Aoto

“I don’t know him. I don’t know him. I don’t know him,” I repeat in my head as I make my way to the table where Junko and Kenzo are already seated. I can feel the stupid Alpha’s eyes lingering on me, as well as everyone else’s in the bar. To say I’m shocked and uncomfortable by this turn of events is an understatement.

“Ao, sit here.” Kenzo pats the empty chair beside him. “Why were you standing in the middle of the bar like that?”

I flop down onto the seat, eager to vanish from a certain Alpha’s view and escape his heavy gaze, which, by the way, I know is still glued to me. The whispers from envious nearby students make it painfully clear—the most popular guy on campus just spoke to me directly… and even invited me to sit with him and his elite circle.

“You’re Aoto Kikuchi from the art department, right? I’m Hana Yoshida, also a freshman from the art department,” says a beautiful girl with curly black hair and dark eyes, waving at me with a bright smile. “It’s nice to see a familiar face here.”

“She’s my sister, so please take care of her,” one of the male students at the table adds, lowering his head in a polite gesture. “I’m Arata, by the way. Third-year, business department. Nice to meet you.”

Junko, seated next to him, throws an arm around his neck and grins. “Kenzo, he, and I have been close since our first day at Elite Chikara.”

“Okay. It’s nice to meet you both. I’m Aoto Kikuchi.” I introduce myself politely, careful not to sound too warm—no reason to give them an opening to get too close.

Kenzo laughs and, as if reading my mind, states, “You don’t have to be so guarded because they’re Omegas like you, and they’re good people. They won’t cross any lines. Junko and I vouch for them.” He winks.

“Hey, is that Yu-jun Yoon and Sota?” Junko suddenly whispers, discreetly pointing toward the table where the elite Alphas are sitting. “Shit. What are they doing here?” She glances at me with wide eyes. “Sorry, Ao. I swear I didn’t know they were coming.”

I shrug, trying to mask the nervousness, anger, and jealousy bubbling beneath my skin. I refuse to let that stupid Alpha’s presence ruin this moment. I’m finally getting a break—no streaming, no twin duties. Just a night out with my friends. Yu-jun and my brother can go to hell for all I care.

No. I take that back. I love my brother. He doesn’t deserve to go to hell with that bastard.

“Didn’t you see Yu-jun invite Aoto-kun to sit with him?” Hana asks Junko before turning to me. “How do you know that Greek God? Is he your friend? Do you know the rest of the elite group too? Can you introduce me to them?” she asks, eyes shining with excitement.

“The one sitting next to Yu-jun is Ao’s older brother,” Kenzo explains.

“Yu-jun’s boyfriend is your brother?” Hana and Arata gasp in unison, both staring at me in shock.

“Yeah,” I reply, forcing a smile. “That’s why I know Yu-jun.”

Also, he’s my buns’ papa, but that’s a secret that will die with me.

“You’re so lucky. I’m jealous of you, Aoto-kun,” Hana remarks, practically wiggling in her seat. “You’re beautiful, your brother’s one of the campus faces, and your brother-in-law is an Alpha Greek God. I wish I were you.”

I make a dismissive gesture with my left hand and let out an awkward laugh. “Not at all. You should be jealous of my brother, not me.”

Kenzo elbows me, then mutters with a smirk, “Hey, is it just me or is Yu-jun watching you like I watch my food spinning in the microwave? You know—hungry, impatient, ready to devour.”

A groan slips out. “Don’t even mention it. I’m already too overwhelmed just being in the same space as him and my brother. I don’t have the headspace to analyze why that bastard keeps staring at me.”

“Shouldn’t you at least say hi to Sota? He’s looking at you with that upset expression,” Kenzo points out, his voice low so only I can hear. “I get that you don’t want to witness their lovey-dovey vibe, but won’t it be weird if you completely ignore them? They know you saw them.”

I close my eyes for a brief moment and sigh, debating whether to get it over with and greet them, or pretend I didn’t notice them, which would be ridiculous, considering they absolutely know I did.

“Just go there, say a quick hello, and come back here,” Kenzo suggests, giving me a thumbs up.

I let out another deep sigh before rising to my feet and marching toward the Elite Alphas, my heart pounding in my chest and my hands trembling slightly.

“Ao, where are you going?” I hear Junko yell, but I don’t look back—I’m afraid that if I do, I’ll end up returning to my friends and ignoring my brother and the stupid Alpha altogether.

Stopping in front of the table from hell and ignoring the curious stares from students, my lips twitch into a forced smile as I raise a hand in a wave. “Hey, Sota. I didn’t know you were coming here today.”

Frowning, my brother asks, “Why are you here? Do Mom and Dad know you’re here?”

I nod, still wearing the same fake smile.

“Aoto,” Yu-jun says, his eyes locked on me. “Why did you ignore me when I invited you to sit with us?” His expression is unreadable, and his voice is laced with… irritation? Anger? Frustration? I can’t quite tell.

I shrug. “I didn’t recognize you and Sota at first because I was too excited to hang out with my friends,” I lie, completely guilt-free.

“That doesn’t make sense, but whatever. Come, sit here.” Yu-jun gestures to the chair beside him.

“No, thanks. I’m going back to my friends.”

“Why is your brother so rude, Sota? Is it because he is an Omega?” A guy I don’t know with dark blue hair and dark blue eyes smirks at my brother.

Without thinking twice, I snap, “I’d rather be a rude Omega than an asshole Alpha like you.”

The Alphas at the table gape at me in stunned silence for a moment before bursting into laughter, their mocking turning toward the guy who made the rude comment.

“Come here, Aoto.” Yu-jun stands up and grabs my wrist, pulling me toward the seat beside him. “You wouldn’t just leave your brother after saying hi, would you? You know how protective he is. He won’t relax knowing you are sitting at another table, surrounded by people waiting for the right moment to pounce on you.”

I glance at Sota, who purses his lips and looks away.

Is he bothered that Yu-jun is holding my wrist? Is he jealous of me?

I hesitate, my eyes narrowing as I turn to face Yu-jun.

“What is it? You don’t want to sit with us?” the stupid Alpha scoffs, pulling harder and forcing me into the seat, my butt landing with a painful thud.

“Ouch! My butt, you son of a bitch,” I curse, glaring daggers at my buns’ papa.

Again, the Elite Alphas erupt in laughter, pointing fingers at Yu-jun while mocking him.

“You’re hilarious, Aoto-kun,” a gorgeous young woman with long white hair and hazel eyes tells me, smiling warmly. “Hi. I’m Min-ji Kim, Sota and Yu-jun’s friend. I heard you’re a video-game streamer, right? I enjoy playing too and would love to join you sometime.”

My face lights up. Finally, someone normal. “Really? That would be awesome. I usually play Universe of War with my two best friends. When I’m streaming, my viewers join in for quests and dungeons too.”

“Oh my gosh! I love Universe of War. What role do you play? I’m a tank.”

“I’m usually a healer,” I reply, our instant connection catching me off guard in the best way possible, as I never expected to have something in common with who I assume is a rich, popular, and powerful Alpha from Yu-jun’s elite circle.

“What’s your character’s name? Let’s add each other on Lime and swap numbers too.”

I nod, already grabbing my phone.

As Min-ji gives me her number and we exchange a quick message on Lime to confirm, someone grips my wrist painfully, making me jerk my head up and hiss, “Who is holding me?”

“Am I hurting you? I’m sorry.” Yu-jun immediately lets go, guilt flashing in his eyes. “Why are you willing to give your number to Min-ji, but never to me? We have known each other for years.”

With my expression flat, I ask, “Did you ever ask for it? Were you ever interested in adding me on Lime?”

He says nothing.

“No? Then why would I go out of my way to give my brother’s boyfriend my number when we’re not even close?” I arch an eyebrow, my eyes gleaming with defiance.

“Why are you such a brat? You’re just an Omega, yet you dare to act like this surrounded by the best Alphas in Asia?” sneers the same psycho Alpha from before, his arrogant expression pissing me off beyond belief.

“Don’t call my brother a brat,” Sota snarls, pointing his chopsticks at the guy threateningly. “You’re the one humiliating him.”

“What’s your problem with me, jackass? I don’t even know you,” I growl, ready to toss the nearest drink at his face.

Unfazed, the psycho smirks, “I’m Riku Akabane. We met years ago at your high school graduation party at a restaurant. Sota was there too.”

“I don’t remember, and I don’t want to. Just leave me alone.”

“I’m Samuel Davis, by the way. I have been looking forward to meeting you,” says a handsome blond guy with grey eyes.

“And I’m Eiji Akagi,” adds a breathtaking young man with dark brown hair and light blue eyes. “I am Yu-jun’s childhood best friend and roommate. I’ve seen you around, but I don’t think we have officially met.” His friendly smile makes me feel oddly safe… 

Not that I care about being on good terms with Yu-jun’s friend or anything. Nope. Definitely not.

“That’s enough. Leave Aoto alone.” Yu-jun wraps an arm around my shoulders, and as he does, a familiar, delicious, and overpowering scent of lemon and lavender wafts toward me, waking something inside me I’d rather leave dormant.

I shift in my seat, my cheeks burning and my lower body reacting to his damn pheromones, making me feel way too uncomfortable.

“Aoto-kun, what’s your streaming name? Do your friends also stream with you?” Min-ji asks, pushing a glass of beer toward me on the table.

Yu-jun snatches the drink away. “Aoto isn’t old enough to drink alcohol, Min-ji. He is only twenty.”

I pout, “Tch. Don’t treat me like a kid.”

“What would you like to drink and eat, then? I’m sorry, but alcohol is out of the question; otherwise, Sota will kill me if I let you have any.” Yu-jun offers me a beautiful smile, his light hazel eyes and perfect features bringing the twins to my mind.

Gaku and Genkei really are Yu-jun’s offspring.

“Do they have water with lemon?” I ask, flipping through the menu. My stomach growls loudly as I spot something on the page, my eyes widening. “Lemon fried chicken? What? How have I never had this before? I want five of them, please.”

I hear Yu-jun chuckle before he calls a waiter, who rushes over with the most seductive and flirtatious smile.

“What would you like to order, sir?”

“Water with lemon and five lemon fried chickens,” Yu-jun responds dryly.

“I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t serve water with lemon,” the waiter replies, sounding apologetic.

“I want water with lemon and five lemon fried chickens,” Yu-jun repeats, his tone more authoritative this time.

The waiter flinches and takes a step back. “Yes, sir.” He turns and walks away.

“Aoto-kun, you haven’t told me your and your friends’ streaming names yet,” Min-ji reminds me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. My streaming ID is AoLemLav—with capital A and capital Ls. My friends Junko and Kenzo go by BetaFishh, with a capital B, capital F, and two h’s at the end, and GhostHunter123, with capital G and capital H,” I reply.  “We stream on the Snitch platform.”

“Thank you. I will create a streaming account and ID on the same platform as yours tonight so we can game and stream together,” Min-ji says.

Yu-jun’s pheromones intensify, wrapping around me like a warm mist.

Samuel cringes and covers his nose. “Yu-jun, can you stop marking Aoto-kun with your pheromones? Are you trying to claim him as your Omega?”

Riku’s lips curl into a sly smile. “What about Sota’s rut? I thought you wanted to spend his rut with him, but now you’re marking his brother?”

My body tenses the moment “Sota’s rut” reaches my ears.

I finally understand why Yu-jun is at this gathering today. Of course, it’s because of Sota.

If they’re spending my brother’s rut together, it can only mean two things—the campus rumors aren’t just rumors, and they still love each other.

Suddenly, my twins’ faces flash in my mind, followed by the sharp ache of knowing they’ll never meet their papa. And if they ever do... it will be because of his relationship with Sota. That means Yu-jun will be their uncle.

Which sucks a lot.

* * *