Bamboo Forest Manager

Reconciliation with Choi Yi-seo, who had been a constant headache, was finally achieved, the final exams were over, and the bicycle trip that had existed only in my fantasies was about to begin.

“Ah, I feel so good.”

Happiness comes after hardship, and once you crest the hill, a downhill path awaits.

Well, not every situation in life is like this but at least for me right now it is.

The dormitory was bustling too.

Since summer vacation had started everyone was either heading back home or making a fuss about having a drink party at night.

It was my first time staying in the dorm during vacation but I felt somewhat relieved when the housemaster said I could stay.

‘I can’t travel all through vacation.’

That means I should stay at home but that’s something I’d rather die than do.

Eating breakfast with my father every morning?

Just thinking about it is horrifying.

Especially since last time he mentioned how unsuccessfully my arranged meeting went and seemed to be arranging another one already.

I wish he just wouldn’t bother—I grumble to myself alone.

“Hmm?”

Before starting the trip while fixing up my bike, a familiar voice came from behind me.

When I sneakily turned around there stood senior Joo-hee looking down at me sharply dressed in black suit and crossbody bag slung over her shoulder.

“Oh are you leaving?”

As I got up smilingly to greet her Senior Joo-hee hesitated for a moment then realizing something chuckled softly.

“Did you come to see me off?”

“Ahem well something like that.”

Senior Joo-hee quit working at the cafe as vacation began. Instead she decided to work for our local private security company.

Not exactly working on site but under learning pretext though thanks to some influence of mine she managed to get paid minimum wage or so.

“The team leader is coming right?”

“Yes they’ll be here soon so they told me get ready packing up.”

“Have you looked into any certifications?”

“I’ve kept some info aside It doesn’t seem like it will take long.”

“Oh.”

“It turns out being fluent in foreign languages gives much more advantage than having qualifications or skills in bodyguard duties fighting or martial arts degrees.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Yes, just being able to speak a foreign language already broadens the scope of what you can do.”

“Then coming to the English department wasn’t a bad choice after all.”

I gave a thumbs up, and Senior Juhee slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

“Anyway. It’s just the beginning. I think I’ll be quite busy during the summer break.”

Watching Senior hinting that she might not be able to contact me, I smiled back.

“Ah, I’ll probably just travel around anyway. It’s good for me if you study hard.”

“Right.”

Then at the entrance stood a black sedan.

The person who got out of the car, which looked exactly like something bodyguards would drive, was the head of security team I had seen at a cafe before.

From afar, he bowed his head slightly and I casually waved my hand in response.

“Take care then. You’re so formidable that no one dares mess with you.”

“Pfft.”

It was sincere but she took it as a joke.

“Well then.”

Senior stepped back slowly and bowed deeply as she said goodbye.

“I’ll be off now, young master.”

“Ah come on, don’t call me young master. Just call me Woojin.”

Though I said this, Senior only responded with a mischievous smile before getting into the sedan and driving away.

“Now that Senior has left too maybe it’s time for me to get going.”

I had wanted to say one last goodbye before she left.

After packing up my things, I mounted my bicycle directly.

While packing up earlier on and worrying whether someone might steal it while unattended; fortunately nothing happened like that.

My destination is Busan initially.

I plan to detour wherever interests catch my fancy along the way; how long it will take is uncertain.

But ultimately Busan is where this leg ends.

And from there perhaps even further onto Jeju Island if possible.

There are bike tours around Jeju Island by bicycle too from what I’ve heard.

“Shall we go?”

Just as about mounting my bike when suddenly my phone rang,

Though having discussed separately with those three earlier so wasn’t expecting any calls yet.

– Big Brother –

“What is it?”

I hesitated, wondering if he was calling again just because it was vacation time and telling me to come home.

But since I’m not the kind of sibling who obediently listens to my brothers, I answered anyway.

“Hello?”

– I heard you’re on break.

“Yeah. Didn’t I tell you last time that I plan to travel by bike?”

– You didn’t mention it.

“Must have told only the younger brother then.”

– Aren’t you coming home this vacation either?

“I already visited once because of that arranged meeting last time. That should be enough.”

– Right, about that… there’s something I need to discuss.

“What now? Are you going to tell me to go see another matchmaker? Don’t you know that’s pointless?”

– That’s not it. Turns out, aren’t you schoolmates with Choi Jinah?

“We were in elementary school together. What about it now?”

It sounds like he’s going to say something bothersome.

– There’s a reunion happening in a week. Go check it out.

“Ah, what are you talking about? Why would I go there? I don’t even remember any of their faces.”

– Huh, from what I hear, this gathering will host prominent heirs around your age.

“And so? What do you want me to do? Memorize faces and build connections for the company? Aren’t you taking over the company anyway? Am I supposed to help because you’re incompetent?”

– If my incompetence required your help, then trust me; wouldn’t even dream of being chairman myself.

“…….”

Look at his confidence overflow.

“So why then?”

– Just keep Choi Jinah company for a bit. It’s a favor they asked for her sake.

“I don’t want to.”

The kids would kill me if they found out.

After all the trouble we went through fixing things up last time; am ready for another ordeal like that?

– If hadn’t abruptly ruined the matchmaking session and returned alone back at school , wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.

“…….”

I came here just after saying sorry because I missed the kids.

With a tone that sounded more like a command than a request, my older brother continued.

– It was quite an unpleasant matter over there. Ms. Choi Jin-ah is kind, so she didn’t make a fuss about it.

“Brother, I’m about to ride my bike; do we really need to rush this?”

– It’s only a week away. Ride all you want and just let us know your location; we’ll send the car.

“Why does Choi Jin-ah need me?”

– They didn’t explain that part there.

Sigh.

My older brother exhaled deeply and said,

– This isn’t just an issue between companies; it’s a family matter. You were rude, so you should apologize.

“Alright, I’ll talk to Choi Jin-ah myself and then call you back.”

Click.

After abruptly hanging up, I steadied my breath and placed my foot on the bicycle pedal.

That settles it; summer vacation has just begun.

I might as well enjoy it first.

* * *

“Wow.”

Seo Ye-rin had started filming for her movie role.

The set she arrived at with the manager provided by YS portrayed an almost convincing post-apocalyptic world.

They would probably add more life to it with CG effects later on.

“How fascinating.”

What amazed her most was seeing a chair engraved with her name on it.

She wondered if she was supposed to wait here but then noticed that all other actors’ chairs were empty.

“It’s like psychological warfare. Some actors prefer not being around others, so they wait in makeup rooms or even stay in vans until their scenes are up,” explained the veteran manager.

Seo Ye-rin nodded in understanding.

Being new to most of this, YS intentionally assigned her an experienced manager for guidance.

“Let’s go greet the director first. I heard Ye-rin needs some makeup done too.”

“Yes, got it.”

Seo Ye-rin’s role was that of a lonely warrior woman living through grief and skepticism after losing someone she loved.

Seo Yerin, greeting the director and staff, was graceful and pure.

So likable at first impression that it made one wonder.

Her refined speech and gestures.

The genuine warmth and consideration she showed others were all thanks to her meticulous mother.

‘It wasn’t for nothing that she cared about these things.’

Musing to herself that her mother was never wrong, Seo Yerin then finished talking with the sound director and noticed a woman deep in thought on the set.

“Ah, that person is…”

“Do you know her?”

Her manager interjected in front of Seo Yerin.

“She’s someone I know unilaterally. A friend of my boyfriend.”

At those words, the manager frowned and cautioned her,

“Yerin, don’t casually mention things like a boyfriend. Even if it’s true, you shouldn’t tell anyone.”

“……”

“And don’t go approaching anyone first. It looks bad and can cause trouble.”

“Ah, I see.”

Nodding her head in understanding, Seo Yerin suddenly raised her hand high and called out,

“Jina! Hello!”

“…?!”

The manager was startled by Seo Yerin shouting with her hand raised high.

But Seo Yerin was already smiling brightly as she greeted Choi Jina.

All eyes around them momentarily focused on this interaction.

Panicking slightly, the manager tried to physically shield Seo Yerin but she had already strode confidently towards Choi Jina,

“Hello, my name is Seo Yerin.”

“…Se-Seo Yerin?”

Choi Jina looked stunned as if trying to place a memorable name while opening her mouth wide open.

But it was Seo Yerim who acted quickly,

“I heard my boyfriend caused some offense last time,”

she said with a smile while offering a handshake.

Though the manager wanted to fuss from beside them because of Choi Jina’s presence he couldn’t act rashly.

“Ah…”

It was then that Choi Jin-ah remembered.

One of the women Kim Woo-jin had excitedly talked about at the matchmaking meeting.

“I heard you became an actress, Yerin. So you’re appearing here.”

“Yes, that’s right. But Jin-ah, you’re a violinist; what brings you here?”

“We were requested to play background music. I came to add some atmosphere.”

With a grin.

Seo Ye-rin’s smile, unlike the one she had been giving to the director and staff just moments before, had an edge to it.

From noble mtl dot come

Her manager was almost taken aback by this side of her—innocent yet polite as she usually was.

Choi Jin-ah smiled too but seemed slightly outmatched.

Caught off guard by this sudden confrontation, she couldn’t quite gather her wits.

Feeling victorious inside, Seo Ye-rin was already imagining the praise she would receive from Choi Yi-seo and Yu A-rin when—

Buzz!

Her phone rang out.

“Just a moment.”

Thinking it was a call, Seo Ye-rin excused herself and turned to check but—

It wasn’t a call but multiple messages piling up one after another.

She usually kept most chatrooms on silent mode. If it rang like this, it must be about Kim Woo-jin or the other two involved in their group chatroom.

“Uh?!”

The moment she saw the message content, Seo Ye-rin involuntarily exclaimed in shock.

Just an hour ago Kim Woo-jin had been excitedly talking about going on a bicycle trip—the message right below his read:

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing Seo Ye-rin’s expression crumple suddenly, Choi Jin-ah cautiously asked,

“Woo…Woo-jin…”

Seo Ye-rin stammered with trembling lips,

“He’s been in an accident?!”