Vol 1 Ch 1

Drrr. Drrr.

 

His phone kept ringing by his head. Judging by the faint sunlight seeping through the blinds, it was still too early to start the day.

 

Swallowing his sleepiness and annoyance, Yeonho groped for his phone.

 

“Hello.”

 

Unlike Yeonho’s mumbling, a crisp voice came through.

 

“Are you up?”

 

“…Just now.”

 

“What time is it, and you’re still in bed?”

 

The owner of the scolding voice, as if she could see him, was one of Yeonho’s twin older sisters. Unlike the easygoing and gentle Seohee, the second sister, Seojin, was cold-hearted.

 

He couldn’t sleep anymore. Yeonho, staggering, finally opened his remaining eye.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“You didn’t forget about dinner tonight, did you?”

 

“You called just to check that?”

 

“Don’t forget again later and make us get scolded too. Don’t make us get lumped in and get cursed at.”

 

He couldn’t deny it since he had been planning to do just that. What a ghost. He vaguely acknowledged and ended the call, but then a strange smell brushed past his nose.

 

No, not strange, but more like something was being cooked…?

 

As his feet left the bed and stepped into the living room, a head popped out from the kitchen, as if aware of his presence.

 

“Are you awake?”

 

Yeonho frowned at the face he saw.

 

“What, you… why are you still here?”

 

“Hey. Is that how you greet someone in the morning? I’m just watching some TV. It’s almost ready.”

 

Despite the nagging, the skinny figure smiled cheerfully and turned back to the induction stove. Smoke was rising from the frying pan on top of it.

 

Where did he get that? Did he buy it on purpose?

 

It had been ages since he’d gone grocery shopping, but the greasy smell was bacon. Bread and a few other ingredients were laid out on the table.

 

He was about to say something but decided against it, finding it too bothersome. Instead, he plopped down on the sofa as instructed. A few minutes later, Seongmin, who had divided the prepared food onto two plates, approached him.

 

“Watch some TV or something.”

 

He handed one plate to Yeonho and picked up the remote to turn on the TV. Yeonho glanced at the meaningless images flashing across the screen before looking up at Seongmin.

 

“What’s going on? What’s all this? Weren’t you supposed to leave yesterday?”

 

“I was… but I forgot this.”

 

He pulled out a card from his pocket. It was the access card to Yeonho’s own mansion.

 

“You could have just left it in the mailbox.”

 

“I thought about it, but since I came all the way here, I wanted to see your face one more time. And have breakfast together if possible. Oh, by the way, you haven’t changed the front door password yet?”

 

“How can I change it every time?”

 

The implication in his indifferent words was clear. He meant that he couldn’t be bothered to change the password every time he changed partners.

 

Even though their relationship had ended cleanly yesterday, it wasn’t something he should say to someone who had been his partner until yesterday. Seongmin glared slightly.

 

“You haven’t already got another guy lined up, have you?”

 

“Why do you ask?”

 

“Don’t make a new partner for a while. If you get another guy, you won’t pay as much attention to me.”

 

“Do I seem like I’m paying attention now?”

 

“A little bit. I’m starting a new project soon. Just until that’s over, okay? Huh?”

 

Yeonho pushed Seongmin’s forehead away, as he was getting too close.

 

“Keep your distance. What you’re doing today is too much.”

 

“That’s too much. You were so worked up in my arms until yesterday.”

 

It was hard to believe given the current mood, but… it was true. Just hours ago, Yeonho had been under Seongmin.

 

With an endlessly seductive and utterly lewd expression.

 

He was really amazing back then…. As the thought crossed his mind, the lust he thought he had fully released last night slowly reared its head.

 

Seongmin licked his lips and moved closer to Yeonho again. He skillfully tried to find his lips, but the movement was cut short.

 

Because the tip of a fork was pointed at his face. Startled, Seongmin raised both hands and hurriedly pulled back, letting out a hollow laugh.

 

“Wow. You’re really cold, Director Do.”

 

“Learn from it. Don’t come on to anyone, anytime, or you’ll get burned.”

 

Was that advice or a warning? Seongmin scanned Yeonho up and down.

 

The director of the entertainment company Seongmin belonged to, and, more narrowly, the man who had been his Sponsor for the past few months.

 

Do Yeonho was quite famous in this industry.

 

His title was director, but he was also effectively the co-CEO of ‘DO:IT’ Agency, and he was also known to be gay.

 

Above all, Yeonho had a unique aura that made people tilt their heads.

 

At first glance, he was an undeniably handsome man, but his pale, thin lips, long, oriental eyes, and delicate nose seemed more suited to the description of a beautiful woman.

 

Especially when those languid eyes turned mercilessly cold, it felt like something had pierced deep inside, making the area around his back feel hot.

 

In other words, it was true that he had approached him for success, but the charm of Do Yeonho himself was also a major factor in forming a Sponsor relationship with him.

 

“What are you looking at?”

 

“Just… I suddenly feel like it’s a waste. If I had known, I would have asked to date instead of being a Sponsor.”

 

“If you had, I wouldn’t have slept with you.”

 

Do Yeonho was also rumored to have Sponsors and change sex partners frequently, but he never kept a lover.

 

Right… rumors.

 

Hesitating for a moment at what might be his last chance, Seongmin opened his mouth again.

 

“Hey… I’ve been curious about something for a while, can I ask you?”

 

“……?”

 

“It’s nothing big, but I heard somewhere….”

 

He was carefully continuing his words when it happened.

 

“This is Finder of the Week, bringing you the hottest issues of the week. It seems like there couldn’t be more surprising news in the entertainment industry this week. Actress Lee Horim, who suddenly stopped working last year, reportedly secretly gave birth to a child last month, according to news that broke on SNS yesterday. Lee Horim has been….”

 

A story that made their ears perk up came from the TV, which had been playing meaninglessly. Seongmin and Yeonho’s eyes instantly moved to the TV. Pregnancy and abortion were surprisingly common behind-the-scenes stories in this industry, so the birth itself wasn’t surprising.

 

However, the problem was… Lee Horim, who announced the birth, was a ‘male actor.’

 

“Wow.”

 

Seongmin, who had been listening intently to the reporter’s words, let out a short sigh and turned to Yeonho with wide eyes.

 

“Did you know about this, Director?”

 

“…About what.”

 

“Lee Horim is with Yeolrim, right? I thought you were friends with the CEO over there?”

 

“Were you investigating me?”

 

“If I’m going to catch Director, that’s the least I can do.”

 

“…….”

 

“Anyway, don’t change the subject, did you really not know about this?”

 

“I don’t even know what my own kids are doing, how would I know about other people’s business?”

 

“Besides that.”

 

At this point, Yeonho realized what he was trying to ask. It wasn’t a pleasant topic. He pretended not to know, but it was no use.

 

“You really didn’t know that Lee Horim is a Morpher?”

 

Morpher. The word he said was also coming from the reporter’s mouth.

 

“Although it hasn’t been known until now, this birth has revealed that Lee Horim is a Morpher, that is, a Dual Sex Activation Gene. This gene, commonly known as a Beast-Human in the East, allows even men to become pregnant….”

 

He picked up the remote and turned off the TV. But Seongmin’s curiosity was not yet extinguished. Rather, his eyes sparkled twice as much.

 

Seongmin practically shoved his face in front of Yeonho. He wasn’t trying to kiss him like before. He would have preferred that attempt.

 

“You did know, didn’t you?”

 

“How would I know that?”

 

“Why? Don’t Morphers recognize each other?”

 

“…What?”

 

“I said I had something I was curious about earlier. Someone told me before. That you’re a Morpher too. Is that… true?”

 

His guess was correct. Yeonho’s face openly crumpled, and Seongmin finally noticed.

 

“No, I’m not asking in a bad way… if it’s true, it’s something to be proud of. Morphers usually have good families and are successful, and they’re treated well in many ways.”

 

His face was cheeky but didn’t seem to have any hostility. It was more admiration than envy, and pure curiosity rather than exploration. Eventually, a sigh escaped Yeonho’s lips.

 

Academically, they were Homo mutabilis, medically DSAG (Dual Sex Activation Gene), and socially, the most common name was Morpher (Transformers).

 

Morphers, who made up about 10% of the population, looked the same as ordinary people but were fundamentally different in many ways.

 

From genetic disposition to metabolic rate, muscle fiber density, and nerve reaction speed… the biggest difference was in reproductive ability.

 

Like Lee Horim, they could become pregnant even with someone of the same sex.

 

That’s why they were both admired and criticized in ancient times. Today, as Seongmin said, they are often revered for their outstanding skills.

 

“Whatever your intention, you shouldn’t openly ask about someone’s personal history that they haven’t revealed.”

 

“So that means you are a Morpher?”

 

“…….”

 

“Can you transform too? I heard it’s hard if your genetic disposition is low?”

 

“Even if I could, I wouldn’t show you, so dream on.”

 

“Why? We’ve built up so much affection, even if we’re over. That’s mean~”

 

“How would you feel if someone revealed all your weaknesses and stripped you naked?”

 

“…….”

 

“And while we’re on the subject, the thing about Morphers recognizing each other at a glance, that’s nonsense.”

 

“Really? You really don’t know each other?”

 

“If you don’t want to know, you don’t know.”

 

“You can know if you want to?”

 

“If the other person intentionally reveals it. But basically, pheromone suppression is a matter of manners.”

 

“Why?”

 

“There’s no need to make anyone uncomfortable. Enemies might run into each other.”

 

“Enemies… wow. Ordinary people would never know that feeling.”

 

He was complaining, but he seemed to have satisfied some of his curiosity. Yeonho swallowed a bitter laugh at the childish reaction of nodding his head.

 

“If you’ve said everything, leave now.”

 

“I haven’t eaten this yet. I have a schedule later. If I don’t eat now, I’ll starve.”

 

Seongmin used the untouched plate as an excuse. He could drag him out if he wanted to, but that would be too much trouble.

 

“Then eat quickly and leave.”

 

Yeonho waved his hand and turned back towards the bedroom.

 

“Wait. Just a moment.”

 

“What is it now?”

 

“Actually, I have one more question. No, this is the real question. So what are you, Director…?”

 

“…What?”

 

“That Latin word for soul? Anima, was it? You know, the animal you can transform into.”

 

Yeonho’s back twitched involuntarily at the raised voice. He had been thinking that this might happen ever since he started asking about Morphers… but his expectations were wrong again.

 

For Yeonho, this question was twice as uncomfortable as the previous one. Seongmin continued with an excited voice.

 

“A leopard? A wolf? Surely not a tiger?”

 

“…….”

 

“Well. Whatever it is, it must be really cool.”

 

“…….”

 

“What are you, really?”

 

His expectations were shining brightly on his face. Yeonho’s eyes, which had inadvertently avoided his gaze, fell on the plate on the table.

 

Now that he mentioned it, there was also a fried egg next to the well-cooked bacon.

 

It was so piercing to his eyes….

 

Yeonho’s handsome face, which was also called beautiful, was mercilessly distorted.

 

“You don’t need to know!”