Love Born of Pity Chapter 10

“The reason I called is because I’ll be closing the academy for about a week, starting this afternoon. I was so busy that I thought I had told everyone, but I didn’t call Eunsol’s father…”

“Oh, closing the academy? Why suddenly… Are you sick?”

“No, it’s not that, it’s a personal matter.”

“I’m glad you’re not sick. Eunsol is fine. She can stay late at school. She just doesn’t like to.”

The man said, “Well, it can’t be helped,” looking at Kwon Jiho, who was scratching his forehead and smiling awkwardly.

“Since I get off work late, Eunsol is always the last one there. She gets upset because her friends all go home and she’s left alone… Once I started worrying about it, I couldn’t stop.”

“…That’s understandable. She’s still young.”

“She always says she’s okay, but she’s probably not. Eunsol is an only child, so she gets very lonely. At least since she started learning piano, her personality has brightened and she talks more.”

“That’s good to hear. Eunsol is so well-behaved. She has great concentration, too. She diligently practices all the assigned pieces without slacking off.”

The man’s eyes welled up as Kwon Jiho praised Eunsol. He suddenly grabbed Kwon Jiho’s hand, which was resting on the table, and bowed his head repeatedly in thanks. Even when Kwon Jiho tried to pull away, the hand covering his own wouldn’t easily let go.

“Oh, no. You really don’t have to do this. Eunsol is the one who’s doing well, not me.”

“After her mother and I separated, Eunsol had a really hard time, so thank you so much.”

Kwon Jiho, struggling to free his hand, replied, “No,” and put strength into his arm.

“Eunsol’s father…!”

“I’m truly grateful to you, teacher. Truly…”

“No, to me…”

Just as he was about to say there was no need for such gratitude, the door opened roughly. Kwon Jiho’s eyes widened in surprise as he checked the entrance, then immediately stood up.

“Director…?”

Do Yeonjae’s eyes landed on Kwon Jiho’s hand held by the man. Ah. At the groan that escaped his lips, Kwon Jiho pulled his hand free.

“I was telling him about the academy closing.”

“You’re being awfully friendly, Mr. Kwon Jiho.”

Do Yeonjae leaned against the doorframe, staring intently into Kwon Jiho’s trembling eyes without entering.

“But who might this be…? Jiho, are you okay?”

The man protectively stepped in front of Kwon Jiho, blocking him from Do Yeonjae’s menacing presence. At his question, Jiho, who is this?, Do Yeonjae’s expression crumpled. Jiho. Do Yeonjae’s face hardened as he repeated the name Kwon Jiho had been called. A fierce pheromone surged towards the man.

“Ha… Fuck, all sorts of things are clinging to him.”

Despite the pheromone threat, the man, with a clueless look on his face, remained standing in front of Kwon Jiho. At the low growl, Kwon Jiho shook his head and grabbed the man’s arm, not noticing where Do Yeonjae’s gaze was fixed, and pulled him away.

“Jiho?”

“…Could you please leave for today?”

“Huh? Is that person really okay…? The atmosphere is really bad, if you need help—”

“It’s okay. I’m really okay.”

As Kwon Jiho answered the concerned question, the man tactfully gathered his belongings from the table.

“…Alright. Then I’ll see you next week.”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, the man even bowed his head again as he picked up his untouched coffee. The door closed, and Do Yeonjae strode into the academy.

“Director.”

Do Yeonjae irritably grabbed Kwon Jiho’s hand, the same hand that had been holding the man’s arm just moments ago. He brushed his palm as if something dirty had touched it and spoke irritably.

“It seems to me that that parent has other intentions towards Mr. Kwon Jiho.”

“What? No… It’s not like that, it’s not like that.”

“Why do you think it’s not? What’s wrong with having feelings? It’s not like they’re paying you because they like you.”

Despite the casual tone, Kwon Jiho felt uneasy and shook his head again, denying it.

“It’s not like that. It’s true that he sees me favorably, but it’s not like… he likes me.”

“How would you know that, Jiho?”

Kwon Jiho felt his heart sink at the cold voice and the unfamiliar way he used his name.

“…Director.”

Do Yeonjae didn’t answer. He released Kwon Jiho’s hand and turned away.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything to clean up, let’s go.”

♬⋆.˚

He seemed fine while coming to pick him up.

“Director…”

The anxious voice calling him trembled. He didn’t answer and tugged at his tie, walking away. The footsteps hurrying after him quickened. Seeing the hesitant outstretched hand in his peripheral vision, Do Yeonjae quickened his pace again.

The hand, having lost its target, stopped in midair. Meanwhile, Do Yeonjae opened the front door and went inside. Kwon Jiho stood frozen, blinking. He knew he had to follow quickly, but for some reason, his feet wouldn’t move. Even though he knew Do Yeonjae was more sensitive than usual because of his rut, his aura was so menacing that he was scared.

Will it be okay? Of course he wouldn’t die from that, but he was vaguely afraid. He hadn’t been able to go to the pharmacy to buy the muscle relaxants. He shivered as if with a chill. He saw a figure in the living room window, drawing the curtains then letting them fall. Kwon Jiho covered his mouth with his hand to stifle a sigh and hurried his steps.

As soon as he opened and entered through the closed front door, he rushed into the living room. He looked around for Do Yeonjae, but he was nowhere to be seen. Pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart, he checked the bedroom. The door was slightly ajar. As he approached, he heard the faint sound of running water.

“…”

Kwon Jiho, biting his nails, hesitated for a moment before stepping into the bedroom. He paced in front of the bathroom, then, as if finally making up his mind, he undressed. As he slowly opened the door, Do Yeonjae, standing under the shower spray, turned his head.

“…Director.”

His voice wavered. Do Yeonjae’s hand moved. He let the ice-cold water run over him a little longer before adjusting the temperature and reaching out to Kwon Jiho. Rubbing his goosebumps, Kwon Jiho approached. Before he could fully open the shower door, Do Yeonjae’s wet hand pulled him in.

“Uh…!”

The skin touching him was cold all over. Despite his fear, his small hands caressed Do Yeonjae’s body. His worried gaze went up.

“…You’re cold.”

“I’m hot.”

Do Yeonjae tilted his head. He grabbed Kwon Jiho’s damp cheek and pulled him closer. Open. At the command, Kwon Jiho’s small mouth opened. Do Yeonjae’s tongue plunged in, thrusting all the way to the back of his throat. A pleased moan escaped Kwon Jiho’s lips.

Do Yeonjae was pleased by Kwon Jiho’s decision to come directly into this bathroom instead of using the other one. He was impressed that, despite his lack of awareness, Kwon Jiho had managed this much, as if anticipating the ordeal he would have faced if they had used the living room.

Licking the warm inside of Kwon Jiho’s mouth and habitually applying his pheromones, Do Yeonjae pulled him close. He had come in to cool down his overheated body rather than to wash, so when he moved to leave, Kwon Jiho trembled and pushed against his chest.

“Director…I, I want to wash up.”

“You’ll get wet anyway.”

“Earlier, this afternoon…I sweated.”

Do Yeonjae buried his nose in the wet nape of Kwon Jiho’s neck and inhaled deeply. Only a soft, skin-like scent emanated from his damp skin. The unique, sweet smell that came from Kwon Jiho, who didn’t even wear cologne. His mouth watered.

Rubbing his lips against the soft flesh, Do Yeonjae opened his mouth involuntarily. The color before his eyes suggested the vaguely imagined taste he would experience if he bit down.

“Ah…!”

Kwon Jiho struggled at the sound and pain of teeth sinking into his flesh. The sensation of Do Yeonjae nibbling and sucking at his nape was like being bitten by a vampire. Kwon Jiho instinctively reached out and pushed hard against Do Yeonjae’s firm chest.

“D-Director…H-It hurts…”

“Don’t move. I like it this way.”

His voice, thick with desire, dropped to a threateningly low growl. Kwon Jiho’s trembling body stopped struggling. He wrapped his arms around Do Yeonjae and relaxed against him, all the strength leaving his body. The bite on his neck throbbed. After licking, sucking, and biting the spot repeatedly, Do Yeonjae’s lips finally moved.