“Why is a flower moving around instead of staying in the sunlight?”
“……”
Hyeol took the opportunity to criticize Kkotsu’s behavior. Kkotsu obediently sat back down on the sofa. As it was almost evening and the sun was gradually setting, Kkotsu huddled with his back to the narrow stream of sunlight falling on the windowsill.
“Both of you, come quickly. Let’s eat pizza…!”
When I called out while setting the table, only Hyeol rushed over and sat down.
“Hyeol, don’t be like that. Bring Kkotsu too, he must be hungry…”
When I whispered softly, Hyeol reluctantly got up from his seat, got a cup of water from the water purifier, and walked over to Kkotsu.
Surely not…
“Hungry? Drink water, water.”
“……”
Kkotsu’s eyes, holding the plastic cup received from Hyeol, soon welled up with tears.
“Thank you for the meal.”
After handing the cup to Kkotsu, Hyeol immediately sat down at the table and began eating the pizza I’d put on a plate. As soon as he bit into it, the mozzarella cheese stretched like a rubber band.
“Kkotsu, come over here quickly. Let’s eat pizza together.”
“……”
“Hmm?”
Though his eyes were clearly fixed on the pizza in Hyeol’s hand, Kkotsu showed no intention of moving.
“Are you really not going to eat pizza?”
“Y-yes…”
Although he looked dejected, his answer was that he wouldn’t eat.
Well, this could also be part of education. He needed to learn to recognize his limits and manage his own stubbornness.
“Then I’ll eat first, sorry.”
“……”
At that, Kkotsu stared at me with round eyes. It was a piercing gaze as if asking if I was really going to eat without him. I felt my resolve weaken for a moment, but quickly put a slice of pizza on my plate, cut it with a knife, and ate it. The combination of hot cheese, sweet potato, vegetables, and tomato sauce was delicious anytime.
How long had Hyeol and I been focused on eating pizza? After eating two slices, Hyeol wiped his hands with a napkin, looking satisfied.
“Are you done eating?”
“Yes, I’m full. I’m going to my room to read a book.”
“Okay, don’t read lying on your stomach.”
“Okay.”
With that brief answer, Hyeol went straight to his room. I drank a glass of cola, then turned toward the living room.
“Kkotsu.”
“…?”
Kkotsu, who had been sitting blankly on the sofa watching TV, perhaps already tired, looked at me.
“Hyeol is gone. You can eat pizza now.”
I lowered my voice and waved him over. Kkotsu looked around for a moment before slowly coming into the kitchen.
“C-can I… r-really eat…?”
“Yes, I ordered the pizza for you too, of course you should eat. The pizza seems a bit cold… Should I heat it up in the microwave?”
“N-no… It’s… f-fine…”
Kkotsu’s speech became even more hesitant than usual, probably because his eyes were already fixed on the pizza. I just realized that Kkotsu tends to slur his words or speak carelessly when he’s focused on something.
Click.
“…!”
Just then, at the sound of the door opening, Kkotsu quickly pulled his hand away from the pizza.
“Oh, Hyeol. Why…?”
“I need to brush my teeth.”
When I asked Hyeol, who had suddenly appeared, he replied indifferently before going into the bathroom.
“Hmm.”
Shortly after, Hyeol emerged again, briefly glared at Kkotsu who was sitting at the table, then went back to his room.
“He’s gone now, Kkotsu, hurry and eat.”
Kkotsu hesitated before reaching for the pizza again.
Click.
“Dad.”
“…!”
Just then, Hyeol called me from the doorway. Once again, Kkotsu couldn’t even touch the pizza and could only appreciate it with his eyes.
“H-Hyeol? What is it?”
“Where’s my white T-shirt?”
“T-shirt? Why do you need a T-shirt?”
“It got a little wet while brushing my teeth. I want to change.”
“Ah… I’ll find it for you.”
I got up and headed to the guest room. After finding the white T-shirt that Hyeol often wears and helping him change, I returned to the kitchen.
“…”
I hoped he would have taken at least one bite while I was gone… but Kkotsu hadn’t touched the pizza at all.
“You can eat now… K-Kkotsu…?”
I was taken aback. Drool was dripping from the corners of Kkotsu’s mouth. He looked just like a puppy whimpering because food was right in front of him but he couldn’t eat it, which made me feel sorry for him.
“Kkotsu, it’s okay now, you can eat. Would you like some spaghetti?”
I was about to twirl some spaghetti around a fork and feed him.
Click.
“Dad, this book… Oh, what? Are you eating pizza?”
When Hyeol, who had come out holding a book, made an uncomfortable face, Kkotsu startled in shock.
“N-no… I’m n-not eating… slurp…”
Kkotsu wiped away the drool that flowed down the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand as he spoke.
“Whatever.”
Hyeol gave him a suspicious look before going back to his room.
Okay, now he probably won’t come out again… Kkotsu must have thought the same because he reached for the pizza without me having to encourage him.
Click.
“Dad, then I…”
Hyeol came out of his room again. Kkotsu’s face instantly swelled up like it was about to burst.
“ARGH! I’m n-not a f-f-flower! Not a… flower! NOT A FLOWERRR!”
Kkotsu screamed at the top of his lungs, then grabbed the pizza and stuffed it into his mouth as if shoving it in.
“K-Kkotsu… e-eat slowly…”
Belatedly understanding the situation, I tried to calm Kkotsu by giving him some milk.
Before long, Kkotsu had devoured three slices of pizza and about half of the spaghetti. As a result, his stomach was bulging more than usual.
“Kkotsu, was it delicious?”
“Y-yes… burp! Hehe…”
He even burped, which he rarely does, but his face was full of satisfaction. For a moment, I wondered if Jeonghan would be disillusioned if he saw Kkotsu like this, or if he would find even this side of him lovable.
Somehow, I thought it would be the latter. He’s a lovable child even in my eyes.
“Hmm.”
Just then, Hyeol came out of his room and, on his way to the bathroom, muttered while looking at Kkotsu’s stomach.
“…He looks like a sunfish.”
But Hyeol was the exception.
*
After feeding Hyeol and Kkotsu dinner and finishing the dishes, fatigue suddenly washed over me.
“Dad, are you tired?”
As I was sitting blankly between Kkotsu and Hyeol in the living room, trying to rest while watching TV, Hyeol suddenly asked with a worried face. Kkotsu, who was lying on my lap like a cat, also looked up at me.
“T-teacher… a-are you sleepy…?”
Do I look that tired even to the kids…?
“No, I’m fine.”
I reassured the children and then examined my face in the bathroom mirror. I looked the same as usual, but somehow also appeared exhausted. Wondering if I might be coming down with something, I was looking for medicine in my room.
Buzzzzz.
My phone vibrated. Surprisingly, the caller was Professor Choi.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
