Bamboo Forest Manager

Chapter 76: Video Shooting

Even if Seo Yerin had found out where Choi Yiseo got her hat from, the lecture still went on as normal.

Every now and then, Seo Yerin would subtly flirt with a smile, not just tempting but feeling like a warning to me, which was a tad bit scary.

After the lecture, it was lunchtime.

Normally, Seo Yerin and Choi Yiseo would have lunch together.

But today is a little different.

Team members for a group project were sitting at the same table.

Although the number has decreased a lot since we first gathered, we eventually did gather.

“Is everyone here? Shall we just go with stir-fried pork?”

The menu was stir-fried pork, but it wasn’t me who decided; it was decided by Team Leader Ju.

“As I mentioned in the group chat, we’re starting to shoot from today, right? Let’s hurry and aim to finish shooting by next week and then move on to editing.”

We ended up deciding on a shooting period of two weeks.

Although making a short film was quite a bothersome task, there were intriguing aspects to it.

After all, we were writing the screenplay and acting by ourselves.

“Has anyone not seen the screenplay, roles, and script that I’ve uploaded in the chat?”

Senior Ju-hee glanced around. Since everyone seemed to respond positively without any objections, senior Ju-hee sighed in relief.

I can’t imagine what would have happened if someone said they hadn’t seen it.

“Some will start shooting right after lunch, and others will miss out due to classes. But in the evening, we’ll all definitely gather. Most of our scenes are set at night.”

The movie was a mix of melodrama and horror, so it was often depicted at night.

“The lead was supposed to be Han-kang, but that bastard died, so Ahn Hyeon-ho decided to take over.”

Ahn Hyeon-ho scratches the back of his head awkwardly with a smile. Normally, one would feel burdened by a leading role, but Ahn Hyeon-ho seems to feel no such thing.

“The female lead will be played by Yerin. And these two came as substitutes because they were left out and the second-year girls have left our project…”

Senior Ju-hee then points to Choi Yiseo and Yu Arin, who are sitting in a corner.

“The two of them agreed to help. I talked to the professor about the second-year students being absent.”

Seeing her satisfied expression, it seems the three second-year girls must have really made an impression on the professor.

“Honestly, we haven’t even started yet, but the group project is already heading towards despair.”

Just then, the spicy pork stir-fry was served.

“I hope you won’t make my life any more tiring than it already is, and one thing I can say for sure.”

As if giving a toast, senior Ju-hee declared honestly.

“Just listen well to what I have to say. Then, I’ll carry the group project like a boss.”

Really.

“She’s so cool.”

I think I’m falling for her.

“Having five hours of free time is really a blessing.”

Senior Ju-hee’s words pierced me rather painfully. I was about to ask what she meant, but she corrected herself with a laugh, thinking she had misspoken.

“No, I mean, you can make good use of your free time.”

“That’s true.”

Right now, we were waiting for our turn to shoot on a bench in a corner of the University.

Since we weren’t doing anything professional and could just shoot with a phone, we didn’t need any special equipment, which made it possible for us to shoot right away.

Unexpectedly, the problem arose from a peculiar place.

“So- so what?!”

“Shit.”

The moment Senior heard Ahn Hyeon-ho’s pronunciation, she slapped her forehead with her palm and let out a deep sigh.

“I didn’t expect to hit a wall like this.”

Ahn Hyeon-ho, whose pronunciation is so messed up it’s a wonder how he got into university.

Not only that, but he also can’t memorize the script properly, causing continuous retakes and delaying the entire shooting process.

“I don’t know who you…”

“Shithead! You, come here! Ah! I’m done! We’re going straight to correction!”

Senior Ju-hee dragged Ahn Hyeon-ho away, leaving Seo Yerin to sneak up to my side.

“Why don’t you reply?”

And then she immediately snapped at me.

Even though just a moment ago, she was asking things like, “Woo~Ji~n! Want to drink cola?”, “What time does your lecture end?”.

As soon as there was no one around, she turned cold and glared at me.

“……”

I was afraid to ask what kind of reply she was expecting, thinking I’d really get scolded, so I kept my mouth shut tightly as Seo Yerin pinched my thigh hard.

“Ouch!”

“It’s your hat, Yiseo’s hat.”

“I could have one just like it!”

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

“……”

“Tell me the truth.”

Seo Yerin, smiling slightly, places her hand on my thigh. It seemed like physical contact had become more frequent from her, a frequency that couldn’t just be chalked up to my imagination.

“Did you sleep with Yiseo?”

“……”

“No, I’m not mad. Why would I be mad? We’re not in any kind serious relationship. You can date and have girlfriends.”

“……”

“Tell me. Okay?”

It feels like being tempted by a witch with some candy. After all, it was already found out, and as Seo Yerin said, we weren’t really in that kind of relationship anyway.

“I just slept and left. Nothing else happened.”

“…Really?”

“Really.”

“Hmm.”

Honestly, I thought Seo Yerin would get angry even if I said this. The atmosphere felt exactly like that.

But.

“Then it’s fine.”

I couldn’t help but be surprised at seeing Seo Yerin’s expression change to one of relief.

The atmosphere was really as if it didn’t matter at all to her. No, rather, the sense of ease was oddly infuriating to me.

“If you can’t hold back, call me.”

Saying so, Seo Yerin sneakily moved her hand that was on my thigh inward.

“Mom?!”

I instinctively jumped up to avoid Seo Yerin’s hand, and my reaction seemed to amuse her as she wiggled her fingers and laughed.

“Woojin’s reaction is interesting to observe.”

“Ah, are you crazy?”

“Why, we’re partners, aren’t we?”

“……”

While saying so, Seo Yerin quietly rises from her seat. She comes over to me and pats my shoulder, issuing a sort of warning.

“Don’t just spend recklessly.”

After our last encounter, it was clear that Seo Yerin was changing in some way.

Leaving me behind with a cool smile, Seo Yerin heads towards senior Ju-hee and An Hyeon-ho.

Even though we had the sex that she had been so desperately proclaiming about wanting, I wondered if it was really possible for a person to change like that.

And yet, the fact that I was the only one who knew about this change sent shivers down my spine.

Just like Seo Yerin and Anonymous69 were the same person, hiding and living their life.

Even now, talking with a smile while hiding her true self… It was enough to secure the lead role in a movie.

“I’ll go to the convenience store for a bit.”

Watching An Hyeon-ho receiving a crash course from senior Ju-hee, I subtly step away.

It’s still a bit early for the 5 o’clock lecture to start, but thanks to Seo Yerin, staying this close has become somewhat uncomfortable.

‘Why has she turned like this?’

Seo Yerin is undergoing some changes.

It seems like things are heading in a not-so-good direction, and I wonder if I should step in to correct her?

But then I wondered what I could possibly do.

After all, wasn’t I the one who would easily give in whenever approached with a wagging tail? That was the case with Seo Yerin, and yesterday too.

‘I need to keep it together.’

Thinking that it could spell trouble if I get more involved with her, I was walking away when…

“You loser! What are you doing!”

I’m not a loser, so I didn’t turn around, but I immediately felt an impact on my back.

Yu Arin, who had slapped me on my back with her palm, came up smiling slyly.

“Aren’t you supposed to be filming? Why are you playing hooky here?”

“Huh.”

I never thought I’d feel this way. Seeing Yu Arin somehow made my restless heart feel at ease.

Is it because she openly picks fights with me and gets annoyed to my face?

Somehow, that made me feel much more comfortable.

She used to be someone with hidden agendas, but the moment I realized that her issues with Chan-woo and high school had nothing to do with me…

It somehow became easier to deal with her.

There were hidden agendas, but it feels like everything’s out in the open now, making it easier for me to be with her.

“Did you come to buy a drink? Here, get one too.”

“Are you offering to buy? Then I’ll have a Haagen-Dazs…!”

“No, buy it with your own money.”

“Jerk, you always make it sound misleading.”

Saying so, Yu Arin picks up a Chocomong from the convenience store.

“Are you heading to the shoot now?”

While casually picking out drinks for the people filming, I ask, and Yu Arin answers with a voice raised in excitement.

“Yes! Honestly, I’m totally looking forward to it.”

“You’ve always liked stuff like movies.”

Since she enjoyed movies and writing scripts, Yu Arin probably wanted to be involved even if it wasn’t her project.

I figured she’d be happy too if we got good grades on this project.

“But it’ll be a while before you get to shoot. We haven’t even filmed a few scenes yet.”

“Eh? Why? It feels like it’s been two hours since lunch?”

“You’ll see when you get there.”

Because of the super carry from the English and Liberal Arts department, we’re not making progress. Seeing that, Yu Arin might burst into laughter and enjoy it, I guess.

“Ah, I want to do it quickly. I even practiced in front of a mirror.”

“…So what.”

I was about to head back to the shooting location after paying nonchalantly when Yu Arin grabbed me.

“Hey, can you check if my acting is okay?”

“No.”

“Ah, come on! I’m helping you with your assignment!”

Ugh.

I placed the bag with drinks on the outdoor table in front of the convenience store and looked at Yu Arin.

She took out the Chocomong we just bought, sipped it noisily, then took a deep breath and glared at me.

‘Oh, not bad?’

The emotions were better captured than I thought.

Did Yu Arin’s role include something like that?

“Fucking cool today!”

“……”

“Fuck you! Arts!

“……”

“Kiss my ass! Shh!”

Finally, Yu Arin flicked her middle finger up like some rapper, shrugging her shoulders.

“Fuck off!”

“…Is that all really in the script?”

I hadn’t looked at the script properly, but was there really something like this?

“No? It’s not.”

“……”

“This is just for the insult. Ah, how refreshing.”

With an expression of relief, she removes a Hershey’s chocolate milk from her bosom and hands it to me as if hitting me on the chest.

Then, Yu Arin runs away as if fleeing.

Dumbfounded, I watch her receding back and let out a hollow laugh.

“That girl really is insane.”