Bamboo Forest Manager - Chapter 19



19 – 19. Anonymous 287

“Ugh!”

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

I kicked the desk and threw the chair, but Minji’s anger was not relieved at all.

Yesterday, she had watched as the long sniper post she had written after staying up for several nights disappeared in just 2 seconds, and it was frustrating beyond words.

Furthermore, the administrator kept deleting her posts and even provoked her, making it impossible for her not to get angry.

“You bastard! You bastard! You bastard!”

As if having some kind of fit, Minji threw things around her and punched them with her fist, venting her frustration.

“Ah!”

It wasn’t because of what happened yesterday that she had been angry up until now, but because she received a call from her close seniors just now saying that they were all at the police station.

– Minji, sorry, but we’re all at the police station now.

– You didn’t say anything about you being involved. It seems like it’s time to stop messing with her.

– This guy is crazy.

She had surely walked away confidently before, but now the sight of her seniors running away like cowards was pathetic, making her feel frustrated.

“You f*cking bastard!”

Is it right to use the police for the s*x offender topic?

Is this the level of law enforcement in South Korea?

While pondering over this, Minji was doing her best to find another way.

Buzz!

Her phone vibrated.

She was scared because of her seniors saying they were at the police station just now, but when she checked her phone…

– My friend Yunji

It was Oh Yunji, whom she hadn’t been able to contact for a while, calling her.

“…!”

She felt something gripping her throat for a moment, but with trembling hands, she cautiously answered the phone.

“Hello?”

– Hello? Sorry, Minji. I’ve been busy recently, so I couldn’t answer the phone.

From Noble mtl dot com

“Oh, no. Not like that.”

“But why did you call me so many times? Yeseo was like that too. The others called me a lot too.”

I wanted to ask what she was up to, but I didn’t know why the phone was ringing non-stop.

Minji answered while laughing it off.

“That guy… he’s been talkative lately! You know, I broke up with him because he was crying too much!”

“That’s right.”

There was a trace of sadness in her voice over the phone. But she soon brightened up and replied.

“But it’s okay. I’ll be coming soon.”

“…Huh?”

“We did break up, but that wasn’t our problem. There were external issues.”

“…”

Minji’s lips tightened.

Various thoughts that had been bothering her in her head suddenly cleared up, as if the fog had lifted.

“So… why did Woojin call? Did something happen?”

“That… that…”

Minji rubbed her eyes, thinking she needed to say something, but she couldn’t think of anything to say.

Click.

She hung up the phone and threw it down on the table.

Crash!

The phone hit the ground and broke into pieces.

“Damn! Damn!”

Oyunji always did this.

She would say they were alike, calling herself and Minji, “sisters.”

In fact, their lives were worlds apart.

“I… I…”

Memories of the boyfriend I had forced myself on.

The memories of inviting other people to join me in bed.

The memory of going to another woman because I deemed her useless.

The memory of desperately holding on, receiving punches, and buying laughter.

All of that.

Not Yoonji’s.

The moment I realized it was mine.

I start to fall into unbearable self-loathing.

***

Suddenly, it became dark at night.

The cool autumn breeze and the rising starlight make me feel refreshed.

It was a boring Sunday, but I still felt like I had a decent day.

Of course, I didn’t want to go back to school tomorrow.

“Today was really fulfilling.”

“…What?”

As I said that while leaving the hospital, Choi Iseo, who was beside me, looks at me curiously.

I thought she had a fulfilling day too, spending time with me throughout the day.

“We went to the police station, came to the hospital, exercised, even witnessed those bastards groveling on their knees. I even smelled your sweat…”

Whack!

“Ouch!”

I momentarily stumbled from the sudden roundhouse kick. She doesn’t look like she learned anything, but judging by how good she is, she must be naturally talented at this.

“Hah, seriously. But at least you have a strong mindset. I was restless all day today, it was a big deal.”

“Oh, do I have to go to the hospital again?”

“As you said… I couldn’t even shower.”

Ignoring my grumble, Choi Iseo sniffs herself and smells her own sweat.

Even though her sweat had dried up, she had been running around here and there without being able to take a shower. Of course, I was in the same situation.

“So just go.”

“Why are you like this? It’s all because of my friend.”

Saying that, Choi Iseo lets out a deep sigh. She looked tired because she would have to meet her friend again when she got home.

“I wonder if Senior Juhee went home?”

“Oh, I got a message. She said we’ll see each other in class later.”

“Dear Senior Joo,

I’m replying to your text.

I remember Minjoo-hye Seonbae went to the police station with me to watch what happened to those guys.

Though they used to be close, Seonbae didn’t ask for their side or expect anything from them.

He just kept watching them, like a last favor.

‘That’s really cool.’

Senior Joo was a great person in many ways.

I initially wanted to go home, but my steps didn’t stray from hers.

Suddenly, her steps felt heavy, and she stopped.

‘There, right?’

And she was calling me carefully, her attitude was ambiguous, and her slightly flushed face revealed her calculating nature.

‘Can’t you just stay at your friend’s house for a day?’

Her question meant she didn’t want me to go to Minji’s house. She wasn’t answering my calls or texts, and it seemed like she was avoiding me.

So, I exhaled and replied,

‘Of course not.’

‘…’

‘Do you want to go to some random guy’s house? Is that it? Is my body the objective?’

‘Are you crazy?!’

Her face flushed red, and she yelled, attracting the attention of people around us. As they whispered and passed by, I felt embarrassed.

‘I see, I’m the idiot for asking.’

‘Oh, you idiot.’

As she naturally moved closer, I pointed to a tall building nearby.

‘Let’s go there instead.’

‘…sauna?’

24-hour sauna.

You can wash, relieve muscle pain, and even stay overnight while enjoying a sauna.

I grabbed her wrist, which was aimlessly gazing at the sauna, and headed straight for it.

After receiving the sauna clothes for the stay, the man went to the third floor, and the woman went to the fifth floor. I got on the elevator and said,

‘Let me know when you’re done. We can have dinner then.’

‘Ah, okay.’

Choi Iseo is still nodding as if she has been possessed by something, perhaps because the situation is changing so quickly.

“I wonder if I can properly bathe like that.”

If she goes into cold water and comes out, she’ll quickly come to her senses.

It felt relieving to soak her body in hot water at the bathhouse after a long time.

She also stuck a bandage on her slapped cheek, but it was annoying so she just tore it off and washed up.

After roughly washing up, when she enters the sauna, there are still many people, probably because it’s the weekend.

There are many people, and the sauna is spacious.

Even if Choi Iseo comes out here, it would be difficult for her to find me.

Normally, I prefer secluded spots, but she might misunderstand, so I just took a seat in the front where there is a giant TV.

– Kim Woojin: Seated in front of the TV.

I just sent a quick message and lay down on the mat. Am I more tired than I thought?

Before I knew it, my eyes closed and I fell asleep.

“What? Are you sleeping?”

The bewildered voice of Choi Iseo.

Feeling refreshed and realizing how much time has passed, I slowly get up and notice that the people around me have mostly left.

Even though it’s the weekend, tomorrow is Monday, so it seems like they didn’t stay overnight.

“What? How long did you bathe?”

“About two hours? It’s been a while since I went to the bathhouse….”

“Are you cooking yourself? You’re boiling your body.”

“Forget it, let’s eat. Aren’t you hungry?”

As I hear those words, I suddenly feel hungry. Even though the food is somewhat expensive at the sauna, there’s a certain sentiment to eating here.

Fortunately, even though it’s late, the restaurant inside the sauna is still open.

Choi Iseo ordered sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew), and I ordered yukgaejang (spicy beef soup).

“Is it okay to eat stew?”

“I’m fine today.”

Well, if she says she’s fine, then it’s okay.

While waiting for the food, I check the bamboo forest of my school.

I was thinking if there’s any new post, but luckily, the bamboo forest is peaceful.

– Anonymous57: Where is that bastard who told me to buy BRA stocks? It’s now at minus 60.

– Anonymous69: I want to have s*x!

– Anonymous 86: Please don’t feed the cats near the university.

– Anonymous 11: There was a commotion with the police on the walking path in front of the school today. Does anyone know what happened?

– Anonymous 77: JLY! The Lord loves you. Join immediately when you come to the East. Cross will be given as a gift. (｡♥‿♥｡)

– Anonymous 111: Yes, tomorrow is Monday and Popo has a day off, so he plans to broadcast 24 hours! Anyone is welcome to come and play!

“Oh, we have something to talk about in the bamboo forest.”

If the police came on the walking path, it must be about us. Hearing that, Choi Iseo also turned on her cellphone, saying she was curious.

“Oh, right.”

“Hmm?”

Quite.

Unbelievable words popped out.

“I got banned from the bamboo forest.”

“…You got banned?”

Banned from the bamboo forest?

“Yeah, I don’t know either, but I’m banned.”

At her words, I unconsciously entered the bamboo forest administrator settings.

Based on what she was saying, it seemed like she was permanently banned, and there was only one person who could ban me as the administrator.

Anonymous 287.

The user I thought was Ahn Hyunho, who was targeting me and started writing stories about me and Choi Iseo.

“What’s going on?”

My head became slightly confused.

I only blocked Anonymous 287.

There is no one else who has been blocked right now.

“Wow, it looks delicious.”

Choi Iseo smiled brightly as she looked at sundubu jjigae.

On the other hand, I stirred my yukgaejang with a spoon, lost in thought without saying anything.

There are two possibilities.

Either Choi Iseo’s words right now are a lie and she wasn’t banned from the bamboo forest.

Or she herself is Anonymous 287.

In fact, there is no reason for her to lie, so I think it’s the latter.

‘What is this?’

Is it saying that what I thought was Ahn Hyunho all this time was actually Choi Iseo?

I check the list of posts by Anonymous287.

“You just need to eat and use your phone.”

Choi Iseo mumbled something in front of me, but I didn’t have the energy to pay attention.

The recent activities of Anonymous287 pour out.

[Recent Records of Anonymous287]

– Anonymous287: There’s this kid in the same department that I can’t stand, what should I do about it?

↳ Anonymous287 (Author): Honestly, it’s annoying to see someone who doesn’t even have an interest in themselves flirting with a girl.

↳ Anonymous287 (Author): If it were back in high school, I would just go and beat him up and be done with it.

↳ Anonymous287 (Author): Not popular. Just a loser who sits alone in the department. I laughed when I saw him taking a girl out for tonkatsu just to go on a date.

↳ Anonymous287 (Author): Well, anyway, if I get a chance, I’ll definitely mess with him.

– Anonymous287: What about just bumping shoulders when passing by? If I don’t apologize and just laugh at him, he won’t get angry, right?

↳ Anonymous287 (Author): Well, it would be a wish come true if he just makes the first move. I’m confident in teasing him while smiling as a legitimate defense.

↳ Anonymous287 (Author): Besides, it seems like he’s dating a senior in our department. Damn, why does he keep eyeing other guys’ girls?

↳ Anonymous287: …….

– Anonymous287: Please delete the sniper post about the English Department.

– Anonymous287: A pathetic man who isn’t even human. Same English Department student who was dating Yoon Ji in the English Department, who is currently on a leave of absence, is being sniped.

——————

Although it was a bit disorienting to have all the replies he had received come out together.

Anyway, looking at the contents, I pretended that Ahn Hyunho wrote all of them.

But, the last one.

The post that targeted me as a s*x offender, now that I think about it, Ahn Hyunho couldn’t have written that.

Even if it’s an anonymous bulletin board, only students of Gahyeon University can post.

Minji probably borrowed Choi Iseo’s phone rather than Ahn Hyunho’s.

So the conclusion is.

Minji only wrote the last sniper post, and all the other posts were written by Choi Iseo.

If that’s not the case, there’s no way they could know about the things that happened between the three of us in such detail.

‘Why?’

Why?

From Noble mtl dot com

Why did Choi I-seo behave this way?

Why did she write this post pretending to be Ahn Hyeon-ho on the anonymous bulletin board?

It sent shivers down my spine.

What should I say?

It felt like my trust in the person in front of me was shattered.

“Do you know Anonymous287?”

The words Choi I-seo said at the karaoke room came to mind.

She mentioned that she was observing Ga Hyeon-dae Daenamu Forest, indirectly implying that she herself was Anonymous287.

And she subtly revealed that it was Ahn Hyeon-ho.

“Hyeon-ho, be careful. He was famous as a bully in high school… He didn’t have a good opinion of you.”

It was also Choi I-seo who warned me to be cautious because Ahn Hyeon-ho was a former bully in high school.

Anonymous287.

He blatantly targeted me.

He openly exposed Ahn Hyeon-ho’s identity.

So what was my action?

Instead, I became wary of Ahn Hyeon-ho.

I was cautious and vigilant, not taking his actions lightly.

Come to think of it, if someone really wanted to target me, they wouldn’t post such things on the anonymous bulletin board.

If they saw me and Choi I-seo, they wouldn’t write a post that clearly referred to us.

“You…”

“Yeah?”

When I called her, Choi I-seo stopped eating and looked at me, asking me what was wrong.

“You told me to keep an eye on Daenamu Forest, right?”

I said it was because of the sniper incident, but there was another reason.

“Did I?”

Choi I-seo disguised herself as Anonymous287, using the false mask, pretending to be Ahn Hyeon-ho.

Being close to Ahn Hyeon-ho, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to overhear his words or plans.

The reason behind all of this was.

To protect me.

Afraid that Ahn Hyeon-ho, who was jealous because of her, might harm me in any way.

“That’s what worried me.”

“Huh.”

I found myself laughing unexpectedly. I felt foolish for doubting Choi Iseo just a moment ago.

“What’s wrong? Why are you laughing? Isn’t it a topic to discuss while eating?”

As I looked at Choi Iseo, who pouted and complained, I unconsciously nodded my head.

Should I pretend to know about this?

I entertained the thought briefly.

“Do you want something to drink?”

I changed the subject with a smile.

If she was trying to help me without me knowing.

“Oh? Suddenly?”

“It’s not really sudden.”

Even I didn’t realize it.

“Thank you.”

I expressed my gratitude.