NLFSD Chapter 15

Chapter 15

 

“Partner of Alpha No. 1! The protagonist of the Heart Card is Omega No. 3. Everyone, look. What a beautiful couple.”

No way. Lee Jiwoon turned his head to look at Seo Taecheon and Omega No. 3. The stunningly beautiful Omega No. 3 screamed, while Seo Taecheon politely and courteously greeted her.

Then, Seo Taecheon and Lee Jiwoon’s eyes met. Feeling like someone caught snooping, Jiwoon’s chest tightened, and he quickly averted his gaze.

“…”

It was just one private date. Don’t overthink it. Seriously, do I even like Alpha No. 1? No, I don’t. Is Alpha No. 1 even mine? Definitely not.

This was just a randomly assigned result according to the program’s rules.

Trying to pull himself together, Jiwoon tried to brush away the dark clouds in his heart, but he couldn’t help but follow the departing figures of Seo Taecheon and the Omega with his eyes.

“Where on earth are they going… What are they going to do…?”

Jiwoon muttered quietly. Ki Hyunjin clapped a hand on Jiwoon’s shoulder and spoke loudly.

“Omega No. 1! I’ll treat you right today. How about a drink at the bar?”

“Oh. The hotel bar?”

“Yes. You know it’s rated the best in the country, right?”

“I’ve heard. They say the atmosphere is classy and the cocktails are great.”

“Let’s go right now.”

Ki Hyunjin grabbed Jiwoon’s hand and started walking briskly.

The bar on the first basement level had soft jazz music playing in the background, dim lighting, and chandeliers that glittered, creating a dreamy ambiance.

“Omega No. 1, I had my eye on this from the start. We’re finally on a date.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. From the moment I came into Love Village, I had ambition. I was determined to become a couple with Omega No. 1.”

“Ah…”

Has Assistant Manager Ki always had feelings for me?

Jiwoon felt a bit burdened by his sudden show of affection. Still, you can’t just tell someone how to feel. Jiwoon accepted the drink Ki Hyunjin handed him.

Just then, a couple entered, visible over Ki Hyunjin’s shoulder.

Oh. My. God.

It was Alpha No. 1 and Omega No. 3. To make matters worse, they even spotted Jiwoon right away.

“To run into you in this huge resort—how amazing.”

Omega No. 3 approached and spoke in an excited voice. Seo Taecheon followed shortly after and stood beside the table. Ki Hyunjin quickly stood and bowed to Seo Taecheon.

“Hello, Alpha No. 1.”

“Are you enjoying your date?”

“What can I say? It’s the best!”

Ki Hyunjin laughed heartily. Jiwoon wasn’t feeling so great. He didn’t like seeing Seo Taecheon standing next to an unfamiliar Omega, but fine. He could deal with that. What he couldn’t understand was why they had come over to his table to talk.

What the hell are they up to?

Just as Jiwoon was narrowing his eyes with suspicion, Seo Taecheon spoke.

“Omega No. 1, I have a question.”

“Huh?!”

A question? What is he trying to ask? Jiwoon’s eyes widened.

“Is this date more fun than the one you had with me?”

What the heck. That’s what you’re asking? Ridiculous.

“Yes. Definitely!”

Jiwoon answered clearly. For a brief moment, Alpha No. 1’s expression twitched. Jiwoon found it amusing beyond words.

He’s the one who provoked me first, so why can’t he keep a straight face?

“I see. Then please enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Seo Taecheon left with his partner and headed deeper into the bar. Ki Hyunjin was grinning from ear to ear.

“Omega No. 1, you said you’re enjoying this date more, right?”

“Ah, yes. Haha.”

As Jiwoon said that, he watched Seo Taecheon’s retreating figure disappear into the distance.

Secretary Kim Minji was currently having the most fun since she joined the company. Her robot-like boss and the coworker sitting next to her, who had started at the same time as her, were entangled in a “just something going on” kind of relationship.

When you work in an office, other people’s love lives tend to be more entertaining than your own. And gossip involving higher-ups is especially fascinating. Even now, while staying in Jeju, she was constantly messaging Assistant Manager Min Hyekyung, and their chat window was practically on fire.

Kim Minji:

Today’s finally the day for the mid-selection.

Will Alpha No. 1 choose Omega No. 1?

Min Hyekyung:

If Alpha No. 1 and Omega No. 1 end up together, it basically means they’re going to date openly.

Be sure to let me know the results!

Evening fell over Love Village. After the group dinner, a tense atmosphere settled over the participants’ tables. The air itself seemed ready to explode under the weight of nerves, as Alphas, Betas, and Omegas waged an intense psychological war.

With tonight’s mid-selection, participants could confess to the person they liked, and if accepted, they could enjoy a late-night date together. But if rejected, it would be beyond embarrassing—it would be as if you’d been banished from Love Village altogether.

To take the leap or play it safe? As the intense mental battle unfolded, only the assistant producer seemed excited, stepping forward to address the participants.

“In this sweltering summer, did you enjoy the course meal in the cool evening air?”

“Yes.”

“Here in the Moonlight Garden, the mid-selection will now begin. If there’s anyone who wishes to confess their hidden feelings, please come forward. Fortune favors the brave! Understood?”

“Yes!”

“Then let’s begin.”

Lee Jiwoon anxiously scanned his surroundings.

No way that married man would confess to an innocent single, right? With that worry, Lee Jiwoon kept biting his nails.

But Seo Taecheon was seated quite far away, and other people were blocking the view, so he couldn’t clearly see his face.

Since their power struggle at the bar last night, the two hadn’t interacted at all. Lee Jiwoon had later wondered if he’d been immature, but apologizing now felt silly. Also, the thought that Seo Taecheon might be happy with Omega No. 3 made him hesitant to reach out.

While Lee Jiwoon was restlessly squirming like a puppy needing a walk, the participants’ mental battle came to an end. The first to raise his hand was Ki Hyunjin.

“Oh? Alpha No. 2, are you about to point out the one you’re interested in?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

At Ki Hyunjin’s sudden move, Lee Jiwoon’s eyes widened.

“Last night, you had a dinner date with Omega No. 1, didn’t you? If that’s the case… then Alpha No. 2’s arrow of love is…?!”

Before the assistant director could even finish speaking, Ki Hyunjin shouted loudly.

“Omega No. 1! I really like you!”

Gasp.

Lee Jiwoon was so shocked that he stood frozen with his mouth open. What the—he really does like me?

All around them, people erupted in cheers and applause, exclaiming things like “Amazing!” “So brave!” “So cool!” The unspoken pressure for Lee Jiwoon to respond was growing. The assistant director also handed Lee Jiwoon a microphone.

“If Omega No. 1 accepts, the two of you will spend the entire day on a date. What will you do, Omega No. 1?”

Ki Hyunjin stared at Lee Jiwoon’s face with sparkling eyes. The intensity of his gaze made Lee Jiwoon turn his head slightly away.

“I… uh.”

The walk with the director along the blue ocean with no words, the sweet drinks, the thrilling alpine coaster—those were the only things that came to mind. He couldn’t even remember what he’d done with Alpha No. 2.

That’s what he was thinking, but it was hard for Lee Jiwoon to be honest about his feelings. On the flip side, maybe Alpha No. 1 thought the date with Lee Jiwoon had been boring. Maybe the one with Omega No. 3 was way more fun.

What am I supposed to do?

While Lee Jiwoon was hesitating, Ki Hyunjin stepped forward and suddenly got down on one knee.

“A-Alpha No. 2! What are you doing?”

“To show you my sincerity, I will sing you a love song.”

“What?”

Surrounded by dozens of people, he was going to sing a serenade? Lee Jiwoon was hit by a wave of shock.

“Uh, Alpha No. 2, wait a moment—”

“My looooooove! I’ll never forget you even if I diiiiiiiiiiiie! I’ll shout your naaaaaaame!”

Ki Hyunjin belted out a rock ballad that had been popular around thirty years ago.

Confessing is one thing, but why a song…?! And a rock ballad, at that…!

Lee Jiwoon was pale as he clutched his head. If he rejected this confession, he’d look like a mean Omega who made someone sing a weird song just to turn them down.

But I don’t want to hear this…! Deputy Manager, you’re too much!

Just as Lee Jiwoon was about to squeeze his eyes shut, Seo Taecheon suddenly stood up.

“May I say something?”

“Oh, Alpha No. 1!”

The cameras immediately turned away from Alpha No. 2 and swung toward Alpha No. 1. The other participants looked at Seo Taecheon with surprise, admiration, and curiosity.

Everyone was waiting for Seo Taecheon’s next words.

“I’m also interested in Omega No. 1.”

Aaaaaargh!

Lee Jiwoon wanted to scream, but his whole body had frozen and he couldn’t make a sound. He simply gasped with wide eyes.

The production team looked like they were about to burst into wild applause. The PD rolled up the script and swung his arms in the air, muttering to himself, “This is it! Perfect!”