Translated by: ShawnSuh Edited by: SootyOwl Indigestion, huh? Juho knew that Hyun Do wasnt simply referring to a stomach problem . What would happen if I couldnt digest my own emotions anymore? Would I last? If the organs in my body stopped working one by one and I became incapable of perceiving any emotion, would I still be able to write? The likely answer would have to be, No . Dont be too scared . Juho looked up at the sound Hyun Dos voice . He wore a warm smile and said, Youre different . Youre not like that fool . Huh? Earlier, I said I was puzzled about your book, right? Juho remembered the conversation that had briefly gone astray in which Hyun Do had said that he had been puzzled by Juhos new book . I think Im starting to get it now, Hyun Do continued . Get what? You must be a light eater . All it takes to fill you up is a handful of food . It gives you the energy you need to write . That had been how Juho had been able to write a new book in such a short time . Juho looked at Hyun Dos nearly-empty plate . He was right . More so than others, Juho was able to spend the energy and able to fill his stomach up just as quickly . He was able to find emotions faster, enabling him to write more often . You do seem to be greedy about food . Because of his greedy side, he had stored up the food that he hadnt gotten to eat at his house . Hyun Do was incredibly accurate . As long as you chew your food, youll be fine . How was Mr . Wol Kang? Juho asked before realizing it . He didnt know what it meant to be efficient . He would cause all kinds of ruckus when he was trying to fill his stomach . He wasnt the type to think about consequences, so he ate recklessly . Light eating was far from his lifestyle, Hyun Do said with a chuckle . Juho became unbearably curious about him . He was dying to meet him . If possible, he was even willing to ask Hyun Do . Unfortunately, Wol Kang was no longer around . Even if Juho had asked for it, Hyun Do wouldnt have been able to help . However, as an author, there was a way - to write . As long as I stay active as an author, Ill eventually get to meet him on paper, Juho thought . He was dying to know more about him . Despite how Juho had been feeling, the meal was nearing its end . With the exception of a few pieces of tomato, there was nothing left . As if he had been taking Juhos pace into consideration, Hyun Do, too, had nearly finished his food . Three pieces . At that sight, Juho thought of a couple of things to talk about . What do you think about the number three? Juho asked, and Hyun Do looked up at him . I happen to have three pieces of tomatoes left on my plate, he explained . Despite the light-hearted subject, Hyun Do answered with a smile . He was growing fond of the young author who wasnt afraid to talk to him, The number three, huh? Its a number easy to give significance to . How so? Hyun Do took his dishes and shook them lightly . It was more than enough to catch Juhos attention . Earth is the third planet in the solar system, and we eat three meals throughout the day . Pork belly is a wonderful thing, added Juho . There are three medals in the Olympics . The first three get a medal . You stay in high school for three years . (TLs note: In Korea, high school lasts for three years whereas elementary school spans six . ) Korea was labeled a third-world country after the war . It was also divided into three nations at one point in history . Also the current government is divided into three major branches . Legislative, Executive, and the Judicial . Separation of Powers . It had been fun and informative, but now, it was Juhos turn . He thought of a person who immediately came to mind when thinking about the number three . Do you happen to know Joon s...o...b..ng? He was an author who had a habit of gathering luck by tapping things three times . He was also very considerate toward others . He used to be one of Yun Seos pupils . I believe hes an author now . I saw him a few days ago . He loves the number three . He did have an odd habit . Hyun Do must have known . Of course, considering how sharp Hyun Do was, it would have been odd if he hadnt . Hes just the kind she would like . He was referring to Yun Seo, and after seeing the curiosity in Juhos eyes, Hyun Do added, Joon Soo loves people . Its apparent in the way he writes . Affectionate, but delicate at times . Right . Learn to like people who are rough around the edges in a way . That would mean that youre learning to love humanity in its entirety . n.o.bodys perfect after all . Thats right . Just like how theres no such a thing as a perfect sentence . Juho thought about Yun Seos pupils . Geun Woo, he wore a depressed look at all times, regretting on a daily basis . Joon Soo, he was somewhat obsessed with the number three . In that case, did that mean that Juho, who Yun Seo had grown fond of, was rough around the edges in some way? It was likely . After all, he too was a person . That also applied just as much to Hyun Do, who was a figure of respect for all authors . From that point of view, perfection didnt seem all that desirable . If anything, Juho no longer wanted to be a perfect person . With that, he picked up one of the pieces of tomato that had made a perfect triangle and put it in his mouth . Another subject came to mind about the number three . Theres also the three brothers from The Mirror . The three brothers who the old man had peeked at . The eldest had been greedy and foolish, coming up with rules that only worked to his advantage . Though the two younger brothers complained, the eldest didnt budge . When he lost even with the rules that gave him an advantage, he didnt hesitate to contradict himself . In such a hypocritical world, the two younger brothers werent the only people who were unhappy . In the end, the eldest gets ostracized by his two brothers . Just as the old man wanted . Hyun Do nodded quietly . Then, he loses his family . As he celebrated the misfortune of the eldest of the three in his heart, the old man received a phone call, announcing his solitude . There was no longer anyone around him to listen to him, except for himself in the mirror . It was merciless, said Juho . Cruel . He had wanted someone to show mercy to both the eldest of the three and the old man . Because he had been so emotionally invested in the old man, Juho always became immersed in those feelings . Hm . The creator who had been responsible for such a merciless story was sitting peacefully in front of him . While were at it, Id like to hear your interpretation, said Hyun Do, his eyes filled with interest . Where is it? It was the old mans monologue . At the end of the book, the old man asked himself . Where is it? He was asking for his location . It signified his ident.i.ty being shaken to the core . The book came to its unfortunate end without getting into too much detail about how things turned out for the old man . What happened to the old man afterwards? Juho had asked himself . Ever since his first read of Hyun Dos book, he had expected the demise of the old man . Taking a fork, he mushed the two remaining pieces of tomato . Its juices gushed out . Im a.s.suming he died . Why is that? Hyun Do asked . People arent made to live in solitude . Did you ever think that another person might appear? I did . I even thought about him starting a new family after falling in love all over again, but I think thats a little sad . What would make it sad? The fact that the stubborn old man was disappearing . He kind of grew on me, so I wanted him to be around . If he couldnt die, then itd be better for him to live in his home alone . Dont you feel bad for the old man? That sounds kind of selfish, said Hyun Do, smiling . Juhos interpretation had no regards for the old mans point of view . However, starting a new family didnt seem like it would make the old man happy . Though he didnt have any basis for his thoughts, that had been Juhos understanding of the old man . Bringing the remaining pieces of tomato he had mashed up previously to his mouth, Juho said to Hyun Do, A reader gets the privilege of being selfish . Hyun Do admitted it with calm eyes, Now, should we get some dessert? With that, the meal came to an end . Having been excused, Juho made his way to the restroom . Talking with Hyun Do had been an odd experience . Though he had felt comfortable in the moment, in hindsight, he learned that he was rather worn out, which meant that he had spent a lot of energy trying to keep up with Hyun Do . Buzz, his phone rang as he washed his hands . It was a curious text from Seo Joong . As he was in the process of writing a quick reply, Juho remembered what Seo Joong had said about the restaurant, That place is well-known among authors . He had also told Juho that he might run into a famous author if he was lucky . As he walked out of the restroom, he secretely looked around the interior of the restaurant . Unfortunately, he couldnt see anything but the customers backs from where he was . He was about to quietly go back to his table, when… Im happy! A shout sounded from the ladies room . He stopped in his tracks at the sound of the excited voice . OK . Ill be quiet, but really . I saw Mr . Hyun Do Lim! Id never met him in person before! Itd be rude to try to talk to him right? I want his autograph so bad! Please, stop me . The woman sounded rather excited . She had to be Hyun Dos fan . This world is worth living in after all . Are you jealous? Haha! I can think back to this day and write for at least a couple more years! It sounded like she was also a writer . Juho became curious about the kinds of things the woman wrote and decided to stick around a little longer to listen to her . But I didnt just see Mr . Lim . Was there another author here? Juho wondered as he tried look in the direction of his table . There was another person . Yes, its possible, but I never said it was anything weird . He was young too . Now, I cant just sit here and not think about this . She was talking about Juho . She cleared her throat . On the outside, he seemed to be a high school student . He came into the restaurant around eleven in the morning, and judging from his observant att.i.tude, it seemed to be his first time here . Madame Song seemed a lot more excited than usual, so he must be no ordinary guest . Besides, hes with Mr . Lim . Doesnt that paint a picture? Juho grew somewhat anxious . It felt like she was about to bring up the name Yun Woo . Suddenly, she stopped talking . Instead, she started to beg the person on the phone to listen . Hold on, Ill get to the point . So, the person Mr . Lim was with would be no other than…! No other than… His own family! Juho chuckled . Her reasoning had been less than impressive . Nope . Im not a family member . No matter how many times he repeated himself, it wouldnt have reached her . With that, Juho made his way back to the table . As he went into the private room, he saw that the desserts had already come out - fresh fruit juice and herbal tea . The tea was in front of Hyun Do, while the cup of juice had been placed on Juhos side of the table . He took a sip of the juice . Because it had been blended with ice, it was rather refres.h.i.+ng . After having been in a somewhat heated situation, the juice also had a calming effect on him . He wondered if the silence between the conversations was Hyun Dos way of providing a place for him to rest . He took another refres.h.i.+ng sip .