The ‘destined partner’ that exists only once in the world.
Meeting that person is a miracle close to one in billions, and falling in love with them is a blessing from heaven—so said the protagonist Juniper in the novel.
If her words were true, Hyowoo hoped that Lee Seohee was his destined partner.
Because there would be nothing more joyful than that in the world.
Even as he wished for it so desperately, Hyowoo’s heart grew endlessly complicated.
‘…Then does that mean Seohee-ssi doesn’t purely like me, but was drawn by fate and had no choice but to fall in love?’
Lee Seohee was always surrounded by outstanding people.
His close younger friend Royoon, his best friend Rafe, even his cousin Taeseo. They all possessed looks, ability, and wealth in abundance.
Among such people, if the reason he chose him—a male omega who couldn’t even have children—was simply because of ‘fate’?
Just that thought alone made Hyowoo’s chest feel heavy, as if crushed by a massive boulder.
‘…Even if we’ve fallen in love now, there’s no guarantee that feeling will last forever….’
Just as mountains and rivers change, so do people’s hearts.
Even if it burns hot in one moment, love could cool with the passage of time.
‘I know Seohee-ssi’s feelings are sincere. But someday he might break free from the shackles of fate and eventually leave me….’
At that moment, Juniper’s monologue came to mind.
An omega who parts from their destined partner will languish and eventually meet their death.
That wasn’t just a made-up story.
In fact, the author Ellie Jennings had revealed in an interview that before marrying her current wife, she had chosen to break up once, and afterward fell into a coma and hovered between life and death.
Hyowoo was the same.
Last summer, he had grown weaker day by day until the hospital recommended hospitalization.
‘If by any chance that’s true… even if Seohee-ssi stops loving me, he won’t be able to leave my side.’
Because he’s someone who takes on responsibility before his own feelings, someone kinder and more deeply considerate than anyone.
That’s why it was frightening.
Lee Seohee, who would have to remain by the side of someone he didn’t love out of responsibility, and himself, binding someone who no longer loved him to his side for life.
There was no greater tragedy in the world than this.
‘I can endure becoming unhappy myself. But….’
Suddenly his chest tightened, and even the cut on his fingertip began to sting.
Hyowoo bit his lower lip and wrapped his fingertip.
‘Seohee-ssi becoming unhappy because of me… I hate that….’
Most frightening of all was the possibility of being hated by Seohee because of this.
Just thinking about that possibility made his heart ache unbearably.
‘Rather than being hated… it might be better to break up….’
The comfortable mood from just minutes ago sank back into darkness.
Not confident he could hide his shadowed face, he hung his head low.
But Lee Seohee, who had already noticed the change, stopped cooking and approached Hyowoo.
“I’ve heard of it. The legend that there are fated partners between alphas and omegas, right?”
“Then, do you believe in destined partners, Seohee-ssi?”
“No. I don’t believe in rumors, superstitions, or legends.”
At his answer without a moment’s hesitation, Hyowoo sighed and murmured, ‘I see.’
“But why are you suddenly asking about that?”
After asking what he and Rafe had talked about, suddenly bringing up a legendary tale like a folklore story—it was understandable to find it strange.
“Just… I was curious about what you thought, Seohee-ssi….”
Hyowoo answered while letting out an empty sigh.
Then this time, Lee Seohee leaned diagonally against the counter and asked the same question back.
“What about you, Hyowoo-ssi? Do you believe?”
“I don’t believe either.”
It was when Hyowoo was reproaching himself for asking such a pointless question.
Lee Seohee, who had been silently lost in thought while watching Hyowoo absently touch the character drawn on the band-aid, opened his mouth.
“I don’t believe it, but… if by any chance it were true, I’d want that person to be you, Hyowoo-ssi.”
“What?”
Startled, Hyowoo raised his head.
“Because I’d be truly happy if the person I came to like was my destined partner.”
Saying this, Lee Seohee reached out his hand and gently stroked Hyowoo’s cheek.
Hyowoo also gazed at him as he looked back with his usual warm smile.
‘…This person has already noticed how I feel….’
It’s not that he came to like me because of fate.
It’s because he loves me that he hopes we’re destined.
So he was comforting Hyowoo, telling him not to be anxious anymore.
“Everything about you is good, Hyowoo-ssi, but sometimes overthinking becomes poison.”
“……”
“Because you’re a delicate and considerate person, I understand that you think a lot. Still, don’t think too complexly about everything.”
“……”
“Even when everything in the world seems like one big tangled ball of yarn, if you unravel it slowly one by one, it might actually be just one strand that’s tangled. Even if it looks complicated, it could be surprisingly simple.”
“……”
“So don’t worry too deeply. Especially not about my feelings. I’m dating you because I really, really like you a lot, Hyowoo-ssi.”
Moisture had already welled up in Hyowoo’s eyes.
Someone who hugs you when you’re sad and embraces you when you’re hurting.
And someone who warmly says exactly what you want to hear.
Lee Seohee was that kind of person.
‘That’s right… Seohee-ssi is right. Worrying about a future that hasn’t even arrived yet and suffering alone really is a foolish thing to do….’
Let’s focus only on this moment together with him—Hyowoo comforted himself.
‘If I’m so afraid of an ending I don’t even know will happen that I lose the happiness I have now, I’ll definitely regret it….’
The shadow that had fallen over Hyowoo’s face gradually lifted.
Seeing him wipe his moist eyes with his fingertips, Lee Seohee also seemed finally relieved.
“Then, this time I’ll ask a question.”
“What is it?”
“Would you want me to be your destined partner, Hyowoo-ssi?”
Hyowoo quietly watched him waiting for an answer with an expectant face, then stood up from his seat.
“…I’m not going to tell you.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I just don’t feel like saying it right now.”
“Don’t tell me you don’t want me as your destined partner?”
“I said I’m not telling you.”
After giving a slight smile to Lee Seohee, who was anxious for him to stop being that way and tell him, Hyowoo leisurely left the kitchen saying he was going to the bathroom.
* * *
‘What should I do….’
Even though it had been a while since he finished showering, Hyowoo still couldn’t bring himself to leave the bathroom.
Just fidgeting with the doorknob, he hesitated countless times wondering if it would be okay to go out like this.
‘Should I just sleep in the bathtub covered with a towel tonight?’
That thought crossed his mind, but he quickly shook his head, dismissing it as nonsense.
‘But I can’t stay holed up in the bathroom forever either….’
Hyowoo, who had barely squeezed out some courage, opened the door slightly and poked just his head out.
“Seohee-ssi… where are you right now?”
He hoped there would be no answer, but regrettably a clear voice returned.
“I’m on the bed.”
“Ah… you’re in the room….”
“Why aren’t you coming out yet? Is something bothering you?”
Even though his health had improved considerably, Hyowoo was still physically weak.
The sound of water had stopped quite a while ago but there was no sign of him, so it wasn’t unreasonable for him to worry.
If he delayed any longer, it was certain he would come to the bathroom.
As if there was no other option, Hyowoo said carefully.
“Um… then, could you leave the room for a moment?”
“Leave the room?”
Puzzlement was evident in Lee Seohee’s voice.
However, Hyowoo absolutely didn’t have the confidence to appear before him.
When he turned his head toward the mirror, his face flushed pink from the shower was reflected.
On top of that, seeing his own absurd appearance made his cheeks heat up even more.
‘Looking like this… how can I go out….’
How did it end up like this?
Hyowoo sighed and recalled what had happened a little while ago.
* * *
Today was the day of the second match Lee Seohee was playing in since Hyowoo came to London.
He had really wanted to go to the first match too, but after much contemplation, Hyowoo had given up.
As a player, Lee Seohee naturally had to move with the team, which meant Hyowoo would have to go to the stadium alone.
But for him, with his serious directional incompetence and anthropophobia, going alone to a crowded stadium was virtually impossible. He might even have a panic attack in the middle of the stadium.
For the anxious Hyowoo, Lee Seohee’s agency proposed attaching a guide.
He was grateful for the gesture, but moving alone with a stranger was also a great burden.
In the end, Hyowoo politely declined the offer and had to stay home alone and watch the first match on TV.
He cheered hard even by himself, and at the moment of victory jumped up from the sofa and shouted in celebration, but that joy was short-lived.
After the match ended, he was left only with regret that he couldn’t congratulate him there in person.
‘This match too… I’ll have to watch it at home…?’
Just as his mood was gradually becoming gloomy at that thought, he received a message from Rafe.
