Chapter 22: An Unexpected Concern

“Y-You mean… partner?”

“Wait, aren’t you two dating?”

“No, we’re not!”

Flustered, Hyunwoo jumped in place and shouted.

But the doctor looked puzzled, tilting his head slightly.

“Nowadays, two alphas dating isn’t really frowned upon.”

“We’re not dating…”

“Oh, really?”

The doctor looked genuinely surprised.

His gaze flicked toward Seunghyuk standing beside Hyunwoo.

“Your expression is so intense, I assumed you were worried about your partner. Haha.”

“Ha…ha….”

Hyunwoo chuckled awkwardly, embarrassed by the absurd misunderstanding.

“…Will the scar remain?”

Despite the commotion, Seunghyuk asked seriously, as if it had nothing to do with him.

He stared intently at Hyunwoo’s wound.

“Yes, it will likely leave a scar.”

“…Is there no way to remove it?”

“Hmm… if you want to reduce the scar, once the wound heals partially, you could undergo laser treatment. Since it’s a clean cut, it can be minimized.”

The doctor explained while examining the wound, but Hyunwoo shook his head decisively.

“No, it’s fine even if a scar remains.”

Hyunwoo said casually.

A few scars on a man’s body weren’t a big deal.

He could think of them as medals for protecting his younger brother.

“I think he feels differently, though.”

“…?”

Hyunwoo turned to see Seunghyuk with a slightly displeased expression.

“Why?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“…?”

Still, Seunghyuk’s face remained stern.

Hyunwoo couldn’t figure out why he looked like that.

Does he have some trauma about scars?

To Hyunwoo’s knowledge, Seunghyuk’s body was flawless.

He hadn’t seen it directly, but from researching Seunghyuk before, he knew about his past.

No accidents or fights had ever left scars.

…Or is the wound really that unsightly?

Hyunwoo frowned, turning away from Seunghyuk.

“Hmm. For now, be careful, especially keep it dry.”

“Yes.”

“Before removing stitches next week, disinfect it at home a few times.”

“Understood.”

The hospital normally required visits every two days after stitching, but Hyunwoo refused due to work.

Still, with some medical knowledge and help from Hyunjin and Seunghyuk, he could manage at home.

Luckily, the wound hadn’t worsened, so the doctor didn’t nag further.

After carefully wrapping the bandage, the doctor sighed in relief.

“It’s fortunate it wasn’t worse. Try not to scare this old man next time.”

“Hmm, we’ll see about that.”

“You’re all grown up but still immature.”

The doctor clicked his tongue teasingly.

This university hospital had long been supported by Moonsung.

The original Joo Hyunwoo often visited as a child, so naturally, the doctor grew familiar with him.

Hyunwoo had a human fondness for the doctor, who treated him kindly.

Now, after being seriously injured, it was only natural for the doctor to scold him.

And Hyunwoo didn’t mind—it was the kind of parental care he lacked in this world.

He briefly thought of his real parents, who would fuss over him when he got hurt.

“I understand. I’ll be careful from now on.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

After a few reassurances, Hyunwoo finally left the examination room.

Outside, he glanced at his freshly cleaned left arm.

“Going straight home?”

“Hmm….”

Hyunwoo checked the time; it was almost lunchtime.

“Want to eat out instead of going home?”

“…….”

He impulsively asked, tired of delivery food and not wanting Seunghyuk to cook again.

Seunghyuk glanced at his arm silently.

“It’s better to rest at home soon, isn’t it?”

“Eating out is fine.”

“But….”

“Really, it’s fine.”

Hyunwoo waved his hand dismissively but paused suddenly.

Was he hinting he didn’t want to stay out long?

At home, they could eat and go to their rooms separately, but not outside.

Hyunwoo frowned slightly.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Hmm… nothing in particular.”

Seunghyuk, however, seemed to have changed his mind and spoke casually.

He took out his phone and began searching.

“There’s a curry place nearby you like.”

“Curry?”

“Yes.”

“….”

Had he ever mentioned liking curry?

Hyunwoo did like it, but never told Seunghyuk.

Perhaps it was because he enjoyed the curry Hyunjin had ordered before.

Hyunwoo marveled at Seunghyuk’s perceptiveness.

“You’re okay with it?”

“I like it too.”

“Then let’s go there.”

“Yes.”

They went to the restaurant, waiting a little due to the holiday crowd.

‘It must be popular.’

Even for a holiday, the early lunch hour was crowded, signaling its reputation.

Hyunwoo sat at the table, observing the surroundings.

“This is their most popular dish.”

“Then order that.”

“Yes.”

Hyunwoo didn’t even look at the menu.

He trusted Seunghyuk to order appropriately.

“Two of this, please.”

“Yes, spice level?”

“One level 3, one mild for kids.”

“Understood.”

“…Kids’ level…”

Hyunwoo glanced at the menu, realizing Seunghyuk knew his spice tolerance.

‘Still can’t handle spicy at all.’

Seunghyuk had always struggled with spice, even in the original story.

Hyunwoo thought wryly but remained silent.

“Hyung, don’t bite your lips. You’ll hurt them.”

“…Mind your own business.”

“….”

Hyunwoo tried to continue biting his lips but stopped, realizing it was childish.

Suddenly, Seunghyuk’s hand lightly touched his lower lip.

“…What?”

“Chew this instead.”

“Your finger instead of my lips?”

“Yes.”

“….”

Hyunwoo froze, staring at Seunghyuk’s calm expression.

Eventually, he swatted the hand away.

“Move it.”

“Then don’t bite your lips.”

“Ha….”

Annoyed, Hyunwoo sighed.

“Your beef curry, one kids’ level, one level 3, is ready.”

The curry arrived.

Hyunwoo stared at the plate.

The curry was full of meat, looking appetizing.

Though he had eaten breakfast recently, the aroma made him hungry.

He picked up his spoon determinedly.

“…Hmm?”

The first bite tasted unexpectedly mild.

Though delicious, something felt lacking.

He frowned, glancing at Seunghyuk.

Could it be…?

“…Are you okay?”

Hyunwoo noticed Seunghyuk’s hand trembling while holding his spoon.