Dirty Switch

And then, fifteen years old, summer.
"Hey, noona. Doesn’t my hair look weird today?"
“No? It’s pretty. Why?”

Joo Taehyun was about to see Seo Baekhan again after a long time.
It was the founding day of Haechi, the organization for descendants of independence fighters, which Baekhan had once mentioned.
Although a particular royal figure was at the center of it, Haechi had gained broad support from across different sectors even before its launch, thanks to the banner of “descendants of independence fighters.” DH Group had also shown its support by donating a massive sum. So massive, in fact, that Prince Yi Hwang personally called their house and even sent a handwritten letter. It was only natural that they had since reached the point of no return with the Crown Prince’s side.

Truthfully, it was a result that had been anticipated ever since Joo Taehyun was born. Since their beloved youngest son turned out to be an Alpha, and the Crown Prince flew into a fury whenever a trait carrier was even mentioned, they were bound to be at odds. His parents and the rest of the family had probably calculated that it would be less stressful to back Yi Hwang firmly.
Well… Joo Taehyun didn’t know the details of such internal politics. Or rather, even if he had known, he would have chosen to pretend otherwise. It wasn’t his place to step in.
To apologize for narrowing the family’s options just because he was a trait carrier… his parents were more than capable people. Whatever the circumstances, if they had believed the Crown Prince’s side was better, they would’ve gone with it. Joo Taehyun trusted their judgment and was grateful for their love. That was enough for him.

If there was a small bonus, it was that Seo Baekhan had actually called him.
"Hel...hello?"
He stared blankly at the {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} name on the screen, unable to believe it, then picked up the call in a daze—and Baekhan chuckled quietly, asking why he was repeating the greeting like that.

“By the way, do you know that you’re the youngest major donor?”
Baekhan’s voice, whether he was teasing or admiring, was much deeper than Taehyun remembered. Maybe it was the fatigue from the time difference, but every time he laughed, the ends of his words scratched slightly. It was unmistakably the voice of a grown man... During that brief call, Joo Taehyun couldn’t keep his fingers still. All they did was talk, and yet it weirdly felt like he had done something wrong.
Maybe it was because their previous conversations had always been short and filled with smiling emojis. That contrast made Baekhan’s actual voice all the more difficult to get used to.

…Maybe that’s why. After the call, his heart was pounding so hard he couldn’t fall asleep.
“I really think something’s wrong with my hair... It’s stuck down too flat.”
“No, you’ve got a nice head shape and your features are sharp, so that hairstyle suits you. But what’s with you all of a sudden, baby?”

Joo Yoonwoo’s eyes glanced over him with suspicion, then suddenly curved into a sly smirk.
“What, is the person our baby likes coming today or something?”
“N-no? I just... I think there’ll be a lot of photos taken...”
“Ahh.”

She pursed her lips as if recalling the time a photo of Taehyun had gone viral on the internet years ago.
“Well… Anyway, baby, once Prince Yi Hwang arrives, everyone’s going to flock to him, so don’t worry too much. And you really do look beautiful today.”
“...Mm. Thanks, noona.”

“Alright, you read all the guidelines for trait carriers, right?”
“Of course.”
“Since His Highness Yi Hwang will be attending, there will be far more trait carriers than usual. So be extra mindful.”

“Okay.”
Though he was only fifteen, Joo Taehyun, now in high school, had already taken the course called Sex Education for Trait-Carrying High Schoolers.
Not much had changed from what he already knew, but there were a few additional concepts. It felt like learning that in a world of whole numbers, there were actually fractions and negatives too—an echo of betrayal and déjà vu.

He pulled out his phone and skimmed over the summarized document.
Sex Education for Trait-Carrying High Schoolers
– Conceptual Overview –
● The pheromone scent of a trait carrier can change after sexual maturation.

Trait carriers who have consistently taken suppressants since childhood may choose their own dosage once they become legal adults and begin experiencing heat or rut cycles.
If they engage in sexual relations during this time, their pheromone scent may subtly change depending on the person and the medication.
This is not uncommon, and people should avoid asking trait carriers invasive questions about it.

● Unexplained imprinting accidents can occur.
Even after becoming a legal adult, one must think carefully about how to handle their cycles.
There is a phenomenon called "imprinting" for which neither cause nor cure has yet been properly identified.

If a person imprints on a partner, they must spend every cycle with that person until death.
Otherwise, the autoimmune system collapses, and severe physical abnormalities occur.
Currently, this is only known to occur between Alphas and Omegas.

…In other words, if someone’s pheromone scent changes, don’t get weird about it—that whole warning could’ve just said that.
“Mm, looks like we’re here.”
“Yes, miss. I’ve heard there’s no designated parking, so if you call when you're ready to come down, I’ll bring the car to the front.”

“Thank you.”
Near a high-rise in Jongno overlooking Bosingak, the area was already packed with people.
“Ugh, I really hate these kinds of events. So annoying. I’d rather be napping at home.”

“Why? Didn’t you say Sojin noona’s coming today?”
“Cha Sojin? …She is? She said she might not make it in time for her flight.”
“Mm, that’s what the hyungs said.”

Since it was a gathering for younger generations, the adults had all decided not to attend the founding ceremony. The eldest and second brothers declined, saying they could’ve had sons Taehyun’s age if they’d married earlier. The third brother was overseas on a business trip, so only Joo Yoonwoo and Joo Taehyun were left to represent DH Group.
Maybe the elders had planned it that way, hoping to give the spotlight to the fourth and youngest siblings for this kind of public activity... Whatever the reason, Taehyun felt far more comfortable here than being awkwardly dragged into a business moguls’ event. It had nothing to do with the fact that Seo Baekhan had personally called him.
“Let’s just see who we need to see and get out. We paid enough money, we don’t need to stick around cleaning up afterward, right?”

“Why? Did you fight with Sojin noona? You two were closest.”
“...It’s not that, but it’s kinda awkward. We didn’t fight, so don’t worry. Just don’t mention it, okay? If the hyungs find out, they’ll make a big deal.”
“Mm.”

Joo Taehyun, whose thoughts were already elsewhere, barely processed Yoonwoo’s words.
...Once again, it absolutely wasn’t because he might see Seo Baekhan.
***

Even if young people were the backbone of the organization, the founding ceremony itself was inevitably boring. Especially with royalty in attendance.
“With that, we conclude the founding ceremony of Haechi. Thank you once again to all our honored guests for gracing us with your presence.”
As soon as Seo Baekhan, the ceremony’s MC, finished his closing remarks, Joo Yoonwoo stretched with a groan, saying she’d almost died of boredom.

They’d gone through the national anthem, the independence song, a special address from Prince Yi Hwang himself, a video presentation on the organization’s purpose, followed by an endless string of guest introductions... The ceremony lasted about thirty minutes.
What followed was a light reception where guests could mingle. In truth, this was when the real event began.
“Let’s go, baby. Casually. Naturally.”

Joo Taehyun had no choice but to rise hesitantly and follow Yoonwoo from their seats. Were they really going straight home? But…
Though his sister would likely explode if she knew, there was someone he hoped to say hello to, even if just briefly.