* * *

Inside were the doctor’s diagnosis and a contract.

He handed Junyoung the doctor’s note first.

“The kid’s illness is real. Take a look.”

This document was meant to silence any accusations of fraud or extortion.

But Junyoung barely glanced at it, running a hand over his face in frustration instead.

What’s his problem?

Seojin thought, noticing the stark difference in Junyoung’s demeanor compared to when they had reunited on Monday after six years.

Still, it wasn’t his concern. Seojin took out the contract he had prepared and continued.

“Like I said, Jinseo needs your pheromones to recover. At least once a week, for a minimum of six months, the doctor said.”

The doctor had explained that Jinseo, as a child with an Alpha parent, needed exposure to the Alpha’s pheromones at least once a week for three months.

But since Jinseo’s condition wasn’t great, six months was a more realistic timeframe.

“At first, it’s just five minutes a week. If Jinseo adjusts well, we can gradually increase the exposure time.”

“……”

“He’s your son, so I assume you can at least do this much. It’s not difficult—just release your pheromones.”

Seojin emphasized “your son” as if to hammer the point home, though he hated acknowledging the shared bloodline.

It took considerable effort to say the words aloud.

“…Hey.”

Seojin was about to hand over the contract to start the negotiation when Junyoung’s low, somber voice stopped him.

Looking up with a blank expression, Seojin saw Junyoung take a deep breath and speak.

“What were you thinking?”

“What?”

“I mean, what the hell were you thinking? You found out you were having a kid, and you didn’t tell me? Now, years later, you blindside me like this?”

…Would you have told someone as irresponsible as you that you had a kid?

Seojin, who had been quietly listening to Junyoung, swallowed the retort that almost slipped out of his mouth along with his coffee.

However, Junyoung’s voice, now tinged with indignation, broke the silence.

“Are you trying to get revenge now?

What, are you still holding a grudge because I was too busy to put much effort into that group project back then?

What, are you dead set on ruining me?”

“…Ha.”

The more Seojin listened, the more absurd it seemed, leaving him speechless.

He downed the rest of his coffee in large gulps, crunching the ice in frustration, and then replied with a sharp tone.

“Ruin you? If I really wanted to ruin you, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time. The moment I found out about Jinseo, I would’ve plastered a notice all over campus. ‘Exposing the crimes of Business Administration’s Cha Junyoung!’”

“Hey, you make it sound like I committed some kind of crime. Did I force you? Did I hold someone who didn’t want to be here against their will?”

“I know you didn’t, which is why I’m not asking you to act like Jinseo’s father. All I’m asking is for you to quietly help with the treatment. Is that so hard?”

“When did you ever ‘quietly’ ask for help? You even threatened to tell my mom!”

“That’s because you refused to cooperate. If you had agreed to help that day, I wouldn’t have had to say those things.”

Before they knew it, both of them were breathing heavily, their chests rising and falling in unison. The noisy, crowded café around them softened the sharp tension in the air.

It was Seojin who managed to pull himself together first.

He had resolved on his way here to keep his temper in check, but as always, he found himself getting dragged into Junyoung’s pace.

If this went on, Junyoung might storm off again like last time.

Seojin had a gut feeling that today was his last chance to convince him.

He couldn’t let it slip away.

Calming his anger with another crunch of ice, Seojin slid a contract and a pen across the table to Junyoung.

“Forget it. Just look at this. I’ve included everything I wanted. If there’s anything you want to add, write it down.”

Seojin didn’t want to prolong this confrontation any further.

Pressing his temples to alleviate the growing ache, he turned his gaze away from Junyoung.

Junyoung, frowning deeply, began to read the contract Seojin had handed him.

His expression subtly shifted as soon as he read the opening lines beneath the bold title “Contract.”

[Cha Junyoung (hereafter referred to as ‘Party A’) and Yoo Seojin (hereafter referred to as ‘Party B’) agree to the following terms regarding Yoo Jinseo’s pheromone treatment.]

The fact that the contract explicitly listed him as “Party A” didn’t escape Junyoung’s notice.

Unaware that Seojin had done this deliberately to appease him, Junyoung barely suppressed a smirk and continued reading.

[Article 1. Party A will actively assist with Yoo Jinseo’s pheromone treatment.
Article 2. Pheromone treatment will be conducted once a week. The minimum duration will be six months, and the maximum will not exceed one year.
Article 3. Party B will not ask Party A for anything beyond Yoo Jinseo’s pheromone treatment.
Article 4. After the pheromone treatment is complete, Party B and Yoo Jinseo will never appear before Party A again.]

There were only four articles in the contract.

To summarize, Junyoung would actively assist with Jinseo’s pheromone treatment for six months to a year but wouldn’t have to do anything else for him.

Out of the four, Junyoung particularly liked Article 4.

Once the treatment was done, they wouldn’t appear before him again.

He almost felt admiration for Seojin, who had included this clause.

Still, the phrase ‘never appear again’ felt a bit vague and in need of revision.

“This is it?”

“Yeah. Add anything you want.”

Without hesitation, Junyoung picked up the pen.

The blank sections of the A4 paper quickly filled with his handwriting.

Article 5. The date, time, and location of the pheromone treatment will be determined solely by Party A.
Article 6. During the treatment period, Party B will not threaten Party A (e.g., by saying they will inform his parents, talk to the press, or post online).

Ever since receiving the paternity test results confirming that Jinseo was indeed his child, Junyoung had been consumed with worry, to the point where people around him asked if he was unwell.

He even had nightmares of sobbing at a press conference, promising to donate all his assets as penance for his “sins.”

But now, here was Seojin, humbling himself and presenting this contract.

The days of stress felt almost laughable.

Article 7. Party B will never disclose anything related to this contract to anyone, for as long as they live. If this matter becomes public, Party B will compensate Party A for any emotional and material damages incurred, with a minimum penalty of five billion won.

Pausing to take a breath, Junyoung twirled the pen.

He briefly considered increasing the penalty to ten billion but decided against it, doubting Seojin’s ability to pay such an amount.

Five billion was enough.

Seojin had already limited his demands to the pheromone treatment alone, so fulfilling this request under strict confidentiality seemed fair.

A give-and-take arrangement, so to speak.

“Wait, one more thing.”

Just as he was about to hand over the contract, Junyoung held the pen firmly again to amend Article 4.

Article 4. After the pheromone treatment is complete, Party B and Yoo Jinseo will never appear before Party A again.

It wasn’t entirely realistic to never encounter them by chance.

To avoid seeing their unpleasant faces, Junyoung added a specific condition in parentheses.

(They must leave Seoul.)

“Here. Check it.”

* * *