The Muse

Snow fell, covering Seoul with its cold, wet touch.The faces of citizens rushing back and forth in the heavy snowfall were dark. Snow is only romantic when viewed from inside. For those who couldn’t return home, snow was just something that dirtied their shoes and socks. The once pure white snow turned into dirty slush under the footsteps of many.Amidst the cold, indifferent, and ordinary winter scene of Seoul, a man stood in front of a building. His eyes, gazing at the sign without even an umbrella, were emotionless.The whites of his eyes, visible as he looked up, and his sharp eye corners, also emitted a rigid atmosphere. His slightly disheveled hair, due to the wind, was deep black, contrasting with his pale skin and light red lips, giving off a chilling impression.The man stepped into the building, stepping on the melting, slushy snow. Though his eyes twitched as if tired, he didn’t let out even the smallest sigh of exhaustion.“Welcome.”Upon entering a shop, another man greeted him warmly. This was his friend Lee Hyunseok, wearing a white shirt, black pants, and a black apron, with a bright and lively personality.“Baek Sihoo, you really came?”The man named Baek Sihoo tilted his head slightly. His voice was calm as he asked his smiling friend.“I told you I’d come.”“I didn’t think you really would, considering how busy you are with your business. Thanks for coming. Take off your coat and have a seat.”At the invitation to sit, Sihoo shifted his gaze to look around. His indifferent black eyes faintly showed sympathy. Inside the jazz-playing bar, there were only three customers.“Not many customers, huh?”Noticing his gaze, Hyunseok chuckled cheerfully.“Well, it’s only been a month since we opened. Can’t expect to be full right away.”Three customers were far from a satisfactory result for a place with a three-digit rent. Sihoo thought that his seemingly bright friend might actually be festering inside. However, instead of voicing any hardships, he silently took a seat, out of respect for his friend’s efforts to live bravely.“What would you like to eat? Look at the menu and choose.”“……Something you’re confident in.”Hyunseok quickly went into the kitchen. Left alone, Sihoo leaned back in his chair. His friend, who had greeted him with shining eyes, was full of energy. Sihoo easily guessed it was the energy of a new beginning.“You look good.”His muttered words carried a faint, blue-gray shadow under his eyes. Even in the movements of taking off his cold-stained coat, there was no sign of life. It was a calm, quiet, and slightly weary action.After a while, a salad deliciously tossed with olive oil and a glass of wine were placed on the table. Sihoo changed the order to a bottle instead of a glass. Hyunseok playfully clapped at the order of the most expensive wine bottle.“Indeed, the third-generation chaebol. You know how to spend money.”“Don’t exaggerate.”His indifferent response showed no sign of embarrassment. Both his friend and Sihoo himself knew that the title of third-generation chaebol was not wrong.Sangwon Group. A company that had weathered numerous crises over more than 50 years to become one of the top companies in South Korea. Baek Sihoo was the second son of Chairman Baek, who led this giant corporation. He was also the CEO of Hotel Sangwon, a subsidiary of the Sangwon Group, under his father’s direction. Hyunseok carefully asked, observing Sihoo’s complexion.“Did you overextend yourself coming here? You must be busy at year-end.”“I’m not so busy that I can’t congratulate you on your opening.”It wasn’t an empty word to lessen his friend’s burden. No matter how busy he was, he had time to drink a few glasses of wine.Instead of explaining in detail, Sihoo leisurely drank, showing off. Hyunseok chuckled at his relaxed demeanor.“Didn’t you see anything lacking when you came in? Give me some feedback.”“Why feedback?”“Why not? You’re the CEO. You know management better than anyone.”“Lee Hyunseok.”Sihoo added in a flat voice.“Don’t talk about that here.”“About what? Oh, your status? Why?”Why, indeed. Sihoo slowly chewed over Hyunseok’s innocent question, as if savoring wine in his mouth. A gray shadow passed over his indifferent face.“It makes me think about work.”It was an answer that required a long explanation. However, Sihoo didn’t add anything like, ‘It’s burdensome to hear about being a CEO or management. I just want to relax here.’ Fortunately, the other person not only understood Sihoo’s personality but was also quick-witted.“Your face says you’re exhausted. What, are you burnt out or something?”“…….”“No wonder you’re tired. You didn’t even go to the military because you’re a dominant alpha. You joined the company right after graduating from college, didn’t you?”Instead of answering, Sihoo reached for his food. Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Hyunseok nodded, indicating he would stop talking. Despite his playful nature, Hyunseok knew not to cross the line, which Sihoo appreciated. It was one of the reasons Sihoo had taken the time to come here.Time flowed smoothly like water. While Hyunseok was chattering away, he suddenly made a meaningful comment.“But soon, customers will flock in. The part-timer is coming.”“Part-timer?”“Yeah, a friend of my younger brother. He’s a good kid. And handsome.”Understanding the influx of customers due to the mention of good looks, Sihoo nodded indifferently and took in the entire bar. The piano in the corner, under dim lighting, gave off a subtle sheen. Sihoo muttered to himself without much thought.“……I didn’t know you could play the piano.”“No, not at all. Someone else will play it.”Someone else? Was he talking about the part-timer he mentioned earlier? Though his eyes questioned, Hyunseok only smiled instead of answering. Since it wasn’t a pressing curiosity, Sihoo quickly lost interest.“Where are you going? You’re not leaving already, are you?”As soon as he stood up, Hyunseok waved his hands, pretending to stop him. It seemed he was quite happy to see his friend after a long time.Seeing Hyunseok’s evident disappointment, a faint smile appeared on Sihoo’s lips. Even a slight change completely altered his cold impression.“Cigarette.”“Oh! Go ahead, I’ll clear the empty plates.”Sihoo briefly glanced at his friend, who was busily clearing the plates. Hyunseok, overflowing with brightness, had the vitality of a young man in his early thirties. As Sihoo observed the newly opened young owner, his brow furrowed slightly.Only for a moment, he silently turned and walked out of the bar. The cold winter wind brushed over the man as he put on his coat again. A few strands of hair tickled his neat forehead. Sihoo let his disheveled hair flutter as he put his hand into the inside pocket of his coat.A moment later, he had a cigarette in his mouth as he walked between buildings. Sihoo took a deep drag and looked up. The snow, which had been falling fiercely, had suddenly stopped.Sihoo exhaled the smoke he had been holding in his mouth. The gray smoke mixed with his breath and rose into the air.‘Your face says you’re exhausted. What, are you burnt out or something?’Hyunseok’s words still echoed in his ears. Reflecting on his friend’s words for a moment, Sihoo let out a deflated sound. He was impressed by his friend’s keen observation, recognizing his condition at a glance, something even those around him hadn’t noticed.Burnout. The word Hyunseok had thrown out was the most fitting to describe Sihoo at the moment. Lately, Sihoo had been feeling a sense of ennui about everything. Whether at work or in his daily life, no emotions arose.Everything was boring. Even the smoke entering his throat felt acrid.“……Just wasted a cigarette.”He muttered to himself as he took out the portable cigarette case from his pocket. He pressed the half-smoked cigarette into the case, which had a silver pattern on a black background. There was no sign of regret on Sihoo’s face. Instead, he thought it would be better to spend this time talking to Hyunseok.As he moved his shoe-clad feet slowly, a strange sound reached his cold ears. It wasn’t a sound Sihoo had made.He turned his upper body unconsciously and looked inside. His eyes, half-covered by long eyelashes, narrowed. Still holding the case, Sihoo searched for the source of the sound.Under the light coming from the building’s window, a man was holding a cigarette. He exhaled smoke and stretched one leg forward. The sound of his shoe stepping on the piled snow broke the silence. Sihoo realized the source of the sound he had just heard.The man had a neat appearance. His soft eyes and clean cheeks, revealed under the light, still gave off a youthful vibe.Sihoo unconsciously fixed his gaze on him. Did the man sense Sihoo’s gaze? He turned his head with a cigarette in his mouth.How old could he be? His calm expression seemed mature for someone in their early twenties, yet he looked too young to be in his late twenties. Realizing he had scrutinized the stranger too closely, Sihoo stopped.Despite the intense gaze, the man showed no discomfort. Instead, he boldly met Sihoo’s eyes. He exhaled a long stream of smoke and half-closed his eyes.“It’s cold, isn’t it?”The man was the first to speak. Keeping a proper distance, he wore a slight smile. His warm smile felt comforting.Is he talking to me? His casual tone felt quite refreshing. Instead of answering immediately, Sihoo observed him quietly.He’s a person of contradictions. His clean face gave off the image of a model student who had never strayed. In a good way, he looked kind; in a bad way, he looked rigid. Yet, in his neat hands were a cigarette and a pocket.“……Yes.”Finally, Sihoo answered the man’s question. He wouldn’t have answered anyone else. Talking to strangers didn’t suit his personality, especially if they weren’t business associates or people he would meet again.“It’s a cold day.”Sihoo answered because the man, despite his scholarly appearance, was a smoker and carried a pocket to clean up after himself. Sihoo mulled over his recent thought.‘Not bad.’Suddenly, the man took a step closer. With legs as long as Sihoo’s, he closed the distance quickly.“Yes. It’s not the best weather for smoking.”Speaking again, the man lifted the corners of his mouth. Dimples appeared beside his wide smile.Sihoo found the bright, flower-like smile intriguing. Observing more closely, he noticed a mole near the man’s eyes.The addition of dimples and a tear mole softened his previously neat impression. Up close, the man, or rather the boy, was more interesting to look at than he had thought.As Sihoo admired the boy’s face, which oscillated between gentleness and boldness, he took out another cigarette. Unlike before, he felt a desire to put something in his mouth and smoke.The man moved his large body to stand with his back to the wind. When Sihoo gave him a questioning look, he blinked his long eyelashes innocently.“I thought it might be hard for you to light it.”The way he slowly closed and opened his eyes was childlike, evoking a strange feeling. His polite yet not overly shy tone made Sihoo want to ask, How old are you?The boy slightly bowed his head and looked straight at Sihoo. Setting aside the impudence, Sihoo was a bit surprised that the boy had ‘bowed.’‘He’s looking down at me.’As a tall dominant alpha, it was a fresh experience for Sihoo. Except for his younger brother, who was also a dominant alpha, he had always looked down at people.Is he a dominant alpha? But all he could smell was the cold scent of winter. Clearly, he was a beta. At that moment, the boy politely spoke again.“Or should I light it for you?”This time, Sihoo couldn’t help but ask.“Why?”Despite the short, informal question, the boy didn’t seem offended. Instead, he rolled his eyes, looking thoughtful. It was as if he didn’t know why he had said that. Yet, his hand now held a lighter instead of a pocket.“……Ah.”The man’s face brightened as he showed the lighter. He seemed pleased with the conclusion he had reached.“I’m good at lighting lighters.”“…….”“The wind is blowing a lot, so I wanted to help.”‘Why go out of your way? I’m not a child.’Feeling an impulse to tease the boy, Sihoo knew that repeatedly asking the same question would fluster him. Just as he was about to speak with a nonchalant expression, the boy interrupted.“Ah, ha.”A soft, awkward laugh echoed in his ears. Sihoo slightly parted his lips and watched the man’s ear. Even under the dim light, his ear was visibly red.“…….”Sihoo’s eyes, framed by long eyelashes, narrowed. He quickly realized that the cold wind wasn’t the only reason his ears were red.Despite being a stranger. Without knowing me at all.It was amusing to see him like a moth drawn to a flame, not knowing what kind of person he was. Sihoo decided to play along for a while. Whether it was because he liked the boy’s reddened ears or found his shy demeanor behind a bright smile amusing, he wasn’t sure.“Alright, then help me.”Sihoo lowered his gaze as he put the cigarette in his mouth. The man’s upper body, holding the lighter, looked as solid as a rock. Even through the thick jumper, his broad shoulders and chest were impressive.Just as he thought, ‘Not bad,’ the hand holding the lighter trembled slightly, tightening its grip. The veins on the back of his hand, frozen from the cold, stood out blue.Noticing the late sign of nervousness, Sihoo couldn’t help but form a slight smile. The impulse to shake this naive boy surged again.“Fire.”At the low utterance of a single word, the man, who had been frozen like a statue, moved his fingers. With a click, an orange flame appeared.Sihoo lowered his head towards the man’s now steady hand. The tip of the cigarette began to glow red.“…….”“…….”Even in the quiet stillness, Sihoo easily noticed that the man was still embarrassed. Maybe it was because he was used to dealing with sly people. He found it quite cute.Just before the man put away the lighter, Sihoo moved his eyes to look up. The man’s lips twitched, seemingly surprised by the sudden gaze.‘Why don’t you smile like before?’Those dimples were quite pretty. Sihoo’s eyes curved gently with amusement.Swallowing his laughter, he took a step back and turned his face to the side, lightly exhaling white smoke. The wind scattered the smoke in all directions, brushing against Sihoo’s hair.The disheveled hair lightly pricked his white forehead. Feeling slightly annoyed, Sihoo pushed his hair back with the hand not holding the cigarette. Then he addressed the man who was silently watching him.“You.”“Yes?”The man’s baritone voice reminded Sihoo of a scarf wrapped around his neck in the middle of winter. Warm and cozy. Sihoo held up the cigarette between his fingers.“Aren’t you going to smoke?”The man, understanding his meaning, smiled back. The dimples he thought were pretty appeared again.“No, I’m fine.”“Really?”Sihoo’s voice was characteristically indifferent.“Then we have no more business.”At the implied dismissal, the man’s eyes wavered. It was a peculiar expression. His eyes, showing signs of confusion, gave off an innocent vibe, but the tear mole below them suggested otherwise.Is he naive? Or is he quite the sly one?Fixing his gaze on the man, Sihoo exhaled the smoke. A laugh, like air escaping, flowed out along with the smoke from his red lips, as dark as his black hair.“……Cough.”“Oh dear.”As if he had never smiled, Sihoo’s lips slowly formed a straight line.“Sorry.”And with a dry apology, he grabbed the man’s hand. It was the hand not holding the lighter. Startled by the sudden action, the man’s veins stood out blue on his captured skin.“If you don’t like it, shake it off.”Muttering to himself, Sihoo tightened his grip on the hand. The skin that touched his fingers was cold and frozen. It was only natural, having spent time in the cold outdoors.As if to warm the frozen hand, Sihoo gently rubbed his thumb over the skin. It was a tender yet somewhat lingering touch, like a caress. While doing so, Sihoo scanned the man’s face.“Ah…”Instead of shaking off his hand or showing a disdainful expression, the other person let out a soft groan. The sound that burrowed into his ears gave Sihoo a sense of satisfaction. As expected, the voice was pleasant.Sihoo repeated the same action for a long time, as if to leave warmth on his hand. He pressed persistently against the skin and rubbed between his fingers.During that time, the other person simply stared at Sihoo with a blank expression. The faintly trembling eyelashes evoked a peculiar sensation, as if teasing an innocent child who knew nothing.So, it wasn’t serious.Realizing this about the other person, Sihoo withdrew his hand first. The area of contact retained a distinct warmth. The ticklish sensation made Sihoo rub his hand against the coat he was wearing. It was then that he noticed the man frowning.“What… are you doing?”There was a hint of bewilderment in the quiet voice. The other person’s gaze was fixed on Sihoo’s hand rubbing against his coat. Sihoo answered as he slid the hand into his pocket.“I held your hand.”The man’s face began to turn red. Thinking it was embarrassment, Sihoo was surprised when, contrary to his expectations, the man asked without hesitation:“Why did you hold it?”This time, Sihoo’s usually calm face showed a slight crack. He had expected the man to be flustered, not to ask why.“…Because it’s windy.”After a delayed response, Sihoo walked past the man. As the sound of snow crunching underfoot echoed clearly, the man asked again.“You held my hand because it’s windy?”“It’s cold. I thought I’d warm your hand.”“…”“Just wanted to help.”It was similar to what the other had said earlier. Perhaps realizing he was being mimicked, the man let out a faint laugh and ruffled his hair.“Haha.”The first to leave was Sihoo. With a light nod, he resumed walking. Although he felt the other person’s gaze piercing his back, he didn’t bother turning around.The air brushing against his wrist somehow felt less cold.⟡ ݁₊ .There were some people who disliked Sihoo and said this about him:“An alpha so dominant is bound to be promiscuous.”Baek Sihoo was a dominant alpha. His pheromones were remarkably strong, and he was of a breed known for exceptional reproductive abilities. Those who harbored resentment towards him dismissed Sihoo with the word “promiscuous” and mocked him.It didn’t bother Sihoo much. In truth, he enjoyed a promiscuous sex life. He had slept with many, including those who once hated him enough to call him a “slut.” Pinning down partners who willingly spread their legs, Sihoo had no trouble admitting:“Yeah, I’m promiscuous.”Until his late twenties, Sihoo had shared his body with countless individuals. Encounters marked by sweat, bodily fluids, or pheromones were all equally intense.Compared to those past experiences, the physical contact earlier today was no more than an ordinary handshake. All he’d done was rub fingers slightly.Yet for some reason, the warmth from that touch lingered, refusing to fade. Leaning back against a chair, Sihoo stared at his hand blankly. Clenching and unclenching his fist, the sensation etched into his hand refused to disappear, like a thorn pricking persistently.Regret crept in belatedly. Just as he was beginning to find it interesting, it had ended. He thought he should have brought the man here and glanced around.The previously empty wine bar was now bustling with people. Hyunseok, who greeted customers warmly, had an even brighter smile than usual. Naturally, this was to be expected.Hyunseok had been confident that many customers would come. What was the reason again?“Welcome!”Was it that a part-timer was coming in today? Just as Sihoo was recalling, Hyunseok’s cheerful voice reached his ears. He turned his gaze toward Hyunseok, wondering if an acquaintance had dropped by.“Hello.”Sihoo’s lips parted slightly. Though his expression remained blank, the subtle twitch of facial muscles and the tension in his hands betrayed his agitation. With furrowed brows, he stared at the young man standing before Hyunseok.To his surprise, the other person was already looking at him. Sihoo strongly felt that the greeting of “Hello” might not have been directed at Hyunseok but at him. Sure enough, the man, eyes wide with surprise, sent a beaming smile that revealed dimples.It’s that boy, the one who lit the lighter.As the two exchanged a peculiar glance, Hyunseok tilted his head in confusion.“What’s this? Do you two know each other?”Know each other? Should I say we know each other because we played with our fingers? While Sihoo remained silent, the boy spoke up.“We smoked together.”The boy’s eyes curved into a round smile. His bright smile had a clarity that only someone his age could have. Sihoo had a strong intuition that this was the handsome part-timer.Sihoo’s guess was correct. The boy bowed his head in greeting and went into the staff room to change clothes. Many customers’ eyes followed the boy’s back. He seemed to have a charm that attracted attention wherever he went.Sihoo raised his sharp chin towards the closed staff room.“I want to know his name. That boy.”“Oh, his name? It’s Yejun, Yoo Yejun.”Yoo Yejun. The soft sound of the name rolled easily off the tongue. Sihoo tried the unfamiliar name in his mouth and then nodded.“Don’t tell him.”Hyunseok looked puzzled.“Tell him what?”“That I asked for his name.”Sihoo quickly added.“Just don’t tell him about me. Don’t tell him my name. Especially not my job.”It was a shameless request. It was funny how he had casually extracted the boy’s name while blocking his own information. Amused by his own contradiction, Sihoo let out a deflated sound and took a sip of wine. The wine reflected in the light, glowing red.As the bitter taste moistened his entire mouth, Yoo Yejun emerged from the staff room. He was wearing a white shirt and black pants, just like Hyunseok. The clean and neat attire highlighted his tidy and proper appearance.Looks good. Casually evaluating as if admiring a painting, Sihoo put down his glass. Unlike his calm demeanor, his fingers on the table grew hot. It was the area that had touched Yejun’s skin earlier.Tap, tap.As he tapped the table to dispel the heat, Yejun approached as if he had heard the sound. With his long legs, he closed the distance to Sihoo in just a few steps.“You’re a customer here.”His voice, filled with warmth, was welcoming. Lowering his long eyelashes, Yejun added politely.“Are you Hyunseok’s friend?”The use of “hyung” indicated that the two were quite close. Sihoo remembered that Hyunseok had mentioned him as a friend’s younger brother. After a few seconds of staring, Sihoo slowly asked.“Why do you think so?”Though his low tone had a hint of stiffness, Yejun didn’t seem fazed.“You seem close.”He didn’t seem like a clueless fool. When Sihoo made a sound, Yejun blinked a few times and calmly added.“If not a friend… are you a close younger brother?”Instead of laughing, Sihoo drank his wine. He had no intention of responding to such a trivial addition. Worried that Yejun might feel awkward, the kind-hearted Hyunseok chimed in.“We’re friends. Kid, why are you asking if he’s a younger brother? Do I look older than him?”“…….”“Hey? Why aren’t you saying anything?”It seemed that Hyunseok, not Yejun, would end up feeling embarrassed. To help his friend, Sihoo decided to speak up.“Go about your business now.”It meant to stop acknowledging him and do his job. Yejun, who had maintained his composure until then, furrowed his brow. His eyes, half-covered by long eyelashes, showed a hint of defiance.The interest that had briefly waned resurfaced. The balance of seeming gentle yet sharp was refreshing.After a moment, Yoo Yejun was the first to turn his head. He seemed to realize that there was no benefit in antagonizing the boss’s friend. Within seconds, he walked away to do the ‘business’ Sihoo had mentioned.“Lee Hyunseok, your problem is you’re too nice.”“Huh? Why?”Sihoo watched the part-timer’s retreating back. Even with clothes on, his muscles were impressive. Broad shoulders, a thick chest, and the line from his waist to his hips were flawless.“If it were me, I wouldn’t have hired someone like him.”“What’s wrong with him? He’s so nice and friendly.”Hyunseok, not having seen the defiant look in the boy’s eyes, waved his hands dismissively. Sihoo’s smooth, white forehead tensed.‘It’s not like Lee Hyunseok is interested in men.’Unlike Sihoo, who didn’t discriminate between genders, Hyunseok was the type to have a deep, committed relationship with one woman. So, it wasn’t a sexual entanglement with Hyunseok. Sihoo propped his chin on his hand, thinking nonchalantly about something that would make his friend faint if he knew.As the alcohol slowly took effect, Sihoo’s black eyelashes grew heavier. The sharpness left his face, replaced by a languid expression. His fingers, which had been still, began tapping the table again.Tap, tap, tap.As the intoxication deepened, everything started to feel bothersome. Talking to his friend, teasing a stranger—it was no longer enjoyable. Closing his eyes, Sihoo let out a deflated sound.Now? Was there ever a time when it was enjoyable?It had been ages since he felt his heart race and his mind spin with excitement. Whether he got up and went home or stayed here, nothing would change. He would still be the dry, static, and bored Baek Sihoo.What broke through Sihoo’s thoughts was, unexpectedly, the sound of a piano. Light returned to his once lifeless eyes.“?”At the sudden sound of the keys, the noise ceased, and a quiet stillness settled in. Feeling the sudden change in the atmosphere, Sihoo turned his gaze towards the piano.The person sitting at the piano was Yejun. Dressed neatly, he was testing the keys one by one. As each note resonated, Sihoo narrowed his eyes.‘So, he’s the one who plays the piano.’A piano? He looked more like a physical education student than a music student.Thinking it didn’t quite fit, Sihoo lowered his eyelids to Yejun’s fingers. On closer inspection, his long fingers were perfect for playing the piano. Curiosity about what piece he would play arose.“Enjoy your time, CEO.”Hyunseok whispered playfully in Sihoo’s ear as he waited for the performance. Despite being told not to mention anything related to the company, he seemed to have forgotten. Sihoo sighed lightly, thinking he would have to remind him again.The performance began. The corners of Sihoo’s mouth, which had been drooping in boredom, gradually straightened. He focused all his attention on the piano. Even his fingers, which had been tapping the table, stiffened.⟡ ݁₊ .The intoxication spread through his entire body, tingling through his elbows. Sihoo put down his glass, feeling the alcohol seep into his bones. His vision blurred, and his throat burned.Sihoo easily admitted that he had drunk too much. When was the last time he drank like this? He slowly tried to recall through his hazy mind but couldn’t pinpoint an exact date.It might be understandable. For Sihoo, alcohol was just a tool to deal with business associates. He would get them drunk to exploit their weaknesses, but he never showed a drunken, disheveled side of himself.Given that, the current situation of drinking indiscriminately felt somewhat refreshing.‘Why.’He pondered quietly amidst the drowsiness and dizziness. Why had he drunk so excessively, unlike himself? Because there were no company people around? Because it was his friend’s place? Those might be reasons, but there was surely a bigger cause.“Are you alright?”A voice echoed through his thoughts. Sihoo tried to ignore it, but for some reason, the voice clung to his ears. Unable to understand the tickling sensation running down his ear, he looked up.“……You’re drunk.”The one who quietly informed him was the young man with the tear mole and dimples. Sihoo added another characteristic to him. The boy with the tear mole and dimples, who played the piano well.“Piano.”Sihoo muttered a single word and then fell silent. He wanted to express his honest feelings, but the reluctance outweighed the desire. His drunken mind would surely spill excessive praise.Sihoo was certain he would be embarrassed by his emotional self the next day when he sobered up. So, he said something else.“Did you major in music?”How the boy interpreted the dry voice, he furrowed his brows. Embarrassment was written all over his face.“Yes, I’m majoring in it.”“……Majoring?”“Yes.”“…….”Sihoo had a strong feeling that Yejun might still be a college student. He carefully examined Yejun’s features. How old could he be? His youthful eyes caught Sihoo’s attention. Half-hidden by long eyelashes, Sihoo’s eyes narrowed. At that moment, Yejun muttered like a sigh.“……I’m not young.”“?”“You’re thinking about my age right now, aren’t you?”Muttering like that, Yejun’s face was more furrowed than before. His twitching lips showed that he was quite displeased with being treated like a child.When did he become so awkward? Sihoo chuckled and propped his chin with one hand.“Is that so?”“…….”Maybe it was the lighting, but Yejun’s cheeks seemed to turn red as he looked down. Sihoo slowly blinked his heavy eyelids. His breath quickened with the rising intoxication. He parted his lips and silently inhaled oxygen. The air entering his throat felt warm.Tap.The sound of something being placed down tapped Sihoo’s ear. Yejun was suddenly offering a glass of water.“I have to play another piece.”At the unexpected words, Sihoo looked up without taking the glass. When he gave a questioning look, a smile appeared on Yejun’s lips. Dimples formed nicely beside his mouth.“It means I can’t take care of you.”“You’re going to take care of me?”“Yes.”“Why would you take care of me when Hyunseok is here?”Yejun calmly explained without any sign of embarrassment.“The boss is very busy. He won’t be able to pay attention to you while greeting customers.”It was an unexpected term.“Hyung?”“Don’t you like it?”Saying that, Yejun smiled with his eyes. It was a smile that looked kind yet had a subtle sensuality. Sihoo realized once again that the tear mole and dimples on Yejun’s face contributed to that atmosphere.“If you tell me your name, I’ll change the way I address you.”Oh, really. Sihoo’s lips curved slightly. This kid was acting like a sly fox.He was intrigued. It was as interesting as the piano performance that had kept him entertained. Sihoo crossed his legs and tilted his head slightly.“I can’t tell you. I quite like being called hyung.”Yejun’s smile deepened. He offered the glass of water he was holding. The water in the transparent glass rippled gently.After a few seconds of silence, Sihoo reached out his right hand to take the glass. However, the drunk man had no intention of simply taking the glass and drinking. He touched Yejun’s fingers along with the glass.Tap, tap.“!”As soon as he tapped the skin with his nails, the previously calm Yejun flinched and trembled. A fox, but an inexperienced one. That was quite cute.“Thank you.”Feeling amused, Sihoo spoke in a rare gentle voice. It was a tone he only used with his family or close friends.Letting out a laugh he would never share with a stranger, Sihoo lowered his head. Holding Yejun’s hand, he brought the glass to his lips. As he tilted the glass and drank the water, Yejun’s fingers kept twitching.Sihoo took his mouth off the glass and admired Yejun’s fingers. Long and well-shaped, they were perfect for playing the piano. He recalled the shock of the first moment those fingers touched the keys and moved his lips slightly.“I’m looking forward to your next piece.”“……Do you have a favorite song?”The voice that posed the question a beat late was slightly hoarse. Sihoo couldn’t tell whether it was from bewilderment or excitement.“I don’t know much about jazz.”“My major is classical music. I just like jazz more.”When their eyes met, Yejun nodded once. It was a gesture that meant anything was fine.“…I’m not very knowledgeable about music. But if it’s okay, Piazzolla’s Winter.”“Winter.”“Can you play it?”By then, Yejun had begun clenching and unclenching his hand repeatedly. He glanced alternately at the glass of water on the table and Sihoo before making a gesture of understanding.“I can play it, so you should drink some more water, hyung. It’ll be hard if you get more drunk.”As soon as he finished speaking, Yejun walked over to the piano. His movements of clenching and unclenching his hand continued—it was the hand that had touched Sihoo earlier.Watching the boy act as if he were reluctant to part, Sihoo smiled silently. And as Yejun focused entirely on his piano performance, Sihoo finished the remaining wine.“It’ll be hard if I get more drunk? I’m not so old that I don’t know my limits.” Sihoo chuckled as he swallowed the wine. He then relished the deepening buzz of the alcohol while enjoying the music that filled the bar.Yejun, playing the piano alone, shone. Every time his long fingers moved fluidly, dynamically controlled notes resonated.After striking a powerful note, Yejun immediately softened the sound, tilting his head slightly. Sihoo noticed that he had his eyes closed, his lips faintly curled upward.“…”The piece was titled Winter, but the heat emanating from Yejun’s performance evoked thoughts of summer. Sihoo vividly felt the notes piercing his ears, warming his lower abdomen.Yejun leaned forward again toward the piano keys. His gaze, fixed solely on the keyboard, held a languid excitement.Sexy. Whether it was tilting his head back enough to expose his throat or the sultry way his eyes swept over the keys—it was undeniably sensual.Realizing where his thoughts had wandered, Sihoo quietly admitted that he was thoroughly drunk. To be ogling someone playing the piano in a sexual light—he wasn’t in his right mind.That’s when he became aware that he was unconsciously emitting alpha pheromones. The woody scent filling the air was unmistakably his. If even one omega had been present, the intensity would have been enough to leave them gasping for air.Sihoo quickly reined in his pheromones and tensed his crossed legs. When he rubbed against his rigid lower body, the object between his legs grew rapidly heavier. Alcohol should have left him limp, but his aroused shaft stood stiffly upright.He wasn’t so far gone as to grab it and relieve himself. So, Sihoo simply froze in place, his eyes fixed on Yejun, waiting for his body to naturally calm down.⟡ ݁₊ .“Why’d you drink so much?”Hyunseok laughed as he handed over a card. Yejun, who had gone into the staff room to change, hadn’t come out yet. Glancing toward the staff room, Sihoo answered curtly.“Because I’m in a good mood.”“Not because you’re in a bad one?”“…”“Has it been rough for you lately?”Had he been sober, Sihoo wouldn’t have answered such a question. Sharing his current state, which was far from ideal, with someone else was a blow to his pride. But now, with the alcohol as an excuse, he answered loosely.“Yeah, it’s been tough. Just a little.”Perhaps not expecting such honesty, Hyunseok’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s. For a moment, his gaze softened with concern, as if asking what was wrong. Sihoo simply gave a faint smile and snatched the card from him.“Hey, Baek Sihoo… Sihoo!”As he opened the door, a startled voice rang out behind him. Sihoo turned back, still holding the doorknob.“There’s nothing wrong, right?”“Yeah.”Sihoo added calmly, “Maybe I’m just having a late-stage adolescence.”With a slight nod, he stepped out of the bar. Thankfully, Hyunseok didn’t follow him. That suited Sihoo, who had no intention of discussing his feelings with anyone.The night air was cold enough that he couldn’t guess the time. As the chill seeped through his coat and suit, Sihoo looked up at the sky. The snow, once pure white to the point of pallor, was now tinged faintly red.