“……”
“It’s not about dating, and it’s not about being your real guardian.”
“……”
“So, I’ve been thinking since then. What I want to do with you.”
With a much more weighty and solemn voice than usual, Kwon Taejung’s words tapped into Yigyeom’s heart, stirring up distinct emotions that completely absorbed Kwon Taejung’s voice. Within Yigyeom’s mind, clear emotions clashed, emotions that were incredibly apparent but foolishly hidden deep inside.
“It wasn’t confusing or difficult at all. It was so clear that it was bewildering.”
“……”
“I want to date you.”
At the mention of dating, Yigyeom involuntarily raised his head and looked at Kwon Taejung with a flushed face. Despite smiling at him, Kwon Taejung’s eyes were more serious than ever.
With eyes unwavering, Yigyeom’s lips trembled slightly. Amid the parted lips, there was a mix of excitement and nervousness, causing a fluttering sensation.
Amidst the silent anticipation, a knock resounded. Along with Kwon Taejung’s short response, the door opened, revealing a cart with food. Blushing up to his neck, Yigyeom covered his lips and lowered his head.
‘I want to date you.’
Although Yigyeom had heard words about wanting to meet or date multiple times before, never had those words made him feel embarrassed or jittery. It was because there was absolutely no liking involved.
There was no situation to meet someone, and his heart wasn’t into it, yet he always gauged the other person’s reaction whenever he declined. He always felt tense, hoping not to upset them and feeling sorry for declining.
Sometimes, even when the other person got embarrassed and changed the topic or got angry, Yigyeom, as the rejected party, endured the harsh words, thinking it was natural.
“……”
It was undoubtedly like that, but Kwon Taejung’s words were different. Just that one sentence made Yigyeom constantly feel like leaning in, wanting to rely on him. What would it feel like to date such a charming and caring person?
Remembering the gentle touch that used to sweep over his back before falling asleep and the smiling face that tilted while looking at him before bedtime, Yigyeom impulsively tapped the table with his heated fingertips.
If his situation had improved even a bit, he would have been genuinely delighted, but he remained in the same bleak place as before.
In a place where even the thought of dating seemed absurd, Yigyeom knew too well that feeling excited and nervous about Kwon Taejung’s words was itself absurd.
“Enjoy your time.”
After explaining about the food, the staff member left, and Yigyeom met eyes with Kwon Taejung again.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Tlusfbw, P tbqf sbe’ii atlcx jybea la veglcu atf gfwjlclcu wbcat. Qtja sbe kjca klat wf.”
“……”
“Qlii sbe?”
Rbvvlcu delfais, Tlusfbw yla tlr lccfg ilq rboais. Vfflcu Bkbc Kjfpecu’r rwlilcu ojmf vfrqlaf atja rwjii wbnfwfca, tlr tfjga gjmfv jcv alutafcfv.
Tlusfbw xcfk. Ktf wbwfca tf tfjgv Bkbc Kjfpecu’r kbgvr, bg gjatfg, fnfc yfobgf atja, tlr jcrkfg kjr jigfjvs klatlc tlw. Dea tjnlcu atf gluta ab nblmf la, ab wjxf la j reypfma, atja kjr vloofgfca. Vb Tlusfbw ofia j ilaaif vlrjqqblcafv.
“……”
No, actually, very much so.
***
Even while working part-time, Yigyeom’s mind kept wandering. Of course, it was because of Kwon Taejung.
‘I want to date you.’
Even though there was no chance or subject for something like dating, Kwon Taejung’s words lingered incessantly in Yigyeom’s mind. Not even a little, not at all would they fade away, which was awkward.
“Hello.”
“…Oh, welcome.”
Standing dazedly behind the counter, Yigyeom snapped out of it when he noticed a human figure and offered a delayed greeting. As he looked up, he saw the man who had given him his business card not long ago.
“Today, I’ll have the biggest size of green tea latte, and um… one piece of Basque cheesecake, please.”
“Yes, the biggest size of green tea latte and one piece of Basque cheesecake… that will be ten thousand won.”
Taking the card and completing the transaction, Yigyeom hesitated to leave even after finishing, meeting eyes with the man again. The man seemed quite upset.
“Why didn’t you mention having a boyfriend?”
“…What?”
“I mean, I didn’t expect this.”
“…What are you talking about?”
Yigyeom explained to Kwon Taejung what had just happened while making the green tea latte. He mentioned feeling angry because the man had a partner yet got angry after receiving the business card. Then, he added the odd talk about smelling like an Alpha from the man.
Recalling how Kwon Taejung had intoxicated him with his pheromones while he slept, Yigyeom nodded. Fortunately, the effect of the pheromones was clear.
“I drove you home yesterday, didn’t I?”
“…Yes.”
“I went to get some water from the fridge for a moment, and I saw you hugging my clothes while sleeping.”
Yigyeom, who was whipping cream on the green tea latte, looked at Kwon Taejung with surprised eyes. His eyes widened, and his ears, cheeks, and neck turned very red, which was incredibly cute.
“So, while my clothes had pheromones, they got on you too.”
“Uh…?”
“I did it because I didn’t want others to bother you, and luckily, it seems to have worked.”
With a non-flat, domed lid placed on top, Yigyeom, with a fiery face, took out the cheesecake and then rang the bell to call for service. The man soon returned, avoiding Kwon Taejung, and hastily grabbed the tray with the beverages and cake, fleeing to his seat.
“Are you upset?”
“…Yes?”
“Come to think of it, it doesn’t seem right to do as I please… We’re not even dating. I’m sorry.”
Seeing Yigyeom pretend to be pitiful, Kwon Taejung reached out inside the counter. Yigyeom hesitated for a moment, then lightly grasped the tip of his fingers.
“If you don’t want it, I won’t do it next time.”
Yigyeom, tracing Kwon Taejung’s long fingers, looked up with a blushing face and met his eyes. For some reason, knowing that he was using Kwon Taejung’s pheromones felt good.
It wasn’t that bad that others could also know about it. If there was one regret, it was that due to alcohol, I couldn’t remember anything, not even what had happened that day.
“…Other people might get upset, but because it’s Chief, it’s okay.”
“……”
“You did it because you were thinking about me… Worried that there might be a problem with other Alphas….”
I wondered just how kind someone had to be to interpret my dangerous and low-quality maneuvering so cleanly. Kwon Taejung laughed, facing Yigyeom’s completely unconfused words and thoughts.
“Yeah, that too.”
“……”
“I also want others to know that you’re mine.”
“……”
“But you’re not entirely mine yet.”
Smiling gently, Kwon Taejung turned the held hand, slowly intertwining his fingers with Yigyeom’s. As he lightly touched Yigyeom’s shoulder after running his perfectly trimmed nails over his hand, Yigyeom’s shoulders twitched.
“Is it about an hour until it’s over?”
“…Yes? Oh… Yes.”
“I’ll wait. I was upset secretly watching from outside, but now that I see you, I’m happy.”
With his soothing voice and gaze, Yigyeom seemed to have forgotten how to breathe. Wanting to let his hand linger a little longer, to let it come closer, Yigyeom reluctantly looked at the slipping fingers when he moved away, feeling disappointed.
“Shall I make hot chocolate for you?”
“Yeah. Let’s make yours too and drink together. Let’s pay together with this…”
Grabbing Kwon Taejung’s arm as he reached for his wallet, Yigyeom hurriedly stopped him and shook his head. Without saying anything, Kwon Taejung understood Yigyeom’s feelings and nodded. Finally releasing his arm, Yigyeom steamed enough milk for two cups.
“Yigyeom.”
“…Yes?”
Seeing his sweetie heating milk was so adorable, he just wanted to touch him continuously. Sometimes he wanted to call out his name for no reason, wanted to meet his eyes again, and even felt like leaping over the counter to do something reckless.
“Just because.”
“……”
“Because you’re beautiful.”
Yigyeom, completely flushed, turned his head away from the milk froth, made by the steamer, avoiding eye contact. His heart raced, and he felt feverish all over. Rubbing his flushed fingertips over the apron, Yigyeom sneakily glanced at Kwon Taejung for a moment before lowering his head again.
“……”
It seemed like he had been heated up even more than the milk.
Good they are communicating. Thanks for the translation.