Chapter 2: Like a Lie on April Fool’s Day

Hyun-woo could still remember the day he first met Seung-hyuk.

Even though so much time had passed that other memories had faded, that day alone remained painfully vivid.

It was a spring day with cherry blossoms drifting in the air.

Hyun-jin had introduced Seung-hyuk as a friend from university.

The young man’s face was sun-kissed and bright, with a playful smile.

He seemed easygoing and friendly as he greeted Hyun-woo first.

‘Nice to meet you, Hyun-woo hyung. I’m Lee Seung-hyuk.’

‘Ah… yeah.’

Hyun-woo had just nodded awkwardly.

Before he’d transmigrated into this novel, he’d lived hiding the fact that he was gay — but in this world, things were different.

Here, in the Omegaverse, same-s*x relationships and even marriages were completely normal.

Hyun-woo had been grateful for that.

Even though realizing his ideal type was destined for his own brother had stung a little, back then everything still felt like a blessing.

At least until he decided to divorce Seung-hyuk.

“Mm…”

Hyun-woo opened his eyes.

The ceiling that came into view was unfamiliar yet strangely familiar.

When he looked closely, it resembled the ceiling of the apartment he’d lived in alone — before marriage, right after he’d first transmigrated.

“Huh?”

He sat up and looked around.

Everything looked exactly the same as that apartment — gray-toned wallpaper, modern furniture, the kind of minimalist space where even the fridge probably only had bottled Evian water.

Seung-hyuk had always hated that cold, sterile aesthetic, so their marital home had been bright and cozy instead.

Hyun-woo blinked in confusion, scanning the room.

“Why am I here…? I was definitely hit by a truck…”

“Ugh…!”

As the memory came rushing back — the breakup, the restaurant, the blinding headlights — a sharp pain shot through his head.

Staggering, he reached for his phone.

“Ugh, damn it…”

He unlocked it, checking the screen.

7:40 a.m.

That was the first thing he saw — but then his eyes widened at the date beneath the clock.

“What… April 1st?”

April Fool’s Day.

But his wedding anniversary had been November 1st.

Back then, Seung-hyuk was still a university student, so they couldn’t have married during the semester.

He’d only agreed to graduate early — trading his last semester’s classes for reports — because Hyun-woo had insisted on marrying sooner.

So yesterday should have been November 1st.

How could it be April 1st now?

“No way…”

With trembling hands, Hyun-woo opened his calendar app.

And his eyes flew wide open.

“Holy shit…”

The date was exactly five years earlier — before he ever married Seung-hyuk.

“This is the chance God has given me.”

Hyunwoo, who had been blankly staring into space, murmured that to himself.

He didn’t know how it happened, but he had returned to the past.

Like some kind of April Fool’s joke.

Hyunwoo pinched his cheek.

Since it hurt, it clearly wasn’t a dream.

Right.

If he could get isekai’d, then returning to the past shouldn’t be impossible either.

Thinking that way actually calmed him down.

It really was a chance — the last chance to wipe away the foolish karma he’d built up.

Since it was April, there was still time to fix everything.

At this point in time, he had already made a few pathetic attempts to court Seunghyuk — even adding a little blackmail out of desperation — but they hadn’t decided to get married yet, so it was fine.

He only started pushing for the marriage around summer anyway.

Feeling confused but slightly relieved, Hyunwoo exhaled a long breath.

It was the same obsessive, overbearing house from before, but at least the monotone color scheme helped to calm him down.

Beep, beep.

“Ah.”

An alarm went off from the phone in his hand.

It was almost time to leave for work.

Hyunwoo turned off the alarm and started getting ready for the office.

The major corporation Munseong had been founded by Hyunwoo’s great-grandfather.

Just like his ancestor, the original Joo Hyunwoo had quite the head for business.

He’d been promoted to director at a young age, with a bright future ahead — until he foolishly got in the way of his younger brother, the protagonist, and was pushed out of the line of succession.

Still, he didn’t die or become crippled.

He simply spent the rest of his life leisurely in a quiet villa, so it wasn’t the worst ending.

If the Hyunwoo who’d possessed his body weren’t such a modern man filled with ambition and competitiveness, he might’ve been tempted to just follow the original story.

But Hyunwoo was overflowing with the desire to make this massive company his own — and, more than that, he wanted the protagonist himself.

So, though corporate life didn’t suit him perfectly, he worked harder than anyone else.

Five years before his marriage with Seunghyuk, Hyunwoo was back at age thirty.

At this point, he hadn’t yet been promoted to director and was working as the head of the Business Planning Division.

Out of habit, he almost headed toward the director’s office, but forced his feet to turn and walk to his rightful spot.

“Good morning, Director.”

“Yes, good morning.”

Seeing his old colleagues again for the first time in years lifted Hyunwoo’s mood.

He nodded lightly in greeting and entered his office.

“There’s a meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. today.”

“Ah, right.”

Since it was five years ago, he didn’t remember every little detail.

Hyunwoo flipped through the documents desperately to catch up on his tasks and schedule.

He figured if he worked flexibly and pushed hard for a few days, he’d adjust quickly enough.

Just as he let out a small sigh of relief and loosened the tight tie around his neck—

“Phew…”

Bzzzt.

“Hmm?”

His phone vibrated on the desk.

When he looked over, a message notification popped up on the screen.

Pretty Lee Seunghyuk
Hyung.
Let’s meet after work.

“……”

Hyunwoo stared at the screen for a moment.

Not because of the message itself, but because of that damn name.

‘Pretty’ Lee Seunghyuk.

For f*ck’s sake, what kind of name was that?

Hyunwoo muttered a quiet curse toward his past self.

Of course, when they first got married, he’d been so excited that he’d saved Seunghyuk’s name as things like My Husband, My Other Half, or Even in the Next Life — but he didn’t want to remember that cringe.

Even after all that nonsense, Seunghyuk had always kept Hyunwoo’s name in his phone as simply “Joo Hyunwoo.”

Shaking his head, Hyunwoo turned his focus back to the documents.

He’d have to talk seriously with Seunghyuk at some point — but not today.

Better to wait until work settled down and he was calmer.

It would probably be reassuring for Seunghyuk too if they kept some distance for a while.

Thinking that, Hyunwoo returned to work.

Bzz, bzz. Bzz, bzz.

“……”

The phone kept vibrating.

When Hyunwoo looked again, a flood of messages was filling the screen.

Pretty Lee Seunghyuk
I know you’re ignoring my texts.
Answer me.
If you don’t, I’ll come to your office right now.
Answer.
Now.

“……”

What the hell is wrong with this guy?

Is something going on? Why is he acting like this?

Hyunwoo sighed deeply and sent a reply.

Sorry, I’m busy with work right now. I’ll text you later.

Pretty Lee Seunghyuk
7 p.m. Lobby.

“……”

Then why ask if you’re going to decide unilaterally?

Hyunwoo tilted his head, baffled.

He really needed to change that stupid contact name soon.

Irritated, he pressed his finger firmly on the screen.

“Director, the meeting preparations are complete.”

“Ah, okay.”

Startled, Hyunwoo jumped to his feet.

Work came first.

He could deal with Seunghyuk later.

With that thought, Hyunwoo hurried out of his office.

By the time he finished the meeting and all the follow-up work, time had flown by.

As quitting time came around, the employees started leaving one by one.

“I’ll head out first, sir.”

“Sure, see you tomorrow.”

Hyunwoo waved them off and hesitated for a moment.

Should he stay to finish reviewing the documents, or take them home?

His shoulders were stiff, so he raised his hand to pat and roll them loose.

Then, glancing out at the darkened windows, something came to mind.

“Ah, right.”

Seunghyuk had said he’d come at 7.

It wasn’t a mutually agreed plan, but since he hadn’t texted not to come, Seunghyuk would probably show up.

Hyunwoo pulled his phone out of his pocket to check the time.

“…What the hell.”

It was just past 7 o’clock.

But the time wasn’t the real issue.

He had dozens of missed calls stacked up — all from one person.

[Missed calls: 32]

Hyunwoo blinked at the endless list of Seunghyuk’s name.

He’d put his phone on silent before the meeting and forgotten to switch it back, but still — thirty-two calls?

“……!”

Before he could even process that, the phone started ringing again.

Baffled, Hyunwoo answered.

“Hey, it’s me.”

— …….

The other person said nothing.

Hyunwoo frowned and called his name.

“Lee Seunghyuk?”

— …Hyung.

“Yeah.”

Hyunwoo answered calmly and stood up, slipping into his suit jacket.

He couldn’t stay at the office any longer.

As he walked toward the lobby, he nodded politely to the employees who greeted him.

— Hyung, where are you… right now? Why didn’t you answer?

“Oh, I’m still at the office. I’m on my way down.”

— Haa….

A long sigh brushed against his ear.

Something about Seunghyuk’s tone felt unstable.

Unlike his usual calm self, his voice trembled slightly — and it was low, as if holding back anger.

That wasn’t like him.

He never used to get angry just because someone was a little late.

Hyunwoo tilted his head as he approached the elevator.

“I’m getting in the elevator, so I’ll hang up. See you downstairs.”

— Hyung….

Hyunwoo faintly heard Seunghyuk call him again, but he didn’t catch the rest before ending the call.

Well, they were about to meet anyway.

Hyunwoo stepped leisurely into the elevator.

Ding.

The doors opened to the first floor.

He walked out toward the lobby.

Even from afar, Seunghyuk was easy to spot.

As a dominant alpha, he was a head taller than most people.

Even in Munseong, full of powerful alphas, he stood out easily.

Hyunwoo stopped for a second, then started walking toward him.

But something seemed off about Seunghyuk.

He couldn’t stand still — pacing back and forth like a restless dog.

His large frame drew puzzled looks from passersby.

Frowning, Hyunwoo quickened his steps.

What’s wrong with him?

He called out.

“Lee Seunghyuk!”

“……!”

Seunghyuk froze in place at the sound of his name.

Then slowly turned his head.

When his eyes met Hyunwoo’s, they widened.

Hyunwoo walked up to him.

Up close, Seunghyuk looked even worse.

His normally neat hair was a total mess, like he’d been clawing at it.

And his eyes — bloodshot and wild.

Did he not sleep?

Hyunwoo clicked his tongue internally.

It wasn’t exam season, so maybe he was buried in assignments.

Hyunwoo decided to be patient — even if Seunghyuk snapped a little, he’d just let it slide.

“Sorry, I had my phone on silent for the meeting. Did you wait long?”

“……”

Seunghyuk just stared at him.

Those bloodshot eyes fixed on Hyunwoo, unblinking — so intense it was unnerving.

Feeling uneasy, Hyunwoo called him again.

“…Lee Seunghyuk?”

“Haa, f*ck…”

“……!”

Out of nowhere, Seunghyuk dragged his hands down his face and muttered a quiet curse.

He said something else under his breath, but it was too soft to hear.

He really didn’t look okay.

Worried, Hyunwoo stepped closer.

“Are you alright?”

“……”

Seunghyuk slowly raised his head from his hands.

When their eyes met, he smiled faintly.

“Yeah, I’m fine. No—of course I’m fine, Hyung.”

“……”

Something about that smile sent a chill down Hyunwoo’s spine.

Without realizing it, he swallowed hard.