Alpha Trauma

“It’s so strange, strange… Ha, hng…”“It’s okay, it’s not strange.”“Ugh… Hng…”Wooyeon fervently shook his head and clung to Dohyeon. He was so tightly pressed against him that Dohyeon couldn’t move at all. Reluctantly, he supported the back of Wooyeon’s head and had him sit on top of him.“Ah…!”The feeling of penetration was smooth. Because of the weight, it was the deepest insertion yet.“It’s too, too deep… Hng, ugh…!”Wooyeon struggled, trying to adjust his position. It felt so full in his belly that he thought it might come out through his throat. Using the shoulders in front of him as a support, he lifted his hips, but Dohyeon grabbed Wooyeon’s waist and pushed him back down.“Hng…!”The intruding member pressed against his inner walls. An unfamiliar sensation surged through him as if his body were being split in two. His vision turned white, and the pheromones stirred chaotically.“Wait… Hng, wait, no… Hng…!”Nothing that came out of his mouth formed any coherent words. With every movement of his body, pleasure overflowed. With only his arm strength, Dohyeon lifted Wooyeon and thrust deeply inside him.“…Ah…!”At the same time, Wooyeon clung to Dohyeon’s shoulder and came. The ejaculation that burst out splattered across Dohyeon’s firm upper body. His lower body tightened sharply, and the inner walls writhed and clung.Dohyeon embraced Wooyeon as if he were about to crush him.“Ha…”Their quickened breaths mixed with the pheromones. The way his eyes squinted suggested that Dohyeon had also reached his peak.Wooyeon felt all his strength drain away as he collapsed into Dohyeon’s embrace. The fluid he had released was already a messy mix between the two of them.“Haah, ha…”Once onto Dohyeon’s pants, then onto his T-shirt, and this time onto Dohyeon’s upper body. It was shameful, yet his head was spinning, leaving him with no thoughts at all. In truth, if one were to place blame, it was Dohyeon who was the cause.“Are you okay?”Dohyeon, steadying his warm body, placed kisses on Wooyeon’s cheeks and ears. Wooyeon’s still-sensitive body shrank back every time their lips touched. As he gently stroked Wooyeon’s back, he wiped away the tears that had formed with his lips.“What if you keep crying?”There was a hint of laughter in his gentle voice. The tears that kept coming out were more of joy than sadness. Wooyeon pressed his forehead against Dohyeon’s shoulder and expressed his frustration.“…You said you couldn’t put it all in…”Tears dripped down from his long eyelashes. He had clearly said he couldn’t fit it all in, yet his belly still felt bloated. Although he was much more accustomed to it than before, it was still an overwhelming size.“Hmm…”Dohyeon let out a low hum as he held Wooyeon’s back. He carefully laid Wooyeon down on the bed and lowered his hand to trace the point of connection. His slightly narrowed brows looked somewhat troubled.“I didn’t put it all in.”“…”Wooyeon blinked in surprise. Not knowing how to react to his expression, Dohyeon let out a faint laugh. “It doesn’t hurt, does it?” he asked as he slowly pulled back his waist.“Then, if you didn’t put it all in… ugh…”The member slowly began to pull out. Although his insides weren’t fully closed, the feeling of emptiness was growing. Unconsciously, Wooyeon closed his legs and covered his lower abdomen with his palm. The slightly tightened hole felt as if it were holding onto Dohyeon.“You said it was hard… but it seems like you’re craving it here.”The member that had pulled out rose close to Wooyeon’s belly button. Its engorged appearance was hard to believe coming from someone who had just ejaculated.Wooyeon watched as he removed the condom and asked a beat later.“What… when did you put that on?”“…”Dohyeon blinked, looking at a loss for words. A look of disbelief filled his dark eyes. He let out a faint laugh and winked with his left eye.“A little while ago.”It was a short answer. Wooyeon closed his mouth without saying anything. It wasn’t that he had any particular reason; he was just flustered by the fact that he hadn’t even thought about it.“No, but why do you have condoms at home…?”“Yeon-ah.”Dohyeon started off quietly as he reached for something at the side of the bed. Wooyeon, forgetting what he was about to say, widened his eyes. What came to his hand was a single condom.“I’ll let you know, this time I’m going to take my time.”Dohyeon opened the condom package with a deliberate motion. His slowly blinking eyes were still filled with heat. The pheromones wafting off him also indicated that he was excited.“…Are we doing it again?”“Of course.”Dohyeon spread Wooyeon’s legs and settled between them. His large hand glided over Wooyeon’s smooth thigh and leisurely caressed his soft member.“Were you planning to do it just once?”“Well… not really, ugh…”Wooyeon shook his head and let out a soft moan. Just once? He had already come three times. But it felt too intense to protest against the hand that was rubbing him. His erection had subsided, yet he still felt tingling sensitivity.“Haah, teacher… stop…”As his body, which had just started to cool down, began to heat up again, Dohyeon leaned over Wooyeon and softly kissed him. Instead of slipping his tongue in, he sucked on Wooyeon’s lower lip, then slightly pulled away to speak.“Try calling me ‘Hyung’ instead of ‘teacher.'”The thick penis was rubbed between the buttocks. The slick, oozing love juices heightened the sense of arousal. He hesitantly traced the area around the entrance and then pressed the tip of his penis against the quivering hole.“Ugh…!”Swoosh, the thrusting member settled deep inside. Perhaps because we had already finished once, insertion was easier than before. Instinctively, Wooyeon wrapped his arms around Dohyeon’s back and rubbed his nose against the nape of his neck.“Hu, uh, teacher… uh…”“Calling me ‘teacher’ again.”Dohyeon chuckled softly and let Wooyeon go from his arms. Then, he grabbed both wrists with one hand and secured them above his head. Wooyeon shook his head vigorously and wrapped his legs around Dohyeon’s waist.“I’m… no… I don’t want this…”“Don’t want it?”“Please, let go… hng….”I wanted to be held, like before, but like this, no matter what, I couldn’t feel embraced. I tried to pull Dohyeon closer, crossing my ankles, but instead of holding me, he only gradually increased his pace.“Ah, hng… wait, ah…!”The sensation of being hit deep inside was intense. Holding Wooyeon’s wrist with one hand and pressing down near his chest with the other, he flicked his fingers against the firm, raised peak.“Here, and even down here, you’re hard.”“Hng… there… hng….”“So sensitive….”Wooyeon clenched and unclenched his fists over and over, helpless with just his hand being held. Meanwhile, the shaft, which had pulled out to the tip, suddenly thrust deep inside all at once.“Ah… ah…!”A rough pressure hit his prostate. His back arched gracefully, and the moans that had spilled out caught deep in his throat. His mind went blank with the overwhelming waves of pleasure crashing over him, leaving him reeling.However, Wooyeon couldn’t reach his fourth climax. Just before he could finish, Dohyeon pressed his thumb firmly against the tip, preventing his release. Wooyeon’s body shuddered, and his lower abdomen trembled.“W-why… hng…”His stomach quivered, saliva slipped from his lips, and a shiver ran down his neck. The pleasure surging up his spine lingered, unable to fully release.“P-please… ngh, sir… please…”“Really…”The words that followed were barely audible, something about not pushing too far, yet his gaze held an intensity. With a gentle voice and a slightly furrowed brow, Dohyeon spoke.“Yeon-ah… not ‘sir,’ okay?”The deep thrusts continued, gently moving within him, probing his sensitive spots while maintaining his grip on Wooyeon’s release. Wooyeon’s thighs twitched, and his toes curled.“Hng…”A mix of frustration and longing brought tears to his eyes, spilling down his temples. Wooyeon’s lashes fluttered as he pleaded desperately.“Hyung…”His usually clear gaze was blurred and dazed with emotion, his dark eyes now shimmering with unshed tears. Wooyeon rubbed his cheek against the pillow, his body rising and falling.“I… it hurts… ngh, I think I’m going to….”“…”“I don’t want this, Dohyeon hyung, hyung…”“…Ha.”A short breath escaped. Dohyeon’s grip loosened as he leaned over Wooyeon, pressing in deeper than ever before.“…Ah…”Wooyeon tightened, finally reaching release. A thin stream trickled down, pooling just below his navel. Relief washed over him for a moment before Dohyeon muttered a brief apology.“…Sorry.”A burst of pheromones filled the air, unmistakably like a signal flare. Dohyeon cupped Wooyeon’s jaw, sealing their lips tightly together, then resumed his movements, thrusting deeply.“Ngh, mm…!”This was incomparable to anything before. Each thrust pressed out, visibly bulging his stomach. The wave of overpowering pheromones clouded Wooyeon’s senses even more.And so, Wooyeon was held by Dohyeon throughout the night—crying out from the pleasure, begging to escape from the relentless peaks, until his hands scratched down Dohyeon’s back, though his scattered thoughts never fully returned.Until the soft dawn light finally brightened. Dohyeon showed Wooyeon just how long “a while” could truly last.* * *He dreamed a long dream. Wooyeon sat alone in an empty classroom, clutching a broken cell phone. The desks were littered with trash, though the students responsible were nowhere to be found.The scene quickly shifted. The chalkboard and teacher’s podium vanished, and his blurred vision turned to the inside of a taxi. The driver’s seat was empty, but the steering wheel turned by itself. The taxi stopped smoothly, leaving Wooyeon standing in front of an imposing high wall.Blink, and his surroundings changed again. This time, Wooyeon found himself on the living room sofa. The room was dark and quiet, with no signs of life. Even the kitchen, usually attended by a hired helper, was eerily empty.“There’s no one here.”Indeed, there was no one. Not at school, not in the taxi, and not at home. Nowhere could he see signs of people. With his broken phone, his only means of communication gone, Wooyeon felt like a bird in a cage, cut off from the world.“No one’s here at all.”Then, ding-dong, the doorbell rang. Wooyeon bolted to the door, hardly able to contain himself. He didn’t check the intercom or confirm who it was. He threw open the door, watching as something approached, slowly coming into view.“….”It was a pure white rabbit. The rabbit bounded across the wide lawn toward Wooyeon, perked its ears, and stood on its hind legs. It rose up until it was nearly as tall as Wooyeon.“…Did you ring the doorbell?”The rabbit was silent, but Wooyeon felt it answered him. Those dark eyes seemed to convey agreement.“Did you come because I was alone?”Wooyeon cautiously reached out, hugging the bundle of white fur. Whether it was a rabbit or a person didn’t matter; he just didn’t want to be alone. This was far better than feeling isolated.“But…”A strange thought crossed Wooyeon’s mind. His broken phone, the lack of anyone he could contact, and the helper who had gone home early today.“How did you know I was alone?”Once again, the rabbit didn’t respond. Wooyeon buried his face in the soft fur, thinking how the quiet rabbit somehow looked a little troubled.A flash of clarity washed over him. The surroundings shifted, and the soft sensation on his cheek changed. It felt like he was being drawn in, as if someone was pulling him, and he opened his eyes.“….”And his gaze met something fluffy and soft—a white rabbit. Its big, rounded ears and wide eyes gave off an innocent, endearing look.“Rabbit…”After blinking for a long moment, Wooyeon realized it was a stuffed animal. Though clearly a plush toy, his drowsy mind took a second to register it.Whether his eyes were closed or open, it was still the rabbit. He couldn’t tell if this was reality or still part of the dream.“What’s this doing here?”The scenes from his dream began to fade—the empty classroom, the taxi, the living room, the rabbit in the garden, and their conversation. Though he couldn’t recall the exact words, the odd feeling from that time remained vivid.“What a weird dream.”With that, Wooyeon began recalling where the stuffed rabbit had come from. Familiar memories flickered through his mind, accompanied by a familiar voice.“Want me to grab that for you?”He didn’t recall the exact location, but it was near a bar, at one of those claw machine shops. The machines were filled with cheap-looking toys, and he’d muttered back, looking at the display through the glass.“It’s ugly.”“Ugly, huh?”Wooyeon vaguely remembered Dohyeon moving over to a different machine and pointing at a stuffed toy among the piled-up prizes.“That one looks just like you.”And that was how he ended up with the white rabbit in front of him. It had a soft pink blush on its cheeks and the insides of its ears, with pink stitched on its paws, giving it a bit of extra detail.Wooyeon slowly reached out and held the rabbit’s paw. It was soft and plushy, feeling surprisingly nice to the touch. Just as he started to reach for the ears, a voice broke the silence.“Are you planning to shake hands with it?”“…”Wooyeon froze. He knew it was impossible, but for a second, he thought the stuffed animal had spoken. As he hesitantly turned his head, a gentle voice met him.“Did you sleep well?”It was Dohyeon. He came over and sat on the edge of the bed. His hair was slightly damp, and he had a towel around his neck, like he’d just finished showering.“You slept a long time.”“Oh…”Wooyeon looked at his smooth upper body in a daze. He was only wearing pants, so his defined muscles were fully visible. He’d seen it a few times recently and just last night, but seeing it this clearly felt different somehow.“Wow, you’re really fit.”Wooyeon blushed, admiring his broad shoulders, muscular arms, and the tattoo near his shoulder blades. His gaze was obviously fixated, but Dohyeon just smiled kindly, pretending not to notice.“Can you get up?”“Ah…”Wooyeon stirred, slowly trying to sit up. He wanted to ask if Sunbae had slept well, but just then, a dull ache hit him all over.“Ugh!”He slumped back onto the bed. As Wooyeon collapsed, Dohyeon looked at him with concern.“Does it hurt a lot?”“Ugh…”He couldn’t bring himself to say he was fine. Wooyeon let out a pained groan, grimacing. His entire body felt sore, as if he’d been pummeled all night. A throbbing ache even ran down to his tailbone, a new kind of pain he hadn’t experienced before.“It… hurts…”Wooyeon tried once more to sit up, then muttered in a dejected voice. Dohyeon gave a somewhat sheepish smile, looking apologetic.“Well… that makes sense.”He turned and placed a hand on Wooyeon’s waist. The moment he touched him, Wooyeon flinched. Dohyeon must have dressed him in a T-shirt after he’d fallen asleep, but even through the thin fabric, Dohyeon’s touch was too ticklish.“Relax and lie down. I’ll give you a massage.”Wooyeon adjusted himself, lying down fully and burying his face in the pillow. Dohyeon’s large hand gently swept over his back.“Let me know if it hurts.”Despite the potentially awkward situation, the muscle pain was worse. His back, thighs, and even his shoulders ached to the point that he wasn’t sure he could walk properly.“Mm…”Wooyeon let out a faint sound, gritting his teeth. Dohyeon’s touch sent tingling sensations through his body. It hurt, but it felt good too—not a bad feeling.“Ah, there…”“Here?”Carefully, Dohyeon’s touch loosened Wooyeon’s stiff body. Pressing along his spine, Dohyeon’s fingers moved up between his shoulder blades and then back down. Though he’d been massaged before, it had never felt this oddly intense.“Mm… ugh…”“…”“Ugh…”As the massage continued, an unusual silence filled the room. The only sounds were the rustling of fabric and Wooyeon’s faint groans. Dohyeon, too, had fallen quiet at some point.“Ah… right there…”A soft chuckle broke the silence. Dohyeon, who had been gently massaging, slid his hand down lower. His fingers grazed Wooyeon’s lower back and slipped under his T-shirt.“Yeon-ah.”“…”Dohyeon’s fingers touched bare skin. Wooyeon tensed instantly, closing his mouth. Dohyeon stroked his smooth back and leaned over him.“How can you make such suggestive sounds on the bed?”Without putting weight on him, Dohyeon nuzzled Wooyeon’s neck. The pheromones filling the air created an intimate atmosphere. Wooyeon tensed his neck, responding defensively.“I wasn’t—ah!”A strange sound escaped him as Dohyeon blew softly into his ear. While Wooyeon squirmed in protest, Dohyeon held him firmly, tracing his ear with his tongue.“Sunbae, please… It’s tickling!”Dohyeon ignored Wooyeon’s complaints, playfully teasing his small ear. He nibbled gently, brushed his lips over the lobe, and kissed right behind it, making a soft smacking sound.“Stop… ah, please…”Wooyeon tried to wriggle out of his embrace, his face flushed. Despite their intimacy last night, clinging to him in the bright daylight felt completely different. Every place Dohyeon’s lips touched seemed to awaken, almost overly sensitive.“Ah, Sunbae!”“Say ‘hyung.’”Dohyeon pulled Wooyeon close, turning to the side and wrapping an arm around his waist. He made a pillow for him, cocooning Wooyeon in his arms. Feeling trapped, Wooyeon covered his ears with his hands.“Really…”“Not ‘Sunbae,’ but ‘hyung.’”“…”“Say ‘Dohyeon hyung,’ okay?”Wooyeon bit his lip and shook his head. He could still feel the warmth of Dohyeon’s lips vividly near his ear. And somewhere, deep inside, a new feeling was starting to rise.“Are you really going to keep calling me ‘Sunbae’?”“…I don’t know.”“But you said it just fine yesterday.”Dohyeon, sounding a bit disappointed, kissed Wooyeon on the neck with an embarrassing smooch that was followed by an even more embarrassing comment.“Wooyeon, you were calling me like that… ‘Hyung, Dohyeon hyung,’ whining…”“That was because you…!”Flustered, Wooyeon whipped his head around, and Dohyeon’s eyes softened as he watched him. His gentle, crescent-shaped gaze looked more charming than ever.“Yeah, because of me?”“…”It felt like being caught in a trap. He was held down, and he knew he could never win against Dohyeon with words. The more he tried to escape, the deeper he would sink into Dohyeon’s snare.“…Uh…”Wooyeon finally parted his lips, glancing around nervously. Dohyeon, wearing an amused smile, seemed to encourage him to say something. Swallowing hard, Wooyeon spoke up awkwardly.“The tattoo… on your back.”Though it was an abrupt topic change, Dohyeon pretended not to notice. His smile, faint but gentle, seemed to find Wooyeon’s attempt endearing. Feeling reassured, Wooyeon wriggled and nestled into Dohyeon’s arms.“It doesn’t look like it’s in English… What does it mean?”It was something Wooyeon had been curious about for a while. The lettering tattoo near Dohyeon’s shoulder blades didn’t match his neat appearance and became more visible whenever he moved his shoulders.“It doesn’t mean much. It’s just Latin.”“Latin?”Wooyeon, his face filled with curiosity, shifted around and then looked directly at Dohyeon, making a request.“I want to see it up close.”“…”Unexpectedly, Dohyeon didn’t respond immediately. A slight furrow in his eyes suggested he was hesitating. After softly patting Wooyeon’s head, he asked gently.“Do you know Latin?”Wooyeon shook his head, knowing he’d have no chance with Latin, though he might manage with English. Dohyeon visibly relaxed, nodded, and turned his shoulder to the side.“Go ahead, take a look.”Wooyeon leaned his upper body toward Dohyeon, quickly propping himself up. His waist still hurt a bit, but he wasn’t as immobile as earlier. Resting one hand on the bed, he lowered his head and noticed, first of all, a scratch left by his own nails.“…”Dohyeon’s broad back was covered in marks. Though none appeared to have bled, each was undeniably a trace left by Wooyeon. The marks, evidence of his desperate pleading last night, vividly brought back the memories.“…Does it hurt?”Wooyeon traced his finger around one of the scratches. It seemed deep enough to leave a scar. Dohyeon, understanding his question, replied nonchalantly.“It doesn’t hurt.”It was surely a lie. There was no way he couldn’t feel such scratches. Sensing Wooyeon’s disbelief, Dohyeon’s eyes softened as he spoke gently.“If anything, I left more marks on you.”Dohyeon’s hand slid up onto Wooyeon’s thigh. His fingers, moving playfully, gradually caressed the inside of his thigh. Wooyeon flinched, and Dohyeon’s gentle voice followed.“Really, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. You wanted to see the tattoo, right?”Embarrassed, Wooyeon cleared his throat. Dohyeon chuckled softly, and the sound seemed to make his neck flush.“Is this the Latin?”Trying to change the topic, Wooyeon examined the tattoo closely. The phrase, stretching from Dohyeon’s shoulder to his shoulder blade, was in the Latin alphabet but remained indecipherable to him.“Mentula?”“…”Dohyeon’s shoulders jolted slightly. Glancing at Wooyeon, he kept his lips sealed. Wooyeon touched the tattoo again and asked.“What does it mean?”“It’s just… you know…”Wooyeon instinctively realized that he wouldn’t get a clear answer. Dohyeon seemed to hesitate, but his vague response left little hope for a full explanation.“Is it… something bad?”“Sort of.”His probing didn’t yield a direct answer, as expected. Without asking further, Wooyeon repeated the phrase in his mind a few times. Seeing this, Dohyeon pulled Wooyeon back into his arms.“Done looking? Come here.”Wooyeon, having no choice, looked up. He hadn’t been all that curious, but Dohyeon’s secrecy only fueled his interest. If it was “sort of” a bad word, could it really be something vulgar?“When did you get the tattoo?”“A while ago.”“When, exactly?”At Wooyeon’s follow-up question, Dohyeon chuckled softly. He stroked Wooyeon’s cheek and pressed a kiss to his round forehead.“Are you really that curious about my tattoo?”“No.”“Then?”“I’m curious about you.”The Dohyeon Wooyeon knew didn’t seem like the type to have anything permanent on his body. And yet, he had condoms at home and a tattoo on his skin. While he looked as neat as a model student, his actions didn’t always seem to follow that path.“You were probably a troublemaker back in school, right, Sunbae?”“…”Dohyeon looked unexpectedly flustered. His eyebrow arched briefly before he quickly composed his expression, letting out a small, disbelieving laugh.“Last time, I was a player… and now, a troublemaker?”“…A player?”Wooyeon’s eyes widened in surprise. Although he had suspected Dohyeon was a bit of a player, he didn’t recall ever voicing it. He had simply wondered privately because of Dohyeon’s one-sided double eyelid.“Well… but I’m not wrong, am I?”With that sulky reply, Wooyeon buried his face into Dohyeon’s chest. The firm chest under his cheek twitched slightly, likely because his breath brushed bare skin. When he nuzzled his nose in, Dohyeon’s scent seemed to deepen.“You said you don’t stop those who come to you, nor hold back those who leave.”“…Yeah, that sounds like me.”With a knowing sigh, Dohyeon rubbed his cheek against Wooyeon’s head and spoke in a gentle voice.“I was a model student.”“…”“And I wasn’t a player.”It wasn’t a particularly convincing claim. Wooyeon would have taken it at face value if they were still tutoring together, but now, it was hard to view Dohyeon so innocently. Even if he wasn’t a player, he certainly had experience.“Good grades, no trouble… that’s all it takes to be a model student. My teachers adored me.”Running his fingers playfully through Wooyeon’s hair, Dohyeon added jokingly. Judging from his college life now, his high school days couldn’t have been much different. Since he attended a foreign language high school, he must have been a good student, too.“Do you have any photos of you in a school uniform?”“You want to see?”Wooyeon eagerly nodded. He was willing to go to any lengths to see his teacher in a uniform. Dohyeon, expecting his reaction, confidently said:“Call me hyung, and I’ll show you.”“Hyung.”“…”Dohyeon, a bit thrown, released Wooyeon from his arms, staring at him in mild disbelief. Wooyeon met his gaze with bright eyes, repeating himself.“Dohyeon hyung.”“Hah…”Dohyeon let out a breathy laugh, pulling Wooyeon back into his embrace as he chuckled softly. “And here I thought it would be harder…” he murmured with a hint of regret.“You sly little thing.”“Not exactly something Sunbae should say.”“Back to calling me Sunbae?”“You haven’t shown me the photo yet.”Wooyeon complained, wrapping his arms around Dohyeon’s waist. He had gone so far as to call him “hyung,” yet all he got was a hug, not the promised picture.“I’ll show you my graduation album later.”Wooyeon nodded, deep in thought, before he abruptly asked in a slightly annoyed voice,“…You were popular in high school, weren’t you?”He knew he shouldn’t feel this way, but he couldn’t help it. In his mind, he could picture Dohyeon in a school uniform, dating someone else. It was all in the past, so there was no point in bringing it up now, but still…“You must have… had a lot of relationships, too.”Rather than answer, Dohyeon simply pulled Wooyeon close, letting him feel his warm, steady heartbeat. Wooyeon took in his scent, slowly blinking as he relaxed.“Yeon-ah.”“…”“Are you feeling insecure?”He had hit the mark perfectly. Wooyeon couldn’t bring himself to admit it and curled up in silence. Gently, Dohyeon ran his hand over Wooyeon’s back.“What’s making you so uneasy?”“…Just… nothing.”Wooyeon took a small breath to calm himself. Even the faint pheromone lingering around him wasn’t much of a comfort.“So many things…”There are times like that. Moments when, as if waking from a dream, a sudden surge of reality hits. When everything is so peaceful and stable that you start to fear you’ll sink beneath the calm waters at any moment.“…I don’t even know why you like me.”“…”“And I don’t know how long you’ll keep liking me…”He had given everything he had, and all he was left with was anxiety. Having nothing left to give made him feel parched with unease. On top of that, this constant insecurity was making him feel like he was unworthy.“There are probably plenty of people who would like you, even if it weren’t me…”Without a word, Dohyeon stroked Wooyeon’s hair, brushing through it and then pulling him into an embrace, his hand resting on Wooyeon’s small back. Then, in his usual calm tone, Dohyeon spoke.“You’re the only one I like.”It was a sweet line, no matter how many times he heard it. Empty words or not, even if it was just for show, the words “I like you” made his heart race.“I have those thoughts, too.”“…”“I feel insecure too, Yeon-ah.”Oddly enough, hearing that brought him peace. He didn’t even know what Dohyeon was insecure about, but the fact that he wasn’t entirely composed either was a comfort.“…What makes you feel so insecure?”Wooyeon asked the question just as Dohyeon had. His answer came back more quietly than ever.“That you’ll be disappointed in me.”“…”“And that… you might stop liking me.”For a moment, Wooyeon was at a loss for words. He wanted to say he wouldn’t be disappointed, but the words wouldn’t come out. Dohyeon’s tone was overly casual, but that made it feel even more genuine.“I…”A vibrating sound cut through the air at that moment. Wooyeon closed his mouth without finishing his sentence. The persistent buzzing wasn’t a message; it was a call.“…”“…”Neither of them moved to answer it. Wooyeon didn’t want to leave his embrace, and Dohyeon seemed to feel the same. It’ll stop ringing soon, he thought, but the buzzing started up again.“…Sigh.”Dohyeon reacted first. With a short sigh, he held Wooyeon tightly once more before releasing him. With clear reluctance, he reached over to the nightstand.“Who is it?”From Wooyeon’s angle, he couldn’t see the caller ID clearly. But he could see Dohyeon’s irritated expression as he ruffled his hair with annoyance and brought the phone to his ear.“Hello.”― Kim Dohyeon!The voice on the other end was one Wooyeon recognized well. Garam’s clear, piercing voice. Dohyeon, reflexively pulling the phone away from his ear, tousled his still-damp hair.“What is it?”― Have you checked the real-time search? If you haven’t, check it. Now.“Real-time search?”Dohyeon frowned but immediately opened the portal site. Thankfully, the cracked screen on his phone didn’t make it hard to use. Wooyeon leaned in to glance at the screen as well.― Have you seen it?“I’m loading it now.”― Your phone is so slow.After a brief pause, the green search bar appeared. Dohyeon tapped the arrow next to the search bar to check the “real-time search rankings.” The list of trending terms appeared from first to tenth.“…”― Is it there?A chilling silence fell between them. Dohyeon froze, his gaze unmoving, and Wooyeon was the same, staring blankly at the phone.― That’s Wooyeon, right?Once again, no one answered. Wooyeon inhaled sharply, staring at the phone. The top search term read, “Ji Suhyang’s son.”“I went to middle school with Ji Suhyang’s son.”That was the beginning of a post on a community forum. The writer, introducing themselves as an ordinary college student, claimed to have information about the now-famous Ji Suhyang’s son, recounting stories of Wooyeon’s middle school days—what he looked like, his physique, personality, and grades.The comments were mixed. Some asked for proof with a yearbook photo, others warned that such a post could lead to a defamation lawsuit. Most accused the writer of lying, but they defended themselves by saying, “He moved to the U.S., so there’s no yearbook.”Yeah, if it had stopped there, it could have been just a small incident. After all, posts like that on the internet tend to get buried quickly.The problem was a recent post written under the same username.[Ji Suhyang_son_recent_updates.jpg]It would have been better if it had been just a typical attention-seeking post, but unfortunately, the content lived up to the title. There were photos of Wooyeon attending lectures, giving presentations, and even selling cotton candy at a club booth. Although his face was obscured, anyone who knew Wooyeon wouldn’t have trouble recognizing him.Coincidentally, the reporters digging into “Ji Suhyang’s illegitimate child” pounced on it like starving hyenas, and since the university logo was visible in the photos, Wooyeon’s personal information was unwittingly exposed. Although the original post was deleted later, it was too late to turn back.“I’ll fix my phone and come right away. Just wait in the club room after class.”Having spent the entire weekend with Wooyeon, Dohyeon personally drove him to school as soon as Tuesday arrived. Wooyeon insisted several times that he could go alone, but Dohyeon was adamant that they needed to be careful. As expected, the front gate was swarming with reporters, and Dohyeon parked right in front of the building instead of the parking lot.“If anyone acts strange, let me know, okay?”“Yes. Thank you for bringing me.”Wooyeon nodded and unbuckled his seatbelt. He tried to get out of the car immediately, but Dohyeon held him back. Wrapping his arms around the back of Wooyeon’s head, he placed a light kiss on his forehead.“…”“I wish I could tell you to rest.”Wooyeon’s cheeks flushed pink. Given that they had done more than this before, it was quite an innocent reaction. Dohyeon kissed him again and gently caressed the reddened area around his eyes.“But I’m bringing you here because I know you won’t rest anyway.”“…If I take a break now, I’ll get scolded.”Wooyeon knew that he needed to act even more dignified during times like this. Skipping school and disappearing would give the media more to write about. Acting nonchalant and pretending not to care was, in a way, the best approach.“I’m really okay, Sunbae.”Moreover, he genuinely felt fine. Whether it was because he had no intention of hiding anything or because he had always anticipated such situations. In fact, it felt strange that Dohyeon was worrying so much.“I’m used to this kind of thing…”“…”“I didn’t do anything wrong.”Being in the spotlight wasn’t a big deal for him. While he hadn’t exactly lived a saintly life, he hadn’t committed any crimes either. A few tough days might be ahead, but time would eventually resolve everything.“So don’t worry about it.”Dohyeon smiled and patted Wooyeon’s head. His gentle fingers were as kind as ever.“I’m glad you’re okay… But still, if anything happens, call me.”This time, Wooyeon nodded obediently. Seeing him respond so submissively made Dohyeon’s eyes crinkle with a smile. Wooyeon’s dark pupils were filled with concern for him.As Wooyeon walked toward the classroom, he caught the attention of several students. Their gazes were mixed with curiosity and a hint of wariness, but it was manageable compared to the bullying he had experienced in middle school. Occasionally, he heard words like “bastard child,” but he chose to ignore them and kept walking straight ahead.Once he arrived at the classroom, he spotted Seonkyu the moment he stepped inside. Seonkyu was surrounded by a few classmates, looking displeased. Normally, Wooyeon would acknowledge him, but today, he couldn’t.Regretting that he hadn’t worn a hat, Wooyeon set his bag down in an empty seat. He could guess how Seonkyu would react if he greeted him—either awkwardly or completely ignoring him. Seonkyu might even ask if the article was true, without any malice.“They say his family is completely dysfunctional, right?”“That kid’s got no foundation.”Wooyeon had experienced how quickly friendships could turn sour during middle school. The resentment toward the wealthy and the sympathy for the “illegitimate child” title mixed in their gazes were something he didn’t want to receive from Garam or Seonkyu. Although Dohyeon had told him to go to the club room after class, Wooyeon had no intention of doing so.As expected, Seonkyu didn’t speak to him until the professor arrived. Wooyeon tuned out the murmurs around him, wishing desperately for time to pass quickly. Before long, the professor entered, allowing him to breathe freely during the lecture.“That’s all for today.”The professor shot Wooyeon a meaningful look before leaving the classroom. From the expression on his face, it seemed he had also seen the article. With the news spreading to the university, it was hard for professors not to know.“Maybe I should take a leave of absence.”His mood slowly began to dip. He thought he’d be okay, but the loneliness that lingered was unexpectedly upsetting. Having grown accustomed to the warmth of others, he had become weak enough not to endure even this situation.“Wooyeon.”At that moment, someone called out to him. Wooyeon paused while gathering his things. Seonkyu, who had approached without him noticing, stood directly in front of him.“…What?”He wished it were someone he didn’t know; the expectation of having gotten closer made him anxious. Perhaps he would treat him casually, or maybe he would side with him as he did during after-parties, telling others not to speak rudely.“Let’s talk.”Wooyeon, trying to suppress his expectations, looked directly at Seonkyu. Since he couldn’t avoid eye contact, he decided to be bold.With everyone’s attention focused on them, Seonkyu grabbed Wooyeon’s arm.“Let’s go.”“……Huh?”There was no room to refute. Seonkyu, who had grabbed his bag with his other hand, pulled Wooyeon along. Wooyeon, who had awkwardly stood up, found himself following Seonkyu out of the classroom in the blink of an eye.* * *“Hey, eat up. Have some more. What else do you want to eat?”Wooyeon stared blankly at the cakes spread across the table. Chocolate, strawberries, cheese, and cookies. The variety of cakes reminded him of the café he had visited with Dohyeon not long ago. However, this time, it was not Dohyeon treating him but Garam.“Eat as much as you want. This Noona is treating today.”Garam handed Wooyeon a fork and smiled with satisfaction. Her bright smile was as cheerful as ever. Wooyeon looked back and forth between Garam and Seonkyu, his voice dazed.“……What’s all this?”The place Seonkyu brought him to was a café on campus. It wasn’t the café that only had good Americano, but a new café closer to the back gate. Wooyeon, who usually didn’t wander around campus, had never been there before.“What else would it be? It’s cake. I heard you like sweet stuff.”Garam answered nonchalantly as she offered Seonkyu a fork. Instead of eating the cake, Seonkyu nodded and pushed a plate toward her.“Right, you ate that cotton candy well, didn’t you?”“No, suddenly…….”Wooyeon opened his mouth to protest but then fell silent. Speaking made something well up inside him. The emotion that bubbled up turned into sharp words that slipped out.“……Are you feeling sorry for me?”No matter how he thought about it, there was only one reason for their behavior. They couldn’t have missed the article, nor could they have not heard the whispers of other students. Therefore, all that remained was half-hearted sympathy.“Sympathy?”But Garam asked back, as if confused by his words. With wide eyes, she laughed incredulously.“Why would I feel sorry for you?”For a moment, Wooyeon was at a loss for words. The expression on Garam’s face indicated she truly didn’t understand. Garam poked her fork into the cake and complained.“Nowadays, juniors are so cocky. A Sunbae wants to buy you cake, and you’re asking if it’s out of sympathy.”“…….”“You shouldn’t be like that, Wooyeon.”She was suggesting that Wooyeon was the one at fault. Watching Garam poke the cake repeatedly made Wooyeon blink in confusion. Seonkyu then spoke up cautiously.“Um…… Wooyeon.”With a slightly crinkled brow, he seemed to hesitate over whether to say this. Finally, having gathered his thoughts, he continued in a calm voice.“It’s not sympathy; it’s concern.”It felt as if his mind had gone blank. A feeling he couldn’t describe washed over him, similar to when he once heard the words “You’ve worked hard.”“I saw the article. Honestly, I don’t know how it feels since it sounds so unreal, but the whispers from the other students wouldn’t feel good, right?”“…….”“When you’re feeling down, eating something delicious helps……. Of course, if this looks like sympathy, then I have nothing to say about it…….”Seonkyu furrowed his brow and exchanged glances with Garam. The look was a silent plea for help, but Garam calmly gazed at Wooyeon. Wooyeon stared blankly into space and stammered.“You earlier…….”Just saying those words made his throat tighten. It felt like a sharp pain in his solar plexus, and it felt suffocating in his chest.“You ignored me in the classroom.”It was a rather petty remark. Seonkyu’s face turned to one of confusion. Garam clicked her tongue as if treating him like a fool.“Did Wooyeon really ignore you in the classroom?”“No, it’s just that…….”“Wow, I didn’t expect this from Kwon Seonkyu.”Although Wooyeon had brought it up, Garam pushed it further. Seonkyu, looking like he was losing it, raked his hands through his hair in frustration.“Oh, I was sorry for that. You did the same, Noona.”Wooyeon looked at Seonkyu with wide eyes. “Sorry” was such a random reason.“Remember? Back when I was with Noona, we talked about wanting 500 million won and wanting a house and a car…….”A memory suddenly flashed in his mind. Seonkyu seemed to be referring to the time when they were studying together, mentioning Ji Suhyang’s illegitimate child and adding comments casually.“Ah.”Garam let out a low sigh and looked startled. After a moment of silence, she suddenly asked Wooyeon.“……Do you want to eat more cake?”* * *It was a clumsy consolation. It wasn’t hard to buy a whole shop if he wanted more cake. It was strange how his mood shifted with such words.“It’s okay.”So he spoke nonchalantly. It’s okay. He didn’t need to eat more cake, what the two of them said was fine, and the article breaking out was okay too.“You don’t have to worry about me.”He didn’t feel bad; in fact, it didn’t even linger in his mind. Even if they cursed him out, Wooyeon would have just listened with one ear and let it pass through the other.“You don’t even have to buy the cake…”A strange silence settled in. Both Seonkyu and Garam looked at Wooyeon, unable to say a word. Wooyeon lowered his gaze and spoke in a calm voice.“You don’t have to worry about me.”He had said the same thing to Dohyeon earlier. He didn’t mind hearing concern, but it wasn’t something he needed to be the center of attention for. He wasn’t living a miserable life, nor had he been deeply hurt. He was just experiencing something that would eventually happen, just a bit earlier than expected.“To be honest, this makes me uncomfortable.”He was not at all accustomed to such kindness. Since it was something he had to overcome on his own anyway, he didn’t want anyone’s help. He had always thought that way, and there was no need to feel strange about it now. At least that’s how Wooyeon felt.“Well… yeah.”The first to speak was Garam. She made a sour face and scrunched her nose.“The most useless worries in the world are about celebrities and chaebols.”It was a rather cynical statement. Seonkyu, who had been quiet, widened his eyes and stared at Garam. Garam lowered her gaze as she fiddled with her high bun.“Whether it’s an illegitimate child or a hidden child, if you say you’re okay, what can I say?”Her expression was unexpectedly serious. As always, her voice was clear, devoid of any playfulness. Slowly raising her eyes, Garam fixed her gaze directly on Wooyeon.“But…”Her long, slitted eyes were sharp like a predator’s. Her low voice felt chilling.“How can I not worry when someone I don’t even know posts a photo of someone I know?”Wooyeon fell silent, unable to respond. It felt like his mind was going blank, just like before. His throat felt dry, and a heaviness settled in his chest.“Do you know what I was looking up all weekend? Whether it could lead to a lawsuit, how far invasion of privacy goes, whether a journalist can write an article using someone else’s photo like this—that’s all I researched.”“…….”“And what I’m saying is that you’re uncomfortable with sympathy?”“Then what should I say?”Wooyeon retorted, placing his fork down. He had gripped it so tightly that the handle had grown warm.“This kind of thing isn’t a one-time event. Honestly, it’s going to keep happening, so should I ask for concern every time it’s hard for me?”“Is that not allowed?”“What did you say?”His voice came out harsher than intended. Wooyeon bit his lip reflexively and grimaced. Garam looked as if she couldn’t understand.“There’s no limit to how many times someone can worry. If you’re struggling, you can ask for comfort. Have you only heard concern a couple of times in your life?”“I’ve heard it a couple of times.”Seonkyu turned his head. His eyes carried an unreadable gaze as they subtly looked at Wooyeon. Wooyeon, clenching his fist, forced the words out.“I’ve heard it a couple of times.”Garam raised her eyebrows in surprise. Her dark brown eyes remained fixed on Wooyeon, unwavering. He steadied the fluttering emotions within him and slowly spoke.“But what if I get used to it?”This was his greatest fear. Getting used to this kind of kindness, this comfort, and the feelings he thought he could never get close to.“You’re not going to treat me like this for life.”As he headed toward the classroom and sat in the lecture, he realized how complacent he had been. He should have maintained a suitable distance, but at some point, he had broken down those boundaries without realizing it. Such kindness could not possibly last forever.“If this happens again next time…”“Then I’ll buy you cake again.”It was a dismissive remark. Garam grumbled as she handed Wooyeon a fork.“What’s so complicated about it? This whole thing doesn’t even cost 50,000 won; I can buy it for you every time something like this happens.”Wooyeon stared at Garam with vacant eyes. The warmth touching his fingertips didn’t feel bad like it did back then. He had once thought that even touching would be unpleasant because he was an alpha, but now Garam’s pheromones felt warm.“I’ll keep comforting you until you get tired of it, so just eat the cake. Don’t say unnecessary things.”Wooyeon found himself letting out a hollow laugh. Seonkyu, who was just watching, and Garam, who was unknowingly flustered, along with the cake on the table, all felt surreal.“……I can’t eat all of this.”He barely protested, but Garam didn’t seem to hear him. She picked up a large bite of cake that she had been poking at. The way she was eating the cake so aggressively seemed a bit embarrassing.Wooyeon extended his fork toward the strawberry cake. Garam and Seonkyu’s gazes unknowingly followed the tip of his fingers. When Wooyeon took a strawberry from the top of the cake, Garam smiled brightly.“I thought you would like that.”The atmosphere relaxed in an instant. As if they hadn’t just had a fight, the three of them casually shared the cake. The bread was dry and the cream was cheap, but Wooyeon moved his fork without any major complaints.They spent some time chatting about trivial matters. Dohyeon hadn’t contacted him at all, and Wooyeon found it strange to see his silent phone. Leaving aside Dohyeon, it was odd that there was no contact from anywhere else either.“But can they really write articles based on someone else’s post? Is that allowed?”“Of course it’s a problem. Those crazy reporters.”Garam and Seonkyu vented their frustrations without pause. They alternated between cursing the reporters and the writers, as if they were the ones directly involved. Especially Garam, who was busy pressing ‘dislike’ on every article that mentioned Wooyeon.“So, does anyone have a guess about who took the photo?”As the table became half-empty, Seonkyu asked casually. Wooyeon set down the fork he had in his mouth and thought deeply.“Someone I can guess…”In fact, there were a few people he suspected. Once from the mention of “middle school classmates,” and again when he saw the photo taken in the classroom. While there was no concrete evidence, he had plenty of suspicions. The only thing bothering him was that he hadn’t seen the guy’s face during the festival.“Hey, I looked it up, and it seems like they can be sued. Sue them. Those kinds of people should have their lives ruined.”Garam ground her teeth as she spoke. Seeing her fuming like that, it seemed she was really angry. In contrast, Wooyeon remained excessively calm.“Well… suing won’t change anything, and for now, I haven’t been harmed.”“What do you mean you haven’t been harmed?”Seonkyu asked with a worried expression. In reality, his personal information had been leaked, and rumors were spreading around the school. There were reporters everywhere at the main entrance; how could he say there was “no harm”? But Wooyeon thought a little differently.“Anyway, my personal information shows up with just a search.”If you type “Ji Suhyang” into a portal site, it reveals his birth date, affiliations, academic history, and even his mother’s name, “Ji Gyungsook.” He would eventually be exposed like that too, so he didn’t feel a sense of crisis about the veil being lifted.“The articles and photos will come down in a week, and the company will handle the rest.”Suing wasn’t really Wooyeon’s role. It was the legal team at the Seonjeong Group that was supposed to gather evidence and resolve the matter quietly.“There might be inquiries about college admissions or grades, but there’s nothing to worry about there.”Even if studying abroad was a loophole, it wasn’t illegal. He had entered through the student visa category and had been more diligent in school than anyone else.So, there was nothing for Wooyeon to be concerned about.“That’s why I said it’s okay.”“……”“……”The two looked at Wooyeon with astonished faces. Their mouths hung open, and their expressions were completely different from the worried ones they had shown before. As the heir of the Seonjeong Group and a chaebol, they had only heard rumors about him, but now they were experiencing it firsthand.“You really… live in a different world than us.”Garam said in a dazed voice. To that, Wooyeon replied sulkily.“……We live in the same world, you know.”In that moment, a worry sprang to his mind. What if they suddenly changed their attitude and started feeling distant?However, contrary to Wooyeon’s concerns, they continued their conversation seriously.“Does this cheap cake really comfort you? Can’t you just buy this café with your allowance instead of the cake?”“Wooyeon, do you have anything like that? A fiancé?”“Hey, if Kim Dohyeon hears this, he’ll curse you out.”“……Does Dohyeon-hyung curse?”Wooyeon shook his head with a weary smile. He replied that he had no fiancé, and Garam scoffed, saying that dramas were just pure nonsense. The reason he didn’t have a fiancé was simply that Wooyeon hadn’t revealed himself. However, it wasn’t the right atmosphere to explain that.“Do chaebols just hire private tutors like that?”In an instant, Wooyeon’s expression hardened. It was only for a brief moment, but even Garam’s pheromones felt unpleasant. Trying to regain his composure, Wooyeon swallowed hard.“There was… someone before.”“Wow, that’s interesting. Didn’t you just call the best people in each field?”The reason Wooyeon couldn’t laugh was that it was true. Because he was homeschooled for elementary education, he had teachers for each subject. Naturally, his mother, who solved everything with money, wouldn’t accept anyone who wasn’t the best.“Only the teacher was an exception.”Dohyeon was the only special case. Although he was from a prestigious university, he was still a freshman at twenty.“But why isn’t Kim Dohyeon here?”“It seems like his phone repair is taking a while.”“Why would he go for repairs at a time like this? He could just use it a bit longer.”Wooyeon thought of Dohyeon and tried to shake off memories of the past. After all, it was all in the past, and there was no need to dwell on the trauma. Fortunately, just imagining his perfectly neat face made him feel good.“Oh, and…”Wooyeon began softly, glancing between the two. It wasn’t particularly important, but there was a need to correct the misunderstanding. It wasn’t exactly a secret either.“I’m not an illegitimate child.”