A strange car was parked in front of the house, and next to it stood Hyeseong with an unknown man. Naturally, the aunt would find it strange. It was then that Hyeseong’s senses suddenly returned. He had been so distracted that he forgot about the possibility of them being late.



This was their house, after all.



“…Aunt. You’re back early?”



Hyeseong quickly stepped in front of the two.



“Is that so? But I’ve been out for over two hours…”



While talking to Hyeseong, the aunt naturally shifted her gaze. Towards the tall, sturdy man standing there.



It was the same for the uncle. No matter how much Hyeseong tried to hide it, it was impossible to conceal that physique.



“Ah, well…”



Hyeseong scratched his head. He needed to explain something, but he couldn’t think of the right words.



Both of them knew about Ihyeok’s existence. Of course, they couldn’t say they didn’t know at all since Hyeseong had been with him for six years. However, this was the first time they had encountered him like this, and given the situation, it was a bit strange.



How would he explain that the former CEO of the company he had already left had come all the way here? Especially at a time approaching midnight.



“Hello.”



As Hyeseong was scratching his head and pondering, Ihyeok slowly approached from the side. He bowed first with a gentle smile.



“Nice to meet you. I’m Kwon Ihyeok, CEO of Taesung Corporation. I’m also Hyeseong’s former boss.”



“Oh my! I thought your face looked strangely familiar. I wasn’t mistaken.”



“But why have you come at this hour? Especially as a former employer…”



While the aunt was smiling brightly at Ihyeok’s smile, the uncle pointed out the part Hyeseong had been worried about.



“Uncle, that’s…”



“I apologize for coming so rudely first. Actually, I had something important to tell Hyeseong.”



“That’s right. I had some urgent company matters to discuss with Ahju… I mean, the CEO. That’s why he came all the way here.”



Hyeseong finally came up with a proper excuse. Then the uncle made another valid point.



“But you’ve already resigned, isn’t it a bit late to be asking about things now?”



“Uncle, you know I was the CEO’s secretary. I’ve done all the handovers, but if any problems come up, I still contact him occasionally. But suddenly, something extremely important happened at the company.”



Seemingly starting to understand the lie-armed explanation, the uncle finally nodded. Even in this situation, Ihyeok’s gaze, fixed only on him, made Hyeseong feel like his side profile was burning.



“Why are you prying so much into the kid’s business?”



The aunt slapped the uncle’s arm and pushed his back, telling him to go inside first.



“So, did the talk go well?”



Did it go well? What were we talking about in the first place? Right, didn’t Ihyeok say something about loving me, wanting to hug me, and something about my lips?



His mind and heart, which had calmed down due to the unexpected appearance of a third party, seemed to be burning up again.



“Well, that…”



“Actually, we haven’t finished our conversation yet.”



Anyway, now that the aunt and uncle had appeared, they couldn’t continue that kind of conversation. Hyeseong was about to wrap up the situation roughly when Ihyeok suddenly jumped in.



“Oh, is that so?”



“Yes. It’s an extremely important matter.”



“Is it that important?”



“Yes. It’s a matter that my life depends on. I think the conversation might take a bit longer.”



Hyeseong turned his head to look at Ihyeok. He tried hard to protest with his eyes, asking what he was talking about, but now Ihyeok wasn’t looking at his face. The aunt, seeing Hyeseong’s expression, smiled discreetly.



“But isn’t it quite late now? Besides, it’s cold to keep standing out here at night.”



Hyeseong’s eyes sparkled, looking at his aunt as if she were some kind of savior.



“Since it’s come to this, why don’t you go inside and talk?”



“Yeah… What? Aunt, what did you just say…”



He thought she was on his side, but she wasn’t. The aunt, whatever she was thinking, was smiling and telling Ihyeok to come into the house.



“Then, I’ll shamelessly impose on you for a moment.”



“Of course, that’s fine. You’re Hyeseong’s guest.”



“If I had known this would happen, I should have brought something. I feel sorry coming empty-handed.”



“Oh, don’t worry about it. If you insist, I’ll look forward to it next time you come.”



Ihyeok and the aunt hit it off really well, even though they had met less than 5 minutes ago. Leaving Hyeseong standing there still dumbfounded, the two of them went into the house side by side.



“Haah…”



Hyeseong sighed deeply. How did things end up like this? Just a few minutes ago, he had been alone inside, digging a hole and lost in thought, but now it felt like that was a long time ago. He wanted to ask just how many bombs Kwon Ihyeok was planning to drop in his heart.



Today too, because of Ihyeok, Hyeseong’s heart had no peace. The sky he suddenly looked at held a full moon. Unlike someone’s complicated heart, it was shining so brightly it was dazzling.



As Hyeseong was blankly looking up at the sky, he heard his aunt’s voice telling him to come in quickly.



Hyeseong sighed deeply again and moved his heavy feet.



* * *



The saying that you can’t foresee even an inch ahead in life was true. It had been just a few days since he made a bombshell statement to the person he had been in love with for 6 years. Now that person came to say he loved him, and suddenly barged into his house.



“What? S-sleep over, you say? Aunt, what are you talking about?”



And now, there was even talk of Ihyeok staying overnight at the house.



“No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem right to just send him back now. It’s well past midnight. For now, stay tonight and talk tomorrow or later, okay?”



The aunt spoke as if coaxing a whining child. Hyeseong looked at his uncle, who had made such cool and plausible observations earlier, with eyes seeking help.



“Oh, is fishing your hobby?”



“Yes. These days I’m too busy to go often, but in the past, I used to go whenever I had time off.”



But somehow Ihyeok had even managed to win over the uncle, and the two men were chatting excitedly in the kitchen.



“You go and get some comfortable clothes from your uncle’s closet. Oh, and since there’s no suitable room, it would be best if you sleep together in your room, Hyeseong.”



“There’s that small room over there, isn’t there?”



“Ah, that’s being used like a storage room, it wouldn’t be right to give it to a guest. What’s the problem?”



What’s the problem, you ask? That person is an alpha. And I’m an omega who’s in love with him.



The aunt could speak so casually because she didn’t know yet that Hyeseong’s nature had changed. But he couldn’t reveal the major issue of omega manifestation here and now.



The problem didn’t end there.



“Honey, let’s go to bed now. Hyeseong and the guest must be tired too, stop keeping them.”



Scolded by the aunt, the uncle went into the room with his lips pursed. Naturally, only Hyeseong and Ihyeok were left in the living room.



Ihyeok was staring intently at Hyeseong without saying a word. The persistent gaze, to the point of being blatant, made him feel a bit embarrassed. The aunt could say that because she didn’t know. Because she didn’t know anything about the conversation and situation the two had just had. That was the biggest problem for Hyeseong right now.



“Are you angry?”



Ihyeok, who had approached by now, asked carefully.



“…No. I’ll bring you some comfortable clothes. Just a moment.”



Hyeseong handed Ihyeok his uncle’s loose-fitting sweatpants and shirt. After changing in the bathroom and coming out, he naturally entered the room where Hyeseong was currently staying. When the uncle wore it, he looked like a common neighborhood ajusshi, but looking at Ihyeok now, he looked like a model for home wear advertisements.



“You can sleep here.”



“Where are you going?”



As Hyeseong got up, grabbing his phone, Ihyeok furrowed his brow.



“I was going to go to the room next door. It seems a bit… You can just use this room comfortably.”



Of course, the aunt had said for them to use the same room, but that was clearly unreasonable.



“Stay here.”



“Then do you want to go to the other room?”



“No.”



His answer was a bit unexpected. Given Ihyeok’s personality, Hyeseong thought he would offer to bear the discomfort first.



“Then…”



“We’ll sleep together, you and I.”



Hyeseong turned his head, creaking like a broken robot.



“Sleep with me. Okay?”



“No, Ahjussi… what are you…”



Did this person realize what he was saying? Hyeseong felt like his mouth was drying up.



“I won’t bother you by talking. Just stay with me, Hyeseong. I thought I was going to die these past few days.”



What on earth could have made him feel like he was dying… Hyeseong lowered his head at the familiar warmth caressing his hand. Ihyeok was stroking his hand like before. He gently held his hand as if asking for permission, softly caressing his palm.



Hyeseong gulped. No matter what, it didn’t seem right for him, an unstable omega, to be with Ihyeok.



But didn’t Ihyeok just say he thought he was going to die? Well, the meaning of his words was still hard to interpret, but wouldn’t it be a bit cruel to go to another room when someone said they almost died?



He still couldn’t fully accept the words Ihyeok had given him. He was still confused, but as his aunt said, since it was too late, wouldn’t it be okay to postpone thinking until later?



“Then, we’re really just sleeping.”



“Huh?”



“I said we’re just sleeping. Normally…”



Hyeseong lowered his head, seeming embarrassed.



Realizing the intention a beat late, Ihyeok bit the inside of his cheek hard. He felt like he might burst into uncontrollable laughter at any moment. If he didn’t inflict some pain on himself, he felt like he might unconsciously start touching Hyeseong.



Ihyeok barely managed to compose his expression and then slightly bent his knees. He struggled to meet Hyeseong’s eyes, who was only looking at the ground with his head tilted.



“Okay, that’s great.”



Hyeseong’s face turned as red as a tomato. He quickly shook off Ihyeok’s hand and slipped into the blanket first.