Bamboo Forest Manager

Master?

On our way back from the taekwondo dojo,

It was a darkening evening,

Following streetlamp lights like waypoints; we shared various stories along our walk.

“So I decided to do it together with the master instructor. Seeing him unexpectedly looking forward really made me proud.”

The conversation mostly revolved around what we just discussed at the taekwondo dojo and some kind of business Yoo Arin would be involved in moving forward.

Although he said he liked it when talking about Master Instructor’s approval from what I’ve seen spending time with Yoo Arin so far,

She also got permission and looked visibly elated,

“It feels like broadening my horizons into somewhat new fields.”

Of course, Yuarin didn’t hide it either. There weren’t many moments when she felt like she was progressing.

Because the mood she was feeling now seemed quite pleasant.

Riding on the night air, I asked softly.

“Shall we grab some dinner?”

“Are you trying to tempt me?”

Yuarin asked with a laugh. I wasn’t sure what the right response was in such moments.

But haven’t I always lived honestly to get to this point?

“Yes, I’m tempting you.”

“Heh.”

A peculiar giggle burst out.

But seeing her lips stretch into a wide smile, it seemed that my answer had been correct after all.

“What shall we eat?”

I could already sense excitement in her voice.

I continued with more confidence.

“Something nearby? How about kimbap or tteokbokki? Or even just convenience store ramen is fine.”

“The menu sounds a bit bland.”

As Yuarin murmured as if cooled down, I gently took her hand and added,

“I just want to eat quickly and move on to next things.”

Yuarin stared at me intently for a moment before letting go of my hand and casually linking arms with me.

“You know, you’re pretty clever when it comes down to it.”

It seems that didn’t look too bad on me after all.

The flow was good, and our steps became even lighter.

Indeed, it’s the brave who win beauties over.

Good, let’s be even braver then.

“Ahrin, did you bring your taekwondo uniform?”

“Yeah, I brought it.”

I heard she bought a new one because the old one was too worn out. It seems like not just any taekwondo uniform but rather an elaborate performance one with some color in it.

While looking around at nearby restaurants with a smile, I asked Yuarin,

“Can you wear your uniform?”

“You fucking b*stard always have to push it at the end!”

As she unfolded her arms, she simultaneously stepped back and drove a kick into his abdomen.

I later heard that it was a taekwondo move called the spinning hook kick.

“Ugh!”

Whatever it was, having been struck in the abdomen, I fell forward onto the ground.

Thud!

“Come here, you b*stard. There’s a pizza place over there.”

I was dragged all the way to the pizza shop while my hair was being pulled.

“You’re paying. Consider it punishment for ruining my mood.”

“I can pay!”

While staring at the floor, I mustered up some courage again.

“But I want to take off this dobok myself!”

“Shut up! What’s with this dobok nonsense?! It’s new and needs to be broken in!”

“We can break it in together!”

“No, what’s so great about a dobok?”

“It’s new!”

An Hyun-ho might prefer new women, but for me, even Yu Arin in a new outfit is enough.

“Oh man, my head hurts. Let’s just go eat some pizza.”

“…But when are you going to let go of my hair?”

As we entered inside with my hair still being held onto. The clerk looked shocked but ultimately I remained grabbed by the hair until we sat down.

The place wasn’t just any pizzeria; it served Western-style food and wasn’t too expensive overall.

Perhaps they chose this place out of consideration?

“Pizza and… pilaf or risotto? You like dishes with rice.”

Kids these days know me too well.

“Pilaf. Risotto feels too much like porridge.”

“So that’s why Lee Seo made pilaf last time.”

“…”

Silenced by embarrassment, I couldn’t say anything as Yu Arin efficiently ordered from the menu then rested her chin on her hands while intently staring at me.

“Have you cooled down now?”

“A-rin ah*, I’ve always been calm.”

“It would have been better if you said those things in excitement.”

What else could I do?

I had been thinking about it ever since I entered the taekwondo studio earlier.

“But when you wear a taekwondo uniform, you’ll look really pretty.”

As I spoke in a dejected tone, Yoo Arin bit her lip hard.

“Ah, this won’t do. If I keep hanging out with you like this, I might actually end up wearing it.”

Yoo Arin slapped her cheeks lightly and took a deep breath before declaring firmly.

“No way. Absolutely not. Got it?”

It was disappointing, but there was nothing I could do if she was that adamant.

“Alright, got it. I won’t do anything you dislike.”

I handed Yoo Arin the glass of water brought by the server and poured her some as we talked.

Her expression seemed to soften slightly as she drank the water.

Then,

“Why did this have to fail?”

“It’s because those guys misspoke.”

“Ha, damn it really sucks. Who even made this reservation? How long has it been since we ate and now we’re here for dinner again? We should’ve gone to a bar instead.”

“Oh? That was me.”

Familiar voices came from the entrance. My head turned involuntarily towards them and our eyes met unexpectedly.

In order were Kang Han Kang, Ahn Hyun Ho, Pyo Jin Ho, Jeong Chan Woo.

“Ah crap.”

I tried to pretend not to know them but they had already seen me with Arin and were approaching us now.

“Woah, Woojin! Where’s Yerin?”

Kang Han Kang immediately started off on an unpleasant note that upset Yoo Arin right from the start.

“…Weren’t you supposed to be studying?”

Ahn Hyun Ho who had spoken with me earlier on the phone said,

“Ah ah ah hello Arin.”

Pyo Jin Ho still fearful due to his past trauma involving Yoo Arin greeted nervously,

“Are you two on a date? Lucky!”

And Jeong Chan Woo appeared completely unfazed by now.

Just my luck meeting all four of them here; sighing deeply as Kang Han Kang chuckled placing his hand on my shoulder,

“Well well what are the odds of running into each other like this! What do you say? Shall we join tables?”

“Go crazy. If you don’t want to die, get lost.”

Even as I clenched my teeth and gestured a warning with my chin, Kang Han-gang did not back down.

It seems he wants to ruin whatever good is happening for me.

“Get lost.”

At Yoo Arin’s chilling words, Han-gang glanced around and cautiously moved to another spot.

“That’s why I told you if you don’t want to die because of Yoo Arin, you should leave.”

I managed to drive one away.

“It’s good here, right? I came here once with my girlfriend; she liked it too.”

After Han-gang left, Chan-woo picked up the conversation with a smile.

“Weren’t you guys supposed to have a meeting today? With the dance department from another school?”

He emphasized the meeting with the dance department on purpose—to appeal to Yoo Arin that I hadn’t attended it.

“Yeah, but it got messed up because some guys blurted out they’re soon joining the army.”

“Sigh.”

Figures.

I was about to add that those guys wouldn’t amount to much when Yoo Arin cut in.

“Hey, were you planning on having dinner here today with girls after coming here before with your ex?”

“Yeah. My ex said this place was good too. I thought I’d recommend what we had last time.”

“…Kim Woo-jin, have you been here before with other girls?”

Yoo Arin asked slyly. Immediately raising both hands in defense, I asserted my innocence:

“No? Absolutely not! You were the one who chose this place initially.”

“Right? If you had first come here with some other girl before me, it would’ve been over for you.”

My spine tingled.

Chan-woo still wore an expression unaware of his wrongdoing yet,

“Enjoy your meal. Arin-ah about the pasta here—”

“I’ve already ordered so leave.”

He tried recommending something from the menu but ended up being chased away just like that. Pyo Jin-ho also quickly followed Chan-woo and fled as if escaping something terrible.

Lastly remaining was Ahn Hyun-ho who alternated looking at us both then clicked his tongue,

“What do they see in her?”

Ahn Hyun-ho genuinely curious asked Yoo Arin while standing right there.

“You guys are awful, but this one seems like an idiot.”

Yu Arin retorted with a sneer, and eventually, Ahn Hyun-ho pouted his lips and grumbled.

“Hey, Kim Woo-jin. Give me the summary notes you promised last time. You said you’d show them to me before the exam.”

“I told you I’d trade them for the cheat sheet you were supposed to bring.”

“Ah, I really need to at least get a B on this exam.”

As Ahn Hyun-ho muttered and walked away, I watched his back and suddenly felt a weight of worry in my chest.

He’s right.

‘I need to study.’

Will there be enough time if I eat this and spend the day with Arin?

Just as that thought crossed my mind, our food arrived.

Yu Arin placed a slice of pizza on my plate right in front of me. Then she looked straight at me and said,

“Should we go study?”

“Huh? Why?”

“It’s exam period. Thinking about it now, it seems like I’ve taken up too much of your time.”

“No, but…”

I wanted to go to a hotel with Arin.

From noble mtl dot come

Noticing what was swirling around in my mind perhaps, Yu Arin replied with a gentle smile,

“We can do that anytime.”

Her words made me feel strangely ambivalent. How pleasant it was to hear her say she would comply whenever I asked.

“Yeah, let’s go study.”

A night of pleasure would certainly feel good but considering the future; it seemed better to focus on studying for exams.

s*x can wait until later.

Dinner ended quickly.

After saying I was going to the restroom and settling the bill; when I returned…

“…Huh?”

Surprisingly there were Pyo Jin-ho and Yu Arin talking together at another table.

And it was Yu Arin who had approached him first for conversation.

‘What’s going on?’

What kind of situation is this?

They aren’t supposed to be close enough for private talks.

I absentmindedly watched as I finished the remaining cola.

Strangely, I felt disgusted.

“Huh? You’re back already?”

Yoo Arin, having finished her conversation, sat down across from me with a slightly surprised expression.

“Shall we go? Let’s split the bill.”

As she awkwardly smiled and gathered her bag, I replied curtly.

“I already paid.”

“What? You really did? I thought you went to the bathroom.”

“It wasn’t much.”

Yoo Arin stared at me intently as I answered briefly. Before even asking, she sighed deeply and explained,

“This time it’s for the Taekwondo performance team. He’s gathering members and asked if you could join until you enlist in the military. His connections with guys are pretty good. That’s all.”

“Jinho hyung?”

“He might not be great at sparring, but his forms aren’t bad. Plus, he’s big and strong; he’ll be good for roles like lifting or throwing others from below.”

Arin being lifted and thrown by Pyo Jinho?

“My mood just got worse.”

As I bit my lip in annoyance, Yoo Arin gave a hollow laugh while staring blankly at me.

“Hey, you have two other girls anyway…”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t love you. It’s jealousy. I’m really jealous right now.”

Hearing my candid words left Yoo Arin stunned. Then cautiously looking around, she pulled something out of her bag.

It was a belt.

Yoo Arin’s black belt in Taekwondo.

Wondering why she suddenly took it out, she grabbed one end and wrapped it around her neck before handing me the other end.

It resembled a leash form.

“It’s yours.”

Look at her cunning smile as she tempts me! Underneath the table, her toes were fiddling with my calf seeking affection.

A leash made of a Taekwondo belt.

This is quite novel.

Feeling suddenly appeased and an intense rush below my waistline almost made me pounce on her unknowingly.

“I’m pacified; let’s go.”

“Do I have to like it because it’s simple?”

Ahrin Yu, seemingly amused by the absurdity, collected the belt again.

We left without greeting the fools and went outside; we had a good dinner, and it was time to go back.

“Should I call separate taxis? Is there a bus from here?”

“Huh?”

As I asked with a smile, Ahrin let out a flustered sound.

“Why? Is the taxi fare too expensive? Should I pay?”

“No, no… That’s not it.”

Hesitating for a moment, she tied the black belt around her neck again and extended its end towards me.

Her expression seemed almost pleading as another smile formed on my face.

“Come on, I’m not mad anymore.”

Yet I still held onto the strap she handed me.

“It’s always like this. Damn it all!”

Ahrin grabbed my hair again and started dragging me somewhere with large strides.

“Ouch! It hurts! It hurts!”

“Shut up and find the nearest hotel!”

“Oh, didn’t you say we’re not doing this today?!”

“If you put a leash on a woman, shouldn’t you be prepared for what comes next?”

“You’re the one who put that leash on yourself!”

“I’ll wear whatever—taekwondo uniform or anything else—so let’s just go!”

Anyway,

Whether I was holding onto the leash or being dragged by Ahrin while she gripped my hair,

In this bizarre form, we entered into a hotel.