354 The Showdown 3 (1/2)
Translated by: ShawnSuh
Edited by: SootyOwl
”I feel kind of bad that we didn't bring anybody else out with us to eat,” Juho said on his way into the hotel.
”They can take care of themselves,” Coin added, snorting.
”You'd be surprised. People tend to hold grudges, especially when there's food involved.”
”It's just a kebab.”
Shrugging, Juho went into the hotel with Coin. Upon entering the lobby, they ran into Isabella, who was waiting for them.
”I can see that you took your time,” she said.
”We're not late.”
”Do me a favor, Kelley. Do NOT be late for the ceremony.”
”We'll see.”
Standing behind Coin, Juho wiped his mouth to make sure that it was clean. After glancing at Coin, Isabella asked, ”Did you guys eat something?”
'How did she know?' Juho thought.
”Kebabs,” Coin said, and a dumbfounded look appeared on the editor's face. She seemed to be flabbergasted that Coin would go out for a kebab just before an award ceremony that was taking place at a five-star hotel. Looking toward Juho, she asked, ”You too, Mr. Woo?”
”We were gonna bring you some, but the truck left us before we had the chance.”
Isabella laughed cheerfully at the young author's reply, which was something Coin would never say. Seeing as she was alone, Juho asked, ”Where are the others?”
”They're coming. Ah! There they are.”
Juho saw Jang Mi walking toward them with Nabi and Dong Baek in the distance. However, something didn't seem right. They all looked somewhat tense. To be more precise, they all looked quite serious. When Juho saw that there was another person walking toward him with the three, the look on their faces started to make sense. Recognizing the person, Juho poked Coin on the side. Although appearing irritated initially, Coin hesitated upon recognizing the certain person in the distance.
”It's that old man,” Coin said, clicking his tongue irritably.
”Mr. Kings,” Isabella murmured. Kings was attending the ceremony as the presenter of the award. Meanwhile, spotting Juho in the distance, Nabi let out a sigh of relief. As the four drew closer, Juho stared at Kings dazedly.
”There you are.”
Kings seemed much more clear-cut than in the picture in his books. Juho had only seen pictures of him while the author had been on trips. Seeing him in his suit in an urban setting made Kings seem more like a businessman than an author. It was astonishing how much impact the surrounding environment had on a person's appearance. Then, Juho became curious as to how he would appear to Kings.
”We finally meet, Mr. Woo,” Kings said, initiating a handshake. Juho grabbed his hand by reflex. Kings had quite a grip. ”My, you're even better looking in person!”
”Thank you.”
”I enjoyed your new book.”
Juho had had conversations similar to that a number of times by that point. However, now that he was talking to another author, it felt like a completely different conversation.
”You don't seem nervous at all, Mr. Woo,” Kings said, and Juho smiled for no apparent reason. Kings seemed to know what had happened between Juho and Coin prior to the ceremony.
”I believe you and Coin reached a consensus a while ago?”
As Juho stared at him quietly, Kings added, standing straight, ”I also happen to have a similar experience. What really matters, though, is in the heart, don't you agree? The moment I read my opponent's work, that's when I realized that I'd lost.”
”And who did you lose to?” Juho asked.
As Kings smiled at the young author's question, Coin burst into laughter, holding his side.
”I'm afraid there are too many to name,” Kings said. Then, stepping back, he asked Coin, ”How've you been, Coin?”
”How many times is that now?”
”It's just that I have a feeling that you'll get yourself into some serious trouble one of these days. So, I might as well hear you say that you're well while I still can.”
”That's rich coming from you. You do realize that you don't have much time left on this planet, right?”
At that moment, Isabella pinched Coin in the back. Despite Coin's remark being extremely rude, Kings didn't seem to take offense to it whatsoever. It was almost as if he were used to it.
”Your recent work was quite interesting,” Kings said.
”I write nothing but interesting books.”
”Sure, assuming that you don't include your debut title.”
As Coin's face twisted into a scowl, Kings reverted back to the subject he had been meaning to talk about all along, ”You know, I couldn't stop thinking about your book when I came here.”
”Why?”
”Why? What do you mean why? Oh, is it because Yun Woo's here?”
”What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Then, narrowing his eyes, Kings asked, ”Do you know anything about jealousy?”
Although the author was looking toward Coin, Juho realized that the question wasn't directed to the same person. After a brief pause, Juho replied, ”It's when you're envious of another person.”
”Do you know how many people I met today that were feeling that way?”
Instead of giving an answer, Juho looked around. There were pockets of people spread about the lobby, talking casually with one another, enjoying the moment. However, Juho had a strange feeling that all of them weren't being entirely genuine. Perhaps, it was the gold interior of the lobby. People playing mind games with each other with piles of gold before their eyes, scheming to take it all for themselves.
”Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves,” Juho said.
”Envy and jealousy might have a lot in common, but they're inherently different,” King said emphatically, looking at Juho now and observing him with eyes filled with interest.
”When do you think one experiences those two emotions?”
”Mostly when another person has something that they don't.”
”Such as… language skills?”
”Geniuses often tend to be the target of those two emotions,” Juho replied, remaining unfazed.