The conference room, the largest of the temporary offices, was enveloped in an artificial silence. Even though there were a lot of people gathered there, not a single breath could be heard. Only complicated eyes were looking at each other.

Yoon Tae-oh was equally surprised, as he forgot to even flick the cigarette butt and just stood there, holding the burning cigarette butt in his fingers.

“...What are you talking about now?”

There was a brief silence as Yoon Tae-oh's voice broke the silence that had been growing heavier. Only when the cigarette butt caught between his fingers fell to the floor and his shoe stomped on the embers did the general secretary open his mouth again with a 'clap' sound.

“Even though I am not a traitor, how many times have I watched the representative’s rut? This time, it was not a situation that could be passed over with a tranquilizer.”

While speaking, he gently pulled Choi Hyun-jin’s wrist and brought her in front of Yoon Tae-oh. Then, he walked behind Choi Hyun-jin and placed both hands on her shoulders, making Yoon Tae-oh’s gaze be focused on Choi Hyun-jin.

“Director. So, are you saying that Choi Hyun-jin just entered the CEO’s rut location?”

Perhaps because I had heard such incredible words, my mouth was the first to open as soon as I heard the general secretary's story. At the same time, I had to pull Kang Seok-ho's sleeve without showing it, stopping him as he was about to run forward. It seems like this kid has a habit of solving things with his body.

“Isn’t it fortunate? That there was at least one person who cared so much for the CEO. Oh, if you include me, there would be two people? Anyway, it’s thanks to Choi Hyun-jin that the CEO is safe.”

Why didn't you become an actor? How can you boast about your false achievements with such a calm face and voice, without exaggerating or diminishing them? I think I need to learn something about this.

“There is no way that Choi Hyun-jin would have entered the CEO’s residence.”

“How can you be sure of that? Someone who was in Seoul.”

My fists clenched as I looked at the calmly smiling face of the general secretary. On the other hand, Choi Hyun-jin had her head down, so I couldn't see what kind of expression she was making.

“Because Team Leader Kang Seok-ho was guarding the accommodation.”

“I guess you were away for a moment. You weren’t there when I brought you here.”

“That’s right...!”

This old man's skills are not ordinary. He's a skill that pisses people off. I was furious and angry at him for lying so calmly in front of me, who knew the story of that day better than anyone else, but after locking eyes with Kang Seok-ho, who nodded slightly, I closed my mouth.

I fell into the trap of the general secretary. He is taking credit for something that I and Kang Seok-ho, who know the truth, can never refute. I feel like my insides are burning as ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) I try to swallow what I want to say.

“I don’t think that’s entirely wrong.”

The one who broke the silent standoff was Yoon Tae-oh. He stood up from his seat, pushed me away, and stood facing Choi Hyun-jin.

“Let me say it with your own mouth. Is what the general secretary said true?”

Even among Alphas, Yoon Tae-oh is unusually tall and well-built. Even for a Beta, Choi Hyun-jin has a delicate figure. Perhaps because of Yoon Tae-oh's voice, which sounded somewhat forceful, Choi Hyun-jin shrank even further and nodded her head occasionally.

“Say it out loud.”

Thanks to that, Yoon Tae-oh's voice became a little colder. He even turned his head crookedly and stared at Choi Hyun-jin's face. A "whoosh" came out of Choi Hyun-jin's mouth, and his head rose. I don't know what kind of determination he made alone, but I could tell the answer that would come out of his mouth just by looking at his expression.

“I... went in that day.”

I was a little nervous, but the clear voice... lied. Now I’m confused. I wonder if my memory is wrong. There’s no way Choi Hyun-jin would lie. In reality, he’s out of the question, and in this world, he’s definitely not someone who can lie so calmly. It’s more reasonable to believe that I have a wrong memory.

"okay?"

"...yes?"

Suddenly, the question was off. The one who answered was Choi Hyun-jin, but Yoon Tae-oh turned around and looked at me to confirm the facts.

“Why are you telling me that....”

“Don’t you think Secretary Kim knows best?”

What are you talking about all of a sudden? Your words without context made my already uncomfortable feelings even more complicated. I wondered if you knew anything about what you were saying.

“What do you mean, sir?”

Yoon Tae-oh walked toward me with a strange smile, as if he had no intention of answering my question. The distance between us was only a few steps, but in an instant, the distance between us became shorter, and the faint smell of cigarettes stimulated my sense of smell. Even though we were already close enough, Yoon Tae-oh did not stop and approached me. Eventually, our front legs touched each other, and a large hand wrapped around my waist.

“...What are you doing all of a sudden?”

There was no reason for me to do so, but I unconsciously protested in a small voice at the unexpected behavior. Naturally, since our heights were not right, I had to talk to Yoon Tae-oh's throat.

“Don’t you know best?”

He answered in a small voice, as if following me. However, the position where he let out his voice was not very good. As if he was trying to prevent anyone from hearing his voice, he tilted his head and opened his mouth near my ear. As he did so, I felt his hot, humid breath first.

“Oh, what kind of thing!”

In that heat, a memory came to mind. A man rushing at me in the darkness as if he was going to tear me apart. Between the wet and excited screams... ... the man’s voice. That came to mind and I pushed Yoon Tae-oh’s chest with all my might, but it was no use. Instead, he grabbed his waist with even more force and pulled him closer to me. Without even realizing that I was the only one recalling a certain scene.

“You’ve seen it the most, my body.”

Maybe it's because my head is filled with distracting thoughts, but even the voice that's whispering in my ear feels like it was from that day. It's probably just a joke that was said without any sense of the situation.

“So check. Is what I said true or a lie?”

But when I finally heard Yoon Tae-oh's voice whispering in my ear, I felt like the feeling I had just now wasn't an illusion. It was a command that made me feel cold, with all the smiles gone. He took his place in front of Choi Hyun-jin, where I had originally been standing, as if nothing had happened. When I finally turned my gaze, which had become free, I saw faces filled with shock looking at me.

The subject of the act was Yoon Tae-oh, so why are you looking at me?

“Phew....”

But the good news is that my head may not be that stupid. Judging from the fact that I quickly figured out what Yoon Tae-oh meant by what he said, my uncomfortable mind that seemed to be being dragged along by the atmosphere created by the general secretary without me knowing felt much better.

Yoon Tae-oh is right.

“You know that I am the secretary who serves you closest, sir.”

So I know.

“It’s not that I don’t trust Hyunjin Choi, but wouldn’t it be better to be certain?”

“Keep going, Team Leader Baek.”

The general secretary is pretending to be relaxed, but he probably doesn't know exactly. This isn't something that just anyone can know.

“The representative has a physical characteristic. If you had sent Rut with him, you would have known.”

Although I was confident, I looked at Yoon Tae-oh to make sure I asked the right question. Fortunately, our eyes met and he smiled faintly and said that it was the right answer. So I continued speaking with a little more confidence.

“Representative, your nipples....”

“Secretary Baek!”

But as soon as I opened my mouth, I had to close it immediately because of Yoon Tae-oh's scream.

Why, what? Isn't this it?

Looking at Yoon Tae-oh shaking his head quickly, it doesn't seem to be this.

“Representative’s nipples....”

"stop."

I changed the word because I thought he didn't like the word nipple, but why...? Looking at Yoon Tae-oh's face, who seems to be trying to chew me to death at any moment, I think it's not the nipple. What else is there... Ah!

“Oh, I’m sorry. There’s a peculiar scar on your body, sir. If you’d sent me to Rut, you’d know what it is.”

It seems to be the first time. I met eyes with Choi Hyun-jin who entered the room. I entered Yoon Tae-oh's rut place with a rather confident attitude. The man who had been lying was no longer there. Every time I opened my mouth, his expression quickly collapsed. Even in this situation, it was so ruined that I felt sorry.

But this time, I can't just let it go. Choi Hyun-jin crossed the line first. No matter what I do, Choi Hyun-jin and Yoon Tae-oh could end up together. Even if that happens, I can't just let it go this time.

“You don’t know, right?”

Even though it is only a memory of one night that I remember alone,

Even if it's just a secret you can't tell anyone.

Because that day is definitely a memory that existed and is also a recollection.

It is my time that cannot be taken away by others who have not experienced any suffering or conflict.

"that is...."

Choi Hyun-jin opened her mouth. It couldn't be, but her eyes seemed filled with sadness.

This time too... it was my victory. No, it was such a relieved moment.

“Arm, please. Left.”

Choi Hyun-jin said the correct answer.