Alpha Trauma Vol. 5 Chapter 1 - Special Extra (1)

March. A season when the spring chill, instead of the deep winter cold, blows in to announce the arrival of spring. A time when every school begins the new semester, and a sense of excitement stirs with every new step. Even the early-blooming flowers seem a welcome sight in this season, and the spring breeze is also blowing through the hearts of the new students.

“He’s so handsome.”

The new student thought to himself with a dreamy expression. At the end of his gaze stood a person, not a sprout or a cherry blossom, but a man wearing a large hoodie. His long, downward-curved eyelashes and strikingly beautiful features, like those drawn with a fine, delicate brush, made him stand out.

His name is Seon Wooyeon. He is 22 years old and majoring in English Literature. Now in his third year, he is the president of a club called ‘Youngohjeon’ and was currently delivering various instructions to the members. The new student was one of the newly joined members.

“How is he so good-looking?”

The new student thought again, propping his chin with one hand. He looked at Wooyeon quite openly, but since everyone was focused, it probably wasn’t too noticeable. In fact, a little attention would be fine, he thought.

“His name is Seon Wooyeon too.”

The clean, straightforward name matched his attractive face perfectly. Perhaps because he was wearing a pure white hoodie, his pale face looked even more delicate. With a youthful appearance, he surprisingly looked a bit cold when he wore a serious expression.

The first meeting with Wooyeon was on the day of the university’s entrance ceremony. It was the day the new student passed through the high threshold and entered the best university in Korea’s English department. That day, he had dressed up, full of excitement, and gathered in the auditorium.

“… So, congratulations on your admission.”

The ceremony was dreadfully boring, but everything felt exciting just because it was ‘university.’ The continuous remarks from the president, the teaching assistants standing side by side, the awkwardly glancing new students—everything, even the fact that there would be a drinking party after the ceremony, filled him with anticipation.

And it was then that Wooyeon, standing in a corner of the auditorium, caught the new student’s eye. Wooyeon, standing with what seemed to be upperclassmen, looked strangely nervous and kept touching his earlobes. His wandering gaze seemed to be full of unfamiliarity, and at first, the new student wondered, “Is he also a new student?”

But that wasn’t what mattered. What really mattered was that Wooyeon, who appeared to be a new student, and for some reason, Wooyeon, who was with the upperclassmen, was such a beauty that everyone’s attention was drawn to him.

Even though he wasn’t very tall, he had a doll-like figure with great proportions. His small, delicate face was like that of a celebrity, and the slender neck and wrists visible made him appear upright and refined.

“I’ll ask for his number after the ceremony.”

That thought was almost unavoidable. There’s no doubt that about a third of the people in the auditorium probably had similar thoughts. Of course, only a few, including the new student himself, had the courage to actually act on it.

It was pure luck, or perhaps fate, that Wooyeon spoke first. To be exact, as soon as the ceremony ended, Wooyeon walked towards him, and the new student reflexively opened his mouth.

But despite the new student thinking they must be in the same year, Wooyeon unexpectedly asked a clichéd and awkward question.

“… Do you, by any chance, like Shakespeare?”

The new student was surprised by two things that day. One was that Wooyeon’s face looked even more beautiful up close than from a distance. The other was that someone so popular-looking was using such a cheap pick-up line.

The pick-up line, which the new student thought was just a line, was revealed to be a sales pitch after just three words. “If you’re interested, please contact me.” After saying this, Wooyeon handed him a membership form for the club called Reading English Classics.

And then, he immediately turned around and asked another student.

“Do you like Shakespeare?”

Honestly, it was somewhat of a pseudo-sales pitch, but the success rate was almost 100%. Everyone who received a membership form that day ended up visiting the Youngohjeon clubroom with a mesmerized look on their faces.

Not many were accepted in the end, but that wasn’t something the new student needed to know. What mattered was that he made it in.

For some reason, feeling a bit awkward, the new student had memorized the summaries of three British-American novels he had written on the application form for the interview, and not giving Wooyeon any special attention, keeping a neutral expression, was probably a good strategy.

“So, shall we meet on Friday?”

Now, as a member of the Youngohjeon club, the new student was confidently attending the meeting. It was already halfway through March, so he had become somewhat familiar with the other members.

“Wooyeon Sunbae is an Omega, right?”

The freshman fixed his gaze on Wooyeon’s lips, recalling the pheromone that had left an impression on him before. Even fate was unfair. How could a face like that also belong to an ultra-dominant Omega? His pheromones were as refreshing as a perfectly ripened fruit, sometimes sweet enough to attract pests.

Out of everyone he’d seen so far, Wooyeon was the most beautiful and had the most captivating pheromones among all the Omegas he had ever encountered. Flawless in every way, Wooyeon even wore luxury brands from head to toe.

“Especially that watch, it’s really expensive.”

The watch glimpsed beneath his T-shirt sleeve was an R-brand model, one the freshman had once dreamed of owning. With the logo tucked inconspicuously to the side, it had a unique blend of gold and silver and a distinctive clock hand style that could fetch the price of a car.

“A limited edition, so it’s hard to find, too…”

He must come from a very wealthy family. His own family was well-off, but not to the point of buying such items without a second thought.

He still remembered the shock he felt when he saw Wooyeon carrying a newly released smartphone without a film or case. Thinking to himself that this sunbae must be loaded, he felt an inexplicable sense of distance grow between them.

Yet, Wooyeon’s aloof, almost unreachable image—like a flower on a cliff—only fueled his competitive spirit. It sounded a bit sleazy to think of it that way, but still, it wasn’t enough to make him give up.

As the days passed, his interest in Wooyeon only deepened. He couldn’t help but think it was like wearing rose-colored glasses. People say you’re doomed when you find someone cute, and even the round glasses Wooyeon wore to read his textbooks were adorable. Or rather, the answer Wooyeon had given when asked if he usually wore glasses was what got him.

“Ah, I got LASIK done…”

The image of Wooyeon shyly rubbing his earlobe stayed in his mind. Though he seemed poised to receive confessions every third day, Wooyeon couldn’t hide his awkwardness when new members struck up conversations. He was likely just shy, which only heightened the urge to protect him.

University life was great.

He didn’t know how many times he’d had that thought—while gazing over the vast campus, at Wooyeon’s face, and, well, skipping over the high-quality lectures from the professors…

“Don’t you think Wooyeon Sunbae is just adorable?”

But when the freshman couldn’t hold back any longer and uttered those words, an icy silence descended over the club room. With Wooyeon absent, a few of the remaining sunbaes only stared wide-eyed at him.

The one who finally spoke was a female teaching assistant who happened to be in the club room.

“Kid, that sunbae has a boyfriend.”

She added seriously, as if to say he didn’t stand a chance.

“An Alpha, and insanely good-looking, by the way.”

“……”

Honestly, he was a bit taken aback. It hadn’t crossed his mind in the slightest that Wooyeon might have a boyfriend. But his immediate thought was just, “He looks like that, so of course he would.” Alongside came a slight resistance: “And what if his boyfriend is good-looking?”

“Good-looking or not.”

It would have been stranger if someone dating Seon Wooyeon wasn’t attractive. They were probably rich, too. Still, the upside was that it meant Wooyeon valued appearances.

“And I’m good-looking, too.”

The freshman knew he was relatively attractive. Although he’d let himself go a bit with entrance exams, back in high school, he’d had admirers even from other classes. In terms of looks alone, he stood a chance.

“And while I’m not a dominant Alpha, I’m an Alpha, too.”

Just because there’s a goalkeeper doesn’t mean a goal won’t be scored—why should it matter if there’s already someone or not? He knew it was morally dubious to think this way, but Wooyeon intrigued him that much. Enough to even call it his first love.

“No way, you…”

“Hey, hey, let it go. He’ll only get a reality check if he gets rejected.”

The assistant who had initially spoken shook her head with a regretful expression as another sunbae tried to join the conversation.

“Kids these days…do they not go online?”

What did the internet have to do with anything? True, he’d stayed offline while preparing for exams, but he didn’t think that was a problem. Keeping up with trends was only for the less popular ones anyway.

“Alright, we’ll wrap up here unless there are any questions.”

While he was lost in thought, Wooyeon had finished organizing the papers. He hadn’t quite caught what he was saying, but from what he could tell, it seemed to be about the future direction of the club and a gathering on Friday. Using his skills from exam prep, he felt confident he could figure out the gist.

“Wooyeon, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I’m heading out.”

“Oh? Wooyeon Sunbae, wait a second…”

As Wooyeon left the club room, the freshman quickly packed his bag to follow him. But just as he was about to step out, a sunbae in the room grabbed his arm, pulling him back to his seat.

“Hey, I told you to stop following Wooyeon around.”

“What? I’m not doing anything…”

Feeling nervous, he glanced at the entrance, only to find the sunbae looking at him with a mix of annoyance and pity. The other freshmen nearby just stood there, unable to intervene.

“You’re messing with the club’s atmosphere…”

The sunbae, who had started speaking irritably, suddenly fell silent. Apparently, he’d received a message on his phone. Taking advantage of the moment, the freshman started to get up, but the sunbae glanced at his screen and gave a sly smile.

“Hey, just go.”

“What?”

“Go and catch up with Wooyeon already. It’s you who’ll be embarrassed, not me.”

Why had his attitude changed so suddenly? The freshman, though puzzled, quickly stood up and dashed out of the club room. “Goodbye, Sunbaes!” He even managed a polite farewell as he left.

“Does he have any sense, or not…”

He pretended not to hear the muttering from behind. He couldn’t deny he was somewhat lacking in self-awareness, though not in courtesy.

“Sunbae!”

Hurrying down the stairs, he saw Wooyeon just about to exit the building. He had worried Wooyeon might’ve already left, but he was walking slowly like a turtle, distracted by his phone.

Wooyeon, with a faintly sullen expression, turned to look at him with a slight frown when he heard his voice from behind.

“Uh… why?”

“Oh, nothing. Are you heading home, Sunbae?”

Though Wooyeon’s response was less than enthusiastic, the freshman smiled brightly. He figured Wooyeon was just shy—after all, who could resist a smiling face?

“Yeah, I’m heading home. Why?”

“Ah, I just wanted to walk with you, Sunbae. Let’s go to the main gate together.”

Without waiting for an answer, he took the lead, making it hard for Wooyeon to refuse. Wooyeon opened his mouth as if to say something, then awkwardly followed, his eyes still glued to his phone. The freshman tried to catch a glimpse, but Wooyeon put his phone away as soon as he got closer.

“What are you doing this weekend, Sunbae?”

“Just staying home.”

“Oh… so no plans?”

“Nope, not really.”

Didn’t he have plans to meet his boyfriend every weekend? He’d heard his boyfriend was older—maybe he was too busy to spend much time with Wooyeon. Now that he thought about it, he’d only heard rumors about the boyfriend but had never seen any signs at school.

“No rings or anything… could they be on bad terms?”

Imagining a drama unfolding perfectly in his favor, the freshman cleared his throat. Wooyeon, glancing over, took half a step back, which he chose to ignore.

“So, Sunbae, would you like to go to an amusement park with me?”

“…Amusement park?”

“Yeah, my parents work at SUNJUNG, so I can get us in for half-price.”

Among his friends, this perk was quite popular. He could subtly show off that his parents worked for a major company, implying they were well-off. He thought it wouldn’t be a bad point in Wooyeon’s eyes either, but Wooyeon instantly frowned upon hearing this.

“…Is something wrong?”

“…”

Wooyeon’s large eyes looked visibly displeased. It was the first time he’d received that kind of look from Wooyeon, despite having approached him countless times. Did the half-price discount seem trivial to someone as wealthy as Wooyeon? Just as he considered this, Wooyeon replied, looking reluctant.

“You’re not joking with me, are you?”

“Huh? Why would I?”

The freshman, startled, waved both hands in denial. Why would he tease Wooyeon when he was trying to make a good impression on someone he liked?

“Did you think I suggested it because I thought you couldn’t afford the amusement park? Of course, I know that’s not the case!”

He added, somewhat incoherently, that he had planned to pay for the amusement park himself. At last, Wooyeon, who had been wearing a subtle, uncomfortable expression, relaxed a little.

“No, it’s fine if that’s not what you meant.”

Ah, he’d taken half a step back again. Feeling a bit frustrated, the freshman forced himself to maintain a neutral expression.

Wooyeon pulled his phone from his pocket, checked it once more, and, without even looking at the freshman, declined.

“Also, I don’t have time this weekend.”

“…”

But, didn’t Sunbae just say he was staying home?

“Haha… if you’re busy, we can go together some other time.”

Yes, there would always be another chance. The freshman tried to calm himself and put on a cool smile, though it couldn’t fully hide his lingering disappointment. Not that Wooyeon, who was staring at the ground, would notice.

He continued chatting enthusiastically as they walked side by side.

“Are you good with rides, Sunbae?”

“Well, you know… sort of.”

“If you’re not, we can stick to rides like the carousel. I’ll match whatever you’re comfortable with.”

As the freshman chattered on, they came within sight of the main gate in the distance. He tilted his head in curiosity, noticing a small crowd gathering near the entrance.

“Why are there so many people over there?”

Could a celebrity have shown up?

Wooyeon, who had been walking silently, looked up as if he’d heard the freshman’s muttering. He checked his phone one more time, put his hands in his pockets, and gazed towards the gate with a neutral expression.

But then, Wooyeon suddenly froze in place, his eyes widening.

“…Huh?”

At the soft sound of surprise, the freshman glanced at Wooyeon. He wanted to ask what was wrong, but he was rendered speechless when he saw Wooyeon’s expression. Wooyeon, who had been so reserved, now had a gleam in his eyes, and his face gradually softened into a radiant smile.

“Hyung!”

“…”

Before the freshman could fully grasp what was happening, Wooyeon was already running toward someone without even looking back. The man who emerged from the crowd opened his arms just as Wooyeon threw himself into his embrace.

“Yeon-ah.”

The man called him affectionately, his tone warm as sunshine, his smile tender. It seemed as natural as breathing to wrap Wooyeon in a gentle hug. With his neatly styled hair and sharp suit, he looked far more mature than the nearby college students.

“Were you that happy to see me?”

His voice, laced with laughter, was soft and mellow. The freshman stood there dumbfounded, unable to utter a word. It wasn’t because Wooyeon, who was always so standoffish towards him, was acting cutely and calling someone “Hyung…” Nor was it because the people nearby, who seemed accustomed to the sight, joked, “Looks like Wooyeon might cry.” It was solely because of the man’s fresh, autumn-breeze smile.

“Nobody told me he was that handsome!”

“Did you just get off work, Hyung?”

“Yeah, I finished early since I was out for a meeting.”

His eyes, softly curved, had a mischievous glint like that of a fox. Despite the man’s friendly appearance, he somehow gave off the impression of tempting one into mischief.

“A dominant Alpha with that face?”

The freshman felt that same sense of life’s unfairness he had sometimes when looking at Wooyeon. It was usually his friends who told him such things.

“I thought you were too busy since you didn’t reply…”

Usually calm and collected, Wooyeon was clinging to the man’s waist, his voice full of a plaintive charm. It was undeniably cute, but the freshman found himself feeling a pang of jealousy, realizing that the person Wooyeon was waiting for all along wasn’t him. So that’s why he’d been checking his phone.

“Sorry, I wanted to surprise you, so I didn’t respond.”

“You could’ve replied, though.”

“I’ll reply next time.”

Unlike the freshman, who was surprised by this new side of Wooyeon, the man comforted Wooyeon with practiced ease, holding him close and even rubbing his cheek against the top of Wooyeon’s head with a sweetness that seemed almost exaggerated. It was funny to see “that” Wooyeon Sunbae willingly accepting such babying.

“But Yeon-ah…”

As the freshman chuckled in disbelief, the man reached up to smooth the hair on the back of Wooyeon’s head, gently pulling him out of the embrace. Wooyeon, reluctant to part, only let go very slowly, clearly not wanting to break away. The freshman, too absorbed in this scene, didn’t even notice the man looking his way.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”

Wooyeon’s dark eyes turned in his direction. Caught off guard by the sudden eye contact, the freshman flinched and took a step back. The indignity of it all! Just as he tried to edge closer, he was met with an even more frustrating response.

“He’s not a friend.”

The tone was firm. Maybe not so much firm as indifferent. The man tilted his head in slight confusion at Wooyeon’s response.

“Then who is he?”

“Just… a freshman from the club…”

Just a freshman. Not a junior, not by name, not even a friendly term, just a plain “freshman from the club.” It wasn’t just him imagining the dismissive tone in Wooyeon’s voice.

“The club?”

The man looked at the freshman, his expression almost welcoming, though the freshman still felt an odd urge to take another step back. The man was smiling warmly, even greeting him in a friendly way, yet—

“Hello.”

“…Hello.”

The freshman managed an awkward bow in response to the man’s courteous nod, figuring that if he was Wooyeon’s hyung, he was probably much older than himself.

With a faint smile still on his face, the man asked the freshman, “Are you a new member of the Literature Club?”

“Yes…”

Why did he feel so intimidated by such a simple question? Was it because of the man’s ridiculously good looks? Or maybe the neatly tailored suit? Or perhaps it was the air of confidence and composure he carried.

“Nice to meet you.”

Although he could have spoken informally as an elder, the man spoke politely. He even pointed to himself, saying with a smile, “I’m the former president of the club.”

“Oh…”

Ah, so that’s why the upperclassmen knew Wooyeon Sunbae’s boyfriend.

“Uh, were you… Wooyeon’s hyung… before?”

The title “Sunbae” felt too distant, so the freshman adjusted his wording, glancing at Wooyeon to make sure it was okay. Fortunately, Wooyeon didn’t seem to mind (he was still looking at the man’s face) and the former president responded warmly.

“Yes, before Wooyeon.”

The man’s left eye, with a single eyelid, crinkled charmingly. It was so captivating that it sparked a small rebellion within the freshman. Didn’t they say people with a single eyelid on one side were flirts? Wasn’t Wooyeon Sunbae dating a flirt? Such thoughts bubbled up in him.

“I’m Kim Dohyeon. And you?”

“Oh, I’m…”

Again, the freshman awkwardly introduced himself, eyeing Wooyeon’s reaction. Kim Dohyeon. A composed name that matched his impeccable appearance. He even seemed to go well with Wooyeon’s name—a silly thought, really.

“A lot of handsome new students in the Literature Club, huh?”

The offhand compliment embarrassed the freshman. He wasn’t exactly lacking confidence in his appearance, yet in front of this impressive man, he felt terribly small. Mumbling, he returned the compliment.

“…Sunbae, you’re very handsome too.”

“Haha, you’re not just flattering me because I was the club president, are you?”

Even his teeth were perfectly straight and white when he laughed—textbook “meet-the-parents” looks. And he was from the same school, so he likely had an impressive academic background as well.

“He really has it all,” the freshman thought.

Though, if he were being honest, what he envied most was the fact that this man had Wooyeon. Whether it was intentional or not, Wooyeon tugged at the man’s collar and clumsily interjected.

“He’s my boyfriend.”

“…”

The freshman’s lips shut tight. That was obvious even without him saying it, Sunbae. He couldn’t respond, though, because Wooyeon, looking somewhat guarded, continued with another remark.

“We’re about to celebrate our second anniversary.”

“…Is that so?”

That was information he’d rather not have known.

‘Wait, is Sunbae actually jealous of me right now?’

Did Wooyeon really think he was interested in this tall, well-dressed alumnus? It was as if Wooyeon was desperate to clarify their relationship. He kept glancing nervously between the freshman and Dohyeon, finally clearing his throat and adding,

“We’ve been together since he was in school, so all the club members know we’re dating.”

The gleam in Wooyeon’s eyes was like that of a child showing off a prized possession, proud and eager for everyone to see. It was childish bragging, but the sparkle in his gaze was hard to ignore.

“Oh… right. You two really suit each other.”

Who wouldn’t say that after seeing that face? Responding instinctively with social grace, the freshman soon regretted it, feeling an urge to slap himself. To think he was complimenting the person he liked on his relationship. It stung, deeply.

“We hear that a lot.”

Ironically, Wooyeon seemed genuinely pleased by the flattery, his cheeks blushing a cute shade of pink. It made him look almost bite-sized, though remembering it was due to a compliment on how well he suited his boyfriend made the freshman feel a pang of resentment.

And to make matters worse, Dohyeon, who had been listening silently, added with a smile,

“Please take good care of our Wooyeon.”

“…”

“He said our Wooyeon. Not just Wooyeon, but our Wooyeon.”

“And thanks for joining the club. We’ve missed our target membership every year, but it’s still going thanks to you.”

The man chuckled, as if relieved, but unfortunately, the club was still just barely meeting its minimum members each year. Not because no one was applying, though—the interview process was just strict. There were enough people lining up just to have a word with Wooyeon to fill a truck, and about half of them were screened out at the document stage alone.

“If I get the chance, I’ll stop by the club sometime and treat you to something nice. Go for something expensive, and keep up the club activities.”

“Ah, no…”

Damn it, even his personality was perfect.

The freshman had toyed with the idea of stealing away someone else’s boyfriend, but he certainly didn’t have the audacity to accept a meal from that boyfriend himself. In fact, any confidence he might have had in winning over Wooyeon vanished the instant he saw that man.

“I’d love to talk more, but I have to get going soon.”

The man lifted his left hand to check the watch on his wrist. Between the sleeve and his wrist, the freshman caught a glimpse of an elegant watch design—the same watch Wooyeon wore, the one he himself had dreamed of owning once.

“They’re even using that as a couple watch?”

While most people couldn’t even get one, they had somehow managed to snag a pair. Whether he knew the freshman was astonished or not, the man simply gave a slight nod in farewell.

“Take care.”

“Yes, you too, sunbae…”

As he hesitantly said his goodbyes, he watched the man take Wooyeon’s hand, intertwining their fingers, a sight all too clear even from a distance.

Feeling his heart twist, he saw Wooyeon suddenly look back.

“Oh.”

Wooyeon glanced back at him, and for a fleeting moment, the freshman allowed himself to hope that Wooyeon, reluctant to part, might have some parting words for him.

“Sorry, but…”

It didn’t take long for that hope to shatter.

“About that thing we talked about earlier—I won’t be able to go with you next time either.”

“What?”

If he meant that thing, he was probably talking about the amusement park. The amusement park he’d thought he’d eventually go to with Wooyeon, even if it wasn’t this weekend. Wooyeon had declined, saying he was too busy, despite usually spending his days off at home.

“I wouldn’t have gone with you, even if I wasn’t busy.”

“…”

What little hope was left crumbled to pieces. As he stood there, feeling the empty ache of a shattered world, the next words came, harsher than anything else.

“…Sorry.”

Why did that casual apology sting more than anything? Who’s really embarrassed here, you or me? the freshman remembered his senior’s words once more.

“Let’s go, hyung.”

As Wooyeon tugged at his hand, his boyfriend silently followed him, glancing back as if with pity. To receive sympathy from a supposed rival—no humiliation could be greater.

“…Ha.”

The freshman ruffled his hair, feeling the urge to cry. Whoever said there’s always a chance, no matter the goalkeeper—what nonsense.

The spring breeze that had been in his heart was swept away by a sudden chill. The result of the shameless game he’d dared to play was a complete loss.

His first real heartbreak.

***

Click. The car door shut, and Dohyeon immediately reached out toward Wooyeon, sitting in the passenger seat. Pulling him close by the back of his head, Wooyeon hesitated briefly before gently leaning in, letting his eyes fall shut as Dohyeon captured his lips.

Though they’d kissed countless times before, Wooyeon still tensed as if it were his first. His eyelashes fluttered as he timidly let Dohyeon in, a small groan escaping as Wooyeon’s unique, sweet scent filled the space between them.

Dohyeon savored each little gasp, his hands sinking into Wooyeon’s hair as he pulled him closer. He took in every taste, his lips pressing firmly as they adjusted their angle.

“…”

After a while, they pulled apart with a soft smack, Wooyeon’s breathing spilling out, warm and shallow. Dohyeon gently licked Wooyeon’s lips, leaving them glistening and slightly reddened.

“Ugh…”

Wooyeon shivered, a soft sound escaping him, but he didn’t pull away. If anything, he seemed to enjoy the ticklish sensation. Amused, Dohyeon chuckled, and Wooyeon raised his eyebrows at him.

“…Why are you laughing?”

“Because you’re cute.”

There was no need to deny it. Dohyeon held Wooyeon’s cheeks, kissing his lips with light pecks. Wooyeon’s defiant gaze softened each time Dohyeon’s lips landed.

“How was school today?”

“The usual. Attended lectures…”

Trying to act unaffected, Wooyeon obediently answered, saying he’d attended lectures, then gone to the club room before coming home. He also mentioned, once again, how he’d been waiting for Dohyeon’s reply.

“How about you? Was work alright?”

Guess I’ll have to reply next time, Dohyeon thought, smiling at the curiosity Wooyeon’s question hinted at. He’d started by answering only Dohyeon’s questions, but now he’d begun asking the same back. The way he followed Dohyeon’s lead was endearing.

“Yes, it was fine.”

Now in their second year together, nearing their third, Dohyeon’s days were filled with happiness—a life where every morning began with Wooyeon by his side and every night ended the same way.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah, why?”

“Will you live with me?”

Towards the end of summer two years ago, Wooyeon suggested living together to Dohyeon, saying he couldn’t sleep without him and nuzzling his hair against Dohyeon’s neck with lots of affection. Dohyeon, not being the type to turn down a pleading lover, had actually been wanting that himself for a long time.

“Don’t take it back.”

Though Wooyeon made the proposal, Dohyeon secured the promise. Sparing Wooyeon, who was already exhausted, was the last of Dohyeon’s patience, but his excitement was barely contained as he headed straight to talk to Suyang right after their bath.

“Alright… let’s live together.”

Surprisingly, Suyang wasn’t shocked by the news, just chuckling slightly, as if expecting it all along. “I thought you’d talk some sense into him….”

Apparently, Wooyeon had hinted to Suyang beforehand. Although Suyang had mentioned it might be a bit too soon, he hadn’t opposed it; he was likely just hoping Dohyeon might talk Wooyeon out of it.

Dohyeon quickly sorted his apartment and moved into Wooyeon’s studio. Jina had been eyeing his apartment eagerly, plus Wooyeon’s place was a safer environment for him. Despite Suyang’s lingering disapproval, in the end, no parent can resist their child.

Then, last spring, Dohyeon, in his fourth year, became an intern at a renowned corporation and soon secured a permanent position. It was the result of his meticulously prepared portfolio and impressive interview skills, and he’d been top of his class throughout university, so it wasn’t entirely surprising.

It wasn’t SUNJUNG, though—it was a competitor’s company. When Suyang heard the news, he chuckled with genuine amusement, congratulating Dohyeon. “Didn’t even apply to our company,” he’d teased, noting that Dohyeon had stubbornly avoided their phone model as well. “Always so ungrateful.”

Dohyeon didn’t mind and simply replied that if they really wanted him, they could make a scouting offer. He didn’t apply to SUNJUNG, so he couldn’t say it wasn’t intentional.

“Typical Kim Dohyeon—heartless.”

“Hyung, you’re seriously my role model.”

Along with congratulatory words from Garam, Seonkyu, and his professors, Dohyeon’s parents were also proud. Although they initially hoped he would work for their company (even suggesting some nepotism), they respected his decision. They seemed both disappointed and quietly pleased, and Jina, though not openly, looked proud of her brother.

But the one most affected by all this was Wooyeon, who had been observing everything from close by.

“…Are you really starting the internship right away?”

Twenty-year-old Wooyeon, who had been enjoying campus life with Dohyeon and just turned twenty-one, was visibly saddened by the idea of Dohyeon no longer being around on campus. Wooyeon had occasionally hinted that he wished Dohyeon wouldn’t graduate, even jokingly wishing for a leave of absence, but now that separation was so close, it must have hit him hard.

“I knew you’d get it because you’re amazing… But does that mean you won’t be coming to school anymore?”

Half admiration and respect for Dohyeon’s achievement, half sorrow for not being able to walk the campus with him anymore. His hesitation showed he was holding back, yet he couldn’t hide his expression—so typical of Wooyeon.

“Yeah, I’ll probably have to submit a job application for leave.”

Usually, Dohyeon would indulge Wooyeon’s whims, but this time he pretended not to notice his desire. It wasn’t because of career ambitions or anything—he wanted to stay on campus with Wooyeon too, but he had an even greater vision for the future.

It was the same nervous desire everyone has when they love someone: to be able to take responsibility for them, care for them, to establish oneself so that one can be a steady partner. It wasn’t about career or dreams—Dohyeon just wanted to be someone who could give Seon Wooyeon everything he deserved.

It wasn’t just about finances. Although Wooyeon came from a wealthy background, Dohyeon could confidently say he wasn’t lacking in comparison. He just wanted to build a future with Wooyeon on his own terms.

As time went by, he couldn’t help but want to be with Wooyeon even more. Falling asleep holding Wooyeon, he wished he could do the same five, ten years down the road.

Wooyeon might think it’s over-the-top if he heard. After all, planning such a far-off future when his boyfriend was barely in his early twenties… Garam had even once laughed, calling him completely obsessed.

But maybe Wooyeon shared similar thoughts, perhaps not as concrete, but with the general wish of “I want to stay with him forever.”

And that wish probably became even clearer last fall, during their seniors’ wedding.

“…I’ve never seen our TA smile like that before.”

The day Taegyeom and Yoonwoo tied the knot, Wooyeon had an unusual look in his eyes as he watched Yoonwoo, beaming in a white tuxedo. Not envy or jealousy, just admiration for the pure joy on Yoonwoo’s face. Yoonwoo was a kind but stoic teaching assistant, not one for big displays of emotion.

At the same time, as Dohyeon shared a similar sentiment while watching Taegyeom, he squeezed Wooyeon’s hand in his own. It didn’t matter that Sunjae was bawling next to them, with Minjung consoling him in mild annoyance. One thought consumed Dohyeon’s mind.

“I want to get married too.”

It was then he was reassured that he’d made the right decision to pursue his career; he wanted to build a future that included marriage with Wooyeon. Of course, that would require Wooyeon to be prepared as well.

When will he grow up, our Wooyeon?

There’s only a four-year gap, but sometimes it feels like a vast distance. Maybe it’s because we’ve known each other since middle school, or perhaps because Wooyeon has always seemed so innocent. Even though he’s no longer a freshman, I still sometimes feel like a thief for having these thoughts.

Maybe it’s just because of my own guilty conscience for feeling desire towards Wooyeon.

Like right now.

“Should we… go one more time?”

The earlier kiss wasn’t short, but to Dohyeon, it felt fleeting. As much as he didn’t want to let go, he knew better than to escalate things here. It was better to let Wooyeon go now.

So, he placed one last lingering kiss on Wooyeon’s lips before pulling back. As if reluctant, Wooyeon reflexively leaned forward, following Dohyeon. It was one of those little charming habits Wooyeon had, something he probably wasn’t even aware of.

“Let’s finish up at home.”

In his usual self-controlled manner, Dohyeon’s voice was slightly husky as he adjusted his loosened tie. Wooyeon’s eyes lingered on his collar, then flicked away, another of his unintentional, honest displays of longing.

Of course, the more honest one was his smooth, pretty lips.

“…Can’t we do it just one more time?”

It was almost a reflex. Just moments after holding back, Dohyeon suddenly leaned forward and showered his entire face with kisses. Chok, chok, chok, the consecutive pecks made Wooyeon make a face that said, “This isn’t what I meant…”

Despite that, Wooyeon didn’t stop Dohyeon, and after a while, finally said,

“Let’s go home and do it.”

His flushed face spoke gently. Though he didn’t get the kiss he wanted, he seemed somewhat satisfied with the many kisses he received. Even though Dohyeon, who had suggested they do it later, was about to retract his words.

Still, Dohyeon played the mature role with an unaffected expression. As usual, he fastened Wooyeon’s seatbelt, corrected his posture, and started the engine. Wooyeon, gazing at him with dazed eyes, decided to pretend he didn’t notice.

“By the way, Seongyu is coming on vacation soon.”

“When?”

Wooyeon fiddled with his seatbelt, and Dohyeon answered while suppressing a laugh that was almost rising to his throat. He thought his face might actually crack from Wooyeon staring at him intensely. It was as if he could guess what that cute face was thinking, making his lips twitch.

“I’m not sure exactly, but he’ll be here sometime this month.”

“We should all meet up then.”

“Will Garam be free?”

“She’ll have to be, she’s a slave.”

“…She’s not a slave, she’s a grad student.”

A soft chuckle followed the last words, teasing in a way that felt both unfair and amusing. If Garam were there, she would have clicked her tongue and muttered about an ungrateful person.

For the rest of the way home, Wooyeon chattered away, talking about everything from what the professor had done that day to what he had for lunch, what happened in the clubroom, and what kind of event was coming up.

Although Wooyeon always seemed excited around him, today, he appeared unusually happy. His voice sounded light, and he kept fidgeting with his seatbelt.

“Yeon-ah.”

At some point, Dohyeon called his name with a playful tone. Even though it was just one syllable, every time he said it, his mouth would warm. “Yes?” Wooyeon responded, turning toward him.

“Do you like that I came to pick you up?”

“Yes.”

The answer came almost at the same time as the question. Wooyeon replied sharply, then added in a dreamy voice,

“I really like it.”

“…”

Upon hearing that, Dohyeon instinctively gripped the steering wheel. Why is he getting even cuter?

It was the first time Dohyeon had come to pick up Wooyeon after he graduated. Wooyeon’s schedule, except for right after his entrance, had always been perfect (thanks to Dohyeon’s help), and Dohyeon’s company typically finished later than Wooyeon’s classes.

‘As I accumulate more years, I’ll have to come pick him up more often.’

But since Wooyeon liked it so much, he decided to keep doing it, even if it was a little inconvenient. Even if they would see each other at home, it wouldn’t bother him if he could see Wooyeon happy. Wooyeon, who disliked being the center of attention, wouldn’t rush to hug him in crowded places unless it was for someone special.

Originally, Dohyeon wouldn’t have come to pick him up in such a loud way. Wooyeon didn’t like standing out, and neither did Dohyeon. But today, he neatly adjusted his tie, checked his hair in the mirror, and made sure everything was in place.

The reason was simple: a few messages from Garam, who had recently become a graduate student and teaching assistant.

Garam: [Hey, Wooyeon’s super popular these days] 04:24pm

Garam: [He even rejected three people from the club today haha] 04:24pm

Garam: [There’s even a new freshman who thinks he’s cute haha] 04:25pm

It was about time for that. It wasn’t anything new. Wooyeon was always, always, always popular.

Something similar happened last year, in March. It was the season when new students flocked in. When Wooyeon first went out to promote the club, everyone immediately applied. Some of them didn’t make it because they couldn’t even write the application in English, but even the ones who passed the interview soon dropped out of the club.

The reason was simple. Wooyeon had a boyfriend named Dohyeon.

Even though Dohyeon was an intern and didn’t attend much, he would still show his face from time to time. Since he was a current student, his classmates knew him, and the fact that Wooyeon was his boyfriend was well-known, so there was no need to worry about other people.

The problem, however, was this year’s new students. The ones who didn’t know who Dohyeon was or who Wooyeon was, and who had been steeped in the Korean college entrance exam system.

In just one year, half of the students had changed. Most of Wooyeon’s classmates went off to the military, and Dohyeon’s classmates had all graduated, so there were fewer people who knew him.

‘Garam needs to be less busy.’

At times like this, Dohyeon missed Garam’s undergraduate days. Back when she was the one who guarded Wooyeon more fiercely than anyone else. Not for Dohyeon, but because she didn’t like anyone touching her precious junior.

‘If she’s going to grad school, she might as well suffer for just one year.’

Dohyeon laughed at the thought, though if Garam heard it, she would probably scold him for being foolish.

He hadn’t known this about himself until now, but Dohyeon realized that he was more jealous than he thought. The idea that his lover was exposed so vulnerably made him feel uncomfortable.

‘If he’s beautiful in my eyes, then he must be beautiful in others’ eyes…’

Dohyeon repeated to himself something he had once told his seniors, turning his head slightly toward Wooyeon. Just as the car hit a red light, he had the chance to admire Wooyeon fully. Wooyeon, who had been gazing at him throughout the drive, looked up just as he turned his head, their eyes meeting.

“Since we’re out, should we grab something to eat before heading back?”

Though Wooyeon hated crowds, he surprisingly liked going on dates in busy areas. Maybe it was because he fantasized about a kind of picture-perfect date, or maybe it was because he liked anything as long as it was with Dohyeon.

Thinking of trying the tart shop someone from his company had recommended nearby, Dohyeon asked, but to his surprise, Wooyeon immediately shook his head.

“No, I want to go home.”

“Why, do you want me to make something for you?”

“It’s not that…”