Chapter 228

Chapter 228

Bamboo Forest Manager.

Episode 228: Ju-hee’s Dream

A large group of people gathered closely in a cramped café.

Some looked like gangsters who would have spicy stew and a shot of soju for dinner.

On the other hand, there were those with a calm appearance.

Black suits, sunglasses indoors, large in-ear pieces.

They looked like characters often seen in spy movies.

“So.”

The police, responding to a report, double-checks to ensure they understand correctly.

“They all came in to have coffee. Someone mistook it for a fight and reported it?”

“Yes, look now. They’re all just sitting and drinking coffee.”

Everyone was drinking iced Americanos, but they were all diligently drinking nonetheless.

“Alright, I understand. But who are you, explaining all this?”

“I’m just a customer too.”

As I stared at him, wondering if it was strange, the police officer blinked and asked again.

“Then why are you explaining the situation? Where’s the café owner?”

“Making coffee.”

The police, frustrated by the direction of the conversation, seemed ready to snap.

I continued speaking to the officer.

“The reason I’m explaining is because there’s something more important.”

It was time to inform the officer about a very sly thief we caught.

Skipping all the complicated procedures.

The police investigation was over quickly.

The incident with the gangsters and bodyguards was naturally overshadowed by the bicycle thief.

For reference, the bicycle thief was a student from Gahyeon University’s Department of Security Studies.

He sold all the other bicycles separately through second-hand transactions, using a surprisingly crude method.

He had a friend who did paint jobs, so he changed the color of the bicycles before selling them.

So even though it’s the same model, they just move on thinking it’s not the victims’.

For the record, mine was originally planned for sale, but since it was the best-performing and well-maintained among the stolen items, he decided to just repaint it and use it himself.

‘At least the guy knows how to pick a bike.’

He thought he wouldn’t get caught if he rode it outside the university, which shows he’s quite an unusual character.

Now that the investigation is over, I was on my way to work. Although I was a bit late, the boss understood since it was a police matter.

Today felt like a really productive day.

I attended an early lecture, had a meal, watched a movie, went to a café, found the bike thief, kissed Arin, kissed Yerin, and bought coffee for the bodyguards and gangsters.

Lastly, I came to work.

‘Ah, honestly, I hope there aren’t any customers today.’

It might seem like a terrible thought from the boss’s perspective, but honestly, today has been too exhausting.

I just wanted to lie down and do nothing.

But still, I’m in the position of getting paid to work.

As I sat there staring blankly at the ceiling, I heard the door open.

“Welcome.”

I tried to hide my tired voice and greeted the customer who came in.

I was worried they might come for a consultation with me, but surprisingly, it was a familiar face.

“Senior Ju-hee?”

“Hello.”

Senior Ju-hee came in hesitantly, awkwardly greeting while wearing her usual jumper and a hat.

She had been to the store several times, so there was no reason to be shy.

She must be feeling awkward because of what happened today.

“Is something wrong? Or are you here to buy something again?”

When I asked with a forced smile, the senior handed me the coffee she was holding.

It wasn’t just an iced Americano; it looked incredibly sweet.

With a cookie on top as the finishing touch, it seemed excessively luxurious for a coffee.

“I thought you’d be really tired today. I packed it separately for you.”

“Wow, thank you. I am really tired.”

As I took a sip, the sweetness hit my tongue violently.

Thanks to that, I felt a surge of energy as if I was waking up.

Sweet things are definitely good when you’re tired.

“I’m glad you found your bike.”

She pointed to the bike leaning behind me and smiled slightly.

I decided to keep it indoors for now, fearing someone might steal it if left outside.

Although my dorm room is a bit cramped, I’ll try to squeeze it in somehow.

“But didn’t your part-time job end, Senior? You started early today, right?”

It seemed like the café part-time hours were flexible depending on senior Ju-hee’s lectures.

Today, she went to work before me, unlike usual.

“It ended earlier. I just waited at the café for a bit, wondering if you were coming to work.”

“Ah, I see.”

She probably has a lot to ask about today’s events. I shrugged, trying to lighten the mood between us.

“I am a chaebol’s son, after all. You might have guessed if you saw the Bamboo Forest.”

“……”

“But I’m not getting any money separately right now, and I only found out about the bodyguards today.”

Why did I feel the need to explain all this to her?

It’s probably because I know about senior Ju-hee’s family circumstances.

Being well-off isn’t a crime.

Yet, I strangely felt like I needed to hide it.

Did she sense my concern?

Senior Ju-hee chuckled dismissively.

“A kid getting a lot of allowance from home wouldn’t be working at an adult store.”

“Right?”

“I just…came to say thanks today.”

Thanks?

Was there something I did to deserve gratitude?

Noticing the question on my face, senior Ju-hee elaborated a bit more.

“The people who came today. They were some thugs I didn’t get along with in the past.”

“Were you involved with such thugs in high school?”

I did think she seemed too familiar with the way she handled President Hwang.

“Back then… What was it? There was a trend of hiring thugs to beat up bullies for you if you were a victim of school violence.”

No way.

“I wasn’t the one doing the bullying. The bullies lied to the thugs, pretending to be victims and hired them to target me.”

I shouldn’t say this to senior Ju-hee, but it’s surprisingly intriguing. Made me want to munch on some popcorn.

Since there wasn’t any, I just listened while sipping on the sweet coffee she bought.

“So, well…”

Scratching her chin awkwardly, she downplayed it as nothing much.

“I beat them up.”

Of course.

Even the active thugs couldn’t handle senior Ju-hee, she’s the best.

“Since then, they’ve been coming around occasionally. Not to cause trouble…but to ask if I want to work with them.”

Wow.

Even the thugs know talent when they see it.

Instead of stubbornly fighting back, they’re trying to recruit her.

‘Come to think of it, when they came into the café, they did ask to talk outside for a bit.’

I thought they wanted to fight then, but it seems they were scouting.

“After you left, they approached me again. Asking to work together.”

“……”

“You can work while attending university. You can earn a lot more than you think. It’s several times more than working at a café.”

For senior Ju-hee, who urgently needed money, it was a tempting offer that was hard to refuse.

In the midst of wondering if I should stop her even if she accepted.

“I refused.”

Senior Ju-hee smiled as if relieved.

“I said no. I found something I want to do.”

“Something you want to do?”

“Bodyguard.”

“……”

I found my mouth agape without realizing it.

Because I felt like I understood where the senior’s dream had begun.

“I want to become a bodyguard. I know I’m good at fighting, but I never thought it would be useful unless I became a professional.”

Clenching and unclenching her hands, the senior had a look as if she had found her path.

“Woojin, you often call me the captain or something like that.”

As the second year began.

I had been seeing various sides of senior Ju-hee. Today, I was encountering yet another side of her.

“Surprisingly, I’m indecisive. When I entered the English department, I thought as long as I was good at English, I could do anything.”

“……”

“During the semester, I realized the English department wasn’t as lucrative as I thought, so I considered opening a restaurant.”

I suddenly remembered that the senior had joined the cooking team at Gold One, unlike us.

“And now, I’m trying to go into the security field where I can somewhat utilize my talents. I’m always wavering like this. I don’t know when it will change again.”

“……”

Just.

Just like that.

Senior Ju-hee finished quietly.

“The reason I said this is… I guess I wanted you to see me properly.”

With a somewhat relieved expression, she was about to head outside.

“Senior.”

I called out to senior Ju-hee and pulled out a business card from my pocket.

It was a card I received from the manager in charge when I met the security team earlier.

“Quit the café during the break. I can talk to them and help you learn a bit.”

“…Isn’t this a bit unfair?”

She tried to refuse with a bitter smile, but I walked over and placed the card in senior Ju-hee’s hand.

“So what if it’s a little unfair? You’ve had such a hard time, why not learn something with the backing of a chaebol’s son?”

“……”

“I’m not saying I’ll parachute you in for safety. I don’t even have that kind of power. It’s just to let you see and learn what kind of work it is. Like an internship.”

“……”

“Who knows? Maybe later, if you really don’t give up on becoming a bodyguard.”

The thought of such a future made me smile without realizing it.

“Protect me a little. I tend to get into a lot of trouble.”

Senior Ju-hee looked at me blankly, then nodded while holding the card tightly.

“Always.”

“……”

“If that’s what you want.”

Emotions have shades of black and white.

Senior Ju-hee’s words were so transparent, they were reliable.

And I genuinely thought it would be nice if this person stayed with me.

After a brief eye contact.

She said she’d really go and walked out.

“Today is really busy.”

I hesitated for a moment before running outside again.

I shouted towards senior Ju-hee’s back, who was walking with slightly regained energy.

“Senior! And what you said earlier doesn’t seem right!”

“Hmm?”

Senior Ju-hee turned her head back towards me, perhaps thinking it was sudden.

“It’s not indecisive to keep changing your goals!”

“……”

“It’s actually called making an effort! By continuously questioning the results you’ve already reached, you’re striving tirelessly to achieve the best outcome in any way possible!”

There was always a reason when the senior changed her mind.

Choosing the English Literature department was because having a foundation in English would be useful anywhere.

Switching to a restaurant path was upon realizing that the English Literature department wasn’t as lucrative as expected.

Opting for becoming a bodyguard again was because she judged it to be what she could do best.

“It’s not wavering or being fickle; it’s actually making decisive choices!”

“Ha, haha.”

The senior let out a hollow laugh.

Seeing her smile brighter than expected, I too burst into laughter and shouted,

“To me, you’ll always be the eternal leader! Loyalty!”

As soon as I saluted, senior Ju-hee hollered back with the brightest smile.

“Salute with your right hand, you little rascal!”

Watching senior Ju-hee leave with a refreshing laugh, I felt my mood lift as well on this night.