Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 164

Hyung, Aren’t I Cute? Episode 164

Professor Oh Sang-hwan was a highly competent individual.

He consistently produced outstanding research within the Department of Electronic Engineering at Kangin University.

While most professors publish papers and achieve practical results, students overwhelmingly agreed on who held the most influence when it came to securing employment: Professor Oh Sang-hwan.

“Professor, I’ve reserved the Kangin University soccer field for this Saturday. I made sure to specify our needs, so it won’t be available for general use then.”

The graduate student, seemingly fresh from a call with the school, brandished his phone.

“Great! Okay. Thanks. Everyone, remember our soccer game on Saturday. Bring your soccer shoes. Got it?”

“Yes!”

“As I always remind you, you all know the real purpose of this soccer club, right?”

“Of course.”

It wasn’t just a soccer club.

It was a carefully cultivated gathering designed to foster connections through soccer with employees from Garam Semiconductor.

Oh Sang-hwan was able to maintain this connection because of the significant contributions he made during his time at Garam Semiconductor.

He had quadrupled the company’s profits through innovative semiconductor design.

He even generously included his team members’ names on the patent registration, sharing the credit.

Even after leaving the company, he still received patent royalties through the licensing agreement, though the amount wasn’t substantial.

Around 500,000 won [approximately $400 USD].

This was a direct result of his decision to include his team members on the patent.

At the time, Oh Sang-hwan made this choice to support his juniors and foster a collaborative environment.

“I, uh?! Increased Garam Semiconductor’s operating profit by, uh?!”

“Professor, we’ve heard that story at least a hundred times. I remember you telling the undergraduates.”

“Khuhum. It’s my proudest achievement!”

“We’ve heard it so often that it’s lost its impact.”

“You little rascal. That’s because you haven’t entered the workforce yet. Once you experience the real world, you’ll understand the magnitude of my accomplishment.”

The graduate student’s curiosity piqued.

If he was so successful, why was he a professor instead of remaining in the company?

“Professor, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Why did you choose to become a professor?”

The question was concise, but Oh Sang-hwan recognized the underlying inquiry.

He decided to provide the answer the student was seeking.

It wasn’t particularly profound.

“Hmm. I simply didn’t thrive in the corporate environment. My health deteriorated, and I grew weary of the politics.”

“So, you’re trying to push us into that same pit of despair……”

“Hey, the working conditions aren’t the same as they were back then! It’s much better now.”

“Really?”

“Of course! Hmm. You still have to meet deadlines and achieve results, but it’s significantly improved.”

Being at the forefront meant navigating the complexities of office politics.

Oh Sang-hwan grew tired of it, leading him to accept the professorship at Kangin University.

By that point, he had largely paid off his debts.

Of course, he had accumulated new debts since then.

Regardless, he left the corporate world believing he had achieved enough.

He also harbored a long-held dream of working in education.

To mentor students and guide them into their careers.

He couldn’t conduct research on the same grand scale as before, but he had the freedom to choose his research topics.

It was a job that perfectly aligned with his personality.

“I’ve deliberately created this opportunity for you all, so make the most of it and network effectively.”

“Yes. Hehe. Thanks to you, the initial resume screening will be a breeze.”

“Tsk. If only you could keep your mouth shut.”

Only those with at least a master’s degree are eligible for semiconductor design positions.

Furthermore, graduate students who studied under Professor Oh Sang-hwan were guaranteed to stand out to companies.

This was because their adaptation and training time within the company would be significantly reduced.

They could be deployed quickly in the field.

This unique advantage was unmatched by students from other universities.

Therefore, companies had no choice but to recruit graduate students from Kangin University every year.

Because the advantage was so clear and beneficial.

They could even collaborate on joint design research, so there was no reason not to utilize them.

“I’ve also prepared all the bottled water. Professor, you just need to show up.”

“Oya. Oh, by the way, remember that Mansoo failed the interview last year, right? Don’t get complacent just because you have an advantage in the initial screening.”

“No. Honestly, Mansoo sunbae [an honorific term for a senior colleague or upperclassman] failed because he didn’t put in the effort. He damaged the professor’s reputation.”

“Okay, let’s not dwell on those who have left.”

“Yes, sir.”

Oh Sang-hwan smiled wryly.

He still felt a pang of regret over that incident.

As a graduate student, he could at least consider him his disciple.

Suddenly, he arrived drunk and vented his frustrations.

He understood his disappointment at failing the interview, but he also felt a sense of pity for his disciple who couldn’t secure a job despite all the advantages he had been given.

His own reputation suffered slightly as a result.

“Khuhum. But I’m not finished yet.”

“Hehe. Yes.”

So, he redoubled his efforts, organizing soccer club meetings and maintaining frequent contact.

All for the benefit of his disciples.

***

-Saturday.

A crowd had gathered at the Kangin University soccer field.

Siha and I observed the group while waiting for Seungjun.

Shortly after, Seungjun and his father arrived.

“Siha! Hello! Siheoki hyung. Hello!”

“Ah, hi~”

“Hello, Seungjun. Ah! Hello, Professor. It’s been a while.”

Seungjun’s father nodded and scrutinized me.

As if searching for something.

I couldn’t decipher what he was looking for.

“Ahem. It’s been a while. Please take good care of Seungjun today. I’ll pick him up after the game.”

“It’s a full soccer game, with the first and second half, right? You’ll be playing for two hours.”

“It’s good to get some exercise. Today is an important event.”

“We’ll be playing soccer at the futsal field. We’ll watch during our breaks. About two hours will pass.”

“Thank you so much for looking after Seungjun.”

“Well, I’m playing with Siha. And Siha enjoys playing with Seungjun too. Haha. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but it’s the Thunder Three Soccer Club.”

“My son mentioned it. It’s a fun name, isn’t it?”

“By the way, how does one join this kind of club?”

“Oh! Are you interested? Actually, it’s more of a social gathering. Employees in the semiconductor design field are also members.”

Seungjun’s father retrieved an ion drink from his bag.

Three 500ml bottles.

“It’s not much, but please accept it. You’ll get thirsty after playing.”

“Wow. Thank you. Siha, you have to say thank you.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Dad! You’re the best!”

Oh Sang-hwan beamed at the children’s reactions.

His broad shoulders straightened a little.

He seemed to be in high spirits.

He always displayed a gentle demeanor towards the children.

‘But why do I only remember being scrutinized?’

I had my suspicions, but I refrained from voicing them.

“Then I’ll be going. Seungjun, Dad’s leaving.”

“Dad, you have to win!”

“Okay!”

With that, Seungjun’s dad departed.

I turned to the kids.

“Shall we head over? I brought two soccer balls.”

I placed the three drinks in my sports bag and displayed the two soccer balls.

The children’s eyes lit up.

“Siheoki hyung, I have a soccer ball too!”

“Yeah. Then that makes three, right? One for each of us.”

“Huh? You only use one soccer ball, right?”

“But you need one each for training. Shouldn’t you learn soccer that way?”

“Ah! That’s right!”

Siha, without fully understanding, nodded enthusiastically because it was my suggestion.

Siha, did you comprehend everything?

“Siha, what did hyung say?”

“Ah? Hyung. Seungjun. Siha. Ball!”

“Yeah. That’s right. You understood perfectly!”

“Ah, soccer soccer.”

“Yeah. That’s right. We’re going to train seriously today. Now! Let’s go to the futsal field.”

As we entered the futsal field, we spotted a small goal.

It was a bit small for me, but the perfect size for the children.

“Now! I’m going to teach you soccer. You remember how good hyung was back then, right?”

“Yeah!”

“Ah!”

Their reactions were incredible.

They looked at me with such admiration, I felt as popular as coach Hiddink [Guus Hiddink, a famous soccer coach who led South Korea’s national team to the semi-finals in the 2002 World Cup].

“The first thing I’m going to teach you is this: getting familiar with the ball.”

In reality, I couldn’t teach them anything too advanced.

Because they were still young.

But I definitely had to impart some knowledge.

Seungjun looked disappointed.

“I’m already familiar with the ball.”

“Being familiar with the ball means the ball is an extension of your body. Watch. Like this.”

I lightly kicked the ball, keeping it within a controlled range.

I gradually increased the speed and maintained control over the ball’s movement.

“The ball has to stay consistently on my feet at maximum speed like this. That means it doesn’t leave my body.”

For example, figuratively speaking.

Seungjun’s eyes widened at my display.

It must have seemed very impressive to him.

“Huh? Siha, what are you doing?”

“Ah, ball. Familiar. Doesn’t fall~”

Siha was sitting on the ball with his bottom.

He was one with the ball.

Well, the ball wasn’t falling off his body.

But that wasn’t familiarity, that was using it as a chair, wasn’t it?

I chuckled at Siha’s absurd interpretation.

“Siha, it’s about your feet getting familiar with the ball. Not your butt.”

“Hyung, ball. Foot?”

“Yeah. Getting familiar with your feet.”

Siha grabbed the ball and placed it on his foot.

Tuk. Rolling.

He was already attempting advanced maneuvers.

Siha, with his exceptional artistic flair.

“Shall we start with stretching first?”

“Ah.”

“Yeah.”

I began with my legs, rotating my arms and waist.

Stretching smoothly.

The two of them diligently followed with their short arms and legs.

“Good. Now, the first training exercise: Turtle game.”

“Turtle?”

“Huh?”

The children tilted their heads, curious about the game.

The rules were simple.

Place the ball in front of the goal.

The children crawl towards it from a certain distance.

The villain prevents the turtles from reaching the ball.

In other words, flipping the turtles over.

But if even one person kicks the ball into the goal, they score a point, so they have to cooperate.

“Hyung will be the villain. You have to help each other. Got it?”

“Huh? But if Siheoki hyung flips Siha over and comes after me, isn’t it over?”

“So the villain targets the person who is ahead first.”

Turtle game.

It seems like a game, but it’s quite effective for soccer training.

Not only does it train the upper and lower body, but it also reinforces the concept of teamwork in soccer.

There are teammates on the field.

Don’t sprint alone, broaden your perspective.

It helps the kids naturally grasp these concepts.

“If two people are spaced apart, you won’t get caught easily, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Ah!”

The two positioned themselves at opposite ends.

Two balls were placed in front of the goal.

“Then, turtle start!”

The two children crawled slowly.

Seungjun was in the lead, so I immediately approached him.

Seungjun glanced at Siha and paused momentarily.

Then Siha naturally took the lead.

I had no choice but to turn around again.

‘I’m the villain, but this is a challenging game.’

I had to carefully adjust my pace.

Siha stopped as I approached him.

“Ah. Siha updda!”

“No. It’s not hide-and-seek……”

That wouldn’t work.

You keep altering the original rules and adding new ones.

I am the rule. Is that what it is?

This isn’t an absolute monarchy.

“Siha, that’s not how you play.”

“Now is the time!”

“Ah!”

Seungjun accelerated his crawling speed.

Oops!

Only then did I realize I had been outsmarted by Siha’s plan.

It’s despicable to be cunning during training.

I don’t know whose brother he is, but he’s impressive.

“Siha, you were planning this.”

“Ah?”

Siha tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

This wasn’t the time for that.

I had to catch Seungjun.

Just as I was about to intercept him, Siha intervened.

Repeat again.

Eventually, Seungjun reached the ball first and kicked it forcefully.

The ball sailed into the goal, scoring 1 point.

Siha also got up and kicked the ball.

Tuk. Rolling.

The ball rolled slowly and gently tapped the goal.

“Hahaha! Siha~! It’s 2 to 0! We did it!”

“Ah! Goal~”

“It’s a goal. Goal!”

Seungjun and Siha embraced each other.

Anyone watching would think it was a real soccer match.

Guys. You seem to have forgotten…. This is training…….

The kids experienced the joy of victory in a game without an opposing team.

‘Well. It was fun.’

I shrugged as I watched them.