Episode 34

If I had to pick the toughest period while attending university, it would obviously be the exam period.

Just moving from one classroom to another, you could see students whispering and talking about various exam-related matters.

It is also a time when the Bamboo Forest online community is particularly active.

“Yawn.”

I, too, was preoccupied with studying for the midterms.

But there was this discomfort.

‘I wish I had some friends at times like these.’

I regretted not having anyone to get lecture notes or similar help from.

In the first semester, my ex-girlfriend, Oh Yoon-ji somehow managed to get them, and I remembered studying hard for the exams.

But this time, without such help, I need to do well on my own.

‘Ah, what’s the scope of this again?’

The important thing is that I failed to properly check the scope of the exam. But I couldn’t solely blame myself for this.

It was because of Choi Yiseo and Seo Yerin that I missed the lecture content at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Normally, I would have contacted Choi Yiseo, who is easy to talk to, but recently things have been vague between us.

Should I say that she was avoiding me?

‘Just what happened in the gym?’

Anyway, it’s clear that something happened.

I thought about reaching out again by using the exam period as an excuse.

After all, I wanted to avoid any misunderstandings building up.

For now, she might be in a lecture so I decided to contact her later.

I was passing by the English Literature Department office, planning to eat kimbap that I bought from the convenience store in the University where my next lecture would be.

In front of me was Choi Yiseo, with an awkward sigh and a pile of boxes and tapping on her phone.

“What is it?”

“Eik!”

She didn’t see me coming so she freaked out and hunched when I spoke to her. Her reaction was funny but I tilted my head in confusion, looking at the luggage.

“What’s all this?”

“The professor brought some stuff which could be used for the festival.”

“The professor brought something usable for the festival?”

“Well, you know, like souvenirs he picked up while traveling? He said to hang them up if we set up a stall.”

“Seriously, he sticks his nose into everything.”

Thanks to that, we’re going to end up with a stall with a unique atmosphere. I hope it doesn’t have anything like creepy voodoo dolls or bizarre masks.

“So we need to put this up in the department storage. Which is why I’m gathering people.”

“Ah, right.”

I nod my head and back away.

I thought I should try talking to Choi Yiseo just a moment ago, but now I’ve changed my mind.

‘It wouldn’t be bad to keep some distance.’

Thinking that getting closer to her might lead to unnecessary trouble, I wave my hand.

“I see. Then, do well.”

I naturally went towards the vending machine, thinking about buying some juice.

Thud.

Choi Yiseo’s hand landed on my shoulder as she mumbled softly.

“Got one.”

“…Let go.”

“English Literature, Class of ’23, Kim Woojin.”

“I haven’t eaten anything yet.”

“A coincidence, neither have I.”

Looking at Choi Yiseo, who was determined not to let go, I sigh and bring up the thorn between us.

“You, we never talked about it before.”

“Euk.”

“You only call me when you need something, right?”

Upon hearing those words, Choi Yiseo hesitantly lowered her hand. It seemed she was aware of what she had been doing until now.

“It’s not on purpose. I just need some time to organize my thoughts.”

Time to organize her thoughts?

It really sounded like there was something happening.

“Um, how about we move this first and then talk? Maybe over lunch if you’re okay with it….”

“Phew, go inside and fetch the list of English department students.”

“What?”

“Hurry.”

Waiting for people to gather would be a waste of time. And it was too much for us two to move.

Choi Yiseo brought the list from the department office and I casually placed a pen on top of it.

“Send a message in the group chat that the professor requested for this to be moved. Anyone who moves it should sign the list.”

“You think they’ll move it just because we ask?”

It was a response that wasn’t welcomed.

“The professor said he would check the list later.”

Students particular about grades would naturally participate, and those with poor grades could also attempt to make an impression if they remembered while passing by.

Especially during the exam period like now.

“…He won’t.”

“Who cares.”

When I said I would send it if she found it troublesome, Choi Yiseo waved her hand and left a message in the department’s group chat.

“Let’s leave this in the department office so the assistant can see it. Just in case some weirdo only signs and leaves.”

This could also be a problem.

Choi Yiseo and I signed on our side and picked the ones that looked the lightest.

“Let’s go.”

“Uh-huh.”

Choi Yiseo made a slightly awkward face, perhaps because it was resolved more easily than expected.

After moving the stuff and stopping by the convenience store, I headed back to the classroom only to find that half of the belongings had already been moved.

Choi Yiseo, who wasn’t even in the same class but had to come to the empty classroom with me out of consideration.

She was looking down at the chicken breast salad she bought from the store, thinking about what to say.

Honestly, ever since she bought the chicken breast salad, I couldn’t help but think she was so obsessed with working out.

“You’re so addicted to exercise.”

“Uh?”

Choi Yiseo, seemingly surprised that I struck up the conversation first.

“You won’t eat something similar to dinner right? You aren’t even overweight or anything, so why go to such lengths?”

As I shrugged and asked if this wasn’t an obsession, Choi Yiseo stared at me blankly for a moment before slowly smiling.

“You should work out too. You haven’t been running since I stopped calling you, right?”

“Going for a run by myself turned out to be a lot harder than I thought.”

The fact that we were having this kind of conversation after such a long time felt important.

Before we knew it, we were speaking normally and continuing our talks as if there was never a gap between us.

In the midst of our talk.

“Phew.”

At the moment when the conversation got paused, Choi Yiseo exhaled, bracing herself to ask me something.

“…What if.”

When she actually faced me, it seemed like she couldn’t say it, so she turned away slightly and asked,

“What if?”

“What if a girl… uh, asked you to go to a hotel, would you go?”

“…What?”

What did I just hear?

Blinking in disbelief, I looked at Choi Yiseo, but she had already turned as red as a tomato and was hanging her head low.

And yet, having already brought it up, she didn’t stop but continued.

“Uh, if a female friend suddenly says let’s go to a hotel, will you go?”

“Wait, does going to a hotel mean what I think it is? Not going there to eat a buffet, but for….”

As I trailed off, she nodded.

“Huh.”

So, it meant to have sex.

“Going to a hotel together?”

When I asked with a hint of curiosity, Choi Yiseo yelled.

“No, no! I’m not saying let’s go! Just if! If someone said that to you, what would you do?”

“…I thought you were tempting me.”

“Have you lost it!?”

Choi Yiseo denied it while banging on the desk, watching her fan herself with her hand as if she’s feeling hot and I thought,

“Let’s just clarify one thing. This question is important, right? It’s the reason you’ve been acting weird around me?”

“Y-yes.”

I can’t figure out how the question became a matter of concern.

Anyway, if Choi Yiseo has been worrying about this for days, I guess it’s only right for me to answer it seriously.

“Hmm.”

I stroked my chin under her gaze, staring at me intently.

There isn’t enough information.

“Is the girl pretty?”

“……”

Choi Yiseo momentarily grimaces, looking at me with disgust.

“She’s pretty.”

And yet, she answers.

“Very pretty.”

“A very pretty girl suddenly asks me to come to a hotel? Is this a scam or cult?”

“It shouldn’t be… I guess?”

That’s what I thought.

It’s nothing serious.

“Where is she then?”

“Uh?”

“We have to go now. Woah, I’m excited.”

“……”

“I should pay for the hotel. You’re saying she’s very pretty. And it’s been a while since I’ve had a girlfriend…”

Thud!

Choi Yiseo’s fist swung swiftly.

But this time, as I was expecting it, I was able to block with my palm.

“Haha! Predictable.”

“Ehh!”

After bickering back and forth several times, an exhausted Choi Yiseo huffs and asked,

“You’ll really go? Even though she’s not your girlfriend?!”

“So a one night stand then… or maybe it will turn into friends with benefits?”

“Th-that one!”

Choi Yiseo agreed when I hit the right mark.

Unsure what kind answer she was looking for,

“We need to go. Even if it means skipping class.”

“……”

“Not all men might be like this, but probably most would go? It’s because a really pretty girl is tempting me. For me, I would go.”

“……”

“If I had a girlfriend, I would obviously refuse, but that’s not the case.”

Perhaps it was because I answered her question seriously, the expression of Choi Yiseo who initially glared at me turned to one with disgust and then to seriousness.

“R-right, I see.”

Choi Yiseo, who now seemed to have realized something, also appeared sad.

“Thank you for being honest.”

Seeing her clench her fist, I felt a bit of pity and wondered why she was doing this.

“Now explain, why did you have to ask me this question?”

“Sigh.”

I shrugged the shoulders and looked at Choi Yiseo, who couldn’t answer.

“You aren’t seriously suggesting we go to a hotel, are you? Are you looking up places online?”

“No!”

“Shh, damn.”

“You son of…!”

Eventually, unable to overcome the embarrassment, Choi Yiseo stood up with her fist raised.

As I raised both hands to block, with each punch Choi Yiseo’s strength gradually weakened.

And then, at some point, she placed her hand on my arm which was blocking.

“Yerin…”

She asked in a choked voice.

“Is it true about you two… being… friends with benefits?”

’…..

………..

………………’

“Me?”

“Y-yes.”

After sighing, I stood up.

“So, does it mean that I can go to a hotel with Seo Yerin?”

When I asked seriously, Choi Yiseo’s fists started raining down on me again.