Love Born of Pity Chapter 43

Ha. With a sigh, Kwon Jiho sniffled, unable to control his surging emotions. He had never imagined living like this. Clinging to Do Yeonjae and living parasitically, even at the cost of ruining someone else’s future.

Rubbing his eyes, Kwon Jiho pulled his phone from the corner of the table and carefully dialed Kang Gyumin’s number. His trembling finger hovered over the green call button, unable to press it. Then, with a sudden resolve, he made the call.

His eyes anxiously checked the time. Out of habit, he put the phone to his right ear, then quickly switched hands. The ringing stopped before the third ring.

—Hello.

“…….”

—Hello?

“……Ah, hello. This is Kwon Jiho.”

—I know. What is it? Do you need money? Or do you need help?

A dry voice flowed through the receiver. At the same time, there was a soft rustling sound. It sounded like pages turning or fabric crumpling. Kwon Jiho opened and closed his mouth, then shook his head.

“I called because I thought you might be waiting.”

—Me? Ah, did you break up with Mr. Yeonjae?

The voice on the other end rose slightly. Kwon Jiho closed his mouth, unable to answer. He rolled the answer he had to give around in his mouth, listening to the excited voice on the other end.

—Hello?

“……No. Not yet.”

Kang Gyumin fell silent for a moment. He let out a long sigh, then another. He kept repeating “Ah,” as if struggling to speak.

—Okay, shall we meet and talk? Today seems a bit late, so how about tomorrow or the day after? Whenever is convenient for you. Morning or afternoon, which is better?

“Morning is… If we can meet around 10, tomorrow or the day after is fine.”

—Okay. I’ll adjust my schedule. Since the mistress of the man who’s going to be my spouse is offering his precious time, I should adjust.

Sarcasm laced the gentle tone. Kwon Jiho bit his lip, unable to answer easily.

—Would that cafe be convenient?

“……Yes.”

—Okay, then. Let’s meet there tomorrow.

Kwon Jiho mumbled, “I’ll see you tomorrow,” to the silent Kang Gyumin and finally ended the call. He looked at the time after putting down his phone. Only a few minutes had passed. His hands trembled.

As Kang Gyumin had said, he seemed to have a shameless side. If their positions were reversed and he were experiencing this, he wouldn’t have been as gentlemanly as Kang Gyumin.

Writhing with guilt and self-loathing, Kwon Jiho raised his head at the faint sound of a bell. Hyunwoo was entering the academy. He waved at the boy, who bowed his head, and stood up. He bumped his thigh as he came around the desk.

“You’re here? You’re early.”

As he opened the door and spoke, Hyunwoo’s eyes landed on Kwon Jiho’s thigh.

“Teacher, you’ve been bumping into things a lot lately.”

“……Ah.”

“You’re careless. You’re not usually clumsy, but you’re surprisingly a klutz.”

“Practice, let’s practice.”

He opened the practice room door, but Hyunwoo put his bag on the table in the center of the hall. He pulled out a chair and sat down with an unusually sullen attitude.

“I’ll rest for a bit. When the kids come to the academy, you give them drinks and snacks, why don’t you give me any? You said I’m a kid in your eyes, too.”

Kwon Jiho brought out drinks and snacks at his words, accompanied by rubbing his eyes as if tired. Hyunwoo immediately slumped over the table. He held the cold juice to his cheek and blinked slowly.

“Are you tired?”

“A little? Teacher, there’s this kid at school, and he’s never learned anything, but he plays the piano really well. He can’t even read music, but he just picks up the chords by listening. Is that even possible? He shouldn’t be able to… how does he do that? Is it like perfect pitch or something?”

“Really? He’s amazing.”

“He’s poor, you know? He doesn’t have any money. So, what he wears is really shabby… but he plays the piano well. Is he crazy? No, wouldn’t he be frustrated? He doesn’t even know he has a talent for piano. Of course, he wouldn’t, since he doesn’t even know he plays the piano well.”

The boy frowned as he talked to himself, muttering in a tone that was unclear whether it was praise or criticism.

“If you don’t have money, it’s really… It seems like life becomes unfortunate.”

“…….”

“Anyway… it’s pitiful. It would have been better if he was good at studying.”

Kwon Jiho smiled faintly as he imagined the child Hyunwoo pitied. Right, it would have been better if he was good at studying. Hyunwoo’s words felt directed at him.

Kwon Jiho didn’t suggest bringing the child to the academy later. He kept his mouth shut, remembering that he was in no position to help others, nor to offer cheap pity.

Hyunwoo finished his juice and snacks in one gulp and stood up. He entered the practice room as usual, played the piano for his allotted practice time, received his lesson, and then left.

♬⋆.˚

Kwon Jiho tidied up the academy early and went outside to wait for Do Yeonjae, but he received a call telling him to go home first. Secretary Kim called on Do Yeonjae’s behalf and told him to eat dinner first.

—I’ll send a car.

“Oh, no. I can take a taxi. Thank you for your concern.”

—These are the CEO’s instructions. Please wait a moment.

“Then… Okay, I understand. Thank you.”

At the firm tone that said he couldn’t go alone, Kwon Jiho agreed. How long did he wait after the call ended? It felt like less than 10 minutes, but a car with flashing hazard lights pulled over and stopped. The man who got out of the driver’s seat was a secretary Kwon Jiho had seen several times while living with Do Yeonjae.

“Hello. Have you been waiting long?”

“Hello, Secretary Park. No, I haven’t waited long.”

“Please, get in.”

Secretary Park, bowing respectfully as if addressing a superior, opened the rear door of the car. Secretary Park only smiled silently at Kwon Jiho’s quiet “Thank you.”

The car started as soon as Kwon Jiho clicked his seatbelt buckle. Since he had been instructed not to engage in any conversation with Kwon Jiho, he kept his eyes fixed forward. Unaware of this, Kwon Jiho, shy, couldn’t even offer a word of thanks for the trouble Secretary Park was going through at this late hour.

Secretary Park dropped Kwon Jiho off in front of the house and escorted him to the front door.

“Thank you. Drive safely.”

“Yes. Please, rest.”

Only after hearing the front door close and the lock click did he cross the yard. His steps were light, having received a call from his superior telling him to leave the site and return the car the next day.

Kwon Jiho felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity as he returned home alone for the first time in a while. The house was quiet but bright in the early evening, thanks to the long summer days. Still, he turned on all the lights in the living room, checked the dining table set for two, and went straight to the bedroom.

He didn’t know what Do Yeonjae would say if he didn’t eat the prepared meal. Kwon Jiho washed his hands, ate his portion, and then cleared the table. Night had fallen. Not knowing what to do in the house without Do Yeonjae, he sat still in the living room for a while before finally remembering what he needed to do.

Kwon Jiho showered longer than usual and went to bed earlier than the night before. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep, but since he was mentally exhausted, he didn’t stay awake for long. Soon, only the sound of even breathing filled the bedroom.

He woke up late at night. The sound of running water from the bathroom indicated Do Yeonjae’s return. While he was debating whether to get up and greet him or pretend to be asleep, the water stopped.

Do Yeonjae, moving around with only the dim mood lighting on, checked the bed while drying his wet hair. Kwon Jiho was lying still, fast asleep. Do Yeonjae smiled, looking at him, unguarded and devoid of any vigilance. He tossed the towel in his hand into the laundry basket.

It seemed he wouldn’t be able to dry his hair after all. As soon as he lay down on the bed, he habitually pulled Kwon Jiho close. He wasn’t usually warm, but when he slept, he became hot like a child. Well, considering their age difference, Kwon Jiho was indeed like a child. Do Yeonjae moved his cool hand to cover Kwon Jiho’s forehead, and Kwon Jiho snuggled into his embrace.

“Are you awake?”

“……No. I missed you.”

“You seemed to be sleeping soundly for someone who missed me.”

Kwon Jiho chuckled along with Do Yeonjae, who laughed softly at his childishness. His house was too big and lonely to be alone in. Kwon Jiho inhaled deeply, taking in the scent that was the same as his own.

And now, he could clearly distinguish Do Yeonjae’s pheromones and the lingering sweet scent, like a remnant. It was a scent he had smelled somewhere before… a sweet, fruity fragrance. Did one’s sense of smell become more sensitive after presenting?