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alpha-trauma-novel-trans · 8 months ago

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Chapter 78

First, Dohyun decided to wait. He waited until the new semester started, waited until Wooyeon appeared in front of him, and waited for Garam to recruit him to the club.

This time, he hoped it would start with a natural encounter, something he hadn't planned.

‘You know Seon Wooyeon?'

When Yoonwoo asked that, Dohyun wanted to shout for joy. He didn't think he was mistaken, but even the slightest lingering doubt was confirmed.

‘He knows you. I thought he wanted to join a club, but I don't think so. If you know him, Garam got called to the opening ceremony today…’

He absolutely had no intention of acting rashly. He was going to approach him carefully and cautiously because things had already gone wrong once. If Garam hadn't drunkenly flirted with him, Dohyun wouldn't have spoken to him first.

‘Oh, Wooyeon has a lot of friends, huh?'

Garam's drinking habits are a bit annoying. She'd be friendly regardless of who it was, and would even initiate skinship if she felt like it. However, she hadn't managed her pheromones well enough that day, and Wooyeon was clearly uncomfortable.

'This Noona is...'

'Moon Garam is acting like an old fart again.'

His small shoulders tensed slightly. He covered his mouth with his sleeve and pressed against the wall, looking like a hedgehog with his spikes raised. He still hates Alphas, Dohyun made a mental note of that.

'He's uncomfortable.'

Dohyun pretended to be oblivious, stepping between Garam and Wooyeon. He blocked Garam's pheromones with his body and poured water for Wooyeon, who started hiccupping. Wooyeon stiffened and grabbed the glass of water only after Dohyun told him to drink.

'...Thank you.'

His voice was much lower than before. It was calm and mature, unlike the thin, beautiful voice before. Four years, such a long time, and he was both glad and sad that it had been so long.

'That's him.'

Garam said rudely, with a drunken look on her face. “Just like I said, right?” Dohyun knew it was rude to do so, but he looked at Wooyeon's face.

His pale face was clear in the dim lighting. He had lost a lot of weight, but his basic features hadn't changed much. He still didn't look like Suhyang at all, and his clear eyes were still the same.

'....That's right.'

What did Garam say? She said he was very cute, and if you don't know the difference between cute and pretty, she wasn't wrong. Dohyun had known about his big eyes and high nose since 4 years ago.

'Can I speak casually?'

He thought that now was the time to tell him about what happened in the past. Since it was in the past, he could confess honestly, and possibly be remembered on good terms or at least as someone who had once been a good support.

'What's your name?'

‘It's Seonwooyeon.'

Unlike Dohyun, however, Wooyeon didn't seem to have any intention of coming forward. He asked for his name as if he was a stranger, just as he pretended to be. “Seon Wooyeon,” he corrected me, his voice quite firm.

'Ah, Wooyeon.'

What are the odds that a student he taught four years ago would end up at the same university, in the same department. He heard that he had studied abroad in the US, so he could have easily gotten into college there.

'Wooyeon, huh.'

If it was really Wooyeon, he wanted it to be an act of God. He was thinking of buttoning up the first button again and pretending not to know him as he wanted. If they built a relationship little by little, Wooyeon might be the first to call him “Seonsaeng-nim.”

'...Not really.'

The fact that he smoked was unexpected, but not all that surprising. He also knew that he had chased him away because he was uncomfortable. What really embarrassed Dohyun were the words that came out of his mouth.

‘I don't like how he smiles because it seems fake.'

Dohyun was shocked. Maybe even a little hurt. It was as absurd as it was absurd, and as amazing as it was absurd.

Four years. Four years, not more, not less, but four years. Long enough for Wooyeon to change his appearance and change his voice. The Wooyeon he hadn't seen in a long time called him fake when he saw his smile.

It didn't occur to him that he was just saying it. Even Dohyun was aware that he was smiling fakely, but he was embarrassed that 'Wooyeon' had seen through it.

Dohyun had never faked a smile in front of Wooyeon before. Four years ago, and even now, he was always sincere when he spoke to him.

Maybe that's why. That one word brought him to this point. He knew it was childish, but he wanted to be recognized as not being fake. If it were anyone else, he would have turned around, but he didn't want to give Wooyeon that impression.

Luckily, he had plenty of opportunities to solve the problem. Luckily, their Friday lectures overlapped, and Wooyeon joined the 'Reading English Classics' club. Although he sometimes showed his discomfort openly, it was cute how he couldn't answer the question of whether he was uncomfortable.

'...You're often told you have a bad personality, aren't you?'

He’d only heard that twice. Once from Suhyang, and once from Wooyeon.

Over the next few weeks, Dohyun did everything he could for Wooyeon. He helped him apply for classes, helped him study, and bought him cheap food that would have horrified Suhyang if she found out. The young master, who had never even opened a car door with his own hands, liked mediocre chocolate and cheap tteokbokki the most.

It was a series of very meaningful days. The way Wooyeon adapted to the club, the way he touched his earlobe with a blush on his face, and the way he cursed in English while drunk was all fun. Occasionally Dohyun’s chest would feel ticklish, but he brushed it off, thinking it was because he was excited.

'Then let's do it at Wooyeon's house today.'

In all honesty, studying was actually a bit of an impulsive decision. He didn't like Wooyeon's avoidance since the MT, and was also annoyed by the Alpha who gave him a note at the library. He noticed from the time of the after-party at the opening ceremony, Wooyeon was unnecessarily popular.

'Is this... a model home or something...'

A penthouse with a stunning panoramic view. In that place Wooyeon gave off a similar vibe to four years ago. It was better than the main house, which felt like a prison with its high walls, but Dohyun couldn't help but feel like he was a loner isolated in a high place.

'What are you looking for?'

'A cup. I don't think it's right to just give it to them like this.'

Dohyun was surprised that he'd thought of offering them drinks, and chuckled to himself because he didn't even know where the cups were.

There must have been cups on the lower side too, but Wooyeon simply opened the cupboard that was closest to his eye level first. It might break like that. As soon as he thought that, Wooyeon dropped a glass cup.

'Whenever I see you...'

Even he thought it was an amazing reflex. He expected that Wooyeon would drop it, but he didn't think he would actually be able to catch it. His pheromones shot out in surprise, and he saw himself clearly reflected in his wide eyes.

'I can't take my eyes off you.'

They were about an arm's length apart. When he was tutoring, he would see his face from closer than this. So why did this familiar distance make him nervous?

'I, that..., I, need to use the restroom....'

Wooyeon scurried away, but Dohyun remained motionless for a long time. The faint lingering pheromones left a trace deep in his lungs. He realized that the reason his heart was beating so fast was not because he almost broke the glass.

On the way home, Dohyun organized his thoughts with all sorts of complicated feelings. When he closed his eyes, he remembered Wooyeon, and his heart fluttered with the emotions. The feelings that had begun to change little by little had finally changed its name.

It was love. A crush, affection.

But instead of panicking at his sudden realization, Dohyun immediately found a way to kill it. The next day, he received a phone call from Secretary Yoon.

- 'The President wants to see you.'

It was like a death sentence. He never hated hearing from Suhyang, but that day, he had a bad feeling. Even as he left the lecture and headed back to the office, the ominous feeling of foreboding continued to haunt him.

‘Sit down. Don't just stand there and listen.'

Suhyang neatly skipped any greeting. The secretary brought him a cup of tea, but instead of taking it, Dohyun looked at Suhyang. After four years, her face didn't look much different from before.

'Do you know why I called you?'

It was a straightforward question. Dohyun, who couldn't answer for a moment, looked away vaguely. It's not like he committed a crime, but the timing wasn't good.

'Well....more or less.'

In response, Suhyang calmly opened her mouth.

'Four years ago, you left like that and Wooyeon got very sick.’

‘....Sick?’

This was the first time he had heard of it. It was no wonder since he had no one to tell him the latest news. Dohyun's surprised face didn't bother Suhyang.

'They said it was a kind of lovesickness.'

Dohyun was speechless. The Wooyeon he saw yesterday and the Wooyeon he saw four years ago overlapped vaguely. He could still see his face as he parted ways with him.

'He didn't eat, and slept like a sick chicken. It's no wonder he got sick after crying so much without drinking water.'

The cold voice spoke without mercy. It was clearly a monotonous tone, but it made his skin prickle. Perhaps it was because Suhyang's pheromones had settled heavily.

'I sent him to America because I thought a change of scenery might help him get over you.'

So that's what happened. Wooyeon’s goal was to go to college, back then there was no plan to study abroad. There had been no reason for him to suddenly leave Korea.

'And here he is, four years later, in Korea.'

'....'

'Say it with your own mouth.'

Her voice was loaded with pheromones. A heavy atmosphere settled over his shoulders. Suhyang stared at Dohyun with chillingly cold eyes.

'If you were me, would you let you near my child?'

Dohyun lowered his head like a guilty man. His mind was blank, and he didn't know what to say. Even if she didn't intend to reprimand him, just listening was enough.

'It was my fault for getting you involved in the first place.'

Suhyang continued when Dohyun didn't answer. He slowly lowered his eyes, then lifted them again.

'But you were the one who ended it.'

A clenched hand rested on the desk. Suhyang spoke in a gentle tone, her chin slightly pulled in.

‘I hope our relationship doesn’t end.’

It was a truly indirect expression. It was also a warning that she would not be as forgiving this time. Dohyun couldn't respond, and that was the end of the conversation.

The chances of a reunion after four years are extremely slim. With that much money, there was no reason to return to Korea after studying abroad. Him coming to the English department, him asking Yoonwoo, 'Do you know someone named Kim Dohyun,' all meant only one thing to Dohyun.

But in the end, it was a decision he made alone. In fact, Wooyeon even pretended not to know, and recently, even showed signs of avoiding him. Maybe he simply wanted to sort out the past.

After much deliberation, Dohyun decided to settle his feelings for him. He turned his back, pretended not to know, and went back the other way. Then, on days when classes overlapped, his gaze was constantly stolen by the back of his head.

He thought he could stop now. Since Wooyeon was avoiding him, and his feelings were still in the beginning stages he thought he could stop. But soon, Dohyun realized that that was all arrogance.

It was the day he bought hamburgers for his club members to cheer them up for their midterms. It just so happened to be Wednesday, so it was also a day when he had to study with Wooyeon. Although he regretted making such a promise, Dohyun reserved a study room near the school.

'Oppa!'

'Hyung! I missed you!'

'I can see through you guys.'

There was an unusually large group of people in the club room. Everyone was eating hamburgers and greeted Dohyun with happy faces. Dohyun smiled out of habit and glanced around the room.

'Only when I buy you food...'

Wooyeon, he was sitting on the couch. The large, white hoodie made his pale face look even whiter. He was holding the hamburger with both hands and his mouth was shut, he looked so nice that it took a while for Dohyun to take his eyes off him.

'What's wrong, Oppa?'

Partly because it was cute, and also because it made him feel sick. It's funny to have an staring contest with an innocent hamburger.

But soon Dohyun ignored Wooyeon who was looking at him and avoided eye contact.

'It's nothing.'

It was just a glance. It was just a fleeting glance too embarrassing to even call it a meeting. But then, as if a fire had been lit, his once quiet heart began to burn brightly.

Dohyun pretended not to notice and sat down in the place furthest from Wooyeon. While he pretended not to notice he secretly watched Wooyeon. The young master, who had never seen fast food before, ate the hamburger with his head down.

'I'm sorry, but I'll go first.'

He thought that he must have been choking. His expression wasn't good and his complexion was pale. He swallowed something that didn't even taste good, so there was no way he could digest it properly.

'Uh, the study room...'

'I reserved it.'

But Dohyun couldn't ask if he was okay. He couldn't say a word of concern, and he couldn't even make eye contact with Wooyeon. He just pretended to be relaxed as always, with a soft voice.

'There's seats available at the cafe in front of the school. Just come to the main gate after class.'

He could feel the sad gaze. The once refreshing pheromones had become as gloomy as the weather. Wooyeon left the club room saying he would see him later, yet Dohyun didn't look back at him.

Dohyun headed to the convenience store as if he was possessed while time passed. Because the dark clouds were gathering, it seemed like rain was about to stop. He bought a glass bottle of digestive medicine along with an umbrella.

'You guys go to the cafe first.'

He had been feeling anxious the whole time, especially when Wooyeon didn't show up at the main gate even though the scheduled time had passed. The lecture must have ended long ago, and there was no response on his cell phone. Dohyun sent Garam and Seongyu off to the café and hurried across campus.

It was a movement dictated solely by instinct. He used an umbrella to shield himself from the rain and walked as fast as his feet could carry him. The name of the lecture Wooyeon was listening to, 'Global Leadership,' floated around in his head as if engraved in his mind.

As expected, Wooyeon was sitting on a bench near the lecture hall building. He looked particularly thin, cowering beneath the blooming cherry blossoms. One step, then another. As Dohyun approached him, his heart began to beat irregularly.

'...I was wondering why you weren't coming.'

If you asked him when it started, he'd say he didn’t know. It crept in unnoticed, and by the time he realized it, it was uncontrollable. Whether it was four years ago or the moment they met again, he couldn't tell.

'You're going to catch a cold.'

He liked him. He liked his clear gaze, liked his blind affection, he liked the clumsy, immature Seon Wooyeon.

'Seo...'

Seonsaeng-nim. He missed the voice that called him like that. He couldn't forget the warmth he held in his arms shedding tears. Even though so much time had passed, Dohyun was still obsessed with Wooyeon.

'...Seonbae.'

That one word was the catalyst for his awakening to reality. Suhyang's face came to mind, and the story of how he had been hurt by him came back.

'Sometimes.'

Sometimes a single moment's choice can determine your future. Whether to reach out or pull back, the path of their relationship was still difficult even four years later.

'It's not easy.'

Wooyeon silently turned away from Dohyun. He placed his hand on his knee and rested his chin on it. Raindrops slid down the slanted bridge of his nose.

'Should I carry you?'

'....'

It was an impulsive remark. But as soon as he said it, his mind was made up. Giving up, ignoring, and pretending not to know was enough since it had already happened four years ago.

'I'll take you home.'

Without hesitation, he knelt down and almost forcibly picked up Wooyeon. The rain had soaked him so much that his thighs were cold against his fingers. Fortunately, the body temperature that hugged his neck was warm. He didn't want to miss the occasional breath or the voice whispering in his ear.

'Why are you being so nice to me?'

Wooyeon's pheromones were as refreshing as a bite of fruit. There was still a hint of greenness in the air, which made him feel more calm.

'I just want to be nice to you.'

Apologizing was just an excuse to hide his feelings. The desire to button up the first button again was also a greed that he couldn't hide.

He just didn't want to lose this precious relationship again.

'...Then please continue to do well.'

He didn't want to disappoint him. He didn't want to hurt him, make him cry, and then be abandoned by him. He hoped that the relationship that was barely hanging on wouldn't end up like it did the first time.

'I missed you.'

The words, wrapped in playfulness, showed another meaning through the cracks. Joy, longing, warm affection, and even the confession that couldn't be said.

'...That's fortunate.'

He'd hurt him so much, and it had been so hard for him, but he'd missed him nonetheless. How could Dohyun not reach out to him?

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