Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Severing Ties
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My first friend ever, Lee So-yul, was pretty popular.
With her cute looks and bright, cheerful personality, kids naturally gravitated toward her.
Even when some boys teased her mischievously, she took it all in stride, and it was obvious she enjoyed it.
I liked So-yul a lot too.
No, honestly, I considered her my best friend.
Why?
"Sarang, wanna go grab some tteokbokki with me? My treat!"
"Yeah, sure."
So-yul bought me meals.
From tteokbokki to pork cutlets, fried rice, and even udon.
About twice a week, she treated me to these luxurious feasts.
That must've been when it started.
I still remember So-yul's eyes widening in shock.
From that day on, she made sure to take me out for meals twice a week.
I'd gotten more meals from So-yul, whom I'd known for less than a month, than from my biological mother, who'd raised me my whole life.
"Thanks so much, as always, So-yul. I'll do your homework for you today."
I looked at my best friend as I munched on the tteokbokki.
Her eyes with lashes slightly lowered, her smile without showing teeth.
The face shaped by my biological mother's touch came naturally to mind.
"Gasp!!!"
At that smile, So-yul ordered another serving of tteokbokki.
My stomach was already full, but I forced it down.
Thanks to that, I wasn't hungry the next day even after skipping breakfast.
So-yul came from a fairly well-off family.
You could tell just from how she always carried the latest smartphone.
Her father was a renowned professor, and her mother ran a popular cosmetics brand among young women.
Maybe that's why.
It didn't feel all that guilty mooching off her.
This one meal is just a drop in the bucket compared to her monthly allowance.
With So-yul, I could enjoy luxurious meals I hadn't had in half a lifetime.
But sadly, my friendship with So-yul didn't last long.
It was around the time we were about to enter second grade.
So-yul's father came to see me.
"You're Sarang, right?"
His request was simple.
He asked me to stay away from So-yul.
He said he knew about my mom's job.
"I won't say anything at school. But from now on, I'd appreciate it if you kept your distance from So-yul."
"...I won't cause any trouble for So-yul. Can't we just stay friends?"
"Sorry, but that's not possible."
"What about So-yul's feelings?"
"I don't want to tell her about this."
I could understand the ajusshi's position.
What parent would sit idly by knowing their daughter was hanging out with a prostitute's kid?
If it were me, I'd flip out and separate them immediately. I couldn't blame So-yul's father.
But there was one thing that bothered me.
"Ajusshi, how did you know about my mom's job?"
"I heard it by chance from an acquaintance."
I might not know much, but I was confident in reading people's expressions.
This ajusshi was terrible at lying.
He couldn't even make proper eye contact.
Of course, sex work establishments are illegal in this day and age.
That's why my biological mother always sneaked to work to avoid prying eyes.
Her job was listed as "self-employment assistant" in the family register.
If her job had really leaked out, the place would've been shut down immediately for illegal activity.
They could've easily transferred me to another school without this plea.
Yet he came here personally like this—didn't that mean he had something to hide?
Especially suspicious that he came alone, without his wife.
Time to test the waters.
"Lee Jin-ho Ajusshi, right?"
So-yul's father's eyebrow twitched faintly.
But like an adult, he quickly plastered on a calm smile.
"That's right. You know me?"
Actually, So-yul's parents were pretty famous at school. Their family was among the wealthier ones, so I knew their names.
"Who knows? How'd I find out?"
I rested my chin on my hand and tilted my head.
This time, clear unease flashed in the ajusshi's eyes.
One more push.
"Come to think of it, I think I heard it from Mom."
The unease deepened.
This ajusshi really couldn't control his expressions.
He probably thought he could fool an elementary kid, but no chance.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. You must've seen it in the family register. Anyway, can you promise to stay away from So-yul from now on?"
"How much are you offering?"
I widened my eyes and asked.
It was the most thrilling moment I'd had lately.
A bit iffy that the guy was married, though.
"What?"
"So-yul and I are super close. It'll hurt my feelings if we drift apart. So, compensation for my emotional distress. And..."
Who would've thought the parent of my first friend was a customer of my biological mom?
Was this good luck?
Either way, I wasn't dumb enough to let this opportunity slip.
"And hush money for ajusshi's secret."
A professor versus an elementary student. He had more to lose here.
So, I held the knife.
"Haha. I don't know what you're saying. If you keep talking nonsense, even ajusshi might get mad?"
He said it with an intimidating air.
A veiled threat, no doubt.
I smiled with my eyes and looked up at him.
"Then I'll ask Mom. She seems to know you."
"Sarang, you don't seem to grasp the situation... Ajusshi's being very generous with you."
"Can I tell the teacher then? She said to come to her if there's any trouble."
"That could cause problems for you too. Just listen to ajusshi and—"
"Hmm... It's confusing. I think I'll tell the teacher first."
I played the stubborn elementary kid card.
The ajusshi, mindful of my age, looked deep in thought about how to proceed.
Of course, I wasn't giving him any openings.
"Alright, off to the teacher I go!"
"W-Wait."
As expected, So-yul's father grabbed me.
His face showed more bewilderment than anger now.
"...Fine, we'll do it your way."
So-yul's father pulled out his wallet.
Meaning no more hassle for either of us.
Exactly what I wanted.
"How much?"
I held up all five fingers.
"Alright. Luckily, I have bills—"
I let out a hollow laugh as he pulled out a single 50,000 won bill.
This ajusshi, underestimating me for being a kid had its limits.
"Ajusshi, want a divorce? Obviously it's in the millions."
"......"
After that, things moved fast.
At my insistence on cash, he had to go to the bank.
Surprisingly, five million won wasn't that thick.
This should cover a computer and streaming gear later.
"Jeez, blood tells. Doing the same crap as your parents..."
"That hurt my feelings, so I'll take another bill."
"......"
The ajusshi had to hit the bank again.
"Anything else?"
His look screamed, Are you really an elementary kid?
"...Just stay away from So-yul for sure."
Well, I'd cut him a lot of slack in my own way.
It was practically saving his family.
Considering his wealth, ten million wouldn't have been unreasonable.
He didn't balk at five million, so we compromised there.
For So-yul's sake, whom I'd shared so many meals with.
I hoped she'd grow up bright through her teens, even in a web of false truths.
She could learn about her dad's affair when she was an adult later.
"Ajusshi, and if rumors about my mom spread at school, I'll spread rumors about you too—whether you started them or not."
"......"
"But if not, you won't have to see me again."
"I'd appreciate that."
We parted with a silent pact to never cross paths again.
And the next day, I told So-yul we were done.
"I really hate you."
I'll never forget the blue eyes of So-yul, welling with tears and full of resentment that day.
"I hate you too."
I shot back coldly.
It was the only way to make her let go without lingering attachment.
So-yul scrunched up her face and shoved me roughly.
"We're breaking off friendship."
"Okay."
"It's not you breaking off—it's me breaking off with you."
"Okay."
"......Are you really gonna break off with me?"
That one stung a little. I almost grimaced without thinking.
What a kid, already stabbing deep into hearts. She'd charm plenty when she grew up.
"Bye, Lee So-yul."
I turned my back coldly and walked home alone.
I didn't see her expression, but she was probably crying.
I heard sniffling from behind.
Anyway, So-yul had plenty of other friends besides me.
Distancing herself from a prostitute's daughter like me might even be good for her.
The next day, my school life turned into subtle ostracism.
Rumors spread that I'd made So-yul cry and ditched her heartlessly.
Retribution.
I accepted my punishment willingly.
On the flip side, not having to hang with elementary kids anymore was a relief for me.
After losing So-yul, dinners went back to cold rice and leftover fridge snacks.
I missed those meals with her sometimes, but thinking of the cash hidden in my room made it fade quick.
Why couldn't elementary school be three years like middle and high? Why six whole years?
But time passed anyway.
And kids forget faster than you'd think.
By the time So-yul could look me in the eye without a care, graduation came.
And so, I became a middle schooler.
Thanks to my biological mom's job hopping to dodge the law, we moved again.
We'd moved deeper into the metro area, but it was still a basement apartment.
"Handle things so you don't get called in. Got it? Don't make trouble."
"Yeah."
Wow.
Word-for-word the same as on elementary enrollment day.
Now it even felt affectionate.
Middle school, huh.
A corner of my heart fluttered a bit.
At least way more fun than elementary. No kids crying, for starters.
"Class 6..."
I checked the bulletin board and headed to the classroom.
Unlike elementary, no homeroom teacher guided us.
Opening the door, I saw kids my age.
Some had already formed groups, while others sat quietly at desks, gauging the room.
I took an empty seat near the middle.
The girl next to me, looking a bit tense, kept stealing glances.
Too shy to speak first, probably.
I knew the feeling well.
I met her eyes with a soft glow in mine.
"Hi, I'm Sarang. Han Sarang. What's your name?"
"M-Me? I'm Jeong So-hye."
"So-hye. Pretty name."
I lightly placed one finger on the back of her hand.
Just enough to show friendliness without overwhelming.
"Wanna be friends?"