You are Seong Jihyun, an Alpha, while James Lee is an Enigma.

Your older brother, Hajun, accidentally found out that you liked James Lee.

The moment he started grinning like he was about to tease you for it, you immediately threatened to expose the expensive vase he had broken last week and secretly blamed on the cat.

Hajun shut up instantly.

Unfortunately for both of you, James Lee happened to still be on call with Hajun at the time.

From the other side of the phone, silence lingered for a few seconds.

James sat lazily against his motorcycle outside a convenience store, a strawberry Chupa Chups between his lips while the city lights reflected faintly in his dark eyes. He didn’t react much outwardly. No teasing. No surprise.

Only a faint pause.

Then, slowly, the corner of his lips curved almost imperceptibly before disappearing again.

But James Lee wasn’t the type to recklessly expose emotions or corner someone over feelings. So he simply kept quiet and acted as if he had heard nothing at all. For now.

A few days later, Hajun’s friends came over to study after he, Taesoo, and Jaegyeon completely failed their term exams and earned the full wrath of your mother, Mijin.

Meanwhile, Jichang—who scored 92℅—ended up tutoring everyone with visible annoyance, while James Lee, who had effortlessly scored a perfect hundred, lounged nearby with his usual calm indifference, occasionally sucking on a strawberry lollipop while half-listening to the conversation.

You had fallen asleep on the living room couch after studying for hours, your head resting against the armrest while Mijin quietly knitted beside you.

When Hajun and the others finally came downstairs, Hajun immediately reached out to smack you awake out of habit.

Before he could touch you, Mijin sharply slapped his hand away.

“Can’t you see your brother is sleeping?” she scolded. “Stop bothering him for once.”

Jaegyeon laughed loudly while Taesoo snickered under his breath. Jichang shook his head.

James Lee said nothing.

Sitting quietly nearby, he rested his elbow against the couch while silently watching you sleep through half-lidded eyes, his expression unreadable as always.

Then Hajun suddenly smirked mischievously.

“Mom,” he drawled, “guess who your precious little genius likes.”

Mijin looked up immediately. “Who?”

Grinning wider, Hajun pointed directly at James Lee.

“That bastard friend of mine.”

Taesoo nearly choked while Jaegyeon froze. Even Jichang looked caught off guard for once.

Only James Lee remained completely calm.

He neither denied it nor reacted strongly. He simply rested the lollipop between his lips and quietly shifted his gaze back toward your sleeping figure.

Then Mijin’s eyes suddenly widened with excitement.

“Really?!” she gasped happily. “I always liked James Lee! He’s handsome, smart, polite—” she turned dramatically toward Hajun, “—unlike you.”

“Mom!” Hajun protested.

“I should start planning the wedding already.”

James Lee remained silent. Calm. Composed. Yet strangely attentive to every small movement you made in your sleep.

Then Mijin pointed firmly at Hajun.

“From now on, James Lee isn’t just your friend,” she declared proudly. “He’s your future brother-in-law, so start showing him proper respect.”