The Illustrator, Part 2
After parting ways with Shin Jiwu.
It was evening, at a small neighborhood park.
I was taking a walk and chatting with Sia.
The water shooting relentlessly from the fountain caught the red glow of the sunset, shining with a soft, beautiful light.
"Don't stare so hard. It's, it's uncomfortable...?"
But Sia, bathed in the sunset glow, was even more beautiful.
She had come to see me straight after work.
A pitch-black tie contrasting against her white dress shirt.
And a tight pencil skirt to top it off...
An office lady radiating an intellectual aura!
I couldn't take my eyes off her.
It was a feast for the eyes,
it didn't cost a dime,
and we got some exercise. Truly the best date spot.
"Sia, I'm sorry for calling you out. You must be exhausted..."
"I-I'm not tired at all, okay? I just wanted to go for a light walk. D-don't misunderstand!"
Sia shifted her gaze restlessly, looking flustered.
She was definitely lying.
"Thank you."
"I told you not to misunderstand!"
She acted prickly on the outside...
But she had dragged her exhausted body, worn down by a busy day at work, just to see me.
She really was a sweet girlfriend.
"Actually, the reason I called you out... there's something I need to tell you."
At first, I thought about keeping it a secret from her.
But she'd find out eventually anyway.
I told Sia everything that happened today.
"What?! You met Shin Jiwu today? Shin Jiwu is drawing the cover for your novel?"
Sia asked, her eyes wide with shock.
It was only natural for her to be surprised.
After 'that incident,' both Sia and I...
...had completely cut ties with Shin Jiwu.
I felt pathetic for ever having shown interest in her, even for a moment.
"That's how it turned out... I'm sorry..."
"Huh...? You don't need to apologize."
"Oh...? Are you really okay with it?"
Her cool reaction was completely unexpected.
I was sure she would hate it...
Startled, I asked her again.
"It's just a business relationship anyway. I have to force myself to work with people I don't get along with all the time. I understand."
"...Yeah. Thanks, Sia."
"Y-you don't need to thank me! You have to succeed so that... with you..."
Sia lowered her head in embarrassment,
muttering softly.
She spoke so quietly that the end of her sentence was lost.
What was she trying to say?
"Could you say that again?"
"I-it's nothing!"
"Now I'm even more curious."
"I said it's really nothing!"
Sia tried to brush it off with her usual prickly attitude.
Well... it didn't matter.
Just being able to talk to her like this...
made me so happy. It was so much fun.
I wished time would just stop.
As we walked and chatted happily,
night had already fallen, the moonlight casting a soft glow around us.
"I should get going now."
"Yeah..."
Happy times always fly by at the speed of light.
Could it not... flow just a little slower?
Just as we were about to part ways, both of us looking reluctant,
"H-Hyunseong..! I'm cheering for you..! I'm reading your novel too..! It's really fun..! Hang in there!!"
Sia's voice rang out loudly from behind me.
Her shout of encouragement brought a lump to my throat.
I hadn't heard the exact name of the company,
but my girlfriend had gotten into a major conglomerate at a young age.
She could have dated a wealthy man...
I was grateful to have her always cheering me on, but at the same time, I felt sorry.
"Sia... I'll definitely succeed with my novel!! Thank you..."
I couldn't bring myself to look her in the eye.
I shouted my gratitude back to her and ran toward my house as fast as I could.
I'll definitely succeed and propose to you properly...
So please wait just a little longer, Sia.
I clenched my fists and steeled my resolve with a serious expression on my way home.
As soon as I got back to my studio apartment, I began hammering away at my laptop keyboard.
For Sia, who cheered for me.
For Sia, who loved me.
For Sia, who waited for me.
I would write the best, most insanely popular novel I possibly could.
There was a limit to what I could achieve with my current novel.
But dropping a series just because it wasn't selling well meant breaking a promise to the readers—something a writer must never do.
In that case, there was only one thing I could do.
It would be incredibly tough, but...
Simultaneous serialization... I would try writing multiple series at once.
I had plenty of stockpile chapters for my current novel.
And as a full-time writer, time was the one thing I had in abundance...
Let's do this!
Before that, it would be best to let my editor know, right?
As soon as the long KakaoTalk loading screen cleared, I sent my decision to my editor.
There was no reply.
Was he busy?
I'd have to consult with him later.
Ka-talk!
The notification sound rang.
Did the editor check it already?
I checked the message immediately, but...
It was a text from Shin Jiwu.
I got my hopes up for nothing.
I absolutely hated having her in my contacts, but...
for the sake of the cover... I had to endure it for now.
W-was I finally going to see the cover of my novel?!
My disgust for her and my excitement for the cover.
Two conflicting emotions clashed within me.
Should I be annoyed... or should I be happy?
It was a strange feeling.
She and I were strictly business.
I ended the conversation briefly without any unnecessary words.
"Yes!!"
I'm finally getting a cover!!
Even though I didn't like Shin Jiwu,
the drawing she showed me at the cafe was fucking amazing.
The character I had only ever imagined was going to be drawn!
I couldn't be happier!
Ka-talk!
My crappy phone rang again.
Was it really the editor this time?
I checked the message immediately.
It was a text from Sia.
Now this was more like it.
Just looking at the message she sent...
I could easily picture her cute, embarrassed face.
A wide grin spread across my face.
I was an incredibly blessed guy.
To think Sia was my childhood friend and my girlfriend...
Thank you, God! Thank you, Cupid!!
Ka-talk!
Was it finally the editor this time?
I checked the message immediately.
The editor must be busy.
Should I start drafting a plot now...?
Knock, knock.
"Hey! Ryu Hyunseong!!! Your hyung is here, open the door~!"
Jeongho's loud voice echoed from beyond the door.
Did this bastard text me because he was already near my place...?
I pressed a hand to my forehead and reluctantly opened the door.
"Why'd you reply so rudely, you bastard~?"
Jeongho asked with a mischievous grin, handing me a convenience store plastic bag stuffed to the brim.
"What did you buy all this for?"
"Sigh~ your hyung had a really rough day today. Keep me company while I drink."
"You know I can't drink."
"Don't worry, I bought cola just for you."
Looking inside the bag he handed me,
there were two large cans of beer, a fat can of cola, beef jerky, potato chips, cup ramen, and more.
It was packed with drinking snacks.
"I have to work soon, though...?"
"You have plenty of stockpile chapters anyway~. Take a break today~."
"S-should I...?"
Jeongho gestured with his sharp, delinquent-like eyes.
If I kept him company, I'd save on food expenses, which was a pretty sweet deal.
Well... taking one day off should be fine.
In the end, I gave in to his persuasion.
"Pardon the intrusion~."
Contrary to his appearance, Jeongho took off his shoes and lined them up neatly before stepping inside.
For a guy who looked like a blonde, tanned delinquent, he sure had good manners.
"Are you really satisfied living like this?"
"I don't have a choice. My father hates me writing..."
"Sigh... As your friend, it's just hard to watch you live like this."
"I just need to succeed with my writing."
We sat down in the empty space and began unpacking the snacks Jeongho bought.
My studio apartment was barely ten square meters.
Excluding the furniture, it was barely large enough for two grown men to squeeze into.
Jeongho seemed to feel genuinely sorry for me living in such a cramped space.
"Oh... Jeongho. I met that bitch, Shin Jiwu."
"Shin Jiwu...? Where did you meet her?"
Jeongho asked, tearing open a bag of potato chips with interest.
"She's going to draw the cover for my new novel."
"Really...? That's unlike you. You used to fucking loathe Jiwu."
"Well... it's just a business relationship."
Yes, Jiwu and I were strictly business.
I had absolutely no intention of ever forgiving her.
"I mean, what Jiwu did was totally fucked up, but... isn't it about time to forgive her?"
"Forgive her? Because of her, I misunderstood you and beat the living crap out of you..."
"That was eight years ago. Just forget it. I'm fine, you dumbass~."
On the day I started dating Sia.
I had misunderstood Jeongho and punched him in the face.
I still felt guilty toward Jeongho because of that.
But Jeongho was a truly great guy.
Since he had coolly forgiven me...
"Anyway, Hyunseong. Have you done it with Sia?"
"W-what...? Done what?"
"Come on~ you know what~."
Jeongho cracked open a beer can, giving me a dirty look.
It was an incredibly awkward question.
B-but since he was my best friend, it was probably best to be honest...?
"R-recently... j-just once... we did it..."
"Oh~. Holy shit, really? Tell me the details. That's the perfect drinking story."
"No way!!"
Embarrassed out of my mind, I cast my eyes down to the floor.
I couldn't tell him the details. I was too embarrassed...
Though it d-did feel good...
"Ah~ look at this bastard blushing like crazy. Just tell me~."
"I s-said no!!"
My face must have been bright red by now.
In my frustration, I grabbed the opened can of cola and took a big gulp.
"Huh...? What? Sia, when did you get here? Hiiiii~."
As soon as I drank it, my mind went hazy, and Sia appeared before my eyes with a bright smile.
Oh~ Sia was here too~. Right?
"R-Ryu Hyunseong?! That's alcohol. It's not cola, you crazy bastard!! Wake up!"
"Huh...? Sia? What's wrong~? I'm fine~."
Sia shook my shoulders cutely with a smile.
Sia is so fucking cute~. So lovely~.
"Hyun... ah!!! ...seong!!! Hyunseong..."
Haha!! By the way, why am I so dizzy and sleepy...?