55. Let Your Scent Out

"Excuse me, may I join you two if you don't mind?"

"Why of course. Niel and I are just about done with our discussion." Yeon's dad replied. "We should probably be heading back anyway. I'd like to experience the sunset with my wife."

Niel and Yeon's dad had been in a conversation when when Elric showed up. They were walking by the beach, their snorkeling gears hanging freely on their hands.

"Did the other's return from their fishing expedition?" Yeon's father asked.

"Yes but Stan's parents remained behind with Mijin. They went scuba diving..."

"Really?" Both Yeon's father and Niel asked at the same time. Mijin had kept away from any activities since they got here, often sitting alone and only showed up during meals. She'd occasionally sit beside Yeon whenever Stan wasn't around and leave once he showed up.

Looking at each other, Niel and Yeon's dad concluded she may have taken a liking into Stan's parents since they were the only two people she wasn't fondly familiar with.

"When do they get back? Niel will be leaving before dinner..." Yeon's dad asked.

"Leaving?" Elric asked surprised. "I had thought we were all leaving together tomorrow afternoon?"

"Oh no." Yeon's dad shook his head. "Niel here plans to leave for the states soon so he is winding up his stay here in the country."

"States? Why?" Elric asked as he glanced at Niel.

"Can we talk about this later dad. Besides, Elric here doesn't need to know the details...I'll tell everyone everything later when I'm ready." Niel said, hoping to stop Yeon's dad from exposing his plans so comfortably to Elric. Him and Mijin were the last people he had wanted to reveal his future plans to...it was unfortunate Elric had just showed up when he wanted to inform Yeon's father he'd hoped to keep their discussion under wraps.

"...but your graduation is not until three months from now? I checked..."

"I'm not planning to be here for the ceremony."

"Even so, maybe you're not aware of an added compulsory unit for every student which is making everyone angry presently." Looking back at Yeon's father, Elric continued. "It was because of the incident that lead to Yeon''s misfortune. The school board and other elite officials of our campus introduced a new module for everyone to complete, starting with all seniors. It's already been officiated by the dean."

"Really? Tell me more..." Yeon's dad said happily as Niel frowned at Elric's explanation. After his discussion with Mijin that night, he'd checked the campus' forum and saw everyone talking about it. A lot of people were for it since most of it was online with only one physical attendance. However, majority of the seniors had been against it since that meant their graduation was going to be extended indefinitely.

"...That's why all the seniors will graduate much later as opposed to next month." Elric concluded and glanced back at Elric with a smile. "I do not believe you were aware of this Niel. Perhaps you should delay your trip a little further. Show solidarity towards Yeon since that means he gets to graduate with everyone else. His new project is doing well."

"Wonderful idea! I was afraid Yeon might feel left behind again but to find out he has always been supported by the school and is surrounded by friends such as yourself, I cant help but be relieved."

"I believe all schools should implement that additional course. It's unfortunate Yeon's incident had to trigger our country's education system to see the need to educate, bring awareness and preparedness concerning unlawful marking and forceful pairing. I do not consider Stan the hero for saving Yeon, I believe it was Yeon's courage to keep his head held up high after being taken advantage of that brought about this change in our institutions and many more to come. If he'd hidden away without exposing his strong scent and his then luminous eyes, I doubt many would have believed the suffering endured by victims such as himself. They say seeing is believing therefore, in my opinion, Yeon is the hero here. His new project will save lives and his courage has saved many lives unknowingly."

"That's my son, courageous just like his father! I raised him well to always stand up for what he believes in and just like his father, he listened and followed through."

"You did a fine job sir. Yeon is just as tough as you and metilicious like your wife."

"Exactly my son, and please, do not call me sir. You are now a son of the family so please dress me as dad just as Niel and Stannie do. Besides, we will be working together soon hence, it's only natural for us to be familiar with each other."

"I apologize sir...dad. It's just weird...I hadn't dressed anyone with such familiarity except my father..."

Extending a comforting hand towards Elric, Yeon's dad said. "I'm aware of that. Both your parents ware elite people during my time and I'm proud of your mother for keeping the legacy alive to date...and to bring forth such a fine young man as yourself, we feel priviledged to have you with us here...perhaps, have you found your self a pair, or are you already fated?"

"Not yet. I was hoping Niel here would give me a chance..."

"No. My answer hasn't changed and please, enough with the manipulation..."

"Niel!" Yeon's dad exclaimed. "What has gotten into you? It appears Mijin's rudness has rubbed off on you despite you two ending things..."

"It's not that, he asked me before already and I turned him down dad..."

"Why? You're single now so I do not see the need for you to reject him..."

"Well, I do not know if our scents match...dad, but I like his scent a lot. I used to smell it on Yeon a lot whenever Yeon would borrow his clothes to hide his strong scent." Elric said as his smile broadened upon seeing Niel's exasperated expression.

"I'm glad you protected Yeon but he doesn't need your scent anymore..."

"That was then..." Niel said in defense but Yeon's father wouldn't have it.

"He is with Stan now so you don't need to worry about him anymore. I understand exchanging scents is personal however, how are you supposed to know if you two would make a good pair without a brief exchange of scents?"

"I agree too however Niel takes inhibitors all the time so I honestly can't tell." Sulking, Elric added. "I've been in search of my fated for years on end but failed miserably and finally when I'm willing to settle for a pair, he hides his scent constantly."

Yeon's dad seemed moved by Elric's confession and shot Niel a stern look. "This is basic knowledge taught in elementary school Niel. Your pair or fated will always be someone lurking around you and you know this, that's why we let out small doses of scents and soon enough, the connection happens. If you are constantly blocking out your scent...infact, come to this of it, I hardly ever know your scent. How can you expect to meet your fated this way without perceiving them?"

"...But Mijin was repulsed by my scent, that's why I constantly took inhibitors for all these years...it's become a habit to me to hide my scent."

"You used it on Yeon though..." Elric said, amused by the conversation turning in his favour and Niel glared at him angrily before cutting him short. "I did that whenever Mijin wasn't around..."

"Then you have no reason to keep taking them anymore son so give Elric here a chance. Who knows, he might be your pair or even better, your fated..."

"I reject that thought please, don't say it out loud dad!" Niel shut his eyes tight as if the thought disgusted him.

"Shut up! What do you know about pairs and fateds when the only person you've ever had your eyes on was my daughter? Move on with your life! I forbid you to take inhibitors from today henceforth!" Returning his gaze towards Elric, Yeon's father added. "...And if you catch him taking any, let me know immediately."

"Yes...dad." Elric nodded in agreement.

"After what he did to your face, this is the least he owes you." Yeon's dad spoke, looking concerned as he gently touched Elric's swollen cheeks. "I'm sure it still hurts a lot and to think that you forgave him so easily like that...you should have at least allowed me to punish him with a strenuous workout at my gym, then he will think twice about using his fists instead of words."

"I forgave him since I do not wish to bear any grudges with anyone. Besides, in light of us being probably pairs or fated in future, what kind of person would I be if I was angry at my soulmate? "