Chapter 255: Guidance-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 255: Guidance-2
"Alright, that’s it for today’s lesson... You actually stayed focused for once, didn't you?"
Tapping the textbook against the desk to align the pages, Yun Si-a began packing her things.
Lately, there had been a certain sharpness to her during their sessions, as if something was bothering her, but today that edge was gone.
"Yeah, well..."
Normally, about twenty minutes into the lesson, Shin Jeong-ah would have barged into the room and made a distraction, but today she was staying quiet in her own room for some reason.
"It was quiet, so I actually felt like teaching for a change."
Having tucked the textbook into her bag, Yun Si-a gave him a bright smile. She took a sip of her remaining drink and set the cup back down on the desk. Beads of condensation that had formed on the plastic surface trickled down and pooled on the wood.
"It’s already the weekend. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" In-ho asked about her Saturday schedule as he opened the door and led the way down to the first floor.
"The usual for me. Hospitals don't really care if it's a weekday or the weekend. Still, his condition has improved so much lately that the time I have to spend there has dropped significantly."
"He’s doing much better, then?"
"Yeah. He’s regained a lot of his strength, and since his progress is looking good, they said he probably won't need any more surgeries."
"That’s a relief. Truly."
At In-ho’s sincere words, Yun Si-a gazed at him intently with a deep smile. She wondered how he could always say things so thoughtfully; it felt less like talking to a high schooler and more like talking to a mature adult.
"Anyway, I finally have some free time, so I’m planning to catch up on my studies over the weekend," Si-a said as they descended the stairs.
"Studies?"
In-ho looked revolted, making her chuckle.
"I have exams coming up soon, too. I have to work hard if I want to keep my scholarship."
"Wow... You’re really something," In-ho said, his voice laced with disbelief.
"I’ll go to the hospital first... and then I’ll probably be studying at my usual cafe until about nine. Then I’ll head home."
She looked upward, mentally tracing her schedule for the next day.
"The second floor there is perfectly quiet for studying. What about you, In-ho? What are you doing this weekend?"
"Study, then lounge around the house."
He shrugged.
"Right. Well, try to get your grades up this time and give your parents a surprise. Let me earn a little bonus."
She patted his shoulder affectionately.
"That’s so mercenary of you."
When In-ho narrowed his eyes at her, Si-a giggled and hurried down the rest of the stairs ahead of him. He followed after her.
At the end of the second-floor hallway, the door to the guest room was slightly ajar.
*
After seeing Yun Si-a out, In-ho briefly debated whether to have a late-night snack. Since he had nothing to do tomorrow, a sudden impulse to eat his fill and sleep in late washed over him.
"Ah... I have to manage myself."
He poked his arm, which had grown noticeably softer lately, and settled for a drink of water to distract his restless palate.
"......"
As he drank, Kang In-ho stared at the ceiling. Or rather, he was staring as if trying to see through to the floor above.
Is she feeling sick? He worried about Shin Jeong-ah.
Putting the water bottle back in the fridge, he turned off all the lights on the first floor and headed up to the second. He walked toward the guest room at the end of the hall.
Knock, knock.
He knocked, but there was no answer. However, there was no way In-ho would miss the faint sign of a presence inside.
"I'm coming in."
It was a notification rather than a request for permission. In-ho counted to three and opened the door.
Like a cocoon spun by a caterpillar, something was huddled under the covers, rising up like a burial mound. Judging by the height, it looked like she was sitting up with the blanket pulled over her head.
"Are you feeling sick?"
There was no specific answer to In-ho’s question. Only the slight, rhythmic twitching of the blanket.
"Do you want to go to the hospital?"
He saw the shape under the blanket shake its head.
In-ho pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose. Ever since she had gone out for a brief appointment while he was at the hospital, she had been like this.
She wouldn't give a straight answer when asked. Instead, she made it obvious like this, as if begging him to notice. His sense of responsibility and pity for Shin Jeong-ah were being painted over by his characteristic irritability.
"...Did something happen?"
He took a few steps toward her.
Suddenly, like a carnivorous plant snapping its jaws open, the blanket unfurled. Shin Jeong-ah, dressed in her tracksuit, lunged forward and pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Whoa!"
In-ho let out a short cry, balancing himself on his one good leg. She hid her face by burying it in his chest.
"In-ho."
His name, exhaled with a hot breath, tickled his chest.
"What?"
He instinctively raised a hand to stroke her hair, then lowered it. It was a habit from his Master, who used to rush into his arms and rub her face against him just like this.
Shin Jeong-ah caught her breath against his chest. Her body was trembling. It wasn't as if the room was cold.
"Can't we... really do it today? Slowly, gently... I won't overdo it."
"...No."
Why did she keep doing this? His head began to ache. No matter how much men were supposedly driven by lust, he wasn't so twisted as to harbor desire for a girl who looked so young and was so much younger than him.
"In-ho. In-ho."
She searched for him, even though he was right in front of her, even though her hands were touching him.
"I'm right here."
Since he wasn't entirely ignorant of her psychological instability, he gave her a moderate response.
"Don't throw me away. Okay?"
"Why would I throw you away... I told you I’d take responsibility."
Even though it wasn't his mess to begin with, he intended to see it through.
"......."
But those words seemed to hurt her even more, as the grip of her arms around him tightened.
"Even if there’s no baby...?"
The words were a tiny, cautious murmur. In-ho didn't miss them.
"What does that mean?"
In-ho didn't realize himself that his voice had hardened slightly compared to a moment ago.
"Mmm... nothing. I didn't say anything."
Shin Jeong-ah released her grip and pulled her face away. Her face, wearing an awkward smile, looked like it was on the verge of crumbling.
"Jeong-ah. If there’s a problem, you have to tell me... That’s the only way we can solve it."
Suppressing his frustration, In-ho offered gentle advice.
"Yeah, I know. Thank you."
Forcing the corners of her mouth up, she gave him a light push. It was a signal that she wanted to be alone.
Even as he was pushed back by that weak strength, In-ho kept his eyes on Shin Jeong-ah. Was that look of concern sweet to her?
Shin Jeong-ah spoke with a smile.
"I’ll handle it myself this time. If that doesn't work, I'll tell you then."
"Uh... okay, then."
"Oh, right. What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Me? Just resting at home. You?"
"I’m going to meet a friend for a bit. We have dinner plans."
"Will you be late? Where are you going?"
"I might be a little late."
Shin Jeong-ah pursed her lips before adding, "I think... I'll be at a cafe."
Her eyes flickered slightly to the side.