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“Cale, wait. Before you go, I have a present for you.”
Alver stopped Cale right before the latter got up from his seat.
“Present? What’s the occasion?”
Cale’s interest was piqued. A present from the most powerful man in the continent should be quite impressive.
“It’s ‘Kim Rok Soo’s’ birthday today, isn’t it?” Alver replied with a handsome smile as he took out a wrapped present from his drawer and placed it down in front of Cale.
Cale stared at the unexpected gift.
No one celebrated Kim Rok Soo's birthday after he transmigrated into this world, not even Cale himself. It was only his year that his self-proclaimed hyung Alver Crossman gave him a present, discounting the absolute wreck of burnt seaweed soup Choi Han cooked for him this morning (but well, it was the thought that counted).
Cale pulled the small box closer to him. The weight was pretty light. Was it a watch or something?
“Can I open it now?”
“Of course,” Alver gestured towards the box encouragingly. “I want to see your reaction.”
Cale eagerly undid the pretty red ribbon and tore apart the wrapping. Alver watched him as he did so, his smile indulgent.
"I thought hard about what to give you, but I think there's nothing you like more than money."
The mere mention of money had Cale’s excitement rising another level.
"Wow, as expected of our empire's brightest star, your generosity is on a different level. Don't tell me... is it another gold plaque?"
He finally lifted the lid of the white box and…
What… was he looking at?
It was a tiny thing, around the same size as Cale’s pinky. It looked like one of those shiny game pieces used in board games. Although this familiar color…
He picked it up and asked, “Is this real gold?”
"Yes. It's a miniature gold statue of yourself."
Even though it was pure, solid gold, Cale still frowned.
"Tsk. How stingy. I’m sure you can afford more than this."
Alver chuckled as though he expected the rude reaction. "I'll double the size every year, so make sure to live a long life if you want a statue as big as a house."
The shine returned to Cale’s eyes. Suddenly, the present didn’t look too bad.
His voice raised an entire pitch as he declared, “I'm going to live to a ripe old age. I'll be 100, no, I'll live past 100 years old. You better be prepared, hyung. I’m going to empty your treasury.”
“This punk.” Alver laughed and shook his head.
Cale took a closer look at the mini statue. Despite its small size, the craftsmanship was exquisite. Anyone would be able to tell it was a statue of him once they looked at it up close. It was so alike that it was almost creepy.
He put it back into the box and shut it tight.
“Hey… can you change it to a statue of Raon next time? This feels like a thing Clopeh would do.”
Alver’s expression twisted. “...You’re right. I will change it.”
It was nice to see they were on the same page like always. Cale lifted the box and played up his attitude, putting on a grateful expression as he said, “Thanks, hyung. You’re the best. I love you.”
Alver smirked and crossed his arms. He could tell Cale was exaggerating on purpose. “You only say that when I give you something good.”
“I guess you should keep giving me presents if you want to hear it more.”
“Pfft. Alright, go back now. I’ll give you something else for ‘Cale’s’ birthday.”
Cale looked at Alver with an innocent expression and asked, “What about Christmas?”
“You greedy bastard. You really do want to wring me dry, huh?”
Cale snickered and got up from his seat. He didn’t forget to take the box with him. “Heh. I’ll get going, hyung. I’ll see you soon.”
“Mm. See you.”