* * *
“Oh, Sejun.”
“Hmm?”
“You’re wearing glasses today.”
“You really like my glasses, huh? You always bring them up.”
“It’s just fascinating how different you look with and without them.”
If he scrutinized his own face so obsessively, it was no wonder he’d do the same to someone else’s.
But I had nothing to worry about—I was confident no matter how closely I was examined.
“I’m a confident guy, right?”
“Yes.”
“But the clients who come to the hospital are people who’ve agonized over their insecurities.”
“I get that. I mean, I’ve…”
Seeing Juwan’s awkward smile, I slid a few pieces of steak from my salad onto his plate.
Lately, he’d stopped mentioning hair treatments, which was progress.
“That’s why I use my glasses to tone down my overwhelming confidence.”
“Haha. Ah, thanks for the steak. Want some of my salmon and poached egg?”
“Thanks.”
Juwan didn’t normally come off as easygoing.
Not scary, but like someone difficult to approach or open up to.
But when he smiled like this, the sharpness in his eyes softened, making him seem incredibly approachable.
“Honestly, the director suggested I wear glasses since I apparently look too intense.”
“Should I try glasses too?”
Considering how he’d find a complex about anything he focused on, it might not be a bad idea.
At first, I’d worried he’d overdo it with plastic surgery, but he seemed to have decent self-restraint.
He did admit to frequenting dermatology clinics, though.
“Wouldn’t glasses get in the way when you exercise?”
“They might.”
“Want to try these? They’re non-prescription.”
“Ah…”
My glasses were a mix of black and gold—a common luxury design.
On Juwan’s face, which carried an air of artistic melancholy (purely an impression, unrelated to reality), they seemed slightly too mature.
“They don’t look bad, but something more casual would suit you better. You really do have a youthful vibe.”
“Huh? That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”
“I don’t mean your face looks super young—it’s more like your energy feels youthful. Somehow, you seem younger than me. Even though you work out, you give off more of an arts student vibe than a physical education one.”
As I slid the temple of the glasses off Juwan’s ear, my pinky accidentally brushed his lips.
Startled, Juwan touched the bridge of his nose where the glasses had rested.
“Hmm… I’ll consult you when I buy glasses.”
“Sure. I’ll help you pick something nice. But are you really going to add glasses? You already hide so much about yourself.”
“Hide?”
“You’re rarely upfront about anything.”
Though said with a laugh, it was entirely true.
Watching for any discomfort on Juwan’s face, I glanced at my empty plate.
Today, Juwan paid for the meal, and my treat was coffee.
This give-and-take had become so natural that we’d tried nearly every café in the area.
This time, I suggested a botanical garden café that required a short drive.
It was late in the week, but thankfully only the opposite lane was congested.
“…”
Lately, whenever we were alone in the car, I found my throat inexplicably dry.
Loosening my tie, I focused on the traffic light, afraid that if I relaxed too much, I’d end up staring at the man beside me, creating an awkward atmosphere.
I’d been adamant that betas weren’t my type, yet from the moment we met, I couldn’t help but entertain inappropriate thoughts.
Now that we’d grown closer, I felt even more cautious.
Maybe it was because, while I had plenty of fantasies, I had little real-world experience to back them up.
✽ ✽ ✽
The café was filled with plants, their lush leaves creating cozy nooks that shielded the pair from the gaze of others.
They chose a seat hidden behind the cascade of greenery.
Jin Sejun brushed a stray leaf off the table as Kwon Juwan asked cautiously,
“Have I really not talked about myself much?”
“You’ve been thinking about it?”
Sejun gave a dry laugh, but inside, he felt a spark of excitement.
Since it didn’t seem like Juwan had intentionally kept secrets, maybe today he could learn more about him.
“I mean, I’ve talked plenty about my diet and training regimen, but it’s true there’s a bit of an imbalance in what we know about each other.”
At that, Juwan stared down at his coffee without replying.
Sejun clicked his tongue and added,
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. It’s not like I’ve narrated my entire autobiography to you either.”
“If you ask me, I’ll be honest.”
“Hm?”
“There’s one thing I’ll answer honestly.”
What was this mysterious consistency of his?
Still, the idea of learning something new about Juwan was exciting.
‘What should I ask?’
“What do you think of me?”
That’s too much, right?
He doesn’t seem to be seeing anyone, but maybe I could ask about past relationships.
If there was a guy in the picture, would that give me a glimmer of hope?
Caught up in these thoughts, Sejun began to feel a little annoyed.
He had so many questions, but only one chance to ask—how stingy.
“Why don’t you just tell me something you want to share, Juwan?”
“Something I want to share?”
“Yeah, something you feel like telling me.”
Sejun emphasized the words playfully, crossing his arms with a teasing grin.
He figured if Juwan struggled too much, he might as well just probe about past relationships.
Unexpectedly, Juwan didn’t take long to decide.
“I…”
“Go on, tell me.”
Sejun was intrigued.
Someone so reserved—what could he possibly feel compelled to reveal?
He exaggeratedly cupped his hand to his ear, gesturing for Juwan to speak.
Finally, Juwan shared the information he most wanted Sejun to know:
“Sometimes, I upload… solo videos online.”
“Wait, what?”
“Solo videos online? And that’s what he wanted to tell me?”
While Sejun was still processing, Juwan blushed and fidgeted with his coffee cup.
“But it’s a nice side income. When I file taxes later, I can deduct gym fees and beauty treatments as expenses, right?”
What? Taxes? Really?
So, this was what he meant by having secrets—then suddenly being too honest.
Sejun was stunned, but his mouth moved independently of his brain.
“…You’re like a celebrity or something.”
Better to keep the thought ‘That’s a secret you could’ve just kept to yourself’ to himself for now.
As Juwan stared blankly at him, Sejun shrugged.
As an alpha who’d seen plenty, the confession of a beta indulging in some… unconventional hobbies wasn’t shocking.
“I watch those kinds of videos too, you know. Not that you’ll be sharing any links, right?”
He’d gone too far trying to appear unfazed.
Now his brain raced—why did Juwan reveal this?
And had he ever come across Juwan’s account before?
Not that he’d ever deliberately sought out beta content.
The occasional curiosity-driven click on a beta-alpha couple’s video was the extent of it.
Betas were, after all, an entity Sejun had considered outside his immediate world—neither mysterious nor worth much attention.
“You’re not even surprised, huh?”
“If that’s what you wanted, you’ll have to try harder.”
Juwan let out a faint laugh.
Sejun, worried about showing his unease, fixed his gaze on an oddly shaped flower pot.
“Were you lying just to see my reaction?”
“No, it’s true.”
“Huh. Then why, of all things, did you want to share that?”
“I don’t know.”
* * *
