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

Hajun’s friends had come over to your house while you were upstairs asleep after hours of studying.

Your mother, Mijin, welcomed them warmly at the door, only for Hajun to make a careless comment that immediately earned him a smack to the back of his head.

“Ah—Mom! Okay, okay, I’m sorry!” he groaned dramatically.

Jaegyeon burst into laughter while Taesoo and Jichang chuckled under their breath.

Only James Lee remained quiet.

Standing lazily with a strawberry Chupa Chups resting in his mouth, he silently observed through half-lidded eyes. Calm. Detached. Difficult to read.

The group eventually settled into the living room. A few minutes later, Mijin returned carrying snacks and drinks for everyone.

“So where’s your brother?” Jaegyeon asked casually.

Hajun scoffed immediately. “Probably sleeping after acting like some overworked genius again.”

The others snickered softly.

They had never actually met you before. Everything they knew came from Hajun endlessly calling you annoying, arrogant, or “less handsome” than him whenever your name came up.

Everyone except James Lee, who simply listened in silence.

Then Mijin sighed while setting down the tray.

“Jihyun got suspended recently,” she admitted.

The room paused briefly.

Then Hajun laughed loudly. “Seriously? Him? What happened to the genius act?” He grinned mockingly at his friends. “This is good news. We should celebrate it.”

Jichang frowned slightly while Taesoo and Jaegyeon looked away awkwardly.

James Lee quietly exhaled smoke into the air, his expression unchanged.

Mijin’s patience visibly thinned. “You shouldn’t talk about your younger brother like that. You should try understanding him instead.”

Hajun scoffed.

“Understand him?” he snapped sharply. “He’s nothing but a burden. Ever since we were kids, he’s been a pain in the ass.”

His jaw tightened before he muttered bitterly—

“He seriously feels like a mistake sometimes.”