Episode 11

 

“I’ll get up first, so let’s chat more.”

 

Han Mi-soon tapped her husband’s arm and got up from her seat. Following her signal, Yoon Seok-hoon and Kim Mi-kyung also stood up, while Tae-seo, who missed the timing to leave together, hesitated and got up belatedly.

 

“Tae-seo, let’s meet again next time. We can have deeper conversations with mom then.”

 

“Yeah, take care.”

 

“Perhaps you’re being too aloof in saying goodbye. Mom’s leaving. See you again.”

 

Han Mi-soon couldn’t take her eyes off Tae-seo until the end, then tapped her son’s back as she turned around. Kang In-hyuk, who reluctantly moved when Tae-seo got up in the presence of the adults, pretended not to notice the signal from his mom as he turned his head away.

 

Once they were alone, an awkward atmosphere enveloped them as if questioning when they had ever been affectionate with each other. Tae-seo, no longer feeling the need to force a smile, sat down and took out his phone with an expressionless face. He checked a message that had been persistently vibrating between his buttocks and the chair.

 

“Yoon Tae-seo.”

 

“Don’t call me and just sit quietly until you leave.”

 

Tae-seo said without even looking at Kang In-hyuk. He wasn’t going to leave right now as he might run into his parents, so he also stayed seated, squirming his buttocks against the chair.

 

It was uncertain whether Tae-seo heard Kang In-hyuk’s words or not. But at least Kang In-hyuk sat obediently in his seat because he had something to say to Tae-seo. And then Kang In-hyuk called out Yoon Tae-seo softly.

 

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it won’t change anything to bring our parents into this. Whether we’re engaged or married, nothing will change, so don’t create situations like today.”

 

“I’m sorry, but I thought I was going to have dinner with my parents and ended up meeting you…”

 

“Don’t pretend like you didn’t arrange this.”

 

“Yeah, I heard your speculation well.”

 

Tae-seo dismissed Kang In-hyuk’s words as he touched the screen of his phone.

 

“Yoon Tae-seo.”

 

Kang In-hyuk’s voice sank under Tae-seo’s attitude of ignoring him. It felt like he would do something like this again next time and claim it was just his speculation. But when Tae-seo lifted his head and their eyes met, Kang In-hyuk felt something unfamiliar. It wasn’t the gaze of Yoon Tae-seo he knew. It wasn’t the gaze that always pretended to be indifferent but secretly hoped for affection towards himself. It was a indifferent and cold gaze.

 

“I didn’t know you were going to meet me today either. I don’t know why our parents arranged this atmosphere, but they just wanted to set the mood with my parents. I didn’t mean to make things awkward between us.”

 

“…How can I believe you?”

 

“It’s a problem that your parents like me and a problem if my parents want to match us up as soon as I become an omega. Yeah, that’s there.”

 

As Tae-seo suddenly changed the subject, one of Kang In-hyuk’s eyebrows twitched. If Tae-seo was playing a prank on him right now, he wanted to tell him to stop.

 

At that moment, Tae-seo brought the phone to his ear. Although his gaze was still fixed on Kang In-hyuk, he was talking to the person he had connected with on the phone.

 

“I’ve changed my mind.”

 

“What suddenly…?”

 

“I want to go on a blind date. Arrange it for me.”

 

“Really?”

 

Kang In-hyuk could hear the other person’s voice coming through the phone as well. When he realized it was the voice of Park Han-soo, he remembered that Tae-seo had promised to set him up on a blind date not long ago.

 

“Don’t change your mind. I’ll set up a blind date for you tomorrow.”

 

“Fine.”

 

Tae-seo replied and hung up the phone. Then, still not taking his eyes off Kang In-hyuk, he said.

 

“Got it? I’ll arrange a blind date and find someone for myself first. You can arrange it yourself.”

 

Tae-seo thought he had already compromised a lot, considering his past behavior. He wouldn’t torment Kang In-hyuk with harsh words like the old Yoon Tae-seo. Now, he only wanted to bear the responsibility that came with the name Tae-seo, without acting more servile than that.

 

“I’ll get up first.”

 

Tae-seo turned his gaze away from Kang In-hyuk and left the room. Outside, he glanced around to see if his parents were there, then sighed softly.

 

His parents suddenly favored him, calling Kang In-hyuk without a word. Kang In-hyuk grumbled about what was going on, and Tae-seo felt suffocated by the whole situation. Next time, he must firmly request not to arrange meetings with In-hyuk’s family.

 

Tae-seo moved his head around, still feeling unresolved fatigue.

 

“Let’s get some sleep.”

 

Until just now, he wondered why he had to endure such trials as Yoon Tae-seo. But now, there was a silver lining. He could freely use the hotel since it belonged to his parents. Tae-seo headed to the desk to use the hotel room instead of going home.

 

***

 

“Oh, goodness.”

 

He had clearly stayed up late and even overslept, and to make matters worse, the day had changed. Tae-seo raised his phone again with still-drowsy eyes, read the message, and put it down.

 

“Shall we meet at XX Cafe at 11?”

 

“Check your messages.”

 

“I’ve already informed her like that. Since you saw it late, you have no choice.”

 

“…Are you ignoring my texts?”

 

“Contact me…”

 

“Are you asleep? Just in case, I’ll leave her number: 010-XXXX-XXXX”

 

“She said she likes you, so make sure to go, okay?”

 

He skimmed through the following messages and checked the time.

 

“11 o’clock…”

 

It was currently 10:50. Even if he hurried to shower and leave, he would definitely be late. Tae-seo blamed himself for not waking up once during the night and roughly tousled his hair. He was about to do something unthinkable to his date, which Kang In-hyuk had arranged.

 

Tae-seo tousled his hair a few more times, then picked up his phone again. Whether Park Han-soo had foreseen this or not, the number he had left captured Tae-seo’s attention completely.

 

After staring at the number for a moment, Tae-seo sighed deeply and dialed the number.

 

***

 

As cold water suppressed the fluttering in Tae-seo’s stomach since morning, someone approached and stood in front of him.

 

“Hi.”

 

The woman lowered her head to look at Tae-seo, and her hair flowed forward. Tae-seo quickly put down the glass of water and offered her an apology.

 

“Hi, sorry for calling you here.”

 

After changing the location, Tae-seo smoothly accepted the fact that his date was of the same age as him during the conversation with Park Han-soo. Of course, since the woman also spoke comfortably to Tae-seo, there seemed to be no problem as she sat across from him.

 

“You suddenly changed the location, so are we going to have a meal at the hotel?”

 

“Oh? Uh, sorry. Actually, I woke up late…”

 

Originally, Tae-seo had asked her to wait a bit as he might be late due to a call. But the woman asked him where he was and said she would come over.

 

“I’m Han Mi-rae.”

 

“Oh, I’m Yoon Tae-seo. And although I called you here, it doesn’t mean anything else. I stayed here last night.”

 

Calling her to a hotel. Tae-seo added an explanation, just in case having coffee and a meal here sounded strange. He emphasized that there was no deeper meaning to it and that he had slept and woken up here.

 

“I slept alone. It’s not like I have a hobby of coming to hotels to sleep…”

 

The more he spoke, the more tangled Tae-seo’s expression became. Then, Han Mi-rae smiled as if she had been relieved of something, and waved her hand to Tae-seo.

 

“It’s okay, this is your parents’ hotel, right?”

 

“Oh? How did you know?”

 

“I saw you.”

 

Tae-seo tilted his head at Han Mi-rae’s words. He had expected Park Han-soo to know his face or name, but he hadn’t thought she would know about his parents’ business. He had never heard such a thing from Park Han-soo.

 

“I actually came to the hotel for the founding anniversary party. I saw you and thought you were nice, but I couldn’t talk to you because you left right away.”

 

“Oh…”

 

At that time, it was the day Seo Da-rae collapsed after drinking the medicine. Although there were many people there, he only noticed Han Mi-rae.

 

“We go to the same school, so I’ve heard your name a few times. Seeing you in person, you seemed okay, so I nagged Han-soo to introduce us. Could you relax a bit…?”

 

He didn’t expect such circumstances. He thought she was just talking…

 

“Should I say thank you?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

Han Mi-rae laughed at Tae-seo’s innocent gratitude.

 

“But you know, right? I might not be as popular as you, but I’m also quite popular. Since pretty me is showing interest in you, you should consider yourself lucky.”

 

Tae-seo burst into a hearty laugh at Han Mi-rae’s cheeky and shameless demeanor. Meeting her for the first time, she was as comfortable as Park Han-soo. Han Mi-rae laughed along with Tae-seo’s laughter.

 

“You look even better when you laugh.”

 

“Wow, you’re the first person who says such things so casually.”

 

“Haven’t you heard that you’re handsome a lot?”

 

“If I say yes, how does that make me?”

 

“You become an objective person, that’s all.”

 

Tae-seo, who had been blushing under Han Mi-rae’s frank manner, finally burst into laughter. Their laughter infected each other, and they looked quite good together. They were a noticeable couple, enough to make passersby turn their heads. And the same was true for Kang Se-heon, who glanced back at their familiar laughter. As Kang Se-heon, who had come to the meeting spot, watched Tae-seo laugh happily with the pretty girl, he muttered as if he knew it all.

 

“That’s why you hid your pheromones.”

 

A couple consisting of a pretty girl and a handsome Tae-seo with cool features seemed to match quite well. They seemed like a fresh couple who had just started dating, so that was all there was to say.

 

But no matter how much he pretended to be a beta, it was still noticeable.

 

After clicking his tongue, Kang Se-heon turned away.