* * *
Still, Sejun wished Juwan would push back once in a while instead of taking everything so meekly.
Feeling his chest itch with pent-up annoyance, Sejun spoke up again.
“Even if the world’s changed, I doubt anyone would trust their kids with someone who uploads, uh, those kinds of videos online.”
Juwan’s mouth clamped shut immediately.
Bingo.
With a sly grin, Sejun pressed on.
“You’ve got guts, running a neighborhood business when everyone here knows your past.”
“I don’t… do that anymore….”
“Really? Can I trust you?”
“Yes….”
Why is he so easy to corner?
He could’ve just denied it outright.
Who’d know?
He’s quick-witted in arguments but completely lacks shamelessness where it counts.
Still, as much as Sejun felt like softening, the memory of being stood up in that hotel room was enough to sour his mood again.
He scoffed and muttered,
“Don’t get cocky just because you’ve got a full head of hair.”
“What does that have to do with anything…?”
“Well, alphas lose their hair more often than betas or omegas, so maybe you’re just relieved you’re not balding. Maybe that’s why the whole ‘bald men have more stamina’ rumor started.”
“…Is it true that bald men have less stamina?”
The barely concealed ‘How would you even know?’ in Juwan’s expression was priceless.
Sejun flashed a suggestive grin.
“Every bald guy in my territory is useless, so yeah.”
“…You must’ve had quite a few inappropriate encounters with clients.”
“Hahaha!”
Better this than moping over some innocent comment.
As Sejun laughed until tears sprang to his eyes, he realized Juwan’s gaze had been lingering on his cheek for a while.
Embarrassed, Sejun abruptly slapped Juwan’s backside with a loud smack!
“Wha—?!”
“Don’t lecture me. Go take care of your own needs.”
“You can’t just—what kind of academy talk is that?”
“What? Were you saving it up for a donation drive or something? Is that why you ghosted me?”
“……”
It was almost time for Juwan’s students to arrive, so Sejun decided to leave without further comments.
Though he’d been hanging around the academy for days, he’d yet to catch Juwan actually practicing.
Sejun refused to openly stare, worried it might make him look too invested.
Yet, even while avoiding direct glances, he often found himself watching Juwan’s every move through the mirror.
It frustrated him to no end.
And Juwan’s body—why was it so annoyingly perfect?
His firm backside was enough to drive anyone wild.
If Sejun had truly indulged, it would’ve been like something out of a steamy novel.
Admittedly, pride had no place in the face of desire.
If Juwan opened the door even a crack, Sejun knew he’d abandon all grievances and jump in headfirst.
How pathetic am I, as an alpha, to find a beta this attractive?
Sejun sighed, already certain he’d be replaying the feel of Juwan’s body in his mind later tonight.
✽ ✽ ✽
“What should we eat for lunch?”
“Pork bulgogi! Definitely pork bulgogi.”
“Man, you really love that stuff. Feels like you eat it every day.”
“Pork bulgogi is a perfect food, okay?”
Despite having only been around the academy for a short time, Sejun was already acting like he’d worked there for years.
Recently, he’d even started helping out with parent consultations when the staff were too busy.
Juwan, overhearing Sejun’s conversation with the director, leaned in and whispered,
“I thought you liked Greek food? And didn’t you say you preferred beef over pork?”
After being smacked on the rear and keeping his distance, it seemed the sense of crisis had slightly faded.
Either that, or he just couldn’t stand not confronting it immediately.
“What? Greece?”
“You said you liked Mediterranean cuisine. Lately, it’s like you’re possessed by a ghost that died craving stir-fried pork. It’s always pork, pork, pork.”
“I just said that to sound cool since you’re so into managing your diet. Honestly, I don’t even like Greek yogurt. Not a fan of olives either. And when it comes to pizza, I’m all about Korean-style pizza.”
“Ha, unbelievable.”
As Kwon Juwan sighed and placed their lunch order, a curious gaze landed on them.
One of the omega coaches from the Hong family spoke up cheerfully.
“You two have gotten really close, haven’t you?”
“We’re like cheer blue and cheer pink.”
That stupid “cheer pink” again.
In Juwan’s opinion, if anything, he’d be more suited to “cheer black”—not that it mattered.
…Us?
If he echoed the same words, they’d just corner him further.
Thinking that, he glanced at Jin Sejun, who was nodding as if in full agreement.
It was impossible to let that slide.
“Us?”
“I’ve never seen Mr. Kwon tease and joke around like this before. And I’ve been here ten years.”
“Well, I haven’t been here for ten years, so maybe I only joke when you’re not looking.”
“Should we call the director to testify?”
“What? Hold on. How does it make sense that you’ve been here ten years and I haven’t? Explain the family tree to me.”
As soon as Jin Sejun interjected, Coach Hong brightly elaborated.
“Originally, the director ran the place alone, but then Mr. Kwon was brought in. The academy was way more out in the suburbs back then. It’s grown a lot. I’ve been learning under the director all this time, and now I’m just here to earn some pocket money and be filial.”
“Ah, so Coach Hong is technically Mr. Kwon’s senior.”
“Hahaha, I guess you could say that?”
“Mr. Kwon, from now on, you should call Coach Hong your senior. The river flows clearer when the source is pure.”
Juwan tried his best to ignore Sejun poking him in the side.
Though his irritation was rising, he couldn’t help but notice how much more casually Sejun was dressed compared to their hospital days.
His unbuttoned shirt collar revealed hints of his chest, and the way he leaned against the table or the ballet barre only accentuated his figure.
At one point, the sight bothered him so much he had asked, “Why don’t you ever wear a tie?”
The response—”What, are you planning to officially hire me?”—left him speechless.
After all, this was a workplace where not wearing a tie was the norm, so there wasn’t much room to argue.
After finishing their meal, they all headed to a café.
As always, Sejun pulled out his card to pay.
He had picked up an extra shift today since their manager was off, earning himself a nice bonus.
What sort of ridiculous custom blend will it be this time?
No matter what he hands over, Juwan had resolved not to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
Since it wasn’t his class, Juwan didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention.
People were already grouping them together as “Mr. Joo” and “Mr. Kwon.”
“Mr. Kwon, it’s an iced Americano today.”
What’s this?
Normally, he acted like drinking iced coffee was akin to torture, but today he chose his usual Americano.
The pale winter sunlight fell over Sejun’s face as he handed over the drink.
“Your hands are always cold. Shouldn’t you drink something warm? You’re not one of those ‘frozen-coat fanatics,’ but only your coffee choices seem to say otherwise.”
“It’s just a habit….”
For the first time since their reunion, Juwan felt like he was truly seeing Sejun’s face.
With striking alpha features, he was lean yet defined.
Compared to when they used to meet, Sejun had lost some weight, giving his sharp features an even more angular look.
Sweat began to form in Juwan’s palms.
Was it because he was an alpha?
Was it some innate sense of rivalry?
When he was with Sejun, his body often reacted faster than his mind.
‘If he’s an alpha, then why….’
No, Juwan couldn’t fully trust what he was feeling—it could be his own problem.
Having avoided his true nature all his life, he had become someone who couldn’t handle things maturely.
“Are you going to keep insisting on iced drinks and give yourself an upset stomach? …Just go bald already.”
When diving, they say if you surface too quickly, it damages your body.
Maybe getting dragged back into this mess too fast had caused some shock as well.
“Wait, what?”
So he knew I’d get sick from it, and he still gave it to me?!
* * *
