Chapter 225

Chapter 225

Bamboo Forest Manager.

Episode 225: Peace Of Mind

As I enter the classroom, a few people’s gazes turn towards me.

Each one either averts their eyes or continues their conversation awkwardly.

Sweat trickling down, heavy breathing, and an expression that looks ready to explode any moment.

It seemed obvious that I looked upset, but I didn’t feel the slightest need to hide it.

I noticed Choi Yiseo, who had saved a seat for me in advance.

She, too, was startled when she saw me and began rummaging through her bag.

Just as I sat next to her, she pulled out a wet tissue.

“Wipe your sweat off.”

So, she carries wet tissues in her bag.

“Thanks.”

While wiping my sweat, I check the classroom clock. It’s a relief I ran at full speed; I almost ended up being late.

“Did you run here? What about your bike?”

Choi Yiseo’s question about where I left the bike I bragged about so much makes my heart ache.

“Someone stole it.”

As I clench my fist in anger, Choi Yiseo lets out an exasperated sigh.

“Again? At this point, it’s just exasperating.”

“Right? These bike thieves. I swear I’ll catch them.”

Though I said this, it seemed like it wouldn’t be easy.

When middle schoolers stole it from the PC café, there was CCTV, so it was easy to catch them.

The dormitory bike storage is somewhat tucked away, so there didn’t seem to be any CCTV.

I can’t just go around checking the entire university’s CCTV on my own.

The Bamboo Forest is as lively as ever.

When I mentioned losing my bike, it’s full of people laughing and mocking me.

But even amidst that, there were people who sympathized with me.

↳ Anonymous92: Someone stole my bike too!

↳ Anonymous124: Look! You absolutely have to catch them! I still haven’t found my bike! I checked the CCTV with the police, and the person was wearing a hat, mask, and hoodie.

↳ Anonymous481: Is it really just one person stealing? From what I see, someone steals a bike, then another person steals it back, and it goes on like that.

↳ Anonymous282: LOL, bike spiral LOL

Especially in the case of Anonymous124, they’ve been complaining about losing their bike since last time.

They seemed quite serious about finding their bike, having tried all sorts of methods already.

“I’m definitely going to catch this bastard.”

Do you think this is just an ordinary bike to give up?

I spent so much money on this bike.

“Report it to the police first.”

“Of course.”

Just then, the professor enters the classroom. Honestly, I don’t think I can focus on the lecture.

‘Ah, should I just leave?’

How can I concentrate when my mind is already outside the classroom?

I felt sorry for Choi Yiseo, but I thought I’d leave in a bit.

“Even if you can’t focus, just stay. This professor remembers students who leave and later removes their names from the attendance.”

Sensing my thoughts, Choi Yiseo quickly grabbed me and started persuading me.

“Huh? Woojin. Even if you don’t listen to the lecture, I can show you the notes later, so it doesn’t matter. But you definitely need to be present.”

“Do you know how much money I’ve lost…?”

“You’ll find it all back. So, okay? Woojin. Let’s attend the lecture. Or just play games on your phone next to me.”

“……”

“Stop looking at the Bamboo Forest. It’ll just make you think about your bike more.”

I bite my lip tightly.

My body trembled with anger over losing my bicycle.

I tried to calm my emotions at Choi Yiseo’s straightforward yet genuinely concerned tone.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

I nodded and took out a book.

Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be able to focus on studying, so I turned on a mobile game instead.

“…Yiseo, I bet you’d be great at parenting someday.”

“Suddenly, I feel like hitting you, so shut up.”

– Sensei!

The kids in the game welcomed me, calling me teacher.

It was a collectible RPG game called Black Academy that I used to play with Seo Yerin.

The lecture started, but I focused on the game. My mind was still uneasy, but seeing the cute characters being playful made me feel a bit better.

Is this why people play bishoujo (Beautiful Girls) games?

While finding a sense of comfort in my own way.

Thud.

A kick came from under the desk.

I looked to the side, wondering what it was, but Choi Yiseo was pretending to listen to the lecture.

“…Why?”

“What?”

Even when I asked, all I got was a curt response.

I went back to the game, and occasionally, some suggestive scenes would appear.

Thud.

Thud.

Every time that happened, Choi Yiseo would kick me once.

‘Isn’t this like practically playing the game together?’

I wondered if she was listening to the lecture, but her notes were neatly taken.

Hmm.

Now I’m a bit curious.

The game has a gallery function.

It’s a feature where you can rewatch CGs you’ve seen before, so I played the most suggestive scene.

A character’s skirt fluttered, teasing a glimpse underneath.

I deliberately tilted my phone screen, pretending to look under the skirt.

Thud.

“…Huh?”

Along with the impact on my head, a throbbing fatigue made my head ache.

Students stand up and leave the room, signaling the end of the lecture.

As I look around, I notice Choi Yiseo, who is resting her chin on her hand, casually glancing around while playing a game on her phone.

Tap.

– Ouch!

Tap.

– Ouch! Sensei!

Tap.

– Stop it! Sensei!

“Seo Yerin recommended it to me.”

Seo Yerin is the perfect scapegoat for these situations.

I said it right away, but Choi Yiseo sighed deeply and asked to hand over my phone.

“Stop playing these games so much. People think we’re a threesome because of this.”

Why is she suddenly hitting me where it hurts?

“It’s lunchtime, let’s go eat.”

“Okay…but why did I fall asleep just now?”

“Maybe you were tired.”

I follow Choi Yiseo, who is avoiding my gaze for some reason.

Today’s lunch is homemade burgers.

Now that Choi Yiseo isn’t taking pictures for her blog, she’s open to any menu, and it’s not too expensive for me to buy since I lost my bike.

I offered to pay, but Choi Yiseo insisted and bought mine as well.

“Did you report the bike theft?”

“I did.”

I reported it on the way here.

“Apparently, there have been several reports of bike thefts at Gahyeon University, so the police are investigating it seriously now.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Oh, if I ever catch that thief, I won’t let them get away with it.”

As we wait for our burgers, a shadow falls over us.

We were sitting by the window, and one wall was entirely made of glass, giving us a clear view outside.

Seo Yerin was pressed up against the glass, staring intently at us.

“Whoa, you scared me.”

Unlike the startled Choi Yiseo, I just shook my head at Seo Yerin.

“I’ve never seen her look so ugly before.”

I wonder if she heard that.

Seo Yerin shouts something and immediately comes inside.

Seo Yerin rolls up her sleeves and clenches her fist.

“What did you say, Kim Woojin?”

“I said I was so shocked by your beauty!”

“I don’t think that’s what you said.”

“I was so shocked by your stunning beauty!”

Seo Yerin glances at my pants and nods.

“Accepted.”

I’m not sure what was accepted, but I’m glad it’s over.

“This guy said he saw you looking ugly for the first time.”

Thanks to Choi Yiseo snitching, I received a headlock and couldn’t breathe for a moment.

Seo Yerin has a large chest, so the headlock didn’t feel too bad.

You could call it a win-win.

“Are you both done with lectures? I was going to meet some friends, want to come along?”

Seo Yerin often does quirky things, but people see her as a pure and delicate beauty.

I often forget that she rarely has days without plans.

“I have another lecture.”

Choi Hermione has another lecture. Maybe she loves university that much.

“I don’t have a lecture, but I don’t think your friends would like me tagging along.”

I don’t particularly want to join either.

“Arin will be there? Along with Bom and Seo-ah. You know all of them.”

“I do know them all… “

It’s a party of people I used to work with at Gold One, isn’t it?

“Should I ask the others if it’s okay for you to come?”

Seo Yerin immediately takes out her phone.

I wanted to stop her because I didn’t want to go, but Choi Yiseo, sitting opposite, interrupts.

“Go ahead.”

“Hmm?”

“Oh?”

We both look at her, surprised that Choi Yiseo is pushing me to hang out with others.

“Go clear your head.”

“Ah…”

A voice telling me not to think about the bicycle and just have fun.

Feeling awkward from the consideration, I scratch my cheek.

But it wasn’t wrong either.

If I were alone, I’d probably kick the blanket thinking about the bicycle.

“Yeah, ask if I can tag along.”

I nodded and decided to join Seo Yerin’s group.

“Hey, you’re going to finish it all before the movie even starts.”

When I commented to Yu Arin, who was devouring popcorn while hugging a large tub, she fed me a piece.

“I thought you’d be struggling because of the bicycle, but you surprisingly came to watch a movie?”

“Ah, don’t mention that. I’m here to forget about it.”

“Heh.”

She smirked, teasing me subtly.

“Did you even know what movie we’re watching?”

“Crime Town, right? I’ve seen all the previous ones.”

Isn’t it a movie full of action and fighting? Perfect for watching without thinking too much.

“It’s exactly the kind of movie I like.”

Look at Yu Arin humming with anticipation while eating popcorn.

“It’s exactly the kind of movie you’d like.”

I nodded, thinking it was a movie Yu Arin would enjoy.

The others said they’d go to the arcade or take photos at a booth while waiting.

Seo Yerin approached with just a drink in hand.

“Sugary sweet Woojin, Kim Woojin.”

Humming some strange song.

“What is she saying?”

“How should I know? Hey, didn’t you say you’d buy snacks for the movie?”

When Yu Arin asked, Seo Yerin glanced at me and smiled.

“What I wanted was sugary sweet Woojin, Kim Woojin.”

Yu Arin, glancing back and forth between Seo Yerin and me, warned clearly.

“You guys better know that if you do anything weird while watching the movie, I’ll kick you out immediately.”

Do they think I’m Seo Yerin or something?

“I’m not going to do that, are you crazy?”

This is a popular movie, so there will be a lot of people. What could I possibly do?

Seo Yerin responded with a laugh.

“I’m not doing it either. I was just joking.”

I immediately agree with her words.

“Yeah, no matter what, doing something like that in a theater is just not right.”

“That’s…true.”

Yu Arin, who was about to let it go with relief, looked at me and warned with a cold expression.

“Zip up before you get caught.”

“……”

Ziiip.

I zip up my pants again.