HeungSoo I AU I Can we start over again part 02/02 by harukno89

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Namsoon's POV

I called KangJoo immediately. I don't care that it is midnight, I need to talk to someone.

"What is it?" A groggy KangJoo answers her phone.

"HeungSoo called me!"

"Okay, why are you calling me? Talk to the man. Good night."

"Wait. I meant he left me a voice message."

"Oh. What did he say?"

"Lee KangJoo WAKE UP! I just told you that the man I think I'm in love with, that disappeared from my life for the past six years left me a message and 'what did he say?' is all you can say?"

"I'm awake, I'm awake. Okay let's see, HeungSoo that dumbass left you a message. So, what are you going to do?" She yawns.

"I don't know, I don't know."

"Maybe call him back?"

"I don't have his number."

"Namsoon, you get a call for HeungSoo and all your brain cells disintegrate? Caller ID is your friend, saves all the numbers that call you."

"I forgot. What should I say?"

"Simple. You say, Hello, HeungSoo, this is Namsoon, where the hell have you been? Six years? Six years, you asshole! Do you know how worried I was? Then your sister tells me not to contact you. And I said okay maybe he will contact me but no..."

"Okay, okay I get it. I almost forgot the reason he called. KangJoo, listen, Teacher Jo Boon-Soo died."

"Oh my God, no. When? How? I saw him once after graduation and he was the same calm, wise old man we all know and love. I feel bad now because I didn't even stay long enough to speak with him."

"At least you saw him, I didn't see him after school. Even though I had told myself I'll try and visit both him and Teacher Jung, I never did. HeungSoo said Teacher Jung called him with the information and the funeral is in a few days. Teacher Jung will like us all to attend his funeral. You must come, KangJoo."

"I know. Okay, I'll see you in a couple of days and then I will hunt that HeungSoo down and kick his ass."

"I'll like to see you try. Besides, I was at fault too. Send me your itinerary once you book your flight. And bring Misaki with you. I would love to host the two of you. And you get to see my new place. You'll love it. Good night, sorry I woke you up."

"Glad you did. I get to play a little 'footsie' with my wife."

"Poor Misaki, good night."

"Poor? Poooorrr? Wait till I..."

I hang up, laughing.

                                         ― ☾ ―

I fall back on my bed laughing my ass off. My cellphone starts to ring, and I see it's Joong Ki calling.

I sit up, do some quick voice tries as Soo Min, and then pick up the phone.

"Welcome back Soo Min." he greets me.

"Thank you. Good to be back."

"Are you back in school, too?"

"My classes resume in a couple of days and I'm excited to demonstrate what I learned in the program."

"Tokyo is a beautiful city isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. Have you been there?"

"Yes, a few years ago for an exhibition game. I especially liked reading original manga books. I was in heaven."

"You like manga?"

"Who doesn't," he laughs.

"I love manga too. And I met the greatest ..." I stop.

"Greatest what? Come on, don't leave me hanging."

"Never mind maybe I'll tell you some other time. But manga anywhere else just doesn't feel the same, you know."

"I know. But Korea is still the second leading consumers of manga and we have great manga artists here too."

"Exactly. How's the practice going? When is your first game?" I ask.

"Going very well. I'll miss the first game though."

"Why?"

"An Ajushi I know died and I must attend the funeral. And I had to make a disturbing call to someone about it."

"Sorry about that. I had news about a death, and I got a nerve-racking call today, too," I tell him.

"If I didn't know better, I'll say you and I are living somewhat parallel lives," he laughs. "Maybe that's why we seem to get along so well."

"We do?" I ask.

"Feels like it."

"Did you make up with your sister?"

"I did. And thank you for encouraging me to do that. Starting the New Year angry at my sister is not good."

"You're welcome."

"Goodnight. I have some papers I need to go through," he tells me.

"Goodnight."

My cellphone ping with our bill for Joong Ki's charges for today's call: 138,718.27 for a thirty-minute call. And ₩117,910.53 goes straight into my account.

Ah, one day back and I'm already getting paid. Good to be wanted.

                                        ― ☾ ―

The next morning, I couldn't stop replaying HeungSoo's message. I got a reprieve from obsessing about his message after talking with Joong Ki. Now I rush through my morning routine, so I make it on time to my very important appointment.

I arrive at one of the two biggest manga publishing companies in Korea, Misul Publishing. I sit in their plush lobby, waiting to meet with the editor that has my updated and perfected work. This is one of the same companies that rejected my work several times before I went to Tokyo. I wait patiently for the editor to come out of another meeting.

"Mr. Go Namsoon, please follow me," the pretty receptionist tells me.

I get up and try to walk nonchalantly after her. We pass through some offices and we arrive at a corner office where she knocks on the door, opens it, and gestures for me to go in. She leaves and closes the door behind me.

"Go Namsoon, I'm Tae In Su, the Chief Editor here at Misul Publishing. Please have a seat. Will you like some coffee?"

I nod in greeting. "No sir, thank you."

Tae In Su is a man in his forties. He's short, and with black cuffed hair. He is a bit overweight which is well disguised in an impeccably well-tailored black suit with a red tie.

'Usually one of our copy editors meet with potential new writers but in those rare cases where the writer is referred to us by our affiliate in Tokyo, it gets bump up to me," he rattles on.

"Unh unh," I reply waiting for the shoe to drop.

"Your name was familiar to one of our editors and he pulled your previous submissions. Honestly, they were, at the most, run of the mill drawings but the story is unusual. Here's the deal, we are interested in both stories. But we are leaning towards the one referred to us. As for the second one, we will table it for now."

"Both," I squeal.

"Yes. Now that you know how detailed, time-consuming, and in-depth manga stories are, we will like you to concentrate on one before the other. We are interested in both stories, but we will only commission one at this time."

"Commission as in buy?" My brain finally kicks in.

"I have a contract for you that I will recommend that you have a lawyer review it. Also, before you leave, you'll meet your editor who will work with you as you write. This editor will be like your shadow, checking your work, keeping you on schedule. And you will be on a schedule. The way it works here is that we launch new writers with old and well-established ones. This has been a very effective way to introduce new writers like you to the manga community."

"How long do I have to write the first volume."

"We normally give you six to eight months of intense writing and drawing. During that period, you and your editor will practically be roommates because they need to review each page as you complete it. Normally we have a new writer and their editor move into an apartment together for the duration."

"But..."

He raises his hand. "Not in this case. Your instructors have told us that you are dedicated and time conscious. But your editor must be able to reach you anytime. I will leave that arrangement between you and your editor."

A knock on the door. A beautiful woman walks in and she gives a folder Tae In Su. She is in her late twenties, with shoulder-length hair and small brown eyes. Her nose and eyes are 'westernized'. What I mean is she has had some work done to her nose which has a pronounced bridge and she's had a double eyelid procedure done.

"Just in time. Go Namsoon, meet your editor, Kim Eun-Kyung ."

She nods to me and I do the same.

"And here is your contract. Have your lawyer review it. It is not quite like the usual contract for new writers, it's better. That's one of the perks of a referral from our parent company. I have been in this company for over twenty years and we've gotten maybe two referrals from them. So, when they do refer a writer, we don't want to lose that person."

I nod my head because all I hear again is "blah, blah, blah."

"It's been a pleasure. If you need anything, here's my card, give me a call. I look forward to working well with you Go Namsoon. Bye."

Ms. Kim Eun-Kyung and I bow to him and she gestures to follow her. She leads the way to a small cubicle.

"Please have a seat. We need to set a projected start and end date for your book. Also, a schedule per storyboard. Mr. Tae In Su told you that your debut will be combined with one of our well established and popular writers, right? Do you know Hwa Chul-Moo?"

"Of course. Any respectable manga reader knows Hwa Chul-Moo. He wrote, excuse me, writes the 'Bedlam and Hell' series. I love his books. Don't tell me, I'm debuting with him?"

"Yes, you are."

"Holy shit!"

"I'm glad you're excited, I think. Now, we have two great things working in your favor. One, again you were referred so that bumped you up ahead of any other new writer and two, you already started the book. You already completed a full draft of the first volume. Impressive. Now I must caution you, sometimes we editors see things that readers look for that you may not see and make suggestions to that effect."

"That means I can finish in less than six months then, right?"

"We'll see. Here are my suggestions on your first draft."

I take my storyboard and it looks like a minefield of red marks and writings all over it.

"What the hell? Are you sure this is my story? There's hardly anything of mine here. You have corrections, suggestions, markings all over the book."

"That's why you and I will need to start working together, page by page. Not all my suggestions will work and not all your ideas will either. We'll learn to work together and produce the best manga possible."

I take a deep breath, and reply "okay."

"Now after you sign the contract, we can't start work without that, I will need to visit your home."

"And why is that?" I ask

"I will need a small office there."

"Again why?"

"When I come to see your finished product, I need a space to review for corrections if needed. I have also found that writers like you work pretty much anytime and call editors at odd times. If I'm called to see your work, I need a place to review it. Some of my writers have given me keys to their homes for easy access."

"Sorry, that's not going to happen. I love my privacy and I intend to keep it that way. I'll make a place for you to do your reviews while I'm there."

"Understood. Now, Hwa Chul-Moo's next book debuts in a year and he's on schedule. Here's your schedule. Since this is your first book, it will take longer to complete. We have a year to complete, promote, and put your name out there before your debut."

I take the printout and she has me on a weekly chapter completion. This looks doable.

"Okay, as soon as you sign your contract we can start. I'll ask that you get it done within the week. And the first week, you and I will meet with Hwa Chul-Moo and his editor."

"Why?"

"We find it is easier when writers launching their works together get to know each other. It makes for an easier and friendly atmosphere during interviews."

"Sounds reasonable. Mr. Tae In Su said you're also interested in the other book I had sent in before. Do you also plan to work with me on that series?"

"Yes we are interested and I will be your editor. Someone got fired for that mishap. They forgot the first rule of manga publishing."

"What's that?"

"Stories first and foremost. The drawing can always be perfected, but the story drives the whole book. The poor sap saw your, how shall I say this, not so good drawing and didn't bother to read the story. Anyway, when you have developed a following, we plan to have you launch that book as a new series. You and I are going to be very busy for the next few years."

"I look forward to it." And I mean it. This is my dream and I am eager to fulfill it.

"Here's my card with my number and may I have your phone number too, please."

We exchange numbers. She puts my maligned storyboard in a packet and hands it to me.

"Please before we meet, start to look at my suggestions, the ones you agree or disagree with and we'll iron that out at our first meeting."

"Thank you very much and I'll see you soon."

"Will you like me to walk you out?"

"No, I can find my way, thanks."

I make my way out of the building and to the nearest restaurant. I order ramen and just sit down and eat. Ramen has always been a calming balm for me. By the time I was ready to go, I've been there for about two hours and eaten three steaming bowls of ramen.

Times like this I miss KangJoo. I'll call her but it's not the same as seeing her face when I share this news. Times like this I also miss HeungSoo, that the two of us have realized the dreams we shared, is amazing. Times like this I hate being alone.

I take a taxi home. I take a nice, long, hot shower. I slide into bed, thinking about the unbelievable day I've had.

Next on the agenda, find a lawyer. The only person I know whose family deals with bigwig lawyers is Song Ha-Gyeong. She's my only classmate other than KangJoo that I know where I can find her and that is where she works. I haven't seen her since I was at the hospital a few years ago. Time for a doctor's visit.

And a visit to NightOwl Entertainment. Time to pack away my alter ego. I hoped this day will come, I just never thought I'll feel sad about it. Resigning will stop all calls from JoongKi. If I'm honest with myself, I look forward to his calls every time. Wait a minute, I can keep JoongKi as my only client. After all, he is a VIP, his calls are charged at double the rate at least.

Feeling better about my decision, I hug my pillow and fall asleep.

                                         ― ☾ ―

"Go Namsoon, what are you doing here? Not another case of indigestion?"

"Song Ha-Gyeong, how are you."

She walks around her desk in her white med coat, hands in both pockets, and looks me up and down. No smile, nothing. Yep, that's Song Ha-Gyeong, always serious.

"I'm fine, I learned my lesson, no more multiple bowls of ramen in one seating." I'm not telling her I did just that yesterday.

"So why are you here," again straight to the point.

"I need a favor; I need a lawyer."

"What's wrong? What did you do?"

"Nothing. Come on, I'm not the same rascal I was in high school. I need a contract lawyer."

"Oh, what for?"

"My manga is going to be published I need a lawyer to review my contract. Since your folks know some high-end lawyers, I thought you could refer me to one of them."

"The best lawyer I can refer you to that will get you the best deal possible is a shark that devours other sharks. Warning, she's excellent at what she does but she's rude, loud, and expensive but worth every penny."

"Who is that?"

"My sister, Song Ha Yoon. She's a smart, intelligent bitch. An excellent lawyer, too."

"I'll take your word for it. Will you refer me? Call her for me?"

"She won't take my calls."

"Sounds familiar," I say.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

I look her squarely in the face, and ask," why won't you take Lee KangJoo's calls?"

"That is none of your business."

"Yes, it is. I watch her hurt on New Year's Day after we, Misaki, and I begged her to call you. You didn't pick up."

"Maybe I was busy."

"Please use that excuse with someone who doesn't know you carry your phone with you everywhere you go."

"Let's just drop it, okay."

"Fine. Thank you for the referral. But one more thing, Teacher Jung sent us a message."

"Teacher Jung? How is she? Did you see her?"

"No, she had HeungSoo call and leave me a message."

"Park HeungSoo? You found him?"

"No. She said that Teacher Jo Boon-Soo died."

"Oh no. I never had much dealing with him, but he was always nice and polite to me. He even helped me with whole Oh Jung-ho debacle."

"I will text you the funeral information. Teacher Jung hopes we all attend. I'll be there; I hope you will too."

"I'll try."

"Do more than try," I snap at her.

She leaves without a goodbye, sometimes she makes me wanna...ugh! I hope she shows up then she and KangJoo can iron out whatever is between them.

HeungSoo's POV

I walk into the funeral hall, and immediately I see Teacher Uhm Force. He looks very sad. I have never seen that look on his face ever. I bow deeply, with respect and sympathy. I walk in and light a stick of incense. I bow to the picture of Teacher Jo Boon-Soo on the table. I turn and bow to the family sitting on the floor by the table. Teacher Kang Se-chan is sitting with the family. They bow in reply. I knew he was close to Teacher Jo Boon-Soo, just didn't know they were this close. I stop and drop my envelope with money in the designated box.

I walk out and move towards the hall where tables are set for visitors.

Teacher Jung walks up to me. She looks pale in her black dress.

"Park HeungSoo you came?"

"Teach," I bow to her.

"Come over here, some of your classmates are here."

I follow her passing by some of my old teachers, I stop to greet them and continue to a long table, comprised of three tables joined to make enough space for our class.

"Park HeungSoo!" several people yell out.

The only ones I recognize are the gang of Lee Jihoon, Lee Yi Kyung, and Oh Jung-ho. Also, there are Kim Min-Ki and Han Young-Woo. I sit down beside Han Young-Woo. Immediately one Ajumma brought some food and drinks and places them in front of me.

"HeungSoo good to see you," says another nameless classmate.

"Thank you," I reply.

People go back to conversing. Min Ki tells those around us that he knows KangJoo is coming. He is not sure about Song Ha-Gyeong or Go Namsoon. At the mention of that name, my heart skips a beat. I am torn between the hope that he'll not show up and the need to see him.

I get up and walk over to Teacher Jung to help her serve and clean the tables. After the tables are cleaned, she pulls me aside and says that she and Teacher Kang Se-Chan will like to take our whole class to a nearby restaurant. I told her she needs to tell the class, or they may not show up if I do.

"Still keeping to yourself I see," she smiles.

She pulls me along and delivers the invitation to the whole class, mandatory she says. And pass it on to the latecomers.

"Yes, Teach," we all respond.

I sit back down and immediately MinKi screams and gets up. I look up and Song Ha-Gyeong walks in. She is made up to perfection as usual. She has on a silk black dress, with a black hat, with a black net covering the top half of her face. She greets Teacher Jung and turns and walks over to us with MinKi.

"Song Ha-Gyeong!" The same group yells out loud. What are they? The cheering section?

I move to sit in front of them, with my back to the door, so she can sit beside MinKi, who won't let go of her hand. I hear him pestering her with questions. She nods to me and I return the nod.

A few minutes later, MinKi squeals again, Ha-Gyeong stops smiling and frowns. My body tenses and I scream 'NOOO' in my head.

"Lee KangJoo, Go Namsoon." He yells. This time Han Young-Woo goes with him.

I sit up straighter and refuse to look behind me. It feels like it took forever and when they reach the table, I refuse to look up. If I do, I'm scared that every secret desire buried deep in my heart will show on my face for all to see.

"It's been a while, Park HeungSoo," Namsoon says.

Touché. That bastard! He repeated the exact words I said to him when we met again in high school.