He wasn't supposed to be here.

That was the first thing Minjun thought when Jiyoon slid into the seat next to him at the cafe. She was grinning like she had already done him a favor.

"Group project" she said sweetly, too much so.

She set her iced americano on the table and had way too much enthusiasm. "You said you needed credits."

True, he had said that, yes. But he hadn't seen this coming.

"Who's in the group?" Minjun asked simply. But he was already suspicious and mentally preparing for the worst possibility.

"Me. Jaemin. Hwan and.. Kangdae."

And just like that, he knew she played him.

It wasn't that Minjun disliked Kangdae. That would require something stronger than what he was feeling. He just didn't know what it was exactly, only that it was a bit confusing.

Kangdae was.. too much, way too much and he was always just there. He was too warm, too observant. He was  always friendly in a way that makes other people lean in. 

The Campus Beta, they called him.

But for some reason Minjun would always feel Kangdae's eyes on him, not in an obvious way and not enough to be accused of anything. But sometimes when he would look up, he would find Kangdae already looking.

It didn't make Minjun uncomfortable, even if it is a bit weird sometimes.

They started meeting on Tuesday and Friday evenings, at the university library. Hwan brought snacks.

Jiyoon brought chaos. Jaemin was caught in the middle of the two. And Kangdae. Well.

He sat next to Minjun.

Not close. Not far. Just within range where he could feel Kangdae's arm right next to his own. Or his voice would brush against Minjun's skin when he said something. Which wouldn't bother Minjun any other day but today it was a lot.

"Minjun, what do you think about this angle?"

"Minjun, are you free Saturday to meet again?"

"Minjun, you haven't spoken in twenty minutes, are you planning the best way to get rid of me or are you just tired?"

That one got a snort out of Jiyoon.

Minjun didn't laugh, didn't look at him either.

Not because he was uncomfortable. But because lately, something had been bothering him. He couldn't quite explain it. He had lived most of his life on suppressants. He knew how to lock down his own scent. How to best ignore the pheromones others gave off.

But even suppressed, even muffled, something in him had started reacting to Kangdae. Not the way an Omega was supposed to react. No flushed cheeks and trembling limbs. More cautious.

It was Friday evening when it happened.

Both of them were staying late to finish the research section of the project, just the two of them, because Hwan had a meeting, Jaemin had to got to work, and Jiyoon was being delusional, as always.

The library had thinned out.

Minjun was rubbing at his temples, forcing himself to focus on the screen in front of him. Kangdae was right next to him again, typing something. 

Their shoulders brushed once. Twice. 

And Minjun was about to move his chair and then it hit him. It was subtle. Faint. But unmistakable.

The scent.

Not just any scent, Kangdae's.. not the neutral ones that most Betas gave off. This was more. Different.

'That's not a Beta.' he thought, as it hit him. 'An Omega? No. That's definitely an Alpha.’

Nothing sharp or overpowering but warm. Not aggressive. Not strong. Not in a way that most Alphas gave off. He just froze in place. 'Is it coming from him?' Minjun always believed that Kangdae was a Beta.

Very carefully, lifting his gaze slowly, Minjun turned toward him. Kangdae was still typing. His expression hadn't changed. But the moment Minjun looked at him, his fingers slowed. Even for just a second.

'Is he really an Alpha? But why is are his pheromones so weak? Is he regressive?' He could almost feel his thoughts about to spiral out of control- And then Kangdae's eyes caught his. "You like it?"

"What?!" Minjun's body tensed at his voice, hands fisting on each side of his laptop and his thought's were still buzzing at the back of his head.

"That's the longest you've ever looked at my face without getting annoyed."

"I don't- I'm not-"

"It's fine." Kangdae closed his laptop and casually leaned in on his elbow over the table now. "I like it when your eyes are on me."

Minjun left earlier than planned that night or more like, ran off. Didn't give an excuse. Just gathered his things, said he had an early morning and walked out into the campus quad.

His mind was racing the entire way home.

'Why the hell is he hiding it? But it's not like I ever asked him. Maybe he wasn't trying to hide?' There were plenty of reasons. Personal ones. Societal ones. He wasn't naive enough to believe every Alpha wanted the attention that came with it.

But Kangdae. Kangdae had been close. Around him.

Around Jiyoon, his friends. If he wasn't on suppressants or- No. He wouldn't think about that. Not now.

He curled up on his bed later, phone screen dimmed in his hand, unread messages blinking at him. All from Jiyoon. Of course.

How did the library session go? / He didn't flirt too much, did he? / I know you think he's cute, Min. / You should stop being weird about him, btw. / You know he's a Beta, right?

Minjun didn't write back.

Because Kangdae wasn't.

And he had no idea what to do with that.