Chapter 232

Chapter 232

Bamboo Forest Manager.

Episode 232: Each Person’s Story

The moment I saw the caller ID, my grip on the phone tightened.

I could guess why the call was being made.

But the important thing is.

“Booowl! Tteuduhjuh!”

“Petite? Small? Is that how you were belittling me!”

“Stop it, I said it hurts.”

“My heart hurts more!”

Seo Yerin, Yu Arin, and even Choi Yiseo. I held my phone out to the center where the three were chatting.

Curiosity piqued about what I was up to, their gazes turned toward me.

And at the same time, they saw Choi Jin-ah’s name.

“I got a call.”

The best way is to be straightforward without hiding. Just like when I went on a blind date last time, it’s better to face it head-on than to hide and cause misunderstandings.

Even if it’s choosing the lesser of two evils.

“……”

“……”

“……”

The three of them looked at me simultaneously. Initially, they seemed flustered but were pondering what to do.

“She probably called because I said I wasn’t going to the reunion. Your Honor, I’m innocent in all of this.”

When I claimed my innocence, the heavy atmosphere lightened a bit.

Riding that momentum, I just pressed the call reject button.

The mood brightened even more.

“Hey, but she’s famous, you should’ve answered.”

Seo Yerin laughed sheepishly, rubbing her flushed cheeks.

“I’m a bit curious about how a violinist spends their day.”

Choi Yiseo relaxed her shoulders and expressed her curiosity about Choi Jin-ah.

“Well, if she’s an elementary school friend…it’s not unusual to contact. I’m not the type to be overly possessive.”

Even Yu Arin, claiming she was cool and indifferent, chimed in.

‘What the…’

I guess I was the only one making a fuss.

Or perhaps, starting from last time, my transparent actions have given them a firm belief.

‘Not bad.’

We are now connected by trust.

So, no matter what happens, we won’t doubt or blame each other.

Between people, such a relationship is possible-

Vrr! Vrr! Vrr!

– Choi Jin-ah –

The phone rang again.

This time, I answered without any hesitation.

“Hello?”

– Hello? Is this a good time to talk?

“Yes, I can…”

What’s this?

A chill from their gazes hits me all at once. Just a moment ago, they were relaxed and generous.

Even though they are keeping their mouths shut, the atmosphere suddenly turned heavy.

If I were to compare it to a sauna, it feels like I’m in the hottest room.

“…Can I?”

– Are you asking me that? Haha, Woojin, you’re still strange as ever.

The fact that being called strange feels like a compliment makes me think Choi Jin-ah might be a bit odd too.

For the record, it’s not a compliment, it’s an insult.

We were elementary school classmates, but we still spoke formally to each other.

It was a kind of distance, and I had scammed Choi Jin-ah back in elementary school, so speaking informally felt awkward.

By naturally using formal speech with me, Choi Jin-ah and I felt more like we met on a blind date than elementary school classmates.

– I heard you voted not to attend the reunion. Everyone’s quite disappointed.

“I was suddenly added to a group chat I didn’t know about, so I was more surprised.”

A group chat suddenly inviting me, claiming to be from Irum Elementary School.

Even just from the profile pictures, I declined the reunion attendance vote in the chat room filled with chaebols, and simply left the chat.

– That’s unfortunate.

“But I noticed it’s the third reunion or something. Do you meet often?”

– Right?

There was no need to explain the reason, and I didn’t press further.

High-ranking people usually strengthen their positions by cooperating with each other, rather than creating conflicts or competition.

They’re doing well enough that they don’t need to.

– In that sense, attending a reunion isn’t so bad. You never know who might be helpful at some point.

“Are you really eager to take me along?”

– …If Woojin comes.

Her bitter emotion strangely hit my ears.

– It might not be boring.

“So, it’s boring there?”

– ……

“Well, what do those who think throwing money around is fun know?”

– Heh.

“Then why do you go? You could just not go. Do you not have friends?”

– Pfft.

Even her laughter was restrained.

Of course, the three people in front of me looked at me like I was some kind of weirdo.

– I told you. You never know who might be helpful. It’s not my choice to attend.

Sounds like she’s being forced to attend a gathering she doesn’t want to.

– It might be helpful for the company.

“Huh.”

– All I can do for my parents is this, besides playing the violin.

She’s already famous and has even won awards, so she’s done plenty to honor her parents.

It seemed something was still lacking.

“Well, I’m not an heir, so I’m not really interested in that.”

The company matters are something my eldest brother should handle, not something for me to meddle in.

– ……

A brief silence ensued.

I moved my phone away from my ear slightly to check if the call was still connected.

In the midst of the silence, there was a hint of awkwardness.

– That’s impressive.

Though it was a short remark, it was loaded with meaning.

To some, it might sound sarcastic.

To others, it might simply sound like admiration.

“Yes, so I’m not going.”

I should probably end the call soon.

Even though they said everything was fine, judging by their expressions now, it was clearly a lie.

‘Well, they said it was fine, so I accepted it….’

I feel a bit wronged, so I should firm up my resolve.

“Got it? I’m hanging up now.”

– Yes, got it.

Click.

“Judge, I’m truly innocent.”

As I raised both hands and spoke, the three people who were staring at me maintained their silence for a moment.

I was a bit worried about what they would say, but surprisingly, they were gentle.

“Woojin, should I go to the reunion with you? I’ll dress up as the top beauty in the province and stick right by your side!”

Seo Yerin spoke as if she really intended to come along.

“She is such a polite person. Just like I saw on TV.”

Choi Yiseo sincerely complimented Choi Jin-ah.

“They’re lending cards over there, should we play a card game?”

Yu Arin suddenly changed the topic.

“What’s up, are you okay? When you first answered, you looked like you were about to cut someone’s limbs off.”

When I asked with a shrug, Choi Yiseo, looking sheepish, replied.

“Seeing you try so hard to show your trust…made me feel a bit sorry.”

“Heh.”

Unknowingly, a smile spread across my face at Choi Yiseo’s adorable response.

Of course, it was something that had to be done.

“Since I’m dating three people, this much is a given.”

“We’re not dating yet.”

What a sharp response.

But.

‘Not yet.’

Even the relationship that seemed to have been at a standstill is, in some ways, moving forward a little.

By the window of the grand mansion.

“……”

Choi Jin-ah was looking at the name ‘Kim Woojin’ displayed on the screen.

The call had ended a while ago.

Yet, as if feeling its lingering effect, she remained in the same position without moving, her lips sealed.

Of course, she couldn’t stay like this forever.

“Miss, it’s time.”

A female bodyguard called Choi Jin-ah carefully.

Only then did Choi Jin-ah seem to come to her senses, slowly lifting her head to respond.

“Yes, I’ll be there soon.”

Her father was waiting.

She couldn’t keep the head of a company waiting.

“……”

As she moved forward and lowered her head, her gaze naturally fell to her toes.

Because of the sunlight streaming in from outside, the shadow of the large window frame stretched long into the house, casting itself over her before she knew it.

A long, stretched window frame shadow.

“Just like-”

Choi Jin-ah tried to voice a sudden thought but swallowed it back with effort.

‘Like prison bars.’

Disliking it, she stepped out of the shadow, yet.

Nothing had really changed.

“Boss?”

“…Huh? Oh, yes.”

“Were you dozing off? What’s wrong?”

Bae Ji-hye.

With her broadcast name Popo, she sat across, showing concern.

“I don’t know.

“Recently, this has been happening often.”

Oh Yoon-ji had been internally calling this moment a “blackout” for some time now.

It’s as if the human named Oh Yoon-ji turns off for a moment and then switches back on.

Since this time wasn’t long.

She was living without being particularly conscious of it or showing it to anyone.

“It seems like you were really tired from having to rehire managers and editors. I’m sorry.”

Popo apologized while quickly handing over a vitamin drink. It was natural, but unfortunately, everything in the office fridge was bought with the company’s money.

“You have nothing to be sorry about. Filtering out weird people is part of my job, so it’s only natural.”

Especially in Popo’s case, there was trauma related to this, so extra care was needed in personnel assignments.

“Returning to school… It might be tough.”

Oh Yoon-ji mumbled to herself, soothing her upset stomach with the vitamin drink.

She was diligently finishing her preparations to return to school.

Recruiting internet broadcasters, hiring staff, starting merchandise production, and so on.

But then.

The company’s most important star broadcaster, Choi Eun-byul, got pregnant.

She had been dating Kim Woon, but when she suddenly got pregnant, Choi Eun-byul’s fandom went wild.

Many fans congratulated her, but there were also many who didn’t.

In any case, the heated frenzy had ended, and things were gradually calming down.

“I’ll make sure to tell you if I date anyone.”

“I won’t stop you from dating, just make sure to use protection.”

“Yes!”

Saying that, Popo scurried off to the broadcasting room. She mentioned ordering chicken for a mukbang earlier, maybe she should grab a piece.

It seemed Popo had somewhat overcome the previous incident.

Wouldn’t the fact that she was being so friendly with her boss, Oh Yoon-ji, be proof of that?

‘She’s older, though.’

Is it because she’s so shameless that she can be a broadcaster?

Oh Yoon-ji finishes drinking her vitamin drink and checks the mail that the new employee brought earlier.

Among them, there was one from Gahyeon University.

‘It must be for Popo.’

Gahyeon University.

She was planning to return to school.

‘…Is there really a reason to go back?’

Right now, she is working hard and earning good money.

Is there really a need to attend university?

A man’s face came to mind.

But Oh Yoon-ji skillfully erased his face now.

“Sigh, I told them to sort out things like fan letters properly.”

Oh Yoon-ji clicked her tongue at the clueless new recruit and flipped through the pages one by one.

[The murderer’s father-]

As soon as she caught sight of a letter hidden among the fan letters, Oh Yoon-ji’s expression slowly faded away.

…….

………….

……………….

“Boss?”

“…Oh, yes?”

At the voice of another employee calling her, Oh Yoon-ji came back to her senses.

“What should we do with this?”

“…What was the question again? Sorry, I missed the first part.”

Oh Yoon-ji asked again, hiding the letter below.

“Well, right now-”

She wasn’t dozing off.

It certainly wasn’t fainting.

Oh Yoon-ji called this a blackout.

It’s pitch black.

She can’t do anything.

But there is definitely a person left inside.

That’s why she called it a blackout.