51
Chapter 51 You’re Lucky
“It’s finished!”
February 28, 1997. Do Mino completed the manuscripts for Omniscient Turtle’s Perspective and Omniscient Cheetah’s Perspective, spin-offs of The Rabbit and the Tortoise After.
‘I can’t believe it.’
The staff of Fantasy Publishing were stunned. It wasn’t just the quality of the work, but the fact that Mino, who had been playing with friends instead of working on the first day, had finished two manuscripts this quickly.
‘It’s not rushed.’
Skylar reviewed the drafts even more strictly than usual, worried he might have cut corners despite receiving a $100,000 advance for each piece. But once again, the manuscripts were flawless—worthy of a genius.
‘He’s incredible…’
“You said you originally wanted the cheetah as the protagonist. I didn’t expect you to finish this fast. You must have thought through everything in advance.”
“Yes. When I wrote The Rabbit and the Tortoise After, I thought a lot about which animal should be the main character. I also prepared stories and backgrounds for every supporting character, enough that any of them could become the protagonist. Since I had already established the theme of finding happiness, writing spin-offs from different perspectives was actually easy.”
“I see… But you kept all of that in your head?”
Skylar was amazed not only by his speed and quality, but by the fact that he wrote everything in one go without even creating a setting document.
“Fortunately, I have a pretty good memory.”
“You have more than just memory.”
“Anyway, I’ll head out now. I have plans.”
“Alright.”
Skylar watched him leave without looking back, amused.
‘At times like this, he really is just a kid.’
“How is that even possible?”
“Seriously.”
Even the staff who had come all the way from the U.S. to support him couldn’t understand how a nine-year-old genius could also casually play with kids his age.
“At this rate, he’ll finish Invitation from the Zoo in no time.”
“The animation and comic teams are going to suffer.”
“Why worry about them? We just do our job.”
“Still, I’m curious what he’ll write next.”
“Same here. A story about zoo animals and wild animals in the Serengeti…”
“It sounds like The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, but it explores whether zoos are exploitation or coexistence. It’s on a whole different level.”
“Definitely a strong concept. But what’s that mouse story?”
“It’s a Korean folktale influenced by Aesop’s fables. It’s about whether life in the countryside or the city is happier.”
“Ah… you really know a lot.”
The four staff members supporting Mino included only one Asian—Skylar, who had been adopted from Korea.
“So what, are you saying you’re from Africa and he’s from England?”
“…We made a mistake, didn’t we?”
“Be careful.”
“Haha, got it.”
Unlike Mino, Skylar disliked being called Korean, even though she spoke the language well due to being adopted at age eleven.
“Anyway, the conclusion of that story is that a simple, peaceful life is better.”
“I wonder what Mino’s conclusion will be.”
“Me too. But I feel like he might also write Invitation from Africa. He tends to explore opposing perspectives.”
“That’s true. In his story, even the octopus becomes the best pianist. The message is that even if you’re not the best, you can still pursue what you love.”
“That’s what makes him amazing. He embraces both talent and happiness.”
“Should we prepare another contract?”
“Leave it to me.”
“Haha, alright.”
“What about the Korean publishing market?”
“It’s chaotic.”
The staff were also responsible for distributing Fantasy Publishing’s works in Korea.
“It’s actually bigger than expected.”
“Is the market that large?”
“Yes. Education here is intense. Reading is heavily emphasized.”
“That’s good news.”
“But more importantly, it’s Mino’s influence.”
“He really is a star.”
“To us, he’s a genius writer. Here, he’s just a genius. Art, academics, cooking, broadcasting—he excels in everything.”
“We should use him in ads.”
“Of course.”
“And the publishers?”
“They’re unstable.”
“What do you mean?”
“Major companies are collapsing. It looks like a financial crisis.”
“…Really?”
“The IMF and World Bank say it’s not yet a crisis—but that just means not yet.”
“….”
“It’s like a flame about to go out.”
The Asian financial crisis had already begun.
“Well, that’s for headquarters to handle.”
“True.”
“Send the data.”
“Yes.”
---
“Why isn’t anyone coming today?”
“Junyoung didn’t come.”
“Jihun didn’t either.”
The kids who had been visiting school just to play with Mino suddenly stopped showing up.
“Should we go get them?”
“That feels weird…”
“Yeah…”
“Why?”
“I went earlier. Their parents were home.”
“At this time?”
“Yes.”
“All of them?”
“Yes.”
The kids had already tried calling and visiting.
“They just drink all day and tell us to study!”
“They’re not drinking for fun.”
“…What?”
“There’s a reason.”
‘It’s started.’
Unlike the others, Mino understood.
But he couldn’t solve it.
“Let’s just play among ourselves.”
To him, 1997 would still be warm.
But for most—
It would be cold.
‘Winter after winter.’
Even companies that had signed contracts with him were collapsing.
‘Still, new ones will come.’
“Mino!”
Kang Jiseop arrived.
“The station wants to buy it!”
“How much?”
“2 billion won!”
“Not bad.”
Thanks to him, Mino sold footage of his journey.
“But now we need a new idea.”
“What should I do?”
“You like cooking, right?”
“Cooking for the entire school?”
“Too ordinary.”
“Then?”
“Create a new product.”
“…?”
“Not just cooking. Invent something. Even if it seems unrealistic.”
“I see.”
Mino thought.
“…There is something.”
“What?”
“It doesn’t have to be instant food, right?”
“Haha, what? Royal cuisine?”
“No. Truffle oil.”
“…What?”
“You know truffles, right?”
“…Yes.”
“Then you’re well-off.”
“…What are you saying?”
“Truffle oil is chemistry.”
“…What?”
“2,4-Dithiapentane.”
“…?”
‘You’re lucky.’
Mino smiled.