What... am I looking at? My brother was bowing his head at our parents. On the table between my brother and my parents was a suitcase with a comically large amount of money. What just happened?
...
"Hey Minji. Congratulations on graduating high school! Your mom and I will not be able to make it back home to attend your graduation. We are on a flight to Tokyo and we are very excited to finally eat Asian food again. We are so proud of you for your achievements! Love Dad."
I threw my phone at the couch. I know my parents have been away on their international business trip for years now... But can't they make it back for their daughter's graduation?
I curled up into a ball on the ground. Something tapped my back. It was my brother.
"Go away, I don't want to talk right now." I groaned.
He looked so worried. He started to bring out ice cream, iron tablets, chocolate, rabbit plush, a book about an interdimensional fast food restaurant, and water.
"It is not that mom and dad are not coming for my graduation." I mumbled.
My brother looked confused.
"Dad, just text me saying that they are heading to Tokyo and they can't make it! So leave me alone!" I said.
My brother turned serious.
He grabbed his phone and texted a couple of words.
Then.
"SCCREEEEEEEEEKKK"
One second
Two seconds
Three seconds
Four seconds..
BANG!
Our front door flung open. It was my dad.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT YOU ARE CUTTING US OFF?!!!" My dad screamed.
My brother just looked at him. My mom followed my dad in.
"Seung-Woo, dear, you don't mean that truly. Right? Right?? RIGHT?" My mom asked.
My brain just froze.
"What just happened??" I asked myself.
My brother stood in front of the kitchen table staring.
My parents stood on the other side.
"What is this really about Seung-Woo. Explain yourself." My dad demanded.
The lights turned off and there was a projection on the wall next to my brother. It was a PowerPoint presentation. On the top in big letters were the words: "Investment - Restaurant".
My parent's eyes were getting bigger by the second. But my dad decided to look away.
"But, your mother and I have not worked in years. Do you really expect us to succeed? Besides, Korea is filled with nothing but restaurants. It is a red ocean, Seung-Woo." My dad countered.
My brother went to the next slide. My mother's eyes continued to get bigger.
"I get that we have an advantage now since we've been all over the place, Seung-Woo. I can recreate some of the recipes that fit the Korean palate. But the problem is where can we even get the capital to start this? We did not save any money." My mom countered.
Then my brother took out a family size suitcase. Placed it on the table. Unzip it.
It was all full of cash.
That got both of my parent's attention. I think I see won symbols in their eyes.
My brother then bowed and asked our parents to take the deal.
"Seung-Woo. We will take your trust and run with it." My dad said while outstretching his hand. My brother took the hand.
"Seung-Woo, dear, you are the best child in the whole wide world!" My mom ran and hugged my brother crying.
Then, my brother looked at me and gave me a thumbs up.