Divorce Contract Extra 9

Extra 9

 

Startled by the teasing question, Go Igyeol flusteredly waved his hands—then realized belatedly that he was being toyed with.

“You’re mean… you keep….”

“I was jealous.”

“…What?”

“That two-years-younger kid who takes classes with you and got pizza from you—I was jealous. So jealous it was pathetic.”

Seo Dohyeon’s eyes tightened faintly. Seeing Igyeol’s expression turn serious, he lowered his head, kissing his pleasantly scented shoulder and neck before pulling him close—so close they didn’t even make it into the living room.

“These feelings… I don’t know what to do with them. They’re childish… and completely inappropriate.”

“……”

“It’s driving me insane.”

While stroking Dohyeon’s back, Igyeol quietly searched for a way to soothe that spiraling anxiety. Should I take another leave of absence?

Holding him a little longer, he gently eased Dohyeon away and stepped toward the sofa, explaining calmly that nothing had happened.

“We really just… ate pizza and went home. And the coffee—Seogyeom—ah, his name’s Han Seogyeom—he offered to buy some, but I didn’t drink any.”

Watching Igyeol try to reassure him about every detail, Dohyeon silently berated himself. A grown man acting this ridiculous… what am I doing?

“…Don’t worry about it. I’m not okay right now, but I’ll be fine soon.”

As he played absentmindedly with Igyeol’s hand, Seo Dohyeon kept rubbing the fourth finger of his left hand. The empty finger bothered him. There was a ring on his own hand—but not on Igyeol’s.

“I’ve actually been wanting to talk about this.”

“Yeah?”

“The ring… I’m sorry I lost it.”

Staring down at the pale hand, he gave a faint, unreadable smile. Igyeol, unaware that his misplaced bag—and the ring left inside it at Shin Eunsuk’s pension—had been retrieved by Dohyeon, believed it truly lost.

“Should we get new ones?”

At that, Igyeol’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Is… is that really okay?”

“You didn’t think it was?”

“…I thought you wouldn’t like it.”

“If you wanted to put a ring on me again, I’d remake it as many times as it takes.”

Drawing Igyeol’s hand close, he pressed his lips to his ring finger. He wanted as many people as possible to know that Igyeol was married—and he wanted them to know exactly who he was married to.

“Then… I’d like that.”

When their eyes met, Igyeol’s gaze held both guilt and shy excitement.

“If we get new ones this time, I won’t lose it ever again.”

“Even if you do, I’ll replace it again. As long as you want it.”

Smiling bashfully, Igyeol looped his arms around Dohyeon’s neck and whispered his thanks. Dohyeon pulled him close, resting his head on Igyeol’s shoulder.

“Should we go tomorrow?”

“If you’re not busy… yes. Let’s go tomorrow.”

Just the thought of being able to put the same ring on Igyeol’s finger again washed away every trace of irritation he’d felt earlier. His expression brightened instantly, and he kissed Igyeol firmly on the lips.

A servant stepped out to announce that dinner was ready, clearing his throat. It had been surprising the first few times, but by now, seeing the two attached at the lips was so common that not seeing it felt strange. At the sound from behind, Igyeol jumped and pushed Dohyeon away.

“I—I think dinner’s ready.”

“So this is what it means when people say they feel full without eating. I’m full right now.”

“…What?”

“Are you hungry?”

Of course… Igyeol was hungry. He completely missed the signal and nodded. Yes. The pizza he ate at lunch hadn’t suited his taste, so he’d barely eaten a slice, and the salad dressing had been too sour.

“…Let’s eat.”

Reluctantly releasing him, Dohyeon exhaled slowly, trying to calm the tension between his legs as it began to swell again. Only when Igyeol reached out and asked worriedly if he was okay—and then, realizing the state he was in, bit his own lip—did Dohyeon shrug with a shameless expression.

“You start eating. I’ll just change and join you.”

“…Okay. Come quickly.”

Face flushed red, Igyeol hurried ahead. Only after watching him enter the dining room did Dohyeon move. All I did was imagine a ring on his finger—matching mine—and my body reacted first. It was ridiculous even to him, yet undeniably true. The moment he imagined those pale fingers wearing his ring while touching him, heat surged through him again.

Side Story IV

Leaving the classroom at the time Dohyeon promised to pick him up, Go Igyeol headed out. He still had an afternoon class left, but he decided to skip just for today. The thought of going on an actual date after so long made him excited. Slinging his bag—haphazardly stuffed with belongings—over his shoulder, he headed down the stairs when someone suddenly grabbed him from behind.

“Ah!”

He froze instantly, eyes squeezed shut. The shock rooted him to the spot; his heart pounded so loudly it filled his ears.

“Hyung? Igyeol-hyung?”

“…H-Han Seogyeom?”

“Did I scare you? Sorry, hyung.”

Pressing a hand firmly over his racing heart, Igyeol shook his head stiffly. Seeing how pale he’d become, Seogyeom released his shoulder.

“Hyung, are you sure you’re okay? Your face is totally white.”

“I’m fine. Really, I’m fine.”

“Then… good. Sorry. I was just playing around.”

“No, it’s okay. Just… be careful next time.”

Rubbing his forehead with the back of his hand, Igyeol checked the watch on his wrist. There was still a little time before the promised hour, but knowing Dohyeon, he was probably already waiting somewhere nearby.

Offering an awkward smile and a quick see you later, he turned to go, but Seogyeom naturally matched his steps.

“Hyung, where are you going? No more class?”

“Ah, yeah. I have an appointment today.”

“Then I’ll walk out with you.”

“What about you? Don’t you have class?”

Seogyeom gave a vague nod and slowed his pace to match Igyeol’s.

“I’m going this way. How about you?”

“If hyung is going that way, then I’m going that way too.”

“…Why?”

“Mm… because I want to spend a little more time with you?”

With a bright grin, he casually slung an arm over Igyeol’s shoulder. Startled, Igyeol immediately removed it, stepping subtly aside—they weren’t close enough for that kind of physical contact. Is this just how kids act these days? he wondered.

“Hyung’s an omega, right?”

“……”

“And I’m—”

“A recessive alpha. I heard.”

Surprised that Igyeol actually knew, Seogyeom forgot the awkwardness and stepped closer again.

“Whoa! How’d you know? You seemed like you didn’t, so I wondered how long it’d take before you noticed! That’s crazy.”

“You… apparently got your pheromones on me.”

The strained smile disappeared from Igyeol’s face as he spoke. Seogyeom scratched the back of his head, his expression stiffening. He knew very well that leaving pheromones on someone without permission was rude—yet he hadn’t been able to stop himself. He’d planned to apologize when the time was right, to explain that it was an impulsive gesture born of affection.

“I acted out of line… are you mad?”

“My spouse was upset. Don’t ever do that again. I didn’t even know you’d done it, so it was hard to explain.”

Hearing the firm tone he’d never heard from Igyeol before—and the unexpected word—Seogyeom halted his steps. They were about twenty paces from the front gate.

“…Wait—spouse? Hyung’s married? You’re a married man?”

“You didn’t know?”

“…So that married guy in the business department rumor… that was you…?”

Was it from that time—when someone asked if he’d come to a team dinner and he’d said he had someone waiting at home? When they asked if he lived with his parents and he’d calmly answered, my husband is waiting?

The rumor spread quickly, and he’d heard whispers every time he walked by.

“It was you?”

“If there isn’t another married person, then yes, probably. Honestly… I’m more surprised that you didn’t know.”

“……”

Seeing Seogyeom’s stunned face, Igyeol stopped as well—until he felt a sharp, unmistakable gaze from the distance. Turning, he met Seo Dohyeon’s rigid, frozen expression.

He had no idea how long he’d been standing there… or how much he’d heard.

“I should go.”

“W-wait, hold on—just—when? When did you get married—?”

Seogyeom had a bad habit: grabbing people impulsively. Again, he seized Igyeol’s wrist. Igyeol winced at the tight grip, ready to tell him to let go—

But before he could, a larger hand pried Seogyeom’s off him roughly, and Seo Dohyeon pulled Igyeol into his arms, shielding him.

“What do you think you’re doing.”

“…Ah, this is the junior I mentioned before.”

“Oh, the young…”

Kid. Dohyeon let the last word trail off, smiling in a way that was anything but pleasant.