Chapter 63: A Meal, A Misunderstanding, and a Storm at Home

“Move to the back, you bastard.”

“Wow, the office staff really needs to see you acting like this.”

“Just get lost.”

“Those poor employees.
They don’t even realize they’re being fooled!”

“…….”

Hadn’t he held back enough already?

Managing his image was important, but maybe he could lay into him just a little?

As Hyunwoo glared sharply, Hyeonseok flinched and stepped back.

“Whoa, whoa. Calm down.
We’re at work, okay?”

“Then you should have spoken nicely.”

“Haha… who speaks prettier than I do?”

“Are your last words finished?”

“Wait, hey—!”

When Hyunwoo lifted his hand again, face darkening, Hyeonseok yelped.

The loud voice made Hyunwoo frown and slowly lower his hand.

There were too many eyes watching.

“Phew… The future chairman’s personality sure is something.”

“I’ll see you later.”

“What did I even do?”

Muttering, Hyeonseok followed behind.

The line had shortened, and it was time to take trays.

Hyunwoo reached out and grabbed one.

Two sons of the owner family eating in the cafeteria was a rare scene, and employees couldn’t help but stare.

But everyone was used to Hyeonseok being eccentric, and Hyunwoo was not the type to care about attention.

The three, including Junghoon, quietly took their food and found a seat.

Munsung’s cafeteria was buffet-style.

The food was only slightly better than school meals, just with more variety, but compared to other companies, it was still decent.

“Thank you for the meal.”

Hyunwoo murmured softly and lifted his spoon.

There were Western and Korean options, but Hyunwoo had chosen mostly Korean dishes.

Again, it was not because of Seunghyuk’s words.

Koreans live on rice, simple as that.

He chewed slowly.

Strangely, his appetite was good today.

It was the same food as always—so why did it taste better?

He tilted his head.

“What’s this? You’re eating well today.”

“Hmm… am I?”

“You were counting rice grains when I saw you last time.”

“Mm.”

Hyunwoo knew his eating habits weren’t good.

But he never intended to eat poorly.

He often had no appetite, probably from stress.

And come to think of it, he hadn’t had any coffee today because of Seunghyuk.

Could that be why?

He tilted his head again.

No way…

But he quickly scoffed.

No way his body would improve just because of something that small.

It must be coincidence.

His stress happened to be lower today.

He continued eating.

“Well, either way, good for you.
You’ve finally decided to live like a human.”

“Stop spouting bullshit and eat.”

“I’m literally worrying about you, and this is what I get?”

“And is that worry coming from your heart?”

“Hm.”

Hyeonseok narrowed his eyes, examining Hyunwoo.

That insolent look made Hyunwoo frown.

“What now?”

“But why the sudden change?
You ignored me and Secretary Park even when we nagged more than this.”

“…….”

“Don’t tell me… you started dating someone?”

“What the hell are you talking about.”

Hyunwoo ignored him and continued eating.

But Hyeonseok didn’t stop.

“Come on.
People only start changing habits if they’re about to die, which you’re clearly not.
So that means you’re being rehabilitated by someone—”

“What am I, a criminal?
Don’t make a big deal out of me just eating properly once.”

“Suspicious…”

Unlike Hyunwoo’s balanced Korean meal, Hyeonseok’s tray was piled high with heavy Western food.

Hyunwoo glanced at it and snorted.

“You should fix your diet.
You’ll die early eating like that.”

“Oh, I want to just eat what I want and die early.”

“Go ahead then.”

Hyunwoo scoffed at the puffed-up Hyeonseok and returned to his own tray.

Why did a simple behavior change cause this kind of misunderstanding?

Had he really lived that carelessly until now?

Hyunwoo ate with a complicated expression.

“Let’s call it a day.”

“Yes, Director.”

When it was time to leave, Hyunwoo packed lightly and walked out.

The weather was warmer now, so his clothing was lighter.

He felt unusually well today.

Was it really because he didn’t drink coffee and ate lunch properly?

He seriously considered it on the way home.

Beep-beep-beep, beep.

The lock clicked.

Hyunwoo stepped inside and glanced down.

Two familiar pairs of shoes were placed neatly.

They were both home early.

He expected them to study late at the library since exams were coming up.

He changed into indoor slippers and walked inside.

“Guys, I’m ho—”

Crash!

“……!”

A loud noise exploded from one of the guest rooms—where Hyunjin and Seunghyuk stayed.

Hyunwoo startled and hurried there.

“What’s happening!”

He swung the door open.

A wave of pheromones hit him like a brick.

He covered his nose and mouth, bending forward.

“Ugh—!”

“Hyung!”

“Hyunwoo hyung!”

Their voices overlapped.

A dominant alpha and a dominant omega releasing pheromones this intensely…

The room was suffocating with scent.

Hyunwoo clicked his tongue internally.

“What the hell are you two doing?”

“Well…”

Hyunwoo straightened with effort.

The scene was ridiculous.

When he opened the door, Hyunjin had been about to punch Seunghyuk.

If not for the pheromones, that sight would’ve shocked him first.

“You were fighting?”

“…….”

“Why?”

Hyunwoo couldn’t believe it.

Why were the protagonist and the romantic lead fighting violently?

Judging by Seunghyuk’s stretched collar, he’d been grabbed at the neck.

And… his shirt looked familiar.

“Hyung, why is Lee Seunghyuk wearing your clothes?”

“…What?”

“What did he do to you?”

“Uh…”

Yeah.

It was the shirt he lent Seunghyuk during rut.

Hyunwoo’s face stiffened as he looked between them.

“Haha… how did you even know it was mine?”

“It smells like your pheromones, obviously!”

“…What?”

Hyunwoo froze.

It was a basic black T-shirt—anyone could have one.

The only reason he recognized it was because not much time had passed since the rut.

But Hyunjin shouldn’t have known.

He never saw Seunghyuk wearing it that day.

So that meant—

Why was it still drenched in his scent?

“Why… is that still…?”

Hyunwoo murmured before clamping his mouth shut.

Hyunjin’s expression twisted even further.

“What happened between you two?
Tell me.
Now.”

“No, no.
Nothing happened, Hyunjin.”

Hyunwoo waved his hands in panic.

But Seunghyuk opened his mouth:

“Well, during my rut—”

“Stop!
Stop talking, Lee Seunghyuk!”

“……”

Hyunwoo slapped his hand over Seunghyuk’s mouth.

Seunghyuk frowned.

So the situation was clear:

Hyunjin thought Seunghyuk had betrayed him.

And Hyunwoo was partially at fault.

Hyunwoo took a deep breath.

“Hyung.
No, right?
Not with him, right?”

“Hyunjin…”

What should he do?

If he told the truth, Hyunjin would be hurt.

But lying wouldn’t work—Hyunjin had already noticed too much.

Hyunwoo closed his eyes and opened them again.

Decision made.

“Both of you.
Get out of my house.”

“…What?”

“…Sorry, what?”

Hyunjin and Seunghyuk stared wide-eyed.