Bamboo Forest Manager - Chapter 335



The Reason of the Three Legs

—

As Seo Ye-rin stepped onto the film set, she mingled with others, engrossed in conversation.

A fresh face, still in the bloom of youth, she was a newcomer with less than a year of experience, even if YS was pushing her forward as a rising star.

With her graceful demeanor and approachable nature, she left a favorable impression on those around her.

“Oh, really? I don’t mind if the schedule gets pushed back. Please, do what’s comfortable for you, Director. I’ll let my manager know.”

“Thank you so much, Ye-rin. No, it’s the new actress who suddenly said she’s feeling unwell that day.”

“She must be busy, after all. I’m still just a college student.”

“Ye-rin, you’re not only beautiful but your personality is lovely too! Don’t forget me when you make it big later, okay?”

“Oh, come on, Director! You can’t forget me.”

In front of Seo Ye-rin, the age gap was of little concern.

Most men began with a high regard for a pretty woman, while women couldn’t even think of feeling jealousy in the face of such overwhelming beauty.

With her charm already high, it was further supported by her character and manners.

Seo Ye-rin’s mother had known her daughter was exceptionally beautiful since she entered elementary school.

Thus, she raised her accordingly.

Not with arrogance, but with humility.

And yet, she ensured that her daughter, who was already making a good impression through her looks, could take the lead in her own narrative.

Seo Ye-rin herself was unaware of her mother’s teachings, but learning flowed naturally through her actions and words.

‘Uji, my butt hurts.’

Of course, the truth might be a bit different.

The sadistic play from yesterday had been quite thrilling.

However, it left traces of Kim Woo-jin all over her body, and her backside was stained a painful red, which was rather embarrassing.

Yet, Seo Ye-rin accepted it as part of love.

Still, pain was pain.

‘I was too provocative.’

Moreover, there was no one to blame; hadn’t she intentionally let it unfold that way?

“I understand why YS is pushing Ye-rin.”

“Exactly. In my life, I’ve never met anyone as pure as Ye-rin.”

“They say her mother has managed her so thoroughly that she’s never even dated a guy at this age.”

‘But… the way Uji reveals his sadistic tendencies and fixates on me is incredibly enticing!’

Seo Ye-rin smiled awkwardly, pretending to be flustered as she listened to the chatter around her.

“I’ve hardly ever talked to a guy, so I’m really nervous even in scenes where I have to converse with other actors. I need to get used to these simple things moving forward.”

‘Hmph, I want to taste Woo-jin again. Ah, should I try to do it with a sense of obsession this time?’

But then a fleeting worry crossed her mind—what if Kim Woo-jin got tired of it?

“Yerin, you’re truly remarkable. If it were me, I wouldn’t be so humble with a mask like that.”

“That’s true. Yerin, you don’t have the ‘face value’ that others do, you know?”

“Look at the actors. When I see you, I can’t help but compare you to the others. But your pride is immense.”

“Eh, come on. Why do you say that? The other actors are much prettier than I am.”

‘Me, Seo Yerin, obsessed? What’s there to get tired of! I’m more worried if Woo-jin’s little friend doesn’t wilt!’

A warm thrill coursed through her, making her anticipate the next play.

“Yes, yes, Yerin.”

At that moment, a cautious voice called out to Seo Yerin.

All eyes turned, and standing there was Choi Jin-ah, the violinist responsible for the sound effects and BGM of the film.

“Oh, Jin-ah! What brings you here?”

“Um, could you spare a moment to talk with me?”

“Of course!”

With a smile, Yerin followed Choi Jin-ah.

‘…The position of a childhood friend is always so tempting.’

In contrast, she had met her friends at university, and it all started anonymously in a bamboo forest.

‘How am I going to package the story of how we met for our kids later?’

She had heard that Lee Seo-han had even mentioned the kids’ names.

Why didn’t he suggest names for their kids to her?

Seo Yerin grumbled slightly to herself.

“Y-Yes, Yerin… could you show me your wrist?”

“My wrist?”

In a corner of the filming set.

Despite the sudden request to show her wrist, Yerin extended her hand without a second thought.

Choi Jin-ah pushed up her sleeve, checking all the way to her elbow.

“Ah!”

There were marks left by Kim Woo-jin from yesterday, and Yerin, realizing she had forgotten, quickly withdrew her hand.

“T-This is—!”

She hesitated, trying to find the words to explain.

In any case, Choi Jin-ah knows everything, so is there really a need to explain?

“Indeed…”

Choi Jin-ah nods with a somber expression, as if she has come to some realization.

“Eh? Why do you say that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Hmm? That doesn’t look like nothing.”

“Yerin.”

Choi Jin-ah embraces Seo Yerin with a gaze full of pity, patting her back while whispering, tears brimming in her eyes.

“Stay strong.”

“Okay?”

Though she didn’t quite understand the words.

Choi Jin-ah, without waiting for Seo Yerin’s reply, simply left the filming set.

* * *

“Look at this, they’re going wild saying I’m cute.”

“……”

With my chin resting on my hand, I sneak a glance at the phone Yu Ah-rin is holding out.

There, comments were posted on the ‘Cheer Up Team’ channel run by Yu Ah-rin and the taekwondo studio.

From the title of the video, it seemed to be a vlog about their daily practice life.

It looked like Yu Ah-rin had filmed it herself, and the view count was quite high, with praises for her flooding the comments.

“But?”

I replied with a lackluster tone, and Yu Ah-rin’s expression twisted slightly.

“Aren’t you jealous? You go all wide-eyed when you see stuff like this.”

“Are you really saying that? Choose your time and place. We’re in class right now.”

“What’s this? Choi Yi-seo gets all jealous when she goes out for drinks, but why are you so cold to me?”

“……Are you hurt?”

“Maybe a little?”

Well, that’s understandable.

It’s possible to feel that way.

I casually pulled out my phone and played the video Yu Ah-rin had shown me.

I turned down the sound, just checking the comments.

—

“What the hell, you’ve already seen our video?”

“Of course.”

I’ve subscribed to everything.

I even left a thumbs down on the comments praising Yuarin.

“Yesterday, I was so jealous that I’ve calmed down a bit now.”

Having already vented my frustration while watching the video, I could afford to not react too strongly.

For the comments that crossed the line, I meticulously wrote down my reasons and reported them.

“What’s this? It’s so damn touching.”

“That was me giving a thumbs down to your channel’s fans’ comments, you know?”

“What does that matter? You can be this cute too.”

I’m glad if that pleased you.

Yuarin hummed, a smile of contentment gracing her face.

“I thought, wow, after going at it hard with Seo Yerin yesterday, is this kid in a moment of clarity now?”

“……”

That wasn’t entirely wrong.

But how did she know?

“Choi Iseo told me.”

“Do you share that kind of stuff?”

“It’s sort of a sequence. Since Seo Yerin did it, next time, let’s not have her do it again.”

“It feels a bit strange. Like, I feel super popular, but also like I’m being managed like a pet.”

“Ha! Pet. Look at you saying that. It’s hilarious.”

“So, does that mean I don’t have to do it with Seo Yerin next time?”

“Right, she often cuts in, and you’re easily tempted.”

“That’s true.”

I nod without denying it. Yuarin laughs and glances back at her phone.

“……Wait a second, you b*stard.”

Noticing something off, she lowers her phone and glares at me.

“What kind of conversation is this?”

“Why?”

“No, it’s just that we’re sharing this shit so damn naturally now?”

—

Caught.

“Did this b*stard give us some kind of drug? You better tell me straight. What did you make us eat?”

He grips my cheeks tightly, glaring at me from both sides.

“Is it just me, or is it really unsettling how casually you’re taking that bullshit conversation?!”

“…That’s the power of love.”

“Shut the hell up! You’re not borrowing some kind of drug power, are you?!”

“We’re in class, Arin.”

I try to calm down Yoo Arin, whose voice is rising. She glances at the professor and lowers her body, whispering softly.

“No, I really feel like my common sense is crumbling. What do I do? Ah, Kim Woo-jin is wrecking my brain.”

“…That’s a bit intriguing.”

“You crazy b*stard.”

“I’m just joking. And it’s not me who’s weird; you’ve always been strange.”

“What are you talking about?”

From noble mtl dot com

But this feels a bit unfair.

I don’t know about Choi I-seo, but Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Arin have always been odd.

“What kind of girl asks her senior to come in and check if he’s using a condom or not?”

“…I was in heat back then.”

“What kind of girl comes to her senior and asks him to suck her boyfriend’s dick together?”

“…You said you wouldn’t let it go. You said you’d ruin me.”

Yoo Arin mumbles, slumped over.

‘Damn, she’s kind of cute today.’

Why is this so adorable?

She’s way cuter than the Yoo Arin in those YouTube videos.

I can’t help it. I need to take her home.

If someone else sees her, they’ll definitely try to kidnap her.

Though the kidnapper would probably get beaten to a pulp.

“You can’t stay like this. Let’s go to my room today.”

“This b*stard really gets riled up at the most random moments.”

“I’m not riled up. You said it yourself. You asked if I was drugged. We need to confirm that. Let’s go have a healthy discussion.”

“Healthy discussion, my ass. You only have confidence in your dick, so you’re trying to settle it with that.”

Caught.

“Ah, damn. Is this what college life is? Going to your boyfriend’s dorm after class to have s*x?”

“…Probably not.”

Anyway.

Yua-rin didn’t say she didn’t want to. Should this be seen as tacit consent?

Slumped, Yua-rin stared blankly at the blackboard for a moment, then suddenly turned her head as if something had occurred to her.

“Hey, I can’t today.”

“Why not? I’m already mad.”

“I’m wearing mismatched underwear.”

“What does that matter? Once you take it off, it’s all over anyway…”

“Get a mood going. You think we can just do it whenever? Am I your personal toy?”

Why is she saying such infuriating things today?

It’s annoying.

“I imagine filming an apology video for YouTube later, saying sorry and then posting it while I’m with Yua-rin.”

“You crazy b*stard.”

Yua-rin, seemingly amused, smacks her shoulder as if to say, “What the hell?”

“Then let’s not do it today. How about we just grab dinner? What do you think?”

“What are we eating?”

“Either tonkatsu or gukbap.”

“Who do you think you are, my dad?”

“Then what do you want to eat?”

“I don’t know. Just not tonkatsu or gukbap.”

“Spicy pork?”

“Oh, now I get why Choi Yi-seo said you shouldn’t pick the menu with me.”

Yua-rin grumbles.

In the end, I pull out the Choco Mong I bought before class from my bag, stick a straw in it, and offer it to her.

Slurp, slurp.

Yua-rin drinks with her eyes closed.

It feels just like feeding a cat.

“Tonkatsu, sound good?”

“Puh, I should eat some kimbap.”

Just one piece of chocolate-mong and everything would be resolved. Truly a good woman.

As we exchanged a few words, before we knew it, the lecture had ended.

Leaving the classroom together, I glanced at my phone and remembered the schedule I had almost forgotten.

“Oh right, let’s stop by the dorm. Jina said she’s coming to pick up her suitcase.”

“Do as you please.”

As we walked toward the dormitory building, there stood Choi Jina, drawing the attention of passersby like a magnet.

Dressed unusually in workout clothes.

Her fiery determination made it seem like she was ready for battle.

The moment Choi Jina spotted us, she dashed over.

“Y-you! Come here!”

She grabbed Yoorin and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Uh? W-what’s going on!?”

What kind of situation is this?

As I stood there, bewildered, Choi Jina pointed at me and shouted.

“Now! Now I know everything! How you’re dating three people!”

“Uh?”

Suddenly?

“Isn’t it because I’m incredibly charming?”

“Fuck, not at all.”

Yoorin, still in Jina’s arms, raised her hand in protest, cursing, but it seemed Jina couldn’t hear our conversation anymore.

“It was blackmail! You were manipulating people through forceful threats, weren’t you?!”

“…Huh?”

What the hell is this about?