CR | Chapter 2.2

Kim Donghwa would frown just at the sight of it, while Wi Woori absolutely adored corn cheese. That’s why, whenever Kim Donghwa made a mistake like this, Wi Woori would order corn cheese as if he had been waiting for the moment.

Having gotten what he wanted, Wi Woori beamed with joy. His irritation vanished as if it had never been there, perhaps because he loved corn cheese so much. Kim Donghwa, who never took Wi Woori’s irritation seriously to begin with, casually drank his soju.

“You should drink less.”

Who’s he to say that?

With a sharp tone, Wi Woori nagged, then downed the soju that had been poured into his beer glass in one go.

“Uh,” Kim Donghwa tried to snatch the glass, but it was too late. Wi Woori, already waving the empty beer glass with a sly smile, had the corners of his mouth slightly upturned. When he smiled broadly, his smile was so refreshing it seemed to cool down even the onlooker.

Feeling good, Wi Woori had another drink. Normally, Kim Donghwa would have stopped him by now, but this time, he rather hoped Wi Woori would get drunk and pass out. If they were at home, he would have moderated his drinking and woken him up, but they weren’t at home now, were they? Rather than supporting a half-drunk guy back, it was better to just carry a completely passed-out one.

“Wow, Wi Woori is pretty intense today?”

Kim Chanyoung, who joined them late, clicked his tongue in amazement. Kim Donghwa, who had already picked up 33 chopsticks dropped by Wi Woori, greeted him with a dry look, “You’re here?”

“Why does someone who can’t handle alcohol love it so much?”

“You taught him that habit. Why keep making him drink when you know he can’t handle it?”

“I made him drink? Oh, come on!”

Kim Chanyoung, like an old man, expressed his frustration. After slamming his hand down on the table, he looked back and forth between Wi Woori, who was now dozing off with his head on Kim Donghwa’s shoulder, and Kim Donghwa, who was holding him tight to prevent him from falling.

“Hey! 95% of the alcohol Wi Woori drank was fed to him by you, so even if your mouth is crooked, speak straight. Isn’t he just a hopeless case?”

Kim Chanyoung, as if in disbelief, let out a ‘Huh!’ and exhaled sharply. Kim Donghwa chuckled and poured soju into Kim Chanyoung’s glass. As they shared a few drinks, Wi Woori, regaining some consciousness, slowly joined the conversation.

“No, this guy was giving out his number to the juniors again.”

“I didn’t.”

“You did! I saw you giving it out!”

“I didn’t. What are you talking about?”

“Whatever, you guys deal with your own issues.”

Kim Chanyoung observed the two like he was watching a sitcom, keeping his distance. Their relationship, where one would hit back harder than the punch they received, was never boring to watch.

Now it was quite entertaining for him, so he watched with a hearty laugh, his eyes fixed on them. The more he watched, the odder their relationship seemed. One moment they looked like they couldn’t stand each other, and the next, they were sticking close, taking care of each other like a married couple of ten years.

Just then, Wi Woori collapsed again, banging his head on the table with a loud ‘Bang!’

“Wow, is his head broken?”

Surprised and impressed, as Kim Chanyoung marveled, Kim Donghwa quickly pulled his hand out from under Wi Woori’s head. Somehow, he had anticipated the fall perfectly, placing his hand just in time before Wi Woori’s head hit the table.

They’re so strange, these two.

Clicking his tongue, Kim Donghwa started to pack up as if they were about to leave. Kim Chanyoung also put on his coat.

“Hey, we should get going.”

“But why isn’t he looking for his phone?”

“I’ve got it.”

“Quick thinking.”

Shaking Wi Woori’s phone gently, Kim Donghwa easily hoisted him onto his back. Kim Chanyoung had seen this scene so many times that he just shook his head.

Kim Donghwa knew Wi Woori’s drunken habits inside out, even anticipating the timing, yet he never treated Wi Woori like he would others, saying he didn’t care if they froze to death or got mugged on the street.

“Oh, my fate.”

Letting out a short sigh, Kim Donghwa finished paying and left the place with a light heart. Despite his lament about his fate, a faint smile played on his lips, suggesting they would catch up tomorrow.

These guys are so weird, Kim Chanyoung shook his head.

⛧⛧⛧

Pheromones brought many changes to this world. When the first traits began to manifest, non-trait individuals couldn’t accept their differences, leading to discrimination. They easily harbored hatred and even criticized them as mutations.

Yet, non-trait individuals secretly envied the special ‘pheromones’ that trait individuals possessed. The unique body scent that couldn’t be hidden by perfume, and the countless people who were attracted to these pheromones. Even those who were pushed back in the marriage market due to lack of competitiveness suddenly became objects of envy when they manifested with these ‘pheromones’ and started to seduce people.

In a time when manifesting as an alpha or omega was no longer special and they were not seen as odd, non-trait individuals sometimes harbored thoughts like, ‘I wish I could manifest too.’

And now, Wi Woori felt like he was about to choke on his own pheromones. After drinking out of spite at the freshmen welcome party, not only was his stomach in turmoil, but he was also in distress because he couldn’t contain the bursting pheromones.

It was so bad that he wondered if even Kim Donghwa, who hadn’t manifested, might smell it. The room was filled with heat, topped with a tangy scent of pheromones, making his head dizzy.

Ugh, with a groan, he turned over, and another burst of pheromones exploded. Even the pheromones that usually felt good were nothing but a nuisance when he was unwell, causing Wi Woori to scowl immediately.

Fuck, I’m never drinking again.

This must have been the hundredth time he’d sworn that since turning twenty. Promises were made to be broken, so as he tried to soothe his aching stomach, Wi Woori just kept his scowl.

Knock, knock, a heavy knock came from beyond the door. It seemed Kim Donghwa, who had carried him home last night, had arrived. With a short “Mmm,” he answered, and the door opened cautiously.

“Are you feeling better?”

“No, I’m not…”

“You don’t look it.”

Is he teasing me?

Wi Woori, who had buried his head in the blanket, lifted it with a snap to glare at Kim Donghwa. Leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, Kim Donghwa was flickering his eyebrows, clearly holding back a hundred criticisms.

Wi Woori, deciding it was enough, pulled the blanket over his head. What would an unmanifested guy know? Staring at each other would only make him more frustrated.

Ugh, as he let out a groan, he heard Kim Donghwa click his tongue from the other side.

If you’re just going to look at me pitifully, you might as well leave.

Though he swallowed his complaints, he knew well that he was the one who drank so much, and the cause of his hangover was not Kim Donghwa. So he just kept his mouth shut.

No, but if he hadn’t given his number to the juniors in the first place, I wouldn’t have drunk like that, would I?

With a sudden flash of resentment, Wi Woori let out an annoyed breath.

“Want some porridge? Should I go buy some?”

Kim Donghwa, as if he had placed him in the palm of his hand, immediately tried to soothe him.

His irritation quickly subsided with Kim Donghwa’s gentle care.

“Mmm.”

With his voice muffled by the blanket, he heard footsteps approaching. Then, the edge of the bed sank under weight. Why come in when you’re just going to buy porridge? Wi Woori slightly pulled down the blanket. When he peeked out with only his eyes, Kim Donghwa tilted his head.

“What kind of porridge?”

“Did you come all this way just to ask that?”

“I was going to put a wet towel on you, but I didn’t bring one.”

“What kind of guy are you?”

He couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. It seemed like Kim Donghwa had the intention to nurse him since his friend was sick, but he didn’t bring anything for nursing.

Still, his intentions were commendable. Wi Woori reached out from under the blanket and patted his firm back.

“Abalone porridge. Without the innards.”

“Ah, I’ll buy some and leave it for when you feel better. I’m going to school.”

“Isn’t today Saturday?”

“It’s Friday.”

Kim Donghwa replied, suppressing his irritation. Then came a string of curses starting with, ‘Who’s the idiot who scheduled the freshmen welcome on a Thursday?’

That made Wi Woori laugh. Kim Donghwa, who was stuck with the professor and couldn’t move, was now acting like he wasn’t. This time, Wi Woori let out a thin laugh, and Kim Donghwa swept his hand across his face.

“Rest.”

With those short words, as the touch withdrew, Wi Woori felt a pang of regret.

⛧⛧⛧

When Wi Woori managed to open his eyes again, it was already late at night, with darkness fully settled in. He vaguely remembered waking up a few times, but even those memories were fuzzy, unsure when he had fallen back asleep.

However, thanks to having slept deeply, his body felt much lighter. Wi Woori let out a warm sigh as he turned over with effort. And at that moment, his eyes shot open.

“…Kim Donghwa?”

In the dark room, without the lights on, someone was sitting by his bedside, looking down at him. Since there was no one else it could be but Kim Donghwa, he called out to him with a forced voice, and the hand that had been caressing him stopped.

“You’ve got a high fever. Don’t you need to go to the hospital?”

The voice that fell was quite sharp. With eyes that felt like they might close, Wi Woori looked at him intently. The black eyes staring back were hardened.

“…So what are you doing right now?”

“I’m wiping you down. Lie back down, look at the ceiling.”

“…”

I didn’t need that.

Was he really worried, or had he just followed through with what he said? There was a basin of water on the bedside table, and he held a towel soaked in it.

Only then did he feel the cool air on his skin. Although he had gone to sleep fully clothed, he was now only in his underwear, feeling oddly embarrassed.

Even though it wasn’t the first time he had shown his body, the fact that Kim Donghwa was touching him made him nervous. Shaking his head to say stop, Kim Donghwa tilted his head. His action clearly conveyed, ‘Just listen to me.’

“No, I’m, I’m fine. Really.”

The bigger problem, whether due to the pheromones or the fever from the illness, was the heaviness in his lower abdomen. Without needing to check, he knew he was hard. Remembering he was only wearing thin underwear, all his attention was now on his crotch.

Since he had been lying face-up for a while, Kim Donghwa must have seen everything.

Realizing this, he now felt like biting his tongue and dying. Even though they had seen each other in all sorts of undignified states, this was different.

Feeling awkward, he tried to pull his legs together, and Kim Donghwa subtly moved back. He couldn’t even look at him. The sensation of his gaze crawling over his body was so vivid that even his fine hairs stood on end.

He chewed on his lower lip gently. As he twisted his waist, not wanting to be found out, suddenly Kim Donghwa took off his clothes completely. Surprised, Wi Woori turned to look at him. Kim Donghwa, placing one knee on the bed, raised an eyebrow.

“Move over.”

“Why, why? Are we going to lie down together?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

So why. Why now, of all times?

Wi Woori looked at Kim Donghwa in great confusion. But it seemed there was no particular intention, as Kim Donghwa even started to crawl onto the bed. Wi Woori, startled, flailed around.

Taking advantage of the moment, Kim Donghwa shoved his hand under Wi Woori’s back, pushing him towards the wall. With a short yell, “Yikes!”, Wi Woori was helplessly pushed aside. Easily taking over the space, Kim Donghwa then turned his body, slipping his hand under Wi Woori’s neck.

“You can’t sleep when you’re sick unless someone’s next to you.”

Kim Donghwa added, as if to assert there was no ulterior motive. All Wi Woori could do was give a short, “Ugh,” in agreement. Their bodies were close, making his lower abdomen itch. Despite the awkwardness that made him break into a cold sweat, lying next to Kim Donghwa made him want to giggle with delight.

This is ridiculous, really.

Wi Woori closed his eyes tight. Their breaths mingled softly. Despite the discomfort of his body, his mind felt at ease, bringing on a different kind of pleasant sleep than before.

Wi Woori squirmed slightly, trying to avoid contact with Kim Donghwa’s groin. Though he was sure Kim Donghwa had already noticed, he didn’t want to risk causing discomfort by accidentally touching him.

Besides, there was no need to leave each other with unpleasant memories. If something unexpected were to happen, he even thought it might be better to just die on the spot, so he was doing his best.

“Oh, just let go…”

But contrary to his efforts, Kim Donghwa seemed to have no intention of letting go, pulling him even closer. Thus, Wi Woori ended up in an awkward position with his hips pushed back, frowning in embarrassment.

“Hey, you know…”

Suddenly, Kim Donghwa bent his knees, nudging Wi Woori’s fully erect penis, which looked like it might burst at any moment, with his knee.

“When you manifest, is it always like this?”

“…You bastard.”

“Is it like this for everyone? I’m just curious.”

His tone was calm, making it hard to tell if he was genuinely curious, teasing, or looking down on him. Wi Woori glanced at Kim Donghwa, meeting his eyes. In those eyes looking down at him, there was a complex emotion that couldn’t be easily defined.

Wi Woori thought that continuing this conversation would only stir up more trouble inside him. He turned over, signaling for Kim Donghwa to either hold him or not. At that moment, something heavy pressed against his buttocks.

Instinctively, he realized it was Kim Donghwa’s. Wi Woori glanced back at him. Kim Donghwa, chewing on his lower lip, averted his gaze elsewhere.

Wi Woori, without thinking, dropped his eyes to look at Kim Donghwa’s crotch. The swollen erection was clearly visible through the pants.

“Hey.”

“…Just sleep.”

Then, Kim Donghwa closed his eyes and buried his face in Wi Woori’s neck.

Pulling his hips back, Kim Donghwa patted Wi Woori’s chest soothingly. Instead of calming down, Wi Woori’s mind became even more chaotic, his heart racing.