Aoto

“I’m back,” I announce, slipping off my shoes.

“Welcome back, Ao,” Mom calls from the living room.

I step into the cool, air-conditioned space, closing my eyes with a smile as the chill washes over me, a welcome escape from the relentless heat outside. Summers in Japan are unbearable, especially for someone like me, who despises hot weather.

“How was school today?” he asks.

“It was okay. We learned about secondary genders and stuff.” I shrug, feigning disinterest.

“Oh? Is that so?” Mom’s eyes light up, intrigued.

“Yeah. The teacher explained about Alphas, Betas, and Omegas, and how most people manifest their secondary gender around fourteen. He also talked about Alpha ruts and Omega heats, which sound… terrifying.” I shiver at the thought of spending several days a month overwhelmed by primal urges. “I really hope I’m a Beta,” I add, frowning.

Mom sighs, his face softening. “I hope so, too… As you know, your brother manifested as an Alpha, which was a relief.”

“Sota’s always been the perfect Alpha—tall, muscular, handsome, smart, and good at everything,” I say, picturing my older brother with a sense of admiration and pride.

Mom watches me for a moment, his gaze shifting, a shadow of worry flickering in his dark eyes. “Your brother takes after your father, but you… you take after me.” He hesitates, brows knitting. “As a rare male Omega, I know all too well the struggles that come with it. Omegas—especially males—are often treated as breeding objects, existing only for the sake of Alphas. If your father hadn’t saved me from my parents, I would have been thrown onto the streets, forced to sell my body just to survive.”

I gaze at him, the man who gave birth to me and my brother, as I absorb the weight of his words. In our world, society divides people into three main categories—Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. Alphas, both male and female, are at the top, especially the dominant ones—born leaders destined for success. They’re rare, though not as rare as Omegas, particularly male Omegas, who can get pregnant and give birth just like women. Unfortunately, Omegas are at the bottom, seen as little more than objects for Alphas, their lives often restricted and judged harshly. Then there are the Betas, who make up the majority and usually stay out of the Alpha-Omega dynamic entirely.

“What else did you learn?” Mom’s question pulls me from my thoughts.

“Pheromones,” I reply simply.

He chuckles. “Your father smells so good. So does your brother.”

I grimace, recalling my teacher’s explanation of Alpha and Omega pheromones. They release pheromones to attract one another, especially during ruts and heats, to encourage mating. The idea horrifies me; during those periods, they often lose control and don’t remember anything once it’s over. I can’t imagine being with someone like that and then forgetting them afterward. What if it’s a stranger? What if they’re abusive? What if they already have a partner, and the whole thing feels like cheating driven by biology? It’s so messed up that it bothers me even to think about it. Betas have it easy—they don’t emit pheromones and can’t smell them either. They’re just… normal.

“I’m back,” my fourteen-year-old brother yells from the entrance of the apartment.

Mom’s face lights up, clearly pleased to have both of us home.

“Hey, I want to introduce my boyfriend to you,” Sota announces, stepping into the room with a grin. Once he has our full attention, he gestures behind him, and a strikingly handsome boy steps forward. He has that unmistakable look of a Dominant Alpha—someone born with a golden spoon, destined for success.

“Hi. I’m Yu-jun Yoon. Nice to meet you,” the boy with blond hair—clearly dyed—and light hazel eyes says as he smiles and waves politely at Mom and me.

“Hello, Yu-jun. It’s nice to meet you, too. Thank you for taking care of my son,” Mom greets him warmly, standing up. His smile shines with approval as he takes in Sota’s romantic choice. “Sota can be a handful, but I’m sure you, as a Dominant Alpha, can handle him.”

Yu-jun looks a bit surprised and asks, “How did you know I’m a Dominant Alpha?”

I snort, unable to hold back. “Have you seen yourself in the mirror? I only learned about secondary genders today, but you’re the textbook example of a Dominant Alpha.”

Sota laughs. “My little brother’s right, Yu. You’re a classic Dominant Alpha.” He wraps an arm around Yu-jun’s shoulders, chuckling as he turns to Mom. “This handsome Korean-Japanese boy transferred to my school last week. It was love at first sight. I didn’t waste any time securing him for myself since the whole school is head over heels for him.”

Mom smiles, curious. “How old are you, Yu-jun?”

“I’m fourteen, Kikuchi-san.”

“And you’re half-Korean and half-Japanese?”

“Yes, ma’am. My mother is Japanese, and my father is Korean.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“I do. I have an older sister who’s eighteen and a younger sister who’s eleven.”

Mom claps his hands, delighted. “Oh! Your younger sister is close in age to Ao.” He glances at me briefly before turning back to Yu-jun. “Ao is twelve. Maybe they could become friends.”

I roll my eyes. “Mom, I already have enough friends. I don’t need you arranging playdates for me.” I feel someone’s gaze on me as I flop onto the sofa. Glancing up from my phone, I meet Yu-jun’s eyes, and his stare catches me off guard, making me blush.

Wow. He’s probably the most gorgeous person I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even think someone this perfect could exist. I wonder what his pheromones smell like… The thought startles me—I’ve never cared about pheromones before, let alone my brother’s boyfriend’s. How shameless am I? Pretty shameless, apparently.

“Hey, I know Yu’s handsome, but could you gawk at him a little less? You’re making him uncomfortable, Ao,” my brother scolds, shooting me a glare. “And he’s my boyfriend.”

I cross my arms and grumble, “Tch. So possessive. Sorry.”

Yu-jun chuckles. “It’s fine. I’m used to people staring.” He flashes me a dazzling smile, and my cheeks burn even more.

“But it bothers me when people ogle you so openly, even though it’s obvious you’re with me,” my brother pouts, tightening his hold on Yu-jun.

“Well, make yourself comfortable, Yu-jun. I’ll bring you iced tea and some snacks,” Mom says, pointing to the sofa.

Yu-jun nods and takes a seat as instructed, with my brother close behind him.

“Mom, can I have ice cream? It’s so hot today,” I call out toward the kitchen.

“There’s only chocolate left. Is that okay?” he replies.

I stick my tongue out and make a gagging sound. “No, thanks. I hate chocolate.”

“You hate chocolate?” Yu-jun’s eyes widen in disbelief. “I love chocolate.”

For a second, I get lost in his beautiful eyes before my self-consciousness jolts me back to reality. Looking away, I mumble, “Yeah, I just hate chocolate.”

“Aoto’s always hated chocolate,” my brother remarks, sitting beside Yu-jun and leaning his head on his shoulder. “He’s hated it ever since Dad first offered him some when he was two.”

“Why do you hate it? Is it the taste? The smell?” Yu-jun asks, his interest piqued.

“I don’t know. I just hate everything about it.” I shrug.

“But why? Chocolate is life,” he insists.

“Chill out, dude. I don’t have to like what you do just because you’re a Dominant Alpha,” I scoff.

“My secondary gender has nothing to do with the greatness of chocolate.” 

“Don’t mind Aoto, Yu. He’s always been weird,” my brother smirks, a teasing glint in his eyes. “I bet he’s an Omega, like Mom.”

“Is there something wrong with me being an Omega?” Mom snaps, suddenly appearing with a tray of drinks and snacks, which he sets on the coffee table. “Don’t get arrogant just because you’re an Alpha, Sota. You could learn a thing or two from your father about proper behavior.”

“Proper behavior? Dad got you pregnant when you were both eighteen, during your heat and his rut,” my brother counters, eyes flashing defiantly. “He even bit you and marked you against your will. You had to give up your dream of becoming an idol and marry him.”

“Sota, stop it,” Yu-jun interjects, visibly uncomfortable. “You shouldn’t speak to your mom like that.”

Mom presses his lips together and blinks back tears. “Everything you said is true, but your father has been a perfect partner since we married, and I couldn’t ask for a better husband. I don’t regret being his mate at all. There was a time I resented being an Omega, but now I’m grateful because otherwise, I wouldn’t have you and your brother.”

“You really should apologize,” Yu-jun suggests, frowning at Sota.

Looking ashamed, Sota lowers his voice. “I’m sorry, Mom. I love you.”

Mom smiles gently and ruffles his hair. “It’s all right. I’m going to work on my new painting for a bit. Excuse me.”

“Is your mom an artist?” Yu-jun asks my brother, looking impressed.

“Yeah. He mostly paints landscapes, though.”

“No wonder he’s so cool,” Yu-jun exclaims.

“But your parents are way cooler.”

“They aren’t as cool as you think,” Yu-jun retorts, his tone tinged with bitterness. “They’re always busy with the Yoon Group, all business, all the time. Our butler and nanny feel more like family to me than they do.”

I suddenly jump in my seat, wide-eyed and mouth agape. “Wait a minute. Did you say Yoon Group? The Yoon Group? One of the biggest conglomerates in Japan? The owner of the most prominent entertainment company and talent agency in the country? Not to mention the hotel and restaurant chains, as well as the electronics and clothing divisions.”

“Yes. My father is the chairman, and my mother is the vice-chairman,” he replies, a smile spreading across his face.

“Did you just realize that? How slow are you? Didn’t he introduce himself as Yu-jun Yoon?” Sota mocks me. “He’s the distinguished heir to the Yoon Group.”

I open my mouth to curse him, but the ringing of my smartphone interrupts me—it’s my childhood friend calling. I pick up the call and greet him with, “Hey, Kenzo.”

“Are you doing your homework?”

“No. Why?”

I rise to my feet and grab my backpack from the floor.

“Can you come over so we can do it together? Junko is coming too,” Kenzo says, sounding a bit pitiful and desperate. “I hate studying alone because it always feels like someone’s breathing down my neck.”

“Fine. I’ll let my mom know and be right there.”

“Thanks, Ao.”

“Just be careful not to get dragged away by ghosts,” I tease, laughing.

Kenzo ends the call in a flash, making me laugh even harder.

“Are you going to the second floor or the third?” My brother peeks at me.

“Why? What’s on the second and third floors?” Yu-jun asks, curiosity written all over his face.

My brother explains, “Aoto’s childhood friends live on the second and third floors of this building. Those brats have been inseparable since they were babies.”

“Yeah. Excuse me, but this brat here is going to the second floor to study with his brat friends. Sota, please tell Mom I’ll be back before dinner.” I salute the two Alphas as I head for the front door.

“You’re so rude. Say goodbye to my boyfriend,” my brother barks, but I deliberately ignore him. “You little prick,” is the last thing I hear before I close the door and walk toward the elevator.

“Yu-jun Yoon. I’d better stay away from him before I fall in love,” I mumble as I step into the elevator. “He’s like poison, waiting to be ingested by anyone fool enough to believe he’s harmless. Besides, he’s my brother’s first boyfriend and probably his first love; I could never betray him like that.” I shake my head, trying to dispel those thoughts and focus on the subjects that Kenzo, Junko, and I need to cover today. Who would have guessed that middle school at Tsukimitsu High sucks the students’ souls and ruins their lives with its grueling class schedule?

I’m definitely attending high school at Sora High, even if it means avoiding my brother and his boyfriend at all costs.

“Whatever. It’s not like Yu-jun is going to become my friend anyway. Wait a minute. Why am I thinking about that boy again? Shit,” I curse, scowling deeply. “Have I already started drinking his poison? Am I on my way to my downfall?”

* * *