Chapter 86: Heat Beneath the Surface

“…See? I told you it was spicy.”

“…….”

Seunghyuk’s expression was clearly troubled.

It reminded Hyunwoo of the time he had eaten the extra-spicy curry by mistake.

Hyunwoo tried his hardest not to laugh.

“Should we order something else?”

“…….”

Hyunwoo poured cold water into a glass and passed it to him.

Seunghyuk quietly accepted it and gave a small nod.

Checking the tablet menu, Hyunwoo saw that there were several non-spicy dishes.

He couldn’t tell if the hotpot stew was spicy from the photos, but the other dishes were clearer.

A soy-based rice bowl looked safe.

“Should we get this? You like rice bowls, right?”

“Yes.”

It looked quick to prepare, and since it had rice, it would be easier to eat.

Once Seunghyuk agreed, Hyunwoo immediately ordered the rice bowl.

“For the hotpot, don’t drink the broth or eat the vegetables. Just take the meat.”

“…Okay.”

He’d worried about the raw egg, but the real problem was the stew itself.

Who would’ve guessed it was spicy broth?

He never saw it coming.

Still, as long as Seunghyuk only picked out the meat and avoided the broth-soaked vegetables, it was manageable.

Hyunwoo efficiently picked pieces of meat out and placed them on Seunghyuk’s plate.

“Thank you.”

“Hah, this is nothing.”

He wondered if he was being too considerate, but honestly, when eating together, this much was normal.

Even if they weren’t close.

Besides, Seunghyuk was Hyunjin’s friend.

No—someone who was going to become more than just a friend.

So being kind to a future brother-in-law wasn’t strange at all.

Repeating that to himself, Hyunwoo continued eating.

“How is it? Can you eat?”

“Mm… it’s fine for me.”

“That’s good. Please eat more.”

“Yeah…”

Eating comfortably while Seunghyuk picked at food felt awkward.

And the gentle tone in Seunghyuk’s voice only made it worse.

The hotpot tasted good, yet Hyunwoo felt like he might get indigestion.

“The rice bowl is here!”

“……!”

Again, the employee burst in, set the dish down, and vanished quickly.

Truly mysterious.

Hyunwoo blinked at the closed door.

“Do you want some of the rice bowl too?”

“Huh? No, you eat.”

“You should eat too.”

“I’m fine.”

Even as Hyunwoo refused, Seunghyuk scooped some rice bowl into his dish anyway.

Hyunwoo couldn’t turn it down and accepted it.

“Mm…”

“Tastes okay?”

“Yeah. Not spicy. You should eat too.”

“Yes.”

For a bar, the food quality was surprisingly high.

It seemed better than some rice bowl specialty shops.

Maybe Hyunwoo was just hungry from skipping dinner.

Or maybe the kitchen staff here were secretly very skilled.

While thinking, he suddenly realized his plate was empty.

The food had vanished quickly.

He stared at the empty dish, baffled.

Where did it all go?

He slowly raised his head.

“……!”

“You eat really well. Should we order more?”

Seunghyuk’s expression was warm—almost affectionate.

Hyunwoo couldn’t endure that gaze and turned away.

“Hmph… I’m full. If you want more, order.”

“I’m full too.”

“Right…”

Why did he look at him like that?

Did Hyunwoo look pathetic, stuffing his face?

No… Hyunwoo already understood the real reason.

“…I’m going to the restroom.”

“Yes. Take your time.”

Overwhelmed, Hyunwoo stood up quickly and practically fled the room.

“Haa…”

He leaned against the closed door, exhaling.

His palms were damp.

Seeing that, Hyunwoo let out a bitter laugh.

Pathetic.

He wasn’t some teenager in the middle of his first crush.

If he were, at least it would be cute.

He was a fully grown alpha—tall, broad-shouldered, mature.

How could this be so embarrassing.

When would his body stop acting against his logic?

Why couldn’t reason control him?

“Damn.”

He muttered and went to wash his hands and face.

Thankfully the lights in the room had been dim.

Otherwise, Seunghyuk would have seen how red his face was.

The restroom was conveniently close.

“Mm…”

As expected, his face was flushed even without alcohol.

Seeing his reflection made the shame worse.

Just because Seunghyuk had gotten a haircut and looked even more handsome…

Just because he smiled warmly…

His heart raced.
His body reacted.

Why was he still swayed like this?

Shouldn’t that have ended by now?

Hyunwoo clenched his jaw.

“Hahaha!”

“…….”

The bar was lively at this hour.

Laughter from other rooms echoed into the restroom.

Private rooms were soundproof—but the restroom wasn’t.

If Seunghyuk came here, he’d probably be annoyed.

Hyunwoo smiled faintly—then froze.

“…Seriously…”

Why was he thinking about Seunghyuk again?

He wanted to rip his brain out.

He was scowling at himself when—

“Ah, sorry.”

A drunk man bumped into him.

He regained balance and apologized.

Hyunwoo nodded.

“It’s fine.”

“…….”

“……?”

But the man didn’t leave.

He stared.

His hazy eyes sharpened.

Hyunwoo frowned back.

Did he know him?
No.
No recognition.

“…Huh? Maybe not?”

The man muttered and glanced toward the door, checking something.

Hyunwoo was only more confused.

Maybe he was just drunk.

Hyunwoo decided to ignore him.

“Excuse me. Could you—”

“Oh. It is you.”

“……!”

The man blocked the exit and grabbed Hyunwoo’s shoulder.

Hyunwoo’s expression went cold.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Hah. Unbelievable.”

“I’m asking you what your problem is.”

Hyunwoo wanted to shove him away.

But causing trouble in public would spread fast.

He held back.

“I need to go. Move.”

“No.”

“…….”

A lunatic.

The man leaned in, whispering:

“You’re an omega, right?”

“……!”

Omega?

Here?

In the alpha restroom?

Both of them were clearly alphas—at least biologically.

Hyunwoo snapped:

“Get lost, freak.”

He slapped the hand away and went to leave—

“Ugh—!”

—but the man grabbed him again, stronger.

He shoved Hyunwoo back against the closed door.

The impact made Hyunwoo grunt.

The man’s eyes gleamed.

“You’re an omega pretending to be an alpha, aren’t you?”

“…….”