27 Chapter 27 - A Harsh, Bitingly Cold Winter 2 (1/2)
Translated by: ShawnSuh
Edited by: SootyOwl
”It was around here somewhere.”
Juho was lost. He had to leave in a hurry because of a last-minute plan. Though he managed to get to the vicinity of the publishing district, the sheer number of book cafes around made it difficult to find the meeting place, so he took out his phone to ask Nam Kyung for directions.
He followed the directions on the phone and went into an alley.
”Hey, I'm here!”
Nam Kyung was waving his hand in front of a building. It was a cafe where the front was made entirely of glass. The blue sign met Juho's eyes.
”I didn't think you'd ask me to come out so soon.”
”Mr. Uhm is a man of action.”
'Right.' Juho was able to tell from how he had asked for a meeting.
He and Nam Kyung went into the cafe. The books inside caught his eyes. That book cafe was putting more emphasis on the book aspect than others. It had to be because it was within the publishing district.
Looking around, Juho found a man who looked to be in his thirties. He was sitting with a straight posture, writing. He was focused. The blank expression on his face gave off a slightly rigid impression.
'That must be him, Dong Gil Uhm.'
As expected, Nam Kyung walked toward the man.
”Mr. Uhm, this is Yun Woo.”
At Nam Kyung's voice, the man stopped his hand and slowly raised his eyes to Juho's face. Then, he stared intently for a little while and said, ”How you doin', sir.”
Although Juho was much younger, Dong Gil Uhm greeted him with respect. Juho said hello and told him not to worry about having to be polite. Dong Gil accepted without saying much else. He really was a man of action.
”I'm Juho Woo. I'd prefer Juho rather than Yun Woo.”
”Sure.”
Nam Kyung suggested ordering something to drink, and all three decided on hot americanos.
”They sell cakes by the slice. Would you like one?”
”I'll eat gratefully.”
With a satisfied smile, Nam Kyung ordered two slices of cake. Dong Gil Uhm had respectfully declined Nam Kyung's offer because he was not into sweets. Soon, the cakes and americanos came out. Juho ate his cake while Nam Kyung caught up with Dong Gil. Everything was delicious.
Once they finished, Dong Gil turned his eyes to Juho. Juho took that as a cue and started a conversation.
”I've heard you were curious about my looks.”
Dong Gil admitted, ”Yes. I was surprised at how young you were. Now that I see you in person, you do look your age. I enjoyed your work quite a bit.”
Juho thanked him with a smile. It felt pretty good to be complimented by a famous author who had written several best-selling books. He would probably continue to write more in the future.
”I've read quite a bit of your books myself.”
”Is that right? I figure they might've been a little serious for a student.”
That was true. Dong Gil's books were definitely more serious, perhaps to a fault. However, Juho preferred such books.
”I'm also a fan of Hemingway.”
Dong Gil's rigid face loosened up a bit.
”Hemingway is a great author. He's in my list of things that I clearly like. I have it in my notepad.”
Juho blinked for a second. 'Clearly what?'
”What's in that list?”
”It's a list of things that I clearly like.”
It was just as he said. Juho thought of his first encounter with Dong Gil when he walked into the cafe and asked, ”So, were you working on that list before I got here?”
”That was a journal.”
He wrote quite a bit. It explained why he was an author.
”Isn't it a little early for journaling?”
”It's my journal, so I decide when I write it.”
He had a point. Among authors, there were some who were in the habit of journaling. In the case of Dong Gil, his rigid expression and journaling made for an interesting concoction. It suited him well. 'A man in his thirties who journals, how unique!'
'Besides, what's with that list?' Juho had never heard of such a list. 'Why is he writing a list like that?'
”What makes you write a list like that?”
”I wanted to know what I clearly like.”
”Do you like things to be clear-cut?”
”Whether I like or dislike something is besides the point here. I'm just trying to get to know myself better.”
Juho was reminded of the old saying 'know thyself.'
”Are you into Socrates?”
”I don't dislike him.”
It seemed like Dong Gil was much more unusual than Juho had imagined.
During a brief pause in their conversation, Juho took the opportunity to take another bite of his cake, and Dong Gil brought his cup to his mouth.
”Do you remember your very first Hemingway experience?” Dong Gil asked.
Juho took some time to think until the cake in his mouth had slid past the back of his tongue. It didn't take much to remember his first experience with Hemingway's unique style, and he remembered being amazed by it.
”It was a short-story called ”The Killers.””
”That one's particularly hard-boiled.”
”I know. That's why I remember it so distinctly. I had never come across a book with such little emotional description.”