Love Born of Pity Chapter 30

Without shoes, Kwon Jiho figured the fine sand wouldn’t hurt his feet. Slipping out through the window, he finally smiled. Was it going to rain? Despite the early dawn, the humid breeze carried the scent of water. Pausing to glance at the sky, he slowly began to walk.

With each step down the stairs he’d climbed with Do Yeonjae on the first day, the distant sea drew closer. Thinking he’d sit for a bit and hurry back, he quickly stepped onto the sandy beach.

Soft sand slipped between his toes. The cool, damp sensation brought an involuntary smile. On the deserted shore, Kwon Jiho left a trail of footprints before plopping down in a suitable spot.

“…What a shame.”

He wished he’d brought his phone. A video could’ve been something to look back on. Propping his chin on his raised knees, Kwon Jiho gazed endlessly at the gradually brightening sky and sea. Counting seconds aloud since he didn’t know the time, he reached 600 before standing.

It felt like more than ten minutes had passed, but not too long. Hopefully, Do Yeonjae hadn’t woken and noticed his absence. Lingering with reluctant eyes on the sea, Kwon Jiho slowly turned around.

He hurriedly climbed the stairs, washed his feet at the tap as he had on the first day, and crossed the lawn barefoot. Opening the window he’d left slightly ajar, he stepped inside and let the robe fall to the floor.

His flushed face checked for any sounds from within. His breathing was ragged from rushing. Wiping the dampness from his feet roughly on the robe, he washed them thoroughly in the bathroom, splashed his face, and tiptoed back toward the bedroom.

Click—the door opened, but Do Yeonjae’s presence was gone from the bed. Kwon Jiho’s heart sank as he moved forward. The faint sound of water made his face pale.

“…What do I do?”

Rubbing his lips with the back of his hand, he paced anxiously in the bedroom. The moment the water stopped, he collapsed onto the edge of the bed. The bathroom door opened. Reflexively jumping up, Kwon Jiho’s gaze met Do Yeonjae, brushing back wet hair. A cold, cynical face softened into a gentle smile.

“Showing me something nice.”

“…Ah!”

He’d shed the sandy robe, standing completely naked. Trying to cover his exposed body, Kwon Jiho gave up when it proved futile and hung his head.

“When did you wake up?”

“Just now. You weren’t here when I got up.”

“…I woke up early and stepped outside… just for a bit.”

“You went out without permission?”

Tossing a towel into the laundry basket, Do Yeonjae strode toward Kwon Jiho. Seeing him shrink like a scolded puppy, the anger Do Yeonjae felt fizzled out. Was it the marks scattered across his bare body? He looked especially pitiful and forlorn.

“You could’ve woken me.”

“…I was going to come back quickly. I didn’t want to bother you…”

His trembling voice rambled excuses. As Do Yeonjae reached toward his upturned face, Kwon Jiho closed his eyes, as if braced for violence. An odd displeasure rose, and Do Yeonjae let out a hollow laugh, lightly tapping his flushed cheek. At the soft slap, Kwon Jiho’s eyes flew open.

“Thought you were waiting to get hit.”

“…N-no, that’s not…”

“If it’s not, why act like that? When have I ever hit you to make you flinch at a raised hand? That’s strange.”

Tears welled in his large eyes. Though he hadn’t truly expected to be struck, a faint resentment glimmered in his transparent gaze.

“If you don’t want to keep getting hit, fix your attitude, unless you’re expecting me to meet your expectations.”

“…Yes.”

“Did you wash?”

“Roughly. Just my face…”

At the trailing reply, Do Yeonjae briefly frowned in disapproval before turning away. He grabbed a spare bathrobe from the bathroom, handed it to Kwon Jiho, and gestured for him to leave the bedroom. Slipping his arms clumsily into the robe and loosely tying it, Kwon Jiho rubbed his damp eyes with the back of his hand and moved.

Seating Kwon Jiho at the dining table, Do Yeonjae stepped out to the entrance and returned with something. The contrast between his usual poised, perfectly styled demeanor and his current disheveled state felt unfamiliar, making Kwon Jiho’s heart race inexplicably.

Stealing glances at Do Yeonjae, Kwon Jiho fidgeted with the loosely tied waistband. Startled by something placed in front of him, his shoulders flinched.

“We’re heading back today.”

“…Today?”

“Want to stay longer?”

“No, no… that’s not it.”

His face flushed red, as if his true feelings were exposed, and he shook his head vigorously. Do Yeonjae, who’d been smiling often since morning, opened the still-warm lunchbox and spoke.

“Your sister’s transferring hospitals today. You should go.”

“Oh…! Right, thank you.”

“No need to thank me. It’s all Mr. Kwon Jiho’s debt.”

Kwon Jiho nodded slightly at the shrugging remark. He was grateful, despite knowing. Without Do Yeonjae’s money, he couldn’t have considered transferring hospitals for rehabilitation. Yet, alongside gratitude for Do Yeonjae’s accommodations, he felt the ground sinking beneath him.

As Do Yeonjae said, the debt was being repaid in installments with the piano academy’s profits and payments for his “services.” The little money left was saved for Kwon Heeyeon.

Before she woke, he held hope she would. After she did, he wished for her discharge to support her, even slightly. Though he repaid diligently each month without spending on himself, his poverty never improved.

“Your face doesn’t match your thanks.”

“The debt’s piling up again…”

“Feeling stingy about the money for your sister’s rehab? Having bad thoughts now that she’s awake?”

Kwon Jiho lifted his bowed head at the snickering question. Even denying it, Do Yeonjae didn’t believe him.

“Well, no matter how kind our Mr. Kwon Jiho is, family means nothing when it comes to money. It’s all bullshit.”

“That’s not it. It’s just… that’s not what I meant.”

“Even if your sister just lies there breathing, the debt keeps growing. Must be upsetting.”

Setting down his chopsticks, Do Yeonjae stared at Kwon Jiho, speaking as if amused.

“But you don’t get hounded like others. I made sure of that.”

“…Thank you.”

“Without me, would our Mr. Kwon Jiho be selling himself so leisurely? You should know by now that one kidney wouldn’t cover your debt.”

Kwon Jiho nodded at the low, resonant voice. Hands neatly folded, he listened intently, not touching the untouched lunchbox.

“The interest surpassed the principal long ago. The debt grows daily, but Mr. Kwon Jiho lives like a human. Thanks to me.”

“…”

“Where’s the leisure for someone like Mr. Kwon Jiho? It only exists when I grant it. Now do you get why I get mad when you act leisurely on your own?”

Though he’d never indulged in leisure, the realization hit sharply. Was that why he was brought here suddenly, made to face reality again? To remind him of his place. To show that the fleeting sense of leisure, which didn’t feel like his own, stemmed from Do Yeonjae’s fingertips.

“…You’re right, Director. I’ll be careful. I… I think I got too carried away because you’ve been kind to me.”

“Because I spoil Mr. Kwon Jiho so much.”

“…Yes. You’re right. Because you… spoil me.”

His thin hair swayed with each nodding agreement. The faint scent from outside lingered and dispersed.

“Eat moderately and wash up. Don’t overdo it.”

“…Yes.”

“Don’t go outside again.”

“I won’t.”

Confirming his nodding, smiling face, Do Yeonjae rose first. He had things to handle, so he told Kwon Jiho to eat slowly and plenty. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to pat Kwon Jiho’s head.

♬⋆.˚

Climbing into the car to return home after briefly enjoying Do Yeonjae’s granted leisure, Kwon Jiho gazed out the window. The sea, close yet somehow farther, left no regret or lingering attachment. The thought of “I’ll come back” didn’t cross his mind. Having quietly watched the sea under the cloudy dawn sky alone that morning, he felt it was enough.