Bamboo Forest Manager

When I realized that Chan-woo had deliberately stepped aside, I wanted to have a talk with him, but there was never a time for just the two of us.

In this cramped studio apartment, where three people were together, there was no opportunity for the two of us to have a private conversation.

So, half giving up, I just let things flow.

Eating cheese saucy chicken with added noodles, I made a subtle expression.

“Tastes good, right?”

As Yu Arin had said.

I was a bit surprised at how tasty it was.

“Hey! What’s so good about this! Dad doesn’t like stuff like this!”

I pretended not to like it, as I didn’t like Yu Arin’s smug face, basking in victory.

“Ugh, boring.”

“This place is good.”

Yu Arin and Jeong Chan-woo ignored me, focusing on their own food.

“I’m going to have a smoke.”

By the time the atmosphere had warmed up after drinking some beer, Chan-woo went outside, saying he was going to smoke.

“I’ll show you the smoking area.”

Thinking it was a chance, I tried to get up quickly, but Chan-woo promptly refused and made me sit back down.

“No, I know where it is.”

“……”

“I’ll be back soon, just keep on drinking.”

Why does it feel like he won’t be back soon?

Those words lingered in my mouth, but I had no choice but to let him go due to Yu Arin’s gaze, sipping canned beer and staring at us.

Thud.

The door closed.

“That bastard is thinking something weird, isn’t he?”

Yu Arin’s indifferent remark.

Her tone was rough, making me think she was drunk, but her face showed otherwise.

Simply put, it meant Yu Arin was in a bad mood.

“Even earlier at the bathroom, it felt like he was deliberately giving us space.”

Grumbling that it was annoying while eating udon, I nodded in agreement, feeling more at ease.

“Yeah, it seems so. It didn’t look like he pooped in the bathroom earlier.”

“Ah, geez. We’re eating.”

Annoyed, Yu Arin twisted her body and kicked me lightly. It didn’t hurt, but it felt oddly unpleasant.

“Ugh, Chan-woo, that bastard. His weird thoughts are annoying to handle.”

Draining another can of beer, Yu Arin grumbled, and I agreed, taking a sip as well.

“Yeah, I feel the same. Trying to pair you and me up is really annoying.”

“I’m totally out of your league.”

Hm?

“Nonsense, I’m out of your league.”

As I argued, I looked to the side, and Yu Arin was also staring at me.

“Look at me, aren’t I out of your league? I’m slim, well-toned from working out, flexible, and I can even do cartwheels.”

I thought I might lose out because of the cartwheel, but thinking rationally, that wasn’t the case.

“Rather than slim, it’s just that there’s nothing special. Look at me. I’m mannerly, gentle, and considerate.”

“Look at you repeating the same thing three times because you have nothing else to say.”

Busted.

As Yu Arin said, I just repeated the same thing three times.

“Besides, you’re not even considerate. In what way are you considerate? You just live as you please.”

It was sharp, but if I backed down here, I’d be less of a man than Yu Arin.

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“You drinking here is also my consideration. You always posted about being bored in the Bamboo Forest, and I’m the one who made you a moderator.”

“Wow, look at that shamelessness. Just call you Mr. Shameless.”

“Really boring.”

As we bickered, we drained another can of beer. Our conversation had gradually turned into a competition to put each other down.

“Your only merit? You live as you please without caring about others. That’s about it, right?”

“Me? I live by instinct? No way… No one lives more restrained than I do.”

Even looking at the Bamboo Forest inquiries, there were several anonymous inquiries asking to book a room with me, and yet she says I live by instinct.

If Yu Arin had seen me restraining myself when Choi Yiseo came over without condoms, she would have applauded me as a saint.

“You touched my chest.”

“……”

Damn it.

She always leaves me speechless.

“I didn’t know it was your chest.”

With the alcohol taking effect, I blurted out a blunt remark, but this was no longer a big deal with Yu Arin.

In fact, Yu Arin also snorted and took a sip of beer.

“Bullshit. I remember you getting all excited and breathing heavily.”

“…Hey, wait. But you were the one who made me touch it. And I didn’t go any further.”

Thinking about it, that’s true.

I ended up resisting and not doing anything.

At my words, Yu Arin, who had just taken a sip, immediately put her mouth back to the beer can. She must have nothing to say.

“That’s it, Yu Arin. You have nothing more to say. Kim Woojin is almost a saint. His self-control is so strong that you’d think he’s impotent.”

Smiling slyly and teasing her, Yu Arin finally couldn’t stand it and grabbed both of my cheeks.

“You bastard…”

Whether it was a sense of competitiveness or what, she ground her teeth and huffed.

I couldn’t tell if it was because she was drunk or just embarrassed, but her face turned red.

“Come on! Bring it on!”

Then she grabbed my hand and placed it on her chest.

It was the same situation as before.

Before I knew it, my hand was on Yu Arin’s bulging chest.

Since it was winter, she was wearing thick clothes and underwear, so the sensation was mostly artificial.

But the soft feeling between the gaps made my chest thump just like last time.

However.

The difference from that time is.

“…Hic.”

It was Yu Arin’s expression.

Her gaze was different from that last time when she showed no interest in me. Back then, I withdrew my hand, thinking it was just a physical contact without emotional exchange.

But now.

“Hic, hic.”

Her blushing cheeks.

Her eyes glistening slightly with moisture.

In that moment, I sensed a mix of fear and a bit of anticipation at what might happen next.

Twitch.

Before I knew it, both of my hands were gripping her chest.

“Huh… hoo.”

As I applied a bit of pressure, Yu Arin let out a faint moan mixed with drunkenness and twisted her body slightly.

Embarrassed by the sound she made, she quickly covered her mouth, but my hands stayed glued to her chest.

It’s tempting.

And addictive.

It felt like it would go on forever, and if I went any further, I’d cross a line.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Woojin, the door’s locked.”

Chan-woo’s voice came from outside.

“Ahh! Damn it!”

As she stood up, Yu Arin kicked me in the chest, making me roll backwards.

She quickly ran to the bathroom.

“……”

I wanted to lie on the floor forever. I wanted to fall asleep right now and forget what I just did.

“Woojin? Arin?”

If it weren’t for Chan-woo’s voice from outside.

Standing up slowly, I bent over slightly. I didn’t want to show that I was straining my lower body.

“Come in.”

When I opened the door, Chan-woo smiled and took off the padded jacket he wore out.

“Where’s Arin?”

“…In the bathroom.”

“I shouldn’t have asked.”

Sitting back down and eating the remaining saucy chicken, Yu Arin came out of the bathroom.

Still with a red face, leaning against the bathroom door, she looked at me.

“Ki-Kim Woojin, pathetic.”

She smirked arrogantly.

“That wench…”

Whether it was fortunate or strange, thanks to Yu Arin reverting to her usual self, the drinking session continued.

As the night deepened, it was obvious that we couldn’t let Yu Arin stay at our place, so we put her in a taxi and sent her home.

Chan-woo decided to stay over. Since tomorrow was Friday and he didn’t have any part-time job, we planned to finish the remaining drinks.

But maybe because there were no snacks, the atmosphere wasn’t quite right.

Probably because Yu Arin left and the mood dipped slightly.

“Woojin.”

While we were sipping beer, Chan-woo cautiously called me.

I had been waiting for a moment alone, but now that it has come, I felt a sudden worry.

“Yeah?”

When I responded and looked up, Chan-woo was staring at me. Even though he was drunk, his intense gaze and handsome face were irritating.

But I could tell he was a good guy.

Because.

“Take care of Arin.”

He was smiling.

“I think Arin has feelings for you.”

“What are you talking about?”

Forcing a denial, I drank my beer, but Chan-woo just chuckled.

“Never mind then.”

“Haa, Chan-woo. Why did you come today?”

Even if Yu Arin was the reason, I wanted to know why Chan-woo came along. From what I heard, it was Chan-woo’s idea.

“I just… wanted to see.”

Taking a sip, Chan-woo nodded slightly, coming to his own conclusion.

“Yeah, I think I just wanted to see.”

“See what.”

“Who Arin is seeing now.”

“……”

“That’s enough. I think I can finally move on. I think I can meet someone else.”

Saying he felt relieved and thanking me, I felt a pang of guilt. But apologizing would only make Chan-woo feel worse.

“So, you did all that today to get Arin and me together? We both noticed.”

As I playfully scolded, Chan-woo admitted it was a mistake.

“Whether you like Arin or not… that’s between you two. It has nothing to do with me. Sorry for meddling.”

“When you say that, it makes my offer to help seem strange.”

“That was because I asked for your help.”

Chan-woo’s smile, as he took a sip, felt like he was comforting me.

“I don’t know what will happen later, but don’t make it too hard for her. Arin is my friend.”

Friend.

It was a heavy word, marking the end of emotions and the destination of relationships.

“You’re my friend too.”

Smiling, Chan-woo raised his beer can.

“To our friendship.”

Looking at the raised beer can, I let out a chuckle and toasted.

“To the women Chan-woo will make cry.”

“Hey.”

Did he not like that?

“Then, to Chan-woo’s dick that won’t have any days off from now on.”

“…To that.”

Damn bastard.

He didn’t even deny it.