Chapter 63: Last Day
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 63: Last Day
Another day passed, and it was the final day of the festival.
The spicy stir-fried pork was as popular as ever, but fortunately—if you could call it that—we weren't taking any more outside customers today.
Since we’d already surpassed last year’s profits several times over by the second day, we decided not to work today. Thanks to that, our booth had turned into a private pub just for the English Department.
Maybe I shouldn't have come today.
If I’d known it would be like this, I might have skipped the festival today. However, it was the perfect time to track down Anonymous 90, whom I’d been too busy to find over the past two days.
I wonder if it’s even worth finding them at this point.
I questioned whether there was any need to fuss over a topic that had already died down, but I still wanted to look.
Aside from the strange vibe I got from the guy, I was curious to see who this "Physical Therapy Dept. Fossil" was—the one who kept following Anonymous 69 around.
And I did tell Seo Ye-rin I’d handle it.
Well, even if I promised, it wasn't like I was putting a massive amount of weight on it.
The professors and students were in the middle of a heavy drinking session, so I planned to grill a bit more pork and then head over to the Physical Therapy booth. But then...
"Where’s my favorite junior?!"
Senior Min Ju-hee walked toward me, clutching a bottle of soju, looking quite tipsy.
If I had to pick the top five people who worked the hardest this time, she would definitely be one of them. She led the kitchen, trained the kids in no time, and had a hand in everything from the kitchen workflow to the menu. I genuinely felt lucky to have her as a partner for the group project.
As soon as she saw me, she leaned on me, throwing an arm around my shoulder. Between the smell of alcohol and her full weight pressing against me, she felt like a very... passionate person.
"Why are you working all by yourself again? Come on, let’s go drink until we pass out. We’re only able to rest today because of you!"
"Whoa, Senior, you’re really drunk."
I’d seen her sitting with the professors earlier, and she was definitely far gone. She immediately dragged me over to the table where she’d been sitting.
Most of the people there were second-years, including Senior Han-gang, with whom I didn't exactly have the best history. The other seniors looked visibly uncomfortable seeing me, but Ju-hee, whether because she was drunk or just oblivious, simply handed me a drink.
"Cheers! Drink up!"
The atmosphere was more awkward than I’d expected. Following Ju-hee’s lead, the other seniors clinked glasses with me and drank. Eventually, Ju-hee was called away by the professors and left the table.
The seniors glanced at me, and a subtle tension began to fill the air.
Should I just leave?
Since it was uncomfortable for everyone, I was about to excuse myself and stand up when Senior Han-gang, sitting across from me, poured me a drink and spoke.
"I’m sorry about that weird misunderstanding at the karaoke bar last time."
"Ah, yes."
I figured he could at least manage an apology. I didn't dwell on it or give it much weight, mostly because it felt like he was just saying it to start a conversation rather than out of genuine remorse.
"Woo-jin, let’s talk man to man."
Han-gang held out his glass. I clinked mine against his, downed it, and nodded.
"Sure, go ahead."
"Are you really not seeing Ye-rin?"
"Ha."
I wasn't sure if the bitterness was from the soju or the subject matter. Before, it felt like he just really liked Seo Ye-rin and wanted to date her, but at this point, it felt more like an obsession.
"What exactly are you curious about?"
Han-gang faltered slightly at my counter-question. He seemed to realize he shouldn't mess with me recklessly now that he knew my personality, and seeing him walk on eggshells was quite satisfying.
"You’re close with Ye-rin. I’m just asking because I’m worried."
"You should tell me what you’re worried about. Are you worried we’re flirting, dating, going to a hotel, or something like that?"
Han-gang flinched at my question. The other seniors also looked at me with expressions of disgust. It was nice to see that they clearly didn't want to get involved with me anymore.
"Senior, I actually rooted for you in my own way, you know? But Seo Ye-rin said she doesn't like you."
They say no tree won't fall if you chop at it ten times, but that’s for trees. It doesn't apply to people—especially women. In fact, if you keep pushing after a failed confession, they often just build an even thicker wall.
"Just let her go. If you just look around, there are plenty of girls interested in you. Why does it have to be Seo Ye-rin?"
"Woo-jin, I think you’re crossing the line."
"Didn't you know I’ve been living my college life outside the lines already? When the third-year seniors called me out on KakaoTalk after I made mincemeat out of them at the gopchang house, I just ignored them."
I’d been ignoring the third-years ever since that incident.
"Let’s not be so obsessed with her. It’s unsightly."
"Sigh... You are interested in Ye-rin."
"And you’re taking the conversation in a shitty direction again."
I sighed in disbelief.
"Fine, think whatever you want. I’m tired of talking. I’m leaving."
Annoyed, I stood up and headed out. It was perfect timing since I needed to go to the Physical Therapy booth anyway.
This is exhausting.
Looking at Seo Ye-rin and Jeong Chan-woo, I realized being too pretty or handsome wasn't always a good thing.
Was it Lee Eun-woo, the fourth-year from Physical Therapy?
I clearly remembered hearing that they were going to grad school and becoming a teaching assistant after graduation. A person who knew how to describe becoming a modern-day slave in a rather sophisticated way.
When I reached the Physical Therapy booth, they were having their own drinking party. Since it was the last day, I was able to track down the fourth-year who was sitting among the professors.
"You were looking for me?"
"..."
I wondered if I was seeing things correctly. A small frame, disheveled hair, petite chest, and round glasses.
It was a girl?!
From the name "Anonymous 90" to "Lee Eun-woo," I had naturally assumed the person was a guy. Finding out it was a woman left me a bit confused.
"You... you are Lee Eun-woo, right?"
"Yes, that’s right. Why did you call for me?"
When I asked to confirm, she sighed in annoyance. She was clearly wary of me for suddenly showing up.
"You use the Bamboo Forest, don't you?"
"..."
Lee Eun-woo flinched. Seeing that, I didn't stop and went straight for the kill.
"You’re Anonymous 90, right? I came to find you."
At those words, Lee Eun-woo’s expression went blank, and her mouth slowly began to hang open.
"Ah... Ahhh!"
Then, as if realizing something, she clapped her hands and grinned. Her slack-jawed expression was filled with a sudden surge of desire.
"You must be Anonymous 69! I don't know how you found out, but I can't believe you actually came to see me!"
"Anonymous 69?"
I was confused by the overly respectful way she addressed me, but she immediately clung to me, grinning ear to ear.
"Are... are you free tonight?"
In that instant, the question Choi I-seo had asked me yesterday flashed through my mind.
What would you do if someone asked you to go to a hotel?
For some reason, I never imagined that question would become a reality so quickly.
* * *
"It’s just ridiculous, isn't it?"
"Exactly. Ye-rin, you really need to be careful. We aren't just saying this for no reason."
"Men can read other men better. He’s really not the one."
Seo Ye-rin, who had been dragged over to the second-year table, sipped the soju they poured for her while listening to the seniors. Han-gang and the others were busy talking about Kim Woo-jin.
"Did Woo-jin really say that?"
When Seo Ye-rin asked in disbelief, they immediately began to tear him down.
"Yeah. When I asked if he was interested in you, he didn't deny it."
"Look at him, leaving the door open. He’s probably wondering if he has a chance."
"I thought better of him because he worked hard this time, but in the end, he’s just like the rest."
"It’s obvious he has ulterior motives toward you."
The conversation went back and forth. Listening to the second-years' fuss, Seo Ye-rin eventually stood up cautiously.
"I’m going to go get some fresh air for a bit."
"Go ahead."
"Sigh, we really upset her."
"We’re sorry, Ye-rin."
Leaving the seniors' words behind, Seo Ye-rin stepped out of the tent. She took a breath, unable to suppress the smile creeping onto her lips.
Oh, come on... Kim Woo-jin.
The seniors had warned her to be careful because Kim Woo-jin was hitting on her, but...
Hehe. He acts like he’s not interested, but I guess he cares after all?
Instead of being worried, Seo Ye-rin found it hard to stop herself from giggling.
Where is Woo-jin right now?
Thinking of teasing him about this, she looked for him, but he was nowhere to be seen inside the tent. She spotted Yoo Ah-rin in a corner, drinking a Chocomong, looking a bit nauseous from drinking too much.
"Ah-rin, have you seen Woo-jin?"
"...Kim Woo-jin? He’s not here?"
Yoo Ah-rin looked around, realized he was gone, and clicked her tongue.
"He probably went to the Physical Therapy booth."
"Physical Therapy? Why?"
At that, Yoo Ah-rin glanced at Seo Ye-rin and put the straw back in her mouth.
"Dunno."
"..."
The answer felt a bit dismissive, but Seo Ye-rin just nodded and slipped away.
Physical Therapy Department. Physical Therapy Department.
She checked the booths as she walked. A few people stopped her to ask for her number, so it took some time to turn them down.
Huh?
When she finally reached the Physical Therapy booth, the students there were just having their own party; Kim Woo-jin was nowhere to be found.
Is this not the place?
She considered heading back but decided to look around the area first.
Behind the Physical Therapy tent.
Hidden in the shade of the trees, she heard the faint sound of voices.
"I told you, that’s not it."
It’s Woo-jin!
Her eyes brightened the moment she heard him, and she headed toward the sound. He seemed to be talking to someone, and she planned to wait near the tent to surprise him when he came out.
"I’m not Anonymous 69."
The voice of Kim Woo-jin coming from inside...
"I’m the Bamboo Forest Manager."
...instantly snapped Seo Ye-rin out of her tipsy daze.