The Scent of the Past

“Oppa!”

A bright voice tapped Jaekyung, who had been sitting in the café reading a newspaper.

The voice was so lively and pretty that just hearing it lifted the mood.

Jaekyung, who had been reading seriously, folded the newspaper and looked at the beautiful woman with long straight hair sitting across from him.

His younger sister, whom he hadn’t seen in over ten years, no longer looked like the fragile child he remembered, but someone grown into a confident beauty who drew glances wherever she went.

She must have suffered through pain, yet there was no trace of shadow on her now.

The moment she came to Korea, she entered the Jaewang Group and joined the Management Support Team.

She was now managing a hectic schedule, learning under real field workers while also taking successor training.

But she even seemed to enjoy it, which was a relief.

After their first meal together, the siblings decided to meet for lunch every weekend.

They couldn’t go all the way to the countryside, but they planned to check off every famous restaurant in Gyeonggi province one by one.

Today was that day, so he had been waiting while reading the newspaper.

“Did you wait long?”

“No.”

“What’s with the newspaper? It’s Saturday.”

“I was too busy with the interior work yesterday to read it.”

“Oh, the gallery interior is almost done?”

“It just needs finishing touches now.”

Yesterday, when he visited the gallery construction site, everything was nearly complete.

They said they would finish by Tuesday.

Once that was done, he could bring in the paintings and organize everything.

Ah—also, the gallery needed a website.

He remembered that the employees who had left to form an independent office were also the advertising planning team, and they had mentioned creating websites before.

He should contact them.

Their office was in Hongdae, so staying connected would be convenient.

“Are you getting the paintings on time?”

“Yeah.”

Except for Painter Kim Un, who still hadn’t contacted him, everything else was confirmed.

Even if he was going to refuse, he wished the artist would just reply.

He had written and deleted dozens of emails every day.

He was afraid that if he sent them, he might really receive a rejection.

Maybe he needed to learn to wait with more patience.

“When the gallery opens, you must tell me.”

“I’ll try to make you our first customer.”

“Deal!”

Feeling light and cheerful, Jaeyoung jumped up and pulled her brother to his feet.

Seeing her humming happily made Jaekyung smile as well.

But… had he stood up too fast?

A wave of dizziness hit him.

He staggered, but it seemed Jaeyoung didn’t notice.

He quickly steadied himself.

“I made a reservation today.”

“Where?”

“HS Restaurant in Dongdaemun. It’s really famous. But they only take 15 parties a day. I was so nervous making the reservation.”

“You got one?”

“Of course! My determination to eat won.”

“Haha.”

Good.

He wanted her to enjoy everything she wanted.

Seeing her smile, she looked at him.

“What?”

“You should also do what you want, and eat what you want. I’ll cheer for you. I’ll stay by your side.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Had he ever had someone who was fully on his side?

Probably not.

Everyone around him had always been cold.

Even his biological parents had felt like they abandoned him.

He had been so suffocated and lonely.

He looked back on the past five years and shook his head.

“Why do you look so enlightened all of a sudden?”

“Just.”

How much must he have hated it all for parts of his memory to be gone?

He wanted to erase even the memories that remained.

If he could cut them out of his life, he would do it.

◆

“We have a reservation.”

“May I have your name?”

“Park Jaeyoung.”

Her clear voice spread through the restaurant.

The staff confirmed the reservation and led them to a room.

It was a six-person private dining room.

Even though they were only two, she wanted to eat comfortably without worrying about others watching.

She admitted it was a bit excessive, but Jaekyung found it cute and told her they should enjoy the meal fully.

Their course menu began with bread, and as he wiped his hands with the warm towel, he looked forward to the meal.

‘…Ah.’

He froze.

Why… could he smell his pheromone here?

That was impossible.

This was a restaurant in Dongdaemun.

It wasn’t within his movement range.

He thought it was a mistake—until the scent grew stronger.

His hands began to tremble.

He was nearby.

Where?

He scanned the room.

Laughter came from the room next door.

Not a woman’s voice—men.

He didn’t hear Han Taeseok’s voice specifically, but his instincts knew.

He was there.

What kind of cruel coincidence was this?

He was right next door.

Taeseok would soon realize he was here too.

Should he ask Jaeyoung to leave?

“Wow, this looks good!”

Jaeyoung was busy reading reviews and chatting excitedly, completely unaware.

He couldn’t ruin her joy.

‘He noticed.’

The pheromone shifted.

It didn’t spread.

It focused on him.

Oh no.

Taeseok had recognized him through the bond.

Even if he didn’t mean to.

This was instinct—alpha and omega.

Jaekyung bit his lip, pretending to eat bread, but gagged.

Jaeyoung widened her eyes.

“Oppa, what’s wrong?”

“Ngh—”

He felt like he might throw up.

Why wasn’t Taeseok suppressing his pheromones?

He was someone who normally controlled them perfectly.

Was it because only the imprinted partner could smell them?

But for Jaekyung, that scent was poison.

“Oppa, look at me.”

She knelt in front of him and held both his hands.

“Are you sick? Does it hurt?”

“No… it’s not that…”

His face grew paler.

“He’s here.”

“What?”

“Han Taeseok is here. Next room.”

Jaeyoung squeezed his hands tightly.

“How do you know?”

“I can smell his pheromones.”

“I don’t smell anything. Wait… the imprint… it’s not undone yet?”

“…One year maintenance was part of the divorce agreement.”

“Oh my god… Oppa. You look awful. Let’s go. Now.”

She glared sharply toward the next room, then tried to help him up.

He wanted to leave.

He wanted to run.

But why should he be the one to run?

He could face him now.

They were nothing to each other.

Why should he tremble?

Was it because of that hellish marriage?

The pain burned too deeply.

But he needed to grow past it.

Or he would remain trapped forever.

“Oppa.”

“I’m okay.”

He patted her hand.

“Let’s eat. If he knows I’m here and still stays quiet, that means he’s ignoring me. So I’ll ignore him. I don’t want to run.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

“If it gets hard, tell me. We’ll leave.”

“Okay.”

The server knocked and entered, so Jaeyoung returned to her seat.

They admired the food as it was served.

Jaeyoung’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Jaekyung smiled back, but he couldn’t taste or smell anything.

The dining room felt like there were only two people in the world—him and Han Taeseok.

◆

At 9 PM, a black sedan stopped in front of the gate.

The doorbell rang, and Jaekyung pressed the release button and waited.

How long had it been since he welcomed him home?

And why was he so nervous?

He steadied his breathing as the door opened.

“Welcome.”

It felt strange.

This was also Han Taeseok’s home, yet the greeting felt like he was welcoming an outsider into his space.

Taeseok entered, polished shoes immaculate, and their eyes met.

It was the first time they made eye contact when he stepped into the house.

He nodded and removed his shoes.

“Did you eat?”

“Yes.”

His voice—cold and heavy, emotionless as always.

Of course he had eaten already.

Jaekyung had told the housekeeper to leave early, expecting this to be only a business discussion.

He hadn’t prepared anything.

Not even snacks.

Just coffee would be enough.