#ch 167

(The above and below, regarding drawing with his mouth, are answers from the first and last SBS of volume 30, namely chapters 276 and 284. So yes, Odacchi said "absolutely not??" and then did it anyway a few chapters later. He's so silly I love him xD)

Seong Jiwon, who was raised by his grandmother, and Jeong Dajun, an only child, were deep in thought with serious expressions. However, Kim Seonghyeon and I, who both had siblings, immediately understood where Kang Ichae’s reaction was coming from. Right now, Kang Ichae was acting like a spoiled brat. He was throwing a fit. It was of the same vein as not wanting to go to school, not wanting to go to taekwondo practice, or not wanting to play the recorder for tomorrow’s performance assessment. It was that tone and expression people have when they were annoyed by something minor but couldn’t quite put their finger on it, so they start complaining. Kim Seonghyeon’s expression suggested he had come to a similar conclusion. We nodded to each other as our eyes met. – Let’s go. – Yeah.

There was a special measure for times like these. “Really?” I said, crossing my legs and propping my chin on my hand. “Then don’t do it.” “…Huh?” “If it’s so tough, you shouldn’t do it. You’ve worked hard.” No matter how young, they clearly knew they were acting out and acting improperly. So, when suddenly the other party switched stance and agreed with them, they didn’t know how to react. Looking at Kang Ichae now reminded me of a young Seo Hojin. He had cried and fussed for days not wanting to go to school, but when I told him he didn’t have to go if he hated it so much, he sniffled and reluctantly went to school. Later, he returned home with a sheepish look, holding a Pikachu pork cutlet. He was cute back then.

Ah, memories. Anyway, he was definitely throwing a tantrum, but there was something else. This is Kang Ichae. The guy in front of me wasn’t ten-year-old Seo Hojin, but the incredibly perceptive Kang Ichae. He probably guessed that I knew he was exaggerating his tantrum. He even glanced at me earlier. After throwing the bait and waiting silently for a reaction, Kang Ichae blinked. “…Huh?” And then, seemingly truly flustered, he looked at me, having forgotten he was in the middle of throwing a fit. That’s when I was sure. This kid…

He wasn’t flustered because I told him to quit but because he thought his act had fooled me. It was too obvious even to him that he was exaggerating. By this time, Seong Jiwon had roughly grasped the situation and was wearing a light smile, while only Jeong Dajun brightened up, thinking Kang Ichae’s mood had improved upon seeing his expression change. But it wouldn’t do to just stop here. Kim Seonghyeon stepped in at the right time to lend some strength. “It’s. ok. ay. I. chae.” “…” “I. res. pect. you. too.” Kim Seonghyeon, with an acting skill of E-, was almost like an old model of Alexa. Jeong Dajun also looked at him strangely because of the way his words were cut off. “…Ah.” Kang Ichae couldn’t keep his mouth shut for a moment, then brushed his hair back and let out a hollow laugh. “…I was totally fooled. I forgot for a moment that you’re an actor.” Kang Ichae grumbled at me. I responded with the pretty answer he was expecting. “Here, have some attention.” “……I sometimes really get annoyed by you, hyung.” “Only sometimes? I appreciate it.”