IRLPLBIO Chapter 8 Part 1

Chapter 8 #2. What’s wrong with secondary gender? (3)

So, this was the ‘manifestation’ Kwang-cheol mentioned last time.

Even without knowing for sure, Jae-gu had a vague sense of it. The textbook explained it ambiguously, but to put it bluntly, depending on which secondary gender manifested, even a male could have a different body part and become pregnant.

In his previous life, Jae-gu had never heard of people being Alphas or Omegas. No matter how ignorant and reckless he had been, he couldn’t have lived without knowing such a universal distinction, as common as distinguishing between men and women.

So, this world was slightly different from Jae-gu’s past and future. He hadn’t just rewound time and come back to the past.

Hae-jun’s voice interrupted Jae-gu, who was about to sink into contemplation.

“I knew it. I knew you’d look at that first. It’s always the kids who are bad at studying who dig most eagerly into the ‘gender’ part.”

“…Shut up for a bit.”

“Oh my, yes, yes. My humble self has interrupted your studies~”

Hae-jun grumbled, then picked up his math textbook and began solving practice problems.

Joo Hae-jun, that bastard definitely died because he was so cheeky.

Jae-gu, grinding his teeth, refocused on the textbook. A few lines of explanation weren’t enough, so he flipped back and forth, looking for additional details. He even thought that if Kwang-cheol manifested as an Omega, he would definitely keep him close.

Time passed quickly. Despite carrying many books, Jae-gu spent the entire time looking at only one science textbook.

“Hyung? Shall we get going now?”

Kwang-cheol’s tone was gentle and soft. Even Hae-jun, who always mocked Jae-gu for speaking Seoul dialect, couldn’t do that to Kwang-cheol. Instead, he would soften up as if he’d caught Kwang-cheol’s way of speaking. Hae-jun’s argument was that in front of Kwang-cheol’s handsome, smiling face, he couldn’t even think of saying anything foolish.

As Jae-gu mused over Kwang-cheol’s tone, he suddenly remembered what he had just read in the textbook. It clearly stated, ‘Even if male, an Omega can become pregnant.’

The thought of other men clutching their pregnant bellies made him feel sick, but with Kwang-cheol, it felt alright. He imagined Kwang-cheol would treat a child with tenderness and gentleness.

He wasn’t imagining middle schooler Kwang-cheol. Jae-gu was recalling the adult Kwang-cheol, who was still more familiar to him. If it was Kwang-cheol, who had always quietly watched over and supported him from behind, he wouldn’t feel too unfamiliar even after manifesting as an Omega.

It was a thought that would have made Kwang-cheol laugh in disbelief, but Jae-gu was quite serious. He was so engrossed in elaborating on this idea that he didn’t even notice Kwang-cheol’s lingering caress on his shoulder and arm.

Hae-jun glanced their way for a moment, then turned his head with a light whistle. When it mattered, Hae-jun was quite perceptive.

Jae-gu thought it was about time to leave, but unexpectedly, he shook his head at Kwang-cheol’s suggestion.

“Uh… I haven’t finished this yet… Do you want to go first?”

“…It would be nice if Hyung came with me. We could have dinner together too.”

Kwang-cheol subtly lowered his gaze.

Jae-gu gasped for a moment. He had only thought Kwang-cheol was remarkably handsome and well-defined for his young age, but when he showed a hint of weakness, he looked surprisingly beautiful.

Perhaps this is why they say there’s only a fine line between being handsome and being beautiful.

Jae-gu’s reply was delayed as he thought blankly. Perhaps taking it as a refusal, Kwang-cheol withdrew his words first.

Jae-gu didn’t notice Kwang-cheol conspicuously swallowing a sigh, but Hae-jun did, blinking at Jae-gu to signal him. Unfortunately, Jae-gu was a bit too clueless to understand that gesture.

“…Alright. Then I’ll go first. I have someone I need to meet today, so I have to leave… Hyung, make sure to contact me when you come later. Okay?”

Kwang-cheol held up his mobile phone first. It was one that Jae-gu had somewhat forcibly obtained from Han Seong-cheol and given to him.

It’s not extortion if you’re taking it from a guy like Han Seong-cheol, so it’s fine.

Jae-gu smiled proudly and nodded vigorously. However, as if still not reassured, Kwang-cheol impressed upon Hae-jun once more.

“Hae-jun Hyung, please take good care of our Hyung.”

“Huh? Oh, of course. Who else would look after that idiot if not me?”

“Oh, right, your number, Hyung.”

“Sure, I’ll punch it in for you!”

Hae-jun firmly typed his number into Kwang-cheol’s mobile phone. He even entered the name ‘Joo Hae-jun Hyung’ himself.

Kwang-cheol just kept smiling the entire time Hae-jun’s hands were moving. His intention to get updates through Hae-jun instead of Jae-gu, who barely looked at his mobile phone, was blatant.

Yet, Hae-jun didn’t mind at all. As someone who liked people and enjoyed talking, he found Kwang-cheol, who at least outwardly smiled, easier to deal with than Jae-gu, who would raise his fists first.

“Make sure to contact me,” Kwang-cheol repeated for the last time. Jae-gu waved goodbye to him, then looked at Hae-jun.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“You’re always trying to send me away!”

“Just go.”

“No, I’m not going. You telling me to go makes me want to stay even more.”

Hae-jun abruptly plopped down at his seat. He was clearly determined to resist.

It wasn’t worth the effort of using force to make him leave, so Jae-gu let him be. Soon, Hae-jun fell asleep. He was truly an unbelievable guy.

By the time Jae-gu got up, an announcement had been made that the library was about to close. He considered leaving the unhelpful Hae-jun, but then decided to wake him up, as he was one of his few friends. Perhaps his heart had softened a bit, feeling proud and tired from studying for the first time in a while.

“Wake up, quickly.”

“Huh? Um… gotta go. Ugh…”

Still groggy, Hae-jun mumbled nonsense, then checked his mobile phone first. A student who was supposed to be studying was looking at his mobile phone before his books—Jae-gu thought he had pretty much won their bet on grades.

Hae-jun’s head tilted as he looked at his mobile phone.

“What’s this?”

Hae-jun abruptly thrust the mobile phone screen in front of Jae-gu’s nose. Then, without giving Jae-gu time to read the content, he asked.

“Are you close with the transfer student?”

“Of course not.”