Chapter 10: Running Mate
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 10: Running Mate
“Hmm.”
I looked down at my phone, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu.
To be precise, looking at the Bamboo Forest board on my screen felt off.
“Why hasn't she been around lately?”
Anonymous 69.
In other words, Seo Ye-rin hadn't posted anything on the board recently.
She used to act like she’d die without this forum, so her sudden disappearance made me a little worried.
I hope she’s not thinking of doing something reckless.
From what I’d seen, Seo Ye-rin used the persona of Anonymous 69 to vent the stress she felt in reality by saying things she could never say in person.
Conversely, if she was venting that stress in real life, she’d have no reason to clutter the board.
Did she get a boyfriend?
It was just a random thought, but it seemed surprisingly plausible.
Regardless, the disappearance of a spammer meant the Bamboo Forest was cleaner, which was a good thing. In fact, some users were commenting on how nice it was that Anonymous 69’s daily "shitposts" had stopped.
The problem was...
The Law of Conservation of Idiots.
As soon as Anonymous 69 vanished, another guy immediately stepped into the spotlight.
None other than Anonymous 287.
Ahn Hyun-ho, the Vice Representative of the English Literature Department.
He was posting almost once a day, asking the Bamboo Forest for ways to pick a fight without looking like the bad guy.
The kicker was that some users actually thought this was helpful, so his posts got a lot of engagement.
Is he a middle schooler or something?
If the police get involved, things escalate—settlement money, and in the worst case, a criminal record.
The fact that he was hoping I’d start a fight while he provoked me felt like dealing with a literal child.
Hyun-ho had been acting out lately, making snide remarks or "accidentally" bumping into me when we passed.
“Actually, seeing this makes me care even less.”
Since he was baring his soul on the community board, I didn't feel much of anything toward him. I knew that even if he forced a confrontation, he was the one who was actually anxious.
“Sigh.”
I scrolled through the various posts. I could only hope the people on the Bamboo Forest would keep "helping" Ahn Hyun-ho as he tried to figure out how to make me angry.
Ding-dong.
While I was managing the Bamboo Forest, the doorbell rang. I wasn't expecting guests, so it was likely a delivery.
I picked up the package and opened it. Inside were the black running shoes Choi I-seo had recommended.
“Ooh, not bad.”
They looked good in the pictures, but I liked them even more in person. I put them on and hopped in place; I felt a sudden urge to go for a run.
“Ah, she told me to send a photo.”
Choi I-seo had asked for a photo once the shoes arrived. I sent a picture of me wearing them, and a reply came back a few minutes later.
It really felt like she’d been plotting to turn me into her workout buddy. Had I been hooked like a fish?
I don’t hate it, though.
To be honest, the impulse to run in my new shoes was already there, so I didn't refuse.
Well...
She had also tried to help me with my ex-girlfriend, Oh Yun-ji.
Imagining Choi I-seo looking down at her phone with a cold expression, I had no choice but to become polite.
But the '1' on my last message didn't disappear. It seemed she had already started getting ready to head out.
“Ah, seriously.”
I’d felt the urge to run, but I didn't expect it to happen so suddenly.
Though flustered, I quickly changed into workout clothes and headed to the trail.
“Oh, 9 minutes.”
“Huff... huff! I... I think I ran the whole way!”
“Whatever.”
I managed to make it within 10 minutes, but honestly, I was already exhausted. I wanted to quit right then and there, but Choi I-seo was fiddling with her smartwatch as she explained the plan.
“Let’s just do a short 10-minute run for now. I won’t go too fast. We’ll go slow and match your pace.”
“I... I already ran for 10 minutes.”
Technically it was nine, but why wasn't she counting the run to get here?
“That was just a warm-up.”
“Isn't a warm-up still exercise? I think I’ve worked hard enough.”
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go.”
With that, Choi I-seo gave my back a light push. I wondered why she was acting so familiar, but I ended up being pushed into a run again.
“You’re being a bully just because you’re the Class Rep.”
“I’m doing this so you’ll be healthy. You ate stir-fried pork, pork cutlets, and ramyeon. You need to exercise.”
I agreed that I needed to work out, but...
“...Are you still holding what I ate last time against me?”
“Of course not.”
As she kept pushing me forward, Choi I-seo gritted her teeth.
“I’m not the one who’s mad; my PT trainer was. She asked what on earth I ate to gain this much in a single day.”
“...”
“Let’s go, let’s go!”
She seemed to have gained energy now that she was exercising. Judging by the hint of laughter in her voice, she seemed to be having quite a bit of fun.
It wasn't just that she enjoyed teasing me; it felt more like she was genuinely happy to be running freely.
After running for quite a while...
“Ugh, how long has it been?”
“20 minutes? We didn't actually run that much.”
In contrast to me, who was gasping for air, Choi I-seo was perfectly fine, stretching her limbs. She looked like she’d broken just the right amount of sweat and could keep going, but I was at my limit.
“I really need to keep exercising. My stamina is terrible.”
“Huff! Huff!”
“Should we run together every morning? What do you think? We can jog in the morning and then head to our morning lectures together. You have a 9 AM class on Tuesdays, too.”
“Don't you have any friends?”
“Are you really the one to say that?”
“...You said you live with a friend. Just do it with her.”
I tried to pivot away from a topic where I was at a disadvantage. However, her reaction was unexpected.
Hmm?
Choi I-seo’s expression darkened instantly. It felt like she was reluctant to even mention the friend she lived with.
Are things not going well with her high school friends?
It felt strange, but Choi I-seo glanced at me and asked, “Are you still checking the school Bamboo Forest?”
“Ah, yeah. Every now and then.”
Actually, I checked it every day.
Almost every hour, in fact.
“...I’ll text you later.”
I didn't need to ask what kind of text. She probably meant she’d let me know when Oh Yun-ji’s high school friends were planning to "snipe" me.
“Is that okay?”
Since things had come this far, I asked her directly. Wasn't she essentially betraying her friends?
“It’s not just because it’s you.”
At my question, Choi I-seo rubbed her arm and muttered, “The way the girls are acting lately... it’s like watching a cult. Yun-ji, the one actually involved, hasn't said a word, but they’re all badmouthing you and blaming everything on you.”
“...”
“That’s not right. Once this whole thing blows over, I’ll gather them and talk to them. I’ll make sure you don't get hurt.”
She was suffering because she had the wrong friends. Choi I-seo was the perfect example of that.
“Sigh.”
Feeling bad for her, I gave her shoulder a couple of pats. Her sweat-dampened blue hair gave off a strangely refreshing scent.
“...?!”
Startled, Choi I-seo jerked her body back. She looked flustered, as if asking what I was doing, but I just ignored it and changed the subject.
“What do you want for dinner? My treat.”
“...I get to choose this time?”
“Want to do rock-paper-scissors?”
“No, I’ll just choose.”
When I held out my hand, Choi I-seo, remembering how she’d lost twice and ended up eating stir-fried pork and pork cutlets, backed down.
Then, she flashed a sly smile.
“There’s a great salad place near here. Let’s eat there.”
“...There’s such a thing as a 'great' salad place?”
Seeing her mischievous face, knowing full well I hated that kind of food, I frowned and immediately held out my hand.
“Let’s do rock-paper-scissors.”
“No. Hurry up.”
Having already lost my right to choose, I had no choice but to trudge along behind her.
“Aww, I’ll buy it for you.”
Seeing my reluctant face, she patted my shoulder. I immediately gave her a bright smile and replied.
“Let’s go then, Noona.”
“Gross.”