The Great Storyteller - Chapter 114
Library

Chapter 114

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, maam . 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 whos 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 writers style . An authors 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, its impossible . Everyone who tried has failed so far . They may have been able to change their style, but n.o.body has been able to break away from their consciousness . Yet, what youre 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? Juhos seemingly nonchalant att.i.tude came from admitting his own talent . What set him apart from being arrogant was the fact that he wasnt letting it define his ident.i.ty… 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 Woos as if there was another person living within him, Geun Woo wanted to see what it would look like . OK, fine . I get that youre 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 Im coming to accept it . I see . That means you have the ability to write in two styles that are completely distinct from one another . Ill 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 cant say . Whats with that response? Are you saying that youre going to hide behind such a talent? Its much too flashy as a s.h.i.+eld, dont you think? Thats not exactly my intention either . 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 wasnt for your teacher . Juho thought for a brief time while scratching his head . Another style . If he were to publis.h.i.+ng 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 wouldnt be able to write a single word if he was afraid of failure . I like the enthusiasm . Yeah, thats 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 Juhos mind . Rather… That couldnt 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, didnt you? I did . I love my peaceful life . Dont be so shy now, Mr . Woo . Youre starting to sound like youre picking on me . Im actually curious too . Tell me, whats the thing with the imposter about? Yeah! You never know what could inspire you . Juhos 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? Its a funny story . The noisy chatter between authors came to a sudden halt at the sound of Yun Seos clap . Everyone turned their eyes in its direction . We should take a picture! A picture? Despite Juhos 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, Lets 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 . Shes 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! Lets take another one! I dont think theres much film left . No, theres plenty! Ready! Joon Soo set up the camera and rushed back to join the rest . Seasons change, and time pa.s.ses 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 . Its been a while since Ive had this much fun too, said Mr . Moon, patting his belly . Juho looked in his direction . The sun had already set . Having enjoyed his teachers 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 Seos 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? Im here to get advice on how to teach you . Me? Yep, Mr . Moon said as he turned in Juhos 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 att.i.tude are just… natural . Ive yet to see anyone like you, and of course, Ive spent a significant amount of time thinking about the best way to teach you . As you know, Im not exactly the best teacher . Itd been a while since Id visited her too, so I came here to get some advice from Mrs . Baek . But, to my surprise, I ran into you . Maybe this isnt a coincidence after all . Coincidence? No . Its a result of having wrestled with myself . There is no such a thing as coincidence in this world . Or… I guess Im looking at it in front of my eyes . (TLs 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? Im going to let you be, said Mr . Moon, smiling . I dont think theres a better way to teach you than that . How come? Why dont 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 wasnt entirely dark out . Its nice here, isnt it? Yes . I loved it here . Thats 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, its 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 h.e.l.l . 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 thats like, said Juho in a calm voice . Perks of having an author as a student . Crickets chirped in the distance . It was frightening when I realized that I didnt have what it took to be a genius . Its scary to not know where to go . I quickly found myself surrounded by darkness . I see . Thats when Mrs . Baek taught me the word great . Juho had received the word from someone who had received it from yet another person . Id 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 couldnt even dare, Mr . Moon said . I hate school, and work is a ha.s.sle, but Im content with my life . He was content with his position as homeroom teacher of the Literature Club . If I were writing still, Id 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 . Arent 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 t.i.tle . 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 publis.h.i.+ng it under his name, Juho Woo . It was new, and something that had never been done . He didnt want to pa.s.s on such an exciting opportunity . Ive never published anything under my real name . Im feeling anxious . How many people do you think will end up reading your story? Who knows? Theyd freak out if they found out that they were reading Yun Woos 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 . Theyd still treat and look at me the same way . Juho had spent the last year being around people who didnt see him as Yun Woo . The once noisy s.p.a.ce 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 cla.s.smate 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 a.s.sured . Im curious about their reactions . Make sure their jaws dont pop off . Do you think itll 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 . Youre having too much fun, Mr . Moon . While listening to his teacher laugh, Juho contemplated quietly on how to deliver the news to his friends .