Even Pity Would Be Enough

From childhood, there had never been anyone by her side. Even when people were present, it was as if they weren't. She had always had to prove herself just to live like a human being. After the accident, she had wrung every last drop of strength from herself because she feared that if she could not walk, her family would not even treat her as a person. Rehabilitation was grueling, and there had been no room left to soothe her heart.

Only after the problems with mobility were resolved did the gaping hole in her past begin to trouble her. With no memories from high school through her university years, she searched for whatever had been left behind at home. All that remained was her high school graduation album; of university, there was not a single trace.

She had tried looking for photographs to discover just who she had met and even gotten pregnant by, but there were none of those either. When she asked for a name, her parents refused to tell her.

In the words of her father, Kim Jung-mo, Da-yeon's partner had nothing to his name—and dependents to boot. Along with the claim that the man had dared to lay hands on a daughter who could have gone anywhere better, without knowing his place, he had simply told her never to ask.

After that, Da-yeon never tried to recover those memories. With nowhere to lean her heart, she had only blamed herself for begging love even from a man who had been imperfect—who had likely been married.

Being held deep in someone's arms now, she thought it was fine either way.

Even if it wasn't love but pity.

If someone would cry with her and stay by her side, that alone would be enough.

President Park contacted her late with an apology and a suggestion that they reschedule, but Da-yeon ignored it.

Back home and in the middle of changing clothes, the door to her room opened without warning. It was Ju-ha in a house dress. She had clearly come to interrogate the daughter who had gone straight to her room without reporting in.

"How was it?"

"It didn't go well."

"Why?"

"...He had something come up, so he sent me home first."

It had actually helped that President Park had withdrawn from the meeting before Da-yeon could storm out herself. At least there was an excuse.

Looking displeased, Ju-ha walked right up to her.

"Something came up, or he just didn't like you?"

"...I guess I wasn't to his liking."

"That bastard said he didn't like you?"

"Check for yourself. He said he had business and sent me off first."

There was no hesitation in Da-yeon's answer. Sensing it was no excuse, Ju-ha only clicked her tongue.

"Looking all gloomy like that, no man's going to stick around."

"I don't want to meet him anyway."

"So then are you going to marry CEO Shin?"

Da-yeon gripped the clothes she hadn't finished taking off, lost in thought.

"...Just give me a little more time."

"How much?"

"Just a little more... I'll talk it over while we're dating."

Ju-ha looked her up and down and curled her lips.

"You think talk is going to cut it? Our model-student daughter doesn't know the easy way, does she."

She jabbed a finger into Da-yeon's chest.

"Acting all stiff like this, what man is going to like it? You're no different from a man on his period. You've got a full chest and hips—try using them a little. If you get pregnant, he'll be begging to marry you before the year is out."

"......"

"You've already gone on a blind date. You think he'd throw away a woman carrying his child? Stop with the leisurely dating talk and bring back a firm answer."

After thoroughly digging into Da-yeon's sore spots, Ju-ha left. Only after closing the door with her own hands could Da-yeon breathe properly.

She washed up completely and sat on the bed. In the meantime a text had come from Seok-hyeon. A caring message telling her to rest well, since she must have had a hard time. Da-yeon stared at the text for a long while.

She remembered the man who had tried so hard to comfort her and cling to her when she confessed her past.

Did even someone as outstanding as him have pain of his own?

Or did he simply have the leeway to wrap his arms around a woman with a story?

Thinking about Seok-hyeon, she fell asleep late. Only when she opened her eyes in the morning did she realize it was the day of her cooking class. She checked her phone to confirm the time. There was already a good-morning message from Seok-hyeon. Just an ordinary greeting asking if she had slept well, but Da-yeon smiled as she replied.

Worried that her morning voice might be rough, she cleared her throat first. The moment she replied that it was fine, the phone rang.

His voice was a tone lower, as if it had thickened with sleep. Even that sounded nice.

"Yes. And you, Seok-hyeon-ssi?"

"Why?"

"What kind of thoughts?"

He wouldn't say it as easily as she expected. Thinking it over, it sounded like a ploy to meet. Not that she disliked it, so Da-yeon let a little slip herself.

"I was getting ready to go out today. I'm going to a cooking class."

"Yes."

It was a class she took mandatorily as part of bridal lessons.

"That's right. I have to do at least that much..."

A brief silence settled.

Da-yeon thought she vaguely understood why Seok-hyeon had gone quiet for a moment. The fact that she would have to stand for a long time had bothered him.

"Around twelve."

"Ah, it's not that delicious..."

An impromptu lunch date was set on the spot. Suddenly it began to feel burdensome. The moment the call ended, Da-yeon looked at herself in the mirror. And she moved more diligently than usual.

She moved more diligently than usual at the cooking studio. The teacher who normally praised her for following along like a model student even remarked that it was nice to see her so proactive.

The menu was more dessert-like, too small for a real meal. Wondering whether she could share it with Seok-hyeon, she left the studio.

She was about to contact him slowly when a familiar face stood waiting at the first-floor entrance. The moment Seok-hyeon saw Da-yeon, he smiled and walked over.

"Have you been well, Da-yeon-ssi."

They had met only yesterday, yet he was already asking after her. Captivated for a moment by Seok-hyeon's smile, Da-yeon stared blankly at him.

Could a person smile like that? The boyish smile was beautiful, and it felt somehow familiar, making her heart ache with a sudden pang.

In that inexplicable mood, instead of greeting him she held out what was in her hands first.

"I tried to make it taste good, but I don't know if it will suit your palate, Seok-hyeon-ssi."

"I put pressure on you, didn't I. I just used it as an excuse to have lunch with you, Da-yeon-ssi."

Still, Seok-hyeon lightly took the paper box from her hands.

"Thank you. Can I think of it as a gift?"

The word "gift" felt too grand, but if it could make Seok-hyeon happy, it didn't matter. Da-yeon nodded.

"I'll think of a gift for you too, Da-yeon-ssi. Shall we think while we eat?"

"Where should we eat? I don't have utensils..."

She had asked seriously, thinking of actually eating it, but Seok-hyeon hid the box behind his back.

"I'm not giving any to you, Da-yeon-ssi. I'm going to eat it all myself."

"What?"

"I'll buy yours for you, Da-yeon-ssi."

So she walked as Seok-hyeon led. Not far from the studio was a brunch place. One of the spots the class teacher recommended to students, saying you had to taste a lot and experience with your eyes. Since Da-yeon always went straight home after class, today was her first visit.

They entered the all-glass store and were shown to a seat.

"What would you like?"

"Anything's fine."

"A-ny-thing."

Seok-hyeon pointed to four items with his fingers. It seemed random, but every one of them was expensive. Da-yeon's face flushed red at once.

"That's too many."

"You don't have to eat it all, just taste them."

In the end the table was full. Foods more colorful and appetizing than what she had made tempted Da-yeon. Though she had a small appetite, as penance for blurting "anything," she ate diligently.

Fortunately the flavors balanced well, so she could manage without trouble. Seok-hyeon was not a big eater either and matched her pace. Now and then they checked what the other liked better and exchanged questions about the taste.

Spending the day leisurely like this, her heart felt at ease. Da-yeon opened up a little more about herself.

"Yesterday... I suddenly talked a lot about myself, didn't I."

As if it were nothing, Seok-hyeon stopped eating and looked straight at Da-yeon.

"No. Actually I was curious. Please tell me more about yourself, Da-yeon-ssi."

"About what?"

"Just everything. How you've lived. What you like, or what you remember..."

"What I remember..."

Da-yeon tried to recall something, then soon gave up. There were no good memories.

"Just... When I was a student I only studied hard. I have no memories right before or after the accident."

"Then how did you live after the accident?"

Da-yeon's expression darkened. Only gloomy memories after all.

"I did rehab and took bridal classes."

"......"

"They said I recovered pretty well because I was young. I might have needed assistive devices for the rest of my life..."

This time the face of Seok-hyeon, who had been listening in silence, darkened.

"It's boring, so let's stop talking about it."

Da-yeon forced a smile and tried to wrap it up. Seok-hyeon seemed about to stop her, but soon did not ask further.

On a day when showing only the good sides wasn't even enough, she regretted bringing up the past. She could not eat any more food.