Ch 13

Perhaps disliking the silence, Ideun’s fingers moved to fill the car with cheerful Christmas music.

“Ah, wait… Oh, why now?” 

At the sound of carols, a thought occurred to Ji-an, and his relaxed posture instantly tensed. Christmas Eve. It wasn’t just an ordinary evening. Why was he here with this man on a night like this?

What about Haneul? His Haneul.

“Is there a problem?” Ideun asked.

“It’s Christmas Eve…” Ji-an’s response was hurried, while Ideun continued staring straight ahead, his face completely calm. Even after mentioning Christmas Eve explicitly, all he gave was a slight twitch of his brow, as if to ask, ‘And?’

“Don’t you have someone to spend it with?”

That slipped out before Ji-an could stop it, and he found himself staring directly into Ideun’s eyes.

“Someone?”

Ji-an nodded at Ideun’s disbelief, thinking of his sweet Haneul, who was surely waiting for him.

He wished he could remember more details about the story right now, but they all seemed to elude him.

“Why do you assume I’d have someone like that?”

“Well, considering your age, looks, wealth, abilities… and the fact that you’re a dominant alpha.”

For the first time, Ideun’s face softened, his eyes crinkling as a small laugh escaped him.

“Looks… wealth… ability… dominant alpha?” he echoed, his tone shifting with each word as he looked over at Ji-an. For a moment, Ji-an questioned whether he should even be watching Ideun while he was driving. Only when he saw the red light did Ji-an turn back to face him, letting out an awkward laugh.

“Aren’t you a beta?” Ideun asked with a grin.

“Yes, I am.”

“And how would you know that I’m not just any alpha but a dominant one?”

Though his voice was smooth, his eyes were far from amused. Was this a secret? Or something no one was supposed to know? Aren’t all lead characters in novels dominant alphas, anyway? Most of the time, the dominant alpha and omega pairing was common knowledge.

“How would I not know? It’s obvious, isn’t it? Or… do you just want me to keep praising you? You’re rich, handsome, tall, well-built, competent… You probably lived an elite life since childhood, right? A beta wouldn’t make sense, and naturally, you’re an alpha, or that’s just the feeling I get.”

Choosing confIdeunce over embarrassment, Ji-an shrugged off any hesitation. Strangely enough, Ideun made no move to drive, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Ji-an.

“The light! It’s green. Come on, you said we’re going for dinner,” Ji-an hurriedly added, seizing the chance to shift Ideun’s focus away from him.

“I see… so you think I’d have someone, then?”

“If not a partner, maybe a family-approved fiancée…” Ji-an muttered, before blurting, “No, maybe there’s someone who popped into your life out of nowhere, someone who makes you feel flustered and makes you want to give them everything, huh?”

Your Haneul! Your precious Haneul’s charm is off the charts. And wasn’t their first meeting a hug? Haneul falling right into his arms!

While Ji-an didn’t know how far things had progressed between Haneul and Ideun, it was clear his role was to bring them together. Any nervousness or awkwardness he’d felt with Ideun melted away as his normally sunny disposition shone through. The past five years had been hard, but it was that innate cheerfulness that had helped him endure it all.

“So, what if I do have someone?”

“Really? You do? Then I’ll help you out. How can I support you? How old is this person?”

Not expecting Ideun to answer, Ji-an gaped as he casually replied, “Around your age.”

Ji-an inwardly celebrated.

“Um… they’re an omega, right?”

He already knew, of course, but he had to play along.

For the first time since they’d started this drive, Ji-an turned fully toward Ideun, smiling wide, his cheekbones lifting with his grin.

“Probably.”

“I knew it! If it’s an alpha-omega pairing, then it’s already a perfect match, isn’t it, ajusshi?”

“Ajusshi?”

“…Then what should I call you? There’s an eight-year age difference between us, so I can’t call you ‘hyung.’ Besides, it’s not like we’re connected through any work-related stuff, and there’s no title or anything else I could use to address you. And ‘Mr. Ideun’? Doesn’t that sound a bit odd, too? Do you have a preferred title by any chance?”

Ji-an’s excited voice blended with the cheerful carol playing in the background.

“Sweetie?”

“Pardon?”

“Darling?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Honey. What else is there?”

“Ajusshi. That sounds perfect, doesn’t it?”

“You’re the one who asked what title I wanted,” Ideun replied coolly, and Ji-an’s lips parted in disbelief. He thought Ideun was just a stiff and formal, cold-blooded guy, but seeing he could make jokes like this, it was clear he was indeed the main character.

With this kind of back-and-forth, it was easy to see why Haneul liked him. If he only kept up that stern, icy demeanor like a moment ago, even the sun itself would shrink away.

When Ideun looked straight ahead, then glanced at Ji-an with a faint smile, saying, “…Sweetie?” Ji-an’s heart skipped a beat at his slight grin. So, this is the charm of the main lead. Even though he wasn’t his, he could still enchant people like this.

“You can save that for when you’re with your lover and having a sweet moment. I’ll just call you ‘Ajusshi,’ and you can call me by my name. And… tell me about that person. I’ll give you advice based on that.”

Hearing the sweet terms like ‘Honey’ and ‘Darling,’ Ji-an’s smile couldn’t be wiped off. Haneul was going to be very loved.

“What kind of advice would you give?”

“I could tell you things that people my age like or what styles they prefer, and if I know them, I could drop a hint or two.”

As Bobo, who had been playing with him until just now, fell asleep, Ji-an gently stroked her small back with the back of his hand, lowering his excited voice.

“You?”

Ideun’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel, as if by habit, and Ji-an blinked.

“Me?”

“Seems odd for someone spending Christmas Eve with a cat to be giving advice.”

With a grin as if saying, “who are you to advise anyone,” Ji-an laughed. He’d never been in a proper relationship, but considering the number of books he’d read, even if he had no firsthand experience, he’d had more than enough indirect experience. Romance, fantasy romance, martial arts, modern fiction, BL—he’d read them all.

“I have someone I like.”

Is it okay to say he has someone he likes? It’s not a situation where he misses or wonders about them, but rather, he’d like to meet them at least once under ordinary circumstances, so it seemed all right to put it that way.

Not a situation where they’re pheromone slaves in a dark room, but one where they could casually call each other to arrange a meeting, dress up, talk, eat, and drink like everyone else. Even if it was just a fleeting chance encounter, he wanted to meet them like that.

Ideun’s fingers, which had been tapping the steering wheel as they conversed, suddenly stopped. When Ideun looked at him, Ji-an playfully stuck out his tongue.

Ideun’s fingers, which had paused momentarily, resumed tapping the wheel. The gentle smile he’d worn just moments ago while exchanging light jokes seemed to be fading from his face.

Ji-an didn’t know what the issue was, but seeing Ideun seemingly deep in thought, he straightened up. The carols, which had been bright and lively, softened into a quiet melody that filled the car.

He was sure he’d crossed a line. He wasn’t usually this clueless…

Unable to find a suitable way to break the silence, Ji-an clamped his mouth shut and turned his gaze outside the window.

Leaving the bustling downtown, Ideun’s car stopped at a traditional house illuminated by soft lights, nestled in a quiet mountain path. 

When the employee, who had been waiting outside, opened the passenger door for him, Ji-an looked at Ideun in a hurry. Bobo?

“You can bring her.”

With Ideun’s permission, Ji-an gathered his things, cradled the deeply sleeping Bobo close to his chest, and got out of the car.

Walking along the stone path through the beautiful garden, Ji-an soon found himself in a private room, seated across from Ideun. He took out a blanket from the carrier on his back, laid it on the floor, and gently placed Bobo on it, biting down on the soft flesh inside his lower lip to calm his nervousness.

Ji-an had no sense of ease sitting alone with the person he found the most awkward in the world, in a high-end Korean restaurant setting that he’d only seen in movies or dramas. The brief friendliness in the car felt like an illusion.

Well, that’s what a main character should be. Sweet as candy to his own, but cold as steel to others—isn’t that attractive?

“So, you had something to tell me…?”

With the distance between them, which had felt like two lanes apart, now feeling as wide as a sixteen-lane highway, Ji-an remembered why he’d initially approached him and opened his mouth to speak.

“Let’s eat first.”

Watching Ideun start eating, Ji-an picked up his spoon to try the porridge in front of him. He hadn’t realized he was hungry, but with a feast in front of him, he remembered that he hadn’t eaten properly today.

He had thought he’d be able to eat properly once he had time and leisure, but he’d actually eaten better when he’d been busy going about. Back then, he’d been genuinely hungry, so even if he had to make do with a convenience store lunch box, ramen, or a triangle kimbap, he’d eaten at least two meals a day.

Now, maybe due to reduced activity, he had no appetite, and he felt full just watching Bobo eat. The whole process of grocery shopping, cooking, eating, and cleaning up alone felt tedious. Ordering food, too, was only a temporary fix, and whenever he ordered 2-3 servings to meet the minimum order, he’d struggle with leftovers.

As he took a warm spoonful of black sesame porridge, Ji-an’s lips curled up slightly.

It wasn’t just the atmosphere that was nice—the food was delicious too. After finishing the black sesame porridge, Ji-an leaned back a little, feeling warmth and fullness spreading in his stomach.

“Were you waiting for a call?”

Ji-an, unable to keep up with Ideun’s inconsistent tone, alternately formal and informal, nodded without realizing it and quickly shook his head. He knew there was no one who would call him, but he’d set the ringer to the loudest volume, just in case he missed it while washing up or doing other things.

Even knowing no one was looking for him, he’d still check his messaging apps and call log a few times a day.

“I thought about it quite a bit, but eventually, I was made to reach out.”

As Ideun said that, he slid a plate of skewers and fresh vegetables towards Ji-an. Ji-an licked his lower lip.

“You were chattering away earlier, so why are you so quiet now? Need some alcohol?”

“No, I’m sorry for earlier. I think I was being presumptuous, so I’m reflecting on it.”

“Who said that? That you were being presumptuous.”

“It’s true, though. You and I aren’t close enough to talk about such personal things.”

“If I wasn’t bothered, then it doesn’t matter, does it?”

When Ideun even pushed the braised ribs toward him, Ji-an, unable to refuse all the food, reached for the fresh vegetables, his hand freezing mid-air. When he looked up slowly, he saw the handsome man smiling gently at him.

Oh, seriously. This guy’s personality is so strange. Making him feel on edge just a moment ago.

“Still, I meant what I said earlier, so think about it. Do you think dating someone as young as me is easy at your age?”

Feeling annoyed at himself for paying attention to this person’s mood, Ji-an lowered his gaze again and took some of the fresh vegetable salad he had touched, moving it to his plate. Come to think of it, there was no need to be dragged around by him. If he wanted compensation, Ji-an just had to offer what he could manage. At least this wasn’t the man who went crazy and attacked.

“What’s wrong with the age difference?”

“Wow. No conscience? When you started elementary school, I hadn’t even been born yet.”

“And?”

“When you were in college drinking, I was still in elementary.”

“It didn’t sound like that in the car.”

Enjoying the refreshing taste of the salad he’d placed on his plate, Ji-an looked into his eyes.

“Alphas and omegas are exceptions. You know that.”

Not to mention, dominant alpha and dominant omega are even more exceptional. Eight years? That’s a snap, even for people with opposite zodiac signs.

“Sometimes, recessive omegas are classified as betas depending on the situation, aren’t they?”