* * *

[How would you like to use the Love and Peace coin?]

I stated my immediate need.

‘Tell me the price of having a smartphone.’

I anxiously watched the subtitle.

‘Will this work?’

I hope it does. Suddenly, the subtitle moved.

[It will cost 100 coins seeing the price of having a smartphone.]

[Would you like to proceed?]

Wow, this is…

“Was that even possible?”

Paying 100 coins was a bit steep.

However, if I could know the price beforehand, it was worth it.

“Let’s do this. See the price!”

The subtitles moved.

[The price for Ma Kongja to get a smartphone is his mom, Ma Soo-jung, giving up three movie roles.]

Wow, really?

“That was close.”

No way, Mom.

Is getting a smartphone worth quitting movies?

“Just seeing the price paints the picture.”

You’re quitting three movies, probably because you don’t want me to be lonely!

I shook my head.

“That mustn’t happen!”

It would ruin actress Ma Soo-jung’s career!

“If it helps, fine, but it shouldn’t cause harm!”

Plus, mom could get me a smartphone when I’m a bit older.

I took a deep breath and rolled around in the cradle.

‘Fortunately using coins lets me know the price you’d have to pay.’

Suddenly, I got really annoyed thinking about all the trouble I went through not knowing this before.

‘They say if your brain doesn’t work, your body suffers!’

I flailed my limbs.

Why didn’t I think of this sooner!

‘The world isn’t just fastballs; there are curveballs too!’ (Baseball reference. Most pitchers are famous for their fastballs, but because once the batter are accustomed to their fastballs, they become easy hit. That’s why pitchers iuse breaking balls too.)

I took a deep breath to calm my emotions.

‘Well, better to know now than never.’

Now, I probably won’t fall asleep suddenly anymore.

“Damn it!”

It was utterly frustrating.

I kept squirming and eventually closed my eyes.

Maybe because I got worked up, I felt sleepy.

“Well, it’s nap time anyway.”

A baby’s body sure is weak.

“When will I grow up?”

I mumbled and turned over.

* * *

“I wish our Kongja wouldn’t grow up.”

Ma Soo-jung laughed as she watched an interview on “Celebrity Walk.”

So cute she could die.

“Really?”

“Yes, that’s how I feel now. But honestly, I also want to see him grown up. Just….”

The child on the screen spoke.

-Yes! Mama is the best!

Ma Soo-jung put her hand on her chest.

Her son was too cute to bear.

“I wish this phase would last longer. Boss, Kongja said he loves me the most! More than toys!”

“That response was great. Moms nationwide are jealous of you.”

“Oh, what does Kongja eat to be so sweet!”

“Probably the formula you bought.”

Ma Soo-jung lowered her eyes slightly.

That sounded a bit harsh.

“Why are you sulking?”

“I hate that interview! Isn’t it too much!”

The boss sighed and said,

“I even put cucumber slices on my face the day before! Not a single shot of me made it! They even blurred my face!”

Ma Soo-jung laughed awkwardly.

“Well, you’re a regular person, so….”

“I should’ve asked them to include me beforehand!”

“Try again if you get another chance.”

“Damn, I wanted to show off!”

Oh dear. Ma Soo-jung asked sympathetically,

“To whom?”

“Of course, to my Kongja. I was planning to use this excuse to move the TV back to the living room!”

Ma Soo-jung shook her head.

“Didn’t everyone like it? Just keep it in the room.”

“Sigh. Everyone but me loves it. Why do my Kongja all love books!”

Isn’t that a good thing?

Ma Soo-jung said with a bright smile,

“I hope our Kongja also loves books more.”

“Soo-jung, don’t fan the flames.”

“Books are better. I’m a bit worried about that.”

“About what?”

“Kongja, he can’t take his eyes off the TV and smartphone.”

Ma Soo-jung sighed.

“I wonder if it’s because I can’t spend much time with him.”

“Nah, all kids love TV and smartphones.”

“Still.”

The boss crossed his arms and smirked.

“Wow, Soo-jung, it’s rare to see you worried.”

“Well, I’m Kongja’s mom.”

“True, it’s natural to worry. About many things.”

Ma Soo-jung nodded.

“Our Kongja, isn’t he too popular?”

“He is.”

The boss checked the comments.

Title: Is he really an angel?
Content: Look at him talk every time he appears.
└ You just realized that?
└ Sorry, just realized it now.
└ It’s okay. The Kongja cult welcomes latecomers.
└ Huh? A new religion?
└ Just founded it, let’s go!
└ Hahahahahahaha

The boss chuckled.

“Soo-jung, a Kongja cult has been formed?”

“Really? I should ask for a position.”

“They’d probably give you one. Just look at the comments, it’s no joke.”

“Designer Jang Lily called.”

“What did she say?”

Ma Soo-jung imitated Jang Lily’s distinctive tone.

“Oh dear, thank you so much! I never expected such a sensation! Thanks to your son, my clothes are selling like hotcakes!”

The boss nodded.

“As expected of an actress. That imitation was spot on.”

“Jang Lily has a unique way of speaking. Looks like her clothes are selling well.”

“Not just well, they even trended in searches.”

Ma Soo-jung, being an actress, knew what that meant.

“Our Kongja will be chased by paparazzi.”

“Indeed.”

“A journalist called, asking how much we got paid. I told them it was all donated to charity.”

“What did they say?”

“They probably didn’t expect that, but it made a good story. The article’s up now.”

Ma Soo-jung smiled a little.

“People will have good things to say.”

“It’s causing a stir. No wonder a cult formed.”

“They’re just joking. It’s not real.”

“No, because you mentioned charity and donations, the CF Kongja filmed is even more famous now.”

Ma Soo-jung crossed her arms and tilted her head.

“Even I didn’t expect this.”

“Admit it, Soo-jung. Your son is famous now. A complete celebrity.”

* * *