Pig Government Official

-1-

In summer, sometimes the evening sky is a mix of blue and pink. At those times, people take out their phones to capture photos, commemorating the beautiful sight. However, when Jeonggwan sees the pink and blue sky, he gets inspired and goes to the supermarket. To buy a Joybar.

When white snow falls, people play carols and excitedly wait for the year-end and Christmas. Jeonggwan gets excited too. Winter. Winter is when the streets are lined with fish-shaped bread and roasted sweet potatoes, and it’s happiness to watch movies while eating a box of tangerines and steamed buns under a warm blanket.

Jeonggwan, who is more serious about eating than anyone else, even had a food-related conception dream. Jeonggwan’s mother dreamt of hugging and eating handfuls of chocolate, candy, and pudding that she usually didn’t care for, and then she became pregnant with Jeonggwan. So, from the beginning, Jeonggwan was inseparable from food, which is probably why he was always chubby since childhood.

Jeonggwan was the youngest with three older brothers. His brothers were born with the “naturally skinny” gene and never gained weight, but Jeonggwan was plump, proving that the saying “the youngest gets all the love” wasn’t entirely wrong.

Moreover, Jeonggwan was the only omega in the family. All his siblings were betas, as were his parents. Everyone was surprised by this unexpected omega, but since Jeonggwan’s great-grandmother on his father’s side was an omega, they thought he might have inherited those genes.

Being an omega, Jeonggwan was particularly small, white, and round, which often led to teasing from other kids. Whenever this happened, he’d come home crying and refuse to eat, which immediately set his brothers on edge. They’d scour the neighborhood, threatening anyone who dared to tease Jeonggwan, making him a forcibly beloved figure among the children. While adults might say “don’t fight and get along,” children will be children, but why didn’t they tease Jeonggwan because of those brothers?

The three brothers, each two years apart, were famous fighters in the neighborhood.

The eldest, Kim Jeonghyun, was a current national youth boxing coach who had reportedly knocked out the local boxing gym owner when he was in high school.

The second, Kim Jeongwon, was a logical genius who had never lost an argument, graduated top of his class in Chemical Engineering from Korea University, and was now working as a researcher.

The third, Kim Jeongyun, was only two years older than Jeonggwan and the only one who attended the same middle and high school as him. He was truly legendary. There were rumors of him winning fights against 17 people at once, people claiming they saw him flying when he kicked, and others saying his punches and kicks were too fast to see. While these were likely exaggerated children’s tales, it was true that many kids didn’t mess with Jeonggwan because of his third brother. Being at the center of these rumors, there was much talk about the third brother joining some dark organization and becoming an action leader or right-hand man. In reality, Jeonggwan’s third brother had joined a security company and was working as a bodyguard.

Either way, thanks to his brothers, Jeonggwan was able to go through school without being bullied. Moreover, the more his male peers got to know him, the cuter they found him. Jeonggwan wasn’t just overly gentle; he had a playful side that made it fun to tease him, and he always smelled sweet and refreshing instead of the typical sweaty boy smell.

Most of the beta male students couldn’t smell Jeonggwan’s pheromones; the scent came from his parents’ fruit preserves business. But that wasn’t his actual pheromone smell.

Jeonggwan graduated high school smoothly and, due to his love for bread, went to college to study baking and confectionery. Given the nature of the department, there were many people with some extra weight. This made Jeonggwan feel a sense of camaraderie as he studied hard, ate well, and gradually gained more weight.

Then he became friends with a senior who had returned from studying abroad and was now in the same year – a seemingly delinquent type who didn’t hold back his harsh words towards Jeonggwan. Even when Jeonggwan tried to avoid hanging out with him, this guy would stick close and shower him with nagging and personal attacks.

“Ugh, look at that fat.”

“Park Jihoon, stop it!”

“But it’s true!”

“Tsk…”

What are you going to do if I glare at you, you little thing? That delinquent, Park Jihoon, was obsessed with Jeonggwan. He was always nagging him to lose weight, and although Jeonggwan tried to ignore it, he must have been stressed because he lost 5kg. While his parents and brothers were worried about his weight loss, Jihoon insisted he needed to lose 10kg more.

“In my opinion, you should lose at least 10 more kilos. Then you could even marry into the Won Group.”

“No thanks. I’m not going to marry a man.”

“Even if you say you won’t marry a man, they’ll try to recruit you left and right with buildings and department stores. Then your family might send you off even if it’s not your will. You don’t know how the world works. Do you know how scarce omegas are these days?”

“I don’t care about that stuff.”

“Oh, you wouldn’t. You little brat. Your hyung is telling you about a chance to live the sweet life, but what would you know? All you know is bread.”

Although Jihoon seemed to be attending school quite normally, he knew a lot of gossip about the upper class where alphas and omegas were common. Whether it was true or just rumors, it didn’t seem like he was making it up.

According to their classmates, Jihoon was always decked out in luxury brands. Given that he had studied abroad for two years, he was likely from a wealthy family. So why did he only want to be friends with Jeonggwan? Jihoon deliberately lived as a loner, not even speaking a word to people from other departments. As a result, Jeonggwan gradually became a loner too.

“Don’t forget your hyung even if you marry into a good family later.”

“I said no.”

“This kid, seriously!”

What more could he say to this crazy guy? Jeonggwan shook his head and turned on his phone to examine the photos of cakes decorated by their professor.

Peering over Jeonggwan’s shoulder to sneak a look at the photos, Jihoon brought his face close to Jeonggwan’s phone. “Is that Professor Yoon’s? Yeah. It’s godly…” “Right? What do you mean godly.” While grumbling, they both opened their mouths in awe as they looked at each photo together. Then Jihoon spoke again.

“Oh, do you have time this weekend?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Oh really? Then I’ll tell the kids who got the hotel dessert part-time job that-“

“Wait…! Listen to the end. How could I not have time?”

“…You said you didn’t have time because you thought I’d ask you to hang out, right?”

“I want to do it! I want to!”

“You insolent Kim Jeonggwan.”

Park Jihoon glared at Jeonggwan as he passed him the number for the banquet dessert manager. It was the same manager’s number as always. Jeonggwan grinned from ear to ear, delighted. The part-time jobs Jihoon set up were always golden opportunities.

In hotels where regular rooms cost 500,000 to 600,000 won per night, there were occasional banquets or social gatherings. Every time, Jihoon would somehow get Jeonggwan a short-term job, perhaps due to his connections with the hotel’s banquet manager. Most of the time, the job involved icing and decorating pre-made cupcakes or cakes. For Jeonggwan, it was an extension of his learning, getting to see firsthand what designs hotels preferred, and the pay was exceptionally good for a day’s work.

Why didn’t Park Jihoon do these great part-time jobs himself? Jeonggwan had done these hotel gigs through Jihoon several times before, so when he asked why Jihoon didn’t do them himself, praising how good they were, Jihoon’s response was on another level:

‘Me, touching things that go in their mouths? Ha! I’d make them if they licked my feet. This body of mine.’

Jeonggwan was left speechless by the answer. Well, as long as it’s good for me! Jeonggwan grinned as he texted the manager to ask what time he should arrive.

And Park Jihoon watched Jeonggwan with a sly smile on his face.

* * *

Jeonggwan straightened his back, which had been bent for hours, as he placed the last cherry on top. This job wasn’t as easy as usual. Because they wanted a more intricate and elaborate design than usual, it took over 10 minutes just to decorate one tart. After spending half a day just decorating, he felt like his whole body smelled sweet.

Although he had no complaints since the pay was double the usual, he casually asked the manager why they were being so particular today. The manager only replied that today’s event was hosted by the owner’s family. “Ah, I see.” Jeonggwan nodded, pretending to understand even though he didn’t really know what that meant.

After the manager said he’d deposit the pay within a week, Jeonggwan bowed in thanks and went to the locker room to change. Usually, the manager would double-check the account details after he changed, but today the manager seemed too busy and rushed off, which Jeonggwan found a bit sad.

Jeonggwan leisurely unbuttoned his uniform with one hand while turning on his phone that he had left in the locker.

[Are you done, fatty? (25 minutes ago) – Park Jihoon]

[- 3 missed calls (20 minutes ago) – Park Jihoon]

[I asked if you’re done (10 minutes ago) – Park Jihoon]

[- 2 missed calls (5 minutes ago) – Park Jihoon]

[Chubby Gwan, are you done? (Just now) – Park Jihoon]

True to his noisy nature when it came to Jeonggwan, Park Jihoon had sent numerous messages and calls. What’s wrong with this crazy guy now? Though Jeonggwan looked annoyed, thinking about today’s pay put him in a good mood, so he called Jihoon back.

[Where are you? Where are you? Where are you?]

“Are you sure you don’t have adult ADHD?”

[Never mind that. You’re done, right? Still at the hotel?]

“Yeah, I’m at the hotel. Changing clothes now.”

[Hey, I’m in the hotel lobby right now. Come here.]

“Huh? To the hotel lobby? Why?”

“Ah, just come when I tell you to. Why so many questions? Want me to stop setting you up with jobs?” Jihoon immediately scolded, even though Jeonggwan hadn’t even said he wouldn’t come. To be honest, Jeonggwan really didn’t want to go now that Jihoon was being like this.

“Umm… What if I say no?”

[I’m trying to give you a chance to change your life, fatty.]

“Take back the ‘fatty’.”

[Okay, Jeonggwan, you plump hamster looking like a food pouch stuffed full of sawdust. I take back ‘fatty’.]

“Where in the lobby should I go?” Jeonggwan chuckled as he pulled a yellow hoodie over his head.