The World of Contrasts Vol. 5 Chapter 7

“Just hold on a little.”

Jaemin pressed hard on the wound where blood was gushing out with trembling hands. For Daeyoung, the pain seemed to fade away.

“I’ll call an ambulance right away…”

Daeyoung’s hand made Jaemin’s phone drop to the ground with a thud. Jaemin frowned at him.

“Hey.”

Despite the rough tone, his eyes were full of worry. Even after such a heartfelt confession that could make one’s heart burst, Jaemin still had that prickly demeanor, making Daeyoung think, “Even at thirty, being this cute might be a bit insane.”

Daeyoung, tensing his jaw, spoke lowly.

“I won’t die from this.”

In this situation, Daeyoung didn’t want anyone to interfere, but Jaemin seemed to have misunderstood something.

“I understand if you’re angry.”

Jaemin took off his jacket and wrapped it tightly around Daeyoung’s bleeding leg. Jaemin thought he was angry, and Daeyoung didn’t bother to correct his misunderstanding.

“It was a mistake to break up with you from the start.”

Because he wanted to keep hearing those sweet words from him.

“I know I’m late. I know you’ve completely lost affection for me… and that you’re sick of it all.”

“……”

Jaemin bit his lip hard while looking at the silent Daeyoung.

“But… ha, it’s so pathetic… I know I’m being so disgusting…”

Finally, the truth Daeyoung had so long desired was revealed with the falling tears.

“I love you… Seol Daeyoung.”

“……”

“To the point where I want to die.”

Jang Jaemin’s confession was as harsh as he was.

Words he had heard many times while under the influence of pheromones. Words Jaemin had mindlessly uttered in the past when he forgot everything. But none of those could compare to Jang Jaemin’s confession while looking at him intently now. To hear this one sentence, Daeyoung had waited so patiently, and the result was sweeter than he had anticipated.

“So, I can’t break up with you.”

“……”

Towards Daeyoung, who didn’t open his mouth recklessly, Jaemin continued, stuttering but with an unwavering look in his eyes.

“The moment I thought you might die, my mind went black. And I was scared. That I… I might be left alone in this shitty world without you.”

That’s why Jang Jaemin had come running all this way. If it was going to be like this, he should have lit charcoal briquettes sooner.

Jaemin fumbled with Daeyoung’s leg then took something out from under the tied-up clothing. It was a letter Daeyoung was familiar with.

“You were right. I’ve never ended things with you.”

Jaemin said with a trembling voice. Daeyoung tried to take the letter Jaemin was clutching tightly, but it was impossible. Jaemin quickly put the letter back into his pocket and took in a wet breath.

“I know your feelings can’t be the same as they were then.”

What do you know, you fool.

“And regardless of how I feel, you’ve already moved on.”

“Jang Jaemin…”

“But I can’t accept that.”

Daeyoung’s eyebrows twitched interestingly. Jaemin, who had kept the letter he wrote two days ago close to his heart, looked at him intently and said:

“I want to start over with you.”

“……”

Seeing him unable to speak easily due to excitement, Jaemin asked seriously:

“Should I kneel?”

Fuck. Even in this moment, Jang Jaemin shook his heart. His heart pounded wildly, sending hot blood throughout his body.

“What do I have to do to be with you?”

Jaemin frowned and moved closer to him. Daeyoung bit the inside of his mouth to suppress the urge to tear his clothes off and have sex with him.

“……Jang Jaemin.”

“If you tell me to kneel, I’ll kneel, if you tell me to crawl, I’ll crawl long.”

“Jang Jaemin.”

As Daeyoung put strength into his voice, Jaemin’s lips trembled slightly before closing firmly.

“Speak.”

Jaemin’s expression, waiting for Daeyoung’s words, was tense yet solemn. It was a look that said he would accept anything Daeyoung said, but his own feelings would not change. Daeyoung realized for the first time that Jaemin’s eyes resembled the sea. And he realized that he was the one being consumed.

“Don’t do things that don’t suit you.”

Jaemin’s lips parted in shock. Watching the changes in Jaemin’s expression as he tried to shake off the shock and compose himself, Daeyoung added:

“Do that kind of thing only in bed.”

“……”

The serious Jang Jaemin still didn’t smile. Daeyoung had no choice but to speak in a gentle voice.

“How could I reject you, you idiot.”

“……”

“You know I’m a sucker for you, Jang Jaemin.”

“Ha…”

Finally, a wet sigh of relief escaped Jaemin’s trembling lips. Even to such obvious words, Jaemin was biting his lip and trembling. Daeyoung whispered with a slight smile while looking at him.

“So… even if you’re humiliated and reach out to me again, I have no choice but to take that hand. That’s me.”

It was only half-hidden, but it was undeniably true.

“Let’s start over, as you say.”

“Ugh…”

“Let’s never break up again.”

Jaemin, crying, pulled Daeyoung’s neck strongly towards him. Daeyoung joyfully engulfed Jaemin’s hot kiss. His lover, who had acknowledged his feelings, was indeed incredibly attractive.

“There’s… quite a bit I haven’t told you.”

Jaemin said, swallowing his heated breath.

“Oh, really?”

Now what do I do? I might have even more to say.

“I actually…”

Jaemin bit his lip and put his hand on his belly. He was probably about to confess the pregnancy. The thought of Jaemin, who had protected the child even in extreme situations, risking danger to come to him, made Daeyoung’s heart warm again. Just as he was about to whisper that he knew and that he would dedicate his life to him and the child…

“……!”

The man who had been knocked out by Jaemin, attacking his vitals, staggered up from the dirt. Daeyoung’s face twisted for a moment when he saw the gun in the man’s hand. And when he realized the gun was aimed not at him but at Jaemin, Daeyoung roughly pulled Jaemin into a tight embrace.

Bang!

He felt a scorching pain pierce through his shoulder.

Fuck.

Bang! Bang!

With the successive noises, and his back being pierced, Daeyoung’s anger surged, bursting out with a “Guh!” Jaemin’s face, pressed against him, turned pale and contorted in his blurring vision.

“Se… Seol Daeyoung…”

Daeyoung pushed Jaemin away roughly. He limped after the man who dropped the empty gun and tried to escape, grabbing him. One hit. Two hits. He beat him until his jaw twisted and he went limp, then dragged him to the cliff.

This crazy bastard. Who does he think he is?

“Daeyoung… sob… Seol Daeyoung!”

Only after throwing the unconscious man off the cliff could Daeyoung meet Jaemin’s eyes. Tears rolled down from Jaemin’s frozen eyes. Jaemin’s hands, feeling over his body, trembled like aspen leaves.

“Da… Daeyoung… ah… ah…”

Was he very shocked? But forgiving someone who tried to kill you, carrying my child, is impossible, Jaemin. I said I’d kill anyone who tries to harm you. You told me to, didn’t you? So I’ll make sure Jang Wonjung, his minions, and now Kwon Sangdo meet their end. What. What’s the problem?

“Blood… there’s so much blood… sob…!”

Oh, you’re worried about me.

It’s okay.

Daeyoung whispered, looking at Jaemin with love. It’s okay, I won’t die from something like this, he said with a smile, but something felt off.

“……Hut…”

No voice came out. Instead of words, a gush of something red came out, which he realized too late was blood. As his strength drained away in disbelief, his knees hit the cold ground with a thud.

“Da… Daeyoung, Daeyoung…!”

Seeing him fall, Jaemin screamed like a madman.

“No… fuck! Aaaaah!”

Looking at Jang Jaemin crying out for him, Daeyoung thought, “Even in this situation, you’re so beautiful.” Nothing Daeyoung had seen in this world could compare to the sight before him now.

“You’re really handsome. Are you an actor? Or a model?”

Even when he was first attracted to him and made advances, Daeyoung had the same impression. The regret was that now, unlike back then when he could speak his mind freely, he couldn’t convey those words to Jaemin.

“Cough…”

Daeyoung turned his head to look at the tide-filled cliff below. Buying this villa was Daeyoung’s mischief. The sea Jaemin loved was spread out before them, but swimming was impossible. So, just look. Here, you can only focus on me.

“Stay awake, Seol Daeyoung…! Open your eyes…!”

No, who knows. Jang Jaemin, who always shattered his expectations, might dive off the cliff, leaving Daeyoung behind.

It was true now. Daeyoung had predicted and moved against all variables that stood in the way of reclaiming Jaemin. Kwon Sangdo, Shin Joohee, Kwon Yoojin, Seonho. He manipulated the situation to go his way by weighing what each wanted and stirring up guilt.

But… he had forgotten that Jang Jaemin himself was the biggest variable. Jang Jaemin, who had determined his life from the moment he was born. Jang Jaemin, who had given him the name Seol Daeyoung. And Jang Jaemin, who turned the direction of his life once again when they met.

“Open your eyes, you fucking bastard!”

Jaemin, what are you talking about? I am looking at you. I’m only looking at you. From the moment I first saw you until now, my life’s goal has always been you.

Even now, Daeyoung was definitely looking at him. It was Jang Jaemin surfing the waves. He couldn’t take his eyes off Jaemin’s brightly smiling face.

“Daeyoung… sob, please… please…!”

But something was off. Daeyoung had never seen Jaemin in the water. And this was the first time he’d seen him laughing so happily.

“Don’t sleep… don’t lose consciousness…!”

Only then did Daeyoung realize what he was seeing wasn’t real. It was a fiction created by his own fantasy.

Lifting his heavy eyelids, he saw Jaemin crying in his red vision. Daeyoung raised his hand to wipe away the tears streaming down Jaemin’s cheeks.

‘Don’t cry, smile.’

He didn’t like the bloodstains left where his hand passed. He wanted to wipe them away completely, but his hand kept slipping. Looking at the beautiful Jang Jaemin, even covered in blood, Daeyoung felt regret once more.

I always wanted to see you smile.

‘Smile for me, Jaemin.’

“Ah… ah…!”

Hot tears burst from Jaemin’s cool eyes.

“No… no, Daeyoung… no!”

As always, Jang Jaemin never easily granted his wishes. Daeyoung smiled.

“What am I supposed to do… what about me!”

Stupid Jang Jaemin. Why are you crying? We’re just getting started.

I’m not going to die, Jaemin.

Just before losing consciousness, Daeyoung had a fleeting thought that all alphas probably say the same thing before they die. Shaking off the foolish thought, he spoke to him with his eyes.

I have no regrets.

It was natural not to regret loving Jang Jaemin. Without Jaemin, his life would have been meaningless. But Daeyoung didn’t regret making Jaemin love him either.

That’s why I’m looking at you now.

Red tears from his smiling eyes flowed, drawing long traces on his cheeks. Jaemin, shaking his head and wailing, clearly understood his message.

Flutter, flutter. Snowflakes began to fall from the sky, where darkness was devouring the light.

Just like the day Daeyoung first lost Jaemin.

✽ ✽ ✽

The helicopter that Yoojin had called, mobilizing all her authority, shook violently in the gusty winds before managing to land. The scene with bodies strewn about was as she had expected. Although she had thought Daeyoung might be dead, seeing him unconscious in reality shocked her as well.

Daeyoung had been shot four times. At first glance, he was in a tattered state, barely breathing but not looking like he could hold on for long.

“Save our Daeyoung, Yoojin… please… please!”

Jang Jaemin, covered in blood and crying out to her while holding onto Daeyoung, was just as shocking. The teary-eyed Jaemin looked like a completely different person from the one Yoojin had known before.

“Please save him… please save our Daeyoung… sob…”

Jaemin pleaded with the medical staff as they carried Daeyoung away on a stretcher, something he had never done in his life.

“Calm down.”

Yoojin thought he should be hospitalized too, but she couldn’t stop Jang Jaemin, who was collapsing in tears.

“Seol Daeyoung, come to your senses… Daeyoung… Daeyoung!”

Shin Joohee came running after hearing the news, and Daeyoung was taken into the operating room. When Jaemin was prevented from following, he completely lost his reason. He screamed towards Daeyoung beyond the closed operating room doors.

“Can’t you hear me… I know you can hear me…! If you die like this, I’ll never forgive you, you bastard… ah!”

For two hours after the operating room lights went on, Jaemin sat on the floor, hugging his knees, trembling with a pale face. Joohee couldn’t even approach Jaemin, who looked like a sinner, and was biting her lips. Yoojin even covered Jaemin with her jacket because she couldn’t stand watching him anymore.

“Yoojin, Daeyoung won’t die… right?”

“……”

“There’s no way he could die, right?!”

Joohee approached Jaemin, who was shouting. Jaemin grabbed her arm, gasping for breath.

“Mother, Daeyoung is okay, right? There’s no problem, right?”

Looking at Jaemin, who was trying to smile with a distorted face, Joohee spoke with a heavy heart.

“……Let’s trust the doctors.”

Even to Yoojin’s ears, it sounded irresponsible. Jaemin’s complexion darkened even more as he looked down. He only lifted his head when the operating room door opened again. Next to the doctor, whose forehead was beaded with sweat, Daeyoung was not there.

“The patient?”

Instead of Jaemin, who couldn’t bring himself to ask, Joohee inquired, and the doctor quickly responded.

“The surgery is taking longer than expected, and we’re short on blood. Are you an alpha?”

“Yes, but I’m an alpha AB type…”

Joohee bit her lip with self-reproach. Her gaze then turned to Yoojin, who was another alpha, and Yoojin’s brief moment of confusion passed.

“I’m an alpha A type. My levels are in the top 8 percent.”

Given the situation, there was no other choice. Keeping Daeyoung alive would be far more beneficial for her future than him dying. Plus, if this created a debt, that would be even better. Yoojin prepared for the transfusion, but the doctor shook his head.

“We need alpha B type blood. We’ve contacted other hospitals urgently, but given how high his alpha levels are, it’s difficult to find a match.”

Jaemin, who had been listening without even breathing, grabbed the doctor’s arm tightly.

“I’ll do it.”

“Are you an alpha?”

The doctor quickly looked Jaemin up and down. Jaemin’s appearance didn’t easily suggest he was an alpha.

“I’m bonded with the patient.”

The doctor’s eyes narrowed slightly behind his mask. It was true that between bonded alphas and omegas, transfusions could work even with different blood types.

“Jaemin, you’re pregnant right now…”

“It’s possible, isn’t it? Transfuse my blood right now. I don’t care how many liters…”

Interrupting Joohee, Jaemin raised his voice, but the doctor shook his head.

“It’s too risky.”

“What?”

“In your current condition, the donor could go into shock too. That would put the fetus at risk as well.”

Jaemin’s face twisted as he listened to the doctor, who was stating facts without emotion.

“Our daughter won’t die.”

“……Well… ”

“She won’t die, I said.”

Joohee tried to stop Jaemin, who was causing trouble for the doctor, but Jaemin didn’t stop talking.

“But if the patient dies, I’ll die too.”

“……”

Jaemin’s black pupils glowed oddly. Yoojin realized he wasn’t lying. If Daeyoung’s death was announced, Jang Jaemin looked like he would really jump out of the hospital window. Joohee, who knew her son’s character well, also seemed to have no intention of stopping Jaemin anymore.

“If Daeyoung lives, I’ll live too.”

The doctor hesitated no longer. If this crazy man was the patient’s spouse, he decided it would be more troublesome if the patient died because he didn’t follow his words.

“Let’s get ready.”

Jaemin, dressed in green and wheeled into the operating room, turned his head to look at Daeyoung. Only Daeyoung’s profile was visible, covered by white sheets and with a breathing tube. His skin, which always radiated vitality, had lost its color, and his eyes were tightly closed. But Jaemin believed without doubt that Daeyoung was listening.

“I love you, Seol Daeyoung.”

Jaemin’s whisper was immediately followed by a spike in Daeyoung’s heart rate, confirming it.

“Don’t you want to see your daughter’s face?”

Long tears fell from Jaemin’s eyes.

“We’ll start now.”

As the sharp needle pierced his skin, Jaemin felt his frantic mind calming down. The blood draining from him was flowing into Daeyoung. Only then did Jaemin newly realize there was nothing he wouldn’t do for Daeyoung.

Daeyoung, I could even die for you.

“Heart rate dropping! 40 beats per minute!”

“Administer 1 mg of atropine immediately.”

Please, Daeyoung.

“Atropine administered. No response…!”

“Start additional dobutamine infusion and prepare the defibrillator!”

Jaemin clenched his teeth as the medical staff moved frantically, listening to the terrifying sounds of the machines. He threatened every god in existence, saying he would live as the wickedest of men if they took Seol Daeyoung away from him.

“Additional dobutamine infusion! Heart rate keeps dropping! 25 beats per minute… 18 beats!”

“Defibrillator ready!”

But… if they saved Seol Daeyoung.

“Administering shock to the heart!”

If they sent Daeyoung back to him… he would live his life not cursing it but being grateful.

✽ ✽ ✽

The ginkgo garden in the school was one of its prides. When the ginkgo leaves turned yellow and caught the autumn sun, they looked like a line of yellow torches burning.

“Did you eat?”

Jang Jaemin asked the boy standing in front of him bluntly.

“Ah, yeah…”

The ginkgo garden was famous among students for confessions. Since transferring, Daeyoung had been called out here several times. But for Daeyoung, it was just a perfect place to take a nap.

“What did you eat then?”

He hadn’t expected to hear this kind of conversation here.

“Well… actually, I was so nervous…”

They continued their conversation without noticing Daeyoung lying under the tree shade. It was a situation Daeyoung couldn’t miss.

“Then go buy some food.”

Crazy.

Seeing Jang Jaemin pull out money for the boy made Daeyoung laugh. The omega boy, flustered, waved his hands, his face turning bright red even from a distance.

“No, no. Actually, I have something to say to you…”

Damn, he thought. The omega boy seemed to be really trying to confess to Jang Jaemin. Daeyoung twisted his lips into a smirk and chewed on them.

Despite his bad attitude, Jaemin was quite popular. Daeyoung knew that even without Park Sejun chuckling and telling him about how many alphas had tried to date him. Over the past two years, there was almost nothing about Jang Jaemin that he didn’t know.

So even now, he was taking a nap in Jang Jaemin’s smoking spot, not expecting to witness this scene.

“I’m sorry, but I really hate omegas.”

Jang Jaemin threw a fastball straight to the point. His face, with his pale skin and three whites of his eyes, was genuinely sincere. But the other wasn’t easily deterred.

“You got all those guys who were bullying Hangyeol expelled.”

“They left because they were embarrassed. Don’t you know they dropped out and went abroad?”

“One of them is close to my family. I heard your family pulled some strings behind the scenes.”

“Fuck…”

Jang Jaemin lowered his voice menacingly. Daeyoung knew that was his habit when he was flustered. A yellow ginkgo leaf fluttered down onto Daeyoung’s face, which wore a serene smile.

“What nonsense. And it was Seol Daeyoung who dealt with those bastards.”

Jaemin’s voice continued, sounding annoyed.

“If you want to confess, do it to him.”

There it was. Jang Jaemin’s bad habit. He always passed the buck to Daeyoung whenever something happened, which had given him headaches multiple times. It was a bit troublesome, but it was better than Jaemin dealing with these guys. Plus, after their kiss last summer, it seemed like a strong bond had formed between them.

“I like you.”

Oh? Daeyoung’s eyes, which had been closed, slowly opened. He sat up, staring at the boy standing in front of Jaemin.

“Two years ago, when I was about to collapse from heat on my way home from school, you took me home. You found me when I was in the car.”

Tall and thin physique. Slightly droopy eyes. Light-colored hair. Despite his innocent appearance, his pheromones smelled like headache-inducing sweet caramel. Sensing pheromones completely different from Jaemin’s, Daeyoung’s brows furrowed automatically. It felt like watching porn that wasn’t to his taste, shitty feeling.

“Don’t you remember?”

“……You’re lying.”

He wasn’t his type, but he had to admit the guy had some guts.

“I don’t know how I seem to you. But… I’m good, really.”

Daeyoung’s eyes squinted with displeasure. The omega, who mistook Jaemin for an alpha, was more aggressive than he thought. Annoying.

This was the first time Daeyoung had malice towards an omega.

“What are you good at?”

“……That, that…”

“Say it properly, fuck.”

The omega was slightly taken aback by Jaemin’s irritation.

“Sex…”

“Sex? You’re good at sex?”

Jaemin’s voice cracked and rose. Daeyoung bit his lip, feeling the heat rise. At first, it was funny to see an omega confessing to Jaemin, thinking he was an alpha. But now, it was starting to piss him off, to an absurd degree.

“So you’re throwing pheromones at me now because you want to? Fuck… strip, you bastard.”

Jaemin, as if knowing Daeyoung’s mood, vented his anger on his behalf. It was a good thing; otherwise, Daeyoung might have gotten up.

“J-Jaemin, no, I actually wanted to give you this…”

“Who the fuck are you to call my name, you disgusting piece of shit.”

Jaemin unleashed a torrent of curses without hesitation, revealing his true colors.

“If you want it that badly, strip your pants and lie down in the middle of Gwanghwamun, you bastard.”

The omega, who seemed to have been moved by Jaemin’s kindness, was naturally shocked.

“You’re the reason omegas get treated like shit, you know that?”

As Jaemin approached him, the omega dropped the letter from his hand.

“Look at this handwriting, fuck… did you write this with your feet?”

“Uh…”

“Handwritten letters are fucking creepy, get lost.”

The omega, truly hurt, burst into tears and ran off. Jaemin stomped on the letter on the ground, venting his anger.

“Ah… fuck…”

Jaemin pulled out a cigarette and flicked his lighter. He was sure to get an earful from a teacher for smoking, but that was routine, and no one in this school could really punish him. Daeyoung enjoyed watching Jaemin’s hysterics. Even if the omega had stripped naked and attacked, it wouldn’t be as annoying as watching Jaemin get pissed off.

So why did you help a heated omega and cause this mess, Jang Jaemin?

It was fun discovering one contradiction after another in someone who lived with an omega phobia. But having more flies buzzing around him was annoying.

“Aah! Fuck!”

After Jang Jaemin shouted and left, Daeyoung picked up the letter he had discarded. His expression was indifferent as he checked the name and tore the letter apart.

“Jang Jaemin, we’re dating.”

The omega who got off at the academy stop was visibly flustered when he saw Daeyoung waiting in front of his house.

“So, you’re asking me to give up on Jaemin?”

“Yeah, I’m asking you nicely.”

Daeyoung nodded at him. Taking a deep drag on his cigarette and slowly exhaling, Daeyoung looked far from his usual diligent school self.

“……Huh? But you two are both alphas…”

Daeyoung cut him off with a smile.

“Correct. So if my boyfriend has sex with an omega, I’d go fucking crazy.”

“……”

“Even more than with Hangyeol.”

The other seemed to understand his words well. Daeyoung patted his shoulder with a “Good luck,” making the guy stiffen in surprise. Daeyoung put on a mask-like smile again.

“You’ll keep our secret relationship, right?”

Wondering how many more he’d have to threaten, he found it all quite bothersome.

✽ ✽ ✽

The convenience store was busy. Jaemin, with an annoyed look on his face, was in line with a can of coffee he had taken from the fridge. When his turn came, he rummaged through his pockets and frowned; he realized he had lost his wallet, his expression turning sharper.

“What’s wrong?”

Park Sejun, who was next to him, pulled out his phone to pay for Jaemin’s share too.

“No, it’s fine.”

“Oh, come on, take it, young master.”

“Shut up?”

When Jaemin glared at him, Sejun chuckled and quickly shut up. Daeyoung, who had been quietly watching their exchange, approached them and snatched the can of coffee Jaemin was passing to Sejun, then smiled.

“I’ll enjoy it then.”

Jaemin tilted his head, about to say something but then turned away.

“Let’s go.”

Jang Jaemin had been ignoring him for a while, but recently, he was treating him like he was invisible. Knowing the reason, Daeyoung watched Jaemin’s back while sipping his coffee.

“Is your boyfriend making a move for real?”

Park Sejun giggled, mentioning the rumors spreading around school. Watching him, Daeyoung thought Sejun was asking for a beating, and sure enough, Jaemin grabbed his collar.

“Shut your mouth. You bastard.”

“Okay, sorry, sorry. I really messed up. Right? Right?”

Sejun raised both arms in surrender, lowering his tail. Jaemin sighed and let go of him. Daeyoung bit into the can with his teeth.

Jaemin had a soft spot for Park Sejun, which Daeyoung didn’t like. Another alpha who had said similar things had gotten punched in the face by Jaemin last week. Though it was unfortunate for the one who secretly liked him to get beaten, it would certainly help him move on.

“Did you lose your wallet?”

“It’s probably in my bag.”

While listening to their conversation fade, Daeyoung subtly pulled the wallet out of his pocket. Two credit cards with unknown limits, three checks of 100,000 won each, and on the student ID, the name “Jang Jaemin” was clearly written. Daeyoung clicked his tongue looking at the photo of Jaemin on it, which stared into the camera. The picture didn’t capture his real appearance well.

Why did they take such a shitty photo? Daeyoung suddenly felt like learning photography. It would be much better if he took the photos of Jang Jaemin himself. He had plenty of time to practice until the day Jaemin would look at the camera he aimed at him.

Back in the classroom, Daeyoung tossed Jaemin’s wallet onto Park Sejun’s chair.

“Hey, why is this here…?”

Sejun looked bewildered, his eyes wide.

“I told you to stop messing around, it’s annoying.”

“But I didn’t do it…”

“Are you bored with life these days?”

In the end, watching Park Sejun get a hit on the head from Jaemin, Daeyoung narrowed his eyes. It was clear Jaemin didn’t hit Sejun hard, which was annoying, but…

“…What are you looking at, fuck.”

As Jaemin returned to his seat, he glared at Daeyoung and muttered lowly.

“You.”

When Daeyoung raised his eyebrows with a smile, Jaemin’s face twisted even more fiercely. Daeyoung didn’t miss Jaemin’s slight hesitation. Meeting his gaze, Daeyoung uncrossed his arms, resting one hand under his chin. Spreading his thumb and index finger in a V shape next to his mouth and sticking out his tongue, Jaemin’s face color changed drastically.

Jaemin, biting his lip, glanced around, his carotid artery visibly pulsing. What are you so scared of, Jaemin? Daeyoung smiled slowly at him. No one knows we’ve kissed yet. If you act like that, I might feel like blabbing about it.

The space changed in an instant. Now, Daeyoung was looking at Jaemin standing uncomfortably in front of the faculty office.

“What’s wrong?”

“Get lost.”

“Still can’t find your student ID?”

“…Hey.”

When Jaemin glared at him, Daeyoung spoke with a sly smile.

“I picked something up in the hallway yesterday.”

Seeing the student ID in his hand, Jaemin’s already long eyes stretched even longer.

“Give it back.”

Jaemin tried to snatch the student ID from his hand. Daeyoung stuffed it into the chest pocket of his school uniform shirt. Jaemin’s neck turned red as he couldn’t bring himself to feel around Daeyoung’s body.

Jaemin, who was a pro at fighting fitting his gangster son background, showed weakness in these situations, which Daeyoung found cute. Although if Jaemin heard that, he’d probably smash the nearest window.

“You bastard…”

“I’ll give it to you if you help me clean the bathroom.”

“What?”

“I do it so often that my nose feels numb. Bastards keep jerking off in there.”

“……”

Jaemin’s eyes flashed with anger. Daeyoung smiled at him.

“Help me out.”

“Why should I clean up after your mess?”

The punishment Daeyoung received after dealing with the alphas who tried to mess with Song Hangyeol was just cleaning the bathroom for a semester. Jaemin’s influence had ensured that the punishment was lenient. Given that he had saved Daeyoung from expulsion, it was natural for Jaemin to be annoyed when he complained.

“We’re friends.”

“Ah, ha…”

Jaemin sighed, his well-shaped eyebrows drooping into a frown. Daeyoung recalled the taste inside Jaemin’s mouth as it silently opened. His school uniform pants tightened in an instant.

“You can kiss me in the bathroom too.”

“Crazy bastard, do you want to die?”

Finally, Jaemin grabbed his collar roughly. This was what Daeyoung had been waiting for, a physical contact. Daeyoung stared at Jaemin, whose face was now bright red right in front of his nose. His mouth watered.

“Or how about a handjob?”

As Jaemin was about to throw a punch, Daeyoung opened the faculty office door. If this continued, he might really get into trouble with Jang Jaemin.

“…What are you doing?”

Realizing all eyes in the faculty office were on him, Jaemin muttered a curse under his breath.

“Fuck…”

Daeyoung took out the student ID from his pocket, firmly placing it in Jaemin’s hand. Before Jaemin could misunderstand, he clarified:

“I meant I’d do it for you.”

Thinking about how he wanted to stick his tongue into Jaemin’s gaping lips in disbelief, Daeyoung stepped over the faculty office threshold.

“I’ve finished cleaning, teacher.”

A thud was heard from outside the closed door, making the teacher tilt his head.

“Can I go now?”

“Yeah, good work.”

When Daeyoung came out of the faculty office, he saw the student ID, folded in half, on the floor. Picking up his crumpled ID, Daeyoung smirked.

What expression would Jang Jaemin have made when he belatedly noticed the student ID with Seol Daeyoung’s name? He would have blushed, not knowing what to do, and even after stepping on it, his anger wouldn’t have subsided. Daeyoung seemed to hear Jaemin’s curses clearly.

‘You fucking bastard…!’

Daeyoung left the building with a light step. He had the illusion that Jaemin’s student ID, sleeping peacefully in his shirt pocket, was getting warm. The next thing he would steal would be his heart.

✽ ✽ ✽

With his eyes closed, Daeyoung twisted his lips. He was back in the ginkgo garden, enjoying another nap. The day was so pleasantly warm that he didn’t want to get up.

‘Open your eyes, you bad bastard…’

Somewhere, Jaemin’s voice echoed softly.

His true feelings hidden behind a sharp tone. Daeyoung knew what Jaemin couldn’t express with words. But at that moment, he didn’t want to open his eyes. He wanted to hear sweet words from Jaemin, who always cursed at him, but for now, the day was just too nice. Jang Jaemin’s student ID was in his pocket, and somehow, it felt like he had Jaemin just with that.

‘Seol Daeyoung.’

Jaemin’s voice lowered slightly. Daeyoung slowly opened his eyes. Seeing Jaemin’s face sitting beside him, he realized this was a dream. Jaemin doesn’t look at him with such gentle eyes.

‘Daeyoung.’

Under the ginkgo tree where leaves were falling yellow, Jaemin smiled at him.

‘You know I like you.’

…It was a good dream.

Of course, I knew. How could I not when your ears turn bright red just by looking at me?

Daeyoung, as always, tried to flirt with Jaemin with a smile. But his voice wouldn’t come out as if his mouth was glued shut.

‘No, I love you.’

Jaemin grabbed his hand and pulled it. This was definitely beyond just a good dream. Daeyoung felt Jaemin’s trembling lips on the back of his hand. Even though it was a dream, it seemed like every cell in his body was yearning for him.

‘Wake up.’

No.

Daeyoung didn’t want to wake up from this good dream he hadn’t had in a while.

‘Wake up, please.’

Daeyoung stubbornly shook his head. That’s not happening. Seeing Jang Jaemin from this time was such a fortune. But contrary to his happy feelings, Jaemin was crying for some reason. Now he saw that his face was all wet.

Why. What happened. Everything was supposed to be resolved.

Jaemin was still sobbing with his face buried in his hands. Daeyoung wanted to hug him but couldn’t. Why? Why not? Realizing he couldn’t even move a finger, Daeyoung finally understood this was a nightmare. Is this what being sleep-paralyzed means? Sweat trickled down his temples.

After a long while of silent crying, Jaemin lifted his head.

‘I’m leaving.’

Jaemin quietly spoke, suppressing his tearful voice.

This is my dream, where are you going?

He wanted to threaten him not to say such nonsense, but still, no words came out of his throat.

‘I won’t come back.’

Daeyoung, lying on the hospital bed, furrowed his thick eyebrows.

Beep. Beep.

As Jaemin confirmed Daeyoung’s heart rate speeding up, he bit his lip hard. Then, with reddened eyes, he clearly said:

“Then lie here forever and rot like a corpse.”

Daeyoung’s fingers, wet with Jaemin’s tears, twitched.

“I’ll give birth to your daughter and live well with another bastard…!”

It was at that moment Jaemin’s wrist was grabbed. Jaemin fell onto the bed where Daeyoung lay, and finally, he met Seol Daeyoung’s opened eyes.

“…Where are you going?”

Hearing Daeyoung’s low voice, long tears streamed from Jaemin’s eyes. The one he loved enough to abandon everything was still unchanged even after coming back from the brink of death.

“…Did you sleep well?”

“No.”

Daeyoung answered immediately. Trying to sit up to check his condition, Daeyoung held Jaemin even tighter.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m not going anywhere, idiot.”

Jaemin swallowed his wet breath. Then he said to Daeyoung, who still hadn’t loosened his grip on his arm:

“I love you.”

He knew well why saying these three words was so hard. Because if he admitted he loved Daeyoung, it felt like he’d lose himself. He didn’t want the conclusion where he, who had lived denying being an omega, would fall into the hands of an alpha.

But now, he realized.

“I love you, Seol Daeyoung.”

He would have loved him even if he wasn’t an alpha.