Chapter 54: Anonymous 90
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 54: Anonymous 90
“So, the menu itself isn't bad. But the taste is just… too ordinary.”
In front of the TA office.
Senior Min Ju-hee stood with her arms crossed, explaining various details. Standing before her was the 1st-year kitchen team.
“Has anyone actually tried making it? I tried it with the girls at the dorm yesterday.”
Naturally, no one answered. Even if they were the kitchen team, the menu had only been decided yesterday. Who would have had the time to try it immediately?
“I’ve tried it.”
Well, except for me, since Choi I-seo had gone out of her way to come to my place and cook it for me.
When I lightly raised my hand to answer, the eyes of the other students shifted toward me.
Some looked surprised that I’d actually done it, while others seemed to mock me, as if asking just how much I was looking forward to this festival.
However, Min Ju-hee gave a satisfied smile and nodded.
“As expected, I like you, pretty boy.”
This time, the 1st-years looked even more shocked, glancing back and forth between me and Ju-hee.
They probably hadn't expected Ju-hee to have such a favorable opinion of me.
“So, how was it?”
“Like you said, senior, it was ordinary. Honestly, I wouldn't really want to eat it again.”
If Choi I-seo hadn't made it for me, I would have left it unfinished. Even I-seo, who made it, had a lukewarm expression on her face.
“Right? It’s a recipe we used last year, but it looks like it needs a change. Anyone here think they’re a decent cook? Raise your hand.”
No one raised their hand.
Seeing this, Min Ju-hee’s brow furrowed slightly, and she broadened the scope of her question.
“Anyone who often follows recipes on Neutube, anyone who can at least boil a stew, anyone who lives alone? Raise your hands.”
Even those who live alone?
Once she asked that, a few people raised their hands, and Min Ju-hee nodded in satisfaction.
“You guys are going to help me change the menu. It won't take long; we’ll just tweak something from Neutube, try making it once, and that’ll be it.”
“Then what about the rest of us?”
To the female junior who raised her hand with a look of anticipation, Min Ju-hee replied with a smile.
“You’ll be hauling gear.”
“…….”
“You guys are the ones bringing the kitchen equipment. And you’ll be doing everything from setting up the tents.”
It was the hammer of Gordon Ramsay falling upon those who tried to get out of work by claiming they couldn't cook.
There was a sudden atmosphere of people wanting to switch to the cooking side, but it was already too late.
“Well, we’re not doing it right this second. Just keep that in mind for now. And also……”
“Hey, Ju-hee?”
The door behind her opened, and a TA poked their head out.
“We got a report that you’re power tripping and hazing the kids out here.”
“Huh?”
Ju-hee immediately turned to look at the juniors, wondering what they were talking about.
“Did I do something to you guys?”
“No! Not at all!”
“No, ma'am!”
“…….”
Responding like that only made it feel more like toxic seniority. Still, the TA didn't seem to take it too seriously, likely knowing Min Ju-hee’s personality well.
“I was about to dismiss them anyway. I’ll wrap it up quickly.”
“Right, thanks.”
The TA ducked back inside. Min Ju-hee scratched the back of her head and said indifferently:
“I’m only doing this because the professor asked me to. But when I do something, I tend to do it right, okay? Let’s just do a good job so we don't have to get on each other's nerves.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
As the talk ended cleanly and everyone began to disperse, Min Ju-hee beckoned me over with a flick of her finger.
“Yes, senior?”
She glanced around and asked in a low voice.
“Did I sound scary?”
“Huh? You actually care about that?”
She didn't seem like the type to care at all.
“No, it’s just that I have some old habits that make me sound harsh sometimes. But I thought I was being pretty kind to them, wasn't I?”
“……Your definition of 'kind' is certainly broad.”
It was practically a series of ultimatums.
“Actually, when doing this kind of work, it’s better to be a bit forceful than kind. You know how it is.”
“True. If you don't do that, some kids just won't move.”
Ju-hee’s words stung a bit.
If it hadn't been for her, I probably would have been one of those kids who didn't move.
“Well, as long as it’s fine. We’re going to start filming the short film in earnest after the festival. Just keep that in mind.”
“Yes, I understand.”
When I gave her a mock salute, Ju-hee let out a little chuckle.
“Look at this guy, and he hasn't even been to the military yet.”
“…….”
My motivation immediately evaporated.
* * *
“So I just told him straight up. I said we could just do it.”
“You’re crazy, totally crazy! You’re going to get in big trouble doing that!”
“It doesn't happen that easily!”
“Wow, you’re gambling with your life.”
Sip, sip.
Seo Ye-rin sat there, sipping her coffee while listening to her friends' graphic stories about their one-night stands.
She was at a cafe with four friends she’d known since high school. Two of them, who now had boyfriends, were in the middle of a pretty hardcore conversation.
Ye-rin was interested, but she was too embarrassed to join in.
“My boyfriend suddenly asked to do it while holding an ice cube in his mouth.”
“An ice cube?!”
“Yeah. So we passed the ice back and forth from mouth to mouth while we did it. It was actually better than I thought. It was exciting and felt great.”
“Should I ask my guy to try that later?”
“Try it. It’s surprisingly good.”
“Haaah.”
A small breath escaped Seo Ye-rin’s lips. Even though she was drinking iced coffee, she felt like her head was heating up.
“Give it a rest, you guys. You’re making Ye-rin blush.”
Yoo Ah-rin, who was sitting across from her with a straw in her mouth, spoke up in annoyance. The other two just shrugged.
“Ye-rin needs to hear this.”
“Exactly. She’s so innocent it’s a problem. She needs to start meeting some guys.”
“…….”
Yoo Ah-rin agreed with that sentiment, but considering the guy Ye-rin was currently interested in, she didn't exactly want to recommend him.
“Does she have to date? Ye-rin can do it when she wants to.”
“I’m telling you, she needs to get some experience now.”
“Right. Especially since Ye-rin is so popular, she needs to develop an eye for men in advance.”
With that, the two friends immediately shifted their target to Seo Ye-rin and began chattering away.
“Ye-rin, find a guy during this festival. You have to let us interview him first, no matter what.”
“If he’s a weirdo, we’ll filter him out for you. Is there anyone you’re even slightly interested in right now?”
“……No.”
For a split second, someone flashed through Seo Ye-rin’s mind, but she quickly denied it and changed the subject.
However, her two long-time friends quickly noticed the shift in her mood and exchanged glances.
“Ye-rin, we’re not just being perverts. It’s important for you to gain experience with men like this.”
“Exactly. That way, when a truly good man comes along, you’ll be able to recognize him.”
“Wh-what about Ah-rin? She’s here too!”
Finally, her face turning beet-red, Seo Ye-rin used a slightly petty tactic to deflect the attention.
The other two friends looked at Yoo Ah-rin, but…
“Her? Whatever.”
“She has Chan-woo.”
“I told you not to link me with him.”
Yoo Ah-rin immediately frowned in annoyance. Since they were high school friends, they all knew Jeong Chan-woo, so they weren't particularly worried about Ah-rin.
“He’s the definition of pure love.”
“A childhood friend who’s a total hunk, good enough to be an actor? Isn't that like something out of an internet novel?”
“Sigh, if you like him so much, you guys take him.”
Seeing Yoo Ah-rin’s reaction—that she truly had no interest in Jeong Chan-woo—the two friends looked like they couldn't understand her.
“How can you possibly dislike that face?”
“Seriously, if Chan-woo confessed to me? I’d strip right then and there and charge into his bed.”
“You crazy bitches.”
Deciding they weren't worth talking to, Yoo Ah-rin simply turned her attention to her phone.
Because Yoo Ah-rin always got prickly whenever Jeong Chan-woo was mentioned, the two tried to move the topic back to Seo Ye-rin.
Meanwhile, Seo Ye-rin was lost in her own thoughts.
‘Am I being too conservative?’
Both of her friends were currently in intense relationships with their boyfriends. One had even experienced the open culture of "sex first, date later."
And she’d heard from Yoo Ah-rin recently that she’d let Kim Woo-jin touch her chest as a joke.
That had made her feel pretty bad, but from what she could see, there wasn't any strange vibe between Kim Woo-jin and Yoo Ah-rin.
‘Should I try being more proactive this time?’
Though she was called the "Sex Master" on the Bamboo Forest, in reality, Seo Ye-rin was just a fool.
She wondered if this festival might be a chance to reveal a bit more of herself.
“Hmm?”
A strange sound escaped Yoo Ah-rin as she looked at her phone. She frowned and tilted her head in confusion, prompting the other two friends to ask out of curiosity.
“What? What is it?”
“This girl has a talent for making people curious.”
Though she hadn't intended to, Yoo Ah-rin looked a bit embarrassed as she showed them her phone screen.
It was the Gahyeon University Bamboo Forest, and there was a post that was currently causing a massive stir.
“What’s this?”
When the friend who didn't check the Bamboo Forest often asked with a tilt of her head, the other friend explained in detail.
“There’s this 'Sex Parrot' on the Bamboo Forest. They constantly post every day about how much they want to have sex.”
“If they put that much effort into actually getting a girlfriend, they would’ve done it by now.”
“For real.”
Yoo Ah-rin agreed with them, but the problem was the text that followed.
“Since it’s our department, I’m curious.”
“Classic English Department.”
“You guys really have fun with that Bamboo Forest stuff.”
The three of them began to chatter among themselves, giggling over the interesting topic.
However…
‘……Wait.’
There was one person there.
The only one who couldn't laugh.