My First Private Jet
He was just my downgraded version. The trash talk on SNS was always ongoing. Even before my fight with Malloy, I had plenty of attention, but my public opinion wasn't great. After that, my mad fighting style—exchanging blows without even raising my guard—turned a ton of haters into fans. This time, I'd convert the boxing fans too.
Brown's announcement previewing my fight with Colton wrapped up, and the crowd split into two camps. First, my small group of fans. They were pissed that they were matching a prospect like me against a wrestling-based guy like Colton. In short, even my fans thought I'd lose. Then there were the rest, chanting "Down with the Korean Monster." I ignored Colton declaring he'd mop the Octagon floor with me and his cheer squad.
Instead of reacting to them, I filmed a video to pull aggro.
"My first ca~ my first ca~"
In front of the GoPro I was filming with was my custom ride, emblazoned with a tiger logo like one on my chest and the words K-MONSTER.
I strutted like the hero from that old movie Guardians of the Galaxy, busting out some trash dance moves.
"Ding ding ding, ding ding ding ding~ Yeah~ Yeah~"
Uncle Jake was the one filming my antics.
"My first. Plane!"
The door slid open smoothly. From the stairs up, it was decked out in orange carpet. I kept dancing my way up the stairs.
"Holy~ moly."
The steps looked like something you shouldn't even step on, but I didn't stop—did the Joker dance while climbing inside. Everything was customized just how I wanted. The interior lighting was perfect too.
I grabbed the camera from Uncle Jake, filmed the spacious cabin, then leaped onto the flashy sofa.
"Kyaa~ Mama~! Woo woo woo~ Ahh... So this is what a mother's embrace feels like."
I sniffed around, getting high off the sofa for a bit, then got up to show off the bathroom and shower. Next, I hit the bedroom and jumped again.
"Plop! I'm buried. The mattress is caressing me. This unshakable comfort... Beds are science."
I flashed a thumbs-up to the camera while Uncle Jake stood there stone-faced at my bullshit. Come on, crack a smile, don't embarrass me... The awkward agent standing by finally chimed in with a forced grin.
"Glad you like it."
"Shh... Hold this and film me a bit."
I shuffled back into dance mode and plopped into the king's chair by the antique wooden table. It felt like the chair was hugging me—clearly, the previous owner knew his interior design. Taste level: perfect. It was built big, but sitting here, it fit my height just right.
"Kya..."
Even the seatbelt was flawless. That wrapped up filming. I switched back to normal human mode and listened to the rundown. The agent grinned awkwardly at my 180-degree personality flip.
We confirmed the plane's FAA registration and got the tail number. While I was onboard, they did a test flight, and the agent kept explaining from the sofa.
"If you want, we can hook you up with a pilot."
"Yeah, yeah."
"If you use our FBO, you can access the private hangar too."
Atherton was basically my home anyway. Just a five-minute drive. Seattle, which had felt like my third hometown, wasn't in the cards this life. It was a nice place to live, but maybe I'd swing by for a nostalgia trip later.
I zoned out on random thoughts while checking the new contract. Even liquidating all my Bitcoin, I was a tad short, so I sold some stocks too.
"Definitely pricey."
"No other bird this perfect."
"Of course. Just checking, you know? Who's gonna scam someone dropping $90 million cash?"
The agent shot me a look like I'd hurt his feelings, as if I was doubting his honor. I flashed a smile.
"Don't get mad~ Anyway, my great uncle's giving it a once-over. He's about to pin on his star in the Air Force soon. Name's Fritz Becker—he'll be flying on it too, so expect him to inspect it regularly."
"......"
"Just in case. Really just in case something goes wrong. It's not pocket change—if word gets out my nephew got scammed out of $90 million... Who knows."
I shrugged with an "I dunno."
"This thing's for the whole Becker clan—American heroes, including Grandpa."
The agent's face didn't change as he casually opened his bag. Felt shady, so Uncle Jake tensed up, but out came a new contract. Price slashed 15%, with mentions of upgrading the outdated gear first. A/S warranty extended too. Dude's got balls of steel... Didn't hesitate for a second pulling that out.
"Best deal you'll get, guaranteed."
"Ooh~ Since you're getting a retired Air Force pilot, let's contract for just a year first."
Smooth signing. Time passed. Great Uncle actually showed up with some military guys to inspect the plane. Extra thorough since the family's riding it.
Meanwhile, I edited the jet video and posted it to SNS. Likes skyrocketed like crazy.
Everyone who'd been hoping I'd lose was now obsessing over my jet instead. After Great Uncle's inspection, I struck a pose.
"I'll be using this a lot too?"
"You bet~ But make it reservation-only for Grandpa, Great Uncles, Mom, Dad, and me. I bought it 'cause I travel so much."
"Krr... Bro's son is cool as fuck."
"Stuffed the bedroom with a kid bed too—perfect for playing with your little ones. Order food or booze before takeoff."
"Krr..."
I told Great Uncle to contact the company at least two weeks ahead. Added me, parents, both great uncles, and Grandpa to the user list. Others could use it, but only listed folks could book.
Young-hoon's sparring got canceled anyway, so with the jet bought, I flew straight to Korea. Fight with Colton was Feb 2nd, but it felt weird sticking around the US for 2014 New Year's.
Dropped Young-hoon home, parted with Uncle Jake, and headed to the house. Harin and Beom-jun greeted me right away.
I pulled out the gifts and pinched Beom-jun's cheeks. Our Beom-jun's got so much cuteness, his peppers are gonna shrink.
"You're back?"
"You were home?"
"Heard you were coming, so I left work early. Young-hoon's fight got canceled, huh."
"Yeah. Mom and Hayun?"
"Took Hayun grocery shopping. She begged to tag along."
Hayun stuck to Mom a lot, almost like she had some attachment issues. Harin and Beom-jun didn't care what Mom was up to. Harin doted on Hayun, but Beom-jun, two years older, kinda disliked her.
Headed to my room first, changed clothes. Harin and Beom-jun freaked at my right arm. Curiosity kicked in—they sat by my right side, checking it out. Dad inspected the tattoo down to the inner parts too.
"Like Mom, no armpit hair."
"Sucks a bit that no beard grows."
Smooth chin—I'd never shaved pre-regression either.
"Beom-jun, this cool?"
"Nah?"
"What about our girl?"
"Gross. Like Dad."
"......"
Harin's "like Dad" nailed the one-two punch—Dad shut up too. His arms were packed with tats, solid black unlike mine. After Harin's verdict, tattoos end here.
Door flew open—Hayun kicked off her shoes energetically and dashed in. Froze when she saw me.
"Hayun~"
"Oppa’s back...?"
I opened my arms, but she eyed Harin first, gave an awkward smile, then approached. I scooped her up, sat her on my lap, and gifted the game console. Seemed more comfy on my lap than before? I knew she hated extra touch, so no more.
"Tell me if you need anything."
"Yeah. How do you play?"
Moved me that she wanted to chat—I taught her step by step. Mom came in late from parking, froze at my near-black right arm. Kids around, so no words—just squeezed her eyes shut. Kinda embarrassing how much she hated it.
Changed subject, asked Harin.
"This tiger pretty, right?"
"Yeah. Not pretty."
"You always gotta like non-tattooed guys?"
Harin flinched at my changed voice; Mom went dead serious.
"Why snap at your sister?"
"Means don't end up with a guy like me?"
She hummed, then nodded like it made sense. Meanwhile, why's Dad acting like it's obvious?
"Got a fight in February—kids' break soon, so quick Japan trip? Sapporo this week?"
"Sounds good. Heard you got a jet—leave Thursday."
Thursday was two days away. Booked a ryokan with a gym quick.
Tested the phone, made calls. Once done, played games with Harin and Beom-jun.
Time up—off to Incheon Airport. No dedicated private jet terminal yet. Beom-jun was busy hoarding sandwiches from the lounge, grabbing one of each like he had to try 'em all.
"Starving the kid?"
"As if."
Boarded the waiting jet—family's eyes lit up. Dad going nuts showed who I got my tastes from. Plane took off; Mom and Dad hit the bedroom for some long-overdue mood. Told 'em no fifth kid—they called it crazy talk... But with Mom still doting on Dad and him only knowing her, risky. Another sibling now? Disaster. So I sicced inhibitor Hayun on them. No way they'd kick her out.