Chapter 16 - A New Challenge (1/2)
Back when she was in high school, Su-Jin had to draw a picture for a history project. After finishing the painting, she showed it to her brother in hopes to receive praise. Instead, he simply laughed his head off.
Ever since that day, he wouldn't stop teasing her about it. It almost caused Su-Jin to have PTSD whenever she had to do anything remotely similar.
”Shut up!” Su-Jin retorted angrily, poking the rice with her chopsticks. ”What does it matter that I cannot draw? Don't I still have eyes? As such, I can still have an opinion about it. Are all those art critics talented painters?”
Su-Jin finished speaking with a huff, filling her mouth with rice and soup. She continued to mutter under her breath, but no one could understand what she was saying.
Mi-Suk, who already knew about Su-Jin's trauma, gave her best friend a sympathetic look.
”Su-Jin is right. She can let me know if the images look nice or if there is a certain something that is missing. A viewer's perspective is also necessary if I want to ensure the webtoon will be well-received. Especially since she doesn't have the talent, Su-Jin can better evaluate the story.”
”What's the story about?” Su-Jin asked, shooting her brother threatening looks, which he disregarded entirely.
”It's a love story between a programmer and a painter.” Mi-Suk replied, a bright expression settling on her lips. ”At first, I thought they wouldn't like the concept, but my boss said it's pretty fresh, and to give it a try. If he likes the first two chapters, then he will expect the rest of them by the end of next month.”
”Will they publish it on the website?” Min-Jun piped up, finally ending the silent war with his sister.
”Mhm.” Mi-Suk nodded and continued to speak in an excited tone. ”All the webtoons that appeared on that website became famous. I can't wait to see my drawings there.”
”You'll do great, I am sure.” Su-Jin said, giving her friend a reassuring smile.
”Thanks.” Mi-Suk returned the smile bashfully.
”But did it really have to be a love story?” Min-Jun suddenly piped up in his maddening, all-too-serious tone.
His face was straight, and his expression lacked any meaning. Whenever he was like that, no one knew if he was joking or actually speaking seriously.
”Oh, ignore this one. It's not the first time he says something like this.” Su-Jin snapped, frowning at her brother. ”It's like he has something personal against love stories. Did someone wrong you, Min-Jun, and we don't know about it?” she threw at him with a huff of frustration.
To her surprise, both her brother and best friend choked on their food at the same time.
Su-Jin paused, looking from one to the other. Then, her eyes widened in surprise. Coincidences could surely happen, but there was something particular in the way Min-Jun glanced at Mi-Suk, that made Su-Jin think further. After all, sometimes reality could reach beyond the possibility of an accident.
However, any suspicions she might have entertained, had immediately vanished. It couldn't be that. Surely she was mistaken.
The three of them spent the rest of their dinner in silence. Afterwards, Min-Jun went upstairs to his room to study, while the two young women retreated into the living room to watch a drama. It was a favorite pastime of theirs. Su-Jin preferred the historical romance stories about the Goryeo or Joseon period, while Mi-Suk favored the modern-day plots.