I'M AN OMEGA

BEING a foreigner, he probably went to this country alone just so he could participate in this audition and have a chance to fulfill his dreams. That alone was already commendable.

Even if the other was an Alpha, it's not right to immediately think that he had bad intentions towards Haneul. Besides, there were a lot of people in this place. It's not like he could just pull Haneul away and drag him to some corner to do bad things.

Park Eunji sighed inwardly. Ever since her son manifested as an Omega, she became paranoid, and her thoughts would often veer in that kind of direction. If she continued on like this, she might completely go crazy once Haneul passed the audition and became an official contestant of that survival program.

She should learn to tone it down a bit. Thinking that everyone in the world who was not an Omega or a female Beta was out to get her son was definitely not a healthy mindset.

Maybe today would be a good start to change that.

She smiled at the young man with pink hair. "No, you're welcome to join us, Robin-ssi."

Robin finally showed his signature bright smile. "Thank you, Auntie. And please, just call me 'Robin'."

Haneul added, " Mom, Robin Hyung is also not used to formal speech, so if you feel that he's being impolite, he's not doing it on purpose."

"Oh, yes! That's correct!" Robin exclaimed enthusiastically. "I'm still learning to use formal speech, so I apologize in advance if I speak informally at times. I assure you, I'm not trying to be rude or anything."

"It's fine, don't worry about it," Eunji said, waving her hand to show that it didn't matter.

Of course, as a teacher, she would find it extremely rude if someone younger spoke informally to her. But she could understand if it's this young man. After all, he's obviously a foreigner who probably didn't grow up in Korea. If she became angry just because he suddenly spoke informally despite knowing that, it would only make her look narrow-minded.

Seeing his mother with a much clearer expression, Haneul secretly let out a relieved sigh. With how his mother, or rather his parents, had been since he manifested as an Omega, being overprotective and all, he thought it would not be easy for his mother to let Robin join them. But that didn't seem to be the case right now.

Maybe Robin's bright charisma helped?

Anyway, since that's over and done with, they should move on to the much more important thing.

"Mom, where should we eat lunch?" he asked. "I think there's a bulgogi restaurant near the south exit."

"Oh, there's no need for that. I already ordered food, just in case you're allowed to go out for lunch," his mother said. "I think I ordered enough for three people. We just have to find an empty table."

Tables and benches were mostly in designated resting areas. And it just so happened that there's one near the Olympic Hall.

Eunji opened the backdoor of the car and took out two bags of food. Both Haneul and Robin quickly tried to take the bags from her.

"Auntie, let me take that."

"Mom, I'll carry that."

The two said almost at the same time.

Eunji chuckled and gave them each a bag. "Okay, each of you can carry one."

If this was before she made up her mind not to treat her son like some fragile glass, she might not even allow him to carry those plastic bags. Now that her mind was a bit clearer than before, she realized once again how paranoid she had been acting.

The three of them went to the nearest designated rest area and quickly found an empty table. It just so happened that it was just beside a vending machine, so they didn't have to go far to get drinks.

Eunji untied the plastic bags and took out rolls of kimbap, a big bowl of kimchi jjigae, another big bowl of bulgogi, a plate of mandu, and eggrolls. All of which were big servings that could probably feed three to four people.

Haneul looked at the food and wondered why his mother ordered so much. But this worked out well. With Robin with them, there's no chance all this food would go to waste.

"Let me buy our drinks," Robin volunteered. "What would you have, Auntie? Haneul?"

"I'll have green tea, thank you," Eunji said, not stopping the young man. Since the other probably just wanted to give back from sharing food with them.

"Apple juice for me, thanks," Haneul added.

Robin nodded and stood up. He walked to the nearby vending machine and bought drinks. It didn't take too long, and he quickly returned. He put down the drinks on the table.

Then he looked at Haneul a bit questioningly. "Haneul, aren't you taking off your mask?"

At Robin's question, he finally remembered that he was still wearing a mask. He felt too comfortable wearing a mask that, before he knew it, the mask had already started to feel like a second skin.

He removed it since he couldn't exactly eat with a mask on. The moment he did, Robin's eyes widened, and he just stared at him like this was the first time they saw each other.

A bitter smile crossed Haneul's lips. He almost cursed Yeomra once again because of the effect of this blasted 'black magic'. If Robin started to treat him differently because of this, then it would foreshadow the challenges awaiting him in the survival program. With all the staring and all the attention, and all the people constantly blushing in his presence.

He experienced this when he went back to school. But it didn't really affect him that much because he wasn't particularly close to any of his classmates. It's not just because it was already 10 years for him. Even before returning from the past, he hadn't really been close to any of them.

Haneul had hoped that Robin would react differently. But seeing his reaction now, he probably wouldn't be.

His mother suddenly cleared her throat. "Ahem, that's enough staring, right?"

She had an uncomfortable expression on her face. As if she wasn't sure how she should react at the moment.

Robin, who seemed like he had only noticed his own reaction, quickly apologized.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare that long. It's just that, well, Haneul just looks. What's that word? Ah! Seductive! No! What am I even saying? I'm sorry. I swear I'm not doing this on purpose. I don't mean anything perverted by it. I'm just... ha." Robin stopped, probably realizing that he was not making complete sense. "Is Haneul an Omega?"

"Yes?" Haneul subconsciously answered.

Robin let out a sigh of relief. "Then you have nothing to worry about. Because I'm an Omega too."