Bamboo Forest Manager - Chapter 323



The Youngest Son of the Universe

“I’m just a bit shy. Going this slowly feels right for my pace.”

“…Slowly?”

Repeating Seo Ye-rin’s words from earlier, Yu Ah-rin across from me frowned.

“Is our standard different? What the hell is this girl who runs at full speed alone talking about?”

—

At those words, Seo Ye-rin, walking beside me, chimed in with a bold laugh.

“Ye-rin is a cheetah. To me, she may seem slow, but to you, she must appear faster than anyone.”

“Is Ye-rin really a cheetah?”

Suddenly referring to herself in the third person, Seo Ye-rin’s cheeks were playfully pinched by Yoo Ah-rin, who teased her.

Anyway, the shocking sight I had witnessed earlier would linger in my mind for days to come.

It was the moment I felt that the woman named Seo Ye-rin was brimming with the talent of an actress.

“Our cheetah, why are you so riled up?”

“Bahyeo ahihayeo.”

(Not riled up.)

“Why are your cheeks so soft?”

“Ujini jalmoshihaeyo.”

(It’s Ujini’s fault.)

“It’s addictive. Is this what it feels like when Kim Woo-jin is fiddling with his chest?

I can’t say it’s entirely different.

As we walked together, we soon arrived outside the building.

There, a white van, the kind celebrities ride in, stood waiting, imposing in its presence.

“What is this?”

As we gawked at the van, Yoo Ah-rin and I stood frozen, while Seo Ye-rin approached with quick steps.

The back door opened automatically, revealing a woman with cosmetics who looked like a stylist and a manager gripping the steering wheel.

“Ah, our actress. Being a college student, you don’t even have time for makeup.”

“Get in quickly! We have to go right away!”

“Okay! Guys, I’m off!”

Seo Ye-rin hopped into the van, stealing a kiss just before she left, hidden from the others.

And then there were just the two of us left.

After a moment of silence, Yoo Ah-rin nudged me with her elbow and asked.

“Isn’t she still under a year in? I know YS is a big company, but do they really treat newcomers like that?”

“…I mentioned to the YS representative that I’d take good care of her.”

I had introduced her when I met with her mother last time.

Yoo Ah-rin glanced at me sideways.

“Where exactly does this brat not fit in?”

—

“Let’s get to it. Actually, I reached out to the Korean branch of YouTube because I heard you’re doing YouTube. I asked them to help you ride the algorithm a bit.”

“Shit, really?!”

“Just kidding.”

“…….”

“No matter what, I won’t do anything you’d hate.”

As I added this with a smile, Yuarin crossed her arms and huffed.

But judging by the slight lift at the corners of her mouth, she seemed to be in a pretty good mood.

Someone like Yuarin wants to be evaluated based on her own skills.

If I had interfered with her current success, she would have felt a bit uncomfortable.

It wouldn’t feel like her own achievement, but rather something gained through my influence.

“So, what should we do now? Choi Iseon went to a lecture, and Seo Yerin went off to shoot. Let’s have some fun just the two of us!”

So that’s why I thought she was waiting for me, thinking I had free time.

No wonder she was lingering outside the lecture hall after it ended.

“……I have plans.”

“Is it that unnie again? Oh Yoonji? Senior Juhui?”

“No, it’s the guys. We’re all going to catch a peeping tom.”

“Why do you talk about catching a peeping tom like it’s some Pokémon?”

“Pretty much. I have a rough idea of who it might be.”

“Didn’t your dad already head out to catch them all?”

“Your dad, huh? That’s quite the title.”

“Yeah, that’s true. But I think there’s one more at Gahyeondae. I’m planning to catch that one and throw him in. He’s got no manners.”

How would that guy know whose photos are on his phone?

If any of my friends are in there, I’d really be pissed.

“Ugh, what the hell. I rushed over to hang out, and now this.”

“Let’s play after we’re done. Is there anywhere you want to go?”

This time, I grabbed Yuarin’s cheeks and pulled gently from both sides. She closed her eyes, arms still crossed, and pondered.

“Hmm.”

“Hehe.”

Look at that sound she made when I tugged on her cheeks.

“Shall we go watch a movie? The new Marvel flick just came out. I hear it’s quite fun.”

“Yeah, sounds good.”

“After that, let’s grab some dakgalbi. I’m craving cheese dakgalbi.”

“Sounds great.”

“And then a café. There’s a nice café near the dakgalbi place. Their scones are delicious.”

“Oh, that’s nice. I should bring my wallet, then.”

As I let go of her cheek with a smile, Yuarin pouts slightly, as if something is bothering her.

“Why don’t you say anything?”

“Huh?”

“Why don’t you say what you want to do? It feels like I’m just being dragged along to your choices.”

Is that so?

I just thought it was nice to do what Yuarin wanted.

“Then can I share my thoughts too?”

“Yeah, go ahead. Say whatever you want.”

Yuarin, eager to accommodate.

I lean in a bit closer, whispering, just in case someone might overhear.

“Let’s have coffee and scones there. Then we’ll head to the nearest hotel.”

Yuarin flinches at the whisper.

“Make sure the underwear is black.”

As I add that little condition with a grin, Yuarin bites her lip, trying to suppress a smile, and nods.

“You little brat, you have a lot of demands.”

“Is it possible?”

“Just hurry up and catch that peeping tom. I’ll grab my underwear when I get home.”

Before leaving, Yuarin pulls a Hershey’s from her bag and hands it to me.

She takes out a Choco Mong and sticks a straw in it, laughing.

“Be careful out there, don’t get hurt for no reason. If you think you might get hurt, just let it go, okay?”

“Why? Are you worried I won’t have the strength to do what I need to today?”

“Oh, you always have to say something.”

After taking a sip of her Choco Mong, she shyly admits, not hiding her feelings.

“If you get hurt, I’ll have to take charge. That’s tough work.”

“……The pepper is angry.”

“Then hurry back!”

Yoorin pushes me along as I respond, heading quickly to the place I promised to meet the others.

* * *

– I told you not to eat gukbap with another girl, and you’re going for coffee and scones with her? And to a hotel, too? Are you trying to get yourself killed, Woojin?

“Ah, no… it’s not like that.”

I’m at the convenience store with the guys, but I’ve stepped aside to talk with Seoyeon.

It’s a dire situation.

– What was it? What did you say to me? To hold on? You set me up to be jealous, then put up walls, but you’re so easy with someone else?

“You, you have to go shoot. You said you’d be busy late today. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

– It’s fine once or twice, you know?! Wow, I’m really mad for the first time in ages! Is that a knife prop? Can I get one?

“Why are you bringing a knife?”

– Arin bragged about it! How can you set up a hotel date with another girl just five minutes after I leave?

“……I’m sorry.”

There’s no room for excuses here.

But I wanted to be with Seoyeon too; it just didn’t work out.

– I have to act angry today, and thanks to you, I think I’ll do it really well, Woojin.

“…….”

– Huh? You have to answer! Should I go break a pepper before you’ll respond?

“No! Absolutely not!”

– What are you doing tomorrow?

“Um, I only have two afternoon lectures.”

– Are you taking them with Lee Seo?

“Yes!”

– Ah, then you’ll be up all night working, huh?

“…….”

– Woojin, when is it my turn? We didn’t even do it in Hawaii!

That’s a bit unfair.

“No, you did it the most after we got back from Hawaii…”

I remember being squeezed dry in that cow costume, feeling like I might actually die.

– …….

“I mean, we slept together and then did it again while watching the sunrise.”

– …That was epic.

Seoyeon murmurs, savoring the memory.

I let out a hollow laugh, caught off guard.

– You’re laughing?

“No.”

I’m immediately shut down.

– Anyway, make sure to clear your schedule for tomorrow!

“Sure.”

– If you show even a hint of weakness tomorrow? I’ll seriously lose it.

“I-I’ll do my best to kill it.”

But something feels off.

I’m the one tangled in this mess, yet why do I feel like I’m the one trapped?

Shouldn’t I be the one in control here?

– Ah, I want to have s*x!

“Hey, outside you’re the pure and innocent Seoyeon.”

– Aah! I want to have s*x!

“Who’s going to hear you?”

– I want to f*ck Kim Woojin!

I just hang up.

Stuffing my phone into my pocket, I head back to the convenience store.

The guys are already gathered around the table outside, their ramen and triangle kimbap untouched as they chat among themselves.

“So, the situation is what matters. I ask my girlfriend to pretend to be another guy’s girlfriend on purpose.”

“Wow, damn. Senior, that’s really messed up.”

“I ask for something a bit more twisted. You know, like calling her a pig or something.”

“Pig.”

“Damn, I don’t want to hear that from you, Jung Chanwoo.”

Why are they talking about the s*xual preferences of Kang Gang and Pyo Jin-ho?

—

Has Pyoh Jin-ho finally gotten himself a girlfriend?

I buy a bowl of ramen and take my seat.

Suddenly, they turn their arrows toward me.

“What about you, Woo-jin?”

“This guy’s tastes are obvious. He probably likes it rough, huh? Total masochist.”

“His skills in bed might be lacking, but he’s got money to throw around, covering it up with illegal substances.”

“Then he should just work at a s*x shop. Cut off his dick and turn it into a dildo.”

“Why are you guys suddenly crossing the line?”

These lunatics are coming at me out of nowhere.

“I’m not talking about that with you.”

From noble mtl dot com

Isn’t it obvious what they’d imagine if I told them who I’m dating?

“Stop with the useless chatter. Just eat your fill. From what I see, you’re dealing with a peeping Tom.”

“What? You already know who it is? Then we need to go catch him right now!”

Ahn Hyun-ho slams the table and jumps up.

“Just a guess, just a guess. I have a rough idea of who it might be.”

The peeping Tom is someone who can identify all the students from Gahyeon University.

Otherwise, Bong-geun wouldn’t have been able to sneak in and get caught in an instant.

“I don’t think he’s a student from Gahyeon. He seems to be involved in administrative work. I did catch a weird one over there, but it’s still just a guess.”

Though he calls it a guess, there’s a certain conviction in his voice.

But when I checked that guy’s social media, he’s a gym rat and also trains in boxing.

That’s why he called in some meat shields to stand in front of him.

“Let’s eat well first and then go.”

With that, Ahn Hyun-ho sits back down, calming his excitement.

Just when I thought we’d quietly enjoy our ramen…

“But since we’re helping, shouldn’t there be some kind of reward?”

Han Gang looks at me and Ahn Hyun-ho.

He’s saying it doesn’t matter to him and Pyoh Jin-ho since they don’t have girlfriends at Gahyeon.

“Jeong Chan-woo, it doesn’t matter since your girl changes every day anyway.”

“What do you mean by that?”

No one bothered to argue, as Pyoh Jin-ho’s words weren’t entirely wrong.

—

—

“Ugh, being so materialistic like this. Is there something you want to buy?”

Knowing I was the son of a conglomerate, it seemed they rushed in like moths to a flame.

“No, I don’t need anything like that.”

After a moment of contemplation, he pointed to a nearby manhole cover and said,

“How about lying on that, shaking your hips, and asking, ‘Is it good? Is it good?’”

“Damn, if you’re the youngest son of the Cosmic Group, you’re really going to go for it with Earth!”

“Cosmos is going to go for it with Earth!”

“Sounds fucking hilarious!”

“…….”

I wish these b*stards would just disappear.