Yeonwoo first encountered Keith at university. More accurately, it would be better to say that it was when he first became aware of Keith's existence.
Keith had been famous from the start. The very first name Yeonwoo heard upon entering university was “Keith Knight Pittman,” and afterward, that same name came up without fail at least once a day—often more.
At that time, Yeonwoo had still been classified as a beta. Most secondary gender designations emerged during adolescence, and it was rare for someone to “mutate” afterward. No one had expected he would ever present as an omega.
He had been completely on edge then, exhausted from trying to prepare for final exams. No matter how hard he studied, his grades refused to improve, and he was so desperate he couldn’t even understand the text in front of him anymore. His anxiety was at a breaking point.
His parents had told him not to worry about tuition and just focus on graduating, happy that he had been accepted to a good school. But Yeonwoo felt crushing pressure. His living expenses were painfully insufficient, and he didn’t have time to take on part-time work.
He wasn’t hoping for excellent grades—he just wanted to pass the semester. That alone had become his sole wish. On top of that, his youngest sibling was learning piano, and the family’s finances were constantly strained. He couldn’t bring himself to even mention how hard things were. There were rumors that international students shared old exams and study materials in group circles, but Yeonwoo had been too shy to speak to strangers—let alone join one. He was barely keeping up with his classes day to day.
He spent every day shut away in his room, poring over books. Eventually, he lost touch with reality. Once, when buying water at a convenience store, he handed over his student ID instead of his payment card and stood there blankly, earning a scolding from the cashier.
<Hey, Yeonwoo. You're back early?>
One day, after giving up on studying that just wouldn’t stick, Yeonwoo headed home early, only to be greeted by Li Wei, one of his housemates. The guy was rarely home, so it was a surprise to see him. They weren’t particularly close, so Yeonwoo responded awkwardly to the attempt at conversation.
<Yeah, uh… You going out again?>
Li Wei was dressed in a light shirt and shorts with tennis shoes. At Yeonwoo’s question, he laughed and answered:
<There's a match today. You’re not going?>
<Match? What match?>
Yeonwoo glanced over Li Wei’s outfit again, assuming it must be tennis. Li Wei chuckled—this time with some disbelief—and then explained.
<A polo match. You didn’t know?>
<Oh… Really? That was today?>
Yeonwoo responded awkwardly. He had heard of polo before, but never seen it in person and had no particular interest in it. He was vaguely aware that the university held various sports events, but he hadn’t had the time or energy to attend them. He didn’t even know how many players a polo team had, let alone the rules, so it was impossible for him to care.
Li Wei tilted his head at Yeonwoo’s apathetic reaction.
<You should come watch. Might help clear your head.>
Yeonwoo hesitated. He was so weighed down by school that he was practically suffocating. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to take his mind off things, even just briefly.
<Li Wei, let’s go! I’m ready!>
While Yeonwoo was still quietly deliberating, Li Wei’s girlfriend appeared behind him. Instinctively stepping aside to let her pass, Yeonwoo heard Li Wei say:
<If you want to come, we’ll give you a ride.>
Yeonwoo hesitated again. He still had studying to do, but the impulse to just escape for a while was strong. Seeing him waver, Li Wei added:
<And today, Keith Pittman is playing. You’ll get to see a real apex alpha up close. He’s graduating this year, so if you don’t catch him now, you’ll probably never get the chance.>
<I’ll go.>
Yeonwoo spoke before he even realized he had agreed.
***
The field where the polo match was to be held was already packed with people. Li Wei barely managed to park the car in a spot far off to the side and let out a low whistle as he looked at the crowd.
<This is way more intense than I expected. You think we’ll even be able to watch the match properly?>
His girlfriend, who had been thinking to herself, replied, <Wait a second. I think Jennifer is on the event crew today. If I talk to her, maybe she can get us seats.>
As she took Li Wei’s arm and began to move, she turned back and asked Yeonwoo:
<What about you? Want to come with us?>
<Me? Are you sure that’s okay?>
Yeonwoo was startled by the unexpected offer. She nodded and smiled.
<Of course. Come on. I can’t guarantee anything though—Jennifer might not be able to get extra spots.>
<Ah, yeah, that’s totally fine.>
He nodded quickly and followed them. They made their way through the crowd and eventually found the event staff. Jennifer soon popped out.
<If you help out a bit, I can definitely make it happen.>
She cheerfully explained what needed to be done. It wasn’t much. Yeonwoo’s job was to stock water for the players and prep any necessary gear mid-game. Since most of the players already had their own assistants, he wasn’t in charge of anyone directly—just setting out the supplies so the individual assistants could deliver them efficiently. Before the match began, Yeonwoo busied himself helping the crew.
Li Wei grumbled mid-shift, but his girlfriend simply rolled her eyes.
<Everyone to your places—it’s time.>
At Jennifer’s call, they wrapped up their tasks and moved to designated positions. The referees were taking their places. A flurry of movement and scattered noise filled the air. Li Wei was pointing around the arena and chatting with his girlfriend, while groups nearby sipped drinks and laughed with their friends.
Yeonwoo was the only one there alone.
Even now, he wasn’t someone who easily socialized. Though he shared a house with Li Wei, they only exchanged the occasional greeting. Just because they’d come to the match together didn’t suddenly make them close. Predictably, Li Wei and his girlfriend had already entered their own private bubble, and Yeonwoo stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do with himself.
He began to regret coming. Even if he couldn’t concentrate, he should’ve just stayed at his desk.
But it was too late to turn back now. He’d need Li Wei to get home, just like he had on the way here. It felt like such a waste of time. Who cared about some apex alpha?
<They said Grayson’s playing too, right?>
He heard someone behind him.
<I never imagined I’d see Keith and Grayson on the same field. Aren’t they both graduating this year?>
<Yeah, exactly! This is insane. I can’t even think straight right now.>
<And Grayson’s from the Millers! I can’t believe I’m going to see a Miller apex alpha with my own eyes. I’m so glad I came to this school. I couldn’t sleep at all last night.>
The giddy voice was followed by a slightly sullen one.
<I go to the same school and I’ve never seen either of them.>
<Me neither. Do they even attend classes? Or do apex alphas just get a pass?>
<Who knows? I just want to see them already. People say apex alphas are insanely hot.>
<Alphas and omegas are all good-looking, but apex alphas are on another level.>
Their voices faded as they walked away. Swallowed by the noise again, Yeonwoo let his gaze wander, still feeling completely out of place in the restless atmosphere.
…Huh?
He suddenly caught a whiff of something sweet—something he’d never smelled before. His head lifted instinctively, eyes darting around for the source. And he wasn’t the only one. Others nearby were urgently scanning their surroundings, chasing the same thing.
The air seemed to still. And then Yeonwoo saw him.
It hadn’t been difficult to spot him. He was seated high on a striking black horse, as though he were looking down on the whole world from above.
Yeonwoo would never forget that moment for the rest of his life.
Time, air, the world—
His entire universe seemed to freeze right then and there.
Clop. Clop. Clop. Clop.
The black horse approached at a calm, steady pace, each step ringing clearly in Yeonwoo’s ears. The scent grew stronger. Keith’s face drew closer with every beat of the hooves.
His dark hair, visible beneath the helmet, swayed gently in rhythm with the horse’s stride. Even without seeing those famous violet eyes beneath it, his presence was undeniable. Even if he’d been a beta, a man like that would effortlessly captivate anyone.
Dressed in white polo pants, he held the reins and whip loosely in one hand, a mallet in the other. He swayed gracefully with the horse’s movements as he advanced. His composed face stared straight ahead.
<Haa…>
Someone sighed nearby. Yeonwoo almost did too. He realized he had been holding his breath, mouth slightly open.
But he still couldn’t look away. He couldn’t breathe. All he could do was stare, completely entranced. And he wasn’t alone. Everyone’s attention had locked onto Keith.
Had he ever seen someone so breathtakingly beautiful and dignified?
It felt like this was the first time Yeonwoo truly believed in the existence of gods.
Then Keith’s expression subtly shifted. A faint smile began to form on what had been a stoic face. Everyone could see it—but that smile was directed at just one person.
<Grayson.>
Keith called out a name as he rode past Yeonwoo. He sat far above them, on the back of that massive horse. The sun blazed down from above his head, and Yeonwoo couldn’t even lift his eyes to meet him.
All he was allowed was that sweet scent—that scent everyone around him was inhaling, too. Keith’s pheromones were distributed equally to anyone present.
And that thought, absurd as it was, made Yeonwoo feel jealous.
What was he to that man? Nothing.
And the proof came immediately. Keith passed by Yeonwoo without hesitation and headed toward another man. Also seated on a horse and dressed for polo, it was obvious he belonged to the same rare breed. Anyone could tell at a glance—those violet eyes made it unmistakable.
He was the other apex alpha said to exist on campus.
Yeonwoo locked eyes on the man with soft honey-blonde hair and amethyst eyes—the hallmark traits of an apex alpha. Unlike Keith’s dark hair, this man radiated light. He was handsome in a dazzling way, and his smile was disarmingly pleasant.
No one could’ve predicted that two men with such show-stopping appearances would appear together in one place—and that both would be apex alphas.
<Oh my god, I think I’m gonna die.>
Someone gasped behind him, breathless. Likely, everyone present felt the same way.
The sound of camera shutters went off frantically. Getting both of them in one shot—two apex alphas in one frame—was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
But even knowing that, Yeonwoo hesitated. Embarrassed, he couldn’t bring himself to casually raise his phone like everyone else. Instead of taking photos, he just stared at Keith—desperately, hungrily—as if trying to burn the image into his eyes forever.
After a while, the two men finished chatting and tapped their palms together in a light gesture before parting ways. As they headed toward their respective starting positions, people watched with reluctance, not wanting to look away. Shutter clicks continued nonstop.