* * *

Maybe the fact that he’d gone from dreaming of conquering 1,000 Omegas before 30 to protecting his virginity had warped his perspective.

But still…

“Hmm…”

The water, which had felt scalding hot when he first got in, now seemed lukewarm after Juwan’s reply.

Jin Sejun shifted his position to get more comfortable in the spacious bathtub.

“I’m losing it.”

Maybe it was because his usual routine involved watching Alpha-Omega videos and finishing off with a Beta-themed clip.

His gaze fell to his stiffening arousal, and unbidden, a mental image of Juwan came to mind—restraining his own desires like the Betas in those videos.

Juwan’s a Beta, and Betas are… normal.

Still, why do I want to see him losing control while keeping himself in check?

It was barely 7 a.m., practically the crack of dawn for Jin Sejun.

Yet here he was, messaging a Beta from the hospital and getting so worked up he felt the urge to relieve himself in the bathtub.

Was this what it meant to hit rock bottom as an Alpha?

Still, it wasn’t like anyone was getting hurt…

Despite the preemptive sense of futility, once he started, he couldn’t stop.

Invisible tension filled the bathroom—a presence only a heightened Alpha could perceive, stimulating every sense.

As his broad back arched and the water splashed against his skin, the noise eventually subsided.

“Haah…”

Even after the long bath, his mind was still foggy.

Picking at a salad and applying a face mask didn’t help either.

He wandered around the living room, gazing absently at the view beyond the window sash.

Then, on a sudden impulse, he sent a message.

Me: We might not be able to work out together, but how about grabbing a meal? Are you busy today?

Oh, right. He’s probably on a diet.

‘But I can eat chicken breast and sweet potatoes too, can’t I? These days, there were plenty of restaurants catering to fitness enthusiasts. And if all else failed, we could pack our own lunches and have a picnic. Sure, it was winter, but we could always eat in the car.’

Even someone like Jin Sejun, who treated his bed like a dining table, hated the idea of bringing food into his car.

But with Juwan, sharing sticky rice cakes dusted with bean powder didn’t sound so bad.

After sending the lunch proposal, time dragged on without a reply.

Just as he started thinking Juwan might answer with something like, “Oh, sorry, I already ate lunch,” a message finally came through.

Juwan: Lunch sounds good. Do you live near the hospital? Where should we meet?

Having lunch together was already great, but the fact that he expressed his willingness to come himself made it even better.

The plans were arranged more easily than expected, and as they talked, Jin Sejun even found out where Kwon Juwan lived, humming happily as he made the realization.

Me: I’ll come over. Does this place work for you?

Me: (link)

Conveniently, there was a diet-focused restaurant in his neighborhood that Jin Sejun visited occasionally. As soon as Juwan gave the green light, Sejun booked the restaurant and practically danced around as he applied some basic skincare and quickly styled his hair.

“His workplace and his home aren’t far from here, huh?”

It was close enough to meet anytime.

Plus, the place was near Moses and Miracles Plastic Surgery Clinic, so they could even grab a drink together after work in the future.

What should he say when they met again?

“I missed you.”

Crazy. Don’t be clingy.

“You live nearby, huh?”

That sounded safe, right?

But he couldn’t help cringing at the overly enthusiastic tone he imagined himself using.

“I don’t normally go to places like this, but I booked it for you, Juwan. Good, right?”

Boasting while undercutting himself wasn’t exactly charming either.

Fine, no nonsense—just talk about the weather…

The thought calmed him, and as if nature agreed, the perpetually gloomy skies of late had completely cleared up.

What a good start.

No, a great start!

But as soon as he parked in front of the restaurant, the excitement shifted into nervousness.

It was the first time Sejun had ever felt nervous, especially before meeting someone.

Arriving at the restaurant five minutes early, he hesitated.

He wanted to show off his coat, but the heating was on full blast—should he take it off or leave it on?

“Director.”

“You look handsome today, too.”

“Sorry? Oh… haha. That’s… unexpected.”

What’s wrong with me?

‘Did I just say that out loud?’

Jin Sejun’s mind went blank.

He’d resolved to talk about the weather, but his mouth had betrayed him.

Even when someone fit his tastes perfectly, he’d never acted so flustered, not even when messaging strangers on certain casual accounts.

In real life?

This level of awkwardness was a first.

Compliments are normal, right?

He only wanted to boost Juwan’s self-esteem, to dissuade him from rushing into surgery.

After all, Sejun had been the one pleading for Juwan to give it a month before deciding on surgery.

And honestly, even now, in padded winter clothes and casual joggers instead of semi-formal attire, Kwon Juwan was undeniably handsome.

Sejun handed over the menu, reassuring himself.

“Thanks to you, I’m eating something healthy for lunch on my day off. Makes me feel like I’m living diligently.”

“Were you really thinking about me when you chose this place?”

“You mentioned losing weight, didn’t you?”

“Wow… thanks. Director, you’re very considerate.”

“What kind of work do you do to speak so eloquently?”

“Haha…”

Was he being too forward with someone older?

But Juwan was only four years older.

At just two years apart, they could practically be peers.

As their meals arrived, Sejun kept the conversation flowing.

“You seem to live a really disciplined life, Juwan.”

“Disciplined?”

“You look like someone who’d be out partying, but you wake up early, exercise, and even watch your diet.”

“I sometimes eat normal meals for lunch, so it’s fine.”

“No, really, I’ve been wanting to eat like this for a while, too.”

“Well, thanks to you, I can skip some running tonight.”

Wow, his diet is like a girl group’s.

Sejun swallowed a spoonful of rice topped with a soft-boiled egg and carefully asked,

“Are you a model? At first, I thought you might be a fitness trainer.”

“Oh, no, not at all. How could I be a model?”

If not you, then who? Sejun tilted his head, trying another guess.

“Then boxing? They’re always dieting too. Not judo—it doesn’t suit you.”

“….”

“No, you don’t give off a fighter vibe either.”

Juwan smiled faintly as he chewed his grilled chicken.

“Really? Because I look like I can’t fight?”

“No, more like…”

Kind of?

He didn’t seem weak, but he also didn’t seem the type to enjoy fighting.

To be honest, someone this well put together who rushed to schedule surgery just because of a minor complaint about their hairline… doesn’t exactly scream ‘tough.’

Sejun fidgeted before nudging Juwan.

“So, what do you do? You already know all about me—it’s unfair!”

Juwan’s eyes crinkled with amusement, his gentle eye smile captivating.

While Sejun was busy marveling at his face, Juwan finally answered after finishing his bite.

“I teach kids.”

“Like a Taekwondo instructor?”

“Something like that.”

“What’s ‘something like that’? Not telling me makes me even more curious. Ugh, fine! Don’t tell me. But you owe me more lunches until I figure it out.”

“Haha… should I?”

That would be great.

* * *