Episode 19

 

“Darling, is Tae-seo still not back?” 

 

At Kim Mi-kyung’s inquiry, Yoon Seok-hoon nodded heavily. It had been over five days since Tae-seo left home. Initially, upon hearing through a secretary that Tae-seo had disappeared, he immediately instructed to find him. However, despite reaching out to familiar acquaintances without his phone being turned on and no credit card activity, they unexpectedly hit a dead end.

 

Although his phone seemed to have been briefly switched on at one point, it quickly went off again, and there was no card usage. The anger that had surged to the top of his head due to his son’s disappearance vanished into worry.

 

Yoon Seok-hoon tried to suppress the softening feeling intentionally by stiffening his face.

 

“Not taking responsibility for what I’ve done and running away, it seems I’ve raised my son poorly.”

 

The shock he felt when he found out someone had obtained drugs to be maliciously fed to him at the founding anniversary party was still vivid. And when he learned that the perpetrator was a fellow student from the same school who had been tormenting him even before, Yoon Seok-hoon couldn’t lift his head. Hearing that even the fellow student’s impoverished family was at stake made him unable to grasp the magnitude of Tae-seo’s mistake.

 

Tae-seo was born into a good environment. Their wealth filled Tae-seo’s needs without lacking anything. And every time, Yoon Seok-hoon always gave Tae-seo advice and admonitions. He would say that since Tae-seo was born into a more grateful environment than others, he should be equally humble. He told him that he should understand the weight of his words and be able to bear the responsibility for them.

 

“Tae-seo must have had reasons.”

 

“That’s just an excuse.”

 

“That drug was also taken by Tae-seo.”

 

 If another child had taken the drug, Kim Mi-kyung wouldn’t have shielded her son like this. Watching on CCTV as Tae-seo ingested the drug, Kim Mi-kyung blinked away the tears welling up in her eyes. It was wrong for any child to consume it, but it was especially heartbreaking because it was her son.

 

There was a sense of regret for trying to make amends for it.

 

“We shouldn’t have sought the drug in the first place.”

 

“I’m not saying Tae-seo isn’t at fault. I just think that a child should have a chance to come back. But waiting like this without a single word of contact, I don’t know  if I can bear it anymore.”

 

Eventually, Kim Mi-kyung couldn’t hold back her tears. It was a different anxiety from not being able to see Tae-seo when they were busy with work. Seeing her tears, Yoon Seok-hoon’s heart softened, and he turned his head away.

 

“Let’s wait since the child said he’ll come back on his own. Although he’s still a child to us, he’s technically of adult age.”

 

A message from Tae-seo. He took full responsibility for what happened at the founding party and promised to take responsibility upon his return. However, after asking for a few days to think, there had been no further contact.

 

“But whose house could Tae-seo be staying at?”

 

Although it was said to be someone they knew, they hadn’t disclosed who it was. They wanted to inquire separately, but that wouldn’t be proper regarding Tae-seo. However, curiosity was a separate matter. Since Yoon Seok-hoon’s silence was the answer, Kim Mi-kyung subtly mentioned a certain person.

 

“Could it be at In-hyuk’s place?”

 

“Whatever it may be, let’s continue with our work while waiting.”

 

Yoon Seok-hoon wasn’t sure. Instead, he picked up the documents he had been neglecting until now. Tae-seo had made a mistake, but he was still their son. Deciding to trust and wait for him, he reluctantly focused his gaze on the paperwork.

 

Kim Mi-kyung looked at Yoon Seok-hoon before stepping out. She still couldn’t grasp the situation at hand. It felt like she should go back home and sit in Tae-seo’s room.

 

“Oh, Mrs. Kim.”

 

Kim Mi-kyung, who was crossing the lobby, turned her head at the familiar voice. There, Han Mi-soon was approaching with a bright smile.

 

“I actually came because I have something to say… Oh? Mi-kyung, sister.”

 

As Han Mi-soon was cheerfully greeting Kim Mi-kyung, she suddenly seemed flustered as the form of address changed. Kim Mi-kyung couldn’t control the tears welling up and called out to Han Mi-soon.

 

“Mi-soon.”

 

***

 

Wiping away the tears, Kim Mi-kyung looked at Han Mi-soon with eyes devoid of makeup.

 

“You showed up looking ugly after a long time.”

 

“You can show me any time. We’ve known each other for more than a decade.”

 

Nowadays, when they meet, they address each other formally due to their social positions, but before they got married, they used to get along as close sisters.

 

“Is it about Tae-seo?”

 

Kim Mi-kyung nodded at Han Mi-soon’s probing question. Truth be told, it wasn’t the first time she had cried like this. She had shed tears in front of Han Mi-soon before when she saw how upset Tae-seo was for not becoming an Omega.

“Is it still because he hasn’t manifested as an Omega?”

 

“That’s not it.”

 

While others might say he’ll eventually become an Omega somewhere else, Kim Mi-kyung wasn’t completely convinced. She knew it was time to let go to some extent, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it, fearing that her words might reach Tae-seo through someone else and disappoint him.

 

“So, what happened then?”

 

“Tae-seo left home.”

 

“Oh my. Tae-seo, you mean Tae-seo?”

 

Surprised by Han Mi-soon’s repeated confirmation, Kim Mi-kyung absentmindedly fiddled with the water glass in front of her.

 

“This time, Tae-seo did something wrong. He got called out by that person himself and just left on that day.”

 

“Why would he run away over a mistake?”

 

“Well… he made a big mistake.”

 

Kim Mi-kyung circumvented expressing it straightforwardly, finding it hard to talk about her own son’s affairs.

 

“But I thought he would come back soon. He’s still not back, and we don’t even know where he is or  if he’s using his card.”

 

“You could meet him  if you go to school.”

 

“But that’s where Tae-seo engages in social life. Besides, I don’t even know how shocked he must have been when he went to Tae-seo’s friend through that secretary. I thought it wasn’t necessary and stopped it, but now I’m wondering if I should have done it. Honestly, I barely managed to hold back from asking Tae-seo’s friend yesterday.”

 

“You really held back, sister…”

Han Mi-soon felt frustrated but couldn’t say anything more, knowing it was Kim Mi-kyung’s personality.  If it had been In-hyuk, she would have gone straight to him. But Kim Mi-kyung believed that even  if it was her own child, she should respect them and thought it would be rude to just go and find them without any consideration.

 

“Perhaps…”

 

Kim Mi-kyung rolled her eyes around and then looked at Han Mi-soon. Urged to speak up about why she was hesitating, Kim Mi-kyung cautiously voiced her thoughts.

 

“Maybe Tae-seo is at In-hyuk’s place.”

 

“Oh, really? In-hyuk’s place.”

 

Han Mi-soon clapped her hands in agreement.  If it was In-hyuk, he was living in an apartment near the school. So, it wouldn’t be a burden to have Tae-seo there as well.

 

“Maybe Tae-seo targeted that.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Since In-hyuk likes him, Tae-seo might take this opportunity to stick with him entirely.”

 

“Could be.”

 

Knowing that Tae-seo liked In-hyuk, Kim Mi-kyung couldn’t deny Han Mi-soon’s words. One of the reasons she thought Tae-seo might have gone to In-hyuk’s place was because of that.

 

“Still, since we’re not sure  if he went to In-hyuk’s, I’ll go and check.”

 

“You?”

 

“I already had something to do for In-hyuk anyway. I’ll just say I came to see my son.”

 

Han Mi-soon reassured her that there was nothing to worry about, waving her hand.

 

“I’ll go and check, so don’t worry.”

 

Kim Mi-kyung nodded at Han Mi-soon’s assurance to trust her.

 

***

 

Seo Da-rae was arranging books on the bookshelf when her phone vibrated, and Kang In-hyuk’s name popped up.

 

“Oh, In-hyuk.”

 

[Are you still organizing?]

 

“Yeah. I’m putting books away.”

 

[I’m sorry for asking you to come over and then not being able to help.]

 

Seo Da-rae lifted her head, still holding the book she was about to place on the shelf, at Kang In-hyuk’s gloomy voice.

 

“No, it’s my stuff, so it’s right that I’m organizing it. And just being able to stay at your place is already enough for me to be grateful.”

 

Seo Da-rae had recently told Kang In-hyuk that she would move into his house. It was an impulsive response after witnessing him talking to his mother. Seeing him unable to refuse his mother’s words made her anxious about whether they could go all the way together.

 

Still, she didn’t regret it. She felt she was still lacking a lot, but she believed that someday she would be recognized by his parents. In the meantime, she accepted his offer and came over on a suitable day because she wanted to continue seeing Kang In-hyuk.

 

The only thing Seo Da-rae found regrettable amidst everything was that Kang In-hyuk had to go out for something.

 

[Since I’ve given you the password, remember it well. And since there won’t be anyone else besides the person you work for coming in, don’t just stay in the room for no reason.]

 

“Got it.”

 

[… If I ring the bell, open the door.]

 

Seo Da-rae’s lips curved into a smile at Kang In-hyuk’s sweet voice. Why did the idea of the landlord ringing the bell instead of using the password sound so ticklish?

 

“But  if I’m sleeping, I won’t be able to open it…”

 

Seo Da-rae playfully replied as she finished putting the books away. Then, as she stepped into the living room for a moment, something caught her eye.

 

Reaching out, Seo Da-rae picked up a small frame. It was a childhood picture of In-hyuk. It seemed to be from a time when he still had some innocence and cuteness left. But In-hyuk wasn’t the only one in the photo. Tae-seo, looking elsewhere, was in the background as  if it were part of the scenery.

 

In-hyuk couldn’t have printed and put this in himself. Maybe his parents did it, but regardless of who did it, finding traces of Tae-seo in this house didn’t make her feel good. After looking at the frame for a moment, she gently put it down.

 

“Da-rae?”

 

“Huh? Uh, go on. Keep talking.”

 

With a smile on her face as  if nothing had happened, they continued their sweet conversation. In-hyuk said it wouldn’t take long; he just needed to hand over some documents. Although she didn’t know where he was going or who he was meeting, he had already gone out earlier, and  if it was just a simple errand, wouldn’t he come back soon?

 

Seo Da-rae told him to come back quickly as she looked around the house. After that call, the sinking feeling of not seeing traces of Tae-seo in the house resurfaced.

 

After ending the call, she focused on organizing her belongings again, losing track of time. Just as she was finishing hanging up her clothes, the doorbell rang.

 

Feeling pleased that the timing was perfect, a bright smile lit up Seo Da-rae’s face.