Bamboo Forest Manager - Chapter 329



The Bomb Disposal Squad

“What is your name?”

From noble mtl dot com

“…Choi I-seo.”

The Choi I-seo on the phone screen answered while perched on the edge of her bed.

Her expression held a confusion, a silent question of why she found herself in this situation, yet she complied nonetheless.

“How did you end up doing this work?”

“Just because.”

“You’re incredibly pretty; I bet you had a lot of boyfriends in school.”

“I’m a virgin.”

“…”

“…”

“Ahem, I heard you have a boyfriend?”

“That jerk isn’t my boyfriend. He’s my enemy.”

“Oh, is that so? But you’re a virgin and you came here to shoot an AV?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s quite risqué.”

Crack.

With her fists clenched, Choi I-seo looked ready to leap at me at any moment.

Yet, I held onto the phone, refusing to let go.

“So, I-seo, what are your measurements?”

“What do you want to know that for?”

“…”

“…”

We fell silent again, glaring at each other. In that brief moment when our eyes met, a multitude of unspoken words passed between us, but the conversation pressed on.

“Well, we’re going to see everything anyway, so what’s the harm in asking now?”

“Seriously.”

“Ahem, I-seo. So, where did you have your first experience?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Ah, at a male friend’s place? You don’t have a boyfriend, but you’ve had a friends-with-benefits situation, huh?”

“…”

“Do you have a favorite position?”

“Oh, I really can’t do this!”

With a sudden burst, Choi I-seo lunges at me. She’s intent on deleting the interview footage we’ve recorded so far, and I desperately pull back, raising my hands in a futile attempt to resist.

“This is how it’s done! In adult films, the actors do interviews and all that!”

“Give it to me! Why did I ever agree to this insane proposal to shoot an AV?!”

“Fine! Then I won’t interview you, and we’ll just start filming right away!”

“That’s even worse!”

I want to ask for help, but Yoo Ah-rin and Seo Ye-rin are already engrossed in my laptop.

They’re poring over the AV Wikipedia page.

“There are so many bizarre concepts! I can’t even imagine half of these.”

“Ah-rin, you need to know this stuff. It all becomes flesh and bone, you know?”

“What good is knowing this going to do?”

After a tussle with Choi I-seo, I managed to keep my phone safe for now.

But I couldn’t shake the tension from her unwavering gaze, filled with determination to snatch it away somehow.

“Choi I-seo is putting up quite a fight. Ah-rin, do you want to go first?”

“No, I don’t want to do it.”

“…….”

“What are you staring at?”

“Wasn’t this supposed to be a favor?”

“It wasn’t.”

Then why did Choi I-seo even do it?

She wore a look of disbelief, as if the situation had spiraled beyond her expectations. It seemed like we were all in this together, but in reality, no one had any intention of participating.

“Then I’ll do it!”

Oh, wait, no.

There was still one left.

Seo Ye-rin sprang up and dashed toward the bed where Choi I-seo had been sitting.

“If I get busy filming, Woo-jin will miss me!”

It wasn’t entirely untrue.

I immediately began recording the video.

Choi I-seo and Yoo Ah-rin sat side by side, watching with a mix of curiosity and disbelief at what those two were about to do.

“What’s your name?”

“That, I… need to reveal, right?”

What’s going on.

Who are you?

Seo Ye-rin covered her face with embarrassment, looking like a girl who’s not immune to such things.

Cheo I-seo and Yu Ah-rin whispered to each other, “Why are you doing this?”

“If you don’t want to talk, it’s okay. Then, how did you get involved in the video?”

“For my boyfriend, of course…”

Her voice trembled slightly as she called out her boyfriend’s name.

“What’s your size?”

“…No comment.”

“What’s your favorite position?”

“That, too.”

“Hmm, if it’s like this, it’s going to be a problem.”

I grabbed Seo Ye-rin’s chest, and she let out a soft moan like a spring. Her expression was reluctant, but she didn’t resist.

“Then, I’ll figure it out myself. I’ll take care of your size and favorite position.”

“Ah…”

“Ah, then-!”

“Son of a b*tch! Stop it, you crazy kid!”

I was about to put Seo Ye-rin on the bed, but she kicked me from behind.

I fell forward, and Yu Ah-rin and Cheo I-seo rushed over, ready to kick me.

“What the hell happened just now! Son of a b*tch, I’m getting a chill!”

“What’s with the high-concept filming, and why are you trying to catch the mood?”

“aaah! Ahhah! No, Seo Ye-rin is crazy! I just followed along!”

After all, I’m the boyfriend, so what’s it to me.

I just tried that concept.

“You, you kid! Why are you so familiar?”

“I’ve done something like this with Yoon-ji before, that’s why.”

Note: I’ve preserved the line breaks as per your request.

—

Having dabbled in concept plays so often, I’ve come to think I’m somewhat adept at this.

“Indeed. Ujin, you’re really good at it. I felt like I was becoming a heroine, slowly succumbing to corruption.”

Seoyeon giggles, her laughter light yet haunting.

Whatever the case, in the end, I’ve become just a man with nothing gained, merely a collection of deleted adult films.

* * *

“Heh, how long has the semester started, and already there are students who’ve fallen behind?”

Day one of deleted films.

The next day, I sat in class, my expression blank.

Since it was a lecture I shared with Choi Iseo, I would usually be glued to her side.

But today, I was alone, as the girls from our department had whisked her away.

I was studying, yet honestly, it felt tedious.

It hadn’t even been long since the second semester began.

I wasn’t ready to study, not yet.

‘The events unfolded too suddenly.’

With the semester’s start, the open chat room had begun, and that was unavoidable.

‘Ugh.’

Perhaps this was what burnout felt like.

Slumped over, I let out a deep sigh.

If only Iseo were here, we could have played together.

Lost in thought, I stared blankly when, at just the right moment, Iseo glanced over and caught my eye.

As our gazes met, she quickly sent me a message on her phone.

– Choi Iseo: Focus.

– Kim Ujin: I’m burnt out.

– Choi Iseo: It’s only the start of the second semester. What do you mean, burnt out?

– Kim Ujin: That’s how I feel.

– Choi Iseo: Want me to quiz you on the lecture after class?

– Kim Ujin: Why would you do that to me?

– Choi Iseo: Hurry up. Last semester, you studied hard to earn my approval. I was a bit touched back then.

– Kim Ujin: Ha, Choi Iseo.

Regardless, she always finds a way to steer me in the right direction.

—

– Kim Woo-jin: Alright, I’ll listen closely.

– Choi Yi-seo: Good, let’s have lunch together.

– Kim Woo-jin: You can’t bring the kids.

– Choi Yi-seo: I got it.

– Choi Yi-seo: (emoticon)

Look at that loyal squirrel emoticon she sent. It’s just so damn cute.

“Yeah, I should study.”

I’m not here just to pay tuition and sleep. At the very least, I ought to get my money’s worth.

I pick up my pen again and start to focus. Surprisingly, the content sinks into my mind when I concentrate.

I’m not that dim-witted, after all.

– Seo Ye-rin: When are we filming the second part?

– Kim Woo-jin: Whenever the actor’s schedule allows.

– Seo Ye-rin: Heh, the first part got deleted, right?

– Kim Woo-jin: It’s backed up in the cloud, so it’s still there.

– Seo Ye-rin: Even the parts with the director?

– Kim Woo-jin: Yup.

In the midst of it all, Seo Ye-rin’s message stirs something in my heart, but I brush it off and refocus on the lecture.

I thought I had absorbed quite a bit today.

“Alright, for the first assignment, I’ll have you all get to know each other through a group project.”

The professor’s words felt like a dismissal of all my efforts thus far.

‘How long has it been since the semester started that we’re already doing group work?’

That jerk should definitely be cut from the faculty. No matter how smart he is, what kind of teacher lacks basic ethics?

‘No, maybe it’s for the best?’

Though the captain won’t be able to carry us like last time.

This time, our chief captain is here, isn’t she?

– Kim Woo-jin: Pleasepleasepleaseplease don’t let me be the one to mess this up, pleasepleaseplease don’t let me be the one to mess this up, pleasepleaseplease don’t let me be the one to mess this up.

– Choi Yi-seo: (emoticon)

Look at that squirrel emoticon, arms crossed, deep in thought.

It’s just too cute, I could die.

No, that’s not it.

– Kim Woo-jin: If you leave me here, I swear I’ll bite my tongue off. I can’t breathe, and I don’t even know why this is happening. My head is spinning, I keep thinking about Choi Yi-seo, and I’m getting all worked up. Today, I want to go to the hotel with Choi Yi-seo, but this group project is terrifying.

– Choi Yi-seo: I get it, so stop sending me messages.

– Kim Woo-jin: I love you.

Phew.

Thank goodness.

Look at the ride, it’s getting comfortable.

As long as I follow Team Leader Choi, the group project will be fine.

“I’ve randomly assigned the groups, so please look at the screen and find your team.”

Damn it!

I’m definitely giving that jerk the lowest score on the course evaluation!

Do you even know who our Bamboo Forest Manager No. 3 is?

Should I organize a gathering for the managers?!

I hoped to be in the same group as Choi Yi-seo, but of course, we were separated.

It was decided: Group F.

Just being in Group F already feels a bit off. The letter has an oddly ominous ring to it.

There are six members in total, including me.

“Well then, I’ll let you go a bit early today so you can gather and discuss in your groups.”

The professor left.

Even amidst the chaos, the students began to gather quickly.

“Group C, please come over here!”

“Is Group B here? I’m from Group B.”

“Group A, just head to the school café. It’s going to be a bit noisy here.”

Harsh as it may be, if that’s fate, then accepting it is part of university life.

Choi Yi-seo was already gathering people for Group A, preparing to leave.

I dashed over to her, pouting my lips.

“Are you going to abandon me?”

“Abandon you? What are you talking about? The professor assigned the groups, so it can’t be helped.”

“Ugh, I was hoping to catch the bus with Choi Yi-seo.”

“Come on, I’ll help you if I have time, but for now, go talk to your group members, okay?”

“Alright. But you can’t leave me behind, right?”

“……Why is this so cute today?”

After pinching my cheek once, Choi I-seo glances around, checking for onlookers.

Then, she secretly kisses my cheek and gives me a gentle smile.

“Let’s eat something delicious for lunch. Call me when your group meeting is over.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t be down. You just need to lead well. You have that kind of ability.”

“Me?”

“I don’t find a man without abilities particularly attractive. But you, you’re incredibly charming.”

Is Choi I-seo in a good mood today?

She’s really lifting my spirits.

But it feels good.

“Ahem, right. I just need to carry it.”

“Yeah, fighting!”

With a clenched fist, she cheers me on before leaving.

Right, let’s not just suck up all the sweetness.

I am Kim Woo-jin, the youngest son of the Universe Group.

I’m the number one candidate my father wants to groom as his successor.

“Well then.”

I look around to see where Group F has gathered.

There are still people bustling about, so I raise my hand and shout.

“Where is Group F?”

Was it too crowded for anyone to hear my voice?

“Group F? Where is Group F gathered?”

Only Group A has left, so why is no one responding?

I would find out the answer to that ten minutes later.

“…….”

After all the groups have gathered or departed.

An empty classroom.

A message from the teaching assistant arrives.

It’s today’s attendance sheet.

—

Except for me, all the members of Group F didn’t even show up for today’s lecture.

“What the hell—?!”