The children passionately called out to Hyeol and craved affection, exactly like they had in the morning. But Hyeol didn’t look back and walked away holding my hand tightly.
“Let’s go home quickly.”
“Yeah, say goodbye to the teacher…”
“Seungyeon-ssi!”
I was about to greet the kindergarten teacher when I heard a voice calling my name. When I turned around, Eunseong-ssi was getting off the school bus with Jeonghan.
“Thank you, teacher. Please go in!”
“Yes, Jeonghan’s father. Jeonghan and Hyeol, see you tomorrow…!”
At the kindergarten teacher’s farewell, I also stopped walking and greeted her.
“Seungyeon-ssi, I came to visit the sick.”
When the school bus disappeared, Eunseong-ssi approached shyly, holding Jeonghan’s hand. Then Hyeol made a sullen face and gripped my hand tightly. Hyeol didn’t seem to be in a good mood because of Eunseong-ssi.
“Hello, teacher…”
Then Jeonghan, who was standing next to Eunseong-ssi, greeted me with a weak voice. When he raised his face after bowing politely, his eyes were reddish. It looked like he had been crying.
“This kid Jeonghan was so happy when I said we’d visit Kkotsu. But then he suddenly became gloomy?”
At Eunseong-ssi’s explanation, I bent down to look at Jeonghan.
“Jeonghan, why? Are you worried about Kkotsu? Kkotsu is fine now, his fever went down too.”
“No… I was wondering if I’d be a bother to Kkotsu’s family if I went…”
Gasp… I didn’t think Jeonghan would think that way…
Although Jeonghan was Hyeol’s rival, I thought I should overlook it for Jeonghan’s sake just for today.
“Seungyeon-ssi, let’s go in quickly. Where is Kkotsu’s house? Should I follow that kid?”
Meanwhile, Eunseong-ssi broke away from my hand and followed Hyeol who was heading toward the officetel lobby.
“Jeonghan, shall we go?”
“…Yes.”
When Jeonghan with a gloomy expression nodded, I quickly took Jeonghan’s hand and followed them.
*
“I’m back.”
As soon as Hyeol arrived home, he immediately ran to wash his hands as he always did. After the pattering footsteps, Baek Woojin greeted us.
“You’re here.”
Baek Woojin’s warm gaze toward me soon changed to indifferent when he saw Eunseong-ssi who had followed behind me.
“…Hello, teacher.”
Then Jeonghan, who was next to Eunseong-ssi, peeked out and greeted Baek Woojin.
“Yes, nice to see you. Jeonghan.”
When Baek Woojin responded to the child’s greeting, Eunseong-ssi offered his greeting next.
“We meet again, Kkotsu’s father.”
“Yes, we meet again. Jeonghan’s father.”
“…”
“…”
After exchanging stiff greetings, the two men just stared at each other without saying anything. No, it somehow seemed like invisible sparks were flying…
“Jeonghan, shall we wash our hands and go to Kkotsu’s room quickly?”
Not wanting to get involved in their silent battle, I quickly took Jeonghan away. Hyeol, who had thoroughly washed his hands and feet, personally handed me a towel.
“Hyeol, will you go first and see if Kkotsu is sleeping?”
“He’s probably sleeping?”
At my request, Hyeol replied without even looking.
“He just keeps crying like a chicken whenever he opens his eyes.”
“…Kkotsu isn’t a chicken.”
Then Jeonghan, who was washing his hands, spoke to Hyeol. Even though Hyeol heard clearly, he pretended not to hear and swept out of the bathroom.
“Hahaha… Then shall we go see Kkotsu with teacher…?”
“Yes… I think that would be good.”
Creak.
Jeonghan and I washed our hands cleanly and entered Kkotsu’s room. In the room where dim light seeped through the curtains, Kkotsu was sleeping soundly on the bed.
“I’ll be quiet…”
Jeonghan whispered to me softly and approached Kkotsu, who was sleeping like an angel. Fortunately, Kkotsu’s condition looked better than before. He wasn’t sweating anymore and his fever wasn’t high either.
“Kkotsu…”
Jeonghan murmured faintly while looking at the sleeping Kkotsu. Hearing the child’s trembling voice made my heart ache. If he cries like this…
“Um… Jeonghan…?”
Sure enough. Before I knew it, Jeonghan was shedding tears like glass beads, drip by drip. It was quiet crying without any sound. As if Kkotsu had become like this because of him… he shed tears very steadily.
That sight made me feel upset and like I was going to cry too.
“Jeonghan… It’s okay, Kkotsu is all better now.”
“Yes…”
I brought tissues and continuously wiped the child’s face that was completely wet with tears. Jeonghan also took a handful of tissues and kept pressing down on his eyelids that kept welling up like a spring.
“I’m sorry…”
“No…”
Jeonghan really… seemed kind and tender. Maybe even more than Kkotsu.
Is this what a typical gentle gong is like? Or is it just Jeonghan’s personality? Beyond being Hyeol’s rival, I just felt sorry for him. When there’s such a genuine person like this, but he’s destined to remain as a sub… it was really pitiful beyond words.
On the other hand.
“I never get called short anywhere I go, but how tall is Kkotsu’s father?”
Eunseong-ssi, who is Da Jeonghan’s dad, doesn’t seem to be able to say the same.
“189.”
“No way, that can’t be right?”
“……”
Eunseong-ssi looked like he couldn’t believe Baek Woojin’s answer, measuring their heights with his hands.
“Jeonghan, watch Kkotsu for a moment.”
At the adults’ conversation, I got up from my seat and came out of Kkotsu’s room. And as soon as I came out, I hesitated.
The living room definitely wasn’t small, but with the two men standing there taking up space, the living room looked relatively cramped. That’s how tremendously intimidating their presence felt.
“Really? The same as me?”
Still seeming doubtful, Eunseong-ssi snorted through his nose. Then Baek Woojin said with a tired look.
“I think it’s probably because our proportions are different.”
“Proportions?”
At that answer, Eunseong-ssi’s expression became menacing.
“Huh? Are you saying my proportions are bad right now?”
This won’t do. I need to step in before this becomes a mess.
“Both of you, please sit down now.”
I approached Eunseong-ssi closely and put my hand on his shoulder, leading him to the sofa. Thump, he sat down on the sofa as if he had no choice but to give in to my touch.
“Seungyeon-ssi, please sit too.”
“No, I should… take care of Hyeol…”
When Eunseong-ssi patted the seat next to him, I immediately refused.
“The kids are old enough to take care of themselves. Hmm… But aren’t you going to serve tea or something? I’m still a guest, aren’t I?”
“Ah… That, I’ll…”
Since I was the one who invited him anyway, I tried to serve tea myself.
“Please sit. I’ll bring it to you.”
But Baek Woojin blocked me.
“Then would café latte be okay?”
Then Eunseong-ssi shamelessly asked as if he’d been waiting.
“Seungyeon-ssi should have café latte too.”
“Ah, I’ll just have…”
“That’s fine, I’ll make two café lattes.”
Having said that, Baek Woojin went into the kitchen and was already putting water in the coffee pot. I had no choice but to sit a little away from Eunseong-ssi. That seat also happened to be a position where I could clearly see what Baek Woojin was doing in the kitchen.
“Um, Seungyeon-ssi…”
At that moment, Eunseong-ssi suddenly leaned toward me.
“Did you try the deodorant I gave you…?”
It was a voice that whispered quietly so only I could hear. I glanced at Baek Woojin for a moment and then shook my head.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
