Seo Yujin didn't think he slept that night.
He kept rolling in bed, playing with the reality that he had actually been selected to join one of the biggest survival shows of all time!
He was a freaking contestant in the show!
And he was sure that the judges had considered his words to pick him. And they would expect him to also play the role he had offered to play.
That was probably why they selected him.
Seo Yujin had no problems with that. He would happily play it—as long as he would get some screentime to boast his presence.
Because in such shows, getting screentime was like being featured in a tiny picture at the lower little column of a random page in The Times Magazine as a passer-by in a picture taken of the main focus of the news.
Or even like being caught on camera as a passer-by in BTS's reality show video.
Because you get screentime either when you're really good or really bad. Those in-between suffer.
And getting any type of Screentime is the key to having a chance at all.
So Seo Yujin was sure this would be a good start. He would have to make the best use of it.
---
The details of the show's schedule for trainees were rolled out, and Yujin saw that all trainees would be gathering for the shooting of the first audition performance before the chosen mentors.
And it was only 5 days from now, so he didn't have much time left.
It was probably the content that would be needed for episode one of the show—an episode where all trainees are introduced one by one, walking into the room, sitting down in their seats, while the mentors [judges] and MC also get introduced.
The cameras would be rolling as they all performed in front of the judges and other trainees. They'd get assessed by the judges and, in most cases, would get rankings or so.
Seo Yujin knew how these worked, so he had to get ready before then.
That morning, he didn't go to school. Rather, he headed for the hospital in his school uniform, with a facemask over his face.
He needed to get the best medical support for hiding his scent, an alpha scent generator, and even heat control or something. All he would need to survive as a male omega in an all-alpha survival show.
As Seo Yujin walked through the hallway of the hospital, he felt like a wanted criminal.
His hands were constantly over his face as he adjusted his facemask.
It wasn't an acceptable thing to do—everything he wanted to do about his nature as a male omega—but it was something he had to do anyway. So he hid himself while he booked to meet the doctor.
Two hours later, Seo Yujin was finally sitting with the doctor, who was younger than he imagined.
This doctor was around 24 years old or something. A young yet successful man who pretty much owned the hospital.
"And how may I help you?" the doctor asked with a warm smile.
Seo Yujin looked around, removing his facemask as though the coast was clear, and went straight to the point.
"I want the best medication you can offer to hide my omega scent, smell like a male alpha, while resisting strong male alphas scent and supresssing heat."
He stared at the young doctor, who was calmly staring at him as though something was on his face.
"Hello?" Seo Yujin called his attention. "Is something on my face…?" He brushed his fingers over his face.
"Oh," the doctor smiled. "Nothing. It's just…" He randomly searched through his file. "You know what you're looking for is illegal and could potentially harm you in the long run… right?"
Seo Yujin blinked. "Yes. I know. But I heard you're a professional and extremely good. That's why I came to you for help."
"My professionalism won't permit me to help you bring harm to yourself. So… I don't think I can do that…" The doctor leaned back, his eyes on Yujin.
"I'll pay any amount. Even if it's by instalments in the next 10 years or more. I'll pay anything—just please help me." Yujin pleaded, knowing full well that if his life went in the same order as it did in his past life, he wouldn't even pay up the potential debt in a hundred years to come.
He had come to the hospital with all the savings he had in his entire life.
The doctor smiled again. "I'm sorry. I'm not out for your money, but your health. So I don't think I can help with that."
Yujin figured he was a nice person—one who hadn't kicked him out of his office yet like he expected (especially since he was asking him to do something against his professional ethics).
Now that money couldn't seem to help, Yujin decided to try another way. One way he wasn't always so confident about in his past life.
One he was sure his rebirth had potentially fixed.
Seo Yujin placed both hands together as though he was about to pray, pouting while giving the doctor a sulky expression.
Aegyo*
"Please, Ahjussi*, this is my last shot at making it in life. So please consider this poor thing and help me with something. Anything. Save a soul who wants to pursue their dreams."
Yujin was sure acting all cute and sulky could potentially release some sweet-scented pheromones that would trigger the other party.
And since he figured his scent had somehow grown strong and irresistible since his rebirth after seducing Junho, he was sure it might work this time around.
Either his scent or his aegyo could potentially save his ass.
The doctor found himself smiling more in amusement as he leaned forward. "Kiddo, I'm not that old to be called an Ahjussi. I'm 24. You can just call me Hyung*," he protested.
"And… I see you're still a high-schooler, so I'm curious to know why you need such a thing."
"I want to attend an elite school. But they only accept alphas. Which I think is unfair to those who aren't alphas but also want to study." Yujin was still pouting.
He was sure his charm was working.
"So help me with this, Hyung."
The doctor hesitated, staring at Yujin for a while as thoughts ran through his head.
Soon, he flipped through some files before him with a deep sigh and said, "I know a way to help you. A medication that won't harm you but will help with what you wish for to some extent."
"Although it won't necessarily block it off completely—else that would be harmful to you," he explained.
Seo Yujin's eyes lit up in excitement. "Is that so? Give it to me. I'll pay. Anything." He knew he needed to stop talking about paying since he knew how broke he was!
"I can give it to you without money," the doctor smiled.
"Huh? Really?" Yujin blinked as the doctor smiled.
"But under one condition," the doctor added.
Seo Yujin thought as much! He knew nothing was free in life. And at the moment, he couldn't help but think about all these possible conditions this alpha doctor could ask for.
He was okay with everything except SELLING HIS BODY!
"What condition?" Yujin asked as he slowly hugged his body.
The doctor smiled. "I'm not asking for your body."
"Really?" In such situations, Yujin knew that was what most alphas would ask since his pheromones were basically triggering.
The doctor smiled. "what I want is simple. Be my fake lover to meet my parents."
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1. Ahjusssi: Literally means "middle-aged man" or "mister." It's used for a man who looks to be in his 40s–50s (sometimes even 30s if he looks older).
2. Hyung: Means "older brother" when used by a male to another older male.
Not limited to blood relatives—it's also used with friends, teammates, coworkers.
Shows closeness and respect, but also warmth/familiarity.