MINKWANG: Growing up

Chapter 4

       Minjoo went out to go grocery shopping while the boys were left in the house to themselves. They all gathered in the living area. Eunkwang looked at his sons proudly. They have grown into fine young men.

       Both Changsub and Hyunsik are in Howon University with promising futures in the music industry.  Changsub currently has two bands. He is lead singer in one and a drummer on the second. Eunkwang hoped that the two bands would not interfere with his studies.

      Hyunsik is composing songs. He also likes to paint and is very good at it. If Hyunsik would decide to study painting and go to art school, he would definitely give his full support.

       Peniel on the other hand, worries him a little. He does not know what his plans are especially now that he is about to go to University.  He is a bit secretive and spends most of his time hanging out with his foreigner friends at cafes with his camera. But still Peniel does good at school and never gets into trouble.

       Ilhoon like Hyunsik composes songs and is also one of the top achievers in his class. Nothing to worry about.

       Sungjae, the youngest, is doing very well with his acting career. But suddenly, he remembered  Sungjae's grade in English.

       "Sungjae-yah!" He called out his youngest son. "How's your english?"

       "Good." Sungjae simply gave his Appa a thumbs up sign.

       "Oh, i know!" Changsub had a bright idea. "Why don't we play a game?" he suggested.

       "Sure! Just as long as it does not hurt us and make us see double vision." Sungjae answered. He just loves to annoy his eldest Hyung.

       " Not a double vision but a black eye for you. You want that?" Changsub countered back,

       "You're the one with black eyes. Not me. Have you seen yourself in the mirror, you pig?" Sungjae is laughing so hard he could hardly breathe. Changsub sleeps late so he usually has dark circles under his eyes.

       Sungjae's laughter annoyed Changsub more. "You stupid squid!" Changsub shouted to Sungjae for calling him a pig.

       "Hey, don't call him that you stupid octupus!" Peniel came to the defense of their youngest brother.

       "Stop it!" Eunkwang ordered before his sons would start arguing again. He does not want them fighting.  Changsub and Sungjae is always at each other's throats.  "Start your game." He said to his eldest son.

       "Let's play A-B-C. But we use English words, okay?"  Changsub instructed. " Like for example, A?" he pointed to Peniel.

       "Apple!" Peniel answered.

       "B?" Changsub pointed to Ilhoon.

        "Banana." Ilhoon answered.

         "C?" Changsub pointed to Sungjae.

       Sungjae stopped for a while and began to think. Then he gave out a bright smile. "C!" He shouted.  "Cpaghetti!"

       "Whhat?" Ilhoon could not believe what he heard. Why could his younger brother be so dumb sometimes. "Let's try again.  A?"  Ilhoon said slowly to Sungjae.

       "A?..." Sungjae stopped to think.  "Alephant?"

          "No." Peniel shook his head. Ilhoon frowned. Hyunsik and Changsub burst out laughing.

          Sungjae feeling embarrassed pointed out to Hyunsik. "What about you, Hyung? F!"

          "F?" Hyunsik smiled. "That's easy. F is Funsik!" Changsub and Hyunsik exchanged high fives, teasing Sungjae.

        Ilhoon turned serious. Sungjae will never learn this way. "Why don't you practice your English with Peuni Hyung?

        Sungjae turned to Peniel and took a deep breath before opening his mouth. "The car.." he stopped and scratched his head.

       "The car...?" Peniel encourage Sungjae to continue.

       Sungjae scratched his head again.  "The car... has four wheels!"

Ilhoon wanted to smack Sungjae right then and there. "Every car has four wheels, Sungjea-yah!" Ilhoon said annoyed. His younger brother is totally hopeless with his English.

       "Appa!  Give Sungjae an example." Hyunsik said.

       Just then Minjoo arrived with the groceries in her hand.  "Honey," Eunkwang called out for Minjoo's attention.  "You are my soulmate." Then he rushed to her side to help her out with the grocery bags. "  I want to stay by your side forever." He then give Minjoo a kiss.

      Ilhoon covered his eyes. Hyunsik and Changsub cringed in disgust.

      "Aw! My eyes! My eyes!" Peniel shouted

       Minjoo laugh and dismissed her sons. Everyone went to their respective rooms except Sungjae who is busy sending messages to his secret girlfriend.