The next morning, Sora woke up in an unfamiliar room.
His vision was blurry as he slowly opened his eyes, his head throbbing. He pushed himself up on his elbows and looked around, confused.
"…What happened? Where am I?"
The last thing he remembered was Ren.
That jerk.
His expression darkened instantly.
"It's all because of that stupid bastard… can't even control his pheromones…"
He rubbed his temples, trying to think clearly.
"Wait… how did I even get here? Don't tell me I sleepwalked or something. Jesus… what is going on?"
Still dizzy, he slid off the bed and headed for the door, hoping to find a way out.
But before he could take more than two steps, a tall figure blocked his path.
"Where do you think you're going, baby?"
Sora froze.
His face turned pale in an instant, and he instinctively stepped back.
Oh holy sweet Jesus… please save me from this psychopath…
Ren moved closer, slowly closing the distance between them. His presence alone felt overwhelming, like the air had suddenly grown too heavy to breathe.
"I asked you something," Ren said quietly. "Where do you think you're going dressed like that?"
"Dressed like wh—"
Sora glanced down at himself and immediately stiffened.
The clothes he wore were thin and nearly transparent, clinging to his body and leaving almost nothing to the imagination.
"What the hell?!" he snapped. "What did you do to my clothes, you goddamn jerk?!"
He stepped back too quickly and nearly lost his balance, but Ren caught him with ease. Strong arms wrapped around him, steady and firm.
Too firm. Too close.
Sora's face burned bright red.
For one embarrassing second, his thoughts betrayed him.
Ren was unfairly handsome. Perfect face, perfect body, sharp eyes that seemed to see right through him. Even his pheromones felt dangerously intoxicating.
Sora quickly shook his head.
"What the hell am I thinking? He's crazy. Completely crazy. It's just a face… that's all."
Flustered, he pulled away.
"I'm taking a shower."
Ren didn't stop him, but his gaze followed Sora the entire time, dark and intense, like a predator watching its prey.
Under the hot water, Sora finally relaxed a little.
"Once I get home, I'll never see that jerk again… right?"
Then something clicked.
"Wait… isn't he supposed to marry Liam?"
A small, relieved smile formed on his lips.
"Of course. Liam's the older twin. That means I'm free."
What Sora didn't know was that Liam had already fled to another country, leaving him behind as the perfect replacement.
By the time Sora finished dressing in his school uniform, Ren was already waiting outside in the car.
The moment Sora stepped inside, he frowned.
The air was thick with pheromones.
Too thick.
"Hey, are you crazy?" Sora muttered. "Can't you control your pheromones?"
Ren didn't answer. He just stared at him, eyes dark and unreadable.
That gaze made Sora uneasy.
After a long silence, Ren finally spoke. "After school, I'll come pick you up."
It wasn't a request. It sounded like a command.
Sora clicked his tongue and looked away. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
When they arrived at school, Sora stepped out slowly, trying to act normal.
"The Almighty really hates me," he muttered under his breath. "Handing me over to that jerk…"
His friends were waiting near the entrance.
"Hey, Sora. Where were you yesterday?" Jin asked.
"I'm not in the mood," Sora replied flatly. "I'm skipping class. Going to the rooftop."
Without waiting for their response, he walked away.
Meanwhile, Ren sat alone in his classroom, staring down at his hand.
"…Damn."
Just being near Sora had calmed his pheromones.
Something that had never happened before.
"How do you not recognize me…?" he muttered quietly. "Of all people… you were the only one who ever talked to me."
His thoughts drifted back to middle school.
Back then, he had always sat alone by the window, cold and unapproachable. No one dared to speak to him.
Until one day—
"Hey. Why are you always alone?"
He looked up, annoyed, only to see a bright, smiling Sora standing in front of him.
"Get out of my face," Ren had said coldly.
"Why are you so rude?" Sora puffed his cheeks. "I just want to talk."
Silence lingered between them.
Then Sora smiled again, soft and warm.
"So… will you be my friend?"
No one had ever asked him that before.
After a long moment, Ren slowly nodded.
And that was the first time he realized—
He had fallen in love.
To be continued.