Love Born of Pity Chapter 15

“I’m… a little tired.”

“Oh, yes. You must be tired. I’m sorry…”

Kwon Jiho awkwardly rose from his seat and bowed his head to the caregiver. He only visited Kwon Heeyeon for a few minutes, a few times a week. The rest of the time, she was under the caregiver’s care. Her help had been crucial to Heeyeon’s recovery. He knew that she had cared for Heeyeon more attentively than he, her own family, had.

“Thank you. Thank you for taking such good care of Heeyeon.”

“Oh, it was nothing. You’re the one who went through so much, Jiho. Running around trying to pay for your sister’s hospital bills all by yourself. But it’s over now, right? Your hardship is over. Isn’t it?”

“Yes. Now, really…”

“You’ve been through a lot, Jiho. It’s not easy. I’ve seen it many times. Heeyeon is probably still dazed and confused, but she’ll realize how much you’ve struggled for her.”

Jiho smiled bitterly at the caregiver’s careful words of comfort. If he hadn’t gone to the airport that day, none of this would have happened. His parents would still be alive, and Heeyeon wouldn’t have wasted three years in a coma. He felt ashamed to be praised for his efforts. He knew he didn’t deserve such words.

“Jiho.”

“…Thank you.”

“Fortunately, Heeyeon’s test results are excellent. Maybe it’s because you kept moving her limbs while she was unconscious, but they say she’ll recover quickly with rehabilitation. She’ll get better soon, Jiho. Don’t worry too much.”

At the caregiver’s words, Heeyeon stirred slightly. Jiho awkwardly turned his gaze towards her, his eyes filled with affection as he stole glances at her, her face crumpled in irritation.

“Are you in pain anywhere?”

“I don’t know. I just… can’t feel anything. No sensation.”

“You’ll get better soon. Everything will be alright soon.”

It was a relief that the results of the thorough examination conducted immediately after she woke up were good. Although her muscles and digestive functions were weakened, the doctor said they would recover with proper nutrition and rehabilitation.

“That’s such a relief.”

The more she heard Jiho’s gentle voice, the more confused Heeyeon became. She resented her brother, yet she felt sorry for him, considering the hardships he must have endured over the past three years. Even if she was unaware of the world’s ways, the hospital bills must have been substantial if he had hired a caregiver. Had he borne all that burden alone?

Jiho’s gaze, lingering on her hands hidden beneath the blanket, made her uncomfortable and irritated, yet also apologetic. Her feelings were complicated. Heeyeon sighed, unsure how to treat her brother. Just then, the firmly closed door of the hospital room opened, causing both the caregiver and Jiho to straighten up.

“Is it rounds?”

Jiho turned his head, echoing the caregiver’s words. The breeze carried a familiar scent.

“I came because you were taking so long. I thought you might be having a touching reunion.”

Do Yeonjae’s eyes darted sharply around the room. The atmosphere was strange. Jiho was hunched over like a guilty criminal, while Heeyeon’s eyes, now open, held a mix of emotions directed at her brother.

“Oh.”

He must be angry. Who was the one who stubbornly kept her alive when there was no hope of her waking up? How ungrateful. Jiho couldn’t have missed the emotions so readily apparent to even a stranger. Knowing Yeonjae’s gaze was on Heeyeon, Jiho tried to shield her with his thin frame, but it was no use.

“…Who?”

Heeyeon’s quiet voice made Jiho swallow hard. His gaze, fixed on Yeonjae, wavered.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

Do Yeonjae smirked, shrugging his shoulders.

“…Well, he… he helped me a lot. He’s still helping me.”

Yeonjae scoffed at the stammering explanation. He took a long stride forward, stopping just a step away from the bed. Despite the distance, his tall frame made him seem close. He leaned down slightly, meeting Heeyeon’s eyes.

“You don’t look alike.”

“…Excuse me?”

Heeyeon frowned at the unexpected remark. How could he be so rude after supposedly helping so much?

Watching the undisguised displeasure on her young face, Yeonjae briefly considered how to explain that the creditor and debtor had become sexual partners. Finally, he spoke.

“Your brother is repaying his debt to me.”

“…”

“That’s our relationship. I’ve given him a lot, so he has a lot to repay.”

“What does that…”

As Heeyeon tilted her head in confusion, Jiho turned towards her, his expression hardening before he forced a smile.

“Get some rest. I’ll be close by—”

“Mr. Kwon Jiho has work to do.”

“…”

“He can’t just quit his job because his sister woke up.”

At Yeonjae’s low voice, realization dawned on Jiho, and he let out a small sound of understanding. With a worried expression, he nodded towards Heeyeon. Heeyeon stared at Yeonjae before speaking.

“Work? What… work?”

“Ah… I’ll tell you later. Right now…”

“Are you his boss? The piano… does he still play? He does, right…?”

If he was a boss, then Yeonjae would be his employer. Could this situation even be considered a form of employment? Lost in thought, Jiho nodded at Heeyeon’s question about the piano. He was still playing at the academy, so technically, he hadn’t given it up.

“Then shall Mr. Kwon Jiho go to work?”

“I’ll come back tonight.”

“…It’s fine. You don’t have to… come back.”

“Should I come tomorrow then?”

When Yeonjae asked when would be a good time, sensing her annoyance and fatigue, Heeyeon mumbled that he should come at night. Yeonjae clicked his tongue and turned away. He offered no words of well-wishing or recovery. Anxious as Yeonjae strode away, Jiho waved at Heeyeon.

“Rest well.”

“…Go.”

Jiho’s heart dropped as Heeyeon closed her eyes tightly, but the caregiver’s reassuring wink allowed him to turn and leave.

As soon as he stepped out of the room, Yeonjae grabbed him and dragged him away. He roughly opened the fire exit door, and their lips crashed together. Jiho’s head hit the wall, sending a sharp pain through his body. Confused by the suddenness of it all, he could only moan softly and open his mouth.

Yeonjae’s thick tongue thrust deep inside, tilting Jiho’s head back. It explored every inch of his palate, licking the inside of his molars and tangling with his own tongue.

“H…”

Wet, sucking sounds filled the air. Jiho’s hands wrapped around Yeonjae’s back. As he responded, sucking on Yeonjae’s tongue, the rough movements gradually softened.

“…Director.”

“Kwon Heeyeon seems to resent you.”

“…”

“I can see the resentment. Are you just happy your sister woke up despite that?”

At Yeonjae’s question, spoken without breaking the kiss, Jiho stood on tiptoe and nibbled on his wet lips. He nodded slightly, murmuring that he was happy. Yeonjae felt another surge of inexplicable displeasure. The lingering kiss only ended when their swollen lips cracked and bled.

“Why do I feel so shitty, Mr. Kwon Jiho?”

“…What?”

Jiho asked, bewildered by the look in Yeonjae’s eyes, which seemed no less hungry despite the prolonged kiss. Yeonjae stared intently at Jiho’s innocent expression before turning away. Muttering “shitty” again, he was the first to leave the fire exit.

♬⋆.˚

Back at the academy after a week’s absence, Kwon Jiho faced a series of awkward situations. The children couldn’t ignore him wearing long sleeves and a mask in the sweltering summer heat, with temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius.

“Teacher! It’s summer!”

“…Teacher has a cold. Cough, cough…!”

“Did you take a break because you were sick, teacher?”

“Mm-hmm… Yes.”

Eunsol, who was holding Jiho’s hand with her small hand, widened her eyes in surprise, feeling the rough scabs.

“Teacher, you’re hurt! Look at this!”

Eunsol pulled up his sleeve, revealing his hand, and called her friends over. The children gathered, staring seriously at the bite marks covering his hands and fingers, and started suggesting various animals.

“A cat bit you?”

“No, a dog.”

“A hamster?”

“Silly! Hamsters only have two teeth. He has many. It must be a dog.”

Watching them speculate, Jiho pulled his hand away.

“…It doesn’t hurt. It’s okay. It’s almost healed. Thank you, everyone.”

“A dog bit you, right? It was a dog, right?”

“Uh? Ah… Um…”