“I don’t want to use imprinting… as a means to treat me. More than anything, imprinting between two people isn’t something that happens as you intend, is it? I’m one thing, but there’s no need for you to experience it too, CEO-nim…”
“Wait.”
When Muyoung rambled on, this time Dowon stopped him midway. It wasn’t like before when he subtly redirected attention by tapping with his finger. The flow was cut off at once, and Muyoung waited for Dowon’s words without complaint.
“You’re saying imprinting is the most effective method?”
“It’s true that it’s fast for both stabilization and recovery. There were results from various cases too.”
“Then there’s no reason not to choose it.”
“Most people… probably would, right?”
Dowon and Lim Hyunsu were of the same opinion. Muyoung understood their intention to finish treatment with a fast and easy method. The reason many people chose it was surely that too. But… The things he needed to say wandered through his thoughts without order. Muyoung organized his mind while pressing his other hand firmly with his right thumb.
“…It’s not like there’s absolutely no method besides imprinting, right? Even if we do imprinting, the effects aren’t necessarily guaranteed either.”
Muyoung’s question, spat out like a mumble, like an excuse, was powerless but stubborn. Lim Hyunsu had also anticipated this aspect of Muyoung and understood the defensive attitude he’d shown until now. That was also why he’d proceeded with other treatments as a priority over imprinting. However, if there was a partner and both had the intention, there was no reason not to use imprinting as a treatment method.
“If there had been a better method, I wouldn’t have suggested imprinting either.”
Lim Hyunsu, who’d been alternately comparing the two’s test results, turned his body completely toward where Dowon and Muyoung were. Muyoung still remembered Lim Hyunsu’s words advising that even assuming there was no partner at all, an alpha would be needed. But treating trait abnormalities and imprinting were different matters. For Muyoung, they were.
“A cautious attitude is good. However, I suggested it because there doesn’t seem to be a more certain alternative besides imprinting currently. Since there are various ways to induce imprinting, how about trying them one by one?”
“Then you’re saying there are methods to deliberately lead to imprinting?”
Unlike Muyoung’s heart, Dowon seemed to know no giving up. Just seeing how he became persistent once the talk of imprinting came up, it was clear. Muyoung found Dowon’s questions unnecessarily embarrassing yet unfamiliar.
“There are methods to increase the probability of imprinting. Though it’s difficult to assert that all of them are effective.”
But the two people excluding Muyoung exchanged blatant stories too calmly. Muyoung, who’d been silently listening to the words going back and forth, also thought that perhaps it was his own immaturity from having kept away from talk about trait-holders for so long.
Not wanting to listen attentively to Lim Hyunsu’s words diligently answering Dowon’s questions, Muyoung turned his gaze elsewhere. Though he acted indifferent with a clumsy look away, the stories coming out were all related to Muyoung, so even trying was useless.
“Since imprinting isn’t something that necessarily succeeds just because you attempt it, I think it would be better to try going through a cycle together once after Lee Muyoung-ssi’s condition improves a bit first. If Han Dowon-ssi isn’t an oversensitive trait.”
“What can you tell from that?”
“We can tell whether Lee Muyoung-ssi’s trait is functioning properly and the response to imprint removal aftereffects. We’ll be able to judge whether you can live on with omega traits going forward or what measures are needed. Most people only know rut and heat as periods solely for reproduction, but actually that’s not the case. Just as antibodies are created in the body through colds or body aches, it’s also a period when immunity and various other things are reconstructed.”
“Ah…”
Only then could he understand the reason for continuously receiving examinations at each visit. He’d only thought it was just to check Muyoung’s physical condition, but it was closer to finding changes.
“As for imprinting, please decide slowly from now on, you two. Actually, the most important thing is both your intentions.”
Lim Hyunsu’s eyes, which slowly went back and forth between Muyoung and Dowon while wrapping up the examination with a conclusion that was obvious yet fundamental. Dowon looked at Muyoung briefly before looking at Lim Hyunsu and nodding. Muyoung couldn’t give any answer.
“But why are you reluctant about imprinting, Muyoung-ssi?”
“…Did I upset you?”
“No, I’m just curious.”
At Dowon’s words, Muyoung bit his lips finely. The feeling of reluctance was difficult to explain in words. He could lump it together by saying it was because of what he’d experienced, but it felt a bit insufficient to express in detail the vague sensation close to something fearful and scary. It also seemed like all the reasons he thought of would be considered just feelings.
They were on the move in Dowon’s car after leaving the hospital. Rather than going straight home, they thought they might as well have a meal since they were out. Since the last time they met there’d been an unexpected incident and it was hectic, spending time together leisurely didn’t seem bad either.
At Muyoung’s suggestion, Dowon also nodded, then asked if they should go far away instead. Muyoung, who had no particular reason to refuse, agreed to that, and they ended up taking a drive as well.
“Imprinting isn’t such a big deal. Since my body was ruined…”
“Having experienced it, are you scared to do it twice?”
“That too. Just, a bit…”
Muyoung hesitated at Dowon’s question and couldn’t continue his words. He looked at Dowon’s hands driving for a moment before looking forward again. Outside the view from inside the moving car, other cars and street trees beginning to be colored passed by, but nothing entered his eyes. Muyoung couldn’t find appropriate words to respond and only his gaze wandered.
“Since I haven’t experienced it, I can’t say I understand, but the fact that Muyoung-ssi just says you don’t want imprinting makes me a bit disappointed, honestly…”
“I didn’t do it with the intention of disappointing you, CEO-nim…”
“I know. I know you’re not that kind of person, Muyoung-ssi. Rather, I understand in my head that’s why you’re more reluctant about imprinting. But you’re experiencing trait abnormalities and among the methods to get better, the most recommended method is imprinting, so I don’t understand why you’re reluctant. When I’m saying I’m okay with it. Can’t you just think of it as treatment?”
Dowon’s words had nothing to refute. Muyoung knew too. He knew that it was a method that could make him better than his current poor physical condition, and that it looked strange for the person who should want imprinting right away to be refusing instead.
But for Muyoung, there was a different point that was more problematic. Imprinting wasn’t something that happened as simply as words made it sound, and even if it did happen, the possibility of it being mutual was extremely slim. They might have to endure a long time until that happened, and hanging expectations on that was more painful.
“It’s also vague, and I’m worried it will be painful when it doesn’t go as desired. I know you’re making an effort, CEO-nim, but in various ways it could give bad results to both of us. Rather than betting everything on imprinting, wouldn’t it be better to receive other treatments steadily even if it’s a bit slower?”
“You always choose to endure. Muyoung-ssi does.”
“…Is that so?”
Dowon, who’d been listening attentively to Muyoung’s words, nodded. He tried to recall if there had been many things that would appear that way to Dowon until now, but it didn’t come to mind easily. Rather than enduring, he just didn’t want to take on excessive risk. Rather, Muyoung became puzzled at Dowon’s words that seemed calm yet tinged with regret.
“‘Won’t it be okay if only I endure, won’t things go smoothly if only I bear it,’ that kind of thing.”
“Did I do that? But this matter is really about my health…”
“It’s not just today. Yesterday was the same too.”
“Yesterday…?”
Before Muyoung’s question-wrapped words could finish, Dowon gently interjected. And at the words that followed, Muyoung’s face turned bright red.
“Does Seo Kyungju normally act like a ruffian like that too?”
“What? Ah…”
“Don’t tell me you got hurt somewhere…”
“No, no. It was just briefly like that.”
Muyoung, who unconsciously covered the wrist wrapped in bandages with his hand while vehemently denying it, couldn’t stand how his face burned. Only then did he recall confirming later that the phone he’d put in his pocket right after the call with Dowon yesterday hadn’t turned off. He’d dismissed Section Manager Kim’s words that the call didn’t connect as trivial. He never thought that Dowon had been listening to all of that.
“Still, he was acting pretty tough. He didn’t seem like that kind of person, but seeing how he treated Muyoung-ssi, I think I know his real personality. Just looking at the trouble he causes too.”
“Don’t tell me… that tabloid incident was really something Sunbae caused?”
“I investigated more but no clear evidence came out. Brokers don’t reveal their clients all the way. They’d rather admit they’re malicious commenters themselves and get a reduced sentence. But with that call yesterday, it became more certain that the tabloid was Seo Kyungju’s doing.”
“…I’m probably the only one who wants to think it’s not true.”
Well. Dowon, who’d been chuckling while lightly shrugging his shoulders and cutting his words short, reached the destination and turned the car to enter the parking lot. The clattering sound of gravel rang from under the wheels. After smoothly parking the car and turning off the engine, Dowon, who’d been sitting still looking straight ahead, turned his head toward Muyoung and continued speaking.
“I won’t criticize you for choosing to endure, Muyoung-ssi. There’s no reason to either.”
“…”
“People like Seo Kyungju will appear again in the future, and there are plenty of more vicious people too. Muyoung-ssi already knows better since you’ve experienced it. The imprinting issue is the same. When the person in question doesn’t want to do it, you can’t force them to, can you?”
“That doesn’t mean I only endure.”
