352 The Showdown 1 (2/2)
”Who has the advantage? I'm rooting for Yun Woo, personally.”
”I'm sure Coin has the upper hand since the ceremony is taking place in his home country. All the judges are English speakers too.”
”I don't think you know Coin as well as you think, my friend. There's a rumor circulating that he's gotten on the bad side of some important people in the literary world.”
”In terms of skills, though, I think this is gonna be a close match.”
”If we're speaking experience, Coin. All the way.”
”But look at Yun Woo's achievements, though. They surpa.s.s Coin by a margin.”
”Coin has fans all across the globe. In terms of c.u.mulative figures, Yun Woo still has a lot of catching up to do.”
”Really? You're bringing numbers into this?”
”Just look at the difference in their experiences. Numbers don't come up for no reason. I think it's fairer to judge between all other nominated books.”
”Yun Woo, for sure. n.o.body can possibly think otherwise after reading the new 'Language of G.o.d.'”
”Somebody hasn't read Coin's new book.”
”I read both, but I'm still on Team Yun Woo.”
”Comparing the two is tons of fun. Their personalities are polar opposites, and so are their writing styles. I just can't tell who's better, though. I think they both have something that's unique to their own.”
”What will the judges think?”
”Who knows? I think people are split over who's going to win. Even in American websites.”
”With the kinds of books they wrote, they both deserve to get that trophy!”
”They both qualify, for sure.”
”Well, somebody's gotta win, though.”
”That's just how awards work. They're both leading nominees for a reason.”
”People are debating over this all over the internet.”
”My friends and I are placing bets, too. Who'll win?”
”Whoever does, I hope they announce it soon. Are they gonna go on TV again anytime soon?”
”I was so intrigued by Yun Woo! I thought he was joking when he kept saying that there was no right answer. And two months later... Bam!”
”I'm still in awe about that! I don't know if it has to do with his language skills, but I have a feeling that his brain's developed to an unusual capacity.”
”That's the kind of author that wrote 'Language of G.o.d.' If Yun Woo doesn't get it, then who would?”
”Coin is definitely a formidable opponent, though.”
”I find it hilarious that Yun Woo's staying over at Coin's place. I wonder if they talk to each other and stuff.”
”Who'll come out on top?”
---
”Uh… That's mine.”
”We share this refrigerator. What's the point in distinguis.h.i.+ng who drinks what?”
”You already had yours,” Juho said, smacking his lips as Coin robbed him of his drink right before his eyes and just before leaving for Chicago.
”I bought you a new suit.”
”You do know that you've been using that as an excuse for a week now, right? It's not like I only buy those drinks for myself, and you can't even leave one for me?”
”It's for the suit.”
”I should've known better,” Juho said, sighing and drinking regular water instead. Coin had bought him a new suit to wear to the ceremony, calling it a ”gift.” However, it turned out that it came with all sorts of unspoken conditions, which reminded the young author that nothing was free in life.
”Are you guys leaving now?” Susan asked as she came out of her room. Although it was the day of the ceremony, neither Coin nor Juho seemed nervous.
”Yep.”
”All right. Have fun, you two.”
After greeting Susan in turn, the two authors went out the door and got in the car. Upon getting in, Juho glanced toward the back seat. Of course, the blood-red cover was nowhere to be seen. Then, as Coin got into the driver's seat and put the seatbelt on, Juho asked, ”Do you think it's possible to share an award?”
”It's not impossible. As far as I'm aware, it happened once sometime in the sixties.”
”Sixties, huh,” Juho said, chuckling.
”Which means, I'll probably end up winning,” Coin added calmly.
Whenever Coin spoke, Juho got a whiff of the drink Coin had taken away from him. Feeling slightly bothered, Juho rolled down the window, and the car started moving forward gently. Neither of them said anything. Then, by the time the cornfield appeared in front of their eyes, a phone started ringing.
”Your phone's ringing,” Juho said, looking at Coin's phone.
”Who is it?”
”Kings?” Juho said, reading the name on the screen out loud and turning to Coin, wondering if it was the same Kings he was thinking about. Clicking his tongue irritably, Coin signaled for Juho to answer the phone. At which point, Juho put the phone on speaker.
”What is it?” Coin asked, sounding annoyed for no apparent reason.
”I'm just calling to check in.”
Juho recognized the voice coming from the receiver of the phone, which made him realize that it really was the same person he had had in mind.
”You're calling to check in? You'll see me at the hotel whether you want to or not.”
”Well, knowing your tendencies, I had to be sure,” Kings said, and Juho nodded. As Coin grumbled annoyedly, Kings chuckled.
”Is Yun Woo with you?”
”Who wants to know?”
”Yes, I'm here,” Juho replied. After glancing over at him, Coin clenched his lips.
”Well, pleasure to talk to you! I was sad that we couldn't meet last time.”
”Likewise. It just kind of happened.”
”I'm sure we'll meet this time.”
”I'm looking forward to it, Mr. Kings.”
”Take care of Coin, will ya?”
”I'll do my best.”
At that moment, the phone grew silent. As Juho stared dazedly at the device, Kings said all of a sudden, ”Enjoy it while it lasts.”
”I'm sorry?” Juho asked as the formless voice lingered in the car like a ghost.
”Seems like something big is about to happen this year.”
Juho looked toward Coin, a.s.suming that he would know what Kings was referring to. However, Coin was also furrowing his brow, looking just as confused.
”What's that supposed to mean? What did you hear?”
”I hear all sorts of things on a daily basis. Though, I'm sure you two will be fine. Well, I'll see you two in Chicago. Seems like you're on the road, so I'll let you go,” Kings said, hanging up the phone.
”h.e.l.lo? Ugh! I swear. The old man hangs up on me every time,' Coin murmured. He remained himself even when talking to a legendary writer. Meanwhile, Juho looked out the window. The car was moving faster than before, and Juho was anxious to reunite with the people he was supposed to see in Chicago.