NOVEL NEXT Chapter 101: She hates me that much
Kwon Ki Hoon nearly slams the door as soon as he sees his face. Kang Si An puts his hand between the door and the frame. The sound of door hitting the flesh makes Kwon Ki hoon jump. He pulls the door away and sees the blood dripping from Kang Si An's hand.
Kwon Ki Hoon gives up and walks inside the house. This man has been here almost every day for more than two years. It's useless to move away because the Kwon family is popular. This guy won't let the story die. Each time it is gone, he would do something that all the people of the country are reminded that there is a girl named Kwon Kyuri who hasn't been found yet. He would apologize to her in every interview and promotional event. He would post open letters to Kwon Kyuri on his social media.
He would shamelessly say, "Come back and punish me for my crimes. I know that I don't deserve forgiveness. I will do everything that you want. Don't hide away from me, Kyuri, I can't die without you. I can't live without you. Why are you punishing yourself because of a low scum like me? You have to come back to your family. Your life is here. Kyuri, come back home."
He would say all the reasons to ask her to come back. He won't give up no matter what they do or say. Now, more people are wondering what he did. He would never answer their questions.
Kang Si An is aware that Kyuri hasn't broken off all contacts. Her family might not know where she is, but she contacts them one in a few months to tell them that she's not dead.
"She won't come back." Kwon Ki Hoon hisses at Kang Si An. "It's all because of you."
Kang Si An takes a seat opposite him. "If you only tell me her phone number."
Kwon Ki Hoon scowls at him, nearly losing the restraint on his temper. He has promised his sister that he would not harm Kang Si An.
"Do you think that we didn't look for her using that method?" Kwon Ki Hoon slams the table. "She uses a private number. It was better if she wasn't rich. It would have been easier to find her then."
Kang Si An sighs. He feels hopeless. Why he is still alive? "If I kill myself, will she come back?"
Her brother glances at his wounded hand. This man won't even react to pain. He doesn't know what happened between his sister and this man. He is 100% sure that Kang Si An is the reason why she won't come back. What did he do to his sister? She's not this cruel or hardheaded. There must be a big reason. Neither Kang Si An or Kyuri would say.
"I asked her that question." Kwon Ki Hoon puts his chin in his hand and looks at him with disinterest. "She told me that even your ghost isn't allowed to find her. You can die or live. It got nothing to do with her. She will not be coming back to the country where you lived once."
"She hates me that much." It occurs to him. He has reincarnated in how many countries? If he makes a list, he will know where she is not present for sure. There must be other clues. "Did she say anything else?"
"Hmm." Ki Hoon rubs his chin and squints hard at him. "What did you do to her? You know that I can't get married if my only sister doesn't come."
He can't propose to his girlfriend because Kyuri isn't here. How can he get married when his sister is wandering alone god knows where? His girlfriend wants to break up with him.
"I will tell if she wants me to tell." Kang Si An has committed too many sins against her. "If she comes back, she can do anything to me. I will surrender myself to her."
"You must have done something bad." Ki Hoon cracks his knuckles, wanting to throttle this man right there. The only thing that is keeping him back is the promise that his sneaky sister forced him to make.
Just then, Ki Hoon's phone rings. It's a call from an unknown number. He glances at Kang Si An once and wonders if he should pick up. Nobody knows when she will call again. Ki Hoon signals Kang Si An to stay quiet and puts the call on speaker.
[Brother, I am checking in. I am still alive.]
Kang Si holds his breath. Sound of her voice makes him feel alive. His long-dead heart is beating rapidly. His eyes fill with hot tears. He covers his mouth to not make a sound.
"Kyuri, when will you come back? I can't propose to your future sister in law without you."
They hear her sigh. [I can't come. You should get married without me. Next time, I will send you - Mommy!]
A small child's voice comes out of the call. Both men are startled. What?
Kang Si An looks at the phone blankly. What was that? That was a toddler's voice.
Ki Hoon doesn't know how to react. Who was that?
[Little Hae, stay still. I am talking on the phone... Mommy, see... What do you want me to see? Oh, you brought me a seashell. Did you find it on the beach?]
Hae... The girl who is like an ocean.
Kang Si An blinks his eyes in a daze.
The child squeals. [Jimmy gave...]
The words aren't clear. The child is probably learning to speak. Both men hear them talk with their breath held.
[My little one is already popular with boys. I will make you a necklace of seashells, ok? Be a good girl and sit here. I am talking to your uncle.]
[Un..cle...?]
[Do you want to talk to him?]
[Yes, Mommy.]
[Brother, you heard me? Meet Little Hae. She recently learned to walk. Ever since then, she's never still... Little Hae, say hello to your uncle.]
[Hello.] The child speaks in a serious tone. [Uncle.]
[You did well.] Kyuri chuckles.
Ki Hoon is hesitant to ask. He looks at Kang Si An who is too shocked to move or blink. He glances at the phone. "Did you adopt the girl?"
[She's my daughter. Blood and flesh. Don't tell our parents yet.]
"Who is the father?"
[Um... I will introduce him to you properly next time.]
"Why are you not coming back?"
[I am... - Mommy... Brother, wait for a second!... Mommy, candy... You have a sweet tooth just like your father. Your milk teeth aren't even fully grown yet. Stop right there. You can't touch that...]
Sound of something falling, rustling, and crashing.
They hear a deep husky voice. [Kyuri, don't worry. She's not hurt.]
[Young Hwa, she's notorious. It's because you spoil her every day. She's not even 2 years old and she can turn the house upside down... Look at that smirk! Little Hae, where are you running to?]
Sound of child laughter fading with distance.
[I get so much exercise by just running after her.] Kyuri sounds exhausted. [Raising a child is so hard.]
[You said that you would introduce me next time when I was sitting in right front of you... I am hurt.]
It seems that she forgot to hang up the call.
[Kyuri?]
[Little Hae ran inside and talked suddenly. So, I had to tell my brother. I was unprepared.]
[It's okay. Don't think hard. Want to go for an evening walk with me, my fair lady?]
[Aish! Don't call me that... Little Hae, come. Daddy and mommy are leaving without you... Mommy, coming!]
There is quiet for a long time. Ki Hoon hangs up the call.