Love Born of Pity Chapter 26

As Kwon Jiho nodded dazedly to Do Yeonjae’s question, Yeonjae stood, supporting him. Gently stroking Jiho’s still-red cheeks and playfully patting his backside, Yeonjae left the counseling room with a mischievous smile. Jiho hesitated, unsure whether to follow or stay, but by the time he decided, Do Yeonjae had already left the academy.

The few minutes of waiting felt longer than hours. Anxious eyes kept darting to the entrance. Why isn’t he back? Jiho’s nervous glances finally caught sight of Do Yeonjae returning.

“…Director.”

Mumbling, Jiho hurriedly stood and left the counseling room. Do Yeonjae, returning after a phone call, noticed Jiho’s small, moving lips and stopped at the entrance.

He’d only stepped out to arrange for a music major to cover Jiho’s piano lessons for a couple of days. Yet, seeing Jiho rush toward him with tear-soaked eyes, like a puppy with separation anxiety, Do Yeonjae laughed.

It was satisfying. That little thing acting like Yeonjae was his entire world.

Holding open the door, Yeonjae pulled Jiho into his arms and led him out. Jiho’s bewildered face looked up.

“Director…?”

“You said we can’t close the academy.”

“If we close it suddenly without notice, it’ll be hard for parents to find someone to watch the kids…”

“Someone’s coming. Not super experienced, but a music major, so no need to worry.”

Still not fully grasping Yeonjae’s words, Jiho was led to a waiting car. Did he find someone to teach the kids for today? Wanting to confirm, Jiho exhaled deeply, clutching Yeonjae’s collar.

“…Okay.”

He swallowed his rising questions. He didn’t want to think about anything today. His eyelids felt too hot to keep open, so he leaned his head against Yeonjae, letting his body relax.

“Where… are we going?”

“Would Mr. Kwon Jiho know if I told him?”

Yeonjae’s teasing, almost hurtful tone made Jiho faintly furrow his brow. But the ticklish sensation of Yeonjae kissing each of his fingers quickly melted his heart. If only his words were as gentle as his actions. But maybe this kind of relationship doesn’t need gentleness.

Every time Jiho realized what kind of relationship he had with Yeonjae, his chest ached. Feeling the soft touch of Yeonjae’s lips on his fingers, Jiho gave a faint smile.

“…Thank you.”

“If you get it, do well.”

Yeonjae kept holding and caressing Jiho’s hand before turning his gaze out the window.

He was taking Jiho to his private villa. Nestled between low mountains and the sea, it had beautiful scenery and was secluded, a private property cut off from others. Perfect for a day or two of light relaxation, it was a place Jiho would likely enjoy.

After a little over an hour’s drive, they arrived. Waking Jiho, who had fallen asleep, Yeonjae saw light-colored eyes peeking through swollen eyelids.

“Get up.”

“…Ah.”

Still groggy, Jiho shook his small head, letting out a ticklish laugh. A smile he only showed when half-asleep. “Director.” Pulling Yeonjae’s body closer, Jiho rubbed his forehead against his shoulder, dozing a bit more.

“It’s the sea.”

“…What?”

“Get out, and you’ll see the sea.”

At the low voice, Jiho’s closed eyes snapped open. The warm bundle squirming in Yeonjae’s arms soon pulled away. Pressing against the window, Jiho let out an exclamation.

As a child, he’d come to the sea every summer with his family, but as he grew older, various reasons kept him away. After the accident, it became impossible.

“Can I get out?”

“What if I say no?”

“…Then I at least want to open the window. I want to hear the waves.”

His voice was subdued, but his eyes sparkled. He looked happy just seeing the sea. Dropping his teasing, Yeonjae opened the back door. Rounding to Jiho’s side and opening his door, Yeonjae saw Jiho’s faintly melancholic face brighten.

“Get out.”

Grabbing Yeonjae’s outstretched hand, Jiho stepped out, his mouth forming a perfect circle. The late afternoon sun scattered light across the water. The sound of crashing waves, the warm breeze, and the salty tang of the sea excited him.

“You’re acting like it’s your first time.”

“I came here as a kid. After I grew up… maybe my third year of middle school was the last time. So it’s been a really long time. Thank you for bringing me.”

“…”

“Can I go inside? Is that okay?”

Instead of moving impulsively, Jiho asked for permission each step of the way. Yeonjae nodded with a smile. Letting go of Yeonjae’s hand, Jiho approached the incoming waves. Kicking off his shoes on the fine sand and rolling up his pants, he revealed slender ankles.

“Eek, it’s cold.”

Turning back to Yeonjae with a grin, he looked innocent. Blushing cheeks and beautifully curved lips, Jiho dodged the waves, then chased them reluctantly, repeating the cycle.

“The sea’s so pretty—why’s no one here?”

“Maybe because it’s a weekday?”

“I guess.”

He seemed to buy it innocently. Not bothering to mention it was private property, Yeonjae watched him play a bit longer, then clicked his tongue at Jiho’s reddened cheeks.

“Come here.”

Jiho’s wet feet glistened transparently. He smiled, as if even the gritty sand scattering beneath him was delightful.

“Director, the color of the water is so pretty.”

“It’s blue.”

“Exactly! And there are so many hermit crabs. I thought this was an empty shell, but it moved, so I brought it to show you.”

His fingertips, dipped in the water, were red. What’s so exciting about seawater? Unlike the indifferent Yeonjae, Jiho kicked at the water with his toes, scooped it into his cupped hands, and brought it to his face. Now it was a hermit crab. Placing the finger-sized shell on his smooth palm, he made Yeonjae observe it closely.

“Cool, huh?”

Raising his head, Yeonjae stared into Jiho’s eyes and smiled. Slowly blinking, Jiho’s eyelids lifted, revealing light-colored pupils. His brownish irises were clearer than glass marbles, the radial patterns within the dark brown rims fully visible.

“It’s cool.”

Their locked gazes felt tender. Proud of making even the usually sharp Yeonjae smile softly, Jiho grinned in a way Yeonjae had never seen. Cute wrinkles formed on his nose, his eyes curving like crescent moons.

The hermit crab scuttled across his palm and dropped to the ground. Jiho’s eyes, chasing it, flicked back to Yeonjae, sparkling. His bangs, tousled by the humid breeze, and his cheeks, flushed from the heat.

As Yeonjae’s hand cupped his warm cheek, Jiho closed his eyes, as if waiting. Yeonjae pressed a firm kiss to his salty lips, pulling him closer by the sweat-dampened nape. The shallow, repeated kisses felt odd, and Jiho opened his eyes, grabbing Yeonjae’s clothes.

“What?”

“…Just.”

It felt strange. Leaning his sweat-beaded forehead against Yeonjae’s chest, Jiho let out soft, shaky breaths.

“Wanna go inside?”

“…Can we come back out at night after going in?”

“Depends on how Mr. Kwon Jiho behaves.”

The hand brushing back his sweaty hair was gentle. Jiho mumbled a small “thank you” and followed Yeonjae’s lead. Climbing the stairs along the low mountain facing the sea, a white villa, like a backdrop, came into view.

“Wow…”

Designed with the sea view in mind, the building’s entire front was made of floor-to-ceiling glass. The mountain surrounded it like a fortress. From the beach, it seemed like a low hill, but up close, it was quite tall, densely packed with coniferous trees. The terrain looked too rugged for tourists.

“It doesn’t seem like people can come here. The path’s too rough—maybe that’s why the beach was empty.”

Clinging to Yeonjae, Jiho tilted his head back and murmured innocently. Still not realizing it was private property, he mused that the lack of tourists kept the sea unpolluted. Then again, he’d been asleep and missed the high walls and imposing gates set up to keep outsiders out.

“Wanna go in?”

“I’ve got sand on me…”

Hesitating at the suggestion to enter, Jiho mumbled. Noticing the golden sand dusting his white feet, Yeonjae grabbed his wrist and led him to a faucet. The water was cold even in summer, so Yeonjae roughly brushed off the sand, asked if that was good enough, and crossed the lawn.

Stepping barefoot on the grass, Jiho realized for the first time how it felt—ticklish, damp, and novel. His lips naturally curved into a smile.