Confined Pheromone

The next time I met Sanho was the following day, in the hallway of the college. From a distance, Siwoo recognized that it was Sanho as he walked closer. Sanho, with his head down, seemed not to notice Siwoo until he stood right in front of him. When he sensed a presence, Sanho subtly lifted his head.

“…….”

“…….”

Instead of greeting him, Siwoo smiled with a slight squint of his eyes. A light acknowledgment. Even though it was clear that it was directed at him, Sanho passed by Siwoo with a cold expression. As Sanho coldly brushed past him, Siwoo slowly wiped the smile off his face. So, I really make him uncomfortable. Well, that makes sense. Most people tend to dislike those who know their flaws. Even if it’s not that person’s fault, it’s common to harbor resentment. So, does that mean I’ve now earned this kid’s disdain? Siwoo slightly frowned.

Well, it can’t be helped.

After that, Siwoo didn’t encounter Sanho many times. However, it was evident to anyone that Sanho was clearly avoiding him, and Siwoo also didn’t make any effort to acknowledge Sanho. There was no reason to force a conversation with someone who looked uncomfortable. Thus, several weeks passed.

***

“I’ll let you know that everyone is expected to attend today.”

The professor said as he stepped down from the podium after finishing the class. A somewhat whiny murmur spread through the classroom.

“Since it’s a chance to greet the new teaching assistant, it would be good for everyone to show their faces, even if just for a moment.”

In the large business department, it was rare for all students to gather at once. Such occasions happened only about once a year or once every two years, unless a major event like this was organized by the department professor. After discussing the meeting place and number of attendees with the class representative, the professor left.

“You brought your car, right?”

Seunghyun, who was sitting next to Siwoo, nudged him and asked. Yes. Siwoo nodded while pressing on his brow. Seunghyun continued.

“I guess we’ll need to call a taxi. But I wonder if there’s parking near the bar we’re meeting at today.”

“Ah.”

It would be fine to park at school, but returning after the drinking session would be quite a hassle. Siwoo took out his phone and searched for a familiar number. While Seunghyun busily packed his major textbooks, the ringing tone followed, and soon he heard the other person’s voice.

– Yes, sir.

Siwoo let out a short sigh and spoke.

“Manager Jung, I’m sorry to bother you while you’re busy. Could you come to the school and take my car? I have an appointment this evening.”

– Yes, understood. Should I drop it off in front of your house?

As his parents’ secretary and the one who managed all of Siwoo’s family affairs, he rarely asked about personal reasons.

“Yes, in front of the officetel.”

– I’ll come to pick you up at the end of your appointment.

Siwoo slightly furrowed his brows as he replied.

“No, I’ll take a taxi. Thank you.”

Siwoo stood up, following Seunghyun.

He arrived at the drinking venue a little later than the scheduled time. He descended the narrow, steep stairs and entered the underground bar. It was packed with students, suggesting that the entire place had been reserved. When the students spotted Siwoo, they waved and greeted him cheerfully. Siwoo smiled back. As the professor approached with a smile, Siwoo respectfully bowed.

“Siwoo, would you like to sit next to me?”

The friendly professor pointed to the seat beside him. Siwoo smiled gently and replied, “Yes,” before taking a seat. At the end of a long table, a black-haired head was noticeably sticking out. Although the seat next to it wasn’t empty, it felt isolated, as if it were set apart. Sanho, with a blank expression on his pale face, seemed very uncomfortable in this mandatory gathering.

“…….”

After a moment of looking at Sanho, Siwoo soon leaned toward the professor, smiling lightly. The professor poured some drink into Siwoo’s glass.

The students who had complained about being forced to gather began to chat cheerfully after a few rounds of drinks. It became even more lively after the professor discreetly left the table. Groups gathered to pass around drinks, and laughter erupted from various corners. Siwoo was also engaged in conversation with his classmates.

“I’m leaving first.”

As Siwoo set down the glass he had just drunk from and stood up, Seunghyun’s eyes widened as he grabbed Siwoo’s arm.

“Where are you going?”

His face was flushed, clearly a bit tipsy, as Seunghyun’s speech became slurred. Siwoo smiled and released Seunghyun’s arm.

“Home.”

“It’s Saturday tomorrow, why are you leaving so early….”

That’s right, how many people want to drink with their seniors! The juniors sitting in front chimed in eagerly. Siwoo continued to smile and gently shook his head.

“I have work early tomorrow.”

“Work?”

Seunghyun asked, pretending to be sulky, and Siwoo nodded. A promise with his father. Seunghyun shrugged. Ah, then there’s no way to keep him here. He muttered in exaggerated lament.

At that moment, a loud laugh erupted from the end of the table. When Siwoo looked toward the source of the laughter, he saw Sanho frowning, wiping his lips with the back of his hand. Near Sanho, a few boys who seemed to be his classmates were giggling as if they were having the time of their lives.

“Damn, what did I say? I told you he’d drink this.”

“Seriously, which idiot would confuse water with soju?”

“He confused them, didn’t he?”

Sanho slammed the nearly empty glass onto the table, glaring with fierce eyes. It was a glass of water, not soju. Even from a distance, Siwoo could see Sanho’s transparent skin flushing in an instant.

“Why? Are you mad?”

The boy sitting right next to him spoke in a teasing tone. It was just a joke. The slight lean toward Sanho was quite irritating. Sanho, too, seemed displeased with the boy’s contact and suddenly stood up. Just like Seunghyun had grabbed Siwoo, the boy pulled on Sanho’s arm.

“Where are you going?”

“Let go.”

“You’ve already drunk, just drink and go.”

“Let go.”

Sanho pushed the boy’s arm away. The force was rougher than expected, causing the boy to stumble slightly. Not considering that he was already drunk and couldn’t keep his balance, the boy glared at Sanho menacingly.

“Damn, why are you pushing me around?”

Without a word, Sanho picked up his bag. As he turned his body, the alcohol he had hastily consumed seemed to amplify his dizziness, causing him to sway. The sight made the boys laugh again.

“I heard Omegas get horny when they’re drunk, is that true?”

Their giggling voices were crude. Perhaps thinking it wasn’t worth responding, Sanho turned his body but could only take one step. It seemed he was feeling dizzy.

“What do you call that, Heat Cycle or something? We learned about it in biology class.”

“Biology class, huh? Are you a beast?”

Sanho glared at the boy while leaning on the table, lifting his head sharply. His face was flushed with a pale hue.

“Look at Baek Sanho’s eyes. I’m scared to death.”

“Sanho.”

A large hand wrapped around Sanho’s shoulder. Siwoo stepped closer to Sanho, taking a step forward. Upon seeing Siwoo suddenly appear, Sanho’s eyes widened in surprise. In fact, the boys at the table were equally startled. The table fell silent for a moment. Seunghyun, who was sitting at the table with his mouth agape, was also staring at Siwoo holding Sanho.

“I’m going home….”

“Yeah, let’s go. I’m leaving too.”

Siwoo interrupted Sanho’s slurred words. His tone was somewhat cold.

“…Let go of this.”

Sanho mumbled, his lips trembling. It was a voice so small that only Siwoo, standing close, could hear. Siwoo, as if he hadn’t heard Sanho’s words, pulled Sanho’s shoulder even closer.

“We’ll go first.”

Siwoo glanced down at the boys with narrowed eyes. Then he greeted Seunghyun, who was wide-eyed. Seunghyun slowly nodded, looking bewildered.

Siwoo led Sanho up the narrow stairs, nervously gripping his phone. He quickly reconnected the number he had easily found in his call log.

– Yes, sir…

“Please come pick me up, Manager Jung.”

Before the voice on the other end could even greet him, Siwoo abruptly cut in, letting out a deep sigh before speaking again.

“I’m sorry. I’m a bit flustered.”

– Yes, sir. I’ll come to pick you up right away.

“I’ll be at the busy area in front of the school. I’ll be waiting in front of the convenience store at the intersection.”

– Yes, understood.

“As soon as possible….”

The alcohol he had hastily consumed seemed to be making Sanho unable to keep his balance, and Siwoo looked down at him irritably. The grip on Sanho’s shoulder tightened.

“As soon as possible.”

Siwoo’s car arrived quickly. As the black sedan smoothly pulled up in front of the intersection, Siwoo opened the back door and carefully helped Sanho into the seat. What on earth did he drink…? Frowning, he closed the door with a click, and a man in his thirties with a neat appearance greeted him in the rearview mirror. Siwoo bit his lip and nodded slightly.

“You must be busy.”

“It’s fine. Should I take you home?”

“No. Please take me to Building K.”

It was a completely different address from Siwoo’s officetel. The man nodded and started the car without hesitation. The ride was very comfortable, but Sanho’s body swayed with even the slightest movement. Soon, his head, which had been drooping, leaned against Siwoo’s shoulder.

“…Ha.”

Siwoo furrowed his brows in disbelief.

When he stood up from the table, Sanho had looked a bit dizzy. When he wrapped his arm around him and exited the bar, his steps seemed unsteady, and by the time they reached the intersection, he could barely keep himself upright.

Siwoo had roughly guessed that his classmates had tricked Sanho into drinking what he thought was water. He must have gulped it down, thinking it was water. It was only natural that hastily drinking alcohol would lead to quick intoxication. But to the point where he couldn’t even keep his balance…? I need to make sure he doesn’t drink outside. Siwoo thought as he fiddled with his lips.

Siwoo’s car re-entered the alley he had parked in a few weeks ago. He asked the driver to stop near where he had parked.

“Please take care of the car. Park it at the officetel.”

“Understood. How do you plan to get back, sir? You have a meeting with the chairman tomorrow morning—”

Siwoo slipped his arm around Sanho’s waist as he replied.

“I’ll take a taxi. Don’t worry.”

The man, Manager Jung, nodded. Siwoo’s hand, which was about to close the back door, paused for a moment. His gaze traced the streetlights scattered along the alley. Siwoo leaned back into the car to look at Manager Jung.

“Manager Jung.”

– Yes, sir.

“What district is this? District J?”

– Yes, it’s District J.

Hmm, Siwoo paused for a moment before speaking again.

“Isn’t this Representative Kim Taek-jin’s district?”

– Yes, that’s correct.

“Please call Representative Kim Taek-jin tomorrow. Ask him to increase the number of streetlights here.”

– Streetlights…?

“Yes, it’s too dangerous to walk alone at night here.”

Manager Jung looked at Siwoo for a moment before bowing his head neatly.

– Yes, I will call.

“Be careful going back. Thank you.”

Siwoo closed the car door with a thud.

He walked without difficulty to the streetlight where he had first met the Alpha. The alley was intricate like a spider web, but Siwoo remembered it precisely. The problem was what came next. Not knowing where Sanho lived, he shook his shoulder several times, but Sanho only responded with soft “uh-huhs,” unable to provide a clear address. The hand that had wrapped around his waist had slipped down, now resting on his hips. Leaning Sanho against the wall under the streetlight, Siwoo grabbed both of Sanho’s shoulders.

“Sanho.”

“…Uh-huh.”

“Which way is home?”

“…Huh?”

“Home.”

As he gently shook Sanho’s shoulders, his eyes fluttered open slightly. The focus in his pupils was hazy.

“…Home?”

“Yeah. Your home, Sanho.”

Sanho blinked slowly. He barely raised his hand to point upward.

“Up there?”

“…Yeah. Blue… gate….”