Navigating through the labyrinthine city streets, Kaoru feels the weight of the doctor's words pressing down on him, each step a struggle against the invisible burden. The symphony of Seoul– honking cars, chattering pedestrians, the distant hum of city life– fades into a muted babble as he retreats into his thoughts.
Upon leaving the clinic, Jae-Hwa offered to drive Kaoru home, but Kaoru quickly fabricated a lie about living close by and politely declined the offer. Instead, he opted for the crowded subway ride home, craving the anonymity and solitude it provided amidst the sea of faces. He finds solace in the sea of unfamiliarity, each passenger lost in their own world, just like him.
The subway ride was a blur, a moving cocoon of solitude amidst the throng. The rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks lulled him into a contemplative state, each station a countdown to his return to reality. When he finally emerged from the underground maze, the apartment building loomed ahead, a familiar monolith offering both solace and confinement.
Kaoru pushes open the heavy front door, the cool metal handle grounding him momentarily. He ascends the stairs wearily, each step echoing in the narrow stairwell, amplifying the tension coiled in his muscles. The climb feels interminable, every stair a hurdle in his emotional marathon.
Entering the apartment, he's greeted by the sight of his brother Kai and Tokkul, sprawled on the couch, their eyes glued to the glowing screen of a video game. Snack wrappers are strewn across the coffee table, the detritus of their lazy afternoon, while a half-empty box of fried chicken sits nearby, the smell mingling with the faint scent of caramelised sugar and spicy ginger– Kai's unique pheromones.
Normally, the ability to actually be able to detect Kai's pheromones would give Kaoru pause, but in his current state, it passes by unnoticed.
"Hey, Kaoru." Kai calls out, barely tearing his gaze away from the screen.
Tokkul, their roommate and long-time friend, looks away from the screen for a second and smiles a greeting towards Kaoru.
Tokkul's tall, muscular frame is hard to miss. His shortly cut bleached blonde hair adds to his striking appearance, the light colour contrasting sharply with his tanned skin. His physique, sculpted from years of physical activity, exudes strength, yet his disposition remains approachable and friendly.
They've known each other since junior high, where their friendship blossomed from fierce rivalry into a camaraderie as strong as steel.
Back in the day, Kai and Tokkul would engage in ridiculous tests of endurance, trading blows to their scent glands until one conceded, a foolish game that now lingered in the faint traces of their feeble pheromones.
An alpha by genetics but hardly an alpha in presence, Tokkul's subdued pheromones align him more with a beta.
Kaoru manages a tired nod in response to Tokkul's greeting, his mind elsewhere as he makes a beeline for his room. The contrast between the common area and his own space is stark; his room is neat and orderly, a sanctuary amidst the discord of their shared living quarters.
With a heavy sigh, Kaoru sheds his outer layers and slips into his pyjamas, the soft fabric a welcome comfort against his skin. He moves through his nighttime routine mechanically, barely registering the familiar motions as he cleanses and moisturises his face.
But as he catches his reflection in the mirror, the doctor's words echo in his mind.
"Perfect match? Fate? Yeah, right." He scoffs inwardly, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "That's all bullshit. I don't need any help from a damn alpha for anything, especially not for a heat. Suppressants will be good enough."
Anger simmers beneath the surface as he wrestles with his emotions, the unfairness of his situation gnawing at him.
"But I shouldn't even need suppressants anymore!" He seethes, his fists clenching in frustration. "It's not like I'd even be able to afford them if I didn't have the company's insurance, anyway. This is bullshit!"
Despite his resolve to avoid Jae-Hwa at all costs, a nagging doubt lingers in the back of his mind.
He knows that avoiding the alpha entirely may prove to be easier said than done.
With an irked huff, Kaoru pushes aside his thoughts and climbs into bed, pulling the covers tight around his body.
The next day in the office feels like a minefield to Kaoru, each step fraught with the possibility of an encounter with Jae-Hwa. Kaoru enters the bullpen, his eyes sweeping the room, wary and alert, like a fox in a forest filled with hunters.
The fluorescent lights cast a cold, sterile glow over the rows of desks, but Kaoru's eyes are drawn to one spot.
There, at his desk, sits Jae-Hwa, his posture rigid and his expression stern, completely absorbed in his work. It's a stark contrast to the softness with which he often gazes at Kaoru, a difference that doesn't escape Kaoru's notice.
With a resigned sigh, Kaoru settles into his own desk, the distance between them feeling both a relief and a disappointment.
Perhaps avoiding Jae-Hwa won't be as difficult as he had feared.
He pulls out his planner, the act of organising soothing his frayed nerves, each stroke of the pen a small anchor in the storm of his emotions.
Kaoru's day at the office drifts by in a semblance of peace. He keeps his head down, focusing on his work, and does his best to avoid catching Jae-Hwa's eye. The usual office hum surrounds him: the clatter of keyboards, the soft murmur of conversations, the occasional ring of a phone. It's a welcome distraction from his thoughts and anxieties.
But just as he's starting to think he might get through the day without incident, Dong-Geun calls out his name.
"Kaoru, Jae-Hwa, come over here."
Kaoru's heart skips a beat. He glances over at Jae-Hwa, the tall alpha's expression as unyielding as stone.
Taking a deep breath, Kaoru follows Jae-Hwa to Dong-Geun's desk, trying to steady his nerves.
"Alright, newbies." Dong-Geun begins, looking between the two of them. "Jae-Hwa, I've decided that the intern will come with us to the KG company presentation today."
Kaoru's eyes widen. "Wait, sir, I–"
Dong-Geun cuts him off with a firm wave of his hand. "Don't worry, you won't need to present anything. You'll be there just to watch. It'll be good for you to see what the real world of business is like."
"Yes, sir." Jae-Hwa responds smoothly, bowing politely.
Dong-Geun turns to Kaoru, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I know you don't have any plans for today, intern, since I'm the one who assigns you jobs to do. Come on, we're leaving now. Let's go."
Kaoru's mind races, trying to find a way to object without seeming insubordinate, but Dong-Geun is already moving toward the door, expecting them to follow. With a sigh, Kaoru falls in step behind Jae-Hwa, feeling increasingly frazzled as they leave the office.
Each step towards the exit heightens his anxiety.
This is a disaster. He thinks, his mind racing. Why do I have to go with Jae-Hwa of all people?
Jae-Hwa, for his part, remains indomitable, walking beside Kaoru with a calm, composed air. Kaoru can't help but feel a twinge of envy at Jae-Hwa's ease, even as his own nerves threaten to get the better of him.
As they walk, Jae-Hwa glances down at Kaoru.
For a moment, his stern, unreadable expression softens, his face transforming into a sweet smile– one that Kaoru has noticed he only ever seems to show to him.
The change is so unexpected, so disarming, that Kaoru finds himself blushing despite his nerves. His heart skips a beat, the sudden warmth in Jae-Hwa's eyes making it difficult to maintain his composure.
As they walk, Kaoru catches a whiff of a sweet scent in the air. It's subtle but unmistakable– Jae-Hwa's pheromones. Almost involuntarily, Kaoru feels a wave of calm wash over him, his nerves easing slightly.
But the momentary relaxation sparks a flash of anger within him.
Damn it. He thinks, his jaw clenching. Why am I reacting to his pheromones?
The conflicting emotions churn within him, a frustrating mix of unwilling attraction and stubborn resistance. Kaoru's blush deepens, not from embarrassment now, but from the irritation of feeling his body's traitorous response to Jae-Hwa's presence.
He glares at the ground, determined to resist the pull of the sweet scent, and marches forward with renewed resolve.
In the car, Kaoru sits in the back, silently observing as Jae-Hwa and Dong-Geun converse in the front. The conversation flows effortlessly between them, filled with the kind of corporate lingo that Kaoru only half-understands.
"We need to finalise the Q3 numbers before the board meeting next week." Dong-Geun remarks.
"Absolutely." Jae-Hwa replies, his voice calm and steady. "And the new marketing strategy for our flagship stores needs to be implemented by the end of this month. We can't afford any delays."
Kaoru tries to follow along, but the intricacies of the conversation slip past him. Instead, he focuses on the cityscape whizzing by, his thoughts drifting back to the upcoming presentation.
When they arrive at the sleek, modern building of KG Company, Kaoru steps out of the car and follows Dong-Geun and Jae-Hwa inside, keeping a respectful distance behind them. The lobby is expansive, filled with polished marble and gleaming glass surfaces. The receptionist greets them with a warm smile, directing them to the conference room on the top floor.
As they ride the elevator up, Kaoru watches Jae-Hwa transform. The previously relaxed demeanour shifts into one of polished professionalism. His back straightens, and a confident aura surrounds him.
When the elevator doors open, they are greeted by representatives from KG Company. The air is filled with a sense of formality as both parties exchange slight bows and present their business cards with both hands, a gesture of professionalism.
Jae-Hwa steps forward, his expression serious yet welcoming, as he accepts a business card and hands his own over.
"Good morning." He says, his voice carrying the perfect blend of authority and cordiality. "I'm Jae-Hwa from Kyeong Corporation. It's a pleasure to meet with you today."
The KG representatives nod and smile. They exchange pleasantries before leading them into a large conference room. Kaoru lingers at the back, watching with a mixture of curiosity and admiration, though he can't shake the feeling of being overlooked. He isn't sure if it's because he's a nameless intern or if it's because he's an omega, but the sense of being ignored stings nonetheless.
The presentation begins.
Jae-Hwa takes the lead, seamlessly transitioning into corporate speak that flows effortlessly from his lips.
"At Kyeong Corporation, we've been focusing on enhancing our customer experience through a multi-channel approach. Our data shows a 15% increase in customer retention in the last quarter alone." Jae-Hwa explains, gesturing to the slides on the screen. "We're looking to expand our partnerships with suppliers who can help us maintain this upward trajectory."
He goes on to discuss metrics, performance indicators, and strategic initiatives, commanding the room with a natural ease. The KG representatives listen intently, occasionally nodding and taking notes.
Kaoru observes, slightly in awe.
This was a side of Jae-Hwa he hadn't seen before– competent, confident, and entirely in his element. Every word is precise, every gesture purposeful. It's clear that Jae-Hwa has a deep understanding of the business and knows exactly how to present their case.
As the presentation progresses, Kaoru finds himself increasingly impressed. Despite his initial annoyance and anger towards Jae-Hwa, he can't deny the man's skill and professionalism. The way he handles questions, addresses concerns, and highlights key points is nothing short of masterful.
The meeting continues smoothly, with Dong-Geun chiming in occasionally to reinforce Jae-Hwa's points and provide additional insights. Kaoru remains quietly attentive, absorbing as much as he can from the experience.
As they break, Kaoru feels a pang of hunger gnawing at his stomach, a reminder of the lunch he left behind in his haste to accompany Dong-Geun and Jae-Hwa for the presentation.
Kaoru finally arrives at the designated cafeteria area, where employees and visitors alike converge to eat. However, the prospect of mingling with unfamiliar faces in such a formal setting leaves him feeling somewhat apprehensive. He can't shake the nagging sensation of being an outsider in this unfamiliar territory.
Instead, he decides to venture out in search of an alternative option. There must be a convenience store nearby where he can grab lunch.
Passing through the cafeteria on the way out, he notices Jae-Hwa seated at a table with a lunchbox in front of him.
"Hey, where are you off to?" Jae-Hwa asks, causing Kaoru to pause.
"Uh, just to grab some lunch." Kaoru responds.
"You didn't bring your own?"
Kaoru hesitates before admitting, "Left it at the office."
A warm smile spreads across Jae-Hwa's face as he gestures to the empty seat beside him. "No worries, you can share mine."
Kaoru eyes the lunchbox, a sting of hunger hitting him anew. Inside, there are layers of kimbap filled with vibrant vegetables and beef, glossy japchae noodles sprinkled with sesame seeds, tender grilled bulgogi, spicy kimchi, and a selection of fresh fruit. The sight and aroma make his stomach rumble, and he feels a surge of gratitude toward Jae-Hwa.
"Did your wife prepare this for you?" He asks, nodding towards the neatly arranged contents.
Cheeks tinting pink, Jae-Hwa shakes his head, his voice slightly hurried. "No, I made it myself. I'm, uh, single."
Kaoru's eyebrows raise in surprise. "Really?"
Jae-Hwa's shy smile is infectious as he extends an invitation. "You wanna try some?"
Kaoru hesitates momentarily, but his stomach is quick to voice its eagerness. Yielding to the temptation, he sits down and deftly plucks up a piece with his chopsticks.
"This is really good." Kaoru remarks, surprise and admiration evident in his tone.
Jae-Hwa's eyes light up at the compliment, happiness radiating from him as he beams, "Thanks, I'm glad you like it."
They continue to eat the shared lunch. Each bite shared between them feels like a small moment of intimacy, a connection forged over a simple meal.
Kaoru finds himself drawn to the warmth in Jae-Hwa's eyes, the way they light up with each shared smile. There's a softness to Jae-Hwa's features that Kaoru hadn't noticed before, a vulnerability that makes his heart flutter with a newfound tenderness.
With each passing moment, the distance between them seems to shrink, until they're sitting close enough for their knees to brush against each other under the table.