Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 60

Hyung, Am I Cute? 60

I hesitated to speak, noticing the faint blue bruise.

Should I ask about it?

Maybe it’s nothing, and I’m just overthinking things.

“Hey, Jiho.”

“Yes?”

“Does anything hurt anywhere on your body?”

Jiho instinctively covered himself.

“No.”

“Really? I thought I saw something earlier.”

“I got it from falling down.”

“Oh, really? I see.”

Did he really get that bruise from falling?

I couldn’t be sure, since I only caught a quick glimpse.

Maybe he really did just fall.

“So, since we marked the spot with a mound of dirt like this, we’ll be able to find it easily later, right?”

“Yes.”

“Ah.”

I stood up, along with the kids.

“Then, let’s dig here together tomorrow. Should we meet at the same time, 3 o’clock?”

“Yes.”

“Ah.”

We made a promise with Jiho.

After waving goodbye, Siha and I headed home.

On the way, I felt a little uneasy.

Was it right to not press him further about the bruise?

I wasn’t sure if a blue bruise could even be caused by a simple fall.

When Siha falls, he usually just gets bruises around his knees, but…

‘Let’s ask again tomorrow.’

I took Siha’s hand and walked towards home.

“Siha, did you have fun today?”

“Ah ah.”

“Let’s keep that dirt ball safe until it’s finished later.”

“Ah ah. Ball!”

“Yes, yes. It’s a ball. A dirt ball.”

“Ah ah.”

Other parents might just want to throw it away.

But early childhood is a time when even the smallest things become precious treasures.

I wanted him to experience that feeling.

I needed to fill the void left by his parents’ absence with something more.

That something would be the various memories and feelings I share with Siha.

“Siha, I’m looking forward to finishing it tomorrow.”

“Ah ah.”

I held Siha’s hand tightly.

Time flowed by, and the next day at 3 o’clock arrived.

We waited for Jiho at the playground, but he didn’t show up.

Why?

He didn’t seem like the type of kid who would break a promise.

Why isn’t Jiho coming?

If I had known this would happen, I should have asked for his address.

I knew he lived near the playground, so we just parted ways yesterday, but I should have walked him home.

I felt angry at my own naivete.

Was I too insensitive?

Of course, he was a child I had just met that day, and being too forward might be seen as meddling.

But as someone with a younger sibling, shouldn’t I have paid a little more attention?

“Hyung.”

“Yeah?”

“Jiho hyung.”

“Ah… Jiho must be sick and can’t come.”

Siha, who liked Jiho, looked dejected and lowered his head.

I wondered what to do.

“Shall we dig up what we made ourselves?”

Dori Dori [Shaking head].

Siha shook his head.

“Together.”

“You want to dig it up together?”

“Ah ah.”

We have no way to contact him, so how can we dig it up together?

I hesitated for a moment and then said,

“Then, when we meet Jiho next time, we’ll dig here, okay?”

“Ah ah.”

I took Siha’s hand and we played a little at the playground.

Just in case Jiho might still come.

But even after an hour, the child showed no sign of appearing.

***

-Melts KR Branch.

Park Joong-hyuk, a salesman for Melts [a car brand], puffed on a cigarette outside.

Watching the smoke rise into the sky, his mood darkened.

Looking at the other dealer next to him, he spoke.

“I heard the headquarters is coming for an audit this time?”

“Is that all? There’s also the Motor Show participation.”

“The audit is the real purpose. The Motor Show is just for show. What kind of crap are we going to have to listen to this time?”

“Don’t be so negative. Would the interpreter really say anything bad?”

“You understand English, though. So do I.”

“That’s true, but you can always choose not to listen.”

“That’s right.”

Unlike Korean, it doesn’t sound as natural.

Especially when it’s mixed with technical terms, you can just tune it out.

Of course, any swear words will definitely stick in your ear.

“Hoo.”

“And this time, the Motor Show is supposed to be the main focus, right? They’re aiming to increase sales. Maybe they’ll focus on Korea for a bit and then ignore us later.”

“Some strange articles are floating around. Seriously. If they’re thinking of increasing market share, they should give us something too.”

“That’s right.”

“No, even if it’s a relationship of equals, isn’t it too much for the importer to have an oligopoly? Our operating profit is in the red. Does that even make sense? Sales are in the black and rising.”

“What can we do? We have to make a living.”

“That’s why dealer companies should stand up and cheer up [a call to action/unity].”

Park Joong-hyuk put out his cigarette and threw it in the trash can.

“Ah, seriously. I don’t feel like working. The stress is no joke.”

“But you’re in a better situation. Your performance is no joke.”

“So what? They take all the profit for themselves. I should transfer to another place.”

The dealer next to him showed interest.

“Where are you going? If there’s a good place, take me with you.”

“Get away. I’m busy trying to survive myself.”

“Hey, don’t be like that.”

Park Joong-hyuk chuckled and nudged him with his elbow.

“Go over there. A customer has arrived.”

“Oh, a customer with a luxury bag.”

As the dealer went to greet the customer with the luxury bag, Park Joong-hyuk lit another cigarette.

“Ah, I can’t even finish this one.”

He put the cigarette back in the pack and got up from his seat.

He noticed a young man and a child looking around cluelessly in front of the showroom.

‘Is he a rich young master?’

Park Joong-hyuk smirked and approached them.

***

I had a phone call with an official from Melts headquarters.

His name was Liam.

He was in charge of directing the Motor Show and conducting the audit.

His voice on the phone was very polite and cheerful.

However, there was also a needle-like sharpness hidden beneath the surface, which made me feel uneasy for some reason.

Anyway, we agreed to meet at Melts KR, as arranged through his contact.

I was looking at the cars with Siha to pass the time.

“Siha, it’s a new car, so it’s sparkling, right?”

“Ah ah.”

“I’ll buy you one later when Hyung [older brother] earns enough money.”

“Ah ah. Car!”

“Wow. You even know the word ‘car’ now. Siha has grown up so much!”

“Beanstalk?”

“Huh? Ah! Yes. It’s grown as big as the beanstalk at home!”

The beanstalk at home is growing so much that it’s almost taller than me.

It’s growing at an amazing rate.

I hope Siha doesn’t grow up that fast.

Like in a certain cartoon, I wish he would stay 3 years old for 10 years.

‘No. What am I thinking!’

Thinking about it, that would cause a lot of problems.

I just want him to be 3 years old for 2 years.

I just think Siha is too cute right now.

“Ah ah. Hyung. Siha. Car.”

“Yes. Siha’s car.”

“Vroom.”

“You even know ‘vroom vroom.’ Siha is so smart.”

“Ah ah.”

Siha has been talking a lot lately.

Should I start practicing sentences with him soon?

I feel proud seeing Siha grow little by little.

Just then, someone approached us.

“Hello.”

“Yes. Hello.”

“Can I help you with something?”

“Ah! Actually, I’m here as an interpreter. Liam is coming from Melts headquarters.”

“I received a call that he was coming today. Hmm. You’re the interpreter.”

“Yes! And this child is my younger brother, Siha.”

“But why is your younger brother here?”

“Ah, Liam said it was okay to bring him. He was very curious about him.”

“Really? It seems like you two know each other.”

“No, we don’t.”

I glanced at the name tag of the person in front of me.

Park Joong-hyuk.

He seemed to be a dealer here.

“I like Melts cars too. I saw them in an article. Melts: the car for a spare life!”

“Haha. They’re popular imported cars.”

“That’s right. I would buy one if I had the money.”

Park Joong-hyuk’s eyes lit up.

Why is he looking at me like that?

“We have good installment plans these days. I think it’s worth buying a Melts, even the cheapest one. How about it? Would you like to take a look?”

“Hmm. Well.”

“Feel free to take a test drive. You’ll end up spending time on it later when you actually come to buy it. You must be busy with childcare, so how great would it be to save time by test driving while you’re waiting?”

Did he install a motor in his mouth [speaking very fast and persuasively]?

I feel like I’m about to fall for his subtle but reasonable words.

As expected of a dealer…

If I don’t stay alert, I might end up buying one on installment.

Park Joong-hyuk continued.

“Think about it. This waiting time might be a bit boring. As someone who raises a child myself, I prefer safe cars.”

“Ah, yes.”

“I have a kindergartener, and you can’t imagine how adorable she is. She sits right in the passenger seat next to her dad and asks all sorts of questions… I almost had an accident once. Ah, come this way.”

I was drawn into his words as easily as water flowing down a drain.

To bring up such a relatable topic…

Park Joong-hyuk led us to a table and took out several candies, placing them in Siha’s hand.

Then, he peeled the wrapper off the most delicious grape flavor and put it in Siha’s mouth.

“Here. I’ll peel the candy for you, so eat it.”

After diverting Siha’s attention with candy, he looked at me again.

“Now, let’s go see the cars. I’ll show you the models that parents with children buy most often. You’ll probably be satisfied if you take a test drive.”

I need to make my position clear.

“I don’t have any intention of buying one right now.”

“Cars aren’t going anywhere. You’re not buying the latest model. You can take your time choosing if you have any thoughts later. If you test drive it first and like it, you can save time when you come to buy it later.”

“Um. Then I’ll ask you for a favor.”

Park Joong-hyuk gave me a friendly smile.

Why do I feel like I’ve been tricked?

I’m sure I won’t buy it, right?

First, I followed Park Joong-hyuk to look at the cars.

It wouldn’t hurt to take a test drive with Siha.

By the way, is it really okay to drive here?

“How is it so far?”

“I think I’ll know better once I drive it.”

“Just a moment. We also have a car seat here.”

In an instant, a car seat was installed to ensure Siha’s safety.

I felt like I was being manipulated.

Siha, feeling comfortable, sucked on his candy and touched everything around him.

“Hyung. Soft soft.”

“Yes. It’s soft, right?”

“Ah ah. Soft!”

“That’s a relief.”

Park Joong-hyuk smiled brightly and said,

“Haha. Right? If you come to buy it here later, I’ll give you this seat too. It’s a pretty good product, better than it looks.”

Honestly, I could only admire his salesmanship at this point.

This person is definitely the best dealer here.

I’m not sure, but I think he’s probably number one in sales.

“Would you like to take a lap around the block?”

He asked that, but he was already putting the key in the ignition.

Amazing.

“Ah! You have a driver’s license, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then that’s a relief. I’ll sit in the passenger seat.”

After moving Siha to the back seat, Park Joong-hyuk sat next to me.

Why does this feel so natural?

“Then let’s just take a lap around here.”

“Is it really okay?”

“Of course.”

Before I knew it, I was driving a Melts car.

The ride is smooth, and there isn’t much noise.

It feels comfortable and doesn’t shake much.

Is this what it’s like to drive a luxury car?

That’s why everyone raves about expensive cars.

“But how much does this car cost?”

“It’s only about 70 million won [approximately $50,000 USD] – the cheap model.”

“Ah……”

70 million won is considered cheap.

The price is staggering.

My hands and feet seem to be shaking.

If there’s an accident, I’ll have to pay for it, right?

I need to stay focused while driving.

“You can get it for a good price with installments these days. Don’t worry too much, and we can discuss it later.”

“I understand for now.”

“New cars are always better than used cars. I’ll take good care of you. Siha likes it this much, doesn’t he?”

“That’s right.”

“Actually, I complain about Melts a lot, but I drive a Melts car myself. The problem is with the people, not the car.”

“Ah haha.”

As we came back around, we got out of the car.

I think I might actually buy this car later.

“But is it okay to just leave it parked outside like this?”

“It’s normally left out for free test drives.”

“Ah ha.”

“Only the best-selling models are left out.”

“I see. It’s my first time in a place like this.”

Just then, we were standing next to the car!

Suddenly, another car started to move forward quickly.

Vroom!

The car was coming closer to Siha and me.