* * *
Suddenly, Jeongseo recalled seeing Yoontae on his way back yesterday.
He hadn’t asked why Yoontae had been behind him.
Now, staring at him with wide eyes, Jeongseo watched Yoontae press his lips together before finally speaking.
“I didn’t have anything else to do, and I wanted to see you. I figured I could stop by home first before heading back.”
“…Then why didn’t you say anything?! I had no idea! You could’ve come with me!”
Instead of answering, Yoontae averted his eyes.
“I was going to surprise you, but then I saw you standing way too close to some guy, and I lost it.”
Yoontae’s sulky tone made Jeongseo think back.
Who had he been with yesterday?
As far as he remembered, there wasn’t anyone he was close enough with to make Yoontae misunderstand.
After thinking for a bit, he realized what Yoontae must have seen.
“Wait, are you talking about Junhee? No! He’s just a friend!”
“…I know. You’re not a piece of trash who would cheat.”
The way Yoontae put extra emphasis on “trash” sounded suspiciously heartfelt.
Jeongseo suddenly had the thought—had Yoontae come to school today because he was actually doubting him?
Before he could start explaining himself, Yoontae spoke first.
“I didn’t think you’d cheat. That wasn’t why I didn’t say anything.”
“Then what was the reason?”
“It wasn’t about trusting you. I was worried… that someone else, like Ha Sumin, might confess to you again.”
Yoontae’s voice dropped as he continued.
“I even told that guy yesterday that I was your boyfriend, and then he suddenly started saying weird things. He told me that even after you told Park Doyoung we were dating, he still didn’t believe it and threw a fit.”
So, not only had Yoontae gone to his school yesterday, but he had also talked to Junhee.
Wait. Then why hadn’t Junhee mentioned anything?
And why had Yoontae already known about Park Doyoung?
“Wait… Yoontae, did you come to school today because of Park Doyoung? If that’s the case, you should have just told me—”
Jeongseo suddenly felt guilty for snapping at Pyo Yoontae earlier, asking why he had come to school.
Seeing Jeongseo’s expression, Yoontae spoke in a low voice.
“I only found out late that Hasumin confessed to you and that you were troubled over not being ‘weasel-like.’ The confession—fine, whatever. But not telling me about this too… It made me wonder if you don’t find me reliable.”
The worry about not being “weasel-like” had stemmed from a bigger issue involving Park Doyoung at the time.
Jeongseo hadn’t brought it up while he was with Hayan because it didn’t feel right.
It had never been because he didn’t trust Yoontae.
He hadn’t expected Yoontae to keep that in his heart all this time.
“If you like me but can’t rely on me, that thought makes me even more anxious. Back in high school, you were always within my sight. But now, in college, you spend time with people I don’t know, in places I can’t see… And if you eventually find someone else to rely on more than me, I don’t think I could handle that…”
With his words spilling out uncontrollably, Yoontae’s pheromones leaked into the air, unstable and trembling.
Jeongseo, who had practically learned everything he knew about pheromones from Yoontae, could clearly feel just how anxious he was.
Before Yoontae could even finish speaking, Jeongseo grabbed both of his cheeks with his hands.
His folded black cat ears twitched upright.
“Yoontae, what are you even saying? If it weren’t for you in high school, I would’ve kept going to school alone and never even thought about coming to college. Because of you, I was able to make other friends, get back at Kim Woosik, and… When my ears got swollen and red from that hair dye, you were there. That was such a relief.”
You’re always the one I rely on the most, Yoontae.
Jeongseo looked straight into Yoontae’s eyes, unwavering, proving that his words weren’t just meant to comfort him in the moment.
“The thing about worrying over being a weasel—it wasn’t actually that big of a deal. And Park Doyoung… I just didn’t want you and him crossing paths. Even though I know you’d treat him coldly, I just… hated it. But saying that out loud felt petty and childish, so I didn’t want to talk about it…”
Even though Jeongseo had shown Yoontae many different sides of himself, he still wanted to show him only the best parts.
Everything Jeongseo had just said overlapped with the thoughts Yoontae had been having all this time.
Not wanting to reveal his jealousy over something trivial, not wanting to show that ugly side of himself.
That realization alone was enough to melt away all the lingering anxiety in Yoontae’s heart.
He let out a breathy laugh and covered Jeongseo’s hands, which were still cupping his cheeks.
“…Ah. I should’ve just said something sooner.”
Maybe then, the time they had spent apart wouldn’t have been so filled with worry.
But that was just hindsight talking—now that he knew Jeongseo’s true feelings, he could afford to regret it.
Even if he went back in time knowing what he did now, he’d probably act the same way.
“I didn’t know you felt that way either… I should’ve been more honest too.”
Nobody in the world is 100 percent honest.
Yet, when it comes to the people they love, they still expect the same level of honesty as their affection.
All while justifying their own secrecy.
Looking back, they both knew they had been wrong.
But at the time, they had lost all sense of objectivity.
Because when you like someone, you don’t want to show them your childish side.
You want to seem mature.
“…Still, thanks for telling me, Jeongseo.”
“Me too. Thanks, Yoontae!”
Now that they had finally laid everything out, the two of them couldn’t help but smile.
As they talked, the car neared Jeongseo’s family home.
Glancing outside, Yoontae turned to the driver.
“Sir, could you stop at that convenience store up ahead?”
The driver nodded and pulled over where Yoontae had pointed.
As soon as the car stopped, Yoontae quickly hid his ears and tail before stepping out.
Jeongseo instinctively lifted his hips, ready to follow, but Yoontae gently pressed down on his shoulder.
“Stay here. I’ll be quick.”
Since they were close to home, Jeongseo had assumed they’d stop by the store together before walking the rest of the way.
Feeling a bit awkward, he looked up at Yoontae and nodded.
Yoontae returned just as quickly as he had left, handing Jeongseo a sweet peach drink he liked.
Meanwhile, he cracked open a bottle of water for himself and drank it in one go.
Watching him gulp it down, Jeongseo found it odd.
Was he that thirsty?
But he dismissed it and sipped his own drink.
Once they arrived home, both of them got out of the car.
“Thank you!” Jeongseo called out cheerfully.
The driver nodded briefly before driving off without hesitation.
“Did your mom say she’s coming home late?”
“Yeah, she said she’d be back around eight! Oh, and when I told her you were coming, she was super happy. I think she really likes you, Yoontae.”
Chatting back and forth, they passed through the front gate.
Just as Jeongseo was about to unlock the door—
“…Hey, Jeongseo. Did you know?”
From behind the glass-paneled partition, Seobok, their dog, wagged his tail wildly, alternating between lying down and standing up in excitement.
Jeongseo, thinking about taking Seobok for a walk with Yoontae later, tilted his head.
“Hm? Know what?”
“You’ve been leaking pheromones like crazy this whole time.”
Jeongseo, mid-step as he was taking off his shoes, nearly jumped out of his skin.
What? Leaking pheromones?
Even if he was still a bit inexperienced with pheromones, there was no way he wouldn’t have noticed if his own were spreading.
“…No way.”
It was only after becoming aware of it that Jeongseo realized his pheromones were, in fact, seeping out.
But strangely enough, unlike during his heat cycle—when his pheromones would flare out of control due to arousal—this time, they were steady.
Almost like they had a purpose.
Experiencing this feeling for the first time, Jeongseo looked at Yoontae in confusion.
The moment their eyes met, the black pupils in Yoontae’s golden irises dilated.
Rather than Jeongseo, Yoontae seemed to be the one getting excited.
Alarmed, Jeongseo hastily tried to reel his pheromones back in, waving his hands.
“No, wait! I didn’t do this on purpose! I really didn’t notice— I don’t even know why this is happening…!”
But before he could finish, Yoontae grabbed his flailing hands and yanked him close.
At this close distance, Jeongseo finally realized—his pheromones had already completely soaked into Yoontae.
It had taken him this long to notice, thanks to his dull sensitivity to his own scent.
Yoontae’s eyes curved into an unreadable smile as he murmured,
“This is what you call a pheromone shower. I’m marking you as mine.”
* * *
