him. Despite having slept alone for most of his life, he’d quickly grown accustomed to Dohyeon in just a few months. Now, when he went to bed alone, he’d toss and turn before finally falling asleep.

“I guess I shouldn’t have tried to get used to it.”

As they say, you don’t miss what you never had. He’d become accustomed to that warm presence, and now there was no escape. Not that he wanted to escape, even if he could.

“…because…”

“You’re…”

As he threw on whatever clothing was nearby, he heard the murmur of voices. He had assumed it would just be a door-to-door vendor, but apparently, it was someone important enough to let inside. Rolling up the sleeves of a T-shirt that wasn’t his, Wooyeon moved toward the source of the voices.

“I told you, it’s not like that.”

He could see two figures standing in the middle of the living room. Surprised by the unusual tone in Dohyeon’s voice, Wooyeon blinked. Dohyeon, who was typically calm, seemed flustered; it made him curious about who this person might be.

“Not like that? You’ve done this more than once, Dohyeon.”

“…Hyung?”

Wooyeon stopped in his tracks, recognizing the term and realizing who the visitor must be. Should he leave? Just as he hesitated, he accidentally made eye contact with the person standing in front of Dohyeon.

“…”

The woman had large, almond-shaped eyes without double eyelids, giving her a soft, downturned gaze that somehow resembled Dohyeon’s. Not in her features, but in her expression and aura. If Dohyeon didn’t have two sisters, then this must be “Jinah.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you had a guest?”

Dohyeon quickly turned his head. Wooyeon didn’t even try to avoid his gaze, merely furrowing his brows slightly. It seemed he was already too late to make a quiet exit.

“Oh… you’re up?”

An awkward smile flickered across Dohyeon’s face as he looked between Wooyeon and Jinah, squinting slightly. In the midst of the uncomfortable silence, Wooyeon finally spoke up.

“I just wanted to see who was here…”

His voice didn’t sound like it normally did. After all the crying and groaning yesterday, it was no wonder it was strained. Although he vaguely remembered holding something at the back of his throat, he’d mostly forgotten that part.

“I’ll leave you to talk. I’ll go back to my room.”

Wooyeon gave a polite nod and began to back away. Considering Dohyeon had even gotten drunk because of a fight with his sister, Wooyeon didn’t want to interfere with their conversation.

A quiet voice stopped him as he turned to go.

“You don’t have to go.”

Jinah adjusted her bag on her shoulder and glanced at Wooyeon. Her gaze swept from his messy hair down to the oversized T-shirt, making Wooyeon feel self-conscious. He rubbed his reddened neck and awkwardly looked away.

“I just came to pick up something I left. I’ll be leaving right after.”

Jinah spoke without much emotion and walked confidently inside. Relieved to see her heading toward the guest room instead of the bedroom, Wooyeon relaxed slightly. It was the room Daniel had stayed in before.

“Sorry, looks like I woke you.”

Dohyeon approached, tidying Wooyeon’s messy hair. When he adjusted Wooyeon’s collar, his hand grazed over the marks left on his neck. Dohyeon seemed unaware that his own collarbone was also littered with similar red marks.

“No, it’s not really because of you…”

Wooyeon trailed off, glancing at the room Jinah had entered. Meeting a lover’s family for the first time, he didn’t quite know how to act, especially given the tense atmosphere.

“You mentioned you fought with her. Shouldn’t you try to make up?”

“…”

Typically, Dohyeon would brush it off, but this time he simply looked away and sighed. Reading the worry on his face, Wooyeon asked cautiously.

“…It’s not because of me, is it?”

“No.”

He answered immediately, but Wooyeon still couldn’t shake his doubt. Dohyeon softened his expression, as if trying to reassure him.

“There’s nothing to fight about because of you.”

“…”

Well, it’s not like there’d be any reason for him and his sister, whom he’d just met, to have any conflicts. Although a sense of unease remained, Wooyeon decided not to press further.

“Anyway… I’ll give you two some space. You should talk it out and make up. Isn’t that why you drank last night?”

Though Dohyeon hesitated, he didn’t answer right away. At that moment, Jinah strode out of the guest room, her small frame emanating a surprisingly intense presence.

“…”

Without looking back, she headed straight for the front door. When Wooyeon looked at Dohyeon in surprise, Dohyeon reluctantly called after her. “Jinah.” She paused and glanced back.

“What?”

“Wait a minute. I’ll drive you.”

“No need. I’m not going home.”

“Kim Jinah.”

“What? Geez!”

With her voice raised, Wooyeon quietly retreated to his room. As soon as he closed the door, the argument was muffled, but he could still make out Jinah’s sharp words, echoing through the closed door: “Why does that even matter to you?”

“Why are they fighting?”

As far as Wooyeon knew, Dohyeon wasn’t the type to start fights. From what he observed with Dohyeon’s juniors, he seemed to treat his siblings with great care too. Besides, hadn’t Dohyeon said he was doing his best to adapt to his adopted family?

Puzzled, Wooyeon opened the wardrobe and took out the clothes he had left there previously. His outfit from the day before had gotten messy and wasn’t fit to wear again. He put on a comfortable hoodie and shorts, which also helped cover some marks on his neck.

When he came back out, the two were still in the middle of their quarrel in the living room. It seemed like Jina was venting her anger, while Dohyeon was reluctantly enduring it. The one-sided nature of the fight felt oddly out of place.

“You always…!” Jina’s voice wavered as she bit her lip. She had just locked eyes with Wooyeon, who had stepped out of the room.

“…I’ll head out.”

“…”

“I don’t want to make things uncomfortable by staying here.”

He didn’t know how long their conversation would last, and it didn’t feel right to just stay inside. Wooyeon decided to head back home and wait for Dohyeon to contact him later. Judging by Dohyeon’s silence, he seemed to think it would be best for Wooyeon to leave as well.

“See you later.”

Wooyeon offered a slight nod and walked past them, giving a reassuring glance.

“…Ugh, so frustrating.”

Just as Wooyeon reached the entrance and felt the fresh air outside, he realized how thick with pheromones the apartment had become. He suddenly felt relieved that Jina was a Beta. But then, out of nowhere, Jina grabbed Wooyeon’s arm with a firm grip.

“Kim Jina!” Dohyeon shouted, startled. But Jina ignored him and slammed the door shut. The loud bang left Wooyeon wide-eyed and speechless.

“What… is this…?”

Without a word, Jina began dragging Wooyeon down the hall. It was his first time being manhandled, so he didn’t even think to resist. They stopped in front of the elevator, where Dohyeon quickly caught up and grabbed Wooyeon’s other arm.

“What are you doing?” Dohyeon demanded, his face pale from shock. Now caught between the siblings, Wooyeon frowned slightly. Jina pressed the elevator button repeatedly, then warned Dohyeon in a low voice.

“Don’t follow us.”

“Huh?”

The elevator doors dinged open, and Jina shoved Wooyeon inside, letting go of Dohyeon’s hand. Not wanting to use force against Dohyeon’s sibling, Wooyeon quietly complied.

“If you try to follow…”

Jina stood in front of the doors, blocking Dohyeon’s path, and looked up at him with an intense gaze.

“I’ll tell Mom and Dad everything. About your tattoo on your back, how you started drinking and smoking in high school—all of it.”

“…”

Dohyeon’s face twisted in frustration, a look Wooyeon had never seen before. He’d seen him laugh and even cry, but this kind of annoyance was new.

“Now move aside if you get it.”

Jina pressed the button for the first floor and the door-close button. But instead of stepping back, Dohyeon held the door open with his hand, causing it to grind open again with a metallic sound.

“If you have complaints, talk to me.”

“I don’t have any complaints.”

“You really…”

“Oh, wow, look at you getting angry,” Jina mocked, even glaring at him defiantly. “I thought you’d stay a spineless doormat your whole life.”

“…”

The biting tone of Jina’s words made Wooyeon realize that this fight likely had deeper roots than he’d imagined. There was a history here.

“Yeon, come on out.”

“Hyung.”

What should he do?

It didn’t take Wooyeon long to decide. After all, Dohyeon had helped him so many times before in his relationships, and he wanted to return the favor, even if it involved a little risk.

“I’ll be in touch.”

He gently removed Dohyeon’s hand from the door. Dohyeon’s face filled with surprise, as if he hadn’t expected Wooyeon to choose this. Jina took advantage of the moment and hit the close button, letting the elevator doors shut with a thud.

***

The modest-looking barbecue restaurant was clean despite its old exterior. It had round metal tables, drum-style stools, and smoke vents hanging from the ceiling. Jina handed an apron to Wooyeon, who was hesitating awkwardly as he sat down.

“Here, put this on. You’re wearing white, after all.”

The apron had the logo of a popular soju brand that Wooyeon recognized. He glanced at his white hoodie, then at the old, worn fabric of the apron, and wordlessly tied it around his neck. He usually didn’t spill food, but with grilling, there would definitely be some oil splatter.

“What do you feel like eating? I brought you here without asking, but you can eat meat, right?”

Just moments earlier, Jina had abruptly dragged Wooyeon out and shoved him into a taxi without any explanation or even an apology. It was only when they arrived at the modestly signed restaurant that she curtly asked, “Do you drink?”

“Stop looking around. You’re acting like you’ve never been to a place like this before.”

“…”

Wooyeon actually hadn’t been to a place like this, but he didn’t confirm it out loud. He remembered the looks Garam and Seonkyu gave him when he’d admitted to trying tteokbokki for the first time. So he kept quiet, and Jina spoke up again.

“I’ll treat you, so pick something you’d like.”

“No, no need to treat me.”

Wooyeon couldn’t eat greasy pork anyway. He wasn’t particularly hungry, and he didn’t feel comfortable accepting a meal from his partner’s sibling. He politely declined, but Jina narrowed her eyes.

“Are you loaded with money or something?”

“…”

He was, in fact—extremely.

“What kind of student refuses a free meal?” Jina said, calling over a server with a bored expression. She ordered two servings of pork belly and a bottle of soju, pulling out her ID for verification. Wooyeon followed her lead and presented his own.

“Since I dragged you here, I’ll pay. I have plenty of money.”

Wooyeon didn’t bother to correct her misunderstanding. He saw no need to argue about his finances. It was better just to stay quiet. But with that, an awkward silence settled between them again.

It couldn’t be helped; they didn’t have any shared interests or points of connection, and they’d only just met today. Even in the company of friends, Wooyeon was usually quite reserved, so it was clear the conversation wouldn’t start unless Jina spoke first.

Jina, however, just kept staring at Wooyeon, her gaze intensely observing his face, reminiscent of Dohyeon’s.

“…Is there something on my face?”

“No.”

Her response was curt, cutting off the conversation instantly. With only the two of them there this early, the restaurant was silent except for the faint hum of a machine and the TV above playing an uninteresting drama. After a while, their side dishes, soju, and meat arrived.

Without a word, Jina poured soju into Wooyeon’s glass and then filled her own. She didn’t even propose a toast before downing her glass in one swift gulp. Wooyeon watched as Jina poured herself another drink, then picked up tongs to start grilling the meat.

“So, why did you follow me out?”

“…Excuse me?”

Sizzle—the pork belly began to cook on the heated grill. Her grilling skills, placing garlic and kimchi on the side, showed she was no novice. She refilled her glass and clinked the tongs together.

“I mean, why did you come along? Doesn’t it seem strange to just follow someone you barely know?”

Truthfully, Wooyeon had wanted to ask her the same thing: “Why did you bring me here?” He could’ve asked that, but he decided to answer her question directly instead.

“I was curious about why you and your brother were fighting.”

He didn’t know how to steer the conversation to get what he wanted subtly, nor did he have any interest in challenging Dohyeon’s sibling.

“And I wanted to know why you dragged me along.”

“Aha, you’re a curious one.”

Jina flipped the pork belly over. The browned, crispy surface looked delicious, though Wooyeon knew the smell would make it hard for him to eat.

“Well… I dragged you along just because. Since you’re my brother’s boyfriend, I wanted to talk. Also…”

What she was about to say next seemed important, but she trailed off, cutting the meat with scissors and organizing it neatly before downing another shot of soju.

“…Do you want to know why we fought?”

Wooyeon gave a slight nod, his face carefully neutral. At least if she told him that, he’d feel the trip was worthwhile. Though he didn’t want to meddle in other people’s family matters, Jina seemed willing to share.

“The main reason is… I looked at my brother’s phone. There was a message like, ‘I miss you, hyung.’”

“…”

So much for claiming it was none of his business.

Wooyeon knew better than anyone who had sent that message. Jina flipped the meat nonchalantly.

“I thought it might be his boyfriend, so I teased him a bit, asking questions, but he suddenly snatched his phone and got angry. Here, the meat’s ready if you want some.”

“…He got angry?”

“Yes. Or maybe it was more like irritation?”

Wooyeon couldn’t imagine it. The Dohyeon he knew wasn’t someone to get angry over something so minor. Sure, he might dislike someone looking through his phone, but he wouldn’t scold his sibling so badly they’d leave home upset.

“But the funny part is, he got angry and then apologized.”

“So why did you two fight?”

“Because his apology irritated me.”

Once again, Wooyeon found it hard to understand. Seeing his puzzled expression, Jina frowned.

“You don’t get it, do you?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow, this is when you’re supposed to say ‘No’ out of politeness.”

Jina chuckled softly, took another shot of soju, and pushed some meat toward Wooyeon.

“My brother never gets angry.”

Jina let out a bitter laugh, placing more meat on the grill. Urging him to eat before it burned, Wooyeon reluctantly picked up a piece of meat. As he clumsily wrapped it in lettuce, Jina lowered the heat.

“He’s never raised his voice at me, not even when I woke him up, interrupted his studies, or blamed him for things I messed up. He’d just laugh it off and say it’s okay.”

To others, that might sound like an ideal brother. Jina seemed to think so too, saying it in an offhand manner.

“Seems like a pretty good brother, doesn’t he?”

This time, Wooyeon hesitated to answer. The image of Dohyeon smiling gently came to mind. A teacher who never got angry, always saying it’s okay—that was less ideal and more… well, distant.

“It’s really just him drawing a line.”

“….”

“No one’s foolish enough to see that, though.”

When he tutored Wooyeon, Dohyeon was always kind and gentle. Wooyeon never really did anything to provoke him, but he sensed that Dohyeon’s kindness was also somewhat deliberate. It was only now, looking back, that he realized this.

“I actually did it on purpose. I know my brother’s private life is something he’s sensitive about. He’s never shown his friends, his girlfriend, or even family. So if I get nosy, I knew he’d be uncomfortable. Just like I thought, he got annoyed and told me it was none of my business.”

Jina’s expression soured slightly. He chewed his food aggressively, washing it down with soju. His glass hit the table with a thud.

“And then he went and apologized again, with that ‘Oh, I shouldn’t have done that’ look on his face.”

Honestly, Wooyeon couldn’t quite understand what the problem was. Apologizing after getting mad—what’s wrong with that? He almost asked but stopped himself when Jina continued.

“You don’t get it unless you’ve lived it. It’s not about giving in; he’s just giving up. It’s not that he’s good-natured; he just hates dealing with hassle. Getting mad, snapping, arguing—those things are reserved for people he considers close.”

“….”

Wooyeon had been through something similar himself. When Kang Junseong kept provoking him, he didn’t respond. He thought it wasn’t worth his energy and kept a “you bark, I walk away” attitude.

“Do you know what I think every time he acts like that?”

Their gazes met in the air. Jina had the same look he’d had when he fought with Dohyeon. He scoffed lightly and muttered with a bitterness that felt almost like a bite.

“Wow, he really acts like a stranger.”

“….”

For a fleeting moment, Wooyeon wondered if Dohyeon had heard those words last night. If it had only been a simple fight, he wouldn’t have stayed up drinking and called Wooyeon at dawn. He thought he had a rough idea why Dohyeon wasn’t in a good mood.

“So yeah, we fought. I just left him behind. I didn’t expect him to call his boyfriend right away.”

As Jina finished, he continued eating his food almost angrily. It didn’t look appetizing, more like he was venting. Wooyeon quietly placed his wrapped lettuce on his small plate.

“Did you say that to him too?”

“Say what?”

“That he acts like a stranger.”

“Oh.”

The vague response was also an affirmation. Wooyeon looked down at his messy wrap, biting the inside of his cheek.

“Did something happen between you two?”

“We fought.”

Wooyeon had a million thoughts spiraling inside him. But these jumbled thoughts crumbled before taking shape. He wasn’t sure if he should say them or keep them to himself.

“…You know why he draws a line, right?”

Jina looked puzzled at the unexpected question. Clearly, he hadn’t expected Wooyeon to say that. Sensing his confusion, Wooyeon answered calmly.

“He told me he was adopted.”

Dohyeon had once shared his family background with Wooyeon, explaining how things were with his parents and how he got along with his sibling. Wooyeon couldn’t completely understand, but he could somewhat grasp why Dohyeon was so perceptive.

“I don’t know him as well as you do, but….”

A mix of emotions surged within him. His mind vividly recalled Dohyeon’s face from that last night they’d met.

So he chose his words carefully, fearing he might overstep.

“If he was told he’s acting like a stranger, he wouldn’t get angry—he’d be hurt.”

But as he spoke, he felt a surge of something inside him.

“He really is an outsider, isn’t he?”

“….”

“The only one who is.”

Maybe he shouldn’t have added that last part. Only after seeing Jina’s expression did Wooyeon realize he should’ve held back. But once words are out, you can’t take them back, so he simply lowered his gaze, trying to appear nonchalant.

“In any case, I just thought… if it were me, I wouldn’t feel good hearing that from my own family, especially since you’re his biological sibling.”

Words exchanged between real and “pretend” family members held different weights, especially if Dohyeon saw himself as an outsider.

“He drank all night that day.”

“…”

“Maybe he acted that way because he was upset.”

Jina pursed her lips with a troubled expression. The meat on the grill sizzled appetizingly, and as she turned it over, she spoke quietly.

“He’s not an outsider.”

Her words were firm, almost as if she were making a vow.

“Family isn’t just about shared blood.”

Wooyeon strongly agreed with this sentiment. Even if you share blood, it doesn’t always feel like family; how could family be defined by blood alone?

“Please don’t talk like that.”

Despite her words, Jina now wore a face that seemed to regret what she had said, perhaps only just realizing the impact her words might have had on Dohyeon. Wooyeon, feeling the tension, apologized if he had upset her and turned his gaze away awkwardly.

For a while, neither of them spoke. Jina silently moved her chopsticks, and Wooyeon, without touching his drink or the food, thought of Dohyeon back at home. Perhaps he should have stayed instead of brushing him off. A tinge of regret crept up on him.

“There was this one time….”

After the soju bottle was empty, Jina spoke softly. Despite having drunk the entire bottle alone, her face showed no signs of change.

“I went to see my brother at school once, and he was there with a friend. Do you know? A tall, slightly intimidating unnie.”

Just based on her description, Wooyeon knew it was Garam. Though it didn’t seem Jina expected a response, she gave a small chuckle.

“Anyway, he was kind of irritated, and his expression…”

Her eyes, like little droplets, fell with a hint of sadness. It was completely different from the way she glared at Dohyeon earlier. Letting out a self-deprecating sigh, Jina nudged her plate with her chopsticks.

“He looked more comfortable there than he ever does with family.”

“…”

“Once you see it, you start noticing the difference. The way he looks around us compared to when he genuinely smiles.”

Wooyeon was someone who noticed such subtle differences. He could tell even when Dohyeon forced a smile, distinguishing it as fake. He could understand the sense of deprivation Jina felt.

“It wasn’t just the usual difference between friends and family. It’s more fundamental than that. He’s still uncomfortable with us. He hasn’t accepted us as family.”

Jina was venting the disappointment she felt toward Dohyeon. Beyond her slip of the tongue, she acknowledged that Dohyeon’s aloofness was a fact. That slight distance he maintained was something she couldn’t quite accept.

“It’s not like I’m asking for a lot.”

Wooyeon ordered another bottle of soju without saying a word. As soon as it arrived, Jina opened it and poured herself a drink.

“Just the small things. If he’s annoyed that I’m around, he should say so. If he has to consult with us about something, he should do it. If he has a date, he shouldn’t feel like he needs to keep it hidden.”

“Your sibling mentioned they’d be waiting at home.”

“Of course, they’d wait. They’re bored! But would I really demand he cancel his date? That’s something I would’ve done back in elementary school.”

Wooyeon almost asked if she had done that back then but chose not to.

“My brother always tries to be perfect. He got into that school, went to his university—all without his own opinion. Just saying yes to whatever my parents asked. But the frustrating thing is, he’s good at everything, so my parents end up blaming me…”

Wooyeon remembered what Dohyeon had told him before—that Jina’s arguments with their parents often stemmed from being compared to him. It seemed she had come to Dohyeon’s place after yet another comparison.

“You saw it earlier, right? My brother has a tattoo on his back. He drank and smoked since high school. All those things he does outside are just an act at home. When you think about it, it’s like he can’t breathe there.”

Wooyeon was surprised to realize just how much Jina understood Dohyeon. She not only knew about his rebellious side but also understood its reasons, and quite accurately.

“I don’t get why he’s so cautious. Why does he act like he’s going to leave any minute? He’s supposed to be family, my brother, but I understand the neighbor’s dog better than him.”

Wooyeon couldn’t help but chuckle at the “neighbor’s dog” remark. Oddly, he couldn’t disagree. A dog, at least, would wag its tail, while Dohyeon would just quietly smile.

“He doesn’t act like that with you, does he?”

Unlike Wooyeon, who had hesitated over titles, Jina comfortably referred to him as “you,” and Wooyeon, unbothered, responded.

“He used to act like that with me too.”

Jina widened her eyes, her thick lashes curling upwards. Wooyeon, noticing how expressive she was, fiddled with his soju glass.

“He never shared anything personal with me.”

When Dohyeon didn’t want to talk, he would evade with a sweet smile, revealing only a superficial layer to keep Wooyeon from feeling hurt.

“We were dating, but I had no idea what he was thinking, what he was worried about, or what he was hiding from me.”

“…”

“There were times I felt like I was the only one who cared.”

It had been a relationship filled with Wooyeon’s attempts to read Dohyeon’s feelings, yet he had held back from asking directly out of fear. Although his worries turned out to be unfounded in terms of affection, the relationship itself had deteriorated beyond repair.

“And then, we broke up.”

Jina’s mouth fell open. It seemed she hadn’t expected that they might have broken up, and she trailed off with, “No way, how did you two…?”

“Right after we broke up, it just felt like my whole world had collapsed….”

At that time, Wooyeon was convinced he’d never trust Dohyeon again. Although he loved him, he hated the version of himself that was always anxious, so he thought that running away was the best option. He had believed that no matter what Dohyeon said, it would only be empty words.

“But when the resentment faded, curiosity set in.”

“What kind of curiosity?”

“Why didn’t he say a single thing to me?”

“….”

“Was it because I wasn’t trustworthy? Was that really all I meant to him?”

It was something Wooyeon pondered endlessly, lying under his blanket after returning home. The blame he held against Dohyeon soon shifted, and he began to question himself. Though, selfishly, his mind still managed to lay the weight of guilt on Dohyeon.

“He did say something when he apologized to me.”

So he was the one who reached out first. Jina seemed astonished at just that, murmuring to herself, clearly taken aback. Rather than responding, Wooyeon simply recalled Dohyeon’s words.

“Yeon-ah, I was….”

Should he even share this? He wasn’t sure. No matter how close they were, meddling too deeply in family matters might be crossing a line. Despite this hesitation, Wooyeon hoped his words could help ease the tension. If Dohyeon ended up drinking alone again out of loneliness, he didn’t think even those goofy rabbit ears could console him this time. He didn’t want the person who had once been his own source of solace to be overcome by an unbearable loneliness.

“He was just scared.”

Yeon-ah, I’ve always been scared. Those words still echoed in his ears occasionally. Dohyeon’s voice had been trembling, raw with fear.

“He was afraid of being abandoned.”

“…”

Jina’s eyes wavered deeply, clearly stirred by the word “abandoned.” She was surely aware that Dohyeon had been left outside an orphanage.

“He was trying to keep things together, to not mess anything up, and put in so much effort just to show only his best side.”

“…”

“I don’t think I could ever manage that.”

Understanding isn’t always purely rational. Even if you accept something in your mind, sometimes your heart just won’t follow.

“It must have been so hard for him.”

So, later, Wooyeon finally understood. That in truth, Dohyeon was probably more worn out and lonely than anyone.

“Every day must have been a battle.”

When Dohyeon was adopted, he was only fourteen. When he began tutoring Wooyeon, he was twenty, the same age Wooyeon was now. At any point in his life, he seemed so young, and Wooyeon wondered how much he must have strived to act like an adult.

“It’s not that he treats you like a stranger.”

Wooyeon muttered this softly, looking at Jina. She held her soju glass without drinking, just staring at him in a daze, as though in a trance.

“He’s just afraid of becoming one.”

Jina bit her lip hard, leaving teeth marks. She looked away and took a drink. Wooyeon neither refilled her glass nor looked away but quietly watched her.

Jina took two more shots, had some soybean paste stew, and then set down her spoon.

“…I know.”

Her voice, almost a sigh, landed on the table. The meat on the grill had by then burned to a crisp.

“In my head, I get it all. But it’s just that it still hurts.”

Her voice sounded intensely self-deprecating. She chuckled bitterly, but this time, she looked thoroughly defeated as she spoke.

“There’s a bit of fault with our parents for the way Dohyeon turned out….”

“Our parents?”

“They’re like that. They have a lot of money and a lot of ambition, so people tend to flock around them. Even bringing Dohyeon in… well, never mind that.”

Wooyeon unconsciously made a surprised face. He couldn’t believe that Jina knew all this too. She let out a wry chuckle, noticing his expression.

“I guess Dohyeon doesn’t keep anything from you.”

“…”

Feeling awkward, Wooyeon tried to sip his water, only to find oil floating on the surface. As he set the glass down, Jina called a server to bring a fresh cup.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

Jina nonchalantly cleared the burnt meat and put the last strip on the grill. Since Wooyeon hadn’t touched any of it, Jina was effectively eating a two-person portion by herself, though she didn’t try to insist that he have some.

“When I was young, I thought my parents were doing great. I was happy to have an older brother and thought it was a bonus that they were so successful.”

She paused briefly and sighed. But growing up, I realized something was off. Her tone held a hint of irritation.

“Sometimes it gives me chills to think that if it weren’t for my brother, I might have grown up just like them.”

Wooyeon recalled meeting Dohyeon back in his third year of middle school. In that stifling environment, Dohyeon had been the only person who allowed him to breathe. If Dohyeon hadn’t been his teacher, Wooyeon wouldn’t be in such a stable state today.

“Just so there’s no misunderstanding, our parents do care about him. I mean, how could they hate a son who’s so competent? That’s why those stingy people even bought him a car and an apartment.”

He absentmindedly touched the watch on his wrist, a gift Dohyeon had given him for his birthday, a product far too expensive for a student.

“Well, I guess you could say it’s the reward for being the ‘good son.’”

There are many ways to show affection, and sometimes those methods don’t fully convey the true warmth of one’s feelings. Most people end up giving love in the way they want to give it, not necessarily in the way the other person wants to receive it.

“What do you like about him?” Jina suddenly asked Wooyeon. Wooyeon hesitated, his face twitching slightly.

“…Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

“I was curious. Usually, people like him for his looks or money, so I wondered if that’s what it is for you, too.”

Wooyeon couldn’t deny the latter, so he awkwardly looked away, trying to stay calm, though his ears had already turned red.

“Well… I just like everything about him.”

“Oh, come on, that’s too vague. How about you give me just three specific things you like about him?”

Jina held up three fingers and added firmly, “And don’t say looks or money.” Wooyeon hadn’t planned to mention money, so he rolled his eyes slightly and then spoke.

“He’s kind.”

It was a safe answer. Jina nodded in agreement, clearly feeling the same way.

“He is kind.”

“He’s also very caring….”

“I’ll combine kindness and caring. They’re basically the same thing, right? Let’s just call it his personality.”

One finger went down. Looking at the two remaining fingers, Wooyeon couldn’t help but think of Dohyeon’s face.

“His smile….”

Dohyeon had the most beautiful smile of anyone Wooyeon knew. When he smiled brightly, his eyes curving in gentle folds, he sparkled so much that it almost felt unreal.

“His smile?”

“…It’s beautiful.”

Wooyeon replied in a small voice and took a sip of water to cool his blushing face, though it didn’t seem to help. Expecting Jina to call that “looks,” Wooyeon was surprised when she simply folded another finger without a word.

“And the last one?”

What would make a good final answer? Though “voice” came to mind, Wooyeon didn’t want to limit Dohyeon’s good qualities to physical traits alone. His affection for Dohyeon was rooted in far more than that.

“Hmm…”

Wooyeon quietly reflected on all their moments together. Their first encounter when he couldn’t adapt to school, the kind words Dohyeon had spoken, and all the different sides of him he’d seen since university.

For Wooyeon, Dohyeon was a treasure, beyond any circumstantial reason. No matter when or where they met, he was sure he’d have fallen for Kim Dohyeon all the same. To sum up his feelings with just one reason was impossible.

“…I can’t choose just one.”

“Wow, rubbing it in, are you?” Jina shivered a bit, though she didn’t press him further. She simply picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of well-cooked meat, and chewed thoughtfully before giving him a wink.

“I thought you’d say something like pheromones. You’re an Omega, right?”

“Yes.”

Winking with his left eye was one of Dohyeon’s long-standing habits. Jina chuckled as she sipped her water, noting how the siblings shared that same trait.

“So, it’s not just about appearances for you two.”

“…How could anyone only care about appearances?”

“Why not? That’s all I care about.” Jina replied confidently, pointing at Wooyeon with her chopsticks. Wooyeon blinked in surprise at her sudden gesture.

“You’re really handsome, by the way. Out of everyone I’ve met, I’d say you’re the second best-looking. Oh, but keep this a secret—I don’t mean my brother as the first.”

“…Sure.”

Wooyeon nodded quietly, though he was curious who the first might be. Jina took another bite of meat and poured the remaining soju into her water cup.

“But my brother must really like you. For someone so prideful, he even apologized first after you broke up.”

“That prideful person apologizes to you all the time, doesn’t he?”

“….”

Jina looked caught off guard, biting her tongue as she drank the soju in one go, setting down the glass with a loud clink.

“Drinking like that…”