Chapter Text
Heavy rain and lightning struck. The water flowed in the big window. The room was quiet, only the two of them sat opposite. Bringing the terror back. Sadness and fright filled in.
“What happened? Would you tell me?”
The memories overflowed. The scary one. His eyes were grown dark, blending in all directions. His lips were trembling. He bit his thumbnail restlessly until it made a mark.
“Me, I can still hear them in my head. It feels—hah!” The sound of a thunderstruck, made him close his ears. He whimpered with the gasped breath. The palms partially cover the face. Saliva remained on the edge of the lips.
“They? Who are they?”
His eyes were glaring in various directions, feeling alert to his surroundings. Maybe they would come if he said it. But it was so quiet there. He sat on a gray sofa for one person.
“They—hurt me and my baby.”
“What did they do to you?”
His breath caught. His face was pale. His throat felt dry. He had difficulty uttering words as if his vocal cords had been cut by a knife. He took a glass of water that was available on the nearest table. He had a hard time lifting the glass until the water spilled out because his hands couldn’t stop shaking.
“It’s okay. I’m here to help you. You can tell me everything. I won’t hurt you. Trust me.” The man spoke in a very soft tone. His hands rest on his chest. He smiled endearingly and so gently. Both of his eyes radiated sympathy.
He grimaced. Tears rolled down the cheeks. He pulled his hair in frustration until some of the strands fell apart, to the point that it felt like it was going to pull out.
“They... they have killed me.”
~~oOo~~
History records since the past, humans had their own dynamics. The dynamics of the second gender create a caste in human relations. It is said that the dynamics of humans are divided into 3 castes, namely alpha as the highest position, beta as the middle position, and omega as the lowest caste. Humans evolved, combining themselves with animal instincts and creating differences in social status. The beta population is the largest among caste levels, even though they have a lower status both physically and mentally than the alphas. The alpha is notorious for being cruel and violent, they put pressure on anyone in front of them even on their own people. They created rules and oppressed other castes. They have the best physique and intelligence but in reality, Alpha is just another form of violence and they have no heart. They follow their instincts.
It is the omega that can trigger the alpha to become violent. They complement each other and form their own harmonization. The beta gets angry and forms a movement. With the largest population, they combine to suppress the presence of alpha by killing the omega. So that eventually the alpha and omega go to extinction. The world keeps turning around, time is moving forward, and until finally, everything has changed to the new world called inequality of eternity.
The legend says that the alpha and the omega always bring disaster when they are together. The alpha will go berserk and violent. The omega is one of the exact reasons. Their little existence is being a new mocking toy for the beta in the new generation because their ancestors succeeded in making those two exist to be diminished. The beta makes a rule to oppress them. Their existence is being monitored by the beta. Making their life an outcast.
Life is not always beautiful. Sometimes you will ask yourself about the purpose of your life and for whom you live. But you know that you must stay alive no matter what happens and you cannot live alone. Even though you know that the whole world is against you.
Because humans are known to be social beings.
~~oOo~~
The little boy ran faster. A mother shouted her son’s name from a distance and tried to catch up with his son’s running speed. The boy was so fast like Usain Bolt. Maybe the boy has the same talent as the legendary sprinter. But, he was a little boy after all. His feet were weak when met with a big hassle. He almost tripped through the entrance. And you know, what happened next? Maybe he would cry so hard after he fell. But luckily, the teacher had caught his tiny body before he fell to the ground.
“Oops, be careful, Jooheon-ah.” He embraced the little boy’s body. His hand helped him slowly so that the child could get back up. He also brushed the boy’s pants to clean up the dust.
“Ah! Teacher Kiki. Good morning!” The little boy named Jooheon smiled broadly. Both of his dimples were formed, eyeballs disappeared behind the eyelid and made his facial expression more adorable. The little boy stood up straight with the help of Yoo Kihyun, his homeroom teacher.
“Good morning, Jooheon-ah. Remember everything the teachers said?” Kihyun crouched down and leveled his gaze with the boy. He looked at Jooheon straight in the eyes lovingly. Smiling with a bit of a strict expression.
The boy’s cheerful expression turned into an expression of guilt. “Be careful when walking, don’t run in the corridor, and do not move away from father and mother.” Jooheon lowered his head and didn’t dare to look at his teacher. He gripped the stuffed bee doll tightly. “Please forgive Jooheon, Teacher Kiki.”
Kihyun chuckled. Both hands patted Jooheon’s arms lightly so that the boy looked back at him. “You’re such a smart kid. Great.”
Jooheon’s mother came with a short breath. Since entering the kindergarten area, Jooheon had been running so fast because he couldn’t wait to go back to school. The mother was overwhelmed and chased him because she was worried that her son would fall and got injured. “I'm sorry, Teacher. He’s too excited to meet you and his friends.” Jooheon had a high fever so he didn’t come to kindergarten and rest at home for a week.
“Is Jooheon healthy now?” Kihyun stood up and then held Jooheon’s tiny hand. He squeezed the tiny hand lightly while peeking at the boy slightly. Let’s say, Kihyun also really missed Jooheon’s cheerfulness in his class. When Jooheon wasn’t there, it felt so lonely. Their classmates were worried about Jooheon’s condition. He never was so long an absence.
“Yes, thank you for visiting us, Teacher Kihyun.” The mother approached her child and rubbed his head. Jooheon giggled.
“You're welcome, Ma’am. It’s my duty as his teacher.” Kihyun smiled. There were still many parents who had just come to take their children to kindergarten that morning. The lessons will start in 30 minutes.
Several groups of mothers came together and looked disdainfully at them. “Don’t be too familiar with him, Ma’am. He could attract the attention of the alpha. Huh, it’s so dangerous for our children to be taught by an adult omega like him. How uncomfortable.” She rolled her eyes accompanied by mocking giggles from other’s Mothers.
“I don’t want to imagine someday our children witness their vulgar sexual urges.”
“Or maybe someday, an alpha will come to rape him in the public. So scary.”
Those several groups of mothers walked past them with their children and delivered their children to other kindergarten teachers there. Leaving Kihyun silent without even defending himself. His grasp on Jooheon grew tighter and made the boy wonder about what happened. But luckily, he was a kid who didn’t understand how painful those words were. Kihyun gently pushed Jooheon’s back to come into the building to put his belongings together with other teachers.
“How could they say something like that in front of children?” Jooheon’s mother sighed heavily while shaking her head. Suddenly she felt sympathy when she found Kihyun bit his lips silently. She was feeling a bit awry. Once, she underestimated an omega before she met Kihyun. “Don’t—don’t think about it too much, Teacher Kihyun. The kids know how a great teacher you are. Jooheon always talks about you.”
“Thank you, Ma’am.”
Kihyun said it as if it was nothing even though he struggled all this time to get used to their treatment. But Kihyun is a stronger person now. It was supposed to be nothing. Yeah, nothing.
Kihyun was back to the building, preparing himself for morning class. It was Monday, so there was a singing class and a special cooking class. Those classes were Kihyun’s specialty that’s why he loves Monday, not much like other people. There were two teachers in each class to make sure all of the students got fair study material. Because they are kindergarten kids. They need more attention than the older ones. Sometimes they are fighting over teachers to get their attention. But sometimes they are so cute by sticking around the teachers like a koala. Also, they are crying over a snack. They express happiness by jumping around and they express sadness by crying aloud. Simple as that. Such a beautiful innocent creature they are. That’s why Kihyun loves them more than adults.
“Attention, please.” There was another teacher standing in front of the class while clapping his hands. His name is Lee Minhyuk, maybe the one-and-only teacher who is the closest to Kihyun. He is a kind and loving beta who loves children more than anything.
There were ten kids in Kihyun’s class. There were four girls and six boys. One of the boys is an omega, one of the girls is an omega and the others are beta. The class’s atmosphere was different that day because Jooheon was back at school. He jumped around the class greeting every single classmate while swinging around his stuffed bee. He laughed happily as he reached the red chair to get a seat. He loves the red one most.
“Jooheon-ah, Jooheon-ah—” Minhyuk called him softly to have his attention because Jooheon was busy screaming while chattering with his surroundings. “Can we start the class, Jooheon-ah?”
“Yes, Teacher Min!” Jooheon shouted happily to reply to him. He turned his attention to Kihyun who patted his small shoulder. Kihyun took his favorite stuffed doll gently so he could concentrate on class.
“I’ll keep this for you. Now, keep attention to Teacher Min, okay?” He nodded. Kihyun put the stuffed bee in the locker and locked it because it would be a big fight if the doll was taken by other kids. Jooheon was so whiny and crying all day about that before.
“Are you ready to have fun class today?” Minhyuk exclaimed playfully as he wore the yellow flower apron. The class’s cheerfulness filled up the room. “Are there any of you who remembers the number counting song we sang last week?”
“It’s me! It’s me!” All of the class responded excitedly while raising their short cutie hands. There were also a few of them who shouted to each other to tell they were the ones who most remembered the song.
Kihyun slowly walked to the front of the class and sometimes occasionally helped the kids to sit straight on their chairs.
“How about we sing it together?”
“Yes!”
Kihyun clicked the button on the laptop screen and then the song started. Minhyuk clapped his hands along with the song and the students followed him. All of the students’ attention shifted to him as Kihyun came to sing along. Kihyun is known to have an angelic voice. Even the children’s songs sounded so beautiful when he sang them.
1, If one second I can’t see you
2, Like this I will become restless
3, Then how can I wait for three seconds?
Iya iya iya iya
4, I love you~ I love you
5, Today I’m gonna say it out
6, Out of six billion people on this Earth, that I can meet you
7, is lucky
I love you~ Don’t cast your eyes here and there and look at me
I like you~ Everyday show me your smiley smile
8, Leaping leaping My heart is pounding
9, Please rescue my heart
10, Love you even 10 years go by
This heart will never change
“Wow, Teacher Min is happy. Everyone remembers the song. You’re smart students!”
Kihyun giggled as seeing how excited Minhyuk was about the song. Sometimes he wondered why the lyrics were like that but seeing the kids sing, was so cute and made him melt. But at those cute moments, the corner of his eyes found a boy sitting alone in the back. He is Changkyun. He transferred there about one month ago. Kihyun paid attention to him along with the class singing. The boy was silent along with the song and seemed didn’t enjoy the cheerfulness of the class.
After the singing class, there was a cooking class. They would make a ham and egg sandwich together. All of the kids had their own cooking hat and an apron. They clustered around Kihyun dan Minhyuk while copying their way to make the sandwich.
“Teacher Kiki! Teacher Kiki! Look, my sandwich is done!”
“Wah, Youra-ya is so smart. Your sandwich looks more delicious than mine.” He showed his purposely messed-up sandwich to the girl. The small girl giggled as she stretched out her hand to take another piece of bread in the middle of the table. Kihyun patted the girl’s head gently.
Out of his corner of sight, Kihyun noticed Changkyun was silent, looking at his bread, and did nothing. The little boy looked so confused but he did say nothing.
“Changkyun-ah,” Kihyun got up, walked closer only to sit beside him. “Let’s make it together with me.” Changkyun nodded reluctantly. Kihyun helped him to roll the bread to make it thinner and then gave it to Changkyun so he could make it by himself. He carefully studied the boy putting ham and a fried egg and didn’t forget to add mustard and ketchup. “Wah, it looks good. Teacher Kiki wants it too.” He was silent but nodded to his teacher.
“Teacher Kiki!” Another kid called him impatiently. That’s how Kihyun works with kids. They easily get jealous if the other kid got their beloved Teacher’s attention.
“I’m coming,” Kihyun got up to move to another kid. Before that, he ruffled Changkyun’s head a bit gently.
The day was over so fast. They had a fun singing contest and also a delicious snack. The kids also had their naps before the last session of class and then went home. The little student came home one by one, being picked up by their respective parents.
“Ki,” Minhyuk walked over to him while sighing tiredly. Monday was always the hardest because the kids’ spirit was the highest of the week due to after the weekend’s holiday. “How’re the kids? Who is left behind? I’m taking off Aeri just now.”
“There are Jooheon and Changkyun only. Jooheon’s mother said to me this morning that she will be a bit late because she has a long shift in her job. And Changkyun’s guardian, hm, I don’t know. I’m trying to contact him now.” Kihyun tried to call so many times but there was no answer. Actually, it made him a bit worried because Changkyun was always the last one to be picked up since two weeks ago.
“Okay, I’ll call. You accompany the kids.”
“Okay.”
Kihyun walked back to the classroom. There was Changkyun in the corner of the room being so silent while Jooheon tried to talk with him while jumping around.
“Jooheon-ah, Changkyun-ah.”
“Teacher Kiki!” Jooheon ran faster to Kihyun and held his hand. Leaving Changkyun alone there. “Has Mom come?”
“Not yet. She will come soon,” Kihyun peeked at the wall clock. “Let’s wait for Mom together with Changkyun-ah.” Jooheon nodded excitedly. His chubby cheeks bounced up and down so cute.
Kihyun sat beside Changkyun in the corner of the room, leaning his back to the wall following him. Jooheon took the cue to sit on Kihyun’s lap. Kihyun giggled. Jooheon’s mother once said that her son loves to sit on his parent’s lap when doing something like watching television or playing puzzle games. The story is told when Kihyun visited Jooheon a few days ago due to his sickness and suddenly the boy jumped weakly to Kihyun and sat on him. Somehow it became a behavior now.
“Changkyun-ah, come sit here.” He patted his available thigh to encourage Changkyun to do the same as Jooheon. They are kids so they have to be treated the same way. But the boy kept silent and shifted his body to make more distance to Kihyun. The teacher smiled bitterly. His hand tried to reach the boy’s head and stroked it gently.
“Kyunie, come here. Teacher Kiki is fun and not scary.” Jooheon exclaimed happily while jumping on Kihyun’s thigh. Actually, Jooheon was heavy but it made him laugh at the same time.
“Changkyun-ah scared of me?” Kihyun curiously asked using a child's way of talking.
“Kyunie said he is scared of everyone.”
That was the moment when Kihyun felt heartache. He looked at the boy who was sitting curled up as if he was trying to protect himself with his tiny body. Such a tragic fact.
It took 30 minutes until Jooheon’s mother came and picked up her son. It became dark out there and Changkyun’s guardian didn’t show up. It was so worrying. Kihyun and Minhyuk gave him some food because his stomach started to growl but he won’t say it. It took another 2 hours until a young man showed up while gasping for breath and sweating so much.
“I’m really sorry, Teachers. I’ve some problems at work. I’m sorry also for not picking up your phone calls.” He bowed to the Teachers so many times. Changkyun suddenly ran away, hugged the man’s legs, and hid his face on them.
“It’s okay. We understand.” Minhyuk said carefully. The man named Daeshim, who they knew as Changkyun’s guardian, looked quite younger than them. He is a beta and it became a big question for both of the teachers why he was Changkyun’s guardian. “Lately, Changkyun is the only one left. This has never happened before in this kindergarten. Of course, we are okay to accompany him until you come. But, if there are problems, you can tell us. We’re worried.”
The young man sighed. He looked so confused between talking or keeping quiet. But finally, he told them about the problems. Changkyun’s guardian actually didn’t have a family relation to the boy. He is Changkyun’s mother’s close friend. Changkyun’s mother couldn’t pick up his son due to sickness. Yes, his mother is a male omega. The boy didn’t have a father and Daeshim didn’t want to talk about that. The social judgment and bullying became so hard for them until finally, Changkyun’s mother couldn’t survive the pain and suffering of a long depression. He couldn’t take care of his own child and that’s why Daeshim came to help. They lived together in a quite far place from there because it was so hard to find a good place for the omega. Daeshim was forced by the situation to make more money, took many odd jobs, and at the same time took care of both the mother and child. That was also the reason he couldn’t pick up Changkyun faster.
Changkyun was suddenly transferred there because he got so much bad treatment from teachers, parents, and his classmates of his previous kindergarten. That was also answering Kihyun’s question about why the boy was scared of everyone.
“I’m really sorry for bothering you, Teacher Minhyuk, Teacher Kihyun. His mother’s condition is getting worse. He needs intensive ongoing treatment that’s why I need to take more jobs. I’ll promise to pick him up at the right time as soon as possible after my latest job’s payment.” He bowed so low the Teachers as if his head was gonna placed on the floor.
Kihyun reassured, “No, it’s okay. Don’t worry about that. I’ll help to accompany him if you allow me.”
“Of course, I do too,” Minhyuk also responded. He patted the younger man’s shoulder gently. “But please, pick up the calls. So we feel relieved.”
“Of course. Thank you so much.” Daeshim crouched down to the boy, “Kyunie, say thank you to the Teachers.” Changkyun was silent and hugged the man. Daeshim chuckled awkwardly. They went home together while holding hands.
Something had been triggered because of those sad stories. Kihyun was daydreaming. His hands suddenly felt so uncomfortable and started to tremble. He stared breathless to his fisted hands, holding up his anxiety. Minhyuk noticed how hard Kihyun was gulping and he started sweating also.
“Are you okay, Ki?” The blonde man took Kihyun’s hands and squeezed them gently to make him realize that everything is gonna be alright.
Kihyun took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to remember everything that made him calm down. Thinking about everything that made him happy. Those cute smiles of his students and his wonderful friends. Yes, everything is alright. “I’m fine.” He nodded firmly.
“You know, Hyungwon found a good place for you. It’s around this area. Sorry for taking so much time to find it. I know it’s so hard living there.” Minhyuk stroked his hand softly to make Kihyun calm down. It became his behavior since the first time they met.
Kihyun let out his hands from Minhyuk’s and squeezed his friend’s hand back. “No. I should be the one who says thank you. I’ve been bothering both of you for too long.”
“You’re our best friend. Don’t feel sorry about that. But of course, it would be easier if you lived together with us.” Maybe it was a hundred times that Minhyuk tried to convince Kihyun to live together with him and Hyungwon. But the omega was always refused the offer.
“No. I can’t. I don’t want to bother you guys.” Minhyuk and Hyungwon are a couple. They had been living together since 5 years ago and of course, Kihyun didn’t want to be more of a burden to them and disturb their happy life.
Minhyuk looked straight into the Kihyun’s worried eyes. He was always praying his friend could get the freedom and protection from the right person someday. “Okay. We’ve prepared everything. The last thing is you should register at the nearest police station about your moving.”
“Yes, Thank you.” He nodded and smiled.
Kihyun’s place was quite far from the kindergarten. It was a different area. But it couldn’t be helped. There was always the same condition when he arrived in front of his apartment door. The door was full of hatred papers stuck on such as cursing, harassing, and expulsion words. It became his routine to clean them up before stepping into the apartment. At the same time, there would be a harassing laugher out of nowhere, someone’s yelling about how disgusting they felt living together in the same place with him, or sometimes people passing by and grabbing his ass so dirty. He also got the most narrow and dirty room than other residents. Actually, it was so frustrating getting those treatments every day. But there was no choice. Kihyun needed to survive even though he should get through those treatments in his entire life. It would happen anywhere he existed. He did nothing; it was a life of an omega after all. He wasn’t alone. Maybe the alpha felt the same also. Kihyun never met an alpha before. As far he knew, most of the alpha lived independently without caring. They had a stronger mentality than the omega.
It was so hard to find a neighborhood that accepted the existence of alpha and omega. They are considered catastrophic without exact reasons. It was because of the legends that said the alpha was the scary one, they could be so dangerous to society especially when there was omega around them. Both alpha and omega weren’t allowed by the beta to live in groups in one area. If it happened, there would be special surveillance from the police. Every alpha and omega should report their identities and places to the nearest police station for the monitoring’s sake. But even though they were monitored by the police, it couldn’t prevent them from getting social bullying because most people are beta even in the police department. They lived under pressure and didn’t have their freedom.
Kihyun took another deep breath as he stepped into his small apartment. It was so hard. So hard. He never hoped the new place Hyungwon found would be better but at least, he needed to appreciate his best friend’s effort to find him a good place so Kihyun had no choice but to move to the new place with a hope that the new place will give him a new better life. Even though it was impossible. No one could beat the inequality of the world. It has happened in the past and will continue into the future.
~~oOo~~
The punch was so damn hurt like hell like everything the cursing would be.
A young man fell to the ground. His face was covered with blood gushing profusely from his temples. He couldn’t even see clearly because his sight was starting to blurry. His head felt so heavy or maybe so light or maybe whatever. He threw a punch at the other man who was bigger than him but was so weak like nothing happened.
The crowd was panicking. Some of the women were screaming hysterically as the young man’s face hit the ground for the second time. It was nearly midnight but they could see the blood couldn’t stop spilling around the place. There was no one who could stop them. There was no one who dared to stop them.
The younger one laughed mockingly, his face almost unidentified due to the wound and the blood covering his face. His steps were wobbling. “Heh, so the thing everyone always said is true that the alpha is monsters. You prove it so well, Hyunwoo.” He said so clearly even though his mouth was seriously injured.
Hyunwoo said nothing back. He just punched the young man against the ground without mercy again and again, over and over again. His sharp eyes stared at the smaller man like a dangerous predator. The blood rushed to the point bursting out the adrenaline. His muscles formed a great wall and pumping power. His hard fist was stronger than every weakness of humanity. The young man laughed weakly but there was no regret like he was having fun. It was such a scene, making his nerves beyond uncontrollable.
“Stop it! Stop it right there!”
The police came running so fast to prevent more brutal action. Need at least four people to hold back the anger of an alpha. His power was unbelievable and four people had difficult times dragging him back away to the seriously injured beta man. His body was bigger than most of the people there. He was tall also. His muscled arms were thick and strong. It was so hard when he tried to fight and break free. Needing one more person to handcuff him and drag him to the police’s car. The young beta man was unconscious.
The alpha named Son Hyunwoo was arrested until the victim woke up and could convey his statement about the incident.
“Hyunwoo— again ?” Said the middle-aged policeman who was about to step inside the interrogation room. He was accompanied by a younger policeman named Lee Hoseok. He stepped inside and sat in front of the alpha, looking at him while sighing tiredly.
“Again, Mr. Choi?” Hoseok asked with a confused tone. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the unbothered alpha there.
“Ah, I forgot that you’re new to this area.” Mr. Choi said as he flipped through the files. Hoseok blinked confusedly. He was a new recruit in the police office for about less than three months. He came from the countryside. After Mr. Choi read all the information, he put the files on the table and stared at the alpha without blinking. It was a familiar scene to Choi because he knew so well about the alpha’s arrest record. He was the one who handled all of Son Hyunwoo’s case. “So, Hyunwoo. As usual, please state your point of view.”
Hyunwoo was sitting there without saying anything about the situation. Since day one of his arrest day, he kept quiet. Actually, because of the fighting, his face was injured also. There were so many bluish wounds on his cheeks, jaws, and nose. The nasal bone was slightly bent because of it. There was also a stitched scar on his eyebrow. But his expression said nothing like there was no pain. His eyes signed a coldness.
“There is nothing.” He said firmly as if it was true, he was honest and he did not care.
Hoseok paid attention to the alpha’s every move. He was assigned to supervise the alpha since day one he was arrested until the investigation team finished their jobs. Actually, it was his first time to see an impressive alpha like him. His build was different from almost beta. His face line was masculine and even his pheromones were strong enough to be noticed by beta from afar. ‘Well, he looks intimidating.’ Hoseok thought to himself.
Mr. Choi softened his voice. “Nothing? So, when you were trying to stand up for omega is nothing? I see your point.” He pursed his lips as he peeked at the alpha. Hyunwoo fell to another same silence. He never stared back at Mr. Choi since he came.
“Wait, Mr.Choi? What do you mean by ‘stand up for omega’?” Hoseok was surprised at the statement. He was so sure that there was nothing about omega-related on the investigation’s files. He already read and analyzed the information before the interrogation session was held. Son Hyunwoo was arrested due to his attack on his coworker in the construction sites. He was found by the police when punching non-stop to the victim until the victim passed out. All the witnesses there said that Son Hyunwoo attacked the victim without reason. He went angry and attacked everyone around him. There was also a confession from one of the victim’s coworkers that Hyunwoo often did violence to them.
Mr.Choi was silent also, trying to stare into the alpha but Hyunwoo refused to say his intention. He was stated to be free tomorrow after the police submitted the report to the central police. He was sent back to his prison until his release day.
Mr.Choi walked faster back to his desk while Hoseok kept asking about the reasons why the alpha was stated to be free. “Mr.Choi, I don’t understand why he is released. There are so many confessions that lead him to be guilty. He is an alpha also. You know, the alpha is known as the—”
“Cruelest. I know those opinions well. I live longer than you.” Mr.Choi stared back at the curious young police. Hoseok gulped nervously as he felt Choi’s intense stare. “Which one do you believe the most between society’s opinion and an individual’s opinion?”
Hoseok frowned. As the junior one, he didn’t have much experience so sometimes he felt so confused when someone asked a question like that. “Society? Because an individual could be lying.”
“Did you know that society’s opinion is built by aggregating an individual’s opinion?”
“Oh. I see.” Hoseok blinked so fast because he became more confused. “So, what’s the relation between this question with Son Hyunwoo?”
“Who knows. I just want to say that the police should have intuition and sharp logical thinking. Which is the one that makes sense and which is the one fake.” He handed over a file to Hoseok and he started typing on his laptop. Hoseok was dumbfounded as the file was handed to him. He read the file about the morning’s report case and confession. There was a confession related to Son Hyunwoo, coming from a female beta. She came at 9 in the morning saying that she was related to the case of Son Hyunwoo and his coworker. She said that Hyunwoo’s coworker started the fight and harassed him first and tried to provoke the alpha but he kept silent and unbothered until the beta man grabbed a female omega in the street out of nowhere to harass her in front of the alpha.
“You need to learn more, boy. Don’t let society’s opinion drive you away from the fact.” Hoseok was fascinated as he finished reading the file.
“Wow, I never thought of this before. But I think there is more of this, right? What if she was lying because of something?”
Mr. Choi nodded satisfied with the young police statement. “Yes. I’ve known him since he was a kid.” The older smiled bitterly due to the past memories. “Sometimes, I am wondering about which is true and which is false.” He focused back on his laptop to make reporting about Son Hyunwoo to the central police.
Hoseok’s work desk beside Mr.Choi. He was under Mr.Choi’s squad one month ago after some training. “Ah, I forgot to report this because of Son Hyunwoo’s case. There is a report of moving from a male omega named Yoo Kihyun to the Gardenia Residence yesterday, sir.” He handed over the paper before finally, Mr. Choi turned his attention to the younger one with big round eyes; look surprised.
“What?” Mr. Choi took the paper and read the profile of the male omega. He sighed heavily. “I hope there is no problem later.”
“Is there a problem about that?”
He shook his head, convincing himself that would be alright. “No. Just upload the information to systems.”
“Okay,” Hoseok started to type his identity number to look inside the police’s information system center. As the newbie, his curiosity was out of normal so he also read about some information showing. “So, we have two adult alphas, two adult omegas, and one child omega in this area. So if we put Yoo Kihyun, it will be three adult omegas.”
“No, it’s not updated yet.” Said Mr. Choi while staring so focused on his laptop. He never once turned his attention while saying the new news. “Park was arrested due to murdering a beta. So, there is one alpha left.”
“As expected, the alpha is the scariest. Why did he have to murder someone? Why being so cruel?” Hoseok clicked his tongue so loud. “I bet because of an omega.”
“You’re right.”
Hoseok made an o-face due to his own statement’s truth. “So, this time, society’s opinion is true.”
Choi silently took a peek at a bear’s chain key on his desk. “Who knows.”
Hoseok’s eyes rounded as he realized something, “Wait, there is one alpha left. That’s mean?” The middle-aged man lifted his shoulder. Hoseok looked back to the screen at the alpha’s profile and almost had a headache as he read the information. “There is it, Son Hyunwoo, and he is… okay, fine. I love problems.”
Son Hyunwoo was released the day after. He indeed looked so intimidating when Hoseok paid attention more. His quiet behavior made a cold impression as an ice wall. But it also made Hoseok wonder about what he was thinking. Is he really thinking about whether everything should be resolved by violence? Is there a possibility that he will go berserk and murder someone someday? Hoseok didn’t know either. But there was also a strange thing deep inside the alpha’s eyes. Maybe Hoseok just imagined himself but he was sure that he saw something deep down there.
Only at that time, Hoseok asks himself what kind of human the alpha is. Why did everyone say that they are so cruel? Even though Hoseok could only see loneliness, despair, and emptiness through their eyes.
~~oOo~~
The box was so heavy. Even Hyungwon’s legs trembled like crazy. Minhyuk’s chatter didn’t help at all. He wanted to curse but it was his lover’s demand so he kept quiet.
“Babe, you’re so slow.” Minhyuk walked past him carrying a small box. Of course, it was Minhyuk who ordered him to bring the bigger one. Luckily the corridor was wide enough so he didn’t need to bother about other people passing by when he placed the box on the floor while resting his arms for a while.
“Because it’s heavy. Why did the moving service officers didn’t want to help just because Kihyun is an omega? It doesn’t make sense at all.”
“That’s how the world works for you, Babe. Come on.” Minhyuk disappeared from sight because he stepped inside Kihyun’s new apartment. But he felt relieved a bit. The place was good and clean. The neighborhood didn’t seem to bother or maybe they didn’t want to deal with the existence of omega there so they kept quiet and ignorant. At least, it was better than the previous place.
“I’m sorry, Hyungwon. Let me do it. Please rest inside. I made some food and beverages for us.” Kihyun hurried and stepped out of the room to help Hyungwon.
“No, no. It’s okay. You carried so many things yourself back and forth. I’m just wondering why a bit. Let me do this one.” He picked up the box once again and hurriedly came into the room. He placed the box in the bedroom at Kihyun’s request. It felt so refreshing because there was air conditioning there. It was a lot way better than the previous one.
“Babe, you’re so clever. You found a great place. I’ll often come here to accompany Kihyun.” Minhyuk exclaimed as he drank a glass of lemonade.
Hyungwon sat on the brown sofa, resting his aching back. “It was so hard to find this place. I got the information from one of the nurses in the hospital. This residence’s Landlady welcomes omega or alpha. I’ve talked with her and yeah seems like she is a good person.”
“You’re the best. I love you,” Minhyuk screamed for joy and jumped into Hyungwon’s lap like a kid. He kissed the tallest man on the cheeks and made a loud kiss sound. Hyungwon wasn’t happy with that and looked so done with his lover’s exaggerating behavior. Kihyun chuckled as he saw the couple’s dynamic.
“Thank you, Hyungwon, Minhyuk. Please stay here for dinner. I’ll make a big feast for you guys.”
Kihyun never expected that the place was this good even though it needed two days for moving. It’s all thanks to Hyungwon and Minhyuk. Everything good that happened to his life is always thanks to them. They are the best people in Kihyun’s life. He would cherish them and their friendship. No matter what. But sometimes, deep down there, he felt a bit jealous every time he saw Minhyuk and Hyungwon’s relationship. They argue, joking around and giggling happily together about something simple. Their life is always full of happiness, so different from his life. Like now, while he cooked for dinner, Minhyuk and Hyungwon were sitting in the living room watching the television. Minhyuk put some chips into Hyungwon’s mouth and then they laughed so hard due to the funny scene on the television. It was simple yet wonderful.
Kihyun always wondered whether he would have that kind of life the same as his friends. Living together with someone he trusted the most and lived together happily until their last day of life. But Kihyun was also aware of the truth that maybe he would be alone until death comes. This society didn’t allow him to be together with someone and he knew it so well. He gave up on those hopes but there was a thing he would never give up, it was teaching the children. He would live in the innocent world with them and teach them how wonderful the world is.
Of course, Kihyun made his promise about the big feast so well. He cooked so much food and packed the rest for the couple. That night was memorable when they were talking cheerfully about anything without worrying about society. They giggled happily as Minhyuk made a joke about their student’s mischievous acts to get the teacher’s attention.
It was happiness and Kihyun was enough with that.
“We’re going home now. Be careful. We don’t know about this residence so you need to be careful still for now.” Hyungwon said as he patted Kihyun’s shoulder gently.
“Call me if something happens, okay?” Minhyuk came closer to hug the omega, tightly. Kihyun hugged him back while nodding. “See you in the kindergarten.”
As Hyungwon and Minhyuk were about to step out of the apartment, there was someone passing by behind them. Kihyun could see slightly the figure passing so fast. Suddenly, strong masculine pheromones lingered around them. It was a rare moment for the three of them to find that kind of situation, especially Kihyun. It was strong enough that even Minhyuk and Hyungwon rounded their eyes surprised at the strong intimidating scent.
There was a tall man around Hyungwon’s height standing two doors apart from Kihyun’s apartment door. He has a bigger and more muscled body. His hair is black. He wore a black leather jacket. His face was full of bruises and wounds. He held out a key from his pocket and put it in the keyhole. The ‘click’ sound was heard.
Minhyuk gasped. He whispered panicking while pulling his lover’s arm, “Oh my God. He is an alpha. Babe, why didn’t you tell us that there is an alpha here?”
Hyungwon shook his head non-stop. “I swear. I don’t know. The Landlady didn’t say anything about that.”
“Oh my God. What should we do now? It’s more dangerous for Kihyun here.” Minhyuk shook his lover’s weak body due to panic. “Why are you stupid? Why didn’t you find information about the residents here first? I hate you now!” Hyungwon was silent. It was the usual thing that happened when Minhyuk panicked.
‘He loves me before and he hates me now. I’m okay.’
They could feel a shiver as a pair of eyes looking at them intensified. Due to their loudness, the alpha’s attention turned to them. He stared at them with cold eyes and a scary aura around his body. They could tell that the alpha was annoyed about their arguments or maybe he heard all of their conversations.
His cold eyes shifted attention to the smallest of the three.
“Kihyun?” Minhyuk called his name but the omega couldn’t hear it.
Kihyun was frozen in place. He stood stiff like a statue as their eyes locked to each other. Gasping, breathless. There was a foreign feeling as their eyes stared deep inside from afar. There was a sensation of relief. There was a sensation of being protected. There was a sensation of wanting to cry and run to them. He couldn’t explain it well about the sensation. What was that? What with these overwhelmed feelings?
There is an exact moment in your life that happened only once. When you feel so complete even though you don’t understand the reason. When you feel so connected even though you don’t know each other. There is a moment of truth. You just know although you don’t know why. You can’t say it but you just know it. Destiny has spoken.
There were imaginary red strings formed under the feet and connected to the finger.
It was called The Bond.