Love Born of Pity Chapter 33

It was a shameless question, but also the most crucial part. If Do Yeonjae’s favor disappeared, Jiho couldn’t handle Heeyeon’s medical expenses on his own.

“Don’t worry about that either. I’ll support her until she’s discharged. But Yeonjae can’t know that we’ve had this conversation, or that your debt and your sister’s medical expenses are coming out of my wallet, right? Well, I doubt he wouldn’t know, but tell him not to directly interfere. Understand?”

Listening to the softly threatening voice, Jiho nodded. Unlike his earlier boldness at the table, when he had declared he would continue seeing Yeonjae even after the marriage if Yeonjae wished it, his demeanor was now docile.

It was amusing how easily he became submissive with just one threat about telling his sister. Was it because he was young? Or had Yeonjae tamed him this much? Gyumin, who had always considered innocence and kindness to be foolishness, found Jiho’s attitude rather unsettling. Jiho’s demeanor made him feel uncomfortable, prompting him to reflect on whether he had been too harsh.

“I’ll be going now. Pull yourself together and go in.”

“….Goodbye.”

“Let’s keep our promise.”

Kang Gyumin left the table. He looked at Jiho, head bowed and tears falling, with a troubled expression before turning away.

♬⋆.˚

The afternoons spent at the piano academy were idle and melancholic. Jiho often wore a dazed expression, and this was clearly reflected on Do Yeonjae’s tablet. Zooming in on Jiho’s face, Yeonjae tilted his head at the reddishness around his eyes.

He had entered the academy much later than the time Yeonjae had dropped him off. His eyes had been red then too, so what could have happened in those few minutes? Staring at Jiho’s face, which looked not just gloomy but pitiful to his eyes, Yeonjae called Secretary Kim.

― Yes, Director.

“Come in for a moment.”

The door opened immediately after the short call. As Secretary Kim approached the desk with his head bowed, Yeonjae put down the tablet in his hand and spoke.

“Let’s check the building’s CCTV.”

“Shall I look from the moment Mr. Kwon Jiho got out of the car?”

“Yes, I think he met someone….”

Yeonjae sighed briefly, running through the people who might visit Jiho.

“Kang Gyumin, perhaps. Since he didn’t go into the academy, he must have stopped at the cafe.”

“I’ll check the cafe as well.”

“That would be good.”

Yeonjae rubbed his face in frustration. He found it difficult to understand why Gyumin was interfering in this matter, all because of the marriage.

“I’m asking because this is my first marriage and I don’t know much.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Does getting married grant one the right to infringe on my private life?”

“I apologize, but I’m also unmarried, so I’m not sure. However….wouldn’t that usually be the case after marriage? Even if it’s not infringement, I think there’s a justification for mutual interference.”

“My marriage with Kang Gyumin isn’t a typical one. I don’t care if he has sex with someone else right in front of me, or has an orgy.”

At the nonchalant remark, Secretary Kim exhaled a long “hmm.”

“Why does he keep hanging around Kwon Jiho? You wouldn’t know, Secretary Kim, but Kwon Jiho is soft-hearted and easily swayed by others. And that makes me angry. I’m fond of him, so I don’t want to lay a hand on him.”

Yeonjae stared at his palm, recalling the not-so-distant past. The sensation of striking soft, supple flesh remained vivid.

“I want to take the easy route, but damn it, he’s not helping.”

“…….”

“Check everything you can and report back.”

Secretary Kim bowed his head as he looked at Yeonjae, who closed his eyes as if tired. Even Secretary Kim lacked the courage to honestly add that if the marriage went through, Yeonjae would naturally have to break things off with Jiho.

At the same time, Jiho was greeting a child entering the piano academy after school. His face, which had been like a cloudy sky after meeting Gyumin, brightened considerably.

“Teacheeer!”

“Hello, Mihong.”

“Teacher, are you okay now? A really tall teacher said you were sick. That teacher’s eyes went up like this, pointy. Like a bulldog.”

“Really?”

Jiho laughed at Mihong’s exaggerated expression and stroked her sweat-dampened hair. Gauging the heat outside from Mihong’s flushed cheeks, Jiho took out orange juice from the refrigerator.

“Is that teacher coming again? That teacher is a little scary. Eunsol cried twice. And Dabin cried once, I think.”

“…….”

“But Cha Mihong didn’t cry!”

Mihong looked up at Jiho with wide eyes, as if asking for praise. Jiho chuckled and stroked Mihong’s cheek.

“You were so brave, Mihong.”

“Because I’m the older brother! My little sibling was born! Mihong has to protect them!”

“Your parents must be so proud. Is your sibling cute?”

“They’re soooo red and….ugly.”

“….Let’s drink this and cool down before you go in.”

“Okay!”

Jiho opened the snack drawer and took out stick snacks and bread. He waited a while for Mihong to finish eating. He talked to her occasionally to slow her down and refilled her juice.

“I’m full!”

“Shall we practice now?”

“Yes!”

Mihong smiled brightly and entered the practice room. Jiho watched her small fingers move from outside the door and then tidied up the table. As he was gathering the snack crumbs to throw them in the trash can, the door opened.

“Wow! Teacher!”

Eunsol and Dabin rushed in, laughing. Eunsol, clinging to Jiho’s waist, whimpered that she had missed him. Jiho hugged the child, who smelled of sweet sweat from the heat, and gently stroked Dabin’s cheek.

“Is it the first time we’ve seen each other in three days?”

“Three days? What’s three days?”

Eunsol quickly lifted her head. She stared at Jiho with sparkling, teary eyes. Dabin, holding Jiho’s hand beside her, tilted her head as if she didn’t understand either.

“I was asking if it’s been three days since we last saw each other.”

“Aha! I see!”

“I missed you! That other teacher who came, not you, looked just like a bulldog.”

“Right. He looked like an angry bulldog! Right? His eyes went up like this.”

Are there bulldogs with pointy eyes? Strangely, the children were saying the same thing as Mihong. Eunsol, releasing her tight hug on Jiho, naturally headed towards the table with Dabin. With innocent eyes, they fanned themselves, complaining about the heat, and stared at Jiho.

“Do you want some juice?”

“Yes!”

Since meeting the children, a smile hadn’t left Jiho’s face. He gave the two eagerly waiting children stick snacks, chocolate bread, and juice, waited for them to finish eating, and then sent them into the practice room one by one.

“You have to play it five times.”

“That’s too much!”

“Play it to the end and come out.”

Jiho stroked Eunsol’s hair and closed the door, watching her practice through the glass window. He made eye contact with each child and smiled, then turned around at the sound of the entrance door opening, his eyes widening.

“You’re early today.”

“Hello.”

Three out of the four students were first graders, but one was a middle schooler. The middle schooler, who usually came when all the younger children had left or when only Eunsol remained, had arrived at the academy earlier than usual.

“Come in. It’s hot, isn’t it?”

“I thought you wouldn’t be here today.”

“Really? I made you worry for nothing.”

At the uncharacteristically nonchalant reply, the student sighed deeply. As the hair on his forehead swayed, he brushed it back with his long, slender fingers.

“Choi Hyunwoo?”

“Teacher, you seem too weak. Haven’t you been unwell since last month?”

“Not really.”

“You should exercise. You don’t even walk much, do you? You need to build up your strength. Is it because you’re always getting your energy sucked out by little kids?”

Hyunwoo, who had entered with a weary expression, pulled out a chair and plopped down. He then glared fiercely at the practice room where the three chick-like children had entered.

“I’m not.”

“I’m so tired after P.E. The reason I came early today was to run away if that substitute teacher was here, oh. That’s right. That teacher. He looked like a bulldog.”

“….The other kids are saying the same thing. And they’re young, Hyunwoo. Let’s try to use nice and proper words.”

At the gentle reminder, Hyunwoo finally burst into laughter. Jiho laughed along with him. Just then, as if he had suddenly realized something, Hyunwoo opened his bag.

“I didn’t know what was wrong with you, so I just bought some tonic.”

“Wow, you didn’t have to buy me this. Thank you.”

“Teacher, shouldn’t you get some sunlight? You look like a vampire.”

“Wouldn’t I be super strong if I were a vampire?”

Hyunwoo nodded as if there was some truth to Jiho’s reply.

“….That’s true.”

Although it was a natural agreement, Jiho felt strangely offended.

“Do you want something to drink?”

“No.”

“Then go in and practice quickly.”

“Yes, sir.”