"Hello, Noona."
"Seonwoo, it's been a while. This is Nam Seonwoo, Nam Junwoo's younger brother. He's been friends with Choi Iwon since they were kids."
"Ah, Nam Junwoo?"
"He's a good kid. ...Seonwoo, this is Eun Uyeon from Simjin."
The woman in the dress standing beside Choi Iri looked at him with an intense gaze.
Her soft light-brown hair, matching eyes, long thick eyelashes, and high-bridged nose...
She looked remarkably like someone Seonwoo had been seeing almost every day lately.
Today's gathering was an informal banquet celebrating the launch of a new subsidiary founded by Director Hwang Seonmi, Choi Iri's mother.
Naturally, not only the Myeonghyeon family but representatives from other corporations had come to offer congratulations...
Still, Seonwoo hadn't expected Simjin to attend.
This was the first time Choi Iri and Eun Uyeon had appeared together in public.
It was practically a declaration of their future intentions.
If Iwon found out about this before arriving...
Swallowing his concern, Seonwoo bowed politely.
"Hello. I'm Nam Seonwoo."
Eun Uyeon acknowledged his greeting with only the slightest nod.
As expected, she wasn't particularly friendly.
It was almost fascinating.
She shared similar features with the rather adorable Eun Hyeonchae, yet her entire atmosphere was so cold.
Surely...
Hyeonchae didn't come too, did he?
Even as he bowed, his eyes quietly swept across the banquet hall.
Perhaps it was too obvious where he was looking.
Choi Iri smiled.
"Looking for someone?"
"Haha. Sorry. I thought I saw someone I knew. Guess I was mistaken."
"Isn't it a little rude to let your attention wander with a beauty standing right in front of you? This is your first time meeting Uyeon today, isn't it?"
Her tone was playful.
But beneath it lay a warning.
She knew he'd already investigated the relationship between the two women.
Understanding the implication, Seonwoo answered with exaggerated ease.
"Of course. I'm trying my best to make a good impression. Don't be so harsh, Noona."
"I'm joking."
"I should get going then. Enjoy the party. See you next time."
Leaving the banquet hall, Seonwoo wandered aimlessly through the lobby and toward the main entrance.
Only after stepping outside into the cold air did he realize he'd been searching through the crowd for someone.
Someone he wasn't even sure had come.
I must be losing my mind.
Laughing at himself, Seonwoo ran a rough hand through his hair before turning back.
Just as he headed inside again, someone grabbed his arm from behind.
"Nam Seonwoo! What're you doing here?"
"...Ha Seungbin?"
Turning at the familiar voice, Seonwoo found himself staring at someone who was supposed to be in America.
Blinking in surprise, he asked,
"When did you get back to Korea? And what are you doing here?"
"Not long ago. About a week? I tried calling you, but you'd changed your number."
"Ah... that was a while ago."
"You brat. If you're going to change your number, at least tell people. Anyway, let's sit down instead of standing here."
Ha Seungbin had attended the same schools as Seonwoo all the way through elementary and middle school before suddenly leaving to study abroad in high school.
Seonwoo had heard he was studying music.
So why had he suddenly returned to Korea?
And why was he at an event like this?
Following Seungbin to a quiet seating area, Seonwoo listened while sipping light champagne.
Seungbin explained everything—from coming back to Korea to being dragged here today by his uncle.
"When are you going back?"
"No idea. I stopped everything and came here on impulse. Haah... Maybe I should just quit altogether."
"I thought you didn't want to join the company."
"I can't come up with any new compositions. I'm depressed."
"There's no rush. Think it over slowly."
"Yeah. I'm gonna make up for all the fun I missed while I was overseas. You'd better actually come out when I call. Stop hanging around Choi Iwon all the time. Oh, speaking of that... can I crash at your place for a few days? I came back without telling my sister, so I've got nowhere to stay."
"My place? You'll have to leave at night. You okay with that?"
Hearing Seonwoo's shameless addition, Seungbin waved him off in disgust.
"Forget it. You enjoy yourself."
"You can still come."
"I'm not going!"
Chuckling, Seonwoo lifted his glass—
Then raised an eyebrow as Seungbin suddenly stood.
"Hyeonchae! What brings you to a place like this?"
Turning around, Seonwoo found Eun Hyeonchae standing there with a surprised expression.
The instant he saw him, unexpected happiness welled up inside him.
Flustered by his own reaction, Seonwoo could only wet his dry lips with his tongue.
Hyeonchae strode over and greeted him somewhat awkwardly.
"...Hello, senior."
"Senior? Senior? Oh, right! You both go to Korea University. Wait... you're not in the same department too, are you?"
Before Seungbin could launch into another stream of chatter, Seonwoo hurriedly shoved his empty glass into his hands.
"Seungbin. Go get us some more drinks."
"Already finished yours? Hyeonchae, you're drinking too, right? I'll bring the same thing."
The moment Seungbin walked away, Seonwoo turned back to Hyeonchae.
At some point Hyeonchae had wandered close enough to be standing right in front of him.
His eyes sparkled.
He looked like an invisible tail was wagging behind him.
A teasing smile tugged at Seonwoo's lips.
"So... you followed me all the way here?"
The unexpected question made Hyeonchae jump.
He hurriedly shook his head.
"No. I came because of family business. Really."
"..."
"Senior..."
Seeing him panic so much, Seonwoo finally burst into laughter.
"I'm kidding. I know Simjin came. I already greeted Ms. Eun Uyeon earlier."
Unable to tear his eyes away from Seonwoo's smiling face, Hyeonchae quietly moved his lips.
"So... you knew.
About my family... and my sister."
"Of course I knew. ...Don't tell me you thought you'd managed to hide it this whole time?"
That would've been a little shocking.
Fortunately, Hyeonchae shook his head.
"No... it's just...
You never said anything."
Absentmindedly playing with the napkin on the table, Hyeonchae glanced up at Seonwoo before whispering,
"Actually... before I came, I was hoping...
That maybe I'd get to see you."
As expected.
Hyeonchae had thoroughly investigated Seonwoo's family and every connection they had to Myeonghyeon.
It wasn't surprising anymore.
After staring at him for a while, Seonwoo finally spoke.
"Same here."
"Hm?"
"I was hoping too.
That you might be here."
"...What do you mean by that?"
Looking at those cheeks flushing with color and those bright light-brown eyes sparkling with life, Seonwoo finally admitted it.
He was attracted to the Alpha standing in front of him.
If it were Eun Hyeonchae...
Maybe he really could give it a try.
But...
Not today.
Seeing Seungbin returning from the distance carrying drinks, Seonwoo leaned back and shook his head.
"It doesn't mean anything."
"Senior...!"
"What were you two talking about?"
Beaming cheerfully, Seungbin squeezed himself between them and set the glasses down.
It turned out the two of them had first met in America through a mutual acquaintance while Seungbin was studying abroad.
Unlike Seonwoo, who hadn't even known Seungbin had returned to Korea, Hyeonchae had apparently already known.
They seemed closer than Seonwoo had expected.
Hyeonchae remained as quiet as ever.
Seungbin chatted enough for three people.
Seonwoo responded every so often to keep the conversation going.
After learning that Hyeonchae and Seonwoo were senior and junior in Schuphur, Seungbin stared at Hyeonchae in surprise.
"You joined Schuphur?"
"Yes. I'm interested in skiing."
Hearing that familiar excuse again, Seonwoo couldn't help laughing softly.
Even that tiny laugh made Hyeonchae perk up, secretly glancing sideways in an attempt to catch another smile.
Knowing the relationship between Myeonghyeon and Simjin, Seungbin asked curiously,
"But Choi Iwon's the club president." Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
"So?"
Hyeonchae answered as though it meant absolutely nothing.
Instead, Seungbin ended up scratching his head awkwardly.
"Well... if it doesn't matter to you, never mind. Anyway, don't you guys do some kind of training camp?"
"Yeah. Ski camp. About three weeks at a ski resort."
Seungbin's eyes lit up.
"I want to go too! I've been wondering what to do this winter. That sounds perfect."
"Outsiders aren't allowed."
"Who said anything about joining your camp? I'll stay at a villa and book private lessons instead. Once your schedule's over, we can all hang out."
"...Suit yourself."
Knowing Seungbin wouldn't listen no matter what he said, Seonwoo gave up trying to stop him.
Just as he reached for his glass, he locked eyes with Iwon approaching from across the room.
His twisted expression.
His flushed face.
A bad feeling settled in Seonwoo's chest.
The moment he sensed the pheromones leaking uncontrollably from Iwon as he drew closer, Seonwoo shot to his feet.
"Iwon."
"What are you doing here?"
Iwon demanded fiercely.
It was obvious he was furious.
As Seonwoo calmly assessed the situation, the oblivious Seungbin stood as well and greeted him brightly.
"Choi Iwon! Where've you been? I was just saying this winter I wanted to go to your ski camp—"
"Nam Seonwoo.
Come here."
After glaring at Seonwoo, Iwon spun around sharply.
Seungbin looked back and forth between them in confusion.
"...Huh? Did you two fight?"
"I'll call you later. I'm heading out first."
Patting Seungbin on the shoulder, Seonwoo followed after Iwon.
Iwon didn't stop until they reached the garden outside.
Even though he knew Seonwoo had followed him, he refused to turn around.
Letting out a quiet sigh at his back, Seonwoo called softly,
"Iwon."
"What the hell is Eun Hyeonchae doing here? Why's that bastard here? And what's with you, Nam Seonwoo?!"
"...Ms. Eun Uyeon came too. I think Noona Iri invited Simjin."
"Damn it, Choi Iri!"
Iwon cursed through clenched teeth and slammed his foot against the ground.
Still fuming, he rounded on Seonwoo.
"If you knew that, you should've come looking for me first! Instead I had to search everywhere for you, only to find you laughing and chatting with that bastard!"
His raised voice drew attention from people nearby.
Seonwoo grabbed Iwon by the arm and pulled him into an embrace.
The dense pheromones made it difficult to breathe, but he didn't show it.
Instead, he slowly rubbed Iwon's back.
"I thought you were with Heejun. That's why I didn't contact you. Calm down."
"You think I can calm down right now?!
We're not going to stay college students forever!
How long are you going to keep pretending not to know?
Once you join Myeonghyeon...
If Choi Iri takes control, do you really think you'll be safe?
Nam Junwoo...
Director Nam...
They'll replace every last one of you!"
"I know. I know...
Iwon.
Choi Iri's here.
The Chairman's here too.
Don't make a scene.
Control your pheromones."
As Seonwoo continued soothing him with gentle strokes, Iwon's violent trembling gradually subsided.
Only after feeling the pheromones dispersing from the air and Iwon's breathing finally steady against his shoulder did Seonwoo allow himself to relax.
It's getting worse again lately...
Should I tell someone?
His thoughts grew tangled.
Quietly catching his breath, Seonwoo happened to glance toward a nearby pillar.
There—
Half-hidden behind it, using his large frame in a thoroughly unsuccessful attempt to conceal himself— stood Hyeonchae.
Their eyes met.