OAO | Chapter 7

“Lee Jaemin.”

At the sound of the manager’s name, both the manager and Jaeyoon turned towards the source of the voice.

“Please come into the examination room.”

The nurse’s guidance made the manager look at Jaeyoon. Jaeyoon nodded and stood up. Every two months, he visited the hospital to get his heat cycle suppressants prescribed and to check for any changes in his body condition.

Officially, Jaeyoon was known as a beta, so the hospital appointments were always made under the manager’s name. The hospital was affiliated with his agency, and only the hospital director knew that Jaeyoon was an omega. Jaeyoon always entered the examination room with his manager, and during the consultation, even the nurses waited outside, so no one at the hospital knew Jaeyoon was an omega.

“You’re here earlier than your scheduled appointment. Is there a problem?”

The doctor asked, checking the appointment date on the monitor. Jaeyoon shook his head.

“I’m about to start filming a movie. The schedule might get tight, and I might not be able to come on the appointment date, so I came early.”

The doctor nodded with a smile at Jaeyoon’s explanation.

“Shall I prescribe the usual medication?”

The doctor was already writing the prescription. After ten years of the same routine, it was natural.

“Can you prescribe a stronger suppressant?”

The manager looked surprised at Jaeyoon’s request. Why suddenly? His face showed that exact question. Did something happen? The manager’s eyes slowly filled with shock. Jaeyoon smiled reassuringly and shook his head.

“I’m about to film a passionate romance between an alpha and an omega. My co-star is a perfect alpha. I just want to be prepared for any possible situations.”

Jaeyoon’s calm explanation made the manager nod in understanding. So far, there hadn’t been any need to worry about filming intimate scenes with an alpha, but this time was different, so the manager agreed with Jaeyoon’s precaution.

“There might be side effects if we change the medication. Are you aware of that?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

Common side effects included nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Jaeyoon could handle that.

The doctor looked like he had more to say, but Jaeyoon kept smiling firmly. The doctor’s eyes narrowed, and he took a deep breath.

“Yoon Jaeyoon…”

“Oh, the production company is calling.”

Almost simultaneously with the doctor calling Jaeyoon’s name, the manager pulled out his phone and frowned. Of all times. Muttering, the manager excused himself to take the call. Jaeyoon told him it was fine and to take the call outside. There was no need for the manager to stay since it was just a prescription.

With the phone vibrating incessantly, the manager apologized to the doctor and left the examination room.

“Yoon Jaeyoon.”

With just the two of them left, the doctor called Jaeyoon again.

“It’s best to be honest. That way, I can help you.”

The doctor had been Jaeyoon’s physician for ten years. It was natural for him to be suspicious about the sudden request to change the medication. Under the doctor’s scrutinizing gaze, Jaeyoon finally gave in. Smiling as if it was no big deal, he started to explain. The doctor, in a stern tone, said he would decide if it was a big deal after hearing it.

“I mentioned the movie I’m filming, right? My co-star is an alpha.”

“I read about it in the news.”

The doctor knew who Jaeyoon’s co-star was without needing a detailed explanation.

“He said I had a sweet scent. Like omega pheromones.”

It wasn’t just a scent like omega pheromones; it was omega pheromones. The doctor thought the same but didn’t say it out loud, only furrowing his brows.

“It’s best to get a proper examination. There might have been changes in your pheromone levels.”

“Can’t you just prescribe a stronger suppressant?”

“No, I can’t.”

The doctor, who had firmly refused, instructed Jaeyoon to go to the examination room immediately.

Reluctantly stepping into the hallway, Jaeyoon saw his manager walking from the lounge, seemingly done with his call. When the manager gestured to ask if it was over, Jaeyoon shook his head and pointed to the sign for the examination room.

“Why?”

In response to the question about why he needed an examination, Jaeyoon casually replied that it was necessary to change the medication. Fortunately, the manager didn’t think much of it.

“Hyung, you can go ahead. It’ll take some time to get the tests done and wait for the results.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?”

The manager looked around the hospital. Luckily, it was late, and there were no other patients waiting.

“It’s past office hours. Just give me the car keys and go. If I take the subway, Kangyoon Hyung will freak out.”

The manager chuckled at the joke, imagining Kangyoon scolding him with a stern face. He handed Jaeyoon the car keys, apologized for having an evening appointment, and left the hospital.

As Jaeyoon walked to the examination room, he felt uneasy. What if his omega traits had intensified? Would it affect the movie shoot? Recently, omega actors had become more common, so being an omega shouldn’t be a problem. But should he inform them just in case?

He didn’t mind if people on set knew. It was better to inform them and prepare for any sudden heat cycles than to cause trouble. But…

Informing the set meant essentially revealing his gender. He had been pretending to be a beta for ten years, so that was scary. He especially worried about what Kangyoon would think. He wanted to confess his feelings first, then reveal the truth.

Thinking about confessing when he didn’t even have the courage.

He was too scared of being rejected to confess, yet he didn’t want Kangyoon to desire him just because he was an omega. Human emotions were so complicated and fickle.

First, he needed to get the tests done. Sighing quietly, he opened the door to the examination room.

🎥🎤

Thirty minutes later, the doctor called Jaeyoon back into the consultation room. The doctor, who had been staring at the test results on the monitor with a serious expression, turned to Jaeyoon.

“Is there something wrong?”

Jaeyoon asked, feeling nervous. The doctor, looking puzzled, slowly shook his head.

“There’s no change in your levels. As before, your pheromone levels are significantly lower than other omegas, so even most alphas wouldn’t notice them under normal circumstances. You’ll need suppressants during your heat cycle, though.”

In conclusion, there was no problem. As long as he took suppressants during his heat cycle, no one would notice his pheromones. The doctor, however, still seemed puzzled.

“But your co-star said he smelled pheromones?”

There was no visible change in the levels, but if an alpha could detect pheromones, something had changed. The doctor didn’t dismiss this easily.

“Human pheromones aren’t always constant. In certain situations, more intense pheromones can be released. Has anything changed for you recently?”

“Like what…?”

Other than starting the movie, nothing came to mind.

“Like falling in love, especially if the person is an alpha.”

Jaeyoon smiled bitterly at the doctor’s response. He had liked someone for years, and that person was an alpha. But there had been no changes in him.

“If there’s an alpha you care about nearby, your body might start changing gradually. As an omega, you might subconsciously release pheromones to attract your alpha. It’s like a pheromone of seduction.”

The doctor’s explanation made some sense. Recently, Jaeyoon had been trying to seduce Kangyoon, so if that was the reason, it was understandable.

But Kangyoon didn’t seem to notice his pheromones. Even when they kissed, he was calm.

“During the script reading, my co-star’s performance was so realistic that I thought, ‘Wow, he’s really an alpha,’ and felt a sudden rush. That’s the only possibility.”

The only remaining possibility was that. Choi Sunghyun’s intense possessiveness in his performance had, for the first time, triggered something in Jaeyoon as an omega. His instincts had reacted to the alpha’s dominance.

The doctor hummed thoughtfully.

“I don’t know how realistic acting can be, but if your co-star is an alpha and genuinely immersed in his role, releasing alpha pheromones, you might have reacted to that.”

“Could my pheromones be released in front of other alphas too?”

It would be problematic if his pheromones, triggered by Choi Sunghyun’s performance, flowed in front of Kangyoon as well.

“I can’t be sure, but if the condition triggering the pheromones is the alpha actor’s performance, then it’s unlikely that pheromones will be released under other conditions. However, if a similar situation arises, pheromones might be released reflexively.”

Hearing that the possibility wasn’t zero, Jaeyoon thought for a moment, then looked at the doctor and smiled sweetly.

“I guess that won’t work. Please prescribe a stronger suppressant.”

Even if the test results showed no change in pheromone levels, he couldn’t leave it to chance if he was stimulated every time he acted. The doctor sighed deeply, looking at Jaeyoon’s cheerful face.

“I’ll prescribe an emergency suppressant instead of a heat cycle suppressant. Take it only when necessary, like during acting. Changing your regular suppressant immediately could strain your body, so it’s best to avoid that.”

Since there was no change in the basic levels, the doctor agreed to prescribe an additional emergency suppressant. Jaeyoon didn’t insist on a stronger regular suppressant.

To avoid running into people, Jaeyoon went straight to the hospital parking lot. Sitting in the driver’s seat, he let out a long sigh. Worrying about omega pheromones was a first since he signed with the agency and was reclassified as an omega.

Desiring an alpha… Reflecting on the doctor’s words, Jaeyoon laughed bitterly. It wasn’t about desiring an alpha. He desired Lee Kangyoon. The fact that Kangyoon was an alpha was just a coincidence for Jaeyoon.

— Is this Jaeyoon?

A short message accompanied by a photo was sent. It was from a recording studio staff member. Kangyoon checked the attached photo.

It was a picture of Jaeyoon sitting with his manager. Although he wore a hat and mask to cover his face, his eyes gave him away. The recording studio staff seemed unsure but recognized Jaeyoon’s manager and asked just in case.

Behind Jaeyoon and his manager was a sign that read “Examination Room,” indicating they were at a hospital. A hospital? Why? He didn’t seem sick this morning.

Kangyoon didn’t respond to the recording studio staff. He didn’t want rumors to spread, but denying it was pointless with the manager’s face so clear. Fortunately, the staff, knowing Kangyoon’s personality, didn’t ask again.

He called Jaeyoon, but there was no answer. Was something really wrong? He immediately called the manager. After a few rings, the manager answered.

“It’s Kangyoon.”

[Oh, I know. Your number shows up.]

The manager’s surroundings were noisy. It sounded like he was on a busy street, with car noises and people talking. The photo showed a hospital, which was strange.

“Is Jaeyoon with you?”

[No. He left a little while ago.]

“He’s not answering his phone.”

[Ah…]

The manager sounded slightly flustered.

“Is he at the hospital?”

[How did you…? Oops.]

The manager’s tone became more troubled, realizing he had said too much. Kangyoon had mixed thoughts. It was odd that Jaeyoon went to the hospital, and even odder that the manager left him there. If Jaeyoon was unwell, the manager should have stayed with him.

“Is he too unwell to answer the phone?”

Instead of asking why the manager wasn’t with him, Kangyoon rephrased the question.

[He’s probably getting tests done. Maybe in 30 minutes? He should be able to talk then.]

Tests? What kind of…?

He felt a flood of questions but kept silent. The silence seemed unbearable, and he heard a deep sigh from the other end.

[It’s nothing serious. Just a routine check-up before the movie starts.]

For some reason, the manager’s explanation didn’t sit well with him.

[How did you know Jaeyoon was at the hospital?]

“A recording studio staff saw him and contacted me.”

[Ah.]

A low sigh and a muttered comment about how small the world was followed. There was nothing more to hear from the manager, so Kangyoon ended the call.

A health checkup. Do they even require those before filming a movie? Kangyoon wasn’t familiar with the acting industry. He wondered if they had done health checkups before other movie or drama shoots, but he couldn’t recall.

Thinking it was probably nothing, he still couldn’t shake off a nagging feeling. Should he ask which hospital and go pick him up? He laughed at himself. He wasn’t Jaeyoon’s guardian, so what was he doing?

He could just ask when Jaeyoon got home. But then, he received a message from Jaeyoon saying he would go to his own place today.

🎥🎤

Before leaving the hospital, Jaeyoon sent Kangyoon a message saying he’d go to his own place today.

After hearing various things from the doctor, he felt it was best to avoid staying with Kangyoon tonight. The idea that omega pheromones were triggered by Choi Sunghyun made him worry that Kangyoon, also an alpha, might react as well. It seemed wise to keep some distance, at least for today.

What would happen once filming started? He chuckled at the thought. When filming began, he would barely see Kangyoon, let alone stay at his place. Most of the time, he had to live near the filming location. This time would be no different.

In a way, it was better this way. Given the movie’s plot, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t be influenced by alpha pheromones throughout the filming. He had several scenes where he had to be in close contact with Choi Sunghyun, an alpha. Though he had emergency suppressants, he didn’t want to be under Choi Sunghyun’s pheromone influence when seeing Kangyoon.

After arriving at his apartment parking lot, he glanced at his phone to see if Kangyoon had read his message. It showed it was read, but there was no reply. It didn’t really matter. Kangyoon probably wouldn’t think much of it if he couldn’t come over.

As he walked to the main entrance, he noticed a familiar figure standing a short distance away. Recognizing the face, his steps slowed.

“Long time no see.”

The casual greeting made his lips press into a thin line. They were definitely not on friendly terms.

“What’s with that face? Can’t even act like you care?”

The rude tone was more familiar. Yeah, this was more like him.

“Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Jaeyoon replied, hands in his jacket pockets. Hanjun’s sarcastic laugh showed he thought the same.

“Yeah. Didn’t expect to find myself coming here either.”

Hanjun’s self-deprecating comment left Jaeyoon silent. He didn’t understand why Hanjun had come to his place. Did someone Hanjun know live in this apartment? If so, Jaeyoon considered moving immediately. He didn’t want to run into Hanjun visiting a friend.

“Take care of your business and leave.”

Jaeyoon tried to pass with a smile, but Hanjun grabbed his arm.

What was he doing? Reflexively, he wanted to shake off the hand, but stopped himself, remembering their nearly six years living together in the dorm.

“Why? Got business with me?”

His eyes conveyed the question clearly.

“Damn. Just like before and now…”

Hanjun’s face twisted, suppressing whatever he wanted to say. It was unusual. Hanjun holding back words? Still, Jaeyoon had nothing more to say to him.

“Let go.”

Hanjun frowned at the cold tone but didn’t release his arm.

“What’s this about? If you have something to say, say it.”

Was there something Hanjun needed to tell him? Jaeyoon couldn’t imagine what, but he wanted his arm free.

“Still staying with Kangyoon?”

Unexpectedly, Kangyoon’s name came up.

“He’s kind of soft on you. Heard you stay there when you’re not filming.”

So what? Jaeyoon swallowed the retort.

“No. If I did, would I be here now?”

For some reason, he felt the need to deny it. He sensed Hanjun was looking for Kangyoon, not him.

“Are we done? I want to go rest.”

He firmly shook off Hanjun’s hand.

“Let me ask you a favor.”

Just as Jaeyoon was about to turn away, Hanjun’s words stopped him. A favor? Did I hear that right? Hanjun was asking him for a favor? He never thought he’d live to see the day.

“Get a song from Kangyoon for me.”

The request was so absurd that he couldn’t even laugh. So that’s what this was about.

“Get it yourself. Why ask me?”

If Hanjun wanted a song, he should ask Kangyoon himself. Why come to him? Hanjun frowned deeply and ruffled his hair roughly.

“I tried, but he refused.”

“Then that’s the end of it.”

What did Hanjun expect him to do if Kangyoon already refused?

“You’re doing well these days, aren’t you?”

What was he trying to get at? Asking Kangyoon for a song had nothing to do with Jaeyoon’s acting career.

“You got your break thanks to Kangyoon.”

The unexpected comment made Jaeyoon flinch.

“You wouldn’t have gotten your first drama role if Kangyoon hadn’t sold the OST, right?”

Even if Hanjun was out of the industry, he still had many contacts. It was likely he had heard various rumors. Unfortunately, what Hanjun said was true.

“Isn’t it unfair that only you get to benefit from Kangyoon?”

Jaeyoon couldn’t deny he had benefited from Kangyoon, so he bit the inside of his cheek.

“If you’ve received, you should give back. You got your face out there thanks to Kangyoon and me in On&On. You’re an actor now because of that exposure.”

Hanjun’s words carried an underlying accusation that Jaeyoon’s role was only his looks. It wasn’t new. Hanjun often belittled Jaeyoon that way when they lived together.

Kangyoon and Hanjun were talented, and the other members were musically gifted. Ray, the leader, was a top-tier hip-hop artist, Junie was great at arranging music, and Gyuho had a great personality that brightened the group despite his lesser musical talent. In contrast, Jaeyoon, the youngest, benefited from their support and was told by the agency that his looks alone were enough. That always bothered Hanjun.

A talentless guy living off his looks.

Hanjun often disparaged Jaeyoon that way.

“You benefited from me in On&On, so now you should help me.”

Jaeyoon understood the point but couldn’t see why he had to get a song from Kangyoon for Hanjun.

“I’d understand if you asked me for something. Don’t force me to do what you want from Kangyoon Hyung.”

“Selfish bastard. That’s why you won’t get anywhere. Don’t you think about helping your members?”

Members? Jaeyoon suppressed a scoff. Who caused the problems?

“Whatever the case, if Kangyoon Hyung refused, that’s it. How am I supposed to get what he refused?”

There was no need to argue further.

“You just have to say it’s for you.”

Jaeyoon couldn’t believe his ears.

“I’ll pay properly. Just get it in your name and bring it to me.”

How could someone be so shameless? He wanted to give him the middle finger and tell him to get lost.

“So you want me to deceive Kangyoon Hyung?”

“Don’t make it sound so dramatic. Just get the song, and I’ll handle the rest. I’ll tell Kangyoon myself later.”

So he just needed the song in his hands first.

“No. I won’t do it.”

“That’s the right answer.”

Both Jaeyoon and Hanjun turned to see who spoke. Kangyoon stood there, looking at them coldly.

With large strides, Kangyoon approached and grabbed Jaeyoon’s arm.

“Why are you even talking to him?”

Kangyoon’s voice was low and firm. His brow was deeply furrowed. He wasn’t just stern; there was a cold, threatening aura around him, mixed with alpha pheromones.

Hanjun, also an alpha, immediately recognized the pheromones. Standing behind Kangyoon, Jaeyoon’s skin began to tingle.

Dangerous.

Already warned about being stimulated by alpha pheromones, he was suddenly frightened.

“I want to go rest.”

Jaeyoon lightly tugged on Kangyoon’s clothes and looked up at him, making sure to breathe shallowly, as if genuinely tired. Kangyoon glanced at Jaeyoon, then let out a long breath through his nose.

“Let’s go.”

“Huh?”

He grabbed Jaeyoon’s arm and led him not to the apartment, but towards the parking lot. Jaeyoon was taken aback since he just wanted to go home and rest. Ignoring Hanjun calling from behind, Kangyoon stopped in front of his car.

“I want to stay home and rest…”

“Get in.”

Kangyoon interrupted Jaeyoon, his voice still low. Jaeyoon wasn’t sure if Kangyoon was angry because of Hanjun or something he had done. What did he do wrong? He couldn’t think of anything besides saying he wasn’t coming over today. Was that something to be angry about?

While he pondered, Kangyoon reached out and gently ruffled his hair.

“We’ll talk in the car.”

Apparently, Kangyoon had a lot to say. Reluctantly, Jaeyoon sat in the passenger seat.

“Don’t mind whatever Seongjun says.”

As soon as he started the car, Kangyoon spoke. Seongjun was Hanjun’s real name. While the other members used stage names, Kangyoon occasionally called him by his real name. It bothered Jaeyoon because it felt like it signified a special bond between them.

“I don’t care.”

Jaeyoon genuinely didn’t care.

“Not the first time.”

Hearing unpleasant things often made one immune.

“Hearing it often doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.”

Kangyoon worried that Jaeyoon might be upset. This concern made Jaeyoon’s heart waver. He hoped there was more than just concern in Kangyoon’s worry.

Swallowing his bitter feelings, Jaeyoon looked up at Kangyoon with his usual smile.

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned? He seemed desperate for your song.”

“…”

Kangyoon said nothing about it. He didn’t even tell Jaeyoon it was none of his business. Drawing a line would have been disappointing, but since Hanjun sought him out, Kangyoon didn’t say it didn’t matter.

“Don’t go back to your apartment for a while. Maybe move to a more secure place.”

Just because Hanjun came by? Jaeyoon wanted to ask but stayed silent.

“We’ll see.”

He barely spent a third of the year at his apartment, so its security or Hanjun visiting didn’t really matter. Still, he kept the option open in case things went sour with Kangyoon, forcing him to return to his place.

“Why did you want to go home today?”

Kangyoon’s question made Jaeyoon realize that he had come to pick him up just because of a message.

“Did you come to get me? Why?”

“Because of Han Seongjun.”

He understood immediately. Hanjun had tried going to Kangyoon and been rejected. Kangyoon anticipated Hanjun wouldn’t give up and might come to Jaeyoon, so he had him stay at his place.

I got excited for nothing.

Whatever Hanjun was thinking didn’t matter. Jaeyoon always barged into Kangyoon’s home uninvited, but Kangyoon had never asked him to come over. Hoping for something more, he felt a silly, hollow laugh escape as he sensed Kangyoon’s gaze. When their eyes met, Kangyoon took a deep breath.

“Let’s get some fresh air.”

He didn’t ask if he was okay. As if he already knew that he wasn’t, he simply suggested they go out for some fresh air. Without waiting for an answer, he turned the wheel and changed directions. The road sign up ahead read “Hangang Park.”

“I’m fine.” Normally, he would have answered like that. If it were about Hanjun’s behavior toward him, he truly wouldn’t have cared one bit. What really unsettled him was his tangled thoughts and feelings about Kangyoon. He also worried whether his omega pheromones might be leaking out again.

“You went to the hospital today, right?”

The sudden question made him flinch. It startled him more because he had been obsessing over the pheromones. How did Kangyoon know he’d gone to the hospital? His manager wouldn’t have mentioned anything to him.

“Do you usually get health checkups before shooting a movie?”

A health checkup? Ah, the manager must have made up some excuse.

“This time’s a bit special.”

At the mention of it being “special,” Kangyoon briefly glanced at Jaeyoon while driving.

“You have to do all sorts of things with your co-star, right? I guess they wanted to make sure you’re free of STDs.”

He half-joked, but Kangyoon’s face stiffened. Seeing that, Jaeyoon felt even more mischievous.

“I heard it’s going to be pretty explicit. Not just kissing, but sex too. Since there’s body fluid involved, it’s better to be completely prepared, isn’t it?”

Of course, even if they were shooting a bed scene, it wasn’t like they’d actually do it. Nor had any film set ever requested an STD health certificate. He’d only said it offhand, but Kangyoon’s serious reaction provoked him further.

Despite the blunt words, Kangyoon only frowned slightly. Accepting it as unavoidable for acting, he didn’t say much, letting out a short sigh and focusing back on driving.

Boring.

Jaeyoon also stared blankly ahead.

“Kangyoon Hyung.”

By the time they reached the Hangang Park parking lot, Kangyoon had pulled the car to a stop. At Jaeyoon’s call, Kangyoon turned around after applying the parking brake.

“Do you want to have sex with me?”

Half-serious and half to provoke him, he threw out the question. Yet Kangyoon’s expression didn’t change in the slightest, only staring blankly. Jaeyoon, who had started to feel embarrassed, tried to play it off.

“If you don’t want to, forget it.”

“Are you okay with it?”

Jaeyoon blinked at Kangyoon’s question.

“Are you okay with going that far for practice?”

Sensing Jaeyoon’s confusion, Kangyoon added another comment.

Because, for me, it wouldn’t be practice.

Swallowing the words he couldn’t say, he simply met Kangyoon’s gaze with a faint smile.

“Wouldn’t it be better than just acting?”

As Jaeyoon responded, Kangyoon stared at him for a moment before sighing deeply and looking away.

“I don’t see how it’s any different.”

To Kangyoon, whether it was acting or practice, it was the same emotionless sex.

“I feel more comfortable with you than with Choi Sunghyun.”

“Just because it’s comfortable… Forget it. Arguing with you about this is exhausting.”

The word “exhausting” stabbed at his heart. So, he really didn’t want it. Of course, even if Kangyoon was usually indulgent toward him, agreeing to sex was too much to ask.

But still, they were both men. Even without affection, wouldn’t desire make it possible? The fact that he wanted Kangyoon so badly despite this made him feel pathetic, but having come this far, his stubbornness wouldn’t let him back down.

“Did you hate kissing me?”

He deliberately leaned toward Kangyoon as he asked. The gaze fixed on him felt like it was piercing through him, but he kept a perfectly composed smile, hiding his nerves.

His manager and fans often said Jaeyoon had a face that could captivate both men and women. They’d told him no one could resist that gentle smile and approach. He was banking on those words.

“Kangyoon Hyung.”

Softly, he grabbed Kangyoon’s right arm and pulled slightly. Instead of meeting his gaze head-on, he lowered his eyes slightly. He heard a faint sound of Kangyoon swallowing.

“If you really don’t want to, I can’t force you. But…”

Lifting his gaze, he locked eyes with Kangyoon. As their eyes met, he saw Kangyoon’s face tense up slightly.