Chapter 33: Lingering Scent

“Cut!

Let’s redo that scene.

Juwon, I’d like to see a bit more tears in your eyes.

Touch up makeup and we’ll go again.”

“Yes.”

“Got it!”

The moment the director’s instructions fell, staff hurried over to Juwon.

Her nose was red from crying through the scene.

While she took a moment to steady her emotions, meticulous hands busily fixed her makeup.

Han-geon, who had been keeping his eyes fixed on Eun-gyeol the entire time, used the opening to quickly approach him.

He’d noticed Eun-gyeol licking his lips repeatedly, probably thirsty, so he handed him an opened bottle of water.

“Drink up.

Have some before we go again.”

“Thanks.”

A relaxed, smiling squint returned.

Eun-gyeol drank his fill and handed the bottle back—just as the standby call came down.

Clutching the bottle, Han-geon held his breath and watched Eun-gyeol refocus for the shoot.

“Action!”

They’d only worked one day yesterday, and today was just the second day, but the set already felt much more familiar.

The actors seemed the same—filming was noticeably smoother than the day before.

From the morning on, Han-geon exchanged brisk greetings with a few staff members who lingered nearby.

They responded warmly to his friendliness.

After that, he sat with the team, eyes trained on Eun-gyeol’s movements, following his blocking carefully.

“Okay, cut!

That’s it for now.

Let’s eat and continue after lunch!”

“Good work!”

“Great job, everyone.”

Was it already that time?

He checked his watch—it was already past one.

He hurried over to Eun-gyeol, who was removing his gown with a tired expression, took it from him, handed it to Yujin, then pulled out a handheld fan and aimed it at Eun-gyeol’s face.

Only then did the sharp edge in Eun-gyeol’s expression fade.

“Let’s eat first.”

“Mm.”

They moved to the cafeteria together.

Today, a food truck sent by Juwon’s fans had arrived.

Taking in the different spread compared to yesterday, Han-geon glanced around to see if Junseong was nearby.

He wanted to avoid another uncomfortable meal if possible.

Fortunately, Junseong was already seated far away.

Relieved, Han-geon piled his plate high.

Eun-gyeol, meanwhile, only took a single piece of steak, so Han-geon scolded him lightly and added salad and carbs to his plate.

Just as Han-geon lifted his spoon for the first bite, a cough broke out beside him.

Instinctively, he stood.

“I’ll go get water.”

“It’s fine.

Don’t bother.”

“No.

Wait.”

He pressed Eun-gyeol’s hand down as it tried to pull him back and gave his back a brief pat.

Since he was already up, he grabbed several stainless cups to fill water for the others as well.

There was no line, so he relaxed while filling them—when suddenly, a voice popped up behind him.

“Oh?

Hello, Manager.”

“Ah—hello.”

It was Juwon.

Holding five cups spread between his fingers, Han-geon smiled and bowed slightly.

She chatted amiably, saying she’d come to get water too—she really did seem kind every time he saw her.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Yes, thank you—ah, um… Manager.”

He was about to pass her when her voice dropped subtly, catching the back of his neck.

She stepped closer, eyes wide.

He leaned in, expecting a whisper, but she hesitated.

Taking a small breath, she suddenly asked an unexpected question.

“Um… are you… sharing a room with Eun-gyeol oppa?”

“Pardon?

Ah… yes.”

“Oh… I see.”

She nodded, her expression strangely subtle.

Seeing her face, Han-geon couldn’t just walk away.

Something felt off.

“May I ask why you’re asking?”

“…Ah.”

Juwon’s eyes darted awkwardly.

“Please don’t misunderstand.

It’s just that… Eun-gyeol oppa’s pheromone scent seems to be pretty strong on you.”

“…What?”

A foolish sound slipped out of his throat.

Seeing Han-geon’s confusion, Juwon waved her hands quickly.

“Oh, but it’s fine!

If you share a room or live closely together, scents naturally rub off.

And Eun-gyeol oppa’s is particularly concentrated.”

I see.

That was what she meant.

Han-geon nodded easily.

It wasn’t like Eun-gyeol would do anything strange to him anyway.

“And there aren’t many trait-typed people on set.

Just me, Eun-gyeol oppa, and… who else was it—ah!

Junseong too.”

“Oh, right.”

“Well then, enjoy your meal.”

“Yes.

You too.”

Juwon walked away with her cup.

Blinking, Han-geon refocused on the cups in his hands.

As he carefully returned to their table without spilling anything, old questions and idle thoughts followed him.

Eun-gyeol’s pheromones really are strong.

Juwon’s an omega, so she must feel it clearly.

I wonder… what do they feel like to an omega?

Eun-gyeol’s pheromones…

“Oh, thanks.

I’ll drink well.”

“Hyung, I should’ve gone instead—sorry.”

Snapping back to reality, Han-geon saw everyone thanking him as they picked up the cups.

He smiled and patted Geonho’s back.

“It’s fine.

You were getting food.

Eat up.

Enjoy, noona.”

“Sure, sure.

You eat a lot too, Han-geon.”

Watching Eun-gyeol drink the water like a baby bird made him inexplicably pleased.

Unlike yesterday, the meal passed in a relaxed atmosphere.

Han-geon ate comfortably.

“Wow, I’m full.”

“Me too.

With so many side dishes, you end up overeating.”

“Seriously.

You never get tired of eating, noona.”

“What?

Hey, Cha Eun-gyeol!”

Eun-gyeol’s snickering voice, Yujin snapping back.

Trading trivial jokes, they wandered out of the cafeteria together.

As usual, they each ordered coffee from the coffee truck sent by Chaol.

The sunlight was nice.

The breeze gentle.

Most of all, Eun-gyeol looked to be in good condition.

If things stayed like this, the afternoon shoot should go smoothly.

Humming softly, Han-geon opened the script and the notes distributed earlier.

Yesterday had been relatively light, but today Eun-gyeol’s scenes were packed even in the afternoon.

“I’m going to the restroom for a bit.”

“Okay.”

There were about twenty minutes left of lunch.

With light steps, Han-geon headed to the restroom.

As he brushed his teeth and washed his hands, he sensed someone beside him.

He turned casually—and froze.

“Oh, hello, Manager.”

“Ah… hello.”

Junseong approached with a bright smile.

“Did you enjoy your meal?”

“Yes, thank you.

Did you eat well too?”

“I did.

It was so good, I had two servings.

Haha.”

Acting as if nothing had happened yesterday, Junseong’s demeanor gradually eased Han-geon’s tension.

Why did Eun-gyeol hate him so much?

On the surface, he seemed genuinely nice.

From the start, Junseong had been friendly, making it easy to feel goodwill toward him.

Working together on set, it seemed like getting along wouldn’t be a bad thing.

But Eun-gyeol’s feelings were far stronger than Han-geon had expected during the script reading.

He vividly remembered what Eun-gyeol had said while pinning him to the bed yesterday—a rat.

He didn’t know what it referred to, but Eun-gyeol had said he only had suspicion, not proof.

In any case, there was nothing to gain by letting Eun-gyeol see him with Junseong.

Just in case, Han-geon hurriedly finished washing and tried to leave.

Then Junseong spoke in a subdued tone.

“Yesterday… I made things uncomfortable for you, didn’t I.”

“…Not at all.”

“No.

I know Eun-gyeol sunbae doesn’t like me.

I keep pushing myself in, and… I’m sure it’s annoying for you too.”

His voice, eyes lowered, was completely dejected.

Unable to just leave him like that, Han-geon stood awkwardly and listened.

“I just… want to get close to him.

He’s the senior I admire most.

My role model, really.

But it’s not easy.

Haha.”

“…I see.”

“And… not just him.

I honestly want to get closer to you too, Manager.”

Han-geon licked his lips once.

Since the topic had come up, he wanted to ask—he couldn’t pry into matters between actors, but asking about himself should be okay.

“Um… may I ask why?”

“Hm.”

Drying his hands, Junseong smiled warmly.

“No particular reason.

People tell you you seem kind a lot, don’t they?

I like people like that.”

“Ah… thank you.”

He hadn’t asked fishing for compliments, but it wasn’t unpleasant to hear.

Scratching the back of his neck, Han-geon bowed slightly.

Junseong continued cheerfully.

“Where do you live, Manager?”

Caught off guard, Han-geon blinked, and Junseong quickly added,

“Oh, nothing weird.

My manager just moved near my place, so I wondered if you lived near Eun-gyeol sunbae too.”

“I live in XX-dong.”

“Oh?

A friend of mine lives there.”

Junseong’s eyes lit up.

“I go there often.

If you’re around sometime, want to grab a drink?”

“…Sure.”

There was no way he’d actually meet Junseong outside.

Eun-gyeol hated him enough as it was—no need to add fuel to the fire.

And Junseong was probably just making a polite suggestion anyway.

“Then, good luck with filming today.”

Junseong smiled mischievously.

Han-geon bowed.

“I hope your shoot goes well too.”

“See you later.”

Junseong tossed his crumpled towel into the trash and left first.

Han-geon remained, blinking for a moment.

It had been a while since he’d met someone that sociable.

He really did seem like a good person.

So what had happened?

Was it just a personality clash?

That didn’t seem enough to explain Eun-gyeol’s level of hatred.

While Han-geon pondered, Junseong exited the restroom quickly.

The heavy, oppressive pheromone clinging to him made his skin crawl with discomfort.

Shaking his arms and shoulders compulsively, Junseong glared upward, swallowing the urge to spit, and hurriedly lit a cigarette.

“…Crazy bastard.”

This wasn’t just a light transfer—it was saturated.

Drenched.

Like a deliberate display to other alphas.

And there was only one alpha on this set.

Absurd.

He knew Cha Eun-gyeol had a nasty personality, but this much?

He let out a hollow laugh, then turned his gaze toward the manager coming out of the restroom.

Junseong smiled politely and bowed.

As Han-geon’s figure retreated, Junseong’s expression slowly cooled.

Because he was a beta, he could stand there looking clueless.

If he knew the truth, even that seemingly kind manager wouldn’t stay calm.

This time, he really is my type… and things turn out like this.

Exhaling smoke, Junseong muttered to himself.