Dirty Switch

When someone suddenly called his name and he turned his head without thinking—
Before he could even form the thought Who is it?, a powerful scent brushed past the tip of his nose. Joo Taehyun instinctively held his breath. He couldn’t move of his own will anymore. It felt like he wouldn’t be able to breathe again until that person called out to him once more.

What was that smell? No—that wasn’t even the right way to describe it. It wasn’t something that could be explained through scent alone. Was this what it would feel like if heat haze were to take form and wrap around your entire body?
Joo Taehyun’s skin prickled with goosebumps. He felt like someone had hit a pause button—his body frozen, unable to flinch. Even so, his thoughts were spinning in circles. Then suddenly, like a needle on a turntable halting mid-spin, everything stopped at one sharp point. Like a rebuke for not realizing sooner, a single word surged up his nerves and rang down his spine.
Alpha.

His instincts shouted: same kind.
That person was a trait holder too. An Alpha, just like him.
It was the first time in his life he’d ever met another trait holder.

“Hey, kid.”
“……”
“Joo Taehyun?”

Without meaning to, he swallowed hard.
His parents could dress him in luxurious clothes fit to impress even the Empress, and his siblings could block any shady people from approaching him at a party. But when it came to what happened between trait holders—no one could help him. This was something Joo Taehyun had to face alone.
He recalled something from a book he’d skimmed after learning he’d be attending this concert. There were a few other trait holders on the guest list, so he had read up on it, just in case.

Special Trait Basics for Elementary Students
Just a dozen or so years ago, trait holders had to take strong suppressants every day.
Because it was believed that completely blocking the release of pheromones and preventing the cycle from happening at all was the proper way to live. (By the way, the cycle that happens to Alphas is called a ‘Rut,’ and the one that happens to Omegas is called a ‘Heat’!)

But that put an enormous strain on trait holders' bodies. It’s not like they chose to be born with these special traits!
So scientists worked /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ hard to develop new medications.
Now, trait holders can freely choose injections or oral medications that suit their bodies. Their pheromone scents are allowed to flow naturally. Depending on the suppressant used and the person, even Beta friends might be able to smell trait holders’ unique pheromone scents.

So if you smell something sweet, sour, or unique from a trait holder friend, just remember, “Oh! That must be their unique pheromone scent!” and be a polite little friend by not making a fuss!
The book did say that some trait holders had pheromones strong enough for even Betas to notice.
But… he had never imagined that another Alpha’s scent could be this overpowering. Reeling from the aftertaste of something that seemed to mess with his very lungs and then slowly seeped away, Joo Taehyun suddenly realized—the scent reminded him of peaches.
That pale, round fruit… he hadn’t known it could feel this intense. Later, he would learn that when describing such a scent, the correct term was sensual.

“Hey. Are you okay? You look pale.”
“…No, I’m alright. Just got startled a little.”
Joo Taehyun quickly forced himself to breathe again. He hesitated—should he say this?—but in the end, he couldn’t let himself be remembered as some frozen idiot just because someone called his name.

“I’ve never met… another trait holder before. I mean, another Alpha.”
“Ahh.”
Fortunately, the man seemed to understand his confusion. His voice softened noticeably.

“Oh, right. They said you’ve been holed up at home.”
“…Yes.”
“I’ve heard my pheromones are pretty strong, even compared to other trait holders.”

Joo Taehyun cleared his throat and carefully raised his head.
It was a historic moment—his first meeting with someone like him, another Alpha. Come to think of it, this was also the first person at today’s concert to approach him first and speak to him.
He wanted to properly acknowledge that.

But the man was standing with his back to the lake, and Taehyun couldn’t see his face clearly.
Still, he could tell the man was taller and broader than his brothers. Yet he looked younger than his third brother… Judging by the silhouette, he seemed to be wearing a dopo robe. But wasn’t that an old-fashioned style? Not something someone young would wear…
“Oh my!”

“Look at that. My goodness.”
Suddenly, people began exclaiming around them in hushed awe.
The man who had been standing in front of Taehyun turned slightly toward the commotion.

“Ah, this is when it looks prettiest.”
The entire palace, including Chundangji Lake, lit up with lanterns.
Traditional instruments began playing warm, affectionate melodies in harmony. In the distance, the guards, changing shifts in perfect formation, moved their bodies in sync—and the long, colorful sleeves of their uniforms fluttered like dancing waves in the air.

It was still summer, so the sun hung faintly on the edge of the sky. The golden hour made the whole place shimmer as if someone had poured melted gold over it.
“I come to the palace more than most, but it still amazes me every time. Beautiful, isn’t it?”
The man had, without Taehyun noticing, stepped closer and was now standing comfortably beside him. The light reflected from the lake, the golden hue of sunset, the flicker of lanterns—all seemed to gather around and amplify his presence. Taehyun knew it was just the angle, the lighting, and the way the shadows fell, but still… it felt like the entire scene existed just for him.

He stared, entranced. Then remembered something.
A moment ago, this man had said something weird about his expression.
“Um, excuse me… earlier, you said something about my face. What did you mean?”

“Oh? Ah… it was a compliment. You’re still young, but you seem really good at controlling your expression.”
The man smiled and reached out his hand.
“I’m Seo Baekhan.”

Huh? Isn’t it usually “I’m so-and-so”?
Not “I’m Seo Baekhan.” The structure was odd.
Even though Joo Taehyun didn’t know anyone outside his family, he knew Seo Baekhan’s self-introduction wasn’t typical.

And yet, for some reason, it didn’t feel arrogant or affected at all. It was just… him.
In fact, Seo Baekhan was the very first name he had memorized from the guest list, even before the royal family.
Son of Special Assemblyman Seo Hongkyu and Gallery Director Ahn Yeseon. Nineteen years old this year.

His family had long been prominent figures in Pyongyang, and their influence extended across the entire northern region.
“You seriously don’t know me?”
Still unsure what to do, Taehyun just stared at the outstretched hand. Seo Baekhan looked almost offended and held his hand up closer to Taehyun’s face, urging him to take it.

“Really? You don’t know who I am?”
“……”
“I mean, I figured someone like you—if you’re that Joo Taehyun—you’d have memorized the guest list before coming here.”

“……”
“Didn’t you?”
“…I did.”

Another first: someone who introduced himself like that. Another first: someone who talked like that.
Seo Baekhan’s tone wasn’t rude—but from the beginning, he spoke as if his viewpoint was already the correct one. And the way he asked questions made it hard not to answer honestly, putting the conversational power entirely in his hands.
What if he hadn’t memorized the guest list? If he’d stumbled here without preparation, it might have looked like his family had failed to teach him properly. He could’ve been humiliated.

Why did he speak like that, when it could’ve led to such embarrassment?
And yet, it didn’t feel unpleasant. That blunt confidence somehow suited him perfectly. It was strange. A lot of things about him were strange.
He was only nineteen, but he wore a wide-sleeved dopo with a ceremonial sash over his chest—an outfit no teenager should’ve been able to pull off. But he made it look effortless.

It wasn’t even the kind of bright, vivid color minors usually wore. It was a refined, muted hue—like indigo ink thinned with black—almost dreary, if you wanted to be mean about it. Yet it only emphasized the brilliance of his sharp features and flawless skin. It looked like he’d been born wrapped in silk.
“So, Taehyun—are you really not gonna shake my hand and leave your hyung hanging like this?”