Chapter 79 (1/1)

Chapter 79

Translated by: ShawnSuh Edited by: SootyOwl While reading it casually, the uneasiness of the book wasn't all that apparent . Like an actor who was lost in his character, its emotions were raw and uncontrolled . As he was about to open the book to its first page, he heard a voice, ”It's here! 'The Sound of Wailing!'” When he glanced over, there were a boy and a girl who looked to be elementary students . The girl seemed to be delighted that she had found the 'The Sound of Wailing . ' Juho set aside his thoughts and focused his ears . ”This book is lit! You should read it!” ”What's so great about it?” The boy asked apathetically . ”You know Yun Woo, don't you? It's his new book . ” ”Oh, yeah, I've heard that name . I heard he's in high school . ” ”He's my favorite writer . I read it as soon as it came out . You should too . I recommend it . ” ”Why me? I hate books . ” ”You'll cry like a baby after you read it . ” The boy sneered . ”Pff! I've never cried from reading . ” ”I hadn't either, until I read this one . ” In the end, the girl had won the argument, and the boy quietly listened to her, still looking indifferent . ”Yun Woo is a real genius . I want to be just like him . I thought no book would be as perfect as 'The Trace of a Bird,' but this new book changed my mind . ” Hearing such praise from an elementary student, Juho couldn't help but feel worried . 'That book probably isn't appropriate for kids her age…' ”What do you like about it so much?” ”I don't want to live like this person . ” ”What?” The boy asked as he looked at her dumbfoundedly . ”When I grow up, I want to raise my child with everything I've got . I'll never smoke . I'll ask for help when I need it and I'll give it when a person asks for it . ” ”What does any of that have to do with what I just asked?” ”That's what I like about it . I like that it helps me understand what I want to do in the future,” she said as her eyes sparkled . ”I felt the same way after reading 'The Trace of a Bird . ' I decided I wanted to be a writer, so I went to the store and bought a notebook that same day . It hadn't even crossed my mind before . Writing was just boring to me, but I changed my mind after reading that book . Yun Woo is amazing . I want to be just like him . ” ”I didn't understand a word of what you've just said,” the boy said as he gave her the same dumbfounded look . ”Well, my mom gave me some money for books . I'm hungry, can we get some food?” ”OK, I'll tell you more as we eat . ” With that, the two walked out of the bookstore . Juho thought as he tried to tame his excitement, 'I guess visiting the bookstore from time to time isn't all that bad . ' He looked at the two kids who were on their way out . They were both short, and the boy was even shorter than the girl . Perhaps it was around their age when readers were capable of maintaining the purest perspective toward what they read . Being a young reader had its advantages, especially when it came to looking forward to the future rather than the experience described in the book . From then on, many people visited the bookstore and bought Juho's book . At one point, there was a lady with colorful nails and jewelry that sparkled all the more on the gray background . At another, there was another hand that was wrapped in bandages and a person who was covered in dust . Some were in suits with their employment IDs around their neck . Some s.n.a.t.c.hed the book without even examining it, whereas a boisterous group of high school girls took copies of the book in a bundle . Then, a woman who seemed to be a university student read through the first few pages with her earphones on, placing it on top of a pile that she had in her hands . People of all ages, genders, nails, attires, appearances, and behaviors walked out of the bookstore with a copy of 'The Sound of Wailing . ' Juho looked at those people absent-mindedly . ”Sorry, sir . Pardon me . ” ”Of course . ” Juho moved aside for an employee with a cart filled with 'The Sound of Wailing . ' When Juho turned his eyes back to the display rack, most of the books piled up on it were already gone . As lunch hour approached, the bookstore became all the more crowded . There were long lines in front of the cas.h.i.+ers . As Juho looked at the crowd, he took a step back . ”Excuse me,” said a familiar voice . However, it wasn't directed toward Juho . It sounded like it had come from near the display rack . Juho slowly turned his head to find out who the voice belonged to . ”Pardon me . ” There was a distinct politeness in the man's tone . By the the time his hand reached for the gray book, Juho was standing right behind him . As he was about to walk toward the cas.h.i.+er, his eyes met Juho's . ”Ah! Didn't expect to see you here . ” Juho greeted him . The man's thick eyebrows furrowed . ”Are you here to buy the book too?” he asked . Juho shook his head as he showed him his empty hands . ”I'm just stopping by . Seems like you've already found what you were looking for?” ”Yep . 'The Sound of Wailing . ' It's Yun Woo's next book . I have to get one . ” ”I don't think you necessarily ”have to . ”” ”It'll help me catch up to him sooner . ” Juho had forgotten about that . Sung Pil had a strong sense of rivalry toward Yun Woo . ”You've already bought a copy, right?” he asked with a serious expression . Juho answered after a brief time thinking, ”No, not quiet . ” 'I didn't buy it, but I did get a copy from the publis.h.i.+ng company,' he said to himself internally . Sung Pil's thick eyebrows twitched once again . ”So, are you here to buy one?” ”Didn't I say that I was just stopping by?” ”Well, you should read it . You write too . ” ”Eh, it's fine . There are plenty of authors who are better than Yun Woo . ” ”Then, I'll lend you mine after I read it . How does that sound?” Something didn't quite add up, which was a frequent occurrence in their conversations . ”You won't regret it,” Sung Pil finished . He must have missed the phrase written on the binding in thick letters, 'Are you prepared for regrets?' With a chuckle, Juho asked Sung Pil, ”You don't have to . Why don't we go grab a bite to eat?” He nodded while maintaining his serious expressions . ”Sounds good . I was starting to get hungry . ” ”I'll be outside . You take your time,” said Juho as he made his way out through the crowd while Sung Pil got in line . After walking into a snack shop nearby, the two sat themselves at a table . With two cups of water in his hands, Sung Pil asked, ”Would you mind if I start reading the book now?” He was referring to 'The Sound of Wailing . ' After a brief thought, Juho shook his head . ”What am I supposed to do?” With a disappointed look, Sung Pil set his book aside . Looking at the disappointment on his face, Juho felt the urge to give in, but wasn't used to someone reading his book before his eyes . He poured the ice cold water into his mouth while trying to avoid making eye contact with Sung Pil as much as possible . As he put down his cup, the book somehow made its way into Sung Pil's hands . ”Why did you ask if you're going to read anyway?” ”Oh! I thought I should take a look while you were drinking your water . ” Juho chuckled at the sight of him closing the book and waved his hands in the air, saying, ”You know what? Just read it . ” ”Don't mind if I do,” he answered as he opened the book in a hurry and brought it close to his face . Sung Pil was reading Juho's book . After staring in his direction for some time, Juho turned his attention to the television . Unfortunately, it was only showing advertis.e.m.e.nts . The page turned . 'He's a fast reader,' Juho thought as he waited for the food . When he looked out of the window, he saw that there was a crowd of people going busily about their way . The new book had been released onto the world . Some bought the book while others read it . 'How long has it been since I felt this way?' he thought as he felt touched and hungry at the same time . 'Caw!' a black bird cried . He turned his eyes toward the sound . The bird sat precariously on a tree branch . At that, Juho thought of the bird in his book . There was a scene where the mother confesses to her son her experience of killing a bird . She tells her son that the bird had eventually come back to life . She tells that him the bird was now flying across the world with its wings spread out . In an ambiguous state, the son keeps the story to his heart, neither believing or disbelieving . Only he could know how a son who had witnessed the downfall of his own mother would turn out to be . Juho looked up at the branch . There was no bird . There was nothing but the sound of Sung Pil turning the pages of his book . Soon, the owner of the place brought the tteokbokki and soondae they had ordered . While taking out a pair of chopsticks, he called out for Sung Pil . He didn't respond . His eyebrows were furrowed even more . Juho picked up a piece of tteokbokki and brought it to his mouth . The spice was just right . ”This is good . ” His words lingered in the air, but Sung Pil paid no attention . Juho moved his hand toward the plate of soondae . ”The soondae's good too . ” He still didn't respond . Juho stared at him intently as he chewed . Sung Pil was fully immersed in Juho's book . He looked rather serious . Juho became curious as to which part he was reading . 'He's probably in the beginning still,' he thought . However, the downfall of the characters begun with the very first sentence of the book . It made sense for Sung Pil to be wearing such a serious expression . Even as Juho brought another piece of tteokbokki and soondae to his mouth, Sung Pil didn't take his eyes off of the book . 'I'm going to end up eating the whole thing at this rate,' thought Juho as he lightly kicked Sung Pil's foot . Sung Pil looked down sluggishly . ”What's the matter?” ”Somebody kicked me . ” ”I did . ” ”Huh?” Sung Pil answered as he finally looked up from his book . Juho added with another piece of tteokbokki in his mouth, ”Food came out . ” ” . . . Huh,” he said as he looked at the food on the table . ”Your concentration is impressive,” Juho said as he ate . With that, Sung Pil shook his head as his thick eyebrows twitched . ”No matter how good of a book I'm reading, I usually don't forget to eat . Normally, I'd have known right away . ” ”Not this time . Your concentration must've improved . ” ”No, it means that this book is that impressive . ” Juho blinked quietly . ”It really sucks you in . You can't afford to look away for one second,” said Sung Pil as he stroked the book . He seemed rather moved by it . ”Yun Woo really is incredible . ” Without words, Juho brought two more pieces of soondae to his mouth . ”If you're not going to eat, I'm going to finish this . ” Seeing how the amount of food had grown smaller, Sung Pill finally picked up his chopsticks . ”It was somewhat unexpected though,” Sung Pil said as he chewed his food . ”What was?” ”Yun Woo,” he said with his eyes fixated on the book . ”I didn't know he'd write something like this for his next book . ” ”Why is that?” ”It feels really different . ” Juho asked feeling a p.r.i.c.k in the heart, ” . . . How are they different?”

Translated by: ShawnSuh Edited by: SootyOwl While reading it casually, the uneasiness of the book wasnt all that apparent . Like an actor who was lost in his character, its emotions were raw and uncontrolled . As he was about to open the book to its first page, he heard a voice, Its here! The Sound of Wailing! When he glanced over, there were a boy and a girl who looked to be elementary students . The girl seemed to be delighted that she had found the The Sound of Wailing . Juho set aside his thoughts and focused his ears . This book is lit! You should read it! Whats so great about it? The boy asked apathetically . You know Yun Woo, dont you? Its his new book . Oh, yeah, Ive heard that name . I heard hes in high school . Hes my favorite writer . I read it as soon as it came out . You should too . I recommend it . Why me? I hate books . Youll cry like a baby after you read it . The boy sneered . Pff! Ive never cried from reading . I hadnt either, until I read this one . In the end, the girl had won the argument, and the boy quietly listened to her, still looking indifferent . Yun Woo is a real genius . I want to be just like him . I thought no book would be as perfect as The Trace of a Bird, but this new book changed my mind . Hearing such praise from an elementary student, Juho couldnt help but feel worried . That book probably isnt appropriate for kids her age… What do you like about it so much? I dont want to live like this person . What? The boy asked as he looked at her dumbfoundedly . When I grow up, I want to raise my child with everything Ive got . Ill never smoke . Ill ask for help when I need it and Ill give it when a person asks for it . What does any of that have to do with what I just asked? Thats what I like about it . I like that it helps me understand what I want to do in the future, she said as her eyes sparkled . I felt the same way after reading The Trace of a Bird . I decided I wanted to be a writer, so I went to the store and bought a notebook that same day . It hadnt even crossed my mind before . Writing was just boring to me, but I changed my mind after reading that book . Yun Woo is amazing . I want to be just like him . I didnt understand a word of what youve just said, the boy said as he gave her the same dumbfounded look . Well, my mom gave me some money for books . Im hungry, can we get some food? OK, Ill tell you more as we eat . With that, the two walked out of the bookstore . Juho thought as he tried to tame his excitement, I guess visiting the bookstore from time to time isnt all that bad . He looked at the two kids who were on their way out . They were both short, and the boy was even shorter than the girl . Perhaps it was around their age when readers were capable of maintaining the purest perspective toward what they read . Being a young reader had its advantages, especially when it came to looking forward to the future rather than the experience described in the book . From then on, many people visited the bookstore and bought Juhos book . At one point, there was a lady with colorful nails and jewelry that sparkled all the more on the gray background . At another, there was another hand that was wrapped in bandages and a person who was covered in dust . Some were in suits with their employment IDs around their neck . Some s.n.a.t.c.hed the book without even examining it, whereas a boisterous group of high school girls took copies of the book in a bundle . Then, a woman who seemed to be a university student read through the first few pages with her earphones on, placing it on top of a pile that she had in her hands . People of all ages, genders, nails, attires, appearances, and behaviors walked out of the bookstore with a copy of The Sound of Wailing . Juho looked at those people absent-mindedly . Sorry, sir . Pardon me . Of course . Juho moved aside for an employee with a cart filled with The Sound of Wailing . When Juho turned his eyes back to the display rack, most of the books piled up on it were already gone . As lunch hour approached, the bookstore became all the more crowded . There were long lines in front of the cas.h.i.+ers . As Juho looked at the crowd, he took a step back . Excuse me, said a familiar voice . However, it wasnt directed toward Juho . It sounded like it had come from near the display rack . Juho slowly turned his head to find out who the voice belonged to . Pardon me . There was a distinct politeness in the mans tone . By the the time his hand reached for the gray book, Juho was standing right behind him . As he was about to walk toward the cas.h.i.+er, his eyes met Juhos . Ah! Didnt expect to see you here . Juho greeted him . The mans thick eyebrows furrowed . Are you here to buy the book too? he asked . Juho shook his head as he showed him his empty hands . Im just stopping by . Seems like youve already found what you were looking for? Yep . The Sound of Wailing . Its Yun Woos next book . I have to get one . I dont think you necessarily have to . Itll help me catch up to him sooner . Juho had forgotten about that . Sung Pil had a strong sense of rivalry toward Yun Woo . Youve already bought a copy, right? he asked with a serious expression . Juho answered after a brief time thinking, No, not quiet . I didnt buy it, but I did get a copy from the publis.h.i.+ng company, he said to himself internally . Sung Pils thick eyebrows twitched once again . So, are you here to buy one? Didnt I say that I was just stopping by? Well, you should read it . You write too . Eh, its fine . There are plenty of authors who are better than Yun Woo . Then, Ill lend you mine after I read it . How does that sound? Something didnt quite add up, which was a frequent occurrence in their conversations . You wont regret it, Sung Pil finished . He must have missed the phrase written on the binding in thick letters, Are you prepared for regrets? With a chuckle, Juho asked Sung Pil, You dont have to . Why dont we go grab a bite to eat? He nodded while maintaining his serious expressions . Sounds good . I was starting to get hungry . Ill be outside . You take your time, said Juho as he made his way out through the crowd while Sung Pil got in line . After walking into a snack shop nearby, the two sat themselves at a table . With two cups of water in his hands, Sung Pil asked, Would you mind if I start reading the book now? He was referring to The Sound of Wailing . After a brief thought, Juho shook his head . What am I supposed to do? With a disappointed look, Sung Pil set his book aside . Looking at the disappointment on his face, Juho felt the urge to give in, but wasnt used to someone reading his book before his eyes . He poured the ice cold water into his mouth while trying to avoid making eye contact with Sung Pil as much as possible . As he put down his cup, the book somehow made its way into Sung Pils hands . Why did you ask if youre going to read anyway? Oh! I thought I should take a look while you were drinking your water . Juho chuckled at the sight of him closing the book and waved his hands in the air, saying, You know what? Just read it . Dont mind if I do, he answered as he opened the book in a hurry and brought it close to his face . Sung Pil was reading Juhos book . After staring in his direction for some time, Juho turned his attention to the television . Unfortunately, it was only showing advertis.e.m.e.nts . The page turned . Hes a fast reader, Juho thought as he waited for the food . When he looked out of the window, he saw that there was a crowd of people going busily about their way . The new book had been released onto the world . Some bought the book while others read it . How long has it been since I felt this way? he thought as he felt touched and hungry at the same time . Caw! a black bird cried . He turned his eyes toward the sound . The bird sat precariously on a tree branch . At that, Juho thought of the bird in his book . There was a scene where the mother confesses to her son her experience of killing a bird . She tells her son that the bird had eventually come back to life . She tells that him the bird was now flying across the world with its wings spread out . In an ambiguous state, the son keeps the story to his heart, neither believing or disbelieving . Only he could know how a son who had witnessed the downfall of his own mother would turn out to be . Juho looked up at the branch . There was no bird . There was nothing but the sound of Sung Pil turning the pages of his book . Soon, the owner of the place brought the tteokbokki and soondae they had ordered . While taking out a pair of chopsticks, he called out for Sung Pil . He didnt respond . His eyebrows were furrowed even more . Juho picked up a piece of tteokbokki and brought it to his mouth . The spice was just right . This is good . His words lingered in the air, but Sung Pil paid no attention . Juho moved his hand toward the plate of soondae . The soondaes good too . He still didnt respond . Juho stared at him intently as he chewed . Sung Pil was fully immersed in Juhos book . He looked rather serious . Juho became curious as to which part he was reading . Hes probably in the beginning still, he thought . However, the downfall of the characters begun with the very first sentence of the book . It made sense for Sung Pil to be wearing such a serious expression . Even as Juho brought another piece of tteokbokki and soondae to his mouth, Sung Pil didnt take his eyes off of the book . Im going to end up eating the whole thing at this rate, thought Juho as he lightly kicked Sung Pils foot . Sung Pil looked down sluggishly . Whats the matter? Somebody kicked me . I did . Huh? Sung Pil answered as he finally looked up from his book . Juho added with another piece of tteokbokki in his mouth, Food came out . . Huh, he said as he looked at the food on the table . Your concentration is impressive, Juho said as he ate . With that, Sung Pil shook his head as his thick eyebrows twitched . No matter how good of a book Im reading, I usually dont forget to eat . Normally, Id have known right away . Not this time . Your concentration mustve improved . No, it means that this book is that impressive . Juho blinked quietly . It really sucks you in . You cant afford to look away for one second, said Sung Pil as he stroked the book . He seemed rather moved by it . Yun Woo really is incredible . Without words, Juho brought two more pieces of soondae to his mouth . If youre not going to eat, Im going to finish this . Seeing how the amount of food had grown smaller, Sung Pill finally picked up his chopsticks . It was somewhat unexpected though, Sung Pil said as he chewed his food . What was? Yun Woo, he said with his eyes fixated on the book . I didnt know hed write something like this for his next book . Why is that? It feels really different . Juho asked feeling a p.r.i.c.k in the heart, . How are they different?