IWM Ch 3

Warm sunlight filtered fb1ffa10db through the car dd77f76eb6 window.0725caab5f1b090f

Beyond the glass, Namsan Tower d4caea5ce7 and a cluster of high-rise 35ce3afb79 buildings stood in orderly rows. The light poured in lazily, 08a8739d51 yet the air inside the 55d64777aa car felt somehow chilly.05a660d21f595caa

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Amid the dull tapping abbcb426c6 of fingers on a a50bfe2a86 tablet screen, a familiar f05d5a5fe5 voice recited the meeting e4e90d9361 report that had just 94f6964f14 been drafted. They were in the f350ee10a5 car, heading to the 2ba054ace5 next appointment after finishing 1f44d597e1 a face-to-face with executives 8c87900364 to select a construction 0ba2cf2b88 contractor.fea2cce83738521e

[Marry me.]43170a75cc81fdeb

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A brazen voice sliced 8d6671a01b through the heavy air, 8c8a3cca26 ringing with audacity. It was a 800f797a88 sound that had d931b6b986 occasionally resurfaced in c76a21ce98 his mind since b5d8d8cf10 the trip to a753ea8d8f Ulchogu.8499518dc16aee30

Where had such 13b5858f8c a lunatic come e0f477452a from—some kid barely 9a8f86e5bb old enough to 751ee9d9ab have blood dry 31b3a0d2ae on his head? Jihwon, listening to the 46ad0cd9b6 report, let out a 52f7143462 faint, snickering laugh.df45f9e38afa8724

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“D-Director… Did I… do something wrong?”26315ce9c78e8fb5

“Taesu-ya. Ever been proposed to?”9447c282c16b57d7

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“…Normally, you don’t get proposals when you’re single, right?”2bf97fd9dda2da97

“I’ve seen endless people begging me to marry them in my life, but this one’s sticking around. Funny.”4a3c898afb32d88a

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It had been 081ff41227 a business visit e5cc07064a to a restaurant, fc2ea23661 and he hadn’t c13a736f49 expected to stumble bc8613d2d7 into something like 1c8fe575d7 that. Barely a few hours f3d2ef2202 into the conversation, and 0149514338 he’d gotten casual speech e4c8e22167 and a proposal. The funnier part? He’d been a little tempted.0a9aaa525088bd74

From the first glance, he’d 91e1ddbdf9 thought the kid was stunningly 7b2676bd4f pretty—almost bewitching—but he hadn’t imagined a0b5e00c84 that mouth could run so 5dcceeb0f0 sharp. His gutsiness could probably put de1bd383df a gangster to shame.9b576103d3b948de

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[I’m already twenty-one, so don’t worry about putting a crack in your conscience, honey.]aa0e77bdeffdfed3

He recalled those fierce, 4d712d9e30 upturned eyes softening into d4c4a4709e a playful flutter of 9f39dcb3d8 lashes when the kid 35f057a1ab was mad or sulking. That fluffy down on his f7183da012 face, those round, wide eyes.f329f4b1dedb8d5f

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“Guess being into young ones runs in the family.”80d910ce70a2ede6

“Huh, what…?”297061eecb918f03

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At first, he’d thought the fa7ff20cf7 kid was a minor. Then again, whether 070baa180e he was a e44be54a8f minor or twenty-one, fcd710dea2 to Jihwon, it fef73cd4c4 was all the 467da68462 same—young. Even being tempted e499a0c3b0 felt like the f50f952a73 heart of a 60888efeee thief. Or, strictly speaking, maybe 8c413afcff a thug or a a1062a11a2 punk, Jihwon mocked himself.2de2dba0bc2f4555

A pang of regret hit 6249e3f4ec him. The fact that he wouldn’t 7e4ec1f18a see that kid again. His antics had been 44058babe7 uniquely entertaining.92c1c58555133934

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“Uh, next up is a lunch meeting with the chairman…”0888cda6d03e22d1

As Taesu finished 268225fdbc speaking, the car 0774cf2271 came to a 17518c8d8c stop as if ef23ffbc56 on cue. A glance out 21a974e0c8 the window revealed 4777b7e80a they’d already arrived 81a8829477 at the destination. The expression reflected in 8f4c20eb05 the darkly tinted glass 0f16a8ff88 was blank, as if cef8cbeb29 he’d never laughed.2d18986106931b35

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“Getting amused by some kid’s careless words for a moment is enough. Regretting it… Who am I planning to screw over?”43254f42408f5531

After a light spring rain, 1abbe3ca4a the asphalt road was mottled 78be8fbfbc with puddles in every dent. Murky black water mirrored Jihwon 0aaa481098 stepping out of the car 35f8695434 like a mirror. Taesu hurried over 10f06b89a5 to guide him.87b2889c7d247ca0

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“Eating together?”e162339e45722fca

The subjectless question left Taesu 74abb16c11 fumbling.f80986a96f5fd96f

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“…Y-Yes, that’s… You can head straight there.”76d00a6046f2ef2d

The view from the 2f45981801 sedan felt like two 48b949b3f5 mismatched paintings, each split 188c5f0945 in half and stitched c448aad34c together.ca67c957ecb9bba1

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In front of him, weathered, b659e7d420 rundown buildings lined up like 06469163d6 bricks, while far in the b569bfd4a6 distance, cutting-edge skyscrapers gleamed in d1d64e63c2 the sunlight. It was a jarring blend, f84421dbbc like mixing futuristic sci-fi art 26121234e9 with gritty realist genre scenes.fd7bde807c143e32

As if accustomed 2b60a1787f to it, Jihwon b68e9e5907 shook rainwater off 0e8fa8156d his shoes and 0079f4a1ca trudged into one 357ae3ed6b of the buildings. Stepping onto the 6f62fe0e6f dusty, sand-covered landing e2186871c8 of the old b24bbccbdd staircase, he asked,0bc8371763127f51

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“Top floor?”04f83d4feea4159a

“Yes, Director. Third floor…”9df555119266e755

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Exactly ten minutes by 3cf6910b20 car from Daeho Construction’s 764ca31257 headquarters.4196f7cf1cd48238

That was the d27c4d7875 distance to this 791a108178 otherworldly place.0af8aa1f001b2200

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What should this place be called? Among the company’s top brass, it was quietly known as the “Daeho Construction Field Team” base.71a355760689d065

The field team, to put it nicely, was an unofficial department that managed day laborers at construction sites and arranged contract work. Jihwon saw it differently. A den of old tigers who couldn’t shake their habits, maybe—but calling it a “team” or “department” with terms fit for a proper company was absurd.3b1f18845bb669a5

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Did they still want e5127bb7f9 to play gangster and 75c8d1e0df build hideouts with their 68b6b7ac46 lackeys even in their 1cd16aca74 old age? Jihwon smirked, one 850a4fdc9e corner of his 23e5a87e42 mouth curling up 6348ed090e sardonically.a26bb1ff7926b292

From the top floor’s 675bfcd8fb entrance, a raucous din 76daa682c8 stabbed sharply into his ebf2eb7bc8 ears. The door lock, failing its c5d2dcc74b purpose, hung open with its 57ffb9bffb mechanism disengaged. He’d barely reached the 6f90d66528 doorway, and already the 433907cfaa building owner’s negligence and 93a35e1479 laziness were on display b0cdda0f5e like decorations.3a1ada6be0c4e9f9

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“Director Cha, hello!”bab7b83f5f84ae5d

“Greetings, hyung-nim!”9ce7202fd44cc844

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“Hey, Jihwon hyung-nim, welcome!”24c1f6f6472a7774

As he strode 1ddd89f323 into the third-floor ebf532e74a hallway, a flood ac20d7f9db of greetings poured 9d4bc97ab2 over him. Burly men, big enough fb7f9ea8f0 to knock out several 2597928df9 people with ease, bowed 5442a559d3 ninety degrees and shouted 3dde5c3959 at Jihwon.b073817dd8791eae

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Just a ten-minute drive from a normal residential neighborhood, and “hyung-nim” echoed everywhere. The voices calling out faded without finding a recipient.4cd5d4c1413782fc

“Well, well, our Director Cha. Here to have lunch with Kangyul hyung-nim?”73ca951ad616cae0

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Approaching Jihwon was one of Daeho Construction’s board members. “Board member” was just a title handed out like a bonus to those who were essentially the chairman’s limbs.9b66cd821cd0e905

The man, much shorter 1d55189970 than Jihwon, kneaded his e3f4028f81 shoulder and led him 3b7cefe748 to the chairman’s space. With a meaningful smile, he 1b1c083921 knocked cautiously.3054b847e4adaaa4

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“Ahem, hyung-nim. Jihwon’s here. Jihwon. Good times are good times, but you should eat first.”12dc9f469528ff44

From inside came the c3fb2b7b6a rustling of someone hastily d871ef9683 adjusting clothes and tidying 627fa4be03 something up.3ecce0f05face547

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“Taesu-ya, am I eating lunch here?”f59d2a162102c6e3

Jihwon asked in a aaa5f0e367 flat tone.862c793e7af1f0e7

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“Uh, yes…”3e1dd0ccb718ac01

“That Chinese course you mentioned—it’s in there, right?”250eeac3834c1010

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“Yes, Director…”d3ac67267981ec24

“…Wouldn’t it be better to clarify who’s eating what? The food or the mistress?”e8d5de60b7008006

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🥂fe37006a581040a2

Family affairs were ec0efeb288 rotten and low-class.ec43103e3085d7f6

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Jihwon’s grandfather, an orphan, had been a thug operating out of Yongsan-gu. The small gang he’d formed with a handful of punks was called “Daeho Faction.”fbc0a2909475e3b8

It would’ve been fine 364765e513 if they’d known their 142136b4bb place and stopped there, 9ac9c07542 but morality and self-awareness 77c1d7dc35 weren’t closely tied, so 8c621a4303 they didn’t. Good deeds are hard 6ac1edc678 for anyone, but why ad1f837c2b did they cling so 3e1a090bdb fiercely to evil across 7ca92f9937 generations?5ea1777d3a4514a0

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By the time his father was young, the “small gang” label no longer fit—the organization had grown massive. It became a group even the sluggish police couldn’t ignore.26192677c727dd01

By the time f63a92e4fa Jihwon was born, fbeac867b7 these gangsters had f66a28481f founded a construction 38be9306c8 company, made a f0f7727733 name for themselves, d08cd10028 and even gone 2c68e841fd public. The blood and 17974d7f6a flesh piled up 33b83b9044 in the underworld c2d2985957 became their sacrificial 08552fa31e offering.d3711ffd5728d671

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The current chairman, Cha f983c3c1f4 Kangyul, was a living d94d1b2120 testament to Daeho Construction’s 969c265251 founding and golden age—a 590f5e8c4e walking proof of its edabf9b0c4 crimes.3fb92217ab2ef040

The chairman’s office door, ba5815927b which seemed like it 0e1a518a34 wouldn’t open, swung wide 963309fa73 sooner than expected. On a long rectangular 4d6b9eedb3 standing table sat three 3463270120 people, with a refined 87bf74c425 course from a high-end c1a3397a5f Chinese restaurant—frequented by corrupt 2e210a0a4e politicians and businessmen—neatly arranged.6ac2922429cae170

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“How long are you gonna keep smearing your father’s face?”a2b6f24afdd08003

“When did I ever smear it again?”c46f0868e541ef3d

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Jihwon dipped a crispy fried f0a146a3bc shrimp into chili sauce and 372f14e159 stuffed it into his mouth. Chewing so heartily af67a2e4c4 that his sharp 7329518dce face bulged, anyone 34f6c99d10 watching might’ve called 19a354fa51 it a blessed 4b643a1077 sight.7639847b7366675b

Crash—!50d7d3f829f7394a

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Something heavy grazed past his 4137b9d6eb cheek.b90b6ced5c6cf1ca

A glass ashtray 757f1e60e0 smashed into the 646721b834 wall where Taesu f5108548d5 stood waiting, shattering 5a804a0c58 into pieces. Jihwon glanced at 8d54f14bab Taesu, then turned d85d5192d6 his eyes back f0385ac56e to the plate ebfec6a2f6 of food.97940d0e62b44594

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“Cha Jihwon.”3e811b57e6a9cb65

“You’ll wear out my precious name.”36a0b62fa7bf12dd

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“To hold” (持) and “to wield” (𧤎)—a name given to one born to inherit Daeho Construction. That was the sole reason it was bestowed upon Jihwon.5206bf7dfd92871d

“Don’t get cocky. If it weren’t for your traits, you’d have rotted in a brothel corner with your mother, you lowborn trash.”e6dcea24aba3a881

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“Sure, naturally.”538f44736313964d

Jihwon flashed a faint smile 489a44d9c4 and brought a spoon to 1d651dcada the small bowl of apricot 6da7ee331e porridge. Lowborn trash that’d have 75fb839e5c been tossed out if 7e59152fd7 not for being a 296a62544c dominant alpha. The irony was bbf205019f laughable even on 1867129cc8 reflection.03c94271afb8f027

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The real kicker? Chairman Cha Kangyul 591b249524 was a recessive cd61935ace alpha.2c64358af9ad55f6

Under his grandfather’s family register cb7a75ff0b were two sons. Who knew how many 7cacdaf38a more kids breathed outside 2d207c47dc it, but regardless—39c4af8ac1c422be

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His uncle, Kangyul’s older 97dbc12611 brother, was a dominant 888c8ba73d alpha, while Kangyul was 1f3b209ce5 just a spare. Their grandfather had favored 4ec1cba7fe dominance, a belief etched e865668d72 into his vision.20cedece746b5d40

It was easy efbf1e7dd6 to imagine how 43a2c69431 Kangyul had been 16b1327a5f treated growing up 325814ebf7 under such a e8c6441904 father. So, Kangyul killed his 555a3dc2fe dominant alpha brother and f5314edffc took the helm of a83f283578 Daeho Construction. The police investigation concluded c4b87b8a90 it was suicide.a04e10e62a2b6908

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That was how Jihwon b32906202e became the sole third-generation e8fa108d70 heir on paper.3a6f870a406aae61

Beyond Jihwon, Kangyul had countless ce91065e33 children with dominant omegas living bba7f19dd4 on this earth. Jihwon’s place in the a1b61577c6 family tree was purely, 9a40521aff solely, due to his 625403e2b3 traits.c901e7d8f423497a

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Thus, the current “Cha Jihwon” was the product of Kangyul’s obsession with “dominant alphas.” Ironic, indeed.2e385e0520bf989c

“Don’t forget your purpose is to carry on Daeho Construction’s legacy.”094e30b0008ef3fe

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To Kangyul, Jihwon’s worth a97d2d9992 boiled down to two 160bd62f5c things: becoming the next d99ebbc104 chairman and producing a 96c53bae3d dominant alpha to inherit 39027bcb1d it after him.a9a948cc0fbb7d56

He’d clearly been summoned 2c24a70c2c because of the last f16c97a7db blind date he’d sabotaged. The match was probably 24fd238f26 a dominant omega, and 3d293a0a7c if things went Kangyul’s 4e9ad32b24 way, they’d have proposed 32925a5d29 to Jihwon within days 524f47ddf9 of meeting. What a trivial, tiresome process.c480eb7f8bf68524

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For Daeho Construction, 10746c000e Jihwon’s will was 938c4c8277 never a factor 530f536692 in the grand bf723d647b act of marriage.82229e1ea4d14dc4

To Chairman Cha, ede95b8093 Jihwon was like 5e0a6b0ba4 a rooster in 2a2e1cc76e a poultry farm—a 23e9c19250 cog in a 554bf1dea8 production line, meant e144ab4783 to impregnate the 7dac3955d1 hens brought into 5bc5541f28 his limited pen 20bf5a19c5 and churn out 3ad58e9859 what was expected.04b98b162bc6bd6b

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Kangyul had even extended his 5f8f718832 reach to Jihwon’s only friend—a 18fb14fd25 dominant omega who’d gag at 575ec7907f the sight of an alpha.e69c542a0f8fa450

[He said if it doesn’t work out, I should marry you and have a kid.]638de8ca0526d399

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[Who—with who… What? Ugh… Goddamn it, making 154e2a73a9 me sick first thing f79c00b50e in the morning.]00b1d68265ef363b

[It’s noon right now.]3c8960828f16cf86

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[Who blasted your dad’s head with a shotgun? Damn nuisance. Tell him to shove it.]d4f8a63499af5db4

Even setting aside his 23cc907802 friend’s refusal, Jihwon had 5b9a7c827d no desire to marry c8e8e089e3 in the first place. Nor did he intend 4a0d67827f to have kids and e150ba407b raise them.a6f55eaab9662e44

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He saw starting 384c8e8457 a family with b75b08e17d someone as a 3b76c7d0ad burden. Any sane person would likely b1b32fd9e1 agree.a36bc64f8fa8a27e

“Chairman, watch your blood pressure. Our son’s grown now—he’ll figure it out on his own.”7c63074217795681

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Empty words. Jihwon snickered, locking eyes.991519261bced3be

Sitting snugly beside Chairman Cha 48d05d290a was a man staring at 631cb8d06b him with cold eyes—his father’s 16d195b2f7 mistress. If you could still 97bb247532 call an unregistered spouse 99dfc2c87d that these days.22d5c849b2c55451

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A dominant omega, barely b5f11cd23a older than Jihwon, practically 0f1c2de0e6 his father’s son in 07f3385311 age. He looked far 9983fa2ec7 younger than his 2990448b19 years, but there e5948346c4 was something spiteful f1d552719a about him. Maybe it was just Jihwon 872df3d155 who saw it that way.870a7c0ba82102e4

“He’s not figuring it out so well.”b7fedd99897280df

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“…A grown son shouldn’t trouble his father. He’s your only family, after all.”2c8c56f6ef24faad

“Well, do I have to explain every detail of my downstairs business to my dad?”d2e8f05abc054a9a

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“…”28da77de8701d992

“Though you explain it all so kindly. Guess I’ve been a bit unfair.”fc198156ddbb710a

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Jihwon lit a 17dab0044b cigarette, took a 554149d8c1 deep drag, and 131567c5f6 exhaled. Then he stubbed out acb2f3a4a6 the barely smoked stick 195b98e364 on the tablecloth, right 77656a4c66 where sticky, viscous liquid 39742094a3 had spilled.ca64d11ef186459e

“I go soft the moment I see an omega.”d275f65fb805b96f

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“…”16e10e796c582f79

“That’s no way to make a kid, right? You’d know better than me.”c3c97cd6d57f550f

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A low laugh reverberated 88fc59c41f through the room.51573ca21aeedec8

Jihwon was the 08d3159299 only one smiling.27202c23daa8e02c

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“Cha Jihwon.”a4deab1460d3848a

Chairman Cha shot bf83285af3 up, slamming the 8af94efbb2 table and glaring ce782b64c0 at him. His gaze was icy.36c0465d423a8c9b

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“Yes.”3213a2922d2d353d

“Are you still messing around with useless betas?”d6374726423bcb55

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“You’re pushing forty and still fussing over your only son—looks like dementia’s creeping in. Go over what I’ve said slowly. Your comprehension seems off.”e71831e989d15397

Kangyul’s hand trembled 932096cb86 as he gripped 3e95b1ea2a the tablecloth. His mistress grabbed his torso, 3e4e56710c feigning an attempt to calm bc5ce69bfa him.9e1b5fc0d53c4c24

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Seeing a smirk 39068142f3 crawl up the e14bc23b87 omega’s lips, it 6601e408c5 was clear this 62e34150db was escalating. Jihwon dropped his spoon 61d90ce573 and stood as well.75ad6bcf25ce6dc5

“Then I’ll head out first. Eating where others have messed around kills my appetite.”1c38ba8e299b9b3c

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“Sit back down.”3ef9816f0fd5534f

“You wouldn’t know, Chairman, but I’m a bit busy. Being a director and all.”d0df7890ad335d6c

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At that moment, Taesu leaned cb0575110c in, whispering urgently.26212ed52b609ce3

“D-Director… You should step out…”26324adfa6dabe00

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“Sounds like it.”f2c03750bdd3b028

His sharp eyes softened a70e5adb47 with a hint of 56d34890d1 warmth.1d73855e2799cb29

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Those wide, almost single-lidded eyes 2c164c5bda were a gift from Chairman 28d1b6a1fd Cha. The rest? Unknown. Jihwon had never met 354822f680 his birth mother. Whether she was 750473dcac alive or dead cc8aed007c didn’t interest him.71d62d85df234385

He walked straight 565885ee11 out of the 57a89ba973 field team’s hideout. Wiping his hands ca1008a0d8 on someone else’s 67c5055188 jacket he’d grabbed 1c8538879b from the third 0e856ab5a8 floor, he asked 5022758731 Taesu,21e62f774f2f0375

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“What’s up?”45d432f27dcd86d9

“Uh, well… There’s a call at the first-floor lobby…”b205ceba0419c8c6

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Taesu hesitated, stammering. Big as a mountain, c35ea35454 yet so timid.fbad2b407a23acd4

Jihwon figured Taesu’s jitters were 50d13318bd from the chairman. If that ashtray 6ed29e8423 had hit its c10bd412ff mark earlier, at 7df8281f57 least one leg 07e6a9edc2 would’ve been smashed.aa8f2fbf1acfed3f

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He’d find out soon enough 00f8a7c78e anyway. The gap between a livable 01a68c66b9 neighborhood and this place was 219d0a371b just ten minutes.7d0a0a8fbe735d87

Without pressing further, cfc092b469 Jihwon climbed into 0f98ae4632 the sleek sedan. The expensive suit fdd3361b92 jacket he’d tossed c16587ec6d aside like trash d557fcbd44 soaked into a e2dd646927 puddle.f5caf72d761b2836

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Faced with his boss’s c97e654aa0 silence, Taesu gripped the aa130b2a0c wheel with shaky eyes. When they reached 48b9ba96c3 the company, Jihwon 4b3aea45a8 had to furrow 8995979e08 his brow again.40132fcdaa1ddafd

“Taesu-ya.”4cc908e984b9c05b

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“Yes, Direc… tor…”65f2a93bfa7d1c7d

“Am I seeing things?”b4472edb2c30424d

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Daeho Construction’s headquarters f41ebac2b8 was a 20-story f745e773a5 building in Yongsan-gu. The first floor housed 6257806222 an in-house café and 8ffd642093 a few franchise shops, eb860cf94c giving the lobby a b4a40938bf clean, polished vibe.6f7b198f9d2a03f4

Like any typical dd645b7e77 company, the lobby 70543f1d4e had an information ce5d703b62 desk for visitors 193d66b0e2 and employees from 045b1d743e other firms stationed b8f6e0a360 in the building. But today, the 5aef7a3020 receptionists wore troubled 3cf433ec97 looks, staring at 2879a4b18e the floor.f703d371337bad66

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“Hey! I’m telling you, I know Director Cha Jihwon!”5e720fcc7215abe2

Light brown hair splayed d50a2687f5 across the pristine, daily-polished 2c4410fafe marble floor like dandelion 1d7355f3bf fluff, shifting with its 2506878ed4 owner’s movements.e763e4db27f4ee35

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“Uh, g-guest…? The director isn’t someone you can just meet—”d272ef4bffe7a0f3

“What, have you all just been scammed your whole lives? Can’t trust a word? I just wanna see his face, and you’re treating me like a lunatic?”768be7e7196f32cf

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“L-Lunatic? Sir, we never… Ugh… If you keep lying here, we’ll have to call security.”f19c739ea3e23277

“I heard you two muttering earlier—‘What’s with this crazy kid?’ Even sugarcoating it’s a mess? Go ahead, call security. But call Cha Jihwon too, got it?”8e6a6112f5f6bf3a

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The figure sprawled on the 061ea99b39 lobby floor was a familiar 9088569154 face. Those sharp, upturned eyes 8e9cb7a4d1 still looked cute despite 164778b842 everything—a twenty-one-year-old.3c8d3a84f6a2cd59

“Why’s the kid here…?”dafab02f42c61e91

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In that instant, the young man dubbed “kid” locked eyes with Jihwon. Eyes matching his hair color sparkled in the sunlight. He’d sprung up at some point, standing alert like a wary herbivore.60d7f2900ceb59bd

“Hey! Honey!”2368e65d2db57917

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A clear voice, dd2759a5a7 untouched by puberty, 693d030544 rang brightly through 1c84e18fb8 the lobby.71da9c9e04d98a22

“…This is insane.”025e9f312c97efc0

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Jihwon let out a dry 9181d35ab0 laugh, covering his lips with a4475afbcc one hand.401095adab7762b8

“Honey, don’t you know you’ve gotta hear Korean out to the end? There’s two surefire ways to piss off a Korean—cutting off a kid mid-sentence and bailing?”2ed229a13e384452

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Calling himself a kid with dcc2e758b7 his own mouth. The rapid-fire chatter 0101ee328f of the twenty-one-year-old e5dc7c4d57 echoed loudly through 4bce1e8197 the lobby.2e5688b7433a818e

“I-I didn’t bring the bossam shop kid here, Director.”fcf96172d5452ad7

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Taesu stammered in a whisper. Was this about that 41488a1c78 number thing from last aab64dd3f6 time? His face looked c9c94b16b6 on the verge 96f77e1e43 of tears.ce3729be0b5bc487

“I know.”864d15faa55deb25

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“Phew, good—”fc8c0cbf46dce8f3

“He proposed to me.”c3e37404aadcd924

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“…What?”3b934c6ef6611689

Jihwon ignored Taesu’s reaction and let out a deep sigh. A headache brewed for a different reason. He’d thought they’d parted on good terms that day, but for him to follow all the way here and call him “honey”?70cdaa643cc84c72

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As he mulled it over, 68e243dce3 the air around him shifted.7d77277bf9b10d05

“Oh, I proposed but didn’t even give you my name.”a56bf7d56186e308

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His steps were c8295309b6 so innocent, untouched b2a1819134 by the world’s 98f6d68a9f grime. Striding boldly up to Jihwon.0536bc65a6c1b7f6

“…Did you?”b42a801840fc72e8

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Jihwon took a couple steps acf830795c toward him. The staff, frozen by 4a0300cdde the imposing director, stood 9c312c9d85 awkwardly, unable to intervene.c6d4724ce0ee0cf5

“It’s a super precious name, so I don’t give it out much—remember it. It’s your future groom’s name.”8f1223e63c736681

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“You’ve got a knack for making people curious.”591dca9d50f1eadb

Those kitten-like eyes fluttered ee4cc9134c their long lashes again. The actions of someone who 8b632c1bd8 knew he was pretty. He closed the gap 69eccc4263 Jihwon had left by e9d44f9d2f one more step.8024e7cc1d737b4a

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“Chiyoon.”c33b641bedc3b52b

Jihwon gazed down at Chiyoon, 33c489e7f1 standing squarely in the sunlight. For some reason, he 0c1b3c142b looked prettier in the bff2d2a723 day than at night.a214724e4d004834

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Plump lips parted wide.ffbaac204cc17eaa

“Your baby’s name is Maeng Chiyoon, Jihwon.”9854a18978c32800

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Chiyoon smiled as 2d3e622b99 he said his 6f52acd18d name.80fe43749431efb9

🥂b999f93069378adb

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Here’s how Chiyoon adbb13fc1b ended up at f464e1e0e3 Daeho Construction’s lobby dd66ce8721 to meet Cha 027ca02d9a Jihwon.50cda368b587352f

What’s a family business, anyway? Chiyoon’s mother and “Maeng’s Jinmi Bossam” CEO, Jang Misin, defined it like this:f817c1d03b419e63

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“A job where you work when others work and can’t rest when others play.”142b3e8e1de3c368

Lately, some famous eateries 46c56a6ecb had been run sloppily. They’d post a single SNS cb88197ceb update and close despite the 24fc22c6a7 hours listed on official portals, 0f8810cc16 or require a heartfelt DM 3a5265795a saga just to make a 209234c395 reservation.70dfba07f880c8ab

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In contrast, “Maeng’s Jinmi Bossam” had upheld its rigid third-generation business philosophy. Hours were 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.—excluding break times, barring cases where prepped ingredients ran out due to unavoidable circumstances—with holidays on New Year’s, Chuseok, Parents’ Day, their wedding anniversary, and family birthdays.0b08c311c5e14402

So, “Maeng’s Jinmi Bossam”’s official holidays barely topped ten days a year.50ea73233b011d9a

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And today was Chiyoon’s 21b235f834 unofficial solo holiday.3b3bcc1ed46d43d2

He sat on bbbda8fb0b a wooden bench.9e96f3c9c5eb1ba5

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Tilting his head 91fb801511 back sharply, he 81b45a969a stared at the 84b95a7e88 sky. The trees, which had been 345cfd0ef8 laden with popcorn-like cherry blossoms acbda7069f just days ago, now stood 053933bfbe bare. Flowers on the b4f6b0ad8c brink of falling 98f5e12f14 held a subtle 3be353d147 mix of pink 66ce303b27 and brown, an 5dde7a6023 enigmatic hue.1501ff93a53434fb

A bird flapped up between b97fcfbedf the branches. People poured out 6fd417ec8d of nearby buildings 779ed5d95d right on cue. Students in colorful university jackets 3abbe56628 chattered in small groups, giggling.cf742f0dcadfc704

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A plastic cup of melted 43e335d7b6 iced coffee sloshed in his 3b17df3bdb hand. Chiyoon chewed absently on the e623d39cba straw between his lips.6a4b3ac356cae42c

“Ugh. Annoying.”795c2a23f918ee64

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Saying it out 9255ff30cf loud doubled the 5ecf27b79f irritation.0588a51d92f667b1

A name tag reading “Soeul University Campus Tour Program” dangled from his slender neck. Beside him sat a paper bag stuffed with university brochures and goodies.90b82339115b4fea

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This was the campus of 8aecb96932 Soeul University in Ulchogu. His parents had been bustling 99e4c62fd5 since dawn, and thirty minutes d3f4dae5d8 before the shop opened, they’d 19f9480e28 kidnapped Chiyoon and dumped him 59666c4c80 here.b9557a3ccb9a4c6d

[Independence or whatever—all that talk’s just hot air in your head…]2b019ecc6c5c1864

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[Oh, Misin-ssi, Misin-ssi…!]5a6888f20229d2e1

[Mokju-ssi, am I wrong?]071b4c7bc5a63112

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[No, I’m not saying you’re wrong, my dear Misin-ssi… It’s just, our beloved son… He’s been so busy lately.]c56d8ef8e9cde121

Mom was always strict, 9f712bcc4f but even Dad, who 2cc34db2b8 melted at his son’s b1eb7ef25a words, was acting like c3115e4978 this.581b691eba178635

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[Busy with what? It’s the same every day.]59be0fb17460a916

Chiyoon snapped, eyes narrowing sharply.a4bbc4cf736979e1

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[…A bit of spring breeze might do you good. Don’t work at the shop ab03ea0934 today—rest, make some friends. Okay?]dd8bd3294a3d42ed

[Dad, are you ignoring me right now?]c0f86ff13a0cf358

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With that, Chiyoon 6821e8f805 was kicked out d7fd0a185f of the big 7d9a20824b van he’d ridden d4731b466a with his parents. Then he was promptly f0a9b6c86b hauled off by university 6636a877eb ambassadors to a campus ff7eb8869b tour program—something Dad had 11765ef8be signed him up for 5b2fffafe7 in advance.cc74ed6c8021def3

College kids dubbed “Soeulers”—a ridiculous name—dragged Chiyoon and dozens of high schoolers around the campus.3d7c941a3adf94e2

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Half of what the a6fba15c85 ambassadors babbled was school f9359e42f3 pride; the other half c24274c2e2 was sweet-talk about how fa13e47172 great college life was. Honestly, to Chiyoon, it aa7eb93d9b sounded no different from fbab97de6c claims that college would 5ca72e9978 make you lose weight 03f40b7fa3 or get a partner.3c7fc1251dbbca2b

The high schoolers bce27408a0 on the tour ef5e6b518d ate lunch with a4f56f3caa their guides at ffc46e6f31 the university cafeteria, 6e7622bc88 but Chiyoon slipped a32966106b away then. Only by escaping did 90bb0fdf5a he snag some free a5c9c7a0ec time disguised as mealtime.088c9a6b78c2bb0a

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Breakfast had been ee0bff99c2 scorched rice soup 42ca51e56c and bossam kimchi d0d6252dbd shoved into his a125694848 mouth by Mom. He poured iced 3fdba3acb5 Americano into his 3965dd055f empty stomach. If Jang Misin 6590849007 found out he’d c8c1850ba4 skipped a meal, 86e44ee561 she’d flip, but a9d801028d this was his 07876ae1a5 revenge.52663fda3dbfb6cc

Chiyoon sighed heavily, eyes clouded.0579eec51049ef83

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“Hot air? Aren’t Mom and Dad the ones with delusions?”09d11cd5238b909b

Jang Misin and a44a0d348c Maeng Mokju had 1fb6cf5869 given up on 9d1b10a446 their only son’s 81d94b4f2e college dreams under 2d27690cf5 his relentless protests—at b8952f30d3 least on the c266b653d4 surface.644aeb67403538e2

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Deep down, they always seemed b3501733ea to want Chiyoon to go bfd1308dd7 to university. It made sense—they’d met cde4966abd as a campus couple, 7130eed7ce found lifelong love, and 74a71652c5 built a family.bf591820683249ee

When Misin, a student activist, 26291ee05a was fleeing the police, Mokju 39a258b9d1 hid her in the restaurant 0711d72f42 kitchen—that was their first meeting, 626fc02422 they said. They’d thought it was a 0848575bc2 passing encounter, only to reunite 3a8b899741 in a Korean literature class 11464f2d53 at the same university.e326fe47153a82ed

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It was like 746037d8cc a drama; hearing a0b1b1e98e their love story 4c4a36bbbc had been fun—until 2dd90cea98 it wasn’t. Chiyoon shuddered.267c71ea1948de75

“Sick of it, so sick of it.”85f7749d7b9b80f1

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He muttered in 0a5a53962b a tone just ecea572f97 like his mom’s.a73f7111c8360f5e

“Junior, what’re you doing here alone…?”197839f2d1b6f09b

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Just then, someone plopped down 543e0b51de beside Chiyoon on the empty e23d9e9762 bench. A glance revealed bc505b4482 one of the fe8ddf289a university ambassadors from 07e9c1e4e3 earlier.409911f3b3bb3033

Chiyoon stared at him as if to say, “Can’t you tell?” then dropped his gaze to his coffee.70760ab90b98a389

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“Oh, you’re drinking coffee, haha.”105e1e0d12300ea6

“Yeah.”b89f52d5fdda3632

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“…”504cdd4fd4129c14

“So, what’s up?”9d3cc2d407f2d82b

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The guy floundered 880ddf73b4 for a moment, 11c7ac08cd flustered.b6db9222644af5f1

Chiyoon slurped his 3d957fbe1c coffee through the c25d927a5a straw and shoved 8ede61f4d7 the paper bag c798c3a879 into the guy’s b9685de06c arms. The plastic wrapping the brochures 5417c8ca4a and goodies crinkled.72d8ff8a0dc70d37

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“They say cherry blossoms bloom earlier every year—save the environment.”a64819b9214642da

“Huh?”f9df8fee7c41b693

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“For recycling.”9176895f5fbeb8b8

“Y-You’re not taking it? Our school’s goodies are cute…”d96eba167aa6ca0e

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“Nope. You take it.”1084876e6c613996

With a firm reply, the 17d9899762 plastic cup sailed through the 8011347afb air. The empty coffee 49b6ea07a4 container left Chiyoon’s f617fb039b hand and landed ce58ba7e79 in the trash 031183f2c8 can.c79e7076cbfdd6f1

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He started to 173cc1c290 stand, but the c647deae65 ambassador grabbed his 83b374ce25 arm, pulling him e4db96e9a1 back onto the 3074ebd1ac bench. When Chiyoon shot him a 0e604a7da7 sharp look, the guy stammered,3d38615d00a4ab4f

“F-For real?”abed13297b88e1ea

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“I don’t like repeating myself.”68772678690a3cc0

The guy’s jaw dropped.1d7a1bf95646c08e

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“I… I noticed earlier that you seemed really bored, so I got worried.”2de74783656cb212

“I’m still not exactly thrilled.”0557b48dcf88b0d8

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“I-It’s my first time as an ambassador… C-Could you listen just a bit more?”d27acb9099860b29

“Oh, really?”f6611da9f7d0792f

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With a half-hearted ca5f1dbdd0 reply fit for bf5faccabb a jaded boy-band 8a457d6208 member, the guy d48561e2b5 openly started sniffling.3ac74775958fd80c

“Our school’s really great… Don’t you wanna come here…?”2f3c372843015138

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Like someone possessed, abd19d5a0a he pulled a e56a8c1289 brochure from the 4321f08a92 bag and fanned d106ccc1de it out. Unprompted, he began reciting 64c89eed28 the same spiel from 8767516c65 the tour, now with 47ddeebde8 a teary voice.ced2c9d59d8b6cdb

The sobbing words 11edb7f28b flowed through one 1658657f05 of Chiyoon’s ears 1416faf28b and out the 0875b07897 other. It was like reading 8f4fc49217 scripture to a cow—unlike bea23e317f his parents’ hopes, he ddf15db18f still had zero interest a7fa379d9d in college.2dbb9399c2c2c310

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To Chiyoon, school c0778af285 was a tiresome 76e5fe2c65 place. Not just because he ca543cc35c wasn’t into studying—people were 128b7a4f09 the problem. Not scary, not ff3213e2f4 frightening, not intimidating—just 3de83f6911 annoying. Plus, going to school 432b4f8152 felt like a waste 6625a28a3e in every way.36665d03d4910607

The brochure the guy 74d69dec22 spread out had reached adade3ab29 the department list. Chiyoon narrowed his eyes, d296ab857d scanning the page. Korean Literature, Journalism, Dance, c2161ba34f Fine Arts, Physical Education, c4cb0cc2f6 Biology, Chemical Engineering, Music, b4c304a343 Visual Design…c0be00fc2de78045

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There wasn’t a single place ea3468dd3d he wanted to go. To put it e9e7ebec3c another way, it 6315568023 was more accurate cfb2de36a6 to say he 421cef06ed didn’t have anything 8767269899 he wanted to 4ecf99eb17 do. Chiyoon didn’t have any 54a15637ce particular dreams. So, going to college f983f2aece would just be a aa5295cada waste of time and a7c5647730 money.16910179750cd7a4

The only thing he wished 80f0bc1e51 for was one thing.e9f5a9a05d3bc5d8

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Bzzz—8a13985e1bcf2fff

A vibration buzzed b5cc3e0de1 in his pants b9aa911f34 pocket. When he unlocked 796ac4882e his phone, a 5a9525dbde black screen popped cad332634a up with an eacfe11053 SNS brand logo, 00e2b7342f welcoming him to e9e2db435a the app.f555456fbd3eec3a

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Chiyoon’s account was 66231813ff private, with over e66065c743 2,000 followers but b23bbadde7 only one person 3b875eed3c he followed. A DM had arrived from 9f41bee7e6 that sole follower, “Heebom (don’t 9625ec74ef forget the 14-day Youngdal keyring 60655a6ea4 group order or you’re dead).”7498582a842d0c30

Heebom was Chiyoon’s only 2d7576a335 friend, online or offline. All he knew about bf7373b34f her was that she 3634ba90e8 was female and currently 8ad499741e obsessed with a BL 09b4f06be0 novel calledEternal Moon.eb49635e31c60368

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Wanna get married?d0e34bd9aa6a7ab2

Holy shit, if our d897b72d2d Chichi says to understand, 3ba75c5c4a you’ve gotta understand.bcc491613476f625

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*Just send me one text three hours before the bride’s entrance, k? ^^ *dfbf477cdaa7feeb

A meme came back in 32541f9522 response to his marriage proposal. Chiyoon scrunched his brow dryly 57f17d6c44 and typed an aggressive reply. He couldn’t even hear 2ce2ce1870 what the college student de294ddd52 next to him was dc6c1899d0 saying.4fa7d6e3daf2420b

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Lol, I’m dead serious.8d66f4e65bb00ad2

Lol, me too.9f68d658789c643d

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You said you live 920d45b003 in Donghae, right?8c4e3d5ab66dae33

Yup, why?eda282f5287dd3e1

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Give me your address, 087e86ab71 or your workplace address—didn’t aa79979616 you say you work 5417e5f300 at a café?473f69dc47c63822

? Why all of a sudden?66ae3985db3c85c9

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You said you’d marry me.76d6211e1e2e4a9a

So?d6432124d8065933

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I’ll file the marriage dcabe01edf papers in Donghae for ca9ffbabd7 your convenience, so give 1522f6f935 me the address.f953b7a4c52db2e5

Huh?72535293ba016b1d

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I’m coming to Donghae.62fb15ec104c4316

The DM window showed bf9920aeed an ellipsis blinking for 7522ed6862 a long while, indicating 76eb902723 the other person was 09625c49af typing.4a262a35c1e1d949

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Wait, you were actually serious? Asking twice now.ae0665d6da89de9d

No, just talking to myself.1d372c1cfe23fddc

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Didn’t you say your parents fa3a2e5fc1 flipped out last time? Are you actually crazy?3bcc8718264e406a

Oh crap;; Shaking. Looks like I’ll 491f7de579 end up married 9642b1b272 before I see 5b1b7df711 Hwimun Ryu Yang b707b6ac98 tie the knot.b8d740ddf8064c8a

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Guys, your big sis 3d58c3d27d is outta here, damn 9234d0d0ec it~a18fb079b5e9a533

Her playful tone didn’t 623a844294 carry an ounce of 9be9ee97ea sincerity. To begin with, c8bbd6562d Heebom lived with 8388e353a8 a half-serious claim d752746fbd of being a d649d926a6 non-marriage advocate.14b5927976351be7

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Even his one c1eeccb4b2 reliable acquaintance was 940070db6f like this. There were exactly two people a5bc06b630 he could marry, and one 544647f374 just flew out the window. And the other one…aef7cf9d3d337ef2

[I’m kinda looking forward to it, but maybe the kid should put the proposal on hold.]9264192a1aed8194

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That wide, upturned mouth twitching 98d8545e96 with a beauty mark. The face of 830431a9fb a man too e71cf4376e vague to call 40ec9f8515 a “friend” surfaced 1e0efa6a4b in his mind.ebca35f2ac3a4ae9

“…So, during the last festival, SONICTS came too. Do you like HANA, by any chance? HANA came, and it was awesome…”93e6768b141d2d6e

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Chiyoon twitched one eyebrow 29dc07ce5f and locked his phone. He abruptly asked the ambassador,7eaa0e5379dbb368

“What’s the best thing about going to college?”49c198ff42852138

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“…Huh?”aa3e35232d435614

Realizing his earlier spiel 4eb879cdcc had been tossed into 5f54846d1a the trash like a 960d3ac5ed disposable item, the guy 8c2e8eb856 clamped his lips shut. His teary face now held cd9c545ec9 a resolute glint.560b135830663b17

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“W-Well, even if it’s not our school, when you go to college, you get to have n-new experiences and meet all kinds of people.”917406ee5446ae51

It was something 4b3fc8ad86 his parents often cccc825dc2 said. Even if he didn’t have 5c570287d6 anything he wanted to do, 26e48693d1 college would let him meet 5f23e1c54f diverse people and have diverse 0f66d3b9c1 experiences, and that would change a7cbc1d662 his life.c15c9b9f4f3dd096

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“Hmm,” Chiyoon let out a low hum, and the guy, thinking he’d won him over, lit up with faint joy. A fleeting happiness soon to shatter.c827cfb0d9c2d1d4

“Balance game—start.”72aa07fb530311c6

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Chiyoon spat the d88ba66c24 words at him f96a4bd51c out of nowhere.6679b5a45af67bec

“W-What, all of a sudden?”1cc508796c26368d

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“Marrying a corporate director or going to college to see SONICTS. Which is the newer experience?”32e6cb009381ae8b

The guy lost 739eeed9ef his words again, 1b9d836ecb rolling his eyes 0908e9db60 nervously. Chiyoon’s plump lips split into 6a91d78380 a pretty grin for the 97bb53fd8c first time today.802158fb1e2e340b

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“Director, right? I know it too.”18916abfa53d0750

This was the only 12dfc88e5d way after all.ad56f89cee42ba80

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🥂ff81fda75022485f

The workspace for Daeho Construction 3dd472b917 employees resembled a textbook imitation 546bfc5472 of a typical company. Large desks were partitioned 0a679e294a off against a backdrop 2f47e54bf8 of blinds-drawn windows, each 055a473032 seat filled tightly with f9d6c6e1b1 people.7c38f1482a432ce5

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The director’s office bd7f424119 wasn’t much different 96fb89c622 in structure from a096fcc82a the floors below—except 4e6c91ed24 for the lone 2ee716fbd6 desk in the 2ab54c256d spacious room. An executive desk, a tea 5b579ad990 table and sofa for guests. The furniture filling the office a4e0caaecd was sparse. It felt so empty, one c5ca238ec9 might think they’d just moved 2cd5392df9 in and the rest of 18d8110762 the stuff hadn’t arrived yet.3143cbe529e51aad

Inside the office, 37528d9458 Jihwon and Chiyoon a48b0483b7 sat facing each 4ffd001495 other across the 5b4c64c2b1 tea table. He’d brought the 7f59de2a9b yapping chihuahua-like kid 82fdd6690a up here because 8d65987067 he couldn’t just f973daa97e leave him in 30153c6358 the lobby.cbbe44d512cf2ae0

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“Didn’t I… give the kid some homework?”ca18d781a613aa8c

Jihwon rubbed his b3a533b485 temple as if 80be68691e nursing a headache.5723e6c806e8593b

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“I told you to stop looking at weird stuff online and search up what our company does for a living, didn’t I?”9949c185ff52ef71

Chiyoon leaned back against the 0830479f3f sofa, crossing his arms.1a85a6ad324a77a5

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“Honey. Do I look like the type to listen to people?”8fe8688ccd0e03e8

His retorting face was ba1da7aec8 shamelessly confident.cdd6eec3a53ad475

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Sharp, upturned eyes and 063789c35b plump, pursed lips gave b70c1ebc6c him an overall cute 3182aeb3b3 vibe, but still. If there was a face 3dcf5fc29b people called “nightmare-level parenting difficulty,” 349f92d04e wouldn’t it be something like fe52d0f288 this?d4256335a04deb08

Jihwon plastered a smile across 771b2c2099 his face. Crossing his legs, 7e44bbff21 clad in suit 5fbc530369 pants, looked oddly c62c3d5ec2 elegant despite the 2162502b22 mismatch.f02635d374195274

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“I thought we were done with the marriage talk—guess not?”074edfc137766d8c

“You just walk off mid-conversation and call it done? Honey, where’d you sell your manners? I’m not finished yet.”315e469d5a741f3d

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Anyone overhearing might mistake 41dc7a425b it for a breakup 088597a61c spat between a couple 9808d84efd of over six years.0f75f6ded627c7dd

After escaping Soeul University, Chiyoon 92740bd5e5 had taken a taxi straight e2c46f128f to Daeho Construction’s headquarters. And honestly, causing f1ac7dd29c a scene in ee485a8f10 the lobby was 15a1e133ff a gamble.af7d20115ef91bb3

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Wasn’t a business card 5cee8ce2c1 just a scrap of 33b3f2d55d paper for self-PR? Jihwon’s card, defying d22af250f7 its purpose, had 8fa66cfa8c neither a phone 5e4c938fe4 number nor an 2343ebff35 email address.a90bf8a8927ef235

Shaking off the ambassador cbb501358a clinging to his pant 3ae897cbdf leg, begging him not ffa9a14315 to leave because the 4c6651a770 tour wasn’t over, had 5be6052e0d been fine—but the problem 7437c8de83 was he didn’t know e4a9f5e493 how to reach Jihwon. So he’d stormed edc8e9b681 in and flopped 7b3606fedf onto the company c89dbe6c44 floor.bfd65b0c1fc4475a

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“I thought he might get mad this time…”f2a1d8ec5b3968d2

Chiyoon, arms still 9a32072256 crossed, scanned Jihwon 5c99d22f23 up and down. Contrary to expectations, 58b9bad9b1 the man’s long c9e741e6ed eyes curved into 9f07e0f39f crescents, as if 20ceb50be7 saying, “Look all e1f73c3128 you want.”9d16f3ce6e225e2d

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“So, student… what exactly do you like about me?”d387409f4723a3b1

Jihwon drawled soothingly.49f1c024b6499454

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“First off, I’m pretty into faces.”52b290eb956aa384

He spoke with the 776b66e2aa stern tone of a fe68ebc615 judge. Jihwon tapped Taesu, who e650649bda was standing by his 7c7c224f40 side.0525275d18d442f5

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“Taesu-ya, you heard that. Can I laugh? This student’s dead serious.”ca1798776637ef36

He’d been snickering at 3c9c0b9302 everything since last time—had 6d16b15dc9 he overdone the clown e6dc75b7ce act? He was practically being treated 28cc691baf like a comedian.13452bfc9771734d

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Chiyoon shot a 173ff5e32a sharp glare up 59a89d5421 at Taesu. Come to think of fd76aad490 it, he still wasn’t c814d2227a sure if the guy’s 0ce40268a4 name was Taesu or aa5a1354df Choesu.f2708ba58bf35587

“Hey, Taesu or Choesu or whatever. Mister, this is a serious matter, okay? Answer straight.”b0cd932d9678abb3

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Instantly, two pairs of c7fd97db40 eyes zeroed in. The bear-like man covered cbe5a7dd8b his mouth with a d1daef12f8 thick palm. For some reason, Taesu was 49146d2db9 gazing at Chiyoon with touched ee42bd5b6f eyes.df5201a780bc915c

“H-Honestly, hyung-nim’s face… it’s worth it, y’know…”3fe16b07d4adb119

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Taesu shyly stammered out his 3ba8ec4f94 opinion.eec30236152ecf6c

“Taesu-ya, why aren’t you backing me up?”b1ad13bbeadd40af

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Jihwon’s smooth face 4b56fbd975 tilted until it 77eb85fe3f nearly touched one ad17da5e3f broad shoulder. His tone was sweet 8db39ddb44 and gentle, despite the 852a95ed00 words.20cd1105b673a993

“Still sulking because I didn’t break a leg for you? Why take it out on me when someone else screwed up?”336b9ec30dcb59dd

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“N-No, I… S-Sorry…”ed89ba2b6f21570a

Taesu snapped to attention, teeth e69f4fb62f chattering. But neither praise nor apologies 9daf53ab4e could continue.1df7a474e0df5372

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“And you’re some super high-up guy, right?”9d34c6094e4579c2

Chiyoon snapped sharply.ed61a97d7fd04c1d

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“…Status-wise, I’m not exactly low.”46952c12c279488c

Clap—!8236ea2fd97993e8

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A crisp clap 70b135c196 rang through the c8d7c32908 office.143f2561694b070e

“So, good face, high status, obviously loaded—perfect, no?”329fe458dbec65f6

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The small talk before 7d1fdbc076 getting to the point e4601bf755 had to end here. He couldn’t let 824ae98d40 him slip away a54847eb0e like last time.9085d3761009df20

With resolve, Chiyoon briefly 9d6df11561 turned to look out 65f31cce10 the window. The office’s floor-to-ceiling glass wall 3094437113 offered a full view of 6f83c0a6e4 Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Thanks to the large, spotless 6eebf4f6e9 window, his sightline was wide a2067e77d9 open.f299e8477a8eda22

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“Maeng’s Jinmi Bossam”’s first-floor lobby also had a glass wall by the entrance. You could glimpse the outside through the gaps not covered by the shop’s sign and decorative stickers.7d9e4293469e6613

Sitting at the counter, 279217915e looking out, he’d see 0cfbf4d7f3 people bustling through the d4e956e03c alleys of Ulchogu’s Cheongham b47ff8b4b6 Market. Chiyoon had grown up 1a44dc5599 watching that repetitive scene 2a73546f8e since childhood.ccf6d6ac6fece15b

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Neighboring shop owners, 162fd192c2 passing customers, even d480936c28 the weather outside—everything d6c0119cbc shifted slightly with efd72df509 the seasons, changing 49e825e33f form and color. The view through 3161fb2232 the glass was 0d33df416d always the same.5442c5c114906aa3

They say a 0c20210578 fish’s growth limit 7c5a3ea706 depends on the b9abe3dcbe size of its 7c4f079c89 tank. It wasn’t strange 8102e6b2e5 that he didn’t a40b828ad5 dream of a e7bdd7dff1 future or want 0f33baef67 anything else.6d81c3747045c584

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The world Chiyoon 896e33f671 knew was just bea2f19677 the shop and 8f86c63c22 what he could 4e3239c385 see through that 1da0261849 glass—nothing more. So, his one 724876f025 wish was simple: 4f2f32b5cd independence, escaping that 22d9e63577 cozy, quiet fishbowl. To some, it might 761c6ccb48 look like a kid’s 94791b1b03 whining or recklessness.e475402f328a8921

“So.”a6b99bf9ad106064

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He planted both 8ff4bed867 hands on the 22ccb33362 table and leaned 471d5297f7 toward Jihwon.d276ad7da88a3cf8

“Marry me.”7d81e25d9215ec99

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His clear voice tapped d5f4de569b the office air.61edccf7022e74ea

“Is ‘chop a tree ten times and it’ll fall’ your new motto?”5127d77ab22647bf

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“No, nothing like that.”7c5d9a5f21f50ef2

“A guy without a motto’s no good in my book.”1dd263aa08a82da8

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Chiyoon’s face crumpled instantly. That spinning, grinning face d08a79cabe was annoying. The rejection was clearer than 5736636128 the first proposal. His knack for e159ceac81 brushing it off ab4eec40ba with humor was 1c80ebb4fc top-tier.eecc35a299a19f12

To Chiyoon, Jihwon’s refusal d09fef27dd made no sense. He knew Jihwon’s situation. His heated mind recalled the 87cdf553f7 conversation Jihwon and Taesu had a16be29fd6 behind the shop.5f591631210575e2

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“Don’t you need to get married too?”880f868149d355c8

“Getting distant after two rejections?”8deffc87dfcbfaf6

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Jihwon suddenly closed the gap. Their faces were so 9dfe52928b close their breaths might de2b2138a9 mingle.2779d064b0272e14

Sharp eyes slowly scanned 2975e1eba3 Chiyoon from forehead to 4ce525b185 lips. Two thick fingers b3f26c9569 tapped his soft 3771602d49 cheek and pulled d6f746451e back.b1eaf7ddc99b1ea1

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“Why’re you eavesdropping on dirty grown-up talk? I said it’ll ruin your ears.”e35fbdf499cfaae7

It was a 77abc4b0d4 gentle coaxing tone, e1f3428bd4 but firm—a warning fd930f5a6f he hadn’t shown e7f0a23590 before.60f630ce2681f884

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From all the content he’d ea6ac4baf3 consumed, when a sly character 0d0a90ef2f got serious, it meant they 0885f9078c were shaken. If he wasn’t rattled, 61d1c31991 there’d be no need 90e60db879 to drop the mask.9da0e3af4f75d00e

Timing is everything 284292a49f in this world.69d83d6a80f70ef3

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An attack starts by driving f9de7da4a2 the arrowhead into that crack.89f5ef1ef8002ee4

Chiyoon bent forward as 333f147ffe if to snatch the b9b1ca378e retreating Jihwon. The sofa where his eb68f4e04c hips had lifted bore b471554c05 no trace, like a 30fcf1cb39 fairy had sat there 813415e636 and vanished.8458173837732402

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“One year.”00b7dda13942eb7f

A slender finger shot up.a96b2ea0171364a6

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“Just live as my husband for one year. Then we’ll split clean.”dea968e89d8810f7

Like a bold heroine from ed54f788cf a modern romance novel, Chiyoon 8887d19e99 declared.de49ceddd535a89b

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Right after, gasp—Taesu sucked in a harsh breath.aa1864c41b98ffb8

The clean-cut handsome 059f19d4d0 face stiffened for c8d67ff669 the first time. Jihwon slid back a 7476b50c02 step from Chiyoon with 657ffec507 a fluid, natural motion.d965f8125aafbfd3

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“A contract, huh?”a3cc90f444d5a258

“Yeah.”cc6bc8dbc84fa912

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It was the main 9c8aba48c8 point he’d meant to 6d7c154ccc bring up all along.db0de5df28c661f5

His family opposed his independence f389bfbdef because they didn’t think he 9c1fd49e98 could handle it. But following his parents’ wishes—going d6c972e65c to college, graduating, starting a 28a8dd9234 career, dating someone, marrying, and 34794c9e18 moving out—was inefficient.417ae4fb90b396fa

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Chiyoon needed independence now, and a46175d970 Jihwon needed marriage. While maintaining a marriage 77bb258d46 with Jihwon, he’d finally 116063b05a prepare to stand alone 95f7b377f0 in the world. For one year. That was his plan.9b8e4c314080386a

Jihwon let out an incredulous 7c25a6ba4d chuckle. His snake-like tongue flicked across 4de2080bad his lips once.21a93204def74bbb

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“Know the saying, ‘Even bad laws are laws, and hypocrisy’s still virtue’?”5625f93f084e90db

“You think I don’t?”523c28652793f581

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“If you’re here to deal, you should know how much of a bastard your opponent is. What kind of vulgar jerk I am, and you just waltz in proposing a contract marriage?”6dfa4aba354e613f

Chiyoon rummaged in bd0d7d7e88 his pocket and e8fc770b10 pulled out his 99a609d2af phone. The screen lit 4610592ac6 up with a 075f8918fa search for “Daeho c27221f466 Construction”—something he’d used cfd0421555 earlier to give 2da7831a9f the taxi driver f34737fb60 the address.c8633cc9f752a905

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“I never said I hadn’t looked it up.”bd5dc2c9597c2cda

A phone in a c95b7f8f3b bouncy pink case was 92f0dffdb1 thrust into Jihwon’s view. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly.b53f63df55255744

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“…Didn’t ask your mom?”3b098dbbfb002169

“What, are we living in the Joseon era?”3eb5192015ab69a8

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Marriage wasn’t a family ee6c6118da pact anymore—it was between eaea13b5f9 two people. Either way, his mom 9f0a28a334 would call his sudden ff5e25b634 marriage proposal nonsense. Not wrong, but not necessary.8652223b366d8682

“Doesn’t the internet say the guys here are ignorant and scary?”c0b10cedf3e7cbcb

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“That’s my problem?”68a3c4febb167936

“Feels like you barely did your homework…”21f1e19e3508567a

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“Am I marrying the whole company? I’m marrying you anyway.”6c63d505506d5249

Standing, Chiyoon looked down c0baa5857b at Jihwon. Light brown eyes, d1fb6abe56 like a field 8eca4c299f at dusk, bore 66be011764 into him.caec932fdaf1694c

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“As long as you’re not a bastard, isn’t that enough?”7d55fde40746350e

“…”4f42a96b1fd84466

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“Are you a bad guy?”860aa406b93e976d

A silence swept the office, 902db46d23 like an empty predator cage f3184086ba at the zoo awaiting cleaning.beb3d449546bda19

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“Uh, h-hey… Hey there…”2ec4bc06e3511f9d

Only Taesu tried to 941799498f stop Chiyoon with a 9ac163497b mosquito-like whisper. But no one could 7ec84d5a7d hold him back.157e20bd099b8a26

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“I don’t think so.”33d507ad97f11125

Chiyoon took another step 1c2a57ada3 toward Jihwon. The gap he’d left 3441665f45 closed in an instant.a0a5a92472013009

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“The bad guys I know didn’t treat me like that.”ce8f7de93c69eb1a

Anonymous internet chatter claimed ebb74409d6 Daeho Construction was a dac2b8c027 company built on organized a6995f9962 crime. But if asked, “Is Cha 19d2d44dc5 Jihwon that kind of person?” a7aacc2205 Chiyoon would say no.2b0283f59626cad9

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He had a good memory. The alpha brats 8e636302c7 who bullied him f27fbf647f at school never 2417529987 properly apologized.8682c22679cd0044

Jihwon was different. Cha Jihwon wasn’t someone 93a653113a who’d harm him. Though they’d only just met e820d19a09 and evidence was thin, he bec148bd55 was certain. He’d never made 7322848653 a wrong choice.805400896d846e35

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Jihwon looked up 514e7af63d at Chiyoon with a73ed18e85 a blank face. After a long silence, he c0d79725b4 shut his eyes tight and 02e577c721 opened them, as if tired. The beauty mark between 6da72bb911 his lips and cheek 37edc0eb31 twitched up and down 927239b9e4 with his mouth.5d24530012765c1c

“But what do we do? I’m only into betas.”907e534230db1b13

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“Can’t? What can’t?”4ac64e47b2a0b086

He’s talking nonsense while I’m 7b91854f82 being serious. Chiyoon furrowed his 7959abd712 brows in genuine fd9bbfe465 confusion.cf4a13dafe33adb8

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Jihwon smirked at the sight. No matter how cc8cee04a0 he hid it, 317fe32988 the kid’s youth 8f0cd5b3a6 shone through here.081766d19468bd15

“Didn’t you say it’s only been two years since you could watch 19+ stuff?”ec57cd58b998f7d0

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“Not ‘only,’ more like ‘already.’”28220d1e25ce1a23

Chiyoon replied grumpily 93370d5792 to the random 01a00dfb61 question.72354c6a51cfc721

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“Getting it up—I only do it with betas.”9d35d4dd86b87e18

A crisp, clean voice dropped 7f27bfb95d low.dcd248721c6cd17d

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“…Getting what up?”3a62f14518d1d521

Chiyoon’s head tilted quizzically. His smooth, unlined face 29da85c3cb twisted oddly.6b5776d158f4b96b

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“I don’t sleep with folks who can’t shoot carelessly. Might knock you up.”c0d6c646c740c1f2

Jihwon flashed a pretty smile, fb86408461 but his eyes sank darkly.c67d460810688603

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Chiyoon wanted to 0c12d1c2fc smack himself from 0490667c22 a few seconds e989f657c0 ago.5679fce8410d8c65

“A bastard? A bad guy? Shooting what at a stranger? And sex…? This guy’s nuts.”043605ddd37842dd

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What set alphas and 4919b5350d omegas apart from betas? Physical traits and pheromones.3d02224309d6d31a

Alphas and omegas could fe8c972bfd pair up and have e1beabeb4f kids, even with the 8f7549a94f same gender. Pheromones were the tool for b8dab21473 that—like a peacock’s vibrant tail, d138f911ad a lion’s mighty mane, or 1e53eaa87f a beta’s alluring fins. A mating mechanism to 8a8272f2bd seduce a partner.7d77a7dcbbb1337c

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In short, traits 55800c43ae weren’t logged in 2c3ae6a648 national records. Whether someone was an alpha, a23e37dc98 omega, or beta didn’t appear e5bc441544 on ID numbers or marriage 68c7fb2efd certificates.f0b0bb47b52fa579

Unless it was 00743ce072 a special case, d196174b11 it was like 8d66d0b56b not listing blood 1ba1fc1813 type or medical d756b17708 history on forms.8fb270e01323a1ed

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So, unless he’d gone for 8974d561e1 a detailed medical check, Cha cb5ce8496f Jihwon would assume Chiyoon was d1ea30142e a beta. After all, he was d3f4af7d4b a recessive omega with ae2c36cc8e near-scentless pheromones!2d518cd8dd19f5df

“From what I heard him say to Taesu or whoever last time, he definitely thinks so.”1b96d9cbda13ff14

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No clue why he twisted 6583be9fde his words like that, but d1367853e2 Jihwon’s point was that he 4beeffed3c could—or would—sleep with “beta” Chiyoon.613283d0085c1a82

The word “sex” made his ad68a01d4a plump lips gape. He looked like a 45bb3705b2 kid who couldn’t eat 300fc2c5af properly when a cartoon d8df5862e0 was on.f351c48eddc3990c

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He’d never thought about it. He’d seen plenty c43f2f0539 of others doing 3532fafca6 it—on Sooda Books, df9d8c3c0a Curio Toon, Popcorn 1ab9cef5dd Comics, the top 61021bf96b three 19+ webnovel 7c1753c931 and webtoon platforms b09050e4d3 in Korea.d1c7d7cc918f4bc3

But Chiyoon wasn’t the type 30e9899dcb to binge smut that led fce41af3e0 straight to sex. Fun and coherence trumped arousal. If it turned him on 5eb73551e7 but lacked quality, he skipped f999f8e93d it. A dopamine addict with 529600d1ac picky taste—though melodramatic soap 5ec06fbebf operas were an exception.f78914a4cfdad3d6

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Thus, the “sex” 311c843977 Chiyoon knew wasn’t 25839f9300 real—it was the e94158bf0d beautifully staged, fantasy 6ff161d127 version adorning content ecefec7b29 narratives.a3f100746430d12e

He had no practical knowledge e921b5e1fb for real life. He was on 9c28e64361 par with a bdd5439b5c child raised in eb822732e0 a temple, shielded 98f85e48f4 from worldly troubles 0a91fde697 since birth.3eb0972ccf376f2e

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Others’ sex—characters in stories—felt familiar, 393080761a but Chiyoon himself getting familiar b4f7d4fedd with it? Never. He’d never even be2ecb099b linked himself to 167ab21073 the idea.446476e9cf4244ff

He wasn’t interested 035af583c5 in people or 614a4c4d83 love to begin 130c7e1bf8 with. Surrounded by a 5a207c47a7 big family and 897cecb3b1 countless customers every a8698a8f6f minute, there was 3789bad8e1 no room for 2d011a3e4b desire. As a recessive 80e613885f omega who’d never aba6db99f2 properly experienced a e37480a571 heat cycle, it 9b9686d8e1 was doubly so.cbc7f17385a40714

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“Honey, you’re gonna drool.”cbf5ba5e048407f7

One minute, forty-nine seconds so b438331db9 far.f5d3e8bb522a9c32

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Chiyoon snapped his mouth shut. His jaw had been open 87735548a1 so long it creaked at 1011a70134 the hinges.424bc71105b1216a

Jihwon flashed a victorious smile. Laughter rumbled from his face, f7b7aa9582 and Chiyoon’s forehead suddenly burned—not f171524338 from embarrassment, but anger.12d48d7b4eafecf5

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He cross-referenced his mental 4ddd4c0b4b library with the situation. In modern romance, contract ee9717bc7e marriage plots always had 2e042e6a7a the leads hashing out 020d1db197 “sex” early on to 8154f9c4cb kick off the story.eec123dc933460cb

Maybe they needed an 6f0daa8f09 heir, or to play de29604fb2 a convincing show-window couple, ba663e95c2 they had to sync 04a8ab920a physically… So, before a 39d7b8b1d4 contract marriage, sex and c019975439 pregnancy had to be 788f2c2e4c settled.37e28f849ee594f8

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It was obvious—he ba445218c1 shouldn’t be flustered.6f05fd347458b2b1

His choice wasn’t wrong.4bf1896dea75cb0e

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“Why get your hopes up when the baker’s not even thinking of handing out dough?”289abe9a4748ec15

His light brown eyes flared dd3b1d5773 like they’d spit fire.61727c4b348837c9

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“…Hopes?”9135177c69c15564

Jihwon echoed innocently.c679d41633203f7f

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“When did I say I’d s-sleep with you?”f52be73d1cbe301c

He’d tried to say “sex,” 4c2d89b103 but his tongue slammed on b00ee1de90 the brakes. Honestly, it was embarrassing. He’d only ever texted the 4a3637cbcc word with Heebom—never said it 463e1b122b out loud.c9bc1317edf3221c

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“Oh… You don’t wanna have a kid with an old geezer. Guess this old man’s disappointed.”bdeb7122ec1aab7f

Not a hint 91307f9a8f of regret—just glee, 5fb332edfc like a predator 34b54c42e2 spotting prey.d721a8baa58cfc76

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Why say that knowing e83376d7f8 he thinks I’m a e16a25ea2d beta? Ignoring the shamelessness, Chiyoon pressed 47cdee3da3 his point.3f47c0337226370d

“I never said I’d have your kid either.”397131de4a2b680d

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Jihwon, seated on ab386e0dff the sofa till 05afdbbf98 now, stood up. Like a towering tree stretching, 031d8d553c a shadow fell over Chiyoon.f2cc550647c76782

“If I’m your husband during this, I’m your real husband. What do I do if you won’t let me act like one? Want me to get flak from others?”0d6b0e232c533d2a

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Thick fingers brushed light 1fba1255e1 brown hair behind his dd309784fc ear.37e1c025e4948403

“You said you can watch 19+ stuff—can’t handle the real thing? Makes me curious…”7695b156a319025c

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Fuck. For the first a83b93915e time in twenty-one 3ba8445668 years, he was bc49de0ec6 speechless.a3dd5ce1509a04d1

For some reason, Cha Jihwon fdeb4a0758 was rejecting marriage with him. Bringing up sex out 9b59184134 of nowhere was likely f9fc317691 an extension of that—a 68a22c4a8f ploy to beat him 1ac5d0e6ee in this duel.af8df8dcc905f0c3

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If he said YES 578266beeb here, he’d have to 5f2e561ae6 sleep with Cha Jihwon. If NO, this marriage proposal bbdd178cee would fizzle out at LTE d5ea0075b2 speed.0d670a77ac6b77a4

Neither option was easy to 3c465866b3 pick right now.1817aa91b060d614

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Chiyoon’s eyes shot up b2a6f5d495 like a threatened critter.97992b2426b3e5a5

Not delicately beautiful like a 2a94558313 craftsman’s devotion, but more like 38274c30ca a rough ink painting slashed cf6945f4ba out in one bold stroke. That was closer to the 2efc8c19a5 man’s look.4254850b8dbc647e

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A face better suited for 5c86491d20 liquor or cigarette ads than c26bf08fb0 cosmetics. He acted gentle, e2ef41d57a like dealing with bd37261345 a kid, but a267458b5e his beastly height e1096f4d5e and bulk hinted 75dba4cc1a he could dominate 9e062870f5 in an instant.680435c1ca8c5d38

His gaze instinctively dropped lower. Not as high as 195c713cc4 the ceiling, but above 4314e72e6c the floor, his eyes 77d4c9dcf5 wandered.d32a539fd59b21d9

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“Could I… sleep with him?”f144108b61a17412

Whether he knew Chiyoon’s thoughts 43350a6ec8 or not, Jihwon—quietly letting himself 13700178fb be ogled—suddenly bent forward. The closeness tickled his ear.b6e3cca8197ca3b2

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“And I’ve got no plans to marry an omega.”d60ea68549db00ab

A low, pleasing voice whispered 551b22b98b with emphasis.ce77599250c08738

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Grab—Chiyoon seized Jihwon’s retreating arm. The soft suit 5178f4c26c jacket crumpled in 080dc72e8e his small hand.97f37be0a76ed954

This man, Cha Jihwon, was fc0e0230bd his last chance. The one lifeline dropped 12040da07f into his tiny world. Some old sage once said, df6cbca8f6 “Give flesh to take bone.”1cf9b39cab9343d9

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It was now or never.c819f9b2a57d1fef

“You know I’m not an omega.”ccbb839c3b583b4a

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Chiyoon declared boldly.f2c9215c7596a6ca

So, as long as he’s b5c1133eb8 not an omega, it’s fine. Anything goes.254ea0a5258fb9b8

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“Honey, I’m a beta.”215a7e454b391b96

The beauty mark on Jihwon’s f752d754f0 cheek was close enough to 4416afa343 touch Chiyoon’s plump lips.d595f832ab98d17c

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“A beta, huh…”df18c4a89f73a2a8

A low voice made 65e81ddec6 his fine hairs stand 18a464dee1 on end.f2d019780dfe5428

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“Yeah.”27c3f330d95375b8

Chiyoon met Jihwon’s eyes head-on.3c90904800be0ba8

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“Taesu-ya.”c2bc0f4503484a52

But a random a209f223e2 name slipped from a240385fd5 that smooth mouth.f511e7ef64723ede

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“…Y-Yes?!”1b9bb9e45eff1a8c

It was as jarring 0db8ebd270 as an extra treated dc106fc8a5 like a drama prop bc25f0fef8 storming center stage to 0e5f4ccdf7 deliver lines. Even the man himself jumped, 6efb8e958f whipping his head around.df9c76c07638c082

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“Turn around.”6aca84c17be1a49b

Jihwon didn’t spare Taesu 78e95ed74c a glance.53dfb5547089cf5f

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“Ack!”d0543ece84c6eed2

The moment Jihwon’s command landed, 90a984af46 Chiyoon shrieked. Taesu jolted, spinning 93286cd0bd around and bolting 2c3d64443a to the window 14a1b7b384 like he’d sprouted 1dc1a1e04d wings.ef4969a75ba81620

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A thick arm coiled around e0184f4ae5 Chiyoon’s slim waist like a 3d135ea7e0 snake. He wasn’t short 937a550c7e for an adult c80528fac2 man, yet his 7a9f93d493 feet dangled off c98d493f60 the ground.879669ba4212ef48

His slender torso 7c6a2113ce pressed against the 91606099c1 man’s broad chest. Each startled gasp rubbed their 2e8ca543e1 bodies together like gears.900427e5291cb923

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What the hell’s happening? Chiyoon flailed his 2ed0c7331b arms and kicked. Lifting him up and hugging 2222d2eca6 him like it’s nothing—only an c09d987784 alpha jerk with a knack 28e5b50bb0 for intimidation could pull this 601a706cdc off. He couldn’t let it slide.34cbeb8a52c1fb0a

“Scared, kid?”b3fa7221f64b802c

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At that moment, 380d9e9c09 Jihwon suddenly leaned e93c98af26 in and whispered.5a7572b706ab00a7

“Fuck, you’re not scared!”f2f5259fb1d316f0

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“Fu—ck,” a sharp and clear voice awkwardly spat out the curse. Jihwon lifted one corner of 4f77ba5aca his mouth into a smirk.4cef46a67262eef7

“Your guts outshine most lowlife thugs.”5902f101cb7b14af

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“Hey, let go of me!”4028d8ce203fb490

But Jihwon didn’t budge fb06372ed6 an inch. His lazy gaze d27aad7785 looked down as 7cd9db1616 if Chiyoon’s struggles 9406c1f08d were as futile 37eb15ac31 as punching a 2963292bc7 massive, thick fortress f0b80ef26d wall.2f6c8f9fe3c4a37c

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“But, Chiyoon-ah.”7edbf5574ae0ae8f

Chiyoon froze mid-motion.3be1885eb5fa9ebe

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The man didn’t miss that 9f62900e09 moment.b4e976cadf939371

“What do I do when you’re so brazen while spouting obvious bullshit?”b4bb2eda8454d563

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“What?”bc45f986e0954461

Bullshit? The only lie ee000825f0 Chiyoon had told be748dbf3e was one thing. There was no way 5fdc420ffc Cha Jihwon could’ve caught 72b925b54a on to that. It had never happened before.a380fd1ff9cccafc

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“…What bullshit did I spout? Is it okay 63c525d0f7 to just suspect 9213e842f8 people like that?”4c1aa3378f6df331

A scoff of d3bd7507a0 disbelief escaped him.3affa5c7e1b5b1d2

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“Dig around, and all the answers come up, huh?”503b106d3950c263

Jihwon said shortly, his 61c89912d6 tone carrying a warning.3bd75e81715a5267

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The arm around 699def21b1 Chiyoon’s waist tightened f8fcd97091 gradually, like a 6af9ec5244 reptile constricting its a0bfce4496 prey. In that instant, 9966fd0e8e the image of b3db86d2d5 a viper tattoo d2e4045398 etched on Jihwon’s 30e0a8bf63 right hand flashed 709eeb8c8e in his mind.18cb52de1db6fa9d

“What? You gonna hit me c8bf8bcede or someth—!”57a7eb7a6960d85b

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Chiyoon snapped back, bristling at 922fdfcd20 Jihwon’s words.4d080e23063af7bc

But his voice didn’t fully 24d95b8f05 form into words. With his free hand, Jihwon 9fc3c6ec58 gripped Chiyoon’s jaw. The motion was 7efe50f933 natural, like opening 47d5b802f9 something meant to 4d69d592ba be opened, effortlessly 94e73236ce parting his mouth.f76a199ea576b728

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The last thing Chiyoon saw 619bb4d21d in his field of vision 5ffa54974c was a man approaching with 5c2e28264e his jaws wide open, ready ababf5f7ca to devour his prey.7f8a320208a79ccc

Instinctively, Chiyoon squeezed e2a64a6c8b his eyes shut. It felt like 6f2ffe3cf0 he had to. In the pitch-black 2c09fbd0fc darkness, all he 2e72e53769 could sense was 23fdd661b3 Jihwon’s body heat 99bb867e67 pressing tightly against 284501ec5e him.62accd929d2f2b17

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“Mmph!”f6eda9960ccba8bb

Jihwon swallowed his lips.b9d29c6f240bdda9

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A blazing mass 0fb705b6bc of flesh invaded c6a3434df9 his mouth. He roughly kissed 601ba299dd Chiyoon, licking his 29d593d5a3 stiffened tongue with 94675bbf4b wild abandon, the 052ff2381b movement overwhelming, like 8c831df445 being devoured by 86f78747e6 a beast.e521c7db8598ef36

Against Chiyoon’s will, their 010223db32 flesh tangled and rubbed 8d8f1c6b9e together, generating frictional heat. It was unbearably hot.c0e6848360a4fa0b

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“Ah, ngh… Wai—!”d6d38494f3bc8984

Chiyoon balled his fists 116dd8e2eb and pounded Jihwon’s chest 12eac560e0 sharply. As if the earlier warning fbef5dd3f7 wasn’t a joke, Jihwon ignored 4d495ea992 his resistance.56c1cbaa9fd6d3c2

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The sound of 5d3cf5366f their tongues clashing eca9bb2439 echoed like waves 41dbe3b2b7 crashing. The wetslap slapreverberated through his entire face. The noise grew increasingly 09a52165f7 detached from his mind.1ad1d48ecc91fc65

“S-Stop, ngh…!”76f95b924bcd2b80

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As the sound of dcbc535a0c splashing water faded from e453745a81 his ears, a scent 125ec5cfb0 wafted up from the b1f554b69c broad embrace.e3554d59540fa1a8

It was a smell dc1dd52f40 he’d encountered before. The scent of a bc7ac721dc dominant alpha—Cha Jihwon’s scent. A mix of burning 4dab7b4b51 firewood and the crisp, 4df9ba02a1 bittersweet air of the 2a445e7973 seaside seemed to seep e3e4412b07 into his whole body.7d38ce8b090055e6

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Goosebumps prickled from b5b2784a82 his toes to 12526f8776 the tips of d362548878 his hair. This was a c0c2b705e4 different sensation from f7b5c1ae37 before—like being tickled 461acc2326 and zapped with 52c280dd58 tiny electric shocks 09b95b2aa0 in warm water.ca819b5588d686af

Chiyoon’s legs, dangling c4e838384b in the air, 184f53b2eb tensed up tightly. His entire body shivered. His stomach tickled.b63bfd798ebe6d52

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A realization dawned d5043389c8 in his instinctual ff391163c9 core. He shouldn’t feel anything 7e0476d31c more in this moment.286049240b0ca2b1

“Hey, sto—… Ngh, let go…!”6ad3560b41e4d1ed

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Chiyoon grunted, shoving Jihwon’s chest 6cdf4449a9 with his slender arms. His dangling legs, still held 8ebcf96e56 aloft, were already kicking at 232eb57377 his shins.edc35b980806822b

Like a predator stuffing its 589a21325a prey whole, Jihwon’s tongue ravaged fac3f42b5e his palate and teeth. Tears welled up physiologically. Droplets gathered at the sharp 92bc94488f corners of his upturned eyes.eb00379bd239661d

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With a slick 279d8c6b1b sound, their lips 59921a3fdf parted. A thin silver 87c547ce2b thread stretched between 4dc152b16e them.a18a850af30d5673

Thud—92d2486e39c7ee6c

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Their foreheads pressed together.00a8a3ffb491ca87

Those sharp, wide eyes 5d61f0212f folded into a playful 613e37a07a half-moon shape.f6dccc2495b964ea

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“Look at this, you… You smell fucking amazing.”2a4b41d5a55106fd

Thump—something crashed down somewhere.b9dce23072b6ecb5

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Cha Jihwon had a0ecc7ace6 caught the pheromones 85994bb228 of Maeng Chiyoon, 431a8c14d6 a recessive omega. It was the eb671b5f34 first accident of 3e4e0080a2 its kind in b329dcde2f Chiyoon’s life.78895c0f8ba3fb75