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Join the Server“That’s my classmate, hyung.”
“Ah, really?”
“…….”
Perhaps the problem was that the day happened to be a warm spring day with flower petals drifting in the air.
From the way Hyun-woo looked at Seunghyuk, Hyunjin felt a small jolt of unease.
It was a look very different from the one he gave Hyunjin.
A hazy, softened gaze—like someone who had just fallen in love.
A look Hyunjin had often seen from people who adored him.
“…Seunghyuk, this is my older brother, Joo Hyun-woo.”
“Nice to meet you, Hyun-woo hyung. I’m Lee Seunghyuk.”
“Ah… yeah.”
“…….”
And of all days, why did Seunghyuk—who usually had trouble talking to strangers—choose today to speak so easily?
Hyun-woo accepted his handshake almost dazedly, his eyes glued to Seunghyuk’s face.
Surely not…
Both of them were alphas.
Having spent enough time as an omega, Hyunjin had learned to read the instincts of secondary gendered people.
Even now, although alpha-alpha relationships were more common, it was still rare—almost impossible—to feel immediate attraction toward another alpha without instinctive resistance.
“Uh… well, we’re going to get lunch now. Want to come?”
“No, I have an assignment.”
“Really? Alright, let’s eat together next time.”
“Yes.”
Thankfully, Seunghyuk declined.
Hyunjin felt embarrassed by the wave of relief washing over him.
To feel this way toward his closest friend—how strange and uncomfortable.
He bit his lip lightly.
“Joo Hyunjin, stop chewing your lips.”
“…You have the same habit as me.”
“Hey, that’s no way to talk to your brother.”
“Tch.”
Hyunjin forced himself to act normal, arguing lightly with Hyun-woo as usual, trying to hide the anxious knot inside his chest.
Seunghyuk watched them quietly, then gave a brief goodbye and walked toward the subway station.
Hyunjin stared at his retreating back for a moment.
“He’s your classmate, right?”
“…Yeah.”
“He’s handsome.”
“…….”
Hyun-woo, too, was still watching Seunghyuk walk away.
That gaze—nothing like how he looked at Hyunjin—made the anxiety coil tighter inside him.
And before long, Hyunjin’s fear became reality.
“Joo Hyunjin.”
“Yeah?”
After class ended, Seunghyuk approached with a stiff expression.
Hyunjin froze slightly at the harsh aura surrounding him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Sigh…”
“…?”
Seunghyuk let out a long, weary breath.
Not understanding anything, Hyunjin simply tilted his head in confusion.
“Can you tell your hyung something for me? Tell him to stop following me.”
“…What?”
Hyunjin’s eyes widened.
Why was Hyun-woo suddenly being mentioned?
Following? Who? His brother? Following Seunghyuk?
As Hyunjin stood there stunned, Seunghyuk spoke again, sharper this time.
“Tell him to stop before I report him.”
“There… must be a misunderstanding.”
“No misunderstanding.”
With a bitter scoff, Seunghyuk showed him the messages he had received—messages with a tone far too forceful, almost threatening.
Only then did Hyunjin accept reality.
“My brother… would never…”
“He’s not normal. He’s crazy.”
“…Don’t insult my brother.”
“Wow. Siblings really are close, huh.”
“…….”
“I feel stupid for thinking he was a good person.”
Seunghyuk muttered in disgust.
But Hyunjin barely heard it.
The shock hit him from an entirely different angle.
Not that Hyun-woo had fixated on someone in an unhealthy way…
But that Hyun-woo’s interest wasn’t directed at him.
Why not me? Why Seunghyuk…?
I’ve been by his side far longer.
I care about him more than anyone.
And I’m the omega.
Ever since reuniting with Hyun-woo, all the strange emotions he hadn’t been able to sort out suddenly flooded his mind at once.
“Ah…”
“Hey, Joo Hyunjin!”
Hyunjin couldn’t face Seunghyuk anymore.
He fled.
That night, Hyunjin had a dream.
At first he didn’t even realize he was dreaming.
He had fallen asleep after drinking a can of beer to chase away the sadness, and woke to an odd feeling.
“…Hyung?”
“Hyunjin.”
“……!”
Hyun-woo was looking down at him.
Hyunjin blinked, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Why was Hyun-woo here? On his bed?
It felt too real, too vivid for a dream, yet his memories were hazy from alcohol.
And judging by the dark outside, it was late into the night.
“Hyung… why are you…”
“You’ve grown up, haven’t you?”
“U-uh…!”
Hyun-woo reached toward him with a strange smile.
And in that instant, Hyunjin realized something was terribly wrong.
His brother’s touch—his voice—his expression… none of it was normal.
“Hyung, stop, this is—!”
“Why? Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Me?”
“You’ve always looked at me strangely.”
“……!”
Hyun-woo leaned close, whispering into his ear.
The warmth of his breath made Hyunjin flinch.
I… looked at hyung that way?
At that moment, an old memory resurfaced.
When he first entered middle school, wearing his stiff new uniform.
A confusing, turbulent time.
And the thing that troubled him most—that his first nocturnal emission had come from a dream where the person appearing… was none other than Hyun-woo.
He barely remembered the dream now.
But he remembered waking up with his underwear damp.
No way…
Hyunjin had been horrified back then.
Dreaming about family that way—something had to be wrong with him.
He had lived with that shame for a long time.
It eased only after learning they weren’t biological siblings.
And after being pushed away and despised by Hyun-woo, the memory faded entirely.
But now, at the worst moment, the memory returned.
Hyunjin felt his entire face burn.
“Hyung, that’s… I mean…”
“You don’t have to hold it in anymore, Hyunjin.”
“What…?”
“No reason to force yourself.”
“U-ugh…!”
Hyun-woo leaned down—
But right before anything could happen, Hyunjin jerked back, breath trembling.
“Hyung, wait—this isn’t right!”
He grabbed Hyun-woo’s wrist with both hands, pushing away desperately.
Hyun-woo looked startled.
“Hyunjin…”
“Hyung… I…”
Words spilled out uncontrollably.
The emotions he’d been suppressing, denying, fearing—they collapsed all at once.
“I like you. I always… always liked you.”
“…….”
Tears streamed down Hyunjin’s face as he held onto him.
“I… I love—”
Before he could finish, Hyun-woo spoke quietly.
“I like you too, Hyunjin.”
“…Huh?”
“But as a brother.”
“……!”
At that moment—
Hyunjin’s eyes flew open.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, The Moon Reflected In The Water is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : The Moon Reflected In The Water
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