But those children were paying, and Yeonwoo wasn’t. After several months had passed, some parents began to talk about Yeonwoo, and that’s when his father learned he had been visiting the kindergarten. His father hadn’t known until then because Yeonwoo always made sure to return home by the time his father came back.
Yeonwoo was only 8 years old at that time.
The child was alone at home until late, yet he wasn’t hungry and had completed all his homework. A typical parent might have felt suspicious, but his father didn’t. Having been an orphan himself, Yeonwoo’s father had matured very early and had done everything on his own, so this didn’t seem strange to him.
‘My sister runs an after-school program for elementary school students. If you’re okay with it, I could introduce you to it. But since Yeonwoo is still young and feels comfortable at the kindergarten, we’d be fine keeping him with us for a few more years.’
‘…’
‘Yeonwoo is so well-behaved and quiet. He just reads books when he’s here, so he’s no trouble at all. He plays well with the younger children too, so we’d be happy if he could stay with us…’
The roles had been reversed. Words that Yeonwoo’s father should have been saying were coming from the principal’s mouth. Aware of this, his father listened quietly. Then, when his father said he would be grateful for a little more help and asked how much he should pay per month, the principal smiled.
‘Having Yeonwoo here is more helpful to us. So don’t worry about that.’
‘But Yeonwoo eats…’
‘We just prepare one more snack when we feed the children. It’s no trouble at all.’
But Yeonwoo would stay until the very end, even after most of the children had gone home, and always had a warm dinner. In an empty place, sitting beside the teacher who was finishing up the day in the principal’s office.
While one could overlook it when unaware, once it was known, it couldn’t continue. However, just working was overwhelming at the time. When he was younger, Yeonwoo’s father worked two, sometimes three jobs a day. Even after Yeonwoo had grown up and things had settled down somewhat, he usually worked at least two places.
Working whatever jobs he could find, Yeonwoo’s father was still young. Not yet in his thirties, he said with an embarrassed face, “Then I’ll entrust him to you.”
The principal told him not to worry and assured him she would take good care of Yeonwoo. There was no falsehood in her face as she said this. She must have been sincere. She was truly a good person.
After saying goodbye to the principal, Yeonwoo looked up at the woman whose hair was beginning to turn white. When she smiled faintly and asked, “What is it?”, Yeonwoo raised the corners of his mouth just slightly and answered, “Nothing.” Then he turned and ran to his father who was waiting for him. His father, holding the small outstretched hand, bowed once more before turning away.
There was no conversation the entire way home. But in the sighs that his father occasionally let out, there was an unmistakable weariness of life. As his father sometimes looked into the distance or followed passing buses with his gaze, Yeonwoo finally uttered the words that had been stuck in his throat.
‘I won’t go to kindergarten anymore.’
‘…’
‘I’m old enough to stay home alone now.’
The corners of his father’s mouth turned up just slightly. Looking down at Yeonwoo, he smiled and asked, “Why?”
‘You’d be bored alone. If you’re at kindergarten, I don’t have to leave work early to make meals, and you get to eat warm food… I think it’s good.’
‘…’
‘The principal is a really good person. It’s shameless, but I’ll have to rely on her for about one more year.’
Saying it was fortunate that everyone was fond of Yeonwoo, his father sighed again. Looking at that face intently, Yeonwoo lowered his head.
He shouldn’t have gone to the kindergarten in the first place. Having already graduated, why did he go back and create this situation? Now that he had entered elementary school, he was a “big brother.” He should be helping his father. He should make his father feel rewarded for working so hard.
His father shouldn’t regret having and raising him…
It was only after attending kindergarten that Yeonwoo realized he wasn’t receiving proper care. But that wasn’t anyone’s fault or wrongdoing.
His father was already tired from working late, so asking him to take care of Yeonwoo too was selfish. Therefore, Yeonwoo shouldn’t distract his father from work. Otherwise, his father might abandon him and leave.
“Yeonwoo.”
Yeonwoo’s body shook greatly at the breath-like whisper near his ear. As he exhaled deeply and unconsciously raised both arms to stretch, his arms were caught. Unable to stretch, Yeonwoo pushed his chest forward, trying somehow to loosen his stiff body. Squeezing his eyes shut and making an “mmm” sound, he dropped his head to the side and finally opened his eyes that had been closed all along.
“…”
Even after opening his eyes, he couldn’t immediately come to his senses. After a dazed moment, as he realized he was sitting down, he also sequentially recalled who he had met today. Surprised, Yeonwoo held his breath and raised his head, and the hat he had been wearing fell back. With a light sound, the hat dropped, but Yeonwoo had no time to worry about it as his eyes met those of the man who was bending his waist toward him.
“Are you very tired?”
“…No, no.”
Shaking his head at the concerned words, Yeonwoo paused. Recalling what state he must be in, he hurriedly gathered the fallen hat. With his head lowered, he pulled the hat down deeply and said, “I’m sorry.”
“You must have fallen asleep while I was driving.”
For Yeonwoo, who had only used public transportation until now, riding in a passenger car was still unfamiliar. Still, he had never dozed off when moving with Secretary Kang. As Yeonwoo became flustered, a large hand unbuckled his seatbelt. Then, grabbing Yeonwoo’s wrist that was pressing down on his hat, he said, “Let’s get out now.”
Moving awkwardly as he was pulled along, Yeonwoo raised his head and made a small “Ah” sound. He recognized where they were—it was the private café he had visited before. Where he had met Ho Munbeom for the second time.
Perhaps because it was a familiar place, Yeonwoo’s shoulders relaxed slightly. Then he noticed his wrist being held by Ho Munbeom.
“…”
His hand was so large that, although it was Yeonwoo’s wrist that was being held, his own hand was not visible.
Wiggling his fingers slightly, Yeonwoo looked at Ho Munbeom walking ahead. He was so tall. Broad-shouldered too. Long legs and a sturdy torso, not to mention his face. Looking at this alpha who was perfect from head to toe, Yeonwoo unnecessarily pulled his mask up higher.
His hat had come off, but his mask was still properly in place. Hopefully, his disheveled face hadn’t been exposed.
If he had known it would be this stressful, he would have postponed their appointment. Recalling how quickly he had agreed when asked to meet, he felt a bit stifled. As he tapped his chest with his clenched hand, he felt someone’s gaze and looked up, meeting Ho Munbeom’s eyes.
“…”
Blinking, Yeonwoo lowered the hand that had been against his chest. Seeing Yeonwoo pretend not to notice, Ho Munbeom turned his head forward again. When he opened the door, a small bell attached above it rang. Hearing the cute “ding” sound, Yeonwoo looked around the café interior.
Like before, the café was empty today as well. Wondering if tea had been prepared in advance again, Yeonwoo swallowed when he checked the table in the cozy private space he entered with Ho Munbeom.
On the round table, not only tea but also a dessert tray had been placed. The large plate held several salads and sandwiches.
Yeonwoo had never seen any of these things before. As he stood still, just looking, Ho Munbeom pulled back a chair.
“Please sit.”
While urging Yeonwoo, Ho Munbeom took off his coat and loosened his tie. Then he pointed with his chin at the chair he had pulled out.
“Come over here and sit.”
“…”
Yeonwoo looked alternately between Ho Munbeom and the chair he had pulled out, then shook his head.
“I’ll just sit here.”
“It will be cold by the window because of the wind.”
“…”
“You’re dressed thinly, so come over here.”
Unable to refuse the repeated invitation, Yeonwoo walked over to Ho Munbeom. Being close made him feel the difference in their builds, causing him to shrink back. Additionally, the faint scent of cologne made Yeonwoo wonder if he had sweated a lot while working today. If he had had more time, he would have bathed at home before coming out.
With these thoughts, Yeonwoo sat down and pointed at the seat across from him.
“…Executive Director, please sit too.”
Ho Munbeom immediately pulled out the chair directly opposite and sat down. Then he picked up a teapot as large as his hand, poured into a cup, and placed it in front of Yeonwoo.
“You must be hungry after finishing work, so eat something.”
Yeonwoo looked at the tea placed in front of him, then once again took in the items on the tray.
They were colorful and quite pretty. Such pretty things would probably taste good too. Recalling how delicious the cake was that he had tasted while waiting for Ho Munbeom before, Yeonwoo was about to swallow his saliva but stopped.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
Are chapters 32 and 33 supposed to be switched?
fixed.