Justin Wonho Cho - Adrift in Search of Camellias

The sour odor of booze and sweat lingered in the air of the sleazy Austin nightclub. The shrieks and howls of dancers were muddled by the musics deafening bass. At the edge of the club, Jin was sitting with his friend Ethan and a middle-aged alcoholic theyd just met.

Suddenly, a shot glass was slammed on the table.

Look kid, how do you expect me to put my money into somebody whos a waste of space? the drunkard barked.

Jin stared blankly at the rough, shabby man before him. He was dressed in an olive cargo jacket that looked like it hadnt been washed in months. His sideburns were long and greasy, and his sunburned skin was an intense orange. The mans presence made Jin feel out of place. Here were two teenagers wearing hoodies and jeans, talking to a grown-ass man.

Cmon, dont say that about my boy, Ethan said, clasping his hands and maintaining a playful voice. He mightve had a bit of a hiccup, but hes on the come up now. Wouldnt you want to invest now while everyones busy wasting their time with top competitors? You wont make much money only betting on safe picks.

The man shook his head, leaning back into his booths seat and lighting a cigar. Youre saying this kid dropped out of middle school and has never had a real job, but you want me to bet on him for VMA nationals?

Jin held his breath, but the words didnt hurt as much as he thought they would. Hed heard this kind of thing before. Virtual Martial Arts was an online VR sport which had made waves in the eSports scene. It was all he had, but he sucked at it.

He looked down at the disgusting half-drunk Negroni in front of him. Beside him, Ethan had already finished his Dark n Stormy and the man was sipping a bourbon. Jin hated the taste of alcohol. However, he was still tempted to wash down the mans sharp words with a sip.

Ethan shrugged. What does his education have to do with VMA?

Competence. Its about competence. The man took a deep hit of his cigar and blew the smoke at the boys as if they werent there. Welcome to the adult world. Money isnt just money, its an investment. How can I invest in someone if I dont even think theyre competent enough to graduate middle school?

Ethan clenched his jaw but stayed silent. Jin was surprised. Last time something like this happened, Ethan went on a whole rant about judging people off of surface-level details.

The man continued. Kids like yall are a dime a dozen. Love to talk but barely have any results or talent to show for. All it takes is for yall to qualify for nationals once and now suddenly all this confidence comes out.

Jin didnt really disagree with this. Hed tagged along with Ethan to this club, but he wasnt really sure how he thought he could convince a grown man to bet on them, let alone what theyd gain if they actually pulled it off.

Ethan gathered his breath before speaking. Well, lets talk concrete results then. Why dont you look up our profiles?

The man tilted his head. He seemed caught off guard. It was a fair proposal. VMA results were public on the VR Associations website, and if there was anything to accurately predict future success, it was past success.

Fine. The man reached into his pocket and pulled out his smartphone. He leaned on his hand and looked up. You, uhhh, Jin. Whats your last name?

Yi. But my full first name is Seokjin. Youll have to use that for my official profile.

He raised his brow. Chinese or Korean?

Korean.

The drunkard smirked. I used to have a girl who was Korean.

Silence. Jin almost cringed.

When the websites search bar spit out Jins profile, the man took a quick scan of the page before putting his phone down and reaching for his drink. Exactly, nothing to take seriously.

Ethan lowered his head, looking defeated. Jin wasnt sure why Ethan was expecting any other response. He was in the middle of a seven-game losing streakof course this guy wouldnt bet on him. However, it still hurt to see his friend with that kind of face.

Check his next, Jin said.

The man stirred his glass, watching the ice cubes spin. Why waste my time, kid?

I think youll be surprised. Jin looked the man straight in the eye, perhaps for the first time since theyd begun talking.

The man peered back with a straight face. He paused before unlocking his phone again and turned toward Ethan. Whats your name?

Ethan hesitated, as if he wasnt expecting the conversation to turn to him. Again, Jin wasnt sure why. If Ethan really wanted bets, he would be the obvious favorite: he was last years Texas state champion.

Ethan Miller, he finally said.

I thought you were a chink like your friend? Thats not really an Asian-sounding name, the man said as he typed.

Dad gave me the name. Hes white. I got the looks from my mom.

A mixed blood, huh. So yall rea The man paused. He lifted his phone to eye-level and looked back and forth between Ethan and the screen, as if to confirm that the boy in the profile picture was indeed the same boy sitting in front of him. His eyes widened. Now look what we have here. Maybe there is some competence.