* * *

Sejun got up quickly to pay the bill.

“Why so fast? I was planning to pay since you came all this way.”

“I invited you, so it’s on me. If it bothers you, you can buy me coffee.”

“Sure, there’s a place nearby that does hand-drip coffee.”

“You like coffee?”

“Yes, but I don’t know much about it.”

If he really didn’t care, he wouldn’t distinguish between drip coffee and sponges.

Still, everything about Juwan seemed charming now, even his coffee pickiness.

“How far is it? I’ve got my car….”

“Oh, it’s just the next building over.”

As expected, the café Juwan chose had great ambiance and coffee.

For Sejun, it was the best mood he’d felt in a decade—since the time his niece adorably called him “Uncle.”

“This coffee is fantastic.”

“Really?”

Juwan smiled like he’d made it himself.

He looked sophisticated yet kind when he laughed, completely disarming.

As Sejun relaxed, he asked, “What are your plans for the afternoon?”

“Some training….”

“What kind of training?”

“Just fitness.”

Caught again.

You’re not giving me any hints, huh?

Sejun quickly shifted the topic to avoid prying too much and ruining the mood.

“If you’re busy, I can give you a ride.”

“It’s fine. It’s close, and I need to jog anyway.”

Sejun hid his disappointment.

“Jogging? Well, this area has great trails. It must be less boring.”

Should he suggest joining him?

Juwan had hinted at liking company for workouts before.

But this was their first meeting outside the clinic—coming on too strong wouldn’t do.

“Which way are you headed? I was thinking of taking a short walk after lunch.”

“I was planning to see you off to your car.”

Sejun chuckled at the absurdity of two grown men insisting on escorting each other.

As he hesitated, Juwan made the first move.

“Then, how about you drop me off just a little up ahead?”

“Sure thing.”

This was exactly what he had hoped for.

Jin Sejun beamed with a smile that spread across his entire face as he led Kwon Juwan to the car and opened the passenger door for him.

Kwon Juwan hesitated briefly but then sat down without protest.

Jin Sejun considered leaning in to fasten his seatbelt but decided against it.

‘Don’t overdo it, don’t overdo it.’

With that mantra in mind, he got into the driver’s seat, but he could feel Juwan’s gaze on him.

He tried to act nonchalant, ready to lift his foot off the brake, when Juwan’s hand reached out and grabbed the steering wheel.

“You’re not wearing glasses today. You look so different—I was surprised.”

“Oh… I left them off to look handsome for you, Juwan. Ha ha.”

“You look good with them too.”

‘Better with them on? What’s that supposed to mean?’

Sejun was about to ask when Juwan’s hand slid along the steering wheel, barely brushing the side of Sejun’s pinky.

“Is it okay for me to ask you something, Director?”

“What is it?”

Sejun was curious.

Usually, he was the one asking questions during their conversations, so for Juwan to set the mood like this, it must be something significant.

In the dim light of the underground parking lot, Juwan’s eyes seemed to glint.

Was it because he was overly tense?

For a moment, Juwan felt imposing.

Brushing off the absurd thought, Sejun put on a relaxed smile.

“What’s on your mind? What are you curious about?”

“…Why are you going to such lengths?”

“Hm?”

Did he come off as too desperate for connection?

For a brief moment, Sejun felt awkward, unsure how to respond, when Juwan continued.

“Usually, people would put effort into convincing someone to get surgery, not the opposite. It’s a bit surprising.”

“Oh, that.”

That was something worth being curious about.

Sejun considered giving a polished answer but decided to be honest instead.

“If you were an Alpha, Juwan, I wouldn’t have told your Omega friend to get a hair transplant.”

“What?”

“With such a tall and handsome Alpha around, why would he nitpick instead of trying to make things work?”

“….”

“I told you, didn’t I? You don’t need more hair, and even if you forced it, the volume wouldn’t be much. Even if I lose you as a client, it’s not like I’ll starve.”

“Ah…”

“Honestly, there’s nothing more frustrating than a handsome person not realizing they’re handsome. I wanted to brainwash you into understanding that.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Plus, I don’t have any Beta friends…”

Nor Alpha or Omega friends, for that matter.

When he looked up, Juwan’s expression had turned odd, making Sejun chuckle.

He reached out and gently lowered Juwan’s hand from the steering wheel before starting the car.

‘His hands are so cold.’

When they paused at the parking lot’s exit gate, Sejun spoke up.

“You know, I just realized—maybe it’s weird for a Beta like me to keep sticking to an Alpha like this. Saying I don’t have Beta friends probably sounds strange, huh? Like I’m collecting them or something?”

“No, it’s just that you’ve been so kind to me. I…”

“Does it make you uncomfortable? I’m just happy to have someone to hang out with. I’ve spent my life just working, you know.”

“That’s not it…”

Juwan hesitated for a moment before carefully speaking.

“I thought you might be part of a cult.”

“…What? Pfft—hahaha!”

Sejun burst into laughter, loud enough that the car behind them honked.

Wiping away tears of laughter, he drove out of the parking lot.

“I’m not religious… Ah, that’s hilarious. But you must be used to people wanting to get close to you, right?”

“Hmm…”

‘Why act coy when we both know you understand?’

Was he worried about coming off arrogant if he agreed?

Sejun glanced at Juwan’s face under the pretense of checking traffic, then intentionally braked a bit hard.

As Juwan jolted forward slightly, Sejun reached out to steady him, pressing a hand lightly against his chest.

“I just want to get closer to you, Juwan.”

“…Thank you.”

Juwan held the seatbelt across his chest, then brushed his cheek with his palm before finally turning to look out the window.

He’s so articulate, yet he acts shy in moments like this.

Sejun prided himself on being good at reading people—an occupational skill—but maybe his expertise was limited to hair and scalps.

“Let’s meet again.”

Though the drive ended just as it was getting enjoyable, Juwan’s promise to meet again made it worthwhile.

For a fleeting moment, Sejun considered tailing him in his car, but he wasn’t that crazy.

That evening, Sejun look at the “Beta” account for the first time in ages.

* * *