What if Orm developed Omegaverse disease?

onset

A lively, up-tempo song played in the distance.
The quiet dressing room was filled only with Orm and Ling's belongings. The faint scent of perfume mixed with the crisp coolness of the air conditioner. Ling had stepped out after receiving a call about another job, leaving Orm alone.

Boredom crept in, making every passing second feel unbearably slow. No matter how much Orm fiddled with her phone, time refused to move faster. Her gaze drifted absentmindedly toward the door, silently wishing for Ling to return soon.

— Click.

As if answering her wish, the door quietly opened.
There was no knock. Assuming it was Ling, Orm instinctively rose from her seat.But the person she longed to see was not there.

Instead, a man stood at the doorway, his posture slumped, his presence unnatural. He didn't seem to be there for work, nor did he speak. Something about him was... wrong. Orm felt a chill crawl up her spine, and her body tensed slightly.

"Yes? Do you need something?"

She kept her voice calm, feigning nonchalance.
There was no response.

"Sir, is something wrong?"

She asked again, but the man gave no sign of hearing her.
Their eyes met for a brief second.And then, he moved.
The whites of his eyes were bloodshot, his gaze wild. His face was contorted with an unsettling tension, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The air around him felt thick and damp, suffocating.
A terrible feeling surged through Orm's body.
She took a cautious step back—then another.
Not enough. The man lunged forward.

"What—?! What are you doing?!"

Fear clenched around her throat.
She tried to dodge his outstretched arms, but his grip caught her left wrist, yanking her down onto the cold, hard floor.

"Ugh..."
"Let go of me! No!"

A guttural sound rumbled from the man's throat.
Orm kicked, struggled, but he was far too strong. His weight bore down on her, pinning her in place. Her back ached from the impact against the wooden floor, its surface unyielding. She thrashed, trying to break free, only for pain to shoot up her spine.
The man's face loomed closer.
His hot, erratic breaths touched her skin, making her stomach churn in disgust.
Her body recoiled. Every nerve screamed.

"No! P'Ling, help me!"

She called out the only name that came to mind—the one person who had always saved her.
And then—

"What do you think you're doing?!"

The half-open door burst open.

"...Ling!"

Her voice trembled with relief.
It was her. The one she had been hoping for.

"Get away from Orm!"

Ling's sharp voice cut through the tension.
The man atop Orm hesitated for a brief moment—but did not back away.
Orm struggled harder, twisting her body in a desperate attempt to escape.
Ling didn't wait. She lunged forward, slamming her body into the man's side.
With a dull *thud*, he toppled over.
Seizing the opportunity, Orm wrenched her wrist free and scrambled to her feet, instinctively pressing herself against Ling's back. Her legs wobbled beneath her, but Ling's warmth grounded her.
The man, however, still showed no sign of recognizing Ling's presence. His unfocused eyes remained locked on Orm, as if she were the only thing in the room.
He took a step forward. Another.
His pupils were blown wide, his movements sluggish yet relentless—like a predator stripped of reason, acting on nothing but instinct.

"What's going on?!"

The commotion had drawn the attention of others.
Staff members rushed in, their voices overlapping in a confused blur.
Orm couldn't find her voice. Her breath still came in short, shallow bursts, her body frozen in place.
But Ling didn't hesitate. Holding Orm close, she turned to the staff and pointed at the man.

"Somebody, restrain him!"
"On it!"

The dressing room was instantly thrown into chaos.
Several hands grabbed hold of the man, forcing him down. He let out an incoherent, guttural groan as they bound him, his resistance feeble.
Orm stood frozen, her pulse pounding violently in her ears. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her fingers trembling.
Ling wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

"Are you okay?"

Orm swallowed. 

"Yeah... I was scared, but... you came for me, P'Ling."

Saying it out loud made the fear in her chest loosen just a little.
Ling exhaled in relief. 

"I'm glad I made it in time."

 
She gently brushed stray strands of hair from Orm's face, her touch as soft as her gaze. That kindness sent a warmth flickering in Orm's chest—one she didn't quite understand.
But then, Ling's expression tensed.

"...Orm, you smell... sweet."
"Huh? It's the same as always, isn't it?"
"No... This is different."

Ling placed a hand on Orm's shoulder and took a small step back. Then, she inhaled deeply through her nose.
The simple action made Orm's skin prickle.

"W-What is it?"

Orm asked. She leaned in slightly, but Ling abruptly averted her gaze.
A faint blush dusted her cheeks.

"Orm, are you alright?"

The familiar voice of Orm's mother filled the room, tinged with concern.
Orm pulled away from Ling and immediately ran to her mother's embrace.

"Mom, I'm fine. Ling saved me."

Her mother's arms tightened around her.

"Thank goodness. If Ling hadn't been there..."

Ling only offered a small, reassuring nod, but Orm's mother's gaze lingered on her for a moment before shifting back to her daughter.

"What happens now?"
"The man has been handed over to the police," her mother answered.
"You're safe now. But... he hasn't said a word. His condition is strange."
"...I see."

Orm's mother furrowed her brows, lost in thought.
Ling hesitated before speaking.

"Um... Orm smells really good today."

Orm blinked.

"Good?"

Her mother turned to Ling, her expression darkening slightly.

"What do you mean?"
"I don't know... but maybe that's why the man—"

The words trailed off, but the implication was clear.
Orm's mother's expression grew even more serious.
Orm, still reeling from everything that had happened, could only stare at Ling in confusion.
Ling was noticing her scent.
That had never happened before.

"...Orm, let's take you to the hospital."
"What? Why?"
"Just to be safe."

Her mother's tone left no room for argument.
Orm had no choice but to nod.
She had no idea—
That this was the beginning of something far beyond her understanding.