SPW 40

The partner service wasn’t like the existing escort services where you met at a hotel and immediately went to bed. Like a typical date, you would eat at a nice place, have tea, and spend a reasonably enjoyable time before heading to a hotel as the final course.

It was only natural. The trait-holders who worked in the partner service were not male or female prostitutes. They were a legitimate profession that resolved the unique characteristics of trait-holders that medicine and science couldn’t, becoming the safest and most reliable solution. In doing so, they extinguished the embers of conflict between trait-holders and non-trait-holders.

A trait-holder who couldn’t control their pheromones was no different from a beast, and that instinct did not distinguish between trait-holders and non-trait-holders. A Beta exposed to the intense pheromones of a dominant Alpha and Omega could suffer fatal damage to their nervous system.

Furthermore, when the concentration of pheromones crossed a critical point, the nature of the threat changed significantly. If an Alpha would kill themself, an Omega would kill those around them. Alphas would suffer from a pain like their body was on fire, eventually dying from shock or at the end of their madness. Omegas, intoxicated by the heat of their rut, would focus solely on physical pleasure and fully release their pheromones, causing not only fellow trait-holders but even Betas to die of shock.

This was the background for why Betas, when research on trait-holders was in its infancy, classified them as a high-risk group and managed them strictly. When the trait-holder characteristics, which were even considered a plague, began to appear one after another even among the ruling class, the treatment of trait-holders also began to change rapidly.

Research on trait-holders became the top priority, and in various media, trait-holders appeared not as objects of fear but as alluring and attractive beings, becoming objects of admiration and idolatry. They were no longer treated as objects of contempt and fear, trapped in cages like beasts. They were reborn as the epitome of the privileged class, a status only special individuals could receive.

Of course, not all barbaric acts or prejudices changed with the improved perception of trait-holders, but it reached a level where overt discrimination was no longer possible, at least on the surface. Reaching that point involved the sacrifice and effort of many trait-holders and non-trait-holders, and it was still an ongoing process.

Sarang was sitting alone in a private room at a restaurant. At the appointed time, a knock was followed by the door opening, and a well-dressed woman in a gown entered. She was a dominant Omega registered with the partner service. Sarang, who had stood up at the sound of the knock, moved. The woman, who had entrusted her coat and purse to the staff who had guided her, looked up at the approaching Sarang and smiled brightly.

“It must be raining a lot. You smell like flowers.”

“Do you smell flowers when it rains a lot? I guess that’s your preference.”

“I didn’t think Ms. Seira would be unskilled at controlling her pheromones. Was I rude?”

“No, not at all. I’ve never associated rain with the scent of flowers, so it was fresh and interesting. Most Alphas would ask if my pheromones are a floral type. I’m Rose Seira. You can call me Sei.”

“Okay. I’m Kim Sarang. Please call me Kim.”

Sarang naturally seated Seira and then sat down across from her.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Neil, Kim.”

“What did Neil say?”

“That you’re much kinder and more lovable than people say.”

“…”

Sarang, who had fallen silent for a moment at the unexpected answer, broke into a soft smile.

“Neil has that doting side to him.”

“He does have that side, doesn’t he.”

“What’s your impression after meeting me in person? Sei.”

A smile crept into the green eyes that were following Sarang’s gentle ones as he poured the wine that had been served as an aperitif.

“Neil isn’t one to make empty compliments. What did he say about me?”

“He said you were the person I needed the most.”

“Haha. I’m honored. To be the person most needed by Kim Sarang, the top star of the league these days. That feels better than any compliment I’ve ever received.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Sei. I’ve prepared the meal with your preferences in mind.”

“I have a feeling I won’t be disappointed at all, Kim.”

Facing the gently smiling Seira, Sarang’s eyes crinkled in a smile as well.

Seira’s manners were perfect as she cleansed her palate with wine after finishing her meal.

“I was looking forward to dessert today, it’s a shame, Kim.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Sei. My first impression is a complete bust, isn’t it?”

Seira looked at the apologetic Sarang and laughed lightly.

“Kim, for an Alpha, you don’t seem to know Alphas very well.”

It would be rare to find someone who lived surrounded by Alphas as much as Sarang did. First, there was Allen, who occupied the third floor of the same house and drove him to and from work, who was the closest Alpha both physically and emotionally. Half of the club staff, where he went to work almost every day, were Alphas, and most of the dominant Alphas among them were on the team. Those belligerent humans called Alphas became unbridled colts once they stepped onto the pitch. Sarang was no different. Especially when they played against a rival club, it was no exaggeration to call it a war.

But the Alpha characteristic Seira was talking about was not that kind.

“A typical Alpha wouldn’t go to the trouble of showing up at the meeting place to apologize and ask for understanding.”

The red wine swayed gently in her hand, swirling smoothly in the glass.

“They would have stood me up without any contact or canceled the reservation unilaterally. They don’t respect us as much as you think. Their own sexual desire, mood, and time are their top priorities. Especially people like you, Kim, whose time is directly linked to money.”

Seira didn’t have low self-esteem; she was just excellent at facing reality.

“Thank you for not treating me like a one-night disposable item and for respecting me as a fellow trait-holder, Kim.”

“That seems like too generous an assessment for someone who wasted your time, Sei.”

“Let’s agree that we wasted each other’s time. How about that?”

“Yes, that’s fine, Sei.”

Seira looked up at Sarang, who was getting her coat and purse, and gladly accepted his kindness.

“The limousine I booked should be here, Kim. I think it’s best we part ways here. We never know when the paparazzi will start following.”

For the past two years, the only pictures the paparazzi who followed Sarang managed to get were of him going to the laundromat or the supermarket. Eventually, the paparazzi stopped following Sarang, who wasn’t profitable. A model student star was of no value to them.

“Kim.”

Seira, who was about to step out of the door Sarang had opened for her, paused her steps for a moment.

“This is my number.”

What Seira took out of her purse was a business card.

Canton Hospital, Traitology Specialist

Taylor Teseira

“If you need a friend, give me a call, Kim.”

“I don’t have a business card to give you.”

“I’ll contact Neil, so just give him a heads-up in advance.”

Teseira, who exited the room as refreshingly as her tone of voice, did not have floral-scented pheromones.

A sweet and bitter chocolate scent.

Sarang closed the door before the scent she had intentionally left behind could fully permeate the room and let out a shallow breath. The food must have been excellent, but Sarang couldn’t taste a thing throughout the meal. Teseira’s reaction was unexpected. He had even been prepared to be slapped.

‘So you’re saying you don’t want to sleep with me right now?’

Teseira, who asked for confirmation with an amused expression, was perfectly fine even after finishing half a bottle of wine. Sarang, who didn’t drink during the season, had gladly understood.

‘The food was so delicious that I don’t feel bad about it.’

Left alone, Sarang plopped down in his chair and drank the remaining water.

‘Kim, this was a really difficult reservation to make, so you can’t stand me up, cancel, or be late. I was only able to get a private room because the owner of the restaurant is Coneus. Please remember my efforts. Got it?’

Suddenly, Neil’s serious face as he had repeatedly urged him came to mind. As if by telepathy, his phone rang. It was Neil. Sarang, who had been staring at the name on the screen, answered the call. Avoidance would only make the situation worse.

“Neil.”

Did you see Ms. Sei off okay?

“She wouldn’t let me come out of the room. She told me to be careful of the paparazzi.”

Kim!

“I’m sorry, Neil. But this is a decision I made after thinking about it for a long time.”

What on earth are you planning to do! Are you thinking of quitting soccer? Are you tired of soccer now? Is the money you’ve earned so far enough that you want to live extravagantly? If that’s the case, please tell me quickly. I’ll hand in my agent’s business card right away!

Neil, who, even in his fury, didn’t go so far as to say he’d throw away his lawyer’s business card, was indeed a good person.

“Neil. I’ll apologize in advance.”

…Kim! No! I don’t know what kind of trouble you’re trying to cause, but I’m not accepting that apology!

“And I look forward to your continued support, Neil. You know you’re the only one I have, right?”

Kim! Don’t you try to persuade me with such sweet talk…!

“See you tomorrow. It’s too late today. It’s already past 9 o’clock.”

Kim!

Sarang, who had made Neil’s blood boil by saying he would stick to his bedtime even in this situation, hung up the phone first.