Alpha Trauma Novel - Chapter 20. Cherry Blossom Rain (4)

A straight finger pointed to the top shelf. Strawberry, kiwi, and grape. The voice listing the contents of the bottles was soft and gentle. Finally, Dohyun pointed to the shelf below and spoke in a casual tone.

“The brighter orange one there is orange.”

Wooyeon stared at Dohyun, his eyes wide. Dohyun knew something that even Wooyeon, the homeowner, didn’t, and he acted as if it were nothing. As Wooyeon’s lips parted slightly, Dohyun held the refrigerator door and lowered his gaze.

“You don’t eat carrots, do you?”

“How… did you know?”

The drinks were freshly squeezed by the hired staff themselves. No sugar or other processed ingredients were added, and herbs or vegetables were occasionally mixed in. Naturally, they weren’t sold commercially.

Dohyun blinked as if it were no big deal.

“If we ate together, I’d know that much.”

“……”

The memory of them eating hamburger steak together surfaced. It seemed he remembered Wooyeon picking at the carrot shaped like a flower that was used as a garnish. No, that’s not it. Wooyeon started to say, then thrust the glass bottle in front of Dohyun.

“This is sold,”

Suddenly, his eyes changed. Wooyeon felt a bad premonition and quickly caught himself.

“It is.”

“……What?”

Dohyun asked, looking bewildered. Just then, the refrigerator, which had been open for a long time, let out a warning beep. Wooyeon quickly closed the refrigerator door and turned his back to it.

“It is sold… but nothing is written on it. How did you know what flavor it was?”

“The drink?”

Wooyeon nodded. Dohyun looked at the glass bottle in Wooyeon’s hand and answered lightly.

“I’ve had it before.”

A cold sweat ran down his spine. As soon as he heard those words, memories came flooding back. Since Dohyun had been served a glass during tutoring sessions, it was obvious where he would have tasted the drink.

“It must have been the same… product.”

Wooyeon calmly replied and opened the refrigerator again. Glass bottles identical to the one in his hand were lined up. As he pulled out strawberry, kiwi, and even grape, Dohyun took the glass bottles from him.

“Indeed. They said it was homemade, so it must be something they make and sell.”

What Wooyeon had barely managed to hold with both hands, Dohyun held two at a time in one hand. He placed the drinks on the island counter and added in a light voice.

“There’s a lot of this kind of thing lately.”

That was a close call.

But according to Wooyeon’s memory, Dohyun had drunk the beverage from a cup during tutoring. This would be the first time he’d seen it in a glass bottle, so it was amazing that he recognized it as the same kind at a glance. He probably had good observation skills, or perhaps he mistook it for something similar (the former was more likely).

“And usually, you can tell just by looking at the color.”

His face showed no suspicion at all. Only then did Wooyeon feel completely relieved and began opening various cupboards. Dohyun stood leaning against the table, waiting for Wooyeon.

“What are you looking for?”

“Cups. It would be a bit rude to just give them the bottles.”

“What does it matter? They’d probably drink it straight from the bottle anyway.”

“Still, they’re guests.”

“Guests are…”

Wooyeon heard him mumble, uninvited guests. Wooyeon didn’t bother to reply and opened the upper cupboard. Glass cups were neatly arranged within his precarious reach.

Wooyeon reached out but then turned to Dohyun instead. He had felt it even when Dohyun wore a coat, but with thinner clothes, his straight body line was even more apparent. Dohyun looked at Wooyeon with clear eyes, tilting his head.

“Want me to get it for you?”

In fact, he had looked at him to ask for help. Because seeing himself strain on his tiptoes was somehow incredibly embarrassing. But as soon as he saw Dohyun’s face, all thoughts he had vaporized.

“I’ll get it.”

Why is he so handsome even when he’s just standing still? Perhaps because he was wearing a soft cardigan, Wooyeon felt like he would smell good if he got closer. He felt as if Dohyun’s unique fabric softener scent was tickling the tip of his nose.

Wooyeon shook his head a couple of times and reached for the cupboard. As expected, the height was awkward, and the bottom of the glass just barely touched his fingertips. Ah, if only I were 3cm taller. The moment that thought crossed his mind, the front-most glass tumbled down.

“……!”

Startled, Wooyeon instinctively recoiled. The cup falling from above was aimed directly at his face. His hand, reaching to catch the glass, swished through the air, and he squeezed his eyes shut with a startled expression.

He fully expected to hear the sound of shattering. A transparent glass cup could never survive a fall from this height. His eyelids fluttered, and a chill ran down the back of his neck. Wooyeon even held his breath, waiting for the ensuing crash.

“……”

But after a long moment, no sound was heard around him. Nothing hit his face, and no glass shards flew relentlessly. Noticing the strangeness, Wooyeon slowly began to crack open his eyes.

“Whenever I see you…”

A familiar voice gently began. A faint pheromone could also be felt from the close distance. Beyond his brightened vision, he saw someone holding the glass.

“You make it impossible to look away.”

Dohyun had reached out from behind, as if embracing Wooyeon. He, too, seemed surprised, as a faint trace of pheromone seeped out. He sighed lightly, lowered his head, and met Wooyeon’s wide eyes.

“Are you okay?”

Wooyeon’s eyes widened, and his chest heaved. The dry alpha pheromone ignited a fire in Wooyeon’s stomach. As if, if he didn’t hold his breath, his own pheromone would gush out uncontrollably.

“I’m… okay.”

He managed to answer, but his voice was pitifully strained. He wasn’t thirsty, but every time he opened his mouth, a thirst arose. Wooyeon took shallow breaths repeatedly, blinking with a face burning red.

“Be careful.”

Dohyun quickly widened the distance from Wooyeon. He placed the glass on the table and took out three more from the cupboard. It was a remarkably effortless action, unlike Wooyeon, who had struggled even with both hands and feet.

“……Thank you.”

Even if he tried to suppress his pheromones, he couldn’t stop them from subtly creeping out. His face was so hot it felt like it would explode, and he thought it would be dangerous if he stayed like this. Wooyeon, flustered, covered his ears and turned his back to Dohyun.

“I… um… I, I really need to use the restroom…”

Dohyun had no time to reply. Wooyeon hastily passed Dohyun and ran into the bedroom, lest someone try to stop him. There was a restroom in the living room area too, but he didn’t have the confidence to pass by Garam and Seongyu.

Click. As the door closed, Wooyeon slid down to the floor. Burying his face in his raised knees, he could hear his heart pounding loudly. Thump, thump, a fierce beat like a drum echoed throughout his entire body.

“Ugh…”

He had felt this way a long, long time ago. Back when Dohyun was his tutor, Wooyeon would get excited over the smallest things. It was like that when their eyes accidentally met, and the same when their fingertips brushed by chance. Just seeing his face was so embarrassing that he wished he hadn’t fallen for him.

But now, he was going through the same process again. Wooyeon placed a hand on his chest and took a deep breath. He repeated to himself countless times that this shouldn’t happen, but once his heart had opened, it quickly rattled.

“…I’m doomed.”

The pheromone, seeping out from his emotions, billowed and filled the room. No matter how he thought about it, this time, it was truly dangerous.

Wooyeon generally didn’t trust people easily. As is common for those with privilege, his mother displayed typical characteristics of the ruling class, and his surroundings were filled only with those whose intentions were dark. Since similar patterns appeared wherever he went, Wooyeon’s world gradually became narrower.

Wooyeon’s first step into society was middle school. Enrolling in school at the age of 14, he harbored modest expectations and enjoyed his freedom. However, the school environment was not as easy as he had imagined.

After just one month, Wooyeon was bullied. Two years later, he met Dohyun, only to part ways when the semester changed. The brief encounter, fleeting as the blink of an eye, became an opportunity for him to learn how to trust others.

In a way, it was almost irresistible. The teacher was kind, gentle, and cared for Wooyeon without expecting anything in return. Although his actions might have stemmed from a sense of duty, the outcome was salvation. How could he not have fallen in love with Dohyun?

The emotions that had gradually permeated him became an ebb tide only after completely soaking Wooyeon. Even if he was no longer submerged up to his neck, it would take time for his soaked body to dry. If he let his guard down for a moment, he would surely catch a fever instantly.

“You changed clothes?”

“Yeah, it was uncomfortable.”

Wooyeon emerged from the room a long time later. By the time he had tidied up the pheromones he’d released and washed his face, a considerable amount of time had passed. The three others were studying with their heads together, and Wooyeon joined them to prepare for the quiz on Friday.

Before long, dusk began to fall outside the window. It was a time when it wouldn’t be strange to eat dinner, but Wooyeon lacked the knack to casually suggest a meal. Naturally, they rose from their seats, promising to meet for the next study session.

“Are you sure you don’t need me to see you out?”

“It’s fine! We’re not kids.”

“Yeah, just stay.”

Garam and Seongyu steadfastly refused Wooyeon’s escort. He wanted to at least go out to the elevator, but even that was ultimately rejected. Their reason was that since they had come unannounced, he should rest comfortably now.

“Please go home safely.”

Left with no choice, Wooyeon awkwardly saw them off at the entrance. He vaguely nodded when they asked to see the second floor next time. Dohyun, who had been quiet all along, only offered his farewell just before the front door closed.

“See you tomorrow.”

Thump. The closed door cut off interaction with the outside. A quiet stillness settled, bringing a sense of empty buoyancy. He trudged further inside, rubbing his tired eyes.

“……”

He didn’t want to like him, but he felt like he would. The future, already destined, was not something that could be changed by struggling against it.