Chapter 241
Chapter 241
The summer vacation of Yeoul Arts High School had begun.
Seo-jun packed his bag with books, notebooks, and writing tools, and looked at the paper on his desk.
It was a list of summer homework assignments that the school had given out.
There was no daily diary to write like in elementary school, but there was one group activity.
It was to read one of the recommended novels for teenagers and have a book discussion.
He had to write down his own impressions of the book, his changed thoughts after the discussion, and his group members opinions, and submit them.
Seo-juns group 3 decided to meet today, less than a week after the start of the summer vacation, to finish their homework early.
It was because the summer vacation was the best time to go around and watch auditions.
Seo-jun put his bag on the floor and put on his horn-rimmed glasses without lenses.
He felt awkward wearing glasses, except when he was filming for Escape.
He looked at himself in the mirror and adjusted his glasses a few times, then smiled and put on his usual black hat.
If I use my ability here, people will hardly notice me.
Seo-jun looked at the pattern shining on the back of his hand and picked up his bag from the floor.
I think I can rest from Wednesday to Sunday.
Hmm. Thats quite a lot.
Seo Eun Hye and Lee Min Jun, who were looking at the calendar in the living room and discussing where to go for their summer vacation, looked up at the sound of the door opening.
They smiled at Seo-jun, who had finished getting ready to go out.
They had already heard that he was going to do his homework with his friends.
Are you leaving now?
Yeah.
Lee Min Jun looked at his watch.
Its not even 11 oclock yet. Didnt you say you were meeting your friends at 2 oclock?
Theres a bookstore next to the cafe where were meeting. Im going to look around.
What about lunch?
There are a lot of restaurants nearby, so Ill buy something.
Dont just snack on something. Eat well.
Okay.
Seo-jun adjusted his hat again and put on his sneakers.
He grabbed the door handle.
Ill be back!
Okay.
Be careful!
***
There was a bookstore right next to the cafe where Seo-jun was meeting his friends today.
It was a large bookstore with branches nationwide, so it was big and crowded.
Seo-jun pressed his hat firmly and opened the door of the bookstore.
Ding.
As he entered the bookstore, the air conditioner cooled down his hot body. Seo-jun enjoyed the cool breeze for a moment and moved inside.
Lets see what they have.
Seo-jun sighed lightly and stood in front of a bookshelf full of short stories.
Even though the first semester had passed and it was summer vacation, Seo-jun still hadnt chosen a script for his graduation performance.
There were scripts from famous plays that had been published, and plays that his seniors at Yeoul Arts High School had performed before, but he didnt like any of them.
He even considered writing a script or a synopsis based on one of Cocoa Entertainments works.
But since the other kids also had to perform, the graduation performance time was not that long.
He had to either shorten the story or only put up the climax part on stage.
He didnt like that idea either, so Seo-jun decided to wait for now.
I should find something soon
He had to gather the kids who would perform with him, make the stage, and practice.
He felt a little anxious as he felt that he didnt have much time left. He took out an ability from Lifes Library last night.
[(Line) Dandelion Fluffs Fate Low Grade]
Dandelion fluff will find your fate for you.
Range: 200m
Of course, there had to be someone within 200 meters who was connected to him by fate, and he had to be careful not to miss the small white dandelion fluff that flew in the wind.
Maybe because it was low grade, the distance was only 200 meters.
I guess Ill have to wander around all summer.
Seo-jun scratched his cheek and turned his head.
He read down the novels as he flipped through them.
As he was doing so, he felt someones presence.
Excuse me, student.
Yes?
Do you like books?
Seo-jun stepped back slightly at the mans question.
I didnt expect to hear that in a bookstore
And he found Seo-jun who was using an ability that made him less noticeable.
He must have been looking for someone to talk to no matter what.
The mans will was palpable.
But still.
He should avoid strangers.
Seo-jun closed the book he was reading and tried to leave, but the man quickly handed him a business card.
Can you please join us for a book concert in 10 minutes?!
Uh
Im not a suspicious person. I work for a publishing company! You can ask the bookstore staff here. Im doing it right next door. This is the book! It has nothing to do with religion!
The man spoke earnestly, and Seo-jun noticed something.
A tiny dandelion fluff, like dust, fluttered in the wind and landed on the book that the man was showing him.
The dandelion fluff settled on the book as if it was its place.
So fate can be an inanimate object too.
Im glad I found it sooner than I thought But what kind of book is this?
He could have bought the book that the man showed him and gone to the cafe, but he saw the desperate look on the mans face and checked his phone.
The publishing company employee brightened up at Seo-juns gesture and quickly opened his mouth.
You can leave in the middle if you want!
Then Ill do that.
Thank you!
Seo-jun took the book and the man said.
You can sit anywhere you want, its first come first served. And this book is not for sale, so you can take it with you. And when the time comes, please read a few pages in advance
The publishing company employee went on to explain various things and then moved on to find other audience members.
Seo-jun watched the man walk away and looked at the book he had given him.
A yellow dandelion that had bloomed and rooted itself was swaying on the cover of the book.
[Mirror]
Seo-jun turned over the cover of the book, which depicted a woman looking at a mirror.
Hmm.
He was sorry to his parents who told him to eat well, but he thought he would have to eat lunch at the cafe.
***
I think Im going to die.
The author of [Mirror], Choi Da Ye, was shaking her legs.
She didnt get seasick even when she rode a boat on the waves, or carsick even when she rode a car, but she felt nauseous and dizzy just sitting on a chair.
Her face was pale enough for the bookstore staff to ask if she was okay.
And yet, how did she have the guts to hold a book concert?
It was because this was her last chance.
She had been working on her novel for years, and when it finally got published as a book, she was happy, but it was buried without being noticed.
She had dug her own grave with her book, and this was the only chance that the publisher and the editor had barely managed to get for her to promote it.
Maybe if she got a line in an article, someone would be interested.
She rented the smallest space in a large bookstore and set up a promotional event called a book concert.
But no one will care.
The empty seats in the audience haunted her mind, and Choi Da-ye felt sick.
She felt sorry for the publisher and the editor who had told her that her novel was really interesting and had tried their best until the end.
Ms. Choi, its time to start.
Oh, yes!
At the call of the bookstore staff, Choi Da-ye jumped up.
She took deep breaths and walked to the place where the book concert would be held.
The place was small.
There was a chair and a small table with a water bottle in front of it, and 20 chairs were placed opposite it.
Choi Da-ye sat down on her chair, trembling and unable to look at the audience.
She slowly looked ahead.
!
There were about 10 people sitting in the audience.
They were of different ages and genders.
Three of them were reporters invited by the publisher.
She was relieved to see more people than she expected, and managed to calm her shaking heart.
She had imagined the worst case scenario of having no one in the audience.
Unlike the satisfied writer, the publishers staff who was watching the writer and the audience sighed quietly.
It was a small number despite distributing books everywhere.
Lets start talking with Choi Da-ye, the author of [Mirror].
The event was small, so the publishers staff acted as the host.
Ms. Choi, can you introduce us to [Mirror]?
[Mirror] is a story about a female protagonist who is a psychiatrist and meets three people. The three stories seem separate but are connected.
The staff asked questions and Choi Da-ye answered them.
The reason for writing [Mirror], whether there was a similar situation in reality, whether there was an event that served as a model.
As the questions and answers continued between the two, two people who were bored got up from their seats.
And one person who checked his watch left. Two of the three reporters shook their heads and left.
The 10 people were halved in an instant.
A shadow fell on Choi Da-ye and the publishers staffs faces.
As people left one by one, the hearts of those who remained also wavered.
Should we go too?
I feel too sorry to leave now
They were not interested in [Mirror] or Choi Da-ye, as they were forced to come. The staff sighed inwardly when a boy wearing a black hat and horn-rimmed glasses raised his hand.
Yes, you there, student.
I have a question for Ms. Choi.
Yes, yes?
Choi Da-ye asked back in surprise.
A question?
Yes. Im curious about what you think of the female protagonist.
Choi Da-ye calmly answered his question.
The boys question did not end there.
He asked questions endlessly as if he had prepared them in advance.
Seeing a reader who asked detailed and deep questions about his book, Choi Da-ye also became excited and explained his intentions and thoughts.
The questions and answers that went back and forth like ping-pong made the reporter and three audience members who remained flip through the book they received from the staff and nod their heads.
It sounds interesting when I hear it like this.
I know. I should read it carefully later.
The book concert ended with a better atmosphere than expected, even though there were only five people left. Choi Da-ye signed the books with a happy face for the reporter and three readers.
The three audience members, as well as the reporter who filmed Choi Da-ye signing, left, and it was finally the boys turn.
Thank you for reading it.
Choi Da-ye smiled brightly at the boy in the black hat.
Im sorry I couldnt read it properly because I was in a hurry.
Huh?
Choi Da-ye and the publishers staff next to her tilted their heads at his words. The boy who had helped them finish this book concert well smiled.
You gave me a book earlier.
Oh!
The publishers staff finally remembered that he had given a book to this student just 10 minutes ago.
Choi Da-ye tilted her head.
The boy continued to speak with a smile as the staff gave him a wink.
The book was interesting. Please sign it.
Yes? Yes!
But I have something to ask you
What is it?
She wanted to grant him anything if she could. The boy smiled faintly at Choi Da-yes sparkling eyes.
Can I make this into a play?
A play?
She was taken aback by something she had never thought of before.
The editor, who had been thinking about the second rights or contracts, realized that the person in front of him was a student.
Where are you doing it?
Its my school graduation project.
Oh
Choi Da-ye was relieved, unlike the editor who nodded his head with a disappointed expression.
A play that did not make any money was fine. Of course, they could not write the script for him
Were going to upload it on YouTube.
Oh. Then you cant
It was likely that the content would be leaked if the play was uploaded on YouTube, since they would probably use the same plot as the book.
But its not like the book is selling anyway
Choi Da-ye wanted to see her novel reborn as a play.
The staff also thought that this might be a promotion. But it had to be well-made.
Hmm. What school are you in?
Yeoul Arts Middle School.
He was a middle school student.
He looked like a high school student because he was tall.
Yeoul Arts Middle School. Choi Da-yes eyes widened.
Isnt that Lee Seo-juns school?
Thats right. Do you think Lee Seo-jun will act in it too?
That would be really nice.
The publishers staff and Choi Da-ye joked with a smile.
The two had already made up their minds.
Well, we cant decide on our own, and we have to have a meeting at the publisher.
Dont worry. Ill persuade them for sure.
Ill help too.
The boy, who had been silent for a while at the kind words of the writer and the staff, slowly took off his black hat.
As his face slowly appeared, Choi Da-ye and the publishers staffs eyes widened.
The boy took off his horn-rimmed glasses and smiled.
Hello. Im Lee Seo-jun.
Choi Da-ye and the publishers staff stopped breathing and opened their mouths wide.
The owner of the name they had just joked about was right here.
Actor Lee Seo-jun smiled brightly and said.
I want to make this into a play
Please do!
Please do!
His words were not even finished when they answered.
A meeting at the publisher? Content leakage? They didnt care.
Please make it!
Choi Da-ye and the publishers staffs eyes burned with passion.
Lee Seo-jun smiled awkwardly.