Translated by: ShawnSuh Edited by: SootyOwl Were open for business! The festival had officially started . Everyone in cla.s.s either went out or started working simultaneously . The hallway was flooded with people, some wearing other schools uniforms and others wearing ordinary clothes . The school would become even more crowded over time . Hey, lets go! Seo Kw.a.n.g tugged at Juhos arm . Since the Literature Club wasnt doing anything for the festival and neither of them had a role in their cla.s.s event, they had all the time in the world . Were stopping by Sun Hwa and Boms cla.s.s first, right? Its the closest . The two decided to look around the school leisurely . Each of the cla.s.srooms was decorated according to its theme . It was obvious that a lot of work had gone into it . The students who promoted their cla.s.ses with signs shouted all the louder . Though it was noisy, it was quite fun . Its here . Sun Hwa and Boms cla.s.s was decorated with an embroidered sign that read Flea Market . The tent-like appearance was quite eye-catching . They did a pretty good job . I know . Juho and Seo Kw.a.n.g went into the cla.s.sroom . There were stacks of items brought by each of the students . Quite a few people were looking around . Then, Juho saw Bom standing by the cash register . Hey! Hey, guys! she greeted them happily amid the business . Her hair was braided into two braids, giving her a cartoon-like appearance . Everyones wearing the same hairdo . Yeah . Isnt it clever? The boys decided to wear a hat . Everyone involved in helping out was dressed accordingly . The girls braided their hairs while the boys wore hats . It was a dress code of sorts . Youre buying something, right? Are you trying to have us do business with you? No way . Feel free to look around . Sun Hwas over there, Bom said with a smile . At that moment, she had to interact with an approaching student . Seeing how busy she was, Juho and Seo Kw.a.n.g moved on to Sun Hwa . Oh, hey! Youre here! she said as she waved her hand, her braided hair fluttering with it . Her hair had looked normal that morning . Hows business? Not bad . I told you itd work . The cla.s.sroom was rather crowded, even at a glance, and she seemed excited . While crouching, Seo Kw.a.n.g examined the items on display . Dolls, toy knives, clothes, jewelry, bowls, cups . There were all sorts of goods . There were also larger items, such as a chair or oversized stuffed animals in the corner of the cla.s.sroom . Whats that chair for? Its an endors.e.m.e.nt from the parents . Its new . Who would buy something like that? Though it looked comfortable, it was questionable if people would actually buy it . If no one buys it, we can always return it to the person who brought it . That sounds tiring . Well, it gives presence to the place . While Sun Hwa explained things about the chair, a voice sounded from behind, So, this is where the Literature Club is . Hi, Mr . Moon! Oh! Mr . James, youre here too! The two came to visit together, and Mr . Moons eyes fixed on the chair . What brings you here? Are you here to see us? No, I saw the chair in pa.s.sing . Its for sale, right? How much is it? He expressed interest in buying the chair . Despite Mr . Moons brutally honest answer, a bright smile spread across Sun Hwas face . At that moment, Seo Kw.a.n.g interjected, They dont do delivery . Dont you worry . Its for the science room . I was thinking about getting something more comfortable . For yourself? You can always get your own . Without hesitation, he reached for the chair . All eyes were on Mr . Moon as he spent his money boldly . Some chuckled while others cheered, and it was a major boost in their sales . Are you getting anything? Juho asked James in English . Im not sure . I feel like I should buy something while Im here, James answered in English and looked around . With a sincere hope of success for his friends, Juho suggested various items that were being sold, How about that tea set over there? Tea would be a lot easier to make . I have enough of tea sets . I got them as gifts . How about a book? This is a comic book, so it shouldnt be too difficult to read . Itll help with your Korean too . That seems better… Oh! That stuffed giraffe has a really long neck! he said as he went closer to get a better look . In the end, he joined Mr . Moon with a set of comic books in one hand and a small stuffed giraffe in the other . Staring in their direction from the cash register, Bom received their payment hastily . As he stepped back with a satisfied smile on his face, Juho felt piercing gazes coming from behind him . When he turned around, he saw Sun Hwa and Seo Kw.a.n.g standing shoulder to shoulder, staring daggers at him . I really sold him on the comic books . Sun Hwa furrowed her forehead at his calm att.i.tude . First, you create a new language, and now youre speaking fluent English as if the former wasnt enough . You really know everything there is to know about writing, dont you? How many languages do you speak, like ten? Twenty-three, give or take . . Am I supposed to believe that? So annoying! I know! Seo Kw.a.n.g agreed strongly, picking up a notebook . I cant stand it whenever hes reading something written in another language . I want to be able to do that! Im going to use this to learn words . That doesnt sound very innocent . Dont care! Listening to the two conversing, Juho too picked up a notepad . His old one was nearly used up . While telling him the price, Sun Hwa suggested they get chicken skewers on their way out . Is it good? Dont know . I havent tried it . At least youre honest . In the end, Juho and Seo Kw.a.n.g left the cla.s.sroom, each with a chicken skewer in their hand . Were going to Barons cla.s.s next, right? He said his cla.s.s chose a restaurant theme . They were making toast, werent they? I can probably eat this skewer in one bite, Seo Kw.a.n.g said . Juho agreed . It had been a while since the last time he had had a chicken skewer . As he took a bite, its sweet and savory flavor filled his mouth . Not bad . I feel like it tastes even better at school, doesnt it? The festival had a magical effect on food . It transformed the most ordinary food into a delicacy . Like Seo Kw.a.n.g said, it didnt take long for them to finish their skewers . Its been a while . We came here nearly every day at one point . We sure did . They had been the victims of a peculiar accusation at one point . Feeling mildly nostalgic, Juho stepped into the cla.s.sroom . Baron was sitting in the corner . With other students selling food, it didnt seem like he was needed immediately . Baron! Hey . Pff! Whats with your ap.r.o.n?! It was bright red, and one wouldnt have been able to tell if it had Kimchi broth splashed all over . Everyone else in the cla.s.s seemed to be wearing ordinary ap.r.o.ns . This is the only ap.r.o.n I could find at home . It suits you . I know, Baron said . There was a faint smile on his face . Youre each getting a toast, right? Of course! At that moment, a girl approached Baron from behind . Hey, Baron? Im running low on change, could you go get me some? Sure . Juho knew who that was, Sponge-Cake Girl . They seemed rather candid in their conversation . Upon locking eyes with her, Juho exchanged a brief greeting . Well, thats that . Enjoy your toast . Baron walked out of the cla.s.sroom with the ap.r.o.n still on him . Going into the kitchen surrounded by desks, the Sponge-Cake Girl got started on the toasts . Seo Kw.a.n.g and Juho took a seat, and each ordered a carton of milk and a piece of toast . From spicy to chocolate filled, there was quite an array of items in the menu . While Juho ordered an ordinary ham and cheese, Seo Kw.a.n.g made an adventurous decision to order the spicy option . Stuff like that will ruin your stomach . Hey, man! Dont you underestimate my stomach, Seo Kw.a.n.g said confidently . However, he ran out of the cla.s.sroom in no time after chugging three cartons of milk . Spicy! While his friend was gasping for breath, there was nothing Juho could do to help him in his suffering . I guess your stomach is a lot stronger than your tongue . Murmuring and looking around anxiously, Seo Kw.a.n.g rushed into the restroom . It was the consequence of overestimating his stomach . Expecting him to take a while, Juho sat himself on a chair in the hallway next to other visitors . At that moment, his pocket vibrated . It was a text message from Sung Pil . Long time no hear! He was visiting for the school festival . Without hesitation, Juho gave him a call . h.e.l.lo, Sung Pil answered in his distinct tone . When asked where he was, Sung Pil answered that he was in the school library . What are you doing in the library? Arent you visiting for the festival? I wanted to read your story . Juho blinked and thought, Did I ever tell him about my short story? While he was busy retracing his memory, Sung Pil said, I saw that you had an interview . You really sounded like an author . Again, Juho had no recollection of telling him about the interview, and Sung Pil went to the library after finding about it . Were you at the Newspaper Club? No . They were pa.s.sing out newspapers at the entrance . Juho immediately pictured the monkey handing out newspapers . I see, so you read about it, huh? How do you like short story? Im yet to read it . Im still waiting in line . In line? Yes . The person in front of me is taking a while, especially with yours . In terms of length, Juhos story was the shortest of the three . Yet, the fact that it took time to read showed just how intently it was being read . Juho felt grateful to the mysterious reader . I see that youre not the only person going to the library in the middle of a school festival . The interview really got me interested . It seems like people come here to take a breather too . Just as Juho was sitting in the hallway, there were also chairs in the library . Because it was a quiet place filled with books, it was a rather suitable resting area . Do you need a guide? Its OK . Im sure youre busy . Im just going to read Grains of Sand before I go . Remind me, why are you here? Im visiting, Sung Pil gave him an obvious answer . Juho was used to it by then . Seeing Seo Kw.a.n.g walking out of the restroom while drenched in sweat, Juho said goodbye to Sung Pil on the phone . Well, have fun . Will do . After hanging up, Juho walked toward Seo Kw.a.n.g . He seemed like he had just washed his face . Thankfully, he seemed to feel a little better . Im going to recommend that to Sun Hwa, Seo Kw.a.n.g said as he rubbed his belly . Cmon now . Dont be that guy . Its a flavor that I couldnt keep to myself, he murmured, and asked, Is there anywhere else we can go? He still intended on enjoying the day . Pondering for a brief moment, Juho pointed toward the stairs . There was some unintended business upstairs, and Seo Kw.a.n.g quietly followed him . When they arrived, there was no one around . It was a stark contrast to the floor under it . Are people not coming up here at all? I guess not . No ones here . Well, I guess it makes sense considering that its almost entirely an exhibition . Seo Kw.a.n.g looked around . There was a music room, where the Art Club was having an exhibition . It looked like an art-museum . Walking past the music room, they reached yet another room . The Photography Club? So this is where theyre having their exhibition, Seo Kw.a.n.g said as he looked around . Are we here to look at photos? Yep . Juho walked toward the photos about the size of a B4 sheet of paper over a black background . Each of them was labeled with t.i.tle and the photographers name and picture . The place was quiet and secluded . Even the excited clamoring from the floor beneath it couldnt penetrate the silence in that room . His footsteps echoed throughout the room with his every step . Haha! This ones funny . Look at the frog . Having walked ahead, Seo Kw.a.n.g called for Juho, who realized that his friend had found the photo hed been looking for . I guess it makes sense that it made an old lady smile, Seo Kw.a.n.g said with his eyes fixed on the t.i.tle . That was the moment when it really shone, moving peoples hearts . But why is your name here? My name? Seo Kw.a.n.g pointed at the t.i.tle . Underneath it, was the name of the girl with the camera and Juhos name in parenthesis next to it, written in a slightly smaller point . t.i.tle helper: Juho Woo . Were you a t.i.tle helper? What is that? Seo Kw.a.n.g asked . Juho must have taken on the responsibility without even knowing . It was the girls way of thanking him . So, youre the one who came up with the t.i.tle, huh? I get it now . No, Im not . Youre not? Then, whats with t.i.tle helper? he asked again . Juho stared at the photo intently for a brief time . He became curious about whether the old lady got around to seeing the photo and smiled cheerfully . I dont know . Only the frog would know . --- While Seo Kw.a.n.g ran off to the restroom for the second time, Juho sat on the stairs alone . The crowded hallway came into view . There were even more people than earlier . Dark tent-like decorations mingled harmoniously with bright lights . Students in peculiar costumes or people in ordinary clothes were also visible . Juho rested his exhausted eyes . As he was leaning his head on the rail, he felt it vibrate . Slow, yet light footsteps sounded throughout the stairway . They were unhurried . By the time the footsteps completely faded away, Juho took out his new notepad . After all, a girl who believed in destiny was bound to have a destiny-like encounter .