Bamboo Forest Manager

62 – 62. Date

“Now, let’s go to the Gahyeondae Festival right now! This is the popular street food stall and English pub! They say the stir-fried pork here is really delicious, you know?”

Poppo, who was saying something towards the phone attached to his selfie stick. It seems like he is broadcasting with that, but it was my first time seeing someone actually broadcasting.

It was interesting, but I was irritated because I wondered if I was the only one who found it interesting due to the crowd of people.

“Let me try it once!”

What will he sprinkle?

Poppo, who approached me sneakily, asked with a smile.

“Hello, can I order here?”

Is it because he is a broadcaster?

Certainly, he was a beautiful person. I heard that he is a mukbang (eating show) broadcaster, but I couldn’t help but think that his body is quite small to do a mukbang.

“You can order inside the pub.”

Just in case, I pulled my neck back and answered with a smile, so Poppo went into the pub while smiling.

Certainly, he was a popular figure in Gahyeondae, so even inside the pub, there was a commotion, with architecture students and male students following behind Poppo.

Chanwoo was there too.

“Huh? Why are you here?”

When I called him, Chanwoo, who was being dragged reluctantly, sighed and scratched his cheek.

“Senior forced me to come to appear on Poppo’s broadcast.”

“….”

“Sigh, why me?”

They were clearly busy with the Ham Festival, so if they brought Chanwoo all the way here, it must mean they are really sincere.

If Chanwoo appears as a guest on the broadcast, the number of female viewers will explode, of course.

“Good luck.”

“Yeah, you too.”

With a gesture, Jung Chan-woo went inside. He started grilling the pork again, and Hyun-ah, who was standing next to him, opened her mouth wide and tapped my side while asking.

“Do you know that person?”

That person?

“Chan-woo?”

“He’s Gan-gong’s Nam-shin. Wow, I heard that they came to our booth earlier, but it was real! Crazy! He’s so handsome!”

Well, he is handsome.

“Can you introduce me?!”

“I can introduce you. But there will be a lot of rivals, can you win?”

“……”

In response to my words, Hyun-ah pouted her lips and stared blankly at the meat I was grilling.

But at least she is sure about her calculations, so that’s a relief.

At that moment.

“Woo, Woo-jin! We have 20 servings of pork!”

Seo Ye-rin rushed to me, informing me of the order. I briefly had a panicked expression, but then I remembered that Popo is a mukbang broadcaster.

“Wait here for a moment.”

After entrusting the tongs I was holding to Hyun-ah, Ye-rin stopped me as I headed straight for the dining tent.

“Where are you going?”

With both hands stretched out, I sighed while looking at Ye-rin, who was blocking my way.

“If you don’t want to get beaten up, order only two servings.”

“No way! We’re on a broadcast! And I think you’ll lose!”

What the hell is she talking about?!

“Do you think we’ll make a lifetime’s worth of money from this? It will be over by tomorrow. Whether the rumors are good or bad, what does it matter?”

“Ugh, seriously!”

Ye-rin tried to prevent me by pushing my chest with both hands. We had been continuing this back and forth argument.

“Woo-jin, earlier, we changed the order from 20 servings to 5 servings.”

Choi Yi-seo approached us discreetly and informed us.

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

With a refreshing smile, she went off. It seems like she managed to change the 20 servings of pork to a different menu.

“Choi I-seo is the best.”

“……”

Yerin Seo pretended to agree, but she sighed and left alone.

* * *

The guest baptism, which seemed to continue indefinitely, has stabilized to some extent.

Because bars are inherently social drinking places, and once you sit down for a drink, it goes on for a long time.

With a table full of drinks and minimal additional orders for food, the situation just required busy serving of drinks.

“Go and have fun.”

Wiping away the sweat that was dripping, Minjuhee looked at her senior.

“What?”

“Go and have fun. I’ll take care of the stir-fried pork when it arrives. You’ve worked so hard.”

“……”

“The others have all taken a break or had fun for 1-2 hours, but you kept going. Take a break and have fun.”

“Thank you!”

Just in case something changes, Minjuhee pats her on the back with a wry smile.

“You’ve worked hard. Thanks to you, this year’s festival seems to be making record profits.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

But even if we make a profit, it’s not like it’s going into my own pocket.

It’ll probably all be used up for operating expenses.

Other people take breaks and only a few remain at the bar, creating a lighter atmosphere.

Taking off her apron and trying to get away from the nauseating grill, Hyuna, who had been with her all along, approaches.

“What are you going to do? If you have nothing to do, do you want to hang out with us?”

“Huh.”

I didn’t expect to receive such an offer. I stare at her in surprise, and Hyuna playfully asks.

“I’m curious why you’re pouting.”

“I’m not the one doing that.”

“Pfft! Anyway, you don’t have any plans, right? There are also guys there, so why don’t you come with us?”

Ah, I wasn’t the only one being invited.

They just seemed to be planning to move as a group during their break.

“I have plans.”

“Really? I find it hard to believe. Well, have fun then.”

“…What do you mean you find it hard to believe?”

“Are you sitting on a staircase somewhere, playing games? Like Sakura-chan, all hunched over.”

“Don’t even say hi to me.”

Hyuna leaves, grumbling. Anyway, I change my clothes quickly and send her a message from a spot not far from our booth.

A few minutes later.

Choimiseo comes out in a hurry, wearing a coat. Her cheeks are slightly flushed, as if she had drunk alcohol.

“What, I thought you just left alone.”

As soon as she sees me, Choimiseo lightly hits me. It wasn’t forceful, but rather an affectionate gesture.

“I said I wanted to meet you.”

“I thought you were too busy to come.”

“It might get annoying if we’re seen by guys like An Hyun-ho…”

It seemed like another jealous episode was about to begin, but…

“It’s funny to think that we have to be mindful of just one guy.”

Choimiseo responds to my comment with a soft laugh and slowly approaches. I thought she was going to cross her arms, but she hesitates for a moment and awkwardly reaches out her hand, keeping a distance.

“Um, there! There’s a place that sells tanghulu, let’s go there.”

“I’ve never tried it.”

“Me neither.”

It was a slightly unexpected situation, but it was the start of a subtle date.

The atmosphere wasn’t bad.

We ate tanghulu, shot air guns, and even got a health check-up.

Originally, I was supposed to go and find Anonymous 90, but because of my outing with Yuarin, Choimiseo didn’t even glance in the direction of the dental clinic.

From Noble mtl dot com

The atmosphere was not bad, but…

It was a bit disappointing that there was no physical contact.

It felt like Choimiseo was intentionally avoiding it. Anyway, there was definitely a distance between us.

“Heh, I think it’s about time we start heading back.”

Checking the time on my phone, Choimiseo sighs regretfully. While seeming to have something to say or do, she hesitates.

“Let’s sit on that bench for a moment and rest before we go.”

When I point to an empty bench with my hand, Choimiseo nods and heads in that direction.

We absentmindedly watch the festival.

Since the invited singer was singing, everyone’s attention was focused on that side, so relatively fewer people were here.

Maybe all of our classmates are over there.

“I have something to say.”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

As I waited, Choe Iseo’s expression relaxed a bit as she responded while trembling.

“I, I mean….”

Just as she was taking a deep breath to say something.

“Excuse me!”

Someone suddenly interrupted. When I turned my head in the direction of the voice I heard earlier, there was Popo, the individual broadcaster I saw earlier.

But the atmosphere was strange now, as she was wearing a hood over her pink hair that covered her cap. Her clothes were also a plain gray hoodie.

Popo asked me while panting urgently.

“I, I’m sorry, but can you help me?”

Was she being chased by a fan or something?

I looked up at her and replied.

“No, go away.”

“….”

“We’re having a serious conversation, so just go.”

“….Okay, I’m sorry.”

After saying that, Popo just left. I had a feeling, but I ignored it because I was too lazy. Choe Iseo smirked at me.

“You usually tend to help people in situations like this.”

“Me? Help her? The one who ordered 20 servings of pork belly?”

And now was not the right timing for Choe Iseo to gather up the courage to have a serious conversation.

I’m sorry, but Choe Iseo was more important than someone like Popo.

Choe Iseo realized that and seemed apologetic towards Popo, but she seemed grateful towards me.

“You know, I feel a little sorry.”

Sorry?

I wanted to ask why but didn’t say anything.

And I didn’t want to interrupt Choe Iseo’s flow again.

“At the festival this time…. more people than I thought, um, showed interest, you know?”

Perhaps the words were softened, but it’s probably a story of encountering a hunting incident. It could’ve easily happened to Choi Yiseo.

Even if warning signs are posted in the bar telling people not to do so, if they get drunk, would they really pay attention to those?

“To be honest, I was a bit annoyed. It was bothersome. It might sound strange, but I could feel ominous gazes.”

“It’s not strange.”

It could be felt that way.

While fidgeting with her hands upon hearing my words, Choi Yiseo sighed.

“But, it suddenly crossed my mind. Am I doing the same thing to you…?”

“Huh?”

In that instant, it was difficult to understand the context of her words. So, I needed a moment to gather my thoughts.

“So, you were worried that you were being annoying to me?”

“Uh, yeah.”

So that’s why she deliberately avoided skinship today. I roughly understood.

Choi Yiseo glanced at me subtly while waiting for my response. She seemed to be thinking too seriously, so I also took a breath and spoke seriously.

“I don’t mind as long as it’s not someone I genuinely dislike.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, I welcome anyone who approaches me, except for people I really hate.”

“Everyone…?”

Did my words sound strange?

Choi Yiseo looked at me with a slightly disgusted expression.

“No, it’s just words. Anyway, I mean I appreciate it if anyone, regardless of popularity or lack thereof, shows kindness to me… though dating is a different matter.”

“…Trash.”

Choi Yiseo muttered at me with contempt, and I shrugged my shoulders in response.

“I’m not hiding it. I don’t have any plans to date someone right now. That won’t change.”

Choi Yiseo didn’t bother to ask why. She couldn’t possibly not know that it’s because of our fellow high school classmate, Oh Yunji.

“Are you still lingering?”

“No way.”

I replied with a dry smile, and Choi Yiseo looked at me with a subtle expression. It seemed like she wanted to read my inner thoughts.

Anyway, my position was clearly conveyed. I kept my promise to Choi Yiseo to go on a date, but I have no intention of dating her.

Choi Yiseo seemed to have also processed it, as she took a deep breath and glanced at me.

“Then, what if someone asks you to go to a hotel with them?”

“Huh?”

It was a sudden question, but Choi Iseo seemed quite serious.

“There are people who make your heart flutter, like Yoo Arin, right?”

That’s uh…

“Sigh, that’s a completely different issue.”

“……”

“Anyway, if I have the chance, I want to try it.”

“……”

“I’m being honest.”

I awkwardly try to justify myself to Choi Iseo, who stares at me with a sincerely disgusted expression.

“Oh, no! I didn’t mean it like that! Of course, if a random woman I don’t know suddenly comes to me and asks, I would refuse!”

“What if she’s pretty?”

“……”

She really hits the nail on the head.

It’s not for no reason that she’s good at studying.

As I remain silent, Choi Iseo’s fist pauses. In desperation, I attempt to defend myself.

“How pretty is she?”

“This jerk…!”

Choi Iseo immediately clenches her fist and charges at me. There was a brief moment of wavering, but the heavy atmosphere from before has clearly dissipated.

That alone was enough for me, I believed.

“So, anyway, I won’t do anything with just anyone.”

“What if it’s Yoo Arin?”

“I… would.”

If I didn’t look at her with suspicion, I would have been able to hold back. It’s a pity.

I could see the blood vessels on Choi Iseo’s forehead bulging.

“What about Yerin?”

“Ugh, thank you.”

“Hmm.”

Choi Iseo cools her hot head with a hand fan.

Then, she glances at me and asks slyly.

“What about me?”

“Shall we go to a hotel?”

Choi Iseo’s expression becomes serious as he asks with a sly smile.

“Grab me.”

“….”

“I said to grab me. Turn on the app.”

Without realizing it, I flinched for a moment at Choi Iseo’s bold response. After glancing down at my phone and asking again.

“A-Are you serious?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

“…Think about it carefully. It’s not good to impulsively seek this.”

“….”

“Think calmly. I’m a guy who can get along with anyone, right? Experiencing this kind of thing like you do is not good…!”

“Hmph.”

Choi Iseo raises his lip slightly at my words. It’s then that he finally realizes he’s been caught.

“You’re just bluffing.”

Saying that, Choi Iseo confidently crosses his legs and sits, showing off his leisurely attitude. Only after he realizes that I really meant what I said, does he understand.

“Let’s go, I’ll make you cry tonight!”

Standing up with excitement, I exclaimed like an excited native. But Choi Iseo responded with laughter.

“It’s too late.”

“What do you mean it’s too late! How can a person’s feelings change so quickly in a few seconds?!”

Now, I’m really going!

I won’t be stopped!

I shouted, but Choi Iseo slowly got up from his seat, crossed his arms over his chest, and started dragging me towards the English and booth.

“No. At least not today. I hate you when you’re like this.”

Not today?

My heart raced a little, but at least my mind calmed down. The story that had been jumbled up and confused was somehow sorted out.

As I was being dragged along by Choi Iseo, I wanted to clear up my confused thoughts.

“Because we’re not in a relationship, I won’t act as forceful as I did before, like with you recently. Who you hang out with and spend time with isn’t my concern.”

I wondered if I had ever been forceful, but if Choi Iseo says so, then it must have been like that.

“But still.”

Choi Iseo whispered softly, poking my side.

“Please understand my jealousy to some extent.”