SPW 74

Sarang, who was resting, answered the phone. Before he could say anything, a cheerful voice came from the other side.

I have a great idea. Would you like to hear it, Mr. Sarang?

“Yes, Mr. CEO.”

A cosmetics commercial offer came in.

“What?”

Not for men, for women.

“Ah.”

Not color cosmetics, but basic skincare! The offer came in for basic skincare, and the terms are surprisingly excellent.

“Yes.”

It’s a new brand, but their customer base is in their teens and 20s, and their influence is growing.

“Wow.”

What? Are you surprised?

“Yes.”

Mr. Sarang, I really enjoyed the toothpaste commercial. You have to sweep the buzz this time too!

“But, Mr. CEO. The season is over, but my circumstances don’t allow me to travel all the way to Korea.”

Oh? No, no, no. Mr. Sarang, that’s not it. Didn’t I say I have a great idea? The ad team said they’ll come directly to Canton City. They said they would absolutely accommodate the shooting time and schedule! They’ll rent a studio, and the entire staff is Korean! An interpreter will be there too! So don’t just decide so quickly…

“Could you send me the proposal by email?”

Ah, of course, of course! Actually, I’ve already sent it! You should be able to check your email, Mr. Sarang.

“Okay, then may I look it over and get back to you?”

Of course, you can. You can look it over thoroughly, discuss it with Florian, and consult with a lawyer, Sarang, and then let me know. There’s no deadline, so you can take your time, but I’d be a little happy if you could decide quickly. Mr. Sarang.

“Haha, yes, Mr. CEO. I’ll review it thoroughly and let you know within a week.”

Oh, that’s great! A week! Okay, are you resting well? Gosh, I was so blinded by the commercial that I’m only now asking how you are.

“I know, right. You only call when you need something, Mr. CEO.”

Sarang playfully laughed, picturing Jaehyuk who must have been startled by his slightly sulky voice.

Ah, no, I—yesterday too!

Sarang, smiling faintly, looked down at his wristwatch and calculated the time.

“You called after just 19 hours, Mr. CEO. I guess you like commercials more than me.”

Uh… Right, my mistake. Gosh, why did I do that?

Sarang, who was chuckling, replied.

“It’s past 12 o’clock there, right? You must be tired, so please go to sleep soon, Mr. CEO. I’ll discuss the proposal with Rian.”

Yes, okay. Okay. It’s time for you to rest too, right, Mr. Sarang? Take good care of your health, and I’ll contact you often from now on, okay?

“I’ll really be waiting, you know?”

Haha! Of course, of course! You should definitely wait. I held back so much, thinking you’d be uncomfortable if I contacted you too often!

“You don’t have to hold back. Thank you so much for writing a good statement when I got the suspension.”

Gosh, that’s something an agent should do, of course. I may not look like it, but I really earn my keep, you know? I’m more competent than you think?

“Yes, I think you are.”

More than anything, the domestic public opinion followed along because your usual conduct is good, Mr. Sarang. If you were a wreck, they would’ve just scoffed, right? And I don’t think you did anything wrong. If someone messes with your family, they deserve to get their ass kicked. There were far more people who sympathized emotionally. So don’t worry about it too much.

“Mr. CEO, did you just… swear?”

Oh my, did I? No way. Haha.

Sarang’s cheekbones rose as he laughed along with the jesting Jaehyuk.

“I know I was wrong. I also know I shouldn’t have responded that way. Mr. CEO, thank you for taking my side, though.”

Florian’s eyes held a smile as he watched the back of Sarang, who was continuing his call, unaware that he had entered.

What good thing happened that made his cheeks puff up like that.

Droplets of water that hadn’t been fully dried were beaded on Sarang’s black hair, who had just finished showering. It was a refreshing scene, like fine drizzle collected on a grapevine that had climbed up a young sapling. Florian, who hadn’t even realized he was smiling, walked forward as he watched Sarang. The sound of his slippers on the floor was barely noticeable unless one listened closely.

“Yes, Mr. CEO. I’ll be in tou—oh, ack!”

Mr. Sarang? Mr. Sarang! What, what’s wrong!

Sarang, whose eyes met Florian’s as he suddenly popped his head out from beside him, was so startled that he let out a short scream. Thanks to that, the sound of Jaehyuk freaking out could be heard from over the receiver. Sarang, who managed to calm his pounding heart while looking down at Florian’s mischievous expression, felt the phone slip from his hand. Tapping Sarang’s surprised cheek, Florian answered the phone, his voice tinged with affection.

“This is Florian, Mr. CEO.”

Huh? B-but Mr. Sarang just screamed…

“Yes, he was on the phone, unaware that I had arrived. I got jealous and gave him a little scare.”

Ha, haha… Jealous… Yes, I see. Right, you can be jealous, of course, you wouldn’t care whether my heart drops or not, Florian…

“It must be late there, so you should rest now.”

Florian cut Jaehyuk off and ended the call first. Sarang, who had calmed down in the meantime, gave him a questioning look.

“Rian?”

“Yes, Sarang.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be in New York right now?”

“Right now, I’m supposed to be here by Sarang’s side.”

“Uh… why?”

“Because Sarang’s heat will start soon.”

“Ah.”

“Did you think I forgot?”

Sarang, who actually had, couldn’t bring himself to confess meekly and only wore a look of embarrassment.

“I’m disappointed. I worked day and night to clear my schedule to match Sarang’s heat.”

“D-don’t be disappointed.”

As he said that, Sarang’s cheeks were slightly red as he 괜sre scratched the bridge of his nose. Then, he cautiously reached out a hand to Florian. Florian answered Sarang, who was seeking permission with his dark eyes, with a smile. A large, slender, healthily tanned hand gently took Florian’s hand. Finally placing Florian’s palm on his left chest, Sarang said carefully.

“My heart is pounding like crazy right now.”

“It is. It feels like your heart is about to pop out. I must have scared you too much.”

“No, Rian.”

Sarang, who looked somewhat shy, whispered.

“It’s racing because I’m so happy and glad.”

“It seems Sarang’s heart is surprisingly sensitive.”

“Rian, the only things that make my heart race this much are soccer, the cheers of the fans, and Rian.”

Though it may not have been intentional, Florian, with a smiling face, gazed at Sarang at his confession-like whisper and smoothly swept back a strand of hair that had fallen forward.

“Sarang has rich emotions and doesn’t try to hide them. He’s also generous with his laughter.”

The finger that had swept back his hair toyed with his handsome ear. The back of his ear, tanned by the sun, was also soft.

“I like that about Sarang.”

“…What part?”

“That you laugh well, cry well, are honest, and have excellent empathy.”

The warm finger pulled away from Sarang’s cold ear. Sarang had a hard time resisting the urge to grab the finger that was pulling away from him.

“That’s not something you can acquire by being taught or learning. You have to be born with it.”

“A crybaby alpha won’t be popular, you said, Rian.”

“Who said that?”

“Sherine from next door. Ah, at the apartment I used to live in.”

“Yes, I know who that is, Sarang.”

Florian smiled as he stared into Sarang’s clear eyes, which held a question at the unexpected answer. Three years ago, he had to look down at him, but now it felt strange how much Sarang had grown, to the point that Florian had to tilt his head back to look up at him. He wasn’t just talking about physical development. The naturally changed and matured atmosphere, to the point that he didn’t feel awkward about the changed eye level, struck Florian as new.

Three years ago, he had really just seemed like a child. Sarang, whose shoulders had broadened, bones had thickened, and height had grown, was a 21-year-old young man. Even that growth was steady and diligent, just like Sarang. For some reason, Florian felt a twinge of emotion.

Colin would have been very proud if he had seen this.

“I found out when I was doing a background check on Sarang before becoming his guardian.”

“Rian, you really have no intention of hiding things from me, do you?”

“Are you happy about that?”

“Yes.”

“…”

“When Rian tells me things honestly, it makes me feel like I’m a little special, even so.”

“Sarang, surely you’re not unaware.”

Florian looked up at Sarang with eyes that seemed to say he would be disappointed if Sarang truly didn’t know, and then perched on the windowsill table. This made the difference in their eye levels even greater, so Sarang had to lower his head a bit more, and Florian had to tilt his back a bit more.

“Sarang, you are special to me.”

“…”

“As long as Sarang doesn’t deny it.”

It was a difficult thing to understand, but Sarang thought he kind of knew. Florian’s specialness toward Sarang was an affection that started from compassion. With not a hint of sexual emotion. It also meant that as long as he didn’t deny that fact, Sarang would always be a special person to Florian.

In the end, it was a roundabout request for him not to love him.

“Yes, Rian. I will never deny it.”

“That’s a relief.”

A shadow fell over Sarang’s faintly smiling face. It was a shadow cast because he was standing with his back to the light. As if to clear away that shadow, Florian pulled Sarang’s hand and sat him down next to him, then ah, opened his mouth.

“Sherine was wrong, Sarang. Revealing one’s emotions honestly requires great courage. Sarang is a more wonderful alpha than anyone, and a very cool person.”

The leaves swaying outside the window scattered across Florian’s white cheek as he smiled back. Sarang looked at Florian, pressing down the emotions that felt like they would spill out at any moment deep into his stomach. As if he were a person who knew that a moment like this would never come again.