Chapter 66: A Bitter Aftertaste

“Ah, you’re still living with Hyunjin, right?”

“Yeah. I still can’t find a new place.”

“Hmmm.”

Hyunseok roughly knew about Hyunjin being stalked.

He remembered the day Hyunwoo suddenly came to his place and how he ended up answering Hyunjin’s call asking when he’d come home.

He nodded slowly.

“But what’s with Hyunjin’s friend?”

“There is one. Someone who likes Hyunjin.”

“…Someone who likes Hyunjin?”

“Yeah.”

“……?”

He had no idea someone else was also living there.

So hearing Hyunwoo say it so casually made him blink in confusion.

Hyunseok couldn’t understand why that person would be making juice for Hyunwoo.

“Why is he making juice for you?”

“I don’t know. Guess he wants to make a good impression on me.”

“Why?”

“Because he likes Hyunjin.”

“Ha….”

No matter how he looked at it, it didn’t make sense.

Would someone really wake up early and make juice just to impress the older brother of the person they like?

If it were him, he would never do something like that.

Maybe for Hyunjin, sure — but definitely not Hyunwoo.

‘Is this idiot being oblivious again?’

Hyunseok gave Hyunwoo a suspicious look.

He had too many past incidents for Hyunseok to not doubt him.

Of course Hyunwoo had always been popular.

Tall, handsome, with a strong alpha pheromone.

Even without Munseong’s backing, he had more than enough charm.

Even some alphas had been tempted by him at times.

And ever since joining the company, he’d matured a bit.

The old arrogance faded, which only made him more attractive.

His personality was still sharp, but he never showed that side to coworkers.

Which was exactly why there were many who admired him quietly.

But Hyunwoo never noticed.

Or ignored it.

He treated everyone formally and distanced — earning him the nickname of an iron wall.

“You’re sure that guy likes Hyunjin?”

“Yes.”

“Mm.”

Hyunseok still doubted him.

It sounded exactly like Hyunwoo was misunderstanding something again.

“What’s with that face.”

“No reason.”

“……?”

Hyunwoo frowned at the smirking Hyunseok.

It looked entertaining — so of course Hyunseok wasn’t going to explain anything properly.

“But is Hyunjin’s friend an omega? Or a beta?”

“I said he likes Hyunjin. So of course he’s an alpha.”

“Huh.”

An alpha liking another alpha?

Hyunseok raised a brow.

He expected someone who liked Hyunwoo to be omega or beta — but this was unexpected.

Though, to be fair, these days alphas liking alphas wasn’t exactly rare.

There were still some who criticized the lack of “biological productivity,” but with laws long changed, even alpha-alpha marriages were legal now.

“So can I visit your place sometime?”

“No.”

“You came to my house without warning though.”

“Doesn’t matter. No.”

“Tch.”

Hyunwoo already had enough trouble managing two people.

If Hyunseok came too, the house would turn into chaos.

He shook his head firmly.

It would definitely be a disaster.

But then Hyunwoo casually added something unexpected.

“You’ll see him soon anyway.”

“Huh? Why?”

“He’s that guy. The intern who’s starting here soon. Lee Seunghyuk.”

“…What? That Lee Seunghyuk?”

“Yeah.”

Hyunseok’s eyes widened in shock.

So the one living with Hyunjin…

The one who liked Hyunjin…

Was the Lee Seunghyuk.

The Korean University prodigy.

The one every major corporation had been trying to recruit.

Someone with a famous professor mother and equally brilliant talent.

Of course companies were watching him.

“So you’re living with him?”

“Yeah.”

“And he likes Hyunjin?”

“Yes.”

“…….”

This was a complete family tree disaster.

Hyunseok fell silent for a moment.

Hyunwoo thought Hyunjin and Seunghyuk liked each other — but from what he knew?

No.

Seunghyuk, sure.

But Hyunjin… that was another story entirely.

He decided to leave that landmine alone for now.

He shook his head and watched Hyunwoo working, fully absorbed in his tasks.

“Well, anyway. I’ll talk to you later. You look busy.”

“Yeah, go.”

This would get interesting once Seunghyuk joined.

Hyunseok’s steps leaving the office were practically bouncing.

“Whew…”

After drowning in documents and his tablet all day, Hyunwoo finally stretched his neck and let out a deep sigh.

His hand naturally reached for a tumbler.

He drank without thinking.

“Ah.”

Right. This wasn’t coffee.

For so long, he had poured caffeine into his system whenever tired, so the unfamiliar taste startled him.

But he got used to it quickly.

Soon, he had emptied one tumbler — and was now drinking from the second.

‘This is the kale juice Seunghyuk made.’

He still found it strange he was drinking something made from kale like it was water.

He lowered the tumbler and blinked, tasting the slight bitterness mixed with sweetness.

“…….”

His gaze drifted to his phone on the desk.

It had been quiet today.

Yesterday, Seunghyuk messaged him asking if he drank it well.

But today was the start of exams, so he must be busy.

Still, he thought he might send at least one message.

Hyunwoo stopped.

Caught himself thinking about it.

And slammed the tumbler onto the desk in shock.

“Director?”

“Ah… yes.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No. Nothing.”

He cleared his throat, took the tablet from Junghoon, and stood up.

“The afternoon meeting was rescheduled, right?”

“Yes. You should head out soon.”

“I’ll go to the meeting and head home afterwards. You can go when you’re done too.”

“Understood.”

Hyunwoo gathered his things, loosened his tie, and headed out into the warm weather.

After arriving at the hotel meeting venue, he walked toward the familiar café.

But then —

“Oh? Joo Hyunwoo?”

“……?”

A voice he recognized.

He turned.

There stood Dabin — the matchmaking partner whose meeting with him had ended quite spectacularly last time.

He hadn’t expected to run into him here.

Dabin approached, heels clicking.

“You look even better than last time. Guess things are still going well with your lovers?”

“…….”

His tone was sharp.

Hyunwoo didn’t respond.

He glanced behind Dabin — an alpha companion waiting nervously.

“Looks like you have a fun day ahead, so no need to acknowledge me, don’t you think?”

“Funny. It sounds like you’re trying to make it seem like I was the problem.”

“The problem?”

“Yes. Your lovers are the ones who ruined the matchmaking.”

“……?”

So he was still holding a grudge.

Dabin looked up at him, chin high and attitude cold.

“Apologize.”

“…What?”

Hyunwoo stared at him, utterly baffled.