Bamboo Forest Manager - Chapter 3



3 – 3. Ex-girlfriend

“Did I do something unnecessary?”

The sense of dissonance between Yerin and the anonymous user in front of me was so strong that I felt like I had to confirm it clearly, as if lighting a spark to a fuse.

– Administrator: Anonymous user69, please stop sending strange pictures.

– Administrator: If you send it one more time, you will be permanently banned.

– Administrator: You won’t be able to use the forum anymore.

I hurriedly replied, hoping that they had read it, but I couldn’t tell if they had or not.

As I anxiously hoped that they had read it, Choi Seo, who was next to me, stared at me intently.

“…Why?”

I wondered why she suddenly acted like this.

Although I let it go earlier because she seemed oblivious, I couldn’t help but think if she really had to sit next to me in the bed I was sleeping in.

There are many vacant seats because of the people who took self-study breaks.

Choi Seo glanced at the professor who started the lecture, then took a deep breath.

“Can I ask you one question?”

Even if she said she couldn’t, she seemed like she would ask anyway. I tilt my head, wondering if she has something she’s curious about regarding me.

“As you please.”

Choi Lee-seo, who had put down the pen, asked carefully.

“What about you and Yoon-ji last semester?”

“……”

Yoon-ji.

Oh Yoon-ji.

An unforgettable name.

I had momentarily stopped in my tracks, and I rubbed my forehead and asked.

“Why are you suddenly curious about this? Yoon-ji only finished the first semester and then took a leave of absence in the second semester.”

It was more curious to me why she mentioned Yoon-ji, who had taken a leave of absence starting from the second semester of her first year.

“A… “

Perhaps it was because the part was also sensitive to me, and her voice was somewhat hesitant.

Choi Lee-seo hesitated for a moment and then randomly said,

“No, sorry. I just asked for no reason.”

“Was it what you wanted to ask about yesterday at the cafe?”

An Hyun-ho, who was sitting next to me, interjected and asked, remembering that Choi Lee-seo’s words had been cut off. She slightly bowed her head in response.

“If it’s inconvenient, I’m sorry.”

“Oh, it’s uncomfortable. But I’m curious why you suddenly have an interest in Yoon-ji.”

I knew that Yoon-ji had many friends. However, it was already over since the first semester, wasn’t it?

“……Yoon-ji is a high school friend.”

“A high school friend?”

It was a bit of a shock.

Yoon-ji had never mentioned Choi Lee-seo to me.

“That’s why I was a bit curious. Yoon-ji was quite popular in high school, always the center of attention among her friends, but she suddenly dropped out.”

“……”

“I often saw you and Yoon-ji together in the first semester, so I was curious.”

Seeing Choi Lee-seo sincerely apologize for crossing the line made me feel like I was being overly sensitive.

“I did for a while.”

I answered while exhaling a deep sigh.

“But we broke up because of personality differences. Yoon-ji would have been more comfortable going to school with me. I wonder if she’ll go back to school when I join the military?

“Ah….”

Choi Yiseo scratched her cheek and responded as if she thought they had crossed into a private topic.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s only natural to be curious, right?”

He shrugged his shoulders and replied.

As he checked his phone out of boredom, he noticed several notifications.

“Oh, right.”

He was taken aback by the sudden mention of the first semester, but then he remembered that Seo Yerin was still there.

There were a series of messages from Anonymous69.

– Anonymous69: Please don’t send photos, really?

– Anonymous69: Will you really be permanently banned if you send them?

– Anonymous69: Dear Administrator.

– Anonymous69: Reply.

– Anonymous69: Answer.

– Anonymous69: Answer or I’ll make you regret it.

It seemed like he had received similar messages yesterday as well. He added to his frustration and began to feel dizzy.

– Administrator: Yes, you will be permanently banned.

The response came in an instant.

– Anonymous69: ……

– Administrator: Just wait a little, there’s about four hours left.

Isn’t it going to end after attending classes and having lunch anyway? I do check the bamboo forest community often, but this person seems to be a serious addict.

– Anonymous69: Then just honestly tell me one thing.

– Administrator: Yes.

– Anonymous69: Do you really not like the photo?

“Wow, seriously.”

Is it really necessary to be so obsessive? What kind of thoughts does this person have to have such s*xual preferences?

From Noble mtl dot com

But.

“It wouldn’t be good to keep teasing them here.”

He could actually send a more provocative photo now. The thought of Seo Yerin waiting in the bathroom made him dizzy.

– Administrator: Fine, it’s disgusting. Yes, it’s disgusting. I even did it once yesterday. Is that enough?

“It seemed like I had to throw at least this much as an answer to satisfy them, and it actually took some time for me to receive a response from Seo Yerin.

Choi Iseo was worried enough to frown at Yerin’s absence.

‘Is she hesitating on how to respond now that I’m asking so straightforwardly?’

I throw a topic, thinking that could be the case.

– Administrator: But are you the actual person? Why is it so important whether the photo looks like you or not?

Of course, a response came right away.

– Anonymous69: Are you crazy?! It’s because she’s my favorite actress. Is it that strange for me to be angry that my favorite actress is being ignored? I would even pay 20 bucks for this.

‘You wouldn’t be able to get it like that.’

I just let it go, thinking so.

– Administrator: Yes, I understand. You’ve been making so much noise, so I had to get involved. The photo really does look like you. I will handle it well. Alright? Please stop sending inquiries now.

After saying that, he covered his phone.

Even though it didn’t seem like there would be a separate message, Seo Yerin actually came back quickly.

With a face as red as a radish.

“Yerin, where does it hurt?”

Although Yerin didn’t look well at all, Choi Iseo asked with concern. But she only shook her head from side to side.

“Oh no, it’s nothing. I was just a little uncomfortable, but I’m fine now. Can I show you the notes a little if I’m feeling better? I’ll buy you coffee.”

“I’ll show you everything if you give me free coffee.”

Did Choi Iseo know how to make jokes too?

When I glanced at them, Choi Iseo covered his notebook with his body.

I also had some parts that I couldn’t write down while helping Seo Yerin with her inquiries.

“Are you going to buy coffee too?”

Since I felt that the atmosphere from earlier was being forcibly refreshed, it looked good.

Without realizing it, I replied lightly with a faint smile.

“Two cups of coffee is a bit much. How about a slice of cake?”

“Oh, they said they have a high-protein, low-fat protein cake in front. Can you buy that?”

What is a protein cake again?

Like a native who discovered fire, I simply nodded at the unheard-of thing.

* * *

“I’ll have three servings of pork.”

I picked up a spoon and looked at the pork stir-fry in front of me. The spicy aroma and the slightly warm seasoning. And on top of that, this place adds a sunny-side-up fried egg on it.

A kind price for students, being in front of the university.

The store is already filled with male students, and their attention is drawn towards our table.

“Eat deliciously.”

Seo Yerin and Choi Iseo, who are sitting across from me, pick up their spoons with uneasy expressions in response to my words.

“Did it have to be pork?”

In the end, Choi Iseo opened her mouth first.

I subtly point to the menu in response to her question.

“Here, it’s only 7,000 won for pork.”

These days, 7,000 won is considered a bargain. Moreover, they have a variety of side dishes to accompany the pork.

“No, I didn’t mean the price….”

“Ahahahaha.”

I laugh awkwardly and Yerin sympathizes with Choi Iseo.

It seems like both of them are dissatisfied with the menu selection….

I make scissors with my hand and offer it to them.

“Then, let’s do rock-paper-scissors. Losers have to comply.”

“…I thought for sure you’d throw a punch.”

“Don’t have any biases.”

I was able to come here because I won the menu selection rock-paper-scissors game.

During the first semester, I couldn’t even glance at pork because of my ex-girlfriend Oh Yoonji, but I was able to come here after gaining freedom in menu selection starting from the second semester.

“This place is a great restaurant. Try it.”

“I don’t dislike pork that much.”

Yerin carefully puts a piece of pork into her mouth, making sure not to get any seasoning on her smile.

She chews a few times and exclaims, “Mmm! It’s delicious.”

“It’s a great restaurant! It tastes good.”

“Don’t come too often. It’s hard to find a seat.”

“…Hmm, that seems likely.”

The atmosphere suggests that the taste is good, but they probably won’t come back again.

Choi Iseo lets out a sigh and uses her chopsticks to pick out onions and green onions from the pork stir-fry.

Seeing us both doing that, Choi Iseo responds in surprise.

“Oh, no. I’ve been doing buffing exercise for Baps (an online game). That’s why I’m a little….”

“Say it in advance.”

“I can’t say it because I’m the loser.”

That’s true.

“You took a photo of Bap? Really? No, you could have taken it right now?!”

As So Ye-rin compliments her, Choi Yi-seo awkwardly scratches her head.

It is often said that half of women’s compliments are fake, but So Ye-rin’s words were clearly sincere.

“Wow, show me later too! Do you go to the gym? PT? If there’s a good place, introduce me too.”

“Yeah, got it. If you need it, let me know, I also know a place where they take good Bap photos from the trainer.”

“So Ye-rin doesn’t seem like she needs to go there.”

Looking at the pictures she sent, I don’t think she needs exercise…

Well, anyways.

I like seeing her eating happily while smiling.

“If you’re not going to eat the pork, give it to me.”

Pointing to Choi Yi-seo’s remaining pork stir-fry, I ask, and she responds with annoyance in her expression.

“I’m going to eat it.”

It seems like So Ye-rin’s compliment has had an effect.

Watching Choi Yi-seo cautiously start eating, I say something vaguely.

“You won’t gain weight if you eat it carefully.”

“Hey!”

That’s not untrue.