221 One Star 2 (1/2)
Translated by: ShawnSuh
Edited by: SootyOwl
(Editor's Note: We are going to change the Annular Award to the Nebula Award. Every piece of information aside from the name of that specific award within the novel is based on reality, so to keep everything consistent, we are changing the award's name to its real name. We'll also go back and change the previous chapters to reflect that, but it might take a few days before that happened. Again, we don't think it was a mistranslation on our part, and we don't have access to the author to check, but seeing as how everything else kept its real name, we'll move forward with the award's real name as well.)
”The Nebula Award Ceremony Finally Draws Its Curtains! Who Will Win? Will Yun Woo Attend the Ceremony?”
”No Response from the Publishers. Where Is Yun Woo Now? The Nebula Award Ceremony Set to Take Place on the 16th in Texas. Authors from All Across the Globe Coming Together.”
”The Nebula Award, The New Sensation. No Cash Prize? The Significance and Meaning of the Award. What Are Some of the Novels That Were Imported and Translated?”
”Yun Woo. Will He Become the First Asian, First Korean, and Youngest Winner of the Nebula Award? The Significance Behind the Records He Would Set.”
”The International Media Focuses on Yun Woo. What Would It Mean for Him to Win the Nebula Award? In Tonight's News: An Interview with an American Celebrity Book Critic.”
”Why 'Language of G.o.d?' The Internationally Recognized Novel and Its Message to the World. What Was Yun Woo Trying To Tell Us?”
”Linguists Speak on the Languages within 'Language of G.o.d' and Find That It More Than Qualifies for the Award. The World Recognizes the Young Author's Incredible Potential and Talent.”
”A Congratulations from Yun Woo's Fellow Authors. 'We Don't Know If He'll Attend the Ceremony or Not.'”
”A Sincere Congratulatory Message from Myung Joo Mu, the Star of Chungmuro, to Yun Woo Draws Ma.s.sive Attention. 'I'm a Fan.' The Star's Relations.h.i.+p with Yun Woo.”
”Will Yun Woo Get the Honor of Being the First Asian Winner? Yun Woo's Chances of Winning the Nebula Award According to the Fans and Critics Overseas. His Disadvantages?”
”The Birth of the Genius Author from a Small Country in Asia. How Did It Happen? The Power of Korean Novels? Fans in China and j.a.pan React.”
”The Show Must Go On! The Nebula Award Said to Take Place As Planned While 'Sublimation' Remains Controversial. Winner Announced Tomorrow.”
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The day was the sixteenth of the month. Kelley Coin had come to a three-star hotel for the Nebula Award ceremony, located in Northern Texas, on Yun Woo's behalf. The hotel was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with people and cars, and a slew of cameramen sent by a number of different media was filming the hotel from the distance. Surrounded by gray and brown walls, along with windows that reflected the sky rather than revealing the interior of the rooms, the building was somewhat ma.s.sive, but with nothing impressive to show for.
After taking a break in the hotel room reserved for him, Coin headed out of his room to go for a walk. Then, he returned around the time the ceremony would start with a cup of coffee in hand. Meanwhile, Isabella, his editor, stared fiercely at him. However, without a trace of remorse or regret, Coin went on to make all sorts of unreasonable demands, from wanting to see the restroom on every floor of the building to pressing every possible b.u.t.ton in the elevator, to looking at a painting in the hallway and trying to deliver a spontaneous speech on how unsavory of a forgery it was, to waving his empty hands and insisting on returning to his room just to get his coffee, to refusing to wear a name tag and pretending to be traumatized by a mere scratch, completely unlike himself.
”You committed to this. Please, practice some self-control.”
”Yep. You see, it turns out that p.r.i.c.k was keeping track.”
”Then, do what you need to pay him back.”
”What's the hurry? There's still time.”
”Are you even aware that the ceremony has already started!?”
”C'mon, now. It's not like this is our first or second time here. The VIPs should still be delivering their speeches by now.”
Then, ignoring what the author said, Isabella urged him, ”Just be quiet and hurry up!”
The presenter working the crowd in the event before the name Yun Woo got called out; the crowd shouting and cheering with joy, wanting to share the moment with the winner, but to no avail as the winner never turned up. Imagining it all taking place, Isabella led the way.
”If I may, I'd like to second that request as well,” Nabi, dressed in black, formal attire for the occasion, said politely. Then, after looking briefly at her, Coin continued on his way. Nabi checked her phone and saw that it was exploding with text messages from the anxious officials of the Dong Baek Publis.h.i.+ng Company, who had all already arrived.
”This way!”
”Bah, maybe this was a mistake. If I don't get the awards, then I will have come here for no reason. I think I feel like going home all of a sudden.”
”Ha! That sounds good. I could use the tea time with Susan right about now.”
”Don't be childish now.”
”I'm afraid I'm not the one with that problem.”
Nabi had been fed up with Coin's temper long ago. Upon exchanging an awkward glance with Isabella, the unfortunate editor whispered to Nabi that the author was much worse than usual. To which, Nabi nodded. From the never-before-seen environment to being in a city that she had never been to, everything was new and overwhelming to her.
”Coin, do NOT forget that you're representing another author today,” Isabella warned him in a heavy tone, and Coin walked without giving her an answer. The hall was already br.i.m.m.i.n.g with people, most of them from famed publis.h.i.+ng companies, magazines, or agencies, including those from Fernand. However, Coin walked right past them, unimpressed and unhindered.
”Oh, my! Is that Kelley Coin?”