* * *
We gave my mom the presents we brought and the one I bought following the second brother’s suggestion. As she opened them, she said she loved them all and suggested we have a meal.
We moved to the dining table and sat around it. As always, Taeshin sat next to me. We ate together, celebrating my mom’s birthday and our college admissions, and chatted about trivial things.
I was preoccupied with the pheromones I felt coming from Taeshin.
Sitting next to each other, I glanced at Taeshin, and our eyes met. When he smiled gently, I tried to act nonchalant and told him to eat.
From that moment, I felt Taeshin’s pheromones subtly. No one else at the table seemed to notice.
If Taeshin’s alpha pheromones were noticeable, Moon Jinwoo would have been the first to react, but he said nothing, so it must have been my imagination.
It was just a look directed at helpless kids about to start college.
The subtle pheromones made my heart race. It felt like it was pounding, and not pounding, like the tickle before a sneeze. My body felt itchy and restless, and Taeshin noticed.
Why?
When he mouthed the question, I stammered and shook my head, then forced a smile.
“Don’t do anything weird while eating.”
“You’re such a nag.”
“What? Me?”
I tried to laugh it off with Taeshin, but the second brother warned us, and I turned away.
He looked at us sternly while the fourth brother shook his head and clicked his tongue.
We had just looked at each other, and he called it something weird. My second brother was the strange one.
“Once we get to the venue, you’re definitely going to cry.”
“Even if the Demon King doesn’t cry, someone definitely will.”
“Do you want to die?”
As the third and fourth brothers whispered, Moon Jinwoo turned his attention from me to them.
The two brothers ate their food while holding back laughter under Jinwoo’s gaze.
Mom was complaining to Dad about the hassle of the upcoming birthday party.
Tap.
“Huh?”
“What are you thinking about?”
As I watched my brothers and parents while holding my chopsticks, Taeshin grabbed my hand, bringing me back to reality.
I almost dropped my chopsticks, but Taeshin’s steady hand kept them in place. I pursed my lips and nodded to indicate it was nothing.
“Taeshin, eat this.”
“Try this too.”
“…”
I lowered my gaze, waiting for him to let go of my hand, while the third and fourth brothers placed side dishes in Taeshin’s bowl.
Only Jinwoo was being difficult, while the other brothers were considerate. I gently pulled my hand away from Taeshin, giving Jinwoo a sidelong glance.
“This is good. Try it.”
“…Okay.”
I nudged Taeshin’s shoulder as he just stared at the side dishes the brothers had piled up for him.
He picked up a side dish with his chopsticks and smiled with his eyes at the third and fourth brothers.
“Thank you, brothers.”
“No problem. Let us know if you need more. We’ll get it for you.”
“There’s plenty here. We’ll always look out for you.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
While the other brothers fussed over Taeshin, Jinwoo grumbled and ate his meal.
The short lunch to celebrate Mom’s birthday ended.
Our parents were the first to leave, heading out for a date.
My brothers also started gathering their things, preparing to leave.
“Taeshin, aren’t you going?”
“If you need a ride, I can take you. Let’s go.”
“Go.”
“That sounds like you’re telling him to leave. He hasn’t even said he’s going yet.”
The brothers gestured for Taeshin to come along.
Although I still felt awkward around Taeshin, I tried to stop them from pushing him to leave.
I ignored Jinwoo’s blatant insistence.
“No, if he’s going, I can give him a ride. It’s on my way. Right, Taeshin?”
“Isn’t that right, Taeshin?”
“You all go ahead.”
The brothers looked at me, adjusting their hair as they explained to Taeshin.
They wanted to make sure he didn’t feel pressured to leave quickly, but Taeshin declined.
The third and fourth brothers glanced at Jinwoo.
I thought they were saying goodbye, but they only exchanged glances. Jinwoo waved them off dismissively.
The brothers, making odd faces, finally said their goodbyes.
“Little bro, we’re off. Good luck with college. If we see each other before then, great.”
“If you need anything, contact us. Even if you don’t, keep in touch.”
The third and fourth brothers approached, holding my hands and patting my head.
The third brother’s vigorous pats made me push his hand away immediately.
My short stature must be because he always pressed down on my head so hard.
“Ow, it hurts. My growth is stunted because of you, Geonwoo.”
“You were always small, little bro.”
“That’s not true! I’m still growing! I’m in my growth phase!”
“Sure, our little bro is still growing. Look at those chubby cheeks.”
“Stop pinching me!”
As I complained to the third brother, my fourth brother, Moon Daewoo, pinched my cheek with a laugh. My face looked easy to mess with because Daewoo always played with it.
“Let go, don’t do that!”
It’s all because of my brothers! I tried to push their hands away, but it was no use.
Swoosh.
“Go on, brothers.”
Taeshin pulled me away, finally freeing me from my brothers. They reluctantly lowered their hands and said goodbye as they left.
“You should go too.”
Jinwoo told Taeshin to go home as he headed to his room.
“What are you going to do?”
I held my breath for a moment, meeting Taeshin’s eyes. I tried not to get overwhelmed by the subtle pheromones I sensed from him. As I looked at him, he seemed to be thinking.
“Today, I’ll sleep here.”
“Sleep…!”
Sleep here!?
His words left me speechless. Taeshin’s pheromones mixed with my sharp intake of breath.
I clenched my fists, trying to keep my mouth closed. Taeshin’s eyes sparkled strangely as they met mine.
Taeshin’s pheromones and the thought of him sleeping over brought vivid memories to my mind, making my face flush.
I bit my dry lips, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I fiddled with my fingers, unable to speak, while Taeshin glanced away, looking into the distance.
“Oh, I just remembered I have something to do.”
Taeshin suddenly spoke as if he had just recalled something. Then he looked back at me and smiled.
“I guess I’ll head out.”
“Oh, um, okay. Take care.”
Thank goodness. I nodded dazedly, responding awkwardly. I followed him to the front door as he gathered his things.
“See you later, Sunwoo.”
“Yeah, take care.”
Taeshin smiled as he put on his shoes. I smiled back, but nervously swallowed.
The front door opened, and Taeshin disappeared. It was only after a long moment that I could breathe a sigh of relief.
I had resolved to act naturally, but if Taeshin had stayed over, I don’t think things would have gone as planned.
Does Taeshin really not feel anything?
It was strange that he could calmly say he’d sleep over.
How could he be so composed when I’m a mess? Was he teasing me?
No, that couldn’t be it.
When he remembered he had something to do and left, it seemed like he had unconsciously said he’d sleep over and then realized what he’d said.
Taeshin wasn’t the type to tease me like that.
Despite my initial nervousness, it wasn’t too hard to face Taeshin. It felt much more comfortable than when we went to the movies.
I think I managed to stay composed and not act awkwardly around him. As Yoon Yijun had said, thinking about it made me feel more at ease.
Although I was a bit flustered and disturbed at the end, I didn’t show it much, so Taeshin might not have noticed. Taeshin tends to be quite oblivious.
I felt like I could handle it more naturally in the future.
* * *
The day of the OT just before university entrance finally arrived. Since the last time I had an overnight trip was during high school retreats and field trips, I wasn’t sure what to pack.
One set of clothes, a light jacket, socks, toothbrush, towel, phone charger, and a portable battery.
Anything else? I asked in the group chat if there was anything more I needed.
[Yoon Yijun> Don’t we just need to bring our wallets?]
[Ko Hyungbin> I think you’ve packed everything.]
[Jang Dae> Just go roughly, you can borrow stuff from people you get close to.]
[Kang Eunwon> Just bring underwear.]
[Hwang Joonbong> Why bring underwear? As long as you have your wallet and charger, you can even travel around the world.]
[Kang Eunwon> You filthy guy;; Please change your underwear at least;;]
[Ko Hyungbin> Goo, you’re gross. Go awayㅗㅗ]
[Hwang Joonbong> No, ㅂㅅㅂ you can buy it at a convenience store]
I asked for help and they ended up fighting among themselves. Such immature guys. I roughly packed my bag and decided to buy anything else I might need as Joonbong suggested.
After chatting until late at night, I must have fallen asleep.
I fumbled to answer my phone when the bell rang.
“Hello….”
– Sunwoo, are you still sleeping?
“…Mmm….”
– We need to leave now.
“……What?”
I woke up with a start at Taeshin’s words. I checked the time with my swollen eyes and saw that it was almost time to leave. Oh no!
“Oh, wait a minute!”
I jumped up at the unbelievable time displayed on my phone and rushed to the bathroom. I washed up quickly like a cat and dressed hurriedly.
[Taeshin♥> I’m in front of your house. Come out when you’re ready.]
* * *
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