Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 210

I was watching the children from my hiding spot.

As expected, they were initially scared, but Siha’s appearance quickly diffused the situation in a surprising way.

It made me realize why meticulous directors dislike ad-libs – you just can’t predict what will happen.

I was contemplating my next move when Moon Do-hwan countered Siha’s actions with an ad-lib of his own.

“Haha. If you give me some pumpkin porridge right now, I won’t eat you.”

It was a line reminiscent of the fairy tale, ‘If you give me rice cake, I won’t eat you!’

Siha looked genuinely troubled, as if producing pumpkin porridge on the spot was an impossible task.

Now’s my chance! If I’m going to make an entrance, this is it!

I cautiously began to rise, but then Siha rummaged through the pumpkin basket and pulled something out.

Pumpkin taffy.

He presented it to Moon Do-hwan with a confident tap.

“Moon-do. Here! Pumpkin porridge!”

“This is pumpkin taffy?”

“No. It’s pumpkin porridge.”

“Hmm.”

I awkwardly lowered myself back down, feeling like my timing was completely off.

I pondered how to overcome this difficulty, eventually deciding it would be best to just go out there.

If I keep waiting, I won’t accomplish anything.

The children are already transitioning from fear to doubt.

If they keep observing, their fear will diminish, which is not what we want.

I immediately stood up and jumped forward.

“Oh?! It’s Si-hyeok hyung [older brother/male friend]!”

“Oh?! It’s Si-hyeok oppa [older brother/male friend, used by girls]!”

The twins recognized me first.

I wore the same hooded cloak as Siha and walked confidently.

I pulled the hood down slightly to ensure the pumpkin’s face was visible.

I wasn’t sure if it looked good, though.

“Why are you scaring the kids? You bad Moon-do.”

Moon Do-hwan visibly relaxed.

I guess it was difficult to handle them alone.

That’s why performing in plays isn’t for everyone.

If a mistake occurs, you have to react immediately and navigate the situation.

“Moon-do is hungry. Wants pumpkin porridge.”

“You’re so greedy. You know there are plenty of snacks here.”

“That’s mine too. Moon-do is hungry.”

“You keep coveting other people’s things, so you’ll be consumed by that desire!”

Ghosts take possession of people’s bodies.

Now, they endlessly crave the body they lost.

That’s why we try to ward them off with monster makeup.

Maybe the ghosts of Halloween were created by someone’s insatiable greed.

Moon Do-hwan retorted.

“Then who are you! Aren’t you the same kind of monster as me? Let’s take the children’s snacks together.”

“I’m Jack O’Lantern. I was born to protect the children. These children were the only ones who appreciated this insignificant, ugly pumpkin. I am grateful for that.”

“Moon-do. If you interfere, I’ll get rid of you.”

I brandished the large scythe hidden behind my back.

This was another prop borrowed from the theater club.

A quick glance at the children showed they were already engrossed in the play.

But what about those staff members over there? Why are they watching so intently!

I couldn’t help but chuckle at their captivated expressions.

It was as if they were mocking the monster Moon-do.

“Moon-do is angry.”

Moon Do-hwan charged forward.

We executed the rehearsed movements as if we had them perfectly choreographed.

I swung the scythe over my head, narrowly missing Moon-do as he ducked.

Whoosh.

I spun the scythe around and aimed for his waist. Bang. He blocked it with his arm, so I attacked his waist again.

I spun around once more and struck downwards.

‘Everyone swallows 침 [saliva, indicating nervousness].’

Thanks to the choreography, I was able to observe the audience with ease.

Siha was holding his hands tightly and shouting, ‘Hyung. Win!’

A deep smile spread across my face at his words.

Everyone is aware that this is a play, but they are watching it with genuine interest.

“You, who appear in different forms every year, haven’t changed. You always covet other people’s things. So I have no hesitation in wielding the scythe.”

“Moon-do. I see you for the first time.”

“I know. That’s right. Even if I kill you, you are reborn because you are greedy.”

Ironically, that’s why children need Jack O’Lantern – because monsters like you exist.”

I turned my head and looked at the children.

“Kids. Can you hold the pumpkin basket and give strength to this scythe?”

The children held the pumpkin basket with both hands and extended it towards the scythe.

Click. The lights went out.

From behind, a staff member turned on a flashlight using their phone.

The scotch light [reflective tape], partially obscured by the hooded cloak, began to glow.

The pumpkin’s face was subtly illuminated.

The scythe also had scotch light attached to it, causing it to shine as well.

The children’s eyes widened in amazement.

I hadn’t anticipated this effect.

“Ah?”

Siha looked at the top of the cloak.

After confirming that it was faintly glowing, he made a satisfied face, saying, ‘Hyung and 가타 [same].’

At this crucial moment, consistency is key.

With that thought, I raised the scythe.

“Now disappear.”

Whirr.

I spun it around like a 봉 [staff/rod] and struck Moon-do’s body.

Circling around, once at the waist, then once on the thigh.

Moon-do slightly knelt on one leg.

Finally, I slashed diagonally across his chest.

“Keuak!”

With a short scream, Moon-do fell.

Click. The lights came back on, signaling the end of the scene.

I looked at the children.

“It’s all over now. I’ll give you the snacks that Moon-do collected. Thank you for not giving up and helping me.”

I placed the prepared snacks in the pumpkin basket.

The children were smiling brightly, clearly enjoying themselves.

The teacher who was watching from the side gave me a thumbs up.

“That was really fun. Si-hyeok. ‘These children were the only ones who needed this insignificant, ugly pumpkin.’ Kyaa.”

“I’m a little embarrassed.”

“But aren’t the lines and settings amazing? Who wrote such an incredible script?”

“It was the teacher.”

“Ahem.”

The planner and scenario 담당 [in charge] Yoo Da-hee teacher.

I realized then that the story was indeed strong.

I also thought it was pretty cool.

Of course, I also contributed some directing ideas.

“Si-hyeok was quite good too? We wrote it well together.”

“The teacher 잡으셨다 [established] the framework.”

“Hey. It changes a lot depending on how you direct it.”

“Haha. Anyway, thank you.”

At that moment, Siha clung to my leg.

“Hyung. Moon-do 안 일나 [not get up].”

“Huh? Really? Hyung. It’s over now. Get up quickly?”

But Moon-do remained motionless.

I guess he’s trying to play a prank.

I mean, he’s dressed up like this, so he’ll be sad to end it.

“Siha. Do you want to wake up Moon-do?”

“Aah!”

Siha ran to Moon-do and gently slapped his face.

“Moon-do. 일나 [get up].”

“…….”

“안 일나 [not get up]? 호박이 머거 [pumpkin eat].”

Siha held the opening of the pumpkin basket over Moon Do-hwan’s head.

The bearded pumpkin 아저씨 [middle-aged man] was 연출 [staging] the scene of eating his head.

At the same time, the 과자 [snack] also seemed to be stabbing Moon Do-hwan’s head.

His eyebrows slightly furrowed.

“Moon-do’s eyes are moving!”

“Ah. I got caught.”

He was trying to maintain the dead act, but he had no choice but to be exposed by the 과자 봉지 [snack bag] attack.

He quietly got up and scratched his head.

“Ahem. Siha. Hello. Was it fun?”

“Aah. 재미써 [fun]. Moon-do 재미써 [fun].”

“Haha. Thank you.”

Yoo Da-hee teacher approached Moon Do-hwan.

Smiling softly.

“The children really liked it. Thank you for helping.”

“Haha. No. I lost the 내기 [bet] and took on this role. What.”

“Still, it’s not easy to do the makeup and theater props.”

“Si-hyeok 구해온 [brought] everything, I didn’t do much.”

“Hey. Am I a 바본가요 [fool]?”

Yoo Da-hee teacher winked.

Moon Do-hwan blushed as he watched her.

“I guess I’m a 바본가 봅니다 [fool].”

“Yes? Ahahah. You’re a funny person.”

“Hahaha.”

Do-hwan hyung [older brother/male friend]. Still, you became a funny person in the end.

I really think it’s a good thing.

“Hyung. Siha 과자 마나 [snack many]!”

“Yeah. You got a lot of 과자 [snack]. How was today?”

“재미써 [fun].”

“Haha. Let’s dress up and come again next year. Okay?”

“형아도 가치 [hyung also together]?”

“…어 [huh]?”

Siha looked up at me with round eyes.

“형아도 가치 [hyung also together]?”

To think he’d do a 확인사살 [confirmation kill] like this.

Our Siha has grown a lot!

“…Yeah. Together.”

“Siha 마니 조아 [very like]!”

Siha smiled.

Yeah. Actually, it was very so-so to wear these clothes, but if Siha likes it, I can always do it together.

Because I can grant this much cute greed.

So please understand the moment of hesitation.

I gently stroked Siha’s head.

***

The adults’ Halloween celebrations start properly in the evening.

Walking down the street at night, young men and women are dressed up, and foreigners also enjoy the culture together.

I’m not one to actively participate, but I often thought it would be fun to dress up like that with friends.

But I couldn’t overcome my shyness and just enjoyed the atmosphere and raised a glass.

A good day to drink.

Halloween has become such a day for me.

But this year, I even dressed up like this for the first time thanks to Siha.

Although it’s very different from the makeup I wanted to do, isn’t it different from last year?

That’s so amazing.

“Siha. Don’t you think so too?”

“Aah. 마시써 [delicious].”

It’s my sudden question while eating dinner, but he answers well.

Of course, he took it in a different meaning.

Siha put two pieces of steak in both cheeks with a fork and chewed.

His cheeks are puffy, but I guess it’s delicious to eat like that.

“You worked hard today, so you’re eating steak.”

“형아 고생해써 [hyung hard]?”

“No. Siha worked hard, not me?”

“아냐 [no]. Siha 노라써 [play].”

“When Siha is that age, playing is work.”

“Why?”

“Huh? You have to play a lot… to grow taller… or something?”

I wondered if this was right as I was talking.

If this happens, won’t he be playing all the time?

Of course, it’s true that children grow while playing, but it’s also true that they have to study later.

Education is still difficult and awkward. I’m not even sure if I’m doing it right.

“형아 [hyung]. Siha 매일 노라 [everyday play]. 형아랑 가치 [hyung together].”

“Yeah. Let’s play with hyung. But hyung has to work too, so I can’t play with you all day.”

“개차나 [okay]. Siha. 그림 그려 [draw picture].”

“Yeah. If hyung works, Siha can draw pictures, right?”

“Aah. 가치 일해 [together work].”

“Hahaha. That’s right. Siha’s job is drawing pictures.”

He’s become very logical?

I feel that he has grown a lot differently from the beginning of the year.

If there’s anything that bothers me a little, it’s that Siha doesn’t look for his mom and dad anymore.

The day we cried together.

Maybe at that point, he realized that he couldn’t see them anymore.

Thinking about that, I put a lot of strength into the fork.

Am I really filling that void? Am I doing well?

Maybe it’s not enough?

“형아 [hyung]. Moon-do. 머시써 [cool]. 싸움 따닥 [fight sound]. 낫 따닥 [scythe sound].”

“Thank you.”

Actually, I’m a very lacking hyung [older brother/male friend], but I was grateful that he liked me so much.

I know there are parts that I can’t fill.

Like taking care of certain days, eating out, and making special memories.

I hope these efforts will replace the void a little more.

I earnestly hope that bad ghosts don’t stick to that void.

‘Ah….’

Maybe the reason why my father sometimes tried to take me to expensive and delicious places was the same as my thoughts?

There was a reason why he brought a plate, cut it for me, and put it in my mouth.

I grumbled that it was a waste of money and followed him, saying let’s eat at home.

I was dragged out, unable to resist when my father insisted that he had something good to do today and had to eat out.

‘He even made excuses for Halloween.’

A 피식 [slight] smile came out.

Siha saw that and asked, ‘형아 마시써 [hyung delicious]?’

I didn’t have anything to say, so I just said this.

“I’m smiling because it’s so delicious to eat with Siha.”

“Aah! Siha too!”

“You’re not smiling.”

“아냐 [no]. 우서 [smile]?”

“You shouldn’t raise the end 음 [tone], it becomes a strange meaning.”

“Why?”

“Well. Why are you smiling? It feels like that?”

“아 [ah]?”

“You’ll find out later in life.”

Yeah. You’ll find out and realize it later in life.

I picked up a napkin and wiped Siha’s mouth.

Sometimes, even if you do clumsy things like getting sauce on your mouth, you can just wipe it off with a napkin again.

You can’t turn back spilled water, but you can fill that cup with water again.

That’s enough.

‘I’ll add what I learned from my father and hyung [older brother/male friend] will do better. Okay?’

With that in mind, I gently stroked Siha’s cheek.

At that time, the phone rang from my phone.

It was an unknown number, so I just turned it off.

But it comes again.

I thought maybe it was a call for work, so I answered it.

“Hello.”

「…….」

“Hello?”

「…Is this Si-hyeok?」

My heart turned cold.