Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 45

Brother, Aren’t I Cute? 45

The incident started with a single news article.

[…Mars Corporation unveiled its new fashion line ahead of its participation in the Fashion Fair & Textile Expo.

The colorful floral outfits promise to refresh the S/S [Spring/Summer] collection.

V-neck t-shirts using unconventional stripe patterns with natural Korean paper materials are also featured……]

There was nothing problematic in the article itself.

However, for Harbinis Corporation, it was a bolt out of the blue.

The patterns and designs looked familiar.

While the natural materials were different, it was plagiarism cleverly disguised.

In such cases, lawsuits were difficult, and their participation in the Fashion Fair & Textile Expo would be over.

Currently, Nicold was about to explode with frustration.

He sighed while watching the video call from Korea.

“It’s too blatant. Seriously, to keep us in check like this.”

“We have to come up with a solution. Mars Corporation is even presenting first, aren’t they?”

“How do we come up with a solution? There’s no time to change the patterns now. How long would it take to squeeze the designers and remake the clothes?”

“We can’t just give up, can we?”

Nicold was also furious.

“We chose them so carefully. Haa.”

“We need to do something as soon as possible. Or just remove those clothes.”

“Does that make sense? How can we remove them? Those are the clothes we prepared to introduce this time.”

“Even if the textile materials aren’t taken, isn’t it the design that captures attention first? Buyers want leading fashion and technology.”

“Who doesn’t know that? Ugh. Okay. Let’s find a solution today or tomorrow.”

After the video call ended, Nicold leaned back in his chair.

You might think he could give up one clothing design, but it was difficult.

No matter what, being defeated by such a blatant attack would hurt his pride and make them look weak.

But this time, he might have to step down.

“This is a headache.”

Nicold got up and picked up the phone.

He had to contact the relevant people to handle this situation.

After calling a few people who needed to know, he contacted Si-hyuk.

After explaining the situation, he mentioned the parts that needed to be removed from the buyer’s presentation.

“Things aren’t fully sorted out yet. We should probably discuss the rest in person.”

「I think so too. It seems unavoidable. If there’s anything I can help with, I’ll think about it.」

“Haha. Your thoughts are enough. Then let’s talk in person.”

Nicold sighed after hanging up.

***

Two days later.

I took Siha with me to meet Nicold.

He looked gaunt, probably because he had been struggling since the incident.

He looked so tired that I felt sorry for him.

「Are you okay?」

「Yes, I’m fine. It seems you need to review the materials again…. There will be added parts. Please check them. And I need to explain a few things…….」

I talked with Nicold.

Siha was quietly drawing next to me.

He was drawing azaleas, the moon, and stars.

It was a simple drawing, but the colors were very good.

「Nicold, did you ask the designer?」

「I did, but there aren’t any patterns I like. It’s not a technical issue but an artistic one, so it’s even more of a headache.」

「Is that a famous designer?」

「Yes. It would be difficult to solve in a short period…….」

「You must have a lot on your mind. Would this type of pattern significantly increase the cost when manufactured in the factory?」

I also thought a little, just in case.

This experience isn’t just about being brought along as an interpreter but being part of a team from the seller’s perspective.

So, I thought I should do my best to help.

Nicold tilted his head.

「What is this?」

「It’s a design I received from a designer named Alisa.」

「Oh! It’s perfect. The cross-section of the fabric and the harmony are well-organized in the design.」

「You’ll probably have to make it to know for sure, but she has a basic understanding of Harbinis fabrics.」

Alisa actually helped me a lot.

That’s why a lot of data was shared, and I didn’t know it would be this helpful.

Did Nicold like this pattern?

「We can supplement it from here, but hmm. The design is good, but the pattern is a bit disappointing.」

「Is it not good?」

「It’s not that it’s not good, but it’s not the look that Harbinis would go for.」

「Look…….」

‘Look’ in fashion was a very vague expression.

It’s not just about what you see.

Fashion is always changing and leading trends.

Therefore, it could be described as a synthesis of various perspectives.

Designers, photographers, casting directors, art directors, buyers, etc.

It’s as if there’s a ‘look’ that they want, like big data.

「Is Alisa’s pattern a bit like that?」

「Hmm. Harbinis Corporation doesn’t like it. It’s not that the designer didn’t do well, but it doesn’t fit the area of expertise…. So, it’s a shame.」

Is there no way?

While I was thinking about that, Siha called me.

“Brother.”

“Yes? Siha, what’s wrong?”

“Ah. This.”

Siha showed me the picture he had drawn.

Pretty azaleas were blooming on the pad, already colored in.

“Wow. You colored it really well?”

“Ah ah.”

“It’s so vivid, probably because you saw it directly in nature. It even smells like flowers?”

“Ah ah.”

Siha shook the pad wildly, feeling good.

I was talking to Siha, so I didn’t pay attention to Nicold.

「Ah! Nicold. I’m sorry.」

「…….」

There was no answer from Nicold.

He was just staring blankly at the azaleas Siha had drawn.

「Nicold?」

「Ah! Si-hyuk. What did you say?」

「Are you okay? You look very tired…….」

Nicold’s eyes sparkled.

He looked like a child excited to receive a toy.

「Si-hyuk. That’s not important. Oh, my gosh! Haha. This is how I find it!」

「Yes?」

「Don’t Alisa’s design and Siha’s flower pattern harmonize here? The top is accented with the flower pattern Siha used, and the bottom is color-coordinated with denim pants that match it.」

I imagined it.

One of the basics of fashion is color matching.

The easiest way is to use achromatic colors [black, white, and gray].

Or you can accent with accessories that are similar to the colors in the pattern or decorate with a bag.

That’s their specialty, so they’ll take care of it.

So, there was only one thing I had to do.

I sat Siha on my lap.

「Nicold. Do you like the pattern Siha drew?」

「Of course. The color is good, so this concentration is suitable for us to extract.」

「Is that so?」

「Yes.」

I smiled softly.

「I hope it’s not free? Even if it’s a child, he showed you this design. Our Siha is into cars these days.」

Carnimal car. It was only 20,000 won [approximately $15 USD] with the discount.

「Haha! How much are you thinking?」

「The winning racing car costs 200,000 won [approximately $150 USD]. You’re not just going to give me enough money to buy one, are you?」

「Aren’t you being too much? Trading your brother like this…….」

I smiled softly.

「Early education is very important these days. Our Siha is a genius, so he’s already making money.」

「…….」

「Doesn’t the premium increase when you’re in a hurry?」

「You’re terrible. Haha. But I don’t hate it.」

「Oh, right. And let’s keep it a secret and show it off with a bang before the announcement.」

「We should. I don’t know who leaked it.」

「You really don’t know?」

「I wonder.」

Nicold smiled bitterly.

Did he not know yet?

It was clear where the check that was ambiguous to call plagiarism came from.

Industrial spy.

Well, the company will take care of it.

“Siha.”

“Ah ah.”

“Your picture is going to be hung in the exhibition! Our Siha is going to make his debut in earnest?”

“Ah ah.”

“Isn’t Siha’s picture going to be sold for 1 billion won [approximately $750,000 USD] later?”

“Ah ah.”

Siha didn’t seem to know why I was happy.

But Siha was happy because I was happy.

Siha smiled softly.

“Oh? Ah, I need to take a picture of this!”

“Ah ah!”

Siha’s smile disappeared as soon as I quickly took out my phone.

Unfortunately, I missed another photo opportunity.

Nicold muttered as he watched.

「Even so, isn’t it an exaggeration to say that the painting will be sold for 1 billion won later?」

「Oh? Nicold. Do you understand Korean?」

「I understood the painting and 1 billion.」

He guessed it roughly with those two.

He was not ordinary.

「Then shall we prepare? Oh, right. You have to get the designer’s permission and sign a contract.」

「I see. I’ll prepare it soon. Let’s sign a contract.」

Thus, our deal was concluded.

***

Alisa, who signed the contract, had a dazed look.

“Si-hyuk. Pinch my face.”

I didn’t refuse and pinched her hard.

“Ouch!! That hurts!”

“Didn’t you ask me to pinch you to feel the pain?”

“I didn’t?”

“How is it? You’re about to make your name as a designer for the first time like this?”

“Wouldn’t I just become one of the many designers? Or would I be buried altogether?”

“Still, there are many people who can’t even stand on the starting line.”

“But Siha’s picture pattern is included, so I don’t think I did it alone.”

“Hey. You’re getting a lot of praise…. It’s worth studying the factory with me, right?”

“If I didn’t have that, it would have been a design that didn’t know the practice. I made a design pattern that fits it.”

“That’s enough. It’s a good experience you want to have.”

“Now I have to make it quickly, put it on, and fix it. It’s really tight.”

“That’s right.”

I turned my head and looked at Siha.

“Siha.”

“Ah ah.”

Siha was immersed in his newly bought Carnimal car.

This time it was a giraffe shape, which was quite rare.

“Do you like the giraffe?”

“Ah ah. Pepe.”

“Huh? Isn’t Pepe a penguin?”

“Pepe.”

“Don’t tell me you like Pepe more?”

“Ah ah.”

Nod nod.

He likes the same thing, but it seems that his favorite toy was Pepe.

Too bad. Rare giraffe car.

Alisa next to me hummed.

She looked very happy, just like Siha.

“Hmm~”

She said it wasn’t like she did it alone, but she’s still in a good mood.

Who would have known she would have this experience?

Maybe I should thank Mars Corporation, Harbinis’ rival company.

As I was talking and walking, a black sedan passed by right in front of me and stopped the car.

‘What is it?’

I felt something ominous.

“Alisa.”

“Yes?”

“Are you good at acting?”

“I’m so good that Santa didn’t give me presents when I was young.”

I chuckled at Alisa’s joke.

In the meantime, the door opened, and a familiar face appeared.

It was a Harbinis Corporation official.

I often communicated with Harbinis officials while preparing for interpretation, and he was one of them.

‘Was his name Malfoy?’

Malfoy called me.

「Si-hyuk. Were you here?」

「When did you come to Korea?」

「It hasn’t been long. Haha. Get in.」

「Yes?」

「Aren’t you going home? Haha. I’ll take you.」

「Ah ha. Thank you. Then I’ll be rude.」

「Haha. Get in quickly.」

I opened the car door and looked at Malfoy.

「But Malfoy.」

「Yes?」

「How much did you get from Mars Corporation?」

Malfoy’s face stiffened.

I smiled softly.

「I’m a little interested too.」