Chapter 6

x 6

First Message (2)

After confirming the reply, Jihun quickly pressed the call button. The text message he sent to author Seo Mijoo was simple, asking if she could spare a moment for a call.

He made the call after receiving a response asking him to get in touch.

"Hello, Ms. Seo. This is Jihun Kang from Seorim Publishing's Planning and Editing Team."

— Yes, but what's this about?

"Would it be possible to meet today if you have some free time? I'm planning to visit your neighborhood."

— Today?

There was no immediate response from the other end of the phone. She must have been caught off guard. Still, Jihun waited with a positive attitude.

— I do have some time, but... what's this about?

A wary voice.

No, not wary, but rather an annoyed one. Jihun wasn't so dull that he couldn't tell the difference. Still, he responded with a smile.

"I happen to have an errand in Suwon. I thought I'd drop by to say hello and congratulate you on your book's release."

— Really? Well, then let's meet before lunch. I have a schedule in the afternoon.

"Understood. I'll head out right away!"

As soon as he hung up, Jihun got dressed and rushed out.

It takes about an hour and a half to get from here to Suwon Station. While running to the train station, he sent an estimated arrival time to author Seo Mijoo.

But there was one more obstacle.

'I can't go empty-handed. Is there something I can bring? A congratulatory gift would be appropriate.'

Jihun deliberately didn't mention his mistake. He thought she wouldn't meet him if he said he was coming to apologize.

He thought for a moment. Fragmentary memories flashed through his mind.

Finally, he managed to recall the voice of his colleague, Yoon Eunseul, as if it were an auditory hallucination.

— Author Seo Mijoo loves sweet things. She can't get enough of cream cakes.

Jihun inwardly rejoiced. Cakes are easy to find and not too expensive.

'Wait. A cake?'

Jihun changed his course. Most bakeries these days are franchises, but he remembered a long-standing local bakery.

He didn't want to bring just anything.

If it was something he enjoyed, he thought author Seo Mijoo would like it too.

Jihun opened the door and entered the bakery.

"Hey, Jihun's here?"

"Hello."

"Having bread for breakfast?"

A middle-aged woman asked familiarly. She was a neighbor he had known since childhood. The bread here was not only delicious but also a good value for money.

"I'm planning to give a cake as a gift."

"To who? Got a girlfriend?"

"Hahaha. Not a chance."

It felt like meeting an aunt. Jihun, who had been away from his family for a long time, didn't mind this feeling.

"Oh, you're giving it to that pretty lady who came with you before?"

"Pretty lady?"

"You know, the short one with fair skin."

"Senior Eunseul? No, she's probably still sleeping off a hangover."

Jihun took a sweet cream cake recommended by the owner, which was the most expensive item in the bakery, but he got a discount as a regular customer.

With that, Jihun boarded the subway heading to Suwon.

'There's plenty of time.'

He could arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time. Jihun opened his web browser to look for a meeting place near the station.

**

Sitting in a quiet café, he looked out the window.

Twenty minutes after the scheduled time, the author still hadn't shown up. But Jihun wasn't in a hurry. From experience, authors often don't keep to their schedules.

'Since I set up the meeting unilaterally, I should be grateful just for her agreeing to meet.'

If author Seo Mijoo knew he was just an intern without a business card, she might get angry.

Authors have strong pride.

For a mid-level author, even a junior employee's contact is unwelcome. They expect to hear from senior executives or label managers.

'She might get angry. Still, I need to handle this well.'

Half nervous, half afraid, it felt like being just before an interview.

At that moment, the door opened, and a middle-aged woman appeared. A familiar face.

Jihun sprang up like a spring.

"Ms. Seo!"

Author Seo Mijoo tilted her head and approached. Jihun bowed.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jihun Kang from Seorim Publishing."

"But I don't recognize you?"

"I recently joined the Planning and Editing Team. I was in charge of proofreading 'The Devil's Temptation.'"

"Is that so? Show me your business card."

The first hurdle arrived. Jihun smiled awkwardly and replied.

"I'm sorry, but I'm still an intern and don't have a business card. But please take this! I prepared a gift to celebrate the publication."

Having prepared his lines in advance, he smoothly handed over the cake. She took it, looking a bit dazed.

Jihun didn't give her a chance to react.

"Shall we sit down?"

"Ah, yes."

Jihun successfully sat across from author Seo Mijoo.

Thinking about it, it was a crazy idea. He had caused a problem and decided to meet the author directly.

But if it weren't for the book left by his grandfather and the sentence written in it, he wouldn't have come here.

'Since I need to continue building relationships with authors, this isn't a waste of time. You never know what might happen.'

Having connections could help him in the future, no matter what he did.

Jihun cleared his mind and got to the point.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Seo."

"For what?"

"Actually, I was the one who didn't properly check the barcode. Even though Ms. Yoon called you yesterday, I wanted to apologize in person."

"Oh, that? I told Ms. Yoon it was fine."

"Still, it was my mistake. I wanted to apologize in person."

Jihun bowed deeply, and author Seo Mijoo's expression softened. It was a sincere apology.

She wasn't extremely angry, but she hadn't been in a good mood when she heard about it. After all, a printed work is like a child, and a mistake in printing is a big deal.

But seeing an employee come to apologize in person, her bad mood couldn't help but ease.

Author Seo Mijoo glanced at the cake and asked.

"Did Ms. Yoon send you?"

"No, I came on my own. I'm a fan of your work, and I happened to be in the area, so I thought I'd drop by. Please don't feel burdened."

"I see. Wait, your name is Jihun... Kang?"

"Yes."

Author Seo Mijoo seemed to recall something and her expression changed, looking interested.

"Do you know author Kang Sung-hyun?"

I do.

But why is his name coming up here?

"Author Kang? Yes, I met him briefly in the office yesterday."

"Ah! So you're the new employee Kang Sung-hyun mentioned?"

"Me?"

Jihun was surprised. It was the first time she had smiled since they met.

It wasn't a mocking smile. She genuinely seemed happy.

Jihun couldn't contain his curiosity.

"Do you know author Kang?"

"Of course. We debuted around the same time and often meet. We're from the same department. I heard about you yesterday. Seorim Publishing has a diligent new employee."

"I see. I thought something was up. Hahaha."

Jihun was secretly elated.

He didn't offer coffee to author Kang Sung-hyun with any ulterior motive. He didn't say anything insincere or out of pity.

He did it because he liked the author's work and respected him.

But things turned out this way.

"Thank you for your kind words, but I'm trying my best, even though I make a lot of mistakes."

"Everyone makes mistakes at first. I got scolded a lot when I started writing. Isn't that how life works?"

"Still, I need to do better. Being diligent is important, but doing well is also important, right?"

"Hehehe. You must be a good editor to talk like that."

They had an open conversation. Author Seo Mijoo subtly dropped the formal tone, and Jihun accepted it positively. They grew closer.

Still, author Seo Mijoo didn't overstep. She didn't act superior and had a pleasant conversation.

After their drinks were finished, author Seo Mijoo checked her watch.

"I need to get going. Jihun, when you have a business card, please give me one."

"Sure. Next time, I'll invite you and author Kang Sung-hyun to meet in Seoul."

"That sounds good. Have a good day at work. You've been working hard even on the weekend."

"Take care. Ms. Seo!"

Jihun bowed, feeling relieved. It was like a weight had been lifted.

'Grandpa was right. Bowing isn't embarrassing. Acknowledging mistakes is a good thing. I feel like I've learned something.'

It wasn't just because of his grandfather. Author Kang Sung-hyun's influence was significant. If he hadn't offered coffee yesterday, the outcome might have been different.

'Should I head back? A nap and then organizing the old bookshop would be perfect.'

Just as he was about to board the train back to Seoul, his phone vibrated.

It was Yoon Eunseul.

"Senior, you're up early today? I thought you'd still be sleeping."

— Hey, did you meet author Seo Mijoo today?

"I met her and am on my way home."

I was going to report anyway. I did proceed without consulting anyone.

Jihun calmly explained what happened at the café, and Yoon Eunseul sighed in relief after hearing the whole story.

In hindsight, things turned out well.

— I told you, don't worry about this anymore. It wasn't your fault, and there's no need to get involved in something negative. You're just an intern.

"I'm an employee, right? If I made a mistake, I should apologize."

— That's true, but... Anyway, how did you manage to impress the author? Author Seo was really praising you. What's your secret?

Jihun just laughed without answering. After Yoon Eunseul nagged for a while, he had no choice but to respond.

"Maybe it's because I'm good-looking?"

"······Oh, that could be it. You must still be half-asleep. Go home and rest. Good job."

"Thank you. See you on Monday, senior."

Ding!

The train arrived just in time. Jihun hung up, put his phone in his pocket, and boarded the train with a relieved expression.

'I hope the book left by my grandfather will have more content in the future. Maybe it was just a dream.'

With that thought, Jihun closed his eyes for a moment.