241 The Double Crown 2 (1/2)
Translated by: ShawnSuh
Edited by: SootyOwl
”Come again?” Nam Kyung asked, and Juho repeated what he had said slowly, ”I said I'm accepting Kelley Coin's invitation to go to the US.”
”Invitation to?”
”His house.”
”His house as in…”
”Yes, Coin's house.”
”You mean you're going to Kelley Coin's house!?”
”Yes.”
A slew of words came up in the editor's mind. 'But, what about school? This is so sudden. What about the ma.n.u.script that's being revised as we speak? The Hugo Award announcement is right around the corner.' However, what came out of his mouth had nothing to do with those thoughts in his mind.
”Are you going with somebody from Dong Baek Publis.h.i.+ng Company?”
”No. This is an informal invitation. It's personal.”
When Juho informed Jang Mi, her reaction hadn't been far from Nam Kyung's. Recently, Dong Baek Publis.h.i.+ng Company was experiencing a steady increase in their stock price as Juho was nominated for the Hugo Award and formally invited to Worldcon, making him the first Korean to be invited there. With the ma.s.sive festival that was Worldcon, where people would rent entire hotel buildings for different nations' delegations, Jang Mi was in a critical position. If things had been normal, Juho, too, would be there.
”Are you going with your parents?”
”No, I was planning on going by myself. It's not like I have trouble communicating with them or anything. Besides, Isabella told me that she'll come and pick me up.”
”It's a rough world out there. You're a VIP, Mr. Woo. Don't forget that,” Nam Kyung said, but his intention was obvious. As Juho pretended to be oblivious, the editor brought up what was in his mind plainly, ”I'll go with you as your guardian.”
It was obvious that he was desperate to take hold of the opportunity to visit Kelley Coin at his home.
”I don't know if that'd be necessary.”
”All right, fine. I wanna go too, OK?”
Before long, the editor spilled the truth. It wasn't rare for one to fly overseas when working for a publis.h.i.+ng company. In fact, Nam Kyung had made a trip to j.a.pan recently. Nevertheless, when it came to a matter regarding Yun Woo, who was essentially Korea's first, internationally acclaimed author, it only made sense that his publisher would prioritize the author. Nam Kyung explaining himself without even breathing, and needless to say, the young author had expected Nam Kyung to say those things from the moment he started talking.
”OK. The more the merrier, I guess.”
”Great! I'll take care of the plane tickets.”
”Oh, that won't be necessary. Isabella told me that she'll be covering for our flight.”
The editor was delighted to hear that. Then, he began to ask about the details shortly after.
”But, why the invitation all of a sudden?”
”So…”
Juho thought back to his phone call with Isabella. He had received the call right after arriving home from school. Though more timely, the call had left Juho puzzled initially, as it wasn't often that she called the young author personally. When he answered, he heard Isabella's brighter-than-usual voice.
”So, Mr. Coin wants to invite you to his house.”
It was simply out of the blue.
”Oh, uh… I appreciate it and all, but… why?”
'He probably wants to catch up with you.'
There was no way that Kelley Coin's editor-in-charge would say something like that. It was highly unlikely that Coin would invite someone to his house simply out of good will. Then, upon reading the young author's demeanor, Isabella started beating around the bush, ”As you already know, the Hugo Award Ceremony is just around the corner now.”
”Right. The convention is in August, I believe.”
”Right. And we, as in Mr. Coin and myself, will be attending the ceremony on your behalf. The convention is going to be held in Denver this year, and let me tell you, it's a beautiful place. It's really close to the Rocky Mountains. Although, it's a bit far from where we are.”
”... you're saying?”
”So, Mr. Coin is insisting on sharing this wonderful opportunity with you. Should you decide to come, we're willing to cover your plane ticket here,” she said quickly but precisely. Though she was speaking in a calm tone of voice, it was clear that even she knew how ridiculous her request was. Having grasped an idea of the situation through the conversation, Juho realized that the invitation was coming from a place of mischief, making Yun Woo endure hours and hours in an airplane.
It wasn't hard to imagine Coin throwing a tantrum, refusing to go to the ceremony. He had to have come up with plausible arguments. What a child would normally joke about, the infamous author would say wholeheartedly and carry it out. Meanwhile, Isabella was relaying the situation to the young author, all while avoiding speaking ill of the author she had worked with.
”You're not asking me to attend the ceremony myself by any chance, are you?”
”Oh, no. You don't have to worry about that, Mr. Woo.”
”Is he aware that I'm underaged?”
”He is, unfortunately.”
”Does he know that I'm in school, still?”
”Yes, he does.”
The Hugo Award Ceremony was going to take place after the break was over. As the young author pondered, Isabella added, ”You're more than welcome to decline, Mr. Woo.”
”I don't know…”
”There's always next time, like the winter break. Coin will understand that much.”
Then, after some brief contemplation, Juho said, ”I'll go.”
”What was that?”
”I'll just skip school for a few days. Gotta get my trophy. Although, there's no promise that I'm actually getting one.”
At that, Isabella answered by reflex, ”A lot of people consider you to be one of the most prominent candidates. Are you really coming though?”
”How can I not? I was invited by Coin.”
”Are you sure? You can always turn it down, you know,” she said, as if wanting him to for some reason. However, If anybody were to ask the young author if he would rather go to school or to the house of a world-renowned author, he wouldn't hesitate to choose the latter. On top of that, the fact that Juho was an author himself made the decision-making process even easier.
”Yes, I'm sure.”
”Thank you, Mr. Woo. I'm sure Coin will be delighted to hear this. I'll look in to that ticket right away,” she said quietly and hung up.
---
”The US?”
Juho swallowed the cold beverage that traveled up through the straw. It was sweet and delightful. Meanwhile, Seo Kw.a.n.g was giving him a dumbfounded look. Then, Juho nodded affirmingly.
”And you're going AFTER school starts? Aren't you a junior?”
Because he was attending summer school, Seo Kw.a.n.g was still in his uniform. His head hung low as the young author shrugged it off. His mother was behind him by the register, busy making drinks.
”You know what? It's Kelley Coin of all people. You have to go. I know I would. Who cares about school?” Seo Kw.a.n.g said. His fist shaking on the desk was telling Juho how he was really feeling.
”I'm so jealous,” Seo Kw.a.n.g said, adding quietly, ”Must be nice being Yun Woo.”