Translated by: ShawnSuh Edited by: SootyOwl With a balloon in his mouth, Juho turned his head and looked back . He saw a familiar face blowing up a balloon . Though they had been in the same cla.s.s, Juho hardly remembered ever interacting with him and became curious as to why that cla.s.smate was striking up a conversation with him . A little bit . Its been a while since the last time I blew up a balloon . Because he was starting to get bored, Juho decided to respond to him . His cla.s.smates puffed up cheeks gave him a monkey-like appearance . After tying his balloon with a swift motion, he waved his red balloon side to side . Right? I think the last time I blew up a balloon I was in elementary school . Man, I feel kind of old having a conversation like this, haha! He laughed at his own joke . His reaction made sense considering that he was at his eldest in that moment . Do you think well get a lot of visitors? Before Juho had time to answer, another voice interjected, Of course! It was Seo Kw.a.n.g . The cla.s.smate tilted his head like a puzzled monkey . I heard Cla.s.sroom 1s setting up a game room too . Really!? Are we doing the same things then!? A serious look appeared on Seo Kw.a.n.gs face, but the cla.s.smate shook his head, still looking like a monkey . No . It seems like they are focusing on card games . Apparently, theres someone who knows some magic tricks in that cla.s.s, so there are going to be performances in between as well . Fancy, Juho said . Right? I dont know how interesting we can get with balloons . Cla.s.sroom 1 is on the first floor, so it might work out . That means its more likely that people will stop there before ours . Unless there are people who are actively looking for game rooms, most people wont think twice about skipping on a theme thats redundant to them . This is unexpected . Seo Kw.a.n.g and the cla.s.smate were having a friendly conversation with each other . Meanwhile, Juho listened quietly as he blew up his balloon . The monkey-like cla.s.smate knew quite a bit about what was happening in other cla.s.srooms . What do you think? Well find out, Juho said . Air leaked out of the balloon as Juho took his mouth off of it . Yeah . Who knows? That magic trick might turn out to be really sloppy, Seo Kw.a.n.g said . His conjecture wasnt entirely unrealistic . Hey, we need to get going! Oh, right! You guys are doing something with your club, right? Write your names on the paper on the podium on your way out . Juho saw the two girls crossing arms together walking toward the podium . There were some students who left in the middle of preparations because they were part of a club that had planned on partic.i.p.ating in the festival . Noticing Juho looking in their direction, the monkey-like cla.s.smate asked immediately, Wait, you guys are part of the Literature Club, right? Yeah . Yep . As Juho and Seo Kw.a.n.g answered simultaneously, a bright smile spread across the cla.s.smates face . A small dimple in the corner of his mouth accentuated his already monkey-like appearance . I visited the library too . I really enjoyed it, he paused and looked toward Juho . Juho Woos, especially . Thanks, Juho said light-heartedly . Im serious! I really enjoyed it! I was so shocked . To be honest, my expectations werent that high . Really? Yeah . OK, lets be real here . If I had decided to not visit the library, thinking that the stories would read like those of an amateur at best, Id have had to live the rest of my life in regret . I didnt know short stories could be that interesting . A proud look appeared on Seo Kw.a.n.gs face . He was delighted to hear that his cla.s.smate was discovering the charm books had to offer . Speaking of which… Huh? Can I ask you something? the cla.s.smate asked in a cautious manner . What is it? Its about your work . Thinking back on it, Juho realized that the cla.s.smate had approached him like he had wanted to ask him something . Was he curious about my story? Sure, Juho said, nodding . Its about the woman, he asked without hesitation after Juhos permission . Uh, huh . Why did she have to be silent? Was that on purpose, or a coincidence? I see, Juho thought . He decided to answer honestly, She doesnt want to be bothered by anyone, so as the author, I should be the one to respect her foremost . So, it was the result of trying to bring out her personality as much as possible, right? He was quick to understand . In Grains of Sand, theres an old lady who mentions things that dont change, and the readers have differing opinions in their interpretation . What is your take on it? Differing opinions? The monkey-like face twisted into a silly scowl . You didnt know? Theres been a long debate amongst your readers . A debate? Over what? The cla.s.smate cleared his throat and said, Over whether or not the old lady was the woman herself . FYI, I was on the side that believed that they were the same people . . Where did this take place? In our club . There was no way to know in that case . Frankly, Juho didnt even know which club his cla.s.smate was part of . The cla.s.smate urged him for an answer with his clear, monkey like eyes . So, the things that remain unchanged signify the womans future, right? Would it be wrong to interpret that the woman remains unchanged even as she grows into an old woman? Is that your interpretation? Yeah . After a brief time thinking, Juho answered, A book can be interpreted in multiple ways . I dont think theres such a thing as a wrong interpretation . So… So? Youre not wrong . He felt like he was partaking in an interview . When Juho looked at his cla.s.smate, he was blowing up yet another balloon and was rather skilled at doing it . What are you doing? You dont know which club Im part of, do you? No, I dont . Im part of the one and only Newspaper Club . Juho turned his head toward Seo Kw.a.n.g and asked, Is our school known for our Newspaper Club? I have no clue . Despite Seo Kw.a.n.gs response, the cla.s.smate grabbed Juho by the arm with a balloon still in his hand . It was yellow . Would you mind if we write an article about you? the monkey said . An article? Juho asked . Yes . You mean for the newspaper? Yes . As Juho remained silent for a brief moment, the cla.s.smate parted his lips to explain . Youre good speaker . On top of that, you know your own mind . Id like to feature an interview with Juho Woo as an author . The next issues going to be fancier than usual because of the school festival . This is great! You dont know how powerful of a tool a newspaper can be when it comes to promotion, right? On your end, the demand for Grains of Sand will rise . As for me, I get to write something cool . Itd be like killing two birds with one stone! he said as his eyes sparkled . Juho felt like he was reliving a past memory from back when he was being ha.s.sled by reporters . I dont know… Why not? Whats the issue? Its not that theres an issue . Im just not really up for it . The cla.s.smate grew anxious at Juhos lukewarm response . It wont take that much time . Ill make sure it comes out really nice . Its not like were writing about anything weird either . Its about your story . Im a fan too, you know? I loved Grains of Sand, and Im not the type to go around asking people for interviews . Mr . Woo, please . He clung on desperately . While Juho quitely blew up his balloons, another voice sounded, Give it a shot . It was a unexpected suggestion from Seo Kw.a.n.g . Sun Hwa said it herself too . Were supposed to be promoting the heck out of out works . Its true that this will work to your advantage, he said with a smile . His first interview? Hehehe . he murmured . Juho realized that Seo Kw.a.n.g was finding the situation to be entertaining . He already knew about Juhos ident.i.ty, so it was obvious that he would find it entertaining . Promotion, huh, Juho contemplated, and the cla.s.smate took the opportunity to convince Juho further . Ill treat you as the main figure for the next issue . First page, big pictures . Did I mention this is going to be a special edition for the school festival? Were gonna be distributing copies from cla.s.s to cla.s.s and give em out even to the guests . Youll really feel like youre on the newspaper . Youre already pretty famous! The entire school might end up reading your story, who knows? Im telling you, this is an opportunity . The fate of the Literature Club is in your hands, dont you see? Thats a bit exaggerated, dont you think? What are you talking about? Your story more than qualifies! Hm . Im not just sugarcoating it here . I approached you because I wanted to ask for an interview from the start! I see . Oh, dont get me wrong though . I just wanted to have a conversation with you because I was moved by your work . Right . Juho felt frazzled . Promotion, past and present, Yun Woos first interview . I wont take any pictures, Juho said as he let out a sigh . Yes! The monkey-like cla.s.smate threw his fist into the air . Hey, we have to get going now, he said to the cla.s.s president . Now? Yes, now! Juho jumped from his seat . --- Its here . Juho was brought to the music room upstairs . He was not very familiar with the place . As the cla.s.smate opened the door, Juho was welcomed by warm air, and a strange smell washed over him . There was a newspaper and the pages of a sketchbook spread out across one of the desks . On it, were printed articles and photos cut out in varying sizes . A girl stood in the middle of the room . h.e.l.lo, the cla.s.smate greeted her . What the?! Youre not here to ditch your cla.s.s, are you? she asked, squinting at him . No, not at all . She was the head of the Newspaper Club . As her sharp eyes turned toward Juho… Juho Woo! she said as her eyes widened . Huh? Though Juho had never met her, she was rather friendly with him . I really enjoyed your work! Haha! You have no idea what kind of mess I was in the last several days . We argued night and day! Like the monkey, she too was laughing at her own jokes . It must have been the overall atmosphere of the club . I bring good news! I finally got him to agree to an interview! As the cla.s.smate p.r.o.nounced himself proudly, a bright smile spread across the girls face . Good job, Seung! Oh, Ill leave you two be, so make yourselves at home . Give him something to drink too! We dont have anything to eat at the moment, but I can always bring something . Im counting on you . Dont ask anything silly now . Wait, maybe I should just interview him myself . That doesnt sound very ethical . Then, do it right! They were rather busy, and the girl left the room in a hurry . The cla.s.smate led Juho into the room and said, Sit wherever youd like . Ill go bring you some water . OK . Then, he also left the room and made his way to the water dispenser at the end of the hallway . Juho looked around the room . There were long, rectangular desks lined up next to each other . It seemed like it would sit at least eight people comfortably . Maybe they were the same desks as the ones in the science room . The desks must have came from the music room . Juho sat in the first row and saw a Janggu resting next to the chalkboard . A piano was on the other side of the board, and a Geomungo leaned against it . Eastern and western instruments came together harmoniously in that room . On the other hand, the newspaper spread about the middle of the room gave off a rather unorganized look . It suited the Newspaper Club members somehow . (TLs Note: Janggu: Traditional Korean drum . Geomungo: Traditional Korean Zither) Juho had never been interviewed in a place like that . Usually, it had taken place in high-end restaurants or luxurious offices, where the place provided for a suitable background for photos . Now, he was about to have his first interview in a messy, unorganized s.p.a.ce . Juho felt somewhat excited in antic.i.p.ation for the upcoming interview . Thanks for waiting! The fact that he was being interviewed by a monkey-like boy made Juho look forward to it all the more .