JADE 65

No matter if Jin Sejun squeezed his eyes shut or cast his gaze everywhere, Kwon Joowan still kneeled and rambled on.

“Mr. Sejun wouldn’t open his eyes, so I was going to call a doctor… but you were in a light sleep and stirred a little. So I…”

“Ah… So you were apologizing for using that ‘monstrous’ dick to knock me out after catching that timing?”

Jin Sejun replied with playfulness, as if they were joking around by sexually harassing each other, to erase his own embarrassment.

“Ha…”

Judging by Kwon Joowan’s immediate unenthusiastic reaction, it seemed that even though he had apologized first, he didn’t want to accept it when it was returned to him like that. Anyway, Jin Sejun didn’t want his blushing cheeks to be noticed and felt awkward, so he grinned even more.

“Besides the finger stuff, I don’t remember anything after we did it about two more times. You didn’t do anything while I was unconscious, like in Spain, right? For crying out loud, it’s not even rutting season…”

He expected Kwon Joowan to jump up and deny it because of his previous reaction, but it was nothing of the sort. Kwon Joowan’s face turned bright red and then immediately pale blue, just as Jin Sejun was about to ask if he had fucked someone who had lost their mind.

“I only suggested we spend rutting season together, and yet I acted like an animal, I’m sorry…”

“Huh…? Didn’t I kiss you first?”

“I won’t make the cowardly excuse that Mr. Sejun perfectly consented of his own free will. After all, it must have been harder for Mr. Sejun to overcome my pheromones than it was for me…”

Jin Sejun wanted to ask Kwon Joowan how far his excessive self-consciousness would go, that he was talking like a truly obnoxious alpha, and if he intended to have a pheromone battle.

But his bewilderment exceeded its limits, and no words came out.

‘Ah… it was all because of pheromones.’

Of course, it was possible for Kwon Joowan to go crazy over Jin Sejun’s pheromones, but it was impossible for Jin Sejun to be ‘conquered’ by Kwon Joowan’s pheromones, so Kwon Joowan’s words were only half true. After all, from Jin Sejun’s perspective, it was just an alpha encountering the pheromones of its own kind, merely not overtly unpleasant because they were scentless.

He knew that emotions influenced pheromone action, but he had never specifically looked into or thought about an alpha liking another alpha. But perhaps Jin Sejun was also neutralizing the toxicity of Kwon Joowan’s pheromones to some extent on his own.

Because he liked that strange bastard….

Even if Kwon Joowan didn’t like Jin Sejun enough to date him, where else would he find someone who was at least aroused by his pheromones? One must live optimistically. Especially for someone like the wonderful alpha young man Jin Sejun, it made no sense to be dejected about this kind of thing.

‘That’s right, Kwon Joowan only suggested friends with benefits during rutting season.’

That’s why he must have come to his senses again when he mentioned rutting season. No, wasn’t he perhaps taking a posture halfway between a full bow and a head-bowing punishment in the first place to apologize for this very part?

‘I misunderstood for a moment.’

He was so good at kissing and sucking that he might have mistakenly thought Kwon Joowan liked Jin Sejun too. FWB… When he first saw it on sex accounts or apps, he thought it meant ‘Follow Back,’ or SNS mutual following….

Well, it could happen. Haha. It wasn’t bad.

Crossed one off the bucket list? He used to be a virgin who’d never dated, but now he’s just never dated! Level up!

Of course, Kwon Joowan would eventually go off to a political marriage or something; he wouldn’t dedicate his entire life to Jin Sejun.

‘Damn it, then I’ll just break up with him when he goes to get married.’

He craved a cigarette for the first time in a while, but he didn’t have any. Why hadn’t he bought a carton at the duty-free shop? Jin Sejun rolled all sorts of curses around in his mouth, then, like a mature adult, put on a smooth smile and changed the subject.

“So I just wasted a whole day then? No wonder I’m hungry. I didn’t even need to worry about jet lag!”

Jin Sejun slowly stood up and helped the still-kneeling Kwon Joowan to his feet.

“Plus, I got a free blanket change and cleaning service. Oh, I totally love it, shall we sleep again today? A freeloader like Mr. Joowan is always welcome.”

“……”

Why did he always have to overdo it? As Jin Sejun clicked his tongue inwardly, Kwon Joowan subtly smiled along. He seemed to think it was really meant as a joke.

Kwon Joowan, finally wearing a comfortable expression, gently pulled Jin Sejun’s wrist.

“You’re hungry, aren’t you? I prepared some food, but I don’t know if it’ll suit your taste, Mr. Sejun…”

“What is it?”

“Spicy pork.”

“Why are you so unconfident when you’re playing a joker card?”

Hahahahaha! After a burst of laughter, even the slight remaining stiff atmosphere completely dissipated. A visibly brighter Kwon Joowan ran to the refrigerator, and Jin Sejun, left behind, relaxed the corners of his mouth.

“I’m going to go wash my hands.”

“Yes, I’ll set the table.”

“Wow~ Spicy pork. That sounds really delicious.”

“Hurry and wash your hands.”

“Okayy.”

He replied brightly and opened the bathroom door, but he felt strange. Since Jin Sejun was a grown alpha with a strong personality, he rarely shed tears, but whenever he was involved with Kwon Joowan, his ego would become pathetic, and his tear ducts would weaken.

How many times had his nose felt tingly or his vision blurred from the moisture in his eyes when he was next to Kwon Joowan? This time was the most dangerous.

He had lived a half-dead life for reasons other than Kwon Joowan, but he hadn’t cried even then, so he must be getting old. Perhaps his self-control had weakened with age.

Jin Sejun washed his face for a long time, thinking frivolous thoughts suitable for someone still young. After blowing his nose and confirming that the flush had disappeared, he was about to leave, but once his face was composed, walking suddenly became uncomfortable.

‘I can’t multitask…’

He hadn’t noticed when he was focused on something else, but his stomach hurt a little. It wasn’t the feeling of having an upset stomach, but rather… it felt like he had been punched from the inside. Indeed, the things they had been doing while coupling were quite similar to that.

‘Hmm… If that’s the case, Kwon Joowan’s dick should also be bruised or sore for it to be fair.’

He opened the door and went to the kitchen, where Kwon Joowan, completely unaware of Jin Sejun’s terrifying thoughts, was busily heating something. It was nice to see him moving naturally, as if he had always cooked in someone else’s house.

The best thing, though, was the vibrating smell of stir-fried spicy pork.

It was good… Alpha or whatever, that demure appearance of him preparing a meal was very good. Unlike the previous day, he was wearing slightly long shorts and a loose sleeveless shirt, which, despite his large build, made him look strangely cute.

‘That’s enough to offer up my ass. It’s good to be a guy who exercises. He’s strong too…’

It also sounded like the kind of thought a middle-aged man with a colorful past, rather than someone who had just lost his virginity yesterday, would have. Just as Jin Sejun had more than enough time to observe Kwon Joowan’s calves, ankles, and nape as if licking them, Kwon Joowan finished cooking.

“You changed clothes and replaced the flamenco dancer… Didn’t the butler do all that? Even the spicy pork?”

“Ah, no… I made the spicy pork from a meal kit. It’s true the butler did the shopping and brought the luggage, though.”

Look at this young master? But Jin Sejun had never even bothered to buy a meal kit because he found it troublesome.

“Wow… I didn’t realize you put that much effort into it.”

“Mr. Sejun subtly treats me like a young master who can’t do anything…”

“No, you yourself said you don’t cook well. Before.”

“How is a meal kit cooking?”

“Different standards.”

However, sincerity was important in cooking, so the taste of the spicy pork made by Kwon Joowan’s handsome but strong hands was quite special. Jin Sejun, feeling belated hunger, inhaled the food, then became self-conscious and paused. The reason was that Kwon Joowan’s expression wasn’t very good.

“…Did I eat too much like a pig by myself?”

“No, I made it for you to eat, Mr. Sejun. It looks good, eat more.”

He wasn’t being sarcastic, was he? As he tried to pick up his chopsticks again, he noticed Kwon Joowan reluctantly put a piece of meat into his mouth. But he chewed very slowly.

Only then did Jin Sejun remember Kwon Joowan’s discomfort while chewing, which had been evident since they were in Spain. On the plane, Jin Sejun had been completely out of it, so he hadn’t paid any attention to Kwon Joowan eating. And the person with a toothache had drunk so much wine in the lounge too.

He should have stopped him.

“Now that I think about it, Mr. Joowan, didn’t you say you were going to the dentist after returning home?”

“Well…”

Kwon Joowan simply ignored Jin Sejun’s words. The moment he thought, ‘Look at this,’ a tender, well-seasoned piece of meat appeared on his spoon, and Jin Sejun simply melted. To take care of his husband’s breakfast like this after just one night together—even for an alpha, he was quite pleased.

Though he didn’t know what kind of reaction he’d get if he said what he was thinking aloud.

After the meal, Kwon Joowan pulled out a mug and a drip bag from somewhere and made coffee.

“Wow, you bought coffee and cups too? I should bill you for this.”

“…They were here originally.”

“……”

“You really have no interest in household management…”

Jin Sejun shut his mouth and savored the aroma. But soon, irritated by having the fact that they were friends with benefits confirmed on top of what had just happened, he began to ramble.

“By the way, Mr. Joowan, your family seems quite well-off.”

“……”

“What if someone comes to me, slaps my cheek with banknotes, and throws water on me?”

“…They are all good people, so don’t worry.”

“No, I wasn’t worried, I was excited at the thought of earning some pocket money.”

“……”

“How did someone like you come from such good people?”

Of course, he only wanted to tease him a little and had no intention of genuinely scolding Kwon Joowan. But Kwon Joowan, having returned to his senses and gone into low-self-esteem mode, hung his head.

“…If you happen to want financial compensation in our relationship… I will match whatever you propose—”

“Excuse me, I was just joking, it wasn’t an offer to sell my body.”

How could the atmosphere plunge like this just when it seemed good? On closer inspection, there was definitely something wrong with either Kwon Joowan or Jin Sejun. As Jin Sejun spoke with a click of his tongue, Kwon Joowan also swallowed, seemingly realizing his mistake.

“I—”

“…If you have too much money and can’t handle it, use it for good. I’m not a chaebol, but I’m well-off too.”

“I’m sorry…”

“…That’s enough, go to the dentist after you finish eating. Aren’t you going to work? You bought presents for the kids, but the deputy director is missing.”

Kwon Joowan’s gaze drifted here and there. He picked up Jin Sejun’s dishes, along with his own, and stood up, but didn’t answer for a long time. However, the moment he turned on the water in the sink, he mumbled softly.

“I just want to be with you a little longer.”

“……”

Was that meant for him to hear, or not to hear? What am I supposed to do?

His attitude was infuriating, but it felt good. Is this why people live as mistresses? It was annoying.