Chapter 113 – Give and Take (1)
Translated by: ShawnSuh
Edited by: SootyOwl
"Oh! I forgot about getting my photos developed today!" Yun Seo said with a clap.
"What photos?" Juho asked.
The answer came from Joon Soo instead, "We took some pictures with Mrs. Baek recently using her old film camera."
"A film camera?"
"That's right. I've been using it for years now," Yun Seo affirmed proudly. "I've been taking pictures with my pupils ever since I first started taking them in. I made an album too. Would you like to see it?"
Juho nodded. Knowing its location, Geun Woo rose from his seat and returned with a hefty looking album. The four sat around it.
"We're probably in here somewhere too. Now, where were we..."
The photos were well-maintained. As Joon Soo flipped the pages, faces unknown to Juho rushed passed his eyes one by one. Everyone in the pictures had been an aspiring author and loved writing, and they had come to learn under Yun Seo.
"That's me right there," Geun Woo said, pointing to a young man with long hair. He gave off a much sharper image than the one in the present.
"Wow! When was this?"
"It couldn't have been that long after I came here, so... I must've been in my twenties."
"You look tacky as heck!" Joon Soo said playfully, acting unlike usual. Unfortunately, Joon Soo was right.
"You're one to talk. You're not exactly stylish either, Mr. Bong," Geun Woo said, pointing at another photo. It was Joon Soo's. Though his appearance didn't look different, he was wearing a blue denim jacket and pants.
"That was the hottest fashion trend then," said Joon Soo.
"I think you guys are both on the same level, more or less."
"What'd you say!?" Geun Woo exclaimed.
Ignoring him, Juho turned his eyes to the album. On the next page, there was a picture of Geun Woo and Joon Soo standing together in the front of Yun Seo's timeless house.
"This is actually pretty fun!"
"Oh! Do you remember this, Joon Soo?"
"Ah! It's when we first seeded the garden."
Listening to the two people conversing, Juho was able to picture what the house had looked like in the past. While Joon Soo took out one of the photos and kept on with the conversation, Juho looked through at the pages of the album slowly. Time had passed and the seasons had changed. The album held the past of those who were in the pictures, and getting a peek at that was a rather fun experience.
"Huh?"
By reflex, Juho let out. There was a familiar face that he would never have imagined to find. He took a closer look. 'It is him!' No matter how many times he looked, it was the person Juho knew.
"What is it?" Geun Woo asked.
"I just saw someone I wasn't expecting to see in the album," Juho said with his eyes still on the picture.
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"Eh? Who? Is there someone you know?"
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Stopping Joon Soo from getting up, Yun Seo walked toward the door herself. Juho couldn't afford the time to look away from the picture because he would have never imagined to see that person in the picture. On the other hand, after seeing that familiar face in that album, Juho began to make sense of the man's puzzling attitude.
"So, who is it?"
"Here, this person," Juho pointed to a man in one of the pictures. At one point, the man had dreamed of being a genius writer, and he was the one who first mentioned the idea of being a "great storyteller." Everything began to make sense.
"Oh my goodness! It's been so long!" Yun Seo exclaimed cheerfully. Only then did Juho look away from the album and turned toward the door.
"Who's here?"
"Probably another guest. We always have guests," Geun Woo said to Joon Soo. Juho nodded in agreement. Yun Seo's house was always filled with guests.
"Come in, come in!"
A series of footsteps followed Yun Seo's voice, and the three looked in the direction of the sound. Then...
"Oh! It's that man in the picture!" Geun Woo said as the guest simultaneously locked eyes with Juho.
"Juho Woo?!" the man said, looking confused. Holding bags of gifts in his hands, Juho was well-acquainted with him. The man seemed slightly older than himself in the picture.
"Why are you here?!" he asked. As Juho rose from his seat, Geun Woo and Joon Soo's eyes followed. Instead of an answer, Juho addressed the man by his name.
"Hello, Mr. Moon."
Silence.
"Mr. Moon?"
"Who's the teacher here?"
The room became filled with confusion.
"You two know each other?" Joon Soo asked. He seemed to know Mr. Moon.
"He's my student," said Mr. Moon.
"... What??" Joon Soo asked, dumbfounded. Juho nodded quietly.
"He's a teacher," said Juho.
"Wait, what's going on? Who's a teacher?" Then, he asked Juho in a whisper, "Yun Woo's or Juho's?"
"What's your teacher doing in Mrs. Baek's house?"
Rather than answering Geun Woo's question, Juho looked at the album on the floor.
"That's because I was her pupil once."
Mr. Moon had been one of Yun Seo's pupils. Now, he was a teacher himself, teaching students of his own. There were similarities in the way they taught. For example, they never directly told their students that they were wrong.
"Haha! This is interesting. I'll bring out some tea, and you guys talk and catch up."
Meanwhile, Yun Seo headed for the kitchen with the gifts Mr. Moon had brought. Everyone exchanged awkward looks, and Joon Soo spoke up first to break the ice.
"He came here around the same time as me. He was the best writer here, then."
"Really??" Geun Woo said, impressed. It was hard to believe that there was a better writer than Joon Soo.
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"He left before you came in."
"I teach at a school now. I'm also this kid's homeroom teacher," said Mr. Moon, pointing at Juho. It was a rather confusing occasion where a teacher came together with his teacher and her students.
"So, remind me why you're here?" he asked again.
Knowing that they wouldn't be able to explain, Joon Soo and Geun Woo remained quiet. Mr. Moon waited for an answer patiently.
"So..."
Juho realized that the moment he knew would come had finally caught up to him without warning. The time had come. He couldn't help but chuckle from how sudden and unexpected the situation was. On the other hand, he also found it to be funny. For those reasons, he decided not to avoid facing the reality of it.
"I wrote a book."
"A book?"
"Yes. I naturally came to know different people as I wrote."
Mr. Moon gave him a delayed response, "So, you were learning from Mrs. Baek? That's why you said you weren't formally trained or going to a private institute! Right, it makes sense now."
"Not exactly."
"No?"
"M-hm."
Mr. Moon's eyes narrowed.
"Then, what is it?"
Juho slowly parted his lips in order to bring up a name he was well-acquainted with, yet unfamiliar with at the same time. In a rather low voice, he answered, "I'm Yun Woo."
Silence filled the room yet again. Nobody moved a muscle while Mr. Moon stood in the middle of it. He showed no response, like a statue.
"Did you all have a good time?" Yun Seo asked as she walked into the room from behind them. "What's the matter? Why do you look shocked?" she asked, studying Mr. Moon's expressions.
He seemed to freeze up when taken aback by something. Observing the awkward situation quietly, Yun Seo spoke up to shatter the silence, "Why don't we all sit down and have ourselves a cup of tea?"
Then, the tension began to dissipate.
Juho picked up his cup of tea and took a sip. A pleasant warmth traveled down his stomach. After that, he quietly set his tea back down on the table. Mr. Moon's face became visible over the lonely cup.
"So, you?"
"Yes."
"You're Yun Woo?"
"Yes."
"C'mon."
"I'm serious."
"You're killing me."
Mr. Moon was aware that Juho wouldn't lie in such a situation. However, it was hard not to question the fact that Juho was Yun Woo considering how he had been doing in the Literature Club so far. Juho had been rather meticulous in concealing his identity.
Yun Seo and her two pupils were observing quietly. While rubbing his face, Mr. Moon let out a sigh and said, "OK, it did cross my mind at one point."
KH999 - វិបផតថលហ្គេមកាស៊ីណូដ៏ល្បីល្បាញឈានមុខគេនៅ Cambodia
KH999 - ល្បែងប្រជាប្រិយខ្មែរ លេងហើយជក់ចិត្ត
"I'm sure."
"After all, you're a good writer yourself. It's to the point where it's hard to believe that you're still a student. Think about it. Who comes to mind when you combine a high school student with the skill of a seasoned, veteran writer? Yun Woo."
"Thank you."
"... You never denied it once. Yeah, that's right. You never did. Then, how was I so firm in believing that you were not Yun Woo?" said Mr. Moon, flicking his tea cup. "It was because of your writing," he added, letting out yet another sigh. "It never occured to me that you were Yun Woo because I read your writing."
He seemed to be quite confused, and Juho understood his position. Juho had been writing in a style that Yun Woo would never think of adopting. He had been writing as his own style instead of Yun Woo's, resulting in a completely different feel and structure.
"How should I understand this situation?"
"It's simple," Juho said as he moved aside the cup. "I'm both Juho Woo and Yun Woo."
"Meaning?"
"I can write as Juho and Yun Woo."
Mr. Moon burst into laughter. It wasn't clear whether he was in awe or disbelief. At that moment, Joon Soo stopped Geun Woo as he prepared to speak. However, Joon Soo was curious himself as to why Mr. Moon couldn't believe that Juho was Yun Woo. Considering the fact that he had been looking at his writing longer than anybody else, he should have been the first one to catch on.
"Why are you having such a hard time believing it? From what I've gathered so far, it seems like it wouldn't be strange if you were the first person to notice," Yun Seo spoke up.
A relieved look spread across Geun Woo and Joon Soo's faces. She had scratched the itch. Then, Geun Woo took the opportunity speak up, "That's what I'm thinking. Am I the only person who's having trouble understanding the point of this conversation?"
"Speaking of which, have you been a victim of fraud of sorts, Song Hak? Why can't you believe the words of your own student?" Joon Soo added.
"Fraud? That's a little harsh, isn't it?"
Mr. Moon looked at Juho and let out yet another sigh.
"Juho Woo," he called his name. Juho knew exactly what to expect. He always addressed him by his full name when he demanded an explanation.
"I'm good at keeping secrets."
"The fact that you're Yun Woo?" asked Geun Woo.
"Yes," Juho answered. At his answer, Joon Soo's forehead scrunched up into a scowl.
"Now that I think about it, it's odd. How were you able to stay hidden in a Literature Club? You have such a distinct style."
"Is there a trick of sorts?"
There wasn't anything complicated. Rather, it had been a rather simple challenge.
"I know how to write in different styles."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. I can write in a style apart from that of Yun Woo's."
"... So what does that mean?"
Confused, Joon Soo remained silent. Surrounded by people drowning in confusion, Mr. Moon added, "He's referring to a different style."
"Huh?"
"He writes something completely different. In fact, it's so different that I've been reading his writing all these times and never suspected him once."
"... Eh??" Geun Woo's forehead also scrunched up into a scowl.
"Like modifying his original style? Is that what you're talking about? Like taking out the conjunctions or using less verbs or something?"
"No," Mr. Moon said firmly. All eyes were on Joon Soo. "You know my skills, Joon Soo. Do you really think I'd fall for tricks like that?"
"Wow. Did he just say that with his own lips?" Geun Woo murmured.
Joon Soo admitted quietly, "Of course, I know. That's why I'm so confused."
"Then what is it? Are you saying that Juho writes in two different styles or what? That sounds like something out of a fairytale!" Geun Woo said light-heartedly.
"You guessed it right," Mr. Moon answered heavily. "That's exactly what my student is saying."
Chapter 114 – Give and Take (2)
Translated by: ShawnSuh
Edited by: SootyOwl
Yun Woo. Juho. They had always been the same person. With the exception of Yun Seo, everyone fixated their eyes on Juho, each wearing a perplexed look.
"Is that true?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Sounds like you have an interesting skill at your disposal."
"Do you think so, Mrs. Baek?"
"Of course! Does Hyun Do know about this?"
"No."
Suddenly, Geun Woo interrupted the seemingly peaceful conversation.
"Hold on. Mrs. Baek, am I the only person who's still confused?" Geun Woo asked. In his mind, the ability to write in two distinct styles was no more than a romantic idea, nothing short of wishful thinking. People each had fingerprints that were unique to themselves. In the same way, they each had one consciousness, and that was the basis of a writer's style. An author's writing reflected their personality for that one reason. Yet, the young author in front of his eyes claimed to have yet another conscience.
"We all dream about it as writers. Writing freely while being able to adopt a style fitting to the event or character. There actually was an author who strived to achieve that for years. Unfortunately, it's impossible. Everyone who tried has failed so far. They may have been able to change their style, but nobody has been able to break away from their consciousness. Yet, what you're saying is..."
Juho sounded like someone who possessed something that countless authors had been longing for. Geun Woo felt warm. Maybe he was feeling uneasy. Afraid, even. He felt a drop of cold sweat on his back. If what the young author was saying was really true, then Yun Woo as an author would be...
"Impressive, right?"
"..."
Geun Woo was dumbfounded. Juho was smiling, cracking light-hearted jokes. After his conversation with Yun Seo during his visit not too long ago, there had been a noticeable change in the way Juho treated his skills as an author. The boy who only knew how to disregard his own talent had learned to accept and embrace it, at least on the outside.
"How can you be so calm about this?"
Juho's seemingly nonchalant attitude came from admitting his own talent. What set him apart from being arrogant was the fact that he wasn't letting it define his identity...
"This is upsetting."
... even if it meant upsetting those around him.
If Juho was capable of writing in another style distinct from that of Yun Woo's as if there was another person living within him, Geun Woo wanted to see what it would look like.
"OK, fine. I get that you're Yun Woo," Mr. Moon said, having listened to everything quietly. "Seeing how Mrs. Baek and her two pupils are actually treating you as Yun Woo, I think I'm coming to accept it."
"I see."
"That means you have the ability to write in two styles that are completely distinct from one another. I'll believe it for now, but cautiously," Mr. Moon said as he emphasized the last word.
Taking his cup of tea, he took a big swig as if it was no longer hot.
"So, might I expect a demonstration in the near future?" he asked, wearing the distinct smile that Juho had seen often in the Literature Club. That smile usually indicated that he was about to make a sudden announcement.
"Demonstrate what?"
"A book written by Yun Woo, but in your other style."
"Uh... I can't say."
"What's with that response? Are you saying that you're going to hide behind such a talent? It's much too flashy as a shield, don't you think?"
"That's not exactly my intention either."
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Mr. Moon seemed to have come to accept that Juho was Yun Woo. The fact that he wanted to see Yun Woo writing in a different style meant that he had come to accept that his student in front of him was Yun Woo himself.
"Surely you can do that much, especially having tricked your homeroom teacher. Right, Mrs. Baek?" said Geun Woo.
"Please consider it, Juho, even if it wasn't for your teacher."
Juho thought for a brief time while scratching his head. Another style. If he were to publishing something like that, the entire country would be flipped upside down. There were bound to be controversies, and at worse, he might have to experience yet another failure. He might regret his decision for the rest of his life. However...
"Heck. What should I write about?"
... an author wouldn't be able to write a single word if he was afraid of failure.
"I like the enthusiasm. Yeah, that's more like it. Man, dreams do come true! I wanted to meet Yun Woo in person at least once before I died," said Mr. Moon. "Oh, wait! You must have felt really weird about that imposter at school a while back."
At that, a face flashed across Juho's mind.
"Rather..."
"That couldn't have been the first time. Must have been fun! Please, tell us more, Mr. Woo."
"Not exactly fun, no."
"Be honest with me. You liked it, didn't you?"
"I did. I love my peaceful life."
"Don't be so shy now, Mr. Woo."
"You're starting to sound like you're picking on me."
"I'm actually curious too. Tell me, what's the thing with the imposter about?"
"Yeah! You never know what could inspire you."
Juho's effort to resist was buried by the voice of the curious authors around him.
"Come to think of it, your first piece was rather unusual."
"My first piece?"
"About the mackerel."
"Oh, right."
"Mackerel?"
"It's a funny story."
The noisy chatter between authors came to a sudden halt at the sound of Yun Seo's clap. Everyone turned their eyes in its direction.
"We should take a picture!"
"A picture?"
Despite Juho's question, Yun Seo moved about busily. She had already brought her camera out from her room. The dark lens shone brightly. Making necessary adjustments to the camera, she turned toward the authors and said, "Let's all go outside!"
Juho was puzzled. Similar things had happened in the past in the Literature Club. He wondered if Mr. Moon had gotten his unpredictable side from his teacher, Yun Seo.
"OK! Coming, Mrs. Baek."
"She loooves taking pictures."
"We better go, Juho. She's virtually unstoppable once she has a camera in her hands."
Without saying much, the three immediately rose from their seats. Juho quietly followed the figure that he had grown well-acquainted with.
With a tripod set up, the five stood in front of the camera and lined up shoulder to shoulder, looking right into the lens. The shutter sounded off.
"Agh! I think I blinked!"
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"Let's take another one!"
"I don't think there's much film left."
"No, there's plenty! Ready!"
Joon Soo set up the camera and rushed back to join the rest. Seasons change, and time passes by like a river, ever flowing. By the time Juho would reminisce back to that moment, what would he be writing?"
"Smile!"
With that, everyone smiled brightly. Because he had no answer, Juho decided to smile. The shutter sounded once again.
—
"That was delicious. It's been a while since I've had this much fun too," said Mr. Moon, patting his belly. Juho looked in his direction. The sun had already set. Having enjoyed his teacher's cooking again for the first time in years, Mr. Moon wore a satisfied smile. Though complaining about overeating, the smile on his face remained unchanged. Yun Seo's house had the power to charm her guests. They wanted to stay as long as possible. That was how comfortable the house was.
"Do you know why I came here today?" Mr. Moon asked suddenly, and Juho shook his head.
"Why?"
"I'm here to get advice on how to teach you."
"Me?"
"Yep," Mr. Moon said as he turned in Juho's direction. "It seemed to me that you were going to end up being an author. Yes, you have the skills, but your posture and your attitude are just... natural. I've yet to see anyone like you, and of course, I've spent a significant amount of time thinking about the best way to teach you. As you know, I'm not exactly the best teacher. It'd been a while since I'd visited her too, so I came here to get some advice from Mrs. Baek. But, to my surprise, I ran into you."
"Maybe this isn't a coincidence after all."
"Coincidence? No. It's a result of having wrestled with myself. There is no such a thing as coincidence in this world. Or... I guess I'm looking at it in front of my eyes."
(TL's Note: Yun Woo would be Woo Yun in Korea, which sounds like the Korean for "coincidence.")
Juho shrugged lightly.
"So, how are you planning on teaching me?"
"I'm going to let you be," said Mr. Moon, smiling. "I don't think there's a better way to teach you than that."
"How come? Why don't you teach me some basics? Like how to write a sentence."
"You wrote a book for goodness sake."
Juho looked up to the sky. The moon had come up, yet it wasn't entirely dark out.
"It's nice here, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"I loved it here. That's why I held on to the best of my ability."
Juho remembered their conversation from some time ago.
"Was that when you wanted to be a genius?"
"Yep. That was when I was doing a lot of "physical labor." Sitting here, it's really taking me back."
"Do you regret it?"
Juho wondered if Mr. Moon had ever regretted having stopped writing. With a chuckle, Mr. Moon said, "Not at all. I loved every bit of my life back then, but on the other hand, it was a living hell."
"How come?"
"Because I wrote. It felt like I kept going out of my way to awake the anger hidden deep within me. All that, just to write."
"I know what that's like," said Juho in a calm voice.
"Perks of having an author as a student."
KH999 - ល្បែងប្រជាប្រិយខ្មែរ លេងហើយជក់ចិត្ត
KH999 - វិបផតថលហ្គេមកាស៊ីណូដ៏ល្បីល្បាញឈានមុខគេនៅ Cambodia
Crickets chirped in the distance.
"It was frightening when I realized that I didn't have what it took to be a genius. It's scary to not know where to go. I quickly found myself surrounded by darkness."
"I see."
"That's when Mrs. Baek taught me the word "great.""
Juho had received the word from someone who had received it from yet another person.
"I'd come to realize that I was gravely mistaken. Something broke, and I felt at peace. Then, I stopped writing. I felt like I could be a genius, but being great? That felt like a whole 'nother level. I couldn't even dare," Mr. Moon said.
"I hate school, and work is a hassle, but I'm content with my life."
He was content with his position as homeroom teacher of the Literature Club.
"If I were writing still, I'd have never taught Yun Woo, you know?" he said playfully.
"I think you made a very wise decision, Mr. Moon," said Juho, playing along to his joke.
"Aren't you shameless."
After a brief pause, Mr. Moon parted his lips to speak, "You are different."
Unlike his teacher who distanced himself from writing when introduced to the idea of being great, Juho desired for such a title. In order to take hold of it, he was writing more than ever.
"Yes, and I will get what I want," Juho said calmly.
'He has what it takes. Everyone is moved by his writing, feeling hurt and loved at the same time. His readers will come to recognize him from deep within as 'The Great Storyteller,'" thought Mr. Moon.
"Oh, so what are you going to?"
"About what?"
"Having your work on display."
"'Grains of Sand?'"
"Yes, the short story. Are you going to do it?"
"Yes, I am," Juho answered without hesitation.
He had resolved to have his story on display. When would he ever get to have his work on display in the school library? He would be publishing it under his name, Juho Woo. It was new, and something that had never been done. He didn't want to pass on such an exciting opportunity.
"I've never published anything under my real name. I'm feeling anxious."
"How many people do you think will end up reading your story?"
"Who knows?"
"They'd freak out if they found out that they were reading Yun Woo's work."
"Like you?"
"Yes, exactly like me, you punk."
The chirping stopped momentarily, and then it resumed. It was a rather pleasant sound.
"Are you planning on telling your friends?"
He was referring to the rest of the club members.
Juho answered as he breathed in the fresh air, "Yes I am. They'd still treat and look at me the same way."
Juho had spent the last year being around people who didn't see him as Yun Woo. The once noisy space had taken on a different look. No one approached him with the knowledge of Juho being Yun Woo or with the intention of getting something from him. Simply, he had been their classmate and schoolmate. They treated one another as colleagues. Despite his writing, they saw Juho as who he really was. Now, another person who was willing to do the same had come into his life.
Juho rested assured.
"I'm curious about their reactions."
"Make sure their jaws don't pop off."
"Do you think it'll be that bad?"
"Of course! Think about it! One of their friends has been Yun Woo all along. Haha! The thought of it is making me laugh."
"You're having too much fun, Mr. Moon."
While listening to his teacher laugh, Juho contemplated quietly on how to deliver the news to his friends.