Bamboo Forest Manager

Departure for the Trip

Dragging a heavy suitcase, I stepped into the airport.

The evening had grown dark.

Even though it was a time when people should be resting at home, preparing for tomorrow, this place was still bustling.

I realized for the first time today that the night view unique to the airport surprisingly carries a certain sensitivity.

The time is now 9 PM.

The flight departs at 10 PM.

I came here because the others insisted we had to be at the airport at least an hour early.

‘Are they really already in the lounge?’

They said they would go ahead and have fun. Since the flight seats were booked in first class, they were all excited about wanting to use that lounge.

‘Then that means they’ve checked in.’

As I took out my phone to make a call, I spotted someone familiar walking from a distance.

“Welcome, young master.”

“Senior Joo-hee?”

To my surprise, Senior Joo-hee was waiting for me.

I was so flustered that I couldn’t say anything and just stammered, but she explained without any change in her expression.

“I’ve been assigned to provide security for this trip. I look forward to working with you.”

“Senior… security?”

—

Let me know if you need anything else!

“Yeah, that’s right.”

As they slightly leaned in to greet me, it felt a bit burdensome.

‘In the past, I would have loved to travel with my senior, but…’

Haven’t we become uncomfortable with each other now? Ever since I got drunk and caused a scene.

‘Ah, is it really okay to just let it go like this?’

My senior said it was nothing and to just move on.

Honestly, I can’t help but feel my senior’s presence lingering in my mind, as if I should follow their words and be mindful of their feelings.

It’s not just because they’re my senior in the English department.

It was the guilt that remained in my chest like a heavy lump.

I briefly met my senior’s gaze. Their dark eyes were intently watching me, trying to discern if something was wrong.

“Um, I’ll just take a quick call.”

“Sure, understood.”

Come to think of it, I had bought a women’s wristwatch at the department store to give to my senior last time.

If I had known I would come here, I would have brought it along, which left me feeling a bit regretful.

Keeping my distance from Juhui, I called my older brother.

As the call connected, I fell into a moment of contemplation.

‘The fact that my senior, who is practically just a part-timer, was assigned to protect me means there’s something going on.’

Given my older brother’s personality, he wouldn’t have just assigned someone to me because we were close.

At this point, my older brother picked up quickly, probably knowing I would call.

“Hello.”

– Yeah, you must have arrived at the airport.

“Then you probably know why I called?”

– It’s about Min Juhui, right?

“Yeah, why Juhui? It’s not that she lacks ability, but her experience is still short.”

– I heard you’ve been mindful of Min Juhui.

“…….”

– The head of security and the team leaders all mentioned it. They say they often assign things related to you to Juhui on purpose.

Ah.

So, in the end, it’s because I feel uncomfortable with Juhui that they paired us together.

‘Well, considering he was even going to make me undergo a circumcision…’

—

It’s obvious that no other bodyguard would be able to stop me, so even if my experience is short, it means I’ve got someone who knows how to read the room.

– I told you beforehand. You need to make it clear that you can’t cross the line.

“…Do you really think I have that little faith?”

– Yes, you do.

When he speaks so decisively, I have no words left.

Especially since I have a history of causing trouble after drinking with Senior Juhui.

– So I also mentioned that crossing the line is permissible.

“Crossing the line?”

– It means that no matter what Minjuhui does, I will always have her back.

“…”

– Even if you get beaten up by Minjuhui.

Even if I get hit by a senior?

Why does it suddenly feel so cold?

– No, I clearly said it. You should stop her, even if it means hitting her.

“Hah.”

A long sigh escaped me.

But that didn’t make me feel like what my older brother was doing was wrong.

He can usually restrain himself, but drinking makes it a problem.

I’ve said it countless times; I’ve done reckless things after drinking with Senior Juhui.

If it were just my own responsibility or damage, it wouldn’t be a problem, but it could have serious repercussions on the kids’ lives.

“Yeah, I think this is for the best.”

Once I understood, my older brother replied in a slightly lighter tone.

– As long as you understand, that’s enough.

“Okay, I’ll be back.”

– Don’t cause any trouble.

“How many times do I have to say it? I got it.”

After hanging up, I glanced back. Senior Juhui was staring at me intently, waiting.

Now, that gaze feels like it’s watching me.

“Ahem, shall we head out, Senior?”

“The others have already checked in and are in the first-class lounge. Would you like me to guide you there?”

—

“Yeah… But, feel free to speak. Just like usual.”

“No, I’m going to work.”

It was incredibly uncomfortable.

However, my senior showed no sign of backing down.

From noble mtl dot com

That dignified demeanor seemed to indicate that they had come on this trip with a firm resolve.

Since my brother was still my senior, thanks to Juhui sunbae booking first-class tickets, we moved to the lounge together.

“It’s spacious.”

It felt like each of us had been assigned a large sofa. It was wide and provided privacy with partitions, and of course, food and drinks were free.

“……”

Perhaps surprised, my senior’s eyes widened, but they quietly followed behind me, not forgetting their role as a bodyguard.

I wanted to tell them to relax until we boarded the plane, but they probably wouldn’t do that.

“Have you had dinner?”

“Yes, I have.”

“…….”

I was going to suggest they eat something here if they hadn’t had a meal.

While casually wandering around looking for the others, I spotted Yuarin lying back in a chair like a sofa, wearing sunglasses.

“Why are you wearing sunglasses at this hour?”

I approached out of disbelief and asked, and Yuarin grinned.

“Hey, I didn’t know first class was like this. Wow, this is amazing.”

“I’m also riding this for the first time at my age. There’s definitely a reason they charge so much.”

Yuarin suddenly sat up, took off her sunglasses, and smiled at Juhui sunbae.

“You should just relax here too. She’ll be fine on her own anyway.”

“No, I won’t.”

“Ugh, that’s uncomfortable.”

With that, Yuarin put her sunglasses back on and lay down again. I wondered what she was doing, but if she was comfortable, that was good enough.

“Where are the others?”

“Choi Yiseo is sleeping next to me, and Seo Yerim said she’s taking a shower. You can shower separately here.”

“Next to you?”

I glanced to the side and saw Choi Yiseo sleeping with her eyes tightly closed.

“Does she usually sleep like that? She’s completely still. Do they sleep like that in the army?”

“Even sleeping in the army won’t make you align perfectly.”

Anyway, Choi I-seo was truly sleeping with her arms and legs stretched out straight.

You could say she was sleeping neatly, but honestly, she looked like an unopened action figure.

“Should I take a picture?”

What I pulled out from the suitcase was a camera borrowed from Bong-geun. It’s an incredibly expensive camera, and I borrowed it specifically for this trip.

Click.

As I took a picture of the sleeping Choi I-seo, Yu Ah-rin suddenly shot up.

“Hey! Hey! Take one of me too!”

“Strike a pose.”

“Right now, just like this. I want to look relaxed.”

She posed with one hand holding a wine glass, half-lying down.

After taking a few shots, Yu Ah-rin grinned and started wiggling her hips in place.

“Ah! This is so exciting! I love it! I want to go already! I’ve only been to Japan at most!”

“You’ve been to Japan?”

“Osaka. I just went for a bit. It was right after graduation with my high school friends.”

“Then Seo Ye-rin too?”

“Of course. There was this guy who gave her a business card asking if she wanted to be an AV actress.”

“…….”

Seo Ye-rin might have been interested, right?

Feeling a bit worried, Yu Ah-rin chuckled.

“Back in our day, she was so pure. She had a hard time even talking to guys.”

“True.”

“Look at her now. The girl’s half broken or something.”

“She was always like that. Just hiding it.”

I sneak a glance at Choi I-seo.

I wondered if we’d wake her up with our chatter, but she was still sound asleep.

“But we have to sleep a lot on the plane, so why is she already sleeping?”

“She said it’s her first time on a plane. She’s nervous, so she’s sleeping.”

“Oh.”

I nodded with interest and moved to grab a simple drink.

“You’re still following me.”

It was a bit annoying that Senior Juhui was trailing behind me like some game pet or sidekick.

But since she was working, I guess I should understand.

There were a few bottles of fine wine available, but I decided to just stick with orange juice.

Just as I was about to offer her a drink, I caught sight of someone who was already preparing beverages.

A woman was diligently sipping from a juice glass with a straw, making slurping sounds.

“Jina?”

Before I knew it, I called out her name, and Choi Jina flinched, glancing my way in surprise.

That’s right, it was Choi Jina.

“…What are you doing here?”

When I looked at her with suspicion, Jina averted her gaze and replied.

“I’m here because I got invited to a performance.”

“Where are you going?”

“To the United States.”

“So, where in the United States?”

“…Hawaii.”

“Ugh.”

I let out a long sigh, and Jina set down her drink and began to explain.

“Well, I’m engaged to Woojin, right? But since Woojin is going to Hawaii, my family hinted that I should go with him…”

“So you decided to go together? Did you come alone?”

“With a new friend.”

“Ugh, alright. Let’s try not to overlap with us if possible.”

I felt a bit uneasy about Jina being involved for some reason.

Upon hearing that, Jina seemed a bit sulky but nodded in understanding before sneaking away.

“A friend.”

Does Jina even have friends?

I wondered if it was the two women I had seen at the alumni gathering, and as I followed her with my eyes, I saw a familiar red-haired woman where Jina had dashed off to.

“O Yoonji?”