RACA 30

“Ah, why would I envy something like that?”

It wasn’t the cotton candy, it was just how nice it looked to see the two of them together. Eunsol, who had been grumbling to himself, suddenly realized this was the perfect chance to boss Pyo Jaebeom around and his eyes lit up.

“Yes, I want some.”

“You really do have a childish side, more than you let on.”

What? He couldn’t tell if that was a compliment or an insult. While Eunsol stood there puzzled, Pyo Jaebeom immediately pulled out his phone and dialed someone.

“Oh, Kwak Sang-ah. Grab some cotton candy for me. Yeah, that cotton candy. Right now.”

What was even more absurd was the sight of Pyo Jaebeom, whom he’d expected to move himself, casually ordering his subordinate around as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

‘Well, that makes sense.’

Though it felt a bit deflating, the thought that he’d considered buying cotton candy just because he’d asking if he wanted some pleased him. His mood lifted, and Eunsol tapped his heel.

The night air held a peculiar sweetness.

“It’s been ages since I last had cotton candy.”

Eunsol gently pulled off a pink fluff and popped it into his mouth. The sweet taste enveloped his palate before vanishing almost instantly.

Frustrated, he tapped his foot, then tried to tear off a larger piece than before. He glanced at Jaebeom and asked,

“What?”

“Would you like some?”

“You eat plenty yourself.”

“Okay.”

Why stare at me like that if you’re not even going to eat it? It’s awkward. Grumbling inwardly, Eunsol swallowed the cotton candy in one bite.

Once again, the sweetness melted on his tongue like snow under the sun.

“You’ve never had cotton candy before, CEO?”

“No. Who would eat such cheap junk food?”

“Well, I guess it doesn’t really suit your face.”

“Huh?”

Now he really had no filter. It was surprising he didn’t get annoyed by such rudeness.

Then again, seeing him eat that fluffy cotton candy with such a pure, innocent expression, it was impossible to feel anything but warmth.

It was a realization he hadn’t consciously acknowledged before: he’d never once felt this way about another person. Instead, it was Kwak Sang, watching them from a distance, who wore an expression of profound bewilderment.

‘What the hell is going on here?’

When his boss started going on about cotton candy, he thought, “No way.”

‘But I never imagined he’d actually sit here waiting on a park bench like this.’

It was even strange to see his boss unauthorized copyunable to take his eyes off Lee Eunsol eating cotton candy. He knew he paid him unusual attention, but…

“When did you ever eat it?”

“In elementary school?”

“Who bought it for you?”

“My grandma… uh, I mean, just some neighborhood grandma?”

His stammering clearly showed he was dodging the question. Kwak Sang-ah recalled the details of his upbringing he’d researched.

Lee Eunsol’s parents were orphans. Even after marrying, they fought constantly, and that didn’t change after the child was born.

When the child turned eight, the parents finally divorced. The alpha father reportedly brought home other omegas and betas multiple times.

Sometimes he’d even leave strangers at home while he himself wandered outside.

‘Considering that upbringing, he’s surprisingly cheerful, must be naturally positive.’

Maybe that’s why his boss took a special interest in him.

By then, half the cotton candy remained. Lee Eunsol rolled some around his finger and offered it to Pyo Jaebeom.

“Here.”

“What?”

“Try some.”

“I’m fine.”

“I feel awkward eating alone, so please join me.”

“Huh?”

Despite his words, his boss frowned. Watching him bring the finger wrapped in cotton candy to his lips, Kwak Sang’s mouth fell open.

‘Wow… The chairman should have seen that.’

He probably would have clapped his hands in delight. Finally, Pyo Jaebeom is listening to others.

“How is it?”

Unaware that Kwak Sang was lost in his own thoughts, Eunsol asked Pyo Jaebeom for his opinion.

“It’s just like you.”

“Huh?”

Eunsol stared at Pyo Jaebeom, confused. Just moments ago he’d refused it, but now he smiled meaningfully, tore off a bite-sized piece of cotton candy, and brought it to his mouth.

“No. It’s more like your pheromones, I guess?”

Only then did he understand what he’d said.

‘What the hell.’

He muttered under his breath, but strangely, it felt like the cotton candy was stuck in his throat, leaving a ticklish sensation.

Eunsol absentmindedly tore off a large chunk of cotton candy and popped it into his mouth. Regardless of its size, ​stolen content​the sugar mass melted instantly and slid down his throat.

For some reason, it tasted sweeter than before.

•••

“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to check.”

Jaebeom idly flipped through the report Kwak Sang handed him. Roughly twenty pages densely packed with details about Lee Eunsol, whom he’d been diligently tracking down.

His past residences, family ties, schools attended, friendships, and recent whereabouts.

Though nothing seemed amiss, Jaebeom found himself unable to look away.

“No hidden siblings, right?”

“No. Lee Daebak’s partners who visited the house didn’t stay long either.”

“Hmm… Maybe he’s just messing with us?”

But having dealt with countless people over the years, he could tell. That wasn’t ​unauthorized copy​the gaze of someone lying.

Lee Eunsol didn’t seem the type to be that cunning either.

Just in case, Jaebeom had instructed Kwak Sang to gather information, and it didn’t deviate from his expectations. It seemed best to just ask him directly soon.

Just as Jaebeom reached a conclusion after days of pondering, Eunsol was having similar thoughts.

“They said he’s cold-blooded, no matter how smooth he acts on the surface.”

But the behavior Jaebeom had shown so far didn’t match the original protagonist’s persona in the drama. If he truly only wanted the baby, he wouldn’t have been so affectionate toward him.

“That much could pass as the protagonist’s lines. But asking me to go for walks, buying me cotton candy, that’s not how an alpha protagonist is supposed to act.”

If he’d only acted like this, would the omega protagonist have tried to escape every time?

“If I suddenly said, ‘I’ve transmigrated, and you too,’ you wouldn’t believe me.”

He’d be lucky if they didn’t suspect him of being insane. Already confined, they might assume it had driven him mad.

So what should he do?

“Since I don’t know the drama’s plot, pointing out contradictions won’t work.”

What approach would be typical in this situation? Eunsol gently stroked the fur of the cat perched on his lap, squinting his eyes.

“Hmm… What I know is related to actor Pyo Jaebeom.”

Having nurtured his fandom for so long, he knew a few things about the man named Pyo Jaebeom. His favorite foods and hobbies. What he did when he wasn’t filming, what kind of fashion he preferred, and so on.

“If I notice differences between his real self and his roles, might that help jog his memory bit by bit?”

When people harbor doubts, they tend to dwell on them, and that’s often how they uncover inconsistencies, right?

“Alright!”

After making up his mind, Eunsol tightened his grip slightly. Jongjong, who had been sitting quietly, tapped his arm with his tail.

“Ah, did that hurt? Sorry.”

Eunsol apologized immediately and withdrew his hand. Apparently displeased with that too, the cat came back to rub against his arm. Understanding ​stolen content​he wanted more petting, Eunsol smiled and gently moved his hand back. Come to think of it, this was another thing.

“I never heard him mention having a pet.”

He clearly remembered the interview where he’d said his schedule was too packed and he was never home, leaving no time for relationships, let alone caring for anything.

He’d even mentioned plants would be better if he ever did get a pet. So wouldn’t he find this sudden companion cat odd?

Eunsol’s gaze shifted to the cat, stretched out contentedly in his lap. If he had allergies or something, the difference would be more obvious, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

“Well… when something’s this cute, it’s easy to change your mind.”

For now, it’s better to start with the small things.

“Food, food sounds good.”

Since Bulgom has been handling meals lately, he’s barely lifted a finger. But he could just ask him to prepare things jaebeom used to like, or things he disliked.

Eunsol went into action immediately. First, he needed to find Bulgom, who was tidying up the house.

And soon, Bulgom looked bewildered by Eunsol’s question.

” You mean foods hyung-nim dislikes?”

He wondered why he’d ask such a thing.

“Yes. What does he dislike the most?”

“Hmm…”

He looked confused, he still pondered Eunsol’s question earnestly.

“He doesn’t seem to be picky about anything in particular.”

“Didn’t he say he avoids mushy things?”

“Huh? What exactly are you talking about?”

Eunsol recalled Pyo Jaebeom disliking soft textures. He asked because he remembered him specifically mentioning boiled eggplant wasn’t his favorite, but Bulgom looked completely clueless.

‘This is it!‘

Eunsol’s eyes sparkled as he found his first strategy.