Chapter 53: Kitchen Team
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 53: Kitchen Team
"Open up...!"
Yoo Ah-rin was pounding violently on the door.
When it finally swung open, she was ready to give Kim Woo-jin a piece of her mind for faking an illness and dragging his feet. However...
"...Huh?"
"Oh, hey."
To her surprise, Choi I-seo was the one who opened the door. Moreover, she was slightly out of breath and her face was flushed, making Ah-rin feel like she had just witnessed something she wasn't supposed to see.
Choi I-seo usually had a voluptuous figure because she exercised regularly, but right now...
How should she put it?
She exuded a certain sexiness.
"You... why are you here?"
To Ah-rin’s flustered question, Choi I-seo replied with a relaxed, gentle smile.
"I came to visit the sick. Since Woo-jin said he was ill."
"Ah..."
"But you were right, he was totally faking it. He had plenty of energy to spare."
Flinch.
For some reason, Yoo Ah-rin’s shoulders trembled. Then, Kim Woo-jin strode out from the back, looking equally suspicious.
"What is it? Why are you here too?"
"..."
Kim Woo-jin’s face was also red, and he was breathing heavily. Ah-rin couldn't help but notice that his clothes were slightly disheveled.
"Have you eaten dinner? If not, why don't you join us?"
Out of nowhere, Choi I-seo invited her inside. Ah-rin felt like she shouldn't step foot in there, but...
"Excuse me."
Having practiced Taekwondo since she was a child, Yoo Ah-rin didn't back down and marched right in.
She entered with plenty of confidence, but then...
"..."
The musky scent of a man hit her nose.
Although the window was open for ventilation, it was only cracked slightly because of the chilly weather, so the smell hadn't fully dissipated.
Furthermore, seeing Kim Woo-jin’s fresh, clean skin, it was obvious he had just showered.
"We're running a pub, remember? Choi I-seo made this for me because I have to work in the kitchen."
Kim Woo-jin tried to offer an explanation, but Ah-rin knew all too well that it was just an excuse.
Then, Choi I-seo added one more thing.
"Woo-jin, can I use your shower?"
"Huh?"
"I worked up a sweat earlier, so I feel a bit sticky. I have my gym clothes with me, so I'll just change into those."
"Uh, sure... I don't mind."
Kim Woo-jin nodded blankly. Choi I-seo shot Yoo Ah-rin a meaningful smile before disappearing into the bathroom.
Thud.
The moment the door closed...
"Did you sleep with her?"
Yoo Ah-rin demanded immediately.
Kim Woo-jin furrowed his brows and let out a sigh.
"Sleep with who? I told you, we just made food."
"..."
She glared at him with suspicious eyes, but Kim Woo-jin just shook his head and popped a piece of the stir-fried sausages and vegetables I-seo had made into his mouth.
"It really looks like you did."
"I'm telling you, no. If I had actually done it, we wouldn't be finished yet."
"Look at you, acting all tough."
"Tough? It's not like I can show you proof."
Seeing Kim Woo-jin joking around and shrugging, Yoo Ah-rin felt a bit relieved.
Based on the atmosphere, it didn't seem like they had actually done that.
Wait, why am I feeling relieved?
It wasn't like she had those kinds of feelings for Kim Woo-jin. She had no intention of jumping into a battlefield where the odds of winning against Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo were slim to none.
"Ugh, I'm the idiot for worrying."
With that, Yoo Ah-rin pulled a palm-sized box out of her pocket and chucked it at Kim Woo-jin’s face.
"What's this?"
It didn't really hurt even though he got hit. When he checked, it was cold medicine.
"What, did you actually think I was sick?"
"No? I just brought some I had lying around."
"It's not even opened, though?"
"It was a buy-one-get-one-free deal, so I just brought the extra one."
He wondered where on earth they sold medicine on a BOGO deal, but Kim Woo-jin just let it slide.
"Whatever. Just eat some of this before you go. You'll probably be on the serving team anyway, so you won't even have a chance to eat."
At those words, Yoo Ah-rin pouted and reached for the chopsticks, but her movements suddenly froze.
However, she quickly regained her composure, picked up a sausage, and asked, "Why am I on the serving team?"
"Hmm? You aren't? I heard they put all the pretty-faced ones on serving."
"..."
"I heard they even asked Senior Han-gang from the 2nd year to serve. Sounds like they're going all out."
It was likely an attempt to cater to the needs of both men and women.
"Am I wrong?"
"No, you're... right."
Yoo Ah-rin lowered her head, looking somewhat embarrassed. Kim Woo-jin, genuinely failing to understand why she was acting like that, asked if something was wrong.
"Shut up!"
Yoo Ah-rin jumped up and spun around to hide her reddened face.
"Stop acting so charming, you jerk!"
"Wh-what?!"
"I'm leaving!"
It was just like that night they had Chocomong together.
Feeling that things would get weird if she stayed any longer, Yoo Ah-rin rushed toward the door.
No!
She reminded herself.
It's not like my heart just fluttered or anything!
There was no way her heart would flutter for a guy like that.
Getting attracted to the guy I was planning to use?
Nothing could be more pathetic than that.
Besides, that's a battlefield I shouldn't even step foot in!
She had no desire to compete with the two women interested in Kim Woo-jin.
Get it together, Yoo Ah-rin.
Tapping her cheeks with her palms, Yoo Ah-rin hurried home.
* * *
"What was that about?"
Yoo Ah-rin had suddenly thrown medicine at me and bolted. She had left almost as soon as she arrived, making me wonder if I had seen a mirage.
However, the distinct fruity scent she always carried still lingered in the air, tickling my nose.
Click.
"Woo-jin, this door doesn't close very well."
Choi I-seo walked out, drying her hair with a towel. She looked at me and tilted her head.
"Where's Ah-rin?"
"I don't know. She just shouted something and left."
"...What did you do to her?"
She immediately looked at me with suspicious eyes, which felt a bit unfair.
"I didn't do anything."
"Did you tell her you wanted to touch her boobs again?"
"No, I told you I didn't! And why do you think I'm some kind of breast-obsessed freak?"
"Aren't you?"
"No."
"If I let you touch mine right now—"
"I won't! I said I won't, you crazy girl!"
Seriously, do these girls think I'm some slave to my libido?
When I shouted back, Choi I-seo let out a giggle and sat back down next to me to dry her hair.
The sight was strangely seductive.
"Didn't you see the hairdryer? I bought a pretty good one."
"Yeah, I saw it. You use a Dyson?"
My ex-girlfriend had left it behind, saying she used a good hairdryer. I didn't buy it, so I could have just thrown it away, but after checking the price, I've been treating it with more care than I ever treated her.
"If you saw it, why didn't you dry your hair before coming out?"
"Just because?"
Seeing her playful smile, I realized she had intentionally come out without drying her hair.
"What drama have you been watching? Do they say men find it heart-fluttering to see a girl drying her hair?"
"...Is that not true?"
I must have hit the nail on the head, as Choi I-seo flinched and leaned back slightly.
I let out a long sigh, covered my face with my hand, and answered.
"Dramas are way too realistic."
"Hehe."
Choi I-seo let out a little hum, seemingly pleased with my answer. Then, she pushed the remaining food toward me.
"Hurry up and eat. It's getting cold."
"Yeah, I should."
My heart was pounding a bit too hard, but I forced myself to ignore it and just ate the rest of the food.
* * *
As I mentioned before, as the festival approaches, the Bamboo Forest gets very active. It's especially easy to get information about other departments I usually have no contact with.
"Geez."
Since they didn't mention her full name, I couldn't really delete it, but I could tell Seo Ye-rin was having a tough time.
Since it was Tuesday, I was supposed to have lunch with Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo.
However, I was currently heading toward the English Department's teaching assistant office.
Ugh, why are we meeting already?
It was because of the kitchen team meeting for the festival.
There had been talk in the group chat I was invited to about meeting up for lunch today.
I was going to pretend I didn't see it, but Choi I-seo nagged me to go, so I was dragged here against my will.
I'm already annoyed.
Naturally, I didn't want to do it, but I also hated it because I could tell the situation would be a total mess.
The freshmen were supposed to lead the pub operation, with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years only helping if they wanted to.
In reality, 3rd and 4th years were non-existent, and what 2nd year would want to help when they could just enjoy the festival?
So, it was up to the freshmen. But what could kids who just barely got the high school scent off them do in a kitchen?
I really hope there's someone with part-time experience.
I desperately hoped there would be someone who worked in a restaurant kitchen to take the lead.
With that earnest wish, I arrived in front of the office.
"I wouldn't be helping if it weren't for what the professor said."
There, Senior Min Ju-hee, wearing a tight black Adidos jersey, was lining up the freshmen with her hands in her pockets.
"Oh, Jesus."
How many people could make me feel this relieved just by looking at them?
"Kitchen team is a total jackpot."
Our Captain Ju had returned, this time as Ju-don Ramsay.