Chapter 18: Let's Go!
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 18: Let's Go!
“What should I do today?”
Saturday had passed, and it was now Sunday.
Yesterday had been quite a meaningful day.
I’d managed to get the post sniping me as a sex offender deleted, and I’d had my fun toying with the author, Anonymous 287.
My shoulders shook with suppressed laughter just imagining the look on Ahn Hyun-ho’s face.
But after a day, those pleasant feelings quickly faded.
Just like how playing is only fun while you’re doing it, but leaves you feeling empty once it’s over.
Man, I wish someone would snipe me again.
Feeling bored, I skimmed through the Bamboo Forest posts.
However, seeing that nothing much had changed since yesterday’s posts, my boredom only intensified.
It was a school community, so even the Bamboo Forest took a break on the weekends, but it was still disappointing.
Maybe I should just go work out.
I spent a few minutes debating whether I should at least get some exercise in before finally making up my mind and standing up.
I was putting on my running shoes to head out when my phone rang.
It was Choi I-seo.
Her timing is impeccable.
Since there was only one reason Choi I-seo would be contacting me, I answered the phone and spoke immediately.
“Yeah, come on out. Let’s work out.”
I knew she was going to suggest exercising since she had nothing else to do on the weekend anyway.
The girl was practically a fitness freak.
— Huh?
But her voice was laced with bewilderment. Was that not why she called?
“What? You didn’t call to ask to work out?”
When I asked back, Choi I-seo hurriedly replied that she did.
— Right! Right now! At our usual spot!
With that, she hung up.
Thinking about it, I wondered if she had called because of the sniping incident yesterday.
Ah, that could be it.
The sniping incident had ended so anticlimactically that I hadn't really been giving it much thought.
Well, we can just talk when we meet.
When I reached the start of the trail, Choi I-seo was already there. It seemed her house was quite close by.
“You’re early.”
“Yeah, I live nearby.”
She was wearing a blue hoodie that matched her navy hair. It reminded me of how kids back in elementary school used to tease each other, saying blue was a boy’s color.
Clearly, colors didn't have gender distinctions.
Even in a blue hoodie, she had a chic aura that suited her perfectly.
After a quick stretch, we started jogging slowly. Choi I-seo kept glancing around before cautiously speaking up.
“Woo-jin.”
“Hey, don’t talk while we’re running.”
If she had something to say, she should’ve said it earlier.
What was she doing during the warm-up that she was only speaking up now?
However, Choi I-seo had her reasons.
“My friend’s seniors are following us from behind right now.”
“What?”
What was she talking about all of a sudden? I almost looked around instinctively, but my gaze froze as I locked eyes with Choi I-seo while turning my head.
If I hadn't stopped, I would’ve let them know I was looking for them.
“So for now, just run. Act like we’re just exercising naturally and keep running until they get tired.”
“You know my stamina is trash.”
“That’s why.”
Choi I-seo clenched her fists.
It looked as if she was cheering me on.
“You have to push through.”
“Sigh.”
“Those seniors are all smokers. Let’s give it our all.”
“Why are they following us? Is it because of Oh Yun-ji?”
“Broadly speaking, yes.”
Choi I-seo drew a line, intuitively suggesting that Oh Yun-ji wasn't directly involved. Even if Oh Yun-ji had a bit of a strange personality, I wondered if she would really go this far to cause trouble for someone.
Well, whatever.
“You really have a great taste in friends.”
As I rebuked her and ran forward, she lowered her head and apologized.
“I’m really sorry.”
With those words, we kept running. My breath grew ragged, my calves felt like they were going to explode, and I wanted to stop right then and there, but I kept going.
The moment we reached the end of the long trail, I collapsed, my legs giving out.
“Huff! Huff! I can’t run anymore. Just kill me.”
If those 'seniors' had chased me all the way here, I was ready to just take the beating.
But first, I’d get ready to call the police.
Even while gasping for air, I pulled out my phone to prepare a report to 112. Beside me, Choi I-seo wiped her sweat and looked around before letting out a sigh.
“I don’t think they’re coming. They must have given up halfway.”
“Haaaah! That was freaking exhausting!”
As I sat on the ground trying to catch my breath, Choi I-seo crouched down in front of me.
“I’m sorry, really.”
“Huff, huff! Forget it! Let’s just rest first. We can talk later!”
I felt like I was going to die.
I wanted to go home and shower, or at least go to a convenience store and grab an electrolyte drink.
But before the unpleasantness in my mouth and the heat from my sweat could even cool down...
Vroooom.
A rather frustrating sight unfolded before my eyes.
“Electric... scooters?”
I spotted a group heading our way on electric scooters along the trail.
“Wow, this is just wrong.”
Here I was, thinking I’d barely escaped by running like a dog, while they were coming at us on electric scooters, puffing away on cigarettes.
Of course, seeing as they were sweating, it seemed they had started out running with us but gave up at some point.
“Did I do something so wrong that I deserve this?”
When I glanced at Choi I-seo and asked, her expression only darkened, and she couldn't answer immediately.
“Sigh.”
I let out a sigh and brought my phone to my ear while still sitting.
“Is this the police station?”
I’d call the police first and think later.
How dare they try to act like gangsters in a country with security as good as South Korea?
“Hey! He’s reporting us!”
“Get him!”
Idiots.
I’d already told them exactly where I was.
“Yes, yes. Please come right away. There are some strange guys here picking a fight for no reason. I think they’re going to hit me.”
They reached me on their scooters, but I had already hung up and was now recording a video with my phone while sitting.
“Did you think this was some crime movie where you could just swarm in and beat someone up?”
The guys faltered as I spoke with a bright smile.
“Well? Did you think that would work? This is why people need to study. Did you think it was okay because teachers at school would just keep things quiet and cover for you when you hit kids?”
But this was the real world now.
Did they realize that the 'shitty school' they used to complain about was actually the thing protecting them?
“You probably cursed at the teachers and talked back to them, right? But they were actually the ones stopping you from ruining your lives.”
“You son of a bitch! You think you’re so tough? Calling the cops? You sex offender piece of shit!”
“I really don’t get why you keep calling me a sex offender.”
It was incredibly frustrating, but actually, this worked out better.
“Fine, call them. Call everyone. Call the police, the judges, the prosecutors, and the lawyers. Let’s have a full-blown investigation. If I’m guilty, I’ll go to jail. Call the FBI while you’re at it.”
If they were going to provoke me this much, I wasn't going to just sit back.
I jumped to my feet and approached them. Since it was a trail, people began to gather in small groups, glancing over to see what the commotion was about.
A good crowd had formed.
“You people with empty heads don't even know that you shouldn't hit others! Where do you think you’re...!”
Suddenly.
My vision spun.
The sound of my phone dropping was followed by a stinging pain in my cheek.
Ah, damn.
I didn't think he’d actually throw a punch in a place with so many people. One of them, unable to control his temper, had finally snapped and hit me.
“You talk too much!”
Fortunately, only one of them lunged at me.
This was my mistake.
Who would have thought that even as an adult, someone would be so unable to control their emotions that they’d do something they couldn't possibly handle later?
There certainly are a lot of 'brave' people in this world.
“Woo-jin!”
Choi I-seo rushed toward me. She threw her arms around me, shielding me and telling them not to hit me.
“Hey! Hey! You’re gonna get hit!”
“Stay still!”
As she hugged me tightly, I could feel her warmth and her soft touch.
It wasn't just my stinging cheek that felt hot; my whole body felt like it was heating up for no reason.
But the situation was urgent.
“Choi I-seo? Aren't you Min-ji’s friend?”
“Don’t hit him! What did he do to deserve being hit?!”
“Are you crazy? Your friend said she was sexually assaulted by this guy!”
“Who said that?! Yun-ji never told me anything like that, and I can’t even reach her right now!”
The man who hit me let out a sigh of disbelief and stomped toward us.
He tried to grab Choi I-seo by the hair and pull her away, so this time, I pulled her into my arms to help her dodge.
It resulted in us being in a tight embrace.
Even as I felt the tickle of Choi I-seo’s hair against my cheek and nose...
“Ah, I should’ve worked out harder.”
When I muttered that with a chuckle, Choi I-seo turned to look at me with an incredulous expression.
“You can laugh right now?”
“Yeah, I can. Just thinking about teaching them that reality isn't as easy as they think makes me excited.”
“What does that...!”
Anyway, it was time to just stay still and get beaten until the police arrived.
Just as I was about to turn my body so Choi I-seo wouldn't get hit...
“Hey.”
A completely unexpected voice rang out from among the crowd. It carried a sense of dominance and pressure that overwhelmed the scene.
I instinctively turned my head toward the source of the voice, and there she was.
“Senior Min Ju-hee?”
The Joan of Arc of group projects.
Captain Ju was walking toward us, her hands shoved into the pockets of her dragon padded jacket.
I wondered why Senior Min Ju-hee had suddenly appeared, but that wasn't the issue.
“S-Senior!”
“Senior, it’s... it’s been a long time!”
The thugs who had followed us immediately bowed deeply and greeted Senior Min Ju-hee.
I felt like I was watching a gangster movie. Senior Min Ju-hee walked past them and stood in front of us.
“Hey, he’s the only precious kid in our group who can edit. What are you doing hitting him?”
I’m so glad I can edit.
Vowing to do an incredible job on the group project, I immediately shouted to Senior Min Ju-hee.
“I’ve subscribed to all the editing Neutubers and professional editing programs!”
“What the...”
Choi I-seo looked at me as if I’d lost my mind, but Senior Min Ju-hee smirked and crouched down in front of me.
“Impressive. Tell me when you’re making your schedule next semester. Let’s put in a few classes together and do the assignments.”
“It would be an honor, Senior!”
“Aw, cutie.”
She immediately ruffled my hair. I tilted my head back and forth, leaning into her touch.
“Girlfriend? The 1st-year rep, right? You found yourself a good man.”
“Yeah, she found a good man!”
“What are you talking about?!”
I was just trying to liven up the mood, but Choi I-seo immediately punched me in the chest.
“Oof!”
I ended up sprawled on the ground, and I naturally let go of Choi I-seo, whom I’d been holding.
“I’m suing you too.”
“Go ahead!”
After a brief bickering session, Ju-hee turned her head and glared at the thugs. They were frozen, unable to do anything just because she was there.
“Just go. It’s not like you guys have a good reason for beating kids up anyway. And don’t let me catch you again.”
“B-but, Noona!”
“'But, Noona'?”
Min Ju-hee tilted her head and stomped toward the guy who talked back.
“Are you talking back to me? Want me to remind you of the old days? Should I make you walk home in just your underwear? Has it been so long since you got a beating that you’ve forgotten?”
“We’re sorry!”
“We’re sorry!”
The thugs immediately bowed and apologized. They grabbed their electric scooters and tried to leave in a hurry, but...
“You there.”
I jumped up and grabbed the shoulder of the thug who had punched me, giving him a smile.
“Where do you think you’re going? You have to face the judgment of the law.”
“...Sigh, why don’t you just hit me back and we’ll call it even? Don’t make things complicated.”
Look at this guy.
“Wow, you’re pretty bold, aren't you? I want to see if you can be this bold at the police station too.”
I laughed and gave him some advice as he tried to run away.
“If I were you, I wouldn't run. We’re going to end up seeing each other at the police station anyway. It’ll just be embarrassing if you run now.”
“Sigh, how much do you want? You’re just planning to squeeze settlement money out of me anyway.”
Wow.
I barely managed to hold back a burst of laughter as I replied.
“Hahaha! What kind of bullshit is that? You’re getting a criminal record.”
“...”
“I have plenty of money. I don’t need a settlement.”
“That...”
“What are you gonna do? I have plenty of time, too. I was bored to death today. It’ll be great to see your face in court whenever I’m bored.”
“No, I mean...”
“Why? Are you mad again? Want to hit me one more time?”
I could see the police running toward us from a distance. Seeing them, the guy hurriedly bowed to apologize.
“I’m sorr—!”
“No, no! Don’t do it! Don’t apologize!”
I flatly refused and pulled him back up.
“Nothing changes even if you do.”
“W-wait a second. I’m actually on probation right now!”
“Holy?! Straight to the slammer! Let’s gooo!”
“P-please! I just lost my temper for a moment!”
“Off to the slammer we gooo! Go perform the Zero Two dance for the tatted-up hyungs in there!”
While I was having the time of my life, the guy fell to his knees and grabbed my pant leg.
“Please! Please!”
Looking at his truly pathetic state, I let out a sigh and patted his shoulder.
Then, I wiped the smile off my face.
“Get your hands off me, you criminal piece of shit.”