Without waiting for a response, Woo-Jin storms out of the classroom in anger. The heavy thud of the door echoes throughout the room, leaving a silence among the students.
The professor sighs as his gaze lands on the new student whose lips and cheek are swollen slightly.
"Jung Hwan," the professor calls, turning his face toward Jung Hwan. "Take him to the infirmary. And make sure Woo-Jin doesn't make this worse."
"Yes, sir." Jung Hwan nods, understanding the professor's words about keeping an eye on Kim Woo for taking any revenge on the omega. He turns to the omega to witness a small, shy smile on the omega's lips. That small smile triggers Jung's heart to skip a bit. For a moment, his eyes are fixed on the omega's lips until the omega's soft voice jolts him back.
"You, okay?"
"Yeah, shall we?" Jung Hwan asks, clearing his throat to hide his sudden nervousness, and quickly turns to leave the class.
The omega nods and begins to follow Jung down the hallway.
As they walk side by side, Jung Hwan can't help but steal a glance. From this close, the omega's features seem even more striking. His skin is pale and smooth, with a natural pinkish flush on his cheeks and the tips of his ears. His silky dark gray hair frames his delicate face perfectly.
But it isn't just his face that catches Jung's attention. Unlike omegas, who are generally small, this one is tall enough, matching Jung's height.
And then there are his eyes. Large, almond-shaped, and a crystalline shade of ocean blue. They radiate an innocence so pure it feels almost otherworldly. Jung can't stop thinking that this omega is really beautiful, yes, but there is something more. Something... magnetic.
Shaking off his thoughts, Jung Hwan speaks again. "It's not far now."
Aaron nods again, meeting Jung Hwan's eyes briefly, but a simple glance from the omega is enough to make Jung's heart skip a bit.
He bites the inside of his cheek to keep his focus. Get a grip, Jung. It's just an omega.
The nurse works quickly, cleaning the small cut on Aaron's lip and applying a cooling gel to his swollen cheek. Throughout the treatment, Aaron remains still, thanking the nurse with a soft voice.
Jung Hwan stays close, watching the omega out of the corner of his eye. There is something mesmerizing about the way Aaron moves—every turn of his head, every blink of his impossibly long lashes seems so deliberate.
When the nurse finally leaves, Jung Hwan breaks the silence.
"Feeling better?"
Aaron tilts his head, spreading his angelic smile. "Yeah, thank you for asking."
"Hey," Jung Hwan begins as they exit the infirmary. "I'm Jung Hwan, by the way. Fourth-year business student and the business department president."
Aaron's eyes brighten, and his smile widens. "I'm Aaron. Exchange student from Germany, same department."
"Germany?" Jung Hwan repeats in surprise. "For someone who's not from here, your Korean is really good."
Aaron laughs softly; "My grandfather is Korean. So, I picked it up."
"About earlier…" Jung Hwan hesitates, "I'm really sorry about Woo-Jin. He's a bit aggressive."
Aaron raises an eyebrow with curiosity. "A bit?"
Jung Hwan sighs, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, he is a spoil kid. As long as you don't touch his territory, you'll be fine."
Aaron's ask in curiosity. "Territorial?"
"Yes. Like his seat, his space, his… everything." Just avoid his territory and he won't torture you…"
"Torture me? That's adorable," Aaron smiles back with an impossibly sweet tone.
Jung Hwan freezes, unsure if he has misheard the subtle edge in Aaron's voice.
Aaron chuckles softly. "Don't worry. I'll be careful."
As they reach the classroom door, Jung Hwan clears his throat. "I've got another class, so I'll leave you here."
Aaron nods, "Thanks for helping me, Jung Hwan."
Jung opens his mouth to reply but before he can utter a word, Aaron walks away towards the room.
Aaron pushes the door open and steps into the classroom. The professor's eyes dart toward him, and without pausing his lecture, the professor gives a subtle nod, gesturing for Aaron to take a seat.
Aaron doesn't respond, doesn't even spare the professor a glance. Instead, he begins walking toward the back of the room. The silence that follows his entry is quickly overtaken by the rustle of shifting bodies and the subtle buzz of whispers.
Every pair of eyes tracks him with curiosity and judgment as they notice Aaron walking towards Kim Woo.
Reaching the back row, Aaron stops beside a desk where Kim Woo-Jin is sleeping. Aaron's gaze sweeps over him briefly, then, without a word, Aaron slides into the empty seat next to him.
The classroom erupts into a flurry of hushed murmurs and exchanged glances.
"Is he insane?" one girl whispers.
"After what just happened?" a boy mutters.
"Probably trying to seduce Kim Woo," someone else adds. "Typical omega behavior."
Aaron sits with perfect composure, his hands folded neatly on the desk, and his ocean-blue eyes focus on the blackboard ahead. Not once does he react to the speculation swirling around him.
But in the back of his mind, he thinks, I can hear you all, you know.
His gaze shifts to Kim Woo-Jin, who remains in his slumber, seemingly undisturbed by the commotion.
Who would be interested in a scaredy cat?
Aaron thinks, leaning back in his chair as if the whispers and stares are nothing more than background noise.
Aaron's eyes linger on Kim Woo-Jin, the dominant alpha whose presence earlier had suffocated the room. Now, up close, he seems oddly peaceful—or at least quieter. But even in his sleep, Woo-Jin has a faint crease in his brow.
This is going to be interesting,
Aaron thinks with a smirk, tilting his head slightly as he studies the sleeping alpha.
He leans his chin on his hand.
"Please entertain me while I'm here,"
Then, something unexpected catches his attention.
Woo-Jin's nose twitches.
Aaron blinks as alpha's nose wiggles again, subtly at first, like he is catching a scent.
What is he dreaming about?
Before Aaron can fully process what is happening, Woo-Jin shifts in his seat. Slowly, as though guided by some invisible pull, the alpha's head turns toward Aaron. His face inches closer, and his sniffing grows deeper.
Aaron's smirk fades, replaced by a look of confusion. He sits frozen as Woo-Jin's head continues moving closer to Aaron, seemingly unaware of the world around him.
Then, Woo-Jin's nose brushes against Aaron's neck.
Aaron flinches slightly, his body stiffening at the sudden contact. Woo-Jin doesn't stop. Instead, he rubs his nose gently against Aaron's skin, inhaling deeply as though chasing a scent he can't get enough of.
The warmth of Woo-Jin's breath fans over Aaron's neck, sending an unfamiliar shiver down his spine. Woo-Jin tilts his head slightly, pressing his nose into the curve of Aaron's shoulder.
Aaron's mind races. What is he doing?! Why does this feel... so weird?
He can already feel the stares of the other students, hear the whispers starting to ripple through the room.
Meanwhile, Woo-Jin continues his unconscious exploration. His lips graze Aaron's neck, and he lets out a soft, contented hum, as though the scent is soothing him in some way. He nuzzles his face into Aaron's neck.
Unable to take it anymore, Aaron's lips part, and he mutters, "Hey... are you a dog?"