The Variable That Broke the Story

“Even though it doesn’t make sense… it felt like you’d become a different person.”

…Should I lay out a fortune-telling mat or something?

Was this the protagonist’s instinct?

His reaction was completely different from before, when he’d bristled at me like a hissing cat.

“This could’ve been a trap to lure you here, you know.”

“If you really had bad intentions, you wouldn’t warn me about the danger like this. Wouldn’t the typical approach be to pretend to be nice and then betray me when I let my guard down?”

“…That’s true.”

The fact that the main character trusted me felt… weirdly emotional.

My tense shoulders relaxed at his gentle response.

“Still, I thought you’d hate this. We said we’d never meet again… and technically, I’m the one who broke that promise.”

At my honesty, Seo Eunsu just smiled softly.

It was like spring flowers blooming across his face.

“You must’ve had your reasons. Since you kept your promise, I didn’t feel the need to question it. Besides, I get to earn money through this, so it works out for me.”

‘Is he an angel? Or a bodhisattva?’

He practically had a halo behind him.

I could finally understand why all those guys fell for him.

Growing up strong and bright despite everything—how could anyone not be drawn to that?

By the time we finished talking, we’d reached the annex.

It had been fully renovated when I moved in—clean, cozy, and warm in design.

“You can stay here for the duration of the contract. If you need anything, just tell me. I’ll try to accommodate it.”

“This is amazing. It feels less like a part-time job and more like a vacation.”

Secretary Choi had gone overboard as usual.

The main house was unnecessarily large, and the annex was just as impressive.

If I were a college student and this place were near campus, I’d sign the lease instantly.

It had a living room, two rooms, and a bathroom.

One bedroom, one study.

The study was equipped with a high-end computer and everything needed to study comfortably.

The furniture was top-tier too—it rivaled a luxury guesthouse.

‘If I turned this into lodging, it’d probably be popular.’

“No way…”

It made sense that Seo Eunsu’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Seeing someone who had been grinding through part-time jobs every day finally get to relax… felt strange in a good way.

He unpacked his belongings with slightly flushed cheeks.

His luggage was simple—just a worn bag, neatly folded clothes placed carefully into drawers and the closet.

“Can I start working today, Seong Chanyeong? What should I do first?”

His dark eyes shone with motivation.

For a second, he reminded me of Janggun.

It was kind of funny.

“Just rest today. You only need to step in if those guys show up. Get some proper rest first.”

“Is that really okay? I should at least work for what I’m getting…”

“It’s fine. Just make sure to eat well later. The housekeeper here is an amazing cook.”

I had already asked the housekeeper to prepare meals for him.

– “If he’s important to you, young master, I’ll take good care of him.”

She’d agreed immediately and was already preparing marinated ribs, grilled vegetable skewers, seafood pancakes…

‘At least he’ll feel like he’s on a proper break here.’

This was an investment.

A strategy to stay on the good side of the story’s main character.

If the others showed up and saw we were on decent terms, they’d be less likely to target me.

‘Yeah… this is going well.’

I felt satisfied.

Everything was moving smoothly.

“Well then, I’ll head out to take care of some wor—whoa!”

As I turned to leave, something caught my foot and I nearly fell flat on my face.

Barely regaining my balance, I picked up the object that tripped me.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. But… what is this?”

It was a white pill bottle.

Not mine.

Which meant it belonged to Seo Eunsu.

As I read the label, my expression froze.

‘This is an Alpha suppressor…?’

In this world, Omega suppressants were red pills.

Alpha suppressants were green.

It was strictly regulated by law to prevent mix-ups.

Which made this even more confusing.

Why would Seo Eunsu have an Alpha suppressant?

‘Wait… does he have a boyfriend or something?’

I didn’t plan to interfere with what he did here, but bringing a partner would complicate things.

If those guys saw that, they’d lose it.

And I had zero interest in being collateral damage.

“Um… Seo Eunsu?”

“Yes, Seong Chanyeong?”

“…Do you have a boyfriend?”

…Why did that sound like a pickup line?

If those Alphas were here, I’d be dead.

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s just… this is an Alpha suppressant, so I thought maybe…”

“Oh, that’s mine.”

…Excuse me?

Seo Eunsu wasn’t an Alpha.

He was a dominant Omega.

So why—

‘…Wait. What?’

My thoughts went completely off track.

There was no way someone could just casually carry the wrong type of suppressant.

That had caused serious incidents in the past, so regulations were strict.

Which meant—

This really was his.

My body stiffened like a rusty machine as I turned to him.

“Seo Eunsu… is this really yours? You’re a dominant Omega.”

“I was.”

“…What do you mean?”

That wasn’t just a small change.

That overturned the entire story.

Standing there calmly, he explained,

“A while ago, I collapsed from a high fever that lasted three days. At the hospital, they said my pheromones were reacting abnormally.”

“Abnormally…?”

“You’re probably thinking the right thing. My pheromone gland is now producing Alpha pheromones. Apparently… even my internal organs changed during that time.”

“…What?”

“If I were still an Omega, I’d have a uterus. But it’s gone. Completely. Like it was never there.”

He said it lightly, almost cheerfully.

Apparently, the bleeding he’d experienced during that time hadn’t been normal—it was part of that transformation.

“Is that even possible?”

“I don’t know either. The doctor said it’s probably the first case ever. Something worth reporting academically.”

“…Then what are you now?”

“An Alpha. Though my exact traits are still unclear. My pheromones are unstable, and I could go into rut at any time, so I’ve been told to always carry suppressants.”

“……”

‘This makes no sense.’

Nothing like this ever happened in the original story.

Seo Eunsu stayed a dominant Omega all the way to the end.

And once the relationships progressed… well, there were scenes.

‘But now… he’s an Alpha?’

From a recessive Omega, to dominant Omega, to Alpha.

‘Is that even possible?’

I was stunned.

I’d tried so hard to avoid the original plot—

But now it was derailing on its own.

‘Is this really just coincidence?’

Even if I couldn’t believe it, I had to accept it.

Come to think of it… his pheromones did feel different.

‘Same scent… but stronger. Sharper.’

The floral fragrance remained, but its intensity had changed.

“I was told it’s because I’m a rare case of trait conversion.”

“…You’re okay telling me this?”

“If you were the old Seong Chanyeong, I wouldn’t. But now… I don’t mind. You’re not looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”

“Well… yeah.”

This body wasn’t normal either.

A recessive Omega with a Beta-like physique and non-functioning pheromone glands.

Still… the problem was that this was Seo Eunsu.

‘Doesn’t this ruin my entire plan?’

If those guys truly loved him, maybe it wouldn’t matter.

But I couldn’t be sure.

They fell for him because of his pheromones.

That scent had been the thread tying them together.

Now he was an Alpha.

Would they still love him?

‘The original Seong Chanyeong would’ve loved this.’

He would’ve used this to manipulate everything.

Push Seo Eunsu toward someone else.

Cling harder to the Alphas.

But even then, he wouldn’t have gotten what he wanted.

So maybe it was better this way.

While I was lost in complicated thoughts, Seo Eunsu flopped onto the soft bed, looking completely content.

“The hospital bills were overwhelming, so this really helps. Thank you.”

“I’m glad I could help.”