Love Born of Pity Chapter 121

Kwon Jiho, who was held in Do Yeonjae’s arms as if he were being buried, stood as still as if he had frozen. Do Yeonjae, who had dropped his head onto his shoulder, let out a trembling breath as if he were afraid of being rejected. Kwon Jiho, who moved his arms that had been hanging loosely, did not push him away but instead carefully wrapped his arms around his broad back to hold him back.

“It’s strange.”

“…….”

“Everything… is becoming blurred.”

He knew the meaning of the words that resonated in a low voice, that it was strange. He knew that the “becoming blurred” meant the memories of the past. Do Yeonjae held his fragile body—which seemed as if it might shatter if he applied too much force—tightly. Kwon Jiho, who let out a small sigh, closed his eyes. The anxiety that had grown deeper every day throughout Do Yeonjae’s rut had disappeared without a trace.

It was truly, undeniably, a strange thing.

♬⋆.˚

To Kwon Jiho, his morning sickness felt like waves. After a high wave crashed without rest, it would be calm for a very short while, about a day or two. In truth, he did not want to admit that the morning sickness subsided because Do Yeonjae was by his side.

“Can you swallow it?”

“…I’m fine.”

“You don’t have to force yourself to eat. Do you want to spit it out? Go ahead, spit it out.”

Do Yeonjae’s hand was naturally cupped under his chin.

“Mr. Director…”

Kwon Jiho, who pushed away his arm with a troubled expression, regretted accepting Jang Hyunsu’s suggestion to have breakfast together. It was because every time Do Yeonjae lifted a spoon, he worried about him in such a fuss. His face felt so hot it felt like it might burst under the gazes of those sitting around the dining table.

“Alright, Yeonjae. You need to stay still so Jiho can eat. If you act like a madman, no… act so distractingly, he’s going to get indigestion. Yes?”

Jang Hyunsu said, biting his lips tightly to hold back his laughter. It seemed the sight of his son acting so restless, something he had never seen before, felt quite fresh and amusing. Do Geonho also stopped his movements for a long time as if watching something fascinating, observing him intently before smiling. He even urged him to take good care of him, saying it was nice to see. Only Do Seungtae, who was accustomed to Do Yeonjae’s fussiness, ate his meal as if nothing were happening.

“This is delicious. Would you like to try this too?”

He slid a side dish that tasted good toward Kwon Jiho.

“Thank you. Please eat a lot too, Grandfather.”

As soon as he swallowed what was in his mouth and answered in a rush, Do Yeonjae frowned as if he were displeased.

“Swallow slowly. You’ll get indigestion.”

“…Mr. Director, please eat your meal as well.”

Whether he knew of his desperate wish or not, Do Yeonjae’s gaze remained fixed on his mouth throughout. Kwon Jiho let out a small sigh. Then, a water cup was held out. Do Yeonjae suggested in a low voice that he drink it.

“Eat slowly. I’m just watching because it’s fascinating that Yeonjae is taking care of someone, so don’t mind it. Eat comfortably, comfortably.”

Do Geonho looked kindly at Kwon Jiho, who was trembling as if startled by his own voice. The way he opened his eyes wide and offered thanks looked exactly like a small animal. Since it was his first time seeing him in such detail since the child came here, it was fascinating.

He was cute even when he only heard about him, but seeing him in person was even more so. It’s no wonder Do Yeonjae is so anxious. It looks exactly like a snow-white rabbit that turned into a human and is sitting there.

“Did you say you were twenty-four? You look even more like a baby because you’re next to Yeonjae.”

“I didn’t know, but looking at you next to Jiho, I can really feel the age gap. You need to take care of yourself.”

Jang Hyunsu said teasingly. Do Yeonjae simply nodded, thinking that Kwon Jiho did indeed look young. Only Kwon Jiho was left flustered, not knowing how to react.

“Oh, right, I heard you majored in piano, Jiho. There is a piano in the living room. If you’re okay after the meal, could you play a song?”

“…Pardon?”

“Father likes it too, you see.”

“Ah.”

Kwon Jiho’s pupils wavered with anxiety. A clear answer that he would do it did not come out.

“I… haven’t played the piano for quite a while, so…”

“That would be so wonderful. Jiho and the piano go so well together. To think you chose to learn something exactly like yourself.”

Kwon Jiho smiled awkwardly at Jang Hyunsu, who was looking at him with eyes full of pride. He put down his chopsticks and repeated the motion of curling and uncurling his fingers on his thighs. It was a hand that sometimes froze even when it was moving well because the shards of glass that had dug deep into his wrist had torn the muscles and tendons. Even now, whenever the weather was bad, he felt intermittent stinging pain.

“Why are you making him do that? Even I don’t ask him to play the piano, so why are you, Father?”

“Why are you saying it like that? I just wanted to see him since I heard Jiho majored in piano…”

“Just keep adoring him. Don’t make him uncomfortable.”

While he was pondering how to refuse, Do Yeonjae’s voice cut in. Do Geonho stepped in to mediate at the cold reproach that was embarrassing even to the listener.

“Do Yeonjae!”

The atmosphere turned sour in an instant. Do Seungtae stopped eating. Jang Hyunsu held him back, saying it was fine, and covered his mouth. Although he was shivering in disbelief at the current situation, he knew he had made a mistake, so he offered an apology to Kwon Jiho first.

“I think I made an unreasonable request because I was so eager to see you play, Jiho. You don’t have to pay it any mind.”

“…No, it’s not that. I, well…”

“I didn’t think that such a request would be uncomfortable.”

Even with the soft and warm apology, the atmosphere did not clear up. Kwon Jiho could not understand Do Yeonjae’s way of speaking, which was not even an exception for his parents. To have grown up in such a good environment, under such good family members… what exactly is this person’s problem?

“Are you done eating? Are you full? If you’re forcing yourself to eat when you don’t want to, then stop.”

“…….”

“Why. Is your stomach upset? Does it taste strange? Are you nauseous?”

The clueless concerns continued one after another. Do Seungtae put his spoon down completely, clicked his tongue, and left the dining table first. Do Geonho also rose without hiding his displeasure. He glared at Do Yeonjae while leading Jang Hyunsu, who was looking up at him in embarrassment, out of the dining room.

The meal, which had felt like sitting on a fluffy cloud, had turned into a bed of nails without even being able to be properly finished.

“Let’s go, too.”

Do Yeonjae supported Kwon Jiho’s body and stood him up as if nothing were wrong. He did not know what went wrong until the moment he left the main building and entered the annex. It seemed he assumed Kwon Jiho’s mood had soured in an instant because of the morning sickness. He sat Kwon Jiho on the sofa and brought out the lemon shaved ice he had put in the freezer, serving it prettily.

“Mr. Director.”

“Yeah.”

“Exactly… why are you like that?”

“…Why what?”

The beautiful face, unable to understand the scolding that had flown at him, twisted slightly. He stared intently at Kwon Jiho, demanding to be told exactly what the problem was.

“Mr. Director is…”

“What about me.”

“The way you talk is strange.”

“What did I say? Did I make a mistake to you again? I’m sorry. I’m sure I didn’t mean it that way. I’ll be careful.”

At the apology that came out immediately, Kwon Jiho shook his head. He had become much softer toward him, but he was still the same toward others. That cold, sharp way of conversing that didn’t consider other people’s feelings.

“It’s not that, the Mister… your father, Mr. Director.”

“Father? We didn’t even converse at the dining table, so what could be strange about what I said?”

Then, was the person he was conversing with a moment ago someone else? It seemed he couldn’t even remember what he had said. Does he hurt people and then easily forget?

“So, to me as well… every time.”

“…What?”

“It’s enough for you to just forget, but the person listening… is not. They keep, keep chewing over it… and get hurt. Mister must have been upset as well. But because I was there, he didn’t say anything more and just got up.”

Only then did Do Yeonjae realize what Kwon Jiho was pointing out and nodded. In his mind, it seemed like a normal conversation, so he couldn’t understand who would be hurt by that. In truth, he still didn’t fully understand it. However, seeing Kwon Jiho get angry, he decided that he shouldn’t maintain the same way of talking as now.

“How did you grow up like that among such kind people?”

“I’ll fix it. I can fix it.”

“…Go to the Mister and please apologize. I… I thought you were only like that to me.”

“I won’t do it again from now on.”

Do Yeonjae handed the spoon he had brought to Kwon Jiho and stood up. He left after telling Kwon Jiho, who was reflexively eating the shaved ice, that he would be back soon.

He felt like he would go and apologize blindly without knowing what he had said and how much he had hurt the Mister. He kept worrying. But… still, if he’s going to apologize, hasn’t he changed as a person?

Kwon Jiho, who quietly placed his left hand on his thigh, thought about whether he could play a short and easy piece. In the past, he felt like he was freezing up severely every time, but these days, there were no such symptoms.

“…I should have said I’d play.”

It was a belated regret. In the midst of that, the shaved ice was so delicious that his mood felt strange. It was something he ate every day, but admiration arose every time he ate it. He only thought about how it could be so delicious. However, he also thought it might not be good for the baby because it was too cold and sour.

While he was worried, he couldn’t stop the spoon and scraped it clean to the bottom, when suddenly, the sound of the door opening was heard. When he turned to look, Do Yeonjae approached with a loose smile.

“I did it. I said I’d be careful from now on. So…”

“…….”

“Go easy on me, Jiho.”