Even though I wanted to do more for him, he kept refusing, which made it difficult.
There were people like this in the world. And I felt reassured that these good people were at the hospital where my father was admitted.
Yeonwoo put the hardened fish-shaped bread into his bag and stood up. Even though he wanted to stay longer, it was almost time for his bus. After saying “Get well soon” to the person sharing the room with his father, Yeonwoo quietly left the hospital room.
“Yeonwoo.”
Junseok, who had followed Yeonwoo out, carefully spoke up.
“…Has your father contacted you separately?”
The question carried a nuance suggesting that he might have made contact.
Whether it was guilt for burdening Yeonwoo, or regret about becoming penniless and accumulating debt despite having surgery without recovering his health, Younghwa never reached out to Yeonwoo first. Just as Yeonwoo had painfully accepted reality, Younghwa needed that time too.
Understanding this well, Yeonwoo responded to the caregiver’s concerned gaze with an awkward “Yes.”
“Even during the brief times he’s up, he exercises because he’s motivated for rehabilitation. He doesn’t want to be a burden to you, Yeonwoo.”
“…”
“I’ve already mentioned about the hospital bills. A good sponsor has appeared and is helping a lot. So there’s no need to worry.”
That good sponsor was Yeonwoo’s other father. And Yeonwoo had planned to tell his father separately. It was obvious that his dad would be shocked and surprised if he found out.
He couldn’t ask why Junseok had spoken about it without permission. At this point, Yeonwoo didn’t even want to mention the name Lee Jonghoon in front of his father. He consoled himself that perhaps Junseok’s subtle hint might make their conversation easier later, so Yeonwoo remained silent.
“You’ve lost a lot of weight. Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?”
“…No, I just haven’t been sleeping well. I’m not overexerting myself.”
Not just Junseok, but all the nurses seemed to feel sorry for him. Since he wanted them to tell his father “Yeonwoo looked good” when his father was up and active during his absence, Yeonwoo forced a smile.
“Thank you for your concern. Please take good care of my father.”
After saying goodbye politely, Yeonwoo went straight down to the Omega-exclusive floor to get his suppressants prescribed. After neatly putting the medication in his bag, he visited the front desk on the first floor to check whether his father’s hospital bills were being paid properly.
“It was paid in full on the 1st.”
Only after hearing the employee’s words could Yeonwoo’s expression soften.
He’d be fine with receiving less living expenses for himself as long as his father’s hospital bills were properly paid. Feeling a weight lifted from his mind, Yeonwoo asked, “So it was paid under the name Lee Jonghoon, right?”
“It was deposited under Lee Yeonwoo’s name. That’s you, right?”
“…”
He had expected it to be paid under the name Lee Jonghoon.
Puzzled only briefly, Yeonwoo nodded obediently. After thanking the receptionist for confirming, he left the hospital.
Upon arriving at the terminal, Yeonwoo confirmed he still had time before his bus and bought a bottle of water. He took a bite of the hardened fish-shaped bread. It used to taste good even when cold. As the sugary filling mixed with the oily flour taste, Yeonwoo felt nauseated and rinsed his mouth with water.
Though he didn’t like wasting food, this seemed likely to upset his stomach, so he sealed the bag well and threw it in a nearby trash bin.
***
Thursday at 3 PM, during the busiest time, his phone suddenly rang from inside his pocket.
Wondering what this could be about since he rarely even received spam calls, Yeonwoo checked the number. His heart raced when he immediately recognized whose number it was. Though surprised, Yeonwoo maintained his composure and headed to the nearby employee restroom with his phone.
Only after confirming no one was there did Yeonwoo answer the call, holding his breath.
[……]
Was it because he answered late? Finding the silence from the other end unusual, Yeonwoo softly said, “Hello?” Then, with a short “Ah,” an unfamiliar deep voice came through.
[I thought I dialed the wrong number when you didn’t answer.]
“…I’m sorry. I was working, so I couldn’t answer right away.”
He was still working, so a long conversation would be difficult.
There wasn’t anyone specifically monitoring them, and everyone took important calls comfortably, but Yeonwoo had never done so before. Answering a call while leaving his post during work hours—he felt tense as if he’d committed a wrong. Feeling nervous, Yeonwoo asked, “What’s the matter?” His voice sounded almost cold, but Yeonwoo was too tense to realize it.
[Seems like you’re very busy at the mart.]
So he knows I work at a mart.
Since there was nothing particularly to hide, Yeonwoo answered, “Yes.”
[Then I’ll keep it brief. Let’s meet tomorrow.]
“…Tomorrow?”
[Yes, my grandfather is very curious about you.]
The reason Ho Munbeom had originally asked him to pretend they were dating was because of that grandfather. Remembering that he’d been asked to meet for a few months to resolve what seemed to be a misunderstanding, Yeonwoo held his breath and waited for the next words.
[Kang’s secretary will come at the time you finish. Come to think of it, we’ve been meeting every Friday.]
“…”
[See you tomorrow then.]
He was too stunned to respond in time. He wanted to say he understood, but the call had already ended, leaving Yeonwoo staring at his phone. When he heard someone entering the restroom, he quickly deleted the call history and put his phone in his back pocket.
Rapidly returning to his position, Yeonwoo diligently checked inventory and organized, but Ho Munbeom’s voice and words floated persistently in a corner of his mind.
“Yeonwoo, are you meeting your lover today? Why are you so handsome?”
After changing into the clothes he’d brought and fixing his disheveled hair in the bathroom, Yeonwoo turned around at the familiar voice. Recognizing Kim Miyoung, whom he hadn’t seen for a while due to a sudden workplace transfer, Yeonwoo’s legs moved toward her without thinking.
“It’s been a while. Is your new position comfortable to work in?”
“I always thought the logistics team was the hardest, but dealing with people at the sales counter isn’t easy either. Maybe it’s even harder. But I have to get used to it.”
Though she spoke with a smile, the sighs mixed between her words revealed her weariness. Wondering if she was alright, Yeonwoo looked down at her quietly, but Miyoung shifted the topic to him.
“By the way, why are you so dressed up today? Did you get a lover?”
“No, just…”
Letting his words trail off, Yeonwoo looked down at his clothes.
Meeting Ho Munbeom alone was nerve-wracking enough, but now the Ho Moon Group chairman would also be present. Unable to avoid feeling tense, Yeonwoo had chosen the clothes and shoes he’d bought for his blind date with Ho Munbeom.
Although he’d hurriedly purchased them with extra money Lee Jonghoon had sent for the blind date, saying he should make a good impression, Yeonwoo quite liked them. They could be worn as a full outfit or as separates. Since he hadn’t bought them specifically for the blind date but rather for continued wear, Yeonwoo slightly spread his arms.
“…Does it look alright?”
“Alright? You should dress like this all the time. You look very handsome.”
Words he would normally have brushed off felt pleasant this time. With a smiling face, Yeonwoo said “Thank you” and headed outside, saying he’d see her next time.
They had arranged to meet at the public parking lot again. Thinking he should hurry since it would overlap with rush hour traffic, Yeonwoo quickened his pace, glancing at his reflection in the building windows.
Recalling the suggestion to dress like this all the time, Yeonwoo carefully smoothed his tousled hair while waiting at the crosswalk.
The place he arrived at with Secretary Kang was a sophisticated building. With no sign hanging, it was impossible to tell what was inside or what was being sold. What awaited the curious Yeonwoo was a multitude of clothes hanging on racks.
As if they had coordinated in advance, the people waiting there greeted Yeonwoo warmly as soon as they saw him.
“Hello. I’m Kim Hyejung, and I’ll be assisting you today. Please choose whatever you like from the prepared clothes. The fitting room is inside.”
The woman’s smile, suggesting help was available if needed, embodied pure kindness. However, the entire situation felt unfamiliar and awkward to Yeonwoo. Confused about what was happening, Yeonwoo turned to Secretary Kang.
“We still have plenty of time. You can change into new clothes and then we’ll leave.”
“…”
He seemed to think Yeonwoo had turned to him because of time concerns. In the atmosphere where it was assumed he would naturally change into the clothes prepared here, Yeonwoo fidgeted with the hem of his jacket.
These are already new clothes.
I wore these for the blind date before.
The words rose to the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t push them past his lips.
While both Secretary Kang and the woman named Kim Hyejung wore gentle smiles, Yeonwoo couldn’t speak his mind in front of them. After parting his lips several times, he moved forward. Looking at the clothes hanging on the rack, visibly high-quality and luxurious, Yeonwoo spoke as if squeezing words through his constricted throat.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
