Chapter 60: Chapter 60.
Chapter 60.
Jihoon was typing fast on his laptop at his desk. Woojin, who was sitting next to him, gently kicked Jihoon’s desk twice. Jihoon looked up from his excel files and asked, “What?”
“Let’s chat on the rooftop.”
“… That’s the first time you’ve ever asked me to chat.”
“I will see you there in 10 minutes.”
Woojin stood up slowly. When he returned to work a few days ago, Jihoon didn’t mention anything about his absence. Woojin didn’t know why, and to be honest, he didn’t want to know. Woojin’s other family members also didn’t know about Woojin’s recent disappearance. Or more likely, they knew about it but didn’t acknowledge it.
The team leader of the policy department also didn’t say anything. It seemed that only Shin Kim was happy to see Woojin back. Shin let Woojin know about how Jihoon reacted.
“You should know that Jihoon Kang made a huge fuss about you when you were gone.”
“…”
“You do know how obsessed he is about you, right?”
It was strange how someone Woojin knew for a very long time would become angry at his disappearance, while the man relatively new to him seemed to be worried yet understanding. Perhaps it was due to the difference in their personalities, but Woojin also knew how unhappy Jihoon was about Woojin and Shin’s relationship.
Jihoon was one of the very few people who took an interest in Woojin. Woojin never thought this could be an obsession. He thought that Jihoon was just a very social person.
Jihoon asked, “But the rooftop? Isn’t it really cold there?”
“Fresher air.”
Closing the door behind them, Woojin suddenly touched Jihoon’s dancing hair. It was very windy up here. Jihoon frowned and moved away. Suddenly, Jihoon’s eyes widened, shocked at himself for rejecting Woojin’s touch, but Woojin remained blank as he continued, “I told you many times before.”
“…”
“About how strange it is that you hate anything I do.”
“It’s not like that…”
“You are so much like your mother.”
“Woojin Choi.”
“I didn’t run away. I wasn’t even considering running away. Especially not from you.”
“…”
“I am answering you. You didn’t ask me, but I’m answering you anyway. Well, maybe you don’t want to know about it.”
“Why does it have to be Shin Kim of all people?”
“I can ask you the same question. Why did it have to be me?”
“What?”
“And why did it have to be my father for your mom?”
“Woojin Choi.”
“I am not even sure if my father was really ill.”
“…”
“Shin Kim and I… we are in a relationship.”
“Woojin Choi!”
“But it’s none of your business.”
Woojin was finally learning to say what he was thinking. Even if he wasn’t good at it, and perhaps he was blunter than necessary, it was better to let it all out. If he didn’t, it would remain inside of him and hurt him.
Woojin continued, “The reason why I asked you to come here is…”
He sighed deeply and touched his forehead. Saying what he meant was taking a lot of energy out of him. Jihoon frowned and continued to stare at Woojin. It was clear that he didn’t want to listen to Woojin anymore, but it was Woojin’s turn to get what he wanted.
Woojin handed him a business card and said to him, “This man wants to meet you.”
Jihoon murmured, “… Siwoo Jung?”
“It’s Shin Kim’s friend.”
“What?”
“He wants to see you.”
Jihoon had mixed emotions on his face. It was very hard to read, but Woojin could see obsession, desire, embarrassment, and shame.
Then… he also saw friendship and affection mingled together.
Jihoon asked, “Is this what you wanted to ask of me?”
“Yes.”
“Woojin Choi…”
Jihoon growled, which was unusual. As far as Woojin could remember, Jihoon rarely became angry. Some family members worried about Jihoon’s temper, but Woojin always believed him to be a patient and calm person.
But perhaps… Woojin had been wrong all this time. He suddenly remembered what Eejun told him.
“It’s not you who is broken in the head.”
“…”
“From the very beginning, it wasn’t you.”
Jihoon still looked strange as he said to Woojin, “I thought that it would be ok as long as you were beside me.”
Jihoon looked different to Woojin. It was the first time Woojin saw an honest, bare expression on Jihoon’s face.
Bitterness. Sadness. Anger.
Hatred.
Jihoon Kang had a deep hatred inside of him. It was impossible to figure out who was the recipient of this anger. It sometimes turned to love, other times obsession.
Woojin’s family members had a mental illness.
Suspicion and paranoia.
It came from the fear of developing the hereditary illness. Woojin remembered the signs he witnessed in his own father.
Jihoon asked in frustration, “Woojin, do you really have to put Shin Kim between the two of us?”
“…. What has me being with Shin have to do with you?”
“What?”
“You and I… Jihoon, we are related by blood, nothing more and nothing less.”
“…”
“Actually, I don’t even consider you my family.”
SLAP!
Jihoon slapped Woojin’s right cheek hard. It was so forcefully that Woojin’s head spun. He could feel this cheek swelling up immediately.
But Woojin turned towards Jihoon calmly as if nothing happened. Jihoon stared at his own hand in confusion. He murmured, “W-Woojin…”
“…”
Woojin must’ve bit his cheek when he was slapped. He spat out bright red blood. Woojin touched his cheek gently and said to Jihoon, “I just can’t seem to grow to like you.”
“…”
“Go see him, Siwoo. He will be waiting for your call.”
Woojin turned around coldly. Before he left, he saw that Jihoon was standing on the same spot trembling quietly.