Bamboo Forest Manager

“…….”

Today’s drinking party was at a grilled pork belly restaurant.

A cheap, all-you-can-eat place with large portions.

Personally, when we decide to go to an all-you-can-eat restaurant, it puts my mind at ease.

Even though I grew up eating delicious food without worrying about money.

That was the past, and now I’m a college student just looking for part-time work.

Even though I still have some of the lump sum I earned working at Gold One, it’s not enough to live on for a year.

Before entering the all-you-can-eat meat restaurant.

I was waiting at the playground, the meeting place, to meet Chan-woo.

Chan-woo said he wanted to introduce his girlfriend separately to me.

‘How many times will I be introduced, really?’

Including the current one, I recall it’s the third time now.

And now he’s dating someone from the English department.

It seems that exports from Construction Engineering and Public Resources to external fields are happening now.

“Anyway, I’m not worrying about those handsome guys.”

Muttering to myself, waiting while swinging at the playground.

“What are you doing?”

A familiar voice from behind.

Maybe it’s because of the sunset, but Oh Yoon-ji’s hair looked much redder than usual.

“Oh, oh. Hi.”

I hesitated slightly, but thought I greeted not too badly.

Oh Yoon-ji nudged my shoulder and sat on the swing next to me.

“Don’t be awkward. We’re just friends now.”

“Can we really be that?”

“If that’s what you want.”

Sigh.

A mix of various emotions swirled inside, but it was hard to express them in words.

So I just kept my mouth shut, and Oh Yoon-ji asked,

“Why are you waiting here? Yiseo and the others already went into the shop.”

“Chan-woo said we should stop by for a moment. But why are you here?”

“I ended up here while looking for the smoking area.”

What?

“You smoke? You didn’t smoke before.”

“Maybe because life is tough, I started.”

As I grab Yoon-ji’s wrist, which is rummaging through her pocket.

“Don’t smoke, just hand the cigarettes over. Why would you put something that’s bad for you in your mouth?”

“Are you worried about me?”

Our eyes meet as Yoon-ji looks up from the swing.

“It was nagging.”

I couldn’t quite say I was worried, so I answered evasively, and as I tugged to snatch the cigarettes from her pocket.

“Ta-da.”

What came out was a lollipop.

Chupa Chups.

“I was just joking.”

“Sigh.”

I was unnecessarily startled.

As I plop back onto the swing and move it to catch the breeze, a sudden question pops up.

“Then why are you here?”

Watching Yoon-ji with a candy in her mouth, I asked, and she looked at me clearly and answered.

“I came looking for you because you weren’t there. Or I was waiting outside for you to come.”

I stop the swing I was riding.

Seeing me like that, Yoon-ji lets out a hollow laugh.

“Can’t I even do this?”

“No, it’s not like that-”

“Kim Woojin!”

Just as I was about to respond, Jeong Chan-woo is walking this way from afar.

He definitely said he would introduce his girlfriend, so I don’t know why she’s not here and he’s coming alone.

“Your girlfriend? You said you’d introduce her.”

“Oh, haha.”

Jeong Chan-woo awkwardly scratches the back of his head. He looks at Yoon-ji beside him and whispers quietly.

“We fought, so she went home.”

“You fought? You?”

On the outside, he seems like a cold city guy, but inside, Chan-woo is well-mannered, so what could they possibly fight about?

“Uh, my ex-girlfriends contact me sometimes and I got caught.”

“This is really-!”

Just as I was about to call him a crazy jerk.

Oh Yoon-ji is blinking beside me, looking at me.

“…That could- Ha. I don’t know. It can’t be. But it kind of feels like it could be.”

“I said we were just friends, but she got really angry.”

“So. Are you going in for dinner?”

“No, it’s an English department gathering, I don’t really need to be there. I just came to tell you.”

“Huh, Chan-woo. Shouldn’t you get some dating coaching or something?”

“I heard all of that is a scam.”

After a brief chat with Chan-woo, I look at Yoon-ji again.

“A male friend…?”

Her somewhat touched expression was annoying, but I decided to let it slide for now.

Chan-woo eventually left, saying he would comfort his girlfriend, leaving just Yoon-ji and me.

“That’s a relief, Woojin.”

“I’m not going to listen to ‘what’s a relief’.”

“That you have a male friend.”

“……”

I said I wouldn’t listen.

Anyway, I ended up going into the pork belly restaurant with Yoon-ji.

Everyone was already there, grilling meat, eating, drinking, and having fun.

“Wow, look at them coming just as the meat is done grilling.”

Yu Arin, who unusually was holding the tongs and grilling, gestured towards us and grumbled.

But then, seeing Yoon-ji next to me, her expression stiffened slightly and her actions halted.

“The vibe doesn’t really feel like the English department.”

Rather than the English department, it was just a gathering of familiar faces enjoying together.

So it wasn’t really strange for Yoon-ji to be part of it.

It feels awkward as I try to find a seat.

Seo Yerin and Yu Arin’s side includes Han Bomi from the design department and Lee Se-ah from the Theater and Film department.

Choi Yiseo’s side is bustling with other English department students.

Being the class president and popular, it’s no surprise for Choi Yiseo.

“Oh dear. My seat’s taken too.”

Yoon-ji laments about her missing seat.

I wondered if there was any available spot, then I noticed an empty seat.

It was in front of Ahn Hyeon-ho at a table for four.

“Why are you sitting here?”

The guy grumbles at me right away.

Ahn Hyeon-ho seemed to have just arrived and was starting to grill the meat, so I smiled awkwardly and replied.

“Let’s just sit together. There’s nowhere else to sit.”

“You can just grab a new table. I have something serious to discuss.”

“That’s not an option.”

If we take a new table, wouldn’t it be just Yoon-ji and me sitting together?

I won’t repeat the mistake Chan-woo made just now.

Yoon-ji naturally sat next to me and greeted Ahn Hyeon-ho. He seemed slightly surprised, knowing we dated in the first semester.

More importantly.

“Serious talk? What serious talk?”

I pre-emptively mention Yoon-ji before Hyeon-ho can say anything.

Judging by the chopsticks and spoon next to him, it seems like someone was eating with him.

“Gyu-ah said she wanted to talk. She’s just gone to get some drinks for now.”

“Senior, I’m back-”

Gyu-ah, who arrived just in time, saw Yoon-ji and me, and her expression hardened.

I introduce Yoon-ji with a smile, pretending nothing’s wrong.

“Hi, this is Oh Yoon-ji. She took a break from school last year. She’s returning this second semester. Get along well.”

“Oh, hello.”

“This is Kim Gyu-ah. I don’t know much else about her.”

“I’m Lee Gyu-ah.”

Hmm, I didn’t even know that part of her so well.

“You two are having a serious talk, right? Don’t mind us and just do your thing.”

“Yeah, you played among yourselves when I was around anyway.”

“Why bring that up again…?”

“That’s my only trick…”

I was at a loss for words, but decided to eat the meat first.

I was going to get tongs, but Ahn Hyeon-ho was already grilling the meat to prevent it from burning.

“Well, Kim Woojin already knows everything anyway.”

What could I not know about the relationship between Gyu-ah and Ahn Hyeon-ho?

In fact, I was practically playing Cupid.

Perhaps that’s why they both decided to have a big talk.

They seemed to think it would be hard to have this conversation at any other time.

“So, Gyu-ah. I’m sorry, but I have no intention of getting involved with a girl who cheats.”

“Could we get one soy bean stew, please? You still only eat soy bean stew when having meat, right?”

“Hyeon-ho oppa. I admit it was me before. But not anymore. I’ve changed my mind.”

“Yeah, I only eat soy bean stew. The greasy meat and savory taste go perfectly together.”

“Am I supposed to believe that? You were the one who got sniped in the Bamboo Forest last time, right? Got called a reptile.”

Oh right, the Bamboo Forest is still frozen.

I can release it later.

“The meat is really good for an all-you-can-eat place.”

At Yoon-ji’s words, I quickly grab the cooked meat and nod.

“Indeed, we should remember this place.”

“That one’s done.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Gyu-ah, who was caught being called a reptile, panics and hurriedly makes excuses.

“Th-that wasn’t me!”

Yoon-ji looks at me.

She was asking if I knew anything since I’m the Bamboo Forest Administrator.

At that time, Yoon-ji actually contacted me separately, asking if I was the one being targeted.

“It’s true.”

As I mumbled with food in my mouth, the gazes of Gyu-ah and Ahn Hyeon-ho simultaneously pierced through me.

“…We were just talking among ourselves. You guys have your own conversation.”

I quickly swallowed the food and tried to excuse myself with effort.

“See, you’re lying again. If you really wanted to date me, you should have been honest by now!”

“Th-that was because I was afraid of being hated by Senior. I’m really sorry.”

“We’ve finished all the meat.”

“I guess I should go get more.”

Leaving the two to continue their argument, Yoon-ji and I went together to get more meat.

It’s satisfying since they have not only samgyeopsal (pork belly) but also pork neck, pork jowl, and pork cheek.

I brought back a lot while humming, but it seems they’re still in the middle of that conversation.

“I’ve sorted everything out. It’s true!”

“What does it matter? It means you could do it again!”

I slyly pushed the plate of meat toward Ahn Hyeon-ho.

As the two of them continue to stare intently, Ahn Hyeon-ho grits his teeth and places the meat roughly on the grill.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle sizzle.

“This reminds me of when we went camping.”

“Why do you keep bringing up the past?”

“That’s all I have. What, should I ask how far you’ve gotten with Yiseo now?”

“…The ramen was really good back then.”

“Right?”

Smiling brightly, Yoon-ji checks the meat again.

“That’s why I just don’t get you—!”

“Hyeon-ho, flip it.”

“Oh, yeah.”

He seemed to be about to say something impressive, but Oh Yoon-ji interrupted the flow.

The meat looks about done.

As soon as Ahn Hyeon-ho, while talking, cut the meat with scissors, our chopsticks quickly reached for the meat.

“But there’s no pickled garlic leaves here, didn’t you like those?”

At my question, Yoon-ji responds while wrapping a perilla.

“Yeah, but expecting pickled garlic leaves at an all-you-can-eat place is a bit much.”

“I see.”

Well, if she says so, then it must be.

I also wrap a leaf and take a big bite.

While Oh Yoon-ji and I chew on our wraps together.

Ahn Hyeon-ho places more meat on the empty grill.

“In the end, you brought this situation upon yourself- no, wait a minute.”

While chewing my wrap and watching Gyu-ah talk intently, Ahn Hyeon-ho’s gaze turned this way.

“Is there someone who grills and someone who just eats? Why are only you two eating in here?”

“Uwahuwahuum!”

“Chew it all before you speak.”

Quickly chewing everything and then answering again.

“Wow wow wow!”

In fact, it was nothing special.

I just replied as if I was making an excuse.

“You bastard.”

Just as the very angry Ahn Hyeon-ho was about to scold me.

“Right?”

Yu Arin, holding a glass of alcohol, appeared with her arm resting on the back of my chair.

“Such a bastard, right?”

Staring at me intently, forcing a smile, which was already creepy.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Phones ringing simultaneously.

- Seo Yerin: I want to have sex.

- Seo Yerin: I want to have sex.

- Seo Yerin: I want to have sex.

- Seo Yerin: I want to have sex.

- Seo Yerin: I want to have sex.

Glancing at Seo Yerin, she looks this way with a blank expression, continuously tapping on her phone.

I thought Choi Yiseo might be a bit better.

“Haha.”

The moment I saw her smiling brightly and looking this way, I felt that something was terribly wrong.

“Uh, Woojin. This soy bean stew is your favorite style.”

In the midst of this, Oh Yoon-ji obliviously tried to show that she knew my taste well.

“……”

Seeing her eye smile, it wasn’t that she was oblivious; it was on purpose.

“Ah, this.”

A word that fit much better than saying I was screwed came to mind.

‘Jeong Chan-woo happened.’

Who would have thought I’d follow in that guy’s footsteps exactly.

…But when I say Jeong Chan-woo happened, my shoulders subtly lift, and I don’t feel too bad.