Christmas fell on Sunday⊠January 1st was also on SundayâŠ
After a meaningless first day of the new year, the night shift ends today.
I was exhausted from going to work in the middle of the night and leaving early in the morning when the cold wind howled outside and my bones aches. Because there were few logistics employees, my body ached from the constant movement.
I had a nosebleed for the first time in almost a year on Monday, so I went to an oriental clinic in the afternoon for acupuncture. I made it through each day with the help of friends, painkillers, and flirting with my crush.
Coffee and desserts given by a new friend are also essential, although I havenât yet spoken with Park Ho-in informally.
Once, I asked, âShould we speak informally?â
âAh, that, then, Seo, Seo-yu ssi should start first.â
I stopped because of that reaction.
I felt guilty about eating it every day, so I went out and bought a set of nutritional tonics when I got home from work. Ho-in was so moved that I felt sorry for him. As he murmured thank you so much, his face seemed exhausted.
Ho-in offered me coffee and sandwiches with dark circles down to his chin when I arrived at work today. I was concerned about his bloodshot eyes and dry skin.
I generally get to work at 23:00 and leave at 8:00, but it was exhausting to see that the cafe was always open when I arrived.
âHo-in ssi, wouldnât it be better to have the closing time was earlier or the opening delayed? If this continues, youâre going to faint.â
âItâs okay. Starting next week⊠I can close it earlyâŠâ
âIs there any reason why you canât close earlier this week and last week?â
âThat, that, thatâs not it.â
Ho-in looked surprised at my question. His eyes shook, and his face turned bright red as he averted my gaze.
As I got close, I found out Ho-in had a chaotic atmosphere. He was easily embarrassed and his face flushed. Iâve always thought of him as a calm and friendly person, but I think I need to learn more about him in order to get a better understanding of him.
âThen take it easy. Have a good weekend.â
âOh, Seo-yu ssi that, on the weekend, an appointment. Of course, you have it, right?â
âWhatâs with the question? Haha, Iâm so tired that Iâm going to rest at home. Ho-in ssi, do you want to go on a date with your lover?
âBut I donât have a loverâŠâ
Ah⊠perhaps theyâve already broken up.
I was too rash. As soon as I was about to apologize, Ho-in suddenly asked.
âDo you have a lover, Seo-yu ssi?â
âWell, I donât have a lover.â
âThereâs someone Iâm slightly had a fling with.â
Ho-inâs expression changed in an instant. It brightened up for a moment and then faded away again.
âIf itâs a fling⊠Was he the one you spent the last hit cycle with?â
âYes, we were together on my heat and we also spent Christmas together.â
Itâs a bit embarrassing, but thereâs nothing I canât share with my friends. However, Ho-inâs expression had hardened slightly.
âDid you spend Christmas together?â
I donât know why, but his tone has changed. When he stared at me with his bloodshot eyes, I was a little scared. When the smile of the person who was always smiling was gone, they became as cold as ice.
He might have thought I was rubbing salt in his wounds because he was a solo.
I should tell him how empty this flirting was.
âBut my crush is an extremely dominant Alpha, and Iâm a recessive Omega. Thereâs no way itâll go any farther than this, so weâll just meet casually. Would the extremely dominant Alpha be interested in something like me? Haha.â
âNo way⊠You like each other, it doesnât matter if youâre dominant or recessive and Seo-yu ssi is so charming.â
âThank you for your words, but there is a level, so we have to find someone whoâs within our means. I think I look good with a dominant Alpha.â
Ho-in bit his lower lip in response to my statements. His eyes look pained for some reason.
Did I say something wrong? I rarely talked to Omega, so Iâm not sure what to say.
âNo, Seo-yu ssi. Whether youâre extremely dominant or recessive, it doesnât matter if youâre in love. People like people.â
âEven if itâs not extremely dominant and extremely dominant, or if itâs not Alpha and Omega⊠If youâre an Omega and love another Omega, itâs love. Gender means nothing, nothing to human emotions.â
I couldnât open give my response easily. It was said that these days, the number of romantic relationships between people of the same gender has increased. However, this problem was not at that level.
Choi Sung-hoon and I⊠were not at a level that can be overcome with new ethical standards and courage. This is a matter of reality.
Itâs not even a stage of such passionate love.
However, Ho-inâs red eyes and the tip of his nose did not come off easily. He looked desperate. Heâs like someone whoâs been through that sort of thing.
I felt like he was going to shed tears at any moment.
I was curious and envious since I had never had such a desperate desire for love.
I intended to spend my weekends resting at home, but I was ready to go out on Sunday morning. It was because I had something to do.
After brushing my teeth and washing my hair, I sent a message to Sung-hyun.
[What color do your older brother like?]
Sung-hyun-i [I donât think my older brother likes any particular color?]
There were three messages in a row. In a cute way.
[Your brother gave me a lot of things, hehe]
Sung-hyun-i [If it suits my brotherâs eyes, it would be enough]
Sung-hyun-i [When are you going to buy it? Today?]
[Yeah, Iâm going to buy it today]
Sung-hyun-i [I want to go too]
Does this guy have nothing to do? I get a reply within a minute every day and able to schedule an appointment the same day.
I prepared myself after we planned to meet at a department store near Hapjeong. I took off the patch and took a few aspirins pills and contraceptives that I had been taking for over three weeks. I had planned to visit the hospital over the weekend, but something came up, so Iâll have to wait until after work next week.
I wore a heavy long padded coat and a fur hat when I left the house. Of course, I didnât forget my fur gloves. I almost missed the stop because I was dozing off on the bus.
When I went to the cafe on the 8th floor of the department store where we were supposed to meet, Sung-hyun was already there. He was sitting arrogantly with his legs crossed in a black coat and looked like a perfect adult man at first glance, except for the baby fat and a young expression that had not yet faded.
When the person who was thoroughly enjoying his meal noticed me, he shouted to call me and pulled me to the restaurant. Iâve never considered stepping in⊠because one Yukgaejang was worth 80,000 won here.
Of course, I should treat him because I was older.
He brought me to a huge room while rubbing his full stomach through a door and down a specific path. The space is spacious, with only one table and mirrors on all sides.
There was calm piano music and subtle lighting. The staff took orders without a menu, so I asked for an Americano roughly, but it was too bitter for my taste. Sung-hyun ordered a cafe mocha, but when I frowned and looked for sugar, Sung-hyun clicked his tongue and exchanged it with mine.
As I was taking a couple of sips of cafe mocha, the employee came over and handed out the catalog.
âDidnât you say you were looking for a scarf? Take a look here.â
It was a collection of winter accessories like scarves, belts, and gloves. I carelessly glanced through the catalog.
âI donât think I should be the one to view it. Youâre the one who knows what kind of style your older brother prefers.â
âI have no idea what my older brother likes. He just doesnât like anything.â
âAs expected, a psychopathâŠâ
âHuh? What did you say?â
âIsnât the weather really nice today?â
I pointed at something roughly, trying not to provoke this brocon.
âHow about this? I think gray would look good on him.â
âOf course, my brother will look good in any color. But, Hyung have you looked at the prices?â
Of course, I am. The one I just pointed is 6 million won and the one next to it is 5 million won. The back page is 800 won.
âWhat money are you going to use to buy it? Hyung, youâre a poor person.â
âDo ordinary people spend this much on scarves these days? Is it something I donât know well?â
I took out my wallet as I looked at Sung-hyun, who was really curious. When he noticed the ten million won gift card he had given me, he exclaimed, âAh!â and then looked with a puzzled expression.
âYouâre going to use a gift card? Isnât it a waste? It isnât available for purchase on the market. Are you really going to use it to buy my older brother a present instead of shopping for yourself? You know my older brother has a lot of money, right?â
âYeah, Iâve received something from him, so I have to spend this much.â
âYouâve got a lot of questions. Just let me know whether it will suit your brother.â
âThereâs nothing that doesnât suit him.â
I shouldnât have taken him just because he was available.
I was staring at him, but Sung-hyun showed an unexpected reaction. He didnât come out blatantly or stare at me, but he did give me a worried look.
âHyung⊠youâre still like⊠that?â
âWhat? What did the youngest curious about?â
âThat⊠you still want to die, donât you?â
He took my hand to see how IÂ perceived it after I shut my mouth since I was speechless.
âDoes it make sense that the snob who shut up his mouth for 10 million won for an unlicensed high school student who got into an accident while driving is now attempting to give that money to a very wealthy person? Losing greed for money means that you have no will to live. Donât die. How many good things do you have when you have sex with people? Think carefully. I mean, go back to that memories.â
This kid⊠Are you turning me around now?
I slapped his hand and gave him a pathetic look. I was tired and didnât have the energy to get angry, so I quietly said, âGet out of here if youâre not going to help me.â Sung-hyun just began to think seriously after that.
It was very convenient to shop in which the personnel presented it to me after I chose something from the catalog. I sat still and looked at scarves from five brands. In the end, there were two things I chose, and I spent 10 million won in a tight fit.
âWhy do you buy two? One of them is to hang yourself and commit suicide?
I was the one who tried to commit suicide, but I think this guy is the one suffering from insanity.
The employee brought two packed shopping bags. I think I can stay longer in this quiet space when I see them leave their position to rest.
I opened the shopping bag and handed one of the scarves over to the person staring at it.
Sung-hyun was shocked and trembling after that.
âWhat? What the fuck? Do you want me to die with you? No! There are so many things I havenât done in the world. Donât die!â
âOh, you crazy guy. Itâs a 20-year-old gift. Take it when I give it to you.â
Sung-hyun took it with hesitation.
âCongratulations on turning 20. As you said, this poor guy made a big decision, so use it well.â
Ten million won was his money anyway, but I used it to the fullest. I didnât think it was a waste at all.
I was planning on purchasing a nice sofa or something like that with the gift card, but there was no need for that now.
âAh⊠Really, what is this, Hyung? How can you make me feel so moved like this?â
Sung-hyun quickly smiled. He was really cute. I was also satisfied to see it carefully packed into his backpacks.
âItâs my first gift since I turned 20.â
âDidnât you get anything on the first day?â
âI got it all in advance, so there was nothing. My dad and I were the only ones eating out that day, and the atmosphere was a mess.â
Sung-hyun had a cocky expression on his face, as though he remembered the atmosphere at that time. It was fascinating to watch how his expression changed as I grew older.
âMy dad, it must be some kind of middle-aged depression. I thought I was going to die of embarrassment because he was crying so much.â
âYour father cried? Is it because you turned 20 years old?â
âNo, itâs because my mom didnât show up on New Yearâs Day, and he cried because he couldnât see her face. Oh, and Mom knows that if she doesnât come, heâll cry.â
I thought I shouldnât know about it more, so I asked another question.
âWhy didnât you invite your older brother to join you for eating out? You must have been upset.â
âEven if I call him, he wonât come. The last time I saw him was almost a month ago. When I saw you with my brother. Hyung, Christmas is your last day seeing him, right?â
âI meet him yesterday.â
Sung-hyun jumped out of his seat. I was worried his eyes might pop out since he seemed so shocked. He asked me what time, where, and how I met his older brother, so I told him because there was nothing to hide.
In fact, it was for this reason that I spent a total of ten million won today.
When I returned home from work yesterday, there were two cars parked in a tight alleyway. The first was a black sedan, while the second was a ladder car.
As I approached, I was greeted by a huge man dressed in a suit that matched the sedan perfectly. Choi Sung-hoon frowned as he stood in the morning sun, which was dazzling.
He pointed to a ladder car, saying it was a New Yearâs gift. In my life, I never thought I would get a ladder car as a gift, but it wasnât, and the large furniture on it was the gift.
The ownerâs grandpa came out at the sound of moving items and returned with envy.
A leather sofa and massage chair entered the living room.
The uncles left after cleaning the living room
Choi Sung-hoon casually moved around the living room and kitchen, opening and checking the refrigerator. It was fortunate that the dishwasher was empty because I didnât eat anything.
Then, as soon as I awoke from my trance and tried to offer him coffee, he left, saying that he had to leave right away.
He appeared and then disappeared like the wind.
I had a lot of thoughts as I stared at the leather sofa and massage chair that didnât fit in the living room of the old detached house. I thought of my parents among them.
If my mother and father had seen it, they would have loved it. They would have bragged to my relatives that their son received this as a gift from an extremely dominant Alpha. How would my brother react? My brother, who was always worried because I was a recessive Omega.
After so many thoughts, I came to the conclusion that I should reciprocate Choi Sung-hoonâs kindness.
I wanted to give him a present in return. Even if it wasnât half as much as I received.
âOh, Iâm so jealous. Good for you, Hyung. I also want to see my older brotherâs face, hear his voice, and talk to him.â
Oh, I understood just how Sung-hyun felt inside.
âTry at least. If his little brother acts cute when asking him to meet, he wonât be able to ignore it, right?â
âWhat are you talking about. My older brother hasnât looked at my chat for over a month, damn it.â
âHyung, do you chat with my older brother?â
Choi Sung-hyun leaped to his feet and slammed his fist against the table as soon as I nodded.
âShow me! Show me! Show me quickly!â
He began begging like a child who couldnât go past the toy area. Of course, Iâm not going to give it to him. My message display was filled with filthy texts from ex-boyfriends. If Iâm caught by my crushâs younger brother, Iâll leave a dark history that will never be erased.
âOh, give it to me quickly, show me. I want to see it.â
âAre you crazy? Absolutely not.â
âAh, why~~ I said I miss my older bro~~.â
âNo. Donât make a cutesy sound and give up.â
Sung-hyun attacked using his younger brotherâs strategy (a younger brotherâs scheme that appeals with cuteness and acts pitiful), but I firmly refused.
Knowing that it would not work, Sung-hyun, who had given up his younger brotherâs strategy, held out his cell phone.
âThen take a look, Hyung. Take a look at how mean my older brother can be! My older brother can compete in the Guinness World Record for the longest time spent not reading a message.â
A family chat room with four people was displayed on the screen.
âHey, even so, family chat rooms are too privateâŠâ
Despite what I had said, I still look at it.
Dad [Honey⊠When are you coming back??]
Mommy [I already said before New Yearâs Eve.]
It goes back from the last conversation,
Dad [Letâs eat out with family for Christmas>_<]
[Yes, Where are we going?]
Dad [What about your older brother?]
[Brother, please look at the message ă
_ă
]
Dad [Itâs December 14th Hug Day >0< Letâs eat out to celebrate!!]
Dad [When is Sung-hoon going to be available?]
[Brother, please read the message ă
ă
ă
ă
]
Dad [Since December 2nd is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, >ă
< letâs eat out to commemorate it]
Dad [Sung-hoon, where do you feel most comfortable?]
[Brother, please read the message ă
ă
ă
ă
]
It was full of such conversations.
I went way back to November but 1 still hasnât disappeared.
It was a one-sided courtship in which the response was never given.
âHyung, youâre chatting with someone like this⊠Good for you, Itâs really⊠an honor.â
At this point, I really should think itâs an honor.
I returned the phone to Sung-hyun, who was envious and congratulated me for the special treatment.
âYour brother is definitely interested in me.â
âYouâre keeping it a secret while dating my brother, right?â
âCrazy⊠What process did you go through to come up with such a thought?â
âHonestly, my older brother sent you a message and went to meet you. Iâve never seen him treat anyone like this before. This is a romantic relationship. Are you trying to fool me? You met me through my introduction. That would be too much.â
In the end, Sung-hyun acted as if he had been the organizer of my relationship, but I narrowed my eyes and folded my arms.
âHey, high school kid, donât overreact. Itâs obvious that you want to see the messageâs contents.â
â⊠Would you mind showing me some? Iâm curious how my older brother treats the person he likes.â
Well⊠Even if itâs a shallow interest, Iâm sure itâs a good feeling.
Choi Sung-hyun, who had been clinging to me the entire time to show him the message, had returned home.
I spent 10 million won in a day, but I couldnât think of anything about the money.
Instead, I was filled with other thoughts.
I lay for a long time on a leather sofa, thinking about the person who had given me this as a present.
Isnât it funny? Whatâs there to like about me?
I was in an accident with his high school brother, attempted suicide, couldnât remember his name, he was on the phone, and I mistakenly responded, drunk, vomited, confused with all the words, my family was a mess, and I cursed out my uncleâs bossâŠ
Ah⊠damn⊠I donât have anything that would make someone fall in love with meâŠ
On the other hand, Choi Sung-hoon.
I slapped the flushed face with my palm without causing too much pain.
Itâs only normal to improve thus much. Heâs always very kind to me.
Anyway, his shallow interest wonât last longâŠ
Letâs do better this time.
I need to reflect on the flaws that have been pointed out about me thus far, date beautifully, and break up properly.
With that thought in mind, I immediately picked up my phone and sent a message to Choi Sung-hoon.
[Choi Sung-hoon ssi, when do you have time? I have something to give you]
I sent a message and was ready to send a photo of the scarf package when I suddenly stops.
Because the next 1 disappeared as soon as it was sent.