“…Why does the conversation go that way?”

“Didn’t you want to clear up my misunderstanding? I need time to learn that you’re not Hae-eon to clear up the misunderstanding.”

Since it wasn’t wrong, Hae-wan had nothing to say and could only ruffle his hair helplessly. Moreover, he felt bad about rejecting Kang-hyun’s suggestion twice, so he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Reading Hae-wan’s predicament, Kang-hyun added firmly:

“You know I’ll ask again even if you reject me now, Mr. Yoon Bori.”

In the end, Hae-wan reluctantly nodded. A satisfied smile spread across Kang-hyun’s face. He opened his mouth to say something more but hesitated when his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Kang-hyun took out his phone, confirmed the incoming call, and asked for understanding:

“It’s the fragrance supplier. Let me take this call real quick. We’ll decide on the specific plans after that.”

When Hae-wan nodded again, Kang-hyun answered the phone and disappeared toward the fragrance storage room.

Feeling completely caught up in everything, Hae-wan lowered his head deeply and let out a big sigh. At the loud sighing sound, Bori barked “Woof!” wondering what was wrong.

Wanting to shake off his complicated feelings, Hae-wan petted Bori’s round forehead and spoke with forced brightness:

“Sorry for borrowing your name, Bori. I have my circumstances, so please understand just a little.”

Bori panted with a happy expression like she understood Hae-wan’s words. Continuously tickling Bori’s chin and neck, Hae-wan looked around and lowered his voice to mutter playfully:

“Instead… I’ll tell you my name just between us. You can’t tell anyone, okay?”

“…”

“My name is Yoon Hae-wan.”

Even though it was the name he’d used his whole life, it strangely sounded unfamiliar.

Hae-wan rubbed his forehead against Bori’s soft fur and whispered once more, carving it into his heart:

“My name is… Yoon Hae-wan.”

* * *

After checking his phone clock once, Hae-wan practically ran toward the massive multiplex plaza where he was supposed to meet Kang-hyun.

Though it wasn’t far from the barbecue restaurant where Hae-wan worked on weekends, he had gotten off one station early and walked to let the cold wind blow away even a little of the meat smell that had seeped into his body, making him barely on time for their appointment.

It really bothered him that his meeting with Kang-hyun, who was particularly sensitive to smells, came after spending all day in a place thick with barbecue smoke. Though he had changed into clothes he brought from home beforehand, he couldn’t shake his worry that the smell might have permeated his skin or hair. Hae-wan’s hurried steps gradually came to a stop.

He had spotted Kang-hyun leaning against a pillar in the distance, looking at his phone.

Despite the plaza being packed with people because it was the weekend, Kang-hyun stood out immediately with his head sticking up above everyone else’s.

He had neatly styled his slightly wavy hair up over his forehead and wore a dark gray coat with a burgundy turtleneck sweater, with a black mask covering his face. Because he was so tall, he looked exactly like a model who had stepped out of a photo shoot, making every passerby glance at him at least once.

Remembering Kang-hyun’s words about wearing a mask when going out because he was sensitive to scents, Hae-wan unconsciously sniffed the back of his hand.

Since he had continuously washed his hands whenever possible, all he could smell was the wind, but knowing Kang-hyun’s sense of smell was far superior to others, he couldn’t feel at ease.

Then, Kang-hyun looked up like he had felt Hae-wan’s gaze. Though Hae-wan wasn’t mentally prepared yet and unconsciously shrank back, since Hae-wan wasn’t short either, Kang-hyun spotted him immediately.

Though his mouth was hidden by the mask, his long, languid eyes curved softly like he was smiling. Hae-wan awkwardly moved his reluctant feet.

“When did you get here?”

“About five minutes ago. Did work go well today?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“You must be hungry. Should we go eat? Chinese food okay?”

When Hae-wan nodded, Kang-hyun led him without hesitation, saying he knew a delicious place. It turned out he had made a reservation at a Chinese restaurant inside the hotel connected to the multiplex.

While heading to the restaurant, Hae-wan walked maintaining some distance from Kang-hyun, still worried about smelling like meat.

Though Kang-hyun tried to talk to him several times, the crowds were so thick that people kept squeezing between them. Finally, he stopped abruptly and asked in a frustrated voice:

“Why are you walking so far away? There are so many people.”

Hae-wan hesitated a bit, then reluctantly opened his mouth:

“Well, I’m worried I might smell weird.”

“…”

“When you work all day in a place full of meat smells, you inevitably pick up the odor.”

His thick eyebrows twitched, then Kang-hyun suddenly grabbed Hae-wan’s arm and pulled him close. Before Hae-wan could panic, a group of high school students who were fooling around and pushing each other without watching where they were going passed by with loud noises.

Though he had probably saved him from a collision, realizing he was standing almost pressed against Kang-hyun’s chest, Hae-wan was startled and tried to step back several paces.

However, he couldn’t move away because of Kang-hyun’s firm hand gripping his arm.

“Don’t worry about unnecessary things and walk close to me. It only smells good.”

Speaking in an indifferent voice, Kang-hyun released Hae-wan’s arm with a light tap. Though it was an ambiguous statement without a clear subject, Hae-wan’s face reddened as he realized what Kang-hyun was responding to.

“Let’s go. We’re cutting it close if we want to see the movie too.”

Hae-wan just patted his hair unnecessarily and nodded slightly. Throughout their walk, Kang-hyun’s arms and shoulders kept brushing against Hae-wan’s body, and those points of contact strangely felt like they were tingling.

The two arrived at the Chinese restaurant on the hotel’s upper floor and were guided to an inner table with a night view. Though he didn’t particularly prefer Chinese food since he didn’t like greasy dishes, all the food was delicious enough to make him exclaim in admiration.

However, he couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable about the meal price that easily exceeded tens of thousands of won for just a few dishes.

Since they had decided to choose their movie after meeting, the two headed to the cinema after leaving the restaurant. Upon arriving at the cinema and standing in front of the kiosk, Hae-wan insisted on paying for the tickets himself.

Though buying tickets worth only about 25,000 won wouldn’t mean much beyond making himself feel better, he felt he needed to do at least that to feel somewhat at ease.

Kang-hyun frowned, saying he should pay since he was the one who suggested they hang out, but when Hae-wan was firm about it, he reluctantly agreed.

“What movie do you want to see?”

Hae-wan asked quickly to divert Kang-hyun’s attention, who still looked displeased.

“Well, I mostly watch movies at home, so I don’t keep up with new releases.”

Looking at the list of available reservations arranged by box office rankings, Hae-wan scrolled through the kiosk screen and looked at Kang-hyun:

“What genre do you usually watch?”

Kang-hyun answered immediately without hesitation:

“Romance, melodrama, stuff like that.”

Hae-wan, who had been expecting answers like action or thriller, tilted his head slightly with a puzzled expression. Glancing at Hae-wan, Kang-hyun asked back:

“Why? Doesn’t suit me?”

“…No.”

At the honest answer, Kang-hyun lowered his head and burst into laughter. It was the first time seeing him laugh like that, and it was fascinating how his face, which looked cold beyond measure even with the slightest stern expression due to his jet-black eyes and pronounced sanpaku eyes, suddenly radiated a boyish energy.

Feeling Hae-wan staring at him blankly, Kang-hyun slightly raised his eyes to look at him. His face heating up instantly, Hae-wan quickly turned his head and spoke hurriedly:

“Why… why do you like romance?”

“Because there’s a lot to learn.”

“…Like what…?”

At Hae-wan’s question, Kang-hyun smiled faintly, then suddenly pointed at the kiosk screen:

“Should we watch this one?”

The movie Kang-hyun pointed to looked like a cheerful romantic comedy based on the poster alone. It didn’t seem to be a particularly popular movie since it only appeared after scrolling down quite a bit, so it was mysterious how he had found it.

So he really does like these kinds of movies, Hae-wan thought, lowering his head to hide the smile that was trying to sneak out.

Though he shouldn’t judge based on appearance alone, with his exceptional physique and sharply chiseled facial features making him look like the very embodiment of an alpha male, his liking for melodramas and romance movies was an unexpected aspect that felt both refreshing and a little cute.

The movie started in 40 minutes, so the two with some time to spare headed to a nearby cafe. While Kang-hyun ordered coffee, Hae-wan excused himself to use the restroom.

Looking in the mirror while washing his hands, he could see his cheeks were slightly flushed red. It was because his heart was excited since it had been so long since he had such ordinary time hanging out.

Embarrassed that he might have been making this face the whole time in front of Kang-hyun, Hae-wan kept touching his cheeks with the back of his hand, which had become cold from the cold water. He was so absorbed in cooling down the heat that when leaving the restroom, he bumped shoulders with some man and had to hurriedly apologize.

“Excuse me. Hey, wait a minute!”

But as he was about to re-enter the cafe entrance, he heard an urgent voice from behind. When the bewildered Hae-wan turned around, some man approached with quick steps and spoke to him:

“I’m the person who bumped into you in the restroom earlier.”

Did I not apologize properly? As the flustered Hae-wan blinked, the man hurriedly added:

“Well, if you’re not meeting anyone, could I possibly get your number?”

The man saying this was an alpha. Despite the heat he had barely cooled with cold hands, Hae-wan’s face heated up again all the way to his ears.

Though he didn’t need to be so flustered that his stomach turned over just from someone asking for his number, it wasn’t easy for Hae-wan to adapt to these unfamiliar experiences that suddenly started happening after he gained a scent, having never experienced anything like this before.

Hae-wan cleared his throat and barely managed to speak:

“Uh… I’m sorry. I’m here with someone.”