An airport is a boundary line.
The passage to another world is always crowded with people. The anticipation of those departing and the relief of those returning create the airport’s unique, strange excitement.
And since emotions are contagious, the moment you step into the airport, that strange excitement spreads. Suddenly, everything seems unfamiliar.
Families hurrying with their luggage, flight attendants and pilots in distinctive uniforms catching everyone’s attention, foreigners with different skin colors…
While being mesmerized by such scenes, Lim Yang-wook tapped my shoulder, urging me to hurry.
“Hey, we’ll be late, let’s go.”
But seeing the smile on his face, it was clear that he, too, was captivated by the airport’s magic.
“You’ve been smiling non-stop since earlier. Being at the airport makes you excited, doesn’t it?”
Lim Yang-wook shook the dazed author Moon In’s shoulder.
“Hey! What’s wrong? Are you okay? Did you get hit somewhere?!”
Author Moon In mumbled, turning his head slightly.
“It’s just… it’s a bit surprising to have fans abroad.”
“There are people who came to the airport just to see me. It’s kind of overwhelming…”
What’s with this guy? Lim Yang-wook was dumbfounded.
Since when did author Moon In not have a fandom?
Author Moon In has fervent fans all over the world, especially in Korea.
But he refused fan signing events himself.
He never shows up at offline events.
The location of his studio is strictly hidden.
So, when fans visit the orphanage, he avoids them.
When fans gather in front of the school, he doesn’t attend classes.
This is almost at the level of fan hatred.
And now what? He’s amazed to meet fans?
Lim Yang-wook held back the urge to smack him with superhuman patience. If it weren’t for the fact that the animated movie ‘Guitar’ was sweeping Japan, author Moon In’s head would’ve had a bump.
But unlike Lim Yang-wook, who is petty, the true knight-errant of this era, Ma Ki-hoon, who is compassionate to the weak and fearless before the strong, could not tolerate injustice.
“Bullshit. You’re amazed to see fans after running away from them like a plague?”
“Hey. Running away? I was just overwhelmed by the excessive attention…”
“That’s because you’re always holed up at home. You need to get out and exercise. I’ll kindly teach you how, okay?”
“Ma Ki-hoon-ssi. If you keep recommending the gym, the company might have to reconsider renewing your contract…”
“Sure, go ahead and fire me. Hye-jin already has a full scholarship-”
For socially disadvantaged children like orphans, tuition fees are covered by the state at any school. Because of this, orphans often face hatred. It’s a reverse discrimination issue.
However, ‘living’ requires more money than you’d think. Eating, wearing clothes, sleeping, living all require money. There are many reasons why a significant number of orphans don’t graduate from college. This is why Ma Ki-hoon works.
Both Moon In and Ma Ki-hoon knew this, but Moon In pretended not to know, saying, “Then I guess it can’t be helped…” and let it pass.
Seeing this, Ma Ki-hoon laughed heartily and threw his arm around Moon In’s shoulder. Moon In shrieked and ran away.
Watching this from a step behind, Lim Yang-wook observed the scene.
Ma Ki-hoon could say things that Lim Yang-wook couldn’t. This added another use to Ma Ki-hoon. Lim Yang-wook’s cunning mind quickly spun.
The plan was called . Lim Yang-wook quietly and slyly smiled.
But that was a pleasure for the future. For now, there were tasks to be done today.
What Lim Yang-wook had to keep in mind was simple.
Author Moon In is popular.
And popularity translates to money.
No need for more complicated thoughts.
“Alright. Let’s go, everyone.”
Lim Yang-wook led the group, hastening their steps into the heart of Tokyo. The vast publishing industry, an ocean of countless books, awaited them.
Meanwhile, at Baekhak Publishing in downtown Seoul.
Left alone in the slightly desolate Publishing Management headquarters, Baek Seol was experiencing a peculiar emotion.
Loneliness and emptiness poked at Baek Seol’s empty side. The weight of the title of division head was too heavy for Baek Seol to bear alone.
Unfortunately, having completed all translation tasks, Baek Seol had nothing to do.
But a excellent employee must create work for themselves. So, Baek Seol decided to take on the arduous task of diligently standing pens upright on her desk.
Just as Baek Seol was engrossed in this pen-standing endeavor, the office door burst open.
Startled, Baek Seol flinched just as she was about to stand a pen on the desk.
The pen plopped over with a thud, rolled, and dropped under the desk.
Fortunately, the employee, with the mystical power of the Baekhak lineage, instantly forgot the scene that had just passed.
“Division Head! There’s something you need to check immediately!”
“Kn… Knock… Please knock next time…”
“Sorry! But quickly…!”
Seeing the employee this urgent, Baek Seol also became urgent. She followed the employee out.
Soon. On the monitor shown by the employee, there was a shocking news article.
Each line felt like a hammer striking the back of Baek Seol’s head.
「[Exclusive] Famous Novelist Moon In-seop, Actually Half-Japanese?」
「Yoshimura Newspaper has released a shocking investigative report. It claims that novelist Moon In-seop (15)’s mother is a Japanese residing in Korea…」
Shock and fear spread through the office. The employees were bewildered and voiced their doubts.
“The details about Author Moon In’s parents are confidential…”
“Shouldn’t we know that classified information?!”
“Who knows? Hurry up and tell us!”
Naturally, questions were also directed at Baek Seol.
“Division Head! Do you know…”
But Baek Seol didn’t know either.
Of course, Baek Seol was aware of the confidential information regarding Moon In’s parents. Names, addresses, occupations, etc…
But whether they were of Japanese descent or not, she didn’t know! How could she?
Eventually, having retreated to her office, Baek Seol hastily made a phone call. She needed to ask Lim Yang-wook.
Fortunately, the call connected quickly.
“H-How did this happen!”
[Ah, that? It’s not true.]
[Yeah. In-seop said it’s not true.]
Baek Seol’s shocked heart finally calmed down. She almost collapsed as her legs gave way.
“Oh my… That’s a relief. Then, we should quickly draft a clarification and issue a statement through the PR team…”
But Lim Yang-wook interrupted her.
[Huh? Clarification?]
“What? It’s urgent, what do you mean…?”