Bamboo Forest Manager

Yesterday

“Surprisingly, I think your father is quite kind.”

Seo Ye-rin muttered as she continued tapping away on her phone.

That was a statement I couldn’t just let slide.

I swiftly turned my head and glared at her.

“What do you know?”

I couldn’t understand how she could think that just because she had seen my father a few times. Did she think he had built a good image for himself?

“I was thinking something like this: while handing over an envelope of money, he’d say, ‘Stay away from my son!’ You know, something like that.”

“Ah.”

Choi Jin-ah, sitting next to me, chimed in with a gasp of agreement.

I couldn’t fathom what kind of fantasy she had, considering she came from a wealthy family herself.

“But instead, he’s worried about me and even prepared for me to get a health check-up.”

We were waiting briefly before heading for our health check-up.

There wasn’t much to do, just chatting in my room.

In fact, it was more like I was hiding out here to avoid running into my mother, my younger brother, or my sister-in-law in the living room.

I don’t care, but they must feel uncomfortable every time someone like that passes by.

“Ha, I just saw it for a moment. I don’t really like my father. I don’t think he’s a very good person.”

Even now, there are times when that day rises in my mind like thunder falling from a clear sky.

Since I was very young.

Ignoring my older brother’s lifelong efforts to win my father’s favor, when he said he would hand over the successor to me.

That day, I felt not only betrayal towards my father but also resentment towards myself.

Unintentionally, taking away from a sibling felt truly disgusting.

‘If I were exceptional at something, it might be different.’

My brother studied better, managed better, and even excelled in sports, so he had good stamina.

The reason I was chosen was nothing but greedy and selfish.

How could I not be seen as despicable while spouting such nonsense?

“But isn’t it enough that he didn’t kick out his son, who takes Lü Bu as a role model?”

Choi Jin-ah asked, tilting her head.

“……”

I pretended to be distracted, turning my head for no reason.

“Woo-jin, Bong-seon!”

“Don’t give me weird nicknames.”

“That! Isn’t there that thing? Ah, what was it? The best among people—!”

Choi Jin-ah kindly answered Seo Ye-rin, who was holding her head in thought.

“Among people, Lü Bu. Among horses, Red Hare.”

A famous story.

‘Choi Jin-ah finds Seo Ye-rin cute.’

Looking at her actions, she is indeed cute.

I was quite curious about what her true nature would be like if she ever showed it.

“Ko-jung Woo-jin!”

“Huh? What’s Ko-jung Woo-jin—?”

“Hey! Don’t! Don’t!”

As I rushed towards Seo Ye-rin in a panic, she grinned and snatched the pillow, quickly blocking me.

“Ehehehe! Kkojung Woojin!”

Among the peppers, there’s Kim Woojin.

That’s probably what it means.

Suh Ye-rin, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, lay down as I charged at her.

Before I knew it, I was in a position that seemed like I was about to pounce, but for us, it was really just a part of our daily life.

Choi Jin-ah, who was next to me, seemed a bit flustered and turned her gaze away.

“Woojin, but this bed is really spacious.”

“Right? I think about that every time I come here after a long time.”

“What are you going to do about staying here? Personally, I think it makes sense to stay.”

“Haah, but I won’t be able to see you guys for a while?”

This was the part I was most worried about.

The chances of seeing the kids would drastically decrease.

It’s not just a little less; during vacation periods, I might not be able to see them at all.

Unless there’s a trip, that is.

“It’s a shame not to see them, but we have to prioritize stability.”

“Haah.”

“I’ll be busy with filming, A-rin is super busy too, and Lee Seo is struggling with work. It’s hard to be with you.”

That’s true.

Especially if I have to stay in a dorm, it’ll be even tougher.

Until now, we’ve all been together at Yoo A-rin’s house, so when I came home after work, I was there.

Now I’ll have to go home after work, and if I’m worried about them, I’ll have to go back out again.

How annoying would that be?

“I’m really conflicted.”

In the midst of my worries.

“Um, excuse me.”

Choi Jin-ah, who was next to me, asked while covering her face with both hands.

I wondered what her intention was in avoiding eye contact after starting a conversation, but I decided to respond anyway.

“Yeah?”

“Uh-huh?”

“When are you going to keep doing that?”

I checked our situation at those words.

Seo Ye-rin lying on the bed and me perched on top of her. In this position, I could easily kiss her just by lowering my head.

“Ahem.”

Feeling awkward, I cleared my throat and sat up again. Seo Ye-rin also tidied her clothes without any particular reaction.

“But when are we going for the health check-up?!”

It felt like it had been at least two hours since they told us to wait, so when are we actually leaving?

As I began to feel a bit bored, the driver finally arrived to take us.

I was about to ask what took so long, but I held back.

If I said something about it, I’d probably get a lot of flak for being a “boomer” or a “fuddy-duddy” these days.

‘Well, it is a sudden schedule.’

Since we hadn’t made a reservation and suddenly had to go for a health check-up together, the hospital would need some preparation too.

“……But where is Jina going?”

“Yes?!”

Choi Jina, who had tagged along to the hospital, flinched and shrugged her shoulders in surprise.

She seemed to think she had followed along naturally, but that was far from the case.

“I-I don’t want to go home.”

Seeing her mumble the latter part, it seemed she realized she had just said something embarrassing.

“What are you, a middle schooler?”

That must have been a critical hit because Choi Jina lowered her head even more.

I have no idea how far this girl will follow, but anyway, we entered the hospital.

“Oh, you’re here.”

“You really came with Jina.”

As soon as we stepped inside the hospital, I saw two familiar faces that I had missed so much.

Yoo Ah-rin and Choi Yi-seo.

I dashed forward without even realizing it at the unexpected appearance of the two.

“What?! How did you get here!”

“Hey! Why are you running when you’ve hurt your leg?!”

“People are watching.”

I ran over and hugged both of them with one arm each, and despite their grumbling, it seemed they didn’t mind too much.

“Why are you making such a fuss over just not seeing each other for a day?”

From noble mtl dot com

“Right? Anyone would think we hadn’t seen each other in days.”

“Even if it’s just been a day, it’s nice to see you.”

But more than that.

“How did you get here? What’s going on?”

“Senior Juhui gave me a ride. She said your father called for you, so I came right away.”

“But he suddenly said to get a health check-up?”

“…….”

How am I supposed to take this?

I wasn’t unaware of what my father might be thinking.

He must have decided that one of the three of us would become a prospective daughter-in-law and wanted to check if there were any health issues.

“Having a rich boyfriend means you get free stuff like this.”

“How generous.”

While the two of them seemed to think they were just getting a free health check-up, I felt differently.

I knew my father wasn’t the type to be that affectionate.

What if there’s someone here with a chronic illness or some kind of problem?

He wouldn’t hesitate to cut them off.

‘Just like with Yoonji.’

My fists clenched involuntarily, and I felt a rush of blood to my head.

The thought of him starting a test on his own and recklessly announcing the results made me want to confront him right away.

But I didn’t want to burden the three of them with that.

It would only ruin everyone’s mood, and what good would that do?

“Are you okay with your part-time job and practice?”

I tried to change the subject for no reason.

“Practice is fine; they can just do it without me. The coach is there, after all.”

“What about the part-time job…?”

Choi Iseo hesitated for a moment.

She stared at me intently, then sighed and confessed honestly.

“Yoonji got me off the hook to go.”

“Wait, what?!”

“Uh, Senior Juhui came to the company, you know.”

“Ah.”

It’s only natural that Senior Juhui wouldn’t know that Choi Iseo works at Yoonji’s company.

No, more than that, I wonder if she knows that I dated Oh Yoonji.

“Ahem, whatever it is, let’s just go get checked out first.”

I felt awkward, so I had no choice but to change the subject again.

* * *

You don’t get the results of a health check-up right away.

It takes about 2 to 3 hours, but chatting with the kids makes the time fly by.

I thought you had to make an appointment and prepare for it.

I wondered if it was okay to just walk in, but well… my father probably took care of it.

Maybe he arranged for something simple we could do today.

As we moved around here and there for the health check-up, I spotted Choi Jina sitting alone in a hospital chair, fiddling with her phone.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, just bored.”

She really did look bored.

I wondered what she was up to, but it seemed she was just looking through old messages or organizing things.

I thought she might be watching a movie, a cartoon, or even some YouTube videos.

“Alright then, good luck.”

Since there wasn’t much to talk about, I was about to turn back when Choi Jina grabbed the hem of my shirt.

“Um, excuse me.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t those people the ones you mentioned at the last blind date? Choi Iseo, Yoo Arin…?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“……”

At that, Choi Jina, who had been staring at me, asked seriously.

“Wow, that’s impressive.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, they’re all stunning beauties who wouldn’t be out of place anywhere. It’s quite something to be surrounded by three of them…”

“Oh, come on, that’s just flattery.”

“……It’s not a compliment.”

Perhaps feeling quite bored, Choi Jin-ah tried to continue the conversation, but I noticed someone behind her and headed that way.

“Juhui sunbae!”

Yesterday, she had a hard time bringing us home, and today, she was busy picking up the kids—Juhui sunbae.

I thought about buying her a drink or something.

“……!”

Huh?

Juhui sunbae’s reaction is unusual.

How should I put it? She seems to take a step back and is being cautious.

“Ah, D, Do-reun-nim. You’ve come.”

Even though she tries to hide it nonchalantly, her avoiding my gaze only raises my suspicions.

“Is something wrong?”

In situations like this, it’s best to just ask honestly.

So, when I bluntly asked Juhui sunbae, she stared at me blankly for a moment, then seemed to contemplate.

“Hah.”

She let out a long sigh.

Well, of course.

Such a sigh carries meaning.

I really wondered if something had happened.

“I will consider yesterday’s incident as if it never happened.”

Juhui sunbae’s cold voice added a warning.

“It would be troublesome if the future madams were to find out.”

“……What?”

What is this?

What does that mean?