“Can you just decide to be an Omega or an Alpha because you want to?”
Fine, let’s say the plausibility checks out. Then why am I not a Beta? I wished for it harder than anyone! It’s unfair—damn it!
“If anyone bothers you, tell me. I, a dominant Alpha, will take care of it in one shot! Hah-hah!”
Truth is, there was a jerk until a few days ago, but he’s already been forcibly transferred, so I didn’t bother adding that.
“I got strong all thanks to you, Hyung!”
Everything Haram quoted from his memories of me was true.
I said it because I knew the sad end waiting for him.
If he was destined to be a pitiable dominant Omega, I wanted him at least to grow strong and smart enough to put a stop to some mentally ill, love-starved madman.
I had no confidence I could just stand by and watch this bright, lively kid sink into gloom.
So I “educated” not only Baek Seolheon but Haram as well—thoroughly.
So-called gaslighting to live strong.
Live-strong-lighting.
‘But I didn’t think he’d get so strong he’d sweep national martial arts tournaments and even become a dominant Alpha….’
What is this? What’s the cause? In this insane world, wasn’t the insane secondary sex supposed to be fixed by fate? Can you change it with effort and will alone? Could an Alpha become a Beta—can I dare hope for that?
‘Anyway… I guess this is… good…?’
While I floundered in the whirlpool of confusion, a strange relief settled in my chest.
Because I was sure the horrific ending I’d read in print would never replay for Haram.
‘There won’t be some lunatic who locks up a huge Alpha and does this and that to him.’
For a moment, I recalled the novel’s final scene I’d forgotten.
[Now… I’m finally free.]
With that, Haram sank half-submerged into the winter sea and breathed his last, alone.
Even if I forgot all the rest, that tragic end stayed vivid in my mind.
That kind of lonely death won’t ever come for Haram again.
I smiled to myself, satisfied.
‘Good for you, Haram.’
…But here’s the thing.
Why am I an Alpha! And why am I suffering from a Pheromone allergy the original never even had!
Please, even now, make me a normal Beta with nothing to do with Pheromones!
“But Hyung, why are you sitting so far away? I’m hurt.”
While I was lost in thought, Haram scooted his chair closer to me.
That oppressive Pheromone pressure that could drop my blood oxygen in an instant crushed over me, and I threw up a hand to stop him.
“Sorry to rain on your parade, Haram.”
“Huh? What?”
“If you wanted to protect me, being a dominant Alpha… was the wrong call. You should’ve become a Beta.”
“What?! Why!”
At his thunderstruck protest, I decided, after a brief hesitation, to confess my condition.
“V—VIPS syndrome? A Pheromone allergy…?”
Hearing the exact diagnosis, Haram just mouthed silently, dazed.
Like he’d heard a massive temple bell ring—his face looked enlightened.
“Th-then you’re… in pain right now? Because of me? Because I’m a dominant Alpha?”
“If I take my meds I can manage. But I’ll need more than usual. Dominant Pheromones really are strong….”
“W-what do I do? I’m still bad at controlling my Pheromones! Are you sure you’re okay, Hyung? Should I leave your room right now? Leave the apartment complex? Leave Seoul? Should I go back to Spain?!”
“Haram. I appreciate the concern, but calm down a little. When you get worked up, the scent gets stronger….”
“Argh, Hyung! Your face is getting whiter and whiter! Where—where’s the medicine? I’ll feed it to you!”
I said don’t come closer, you brat!
Past or present, Haram’s bouncy personality always goes who-knows-where.
He flailed around in a panic looking for the meds, and before I knew it the room was filled with his Pheromones.
Like being shut in a car trunk while someone dumps a hundred bottles of heavy musk cologne in there.
In other words, I was going to die.
‘Nope. This won’t do. I’m going to pass out again.’
Resigned, I was a smile away from planting my head on the floor when—
Thunk.
A small body propped me up.
“S-Seolheon! Long time no see! Oh, right! Do you know where Hyung’s meds are…!”
“Get out.”
My head was spinning from the vicious nausea; I couldn’t get a full read on the situation.
I only knew Baek Seolheon’s voice was colder than ever before.
“It’s bad for Hyung’s body. Get out now.”
“At least the meds first….”
“Don’t scatter that filthy smell around our home.”
A chill swept the air.
I was just about to lift my head and stop them both when Haram beat me to it.
“Got it! If Hyung’s sick, of course I should go!”
As he stepped out, he tossed back a joke,
“Hyung, is he in puberty? He’s super snappy.”
“Get out.”
With the second eviction order, Haram forced a smile and murmured to me,
“Sorry, Geonho hyung. See you next time.”
It didn’t leave a good aftertaste.
“Hyung, open your mouth.”
Seolheon clamped my jaw hard.
It was the first time he’d ever handled me so forcefully.
He’s six years younger than me, yet he was incredibly strong.
“W-wait. I can—”
“Open.”
“Ugh.”
Catching me off guard, his fingers slid down my throat.
He might be young, but his hands were bigger than his peers’. Long fingers shoved in roughly, and a fit of coughing tore out of me.
“Hack—khah!”
“Water. Want me to feed you?”
“I said—I’ve got it!”
I finally snapped and snatched the bottle from him, irritable.
Only after I chugged water did I feel the pill stuck in my esophagus go down.
“…Baek Seolheon. Thanks for giving me the meds.”
The second I could breathe, I launched right into re-education.
“Who told you to act that high-handed? Did I teach you that?”
…I really thought I was going to die.
Who knew the day would come when a kid half a head shorter would pin me and force-feed me medicine.
I was ashamed of myself from a minute ago—frozen up beneath Seolheon’s sudden mount.
Honestly, his eyes were terrifying.
Those usually dark, navy irises were shining like a cold full moon… I even wondered if this is how a squirrel feels in front of a snake.
Given the size difference, it’s more like a baby snake and a bull.
‘He can make that face too?’
Anyway, the unfamiliar attitude rattled me hard; my heart was still pounding like crazy.
If I checked my pulse, it would easily clear 150, but I kept a calm front.
“But…”
A moment ago he’d been pressing in like a starving snake—now Seolheon’s face was back to its gentle default.
“I thought you might not be able to move because of your constitution again….”
“I had enough strength to take a pill.”
“I was wrong, Hyung.”
“Saying you were wrong doesn’t cut it. Are you treating Hyung’s words like a joke? Who told you to… force something on someone without even listening to their will. Huh?”
My face was strict, solemn, stern—but my fluster bled through my speech.
Thankfully, if Seolheon noticed the cold sweat down my back he didn’t show it. He just drooped and spoke.
“It was dominant Pheromones. I was scared you’d collapse again.”
“Even so.”
“I’m sorry….”
Then, suddenly, his eyes grew wet.
“Hyung… can’t you just transfer to a school without Alphas or Omegas?”
“S-Seolheon?”
“Let’s move houses too….”
“Are you crying?”
I froze at the rare sight of Seolheon’s tears.
His shimmering eyes looked up at me.
“What if you collapse alone, and… something happens….”
I immediately reached out and pulled him into a tight hug.
“I’m sorry, Seolheon.”
I’d had it backward.
The scared one wasn’t me—it was Seolheon.
About my condition, he was more worried and anxious than I was.
Guilty, I knelt in front of him to meet his eyes.
“Transferring and moving are hard, but I’ll avoid Alphas and Omegas as much as I can.”
“Really…?”
“Really. So don’t cry, Seolheon.”
“Then you won’t see Haram anymore, right?”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, as if he’d never been on the verge of tears, Seolheon stared at me with a perfectly calm face.
“You’re going to cut ties with Haram, right?”