Chapter 31
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Chicken Diplomacy
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The savory, crispy aroma.
A wooden table worn smooth from years of use.
This place, with its slightly dim lighting creating a cozy atmosphere.
I sat at the head of the largest table in my dad's chicken shop, arms crossed smugly.
Hmm, perfect.
Now, the chicken I asked Dad for should be coming out any minute.
Wowww!
Eat up, everyone! Since youre Siwoos friendsno, wait, colleaguesso Uncles throwing in some extra service!
Clatter.
Finally, the five chickens Id ordered from Dad were all out.
The fried chickens, coated in a beautiful golden batter, steamed hot from the fryer.
Right beside them, a towering pile of saucy chicken wafted a sweet, sticky scent.
And the crowning touch.
The thinly sliced french fries, dusted with Dads special powder sauce, still piping hot from the oil, sending up wisps of steam.
The ten child actors sitting on either side of me lit up at the sight.
A few looked ready to drool any second.
Ready, set...?
I said it like a starting signal.
The kids nodded eagerly, then shouted at Dad in unison.
Well dig in!
Their forks charged at the chicken like it was prey.
Some grabbed pieces straight with their hands, not caring if they were hot.
I grinned at the sight and added,
Yogurts unlimited refills, so go wild, big bros and sis.
Munch munch, thanks, Siwoo.
Wow, this is so good... Siwoo, you eat this every day?
Nuh-uh, not every day, but when I ask, Dad makes it.
Awesome.
Lucky.
Kids were kids, after all.
Nothing got to them like food.
I made full use of being the chicken shop owners son.
Yesterday, after practice wrapped, Id gone over to where the kids were gathered and dropped one line.
Lets go to my place for chicken.
Heres my house.
Id whipped out the Shiny Chicken flyer that read Shiny Chicken! Bringing Joy with Every Bite!
Of course, it featured a mouthwatering shot of fried chicken.
Surprisingly, the child actors moms pushed their kids backs, urging them to go.
The kids were already hooked at the word chicken, naturally.
Theyd been peeking at their moms, but at go on, they all trailed after me.
Hmph! Ive had plenty of chicken and fries before!
And unexpectedly, Ji-hoon had come along without a fuss.
He wasnt eating, just sulking pointlesslywhich was a bit annoying to watch.
Of course, what Id prepared wasnt over yet.
Tasty, kids?
Yeah! Super tasty!
Best chicken Ive ever had!
Thank you!
Haha, thanks.
Dad beamed at the kids praise, grinning ear to ear.
Hed been worried since I said I was bringing friendsno, colleaguesyesterday, but now he seemed relieved.
Thanks, Dad.
Eat up, and holler if you need more.
Nuh-uh!
I nodded big at Dads kind words.
I speared a piece of hot fried chicken, stripped it clean with gusto.
Being born the son of a chicken shop owner meant I was a pro at deboning.
Unlike the kids smearing oil everywhere with their hands, I elegantly dispatched a piece with my fork and stood up.
Mom, Mom. Wheres that thing?
Oh, that. Right here.
Mom fetched a huge shopping bag from the corner of the shop.
Phew, this cost me a chunk of my earnings so far.
Truth be told, Id planned to save up secretly from my parents for something else.
That massive TV in Moon Heesungs living room!
It seemed too pricey to ask Dad for, so Id been plotting to buy it with my own money, but I put that off to become a proper lead.
Here! Everyone take one of these too.
I circled the table where the child actors sat, handing out gifts.
Stuff Id picked out myself at the mart yesterday, holding Moms hand.
The toy guy at the counter swore kids went nuts for these.
Mom offered to pay a few times, but I flat-out refused.
Had to pay myself for the gifts to mean something.
One kid got the hot new transforming robot from that cartoon.
Another got a play kitchen set for pretend cooking.
Id scoped their tastes ahead, so bullseyetheyd love em.
The kids eating chicken went wide-eyed as I handed out wrapped packages.
The impatient ones ripped theirs open with oily hands.
I fought the urge to frown.
Rude in front of the giver.
Tearing into packaging like animals without a proper thank-you? Major manners fail.
If Kristin-sensei from Battenberg Castle, who drilled etiquette into me back then, saw this, shed faint dead away.
Patience. Theyre not noble kids.
This is 400 years later.
Korea.
And theyre still little.
Wow!! Its the DiaNo Transforming Robot! I wanted this so bad!!
My secret grumbles melted at the kids ecstatic shout.
Heh, hem! Heard its the hottest thing, so I got it for you, big bro! Like it?
Y-Yeah!! Of course. I begged Mom for this and she said no way. Thanks a ton, Siwoo.
The kid hugged the box, voice cracking like he might cry.
Kinda cute?
My heart fully thawed, and I grinned as I asked,
Hee hee, really?
Totally! Oh, Siwoo. Talk casual with me. Were co-stars, right?
Emboldened, the others unwrapped theirs one by one.
The girls gushed too, saying it was that toy from the TV ads, thanking me.
Siwoo, wanna play with these after chicken?
Nuh-uh! Dad, that cool?
Sure thing. Still time before opening, so play away.
Id tipped him off about the kids, so hed opened early today.
Dad smiled and gave the okay.
The kids whooped, stashed their toys in a corner, and dove back into the chicken.
Siwoo, you like necks? I love these.
Nah, wings mean cheating on your girl. Dont you know? Legs are best!
Wings dont always mean cheating, yknow? Siwoo, youll eat this too, right?
But things had totally flipped from earlier.
Before, theyd snuck glances at Ji-hoon and barely talked to me.
Now, same kids chattered nonstop at me, ignoring him.
What a difference. Toys were magic.
Obvious theyd bullied me on Ji-hoons orders beforemy instincts were spot on.
Kids forgave quick with food and gifts, cozying right up.
Now Ji-hoon was the odd duck out.
The noisy pack around me didnt even glance his way.
Damn, not like this.
My goal was lead status, everyones respect.
No exceptions, even for Ji-hoon in the same role.
Racking my brain on how to fix this, I spotted a kid approach him.
Ji-hoon, not gonna open yours?
I dont take stuff like that. Hey, whatre you doing? Thats bribery. Dont just take it!
Heard that somewhere, huh.
Ji-hoon yelled, face red.
The kid peeked at him slyly, pointing at his gift.
But yours is bigger... You really not taking it?
Wh-what?
Then can I just peek and swap with mine?
Kid logic, pure and simple.
Flustered, Ji-hoon finally cracked it open, insisting no swaps.
Wow...
A watching kid gasped.
...
Ji-hoon froze too.
No wonderunlike the others identical gifts, his was the Ultra X DiaNo Transforming Robot Full Set.
Seeing it, Ji-hoons lips twitched.
Phew, pricey one.
I snickered at his face.
No one turns down special treatment from the center of attention.
The boxs double size drew the boys like magnets.
Wow! Bro, trade for mine?
A younger kid sidled up to Ji-hoon, eyeing the box.
Another whod heard him refuse piped up.
Nah, he doesnt want it, so we can have it, right?
Huh? Yeah! Rock-paper-scissors, winner takes it?
Chatter chatter.
The kids buzzed, hyped over Ji-hoons monster gift.
I munched fries leisurely, watching.
Cracking a yogurt to sipthen a shout.
Ugh! No way! Whys it yours? Its mine! Im keeping it!
But earlier you said...
Its mine! No!
Ji-hoon exploded, waving them off.
Moments ago hed screamed he didnt want itnow clutching the box like a lifeline, glaring at the others.
Watching it unfold, I finally spoke.
Hmm, Ji-hoon bro, like the robot?
Uh? Y-yeah...
Hee hee, then wont you say thanks to me?
Huh?
Ji-hoon squirmed, stuck.
The kids piled on, closing in.
Yeah, Siwoo gave you the big special onesay thanks quick.
We all did.
Siwoo got us gifts and chicken today.
Bribed perfect by gifts and food, they were Team Siwoo.
Under our barrage, Ji-hoon mumbled red-faced,
Th-thanks...
Nuh-uh? What?
Thanks...!
He barked it like an insult, then plopped down clutching his gift, picking at chicken.
A few bites in, hooked, he settled and chowed down proper.
Heh, gotcha.
Dads saucy chicken was killer.
Even prickly Ji-hoon surrendered.
I scanned the kids around the table, then stood.
Chicken, giftsmere means to my real end.
Time to pull it out.
Ahem, everyone. How bout some yogurt?
Holding one up, I beamed.
Clueless, they raised theirs, staring blankly.
Plays are solo acting too, but really its all together, right? When we mesh perfect, thats the fun show. Yeah?
Murmurs of uh-huh rippled.
So practice splits, stage, whateverlets make it fun. Then the audience has fun too, right?
They eyed each other, then nodded.
Were too old to whine now, yeah? Were not babies.
Nothing lit a fire under a kid like not a baby.
Id felt that gut surge myself back then.
Lets do great from now on!
I chugged my yogurt to cap the speech.
Ahh, thats the stuff.
Slamming the empty on the table, they followed suit.
Fresh-faced, empties down, they cheered.
Yeah!
Right! Were past that age!
Were actors at Gwanghwamun Center!
Teacher said getting alongs the best!
Got it good?
Seeing their changed faces from arrival, I smiled natural.
Man, being the lead aint easy.
A gaze hit meI turned to the kitchen.
Mom and Dad watched my proud grin with their own warm ones.