OAO | Chapter 2

There was no way it wasn’t true. While staying at Kangyoon’s house, Jaeyoon had every meal prepared by him. Kangyoon would wake him up, even if it meant dragging him out of bed, to make sure he ate something simple before leaving in the morning. At lunchtime, he’d call and tell Jaeyoon which side dishes were in the fridge to heat up. In the evening, he’d try to come home in time for dinner whenever possible.

“He’s weirdly considerate,” Jaeyoon murmured.

For someone so curt that he rarely spoke otherwise, it made him want to test those boundaries, inch by inch. Yet, the thought that Kangyoon might treat others this way as well stirred a flicker of irritation deep within him.

“Well, it’s not entirely bad that you’re staying there. Kangyoon gets to rest a bit, too. People at the studio were amazed—said he’s been leaving early the past couple of days and asked if something was up.”

Jaeyoon’s manager stared pointedly at him.

“It’s clear that Kangyoon goes soft on you,” he remarked.

Does he? Jaeyoon tilted his head, pondering, but couldn’t say for sure. During their idol days, as the youngest, the other members tended to cut him some slack, and Kangyoon had been no exception. It never felt particularly special.

“There aren’t any issues, right?”

The manager’s unexpected question caught Jaeyoon off guard. After a brief pause, he gave a small “Ah,” nodding in understanding.

“I’m keeping up with the meds, don’t worry.”

When Jaeyoon casually referred to his suppressants, the manager seemed relieved and nodded along.

“You’ve always been diligent about it, but I still have to check.”

Jaeyoon understood. As his manager, such concerns were part of the job.

“Don’t you think it’s time to be open about it? You’re not living in a shared dorm anymore.”

Jaeyoon let out a low hum, deflecting the comment with a glance away.

“It’s been ten years. Why bother now?”

“Ten years, huh?” The manager sighed. “In a way, it’s impressive—for you and the others. Not just how well you’ve hidden it, but how oblivious everyone else is.”

That’s because I don’t fit the Omega stereotype.

Jaeyoon kept the thought to himself. Pointing that out felt like self-deprecation, and he didn’t have any complaints about his weaker-than-average Omega traits. In fact, it had been an advantage in the entertainment world—no one suspected him of being an Omega.

“When you debuted, there was still a stigma against Omegas, and suppressants weren’t as effective as they are now, so the agency had every reason to keep it quiet. But times have changed…”

“I’ll tell when I need to,” Jaeyoon interrupted. His tone left no room for argument.

His manager studied him for a moment, then nodded in understanding.

“Have you decided about the movie?”

The topic shifted smoothly.

“I already said I’d do it.”

The straightforward answer drew a groan from his manager.

“Did you actually read the script?”

Jaeyoon didn’t respond. The truth was, the content had been bolder than expected. Kissing scenes were a given, but the bed scenes were explicit.

“And the co-star being considered is Choi Sunghoon. You know he’s an Alpha, right?”

An Alpha co-star in those scenes. If Jaeyoon were a Beta, it wouldn’t be an issue—no risk of triggering a heat cycle from Alpha pheromones. But as an Omega, the stakes were different.

“It’ll work out. It always has.”

The entertainment industry sparkled with Alphas. Despite working alongside many, Jaeyoon had never experienced a triggered heat cycle. His late Omega manifestation and low sensitivity were a blessing in disguise.

“Don’t worry too much.” He smiled reassuringly.

Though his manager seemed unconvinced, he simply sighed and let it go.

“Where are you headed now? Home?”

“Nope.” Jaeyoon shook his head without hesitation.

“The studio.”

His manager snorted, unsurprised, at the answer given with a cheerful smile.

🎥🎤

“Hello!”

Jaeyoon called out loudly as he stepped into the recording studio, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Well, if it isn’t Jaeyoon!” The studio director greeted him with open arms.

With his hands full of coffee and pastries, Jaeyoon could only bow in acknowledgment. The director walked over, giving his shoulders a hearty pat.

“You’re doing well for yourself these days! A top-tier actor now, huh?”

“I still have a long way to go,” Jaeyoon replied humbly, placing the snacks on the table.

“Can I hang out here for a bit? Help yourselves, everyone,” he offered, gesturing to the refreshments.

The director instinctively looked at Kangyoon. After a moment, Kangyoon sighed, taking off his headset. Turning to the newcomers in the studio, he gave a silent nod, signaling them to step out.

“Hello!”

The group of rookies, clearly nervous, shouted a unified greeting that echoed through the room. Their stiff postures screamed inexperience.

“This feels surreal.”

Jaeyoon’s comment earned questioning looks from Kangyoon and the director.

“It’s strange to think I’m at a point where others greet me like this. Feels like just yesterday I was the one bowing to everyone.”

“Yesterday, my foot,” Kangyoon retorted dryly.

Grabbing two four-cup coffee holders and a box of pastries, he handed them to one of the rookies.

“Take these to the other room and eat there.”

His tone was so curt that it almost sounded like he was asking them to leave. The rookies seemed to think so too, as their faces visibly stiffened.

“You’re still the same, Hyung. If you say it like that, they’re bound to misunderstand,” Jaeyoon said, stepping forward. He took the drinks and bread from one of the rookies and offered them a warm smile. The tension in the rookie’s face eased slightly at Jaeyoon’s bright demeanor.

“He’s just telling you to eat comfortably. Honestly, if you tried eating in front of this strict producer, you’d probably choke on your food. That’s why he’s suggesting you head to the other room, so you can relax and enjoy.”

Only then did the rookies glance back and forth between Jaeyoon and Kangyoon, murmuring an understanding “Ah” before bowing deeply and retreating. Kangyoon let out a short sigh once they were gone.

“Unnecessary chatter.”

“How is that unnecessary? It’s better than letting them get the wrong idea.”

“Doesn’t matter much to me.”

Ever so rigid. But Jaeyoon knew Kangyoon well enough to just laugh it off.

“You’re too hard on them. It’s already tough enough. Jaeyoon’s right—sometimes you need to show a softer side so they’ll trust and follow you.”

“If they crumble over something this small, it’s better they quit now. This industry isn’t so forgiving.”

The recording studio director shook his head in disbelief, though he had to admit Kangyoon wasn’t wrong. Still, he advised that balancing strictness with encouragement was the key to managing people effectively.

“I’ve decided to take the movie,” Jaeyoon interjected, shifting the conversation.

“A movie? What kind?”

The director perked up at the mention, clearly curious.

“The kind you’d be surprised to hear about.”

“What kind of project would surprise you of all people?”

Kangyoon frowned slightly, intrigued but skeptical. After all, Jaeyoon had been in the entertainment industry for over a decade and had seen it all.

“Hyung, do you remember fanfics?”

“Fanfics?”

“You know, the stories fans used to write about us, posting them online?”

It took a moment, but Kangyoon’s brow furrowed as recognition dawned. Back in their idol days, Jaeyoon used to print out fanfiction and gleefully share it with the group, much to the dismay of certain members.

“Are you saying they’re making a movie out of that?”

Kangyoon’s tone was one of sheer disbelief. He seemed to imagine a parody with actors playing their group’s doubles.

“No, not that. But remember how in those stories, fans always wrote me as an omega? That’s the role I’ll be playing—an omega.”

His words were met with bafflement.

“Wait, so your character is an omega, and the counterpart is a man?”

The director’s expression turned uneasy as he pieced it together. Kangyoon’s reaction was more subtle, but his furrowed brows betrayed his thoughts.

“Yep. There are kissing scenes and bed scenes, too,” Jaeyoon added casually, grinning as if it were no big deal. The director looked increasingly disturbed, while Kangyoon maintained his characteristic lack of outward emotion.

“Is the production team solid?” Kangyoon asked, skipping over the content entirely.

“The studio is HK Entertainment, and it’s directed by Kim Youngrang. International distribution is almost confirmed, too.”

“Sounds decent enough, then,” Kangyoon replied, his focus fixed back on the music sheets in his hands. He seemed completely indifferent to the intimate nature of Jaeyoon’s role.

Of course. What was I even expecting?

Although Jaeyoon had predicted this reaction, he still felt a pang of disappointment. But there was no turning back now.

🎥🎤

As the recording resumed, Jaeyoon sat in a corner of the studio and started rereading the script. The intensity of the romantic scenes was indeed higher than he had initially thought—so much so that it would almost certainly receive an R rating.

As an actor, Jaeyoon believed in fully immersing himself in any role. He hadn’t hesitated when accepting the part, but now he was starting to question whether he could convincingly pull off such explicit scenes.

How could I? I’ve never even been in a relationship.

The thought made him chuckle wryly. He’d debuted as an idol at eighteen and had never dated anyone.

“Ah, and now I have to play an omega. This is going to be interesting.”

He sighed. His late omega awakening had complicated everything. Unlike most, who manifested their secondary gender during adolescence, Jaeyoon had only been identified as an omega after his contract with the agency was signed.

At the time, the entertainment industry still held significant prejudice against omegas. Uncontrolled heat cycles were seen as liabilities, and agencies often avoided hiring them. However, Jaeyoon’s exceptional looks—his pale skin, striking features, and captivating smile—made him too valuable to discard.

Fortunately, his omega traits were mild. His pheromones were faint, and heat cycles were easily managed with light suppressants. His agency had decided to keep his status a secret, a directive Jaeyoon had no choice but to follow.

A beta-pretending omega in an idol group—dating wasn’t even an option. And after falling for Kangyoon, Jaeyoon had never been interested in anyone else.

“Wouldn’t you need some help?”

As Jaeyoon lifted his gaze, he could see Kangyoon through the glass door, giving instructions to the rookies recording inside.

I have my own reasons to be just as desperate.

After a brief self-deprecating excuse, Jaeyoon stood up. It was already past 8 PM. Although he’d had a snack earlier, it was too late to properly sit down for dinner. The weariness was apparent on the faces of the studio staff and the rookies, all hoping for the session to end, but Kangyoon seemed oblivious to the time.

“Kangyoon Hyung.”

Standing behind him, Jaeyoon placed a hand on Kangyoon’s shoulder to get his attention. Simply calling out to him would have been useless. Kangyoon turned around with a questioning look, feeling the weight of the hand on his shoulder.

“I’m hungry.”

With a bright smile, Jaeyoon delivered his statement succinctly. Kangyoon’s brows furrowed slightly at first, but Jaeyoon kept smiling cheerfully, locking eyes with him. After a few seconds of silence, Kangyoon finally let out a long sigh and reluctantly took off his headset.

“Let’s wrap it up here for today.”

The staff let out quiet sighs of relief, their gratitude evident as they exchanged glances with Jaeyoon.

“What do you want to eat?” Kangyoon asked, slipping on his jacket.

“Just some home-cooked food from you, Hyung.”

“I thought you were hungry.”

Kangyoon’s question implied that it would take too long to get home and cook; why not just eat somewhere nearby?

“People recognizing us makes eating out a hassle. Let’s just get something to go,” Jaeyoon suggested, emphasizing that Kangyoon didn’t have to cook. Kangyoon agreed, suggesting they order something to be ready by the time they arrived.

The car ride home was quiet. Kangyoon, usually reserved, seemed even more so, probably because he’d been speaking all day during the recording session. His silence only made Jaeyoon feel more self-conscious.

“Should I have driven instead?”

Jaeyoon, feeling guilty for making Kangyoon drive after a long day, broke the silence tentatively.

“No need. You just finished a shoot. Get some rest while you can.”

Taking naps during travel was a habit ingrained from his idol days. Even though life was less hectic now, Kangyoon’s advice remained the same.

“I’m not sleepy.”

Jaeyoon had rested earlier, but his mind was racing with too many thoughts.

“Why not?”

“The script’s a lot racier than I expected.”

Referring to the movie script, Jaeyoon’s tone carried a hint of nervousness. Kangyoon stayed silent, perhaps unsure of what to say.

“Did you agree without reading it?” Kangyoon eventually asked, sounding disapproving.

“The novel it’s based on was a hit. The director is Kim Youngrang, and the production company is reliable,” Jaeyoon replied, pointing out the same details Kangyoon had verified earlier. Kangyoon had no response, retreating into silence once more.

Maybe he’ll try to stop me, Jaeyoon thought, or at least caution me about getting too close to another man. It wasn’t a lot to hope for—just some protective words from someone who, even if he didn’t feel the same way, surely cared for him as a younger brother. But Kangyoon, ever pragmatic and single-minded, didn’t bite.

“If you’ve decided to do it, then do it well.”

So I should kiss and sleep with another man, and do it “well”? The sarcastic retort hovered on Jaeyoon’s lips but never made it out.

“The real problem,” he muttered, “is that I have zero experience.”

Kangyoon didn’t react. He was focused on driving, but Jaeyoon decided to try being more direct.

“You know I’ve never been in a relationship, right?”

At this, Kangyoon turned his head slightly, casting a glance at Jaeyoon before looking back at the road. His lips moved as if he was about to speak, but he stayed quiet.

“Other Hyungs managed it fine, sneaking around the managers to date,” Jaeyoon added with a wistful smile. He thought of Gyuho, who had gone as far as fathering a child—a grand scandal at the time that now seemed almost charming as Gyuho thrived on a family reality show.

“Don’t tell me you were secretly dating too, Hyung?”

It was a rhetorical jab; Kangyoon was one of the few Jaeyoon trusted to have stayed above such antics. But Kangyoon’s lack of response made Jaeyoon’s grin waver.

“Wait… is it true?” Jaeyoon straightened in his seat, staring at Kangyoon.

Kangyoon remained silent.

“Wow… I feel betrayed. When was this?”

Jaeyoon couldn’t recall any sign of Kangyoon dating, especially during their idol days, when they lived and worked together almost 24/7. It must have been after their individual activities began. The thought of Kangyoon sharing himself with someone else sent an uncomfortable pang through Jaeyoon’s chest.

“I’ve never dated,” Kangyoon eventually muttered, his tone curt.

Yet something about his phrasing felt off. It wasn’t denial—it was as if he was admitting to something, just not a relationship.

“So you’ve done everything else but date?” Jaeyoon quipped, throwing out the question lightly, though his heart was pounding.

Kangyoon didn’t reply.

Guess I wasn’t wrong, Jaeyoon thought, feeling a bitter twist of envy.

“Hmph.”

He let out a long sigh, drawing Kangyoon’s attention.

“What now?” Kangyoon asked, glancing sideways at him.

“Just… I’ve been thinking a lot. What should I do?”

“The movie?”

No, not just the movie. It was starting to feel like the limits of endurance had been reached. Should I sort out my feelings? Should I face it head-on even if it meant breaking things? Or should I find a way to keep holding on?

Though Kangyoon thought Jaeyoon was worried about the movie, Jaeyoon left the misunderstanding uncorrected. Leaning back deeply into the car seat, he pressed his lips together and fell silent. Kangyoon kept glancing at him curiously, as though finding Jaeyoon’s behavior unusual, but he feigned ignorance until they arrived home.

🎥🎤

“Hey.”

After dinner, while Jaeyoon was clearing the table, he broke the silence. Kangyoon, already seated and reviewing documents brought back from the recording studio, lifted his head. Smiling brightly, Jaeyoon sat across from him, looking as if the tense atmosphere during dinner had been forgotten.

“I have a favor to ask.”

The word “favor,” paired with his cheerful expression, made Kangyoon’s face harden with unease.

“I keep thinking, and it seems like there’s no one else but you.”

What is it now? Though Kangyoon kept his mouth shut, the question was written all over his face. Despite his reluctance, which was visible even before hearing the request, Jaeyoon kept smiling sweetly, pretending not to notice.

“Practice partner.”

It took Kangyoon a moment to process the unexpected words, but a wrinkle eventually formed between his brows as realization dawned.

“You’re not saying…”

He couldn’t even finish his sentence, unwilling to voice what he thought Jaeyoon meant. But Jaeyoon nodded in response, making Kangyoon let out a deep sigh.

“Why would you need to practice? Just do it.”

Kangyoon’s sharp rejection wiped the smile off Jaeyoon’s face. He immediately drooped, lowering his head, which made Kangyoon groan in frustration.

“It’s my first time…”

His muttered words made Kangyoon furrow his brows even more.

“I’ve never kissed or… had sex before, and now I have to do all of that for the first time in a movie? It’s not fair.”

When Jaeyoon lifted his head, his eyes were glistening with tears, ready to fall with just a blink.

“I was scouted at 17, debuted at 18, and never even had a relationship. The agency said dating wasn’t allowed, so I thought everyone followed that rule. Who could’ve guessed that the hyungs were secretly doing whatever they wanted?”

As Jaeyoon quietly criticized the hyungs who had lived freely, Kangyoon kept his lips tightly sealed, unwilling to respond.

“And now, my first experiences have to be in acting? Doesn’t that feel unfair to you?”

“So, what are you saying?”

Kangyoon rubbed his forehead with one hand, his voice heavy. Jaeyoon, though briefly smirking to himself, looked up with an expression more desperate than ever.

“Hyung, be my stand-in lover.”

“What are you even—”

Kangyoon’s face twisted as if he’d heard something utterly absurd.

“If it’s a stand-in lover, find a woman. Why come to me—”

“I told you. It’s a love story between an alpha and an omega. It’s about their fated love. To understand the intense emotions between an omega and an alpha, it’s better if the other person is also an alpha. But I can’t just go out and ask some random person to help me with this.”

That much, Kangyoon couldn’t deny. If it was Yoon Jaeyoon, his celebrity status meant everyone knew his face. He’d once scolded Kangyoon for taking the KTX openly to Seoul Station, so there was no way Kangyoon would approve of him finding some stranger for such a purpose.

“But here you are, a perfect alpha right in front of me. If it’s you, there’s no risk of rumors spreading. Isn’t that right?”

Jaeyoon beamed, looking at Kangyoon with an even brighter and more innocent smile than usual.

🎥🎤

“Yoon Jaeyoon, wake up.”

The sensation of someone shaking him made Jaeyoon groggily open his eyes. Kangyoon’s face appeared above him. Waking up to Lee Kangyoon first thing in the morning? Not bad. If only this could happen every day.

“Good morning.”

Smiling lazily, he muttered his greeting.

“Your manager called. He’s waiting downstairs. Get up, wash up, and head out.”

“Oh…”

Right, there was that meeting with the advertiser today. It’d be nice if they could just take care of it for him. Still half-asleep, everything felt annoyingly bothersome.

“Help me up.”

Stretching out his arms, he whined. Kangyoon looked down at him with a disbelieving expression.

“Hyung…”

Dragging out the word, Jaeyoon pleaded. Though Kangyoon sighed in exasperation, he reached out, grabbed Jaeyoon’s arm, and helped him up. For someone so stoic, Kangyoon never fully pushed people away. It was this very leniency that gave Jaeyoon room to press closer. Had Kangyoon been like this with others, too? The thought bothered him.

“Did you think about what I said yesterday?”

As soon as he stepped off the bed, Jaeyoon asked. Kangyoon, who’d been about to leave the room, stopped in his tracks and turned around.

“Are you serious?”

Of course. This was urgent for him.

Though he wanted to say that, he swallowed the words and simply met Kangyoon’s gaze with a faint smile.

“I am, but the more I think about it, the more I realize it might’ve been burdensome for you. If you don’t want to, you can say no.”

His tone was as if he were resigned to whatever decision Kangyoon made, free of coercion. That made Kangyoon’s expression grow even harder.

“What if I refuse? What will you do then?”

“Well… I’d have to look elsewhere…”

Sigh. Before Jaeyoon could finish his sentence, a deep sigh escaped Kangyoon, his face etched with disapproval.

“Are you planning to spark a scandal before the movie even starts?”

“Hey, that might work as noise marketing. Not a bad idea.”

Jaeyoon replied casually, but Kangyoon’s expression immediately stiffened. Realizing too late how much Kangyoon hated the idea of noise marketing, Jaeyoon gave a sheepish smile, his gaze never leaving Kangyoon’s face.

Kangyoon raised a hand to push his overgrown bangs back. The jet-black strands slid over his fingers, briefly revealing his sharp, clean forehead before falling back into place. How can someone have such a flawless forehead? Jaeyoon thought. Every part of Kangyoon’s face was impeccably crafted, far surpassing the so-called “face genius” title Jaeyoon himself often received.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll make sure nothing gets out of hand. I even heard there are clubs exclusively for Alphas. If I play my cards right, I could find someone discreet. Those places are all about keeping things quiet, so it shouldn’t cause a stir.”

Jaeyoon threw in the suggestion lightly, intending to retreat for now. As he turned to leave, Kangyoon grabbed his arm.

“Alpha clubs?”

Jaeyoon turned back, sensing the chill in Kangyoon’s voice. As expected, his eyes were cold and sharp. Ah, he’s mad. He had anticipated this, though. If he couldn’t persuade Kangyoon by pulling, maybe he could try pushing.

“This movie is important to me. It’s a completely different kind of role. Regardless of how it performs, I believe it’ll be a turning point in my career. That’s why I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it work.”

Unlike his earlier, almost playful complaints, Jaeyoon now spoke with determination. His serious expression locked onto Kangyoon’s as he pulled at the arm Kangyoon was gripping. But Kangyoon only tightened his hold.

“Let go…”

“Fine.”

With a firm tug, Kangyoon pulled Jaeyoon closer, causing him to lean slightly forward.

“Fine?”

Jaeyoon looked up at him, seeking confirmation. Kangyoon raised a single eyebrow, his face unreadable.

“I’ll pretend to be your boyfriend.”

“Really?”

“Only a pretense.”

Jaeyoon blinked, his eyes widening in surprise. Despite all his efforts, he hadn’t actually expected Kangyoon to agree. He thought he’d have to push even harder, maybe even go so far as to make an actual mistake for Kangyoon to reluctantly step in before things got out of hand. That was, of course, if things went well. If they didn’t, he had prepared himself for the possibility of ruining their relationship entirely.

It had been a gamble—everything or nothing.

“No backing out later.”

Kangyoon was not one to go back on his word. If anything, he was too steadfast, often leaving others scrambling to keep up. Even so, Jaeyoon needed to be sure. If Kangyoon changed his mind later, it would complicate everything.

“I won’t.”

“No quitting halfway.”

“…”

Kangyoon’s steady gaze seemed to ask, What exactly are you planning? But Jaeyoon only met his eyes with a cheerful smile. Finally, Kangyoon sighed and gave a reluctant nod.

🎥🎤

In the backseat of the van, Jaeyoon hummed a tune to himself, visibly in high spirits. His manager glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

“Something good happen?”

Jaeyoon stopped humming and looked up, meeting the manager’s eyes in the mirror.

“Yep.”

Without hesitation, Jaeyoon’s face lit up with a bright smile, and the manager couldn’t help but smile back. Honestly, Jaeyoon’s looks alone were enough to make anyone’s mood better. No wonder fans called him a “face genius” and a “manhwa prince.”

When the manager had first met Jaeyoon, he had assumed the kid was just another pretty face. As the visual of his idol group, On&On, Jaeyoon didn’t initially seem to bring much else to the table. The group’s main vocalist, Hanjoon, was a survival show winner, and their main rapper and leader, Ray, had a solid reputation from the hip-hop scene. With Kangyoon composing and producing most of their songs, On&On quickly established itself as a group known for talent, not just looks.

Among them, Jaeyoon seemed to stand out only for his face—and the secret he kept hidden, his status as an Omega. But when he transitioned into acting, it was like he found his true calling. His performances silenced any doubts, earning him praise for his undeniable talent.

Since On&On announced its indefinite hiatus, Jaeyoon had been the most active member in the public eye. Starting with small roles in dramas, he quickly climbed the ladder, gaining recognition for his performances and becoming a favorite in the advertising world. His clean, scandal-free image over the years had also helped.

“Something happen with Kangyoon?”

The manager’s question made Jaeyoon pause, his gaze sharpening slightly. Had he been too obvious? No, that couldn’t be.

“Did he cook something for you?”

The teasing remark made Jaeyoon relax, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

“Everything he makes is delicious.”

“Really? I had a meal at his place once, and it was pretty ordinary. Not bad, just nothing special. Does he cook something different just for you?”