learning about love

Part 3

The atmosphere of the restaurant wasn't bad. The sizzling of meat on tables, the sounds of joyful conversations, and the smell of good food.

With any other company, Kim Rok Soo would probably be having a really good time.

Instead he sat stiffly across from his youngest son's kindergarten teacher with a vague feeling of tense dread. Mary had already picked up the children and Kim Rok Soo had agreed to meet with Choi Han at this very restaurant to discuss matters.

Unfortunately, Choi Han had yet to broach the topic and Kim Rok Soo wasn't about to rush him. Aside from his usual unease with the man who'd spent months glaring at him like he was the scum of the earth, it was really apparent in Choi Han's casual clothes just how in shape he really was.

This guy could probably snap Kim Rok Soo in half and it wasn't like Kim Rok Soo was all that out of shape himself. Due to the nature of his job, he'd actually become rather physically fit.

'Geez, he must seriously be using those kids as dumbbells. How do you get like that?' Kim Rok Soo looked towards the direction the waiter had left, hoping that at least the arrival of food would help to dissolve this tension.

At the very least he wouldn't be facing it on an empty stomach.

Kim Rok Soo was a firm believer that if you're going to face something shitty, you ought to at least do it on a full stomach.

Choi Han coughed awkwardly, finally deening to break the painfully awkward silence that overtaken the table. They hadn't spoken more than absolutely necessary since arriving. Basic greetings and ordering food.

There was just about anything Kim Rok Soo would rather be doing.

"I wanted to discuss Raon with you." Choi Han began, looking a bit uncomfortable in his own skin.

At least there was no aggression to him. Kim Rok Soo took heart in that as he replied. "Is there something wrong with his school life?"

"No, no. He's excelling. He's a really bright boy."

The pair lapsed into a second silence and Kim Rok Soo found himself searching for any reason to escape this. Whatever Choi Han really wanted to say was still being strictly restricted and it only increased the anxiety he was feeling.

It said a lot about Kim Rok Soo's stoic expression that absolutely none of this anxiety showed in his face. If anything, with Choi Han's clear nerves and Kim Rok Soo's deadpan gaze, to any onlooker it would look like Choi Han was the one who was about to receive a lecture.

Whatever was causing Choi Han to hesitate seemed to finally dim though as the teacher let out a sigh and composed himself. "I noticed the scars."

Kim Rok Soo stiffened.

Ah. Yes. He had anticipated one day being questioned about Raon's background. He'd even considered it as a potential topic for today's conversation.

That still didn't make it a delightful topic to explore.

He frowned deeply, wishing he had a drink but settling for glaring at the water that the waiter had provided.

He ought to have let the kindergarten know about Raon's circumstances before classes even began. He knew that it would help to prepare both the teachers and Raon for any complications that might arise.

But it hadn't felt right.

This was Raon's story. Raon's pain. Raon's trauma.

Telling strangers about it without his knowledge or consent had felt so deeply violating that Kim Rok Soo hadn't been able to do it.