Chapter 223: Anonymous 407
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 223: Anonymous 407
It was a message that left me deep in thought for many reasons.
Because of this, I couldn't even focus on my lectures, spending the whole time agonizing over it.
I considered asking the others for advice, but if it really was the President, that could lead to a whole different set of problems.
'What the hell am I supposed to do?'
Time continued to tick away as I stared blankly at my phone screen, sipping on a ginseng latte.
'The most likely scenario is... that it's not the President.'
Honestly, I couldn't imagine the University President posting those kinds of comments on the Bamboo Forest.
It was hard to picture him using such crude language to curse at his own students.
"Tsk, I think she could've taken off a bit more clothes."
Then again, looking at Seo Ye-rin playing mobile games next to me right in the middle of a lecture, the possibility didn't seem entirely zero.
Contrary to her pure and innocent first impression, she was now practically an old man when it came to firing off dirty jokes.
Who would ever look at Seo Ye-rin and think she was Anonymous 69?
Anyway.
The highest probability was that it wasn't the President, but if so, why call me to the President's office?
'To find out my identity?'
Since I didn't know who Anonymous 407 was or what kind of person they were, the situation was inevitably complicated.
It was highly likely to be a trap.
'They've already checked that I'm a Gahyeon University student. Whoever enters the President's office at 6:00 will definitely be the Manager.'
Thinking about it that way, the possibility was certainly high.
But on the other hand.
'What do they want with my identity?'
Unlike Lee Eun-woo, who was Anonymous 90, or Seo Ye-rin, who was Anonymous 69...
Anonymous 407 had no connection to me whatsoever.
'What do they gain by knowing the Manager's identity?'
While keeping my identity hidden was obviously beneficial for me, it wasn't like I'd be in massive trouble if I were caught.
I didn't think I'd find an answer by overthinking in that direction.
Then, let's look at the alternative.
What if.
Just what if.
It really was the President?
'Ugh, that's a dizzying thought.'
I knew the nature of anonymity, but to think that Anonymous 407—the hater who lashed out at everyone on the Bamboo Forest like a broken record—was the President!
I felt like I'd never be able to trust anyone on the internet again.
'And then there's the matter of making him apologize to Senior Ju-hee...'
Senior Ju-hee desperately wanted an apology from Anonymous 407.
After hearing about her past, I understood why she couldn't let the parental insults slide.
But if that person was the President?
'It's complicated.'
What was the right thing to do?
What was Anonymous 407's goal in calling me to the President's office?
As I was scratching my head in frustration.
'Hmm?'
I got a Tok from someone quite unexpected.
An outdoor broadcast?
Now that she mentioned it, I remembered her announcing on the Bamboo Forest as Anonymous 111 that she'd be doing an IRL stream.
What interview?
Just as I was about to send a Tok saying no, a pretty good idea popped into my head.
I sent the message immediately and waited for a reply.
Suddenly, I felt something soft against my cheek.
Before I knew it, Seo Ye-rin had pressed her cheek against mine and was looking at my phone with me.
"..."
"..."
Silence hung between us.
I slowly lowered my phone, but I felt a slight vibration as a reply came in.
"Ahem."
Seo Ye-rin just stared at me without saying a word, and I felt a sense of dread creeping up from my toes.
Terrified, I leaned back slightly, only to bump into Yoo Ah-rin, who was sleeping with her chin in her hand.
"Ow, jeez. What is it?"
Yoo Ah-rin snapped awake.
Feeling like I'd woken a tiger while backing away from a lion, I told her it was nothing and tried to get her back to sleep.
"Woo-jin."
"Yes."
She usually called me "Woo-jina," but she always made sure to pronounce it clearly like this when she was serious.
It was a sure sign that Seo Ye-rin was angry.
"Shall we go shopping today?"
"Shopping?"
"Yeah. Let's go buy things like a leash and a chastity belt."
"...Are you getting a dog?"
When I asked with an awkward laugh, Seo Ye-rin gave me a bright smile in return.
However, seeing as there was no answer to my question...
"You sell them at your shop, right?"
If it was our shop, she didn't mean for a dog; she meant for a human.
"Don't worry, Woo-jin. Once I become an actress and make lots of money, I'll buy a big house."
Seo Ye-rin gently stroked my thigh.
"So you'll never have to leave."
I knew she went off the rails sometimes, but she was truly terrifying in moments like this.
I'd rather be beaten up by Choi I-seo or Yoo Ah-rin.
"No, Ye-rin. It's not what you think."
"Popo is that streamer from the Department of Architectural Engineering. She's famous."
"That's true, but..."
I hesitated for a moment, weighing my options.
"Actually, I have a favor to ask her regarding Anonymous 407."
I immediately sold out my appointment with Anonymous 407.
"Anonymous 407?"
"Yeah. I asked Popo for help, but I needed one more person. Could you help me out?"
"Me?"
Seo Ye-rin's expression began to soften.
I leaned in close and whispered softly.
"Yeah. It's a secret mission that only we can know about. No one else. Right, Anonymous 69?"
"...!"
Seo Ye-rin's eyes were now sparkling. Since Yoo Ah-rin and Choi I-seo were right there, I leaned in further to whisper so they wouldn't hear.
Mwah.
Seo Ye-rin caught me off guard with a kiss.
"What was that for?"
"Hmm? You were right there, it would be a waste not to."
I had leaned in so close I could feel her breath.
Fortunately, Yoo Ah-rin was already back asleep, and Choi I-seo was focused on the lecture, so they didn't seem to notice.
"So, what do I need to do, Manager?"
To the now-excited Seo Ye-rin, I began to briefly explain the situation.
* * *
Pale pink hair, fair skin that glowed even without lighting.
An outfit she'd put effort into, looking like a freshman visiting campus for the first time.
It had been a while since she'd been to Gahyeon University.
Popo, holding her gimbal and starting her broadcast, stood in front of the main entrance of the university headquarters.
"Look, everyone! This is the Gahyeon University main building! Isn't the building beautiful? I used to pass by here all the time when I was a student!"
Since she was on her phone, she couldn't see all the chats pouring in, but the reactions weren't bad.
Some felt nostalgic about being back at a university, some felt a sense of familiarity saying all universities look the same, and others who weren't college students yet watched with curiosity.
Viewers of various ages were showing a wide range of reactions.
"Actually, I wasn't sure if I was allowed to film here, but I got separate permission! They were kind enough to let me because I'm an alumna!"
Then, Popo spun around.
The camera captured a large group of students from the Department of Architectural Engineering who had been following behind her.
"These are the students from the Department of Architectural Engineering who are joining me today! They came to protect me, but don't they actually look the scariest?!"
The chat was flooded with "LOLs."
The Architectural Engineering students each struck poses to emphasize their muscles, trying to show off in their own way.
"Still, they're very reliable people that I trust."
With a bright smile, Popo stepped inside the building.
"Actually, I've prepared a surprise guest for today. You guys are going to be really shocked when you see her."
A woman was waiting gracefully in the center of the main building.
Popo greeted her.
"The Goddess of English Literature! It's Seo Ye-rin!"
"Hello, everyone."
The chat went wild at the sudden appearance of a female student with unbelievable beauty.
"Wow, look at you guys liking her more than me. What? Hand the broadcast over to Ye-rin? Are you kidding me?!"
Popo playfully hyped up the atmosphere while introducing Seo Ye-rin.
"Ye-rin, this is the first time we've met like this! I even heard you're making a cameo appearance in the upcoming movie Casino. People in the chat are saying they saw you in the trailer!"
"That's right, I was lucky enough to get the part. I only appear briefly, but please make sure to watch the movie!"
As the conversation deepened, Popo used her experience as a streamer to lead the interview naturally.
The crowd grew as people gathered to see what was happening, adding to the already large group of Architectural Engineering students.
Amidst the packed crowd.
Kim Woo-jin moved stealthily.
The plan was simple.
Statistically, the chances of Anonymous 407 being the President were low. It was more likely that they wanted to uncover the Manager's identity.
'Honestly, I don't need to go this far.'
But with Popo and Seo Ye-rin there, the perfect environment had been created.
Since the President's office was located on the first floor of the university headquarters building...
Kim Woo-jin was able to naturally slip inside, buried in the crowd.
"Whew."
He had walked in without knocking.
But what did it matter?
If asked why he was there, he could just say he was pushed in by the crowd.
Once inside, unlike the noisy exterior, the interior was silent.
It had that characteristic scent of wood common in such places.
Perhaps because the furniture was expensive, it had a similar scent to his father's office.
Though his father's office had a much smoother and more refined wooden aroma.
A stout man with glasses—the President.
Woo-jin had seen him from a distance a few times and in photos, but this was the first time seeing him face-to-face.
The President, who was working on something on his computer, glanced at him and wore a blank expression.
'Is it not him?'
He expected the man to say something.
Seeing the surprised look on his face instead, Woo-jin leaned toward the idea that the President wasn't Anonymous 407.
"I entered the wrong room. I'm sorry."
Just as he bowed his head and was about to leave.
"Is... is Woo-jin the Manager?"
At the trembling voice, Woo-jin reflexively snapped his head back to look at the President.
"It really was you, President?"
Then the reason he looked surprised just now was...
"Of all people, it had to be Woo-jin."
The President clutched his forehead and let out a groan of distress.
Woo-jin was about to ask how he knew him.
But in the end, it was the Bamboo Forest.
When the 3rd-year seniors had called him out, he had indirectly revealed he was the son of a chairman.
At that time, Anonymous 407 had jumped on the bandwagon and joined in on insulting the seniors.
So.
"You're really the President?!"
When Woo-jin asked in disbelief, the President wiped away cold sweat and slowly stood up.
"F-first, have a seat."