Bamboo Forest Manager

Joohees Dream

In contrast, some were dressed calmly.

Black suits, sunglasses indoors, and large in-ear headphones.

There were those who looked like characters often seen in spy movies.

“So,”

The police officer, having responded to the report, double-checked his understanding.

“Everyone came in to drink coffee. You’re saying there was a misunderstanding that people were fighting and that’s why someone called it in?”

“Yes, look around. Everyone is just sitting and drinking their coffee.”

Though everyone was only drinking iced Americanos, they were indeed drinking them earnestly.

“Yes, well. Understood. But who are you exactly?”

“I’m also a customer here.”

As I stared intently at him questioning what was so strange about that, the officer blinked several times before asking again,

“But why are you explaining the situation? Where is the cafe owner?”

“Making coffee.”

The conversation seemed to frustrate the police officer as he appeared ready to lose his temper.

I continued speaking to him,

“The reason I explained is because there’s something more important going on.”

It was time to inform him about catching a particularly sneaky thief.

* * *

Skipping over complicated procedures,

the police investigation concluded quickly.

Thanks to a bicycle thief incident got naturally overshadowed by thugs and bodyguards involved.

For your information, this bicycle thief turned out to be a student from Gahyeon University’s Security Studies department.

He had sold all other bicycles through second-hand deals using quite crude methods;

A friend of his could paint well so they changed the entire color of the bikes before selling them off,

ensuring even if it was the same model victims would overlook it thinking it wasn’t theirs after all.

By way of reference my bike too had been slated for sale but being one of high performance and well-maintained among stolen goods he decided just repaint it for personal use instead.

‘The kid did have an eye for good bicycles.’

Since he stole from university grounds he thought riding elsewhere wouldn’t get him caught—an exceptionally bold crook indeed.

Now with investigations wrapped up I am on my way to work albeit slightly late; thankfully my boss understood given it involved police inquiry.

Reflecting on today felt remarkably fulfilling.

I attended a lecture early, had a meal, watched a movie, visited a café, searched for my stolen bicycle, kissed Arin and Yerin, and even bought coffee for the bodyguard and some thugs.

Finally, I came to work my part-time job.

“Ah, honestly I hope there are no customers today.”

From the boss’s perspective, this would be an utterly reprehensible thought. But frankly speaking, today has been exhausting.

I just wanted to lie down quietly.

Still being paid to work here after all.

As I sat staring blankly at the ceiling lost in thought, I heard the door open.

“Welcome.”

I greeted the customer with effort to conceal my tired voice.

Worried they might come seeking advice from me unexpectedly. However surprisingly enough it was someone familiar who entered.

“Juhee senior?”

“Hello.”

Juhee senior entered hesitantly wearing her usual bomber jacket and cap awkwardly greeting me as she did so.

She had been here several times before so there was no reason for her to feel embarrassed.

Her awkwardness must have been due to something that happened today.

From noble mtl dot come

“What brings you here? Or did you come to buy something again?”

Trying hard not to smile too much while asking this question Juhee handed me a coffee she was holding in her hand.

It wasn’t just any iced Americano but something incredibly sweet-looking topped extravagantly with cookies which seemed overly luxurious for coffee.

“I thought you might be very tired today so I packed it myself.”

“Wow thank you! Yes indeed it has been really tiring.”

Taking a sip of this overly sweet drink felt almost violently sugary on my tongue but it invigorated me like an awakening boost of energy.

Sweet things definitely help when one is exhausted indeed!

“Lucky you found your bike.”

She said softly smiling pointing at the bicycle leaning against my back wall.

Since leaving it outside risked theft now decided better keep indoors from now on though cramped in dorm room still figuring out how fit inside somehow.

“But hasn’t your shift ended yet? You started early today right?”

Seems like Juhee’s café part-time hours flexibly change depending on her class schedule.

Today, Ju-hee senior went to work first without commuting with me.

“I finished a while ago. I thought you might be coming to work, so I waited at the cafe for a bit before coming here.”

“Ah.”

She must have many questions about today’s work. I try to lighten the mood by shrugging nonchalantly.

“He really is the son of a chaebol family. You would’ve guessed if you saw the anonymous posts online.”

“……”

“But I’m not getting paid separately, and only found out about the bodyguard today.”

Why do I feel like I need to make excuses?

Perhaps because I know about Ju-hee senior’s family circumstances.

Being wealthy isn’t a crime.

Yet, strangely, it felt like something that needed to be hidden.

Did she notice my concern?

With an air of indifference, Ju-hee senior chuckled lightly.

“A guy who gets a lot of allowance from home wouldn’t work part-time at an adult store.”

“Right?”

“I just came… to say thanks for today.”

Thanks?

Was there something specifically that warranted gratitude?

Seeing the confusion on my face, Ju-hee senior elaborated further.

“The people who came today were gangsters with whom we had bad blood in the past.”

“You got involved with gangsters in high school?”

It did seem too familiar when dealing with Manager Hwang earlier.

“Back then… what was it? It was popular to pay thugs to beat up bullies as revenge for being bullied at school.”

No way.

“It wasn’t me bullying others. Rather, it was those bullies who lied to thugs and made them believe they were harassed by me.”

I shouldn’t say this to Senior Ju-hee but it’s unexpectedly thrilling. I felt like eating popcorn or something similar.

Since there’s none available, regretfully sipping on the sweet coffee she bought will have to suffice as I listen intently.

“So what happened…”

She scratched her chin awkwardly before downplaying it simply,

“I beat them up.”

Indeed.

Senior Ju-hee, who even beats up active gangsters, is truly the best.

“Since then, they’ve been coming by every now and then. Not to start trouble… but to ask if I’d consider working with them.”

Huh.

Even gangsters have an eye for talent.

It’s not that they come back fighting after a loss; rather, they try to recruit you to their side.

‘I remember when I first entered the cafe, they briefly stepped outside and suggested we talk.’

Back then, I thought it was an invitation to fight, but it seems they were thinking of scouting me.

“After you left. Those people approached me again. They wanted me to work with them.”

“…”

“I could work while attending university. They said I could earn much more than what I’m making at the cafe—several times more.”

For Senior Ju-hee who urgently needed money, it was a hard offer to refuse.

I wondered if it was even right for me to dissuade her as she confessed her acceptance of the offer.

“I turned them down.”

Senior Ju-hee smiled as if relieved.

“I said no. There’s something else I want to do now.”

“What’s that?”

“Bodyguard.”

“…”

My mouth fell open without realizing it.

I felt like I understood where Senior’s dream had started from.

“I want to be a bodyguard. Although I’m good at fighting, unless becoming a professional fighter helps someone else somehow—I didn’t think so.”

As she clenched and unclenched her hands, Senior seemed enlightened by some vision she saw before her eyes.

“Woo-jin-ah, you often call me ‘boss’ or such.”

The second year began.

Having seen various sides of Senior Ju-hee already; today too was about encountering yet another aspect of hers.

“Surprisingly enough though—I’m indecisive. When entering English Literature Department initially all that mattered seemed like being good at English would suffice for anything.”

“…”

“I realized during the semester that majoring in English Literature wasn’t as profitable as expected and considered starting my own restaurant instead.”

Suddenly remembering how Senior had joined Gold One differently from us—as part of the cooking team—crossed my mind.

“And now, I’m trying to move into a field where I can utilize my talents—security. I’m always wavering like this. Never knowing when it might change again.”

“…”

Just.

Just like that.

Senior Juhee ended the conversation briefly.

“The reason I mentioned this… is because I hoped you would really see me for who I am.”

As she was about to leave with a somewhat relieved expression,

“Senior.”

I called out to Senior Juhee and pulled out a business card from my pocket.

It was the card I had received from the manager in charge at the security team we met earlier.

“Quit the cafe during the vacation. I could talk to them and maybe help you learn enough there.”

“…Isn’t this kind of cheating?”

She tried to refuse with a bitter smile, but I walked briskly over and placed the business card in her hand.

“What’s wrong with a little cheating? After all you’ve been through, why not learn something using a conglomerate chairman’s son’s backing?”

“…”

“I’m not saying they’ll just slot you in. It’s not like that. I don’t even have that kind of power. It’s just about letting you see and learn what kind of work they do, sort of like an intern.”

“…”

“You never know. Later on, if Senior really doesn’t give up on this path and becomes a bodyguard.”

Even imagining such a future made me unwittingly smile slightly.

“Please look after me then. You know how much trouble I tend to get into.”

Hearing my words, Senior Juhee stared blankly at me for a moment before clutching the received business card tightly and nodding solemnly.

“For as long as it takes.”

“…”

“If that’s what you wish for.”

There are shades even in emotions.

The words from Senior Juhee just now were so transparent that they were trustworthy,

And sincerely made me hope she would stay by my side forever.

After our brief eye contact,

Senior truly said she would go check it out as she left outside,

“Today has really been busy.”

After a moment of hesitation, I dashed back outside.

I shouted towards the back of my senior who seemed to have regained some energy in his steps.

“Senior! And about what you said earlier, I don’t think that’s quite right!”

“Hmm?”

Senior Ju-hee turned her head back towards me, perhaps surprised by the suddenness.

“Changing goals isn’t indecisiveness!”

“……”

“It’s striving! It’s about trying your hardest to achieve the best outcome in whatever way possible, continuously questioning the results you’ve already reached!”

There was always a reason when Senior’s decisions changed.

Choosing English Literature because English is fundamentally useful everywhere.

Switching to running a restaurant after realizing that an English Literature degree wasn’t as profitable as expected.

And then choosing to become a bodyguard because she believed it was what she could do best.

“It’s not wavering; on the contrary, it’s making decisive choices!”

“Ha, haha.”

Senior let out a resigned laugh.

Her smile was brighter than expected and I found myself laughing along as I shouted,

“To me, you will always be Captain Ju! Loyalty!”

As I saluted her promptly, Senior Ju-hee shouted with an even brighter smile,

“The salute is with your right hand, you rookie!”

Watching Senior Ju-hee walk away with a refreshing laugh made for an uplifting night.