Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 220

I’m on my way to pick up Siha.

I finished work in the afternoon and plan to pick him up a bit early today.

Actually, I was going to give him the remaining Pepero [chocolate-covered pretzel sticks popular in Korea] by myself, but Siha used his ultimate skill, ‘Together with Hyung [older brother or close male friend]!’, so I had no choice but to give in.

Well, isn’t that what gifts are all about?

They say it’s about conveying heart to heart, and I think that means showing your face.

Checking each other’s well-being face-to-face, exchanging the usual pleasantries about how we’re doing.

Isn’t that what it’s all about?

It may seem meaningless, but through this process, you feel, ‘Ah, this person came all the way here to see me, they care about me.’ That’s what ‘heart’ is.

It’s invisible, but it’s something the other person can think about.

I know that too, so instead of just dropping it off like 택배 [Taekbae, Korean delivery service] or mail, I meet them in person and hand it over myself.

“Siha~ Hyung is here!”

When I called out in front of the entrance, Siha’s face popped out.

As always, he runs to me and hugs me.

Do you even know that each of these actions makes me feel like you’re really happy to see me?

When your little arms tighten around my neck, I can’t help but smile.

I don’t know why, but it makes me feel good.

“Hyung! Hyung! Siha go with Hyung.”

“What is it again?”

“Chopstick used. Siha did good.”

“Oh! You used chopsticks?”

“Ah, Siha stabbed tofu-cheoba pooh.”

“Huh? Tofu-cheo-ba? You stabbed it?”

“Ah? Tofu-rice.”

“Ah! Right! Tofu rice. You stabbed it with chopsticks, right?”

“Ah.”

But the pronunciation is a bit… Hmm. Doesn’t ‘Tofu-cheo-ba’ sound like you’re picking a fight?

I was suddenly surprised, thinking Siha had become a delinquent.

No way. Our kid would never do that!!

I almost reacted like that.

Siha’s noir film was about to come out, but it seems like it didn’t happen.

Well, even if it did, it’s not like he’s a gangster, and the opponent is tofu.

Thinking about it that way, it’s kind of funny.

“Let’s go now. There’s still Pepero left, so we have to deliver it. Go pack your bag quickly.”

“Ah!”

Siha ran and disappeared into his room.

He said goodbye to his friends, shaking his bag as he came to me.

The teacher followed us out, greeted me, and then took something out.

“I prepared Pepero today too. I packed it to give it to you when you leave.”

“Ah, thank you. Siha, say thank you.”

“Thank you, Teacher~”

I received the Pepero and put it in my bag.

I expected that I would get one at the daycare.

Including what I received from Seo Soo-hyun today, this is the second one.

As expected, it’s from a major company with few dislikes, so I think I’ll eat it slowly.

“Then, Teacher, I’ll be going.”

“Yes! Take care.”

“Teacher, bye-bye.”

“Okay. Bye, Siha~”

We got in the car and set off.

The place we’re going to now is KI Publishing.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been there, and it’s also a sudden visit.

I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen them in person because I’ve only been contacting them by email and phone these days.

But I still have a grateful heart, so I’m going to deliver Pepero today.

I’m just going to take a moment to give it to them, so it should be okay, right?

“Siha, it’s been a while since we’ve seen Section Chief Hong Jin-soo. Right?”

“Ah, Hong Ajji [a cute way for a child to say ‘ajusshi’, meaning uncle or older man].”

“Hehe. Yes. Uncle Hong.”

We arrived at the publishing house and went straight up.

When I opened the door, everyone was still staring at their computers.

Someone made eye contact with me and nodded in greeting.

I also bowed slightly.

“Where is Section Chief Hong?”

“Ah! He’s talking with the CEO right now. He’ll be out soon. It’s been a while since he went in.”

“Are they plotting something again?”

“Haha. If you say that, we sound like villains.”

“Right? Ah! I made this for Pepero Day, so please try it.”

“Oh! Thank you.”

“I didn’t bring much, just enough to cleanse your palate.”

“Didn’t you make this yourself? Then that makes sense.”

Because it’s not a factory, I couldn’t make enough to give to many people.

Unfortunately, I had to work too, so I only packed two Pepero.

But considering the people I’m giving them to, I actually made quite a lot.

Wrapping them is a job, and washing the dishes is a job.

It wasn’t easy, but it was quite rewarding.

“Hyung, Hong Ajji?”

“Ah, he’ll be out later. Can we give out the Pepero and stay in the break room?”

“Yes, you can.”

“Thank you.”

“Haha. You don’t have to thank me.”

We handed out Pepero to the employees.

Well, we’re only giving it to this department, so there weren’t that many people.

I felt a little grateful that everyone welcomed us with warm eyes.

As we were about to go to the break room, Section Chief Hong Jin-soo came out.

When he saw me, his eyes widened and he rushed over.

“Oh, Mr. Si-hyuk! What brings you here without any notice!”

“Haha. I have something to deliver today. Siha.”

“Siha has something to deliver?”

Siha rummaged through his bag and took out the Pepero.

“Hong Ajji! Pepero gift!”

“Wow! This is the KI logo. I’m touched!”

I feel a bit burdened by the way he’s looking at me.

Don’t tell me he thinks I made that?

“Mr. Si-hyuk is a 공동 운명체 [gongdong unmyeongche – a community of common destiny] with KI. To think you would think of this and not show it. Hehe. As expected.”

He shook his head, covering his eyes with his hand as if he didn’t expect me to do this.

I think you’re seriously mistaken?!

Why am I a 공동 운명체 with KI? I’m just a freelancer, and if I had to say, I’m a contract worker.

Anyone would think I joined the company.

I need to correct him quickly.

“Siha made it. I just have ordinary almond Pepero…….”

“As expected! I knew it! Siha has an eye for companies.”

No, what’s with the quick change of attitude?

Is this the vibe that comes from experience?

I think I’m falling for his exaggerated gestures.

“But almond. It’s thoughtful to consider that too much sweetness can be overwhelming. As expected of Mr. Si-hyuk.”

If he was born in Joseon [historical Korean kingdom], wouldn’t he be a legendary silver-tongued orator?

His flattery is no joke.

“That’s not, not…….”

“Don’t just stand here, come inside.”

“Ah! If you don’t like Pepero, give it to your wife. She’ll like it if you take care of her like this, right?”

Hong Jin-soo smiled awkwardly.

“Haha. Mr. Si-hyuk, you don’t do that with family.”

“???