Chapter 9: A Small Disturbance

They may have messed around with the tangled family registry, but in the end, Hyeon Nammae accepted this strange relationship.

Our grandfather had always been a mysterious man, and the three of us agreed there had to be a reason for it.

The next thing that lingered was worry.

“So, are you going to live with No-Rani?”

“There’s a lot to take care of if you’re raising a little kid, you know.”

“Is that so?”

I looked at No-Rani, who was sitting neatly on my knee.

No-Rani was about five years old.

There’s a saying about the ‘terrible fives’—that kids at this age are bundles of wild energy, needing lots of care.

However, No-Rani didn’t require much fuss.

She could do most things on her own, and rarely caused any trouble.

If anything, I just had to help her out a bit when she needed it.

“It’s fine for now.”

“You might be okay, but to make sure No-Rani doesn’t hear anything strange from others in the future, you should take good care of her.”

“Yeah, and buy her some new clothes. She’s always wearing that yellow dress.”

“No-Rani likes this dress!”

“Even if you like it, you can’t keep wearing the same thing. You don’t have a bunch of those dresses, do you?”

“I’ve got something to say about that.”

Feeling like I’d be reported for child abuse or domestic violence at this rate, I hurriedly defended myself.

“You know there aren’t any clothing stores in this neighborhood, right?”

“There aren’t.”

“The only place that sells clothes is Hakro Mart, and even then, it’s all adult clothing.”

In the countryside, aging happens fast.

There aren’t any children here in Hacheon County.

“The elementary school’s been closed for ages. If you want kids’ clothes, you’d have to go far.”

“Nothing we can say about that.”

“But I can’t just let her keep wearing the same thing all the time…”

“It’s a bit much, yeah.”

The three of us turned our gaze to No-Rani.

No-Rani, who had her hand stretched out for the canapé, jumped in surprise when she realized we were all staring.

Our gazes must have been pretty intense.

No-Rani shyly withdrew her hand and asked, “Should I not eat it?”

“It’s fine. We wouldn’t let our No-Rani starve.”

“Ah!”

“Look at her eat—so well!”

When Hyeonseo took a bite of the canapé, a look of happiness spread across her face.

The sharp taste of the cheese seemed to suit No-Rani, and a soft glow gathered above her head.

“Ah!”

“Hmm? Uncle, why?”

“What are you doing?”

“You weren’t about to hit her, right?”

“What? Didn’t you see?”

I hurriedly shielded No-Rani’s head, and strange looks flew my way.

Guess they just found my actions odd…

“Don’t you see this?”

“What, No-Rani’s hair?”

“It’s soft for a kid. Even if you can’t buy her clothes, at least you use good shampoo?”

“Well, yeah.”

I openly showed off No-Rani’s glow, but neither of them paid any mind.

There’s no way they didn’t notice such an obvious shimmer.

At this point, it’s probably right to say they really can’t see it.

Maybe it’s for the best they don’t realize No-Rani is special.

If they did, explaining it would’ve been tricky.

“This feels a bit weird.”

Clap!

“I’ve got a great idea.”

“Jeez, you startled me!”

“Hehe, you should be ready to praise your big sister’s wisdom.”

“What’s your great idea?”

Hyeonseo even flexed her eyebrows, putting on airs.

I didn’t say much, but I got why she failed her blind date today.

“We’ve got the Bazaar coming up, right? Together with Hanseong and Hacheon.”

“Yeah.”

“We’ll just buy children’s clothes there.”

“…Is that what you got so excited about?”

“Sorry. The gourd in our house should only sprout at home, but it keeps sprouting outside too. So embarrassing.”

Hyunmoong apologized on her behalf as Hyeonseo sneakily grabbed the bottle of alcohol.

“Hey, put that down. That stuff’s expensive.”

Suppressing her murderous urge, Hyeonseo cleared her throat again.

“You think that’s all I thought of?”

“Yeah.”

“Sorry, I thought so too.”

“You both underestimate me. I’ll show you what I mean! Let’s make it an event!”

“Oh, hey! You finally used your head!”

“Now you get my level? Watch and learn, little brother.”

“Don’t know about that, but this one’s actually good.”

Clap!

The siblings high-fived, happy among themselves.

Those Hyeon Nammae siblings.

They always talk in a way only they understand, making me ask the same thing twice.

They did it when they brought the watermelon, too.

It’s like they think everyone’s just like them.

“Explain in detail—subject, predicate, all six principles.”

“Dad’s only worry for this Bazaar was there’s no main event.”

“We can’t afford to bring in a trot singer, and there’s not enough time to prepare something else fun.”

“So! We make choosing No-Rani’s outfit the main event!”

“A real Noran Fashion Show!”

“Genius. Seriously, this is it.”

One would speak and the other would jump in, perfectly in sync—classic siblings.

“Everyone probably has old kids’ clothes they don’t use. If we say we’ll use them for this, they’ll be happy to help, right?”

“Whoever brings the outfit No-Rani likes best gets first prize and a reward.”

“No-Rani gets lots of new clothes—win-win.”

“No-Rani’s so cute, everyone will be happy just seeing her walk around in different outfits.”

“If we give them a watermelon as an extra prize, everyone’ll love it.”

“Ah, just in case, let’s limit it to reformed clothes, so people don’t just bring anything.”

“That’s it, we’ve got it.”

While I sat quietly, they set their own rules and built a whole stage.

All I did was drink, but things kept getting decided.

But isn’t the most important thing missing here?

“Don’t you care what No-Rani thinks?”

“Ah.”

“You’re right.”

“Jeez.”

They’re both missing a screw.

At the same time, the two of them turned to No-Rani.

“No-Rani, want to play a fun game with your big sister and brother?”

“It’s a super fun game you won’t get to do with anyone else.”

“Saying it like that makes it sound like a crime.”

“Not exactly wrong, though?”

“Fun game?”

At the word ‘fun,’ No-Rani’s eyes went wide.

Her already big eyes opened so much more, I thought they might fall out.

As curiosity filled her gaze, both of their lips curled up with mischief.

“Yeah. You’ll get lots of pretty clothes, too.”

“As pretty as that yellow dress.”

“Pretty ones! I want to!”

“Aigoo.”

I’ll have to warn No-Rani about this later.

If someone invites you to do something ‘fun’ or go somewhere for a treat, you have to be careful.

The two who’d lured the innocent child immediately got up from their seats.

“No time to waste.”

“Let’s go convince Dad and get started right away.”

“There’s only four days left, no time to play.”

“Hey, we’re off. Ah, put the alcohol away.”

“This isn’t a bar, you know?”

They didn’t even answer my question and bolted out.

Judging by how excited they are, something big is bound to happen.

Once those two get fixated on something, they push it all the way.

No-Rani watched the two dash off, then turned to me.

“Is the fun thing hide-and-seek?”

“No.”

“Then, tag?”

“No, not that either… hmm…”

Suddenly I was stuck explaining.

Those two—when they come next time, I’m doubling their tea charges.

While cleaning up, I explained in detail to No-Rani about what they’d been discussing earlier.

“They want to do a fashion show. You’ll be the model and the judge.”

“Fashion show… what’s that? And a model?”

“Ah.”

I should use words kids understand.

This is kind of hard.

Still, No-Rani listened closely and nodded along, trying her best to understand.

And the result—

“That sounds fun! I want to, I want to!”

No-Rani’s excitement shot through the roof.

Watching her run around the Yangjibareun Tea House, I couldn’t help but smile.

Whatever else, I agreed with one thing Hyeon Nammae said.

Just watching No-Rani run around is adorable.

And there’s no human who hates something adorable.

If there is, something’s wrong with their head.

***

The next morning, Hyeon Nammae arrived at dawn, carrying a new poster.

Right in the center of the poster, in big letters—

was written.

“Did you guys make this all night?”

“I guess the ideas really flowed after a drink or two.”

“Even we think it came out great, right?”

“Yeah.”

I didn’t want to admit it, but the poster was super polished.

If I’d seen this at a design team in a big company, I’d have scouted them on the spot.

If I’d been in HR, I’d have begged them to join on my knees.

That’s how stylish and neat it was.

It really captured the spirit of a fashion show, and made great use of No-Rani’s signature yellow color—refreshing just to look at.

And they did all this in just a few hours.

“You two shouldn’t farm—just work at a company in Seoul. Bet you’d get lots of offers.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Are you trying to split us from our watermelon?”

“Let’s drop it. But is this okay? There’s no trace of the Bazaar on this.”

If we change things up like this, I feel like Sanghyun’ll have something to say.

“Don’t worry about it.”

Hyunmoong rolled up his pant leg.

Right in the middle of that sturdy calf was a bright red stripe.

Just seeing it made me ache.

But Hyunmoong simply gave a thumbs-up.

“We settled it with one slap.”

“Manly.”

“Right?”

Never thought they’d handle it with brute force.

Very Hyunmoong.

“Dad hit us with a smile. Told us to try it our way for once.”

“Well… never mind.”

I gave up thinking.

Instead, I just stared at the poster in front of me.

It’d be nice to show this to No-Rani, who was sleeping in the corner.

“Can we hang this in our first house?”

“Of course!”

“That’s what we brought it for.”

“Alright, we’re off.”

“We have to pick watermelons and distribute these today.”

“See you at the event.”

The way they hurried out looked just like kids excited about a fun game.

When No-Rani woke up and saw the poster—

She immediately hugged it, bouncing around everywhere.

She even sang her own little fashion show song out of pure joy.

“…That sibling duo sure has drive.”

When I went shopping at Hakro Mart, I saw the poster hanging all over town.

The old Bazaar posters were long gone.

Seriously, when did those two find time for all this while picking watermelons?

“Oh, how lovely.”

“Something feels different about this Bazaar.”

“Wonder what it is—it looks fun.”

The elders who saw the poster were all pleased.

It was clear how much standing Sanghyun had in this community.

I just hope No-Rani doesn’t feel pressured.

I can’t help but worry, even if it’s just a little.

“She’ll do fine.”

If it’s No-Rani, she’ll do just fine.

Taking my time, I returned to the Yangjibareun Tea House, where Sanghyun was waiting.

“Mr. Sanghyun.”

“Oh, Changseong.”

Relief and slight awkwardness mixed in his expression.

I could guess why he’d come.

“It’s about the fashion show, right?”

I unlocked the tea house door and showed him inside.

“Come on in.”

“Thanks.”

I quickly prepared him a cup of tea.

Since he’d been waiting outside in the heat, I made sure to put some ice in it.

As he sipped, he let out a deep sigh and began to speak.

“Changseong, I’m sorry.”

“Sir?”

“My kids have no manners. I feel like they dragged your kid into this.”

“No, really, it’s fine. No-Rani actually enjoyed it. Oh, and she’s not my kid.”

“Really?”

He seemed most surprised by the fact that she wasn’t mine.

Was that really so shocking?

Sanghyun cleared his throat and composed his expression.

“No-Rani, huh… so that’s why the poster was yellow.”

He seemed to finally understand the meaning behind the poster’s main color.

He nodded his head.

He looked a bit calmer now, but seemed like he still had something more to say.

The air felt like a business negotiation.

I’d been in this situation plenty of times.

“Please, have a refreshing barley tea.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“You still have more to say, right?”

“Did you see right through me???”

“Crystal clear.”

“Yeah, I guess you would.”

Sanghyun stroked his chin and spoke cautiously.

“Sorry, Changseong, but I have a small favor to ask.”