Bamboo Forest Manager

Chapter 110: Room Service

The work at the Country Table was smooth.

Everything proceeded like a sailing ship moving swiftly.

Working diligently among the clueless college students, I even received compliments from the seniors.

Even the usually stern team leader, whom we could call the mistress, gave me a smile for handling a customer complaint well yesterday.

“You’re doing well.”

Jegal Jaemin, who worked with me, used to see me as a rival, but now he just murmurs that I’m amazing, having seemingly given up.

“You’re doing well.”

Receiving praise from the team leader, I thought today would pass uneventfully.

‘What kind of situation is this?’

In an instant, I was dragged from the Country Table and pond to the hotel’s basement, where I now work in Room Service.

In fact, I was thrown in immediately and had to learn on the job. It was much easier than working at the countryside restaurant, so I adapted surprisingly quickly.

“Is it this simple?”

I even thought that coming here might have been a better choice.

When the food came out, Yu Arin and the other friends set it up on the cart. Then, I just had to take it and deliver it to the guest rooms.

Lunchtime was roughly over, and it was meal time.

While eating in the staff cafeteria, I finally had time to speak to Yu Arin and the other friends.

“So…you’re saying I came to fill in for the guy who ran away?”

At my words, Han Bom from Design nodded vigorously. We had become somewhat comfortable with each other since we had gone to the PC café and had drinks at the chicken place last time.

“That’s right. The manager increased the number of girl positions, so there were no guys left to go up to the rooms.”

“Huh.”

This kid has really good pronunciation while eating.

I lean back slightly to avoid any rice grains and continue listening.

“He must have had a hard time trying to do everything by himself. We suggested just going up to the room to help, but they said it’s against company policy.”

“Huh, it should be fine if it’s Yu Arin.”

Isn’t Yu Arin stronger than most men?

Honestly, it’s safer for her to go up than for me.

But despite my joke, Yu Arin stays focused on eating without any response.

Thanks to that, the atmosphere became awkward.

Lee Se-ah from the Theater and Film department seems to sense something is off and quickly changes the subject.

“How was the Country Table? It’s been chosen as one of the top three tough jobs among the part-timers.”

“Top three tough jobs?”

“Yeah, one of the three toughest places at Gold One.”

“It wasn’t that hard.”

What kind of three tough places are there?

“There were a lot of things to memorize, but once I memorized them, it wasn’t too difficult.”

“They said you were good at your job, and it turns out to be true.”

“So you played the role of the manager this time.”

“Hmm.”

Listening to the conversation between the two, I couldn’t help but let out an ambiguous groan.

I remember Manager Lee Chan-song dragging me off like he owned the place at the Country Table.

I still vividly remember the head of the Country Table team sending me off with eyes full of sorrow.

“I’m leaving first.”

Yu Arin, who seemed to be eating in a hurry, suddenly stood up as if she had finished her meal. Then she left coldly.

“…Did you perhaps fight with Arin?”

At Lee Se-ah’s question, I just shrugged without giving a particular answer. Did we have any reason to have a falling out?

Recently, I’ve been managing the Bamboo Forest alone. Since it’s the vacation period, not many posts are being made anyway.

“Since this guy came, she’s become a bit sensitive.”

“Right? She doesn’t look happy either.”

Listening to the two people’s worried conversation about Yu Arin, I also watched the back of the departing girl but couldn’t do anything for her.

As I was working hard, it eventually became time to get off work.

Leaving work is faster than at the Country Table, and after lunch, there’s almost nothing to do, so I folded napkins.

‘Room Service is really a sweet deal.’

Although I was half-dragged from the Country Table, the work here was easier. Of course, the atmosphere is much worse.

With the continuous fighting between the manager and the assistant manager, the atmosphere keeps getting ruined.

Not only the part-timers but also the staff here avoid them as if to hush it up.

Listening to what the seniors were saying, it seemed that Lee Chan-song, the manager, had caused some trouble, so he was not being treated properly as a manager, which was why the section chief could pick a fight like that.

‘This is a mess.’

As I clicked my tongue and finished preparing to leave, Yu Arin, waddling around in a long padded coat, caught my eye.

It looked like she was heading to the bus stop outside.

“Let’s go together.”

When I hurriedly ran over to join her, she glanced at me and then walked away as if she wasn’t interested at all.

“Where are Bomi and Se-ah?”

Wondering why she was heading back to the dorm alone, I asked, and Yu Arin suddenly turned her head and glared at me as if she was shooting daggers.

“Why are you calling them by their names like you are so familiar?”

Huh?

“…Because we got close?”

When I asked back, dumbfounded, wondering why she was asking something so obvious, Yu Arin’s lips twitched.

“They said they were waiting for Yerin to finish work, so I’m just going to go.”

Then she just left.

“Ah, what is it. Why are you doing this?”

“……”

“What’s the problem?”

“……”

“Is someone bothering you? Or did the seniors say something weird?”

“……”

“Huh, this is frustrating.”

She wasn’t usually this frustrating. It seems like she’s trying to distance herself for some reason.

‘I don’t get it.’

Seeing her deliberately avoiding me on the bus and sitting elsewhere, I’m at a loss as to what to do too.

I wish I had someone to ask for advice. At times like this, a perfect place came to mind.

• Admin: A girl I know suddenly got mad, what’s this about?

Maybe it’s because it’s a healthy post after a long time. Or maybe because I’m the Admin.

Replies came quicker than expected.

↳ Anonymous85: Did you confess?

↳ Admin (Author): No, no, we’re really just friends.

↳ Anonymous11: There’s no such thing as friendship between a man and a woman, you idiot.

↳ Anonymous288: Seriously out of nowhere? Did they get mad without saying anything? Explain the situation a bit.

↳ Admin (Author): It’s a bit hard to explain. Is there a way to cheer them up?

Replies ranged from saying the person was full to accusing them of using us comfortably, and quite a few answers came in.

↳ Anonymous11: Just show them a cat photo and ask, “Isn’t this cute?”

↳ Anonymous52: Lure them with food ㄱ The more expensive, the more effective.

↳ Anonymous308: Maybe they just hate you because you’re ugly.

↳ Anonymous147: Make them laugh. Crack a joke or do a physical gag in front of them.

↳ Anonymous69: Just say you want to have sex. They’ll probably accept.

↳ Anonymous90: I want to have sex!

↳ Anonymous246: Talk about anime. I recommend something new that just came out, something everyone would like…

↳ Anonymous44: It’s okay to go with a ghost story. Scary stories help you focus better.

↳ Anonymous198: Just tie them up and spank them until they cry and apologize.

↳ Anonymous59 (Admin1): ……

“Ah.”

I got caught by Yu Arin.

It doesn’t mean anything, but I pretend I wasn’t looking as I put my phone down.

I get off the bus and follow behind Yu Arin, who is walking briskly ahead.

“Isn’t this picture cute?”

Sorry, but I don’t have any cat pictures, so I show a picture of Han-kang and Pyo Jinho making a cute face as punishment for drinking.

“Shit, my eyes…”

Yu Arin looks at me with genuine disgust.

Hmm, this one failed.

Anonymous11 is banned for a day.

Let’s move on to the next.

“Do you want to eat this?”

Since there isn’t much to eat right now, I handed out the peppermint candies from the restaurant for the staff to eat.

“……”

Then, someone immediately took out a chocolate bar and started munching on it alone.

“…Just one bite.”

It looked so delicious that I unconsciously started to drool, but Yu Arin just flipped me off.

Anonymous52 is also banned.

“Once upon a time…”

“That’s so boring, don’t even bother.”

Is joking not working either?

I thought about doing some physical comedy, but my pride wouldn’t allow it.

Anonymous147 is also banned.

“Let’s fuck…”

“Ugh! You bastard!”

I tried following Seo Yerin’s advice, but what I got in return was a right hook to the side.

Thanks to anticipating it and curling up my body, I managed to defend myself, but it still hurt.

But thanks to that, Yu Arin finally looked this way.

Though she was still fuming.

Anyway, Anonymous69 and 90 are also banned together.

“Did you watch…Annie?”

“I didn’t.”

I thought so.

“Then how about the scary story…”

“I hate them the most.”

This is shocking.

The advices I received from the Bamboo Forest were running out one after another. Anyway, those bastards have no time to be of help in my life.

Those very disgusting cyber ghosts.

I love you people too, you bastards.

“Then the next…”

I checked the Bamboo Forest again to see what was left to use.

↳Anonymous198: Just tie her up and spank her ass until she whines that she’s sorry for her actions.

“Hmm.”

I glanced at Yu Arin while touching my chin. I guess she knew what I was thinking.

“Don’t even try.”

She took a step back and looked anxious for no reason.

“I wonder if a twine…can be a rope.”

“I said don’t!”

“I can go to the convenience store and see if there is a rope…”

“I-I said to not do it, you pervert!”

Seeing the back of Yoo Arin running off so quickly, a bitter laugh escaped my lips.

Seeing that made it feel somewhat the same as usual.

“Yah, Yu Arin!”

When I called out to the fleeing figure, she turned her head slightly, her face flushed.

After taking the Chocomong I bought earlier for lunch out of my bag, I tossed it to her.

She caught it neatly and stared blankly at it.

“Drink it.”

“I won’t.”

“Then give it to someone else.”

“Take it back!”

When she tried to throw it back at me, I turned my body and ran away this time.

---

Thud.

Yu Arin, who put the Chocomong in the small refrigerator in her dorm, washed up, leaving her complicated feelings behind.

↳ Anonymous11: Admin, what happened.

↳ Anonymous233: Our first achievement in the Bamboo Forest.

↳ Anonymous44: Was it okay? Did you feel better?

↳ Anonymous198: Thanks to us, the Admin finally got a girlfriend.

↳ Admin: From now on, anyone who replies here will be banned.

↳ Anonymous69: ??

When she checked the Bamboo Forest outside, Kim Woojin was causing a ruckus. Yu Arin, who realized her lips had curled up slightly while blankly reading the post, threw her phone onto the folded blanket.

Clunk.

“Ugh, I’m so tired.”

“Good job.”

Min Ju-hee, who had just finished work, came in. Since she had been close with Ju-hee from the movie assignment days, it wasn’t difficult at all.

“Huh? Whose Chocomong is this?”

Ju-hee checked the fridge as if she was thirsty. Yu Arin, who flinched for a moment, answered as if nothing was wrong.

“Go ahead. I received it, but I don’t really want to drink it.”

“Really? I’ll have it later.”

Watching senior Ju-hee drink water instead of Chocomong, Yu Arin strangely felt relieved.

‘No, don’t think about it.’

She resolved not to worry about such things anymore and relieved the day’s fatigue.

---

The next day.

“So, first, knock on the door.”

Today, with no orders, Kim Woojin was chatting with Han Bom and Lee Se-ah.

And watching those three from afar was Yu Arin.

For the two who couldn’t go up to the rooms for room service, Kim Woojin was telling a story.

“Room service. If you say it like this, the guest will come out, right?”

“Right.”

“Wow, that might make my heart race a bit.”

Then suddenly, Kim Woojin stopped telling the story and took a step back.

“The guest comes out. Then, to show how happy you are to see them, you start dancing.”

He started doing bizarre dance steps.

“Like this, huh? To show the guest how happy I am to see them. Like this, like this, shock shock.”

‘Crazy bastard.’

Is that supposed to be funny? Yu Arin crossed her arms in disbelief and watched.

“Puht! Kim Woojin is hilarious!”

“Heheh! Why is he suddenly dancing for a customer?”

She remembered her two friends’ laughter threshold as not being this low, yet they were laughing so hard.

Watching Kim Woojin continue to dance, somewhat stepping in rhythm, with her two friends giggling in front of him.

Crack.

Strangely, Yu Arin’s mood was getting progressively worse.