Bamboo Forest Manager

Moving Forward

The final exams were over.

Well, it might sound strange, but they were indeed over.

“Ah, that was tough.”

Exhausted, I patted myself on the back for the hard work done.

“Where to go next.”

I had planned a bicycle trip for the vacation; now it was time to plan the route.

“Ah, should I start in Seoul? Just cleanly from Seoul Station?”

Overwhelming freedom.

Just this thought alone started to excite me.

The fact that I could decide everything from start to finish wasn’t just thrilling because it was a trip; it gave me an oddly uplifting feeling.

Turning on the map for my bicycle journey starting from Seoul Station, an udon advertisement popped up in a banner next door.

“Hmm, udon then.”

Naturally, I began by searching for famous udon spots near Seoul Station.

“It feels exciting.”

Starting with eating udon at one of these famous places. Ordering tempura as a side dish too.

What next?

Having had udon for breakfast let’s keep riding until about 2 or 3 PM and then have lunch.

‘Should we make today Japanese cuisine day?’

Next up would be a Japanese-style pork cutlet place. Somehow this turned into planning my route based on where I’d eat next.

‘Ah, maybe cycle around Jeju Island?’

I can’t remember if it was YouTube or some TV program but there seemed to have been a cycling tour around Jeju Island once.

‘Or maybe across all eight provinces?’

“Anything would be fine.”

Having a goal was a good thing, and it was even more motivating when that goal was something you had set for yourself.

In the midst of pondering.

Brrring! Brrring! Brrring!

– Ahn Hyun-ho –

When I checked the ringing phone, an unwelcome name appeared on the screen.

Still, since they had called, it felt wrong to just ignore it.

“Hello?”

– Hey, why aren’t you here?

“I was planning a trip.”

– Already planning that? Finals just started, didn’t they?

Damn it.

“I’ve been pretending finals are over and having fun.”

– …That’s really pointless.

What am I supposed to do about that?

I already gave my all during the midterms.

I hadn’t expected finals to come around this quickly.

– You said you’d come.

“What are you talking about? I didn’t get any message?”

It’s finals right now; where could I possibly go?

– Oh, wasn’t it you? Sorry. I planned to hang out with some girls from another university today. It wasn’t you; I invited Chanwoo instead.

What is this guy on about?

“Did you call just to mess with me?”

– Right.

“…Where are you?”

– Trying to send Baldy after me? You’re too predictable.

Damn him.

He caught on immediately.

If only the boss would leave us alone for once.

“The boss likes you guys.”

“Shut up.”

“Why did you even take Chanwoo to such a place? He probably has a girlfriend.”

I wasn’t sure how many times it had changed while I wasn’t looking, but now it was hard to imagine Chanwoo without a girlfriend.

“He broke up with her.”

“Again?”

“You know, Woojin, I wish he were a girl. It would have been nice.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just think about it. A crazy beautiful girl who dates anyone who confesses to her. Then I’d have a chance too!”

“Ah, fuck. I’m blocking you, you maniac.”

“…It’s just a joke.”

“Ugh, disgusting. Do you think of nothing but girls?”

I clicked my tongue and resolved to definitely tell Chanwoo about this conversation.

“Hey, it’s not like I wanted this! It was Han Kang who arranged everything.”

“Those guys again?”

“Yeah, those guys again. Han Kang and Jin-ho are trying desperately to get girlfriends before they enlist in the military.”

“Why don’t they just wait until after their service…”

Both of them might have garbage personalities but their looks aren’t half bad.

Han Kang has that handsome church oppa vibe.

Pyo Jin-ho is like a sturdy bear.

Each has his own charm which wouldn’t be bad if they seriously tried dating someone.

But their standards are too high.

And women with high standards don’t bother dating men who will soon enlist in the military.

“It seems that’s not what they think anyway. We’re going out to meet girls from the dance department.”

“Eh, not jealous at all.”

I’m truly not even slightly envious; despite my words Ahn Hyun-ho smirked at me.

“Woojin, men don’t just like pretty or charming women.”

“So did you confess to Lee Seo-han?”

“…Fucking asshole.”

He cleared his throat awkwardly before continuing,

“Men like new women.”

Thud.

It just cut off.

I was living a trashy life, but that was pretty trashy too.

‘So, is that why we became friends…’

Anyway, I didn’t really care that those idiots went out without me.

It just felt like being ostracized, which was a rather filthy feeling.

“Something’s odd.”

I wouldn’t have gone even if they called, but the fact they didn’t even pretend to invite me is ambiguous.

“Sigh, whatever. It helped me snap out of it.”

Reflecting on myself who had been daydreaming about going on a trip until just now.

Thanks to Ahn Hyun-ho’s call, I began to feel a burning desire to do well on my exams unlike those guys.

With the thought of focusing on studying, I opened my book.

And closed it again a few minutes later.

Surprisingly, motivation isn’t something you can get just because someone else tries to instill it in you.

“Ah damnit, this is annoying.”

I know I need to study but not wanting to makes me strangely depressed.

While trying several times to curse at myself and get my act together,

Ring! Ring! Ring!

The phone rang again.

At first I thought those fools were calling again but it wasn’t them.

– Yoo Arin –

Yoo Arin called perhaps sensing how frustrated I felt; I quickly answered only for silence to linger for a moment.

“Hello?”

When she remained silent after my question Yoo Arin let out a soft breath before responding,

– Are you busy right now?

It’s unusual for her to ask about my time.

Usually she would just tell me off directly.

“Not busy.”

Realizing this wasn’t an ordinary situation from her response yet Yoo Arin paused once more before continuing her words,

That must mean it’s hard for her even say what she wants.

“Do you remember the last time you pulled down your pants?”

“Ah, during the exam?”

I think it was during the midterms. And now, finals are just around the corner.

Time really flies.

“You promised to grant a wish since I won the bet.”

You still remember that?

I thought it had naturally been forgotten.

“Right, I remember. Why? What should I do for you?”

There’s nothing much to do right now anyway. Pushing aside the books that seem to be calling me to study, I quickly stand up.

“Come with me somewhere.”

A hotel?

It would be nice if it were a hotel.

Thinking about it, Yu Arin once bought a cat costume from our store in the past.

It would be great if she wore that.

“Anywhere.”

Smiling broadly, I immediately began preparing to go outside.

* * *

“This is it?”

I never thought there would still be places like this in Korea.

I stare blankly at the large building. It wasn’t tall but stretched long horizontally.

The sign read ‘Daehan Cheer Up Taekwondo’ – somewhat tacky but an old name reflecting its age.

“Why does it have ‘Cheer Up’ in its name all of a sudden?”

As I blankly look up at the sign, Yu Arin lightly dressed next to me taps my back.

“They opened during the IMF crisis. It’s meant to encourage South Korea to cheer up.”

“It seems really old for a taekwondo studio.”

I tried counting how many years it might have been there but was pushed inside by Yu Arin urging us to hurry in.

Maybe because it was evening, there were many middle and high school students and adults around; they definitely didn’t look ordinary.

Should I say professional?

“There’s spirit here.”

Muttering so under my breath, Yu Arin giggles softly. She seemed oddly proud of herself as if complimented on her own taekwondo studio.

“Is that Arin?”

At that moment, a middle-aged man who was watching over the students’ kicking practice recognized Yoo Arin.

His black belt around his waist was worn out, and his hair was excessively dyed black, showing wrinkles though his physique seemed better than mine.

“Master, it’s been a long time.”

He truly had the aura of a master.

“Oh! How’s college? Are you doing well? I heard Jinho saw you once.”

“…Well, yes, he did see me.”

From noble mtl dot come

She didn’t add that they had torn into each other with words.

Don’t worry.

Jinho is probably busy having fun with the dance majors and girls right now.

“And this gentleman here is…”

“My boyfriend.”

“Ha ha! Ha ha ha! Arin has a boyfriend! I’m Woojin Kim!”

As he laughed heartily and seemed pleased, it was actually the dojo master who appeared more flustered.

But seeing how happy I was about it, Yoo Arin just smiled without saying much else.

“Well, Master. Actually, there’s something we came to tell you.”

Then Yoo Arin quietly took my hand.

I felt a bit startled too but noticed that the dojo master across from us saw this as well.

“Do you remember what you told me before? You insisted I should definitely become an athlete.”

“That’s right. But then you refused.”

The dojo master crossed his arms nonchalantly.

Then he drew a clear line with an entirely different tone than before,

“It’s too late now.”

Yoo Arin is now in her second year of university.

It indeed made sense that it was far too late to consider switching back to being an athlete now.

However,

Holding her hand in mine let me know something,

That Yoo Arin had already anticipated this response too,

“I’m not going to be an athlete,”

Arin declared confidently.

“I’ve come to make a business… proposal.”

This was Yuarin’s true intention.

Perhaps that’s why, without realizing it, I firmly grasped her hand.

Hoping she felt encouraged.

“You used to organize performances with the kids, using Taekwondo.”

“…Yes, I did.”

“Let’s do that again.”

Master’s mouth slowly opened.

He seemed surprised by the unexpected suggestion, and I too felt somewhat perplexed.

A performance?

I knew there were people who performed using Taekwondo. Weren’t there popular videos on YouTube called “Korean Dance” that foreigners reacted positively to?

“We can use the kids from the dojo who are good with their bodies. If it feels too burdensome, we could start by hiring them part-time or simply create short videos for YouTube.”

YouTube and shorts?

It felt like things were connecting.

There was a time when Yuarin became quite famous overnight with a short clip where she accidentally hit me while doing a windmill kick.

“People might say you need a venue and an audience for something like a performance troupe, but those days are gone. We can perform in videos now, and the audience is virtually limitless.”

“…”

“It won’t just be about showing the final product; even the practice sessions will become part of an engaging process for viewers.”

I got the feeling this wasn’t just some spur-of-the-moment thought from Yuarin.

An expert in this field.

Given Yuarin had some connections with my ex-girlfriend in this industry, she probably sought her help too.

But clearly,

it all started with her.

“I’ve just outlined the big picture for now. I’ll explain more details inside.”

With those words, Yuarin calmly let go of my hand as if to signal everything was okay now.

Master glanced at me as he headed towards his office and then gave me a soft smile as if he’d realized something before saying,

“I’ll give you some time; take what you need and come back.”

“Ugh.”

Yoo Arin wore an awkward expression as if she had been pricked. Then, stopping halfway to the office, she turned back to me.

Tightly.

Despite the presence of others, Yoo Arin did not hesitate to throw herself into my arms.

I reciprocated by embracing her just as tightly.

“What are you doing?”

As I asked softly while holding her, Yoo Arin buried her face deeper into my chest with a shy whisper,

“Recharging courage.”

“Hmm.”

I hugged her tightly, amused and curious.

“How did you come up with this? I had no idea.”

I knew she mentioned going to the taekwondo dojo during the vacation, but I didn’t realize it was like this.

“Study and exercise. I know you’re doing all this for us.”

“……”

“That’s why I wanted to do it too. I wanted to show that I’m progressing too.”

With those words, Yoo Arin pulled away from me. She entered the office without showing her flushed face.

Suddenly, a strong desire to study surged within me.

‘I want to go back and study right now.’

I want to do well on my final exams.

I wanted to appear better in front of everyone else as Kim Woojin.

And then another resolve formed in my mind,

‘I’ll ask for a dobok later.’