Bamboo Forest Manager

20 – 20. A Commute

“Shh.”

I opened my eyes without realizing it due to the noise around me. It wasn’t a big deal, but the sound of the man snoring loudly and snorting was too loud.

I roughly wiped my eyes and glanced to the side. I saw Choi Iseo, who was sleeping.

Usually in scenes like this in comics or animations, the clothes would be disheveled or there would be a slight approach and the sound of breathing would be heard.

“You sleep very neatly.”

In a neat posture, without any wrinkles in the clothes, quietly making sound while breathing.

When I checked the time, it was only 7:30 AM. Since we both had morning lectures today, we had to arrive at school before 10 AM.

“We still have some time.”

Choi Iseo might take a long time to get ready like yesterday. While contemplating whether to wake her up or not, I checked my phone and saw that there were quite a few messages.

There was a message from an anonymous user, who had been quiet over the weekend.

– Anonymous69: Hey.

– Anonymous69: Just contacted to see if the admin is bored.

– Anonymous69: What are you doing? In the middle of reading me in a nonchalant way?

– Anonymous69: Morning, brr brr.

“It’s nice to see you consistent.”

Although I was annoyed, I felt a little relieved.

Due to the recent incidents of sniping with the bamboo forest, I liked seeing such explicit and desire-driven behavior.

– Administrator: I just woke up.

– Anonymous69: Morning erection?

– Administrator: Don’t you have a lecture in the morning?

– Anonymous69: Or did you have too much fun last night and now it’s limp?

Even if this jerk is trying to be nice…

I thought we could have a normal conversation after last time, but Seo Yerin hasn’t changed a bit as Anonymous69.

It’s a bit irritating.

– Administrator: There’s a girl sleeping next to me.

I’m sorry to Choi Iseo Han, but it’s not a lie.

After sending the reply, there was no response for a moment.

– Anonymous69: Administrator, the impotent pretty girl, was that not true?

It’s obvious that this is a response meant to divert the topic. A sneering laughter escaped my lips.

Seo Yerin is used to spouting obscenities, but hearing such words in reality felt a bit awkward.

– Administrator: The kid must have had a hard time. Doesn’t wake up. Well, she did go to bed late.

– Anonymous69: …….

“Kick.”

I’m slightly curious about what expression Seo Yerin will have right now. It’s quite pleasing to see her flustered.

– Anonymous69: What time did you go to bed?

I think for a moment and respond.

– Administrator: Around 4 o’clock?

I think I actually fell asleep around that time. I slept late because I woke up.

By the way, Choi Iseo went to bed around 1 o’clock.

Since no one asked when we slept, it’s not really a lie.

– Administrator: By the way, I was well-prepared at 11.

After having a late dinner and digesting it, we went back and forth between the sauna and the ice room, talking about this and that.

Among them, it was quite shocking to learn that Choi Iseo didn’t actually enjoy exercising, but just didn’t like being at home.

– Anonymous69: …….

As I looked at Seo Yerin, who had closed her mouth again, a mischievous laugh escaped.

I laughed to see her in such a panic after teasing her every day. She’s completely clueless.

– Anonymous69: Then from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m……

– Administrator: LOL

I didn’t mention what I did, and they didn’t ask either. I was just making her misunderstand on her own, but there’s no response from Seo Yerin’s side.

“What’s going on? Did she just run away?”

I thought it ended a bit too easily and considered reading a webtoon or something.

A chilling sensation ran down my spine.

If it were Seo Yerin, it wouldn’t matter, but did Anonymous69 really back down and run away here?

This cyber ghost with the traits of a s*x beast, spammer, and stalker?

In an instant, fear rushed over me, and I hurriedly went to the bulletin board. There was one post by Anonymous69 written about 30 seconds ago.

– Anonymous69: Breaking news! Administrator with an insatiable appetite for s*x, female seduction tool, baby invasion strategist, confirmed pregnancy shield, fuel-less s*x machine, giant black creature, golden sun, 180cm, 80kg, 30cm. Had a satisfying night yesterday and woke up refreshed.

“This crazy woman!”

Without realizing it, I shouted and frantically deleted the post.

– Administrator: Where do you live?

– Anonymous69: Breaking news, hikers mistake Administrator for a mountaineer and attempt to climb Everest.

I immediately blocked this person for 72 hours and ignored their inquiries. It would be nice if I could also block inquiries, but unfortunately, that function doesn’t exist.

I covered my phone with a determined expression.

“What are you doing?”

Choe Iseo, lying next to me, looked at me pitifully.

“Wake up, did you?”

“Yes, because you shouted.”

“…….”

“What’s with all the dynamism with your phone?”

“Well, I was texting some weird person.”

“Do you have a friend?”

“……”

They’re really making a fuss about me.

“I have a lecture at 10 o’clock. Let’s get up and get ready.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Choi Ee-seo, who was whining that she didn’t want to get up, checked her phone sneakily.

“Oh, it’s 8 o’clock. Let’s just lie down for another 10 minutes.”

“As you wish.”

She thought she could take a short nap for 10 minutes, but she just lay there staring at the ceiling.

“Woo-jin.”

She softly called my name.

I didn’t respond separately, but she knew that I could hear her, so she continued.

“What are you going to do about Min-ji?”

“Do we have to talk about something heavy in the morning?”

Although I thought the topic was somewhat heavy, it seemed like she still wanted to hear what I would do.

“Well, I can’t just let it slide after all the trouble with Oh Yoon-ji.”

After going through all this trouble, I couldn’t just leave the person concerned alone, right?

“He’s not a bad guy either.”

She nodded her head to me, her expression dark.

“I know, so you’re still friends with him.”

Choi Ee-seo, who had a dark expression, sat up slightly in response to my words. She seemed to be feeling a mix of complicated emotions. Did I never expect her to trust herself this much?

Since I found out that Anonymous287 was Choi Ee-seo, my trust in her has become quite high.

“I don’t think you have a bad eye for people. You must have been a good person until high school when we were close.”

“But after going to university… and getting a boyfriend, she seemed a little strange. I heard they broke up, but she seemed more sensitive since then.”

“Yeah, I’ll try to talk to her. Because she’s your friend.”

If not, there was no need to have a conversation at all.

“Starting from spreading false rumors about me, and even going as far as committing a crime. I’m sorry, but I won’t let it slide.”

She was not someone who could be easily swayed.

I’m sorry, but if you committed a crime, it was only natural to receive punishment in this world.

“I will never let it go. And you, if you are their friend, don’t expect anything from me.”

That’s the path for Min-ji. It’s not something that can be solved simply by letting it go.

But still.

As I just said, I’ll talk to her. I’ll listen to the reasons why she did this and why she changed so much. As someone who has no personal connection, I’ll listen.”

That was my mercy.

She sniffled.

Choi Iseo wraps her legs around herself, burying her head in her knees as tears start to well up.

With each of these reactions, I understand that she was truly a valuable friend.

“Like what Min Juhee senior showed yesterday at the police station.”

I slightly move my butt and go to her side, placing my hand on her shoulder.

It seems like I’m pulling her close, but Choi Iseo didn’t seem to dislike it.

I don’t have any significantly different emotions either.

I simply thought that I needed to hold onto Choi Iseo so she wouldn’t collapse.

“If you really care for your friends, don’t do anything. Just watch. You just need to show that you haven’t given up.”

At the cost of burdening myself.

It would be enough to let her know that we could become friends again.

“Huh, ugh!”

Choi Iseo trembles, tears streaming down her face.

“I’ll try, my best.”

She says firmly, determined to do what she needs to do.

“Yeah, stay strong.”

Other than cheering her on, there was nothing else I could do.

* * *

This morning, it felt like a scene straight out of a drama, but life isn’t a drama after all.

“Ahem.”

There was an awkward tension flowing between the two of us heading to university.

I deliberately addressed Choi Iseo, who was blushing and avoiding my gaze.

“It’s lucky that the bus stop is nearby, right?”

“Huh? Uh! Y-Yeah.”

Seeing her quite flustered, it seems like she’s still affected by the tears from earlier. There’s really no need to be embarrassed.

In situations like this, it’s best to be a witty guy and make it less awkward.

From Noble mtl dot com

“Remember when you cried earlier? It kinda sounded like a dolphin crying, you know?”

As I say this with a grin, Choi Iseo’s expression cools down.

She seems to be conveying that I said something really wrong and she’s looking at me like I’m garbage.

Then, let’s try magic this time.

“Shall I guess what you’re thinking right now?”

“Where did you hurt your head, you punk?”

“…That’s what I thought.”

When I saw Choi Iseo slump his shoulders and lose his enthusiasm, I sighed while poking him with my elbow.

“Take a guess, what do you think I’m thinking?”

“Why did he have to take the 10 a.m. lecture and create such an awkward situation? That’s what I thought.”

As I laughed and spoke, Choi Iseo looked at me blankly and smirked in response.

“I’m not sure if this idiot is aware or unaware.”

Still, the atmosphere became lighter. It seemed that breaking through the awkward topic had an effect.

We got on the school bus just in time.

Thanks to the route being in the front, there were empty seats, so we were able to sit together.

“I skipped breakfast, so I should eat a lot for lunch.”

As I was thinking about going to a pork or tonkatsu restaurant, Choi Iseo interrupted from the side.

“I finish my lecture at 12, let’s eat together.”

“I finish at 1.”

“…Can you wait for me?”

We usually ate together whenever there was a chance for lunch or dinner, but it was a first to wait for each other to eat like this.

Our relationship did become closer as a result of yesterday’s incident, but still.

“We’re going to a pork or tonkatsu restaurant, right?”

“Don’t you have only those two options for the menu?”

“Gukbap.”

That makes it three options.

If we eat these three options in rotation, we can live an infinite cycle.

*Sigh* Since I’m waiting for him, can’t I choose the menu?

“Go eat with other friends.”

As I gestured and refused, he immediately pinched my thigh.

“Ouch!”

“Hey! Have some consideration! I’m waiting for an hour!”

“Well, then just go eat with other friends. I like eating alone! I’ve been eating alone since the second semester started!”

“Because you’re like that…!”

Choi Iseo tries to say something, but closes his mouth tightly. Then he quickly turns his head towards the window and supports his chin.

“So, what.”

“…….”

“So, what’s the deal, man? Did you break up with Oh Yoonji? Is that why you’re celebrating? Is it because you’re getting sniped?”

“I didn’t say it like that!”

“Shut up! Your eyes already said it all! You’re in for two servings of pork belly.”

“I don’t want to! You said you’re taking body profile pictures?!”

“What’s the point of taking them? You don’t have anyone to show them to! Besides, you don’t even have a boyfriend!”

“I don’t just show them to my boyfriend?! How could you…!”

Choi Iseo, who seemed to be about to say something, suddenly stopped talking. Then her gaze, frozen in place.

Curious, I turned my head. There was Ahn Hyunho, who had boarded the school bus, looking at us with a shocked expression.

“…….”

“…….”

A brief silence.

We exchanged glances, but fortunately, a student behind Ahn Hyunho told him to move forward, so he left to take a seat in the back.

“Ha, darn.”

Choi Iseo glanced at me, probably thinking she was misunderstood again.

I was already worried that Ahn Hyunho might tease me because of her.

Maybe he’s Anonymous287.

‘He imitates Ahn Hyunho quite well.’

His tone is vulgar and well-written.

Although Choi Iseo seemed to avoid deliberately talking to me, she looked at me while avoiding conversation.

“Should I help you with Ahn Hyunho?”

Whispering quietly, I asked Choi Iseo, who pricked up her ears and looked at me.

“How?”

“There’s a way, just trust me.”

Smirking at the anxious Choi Iseo, I took a deep breath and said one word.

“Hey, yesterday, Iseo was on the bed and she was so…”

Crack!

Ack!

“I got hit in the chest!”

“I knew you would do something like this!”

Dodging Choi Iseo’s attempt to hit him a few more times, he managed to stop him just in time.