At Shin-Yeon’s sharp outburst, Seol Yi-Jun shot him a cold look—then started the car and sped off.
“Shin-Yeon, I get that you’re frustrated. I get that you’re doing this for your family. But we’re here—you’re not going to end up on the street while we’re around.”
Ji Won-Min pulled him into his arms, gently patting him, his chin resting lightly on Shin-Yeon’s shoulder. His eyes, however, were cold as he thought.
“Or… one of us could get engaged to you.”
“…What?”
Lifting his head, Won-Min met Shin-Yeon’s eyes and smiled warmly.
“Maybe not ten billion, but we could still help. We’re not exactly struggling ourselves.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?! Seol Yi-Jun, why are you staying quiet at a time like this?!”
Startled, Shin-Yeon shoved Won-Min away as he shouted. Yi-Jun spoke up, his expression serious.
“He’s not wrong. At the very least, we won’t let you and your parents end up on the street. If it really comes down to that, marrying one of us would be the best option.”
“You’re insane! How are we supposed to get married?! Since when do people get married out of friendship?!”
At Shin-Yeon’s incredulous shout, silence filled the car.
Neither Yi-Jun nor Won-Min denied it. They just looked at him calmly.
In the quiet, Yi-Jun glanced at him through the rearview mirror and smirked.
“‘Buddy’ turns into ‘baby,’ and then ‘baby’ turns into ‘honey.’ Want me to start calling you that today?”
“Say that again and I’ll knock your teeth out! Seriously, you need to stop watching dramas!”
“It’s pretty common for friends to end up together.”
As Shin-Yeon cursed at his suddenly delusional friends, a thought crossed his mind—is this how Seo Kyo-Shin feels dealing with me?—and he felt even more deflated.
A while later, Yi-Jun brought him to a large art museum.
“Why are we here?”
“My older sister’s friend is holding an exhibition. She asked me to stop by and congratulate her. There’s a great restaurant next door—we’ll eat there.”
At that, Shin-Yeon glanced down at his sloppy outfit, then looked at Won-Min beside him.
…Now that he noticed, both of them were dressed stylishly and put together.
“Why didn’t you tell me?! I would’ve dressed better!”
With a gentle smile, Won-Min lightly fixed Shin-Yeon’s hair.
“You’re pretty even without dressing up. It’s fine.”
“Did you two plan this just to embarrass me and make fun of me?”
“As if.”
Just as Shin-Yeon was about to snap, Yi-Jun pulled a large shopping bag out of the trunk.
Click.
He opened the back door and dropped it into Shin-Yeon’s arms, who was practically bristling.
“Wear this if you want. Won-Min, get out.”
After Won-Min stepped out, Shin-Yeon fumbled around in the back seat for a while before finally getting out.
“You want to fight?”
Wearing a black knit and buried in a shearling jacket, Shin-Yeon glared at Yi-Jun.
At 187 centimeters and a dominant alpha, Yi-Jun had a completely different frame—his clothes hung oversized on Shin-Yeon, who was fourteen centimeters shorter.
“Oversized is in these days. Come here—I’ll roll up the sleeves.”
At Shin-Yeon’s sulky reaction, both Yi-Jun and Won-Min laughed as they approached, adjusting his clothes before heading inside.
Yi-Jun carried a flower basket and a gift bag as he went to greet the host of the exhibition—his sister’s friend.
“Let’s look around,” Won-Min said, draping an arm over Shin-Yeon’s shoulders as they entered the crowded gallery.
They moved past large works displayed against cream-colored walls, then deeper inside where a wide space opened up, black walls set up throughout.
Bold, vividly colored paintings hung against the black backdrop, commanding attention.
“Wow… abstract art looks amazing.”
“Yeah. The colors are intense, but they’re balanced—it’s not overwhelming even if you keep looking.”
As they continued inside, the space opened further, revealing massive works covering entire walls.
Amid the vibrant abstracts, ink paintings filled with vast, deliberate empty space stood out, quietly drawing the eye.
Following the line of a large piece deeper inside, Shin-Yeon spotted Yi-Jun speaking with a woman in her mid-thirties who carried an elegant presence, smiling brightly as she accepted the flowers and gift.
And then—
…Huh?
In the inner exhibition hall, Seo Kyo-Shin appeared—standing a head taller than everyone else.
Usually dressed in sharp, refined suits, today he wore a fitted knit that revealed his physique, layered under a sleek leather coat.
His hairstyle was more casual than usual, making his already striking features stand out even more.
“Do you visit exhibitions often, Mr. Seo?”
“I drop by occasionally when I have time, or when someone important is exhibiting.”
Standing beside him was a man dressed neatly in a warm brown suit, holding his coat and smiling.
He had a bright, gentle presence—exactly the kind of superior omega anyone would find attractive.
His refined looks and omega-specific build… even his overall impression resembled Kim Shin-Hee.
…Ah.
So just like my friends said—Seo Kyo-Shin really did want to marry Kim Shin-Hee.
That was his type.
Shin-Yeon froze in place.
For some reason, his chest ached, like something was pricking at it again and again.
He must’ve thought I was ridiculous.
The thought of how entertaining—how laughable—his desperate attempts must have seemed made humiliation surge up to his face in an instant.
Lowering his head, he rubbed his face and muttered under his breath,
“…This sucks.”
Why did life get this hard the moment he turned twenty?
Looking up again, Shin-Yeon saw the omega loop his arm through Kyo-Shin’s—and at that moment, their eyes met.
Kyo-Shin, who had been looking at a painting, seemed slightly surprised upon spotting him.
Shin-Yeon immediately turned away.
…Wow. I didn’t know it was possible to feel this pathetic.
Adult life really sucks.
He started walking toward Won-Min, who was examining another piece.
Just then—
Footsteps approached quickly from behind, and a large arm draped over his shoulders.
For a split second, Shin-Yeon thought Kyo-Shin had followed him—he snapped his head up—
Then his shoulders relaxed.
“Errand’s done. Let’s go eat in the building next door.”
Yi-Jun wrapped an arm around his slumped shoulders, ruffling his hair before leaning down to look at his face.
“What’s with that expression? Hungry? Or did the art move you? Didn’t know our Shin-Yeon had that kind of sensitivity.”
“I’m hungry… let’s just go.”
“You’re not cold, right? Let’s go eat something good.”
“…Okay.”
Even though Shin-Yeon clumsily changed the subject, Yi-Jun let it slide. They grabbed Won-Min and left the exhibition together, heading to the building next door.
Looking up at the sky as snowflakes drifted down in the cold air, Shin-Yeon let out a sigh.
Every time it snowed, I texted him saying the weather was nice…
Was I really that stupid?
“…I think I really did do something stupid.”
“If you know that, then stop. The thing on your shoulders is a head, not a pot.”
“Yi-Jun’s right. Shin-Yeon, let’s find another way. Or at least start with dating before marriage.”
Won-Min smiled gently, holding Shin-Yeon’s hand.
“Forget dating. It’s more realistic to give up college and get a job.”
“Think about that after you’ve eaten your fill.”
Dragged along by the two of them, Shin-Yeon entered the restaurant.
They sat by the window, and the two big eaters quickly ordered food on their own.
Then Yi-Jun placed the drink menu in front of him.
“What do you want to drink?”
“Should we get alcohol?”
“I’m driving. One bottle of non-alcoholic champagne, please.”
Staring out the window, Shin-Yeon thought of the omega who had been with Kyo-Shin earlier—the one who resembled his brother.
Anyone would find someone like that appealing. Beautiful, refined, clearly raised with care.
Of course an alpha would like that.
…So he really did go on that blind date.
Even though things weren’t officially broken off with Kim Shin-Hee…
No matter how he thought about it, Kyo-Shin must have already known his brother was pregnant and had run off.
Otherwise, why would he be going on blind dates?
Maybe he had already figured it out—from his parents’ inability to hide their discomfort, or from Shin-Yeon suddenly clinging to him and asking for marriage.
“If a recessive omega ten years younger came at you asking to get married, how would you feel?”
At his question, both dominant alphas’ expressions twisted at the same time. Yi-Jun grabbed a few strands of Shin-Yeon’s hair and tugged.
“Kim Shin-Yeon, is that thing on your shoulders really a head? Keep talking nonsense like that and I might crack it open.”
“You’re just hungry. Once you eat something good, those thoughts will go away.”
As Shin-Yeon got scolded while being fed bread before the meal—
Seo Kyo-Shin walked into the restaurant.
…Why is he here too?
With his insane proportions and striking looks, Kyo-Shin stood out anywhere. He held the door open with one arm for his omega companion.
“Thank you.”
The omega stepped inside with a shy smile.
Shin-Yeon met Kyo-Shin’s eyes again—just for a moment—as Kyo-Shin smiled back at the omega.
Shin-Yeon turned away first.
“Could I get the alcohol menu?”
“…You’re drinking?”
“Yeah.”
As the staff handed it over, Shin-Yeon scanned the menu—
then ordered a cocktail.