Contract Boyfriend || n.yuta

36

"Will you be fine if Jungwoo is present while you're here?"

"Is that question necessary? We should follow protocol and have the violator present."

"I don't want to seem rude, sir, but she was hurt and manipulated by this person. His presence might intimidate or distress her and we shouldn't take that lightly. She is the victim here so please be more considerate." The guidance counselor snapped. The PTO member raised his hands in defense with a quiet apology. 

"I'd rather not see him during questioning. Thank you." Iseul answered. She was glad that they were very considerate of her, but she felt bad for Jungwoo's mother who sat in silence and shame. The news must have been shocking for her too. Iseul knew she was sickly, so she was worried for her.

"If that is the case, then we'll question you first and have him come in for his turn. I do hope you're fine if we announce the results with both of you present in the room." 

"I am. Thank you for your kind consideration." Iseul thanked. She took a deep breath as she prepared herself for their questions. 

Daeun's mother was kind enough to act as her guardian and generally support Iseul in place of her mother. She held Iseul's hand with great reassurance and was quick to snap at the committee's misleading and insensitive questions. They were led to a waiting room once her turn of questioning was over.  

Iseul stood by the window as she waited for Jungwoo's turn to finish. "Thank you, auntie. I thought they would skin me alive."

"Not on my watch. I'll skin them first before they try." Daeun's mother assured. She engulfed Iseul in a warm, tight hug and sighed. "Come here. When did you and Daeun grow up to be so big? I used to be able to lift you both and twirl you around." 

"It's all because of the food you fed us. You made sure we had all the nutrients we needed."  Iseul chuckled. She pulled away from the hug with a shy smile. "It might be too much to ask but can we have your special kimchi dumplings? Even if I try to make them, they never taste as good as yours." 

Now that Iseul thought about it, she rarely had her mother's cooking. It was either delivery food or Daeun's mother's cooking. She had most of her lunch and dinner at Daeun's house too growing up. She was always the outsider at their family meals.  

"Of course! Let's stop by the grocery on the way back. We'll be making a lot of them, so invite your new man and the mystery half brother."  Daeun's mother grinned. "It's a shame I didn't get to meet Yuta since his questioning was yesterday. I would have terrorized him like I did with Doyoung."

"Auntie Roeun!" Iseul whispered in a warning tone. Roeun only continued to tease Iseul which did cheer up the girl.  "Now I know where Daeun got all her spirit from. She didn't leave any for Jisung or Eunbi to take."

Roeun and Iseul spent the next twenty minutes catching up on each other's lives and reminiscing the past. Just like her daughter, she was so bright and refreshing. She forgot even for a short while that she was in the middle of a disciplinary meeting. A representative came to call them back in for the verdict and final words. 

"Iseul." Roeun's quiet call had Iseul stop before she could turn the door handle. The older woman straightened out Iseul's uniform and tucked her now medium length hair behind her ear.  "Even if you're not mine, you're always welcome in my home as my child. You didn't grow up in the happiest environment, but I'm proud of the woman you grew up to be. Daeun's father told me to say it on his behalf. You know how busy that man is."  

Iseul felt a wave of happiness wash over her as all she could do was nod. Roeun smiled and helped her opened the door with her. They were directed back to their original seats and a fair distance from Jungwoo. She didn't want to spare him a glance, but she needed to in order to greet his mother who was beside him.