The door swung open, revealing a middle aged woman of haggard appearance. She reeked of alcohol and Jihoon nearly wrinkled his nose in distaste.
He forced out a smile. "Good day, ma'am."
She glared at him, dry lips twisted in a scowl. "Who the hell are you?"
Jihoon expected this behavior from her. He kept his smile. "I'm Kang Jihoon. I'm Yena's teacher."
At the mention of Yena, the woman's jaw clenched, hands tightly closing around the doorknob.
"Is she owing the school?" she scoffed. "Well, I have nothing to give you. So get away from my doorstep."
The woman made to close the door but Jihoon put a leg between it. He sighed. "That's not what I am here for."
"I want to ask you a few questions about your daughter."
"I have nothing to say to you!" The woman yelled hysterically. "Just leave—"
"Are you sure about that?" a calm voice interrupted and Jihoon stiffened, glancing nervously at Jihoon.
When did he get here?
Junghoon smiled at the woman's confused face. "Would you rather I have Cobra do the questioning?"
"I'm sure he'd love to considering how much debt you've piled up," he drawled, gaze hardening.
The woman's face paled and she stared fearfully at Junghoon. "How... did you know?" she stuttered.
Junghoon ignored her question. "Let him in and answer the questions he asks you, else..."
She wordlessly nodded and widened the door for Jihoon who had been watching the exchange with bewilderment.
"Do you know her?" He asked and Junghoon shook his head.
"Then how did you... " Jihoon trailed off, frowning.
"I have my ways, Mr Kang."Junghoon grinned. "Don't worry about it."
Jihoon turned to enter and looked at him. "Aren't you going to—"
"I'm not. The smell is too much for my sensitive nose," Junghoon said, sitting himself on a bench.
He flashed Jihoon a smile. "I'll be alright here."
"I don't have all day!" The woman called out impatiently and Jihoon hurried in.
The house was a mess.
The small sitting room was a cluster of unkempt clothes and random utensils all over and barely had space for standing.
Jihoon tiptoed around the clothes and sat himself on the armchair. He wrinkled his nose at the empty beer bottles scattered everywhere.
"Are you here to judge me?" The woman asked angrily.
Jihoon hurriedly shook his head, forcing his expression to remain neutral. "I'm... not here—"
"Don't waste my time," she cut him off. "Ask your questions."
"Did Yena ever complain about anything? Jihoon asked, staring intently at the woman. "Any shady person she might have been hanging out with?"
The woman scoffed, hands reaching for the beer on the round table. "She always complained a lot. She was an ungrateful girl!"
"Always whoring herself out just like her father!"
Jihoon stared quietly at the woman. Her eyes were reddened and her clothes stuck to her grimy skin. Her hair was tied in an unkempt bun, the edges covering her face.
Was this what Yena had been going through?
He felt his heart go out for the girl.
"Is that how you speak about your daughter?" Jihoon asked, unable to hold back his frustration. "Didn't you love her at all?"
"Love?" The woman hissed in anger. "I loved her father and what did he do to repay me?"
"He ran away and left me pregnant!" she continued, hands reaching out to grip her face. "With the numerous debts he owed!"
Jihoon's brow creased. "You blamed her," he concluded. "Did you... also hit her?"
"Of course, I hit her! She frequently disobeyed me!" The woman stated coldly. "She even darer to rejected the work I got for her!"
"What kind of work?"
"I got her job in a strip club," She said and Jihoon felt his blood freeze.
"What?" he whispered, eyes widening.
"The job would be enough to feed us and pay off the debts we owed," The woman said, clearly trying to justify her pathetic actions.
Jihoon couldn't bear this any longer. He stood up, eyes blazing with anger. "Your daughter is dead and you still speak lowly of her. What kind of mother are you?"
"Mother?" The woman repeated, also standing up. She met Jihoon's gaze with equal ferocity. "I am glad she is gone. She was just a burden anyway."
"I pity you," Jihoon said and walked out of the house, ignoring her screaming. His eyes caught the garden which had overgrown with weeds and he felt even more helpless.
Junghoon stood up, dusting his pants. "What did she say?"
Jihoon shook his head. "Nothing useful. She barely had anything good to say about her daughter."
"Let me ask her myself," Junghoon made to enter the house but Jihoon held his arm.
"Leave her. She is hopeless." He walked to the bike. "Let's go."
Junghoon followed him and soon they set off, leaving the streets behind them.
Twenty minutes later, they stood in front of Jihoon's apartment.
He played with his fingers, eyes cast down. "Thank you for today, Junghoon."
Junghoon nodded. "Goodnight, Mr Kang."
"Goodnight."
Jihoon started walking to his door when the alpha called him.
"Mr Kang?"
The omega turned, heart hammering in his chest. "Yes?"
"Don't blame yourself," Junghoon told him and got on his bike.
Jihoon watched him go, mulling the words over.
The next day, the omega dragged his feet through the deserted hallways of the University.
His eyes drooped with sleep, tired from his earlier classes and secretly grateful he could now go home.
Seojun joined him, a smile on his face. "Hey, are you alright?" he asked, voice tinged with worry.
"Ah, Senior," Jihoon yawned, covering his mouth. "I am fine."
"Busy night?" Seojun teased, wiggling his eyebrows.
"No. I've just been a bit busy," Jihoon mumbled, playing with the straps of his bag.
"Ah," Seojun nodded in understanding. "I saw you with heading out with Junghoon yesterday," he stated and the omega froze.
"Did you go somewhere yesterday?"
"Yeah..." Jihoon bit his lip, slowing down his steps. He met Seojun's curious gaze.
"I had a family emergency and Junghoon offered to drop me off," he lied.
Jihoon hoped he won't ask anymore questions.
"You two—"
"Coach!" an excited voice yelled interrupting the conversation and the omega sighed in relief.
A male student jogged towards them, smiling. "Good afternoon," he dipped his head respectfully.
Seojun smiled. "Ah, Junseo. What is it?"
Junseo scratches his neck sheepishly. "The team has already assembled, Sir."
"Good," Seojun nodded and looked at his watch. "Go on. I'll be right behind you."
Junseo nodded and left.
Seojun turned to look at Jihoon. "I'll take my leave."
"Let's catch up later, Jihoon. Yeah?" He patted the omega's shoulder and walked away.
Jihoon sighed, running a hand through his hair. He turned away only to be grabbed and pushed into a class.
"Ah!" He yelped, eyes widening with fear.
Jihoon exhaled when he recognized that it was the receptionist. "Oh... Miss—"
"Why were you at Yena's house?" she cut him off coldly and he stiffened.
"How...did you—"
The receptionist glared at him. "If you were so virtuous, you would have looked into it before she died."
Jihoon shook his head. "I just... wanted to—"
"Yah," she pointed a finger at him. "Stay away from things that don't concern you."
With that, the receptionist turned on her heels and left, leaving Jihoon frozen on the spot.
He nervously touched his neck, leaning heavily against the chair behind him.
"What is going on in this school?" The omega whispered as he looked around the class.
For the first time since he started working, Jihoon felt true fear.