54
“Young Master. Let’s get out.”
The car had stopped in front of the art gallery building, which we’d somehow already reached. My driver must have been speeding, perhaps uncomfortable with my silence. I rubbed between my eyebrows, feeling tired, and got out of the car.
My father’s art gallery, which I was visiting for the first time, looked more like a well-decorated luxury boutique building than an art gallery. It was the size of three regular buildings combined, with elongated glass windows at the front through which bright lights shone, making my eyes squint.
“I have an appointment with the Director.”
When I spoke to what looked like an information desk, an employee made a call on the internal line and, after confirmation, guided me to the director’s office. Inside the art gallery, where gentle classical music played, there was a pressure that made it difficult to even make loud footsteps.
“Director.”
“Come in.”
I entered through the door opened by the employee. My father, who was sitting at his desk looking at something, gestured toward the sofa when he saw me.
“I was surprised when you said you were coming suddenly. Is something wrong?”
“It’s about university.”
“What about it?”
My father asked as he got up from his chair and came to sit across from me on the sofa. Dressed neatly in a suit, he looked like a quickly-promoted company employee or a successful securities broker. Looking at him like this, no one would ever think he was the Omega who gave birth to Cha Sukyung.
“Sukyung.”
My father called me when I momentarily drifted into thought.
“Ah, sorry. Did you pay my tuition?”
“Yes, right on the first day.”
“Then did you also know I need to register for courses?”
“Of course.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me? If this driver hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known.”
Why don’t we communicate despite being father and son? If you paid the tuition, tell me you paid it; if I need to register for courses, tell me I need to. How hard is it to say something? My father stared at me blankly after my curt complaint.
“Why?”
“What?”
“You’re not an elementary school student who needs parents to follow you around and prepare your school supplies.”
“But I still don’t have my memories back and don’t know anything…”
“That’s not about memory. Everyone your age is going to university for the first time. Do you think other kids know because they’ve gone once before, or because someone taught them? They’re just like you. They start with knowing nothing, looking things up on the homepage, searching the internet, learning through trial and error until they get used to it. It seems like you’ve been using your lost memory as an excuse, expecting others to do things for you without showing any interest yourself.”
My father’s words hit me like a slap, making my vision blur.
He was right. I hadn’t shown any interest or initiative. Since everyone knew I’d lost my memory, I thought someone would tell me what I needed to do. I just sat there with my mouth open, waiting to be spoon-fed.
Caught up in the pleasure of spending money, I neglected my own responsibilities. Though I’d said I needed time to get used to Cha Sukyung’s life, I couldn’t recall making any effort to do so. The idle rich I’d once criticized for spending recklessly were no different from what I’d become.
I clutched my head and let out a hollow laugh. My father, as always, just quietly watched me.
“Today… seems to be a day for getting reality checks. What happened to me, really? First at the art academy, and now from you. I have no comeback.”
“Art academy?”
“I went to find out what my skill level is. They call it a level test. Why not just say it in Korean? It’s all English.”
I unrolled a paper I’d brought and spread it on the table. Though it was just a pencil drawing without color, it clearly revealed my skill level. It was also the drawing the art academy teacher had harshly criticized.
“…What is this?”
I might have heard and forgotten, but there’s no way my father, who runs an art gallery, wouldn’t know the name of that famous plaster bust. It means my skill level is so poor he can’t even recognize what I’ve drawn.
“It’s that thing they practice drawing for art practical exams. A plaster bust, they called it.”
“A plaster bust? This can’t possibly be Agrippa…”
“I think that was the name. This is my current level, Father.”
“…You’ve… captured the characteristics well. If you detail it more, you’ll get a better result.”
His voice, coming through a constricted throat, almost sounded like sobbing. If someone heard, they might think he was moved to tears by my drawing.
“You should have been my art teacher. The art academy teacher told me to stop wasting time and just study. Said I have no foundation, no talent, no sense.”
“Honestly, this is… hard to believe.”
“It’s been a series of unbelievable things lately.”
“Even if you’ve lost your memories, for your talent to disappear… We need to visit the hospital again.”
There’s no chance of Cha Sukyung’s memories returning, and I never lost memories to begin with. Going to the hospital won’t create talent that doesn’t exist.
“Why are you only mentioning this now?”
“Like you said, Father, I guess I used my memory loss as an excuse, expecting others to do things for me without showing any interest. I’m sorry to tell you this so late, but I don’t think I can take classes at university in this state.”
My father sighed deeply and clutched his forehead. Deep wrinkles formed between his brows, as if he had a headache. During the long silence that followed, I glanced at him occasionally. The tip of his fingernail made tapping sounds as it drummed against the sofa armrest.
“How are your pheromones? Do they feel more familiar now?”
“I’m not sure. I can feel Alpha pheromones a little if I’m very close? Every Alpha I meet tells me I’m emitting pheromones. Looking at that, it seems I can’t control them at all.”
An exasperated groan escaped him. The movement of his fingers tapping the armrest quickened, then suddenly stopped with a thud, cutting off the loud noise.
“I’ll give you one semester. I’m not sure if freshman leave of absence is allowed, but I’ll get a medical certificate. During that time, I’ll bring back the teachers who taught you before, and we’ll try to get your hands back to what they were. Even if you don’t remember, perhaps your hands will recall as you keep drawing.”
I really hope so. Even if what’s inside this body is Min Jaehee, the body itself is Cha Sukyung’s. I hope Cha Sukyung’s hands regain their ability to draw.
“And go back to the hospital too.”
“For memories, I think it’s better to wait for them to return naturally.”
“I’m more concerned about your pheromones than your memories. I’ll schedule an appointment for that. You can also consult with your attending physician while you’re there.”
When he speaks like that, there’s only one answer. Even though I replied with a “yes,” the wrinkles on my father’s face didn’t disappear.
∞ ∞ ∞
When the Alpha father was present, no one finished their meal and left the table first. Everyone ate at the Alpha father’s pace and waited until he stood up. They only answered when he spoke, and no one initiated conversation.
Mealtime without the Alpha father was chaotic. Still without conversation, but people wouldn’t even come down if they didn’t want to eat, and they frequently left the table early for various reasons. They acted as if the Omega father wasn’t even there.
“Are Father and oldest brother not here yet?”
“They went to a 3-day conference in Beijing.”
Surprisingly, my sister-in-law answered promptly. She had a face that looked like she wanted to brag about something, which made me tilt my head in confusion, but then I nodded in understanding when I saw my second brother frowning.
“Second brother, did you come home early because you have something tonight?”
I unnecessarily dragged the little one into the conversation when I could have just accepted the answer. With his cheeks stuffed full with rice, the little one chewed my words along with his food.
“Their fields are different. My husband and your father are in surgery, while Master Donghu is in internal medicine. There’s a big cancer conference being held now, with many renowned people coming from overseas. There will be presentations on new surgical cases too. My husband was so excited about it.”
She was clearly not trying to make me envious, but rather targeting my second brother.
“You need to consistently attend conferences, write papers, and conduct research to develop. If you become complacent after getting your medical license, you’ll eventually be left behind. In the end, those who fall behind have nothing left. Isn’t that right, Young Master?”
She asked me as if seeking agreement, but this question too was meant for my second brother to hear. Wow, I didn’t see sister-in-law like this before, but her fighting spirit is no joke. My second brother put down his spoon with a clatter.
“Seriously, it’s so noisy while eating. What’s the big deal about attending one conference? Conferences happen every year. You should be embarrassed bragging like that, sister-in-law.”
“It’s different from conferences where just anyone gathers. Not all conferences are the same. Father and my husband only attend important conferences because they’re busy. There’s no need to go to places where they just repeat the same things over and over.”
The conferences my father and oldest brother attend have become very important, while the rest have been relegated to worthless gatherings. She would be stoned if she said this elsewhere, and while it might be fortunate it’s just in front of my second brother, I felt some sympathy for him having to listen to this.
“Father and oldest brother must be amazing. But didn’t you say their fields are different from second brother’s? Second brother probably attends many important conferences too.”
“I don’t know much about it, but… I hope so. I’m really worried about why there are so many low-quality doctors in the hospital these days. They seem to think having a medical license makes them a doctor. If they cause a medical accident, it will disgrace the hospital.”
Sister-in-law steadfastly finished her bowl of rice and stood up. It’s rare for someone to finish their meal and leave when the Alpha father isn’t present, but she must be especially enjoying her food today.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
