SPW 36

Being an afterthought in the matchmaking market meant that the possibility of finding a partner to imprint with was very low, and that meant being far from mental and physical stability. One could use a partner service, but there were limits to that as well. Only those with dominant traits were allowed to register for the partner service.

Those who registered for the partner service for various purposes, such as climbing the social ladder or having a safe sex life, would not want a steady connection with Sarang, whose parents were Betas, at the risk of pregnancy. Naturally, Sarang’s partners would change multiple times, and it was a proven fact that Alphas who had been with multiple Omegas became sexually promiscuous and their pheromones became unstable.

The only Omegas who would want Sarang, whose parents were Betas, would be recessive Omegas on the brink of desperation or those with impure motives. The reason Florian’s declaration of guardianship, while causing a huge sensation, quietly died down was due to the background of Sarang’s parents being Betas. The rational judgment that Florian, the most perfect Omega among all existing individuals with traits, had no reason to claim an incomplete Alpha was a major reason the scandal subsided.

“Kim?”

“…Ah, yes.”

“Should we take a break?”

Sarang, who seemed not to have heard him, belatedly looked at Neil, who asked again, and shook his head.

“No, if you’re okay with it, Neil, I’d like to continue.”

“Kim. This is an important contract that will determine your future. Shouldn’t you be a little more focused?”

“Yes, I will, Neil.”

“Rhinoceros FC wants a 3+1 contract. It’s an absurd condition.”

“It’s because of my trait background, isn’t it?”

“Well… yes.”

Calmly conveying even unreasonable and disadvantageous situations was also part of Neil’s job.

In truth, having Beta parents was a difficult situation in itself, but the fact that Sarang was Asian also played a part. It seemed like racial discrimination had disappeared with the emergence of individuals with traits, but it had merely sunk below the surface, pushed aside by the appearance of a new race called trait-holders. Especially in the savage professional world, which was no different from war, racial discrimination was a given. However, as the Asian market expanded, the PL office, which had started to be more mindful, pushed for a ban on discrimination through disciplinary actions and campaigns, making it seem better on the surface.

If only he weren’t Asian, the world would have been abuzz, calling him a genius. Far from it, Sarang, who wasn’t even getting the recognition his talent deserved, was currently in a tug-of-war over his contract period. A charitable offer of a three-year contract with a one-year extension if he did well was an insult to a talent like Sarang.

AAC, which had become the de facto owner of the club by acquiring a 40% stake in Rhinoceros, was an entertainment subsidiary of Wellington Enterprises. It was a situation where Florian could actually participate in the club’s management. Nevertheless, after replacing the coaching staff and board members who were in conflict with the existing players, he did not step into the forefront. He was watching without taking away the rights of Rhinoceros, which held a 16% stake and had been running the club until now.

Normally, they would have signed Sarang to a 1+1 extension option, extending it year by year, and then tossing him aside when his form dropped or he got older. The fact that the club offered a 3+1 deal at all was a result of them being mindful of Florian.

“We could listen to offers from other clubs. There are three or four clubs that have made much better offers than Rhinoceros.”

“…”

After a moment of thought, Sarang shook his head.

“I want to stay with Rhinoceros. I like it here.”

Even if the club’s leadership was like that, the reaction from the club’s staff, fan base, and home city was 180 degrees different. Sarang was truly a youth prospect that had burst onto the scene for their team for the first time in 20 years. Not only did he, the youngest on the team, not betray their expectations and save the team from the relegation zone, but he had never once been embroiled in gossip before or after the guardianship incident. There was nothing to dislike about Sarang. On top of that, the people of 97th Street, who had watched over him since he was a baby, felt a special affection for him.

A one-club man is romantic, but.

“Then I’ll have to press this club, which made such a ridiculous offer, as hard as I can.”

“Um… about that.”

“Yes, Kim.”

Worry was etched in Sarang’s clear, hesitant eyes.

“Will it be detrimental to Lahn?”

Raising an eyebrow at the unexpected question, Neil couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“Hahaha, Kim. No, of course not. It won’t be detrimental at all. Don’t you worry about that in the slightest.”

“Ah.”

Finally relieved, Sarang didn’t care about Neil’s laughter. If he could stay with Rhinoceros, which was practically his whole life, and it wouldn’t cause any harm to Florian, he was willing to sign the contract they were offering right now. But Neil would be dead set against that.

“I will make them acknowledge your value, Kim.”

That confidence felt reassuring for some reason, and Sarang, his worries lessened, smiled as well.

“Hey, kid.”

Allen, who was waiting at the entrance, waved his hand out the car window.

“Allen?”

“You’re in big trouble, kiddo.”

“What? Why? Is something wrong? Is Lahn okay?”

Allen watched Sarang’s eyes widen as he showed his agitation, then grinned.

“The young master, most unfortunately, is perfectly fine. He told you to come home immediately.”

“Ah…”

Realizing the situation, Sarang calmed down.

“Is his heat over?”

“I told you it would be over in ten days at most. Get in. If you don’t come today, your guardian said he’ll consider it running away and report you to the police as a missing child.”

“…A missing child report.”

Though he muttered that it was absurd, he was happy and thrilled that Florian hadn’t forgotten and was looking for him as soon as his heat was over.

“I’ll go get my things.”

“Already loaded them all up. We just need to load you in.”

“Okay~ Thank you, Allen.”

“That’s right, that’s right. Hurry and get in.”

Allen found Sarang, who ran like a runaway locomotive on the pitch and acted like a madman obsessed with soccer, but was docile and obedient without much stubbornness off the pitch, to be both amusing and likable. I wonder if he’d follow me if I made him fall out of love with the boss and soccer? No matter how I look at it, being a mercenary is his calling.

“Here we go~”

Sarang, who had gotten into the passenger seat, buckled his seatbelt and prepared himself. Soon, the military jeep swerved sharply to the left and exited the club grounds. Having just gotten used to Allen’s reckless driving, Sarang now found it more fun than scary sometimes.

“You’re back?”

“Yes, Lisa. Have you been well?”

“Thanks to you, Kim. Would you like to shower first? Or eat?”

“I already showered.”

“Then I’ll prepare lunch. Please change and come down.”

“Okay, Lisa. Thank you.”

Sarang, who had been bounding up the stairs, quieted his steps. Florian would be exhausted after just finishing his heat. Colin sometimes didn’t wake up for three days and nights. Tiptoeing up the rest of the stairs, Sarang came to a stop. Florian’s door was wide open. It was an unusual occurrence.

“…”

Sarang, who was hovering in front of the door with a puzzled expression, couldn’t bring himself to step inside. The gently swaying curtains came into his view. And beneath them, Florian was asleep.

“…”

It was the first time he had seen his face in ten days. During a heat, sexual desire and the desire to procreate took precedence over all other urges, including appetite. Florian’s pale face, which looked haggard even from a distance, was completely exposed to the bright sunlight. Sarang had only meant to fix the curtains, which were failing to do their job in the slightest.

But after he crossed the threshold and closed the distance to stand beside Florian, Sarang couldn’t take his eyes off him. A smooth forehead, handsome eyebrows, a high-bridged nose, red lips. A sharp jaw that gave him an intellectual and cold impression at the same time. Swish, the last breeze of May blew in from the half-open window.

Golden hair that glittered like threads of gold tickled Florian’s forehead. It felt as if it were tickling Sarang’s heart as well. He could hear the sound of steady breathing, and a sweet scent seemed to emanate from the red lips. Was it because of the midday gift of a gentle breeze? Sarang let his guard down.

“…”

“…”

Just as Sarang lowered his upper body and bowed his head, his lips about to touch Florian’s— Shhh— eyelids opened to reveal piercing blue eyes staring at Sarang. Florian neither pushed away nor admonished Sarang, who had tried to steal a kiss. He simply stared quietly into the black eyes.

Captivated by that gaze, Sarang couldn’t move a muscle. He felt an ache somewhere near his heart, under his ribs, and it felt like tears were about to well up in his eyes. Sarang knew instinctively. It was impossible not to know Florian’s rejection.

“Lahn.”

“Yes, Sarang.”

The voices flowing from their lips, which were close enough to touch, grazed each other’s ears, and their hot breaths warmed each other’s skin. A deep wound was already visible in the eyes of Sarang, who was especially unable to hide his emotions in front of Florian. Florian did not comfort him.

“I’m an adult now.”

“Congratulations, Sarang.”

Only then did Sarang carefully pull his body back, saying with a smile,

“I want to move out.”

It seemed as if his black eyes were glistening with moisture. But Florian blinked, pretending not to see.

“Alright, Sarang.”

“…”

The sun that had been shining on Sarang and Florian as they faced each other had now begun to set. A chilly wind that had lost its season swept past them under the low-hanging clouds.