The morning sunlight spilled into the guest room of Kaein's house, painting the walls in warm hues of gold. The curtains swayed gently with the breeze, carrying in the faint scent of fresh earth after last night's drizzle.
Lior stirred beneath the soft quilt, his hair messy, his lashes still heavy with sleep. A muffled groan escaped him as he buried his face deeper into the pillow.
From across the room, a voice broke the silence.
"You'll sleep till noon if I let you," Kaein teased, his tone caught between amusement and mock scolding. He was leaning against the doorframe, already dressed casually in a loose shirt and joggers, a mug of steaming coffee in hand.
Lior cracked one eye open, glaring at him without malice. "And what's wrong with that? You're rich enough to let me enjoy the luxuries of sleeping all day, aren't you?"
Kaein smirked, walking closer until he sat on the edge of the bed. "Maybe. But I didn't bring you here just to watch you drool into my pillows."
"I wasn't drooling," Lior said indignantly, quickly running his hand across the corner of his lips. The faint smudge of dampness betrayed him.
Kaein chuckled, his laughter soft but deep, the kind that made Lior's chest flutter with both irritation and warmth.
After a moment, silence settled again, comfortable and unhurried. The world outside was calm, and for the first time in weeks, they weren't running around or worrying about assignments, projects, or the weight of the unknown future.
Kaein broke that silence with an unexpected suggestion.
"You know… we could head to my family's resort for a while."
Lior blinked, sitting up halfway. "Resort? You mean like… an actual resort? Fancy rooms, beaches, pools, the whole deal?"
"Yes," Kaein replied easily, sipping his coffee. "It's been sitting there unused for months. My parents only go during peak holidays, and it's quiet most of the year. Perfect for some time away."
Lior tilted his head, skeptical. "Why though? Aren't we comfortable here? Your house is already the size of a small hotel."
Kaein shrugged. "Maybe. But the resort's different. It's by the lake, surrounded by forests. More open skies, fresher air. And…" He hesitated for just a second before adding, "Some of my old friends usually gather there when I visit. I'd like you to meet them."
Lior raised an eyebrow. "Friends? You mean the people you grew up with?"
"Yeah," Kaein said. "Not everyone. Just a few who still live nearby. We used to spend summers together there."
The thought lingered in the air between them. Lior's lips twitched into a small smile. "Fine. But only if you promise I won't be the awkward stranger sitting in the corner while you laugh about childhood adventures."
Kaein chuckled. "Promise. I'll introduce you properly."
---
The following day, they packed light and drove out. The road curved through green hills and small towns until the scenery opened up into the wide expanse of the resort grounds.
It wasn't the flashy, crowded type of place Lior expected. Instead, it had a serene charm—rows of wooden cottages built with warm timber, connected by winding stone paths. A glittering lake stretched out in the distance, reflecting the clear blue sky. Pines and willows dotted the shoreline, their shadows rippling across the water.
"This is… not what I imagined," Lior admitted, stepping out of the car and stretching. The cool breeze ruffled his hair.
"You thought it would be some five-star skyscraper with neon lights?" Kaein teased, grabbing their bags from the trunk.
"Something like that," Lior muttered, but his eyes softened as he looked at the tranquil scene. "This feels… nicer, though."
As they approached the main lodge, voices called out.
"Kaein! You actually showed up!"
Three figures came into view—two guys and a girl, all roughly their age.
The tallest of the three, a broad-shouldered guy with sandy hair, came forward first. "Still brooding and handsome as ever, huh? Didn't think you'd drag yourself here."
Kaein laughed. "Nice to see you too, Adrian."
The girl, petite with curly hair and round glasses, waved cheerfully. "And you brought someone! Finally!"
Lior blinked, slightly startled. Kaein stepped forward smoothly, placing a steadying hand at the small of his back.
"This is Lior," Kaein introduced. "My… close friend."
The last of the three, a lean boy with sharp features, smirked knowingly. "Close friend, huh? Got it."
Lior flushed, opening his mouth to argue, but Kaein subtly squeezed his shoulder, silently telling him to let it go.
Adrian grinned. "Well, welcome to the gang, Lior. I'm Adrian. The nosy one with glasses is Mia, and the sarcastic brat is Jules."
"Hey!" Jules protested, but didn't deny it.
The awkwardness melted after a while. They spent the afternoon walking around the lake, swapping stories, and laughing about Kaein's less-than-perfect childhood adventures—many of which Lior hadn't heard before. By evening, the group gathered in the lounge of the main cottage, a large wooden room with a fireplace and a wide-screen TV mounted on the wall.
---
The TV played in the background, muted at first while they talked and played cards. But eventually, Adrian grabbed the remote. "Let's see what the world's up to."
The news anchor's voice filled the room.
"…reports of unusual medical cases have been surfacing across several regions. Symptoms range from hormonal imbalances to drastic changes in physiology. Authorities suspect a viral mutation may be responsible. The World Health Organization has not yet classified the phenomenon but urges the public to remain calm."
Lior frowned, glancing at the screen. "That's vague."
The camera cut to a hospital interview, where doctors discussed blood anomalies. Words like 'mutation,' 'secondary expression,' and 'classification system' flashed across the bottom ticker.
Then came the strangest part.
"…researchers are beginning to categorize individuals into three emerging sub-groups—provisionally labeled Alpha, Beta, and Omega. Early data suggests these classifications may influence not only biology but also social dynamics. More details to follow…"
The group fell silent.
Jules blinked at the TV, then at the others. "…What the heck did I just hear? Alpha? Beta? Omega? What is this, some bad fanfiction trope?"
Mia adjusted her glasses nervously. "It… sounds ridiculous. Like the Omegaverse stories people joke about online."
Lior snorted, half amused, half unsettled. "Are you serious? Did someone hack the news channel for a prank? This sounds exactly like those mangas…"
Kaein leaned back on the couch, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "It doesn't look fake."
"But listen to it!" Lior protested. "Secondary genders? Alpha dominance? Omega… what, pheromones? That's literally fictional."
The anchor continued, showing blurred documents and interview clips.
"…several governments are investigating. Initial findings confirm bloodwork anomalies. Some individuals exhibit heightened strength, others chemical markers resembling pheromonal output. The terminology Alpha, Beta, Omega has been adopted for simplicity, though the phenomenon remains under study…"
Mia swallowed hard. "If this is real, then…"
Adrian laughed uneasily. "Then the world's gone insane. No way this is happening outside of fan communities."
But the tone of the broadcast remained serious. No hint of satire.
Lior shook his head, muttering under his breath. "This… this can't be real."
Kaein finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Whether it's real or not, we'll find out soon enough. News like this doesn't spread without proof."
He glanced at Lior, catching the way his friend's hand trembled slightly against the armrest. Quietly, so only Lior could hear, Kaein leaned closer.
"Don't worry. Even if the world flips upside down, I'm here."
Lior blinked at him, startled. His chest tightened, though he forced a crooked smile. "You sound too calm about this. Like you'd adapt instantly."
Kaein smirked faintly. "Maybe I would. Or maybe I just don't want to see you panic."
Their eyes met for a moment longer than necessary. The voices of their friends debating in the background faded into a distant hum.
Lior looked away first, muttering, "Idiot." But his heart was racing.
---
After their friends left for the evening, the resort quieted. Kaein and Lior returned to their cottage, where the news replayed on the smaller TV.
"…secondary genders may already exist undetected within the population. Researchers urge citizens to undergo voluntary blood testing…"
Lior sat on the couch, hugging a pillow, his brows furrowed. "If this is real, then what does it even mean? People turning into Alphas, Betas, and Omegas? That changes everything."
Kaein set down two mugs of tea on the table and sat beside him. "It's still just speculation. We don't know the extent of it yet."
"But…" Lior hesitated. "…if it is real, then what about us? What if we're affected?"
Kaein didn't answer right away. He leaned back, staring at the flickering screen, then turned his gaze toward Lior.
"Then we deal with it. Together."
The words hung in the air, heavier than either of them expected.
Lior's throat felt tight. He wanted to laugh it off, make a sarcastic remark about sounding like a cheesy drama—but he couldn't. Because deep down, he wanted to believe it.
"…You make it sound simple," he whispered.
Kaein's lips curved into a small, steady smile. "It is. As long as you're with me."
The room fell silent except for the quiet hum of the TV. And though uncertainty loomed large, a strange warmth lingered between them—stronger than fear, stronger than doubt.
Outside, the wind rustled through the pines by the lake, carrying the faintest scent of change.
The world was shifting.
And neither of them knew just how much.