The Great Storyteller

Translated by: ShawnSuh

Edited by: SootyOwl

“It is true that our education system is flawed to say the least, which also means it’s that easy to take a cynical point of view. Not to mention, being cynical can be fun at times.”

“That would be humorous, I suppose,” Dong Gil said, immersing himself in deep thought despite the light-hearted nature of Dae Soo’s remark.

The rest of the group joined in. “If it were up to me, I’d focus on the aspect of growth. I mean, it’s at a school of all places, right?” Seo Joong said. As an author, he excelled in writing stories about personal growth.

“Wouldn’t that be too predictable, though?” Mideum asked.

“You can always make it less predictable.”

“How?”

“Man, are you really making me do this right now?” Seo Joong said, looking like he was bothered by the unexpected challenge. Nevertheless, he put his brain to work, “Let’s see… I’m thinking something along the lines of a student movement, or the youth growing and maturing as they fight against the adult authority.”

At that, Mideum chuckled quietly and said, “What about a homicide?”

“In a school? Isn’t that a little too extreme for a place full of kids?”

“You know what? I was reading about some shooting incidents yesterday. Those were pretty scary.”

Mideum shrugged it off, and Geun Woo timidly weighed in on the detective writer’s opinion, “School is a depressing place. Kids there are old enough to think for themselves, yet they’re not given the right to speak their minds when they’re already dealing with their studies, the competitions with their classmates and the social framework within the school. The adults are taking extreme measures of precaution because there is potential for extreme problems, from victims of a rescue attempt gone wrong, to youths struggling to adapt. Although I wouldn’t go as far as a homicide, I’d definitely go in that direction.”

“I think romance is also a good option. I was in high school when I fell in love with someone for the first time,” Joon Soo said, reminiscing to the young romance that took place at schools everywhere.

Dae Soo raised her hand to speak, “In that case, I’d rather write about the teachers. A story about the adults in a school dominated by kids.”

Although Juho was the one who had to write the story, his fellow authors seemed to be having more fun discussing topics among themselves. As Juho watched them, Joon Soo asked, “Well? Anything that catches your interest?”

“No,” Juho said briefly, and Joon Soo smiled all the more innocently.

At that moment, Mideum asked, “Since the story’s taking place at a school, that would mean the characters are gonna be students too, right?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” Juho answered. Since he had yet to figure out the main plot, the story kept changing its shape depending on the thoughts that occurred in the young author’s mind. Nothing was set in stone. In fact, the only thing he knew for certain was that his desire to write a bright, cheerful story that took place at a school. A delayed event yielding a positive result. The young author had no idea of what the story would look like in the end.

Then, as Juho fell deep in thought about how to go about portraying the picture he had in mind, Dae Soo said, “Tell you what, why don’t you try looking outside of the ideas that came up here? You already know that you can only write a different story when you’re able to look at the same object from different angles. If you’re Yun Woo, then you need to have a perspective that’s unique to Yun Woo. Am I right?”

“Isn’t that obvious, Dae Soo?” Seo Joong said, only to be ignored by her. The rest of the authors agreed quietly.

Raising her glass, Mideum said, “I think it’d help to visit that fantasy land of yours, don’t you think?” and guzzled down on her beer.

“What kind of fantasy land are you tryin’ to get to?” Dae Soo asked.

“What can I say? I just like the taste of alcohol,” Mideum said. Being the impatient person that she was, she turned to Juho and said, “C’mon, just try a sip. It won’t affect your writing process by any means.”

“This must be what it’s like to be tempted by the devil.”

“Hey, who are you callin’ the devil!? I’m just tryin’ to teach you some basic drinking etiquette, that’s all!”

At that, Juho chuckled quietly and slipped his fingers through the opening of the mug’s handle. Then, taking the hefty mug, he slowly brought it up to his face as his fellow authors pretended not to look. Juho thought back to all of the ideas that had come up that day. At the hands of their respective authors, each and every one of them would have become an excellent book. However, none of them were even remotely close to what Juho was looking for. In fact, he preferred something of his own, which none of his fellow authors had thought of, something only he could write. As the beer touched his lips, he felt a stinging sensation in his head. Then, seeing the young author had stopped drinking, Mideum asked, “What’s the matter? Do you not like it?”

“He didn’t drink any,” Dong Gil said quietly.

Feeling the whiff of alcohol from the beer filling up his nose, the young author put the mug down slowly.

“An older student.”

Juho had been wanting to write a story that took place at a school. However, he didn’t want it to have anything to do with the Literature Club, homicide, depression, adult life, or pure, innocent romance. Taking the words that were about to jump out of his mouth, he kept them in his heart. Looking at the chalkboard from his desk, there was a student who seemed old enough to be the teacher standing behind the podium sitting among their younger peers. Despite their age, the older student remained in their seat, unfazed. It was a representation of the young author, himself: an old man hiding in the shell of a much younger man, which wouldn’t be necessary within the novel. A story about a student who was significantly older than their peers.

Then, the voice of an unknown source came toward the student, who was not young by any means. The student had experienced the cruel nature of the world they were living in. Not only had they lost much, but they had also given up on much. They had been betrayed and been victim to various incidents. They had hurt others and caused trouble in people’s lives. However, the student had never gone to jail for their deeds. Although they put in the efforts to lead a righteous life, the student had no intention of being a pushover or an innocent lamb.

‘What would it look like for someone like that to be in school? It’d be interesting if it creates an opportunity for the student and their peers to question each others’ identities,’ Juho thought.

“Ah! See? Look at his face lighting up!” Dae Soo said, smiling. As the long-sought clue finally came into his hands, Juho couldn’t keep himself from smiling. Although he had tried to hide it from his fellow authors, it was too late.

“That’s the best part of being a writer,” somebody said, and everyone else agreed. As authors, they all knew exactly what Juho had experienced. Every author was bound to go through it some point.

Then, a voice yelled at the young author, “Well? What the heck are you waiting for? Jot it down somewhere! Don’t be kicking yourself for not remembering it later!”

“Yeah! Get that notepad out!”

“Don’t mind if I do,” Juho said, reaching into his pocket without hesitation. As he made the breakthrough, an array of ideas started coming to him. The setting didn’t necessarily have to be a high school. In fact, middle school, university, and even elementary school were all viable options. At that point, the question that naturally rose to his mind was: ‘Why was the student going to school at such a late age?’

“Man, look at you!” Geun Woo said.

With his eyes fixed on the notepad, Juho answered, “I just couldn’t bear to disappoint you.”

He noticed Geun Woo wincing at his unexpected answer. Seeing as though he wasn’t saying anything, he had to be regretting having said what he had said. After writing to his heart’s content, Juho exhaled quietly. And when he looked up, the beer mug came into view.

“Have yourself a drink if you’re done,” Seo Joon said, smiling cheerfully. As Juho closed the notepad and put it back into his pocket, it occurred to him just how thirsty he was. When he touched the surface of the mug, he felt the pleasant coldness on his fingertips, cooling them after having written with intense concentration. The liquid bubbling within the clear mug couldn’t look more refreshing. However, Juho knew better than to drink it. Once alcohol entered the body, it tended to heat up one’s stomach, causing them to be more emotional, tipping the balance between emotion and logic.

Then, picking up the mug, Juho got a whiff of the beer and said, “I think I’ll pass,” and put the mug down on the table. “I’ll probably end up writing tonight, so I gotta stay sober.”

At that, some authors at the table clicked their tongues in disappointment, while others cheered the young author on for his wise decision. Although the reactions seemed to be contradictory, they were both sincere and playful.

—

Wrapping up their meal, the authors greeted Madame Song briefly on their way out and lingered in front of the restaurant, talking. Then, Mideum, who was in high spirits, suggested in a loud voice, “Round two, anybody?”

“You’re on!”

“No, thanks.”

The reactions were polarizing. While Seo Joong and Dae Soo were enthusiastic about the idea, neither Dong Gil nor Geun Woo seemed to find it appealing. Meanwhile, Joon Soo and Juho smiled quietly, without saying a word.

“Let’s go somewhere close by. Besides, Juho can legally drink now,” Mideum said.

“But he doesn’t drink.”

“Well, let’s take him anyway.”

Although Mideum appeared to be drunk, she was behaving just like her usual self. Her actual tolerance might be a mystery, but what was clear was that she would have to drink twice the amount she had drunk up to that point.

“I do feel like staying out longer and hanging out though,” Dae Soo murmured, thinking back to all the effort that had gone into bringing everyone together. Meanwhile, Seo Joong behaved as if enjoying the occasion was the wiser choice.

“It’s not good to get drunk,” Dong Gil said in a strict tone, as if bothered by the fact that his fellow authors were going to yet another place, to drink even more. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see drinking as the second entry on his list of things he clearly disliked.

“I’m kind of tired, actually,” Geun woo said, agreeing with Dong Gil and sounding unmistakably tired. At that, Juho quietly walked over to Geun Woo and stood behind him.

“Why don’t we vote on it?” Joon Soo said, stepping in to mediate. The group seemed to be split quite evenly into opposing opinions.

“Shouldn’t you start thinking about your health at your age, Dae Soo? You too, Seo Joong. We’re not young anymore.”

“What are you talking about? I’ll always live as a boy.”

“Don’t be stupid now. We have to learn to age gracefully. And to be frank, I think you’re too lax in that regard.”

“He has a point,” Dae Soo said in agreement with Dong Gil, and Seo Joong looked at her as if he had been betrayed.

Then, Mideum took the opportunity to make a suggestion, “Well, why don’t we discuss it at a nearby bar?”

However, her fellow authors knew better. As Geun Woo yawned, looking obviously tired, Juho asked, “You’ve been working on something, haven’t you?”

“Ah! You scared me!” Geun Woo said, turning toward the young author. Paying no attention to how startled he was, Juho repeated the question, and the dark circles underneath Geun Woo’s eyes shone blue under the streetlight.

“So, what have you been working on?”

“… Something. I’ve been working on it for a while now. It’s gone through a number of revisions too.”

“And the one about me?”

“… You know. Not everyone’s capable of writing as fast as you.”

At that, Juho chuckled as he was reminded that they had been in a similar situation when Geun Woo first told the young author that he had been writing about Juho.

“I figure you’re making good progress lately? You see me a lot on the internet these days.”

“Yeah. No matter where I turn. Internet, TV, you name it. I’ve been making a lot of changes too.”

Seeing that Geun Woo wasn’t getting into details, Juho also asked no further. Besides, who would be able to read a piece that its author refused to talk about?

“Well, break a leg. Get it done ASAP.”

“That’s not entirely up to me, I’m afraid.”

Geun Woo chuckled as an ambiguous look appeared on his face, as if he knew that the young author was fully capable of completing his task. With that, the air sank into an awkward silence between them. It was a scenario likely occur between an author who had made a successful debut, yet had a ways to go, and a young author who had already reached the top.

“Did I ever tell you?”

“What?”

“I really enjoyed ‘An Insect Leaves No Trace,'” Geun Woo said with his distinctively sad expression on his face.

Not only was it out of nowhere, but Juho didn’t recall ever hearing that from him. Nevertheless, he looked at Geun Woo and thanked him, saying, “I appreciate that.”

Then, smiling a smile that looked more like he was weeping, Geun Woo said, “I haven’t forgotten.”

“About?”

“You gathering my manuscript for me.”

Because Juho couldn’t think of an answer, he had to resort to something unstylish like, “Me neither.” Nevertheless, it was the truth. The young author remembered their first encounter to that day. The scene of the white sheets of manuscript paper falling from the sky had been quite beautiful.

“Must be nice being so popular,” Geun Woo said, still looking sad. However, he didn’t necessarily sound angry. Neither was he moaning, nor blaming himself or others.