KISS THE SCUMBAG Chapter 28

But for Yujin, that annex was excessively large. The space he occupied alone was too vast and empty, and sometimes even the sound of branches brushing against the windows would terrify him. That space had turned into the most lovely and cozy place in the world only because he had come to love someone. And now, that annex stood before his eyes.

His steps, which had been slowly slowing, had stopped completely, though he hadn’t realized it. His daughter, who had run quite a distance ahead, was hopping around the front door, anxiously waiting for him to come. But Yujin’s feet had stopped moving, and he just stared endlessly at the small annex.

It looked far more dilapidated than in his memories. The once-white walls had peeling paint, revealing the unsightly, raw wood underneath in places, and the nail holes were rusted, staining the surrounding areas with brown streaks. The windows were so blurred with accumulated dust that it was impossible to see inside at all. It was enough for anyone to see that it had been abandoned for a long time, with no one visiting.

“Daddy, come here! Daddy!”

Unable to wait any longer, his daughter ran back and pulled his hand to lead him. Yujin, forcibly led by his daughter, took reluctant steps one by one. One step, then another—as the annex grew closer, his heart sent out a dull thumping.

Clink. A faint bell sound resonated. A wind chime with a bell hanging beneath an owl carving swayed in the wind, emitting a clear sound. The ringing that he used to hear every now and then awakened faint memories.

“Oh, it is.”

Yujin hurriedly cleared his throat at his own deeply sunken voice. As he carefully reached out his hand, his fingers touched the long wind plate hanging down. The plate, which had been swaying slowly in the wind, stopped moving the moment Yujin’s hand touched it. The bell sound also disappeared, leaving behind a lingering echo. Silence quickly settled over the surroundings. As Yujin cautiously pulled his hand away, the plate swayed again, and the bell sound rang out.

“It’s pretty, so, so pretty.”

From below, Angela said in a dazed voice. Yujin gave a bitter smile at the sight of his daughter, who was completely captivated by the wind chime. It seemed the chime had stolen his daughter’s heart entirely, but it was like a dream she could never have. Because Yujin didn’t own a single thing here.

He bent one knee to meet the child’s gaze and spoke.

“I’ll buy you a prettier one next time, Angie.”

Vain promises were all Yujin could offer his child. He truly wanted to do anything for Angela, but reality was not easy. His daughter, who had already experienced numerous frustrations at such a young age, didn’t resent her daddy for the meaningless promise; she just nodded, saying, “Okay.”

“When we buy our house, hang it on my bedroom door.”

“Okay.”

A wind chime won’t ring if the wind doesn’t blow. But Yujin willingly nodded. What did it matter if the bell didn’t ring? As long as Angela was happy.

“When are we getting the inheritance, Daddy?”

Angela asked suddenly. Yujin belatedly remembered the lie he had told his child. Oh no, he felt a sense of dismay inwardly, and he hurriedly forced a smile.

“Buying a house will take some time. We have to stay here a little longer for now.”

“Why?”

The child immediately wrinkled her face and tilted her head. How should he say it? Yujin was at a loss, but it was something he would have to face eventually. He had to explain the situation to his daughter.

“Well, you see….”

Yujin paused for a moment, searching for the right words.

“There is a certain amount of time it takes to execute the will. That’s why.”

In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to say he was getting married. When he gave a vague answer, Angela asked again.

“Then how long do we have to wait?”

Again, the right words didn’t come easily. Yujin hesitated and let his sentence trail off.

“Well, at least a few months….”

Angela became visibly discouraged. Although she was mature for her age, she was still a child. Yujin felt a pang of pity and hurried to comfort her, but Angela quickly regained her spirits.

“Okay. Then I just have to wait, right?”

“Yes.”

At Yujin’s answer, Angela hugged him as if relieved. Just as Yujin was about to happily hug her back, Angela stole the timing from him once more.

“What is this place for, Daddy?”

At the question, as she pulled away quickly, Yujin lowered his hands, which he had been holding awkwardly, and gave a bitter smile.

“It’s where Daddy used to live.”

“Daddy? Here?”

Angela’s eyes went round. Seeing her turn her head and look around the house as if it were fascinating, Yujin added an explanation.

“I lived here for a while when I was young. I mean, until before you were born.”

“Really?”

Angela’s voice rose a notch. The child couldn’t contain her excitement and began running around the area. His daughter, who had been trying to look inside through the dusty window by standing on tiptoe, soon gave up and circled the mansion.

“Don’t go too far, Angie!”

When he shouted out of concern, Angela turned her head and said, “Okay,” but immediately asked:

“Is this where you met Papa, too?”

“…Yes.”

Yujin couldn’t hide his embarrassment, but he confessed honestly.

“And this is also where I had you.”

“Reaaally?”

Angela asked again, shocked as if she were about to jump. Yujin nodded with a bitter smile.

“Yes. I met Papa here and had you.”

“Amazing!”

Angela shrieked, then suddenly turned and ran toward the door. She tried to grab the handle and open it, but of course, the door was locked. Seeing the door remain immovable, letting out only an unpleasant creaking sound, Angela was disappointed for a moment, but soon regained her energy and ran to the other side instead. This time, Yujin didn’t bother to catch the child and left her be. Besides, there was nowhere for Angela to go, was there? There was nothing in this area except for this annex where Yujin had stayed.

Haa….

A bitter sigh escaped him. Having walked down the few steps, he slowly looked around. He hadn’t intended to come back here. Even though several years had already passed, it seemed his body still remembered. His feet had led him here on their own. Yujin slowly surveyed the surroundings. The memories he had forgotten surfaced all at once, unfolding before his eyes as vividly as if it had happened just yesterday.

Yujin.

Even the face of the young boy who used to call his name so cheerfully.

Soft grass was crushed under his feet. Looking down, he saw countless clover leaves. As if led by something, he bent down and picked one. It had three leaves. Yujin sat right there and began to look at the clovers one by one. Back then, all he had to do was sit on the ground and look at clovers with nothing to do. Even though he had searched until his eyes ached for a four-leaf clover to kill time, not a single one ever caught his eye.

Can I find one this time?

If I find one, I’ll give it to Angela. Thinking that, Yujin carefully set the clovers aside with his fingers to find the mutant hidden inside. Suddenly, he felt as if he had returned to that long-ago day. A day when tears welled up because he felt so pathetic and lonely, just sitting there endlessly rummaging through clovers.

Yujin felt a presence and instinctively lifted his head. Just like that day, the man was sitting on his horse, staring at Yujin.

I think that boy must be a prince.

When he first saw the boy, Yujin had thought blankly. He had no other choice but to think that. The handsome boy sitting on a magnificent black horse was wearing a sparkling shirt and high-quality trousers. His amber eyes, staring at Yujin, were like finely crafted jewels, making his heart flutter all the more.

He was staring endlessly, when the boy spoke first.

Are you looking for a four-leaf clover?

At that moment, the tears that had been welling up in Yujin’s eyes streamed down. The startled boy opened his eyes wide, and Yujin, also flustered, hurriedly rubbed his face and turned to sit with his back to him. An awkward silence flowed. Seeing Yujin stubbornly turning his back, the boy mustered his courage first.

I’m Winston Campbell.

The child’s voice, which had not yet undergone the change of puberty, trembled thinly.

What’s your name?