The weather in February was still cold because he couldn't take off his winter shirt yet. He was wearing a sweater up to his neck and a thick padded jacket, but he couldn't keep it off much because of the biting wind. It certainly wasn't that cold in the United States. Seo Woo-yeon thought and switched the phone to the other end.
[How can you leave me behind!]
His hands were cold without gloves. If it weren't for the hot compresses handed out in front of the front door, he wouldn't have lasted so long with the phone. Woo-yeon, who swayed and put his hand in his pocket, looked at the sign.
[Sorry, I didn't understand] [What?]
-[Seo Woo-yeon!]
Also, there was a sign written on the library, but there was no A building that he needed to go to. He looked around to see if there was anyone he could ask for directions, but there were only students looking around like Seo Woo-yeon.
[How can you go to Korea without me knowing? Huh? Is that the only way we're really like this?]
[Daniel...] We are like that, and I did not come here in secret.]
Should I keep walking? Seo Woo-yeon walked into the campus thinking that it was an extremely bad address. A well-organized flowerbed or neatly planted trees looked like they had spent a lot of money. If he hadn't studied abroad, one of those lawns would have been his for admission.
-[...I'm very upset, Seo Woo-yeon]
After a short pause, a quieter voice was heard. This time he couldn't hear what she was saying because she had lowered her voice level earlier. Seo Woo-yeon quickly spoke in English by pressing the volume button.
[I already told you that I would go to Korea when I turned 20.] It's been almost a month since I arrived in Korea. What should I do now? If you're going to argue, you should have argued before you went to the airport.]
[You're still 18 years old!]
[I am 20 years old in Korean age.]
As he spoke for a long while, he could feel the eyes of the students around him. No matter how many different types of people gather at universities, they stood out when they spoke a foreign language. Seo Woo-yeon hurried her steps, peeking out with her dyed hair.
[Please. I'm embarrassed to speak English] And it's so cold that you can see my breath. My hands are frozen. Can't you call me later?]
-[What's so embarrassing? Your pronunciation is good now. [It's perfect]
[That's not the problem...]....]
Seo Woo-yeon, who stopped talking, lowered her voice as much as possible. She didn't forget to switch back to her cell phone as she chose the words in her head. The hot compress touching her fingertips was too hot.
[I don't like it because it seems like I'm an international student]
In the fall, as soon as she turned 16, she took a flight to the United States. She was originally going to attend a foreign language institute, but decided to study abroad for various reasons. The time, the place, and everything were ambiguous, but, as expected, money solved everything.
-[You are an international student, right?]]
Daniel was the first American to approach him. At first, he said "Woo Yo On" with an awkward face, and after a month, he said "Seo Woo-yeon." It was Daniel who helped Seo Woo-yeon suffer from food, and it was Daniel who carried the inhibitors in the first cycle of his manifestation as an omega.
Maybe that's why he tried to take care of one thing or another for Seo Woo-yeon. Seo Woo-yeon was grateful when he wasn't discriminated against for being Asian, but when it came to meeting his guardian, he's been lazy to do so until now. Even more so when he has urgent matters.
[Did you go looking for that person?]
[That person?]
[The teacher you always talked about].
A sudden word stopped Seo Woo-yeon in place. The word took hold of his heart. In fact, it has been like this for a long time. From the first time he saw the main gate of the university, he saw a large banner congratulating him on his admission. No, to be exact, when he first set foot on Korean soil in four years.
'Yeonah'.
The naturally evocative face was not a friendly expression like a memory of Seo Woo-yeon. The slightly furrowed eyebrows and tightly closed lips are obviously those of a troubled person. The response that followed was not a good memory either.
'Professor, go to the army'
First love never comes true. The relationship with the professor ended the moment he joined the army. His professor changed his number and Seo Woo-yeon was the one who ran away to America.
"He left me...".
A small sigh came out. It wasn't for Daniel, but for himself. Daniel, who only knows how to say "hello" and "thank you" in Korean, couldn't understand it and replied.
-[That?]
[No, nothing]]
It's been four years since then. Seo Woo-yeon turned 20, manifested as an omega, and lost over 30 kilograms. As he grew up, his appearance also changed, so he was left alone for almost 20 minutes when checking his passport. Also, he took off his glasses after the LASIK operation, so the teacher would never recognize him.
[Anyway, hang up] I'm busy.]
Yes, I think so.
Seo Woo-yeon controlled the complexity and approached the sign. Fortunately, this time the map of the university was drawn. The building he was looking for was also located not far away.
-[Busy? In Korea?]
[What are you talking about?] [Who said that?]
Building A... Here it is.
[I'm going to college, Daniel]]
After a short silence, a shrill scream came from the other end of the phone. Seo Woo-yeon dropped the phone from a distance and hung up. An international call came in shortly after, but without hesitation, they all ended.
"Whoa...."
His hazy breath dispersed. The orientation of the freshmen in the English literature department of English. The door-to-door writing on the wall indicated where Seo Woo-yeon would go.
* * *
The orientation was much more boring than I thought. The welcome speech was held in an awkward atmosphere, and the faculty introduction and the academic orientation were also obvious. In short, congratulations on admission and school pride seem to have been the themes of this orientation.
In the afternoon, he was divided into several groups and taken to a multimedia room, and at that moment, he briefly thought about whether it would be good to go back home. The reason he couldn't do so was simply because he didn't have any friends to ask him about enrolling in the course.
"You don't know?"
A straight-looking assistant walked up to Seo Woo-yeon who was staring intently at the computer. He was a person who felt a sense of distance for some reason because his hair was black and his skin was white. Seo Woo-yeon was nervous about the thick alpha pheromone, but he relaxed when he realized that he was just “buried.”
"You can choose between this and this."
Straight fingers pointed one after another at the screen. Looking at the ring on the ring finger of the left hand, the pheromone he had just felt must be a sign of a lover. Sure enough, the assistant with his head down was giving off a light omega pheromone.
"Is there anything else you don't know?"
After the explanation, the assistant slowly turned his head. His eyes were as black as his hair when he first saw them. Seo Woo-yeon lowered her gaze and grabbed the mouse.
"I don't know how to listen to education......."
"Oh, class."
He asked without much expectation, but he got an unexpectedly honest answer. This is what gets good grades, but if you are not good at maths, you should listen to something else, or even be advised to aim for the other side because English is very basic and competitive.
Then suddenly, the assistant who stopped talking lowered his voice.
"Are you good at talking?"
"What? Oh, just a little."
It wasn't just a little bit good, but that's what Seo Woo-yeon said. The assistant nodded roughly to an elder.
"Teacher, please take care of the student, he is a dominant Omega."
Damn , she could feel the gaze. Seo Woo-yeon didn't respond, but the assistant continued to casually talk behind her back.
"Like in a heat cycle."
The little voice had a feeling of homogeneity towards the same omega. Instead of asking, Woo Yeon, who closed his mouth, put the lecture that the assistant pointed out to him into the shopping cart.
As soon as orientation was over, Woo-yeon left the building as if he were running away. He heard that there was a drinking party afterward, but the senior who told him about it was an alpha, so he didn't go. No, he wouldn't have gone if he was an omega or a beta.
"Sigh".
The cramp came out of his mouth. Even as someone crossed the campus, a terrible sense of reality washed over him. He gave up on the public university in the United States and came to Korea by convincing his mother, but looking back, he thought it was stupid.
It didn't mean that the university wasn't good. It was a prestigious portal, the facilities were good, and the department even had a friendly assistant. There were countless advantages, but Seo Woo-yeon didn't expect it.
"Yeonah".
If he's four years older, isn't there an age gap to go to the same university? Since he's a beta, he'll be going to the army, and if he went back to university right away, he'd be in the third grade. Maybe we can meet by chance.
The series of accidents led Seo Woo-yeon here. She knew it was a foolish thing to do, but she wrote an application and waited for the announcement of her acceptance. And as soon as she attended the entrance ceremony and saw the huge crowd, she realized one single mistake she had overlooked.
"What are you going to do when you find him?"
By chance. Yes, let's say we met. If he were to meet the teacher he had been longing for, and talk again, and vent his anger after a long time. What would be different then?
It didn't occur to him that he would be pleased with himself. The last thing Seo Woo-yeon remembers was an embarrassed face that he didn't show even when he missed his homework. Far from being happy, he might find Seo Woo-yeon who followed him to university disgusting.
'No, I wouldn't even recognize you.'
Seo Woo-yeon tilted his head with a self-help smile. Fortunately, there weren't many alphas in the department. By the way, he should have asked the assistant to choose an alpha teacher earlier. The moment he thought about it, he felt the alpha pheromone like a ghost.
"Oh."
The prized possession was the dominant alpha. He knew it too because he was dominant. The pheromone he felt was refreshing rather than unpleasant, but he accidentally raised his head with a frown.
The first thing he saw was a long stretch of coat. No matter how cold it was, the man wearing a thin turtleneck with a shirt was as neat as his back was straight. Where had he seen such a back? At that moment, the man sensed Seo Woo-yeon and turned his head.
"......."
Their eyes met. Time stopped, and her heart seemed to stop. A wave of disbelief washed over Seo Woo-yeon in the blink of an eye. Seo Woo-yeon took a deep breath, wanting to scream.
"Kim Do-hyun! Why are you coming now?"
It is the Professor. A face he hasn't forgotten in the past four years. It appeared in a dream when it was about to fade away, and it was imprinted when it was about to be erased. Soft eyes, double eyelids on one eye. And even the well-groomed eyebrows were from the "professor."
"......."
Seo Woo-yeon didn't believe in the word "coincidence." He had a slight expectation, but there was no hope that it would come true. The faintly hoped-for possibility had also been completely thrown away a while ago.
But he knew his teacher. It wasn't just the appearance, but the name was the same. Kim Do-hyun. His heart beat unwaveringly at the three words. The hairs stood on end and the pheromones crawled. He shouldn't spray pheromones like that. He wasn't as controlled as he was in his first manifestation.
"Uh......."
His mouth fluttered open. Did you miss me, or did you study hard? I lost so much weight, or I grew more. There was so much to say, and there was so much to talk about. Overall, it was an update and a boast, and it was something that made him smile and pat himself on the head when he heard it.
"Is...."
However, not a single word came out of his mouth. Good impression, good posture. Except for the fact that the face line has thickened, it is the same as before, but it was due to the constant feeling of incongruity. Seo Woo-yeon asked the question in a barely audible voice with her slightly sweet lips.
"...... Are you an alpha?"
I could smell pheromones. That's because of his strong presence. It was dry and refreshing, but it was a pheromone nonetheless. Cigarettes or perfumes can't imitate this authentic alpha scent.
"Yeah".
The answer came in a nonchalant manner. Do-hyun, who was looking at Seo Woo-yeon with an expressionless face, blinked slowly. There was no sign of finding the past in the dry mixed gaze.
"I'm an alpha."
As soon as she heard him, she turned her back. Biting her lip, she took a step. A step, and a step. As she walked away from him, her wavering emotions swirled.
Are you Alpha?
That's exactly what he asked for. The last confirmation was the beginning of all Seo Woo-yeon's emotions. If there had been a slightly different answer then, Seo Woo-yeon wouldn't have opened his heart until today after four years.
'Why, do you think Professor is Alpha?'
But is it Alpha?
* * *
She doesn't know how she spent the weeks. When she came to, classes started, and attendance at the course was disrupted. She heard about the lectures from her superiors, which was enough for Seo Woo-yeon to decide to drop out of college. No joke, she entered and left the department office ten more times four days after the opening of the class.
"There is still a period of correction......."
The good helper looked at Seo Woo-yeon's calendar and gave his sincere condolences. Not only did they acknowledge this and that, but they also secretly held lectures that were arranged on a first-come, first-serve basis. Normally, they don't do this, but it was because Seo Woo-yeon was so pitiful.
"Cheer up."
"Yeah......."
The assistant patted him lightly on the shoulder. He looked disappointed and slouched, like a discouraged puppy. If he had a tail, he would drag it on the ground. Seo Woo-yeon replied in a weak voice and hugged the bag tightly.
"Excuse me, assistant."
Thanks to the cold schedule, it was a long time before the next class. He had nowhere to go, and he hadn't made any friends. He couldn't get rid of his thoughts as he vaguely killed his time.
Seo Woo-yeon put an iron plate on his face and looked at the assistant. It was to ask for a name that he had not forgotten in the past four days.
"Do you know Kim Do-hyun?"
"KIM Do-hyun?"
The assistant tilted his head in surprise. He doesn't know all the students because he's a department assistant, but he didn't think he didn't know Do-hyun. He checked the time again and asked casually.
"For the club?"
"Is he at the club?"
"Do-hyun is the head of the English classics reading club. Did you ask because you were interested?"
Seo Woo-yeon nodded genially. Reading English classics is a club he told her about when he was tutoring. She thinks he said he was the youngest before, but he became the club president before he knew it.
"Why are you curious?"
"Just, what kind of person......."
Seo Woo-yeon, who blurred the end of his words, twirled the strap of his bag with his fingers. I mentioned it first, but he felt uncomfortable belatedly. Doesn't it look like he's scratching his back?
"Well, he's a good boy."
Fortunately, the assistant gave the easiest answer. He stopped talking as if he was watching the reaction and added a more detailed explanation.
"He is responsible and works hard at club activities. They will surely like you to join. He is the best in our department, so he will help us when we take the exam."
It wasn't much different from what Seo Woo-yeon knew. She didn't know he was that tall. She also felt that he was responsible through mentoring.
".........Alpha, right?"
Seo Woo-yeon managed to get out a question. The answer was already a set question.
"Yeah".
After the orientation, everything was in his mind. The face he saw that day, the look on Seo Woo-yeon's face, the pheromones floating in the air, and the answers she gave.
'Am alpha'.
You had said no.
Seo is a person who has always hated Alpha. It was the same before he grew up, and it was the same after he manifested. If the former was a simple avoidance, the latter was more of a fundamental aversion. The damn alphas never stopped bothering Seo Woo-yeon.
"Anything else you want to know?"
"......No, I'm fine now."
So he felt betrayed. It was disappointing, a little unfair. The backlash came before the reception that the opponent he liked so much was actually Alpha.
Well, technically, Do-hyun didn't say "I'm not an alpha." When she asked him if he looked like an alpha, he guessed and concluded for himself, but he felt like he lied by not correcting the misunderstanding.
"Thank you".
Seo Woo-yeon bent down and carried the bag over his shoulder. The weather was a little warmer, so he was wearing a coat instead of a padded jacket, and the tip of his nose was cold inside. He should have wrapped up warmly and not just dressed up. No matter how much he thinks about it, he underestimated the cold in Korea.
"Oh, wait a second."
The assistant held onto Seo Woo-yeon who turned around and raised a hand. When he turned his head upon hearing the call, “Garam!”, a student approached him from not far away.
"Have you called me?"
She was as tall as Seo Woo-yeon. Her long hair and sharp appearance distanced her from the assistant. The pheromone that surged at first sight told her that he was an alpha.
"You want to join a club."
"No, right now......."
Seo Woo-yeon tried to back away and stopped. The eyes that met in the air shone like a beast finding prey. He suddenly approached Seo Woo-yeon, smiling with a bright face.
"Freshman"?
It was a powerful voice for some reason. Seo Woo-yeon really backed up this time. He waved his hand, saying no, and suddenly nodded.
"Oh, I've seen you somewhere. You're the orienteering rookie."
"From the OT?"
"Don't you remember? I said there was a party afterward, and you said you were busy and left."
For a moment, a memory flashed through his mind. On orientation day, it was Alpha who recommended the after-party. He didn't even make eye contact at the thought of Alpha, and ran off as fast as he could.
"...... I'm sorry."
Garam's eyes widened as he saw the hesitant apology. He made a strange sound, saying, "Huh?" and then smiled widely, saying, "What are you apologizing for?"
"If you feel like it, you can join the club. Do you like Shakespeare?"
It was a random question. Perhaps the assistant thought about it, turned his head and smiled. Is it about Shakespeare because it is "Reading English Classic"? While the embarrassed Seo Woo-yeon Hesitating to answer, the superior wrinkled his eyebrows with a subtle face.
"There's a general meeting today. Will you come?"
* * *
"Wow, so you were in America?"
"Where in America? LOS ANGELES? New York? How many years have you been there?"
"My friend made a fuss about racism. Isn't that the case there?"
Seo Woo-yeon frowned awkwardly at the questions being poured in. How did it happen, and the attention paid to him was overwhelming. At first, there were one or two people, but when he stood up, everyone at the table was staring at Seo Woo-yeon.
"...... I was in Los Angeles for four years."
When Garam first brought him to the drinking party, Seo Woo-yeon sat in a corner like a sack of barley. This is because seniors were among seniors, rookies among rookies, and factions were already formed. Because of Seo Woo-yeon's nature, he can't be friendly, and Do-hyun is so far away that he can't be seen. While he was trying his best not to notice him, a beta came over.
"You came to orientation, right?"
His name was Kwon Seon-gyu. Seongyu, who was drinking beer leisurely, sat opposite Seo Woo-yeon and spoke to her in a friendly manner.
'I thought you had gone to another university because I couldn't see you.'
He turned on his cell phone and showed her the schedule. That was the beginning of everything. Seongyu was shocked by the messed up schedule that could only be seen on the Internet, and naturally Seo Woo-yeon was the object of sympathy for everyone.
"But isn't LA tuition expensive? Your family must be living well."
"Hey, don't be rude."
Seongyu frowned so as not to spoil the mood. It was true that LA’s tuition was expensive, and Seo Woo-yeon’s house was well-off, but it didn’t seem to matter. It was different from those who were eager to tease Seo Woo-yeon in middle school.
"Oh, you have a lot of new friends"
Before he knew it, Garam, who had walked up to him, had snuck in between them. He had the scent of alcohol, alpha pheromones, and everything Seo Woo-yeon hated. Seo Woo-yeon pressed himself against the wall to avoid him, but the superior laughed heartlessly.
"Handsome boys are different."
Garam's pheromones loosened. It was unintentional, and he seemed to have forgotten to control himself because of the alcohol. Seo Woo-yeon covered his mouth with his sleeves as if resting his chin and breathed shallowly.
"She is really......."
"Moon Garam is acting like an old lady again."
At this moment, a deep voice came from behind. It was a soft and calm voice that he knew by chance. For a moment, a large hand went up to his shoulder to stiffen his body against the trembling of his heart.
"He's uncomfortable."
There was no need to look back. Do-hyun casually pushed Garam aside and crossed the chair with his long legs. Coincidentally, he started hiccuping at a distance close to his shoulder.
"Ah, why are you sitting here so cramped?"
"Adjust your pheromones."
Blood flowed rapidly throughout his body. His heart was pounding and he felt like he could hear a sound. As he hiccupped and hiccupped and Seo Woo-yeon shook her shoulders, Do-hyun brought a bucket of water without looking at him.
"You have a drinking problem. I've been bothering the new students."
"What do you mean by bothering? I came here to be close."
A glass of water was placed in front of Seo Woo-yeon. Seo Woo-yeon stared at the passing fingertips. Hiccup. Again, the shoulders moved silently. Do-hyun, who was looking at Seo Woo-yeon out of the corner of his eye, touched the glass of water.
"Drink it."
He spoke in a calm tone as always. Even the neatly organized nails were no different from when he held a pen. However, it was different that he changed from casual speech to honorific speech.
"...... Thank you."
He felt his stomach ache. The consideration that would have touched him in the past was not at all pleasant now. Thanks to Do-hyun, Garam's pheromones were completely blocked, but he was not happy either. The teacher's kindness is really directed at everyone. The fact that he noticed him again was strangely empty.
"Are you OK?"
Seongyu, who saw the change in Seo Woo-yeon's face, asked carefully. Seo Woo-yeon nodded to signify that it was okay and handed him the water. The hiccups stopped from the moment Do-hyun handed them the water.
"It's him."
Garam pointed at Seo Woo-yeon with a more intoxicated face. She leaned on Do-hyun's shoulder and Do-hyun pushed Garam away as if he was familiar with her. Garam also opened his mouth without a word.
"Isn't that what I said?"
Do-hyun's eyes met Seo Woo-yeon's. For a moment, Seo Woo-yeon hoped he would recognize himself. He didn't have plastic surgery, and he was tall and had lost weight, so he didn't know if he looked good up close.
"...... You're right".
However, Do-hyun didn't recognize Seo Woo-yeon. Aside from the fact that he was a student from the orientation, he didn't even have the feeling that he had seen him anywhere. He simply tilted his eyes gently and asked.
"Can I speak comfortably?"
It was an artificial smile. At least it seemed to Seo that way. She was smiling pretty, but it felt awkward for some reason.
"Yeah".
Memories are beautiful when they linger. In Seo Woo-yeon's imagination, Kim Do-hyun may have been over-glorified. Maybe that's why. He's still kind, still sweet, but he wasn't as exciting as before.
"You said you wanted to join our club, right?"
Four years have passed. Spring has passed three times while he was away, so it was no wonder his emotions were fading. His heart was beating rapidly because he was surprised by the sudden reunion.
"What is your name?"
Seo Woo-yeon looked at Do-hyun with sour eyes. The moment their eyes met, his stomach ached, but he tried to ignore it as if he didn't know. This relationship, which had to be repeated from the name, was useless and tacky.
"Seo Woo-yeon".
Do-hyun moved his lips with a frown. The twitching, trembling eyebrows immediately caught Seo Woo-yeon's attention. Soon, she said his name clearly.
"Seo woo... Yeon?"
His eyes were burning. If he answered " Yes ", he thought that calling him "Yeonah" would come back. However, it is time to correct the traces of the past.
"Okay, Seo Woo-yeon."
"Oh, what a coincidence."
That was it. The interest that had just been aroused quickly faded. Seo Woo-yeon took hold of his subject again. When a person with the same name appears, he or she passes by. For Do-hyun, he or she was like that.
"Seo Woo-yeon".
She couldn't see Do-hyun's face saying that because she immediately rolled her eyes. However, a sweet voice still dyed Seo Woo-yeon's face red. She thinks it's a deception to have such a good voice.
"Seo Woo-yeon?"
Seongyu, who was exchanging drinks with Garam, asked an implicit question. Do-hyun was also pouring soju from a new glass. It seems he's going to remain in the seat at this table.
"It's the same name as the student I tutored. But it had one syllable. 'Seonwoo Yeon.'"
"Oh, what a coincidence."
Unknowingly, he was excited because he had mentioned himself. Woo-yeon pressed his palm with his nails and pushed down the bulge filling his neck. However, he couldn't suppress his subsequent greed.
"What kind of student was he?"
A little more, I wanted to hear her story about him. At least I wanted to know how she remembered him. They say the name is the same, so wouldn't you be very curious about this? Seo Woo-yeon looked up so comfortably.
"Well, it's just...."
The bulging Adam's apple bobbed up and down. The jawline below his ear was much more pronounced than it had been four years ago. Do-hyun shrugged and lifted the corners of his lips skillfully.
"It's not a good memory."
It felt like I had been hit on the back of the head. It seemed like someone was having fun with Seo Woo-yeon. The cool head clearly revealed the cold reality.
"I don't really want to talk about it."
Was it a memory he didn't even want to remember? Was it bad enough to change the subject with such a worried face? Was it because he wanted to get away from Seo Woo-yeon that he immediately stopped contacting and changed his number and disappeared?
"......I guess you didn't hear."
"Well, it's not like that."
He shouldn't have confessed. He regretted it too late. If that were the case, the current answer would have been a little different. "He was a good student." He wouldn't have been so upset if he had gotten off so well.
"Anyway, the club is......."
Seo Woo-yeon drank the beer in front of Do-hyun, spilling what he said. The steam and warmth made him feel worse. When he frowned, Do-hyun filled the glass with fresh beer.
"Do you like English novels?"
In fear, he closed his eyes and opened them again. The heat around his eyes wasn't just from the alcohol. The cold beer made his hands feel more and more.
'I like you'.
'I like you, teacher.'
The day Woo-yeon couldn't hold back and confessed, Do-hyun didn't laugh at Woo-yeon. He didn't pat him on the head or understand him. That awkward word about going to the army was all a reaction to Seo Woo-yeon.
"That's great. I'll give you the application form later, so you can fill it out and bring it with you. Or you can come directly."
Well, it's not that Seo Woo-yeon doesn't understand. There won't be any 16-year-old college student who would be happy about a fat kid's confession. Maybe it was Seo Woo-yeon, not Do-hyun, but a similar reaction.
"Give me your cell phone. I'll give you my number."
"Oh, my phone......."
Seo Woo-yeon stood up from his seat and searched through his pockets. He searched through his pants for a long time, but the mobile phone came out of the pocket of his sweatshirt. When he took out the uncovered mobile phone with an embarrassed face, Do-hyun made a sound of falling wind.
"It's going to scratch."
A basic background screen appeared on the LCD. Seo Woo-yeon didn't even have his phone locked. Do-hyun entered the number with a subtle expression, and Woo-yeon saved it as "Kim Do-hyun senior." Do-hyun stared at him.
"......What's happening?"
Do-hyun's eyes moved. It was his left eye with double eyelids. He tilted his head at an angle and winked at his mobile phone.
"Because you knew my name."
"......."
Now that you think about it, it was only Seo Woo-yeon who said the name. Seo Woo-yeon found the right excuse, trying not to embarrass himself as much as possible.
"I heard it from the assistant."
"Yeonwoo hyung?"
Fortunately, Do-hyun continued without saying a word. He was just curious, assuming he didn't want to fall into the trap. After learning the name of the new assistant, Woo-yeon put his phone back into his stomach pocket.
"Honey, give me your number too."
"Oh, me too."
With Garam leading the way, Seongyu and even the strangers took out their cell phones. Seo Woo-yeon, who wanted to ask why, entered the number as if he was pushed without time to ask. He wondered if there were about four people who entered like that. Garam tapped Do-hyun's shoulder with a proud face.
"Hey, let's go smoke."
"I quit smoking."
"You thug, again."
Garam looked around without further suggestion.
"Who smokes?"
Most of the tables stood up with a quick question. Among them was Seongyu, who called out to Woo-yeon.
"And you?"
Seo Woo-yeon followed suit immediately. She couldn't bear to be alone with Do-hyun. The problem was the fact that Do-hyun didn't get up from his seat even though Seo Woo-yeon did.
"Go"
With a start, Seo Woo-yeon made him stop talking and move his neck. Habits are so scary. Years have passed and he still hasn't completely erased it. Just like now, I almost called him teacher.
"......Senior, please move a little to the side."
After a short silence, Do-hyun moved to the side. When there was enough space, Seo Woo-yeon rushed onto the chair. She looked like a rabbit running away.
It was a bar with no smoking room, so he had to go outside to smoke. Among the people with cigarettes in their mouths, Woo-yeon simply took the cigarettes that Seongyu had handed him. Seongyu tried to light it with the fire, but shook his head.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"He's very handsome. How old is he?"
"What about the club? Can I join too?"
The topic of conversation was Dohyun. Garam answered politely one by one with an expression like, "Is that why he hasn't dated?" Woo-yeon, who was relieved to know that he didn't have a lover, was surprised that he was relieved and lit his cigarette.
"There is nothing to see except his face. You should never meet a retired student."
"Oh, it's so nice"
"I'm nicer."
What does it have to do with me if she has a lover or not ? When I look in vain at the broken cigarette, Seongyu takes out a new one. Seo Woo-yeon asked him this time instead of holding it in her hand.
"Do-hyun is really cool."
"......not really."
She didn't want to admit with her own mouth that Do-hyun was popular. Her already bubbling stomach was now boiling over completely.
"I don't want to laugh because it's like a farce."
Soon, Seongyu's face hardened. His eyes were on him, not Seo Woo-yeon. As soon as the ominous Seo Woo-yeon raised his head, a familiar pheromone could be felt.
"Here you go."
Goosebumps rose up her spine. His voice was as usual, but it felt like a death sentence. The subtle and gentle pheromones were also fierce when she happened to sense them.
"Oh, Kim Do-hyun, are you here? See, you can't stop smoking."
"Do you think I'm you?"
Do-hyun walked past him and approached Garam. The black coat fit him well, as if it had been tailor-made. Taking a pack of cigarettes from the inside pocket of his coat, Do-hyun put a cigarette in his mouth and nodded his chin.
"Give me a lighter."
"I order you, you punk!
With the whip, the lighter flew out. The lighter, which was drawing a parabola, landed exactly in Do-hyun's hand. He lit the tip of the cigarette with his eyes downcast and his hands blocked the wind.
"Why aren't you in that alley? Why are you here?"
The cigarette smoke dispersed. Seo Woo-yeon was shocked by exactly two facts when he saw the figure. First, that he is used to smoking. And that the cigarette is a pheromone cigarette.
"There are so many people. Why do I want to be a bully?"
"It's similar here and there."
I don't think I smoked when I was 20. No, they may have smoked but I didn't know. It's very difficult not to know if they smoked. cigarette if you didn't even know it was Alpha.
"I don't think you heard that, did you?"
Seongyu lowered his voice and whispered secretly. Seo Woo-yeon, who had momentarily not understood what he said, nodded as she thought about what he had said.
"...... I know".
Beyond his gaze, Do-hyun exhaled cigarette smoke without even looking at him. The smell of cigarettes mixed with pheromones was very unpleasant for some reason.
* * *
What do you mean you haven't heard?
"......Do you have something to say?"
The corners of Seo Woo-yeon's mouth twitched. She asked as politely as possible and looked at Do-hyun. Do-hyun, who was watching Seo Woo-yeon with his chin on his back, shook his head, saying, "It's nothing."
Why do people who are nothing keep staring at me? But Seo Woo-yeon was too pretty to spit out the words.
"Senior..."
On Friday morning, Seo Woo-yeon who went to college too early made her meet Do-hyun in an empty classroom. Why is the teacher here? For a moment she thought like that. Do-hyun also blinked in surprise.
Why are you here?
The question contained many meanings. They were surprised and denied that they could take this lecture. And a little surprised by the sudden appearance of Seo Woo-yeon.
"Because I've messed up my schedule..."
The words brought a sympathetic look, if only for a moment. It's the first semester of freshman year, but I couldn't believe I was taking a course that was difficult for a third grader. It was helpful not to decide to drop out.
"Cheer up."
It was a joy filled with regret. Seo Woo-yeon felt like crying. Is dropping out this time the solution? Thinking like this, he was about to leave the classroom, but a soft question surprised him.
"Where are you going?"
"What? I'm going to go get some."
It was a lie. He was just trying to avoid being alone because he felt overwhelmed.
"Really?"
Do-hyun replied nonchalantly and stood up from his seat. The broad shoulders and good walk were so cool that he was taken aback. While Seo Woo-yeon was briefly mesmerized, he walked over with a step to the left and handed something to her.
"There is a cafeteria at the end of the first floor."
It was an ordinary credit card. A square thing used to calculate
"Buy a small americano and whatever you want to drink."
Seo Woo-yeon opened her mouth with wide eyes. Do-hyun was holding the bag he was carrying before she knew it. Do-hyun smiled with a kind face.
"If you don't know the way, I'll go with you."
Of course, it was a cafe just for Seo Woo-yeon. It was the first time in Seo Woo-yeon's life that someone ran an errand and bought her a drink in return. He took her bag hostage and made it even worse.
"You came back quickly."
Do-hyun received the drink with a slight smile in his eyes. To say thank you, Seo Woo-yeon picked up a bag beside him. Do-hyun picked it up again this time.
"Just sit down. There's no one next to me."
Of course not. Not only the seat next to him, but the entire classroom was empty. He felt stupefied, but he had nothing to refute.
"......."
The silence that began like this was the tenth minute of freezing. Seo Woo-yeon was determined to fiddle with his phone, feeling like vomiting from the awkwardness. “Daniel, what do you think about me dropping out of college?” Do-hyun opened his mouth this time.
"Do you like sweet things?"
He looked at the drink that Seo Woo-yeon had bought. The pink strawberry milkshake remained untouched. As Seo Woo-yeon nodded with an ambiguous face, he handed the drink to her as if she was worth knowing.
"Everything tastes bad except American."
'Do you want one?' he declined the offer. No wonder the strawberry milkshake tasted like nothing. Seo Woo-yeon made him decide not to go to the cafeteria again. The message he was beating himself up with was safely sent to Daniel.
"Seo Woo-yeon".
She shivered from head to toe. It was because saying her name, Seo Woo-yeon, was too unfamiliar. Do-hyun smiled at her as he turned his head like an unoiled robot.
"Are you uncomfortable with me?"
Needless to say, it was the right answer. It was surprising that such a question had finally come up. Seo Woo-yeon didn't bother to answer, but Do-hyun accepted the silence as a positive thing.
"Because?"
I wasn't asking why. It was just the start for the next word.
"Does your smile look fake?"
"Cough!"
A loud cough made Seo Woo-yeon run his head. It wasn't even from drinking, but from choking on air. Cough, cough, cough a few times, the white face burst into flames.
"Oh, it's not that I'm uncomfortable. Did I say no?"
Do-hyun casually strokes her round back. When Seo Woo-yeon jumps at the touch, he pulls his hand away and shrugs. Seo Woo-yeon was still coughing.
"Why are you so nervous?"
"...... that's not it."
My throat was dry. The cough was so intense that tears were even forming in his eyes. Do-hyun, who was looking at him with a relaxed look, slightly lowered his mouth.
"You have a small liver. Why do you say that?"
"...... I'm sorry."
Seo woo made him sit down, apologizing silently. He wanted to change his seat, but the students were entering one by one. If you get called out for making a scene, then you have no choice but to leave.
"It's nothing. I was just joking."
"......."
"Don't look at me like that. I was just joking."
What has happened in the past four years? Do-hyun, who Seo Woo-yeon knows, was not a person to make such childish accusations. He was not the one to say what he wanted to say.
"You're really bad at keeping a straight face."
Do-hyun seemed to be having fun in this situation. Seo Woo-yeon's embarrassment and inability to make eye contact seemed like just entertainment. Seo woo has given him a splinter.
"...You often hear that I have a bad personality, right?"
She looked around and drank a strawberry milkshake. It tasted like ice water with very little strawberry flavor. Do-hyun opened his eyes wide and soon smiled weakly.
"It's my first time with a hombae."
He seemed pleased by the fact. The tips of his eyes folded gently and the shape of his lips drew a line. The teeth that were revealed at first sight were white and neat. It was a difference of heaven and earth from the artificially or intentionally constructed smile.
"I hope you've never heard of it."
Seo Woo-yeon made him mumble and touch his earlobes with his fingertips. He could see that his face was red even without looking in the mirror. It was because he choked, never because of the teacher. Only after that brainwashing did the fever around his eyes go away.
Fortunately, Do-hyun didn't talk to him after that. He didn't stare at him as intently as before, and he didn't laugh unnecessarily. He just opened a notebook and turned his pen around in thought. It was as if he had been waiting blankly after talking to Seo Woo-yeon to solve the problem.
"Term..."
Teacher, Seo Woo-yeon tried to call out to him but swallowed his voice. The words back that couldn’t be followed were replaced by other forms instead.
"Senior".
The pen, which was spinning in an instant, fell down. Do-hyun picked up the pen casually.
"You can call me hyung."
The thick eyes turned to Seo Woo-yeon. Seo Woo-yeon thought that his expressionless face was like a different person.
"I don't think you're familiar with the sound senior, but you can call me hyung."
'Call me professor.'
At first, that was what Do-hyun said. He spoke in a determined voice to Seo Woo-yeon before looking at the title. It was a stern look, but the next word was tender.
'I'll let you call me 'hyung' when you become a college student.'
"...... after".
Seo Woo-yeon became a college student and had the opportunity to call him hyung. It was a much closer name than teacher and student, but the relationship has come to that.
"So..... at your disposal."
Yes? It doesn't matter what you call it.
"So? Do you have anything to say?"
"Can I ask you a question?"
It was a very cautious question. Do-hyun blinked as if he was going to do what he wanted. He was nervous as he waited calmly for the last word.
"How old were you when you became Alpha?"
It was the only hope she had left when she realized he was an alpha. It's rare, but there are times when you become an adult. He wasn't an alpha when he was a tutor, but he thinks he developed after breaking up. Seo Woo-yeon has never given up on that possibility.
"I manifested..."
Do-hyun looked at Seo Woo-yeon. Facing her pale eyes, he frowned as if groping for memory. A softer voice came from her soft lips.
"Fourteen... No, fifteen."
It wasn't disappointing. I didn't have the energy to get discouraged again because I didn't think it would be.
"I demonstrated like most young people. And you?
"That's all for me, too..."
However, he was sorry. The memories he cherished had ended up being glorified. He felt so disappointed that he lost all his energy.
Then, he forgot that Do-hyun was there and felt sad. Do-hyun muttered softly as the tips of his eyes lowered.
"......That's strange."
"That?"
It was a polite response. Honestly, I wasn't even listening properly. Do-hyun blinked slowly after carefully looking at Seo woo-yeon's face.
"I thought you were pretending you didn't know."
Pretending not to know? He didn't ask again. This is because Do-hyun, who was looking at Seo Woo-yeon's face, asked.
"Don't you remember me?"
"......."
It took a while for the brain to remember. No, maybe it was too fast to go back four years at once. By chance, trying not to show his embarrassment, he moved his throat.
"What's that? .... "
He was speechless. His heart sank and his pupils dilated greatly. He couldn't find anything to say in his already blank mind. What do you mean you don't remember?
"Why, last time."
Do-hyun remained calm throughout. He didn't consider stopping talking even though he knew it was embarrassing for Seo Woo-yeon.
"Meet me at the front door."
the main door
"......."
......The front door?
"......he."
Seo Woo-yeon made him roll his eyes. First, he opened the front door and reflected on his memory. If it is the front door, it is definitely not four years ago that Seo Woo-yeon thought.
"How do you remember it?"
The bewildered gaze turned to Do-hyun. Seo Woo-yeon calmed her startled heart and let out a fake laugh. The startled heart began to beat normally again.
"Surprised".
It was a passing encounter. Seo Woo-yeon spoke, but it was only for a brief moment. It wasn't yesterday, and it's been more than 15 days, and it was amazing that she remembered it.
"I'm good at remembering people. And it's harder not to remember when it's someone like you."
Do-hyun spoke more like Seo Woo-yeon was strange. He said that he had eyes, and there was also a sense of ridicule in his voice. Seo Woo-yeon angrily glared at Do-hyun.
"What's wrong with me?"
"......."
His face frowned. He opened his lips a few times. Closing them, he sighed briefly. For some reason, he felt like he had lost his fighting spirit.
"......".
A leaked voice enveloped the topic. Seo Woo-yeon secretly swept her chest with a surge of relief. Then, she suddenly questioned her feelings.
It wasn't particularly a secret that he had private lessons. He just didn't say it because it wouldn't matter to Dohyon. It doesn't matter if you get caught now. First of all, the premise of "getting caught" was strange.
"If you said you didn't know, I was going to let it go. It's not that big of a deal, and it's fun to pretend you know."
It was like this. If Do-hyun didn't know about Seo Woo-yeon, he was going to let it go. Seo Woo-yeon's position was enough to be a "junior in transit." He's not junior 1, he's not junior 2, he's junior 3.
"But why did you bring up Alpha, Woo-yeon?"
As if to concentrate, Do-hyun tapped the desk. Seo Woo-yeon made him notice Do-hyun's fingertips. The nails that tapped the desk were round and neat.
"So you think I should ask."
He suddenly had an ominous feeling. Do-hyun's voice was very sweet, but Seo Woo-yeon made him have an instinctive sense of crisis. It intensified the moment the lingering gaze took the upper hand.
"Why did you ask me if I'm an alpha?"
"I am doomed."
The thought that filled his head paralyzed the accident. It was not the time to relax and rest. Do-hyun had to quickly change the subject when he smiled with a kind face. While Woo-yeon was sweating, her eyes bent like a crescent moon urged him once again.
"Huh? Woo-yeon."
* * *
Luckily, Seo Woo-yeon was able to avoid his response. It was because the teacher entered the classroom shortly after. The teacher, who took attendance as soon as he arrived, turned on the PPT for the first class and led a passionate orientation. For the first time in his life, he fervently prayed that the class would not end.
"Well, let's finish class."
As soon as the teacher spoke, Seo Woo-yeon also closed the notebook and woke up. He had to get out of this class as soon as possible. However, before that, the tall young man blocked Seo Woo-yeon's side.
"......."
Seo woo alternated between the empty chair and the person next to it. He definitely hung the bag behind the chair, but it was in Do-hyun's hand before he knew it. Do-hyun put the bag on the desk and smiled softly.
"Grab your stuff. Let's go eat."
The hand with the note shook. Seo Woo-yeon raised her head to refuse, but Do-hyun reached out to take the note from Seo Woo-yeon's hand.
"Class ended early, so we have an hour free."
What do you mean, an hour? There was enough time for lunch until the next class. I wasn't messing up the schedule for any reason.
"I'll buy you something delicious."
Do-hyun smiled softly. It was a fake smile he had just made up. Seo Woo-yeon grabbed his bag that was being held hostage. and spoke decisively.
"I was thinking about eating rice..."
"Keep thinking anyway."
"......."
The first excuse was brutally trampled on. Even the persecution of "that's why you're skinny" followed. It was the first time Seo Woo-yeon heard that he was skinny.
"I'm not that hungry."
"I'm hungry".
"It's not time to eat yet."
"I have not desaYeonahdo."
"I'm waiting for my friend."
"Seon-gyu had a conference today"
"......How do you know?"
Do-hyun was surprised this time. Do-hyun stopped talking and blinked.
"Does he really have no class?" He threw it out like a beast.
Seo Woo-yeon wordlessly slid the strap of the bag. The smile of the winner appeared on Do-hyun's face. Only then softened his voice.
"You're going, right?"
The closed space was filled with the cold air of late winter. When Seo Woo-yeon shook and blocked the padding, Do-hyun put down the hostage and turned on the heater. The heater that was turning wi-ying blew a slow cold wind.
"Sit wherever you want."
Two sofas and a couch. Seo Woo-yeon sat on a sofa near the entrance. Do-hyun, who looked at him, took off his coat and left it on the sofa.
"Warm wind takes time to go out. If it's very cold, keep covered."
Before I could thank him, Do-hyun headed to the corner closet. As he took off his coat by chance, he was actually wearing a thin knitwear.
"That's why I liked it."
Perhaps Do-hyun would have taken off his coat no matter who was cold. At least Do-hyun, who he met by chance, was. He would have been excited if he were 16-year-old Seo Woo-yeon, but now he was not wrong.
"......I guess you don't feel cold."
He didn't mean to be blunt. Do-hyun, who glanced at Seo Woo-yeon, casually opened the cabinet. Fortunately, he didn't seem upset.
"Just ride as much as everyone else."
Seo Woo-yeon touched his ear and covered himself with the coat. The large coat was lightly smeared with pheromones. It was comfortable instead of oppressive, and dry instead of sticky. The fragrance and subtlety were also attractive to Seo Woo-yeon of not liking alphas.
"You must be very popular."
Alpha and Omega determine first impressions with pheromones. Maybe Alpha Do-hyun also feels pheromones first when he sees Omega. If it is a pheromone that resembles Do-hyun like this, he will probably soar without knowing that the sky is high.
Seo Woo-yeon who seemed so far away made him feel strange and narrow his eyebrows. The part that seemed to be trapped or not and the part that seemed strange emerged blurry. However, the idea was erased when Do-hyun sat in front of him and asked.
"When exactly is the next conference?"
He was carrying a pen and a piece of paper. Woo-yeon replied silently, looking at the paper that said, " Club application form."
"At five o'clock."
Stop, stop moving. Do-hyun, who had his left eye squinted, tilted his head still. The dark eyes were filled with question marks.
"At 5 pm?"
"I don't think it's 5 in the morning."
"Huh."
Seo Woo-yeon, who had already gotten used to such reactions, took out her phone and showed him the schedule. Do-hyun, who carefully searched through the list, asked in an absurd voice.
"What should I do to make the schedule like this?"
What are you doing? He tossed and turned all night without sleeping, and he missed the time and pressed the wrong button. The cause was Kim Do-hyun whom he met by chance.
"There is still a period of correction, so please beg the teachers. They don't want new students to drop out either."
"My assistant checked the schedule, but everyone is busy because it's the beginning of the semester."
"I'll leave until you're here. Either you send an email or you keep waiting in front of the professor's office. No... So, have you attended all the classes that you're going to drop without any tricks?"
"......."
".......... ha."
Do-hyun touched his forehead with one hand. Seo Woo-yeon responded calmly when he said that he didn't know if he was clever or sincere.
"I have a bad head."
"......I'm sorry, I was wrong. How can you get into our school if you're smart?"
I'm telling you, that didn't work. Do-hyun waved his hand and handed a pen to Woo-yeon.
"Let's use it. You said you were going to join the club."
Seo Woo-yeon dragged his hand off the court. Do-hyun smiled like a fool.
"Are you still cold?"
Later, Seo Woo-yeon realized that the room had already warmed up. The surrounding air was warm enough that he didn't feel cold even if he took off his coat and removed the padding. If he knew he was embarrassed, Do-hyun covered his mouth and held back his laughter.
"You can keep yourself covered."
"......No, thanks. Your coat is warm ."
As the heat inside increased, Seo Woo-yeon had him remove the padding. Do-hyun, who was about to put on the coat she had returned to him, stopped. Dazed eyes alternated between the coat and Seo Woo-yeon.
"What's on your face?"
Was he attracted to the floor? Seo Woo-yeon made him get up from his seat, thinking about it. He quietly covered himself, but it was possible because it was so long. Do-hyun muttered, looking at the coat.
"There's something about him."
"Oh... I should have been careful."
Seo Woo-yeon reached out her hand with an apologetic look. She was about to say sorry and give her the laundry fee, but Do-hyun folded his coat and put it beside her. Then she had a pen in her hand.
"It doesn't matter. It's no big deal."
As soon as their fingers touched, Seo Woo-yeon made Do-hyun jerk reflexively. The shocked Do-hyun stopped moving, his face stiff. The pen he dropped rolled away.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry."
It was already the second apology. Seo Woo-yeon hurriedly added an excuse, grabbing her gathered hand.
"I didn't do it on purpose......."
The finger Do-hyun touched was burning hot. He didn't even bring his fingers together, but his face turned red. His throat was tickled as if pheromones were coming out.
"I'm sorry, you must be surprised."
Do-hyun brought a pen which he rolled for him. This time, instead of holding it in his hand, he put it in front of him. Looking at it, Seo Woo-yeon belatedly realized the incompatibility she felt before.
"Okay, sit down."
He didn't feel any pheromone. At the first meeting, and at the place. The pheromone, which was clearly felt, was not felt by Do-hyun. As a beta, he was like a man who was buried.
"Because?"
Words of doubt filled his throat. There were many things he wanted to ask, but it was difficult to handle after asking. If he asked about guidance like before, it was Seo Woo-yeon who was in trouble.
"Fill in all the blanks." Name, school year, department, date of birth."
Seo Woo-yeon filled in the blanks one after another and frowned gently. Aside from joining the club, it was so shocking that he realized it a while ago. He couldn’t believe that he was the one in trouble. Since when did he think that?
"Write down three classics you like to enroll in English."
"Shakespeare?"
".........No?"
If the teacher hadn't arrived before class, Seo Woo-yeon would have explained the past. He recognized Do-hyun at first sight, felt betrayed by the fact that he was an alpha, and asked that question with a feeling of doubt. If he says it, their relationship is revealed naturally.
"You don't have to write emails."
By the way, I couldn't think that far. Do-hyun recognized him, called him Yeon, and even thought about his confession. So, will their relationship grow distant or closer? To be safe, Seo Woo-yeon might bet all his wealth on the far side.
Didn't he worry about it once? Maybe he thinks Seo Woo-yeon who followed him to university is disgusting. Obviously, as soon as he knew it was "Yeon", he would have an embarrassed expression.
"Excuse me... senior."
"That?"
"What grade are you in this year?"
It's easier to decorate a blank piece of paper than to revive a damaged painting. So wouldn't it be nice if seniors and seniors in the same major did it? I'm not saying I'm going to do anything. I'm just going to say hello. I didn't want to dig up the past and unearth the scars.
"In third grade."
Seo Woo-yeon has already cried her heart out. It was because the day she confessed, it was all over. Do-hyun left tutoring and immediately changed his Messenger number, which was changed to "Unknown", and the number notification made them completely different.
"Give it to me when you're done."
A one-sided breakup is enough for a relationship. The question of why she changed her number and why she didn't contact him now meant nothing. Her heart has already given up, and Do-hyun is no longer her teacher. Seo Woo-yeon wanted to settle for the current relationship as much as possible.
'I shouldn't say it.'
In a way, Do-hyun did the same. Just like he didn't talk to her, Seo Woo-yeon didn't want to talk about the past. She didn't want to lie, she just kept quiet. One day, if he asks, she can make a clever excuse.
"Your handwriting is good."
A familiar smile touched his chest. How many times did 16-year-old Seo Woo-yeon get excited about that? Seo Woo-yeon felt sad and played with his earlobes with his left hand.
"Is there anything you want to eat?"
"No, I don't......."
The irregular heartbeats expressed his presence. As soon as it was possible, he thought the heart palpitations would disappear.
They couldn't go to eat. It was because Garam arrived shortly after. Garam, who tied his hair up and wore earplugs, was overjoyed as soon as he saw Seo Woo-yeon.
"Wow, Seo Woo-yeon!"
It wasn't even close, but there was an alpha pheromone. Unlike Do-hyun, the typical alpha scent was very uncomfortable for Seo Woo-yeon to smell.
"I brought him here. To get a club application."
"Oh, let me see."
Garam took the form written by Seo Woo-yeon and read it carefully. He lowered his eyes with an interesting face, but he stuck his mouth out from one side. The way he snorted was full of mischief.
"Enough of Yeonwoo doing this, too."
"That?"
Garam quickly sat down next to Seo Woo-yeon and showed the app. The approaching pheromones were overwhelming. However, he was curious about what Garam would explain.
"I'm talking about motivation. Honestly, he can't write English classics even if he likes them."
Garam's fingertips pointed at a supporting motif. A while ago, it was a piece filled with colorful cursive writing. Unlike the scruffy Korean alphabet, English cursive writing was as neat as they come.
"There are only a few things they can write in English. Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Jean Valjean?
"Jean Valjean is not English."
"It's best if you write it in alphabetical order."
Do-hyun, who was listening silently, laughed in vain.
"Speak for yourself."
Garam didn't care at all about the murmur.
"There are some guys who don't want to be in the club, but you just have to look at their faces. That's why I see the lack of sincerity."
Seo Woo-yeon's face has changed subtly. Garam's eyes sparkled as he frowned and twisted his lips. He soon whispered in a very anticipatory voice.
"You're out of luck, are you?"
"Yeah".
"......."
This time, Do-hyun couldn't say anything either. It seemed a little awkward to sneak around. An excuse emerged in a few gaps.
"I didn't start with that. I continued it after I was discharged from the army."
"Who started it?"
If it happened while Do-hyun was joining the army, it means that it was not originally made for him. There was no way the elders would not have predicted the future, and it means that there was someone who could have done it before Do-hyun.
"That's a very good question."
Garam took his position seriously. When he tried to take out his earplugs and put them on the table, he suddenly saw them alternately. Then he brazenly closed the distance.
"Seo Woo-yeon, this is cute. "If you fold it, it becomes a macaron"
"Oh, yes..."
Seo Woo-yeon made a wary look. An instinctive touch somehow sent an ominous signal. Sure enough, Garam put earplugs into a hole in her ear.
"......."
Seo Woo-yeon's face scrunched up grimly. She tried to brush it off right away, but couldn't because she made eye contact with Do-hyun. Meanwhile, Garam clapped and laughed.
"Wow, how cute!" Hey, you look cute, huh?"
Do-hyun, who was staring at him, smiled lightly. For a moment, Seo woo blushed.
"I know".
"......."
Seo Woo-yeon pulled out his earplugs and covered his ears as if he were going to throw them away. He forced himself to pretend to be expressionless, but his face was already as red as a ripe tomato. The lost earplugs were quickly picked up by Garam.
"Why are you taking it off? It suits you."
"......I don't want to join the club."
"Oh, even a joke!"
I mean it, he didn't say it. His heartbeat heated his blood all over. Maybe he thought he was angry, Garam swallowed a smile and shook his hand.
"Anyway, there is a legend in our club."
"What's that?"
Seo Woo-yeon asked again doomfully and fixed her hair. She now felt that the heating was strong. The air is hot, so the heat keeps increasing.
"It was four years ago."
A serious voice opened the door to the story. It was four years ago that Woo Yeon met Do Hyun, and the club legend began four years ago. Were you stuck that year?
"It was when our club had less than ten people."
Garam was as serious as a legendary warrior. Do-hyun addressed him by saying, “You weren’t in our club at that time,” but he ignored him as well.
"My superior, who was the head of the club at the time, brought a saviour for the club that was sinking."
For some reason, Do-hyun furrowed his eyebrows in annoyance. He snorted and shook his head. Garam, who lowered his voice to the maximum, spoke more seriously than ever.
"The god of the administration department."
"......."
Seo Woo-yeon's face scrunched up mercilessly. It was more than when she put in the earplugs earlier. The god... What ? Do-hyun added a kind explanation, unable to ask back.
His nickname was "God of Management."
"...... Really?"
Goosebumps rose on his skin. What kind of childish nicknames do you have? Even though it was hot around him, goosebumps rose on his skin. He touched his arm with a poopy face, and Garam showed his teeth and laughed.
"But it's not a joke, he looks like a real god. Seo Woo-yeon you have to see in person. His face is shining"
"How does your face shine?"
He said it like it was nonsense, but Do-hyun came to Seo Woo-yeon's mind. Now that she thinks about it, she couldn't even get a good look at Do-hyun's face while she was in the middle of tutoring. That's when she laughed out loud.
"Seriously. Ask your assistant to show you the photo next time."
"The assistant?"
"They're dating."
The owner of the pheromone buried in the assistant seems to have been the "god of management" in the story. The ring on her finger is probably a couple ring with him.
"Anyway, the senior class came and the students submitted the form like crazy, but they left it because it wasn't active. That's when I told the kids to write the title for their motivation. So I signed up."
Garam pointed at himself with a look of shame. It wasn't him who quit, it was him who stayed at the club.
"Kim Do-hyun was not there at the time, it happened after he was discharged from the army......."
Garam, who was in the middle of a conversation, tilted his head. After a few more turns, his face hardened slightly. Suddenly, his voice lowered in tone.
"Seo Woo-yeon".
"That?"
"Are .... "
Seo Woo-yeon scrunched up her face as she saw the fierce trembling of his gaze that met hers. Once, twice, and each time she blinked, the desire inside her grew more and more and more. Something crossed her mind.
"Oops."
He forgot about pheromone control. For some time, Seo Woo-yeon was pouring out pheromones. It was clear that the dominant omega pheromones filled the room and reacted to Garam belatedly.
"Hang on a minute".
He told Seo Woo-yeon that he calmly raised his hand. It was hard to bear while sitting, so he was going to widen the distance a little. But Garam, already instinctively swallowed up, didn't even listen to him. Suddenly, his wrist was caught and a dark alpha pheromone hit him by chance.
"You are dominant......."
Bang!
A loud roar separated them. When the surprised Seo Woo-yeon turned his head, he saw Do-hyun, who hardened his face. Do-hyun opened his mouth silently as he slammed the table.
"Hey".
Seo Woo-yeon made him briefly reflect on who he was talking to. Do-hyun's gaze was not at Seo Woo-yeon or at a garam, but at a trapped doll. Then the silent, rolling gaze was fixed on Garam.
"Open the window."
"......Ah."
Garam came to his senses and stood up. He opened the window and cold air came in. Do-hyun spoke nonchalantly to the still bewildered Seo Woo-yeon.
"You must be cold. Wrap up warm."
Seo Woo-yeon dressed as if possessed. When Do-hyun asked for a coat, he accepted it without saying anything and covered it up. He must have sensed pheromones, but his overly calm face was clearly different from Garam's.
"Does this happen often?"
A soft voice asked Seo Woo-yeon. The soft voice was as gentle as a child's. Perhaps the intention was not to surprise Seo Woo-yeon.
"......Because?"
But Seo Woo-yeon did not let down her guard and asked again. Do-hyun, who blinked a few times as if trying to choose his words, added in a calm tone.
"It looks familiar to me."
"......."
It was like this. Seo Woo-yeon has experienced this several times since its manifestation. At school and on the street. Unnecessary traits like the dominant omega sometimes annoy Seo Woo-yeon.
"So dominant."
In terms of proportion, alpha and omega are less than 30% of the total population. Among them, dominants are born with a small probability. In a way, it was a miracle that there were two dominants here.
Seo Woo-yeon was always careful with pheromones, although she was less likely to encounter alpha. She was so dominant that she was hard to control, but she held back as much as possible. She usually only hid as much as the normal omega. and I was more careful when I was with the alpha. Yeah, I'm sure I was.
"I made a mistake today..."
Originally, the club room was never filled with pheromones. Even if he didn't respond to Do-hyun, he would relax without any countermeasures. Two alphas in a closed space (one was also dominant) would have, but it was too careless.
"It doesn't happen very often."
Seo Woo-yeon skillfully told a lie. He didn't want to mention the bad memories in a place like this. Do-hyun spoke without saying anything while pressing his forehead.
"Hey, if you're right, come and apologize."
Garam came towards him with a snap. The pheromone, which was gushing out, was swept away by the air. He bowed his head in shame and couldn't even make eye contact with his mouth.
"I don't have much time left for the rutt period..."...."
"Don't make excuses. Apologize."
"...... I'm sorry."
Seo Woo-yeon has put the two of them in a bad mood. Similar things have happened often, but this is the first time I have received an apology from the person involved. A third option was given to Seo Woo-yeon who was thinking about what to say.
"You don't have to accept it."
Do-hyun did not hesitate to put the person in front of him. The gaze he looked at Seo Woo-yeon was more serious than ever.
"He made a mistake, but there's no reason for you to accept it."
It was a textbook comment. The funny thing was that Garam didn't seem to have any objections. He casually frowned at the back of his nose as if he were a sinner.
"......Why are you apologizing?"
Eyes met. Do-hyun looked at Seo Woo-yeon, and Seo Woo-yeon looked at Garam. The narrowed eyebrows represented a feeling for Seo Woo-yeon.
"No, it's nothing more......."
Seo Woo-yeon made the end of the sentence sincere. The brightly dyed hair was disheveled. After a brief thought, a monotonous voice came out.
"You're not going to ask for forgiveness."
It wasn't a reproachful tone. But it wasn't a friendly tone either. Garam's eyes widened in his usual low voice.
"If I can't control the pheromones next time, the same thing will happen. Will you apologize then?"
Seo Woo-yeon originally thought that Alpha couldn't be helped. It wasn't about understanding them, but about ignoring them. As a dominant omega, and as a person who has lived his entire life in the gap between alpha and omega, he had no expectations for Alpha.
"It doesn't surprise me that much, and I'm used to it."
You're right about there being no emotion. It has to be unexpected when you get offended. You can't get angry every time an ant bites you. Besides, Garam wouldn't be able to touch it anyway.
"Don't touch my wrist. I don't like being touched."
Seo Woo-yeon put face that was unpleasant this time. More than anything, the fact seemed to be the most unpleasant thing. Garam, who had been moving his lips in a daze, replied helplessly.
"......Sorry, I'll be careful next time."
In fact, Seo Woo-yeon had nothing to do with it. Garam quickly came to his senses, and he really didn't want to do anything to Seo Woo-yeon. It was just Alpha's instinct to reach for the pheromone in front of her.
But he didn't want to be merciful enough to say it was okay. He could treat him casually, but he's not so generous as to hug him. So Seo Woo-yeon put an end to the whole conversation by taking a seat.
"I've written the application, so I'll be on my way."
The coat that was covered was put to the side. I think he said earlier that there was something in it, but there was no visible part. Well, if there is a problem, we will talk about it later . It was time to gather his things and arrange padding with that thought.
"......Because?"
Do-hyun, who checked his mobile phone for a moment, took the "hostage" before he realized it. The bag, which was lost in vain, was placed back on Do-hyun's shoulder. With a coat in his other hand, he took the lead by chance.
"Come on."
They headed to the parking lot at the corner of the campus. Seo Woo-yeon, who followed Do-hyun to save the hostage, stopped in front of the back seat. Do-hyun, who was going to put his bag in the back seat and get into the driver's seat, asked as he opened the car door.
"Aren't you going to ride it?"
"Where are we going?"
"Let's go to lunch."
The tone was, “Why do you ask such obvious things?” Seo Woo-yeon momentarily trailed off and pouted. Meanwhile, Do-hyun, who came over, even opened the passenger door.
"Thank you. You said you would buy me something delicious."
He thought it was a promise that naturally went up in smoke. It was one-sided in the first place, and Seo Woo-yeon didn't agree. Is he trying to side with Garam about his work in the club room? He felt puzzled in the car.
"Is your house far from here?"
"No, it's close."
But she couldn't ask why he had brought the car. As soon as she noticed that the car was filled with pheromones, Do-hyun suddenly leaned his upper body. Seo Woo-yeon stiffened as she saw Do-hyun approaching.
"......."
The back of his head twitched at the gaze he met. Do-hyun stopped moving as he opened his eyes wide without breathing. He averted his eyes with a weak gaze and widened the distance again.
"Put your seatbelt on."
Only then did he realize he was going to fasten his seat belt. Thump, thump, thump, and his racing heart turned red. Do-hyun, who started the engine as if nothing had happened, lowered the window halfway.
"If it's cold, I'll turn on the heat for you."
What's the point of turning on the heat like that? Of course, it wouldn't have cooled the heat on his face if he hadn't.
"Is there anything you can't eat?"
"No... there isn't."
He casually grabbed onto his seatbelt. The wind from the window tickled his cheeks. Although it was a little chilly, it was better than being stuck in these conditions.
"Anything you don't eat?"
"There isn't one either."
"You will have to answer the questions several times."
Do-hyun, who responded in a low voice, turned the steering wheel. He spoke in a low voice, his gaze fixed.
"Pick one. Western, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese food."
He was a "driving teacher." Seo Woo-yeon never saw him, and thought she would never see him again. The way he sat and looked ahead was different from when he was solving the problem.
"Meal".
What 's the point of being handsome, even in profile?
"So, noodles, meat or rice."
"Meat?"
"Pig, cow or chicken?"
"I can't eat chicken."
"There's something you can't eat."
The soft eyes curved beautifully. Perhaps because she saw him in profile, the eyelashes were also quite long. She raised the corners of her lips, knocking on the door, the door, and the knob.
"Do you want to eat meat?"
He looked very amused. Why is he so excited when it's just a question and an answer? Maybe it's just him, but the smile he's wearing now isn't fake either.
"I don't eat cheap food."
Seo woo gave a shameless reply. Do-hyun smiled pleasantly even though he was quite unlucky.
"You see, there are things you don't eat."
Even when he was tutoring four years ago, even now that he was just a junior, Do-hyun's kindness hasn't changed. As expected, his warmth was clearly directed at everyone.
"It's okay if it's not cheap, right?"
Seo Woo-yeon didn't reply, but Do-hyun turned the car around on his own. It was like the past when fast-moving scenery passed by.
* * *
As a result, Seo Woo-yeon ate a satisfying meal. The hamburger steak with sweet sauce and the fresh salad were quite delicious even for him, who has a picky taste. It wasn't a lie to say that he doesn't eat cheap food, but there was a reason why Do-hyun showed confidence.
"......Thank you for the meal."
It can be delicious even if it is not expensive. Seo Woo-yeon knows another new fact. Do-hyun, who calculated the price that was never cheap, was going to be dumbfounded when he heard it.
"Try something else next time. All the other menus here are good, too."
Would it be an illusion if it seems like you want to come with me next time? Seo Woo-yeon made him stop to ask if he had been to the store often. It was because the neat appearance and atmosphere inside was obviously a dating place.
"Did you come here with your girlfriend?"
"The thing is..."
He changed the question, but the answer was not correct. Do-hyun, who skillfully dodged the question, kindly opened the door. This time, too, it was a consideration.
"You must have a lot of dating experience."
Still, Do-hyun carefully looked after Seo Woo-yeon throughout the meal. He would put a straw in her drink, push the food forward or gently wipe away spilled sauce. These were the behaviours a guardian would do to a child, but they were no different from how he treated a lover.
If you have a double eyelid, you're a flirt. He thought he must have a lot of popularity, a pretty face, and a lot of pasts that Seo Woo-yeon doesn't know about. That's why I try to buckle him up earlier.
"Now I have to go to class......."
The moment he felt offended was when he was about to say that he would have to leave. Even he feels embarrassed by the influx of irritation, and a slight suggestion arose.
"Do you want dessert?"
He wanted to say no. Seo Woo-yeon had no intention of eating dessert with him. However, a series of explanations seduced Seo Woo-yeon.
"There's a dessert shop nearby and they say the strawberry shortcake is good. The strawberries rise a lot and it's not greasy."
The corners of her mouth that curled up were tempting.
"It's not even cheap."
The voice that added it was full of mischief. Seo Woo-yeon scurried away with her cheeks flushed.
"...... I want to eat."
* * *
The cafe was close enough to walk to. When the two of them arrived at the shop after stopping the car, they looked at the cake on display and agonized for a long time. No, just Seo Woo-yeon.
"......."
Chocolate, strawberries, cheese, cookies, and a fancy cake that doesn't even taste like it's in it. Seo Woo-yeon looked into the window. He was nervous about the unverified store, but he couldn't get his head around what he saw after a long time.
"Only one...."
"You can choose what you want to eat."
Seo Woo-yeon wasn't happy even with words like savior. The round top of her hair looked a little sullen.
"If you eat it all, you will gain weight."
When he was in high school, he became obese because of desserts. At that age, you can't drink or smoke, and the only way to relieve stress is "sweet food," so he has to gain weight naturally. His slow weight gain peaked at age sixteen.
"...... Fat?"
Do-hyun looked across Seo Woo-yeon as if he was in a daze. He seemed to be listening to everything, but he didn't see Seo Woo-yeon because he was distracted by the cake. A face small enough to be covered by a hand was more serious than ever.
"Then pick three. You can share them with me."
The casual tip made Seo Woo-yeon pull a face. He was thinking that there were a lot of twos, but if two people ate three, it was 1.5. Isn't that a conscientious move?
"Can I choose all three?
Seo Woo-yeon looked at Do-hyun, not knowing how desperate he was. The tip of his eyes that he lowered became as gentle as Do-hyun. Do-hyun, who was looking at the cake without any emotion, laughed.
"You can eat four."
His eyes were soft and curved. It made him itch so embarrassed that he rolled his hands and covered his mouth. Seo Woo-yeon pointed at the display case with a black face. Even with that, that, that ambiguous order, Do-hyun understood it perfectly.
The cafe was designed to grab a cake from the first floor and go up to the second. They waited for the drinks and cakes to come out and settled into a corner on the second floor. There were large windows all around, so the corner didn't feel cramped.
"Thank you for the meal."
Seo Woo-yeon made him pick up the cake with a small fork. He hesitated for a moment when he touched the strawberry on top of the whipped cream, but when Do-hyun didn't say anything, he picked it up easily. Do-hyun also left Seo Woo-yeon decorated chocolates and cherries.
"It eats better than rice."
Her voice seemed amazed. Do-hyun, who had the tip of the straw in his mouth and was holding his chin, pushed the cake forward. The cheesecakes with cookie powder and the sticky chocolate crepes were sweet as if your tongue would melt just by looking at them.
"Isn't it sweet?"
"It's sweet."
Seo Woo-yeon quickly responded and brought the drink. For the one who replied that it was sweet, even the drink was sweet. This is something to eat sweet, and it coincidentally became a crepe.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"I'm eating".
You're lying. I saw you dip it in it and then put the fork down straight away. You didn't even put any syrup on it. I just saw you drink it.
"Do you want me to buy you another one?"
"No, this is enough."
"And chocolate?"
"......."
Seo Woo-yeon flashed a reflex. Chocolate is the best sweet food. He was eating sweet, sweet, and sweet things, but he thought of sweet food again. Cake is good, but what about chocolate? It's been less than 30 minutes since he said he couldn't get fat, but his will was shaking like a sheet of paper.
"They sell handmade chocolates. A child who doesn't eat cheap food like you ate it deliciously."
"That was a joke."
"I take it for granted."
Do-hyun, who responded lightly, stood up from his seat. He rummaged through his coat, told him to eat while taking out his wallet, and went down to the first floor. Watching Do-hyun's back as he walked away, Seo Woo-yeon lightly put down her fork.
"......Why are you so kind to me?"
Come to think of it, Do-hyun once bought him chocolate. It was at his final exam. When he bragged about his English grade, he bought him chocolate. The handmade chocolate with white ribbons tied on it was as delicious as the one made by professional bakers, and Do-hyun promised to buy it again if he did well on the next exam.
'That was the end.'
It was a very short period of time. The season changed once, and he cried for less than 10 days. In less than half a year, Seo Woo-yeon could not have fallen for him. Such a short encounter, now it is another fate. It was strangely unreal now that he spent a day with his teacher.
"Why weren't you eating?"
Do-hyun returned to the second floor shortly after. Surprised by the cake, which did not shrink at all, he sat down in front of it and handed it some chocolate. Coincidentally, it made me want to cry when I saw the chocolate.
"Take it and eat it."
It was a wrapper with a white ribbon tied around it. There were several round chocolates in a palm-sized vinyl wrapper, and in the center were stickers with the name of the cafeteria. I could tell without asking who it was from - "a cheap eater like you."
"I thought you would buy a piece of..."
Seo Woo-yeon muttered, clenching the ends of the plastic. Sometimes it felt indescribable whenever he found traces of the past. Happy, bitter, sad, and vain. Even the creaking of the vinyl felt somewhat alien.
"He doesn't sell them individually."
She thought she would be able to forget him. She believed that everything would be fine, and she swore to herself that she would settle for this light relationship. But all that greed seems to have ended up being conceited.
She had to say thank you. She felt a lump of stone stuck in her throat. Seo Woo-yeon crushed the ends of the ribbons and held back her tears. After swallowing the lump a few more times, she managed to laugh.
"Thank you. Thank you for the meal."
* * *
The two of them had a good time at the cafe. They exchanged some nutritious chat, listened to advice about college life, and were told about the club. After that, there were two hours left for the lecture, so he moved around and looked around the game room.
"It's really long."
Meanwhile, Seo Woo-yeon tried not to spill pheromones. She opened the window before Do-hyun did when she got into the car, and she didn't even look at the driver's seat. It was a very awkward reaction, but Do-hyun spoke to her as if he didn't notice.
"Have you thought about what to do?"
I know, what should I do? What are you going to do to rekindle your feelings of rejection?
"I just try to talk to teachers as much as I can."
A single chocolate made him feel like he was going back in time. The feelings he felt back then came back to him. Seo Woo-yeon made him like the teacher, made him fall in love with those figures, made him feel comforted and hurt him as much as he did. However, they couldn't erase it, so they were in the same car side by side.
"Anyway, there's a conference on Monday, so I'll go check it out then. If it doesn't work out..."
"Are you going to give up?"
"I want to do it."
Seo Woo-yeon sighed in melancholy. As she buried her face in her two hands and stretched her shoulders, she noticed the eyes on her side. If she had known this was going to happen, she would have quietly gone to America. She regretted not listening to Daniel again.
"So......."
Do-hyun sighed and stopped the car in front of the intersection. Soon the traffic light turned red. Do-hyun turned his head obliquely and put his wrist on the handle.
"Can I help you?"
"As?"
Seo Woo-yeon asked without much expectation. It didn't occur to him that he, who is not an assistant and is only a third-year student, would be of use. However, Do-hyun changed gears and spat it out indifferently.
"I'm close to the teachers."
Obviously the assistant is. Do-hyun is the best in the degree department, so he will be helpful for the exam. Seo Woo-yeon reminding him of the fact made him open his eyes wide and look at Do-hyun.
"I can't do anything, but I can do anything."
"......."
"Well... I'm not sure that's going to work."
The corners of his mouth lifted. His double-lidded eyes narrowed. Instead of answering immediately, he confirmed in a dazed voice.
"Are you being nice to me because of that?"
"That thing?"
"In the club room."
Ah, Do-hyun, who answered like that, put on a calm voice.
"That's something Garam will do for you, not me."
It was a firm answer. Seo Woo-yeon, who was at a loss for words for a moment, put her first thought into her mouth.
"I thought you were going to take his side."
"Why me?"
It was a little, but he felt comfortable. If Do-hyun had mentioned what happened earlier, he would have felt dirty. It was lucky that he didn't realize again that he was just an alpha.
"......Please help me correct the schedule."
He asked him to do it with the feeling of having caught a jerk off by chance that he was thinking about it a lot. Apart from feeling uncomfortable, he had to go to university somehow. Only after four years of safe passage could he get what Seo woo-yeon wanted.
"I invite you to eat rice...not cheap at all."
"Isn't it cheap?"
Do-hyun laughed and turned the steering wheel. In the distance, he could see his destination, the main gate of the university.
"Tomorrow is the weekend, so come to the club room after class on Monday. I'll be there in the morning, so if you're leaving morning class, just skip it."
Woo Yeon, who nodded, took out his mobile phone. It was 4:40 PM. Thanks to Do-hyun, space classes passed in a flash.
"When is your next class?"
Only then did Woo-yeon worry about another lecture from Do-hyun. It had already been five hours since the morning lecture, but Do-hyun never said he would go to the lecture.
"I?"
Is this conference overlapping? Do-hyun smiled softly at him, who had a totally desperate idea.
"Wednesday at 11."
"That?"
The car that passed through the main gate entered the liberal arts college. Do-hyun headed to the building Seo Woo-yeon was supposed to go to without asking where he would stop.
"There was a conference in the afternoon before. I spent two days resting on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but on Tuesday, there is only one thing."
The car stopped silently. Seo Woo-yeon looked at Do-hyun with a dumb face. Do-hyun, who opened the car door, personally unfastened her seat belt.
"See you on Monday."
He made Seo Woo-yeon get out of the car without saying anything. The car that had left without hesitation was blinded. It was a slow pace, as if the late winter had left.
