Bamboo Forest Manager

Chapter 174: Selfish Love

Tap tap.

I was grilling meat.

Like a machine solely for grilling meat, I was grilling without any thought.

It wasn’t because I was focused on grilling, but because I was mentally shocked and couldn’t think straight.

‘What is this.’

Didn’t I clearly reject?

I thought I said we should stop this relationship, but Choi Yiseo ended up kissing me and saying she loved me before leaving.

Even now, I’m wedged between friends, eating the meat I grilled.

I glanced up at the table, and my eyes met with Choi Yiseo’s.

She smiled gently and motioned for me to come and eat quickly.

I pretended not to see and continued grilling the meat.

‘Did I convey it wrong?’

That wasn’t it.

But why did it turn out like this?

‘Sigh, let’s put Choi Yiseo aside for now.’

I felt I needed to clearly express my opinion again.

“Did you tell her?”

At that moment, Gyu-ah approached quietly with an empty plate.

I put some meat on her plate.

“Yeah, I told her.”

“Did you choose senior Yiseo? Senior Yiseo looks happy.”

Gyu-ah glanced over at Choi Yiseo.

Just as I wanted to vent these complicated feelings to someone.

After a brief pause.

“Get lost.”

I exhale and drive her away.

“What, even if I try to help?”

“Yeah, go. I don’t think I need any help from you.”

“Isn’t your treatment of me a bit too harsh, Senior?”

“Since you treat other guys terribly, someone has to do this do you. Life isn’t easy, Gyu-ah.”

“...You seem to be living the easiest life, Senior.”

I’ve got nothing to say.

“Just go.”

“Ah, I really came to help.”

The girl frowns, feeling slighted. She doesn’t particularly care, but the offer to help caught her attention.

“Help?”

“Yes. I saw Arin earlier, and she said she lost the game and was heading to the convenience store.”

“The convenience store is really far from here?”

“That’s why it’s a penalty. Since she’s already left, you can catch up if you run now.”

“...Thanks.”

Even if Choi Yiseo is put on hold for now.

I must finish what I’ve set out to do.

“Here, take this.”

I hand over the tongs and gloves used for grilling meat.

“...I didn’t expect this.”

“I’m off.”

Leaving Gyu-ah behind, I ran towards the main road, and Gyu-ah’s voice calling out to Ahn Hyeon-ho echoed from behind.

As I ran along the mountain road, despite the cold weather, I saw Yu Arin in shorts with a hoodie on.

Since she was wearing earphones, she didn’t notice even when I approached from right behind her.

“Hey.”

“Dum-chit dum-chit.”

What song is she listening to?

“Hey, Yu Arin.”

“Dum-chit dum-chit too-chit too-chit.”

Suddenly, she starts dancing, shrugging her shoulders to the rhythm.

I think it’s a shame she isn’t an internet broadcaster, as she’s a natural at entertaining herself and others.

I tap her shoulder and call out again.

“Hey, Yu Arin!”

“Oh my gosh, damn it! You scared me!”

Yu Arin jumps as if she was startled and finally looked at me.

“You scared me!”

She takes out the earphones and snaps at me.

“You’re the one wearing earphones at night. That’s dangerous.”

Especially since this is just an empty road with nothing around.

A small mistake could lead to something serious.

She pouts, seemingly out of things to say, and changes the subject.

“Why. Do you want me to buy you something too?”

“No, I just wanted to talk.”

“Talk? Ah, it’s about senior Ju-hee, isn’t it?”

Well, it’s not only about that...

“Yeah, what do you want to talk-”

Rustle!

“Eek?!”

“You said you had something to say?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

I recall the time with Choi Yiseo earlier.

The words I mustered the courage to say didn’t yield the results I expected.

This time, I need to speak a bit more firmly and strongly.

Just like when I spoke to Choi Yiseo.

It felt like a heavy stone was placed on my chest, but I looked Yu Arin straight in the eyes and declared our breakup.

“I don’t think we can keep dating. Let’s end this complicated relationship and find someone else.”

“Screw you.”

.......

.........

..............Huh?

Did I just hear that correctly?

As I stared blankly at Yu Arin, she looked up at me with an unchanged expression.

“Is that all you had to say? It’s nothing much.”

“Did I just hear that right? Or am I dreaming after getting hit by a deer-”

Whack!

“Ahhh!”

Yu Arin hit my shoulder just like that.

It hurt so much that tears almost welled up in my eyes.

“Does it hurt? It’s not a dream. If your ears feel strange, should I smack them too?”

“No, no. I’m fine. I understood everything. You told me to screw off, right? Should I take my pants off and do it?”

“You got it. You carry that bag. It’s your punishment for getting confessed to by senior Ju-hee.”

“Yep.”

I stared blankly at Yu Arin’s back as she was about to leave, then snapped back to my senses.

“No, wait a minute! I’m telling you, this isn’t a joke! I’m not saying this as a joke!”

“Sigh.”

Yu Arin stopped and let out a deep sigh, then turned around.

“Yeah, I heard you. I said I heard you, okay? Let’s stop. That’s why I said no.”

“No...that’s...”

“What? Do I have to listen to everything you say? I think I’ve ignored you more often than listened.”

That’s true.

But isn’t this a different case?

“Arin, I’m being serious. I know it’s a harsh thing to say. But I can’t stand it because I feel so pathetic.”

“......”

“It’s right to stop here. For me and for you all.”

Don’t we know that our current relationship is somewhat promiscuous and abnormal?

Even if it doesn’t seem like a big problem right now, it only seems to lead to an ending where we’ll all get hurt.

Yu Arin’s expression gradually became serious at my words.

Then she put her hand on her hip and replied.

“Screw off.”

“...Hey.”

“You’re having a hard time? Why should I care?”

I was at a loss for words.

Her confidence left me even more bewildered.

“Selfish bastard. You think you’re the only one who can be selfish? Did you think I’d always go along with your crap?”

A brazen smile settles on Yu Arin’s lips.

“Ending things isn’t up to you. It’s up to me.”

Yu Arin strides over and grabs me by the collar.

She pulls me toward her with a teasing smile.

“So shut up and stay still. You’re getting in the way of my love.”

Before I knew it, my lips parted.

In that moment, she gave me a brief kiss.

It felt like my brain was being pounded relentlessly.

Does she even know what she’s saying right now?

But Yu Arin lets go of my collar, saying she has nothing more to say, and takes a Chocomong from the bag, sticking a straw in.

“Are we done talking? Then let’s go. If we’re late, the others will eat all the meat.”

It felt the same as after talking with Choi Yiseo.

After her firm confession, I could only hold the bag and trudge along absentmindedly.

I felt as if a leash was around my neck.

Yu Arin’s declaration of selfish love had bound me that much.

“Tsk, was I too harsh?”

While walking down the night street.

Yu Arin muttered to herself, tilting her head.

“Just dragging you around all the time isn’t right. So let’s set a time.”

“What are you talking about.”

Curious about what new and strange thing she would say this time, I looked at her.

Yu Arin smirked.

“During the day, I’ll do as I please.”

She whispered secretly, even though no one was around.

“At night, I’ll let you win all you want.”