Bamboo Forest Manager

10-10. Running Mate

“Hmm.”

I looked at my phone and felt a strange sensation.

More precisely, I had a strange thought while looking at the bamboo forest bulletin board on the phone screen.

“Why haven’t I seen her lately?”

Anonymous69.

So, Seo Yerin hasn’t been posting on the bulletin board recently.

She used to act like she would die without the bulletin board, so it made me worry when she suddenly disappeared.

“I hope it’s not a strange thought.”

From what I observed, Seo Yerin seemed to release the stress she experienced in reality through the things she couldn’t say as Anonymous69.

On the other hand, if she is releasing it in reality, there would be no reason to dirty the bulletin board.

“Has she found a boyfriend?”

I just said it as it came to mind, but it’s not unlikely, is it?

Anyway, it was a good thing that one spammer disappeared, so the bamboo forest became cleaner.

In fact, some users even say that it’s good that Anonymous69’s constant fighting posts have disappeared.

The problem is…

The law of preserving idiots, shall we say?

As soon as Anonymous69 disappeared, there was someone who immediately showed his presence.

None other than Anonymous287.

English-American literature and the Department of English Literature, An Hyun-ho.

– Anonymous287: How about bumping shoulders with someone first? If you just pass by without apologizing and smirk, they won’t get mad, right?

He was asking the Bamboo Forest about ways to pick fights with people without making them feel bad, almost every day.

The important thing was that he thought it was helpful, and that there were frequent comments among Bamboo Forest users.

↳ Anonymous209: That’s just openly making people feel bad. Isn’t it better to subtly make them feel bad?

↳ Anonymous11: No, this person just wants to intentionally stir up trouble. But they do it openly because the other person is an idiot.

↳ Anonymous209: Ah, really?

↳ Anonymous11: This person is constantly looking for ways to pick fights in their own way. It’s entertaining. There are actually some useful techniques too.

↳ Anonymous75: Yeah, there are a lot of blatant things. I tried what this person said last time and it worked. I was feeling bad and feeling irritated over something small, so I couldn’t say anything.

↳ Anonymous287 (Author): Ha, if only that person made the first move, I’d have no regrets. I confidently confront the situation with a smile.

↳ Anonymous287 (Author): And it seems like they’re dating someone from our department’s seniors. Damn, why are they staring at someone else’s girl?

“Not even a child.”

If I call the police, the situation will escalate, and in addition to the settlement money, there could be serious consequences if I make a wrong move.

I felt like I was dealing with a child when I was the one initiating a fight while hoping for a fight in return.

An Hyun-ho has recently been doing annoying things, like hitting people while passing by.

“Rather, seeing things like this makes me think less.”

Since this person freely expresses their thoughts without regrets on the community, I don’t feel any emotions at all.

Even if they forcefully pick a fight with me, I know that they are the most anxious.

– Anonymous90: When will the x-rated leftist come? Why can’t I see them?

↳ Anonymous11: Do you want to see them?

↳ Anonymous90 (Author): It’s funny.

↳ Anonymous11: Go find your daughter, you virgin.

↳ Anonymous90 (Author): ? Why are you picking a fight?

↳ Anonymous11: It’s funny.

– Anonymous243: Honestly, my step-sister is my girlfriend, Jeong Sil is Macadam. You got it?

↳ Anonymous65: What the f***.

“Ugh.”

Various posts popping up.

While expecting whether An Hyun-ho can really anger me, I can only hope that the Bamboo Forest members will help me.

Ding dong.

As I was managing the bamboo forest, a doorbell rang. It wasn’t a separate customer, it seemed like a delivery.

I immediately received the package and opened it to find the black running shoes that Choi Yiseo recommended to me the last time.

“Hmm, not bad.”

They looked good even in pictures, and I quite liked them. I put them on and took a quick jump in place, feeling a slight urge to run.

“Oh, I asked for a photo.”

Choi Yiseo had asked me to send a photo when the running shoes arrived. I sent her the picture I was wearing, and a few minutes later I received a reply.

Choi Yiseo: Come out.

Kim Woojin: ?

All of a sudden?

Choi Yiseo: If you got the running shoes, you should try running. Come out quickly. I’ll run with you.

Did she really go out of her way to make an exercise buddy for herself?

Did I become a fish caught on a hook?

“I don’t mind.”

Honestly, because I had the impulse to try running in the newly purchased shoes, I didn’t stubbornly refuse.

“Hmm.”

She had also tried to help me with my ex-girlfriend, Oh Yoonji.

Kim Woojin: Okay?

Choi Yiseo: Meet at the starting point of the riverside trail in 10 minutes.

Kim Woojin: No, 20.

Choi Yiseo: If you answer one more time like that, you’ll regret it when we meet.

-Kim Woojin: It’s too far.

I couldn’t help but become polite, thinking of Choi Yiseo who would be looking at her phone coldly.

Choi Yiseo: How long will it take?

-Kim Woojin: 20 minutes.

Choi Yiseo: Then it’s only 5 minutes if we run. Let’s meet in 10 minutes. If you’re late, buy me dinner.

-Kim Woojin: Don’t force me.

However, the “1” in my last message did not disappear. It seems that Choi Yiseo has started preparing to go out.

“Oh, really.”

Although I had the impulse to wear the running shoes and run, I never expected this sudden situation.

Despite feeling perplexed, I quickly changed into workout clothes and went to the riverside trail.

“Oh, 9 minutes.”

“Huff! Huff! Does it feel like we’ve already run a marathon?”

“What are you saying.”

Although we managed to run here in just 10 minutes, I’m honestly exhausted already. The impulse to just quit was already creeping up on me, but Choi Iseo fiddled with his smartwatch and explained.

“Let’s just try running for a short 10 minutes first. Don’t run too fast, match your pace.”

“I ran for 10 minutes.”

Technically, it was 9 minutes, but why isn’t he counting that I’ve come this far?

“That was just a warm-up.”

“Isn’t a warm-up exercise still exercise? I feel like I’ve worked hard enough.”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s just go.”

With those words, Choi Iseo taps my back. I wondered why he was so comfortable with this, but ultimately, I pushed my back and started running again.

“You’re forcing yourself too much.”

“I’m telling you to get healthier. You ate pork, tonkatsu, and ramen. You should exercise.”

I agree that I should exercise, but…

“…Do you still remember what you ate last time?”

“No way.”

As Choi Iseo continues pushing my back, he sighs.

“It’s not me, it’s the personal trainer who got angry. What did you eat to gain weight this much in just a day?”

“….”

“Let’s go, let’s go!”

Now that he’s exercising, Choi Iseo seems to have gained energy. From his voice, I can tell he’s enjoying himself.

It wasn’t just about bullying me, but rather, he felt good about running freely.

After running for a while,

“Oh, how long did we run?”

“20 minutes? We didn’t run as much as I expected.”

I’m gasping for breath, while Choi Iseo is perfectly fine, stretching his body.

He still didn’t look like he had broken a sweat, but for me, it was already too much.

“I should continue exercising. My stamina is really bad.”

“Huff! Huff!”

“Shall we run together every morning? How about that? We can wake up early, jog, and then go to the morning lectures together. You have a lecture at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, right?”

“Do you have any friends?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

“…he said he’s living with a friend at home. He can just stay with them.”

We quickly moved past this disadvantageous subject. However, it was a slightly unexpected reaction.

“Huh?”

Choi Iseo’s expression suddenly darkened.

It felt like he hesitated mentioning the friend he lives with at home.

“Are you not on good terms with your high school friends?”

I had a strange feeling, but Choi Iseo glanced at me and asked.

“Are you still watching the bamboo forest at school?”

“Oh, yeah. I occasionally keep an eye on it.”

Actually, I watch it every day.

Almost every hour, in fact.

“…I’ll text you later.”

There was no need to ask what kind of text he was planning to send. He must be planning to send a text that matches the timing when Yoonji’s high school friends attack me.

“Is it really okay?”

I asked openly, because I felt doubtful at this point. It felt like I was betraying his friends.

“It’s not because it’s you.”

In response to my question, Choi Iseo muttered while rubbing his arm.

“Just by looking at what the kids are doing right now, it feels like they’re watching some kind of cult. Yoonji, the person in question, doesn’t say anything, but they curse at each other and blame everything on you.”

“….”

“That’s not right. Once this is all over, I’ll gather the kids and talk to them later. I won’t let you get hurt.”

He’s suffering because he chose the wrong friends.

Choi Iseo looked exactly like that.

“Sigh.”

Feeling sorry for him, I lightly tapped his shoulder. His damp, blue hair gave off a strangely refreshing scent.

“….?!”

Surprised, Choi Iseo suddenly jerked his body back. He looked startled, as if wondering what I was doing, but I just pretended not to see and changed the topic of conversation.

“What do you want to eat for dinner? I’ll treat you.”

From Noble mtl dot com

“…This time, should I decide?”

“Shall we play rock-paper-scissors?”

“Nah, I’ll just decide.”

As I casually extended my hand, Choi Eseo remembers the two defeats she had, resulting in her having to eat stir-fried pork and tonkatsu, and sulks.

Then, she flashes a crafty smile.

“There’s a salad restaurant nearby, you know? Let’s eat there.”

“…A salad restaurant?”

I immediately extended my hand while furrowing my eyebrows at her playful face that seems to know that I don’t like that kind of thing.

“Let’s play rock-paper-scissors.”

“I don’t want to. Hurry up and come.”

Since I had already lost my decision-making power, I had no choice but to follow Choi Eseo’s lead.

“Sigh, I’ll treat you.”

Smiling brightly at me, who didn’t want it, she pats my shoulder.

“Let’s go quickly, Nuna.”

“Gross.”