Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 191

Hyung, Aren’t I Cute? Episode 191

Any man with even a passing interest in grooming will own at least a hair dryer, wax, and hairspray.

It’s a matter of wanting to preserve the hairstyle they worked so hard to achieve.

Of course, no one consciously thinks, “I want to sculpt a cloud with this!”

But right now, there are guys doing exactly that in front of me.

No, they’re just kids.

“Hyung. Biseori [Korean slang for ‘secret’]. Cloud.”

“Yeah. You made a Biseori cloud?”

“Ah, ah. Go up. Go up.”

“Yeah. Is Biseori going up to the sky too?”

The kids were completely captivated.

Seeing that they even set up this kind of demonstration makes me reconsider my initial judgment.

Would they have bothered if they weren’t genuinely interested?

I feel a little bad for the chemistry department booth for some reason.

It looks even more sad compared to the fabric refresher display next to it.

Still, it’s a relief that people are at least peeking around, drawn in by the kids.

“Um…”

A chemistry student cautiously called out to me.

The neatly dressed guy hesitated, carefully glancing around.

“Ah, yes. What’s up?”

“Are you perhaps interested in hairspray? You could play with the kids like this. It’s always good to have some on hand.”

“Haha.”

I guess he’s trying to drum up business by appealing to the kids, but no way.

I already have hairspray at home; I can make Biseori clouds whenever I want.

But I can’t fault his effort.

It was nice to see him trying to make a sale.

“I already have hairspray at home. And the can’s practically full.”

“Ah. You do.”

He doesn’t try to push the sale any further, just gives an awkward, dejected smile.

He looks like he’s already lost a lot of confidence.

“But what are the ingredients in the hairspray?”

*Chik.*

I sprayed the hairspray into the air and took a sniff.

Surprisingly, it didn’t smell like anything.

“It doesn’t smell?”

“Ah! Yes! Our hairspray is completely unscented! That was our goal! We developed it with the professor. The ingredients include herbal extracts to give it a natural feel. But yeah, it’s odorless.”

“Wow. You must have put a lot of work into developing it.”

“Yes. Yes. There’s a huge demand for beauty products these days. They sell really well overseas too. So, we decided to create this hair-related product this time.”

“That’s great. You’ve really emphasized the natural aspect, haven’t you?”

“Yes! Yes!”

He seems genuinely happy, like he hasn’t had much interaction with potential customers.

“Haha. It might be a tough sell.”

“Well, I think so too. I think we should try to partner with a large company. It’s difficult to target a specific demographic on our own.”

“Why not market it specifically to Vietnam? It might catch on in Korea too if it’s unscented.”

It’s not like a pleasant scent guarantees success in the market.

The more scented products you use in your hair, the more the fragrances clash, which can actually create an unpleasant smell.

If you highlight that aspect, you might actually get a good offer, right?

“Vietnam? Unscented was our main focus, but I never considered targeting Vietnam specifically.”

“Haha. Just ignore me. I have to go now. Good luck.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

“I’ll buy one to support you.”

As I was buying the hairspray, someone suddenly appeared and addressed me.

“Could you elaborate on why you specifically mentioned Vietnam?”

I turned to look.

The student next to him whispered, “Ah, Professor.”

He wore round glasses and had deep nasolabial folds [lines from the nose to the mouth].

His smile was warm and genuine, putting people at ease.

The eyes behind the glasses sparkled with curiosity.

I responded with a slight smile and said,

“Ah. This is how I make my living, so I can’t just give away my secrets.”

The professor laughed openly at my bluntness.

He scratched his forehead sheepishly and said,

“Then, would you perhaps be interested in selling this product? It’s part of a school-supported project. After hearing the student’s explanation, I thought exploring an overseas market wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“Then you should definitely pursue that. Good luck.”

“Hmm hmm. It could be a huge success if we collaborated.”

“Eh. Success isn’t that easy to come by. Well, I’ll be going now.”

“Ah. What’s your major and name?”

“Korean Literature, Lee Si-hyuk. I’m busy right now…. I’ll see you again sometime.”

I grabbed Si-ha’s hand and quickly left with the kids from the daycare center.

If they’re really interested in me, they’ll reach out.

To be honest, I am quite intrigued by one of the projects the chemistry department is working on.

But I didn’t want to reveal all my cards and come across as too eager.

It’s like you never truly know a hairspray until you’ve actually used it.

Sometimes, a little mystery can increase my value.

‘Well, I don’t know if they’ll go that far, though.’

I shook the hairspray in my hand.

“Hyung. Biseori? Make?”

“Yeah. Let’s make our Biseori clouds with this.”

No one knows yet whether this product will be a hit or a flop.

“Ah, ah!”

Seeing Si-ha’s happy face, I had a feeling I’d be making clouds all day today.

Ah, did I buy this for nothing?

Since refunds are probably out of the question, I guess the sale was a success for them.

***

The time when white clouds are dyed darkly.

The sky has lost its light, but flowers bloomed by the fireworks shot up on the last day of the festival.

*Bang-! Bang-!*

I sat on a bench with the daycare kids and watched the fireworks.

I didn’t bother going to the crowded stage performance.

Even if I didn’t go, I could see the colors painted across the sky from anywhere around here.

‘Tuition is disappearing in an instant.’

Seeing that financial concerns come before more sentimental thoughts, I feel like I’m becoming jaded.

Those fireworks are actually golden colors, fueled by burning money.

I see red or orange, but in my mind, I see them as gold.

Si-ha, who was sitting next to me, was staring blankly at the sky, completely mesmerized.

“Hyung! Hyung! Ocean! Ocean! Did it. Si-ha did it.”

“Yeah. We watched fireworks at the beach before, right?”

“Different. Big. Big.”

“That’s a huge amount of cash… I mean, a big firework.”

“Cloud friend? Friend?”

“What? Hahaha.”

I never expected him to ask if the fireworks were friends with the clouds.

Well, in a way, they might be.

The fireworks go up and say, ‘Hey, let’s share some space.’

Hearing Si-ha say that, I see the sky in a new light.

“Maybe they went up to the sky to say hello to the clouds? ‘We came all the way here to see you.’ What do you think, Si-ha?”

“Si-ha did it like this. Mongshil [onomatopoeia for fluffy], Biseori hihi. Ta-da.”

“You’re going to surprise them with ‘ta-da’?”

“Ah, ah.”

Si-ha nodded.

He reached out and clenched and unclenched his hand towards the fireworks.

Why does he keep doing that even though he knows he can’t catch them?

I was curious, so without thinking, I reached out to the sky with him.

Then Seung-joon chimed in.

“No. Those fireworks go up to the sky and do a goblin shot [referencing a move in a children’s game] in multiple directions!”

Indeed.

So, all those spreading fireworks are like scattered balls?

That’s certainly a unique perspective.

It was just like Oh Seung-joon to think of that.

“No. Hana thinks differently!”

“Oh! What does Hana think?”

“It’s photo time. Photo time. They’re posing to take pictures.”

“Wow. I see.”

To these kids, fireworks are like living creatures.

*Bang-! Bang-!*

The stars lose their light in the sky.

The fireworks are too dazzling.

But even so, the stars are still shining in their place.

Instead of blooming and disappearing so spectacularly, I hope Si-ha will shine steadily like those stars.

It’s definitely not because my tuition is burning away and my insides are churning that I’m thinking this.

Even the idols on that stage often debut for a brief moment and then fade away.

“Si-ha.”

“Ah?”

“I’m going to stay here and watch the fireworks. Hyung will go buy something to drink for a bit.”

“No. Si-ha go to-gether.”

“Don’t you want to keep watching the fireworks?”

“Ah, ah. No see. Si-ha go to-gether.”

“Hahaha. Okay. Let’s buy something for our friends quickly. It’s right there, so it’ll be quick.”

“Cocoa. Cocoa.”

“Okay.”

I grabbed Si-ha’s hand and went to buy cocoa.

One for each of the twins and Seung-joon’s mom, too.

Si-ha gently touched his cheek to the canned cocoa, as if enjoying the warmth in his hand.

“Hot~!”

He’s surprised that the temperature felt on his cheek is warmer than his hand.

His eyes widened as he looked at me.

“Isn’t your hand hot?”

“Hand not hot. Cheek hot. Why?”

“Ahaha. It’s because your hand is usually warmer. Your cheek will feel warm later too.”

He fiddles with the can diligently with his small hands.

Well, it’s a bit chilly now, so something warm like this is nice.

We held hands again and returned to the bench.

The twins and Seung-joon were happy when they received their cans.

“Wow! It’s warm! Si-hyuk hyung is the best. Thank you.”

“Si-hyuk oppa, thank you~”

“Ah, ah. Hyung. Thank you.”

Si-ha, why are you saying thank you now?

I guess he’s just copying the twins.

The three kids watched the fireworks and fidgeted with their cans.

Seung-joon’s mom also received a can and thanked us.

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

“I just grabbed cocoa, but would coffee have been better?”

“No. I drink a lot of coffee even while working.”

“Right? Hahaha.”

Then Si-ha put his hand on the back of my hand.

What is it? Is he trying to warm hyung’s hand?

When I looked at him questioningly, Si-ha said,

“Hyung. This.”

“Ah. I’ll open the can for you.”

It was my misunderstanding.

I have to open the lid so he can drink it.

With a *pop* sound, the smell of cocoa wafted slightly.

“Here. Here you go.”

“Ah, ah. Hyung. Thank you.”

“Si-hyuk hyung! Me too!”

“Hana too! Hana too!”

Next to her, her mom said, ‘Mom will do it for you,’ but Hana got off the bench and handed me the cocoa.

I easily opened the can, and Hana smiled and went back to sit on the bench.

Seung-joon’s mom looked at Hana with a smile.

“Seriously. Seung-joon. Can’t mom do it?”

“No.”

“Why? Are you going to ask Si-hyuk hyung to open it for you too?”

“No. I’ll try it myself.”

Seung-joon put all his strength into his hands.

It took a while, but Seung-joon managed to do it.

His mom just watched quietly from the side.

I nodded, thinking that I should be patient like that too.

Si-ha looked at what Seung-joon was doing and then looked at me once.

“Hyung. Si-ha too. Hyung’s. Do it.”

“What? Hahaha. Si-ha will do hyung’s?”

“Ah, ah.”

“Okay. Then try it.”

I was worried he might hurt his hand, so I put my thumb on the can lid to create a little leverage.

Si-ha received the can and tried to put his finger in diligently.

He put the can right on the chair and stabilized it with his thighs.

Completely fixed.

I don’t know where he learned that.

“Do it. Do it.”

*Click. Click.*

The lid moved back and forth. It seemed difficult to do it in one go.

But he didn’t give up and kept trying.

A *click* sound announced success. Like a celebratory firework.

“Hyung!”

“Yeah. It’s done?”

“Ah, ah. All done.”

“Wow. Si-ha is strong.”

“Eat. Si-ha did it. Strong.”

“Thank you. Hyung will eat well.”

We sat together and poured the warm cocoa down our throats.

Whether it was because my insides were warmed or my heart was warmed.

I knew that there was warmth in that closeness.

Maybe now I will remember the warmth of sharing canned cocoa with Si-ha when I think of the festival.

Maybe Si-ha will forget.

But it’s okay.

Because family is always there to remember and record memories.

The last firework in the sky went *bang-!* and announced the end of the festival.

But only the warmth inside remained.

It was as if flowers were still blooming in the sky.