To Me, Who Doesn’t Love You

He simply gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. The villa, over twenty years old, had undergone a major renovation about ten years ago, and careful management had made it shine like a new home. The annex where Suhan and his father had once lived had been remodeled again after they moved out, transforming it into a completely different building.Suhan, as if not expecting a response, lightly hummed a tune and tapped the door handle with his fingertips. His attitude, more eager to face whatever was coming than tense, prompted Yeonseo to repeat the warning he’d given countless times at home.“We’re just going to have a meal and then leave. Don’t say a word.”He parked the car in the garage of the wide-open garden, turned off the engine, and got out, closing the door behind him. Suhan followed suit, getting out from the passenger seat, and asked while holding the door, “What are you so anxious about?”Yeonseo glanced down at him with a look that seemed to ask if he really needed to say it out loud, and Suhan casually raised his eyebrows. That carefree face made Yeonseo want to look away, but Suhan spoke up before he could.“Don’t worry. No matter what happens today, you won’t lose me.”That single sentence made Yeonseo feel a strange, frustrating desire to believe him, just like when Suhan used to hold him tightly and squeeze his hand during childhood.There had been a time when Yeonseo resolved to stop liking Suhan. He had been briefly overjoyed when he discovered Suhan was an omega, but that joy was short-lived when he realized Suhan didn’t feel the same way. He fell into a sense of helplessness, knowing that no matter the pheromones or heat, Suhan would never desire him first. Being an alpha or omega wouldn’t change a thing.It seemed pathetic, even disturbing, to keep harboring feelings for someone who didn’t like him back, so he decided to stop liking Suhan. But every time he heard through his parents how Suhan was striding ahead of everyone, just like in the old days, his heart would race. He grew curious about the future Suhan would create and even secretly wished he could be a part of it. Suhan’s confident demeanor was always an irresistible weakness for Yeonseo, like sunlight melting snow.“You trust me, right?”When Suhan asked that, Yeonseo couldn’t help but nod. While he looked down and nodded, Suhan’s lips lightly brushed his cheek. Even though it felt like Suhan was treating him like a child, it didn’t bother him at all. Suhan casually tidied the hair he’d messed up earlier, then headed toward the front door. Yeonseo followed, and soon, a caretaker who had been waiting inside came out to greet them.“You’re here early? The chairman said he’ll be about ten minutes late, and the others will be at least thirty minutes behind.”It was only natural since they had arrived much earlier than scheduled, at Suhan’s request to look around the house. Yeonseo nodded and glanced around the interior, which hadn’t changed much in the last ten years. Upon closer inspection, the antique furniture had been left to show its age, while only the consumables like the wallpaper, sink, and bathroom had been renovated.“It seems pretty much the same,” Yeonseo remarked in admiration. Suhan nodded in agreement, following Yeonseo’s lead. Yeonseo felt an urge to ask if Suhan even knew what had changed, but he swallowed the thought, knowing it wasn’t something to say aloud.The caretaker smiled and answered Yeonseo’s comment. “Yes, aside from the wallpaper, bathroom, and kitchen updates, everything’s the same. It’s been used more as a vacation home, so other than cleaning off the dust, not much has changed.”Suhan, following Yeonseo through the spacious house, was suddenly drawn to a room across the living room and asked, “So, the rooms are all just like they used to be?”He asked, hoping to spark some memory if nothing had changed, but the answer he received wasn’t much different from before.“Yes, well, we did replace the bedding. Even though no one was using the rooms, time caused some discoloration…”“Oh, I see…”For some reason, the tightly closed door bothered him. Had something happened there? It felt as if something was compelling him to open the door, so he quietly moved toward it. Just as his steps halted in front of the door, he realized what he was doing and turned to find Yeonseo, only to see him sweating nervously, caught in small talk with the caretaker.‘At times like this, he really does just seem like a regular college student…’Suhan pushed aside his idle thoughts and grabbed the doorknob, but just then, a low voice spoke from behind him, and an unfamiliar hand landed on his shoulder.“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”At the sound of that voice, Suhan was overwhelmed by a wave of disgust and nausea. He knew he should shake off the hand and demand that it be removed, but his body froze, unable to move. It was only when he clenched his fist so hard that his nails dug into his palm that he finally regained his composure, and with a visibly uncomfortable expression, he greeted the man.“…Hello.”Suhan immediately realized that this man was Jo Juno. Not only was Juno the only man in that age group expected at the event today, but Suhan’s body instinctively recoiled from him, signaling that this was no ordinary bad blood between them.“How have you been? I heard you had an accident so bad you couldn’t even go to work. Since I’ve been in the States, I couldn’t visit you.”Suhan had feared he might force a polite smile in front of someone who didn’t deserve it, but those concerns quickly evaporated. Even without any memories, sharing the same space with Juno was intolerable, and Suhan couldn’t imagine being polite to him. Calmly, Suhan removed Juno’s hand from his shoulder and replied evenly, “It’s fine. I know you’ve been busy. I had people to take care of me.”At that, Juno flinched slightly, his expression twisting momentarily before he shrugged. “Well, I suppose it’s funny for me to wish you a speedy recovery, considering I’m back in the country because your team leader took a leave of absence. Anyway, hope you get better soon, though I’m not sure what’s wrong with you.”Juno intentionally referred to Suhan by his old job title, though Suhan had held the position of department head for years. It was clear this was a deliberate provocation. Rather than showing hostility right away, Suhan simply moved his lips slightly, then nodded without further reaction.“Thank you for your concern.”He watched as Juno walked toward the dining room. Only after Juno left did Yeonseo, who had finally escaped the caretaker, rush over with a pale face.“What, what did you talk about?”Suhan glanced between Yeonseo and Juno’s retreating figure, then shook his head. “Nothing much. Let’s go sit down now.”No matter the nausea or disgust swirling inside him, Suhan had only exchanged greetings. He calmed his unexpectedly racing heart and, just before entering the dining room, held out his hand to Yeonseo.“…?”Yeonseo stared down at Suhan, puzzled by his gesture, as if asking what he meant. Suhan, like a knight escorting someone, gave a small flick of his fingers. Suppressing his confusion for the moment, Yeonseo placed his hand on Suhan’s palm. Suhan then grabbed Yeonseo’s wrist and guided it toward his shoulder. Now, with his hand placed on Suhan’s shoulder against his will, Yeonseo stared at him, unable to understand what was happening.“Hmm, as I thought.”The cryptic remark that followed only left Yeonseo more bewildered. Yet Suhan, the one at the center of it all, seemed entirely unfazed. In fact, he looked slightly relieved.“What do you mean?”“Oh, nothing. I just wanted to confirm something.”Unlike when Juno’s touch had stiffened his entire body in disgust, Yeonseo’s hand felt completely fine. In fact, the warmth from his hand was so familiar that it vaguely reminded Suhan of the times Yeonseo had embraced him. Touching places like his shoulder or back was something that usually happened in those moments. It seemed absurd to confirm or test something like this, but still…Even though Suhan couldn’t remember much, the fact that he found Juno’s touch so repulsive while Yeonseo’s felt okay probably meant it was just a matter of attitude. Maybe he didn’t truly dislike it after all? Putting aside his curiosity about the room for now, Suhan was pulled into these new thoughts.As they entered the dining hall, Juno, who had arrived earlier, was seated on the left. With the entrance on the right, he had naturally taken the seat closer to the head of the table. Suhan glanced at Juno briefly, nodded in silent acknowledgment, and sat across from him alongside Yeonseo. Since there were no chairs in the middle of the table’s ends, which were reserved for the chairman and his wife, a brief silence fell once everyone was seated.Juno spoke first.“I heard you were badly injured. Are you okay now?”Suhan, with no intention of hiding his thoughts, subtly squeezed Yeonseo’s hand beneath the table, as Yeonseo appeared wary. He answered with a detached expression.“Yes, I’ve recovered physically.”“They say you’re planning to take your full leave. Is there any other reason?”The question was clearly probing, but as someone filling in for Suhan, it wasn’t inappropriate, so Suhan had to offer a reasonable answer. Yeonseo’s hand flinched for a moment, but Suhan responded smoothly before he could.“That’s still uncertain, but I plan to report through the chairman soon.”Looking directly at Juno without hesitation, Suhan held his gaze. Juno raised his eyebrows and smiled, but it wasn’t a genuine or friendly smile. It seemed like he was trying to conceal his true feelings.“Well… I’m not the one paying your salary, anyway.”After Juno’s dismissive reply, another brief silence followed, broken by the sound of a car entering the parking lot—it seemed the chairman and his wife had arrived.“Is Uncle coming soon?”Suhan asked reflexively, and Juno furrowed his brow in mild surprise. Suhan didn’t react, continuing to watch Juno.“Maybe? He said he’d be here in about 10 minutes.”A few moments later, the chairman and his wife entered the dining room, and the three who were seated stood up to greet them. Light small talk followed about the weather and traffic, but throughout the conversation, Juno kept his eyes fixed on Suhan. However, it wasn’t just Juno who was staring intensely at Suhan, prompting Suhan to think to himself:“Yeonseo, you’re going to stare a hole through my face.”Despite having reassured him that nothing terrible would happen, Yeonseo still looked as though he was anxiously waiting for something to go wrong, almost like a puppy waiting for its owner outside a door. It was more pitiful than endearing. Suhan couldn’t help but suppress a smile as he glanced at Yeonseo. He had to clench his fist to keep from laughing aloud.“Now that I think of it, when exactly did Suhan wake up? I should have visited, but Yeonseo insisted it would be too much of a burden… Still, I wanted to send some fruit at least.”As the conversation inevitably shifted to Suhan, given the nature of this gathering, Suhan cleared his throat lightly and responded.“Not long ago. I’m still undergoing rehabilitation, so I seem fine now, but it can be taxing on my body if I’m active for too long.”Only Juno, who didn’t know Suhan’s exact condition, gazed at him thoughtfully before turning his attention elsewhere.“Really? You should recover soon… We’d hate to pressure someone who’s still unwell.”As the conversation began to taper off, and with the chairman’s relatives still not having arrived, they decided to start the meal. Whether the delay was intentional or due to traffic, everyone had come from Seoul, so it wasn’t an excuse. In any case, the chairman’s wife appeared visibly uncomfortable with the situation.“They’ve been here plenty of times, but on a rare occasion like today, you’d think they’d put in a little more effort, wouldn’t you?”“Enough. They’re on their way, so there’s no point complaining. Let’s start eating.”The chairman didn’t seem to have expected much from the beginning.“If you want to get your strength back, you have to eat well. Steward Choi, bring some good food for Director Lee here.”“You’re always doting on him.”“Of course. It’s my duty to look after my ailing son-in-law.”Suhan observed the situation without displaying any discomfort but without grinning excessively either. As expected, the relationship between the chairman’s family and the relatives wasn’t particularly close or warm. It seemed more like they were forced to coexist due to their blood ties. The chairman and his wife weren’t particularly interested in Juno, only occasionally asking about his life in America or how he was adjusting to being back in Korea. But the conversations never lasted long.“Things are different here. You’ll need to adjust to the Korean market now.”This was the usual conclusion to their conversations—a request tinged with doubt about whether Juno could handle it. It seemed the chairman and his wife were also reluctant to endorse Juno. Although the atmosphere wasn’t icy, it was far from warm as the meal progressed toward themain course, with the chairman’s relatives still not having arrived. Suhan tapped his eyebrow lightly, glancing at Juno, who didn’t appear surprised. It seemed he had anticipated this situation.‘Was it their plan all along to just send their son?’Suhan wondered.If the goal was merely a brief meeting, lunch would have sufficed. Even so, Suhan remembered his mother-in-law repeatedly urging them to stay overnight during their phone calls, although it didn’t seem like a big deal to the other side. Suhan quietly read the room, careful not to show his inner thoughts.“…!”Suddenly, as Yeonseo cut into a fried dish and brought it to his mouth, hot oil splattered onto his hand. The burning sensation caused Yeonseo to grimace in pain. Suhan quickly soaked a napkin in cold water and gently wrapped it around Yeonseo’s hand.“Hold this for a bit to cool it down,” Suhan instructed.Yeonseo nodded silently, placing his other hand over Suhan’s in thanks. At that moment, all three pairs of eyes at the table widened as they turned toward the two. The level of care Suhan was showing seemed beyond what they expected. Suhan let out a quiet sigh in his mind. Although their relationship wasn’t at its worst anymore, he still wasn’t sure when his memories might fully return. It was time to show that they weren’t as distant as they used to be.With a faint smile, Suhan held Yeonseo’s hand and said, “Be careful. It’s upsetting when you get hurt over nothing.”The chairman and his wife, as well as Juno, all briefly widened their eyes in surprise before returning to their usual expressions. Sensing something strange, Yeonseo quickly tried to pull his hand away, but it was already too late. Suhan was quicker to speak, his expression softening.“Since my discharge, I’ve relied on Yeonseo a lot. He’s been by my side during tough times, so I feel grateful and a little sorry… I just want to repay him in some way.”As Suhan gave a light, somewhat bashful smile, the chairman and his wife nodded in understanding, their faces brightening with approval.“Oh, I see now. It did seem like the two of you had gotten a bit closer than before.”“I always thought Yeonseo acted like a child, but he’s really done something commendable.”Juno, now feeling like an unwelcome outsider among the newly united family, stared at Suhan with a serious, expressionless face. So what if you keep staring? While Yeonseo was still reeling from Suhan’s unexpected comment, unsure of how to handle the situation, Suhan confidently lifted his chin and met Juno’s gaze.It wasn’t suspicious for a couple, once distant, to grow stronger after enduring a major hardship together. It’s something seen not only in movies and dramas but also commonly in real life. Suhan stared at Juno for a moment, then subtly smirked with just his eyes as if to ask, Do you have a problem with this? Flustered, Juno turned his head away, avoiding Suhan’s gaze in silent frustration.Do you think you saw something unpleasant? Suhan briefly considered flaunting his affection in a cringe-inducing display like he had done at Chef Lim’s restaurant, but upon seeing Yeonseo’s expression, he stifled a laugh. Suhan, noticing Yeonseo’s prim and proper expression that seemed to say, “How could you do that here?” calmed his rising shoulders and continued eating.Fortunately, nothing particularly unusual happened for the rest of the meal. The conversation flowed naturally, and aside from Suhan showing a slight softening toward Yeonseo, he smoothly deflected the expected questions as they had discussed beforehand.At least it was clear that there weren’t any major issues, and the chairman and his wife seemed relieved to confirm that Suhan’s condition wasn’t as bad as they had imagined. They appeared confident that, barring any significant problems, Suhan would be able to return to work after his planned leave of absence. Of course, that was still uncertain, but for now, the immediate crisis was averted. However, if they intended to leave things at that, they wouldn’t have bothered to invite Juno to this gathering as well.With a slight smirk, Suhan brought up the most important topic just as the attendant served tea, the final course of the meal.“By the way, I heard that Yeonseo has been assigned as the project leader for the second half of the year.”Everyone’s attention snapped to Suhan. Up until now, Suhan had been evasive whenever the conversation veered toward work or his return, giving only vague answers.“Oh, yes, that’s right. It’s Yeonseo’s first time taking on such a role, so we’re a bit concerned…”As Suhan’s mother trailed off, Suhan seized the moment and delivered the response he and Yeonseo had prepared in advance.“Well, Yeonseo has been with the company long enough now, and it’s time for him to step into more responsible roles. Managing a project like this could be a good opportunity. Since it’s unfamiliar territory, I think it would be helpful if someone could provide guidance. I may not be able to return to the office immediately, but I’m considering offering my support remotely.”Suhan subtly glanced at Yeonseo, whose face had tensed up with nervousness. Smiling mischievously, Suhan placed his hand over Yeonseo’s on the table, a clear signal of his support without needing to resort to overt affection or saccharine words.“Oh my, that’s wonderful! And when Suhan returns to work, it’ll be much easier to reintegrate since you wouldn’t have been completely detached from company affairs.”The chairman and his wife had no reason to oppose this. In fact, they had been subtly pressuring Suhan to return, so they welcomed his proactive suggestion. However, Juno, who sat across from them with two empty seats between him and the rest, didn’t seem pleased.“And how will you go about it? Will you be working from the office?”Though Juno didn’t openly express his discontent, the deepening furrows in his brow, which had been forming every time Suhan demonstrated his closeness to Yeonseo, betrayed his growing irritation.“I’ll be working remotely. Whether you inform the team or keep it confidential is up to you.”Juno’s skepticism was evident as the crease in his forehead deepened.“You’re volunteering to do work without even being able to claim credit for it?”His tone was incredulous. Suhan replied with a calm smile.“We’re family. Yeonseo has been doing thankless work for me all this time, so it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t do the same for him, don’t you think?”Juno had no counterargument. He might have wanted to challenge Suhan’s sincerity, but doing so would only lead to the same answer again. Moreover, Suhan had the perfect excuse—a near-death experience had given him a new perspective, a universal and reasonable explanation. And that was, at least partly, true. As long as Suhan kept the fact that he had lost all his past memories a secret.“Anyway, it’s all settled now. We can work out the details later when time permits. Let’s set aside the heavy topics for a moment and talk about something lighter,” the chairman said, visibly relieved as he steered the conversation in a different direction. From there, the conversation shifted to trivial matters—someone’s recent trip, another’s daughter’s wedding plans.As the post-dinner tea was being served, the couple who had yet to arrive still hadn’t shown up.“They said something came up with the in-laws, so they won’t be able to make it today,” Juno finally announced.The chairman and his wife nodded as if they had expected this.“All right. At least we got to see you today.”Whether that remark was genuine or just politeness was something only the speaker knew. But considering how effortlessly he said something that would normally be awkward to utter as a guest, it was likely that this had been the plan all along. And then there was the comment about arriving ten minutes late—Suhan stifled a laugh at the thought as he watched Juno leave.“Well, take care. I’ll see you at the office next time,” Suhan said, standing next to Yeonseo, his relaxed expression exuding a calmness that was almost annoying. As Juno headed toward the garage, he gestured for Suhan.“Team Leader, could I have a word? It won’t take long.”Then, with a pointed glance at Yeonseo, he added, “Just between us.”Yeonseo, who had been tense and on edge the entire time, as if worried Suhan would act suspiciously, suddenly stepped forward, as if to protect Suhan, and responded in his place.“Feel free to say what you need. Unless it’s something I shouldn’t hear.”But Juno wasn’t backing down.“Assistant Jo, please step aside. This is a matter for the executives.”Suhan found the situation amusing rather than tense. It was like watching a small hamster trying to square up to a whale. He suppressed a grin, using his hand to prop up his chin as if deep in thought.“Understood. Let’s go.”Suhan reassured Yeonseo, telling him, “Go on ahead. I’ll just have a quick word and join you inside,” emphasizing the word quick. Yeonseo, though visibly uneasy, complied, thanks to Suhan’s unwavering calm, which reminded Yeonseo of Suhan’s earlier reassurance: No matter what happens, you won’t have to face your worst fears, so trust me.As Yeonseo reluctantly made his way back into the building, Suhan followed Juno toward the garage.“What is it you want to say?” Suhan asked, barely finishing the question before Juno retorted.“What are you up to?”“I don’t know what you mean,” Suhan replied.“Don’t play dumb.”It was the same pattern again. Suhan thought to himself, grumbling about how his past self had so many secrets and complicated relationships. He feigned indifference.“There’s nothing strange about a couple becoming closer. Wanting to repay someone who’s been devoted to me is only natural.”Suhan smirked as if to say, “Do I really need to explain this?” causing Juno to respond defensively before catching himself, his face showing a hint of surprise as he hurriedly covered his mouth.“No? You two… couldn’t possibly…”Suhan sensed something was off and raised an eyebrow, tilting his head in curiosity. But by the time he reacted, Juno had already regained his composure.“Never mind. You’ll find out soon enough, how brilliant your plans really are.”Couldn’t possibly? Juno quickly opened his car door and squeezed inside, ready to shut the driver’s door. Suhan swiftly grabbed the handle, blocking it, and asked,“Why couldn’t we possibly be?”But instead of giving a satisfying answer, Juno only offered a dismissive retort.“Stop twisting my words and let go, will you?”“You’re not twisting words; you’re the one saying things that raise suspicion. You owe me an explanation.”Juno chose to remain silent, clenching his jaw, evidently abandoning any attempt to shake Suhan off. He quickly started the engine and reached for the gearshift, giving the car no time to warm up.“What the…!”Startled by the car’s sudden movement, Suhan hesitated for a moment, giving Juno the opportunity to turn the steering wheel and head toward the exit. It was suspicious behavior, no doubt, and Suhan briefly wondered whether to let him go or stop him. After all, he’d have to see Juno again at the company. There was no need to risk injury trying to stop him now.But why was Juno so flustered? Did he know something about what Yeonseo was hiding? Or something between Suhan and Yeonseo? In the few seconds that passed, countless thoughts flashed through Suhan’s mind, and he decided to trust Yeonseo once more.If Yeonseo wasn’t involved in the accident, who could have been behind it? There were no certainties, but one thing was clear: Juno held a grudge against Suhan. Now that Suhan had the chance, Juno was the person he needed to confront. Suhan released the car door handle and smiled.“Drive safe. You never know what kind of accident could happen on the road.”As Suhan delivered this innocuous farewell, Juno’s eyes filled with confusion, and his car, which had been slowly rolling forward, came to a halt. Suhan calmly shut the car door.