Chapter 42: Different Directions

“Yes, I’ll do that!”

“…….”

Hyunwoo quietly looked at Team Leader Kim, who answered with strong determination.

To be honest, it didn’t make much difference to Hyunwoo whether Haesong cleared out their executives or not.

There were plenty of companies that could replace them.

But the thought of dealing a blow to that arrogant Cha Kwon-oh felt satisfying.

Hyunwoo let the corner of his mouth curl upward into a smirk.

“I’ll look forward to the day we meet again.”

“Thank you, Director.”

Team Leader Kim stood up and bowed deeply before exiting the meeting room.

Hyunwoo glanced at his departing back, then also rose from his seat.

“For now, keep an eye on Haesong.”

“Understood.”

“…….”

After giving Junghoon those instructions, Hyunwoo also left the conference room.

By then, it was work hour, and the office was filled with employees.

Hyunwoo greeted people as he walked and returned to his office.

Whether the Haesong situation would become a positive or a negative — he would have to wait and see.

But for now, it didn’t feel bad.

Moreover, seeing the future shift little by little like this was a positive sign.

Even if Seunghyuk eventually joined L&S like in Hyunwoo’s past life, it was good to have more means to counter them.

The more he thought about it, the more advantages he could see, and Hyunwoo’s mood brightened.

Junghoon approached him and asked,

“Are you feeling better?”

“Ah, yes. I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”

“No, not at all. Next time, I’ll be more attentive.”

Junghoon clasped his large hands together, speaking earnestly.

Just looking at him, one could imagine him achieving greatness in athletics, yet here he was in a suit working as a secretary.

Still, maybe because he was Sungyoon’s cousin, he had a reliable steadiness to him.

Hyunwoo felt reassured leaving the Haesong matter to him.

As he looked at Junghoon’s polite face, Hyunwoo furrowed his brows slightly.

“But, Junghoon — did you and Seunghyuk exchange numbers?”

“Sorry? Who?”

“The guy who used to drive me before you.”

“Hmm… Ah! Him?”

Junghoon’s confusion cleared, and he brightened as he remembered.

Yesterday, Hyunwoo had been too drunk to say anything before being taken home.

But later, seeing the message Junghoon sent, it seemed he had heard of the situation through Seunghyuk.

Hyunwoo had no idea when the two had started talking.

Wondering if there was some connection he didn’t know about, he asked — but Junghoon only looked puzzled.

“Didn’t you give him my number?”

“I did?”

“Yes… He contacted me so naturally yesterday, saying you weren’t feeling well… So he told me you’d be leaving early….”

“…….”

What?

Seunghyuk had Hyunwoo’s personal secretary’s number?

He had never given it to him.

Not even in his previous life had Seunghyuk known it.

So how did he contact Junghoon?

Unless he secretly checked Hyunwoo’s phone while living together.

Hyunwoo’s expression hardened.

“Director?”

“Aah… I asked him to contact you for me yesterday — I must have just forgotten.”

“I see.”

Junghoon nodded, not thinking much of it.

The only one troubled was Hyunwoo.

…Haa.

How was he supposed to bring this up?

A dull ache pulsed in his head again.

He shook his head and reached for his tablet to begin work.

“Hyunjin!”

“……?”

Just as Hyunjin was hurrying out of the lecture hall at the end of class, someone called out to him.

He flinched and turned around.

A group of classmates had surrounded him.

Hyunjin blinked in surprise.

“Uh… you guys?”

“Hey hey, where do you think you’re trying to run?”

“We clearly said we had a club meet today, remember?”

“Umm….”

Hyunjin looked at the classmates surrounding him.

They all looked determined — almost aggressive.

This is bad….

He told Hyunwoo he had quit his café part-time job, but he was still secretly working there.

The money mattered — but even more, he wanted to be able to support himself after graduation.

Since exams ended, his classmates frequently invited him out, but Hyunjin rarely went.

Their frustration had piled up.

“Look, we get you’re busy with work even during the semester — but you’ve been avoiding us way too much, don’t you think?”

“Guys, it’s just…”

“And that damn Lee Seunghyuk, too. The both of you act like friends don’t exist. Planning to graduate and ditch us, huh?”

“Haha…”

At the mention of Seunghyuk, Hyunjin’s smile stiffened.

He had gotten home late yesterday after closing at the café.

Usually, he returned early to avoid suspicion, but yesterday he hadn’t been able to.

When he got home, Hyunwoo was already asleep.

It was strange — Hyunwoo was usually strict about self-care.

When Hyunjin pressed Seunghyuk about it, he said Hyunwoo had come home drunk and fallen asleep early.

Strange, yes — but understandable.

Hyunjin planned to go home early today and cook something light for Hyunwoo’s hangover.

So he could not go drinking with classmates today.

Otherwise, Seunghyuk would get ahead of him again.

Hyunjin gripped his bag strap tightly, anxious.

“But what is Lee Seunghyuk doing these days?”

“He seems to be attending class regularly.”

“He ignores all my messages. Does he do that to you guys too?”

“Yeah, seems like it.”

“…….”

The conversation had shifted to Seunghyuk.

Hyunjin’s emotions tangled uncomfortably.

Back when they first entered university, there were more people around.

But as time passed and people took academic leaves, only a few remained.

Among them, only weaker Betas or less dominant omegas and alphas seemed to linger.

The more dominant types had disappeared one by one.

As Hyunjin was thinking, one classmate suddenly turned sharply toward him.

“Weren’t you close with Seunghyuk?”

“What? Me?”

“Yeah — you two used to be inseparable. Some people even thought you were dating.”

“Ah….”

It had been years ago.

Back when Hyunjin and Seunghyuk were unusually close.

In freshman year, they hadn’t been close at all.

A prestigious Alpha who entered on a full scholarship and a famously beautiful Omega.

But they had ignored each other, despite rumors.

Hyunjin avoided him because he hated attention.

Then in sophomore year, someone similar to Kim Minjae — the stalker — harassed him, and Seunghyuk helped him.

After learning Seunghyuk wasn’t as sharp and irritable as he seemed, Hyunjin gradually opened up.

And now, he regretted it deeply.

Because that led to Seunghyuk meeting Hyunwoo.

If he had known Seunghyuk would be interested in Hyunwoo, he would never have accepted his help.

Hyunjin pressed his lips together tightly.

“No. Definitely not. I’m not dating anyone.”

“Oh… really?”

“Yeah — actually, I like someone else.”

“What? For real?!”

Instantly, the group locked onto the new topic.

At least, they stopped bringing up Seunghyuk.

But now, their attention was entirely on Hyunjin.

“You better tell us the details later at drinks.”

“No, I can’t today—”

“Oh no you don’t. Hey, hold him.”

“Wait—!”

They grabbed him from both sides.

He couldn’t move.

If this continued, they would drag him to the drinking party.

What should he do?

Hyunjin looked around desperately — but the lecture hall was almost empty now.

He felt tears prick the corners of his eyes.

“I… I have to go home…”

“We’re in our twenties! Home can wait! Let’s go!”

“Ugh…”

He couldn’t go home late.

If he did, Hyunwoo and Seunghyuk would be alone together again.

The world spun.

His mind kept replaying scenes of the two too close to each other.

“Hyunjin.”

“……!”

A gentle voice came from behind.

Hyunjin and his classmates all turned.

Dokyung stood there, smiling kindly.