CR | Chapter 5.3

It seemed he was worried about his grades dropping if he was late for the group meeting, but Woori never cared much about grade management. Moreover, when the group assignments were announced, his group members were dancing in joy at being in the same group as Woori.

Even if he was late or missed a few meetings, Woori’s grades wouldn’t be affected.

Donghwa muttered under his breath, “Who would dislike you?”

Then he stiffened. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud. He held his breath, hoping Woori hadn’t heard, and when there was no reaction, he thought it best to change the subject naturally.

“Well, who would hate me?”

…It was good that his self-esteem was high.

Eventually, Donghwa made Woori promise several times to visit the hospital before letting him leave. It was because the wrist was the one Woori used a lot. And Woori, as if understanding his concern, left with words like, “I’m going, going! I’ll send a picture!”

Despite having no real right or authority to be this insistent, Woori followed his words obediently. And soon enough, a message from Woori arrived.

[Wiwi]
I got treated. Heading over now.

[Wiwi]
(Sent location)
I’ll be here.

[Donghwa]
Don’t drink too much. Call me when you’re tipsy. And answer your phone.

[Wiwi]
Yup!

[Wiwi]
But hey, you’re kind of…you know.

Donghwa:
What?

[Wiwi]
A grumpy old man ㅗ

“Ah, shit.”

Donghwa put down his phone with a thud. A grumpy old man, huh? All because he was worried. Donghwa thought to himself how Woori could be so infuriating even when he liked him, resting his chin on his hand.

He had group meetings too, but he didn’t make plans to meet outside school since all the necessary courses could be arranged during school hours. Besides, the assignments the professor suddenly changed to group work were mostly light; just a few words in the study room would do.

But Woori’s group, seemingly obsessed with having fun, dragged him to a bar even during midterms under the guise of group work. And Donghwa found that utterly irritating.

“Drunkards.”

Why do you like drinking when you can’t even handle it?

It might be jealousy, but he hated the thought of Woori getting drunk in front of others. He didn’t want them to see Woori’s rosy cheeks. Even though Woori wasn’t his.

Moreover, he hated how Woori would call him, slurring “Giiimdooonghwaaa” whenever he got drunk. Donghwa would only hear his voice, but those guys at the same table would see Woori in that state, which annoyed him.

So, even when Woori said he was going to drink with middle school friends, Donghwa couldn’t help but follow him. One might ask why not just go from the start, but that would be too petty for him.

This strange pride sometimes made him act against his better judgment, leading to behaviors he wouldn’t normally exhibit.

Tsk, clicking his tongue, Donghwa picked up his phone again. Knowing Woori was at the bar, he’d soon get a call, so now his job was to patiently wait for that call.

⛧⛧⛧

Kim Donghwa clutched his phone tightly, anxiety written all over his face.

It had been over three hours, and there was still no word from Wi Woori. Of course, knowing Wi Woori, who could get along with anyone and lit up any room he entered, Donghwa could easily picture him having the time of his life with his groupmates. The image was almost too clear.

Wi Woori.

He had sent that short, curt message, but it remained unread. Clearly, Wi Woori was too caught up in the atmosphere to even glance at his phone. Typical.

Wi Woori always did this. Whenever he went to drink, his messages would suddenly stop. Then, at some point, his calls would start coming in. If Donghwa didn’t answer, Wi Woori would keep calling—again and again—until he picked up. And then, inevitably, there would be that ridiculous demand.

“Come pick me up.”

Donghwa would always act annoyed, pretending Wi Woori’s drunken antics were a hassle. But deep down, he didn’t mind. After all, wasn’t there a saying that a drunk mind speaks a sober heart? Even while drunk, Wi Woori would call for him, and that simple fact always made Donghwa secretly happy.

But that didn’t mean this wasn’t frustrating.

“Haah…”

Donghwa let out a heavy sigh, running a hand roughly through his hair.

It was natural to worry when someone said they were going to drink and then didn’t respond. Since they decided to live together, the first rule he set was “no calls when drunk,” hoping it would reduce these drinking outings, but instead, the number of drinking appointments only increased, and he just stopped calling.

And that wasn’t even keeping the promise. Because most of these increased drinking sessions included him, and Woori would lean on him instead of calling when drunk. So, in today’s situation, worry was justified.

Damn it, Wi Woori.

Donghwa’s face contorted with irritation.

His obsession with Woori’s drinking began the day Woori’s true nature was revealed. Once he learned that Woori was an omega—possessing pheromones that Donghwa couldn’t produce yet naturally attracted alphas—he could no longer ignore Woori’s drinking habits.

But now he knew what scent Woori’s pheromones carried. Naturally, waiting for his call made him extremely anxious, fearing that something might happen to Woori during this brief period of no contact.

Suddenly, Donghwa stood up, kicking his chair back. When you’re worried about someone, you’ve got to move. Fortunately, Woori had diligently sent his location, so it was only right to go find him now.

⛧⛧⛧

One, two, three chopsticks.

Counting the chopsticks that had fallen at his feet, Wi Woori, bored, rested his chin on his hand. Even though he had been enjoying himself until just moments ago, his interest waned suddenly due to the absence of Kim Donghwa.

Where is Donghwa?

He couldn’t count how much alcohol he had consumed alone. He drank whatever was offered, gulping it down, and before he knew it, his vision blurred, his body felt like it was floating and then sinking.

“Oh, I’m drunk!”

Recognizing his own state, Woori abruptly stood up, prompting concerned voices to erupt around him. Having gotten drunk so quickly despite only recently meeting these group members, his face was flushed with a rosy hue.

Everyone around him looked at him as if enchanted. Woori and Donghwa had turned the business department upside down since they entered school together. Even amidst that, their inseparable bond attracted persistent gazes.

Their stunning appearances were undeniable, and while they seemed to blend well, they were like water and oil, making for a visually pleasing contrast.

That was true today as well. Even without Donghwa, Woori knew how to color his surroundings with his charm, mingling effortlessly even among less familiar group members.

When Woori was expressionless, he seemed somewhat cold, but when he laughed, he showed a completely different, bright side. His face, where beauty and handsomeness coexisted, was undeniably attractive, enough to draw admiration from anyone.

Naturally, the long drinking session was enjoyable. Woori was adept at lightening the mood to the point where the group leader’s high-handed attitude demanding group project scores for more drinking went unnoticed.

And now, heavily drunk, he was just cute. Smiles never left the faces of those watching him.

“Woori, isn’t your phone ringing? Shouldn’t you answer it?”

“It’s okay, he’ll come looking for me.”

Woori smiled brightly, checking his phone.

Kim Donghwa’s name had been flashing on the screen for a while now, but he knew if he answered, he’d only get an earful, so he didn’t dare pick up.

Strangely, even though he was drunk, his mind remained oddly clear. He thought it would have been better if he were completely out of it. Just as he found this unwanted clarity bothersome, his groupmates, concerned, urged him to answer the call.

“It’s really okay, I don’t need to answer.”

It was truly fine. Once the mood settled down and it was time to go home, if he called Donghwa, he’d definitely come to pick him up. Donghwa always did.

The group members watched Woori with anxious eyes, worried something might happen. Just then, Woori suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked towards the bar entrance, naturally drawing everyone’s gaze in that direction.

“See, he’s here.”

Woori’s smile deepened more than it had all night as he spoke to himself. His face, which had already been described as splendid, handsome, and captivating, now looked even more mesmerizing.

The man who approached with firm steps immediately grabbed Woori’s arm. Glancing at the wrist with a brace, he then took Woori’s other hand and greeted the group.

“I’ll take Woori home.”

A straightforward statement with no room for argument, and Woori just waved his hand, indicating no further words were necessary.

⛧⛧⛧

Was the world spinning, or was he? Even at the bar earlier, Woori hadn’t felt particularly drunk, but the moment he saw Donghwa, all the tension drained from his body, and a pleasant intoxication surged through him.

Leaning on Donghwa’s sturdy arm, Woori staggered along, humming happily. He was pleased. Seeing Donghwa come after him so quickly just because he hadn’t answered his calls was always a thrill.

Before he knew it, the alcohol had fully taken hold, leaving his mind hazy. Neither of them knew how to control their pheromones, and the subtle scent made their bodies feel like they were melting. Woori leaned into Donghwa a little more, playfully causing a ruckus.

“Donghwaaa.”

“Yeah.”

“Answer me nicely.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“No, nicely.”

Donghwa turned around sharply. His eyebrows twitched as if to say, “What the hell?” but it didn’t matter; Woori wasn’t scared.

“Your dad, huh? He made you look so good, but you shouldn’t make such a face, you jerk.”

“What did I do?”

“Who told you to glare like that!”

Woori grabbed Donghwa’s face with both hands, bringing it so close their noses touched. Tension flashed across Donghwa’s handsome face. Woori rolled his eyes, scanning Donghwa’s face thoroughly before releasing him and laughing.

“Well – you look good, our Donghwa.”

Kim Donghwa let out a deep sigh as he patted Wi Woori on the back, his palm lingering there for a moment longer than necessary.

As the kiss deepened, the heat Woori had dismissed as alcohol-induced pleasure roared to life. His head spun in an intoxicating mix of sensations—his vision blurred, then sharpened again, as if caught in a vivid dream. Even with his eyes shut tightly, sparks seemed to burst behind his eyelids, leaving him breathless.

A string of soft, needy moans escaped Woori’s lips before he finally pulled back, gasping for air. Between them, a thin strand of saliva stretched and shimmered in the dim light. When Woori’s eyes fluttered open, he found Donghwa’s face flushed a deep red, stark against his usual pale complexion.

He’s so goddamn handsome, even now.