Title: Teach me love
Genre: Romance/Humor
Summary: Byulyi is a popular online novelist who goes by the name of "moonstar". Sadly, with no other experience in dating aside from her rejected confession at high school, Byulyi is unable to express romance in her novels and this has caused her to be in a huge writer's block. Luckily, her editor proved to be of more help than she could ever ask for.
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'Is this really supposed to be a romance novel? This looks like it was made by an immature 14-year-old.'
'I like cliché plots...but this is just pure cringe.'
'What kind of story is this? It's not even the cute kind of awkward. It's just awkward.'
'The plot seems good but the romance between the characters isn't just convincing at all.'
'The author should really stay at what she's good at, because romance isn't really for them.'
Moon Byulyi sighed as she scanned the comments made in her novel. It was the usual backlash she gets everytime she posts an update. She can't even report or delete some of them because it still brings her publicity that she needs for her novels. She laid her head in her arms as she continued scanning the comments further. All of them weren't as harsh as the others but good or bad comment, both have the same context to it.
'I wish there was more love to it.'
Her novel wasn't all that bad to be honest. In fact, she's one of the most read online novelists throughout the year. All of her literary works are always featured in the top 10 charts, especially her mystery and adventure novels, but now she decided to challenge herself and wanted to grow out of her shell so she started writing a romance novel.
At the beginning of writing her first romance novel, the reviews were great and received a lot of support for her. Though as it started to progress, she found it harder to find the inspiration to write and just end up writing a load of crap.
Romance was not something she usually writes nor reads and it just so happens that she didn't know what to write due to lack of experience. All of her ideas in love or dating was back to when she was 14-years old, and her feelings weren't even reciprocated.
She tried using her friends' dating life for reference, but none of them were in relationships as they were all busy with building their career. It was not like she could blame them, but she just really needed the inspiration.
She recollected her thoughts about her novel, and now she was at the part wherein the characters are going to express their feelings. In order to make it as heart fluttering as possible, the only way to seal it was with a kiss.
But how could she write something she never personally experienced before?
Sure, she had imagination, and of course she knew the signs on how it can possibly happen. However, she'd never done anything more than a simple holding hands and that was even accidental touching of fingers as she handed her eraser to her crush back in high school. As for hugs, well the only people she did hug were her family and friends.
So how could she accurately describe what to do or the build up to it? Or how it felt?
"Another rough day, author-nim?"
She put down her phone and looked up at her editor. She quickly sat up properly and adjusted her glasses, "Kim-ssi...I...I'm sorry. I know it's past my deadline but I really am experiencing a huge writer's block right now."
Seokjin could only sigh in response. It's not new to see her like this at least once a week, since that's usually when they check the reviews for her stories.
"What am I supposed to do?? Even the romance movies you lent me aren't working."
"Like I always say, Moon-ssi. Try dating."
Byulyi only scoffed at her, "You know that's out of the option," she sat up properly and gestured to herself, "Who in their right mind would date 'this'?"
"I would."
She gulped at the intense stare her editor was giving her that she had to look down and avoid it. She knows she's quite stubborn about her declining the 'dating' idea and it's not like she's thinking of other ways to help herself either, but it just scares her to be rejected like that again. Even if it was just a one time thing, it has really left a huge impact on her self-esteem.
"Look, do you want to continue writing?"
Seokjin ran a hand through his hair as he tried to not let his annoyance get the better of him. Despite only being her editor now, the two of them had already built a strong rapport between them. He also has read some of her works as her previous editor used to work under him thus he is clearly aware of her potential as a writer. He knows that she was ready enough to take on the challenge of getting out of her comfort zone so he was glad that she was the one who initiated it.
But it looks like she was getting cold feet due to the backlash she has been receiving. It was not really a matter of what to write but rather she didn't know how to write it.
"If you're going to give up that easily, it just shows how little 'growth' means to you."
This made her look up at him again, and his lips lifted up a little bit as he saw the pissed look in her eyes. He was completely aware of what his writer's unfortunate experience in love, but if she really did want to grow as an author she has to overcome it. As insensitive as it may appear, he was just doing his job as her editor to set her straight. It was also his responsibility as her friend to give some encouragement even if it was harsh.
'And it's not like she's that bad, she's probably outgrown her 14-year-old self already.'
Byulyi clenched her fists on her lap as she wrestled her thoughts. This really was important to her since writing has been her way to cope with everything that was happening around her. At first, it was a channel for her thoughts but as she grew up, she realized that she enjoyed letting the thoughts in her head come to life but look at her now.
The sound of a chair scraping off the floor filled her ears. She looked up to see her editor standing up and this made her panic inside.
'No...A serious and professional writer could write a scene like this!'
If dating was her only chance to save her from the embarrassment she did as a writer, then she would do it.
With newfound determination inside of her, she stood up and grabbed his hand to stop him from leaving.
"I'm a professional writer, I can do this! I'm willing to learn!"
Jin smirked at the determined look in her face. He was serious about his willingness to date her. Look, he was the editor-in-chief and he was known to discover online novelists or traditional novelists and made them big.
'That's why...'
"I'll definitely make you big as well."
"W-why do you believe in me so much?"
"I've been observing your potential even when you were working with Sandeul-ah. You'll definitely become one of them."
Byulyi bites her lip as she contemplated what he said, 'So he believes in me!'
"B-but why would you go out of the way to volunteer in being my b-boyfriend?"
"If it's for an author I believe in, I'll do anything. That's my work motto."
She could only gape at him in awe. The dedication he had in his profession inspired her to do better. If someone as great as him believed in her skills, then maybe she should too.
"So what will it be? Date me or not. Make a choice."
"P-please go out with me!"
He tilted her chin with his finger and leaned his face to hers, "Meet me here tomorrow. Same time."
