Uninvited Guests

"Wait here. Don't go anywhere," Sunghwa instructed Felix firmly, motioning for him to remain at the dining table. Felix, slightly tense, nodded as Sunghwa made his way toward the front door.

Sunghwa peeked through the peephole and rolled his eyes before reluctantly opening the door. Standing outside were two familiar figures: a man in his late twenties wearing glasses and a work shirt, and behind him, a woman with long hair, dressed in a professional yet stylish outfit.

"Why did you change the password to your door?" the man complained as soon as the door cracked open.

"Because I felt like it," Sunghwa replied flatly, stepping aside to let them in. The woman followed with a knowing smile, as if accustomed to their banter.

"You hung up on me last night! I wasn't finished talking to you," the man continued, plopping down on the living room sofa. "You left practice early because your rut kicked in, didn't it? Just admit it."

"Minho-ya, you nag more than my coach." Sunghwa smirked, walking over to the kitchen counter. "Keep it up, and I'll fire you from being my manager and hire you as my house assistant."

Minho sighed dramatically. "So, did your rut get better?"

"Almost over," Sunghwa answered, casually drying the sweat from his face with a towel. "One more day, and it shouldn't affect the match."

"You're taking your suppressor medication on time, right?" the woman asked, her tone more concerned.

Sunghwa shrugged. "Mostly. Though it doesn't seem to work as well as it used to."

The woman sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'll inform Coach Taeyong to give you time off. You shouldn't push yourself through a rut, Sunghwa-ssi."

Minho crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Then why did you call me and Eunbi here today? What's going on?"

Sunghwa let out a slow, deliberate exhale, glancing toward the dining room. "You'll see."

Minho furrowed his brow as Sunghwa tilted his head toward Felix, who had been sitting quietly in the dining area, watching the interaction unfold but trying to remain unnoticed.

"Wait..." Eunbi started, exchanging a curious glance with Minho. "Is this the 'stray cat' you mentioned?" she asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

Sunghwa nodded, calling over his shoulder. "Come here, Felix."

Felix froze momentarily, hesitating before he stood up. His steps were cautious as he made his way toward the living room with Sunghwa, feeling the weight of the strangers' gazes on him.

Minho's eyes widened as Felix approached. "Kang Sunghwa..." Minho grabbed Sunghwa's collar in a sudden burst of frustration. "Are you out of your damn mind?"

Eunbi, meanwhile, simply sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead as if a headache had suddenly struck. "Of course it's an Omega... What else would it be?"

"Uhm..." Felix fidgeted, unsure of where to stand or what to say in this tense situation.

"Don't tell me he's... an Omega?" Minho asked, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. When Sunghwa nodded, Minho's expression shifted from shock to exasperation.

"Sunghwa, I warned you about causing drama before your next match! And now... you've slept with an underage Omega?" Minho's voice rose in disbelief.

"Hey!" Sunghwa pushed Minho's hand off his collar and stood his ground. "Watch your mouth. I haven't touched him. And he's not underage—he's 18."

"Not yet, huh?" Minho muttered, his blood pressure clearly rising as he glanced between Sunghwa and Felix.

Eunbi stepped forward, eyeing Felix carefully. "Do you understand Korean?" she asked, her voice gentle but concerned, as if confirming Felix wasn't a foreigner.

Felix nodded.

"Is what that man said true? Did Sunghwa really not do anything inappropriate to you?" Eunbi pressed further, genuinely concerned for the young Omega's well-being.

Felix couldn't help but smile slightly at how she referred to Sunghwa as "that man." "Yes," he replied in perfect Korean, his North Korean accent immediately noticeable. "Sunghwa saved me when I was starving last night."

At the sound of Felix's distinct dialect, Minho and Eunbi froze, their faces paling. Minho leaned closer to Eunbi, whispering, "Is that...?"

Eunbi nodded, still staring at Felix. The boy's accent was unmistakable—he wasn't just any Omega; he was from the North.

Sunghwa met their startled expressions with a serious look. "This is why I need your help."

The room fell silent. Minho, still tense, let out a slow breath as realization began to set in. Eunbi, always more composed, frowned in thought as she tried to process the gravity of the situation.

"So..." Eunbi finally spoke, breaking the silence. "What exactly are you asking us to do, Sunghwa?"

Sunghwa's gaze hardened, his voice low but determined. "We can't involve the authorities. Not yet."