Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 113

Hyung, Am I Cute? 113

Online shopping mall business started with uploading model photos.

Alisa and her friends opened the mall with all the preparations completed.

The most important thing is advertising.

Including keyword advertising on specific sites and banner ads on social media.

A total of three advertisements were placed for a month’s cost.

They started the business with a pounding heart, perhaps because they put so much effort into it.

However.

“It’s not selling as well as I thought. Why? Is the price too high?”

Alisa sighed and looked at her friends.

It could be seen as a luxury to worry after only one day.

But it wasn’t for them.

“We should see it as a problem that only 10 items are sold when there are 2,000 visitors a day.”

“Oh, it’s difficult. No, shouldn’t we wait at least three days?”

“I guess so…….”

Alisa shook her head.

“No. I think 2,000 people is a very meaningful number. We shouldn’t wait a day or two.”

The man who created the Parang Mall logo design agreed.

“I think so too. If 2,000 people came to a restaurant and only 10 people bought something? That’s not right.”

That was true.

To make the numerical indicators meaningful, it had to be over a thousand at least.

Although it was only one day, when looking at the sales performance, there must have been something that didn’t appeal to people.

“It’s because of the price after all…. Did we set the unit price too high?”

“We can’t help it. We design it ourselves and send it to the factory…. This is already a big discount. There’s not much left even if we sell it.”

Alisa and her friends started an online shopping mall under much more difficult conditions than others.

Usually, they buy more than one ‘gumi’ [a set of all sizes and colors for a single product] of clothes at wholesale price and sell them.

But Alisa and her group were selling their own designs.

So the difficulty was bound to be exponentially higher.

One of them, who was watching the situation, spoke up.

“Should we use our connections first?”

“No. We can’t do that. We won’t learn anything from that. It will only create confusion in the number of sales.”

Everyone started to worry about whether there was a good solution.

Alisa was just as frustrated.

They started with passion and preparation, but the world was not easy.

She didn’t want to admit that her designs were bad.

It might be unnecessary pride.

‘Should I let it go?’

Her confidence in her designs began to crack slightly.

If this continued, the reality ahead would be harsh.

“No. It’s not over yet. We’ve clearly identified our sales points.”

“But…….”

“There must be a way. Let’s all send some clothes as gifts to relatives with children. Let’s ask them what kind of clothes they are trying to buy…….”

Just like it’s difficult to time the sale of stocks, there are times when you’re late to judge what went wrong.

Now, Alisa and her group had no choice but to admit it quickly.

Even though it was only one day’s result, it was enough to predict.

That this wouldn’t work.

Everyone started moving quickly as if they had made a plan.

‘I want to be recognized.’

Alisa clenched her fist inside.

‘I can do it.’

Thinking that way, Alisa and her group proceeded with their work.

But it was on the seventh day that they realized something was seriously wrong.

It was the problem with the reviews.

-I bought the product and it’s not good. The kids wore it for a day and didn’t wear it the next day. Sigh. I think I bought it for nothing.

-I bought the clothes because they were pretty, but it’s a bit disappointing that the kids don’t wear them. I bought them at an expensive price. That’s why I have to buy from a large shopping mall.

-As expected, brand value is important. I’m leaving with a bad purchase. I don’t think I’ll buy it next time.

These reviews were popping up not only on the Parang Mall website but also on 12th Street, J Market, and blogs.

There were severe insults and malicious posts.

As they piled up one by one, more and more comments started to be posted.

Malice attracted malice.

More and more people enjoyed empathizing with malice.

Sometimes, people were stabbed in the back by those close to them.

“Alisa! Are you okay? Your Instagram account…….”

“I’m okay. I’m not even looking at it.”

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes. There aren’t that many like celebrities.”

“No. The point isn’t whether there are many or few.”

“Right now, the shopping mall is a bit…….”

“Is the shopping mall important now? I can’t. Let’s have a drink with your sister today.”

“I’m okay.”

“Is that what an okay face looks like?”

Alisa’s face was pale.

She tried to smile calmly.

Always with a bright look.

But that was even more heartbreaking for the people around her.

“I have to overcome this much. I’m learning a lot.”

“Learning what!”

“Then…. Then, can I just rest for today instead of drinking? I know everyone is busy now that we’ve opened, but…….”

“What’s so busy when it’s not selling.”

“I have to fix it too…….”

“It’s okay. This will subside after a while. It’s not even a news article. It would be different if it was a popular shopping mall.”

But the money spent was so painful.

There was also a considerable amount of stock left.

Alisa nodded and left work as she was.

Alisa’s sister, who was watching Alisa, sighed deeply.

Because she knew that no matter what she said, it wouldn’t be comforting in times like this.

However, there was no way to stay by her side if she refused.

***

-Walking home holding Siha’s hand.

“Siha, what did you do today?”

“Ah ah. Seung-joon. Hana. Nora.”

“What did you do?”

“Banana. Eat.”

“You played eating bananas?”

“Ah ah.”

What kind of game is eating bananas?

I didn’t know, but I should try it with Siha next time.

“I got quite a bit of work this time, Hyung.”

“Ah ah.”

“I can’t take on translation work. I think Manager Hong Jin-soo will cry a lot?”

“Cry?”

“Yeah. He’ll cry saying, ‘Why don’t you take our publishing house’s work?'”

“Ah ah.”

In fact, I was asked to write an autobiography, so I asked Hong Jin-soo.

Because an autobiography is an area I’ve never written before.

I thought it wouldn’t be bad to experience it once.

But the answer that came back was.

[Si-hyuk! How much did they offer you to go there! Our publishing house also has autobiography work!]

[Excuse me. Manager. We don’t have any?]

[Shh! Shh! Huh? Hello? Haha. You heard me? If you don’t have it, you can make it. Let’s keep working with us. Come to think of it, we have a very good job this time, and the unit price is! 4,000 won! Hello? Si-hyuk?]

[Manager, didn’t you hang up?]

[No. The call is still going on? Hello. Si-hyuk? What? Is there a communication problem?]

[Isn’t it because of the strong wind and rain?]

[Is that so? I thought I could sign a contract with you if I called this unit price!!]

[Wow. When was that line from?]

[This is still a famous line…. Huh? It’s connected. Si-hyuk, don’t hang up…….]

I remember ending the call like that.

It was a joke, so I called back and said I would think about the job.

Anyway, I don’t know why he’s so obsessed with me.

Does he still want to recruit me?

I’ve felt a more affectionate gaze since I did the Chinese contract work.

It’s a bit burdensome.

Well, I guess that means he’s greedy for my abilities.

Still, when I talk to Manager Hong Jin-soo, I feel like I’m being recognized, so I feel good.

Because I can feel that I’m a pretty good person as a talent.

“Siha, this time the work with KI Media is over. Let’s go together next time when we go to sign a contract. Let’s ask them to buy us something delicious too.”

“Ah ah! Hong!”

“Yeah. It’s Uncle Hong.”

“Hong Aji.”

“Uncle.”

“Achi?”

“Hahaha. What is that?”

We walked out together laughing like that.

Comments are not always bad, and they also had a positive function of bringing in work like this.

Still, I’m a little cautious about Siha.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah. Why?”

“There. Lisa!”

“Huh?”

When I looked at where Siha was pointing, I saw a blonde woman hugging her knees.

I couldn’t tell who it was because she was covering her face.

‘Is that Alisa? But why is she like that on the playground bench?’

I know she’s busy with her online shopping mall right now.

Siha pulled me and approached Alisa.

“Ah ah! Lisa!”

Alisa raised her head at Siha’s voice.

Her gaunt face looked somewhat sick.

Siha stiffened at the sight of that face.

“Lisa? Okay?”

“Alisa. Are you okay? Why are you here like this?”

Alisa bit her lip once and barely opened her mouth.

“Si-hyuk, Siha…….”

A small voice that seemed to be fading away.

I was worried for no reason, so I sat next to Siha on the bench.

Siha jumped up and patted Alisa on the shoulder.

“Lisa.”

“Yeah. Thank you.”

“Okay. Okay.”

Siha. What do you know to say it’s okay?

In fact, I was worried too.

I don’t know what to do because a close friend is like this.

Let’s ask first.

“Alisa. What’s going on?”

“…I was too arrogant.”

“Yes?”

“I opened an online shopping mall this time, and there were a lot of bad things said about the clothes. I was always praised at school, so I was confident. You know. I even received the Popularity Award.”

“I know. Of course, I know.”

“But now I feel like everything has been denied. It feels like everything has been destroyed in reality…. It means it has no commercial value.”

“What are you talking about? Alisa’s clothes are so pretty.”

Alisa suddenly burst into tears.

I was embarrassed.

I don’t know what happened in that short amount of time.

Siha was also surprised by Alisa’s crying and stiffened.

“Hic. I really…. Really. Really. I worked hard…. Hic. They only say bad things…. They say it’s not good after buying it…. Everything is not good. Hic.”

“Who’s saying that? Siha. Do you not like the clothes you’re wearing now?”

“No.”

“Then is it uncomfortable?”

“No.”

Siha has never been uncomfortable wearing clothes.

The kids at the daycare center were also wearing the clothes they received as models.

It was funny because everyone was wearing the same clothes.

If it was uncomfortable, the parents would have noticed it first.

“But. Hic. Quickly. They get tired of it.”

“Hmm.”

Are they clothes that kids get tired of quickly?

I don’t know about that yet.

Originally, even if you liked wearing new clothes at the time, you might not have any clothes to wear later.

‘But is that really the case with kids too?’

Siha doesn’t particularly complain about these things.

Of course, he tends to be obsessed with penguin clothes.

“Aren’t character clothes popular?”

“…As expected…….”

Alisa sobbed.

I felt sorry for saying the wrong thing for no reason.

“Where did that confident Alisa go?”

“Just. Hic. I got emotional while talking…….”

“The site name is Parang Mall, right?”

“Yes.”

I took out my phone and searched for Parang Mall.

I also looked at the sites connected to the clothes and roughly looked at the reviews.

‘It’s severe.’

At first, they scratched gently, but later they were openly critical.

There were occasional good reviews, but there were very few.

There are many people who don’t buy after reading the reviews.

-Do you try this on before selling it? It’s too uncomfortable.

-It’s plain, but why should I buy it here? It’s cheaper elsewhere.

-I don’t know who designed it, but they don’t have the qualifications to be a designer. How can they design something like this.

-Next time, sell commercial clothes. Did you come here to do art?

-Why buy something that doesn’t even have after-sales service?

-Ah, seriously! They’re selling trash clothes!

I read further and saw Alisa’s name, the designer, mentioned, and turned off my phone as it was.

Words spoken carelessly.

I hate these words so much.

The language that comes out of the mouth becomes a sharp sword and cuts the heart.

People who write malicious comments don’t know that even if you attach a broken glass with strong adhesive, it can’t go back to its original state.

“Hyung.”

“Siha.”

“Lisa. Doa [comfort]. Hyung. Lisa. Cry.”

“Yeah. I know. Siha.”

Maybe Siha is telling me to stop Alisa from crying.

Is it because Hyung can do it?

Then. I have to live up to that expectation.

I looked at Alisa.

“Alisa.”

“Yes.”

“I told you before, right? That I would help you if you signed the contract.”

“…Yes…….”

“Then, can you hire me as an employee at Parang Mall for a while? I’ll take care of this.”

“Yes?”

“You’re not going to end it like this, are you? I’m not good at comforting people. Are you going to sit down and cry like this?”

“Is there a way?”

“Maybe…. No, there must be.”

Alisa wiped the tears from her eyes.

“I didn’t say I would give up here. I only cried today.”

“Of course. I know. Siha is comforting you here too. Isn’t that a completely worried expression?”

Alisa finally raised her head and looked at Siha.

Siha was standing and holding Alisa’s shoulder.

“Pfft. I’m seeing a worried expression for the first time. Siha. Thank you.”

Siha’s face with a strained expression.

His worried look is very cute.

It might be funny to other people.

“Alisa. In Korea, they say that if you laugh after crying, you’ll get hair on your butt [a playful saying to lighten the mood].”

“Pfft. Ah, you’re really bad at comforting people.”

Siha can do the comforting.

I have to give other help.