Chapter 62

Well, it’s not like I’ll get a call right away.

Aquamarine will probably have to crunch some numbers too.

It’s not something you decide and call about in a day.

Even though I know that!

Why can’t I put my phone down?!

Even while lying down and relaxing, I’m the type to roll around, not stare at my phone!

「The location Mother-Body Nuna designated for the battle is right here, Han River Park!」

The BJ on the screen was passionately explaining that they were at Han River Park, where I mentioned in the broadcast.

Nuna, what are you doing, freezing to death?

Just looking at her, she seems at least ten years older than me.

No shame at all.

Anyway, I’m watching a video on my phone.

No, videos are better on TV, what’s good about watching on this tiny screen…

Kabe gets super immersed in watching Kidstube or whatever on the phone, but I don’t get it.

Lying down and staring at the phone hurts my eyes…

Is it because I’m watching it vertically?

I tried turning it horizontally, but the screen won’t rotate.

What’s wrong with this?

Is it broken?

No matter how much I turn the phone, the screen stays fixed vertically and won’t rotate horizontally.

“Is it broken?”

“Mom, why are you doing this?”

“Our daughter, when did you wake up?”

“Just now.”

“You woke up because of my annoyed voice. Sorry.”

“No, Mom, is the phone broken?”

“Yeah, seems like it.”

The screen won’t rotate.

As I was flipping the phone around, Kabe reached out to me.

“Mom, show me.”

“Huh?”

“I know why it’s like that. Show me.”

“Okay?”

When I handed the phone to Kabe, she swiped the screen from top to bottom with familiar ease.

Then, a screen with some buttons sliding down appeared.

Yeah, that’s the settings menu. I know that much.

“Mom, this is it. If this is off, the screen won’t rotate.”

The button with arrows on both sides of the phone icon was off.

Kabe pressed it again, and it turned on.

“This is it.”

And after swiping up the settings menu, Kabe flipped the phone horizontally…

“Wow.”

The screen rotates.

Oh my.

“Mom, I’m smart, right?”

No, really, how did Kabe know that?

But I think I tried that before, why didn’t I remember?

Am I becoming a fool living among fools?

Anyway, that’s not important.

“Our Kabe is the best!”

I pulled Kabe into a hug and rubbed my cheek against hers.

“Kehe, Mom, that tickles!”

Rubbing my face and tickling her, my plan to leisurely spend the morning in bed—

—*crash*.

—was shattered with a loud noise.

“It’s broken.”

While hugging and rolling around with Kabe, the phone slipped from my hand and hit the bedroom door.

The sound was different, and sure enough, there was a big crack on the phone screen.

If it were just me using it, it wouldn’t matter.

The screen still works, after all.

But my phone isn’t just for me; Kabe uses it too.

With such a big crack, if Kabe cuts her hand while using it, it would be a big problem. So I thought about getting it repaired and searched for the repair cost for my phone model, then quickly gave up.

It’s too expensive.

It’s been about five years since I got this phone, so it’s better to just buy a new one.

Great. Today’s task is decided.

I’ll buy a new phone for myself, and it’s also time to get one for Sohee.

If communication isn’t smooth, that’s a problem too, and when Dusik or I or Kabe are using our phones, Sohee looks enviously, which bothers me.

Great.

Once decided, let’s move.

「Yes, older sister.」

“Yeah, Dusik. Is Sohee with you?”

「Yes.」

“Get her dressed and send her to me.”

「What’s going on?」

“No. I need to take Sohee out.”

「Where are you going?」

“My phone broke, so I’m thinking of buying a new one. While I’m at it, I’ll get one for Sohee too.”

「Ah. Then just a moment.」

About ten minutes after hanging up, Sohee and Dusik entered the house together.

“Older sister, did you call for me?”

“Yeah, but Sohee. Can’t you fix your way of speaking? It’s really burdensome.”

“Hao…”

“Should I not talk to you?”

“Understood. I will fix it…sir.”

Seeing Sohee’s face turn red with embarrassment, I laughed. Still, it’s better to fix the way of speaking.

We’re not filming a historical drama, it’s too flashy.

“I won’t say much when fighting enemies, but among ourselves, the hao-style is a bit much.”

“I will fix it…sir, older sister.”

“Good. Try hard. If you fix it completely, I’ll grant you one wish.”

“Really…sir?”

Sohee’s face lit up.

Uh, did I just say something that could lead to big trouble?

But I can’t take back what I’ve already said.

“Yeah. I promise.”

“Understood!”

“Already failed.”

“Th-this time is invalid…sir!”

Leaving Kabe with Dusik, who wanted to come along, I left the house with Sohee.

“Older sister, are we going to buy a phone…sir?”

“Yeah. My phone broke, and you probably need one too.”

“Is that so…sir!? I will also get a phone…sir!?”

“You need one to keep in touch with me, right?”

“That is so…sir!”

If I knew she’d be this happy, I should’ve bought it earlier.

Seeing Sohee clapping and rejoicing like a child, I felt happy too.

Always seeing Sohee in hanbok, seeing her now in jeans, a blouse, and a jacket with her hair tied up, she looked more like a young lady than awkward.

Well, I’m the same.

Walking down the street, I looked around.

There’s no need to worry about where to buy a phone since there’s a phone store every few houses.

Moreover, since Sohee doesn’t have an ID, we need to get her a corporate phone.

That… um. SBT, KOT, UOT…

The carrier I used was… ah. SBT.

So should I just stick with this one…?

If possible, it would be great to get everything done in one place, so I entered a store with all three carriers’ logos.

“Welcome~!”

As soon as Sohee and I entered, male employees greeted us loudly. Oh my, what a surprise.

“Please sit here! Would you like some coffee?”

Sitting next to Sohee on the chair offered by the employee, I ordered coffee, and Sohee ordered green tea.

Soon after, the employee brought the coffee and green tea and sat across from us.

“Are you here for a new contract? Or number transfer? Or device change?”

“Uh… number transfer is not possible. I can’t change my number…”

It’s not like I’ve had the number for long.

It’s a new number I got when I started using the identity Yoon-Woo, and if the number changes again, it would be too bothersome to inform everyone.

The employee’s face showed a subtle smile upon hearing my words.

“Number transfer only changes the carrier, the number stays the same. Which carrier are you using now?”

“Uh… SBT…?”

“I see. You don’t necessarily have to stick with SBT, right?”

Uh… well, not really…

“Yeah, well… it’s fine to switch to another carrier…”

“Do you have any specific model in mind?”

“Not really, but could you recommend something? Ah, I prefer a larger screen. My daughter often watches Kidstube or something. Sohee, what about you?”

“I, I…”

Sohee looked quite intimidated.

Well, it’s understandable. It’s Sohee’s first time in a place like this.

I reached out and firmly held Sohee’s hand under the table. Sohee held my hand back and gave me a faint smile.

“I, I’ll have the same as older sister…sir!”

“Then, how about this one?”

The employee laid out a few phones in front of me. But I didn’t see any with a larger screen than my old phone.

“Excuse me, is there anything with a larger screen than this?”

I showed the employee my old, cracked phone.

The employee took it, turned it around, and muttered, “Ah, this one.”

“This is quite an old model, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, about five years old.”

I used to just get a new SIM card and insert it into the phone, so the model itself is old.

“You don’t change devices often. Then we’ll match you with a good plan today.”

“Yeah, well…”

As if I’d fall for such sales talk.

I used to be a salesperson too.

Although it was a different field, I’m confident I won’t be fooled by such sales tactics.

Who do you think I am? A seasoned salesperson, that’s who.

“So, if you choose this model, it’s a 36-month installment plan, but if you pay for 24 months and come to our store, we’ll waive the remaining 12 months. And if you return your old phone, we’ll give you an additional 100,000 won discount.”

“Wow, is that possible…?”

The model I chose was the Pinephone from Pineapple, a manufacturer.

The latest is Pinephone 18, but the employee recommended model 16. And among those, the Max Pro with the largest screen. He said it’s the best value for money.

“Pinephone 16 Max Pro…”

The name sounds cool too. Although it’s been out for two years, it’s said to have better performance than other phones, and with the store’s service, there’s a 15% discount on the plan.

The installment period is 36 months, a bit long, but if you pay for 24 months, the store will handle the remaining 12 months.

But since this would be a big loss for the store, they asked me to add one additional service, which costs less than 10,000 won a month, and I agreed.

You can’t just keep taking; you have to know how to give.

“Sohee, do you like it?”

Sohee was fiddling with the phone box, staring at the pictures.

The employee showed her a demo model of the same phone, and she kept touching and unfolding it, looking excited.

Her face was flushed, so she must really like it.

“Yes, yes! Since it’s the same model as older sister, it’s even better…sir!”

She must really like it.

Seeing Sohee like that made me feel good too.

“Ah, ma’am. By the way.”

“Yes, yes. Go ahead.”

I was busy signing the contract, and Sohee was peeking over my shoulder at the contract I was signing. Since the corporate phone had to be under the CEO, I had to sign the contract.

“You have a daughter, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Even with a large phone screen, I’m worried about your daughter’s eyesight.”

“That’s right.”

He’s right.

Does this employee have a child? How does he understand parents so well?

“So, here’s the thing. Our store has a tablet that was only opened for inspection. If you pay an extra 3,300 won a month, we’ll give you the tablet too.”

“Really?”

If it’s only been opened for inspection, it’s practically new.

That sounds good.

“Then, let’s add that too…”

“I knew this would happen, really. Boss, stop. Hold it right there.”

Suddenly, Dusik’s voice came from behind, startling both me and Sohee.

Holding Kabe’s hand, Dusik in his transformed form stood there, puffing out his chest. I wondered if something was wrong.

“Here, Kabe. Go to Mom.”

Without waiting for my response, Dusik sent Kabe to me.

I picked up Kabe and sat her on my lap, then took a candy from the basket on the table, unwrapped it, and gave it to Kabe.

“Sohee, move aside.”

“Uh, uh, okay.”

Cluelessly giving up her seat, Sohee awkwardly stood behind me, then started poking Kabe’s cheeks and playing around.

“The more I look, the more she looks like you…sir…”

“She’s my daughter.”

Meanwhile, Dusik was talking to the employee.

“Manager, scrap this contract and let’s start over. I’m the representative.”

Dusik’s transformed form is intimidating to anyone seeing it for the first time.

At 174cm, he’s a head taller than me, with a build twice my size, a shaved head, and prominent cheekbones.

Truly a manly impression… more like a gangster impression.

Hearing such a person call me boss, asking to scrap the contract, and start over, the employee’s face turned pale.

“Now, from the beginning. This is a selection contract, right?”

“Yes, yes, that’s right…”

“The reason you offered the 16 is something I can guess, but don’t play games. Bring the 18. Our boss will use it, so get the largest capacity.”

“Th-the color…”

Oh my, look at him stuttering… pitiful.

“There’s a signature color this time, right? There should be. Right?”

“Blue, blue, right? Yes, yes, there is!”

The employee gestured, and a female employee behind him quickly started making calls. I heard her asking in a small voice if they had the signature blue 1TB model, but I decided not to pay attention.

“And, how much is the official support?”

“That’s… about a little over 200,000 won…”

“Really? Then, how much support do you get for number transfer?”

“We’re an official store, so there’s no support…”

“Hey. You. Do official stores have three carrier logos and do business like this?”

“We can give you the equivalent of the official support…”

“And the store support too, right?”

“That’s…”

About 30 minutes later.

Sohee and I were walking down the street with shopping bags containing Pinephone 18 Max Pro, along with free cases, screen protectors, power banks, wireless chargers, and a tablet that was only opened for inspection.

“Dusik.”

“Yes.”

“How do you know all that?”

It’s really amazing.

Even with a rough explanation, I couldn’t understand, but according to Dusik, the store was trying to rip off me and Sohee for about 2 million won combined.

Honestly, I’m really angry.

But more than that, I’m amazed that Dusik knows all that.

“I really like electronic products. I change them often too. So I was planning to accompany you today, but shouldn’t you experience it at least once, boss?”

“That’s true, but…”

“But you were being taken advantage of way more than I imagined, so I had to step in.”

“Is that so…”

Being taken advantage of more than imagined…

Ah, my pride is hurt.

“Sohee, do you like it?”

Sohee has been quiet for a while.

Sohee was taking the phone box out of the shopping bag and turning it around.

“It’s so amazing that this small machine recognizes my face…sir.”

“There wasn’t anything like that in your time, right?”

If there were such things in the Joseon era, it would be really amazing.

“Of course not. The world is developing so fast…”

Normally, you wouldn’t describe 500 years as fast.

Maybe it’s because you’ve been gone for that long.

“Here, this is Kabe’s.”

I took the tablet out of my shopping bag and placed it in front of Kabe.

“This is Bedel’s.”

Sohee took the tablet out of her shopping bag and placed it in front of Bedel.

“Don’t fight and play together. I bought two so you can share. Don’t break them and play nicely. Understood?”

“”Yes, Mom!””

They answered well.

“Now, go play! It’s time for the rough adults now!”

“Wow!”

Wow, it’s really amazing.

It recognizes faces.

It unlocks when it recognizes my face and stays locked for others.

My old phone could be unlocked with a fingerprint, but it was annoying to keep placing my finger, so I didn’t use a lock at all.

I just set it to go straight to the home screen with a swipe, but this is so convenient since it just unlocks when I look at it.

“Dusik.”

“Yes, older sister.”

“How do I change the wallpaper? I want to set it to Kabe’s photo.”

“Ah, for that. Like this…”

The problem is that my old phone was so different, even changing the wallpaper is too different.

“Older sister, look at this…sir. There’s something called a camera, and it can do this…”

Seeing what Sohee showed me, the advancement of technology is truly amazing.

My old phone just took photos, but this one… wow.

Then I should take another photo.

“Come here, everyone.”

Me in the middle.

Sohee on the right.

Dusik on the left.

“On the count of three, I’ll take the photo. One, two, three!”

*Click*.

The screen filled with a photo of me, Sohee, and Dusik.

Me with a cold, expressionless face, Sohee looking slightly bewildered, and Dusik smiling brightly with a peace sign.

The sight of the three of us filling the screen was truly pleasing.

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