Bamboo Forest Manager

63 – The Last Day

One more day had passed, the final day of the festival.

The pork stir-fried dish remained popular, and luckily, today we didn’t have to serve any other guests.

It was fortunate that, thanks to the profits from the previous two days, which were several times higher than last year’s earnings, we decided not to work until today.

Thanks to that, our booth had turned into an English language and private bar, and we were enjoying ourselves.

“I shouldn’t have come here in the first place.”

I had thought that if I had known, I wouldn’t have attended the festival today, but it was a good time to find the anonymous 90 whom I couldn’t find during the previous two days.

“I had second thoughts about whether I should bother finding it now.”

It didn’t seem necessary to pursue the already expired lead, but still, I wanted to give it a try.

Along with the strange feelings I had towards him and my curiosity about the fossilized dental student who was constantly following Anonymous 69.

“Plus, I told Seo Yerim that I would take care of it for her.”

Well, even though I made a promise, I didn’t put much weight on it, to be honest.

Since the professors and students were enjoying their drinking sessions, I just wanted to grill some pork and then head towards the dental department.

“Where’s our cutie?”

Senior Min Juhee came towards me, holding a bottle of soju in her hand, seemingly drunk.

If I had to choose one person who had worked hard this time, she would definitely be one of them.

She had efficiently managed the kitchen, helping the students grow in a short period of time, and there was no spot in the kitchen’s flow or menu that Min Juhee’s hands hadn’t touched.

I was sincerely grateful that I had the opportunity to work on a group project with her.

As soon as she saw me, she immediately leaned on my shoulder and came over.

With the smell of alcohol and a significant weight, she was truly an intense person.

“Why are you working alone again? Let’s go, let’s go drink and get wasted. Today, it’s all thanks to you that we can have a break, right?!”

“Oh, Senior, you’re really drunk.”

I saw her with the professors earlier, but she was quite intoxicated now.

Senior took me directly to the table where she was sitting.

Most of the people present were second-year students, especially Han Kang, a senior with whom I didn’t have a good relationship.

While the other seniors looked slightly uncomfortable when they saw me, Min Juhee, whether due to her intoxication or ignorance, handed me a drink.

“Salty! Salty!”

An uncomfortable drinking session beyond my expectations.

Following Senior Min Ju-hee, the other seniors clink glasses with me and drink.

Then, Senior Ju-hee was called by the professors and left the room.

As the seniors sneakily glance at me, a subtle tension fills the air.

“Should I just leave?”

Thinking it’s an uncomfortable situation, I try to excuse myself and stand up, but Senior Han Kang, sitting across from me, pours me a drink and asks.

“I apologize for the strange misunderstanding at the karaoke room last time.”

“Oh, yes.”

I thought it’s only natural to offer an apology. I didn’t make a big deal or attach much importance to it.

Because it felt like the words were said not because he genuinely felt sorry, but to start a conversation.

“Woo Jin, let’s talk man to man.”

Han Kang extends his glass towards me.

After clinking glasses and taking a sip, I nod.

“Yes, please speak.”

“Are you really not involved with Ye-rin at all?”

“Ha.”

I’m not sure if it’s because of the soju or if I didn’t like the topic.

I used to really like Seo Ye-rin, so I had the feeling of wanting to date her. But now, it feels more like an obsession.

“What are you curious about?”

From Noble mtl dot com

Han Kang hesitates slightly at my counter-question. Now that he knows my personality well, he seems to realize he shouldn’t touch on sensitive topics and shows signs of caution, which I appreciate.

“You’re close with Ye-rin. I’m just worried.”

“You should tell me what you’re worried about. Are you worried about us having a romantic relationship, dating, or going to a hotel or something?”

Han Kang flinches at my question. Not only him, but the other seniors also make expressions of annoyance as they look at me.

Now, it feels good to see that they don’t want anything to do with me.

“Well, I supported you as a senior in my own way, you know? But you dislike Seo Ye-rin.”

They say there’s no tree that falls after being hit ten times. But that’s about trees.

Humans are not like that, especially women.

On the contrary, there have been many cases where a failed confession only reinforces their strong defense.

“If that’s the case, just leave it alone. There are plenty of women who are interested in seniors if you just look the other way, so why do you only focus on Seo Ye-rin?”

“Woojin, it seems like you’re crossing the line.”

“Didn’t you know that I’ve been living outside the line of college life? The 3rd-year seniors called me on KakaoTalk before, but I pretended not to know.”

After serving gopchang (small intestines) at the gopchang restaurant, there were times when the 3rd-year seniors called me, but I just ignored them and continued with my life.

“Don’t be too obsessed with him. It’s creepy.”

“Sigh, you’re interested in Yerin, aren’t you?”

“You’re steering the conversation in a annoying direction again.”

I sighed deeply because I couldn’t believe it.

“Well, think whatever you want. I’m tired of talking now. I’m leaving.”

I got annoyed and immediately got up and headed outside. It was a perfect timing since I had to go to the dental school anyway.

“I’m sick of this.”

When I see Seo Yerin and Jung Chanwoo, I can’t help but think they’re beautiful and handsome, but it’s not all good.

“Was it Lee Eunwoo from the dental school, the 4th year?”

The words about graduating and becoming a teaching assistant in graduate school were still vivid.

Isn’t he someone who knows how to elegantly express the desire to become a modern-day slave?

When we went to the booth for dental school, they were also having their own drinking party.

Since it was the last day, I was able to find one of the 4th-year students who was stuck between the professors by asking around.

“You’re looking for me?”

“…….”

I wondered if I was really seeing it correctly. A small stature, messy hair, and on top of that, a small chest and round glasses.

“She was a woman?!”

From Anonymous90 to the name of Lee Eunwoo. It confused me a bit that the person I thought was obviously a man turned out to be a woman.

“I-Is it Lee Eunwoo?”

“Yes, that’s right. Why did you call me?”

I asked just in case, and she let out an annoyed sigh on the other side.

She was watching me cautiously because I came to find her suddenly.

“Do you use the Gist app?”

“…….”

Eunwoo Yang trembled for a moment.

As soon as I saw that, I attacked without hesitation.

“Anonymous90, right? I came to find you.”

Let me start by saying that Lee Eun-woo’s expression became vacant, and slowly his mouth began to open.

“Ah… Ahhh!”

Then, as if realizing something, he clapped his hands and gave a mischievous smile. Desire surged from his disheveled expression.

“So you’re Anonymous69. I don’t know how you found me, but thank you for coming!”

“Me?”

I felt something strange about the overly formal address, but he immediately attached himself to me and laughed.

“Oh, do you have time tonight?”

Suddenly, a question that Choi I-seo had asked me yesterday came to mind.

What would I do if someone suggested going to a hotel?

Why?

I never imagined that this question would become a reality so quickly.

* * *

“It’s unbelievable, isn’t it?”

“I’m telling you, Yerin, you really need to be careful. It’s not just the unnis saying it for no reason.”

“Girls can judge guys better, he’s not a good person.”

Ye Rin, who had been dragged over to the second-year table, heard the voices of her sunbaes while sipping on the soju she was handed.

The other sunbaes who were with Han Kang were talking about Kim Woo-jin.

“Did Woo Jin really say those things?”

Unable to believe it, Ye Rin asked, and they began to explain as if they were waiting for her to ask.

“Yeah, when I asked if he was interested in you, he didn’t deny it.”

“He’s just leaving some room in case he has a chance with you.”

“He seemed to have a good impression of you because you’ve been working hard recently, but in the end, it’s the same.”

“It’s clear that he has ulterior motives towards you.”

Various conversations went back and forth. Listening to the insincere words of the second-years, Ye Rin finally cautiously stood up from her seat.

“I, I’ll go outside for a bit.”

“Be back soon.”

“Sigh, you’ve made her worried.”

“We’re sorry.”

Leaving the words of her sunbaes behind, Ye Rin stepped outside the tent. After taking a deep breath, she couldn’t hold back the laughter that escaped her lips.

“Ah, what is this… Kim Woo-jin.”

The seniors warned Kim Woojin to be careful around Seo Yerin.

“hehehe, pretending not to care, but secretly getting worried?”

On the contrary, Seo Yerin couldn’t help but let out a laugh as she heard that story.

“Where is Woojin right now?”

With the intention of playing with him, Seo Yerin looked for Kim Woojin.

There was no sign of him inside the tent. However, Yurin, who appeared to be feeling sick from drinking too much, was seen sitting in a corner, drinking a Chocomong.

“Arin, have you seen Woojin?”

“…Kim Woojin? No, I haven’t.”

Yurin, who looked around her, realized that Kim Woojin wasn’t there and replied while sticking out her tongue.

“Maybe he went to the dentist.”

“The dentist? Why?”

At her words, Yurin glanced at Seo Yerin and then sucked on her straw again.

“I don’t know.”

“….”

Although Seo Yerin felt that the answer was too vague, she said she understood and quietly left her seat.

“Physical therapy department. Physical therapy department.”

She checked the booths as she walked. It took a while because there were people asking for their numbers.

“Huh?”

But when she arrived at the physical therapy booth, she couldn’t see Kim Woojin, only students from the physical therapy department were busy discussing something.

“Is this not the place?”

She thought of going back, but decided to look around the area first.

Behind the physical therapy booth.

Although they were hidden in the shade of a tree, the voices of people could be heard softly.

“It’s not him, I’m telling you.”

“It’s Woojin!”

As soon as she heard that, Seo Yerin’s eyes widened and she headed towards that direction.

She waited near the tent, thinking that she would surprise him when he came out, as if having a conversation with someone.

“I’m not Anonymous69.”

Kim Woojin’s voice came from inside.

“I’m the moderator of the Bamboo Forest.”

(Note: The atmosphere and phrasing may vary depending on the specific context and style of the novel.)

It woke up a intoxicated Seo Yerin’s mind.