Better Together (Taegguk)
01
Taehyung entered his home after a long day at work, exhausted but relieved to be back. At 24 years old, he is an Omega working as an art teacher at a local school.
As he stepped inside, he noticed an unusual number of shoes cluttering the shoe rack.
Kim Taehyung
(thinking) Are we having guests?
He walked into the living room, surprised to see unfamiliar faces sitting on the couches.
Their conversation halted as all eyes turned toward him. Before he could ask, his mother called out to him.
Mrs Kim
Taehyung, come meet the Han family—Mr. and Mrs. Han, and their ALPHA son, Han Haejun.
Still confused, Taehyung bowed politely, greeting them.
Kim Taehyung
Nice to meet you.
His mother leaned closer, whispering in his ear.
Mrs Kim
(whispering)Go to your room, change into something nicer, and come back quickly.
Taehyung raised an eyebrow in confusion, then the realization hit him like a truck—they are here marriage proposal.
He forced a tight-lipped smile, excused himself, and headed to his room, shutting the door with a bang.
Taehyung quickly freshened up and changed into a simple but presentable outfit.
Just as he finished, his brother-in-law, Jin, knocked and entered the room. Taehyung met his gaze through the mirror, looking helpless.
Kim SeokJin
I had no idea either. Mom arranged this out of nowhere.
Kim Taehyung
(sighing)I told her I don’t want to get married right now.
Kim Taehyung
Why can’t she understand something so simple?
He tried to suppress the anger bubbling up, knowing it wasn’t Jin’s fault.
Kim SeokJin
(sympathetic)There’s not much we can do now. They’re waiting downstairs.
Kim SeokJin
Look, it’s not like mom’s going to force you to say yes. Just meet them, get it over with.
Reluctantly, Taehyung nodded and followed Jin downstairs.
In the living room, his mother smiled brightly and motioned for him to sit beside her.
Mrs Kim
Come, Taehyung, sit here.
Taehyung sat down, feeling the weight of all eyes on him. Mrs. Han quickly complimented him.
Mrs. Han: You’re even more handsome in person! Such a beautiful Omega.
Taehyung felt Haejun’s eyes on him, staring shamelessly, which made him uncomfortable. He glared at Haejun, and the Alpha quickly averted his gaze.
Mrs. Han:So, you’re a teacher at school?
Mrs. Han: What subject do you teach?
The conversation felt tedious—these were questions his mother could have easily answered for them.
Mrs. Han:My son works at an IT company. He graduated from a prestigious university.
Taehyung stayed silent, unsure of what to say. It wasn’t like he was handing out awards for accomplishments. Mrs. Han continued, clearly proud.
Mrs. Han: Haejun gets so many marriage proposals, but we wanted someone truly elegant and beautiful for him. Taehyung, you’re perfect for my son. They’d make such a wonderful couple, don’t you think?
She looked over at her husband, who merely nodded, disinterested.
Kim Taehyung
(thinking)This is going downhill fast…
Mrs. Han: (smiling)So, Haejun, do you like Taehyung?
Haejun: (nodding)Yes, mom.
Mrs. Han: (clapping her hands) Perfect! Taeyeon, should we move forward with the engagement?
Taehyung’s heart sank as the conversation escalated far quicker than he anticipated. He glanced at his mother, waiting for her response, unsure of what to do next.
02
The room fell into an awkward silence as all eyes shifted toward Mrs. Kim, waiting for her response. She cleared her throat, trying to ease the tension.
Mrs Kim
Well... I have no problem with this if Taehyung agrees.
She turned to face her son, while Mr. Kim, sitting beside her, asked directly.
Mr kim
Taehyung, what do you say? Do you like Haejun?
Without hesitation, Taehyung responded.
For a moment, the room seemed to freeze. The air grew thick with tension, and the silence was deafening.
Jin, sitting nearby, bit his lip, barely managing to suppress a laugh at the blunt response. Mrs. Kim, however, quickly recovered, clearing her throat once more and addressing the Han family.
Mrs Kim
Ahem... Please understand, my son just got home from work.
Mrs Kim
He's tired. We'll need some time to think this over.
The Han family exchanged glances, a bit taken aback by the sudden shift, but Mrs. Han forced a smile.
Mrs. Han: Of course, we understand. Please let us know once you've had a chance to decide. I do hope the answer won’t be negative. My son and Taehyung would make a perfect couple.
As the Han family prepared to leave, Taehyung excused himself, heading straight to his room. He closed the door behind him, locking it with a firm click.
Later that evening, at the dining table, Mrs. Kim and Jin were serving dinner. The air was still thick with the remnants of the earlier discussion, but they tried to keep things normal for the sake of the family.
Kim Namjoon
Where’s Taehyung? He’s not coming for dinner?
Kim SeokJin
(sighing)He’s in his room. Said he’s not hungry.
Just then, Seokjun, Jin and Namjoon’s four-year-old son, piped up, his small voice breaking the tension at the table.
Seokjun
Taetae-uncle didn’t come? His favorite japchae is here!
Jin smiled softly at his son, glancing over at his husband , Namjoon, who gave him a knowing look. Mrs. Kim sighed, serving herself a small portion of food, trying to appear calm.
Mrs Kim
He’ll come around. He just needs time.
Taehyung, on the other hand, sat alone in his room, staring at the ceiling. His mind was swirling with thoughts—frustration, confusion, and a sense of helplessness.
He didn’t want to get married, not like this. The weight of expectations from his family bore down on him heavily, but for now, all he wanted was peace, even if it meant locking himself away from the world.
03
Mrs. Kim stood outside Taehyung’s bedroom door, her knuckles tapping gently against the wood.
She waited, hearing no response. After a few more knocks, the door finally opened, and Taehyung stood in front of her, his face tired but clearly showing his frustration. He stepped aside, letting her in silently.
Mrs. Kim walked into the room, glancing around before settling her eyes on her son, who had already flopped back onto the bed.
He didn’t say anything, just lay there, staring at the ceiling. She sighed and took a seat on the edge of the bed.
Mrs Kim
Taehyung-ah... I know you’re upset.
Taehyung didn’t respond, still looking up at the ceiling, his expression cold. Mrs. Kim placed her hand on his arm gently.
Mrs Kim
Listen, sweetheart. The Han family is a good match.
Mrs Kim
Haejun is well-educated, comes from a prestigious family, and he’s an Alpha. This is a great opportunity for you.
Kim Taehyung
(still not looking at her)I don’t care about any of that, mom.
Mrs. Kim frowned, trying to find the right words to persuade him. She shifted closer, her voice softening.
Mrs Kim
I know you think you’re not ready for marriage, but sometimes we don’t always get to choose the timing.
Mrs Kim
This could secure your future, Taehyung. You’ll be taken care of.
Taehyung finally turned his head to look at her, his expression sharp.
Kim Taehyung
Taken care of? By who? A man who couldn’t stop staring at me like I was some prize on display? I don’t want to be in a marriage just to make someone else happy.
Mrs. Kim sighed again, this time more heavily. She had anticipated resistance, but this level of stubbornness was something she wasn’t prepared for.
Mrs Kim
Taehyung, you’re not a child anymore. You need to think about what’s best for the family, not just yourself.
Mrs Kim
We all want to see you settled, especially with a good Alpha like Haejun.
Mrs Kim
You’ll have security, stability... Isn’t that what every Omega wants?
Taehyung’s jaw tightened as he sat up, his eyes now fully on her.
Kim Taehyung
I don’t want to be ‘settled’ with someone I don’t even like.
Kim Taehyung
And I’m tired of people assuming that just because I’m an Omega, I should jump at the chance to marry any Alpha who comes along. What about what I want? Doesn’t that matter?
Mrs. Kim’s face softened, but her voice grew firmer.
Mrs Kim
Of course, it matters, Taehyung. But you have to understand... our family has expectations.
Mrs Kim
We’ve done so much for you—supported you, given you everything. And now, when we ask for one thing in return, you refuse? You’re being selfish.
Taehyung’s heart sank as he heard those words, but his resolve didn’t waver.
Kim Taehyung
Selfish? I’m selfish because I don’t want to marry someone I don’t love?
Kim Taehyung
I’m selfish because I don’t want to spend the rest of my life trapped in a loveless marriage just to make you and dad happy?
Mrs. Kim’s eyes flickered with frustration, but she pressed on, trying a different tactic.
Mrs Kim
You know how hard things have been for the family lately. Financially, this could help us too.
Mrs Kim
The Han family is influential, and a marriage like this could open doors for all of us. Think about your father—he’s worked so hard, Taehyung. Don’t you want to ease his burden?
Taehyung looked away, his hands clenched into fists. He hated that his mother was using his father as leverage. It wasn’t fair. But she knew exactly how to hit him where it hurt.
Kim Taehyung
I don’t want to be used as some kind of tool for the family’s benefit.
Mrs. Kim stood up, her expression stern now.
Mrs Kim
It’s not about being a tool, Taehyung. It’s about doing what’s right for the family. Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made.
Mrs Kim
You’re young—you don’t understand the pressures your father and I face.
Taehyung bit his lip, his frustration boiling over.
Kim Taehyung
I understand enough to know I don’t want to live my life making sacrifices for everyone else. I want to make my own choices, mom.
Mrs. Kim sighed deeply, walking toward the door, pausing for a moment before turning back to look at him.
Mrs Kim
Just think about it, Taehyung. For your father’s sake... for our family’s sake. I hope you’ll reconsider.
With that, she left the room, leaving Taehyung alone with his thoughts. He sat there, staring at the closed door, feeling the weight of her words pressing down on him.
It wasn’t just about marriage anymore—it was about duty, obligation, and the impossible choices he was being forced to make.
Download MangaToon APP on App Store and Google Play
