Chapter 203

Chapter 203

Bamboo Forest Manager.

Episode 203: Blood Ties

“……”

After having a conversation with representative Jeong Min-cheol. Unfortunately, by the time it ended, the food had gone cold.

The representative said he had enjoyed the meal, stood up, and left first, leaving the rest of us behind to talk.

Yerin’s mother couldn’t even think to pick up her utensils, staring blankly at the steak and murmured softly.

“…I never imagined this.”

Of course not.

Who would have imagined it?

I seized the moment and spoke to her mother directly.

“Ma’am, having a boyfriend can indeed be detrimental to Yerin in many ways.”

Being an actress.

Receiving love from countless people requires that much responsibility.

“But that’s in most cases.”

“……”

“I am different, ma’am. Regardless of whether Yerin’s dream is to become an actress or something else, I am always confident that I can be her wings.”

Confidently, I spoke while holding Seo Yerin’s hand tightly, and she looked at me with moist eyes, seemingly moved.

Gulp.

I swallowed nervously and observed Mother’s reaction.

This place where even the representative of YS Entertainment was summoned.

I had shown the best I could as a student, and if this wasn’t enough, there was nothing more I could do.

Even if it was a foregone conclusion-

“How did you two…meet?”

Yerin’s mother let out a deep sigh and offered a faint smile.

It seemed my sincerity had reached her.

The atmosphere lightened considerably.

“We were in the same department, but we met through the university community.”

Under the table, Seo Yerin urgently pinched my thigh, as if telling me not to talk about it.

Of course.

Your daughter is quite famous in the Bamboo Forest as a notorious Sex God, ma’am.

Would you like to see the nonsensical posts Yerin has made in the past six months? I’ve gone through a lot of trouble deleting them. I can’t say something like that, can I?

“At first, we just knew each other anonymously, but later, by chance, we confirmed each other’s identity. I think that’s when the attraction started.”

“That’s unique. Maybe it’s because you’re young.”

But a relieved expression.

It seems she mistakenly believes I liked Seo Yerin for her personality, sensed through her writing, rather than her appearance.

“Both of you are still young. I won’t bring up heavy topics. Instead, please don’t overly favor Yerin. It’s natural to fall behind without one’s own effort or talent.”

“I can put her on stage, but I won’t force applause.”

Knowing what her mother was concerned about, I answered without hesitation.

If, because of me, YS paid extra attention to Seo Yerin, but our relationship soured, all of it would vanish like bubbles.

Yerin’s mother seemed to want Seo Yerin to secure her position through her own abilities.

“…That’s good.”

Her mother, perhaps surprised that I grasped her meaning immediately, gave a slight smile.

The atmosphere wasn’t bad at all.

We continued our meal.

I was about to ask to have the food that had cooled down to be reheated, but then Yerin’s mother said it was fine and just ate it.

Seo Yerin gave me a thumbs-up and praised me for doing well.

On the way home after finishing the meal.

Yerin’s mother seemed to be in a good mood, perhaps because of the cool breeze and the wine, and she lightly advised me.

“Please avoid letting them stay out overnight if possible.”

“…If possible?”

When I cautiously added, her mother glanced at Seo Yerin.

“Yes, if possible. Once or twice is okay.”

“Oh, wow?!”

Seo Yerin linked arms with me, laughing, not expecting overnight stays to be immediately permitted.

“But you must clearly set boundaries. You understand?”

“Yes, I understand. Even if I fail to keep them, there will be nothing to worry about.”

“……”

“I will take full responsibility.”

At my firm answer, her mother stared blankly for a moment, then chuckled.

“Yes, I thought so last time too, but Woojin, you are truly-”

She hesitated slightly, then nodded her head and continued speaking.

“A good man.”

“Thank you!”

I have been acknowledged.

Being called a good man is the highest of compliments, isn’t it?

Unknowingly, my shoulders lifted and the corners of my mouth rose at Yerin’s mother’s praise.

Seeing that, she laughed again, saying I was cute.

On the way back home.

I escorted her mother and Seo Yerin to the front of the house.

They said there was no need to go that far, but I followed anyway.

“Get home safely, Woojin.”

“Thanks for today, Woojin!”

The two of them started inside with bright smiles.

I took a deep breath and spoke to her mother.

“Ma’am, may I say one more thing?”

“Yes? Whatever it is, please tell me.”

Then I should hurry and tell her.

“Actually, besides Yerin, there are two more women I need to take responsibility for.”

“…Excuse me?”

Soon, the sports festival at Gahyeon University is approaching. The ambiguous boundary between spring and summer.

The sports festival, which starts in mid-April, was already wearing people out.

Today, Choi Yiseo gathered the second-year English majors to draft the athlete lists for each event.

With a threatening warning that those who couldn’t attend would be randomly placed in any event, so don’t put the blame on them.

As I sat down roughly, Yu Arin and Seo Yerin entered the lecture hall with their friends.

“…What’s wrong with your face?”

Yu Arin, seeing my face, was startled and asked, while Seo Yerin quickly sat next to me and hit me on the head.

“This fool said something weird to my mom and got slapped hard.”

“Slapped? Your mom did this?”

When Yu Arin asked what that was about as she sat down, Seo Yerin briefly explained what happened last night.

“Wow, this is really something big.”

Yu Arin sighed, looking at me in disbelief.

“It’s crazy enough to say that to us, but you told her mom? That you want to date three people?”

“But…isn’t it better for her to know sooner rather than later?”

I grumbled, and Seo Yerin hit my head again in annoyance.

“Do you know how much chaos my mom caused yesterday because of you? Asking why I’d like someone like that. Telling me to break up immediately. It was just an uproar.”

“Of course she would. Naturally. Think about it logically. Who are you planning to register with on the family registry among the three?”

“…Shouldn’t we all just go live together on a deserted island or something?”

“Wow, how do I even like someone like this? Still, look at the scale of this wannabe rich guy.”

Yu Arin grumbled, saying she couldn’t believe it. Then she took out some ointment and a bandage from her bag.

“Bring your cheek here. If you walk around like that, it’ll only cause more talk.”

“What, are you imitating Choi Yiseo?”

“Do you want to die? I carry it around these days because of basketball.”

After applying ointment and a bandage to my cheek, Yu Arin slapped it lightly.

Even though it hurt to get hit on the sore spot, it was a relief that it ended with just this.

“Anyway, because of Woojin, I have to strictly obey my mom for a while. My curfew got shortened by an hour.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Why did you bring up Yiseo and Arin when nothing is certain yet? Hmm?!”

As we talked, Seo Yerin seemed to get angry and started punching me in the side.

“Not yet! Yiseo and Arin haven’t even chosen yet! And those things can just stay between us!”

“But aren’t you a bit shameless? You’re already moving forward with Seo Yerin?”

In the end, getting hit from both sides, they both shut their mouths as Choi Yiseo entered.

Squeeze!

No, Seo Yerin still hadn’t calmed down and pinched my thigh hard under the desk.

“Ah, phew.”

Even though I groaned in pain, Seo Yerin didn’t let up.

In the end, I had no choice but to silently accept Seo Yerin’s resentful pinching.

“Why does your face look like that?”

“Just…the price of taking responsibility.”

Today’s shift at the part-time job.

The boss didn’t quite understand my answer, but told me to hang in there before leaving for the day.

I decided to work later than usual today, as they promised a significant overtime pay, so I readily agreed.

After all, there weren’t many customers, and I could just spend time on my phone.

– Choi Yiseo: So that’s why you got slapped?

Moreover, I was chatting with Choi Yiseo separately, so it wasn’t a big issue.

For the record, Seo Yerin has blocked me on chat.

Probably her mother was the one who did it.

– Kim Woojin: Yeah…

– Choi Yiseo: Should I praise you for being honest or scold you for being stupid?

– Kim Woojin: Yu Arin and Seo Yerin were calling me stupid.

– Choi Yiseo: Right. I think that’s correct. It’s a relief you got away with just a slap.

Sigh.

I guess it can’t be helped.

– Kim Woojin: If I try, don’t you think they might eventually give me permission?

– Choi Yiseo: Even I didn’t give you permission, so why would Yerin’s mom do that?

That’s true.

– Kim Woojin: I’m bored, Yiseo.

– Choi Yiseo: You’re changing the subject, so I guess you have nothing to say.

– Kim Woojin: ……

– Choi Yiseo: I’m working, you know. Focus on your work.

– Choi Yiseo: (Photo)

Saying that, Choi Yiseo sends a selfie of herself in blue pajamas.

I quickly take a picture and send it back.

– Kim Woojin: (Photo)

– Choi Yiseo: What’s this? Why did you send this?

Ah, damn it.

I accidentally sent a naughty picture.

– Kim Woojin: (Photo).

– Kim Woojin: Tried to send a selfie. Sent the wrong one.

– Choi Yiseo: ㅗ

Since Choi Yiseo didn’t reply after that, I decided to do something else.

Though my shift ends at 9 PM, today I work an extra two hours until 11 PM.

Before I knew it, the clock struck 11 during the quiet night.

Some customers came by, purchasing expensive items, preparing for a hot night, and I saw them off.

Another customer entered with a gust of cold wind as the door opened.

“Welcome-”

Life.

Isn’t there such a thing as blood ties?

I’ve inherited my father’s blood, selfish and greedy. But I’ve also inherited my mother’s blood, which makes me a bit strange sometimes.

Just like that.

I suddenly thought that Seo Yerin might be the same.

What I mean is.

“…Ma’am?”

When I called out to the mother who visited the adult shop.

She met my eyes and was startled, stepping back in surprise.

‘Ah.’

It seems Seo Yerin’s tendencies are also inherited by blood.