episode_0146

The dormitory interview itself wasn’t particularly difficult.

There wasn’t much to say, more about filtering out the minimum number of landmines rather than trying to eliminate someone.

“It’s a bit different from other universities.”

I heard that in other places, it’s even harder to get into the dorms after the first year.

There are places where getting into the dormitory is harder than getting into university.

Compared to such places, Gahyeon University was definitely more comfortable.

I’ve seen Gahyeon University being introduced as a university with a well-established dormitory system on YouTube before.

It was unexpectedly easy like this.

As I stepped outside, Juhee senior and Daeho hyung were still sitting there.

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy, and Daeho hyung was looking down at the floor.

“Well, because it’s Ju Captain.”

Who can look him in the eye when standing next to Juhee senior?

“It’s over. The atmosphere was good, so I think I’ll pass!”

I express my gratitude to the two with a smile.

“Really? Congratulations.”

Although Daeho hyung welcomed me back enthusiastically.

“….”

Juhee senior glanced at me sharply for a moment. Unconsciously, my body trembled, almost taking a step back.

“Good for you, lucky.”

He quickly returned to his usual expression and patted me on the back.

“Cough! S-Senior. That hurts.”

“Really? Sorry!”

Thwack!

Senior patted my back once more.

Indeed, he exudes a very commanding presence.

“…It’s awkward.”

There was a part that was not easy to overlook by saying “It’s harsh.”

“Could it be because of last time?”

I wondered if he felt upset because I didn’t mention it.

But if I say something, I might just end up getting hit again for no reason.

“Hmm.”

While pondering what to do, Juhee senior’s turn came, and he went in for the interview.

“Juhee senior, is everything okay?”

Thinking things went well, I asked Daeho hyung right away, but he just shrugged, indicating he didn’t know either.

“More importantly, Woojin. The ones who moved into the dorm before are planning to drink together. Want to come?”

“Huh? Out of the blue?”

He had been looking down and checking his phone, but it seemed like he had made some plans.

“Yeah, we’re gathering to catch up since the new dorm residents are coming in again. You’ll see these people often if you live in the dorm.”

“….”

To be honest, I wasn’t really interested.

I didn’t feel like drinking, nor did I want to go to a gathering and engage in conversations with anyone.

“You don’t seem too happy, so I asked.”

To me, Daesang hyung advised while patting my shoulder.

“You seem to be struggling more than when you were at Gold One. It’s good to think about it, but sometimes just having a drink without thinking too much isn’t a bad idea.”

“….”

Since Yoonji visited, my mind had been in turmoil, but I hadn’t drunk alcohol.

Considering the experienced advice from hyung.

“Well, okay then.”

What’s the harm, I decided to go.

It’s good to familiarize yourself with others in the dorm if you want to get along well with them.

“But what if you see someone there who dropped out?”

“Well, that’s regrettable.”

Surprisingly, I might not see a few people after going there and getting to know them.

As we discussed various topics related to the dormitory, Juhee senior returned.

Seemingly without any issues, it appeared that he passed the interview smoothly.

Just as if exchanging shifts, Daesang hyung stood up to go for his interview.

“Well then, take care. I’ll contact you soon. Probably around 7 o’clock, Woojin.”

“Yes, hyung. Please contact me.”

I nodded and saw off hyung as he went for his interview.

I could just go back, but perhaps I liked the slightly bustling atmosphere around me.

As I sat for a moment.

Juhee senior, sitting next to me, stared at me intently and asked, “Do you have plans?”

“Yes, they said they’re gathering to drink with the people they’ll be living with in the dormitory. Just trying to get familiar faces at least.”

“……”

“Senior, are you coming too?”

I suggested it since Senior Juhee seems to enjoy drinking.

“Forget it, I’m not into those gatherings.”

Surprisingly, Senior Juhee declined with a gesture.

“Woojin, incidents tend to happen quite frequently in university dorms, you know?”

Followed by some advice.

“There’s no need to get too friendly with everyone at a drinking session. It’s important for you to draw the line appropriately.”

“……Do you know something?”

As Senior Juhee’s tone left a subtle edge, I asked, and Senior scratched his cheek before replying.

“Well, I don’t know everything. Go there and judge for yourself.”

“Okay.”

As expected of Senior.

His cool yet neat advice is impressive.

“……Or not. Are you bad at holding your liquor?”

“Me?”

Although she mumbled something behind me and gave me a suspicious look,

“Never mind, I’m going.”

Thwack!

“Ouch!”

Senior hit my back again as he left. Seeing him struggle with the force, it seems like he should do some exercise somewhere.

“Well, then.”

Feeling like I should go soon, I got up from my seat.

* * *

To cut to the chase, I got really annoyed.

It’s bothersome to stay at home, bothersome to drink, bothersome to meet new people.

But since I told Daesang hyung that I would go, I reluctantly make my way there.

It’s our first meeting, but without dressing up, I head to the restaurant with a cap on and a jacket thrown over, captured on my phone.

“The name of the place is… Bulgapsal? Korean BBQ? What’s that about?”

Isn’t it just a pork belly restaurant?

We’re having a company dinner at some strange place.

Since it was a straight path, I was about to put my phone away when a message popped up.

– Yurin: Have you arrived, traitor?

It was a group chat with me, Yurin, Ye-rin, and Choi Seo.

It felt a bit awkward, but I had already mentioned that we had plans today.

– Woojin: Not yet.

Yurin was cursing because we postponed our plan to drink with them and went to another place instead.

– Yurin: You’re such an annoying jerk.

– Woojin: But we agreed to meet tomorrow.

– Yurin: Look at this guy. I should thank you for meeting me.

– Yurin: Where are you? I’ll bow to you once I see you.

“That girl.”

Recently, things haven’t been quite right, but after I sent a message about our gathering, she came back as if nothing had happened.

– Seo: Don’t drink too much.

– Woojin: Okay.

– Seo: I told you not to do that.

– Woojin: Sure.

– Yurin: You two look like a married couple. So sweet. But drink moderately.

– Yurin: If you get drunk, you might try to take a girl home for no reason.

– Woojin: ???

– Yurin: Idiot.

– Woojin: I’m not taking a girl home, just inviting someone to come along.

– Seo: Die.

Honestly, I can’t argue.

What can I do about my drinking habits?

They’ve actually crashed at our place after I got drunk before.

– Ye-rin: But with a place called Bulgapsal, it doesn’t seem to be Woojin’s style.

– Yurin: Ye-rin, when are you taking your clothes? Why did you put your clothes in my suitcase?

– Seo: If you find it hard after drinking, call me. I’ll come pick you up.

– Ye-rin: Confession of conscience.

– Woojin: Not a kid.

– Ye-rin: There was no room in my suitcase, so I put them in yours.

– Yurin: ……

“It’s chaotic.”

Why are there so many words?

The scattered conversation was a bit headache-inducing, but I found a small smile forming on my lips.

I arrived at the meat restaurant without realizing it.

I came right on time, but there weren’t many people yet.

“Daesang hyung.”

“Woojin, you’re here.”

Thanks to Daesang hyung, I ended up sitting next to him and chatting.

There were students from various departments, not just culinary arts, and especially the freshmen who were now entering the dormitory attended together through senior introductions.

The gender ratio was balanced.

Before the kids arrived here, there was a subtle tension, but there weren’t enough girls to warrant that kind of attention.

Engaging in conversation with Daesang Hyung, they tilted their glasses.

“Sigh.”

I thought maybe I’d feel better if I drank a bit.

But the alcohol didn’t loosen the knot in my chest as much as I hoped.

It’s like…

After the first semester, I’m feeling the pain of disappointment that I felt during the vacation again.

“This sucks.”

I tried to shake off the gloom with some drinks.

“You’re drinking alone too hard, aren’t you?”

Suddenly, where Daesang Hyung was sitting, a familiar face of a girl was now seated.

Slightly longer hair.

The same glasses and a smirk on her lips.

A dental student fossil, a devotee of sexology.

Anonymous90 of the bamboo forest.

Now a graduate student and even a teaching assistant, it was Lee Eunwoo.

“You’re still living in the dorm?”

You’re a fourth-year student, shouldn’t you have moved out by now?

“I got a separate room. Just came to hang out today.”

Well, she’s a dental student fossil who has been hanging around the dorm for four years.

She probably knows quite a few people in the dorm.

“Then go ahead.”

“Aren’t you in charge of the bamboo forest anymore? You used to be doing all the management.”

Is Yoo Arin still handling it alone?

Feeling a bit sorry.

“I have to. Just taking a break.”

“Oh, I see. Passing it on to your successor.”

“Is she still renovating over there?”

I remember how Seo Yerin was furious when she lost her sexology seat.

Celebrating regaining her position as a sexology leader while renovating at Goldwon.

I don’t know what’s so important about that.

“…A little?”

“Ugh, more than a little.”

It was obvious that she was doing more than usual.

“Are you here today to ask about one guy?”

“…Sharp.”

She’s obsessed with men, after all.

“Freshmen are nice. They’re enthusiastic, right? During the day and at night.”

“Take it easy. Don’t mess up the kids’ relationships for no reason.”

My eyes wander to the table where the freshmen are gathered.

Many of them openly express their fondness for each other, not hiding their affection even when tipsy from alcohol.

“Tsk, do I look like an old lady to those kids? Then can the manager help me out today?”

“You’re sick again. I’ll introduce you to a nice person, would you like to meet them?”

“Who?”

“Oh, Daesang Hyung.”

“Not my type.”

So damn picky.

Daesang Hyung is a solid and good man.

“By the way, I heard there are some English majors among the freshmen, have you talked to them?”

“Huh?”

Why didn’t I know about this?

“They followed their friends. Go say hi or something.”

“Forget it, pretending to know them will only make them dislike you.”

How awkward would it be to act like a senior to someone you’ve never met before.

‘Ah, let’s just go.’

I came here to get to know the people I’ll be living with in the dorm, but I wasn’t in the mood to drink and chat with anyone right now.

‘It was different earlier.’

Just before entering the barbecue restaurant, chatting with the kids seemed to bring things back to normal.

I felt a bit lighter then.

But not now.

‘…He probably won’t come even if I ask him to.’

I decided to drink tomorrow, so I should start adjusting my condition for that, but as I started to get up…

A woman enters the shop.

She seems to have put in quite an effort late at night, and the subtle store lighting added to the atmosphere.

Her natural charm captivates everyone in the shop.

“Seo, Yerin?”

Why is she here?

Various thoughts crossed my mind, but Seo Yerin caught the attention of others and immediately approached me, smiling elegantly and pointing to her phone.

“Wow.”

“Me, that senior over there? The Goddess of Goldwon Bakery.”

“Innocent is exactly your type.”

“Yeah, it is.”

Voices heard here and there.

Even when at Goldwon, among the same students, Seo Yerin shone brighter.

Clear without a hint of pretense, witnessing the purity in Seo Yerin’s appearance.

“So this is how she always was.”

Having only seen Seo Yerin as a section mate for a while, this side of her felt somewhat unfamiliar.

“Huh? Woojin.”

Seo Yerin urged with a smile in her eyes.

I absentmindedly checked my phone.

There was a separate message from Seo Yerin.

– Seo Yerin: (photo)

– Seo Yerin: (photo)

– Seo Yerin: Which one do you prefer?

One photo showed her covering her chest with both hands wearing only panties.

The other, wearing just a shirt, covered her lower body with her hand.

Both were unmistakably Seo Yerin.

“…You asked me about this?”

In disbelief, I stared at Seo Yerin and asked.

“Yeah, which one do you like?”

He asked me with a clear and refreshing smile.