Talent

Despair and Disparity
Please Subscribe to read the full chapter
The most onerous statement to possibly depart from one’s lips consisted of three simple words: I love you. The declaration required the relinquishing of one’s pride, driven asunder to become vulnerable. It bestowed a chance to damage one’s soul. When overcome, it tells of an affliction eclipsed by forthcoming glory.   Jangjun was aware of this knowledge. The genuinity he bore for Rika could withstand any barriers. His limitation wasn’t found in differing social classes, but rather, in the form of sealed lips, trembling hands, and the inability to translate his emotions out loud.   “Perhaps I should require the assistance of a mentor,” Jangjun consulted with Youngtaek. The image of a particular man sprang in his head. His parents’ absence robbed him of an exemplary couple to look up to, therefore seeking console in Woohyun and Hyunmi.   Youngtaek called it a deceptive trap; akin to a carnivorous plant implementing the splendor of beauty and sweet fragrance to lure its prey toward death. Such flora he likened to Woohyun, and Jangjun replied with a dismissive laugh.   Even if deception had originally been intended, such malice could hardly be found nowadays. Hyunmi no longer addressed him with a speech of apathy, instead, managing to protrude a look of benign respect whenever her gaze landed on him. When Woohyun jested or made an exaggerated declaration of his affections, he always sought her approval, never failing to quirk her lips into a bashful smile. He was a clever man, knowing how to melt even the coldest hearts. From such a man, Jangjun was determined to obtain discipleship.   He planned to lavish Rika with a confession. But upon arrival of the couple, Jangjun noticed their unusual bright smiles, their furtive glances at one another, and their inability to stay separated. He expected some sort of merry announcement.   “Rika, how would you like the opportunity to sketch a portrait of the most renowned couple?” Hyunmi asked, bridging the emotions through her elated tone, rocking on her feet in suspense.   “I have already made both of you my subject. Unless you wish to be drawn as a couple, my heart would be compelled to do so.” Rika sang, her eyes widened at the opportunity.   Woohyun chuckled, seeming to have imparted the skills of eloquence to the orphans. “I am flattered, truly, and will hold you accountable to your offer. However, we are presenting an opportunity beyond your imaginations, one that could alter the despairing segregation within our society.”   The orphans simultaneously blinked their eyes in confusion and anticipation.   “Draw who?” Dongwoo asked, his eyes and mouth forming a perfect circle.   “Mr. Kim Myungsoo and his wife,” Woohyun announced before Hyunmi had the chance to speak. He gave her a look of triumph and mischief, welcoming the way she softly slapped his arm. Ah, the blessing of straying away from their initial agreement was that faint brush of her touch. Nevertheless, the children showed similar reactions of joy and disbelief.   “Mr. Nam brilliantly suggested the idea. He spoke only good things regarding your abilities, Rika. His descriptions provoked envy and desire had I not have my portrait drawn prior,” Hyunmi added, dreamily clasping her hands together at the remembrance.   “Please, carry on. I hardly hear you speak so highly of me. It exceeds the chorus of heaven’s angelic choir,” Woohyun exaggerated per usual.   “Had you presented yourself more favorably, perhaps I would elevate you more often,” she retorted with a grin.   “Ah,” Woohyun hummed, feigning perfect understanding as he moved closer to her, imparting words only she would hear. “I suppose our intimacy in your room remains a secret for the two of us to share then.”   He pulled away with a teasing grin, the ambiguity of his words leaving her with a blush. The dilemma imprinted on her face greatly satisfied him. No longer did she deflect his words in her usual defiance—he could hardly remember when she last penetrated him using wounding words.   The sight exerted a great loathing from Youngtaek, envious of the reactions Woohyun managed to extract from the woman he fancied. Out of jealousy, he pulled Hyunmi away from the man. Thankfully, no questions were posed when all focus re Rika’s sudden groan.   She panicked as insecurities suddenly barged her heart uninvitedly. “I do not have the courage or skills to portray such well known personas.”   “Do not worry, Rika,” Woohyun assured her with a hand on her shoulder. “I myself am a well known persona, and your drawing greatly satisfied me. Why, in fact, I believe you should draw me another portrait.”   “How so, Mr. Nam?”   “To gift Miss Hyunmi an image to stare at should she miss me during my absence,” Woohyun sang, earning a few giggles from the others.   “You regard yourself too highly,” Hyunmi said, scoffing at his ridiculous statement.   “I desire to regard myself compatible to a woman whose opinion could start a revolutionary war,” Woohyun said, referring to her irradical views. In an oppressed society whereby people were compelled to hold their silence, her voice became the uproar to minister a change. If not to many, at least to him.   “I agree with Mr. Nam,” Jangjun began, nervous when Rika presented her undivided attention to him, looking eager to obtain his encouragement. “Do not underestimate the greatness you are capable of. By letting fear overtake you, you are limiting yourself from bigger possibilities. I do not wish for you to ponder on those false thoughts.”   Rika’s eyes began to mist. As she opened to reply, he raised a finger.   “Repeatedly, I asked you not to forsake your abilities, and I shall never cease in doing so. When you consider yourself unworthy, allow me to remind you of your worth. You are precious…to all of us!” Jangjun stammered, scratching the nape of his neck as color rose to his face. He did not expect to intertwine his confession with the need to surge her confidence. He barely dared to meet her eyes, instead glancing sideways to watch Youngtaek scowl and Woohyun nod approvingly.   “Very well,” Rika surrendered. “Nobody knows me the way you do. Your faith is immeasurable, and I can’t possibly reject you.”   “Do remember your verbal oath, Rika. Another occasion may present itself whereby he shall require those exact words,” Woohyun mused, of course versing of Jangjun’s feelings. The other orphans picked up on his subliminal message, stifling their giggles behind her hand.   “Certainly! I shall not disappoint him, or any of you. Tell me what to do, and I shall abide,” Rika said, as determined as a soldier awaiting command.   “First, you should get some proper rest. Thereby, you can showcase your utmost performance tomorrow,” Hyunmi spoke, using a tone indicating her words weren’t negotiable.   “Do we get to come along?” Sungyoon questioned.   “I do not care for you rotten pigs, but I shall go with them. I would rather hang myself from the second floor window than remain among you filthy predators!” Jineul spoke, displaying her greatest temperament.   Joochan was quick to cover Donghyun’s innocent ears. “Do not speak foul in the presence of a child.”   But Donghyun wriggled himself out of Joochan’s confinement and ran to Hyunmi, hugging her by the waist. “I wish to join you, mother.”   Hyunmi bit her lips, weakened by the little boy’s shimmering eyes of hope. She nearly gave her consent, but upon remembrance of her brother, realized the answer was a clear no.   Though the Kim couple bestowed their tolerance, similar benevolence was not privileged to the mentally ill. She feared the foul treatment and ridicule Dongwoo would receive in public. Why did the world regard differences as a notion of sin while it was, in fact, a worthy of a celebration? Being different meant originality, and embracing one’s originality should never deserve a punishment.   “Stay.” Dongwoo suddenly pointed at himself. His speech impairment was compensated by his ability to correctly discern emotions from one’s gaze, especially his sister’s unease in her reflection. Then he pointed at Joochan. “Go.”   “Me?” The boy asked, perplexed. He looked around in search for affirmation.   Dongwoo held one arm in midair, then wiggled the fingers of his hand in front to imitate the motion of tickling someone. “You play.”   “Oh! You must play the guitar. You shall enchant them all,” Rika spoke, grabbing Joochan’s hands in hers, bringing him to a one-sided celebratory dance.   “I couldn’t possibly carry it with me,” Joochan said hesitantly.   “Worry not. The Kim household stores numerous musical instruments. I believe they also have a piano,” Woohyun spoke, having been to every corner of the mansion before. “Do you know how to play a piano?”   Joochan tucked his lips together before giving another hesitant nod.   “A man who plays a musical instrument is absurd,” Jineul interrupted.   “The world advances not through the ordinary, but through the absurdity of the extraordinary,” Hyunmi reminded the frowning girl. Then she remembered another item of concern. “Daeyeol—”   “Rest assured, you may depart with ease. I shall keep watch,” Daeyeol spoke, taking up his role as second in command during Hyunmi’s absence. He knew what she inquired before the words departed her lips.   Hyunmi offered a glance of relief, mouthing silent words of gratitude. She watched the orphans return to their room, leaving the three eldest nearby the hearth.   Dongwoo approached Woohyun, a firm hand falling on the lad’s shoulder, the most genuine smile making an appearance. “You good man.”   It was the second time Woohyun heard those words belowed to him, and his stomach churned with unease and guilt. His crimes transcended too deeply above their mercy. Yet, the very words he waited a lifetime to hear from his loved ones ironically ended up being spoken by the two people he wronged the most. He loathed himself, knowing he had exchanged their kindness for his viper’s tongue.   “I earnestly pray for it to be so,” Woohyun spoke softly, flashing the glimpse of a ghosting smile. He nodded at the two siblings before drawling upstairs.   Strange, Hyunmi thought. He did not speak with his usual coquettish tendency, neither did he jest in favor of her smile. There was a concealed side he didn’t share that night. Her eyes lingered on the spot he previously occupied, silently searching for answers. The absence of his usual flamboyance filled her heart with indecipherable concern and longing.   She had forgotten Dongwoo’s presence; forgot to isolate her emotions from public’s eyes. Her brother noticed. He never required words to gain an enlightenment, learning to read her emotions through sublime hints.   Dongwoo smiled, foreseeing this moment since the beginning. He abstained himself from any involvement, allowing his sister to understand the true mirth she sought for from the wealthy man.   ***   Early morning, they boarded the small coach toward the Kim mansion. The absence of a celebration resulted in the mansion’s plain emptiness, a disturbing silence bounced off from their creamy wallpapers.   “Good afternoon. Pleasure to meet you all,” Seulyi greeted, offering Woohyun her hand. Then she turned to Hyunmi, and confusion writhed between her frowns. Without the attire of a noble class woman, Seulyi awkwardly tilted her lips in a scrutinizing manner, denying acknowledgement.   “Pleasure, indeed,” Hyunmi spoke, biting on a pretentious smile. Yesterday’s kindness proved to be artificial. Hyunmi would’ve acted with misdemeanor had a familiar warmth not grazed her fingers. Woohyun’s gentle restrain fostered a new obscure thought to replace the derision. Even if the world denied her, she would find contentment in his acceptance.   “This place is enormous! We could have our individual rooms,” Rika remarked
Please Subscribe to read the full chapter
Like this story? Give it an Upvote!
Thank you!

Comments

You must be logged in to comment
NoraMyFics #1
Chapter 30: I just finished this story in one go! And this is good!! Conveying so many things! Really nice.
KCpoplover #2
Wow! This is a nice story! Thank you, author-nim.
Ikkibisenio #3
Chapter 2: I am about to read chapter 3 but I love your story already! I haven't seen such witty yet deep dialogues from the past story I've read. I expect so much from this plot
banana-nim
#4
Chapter 30: I am so late for the final chap, just got here,(( finally)) but thank you for writing a lovely story!
Sakura-Juliette
#5
Chapter 30: That was a beautiful story. I remembered crying so hard when Dongwoo died, but it is true that the world was too harsh for someone as pure as him. Thank you for the beautiful story. ?
Hime_1
#6
Chapter 30: My eyes filled with tears when I reached Dongwoo’s part.. that was so emotional, especially when I’m listening to the music “Lost in you” :(
What made it a really happy ending wasn’t that woomi got married and waiting for a cute baby, nor the new lovers but the changing society that’s becoming better in everything thanks to the characters of the story ❤️
A very satisfying ending.. although I feel bad for Sunggyu who became lunatic .. he’s finally pulling positive feelings out of my heart.. don’t know if sympathizing him is actually positive xD

There were many things I wanted to comment about but my mind became blank upon realizing the fact that it’s your last woomi story.. ugh that’s sooooooooo sad T_T I feel like reading “Cupid” again..
I hope that you’ll publish your book one day and become famous for your stories.. I’m telling you from now Mel, if one of the Korean directors wanted to make a film or a series out of your book ask for Woohyun to be the lead character otherwise refuse the offer xD
Thank u for writing the story.. it’s been so long since u published it and I don’t want to say goodbye.. oh btw I defenitely agree to read the 17 years later chapter, u know i wouldn’t say no..
Wish u all the best ❤️❤️
Wenqi_Gihm #7
Chapter 30: yay @ JangKa! and the kiss though XD
Sung Gyu would never change tsk tsk
Dong Hyun will have his baby sister soon if it is a girl of course XD
i will love to read the extra chapter! yes please!
i hope your wish come true and if ever in the future there be another WooMi story, i will definitely read it!
thank you for this pleasant journey once again!
Sakura_99
#8
Chapter 30: I loved this story so much! Well-written, smooth and joyful. The ending of it got me crying my eyes out, so beautifully describing...the main couple finally got married! <3 I also enjoyed as well as loved the other "couples" affection/bicker in this story and the children of the family. Got a huge amount of emotions- and I do not regret reading it at all, I adored every chapter.

You did great hun (and congratulations for getting featured!!) : )
Wish you luck with work, studies and life! <3

Yours/ Sakura_99