Bamboo Forest Manager

Chapter 8: Company Commander

The beginners Japanese conversation class truly only taught the most basic content.

It was to the point where I wondered if it was even alright to learn this kind of stuff at a university, but there was nothing to be done about it.

On the other hand, it might be because my Japanese understanding level is too high. Since I received early education through anime during my high school years, I could understand a fair bit.

Of course, I couldnt speak exactly like how they spoke in animes.

Yawn~

The important thing was that not only I, but also the diligent Seo Yerin was yawning and looking bored.

She seemed to think that she too was learning stuff that was too basic, and her eyes were glazed over. She would occasionally check her phone and seemed a bit down, and when I stealthily checked mine, Anonymous69 was still sending messages in the inquiry.

I was a bit startled that Seo Yerin could have caught me if I hadnt set my phone on silent for class.

Well.

Based on the tedious lecture, we automatically began to look for something entertaining.

Seo Yerin wrote something down with her pen in the corner of her notebook and passed it to me.

[What is your tier?]

Thinking about it, I remembered something about her being in Bronze 4 earlier, but the professor came in before I could mention my tier.

Seo Yerin made eye contact with me and then gestured with her eyes telling me to write it down, so I penned it beneath hers.

[Plat.]

Her eyes shone as she quickly wrote back.

[Really?]

[But the feeling is like I am in Gold.]

As I wrote that down she turned to me as if she wanted to say something like, what kind of person are you?

And I immediately added more below.

[I might seem like it, but in reality I am Silver 2.]

Haa.

Seo Yerin sighed in disbelief and then immediately scribbled something down.

She wrote so quickly that it did feel like a scribble.

[Bronze-Silver-Gold.]

If its Gold as I said, it would be cool.

If its Bronze then isnt it just a struggle? Theres a clear reason why the tiers are divided.

Bronze is Bronze, Silver is Silver, well, I believe so.

[Bronze-Silver-Gold]

[I dont think someone from Bronze should say that.]

[Bronze-Silver-Gold]

[Why do you think the Silver and Bronze are divided then?]

[Bronze-Silver-Gold.]

This woman

I gritted my teeth and glared at Seo Yerin, who was covering her mouth, trying to contain her laughter.

The skill of provoking people which she used when she was Anonymous69, is emerging in reality.

[Shall we have a go at it, later?]

As a proud South Korean Silver in gaming, I immediately challenged her.

[Come at me.]

Seo Yerin accepted my duel without hesitation and I was a bit surprised that she accepted so readily without any hesitation.

Could it be that she was taken in by the spirit to fight?

With a bit of hopeful heart, I casually asked.

And your position?

Top.

Seo Yerin said confidently.

Bronze 4 tier is on the lower side. It was terrifying enough to consider that as easy. How much of a mess is she to even fail at that position?

This persons outward appearance, actions, and her speech over the internet are all so different.

When seen as Anonymous69, it definitely felt like this. Before I knew it, Seo Yerin was subtly revealing her true self without even realizing it.

You?

Now pushing the book aside and whispering, Seo Yerin spoke and I answered, but it was with a strange feeling of shame.

Support

Pffft!

Are you looking down on support right now?

Its because the supporters work hard to provide back up and assistance, that the ranged dealers get called princes, and the top lane crazies get called as generals.

No, lets do a 1v1 when you have time later.

I felt slightly intimidated.

Come on.

But still, I am a Silver 2 support right? That person right there is a Bronze 4 top laner. They say top laners do nothing but 1v1 like backstreets thugs all day, but there has to be a difference in level.

Maybe I should practice 1v1 today.

As I was lost in such thoughts, the lecture ended before we realized. I had another class after this so I immediately headed out and Seo Yerin said that she had no more classes for the day, so we parted ways.

Ah, I have to reply.

While I was on the way to the next classroom, I took my phone out and messages continued to pour in.

It seems like the phone exploded with notifications now that the lecture was done, even though I was focusing on the conversation and hardly looked at it before.

-Anonymous69: Dont ignore me.

-Anonymous69: Admin, you impotent bastard, I said dont ignore me.

-Anonymous69: AAAAAAAAANSWER ME.

Ugh.

There are so many piled up messages that it felt like a task to even look at what to reply to.

-Admin: What answer? I was in a lecture, so I couldnt respond.

-Anonymous69: Does the admin also take classes?

I was momentarily startled, but then I remembered that there arent many Basic Japanese Conversation classes at this time.

So, I naturally responded.

-Anonymous69: I heard the admin is a white-haired, frail and beautiful girl?

Where had she even heard of such things? Her range of knowledge felt so impressively broad, almost too broad for me.

-Admin: That is not true.

-Anonymous69: WTF, I have been hitting on you thinking you were this white-haired, frail and beautiful girl? Not sending anything more in inquiries now.

I knew she would send another inquiry right after saying that. So I just continued to ignore it.

Woong.

My phone rang again but it wasnt Anonymous69 this time.

-Captain Ju: Woojin, its senior Ju-hee. Do you have time today?

Our captain.

The Joan of Arc of group projects.

A message from Min Ju-hee, my senior, so I responded right away.

-Kim Woojin: I have one more class left today, and its two hours long. There will be some time after that.

-Captain Ju: Okay, then come to the college computer lab after it ends. I have something to ask about the assignment. Ill buy you dinner.

-Kim Woojin: Okay, but could you tell me where the computer lab is?

-Captain Ju: Its a building next to the auditorium where the orientation ceremony was held. Youll see it as soon as you step into the multi-purpose room.

-Kim Woojin: I understand.

-Captain Ju: Are you going to the military or something? Whats with your talking? Set your tone.

-Kim Woojin: Setting.

-Captain Ju: (emoticon)

Senior Min Ju-hee used a tiger emoticon to say hurry up.

Her charisma was so overwhelming that I even ended up doing a military cosplay for speaking.

Even though I havent even yet served in the military.

I arrived at the computer lab after my lecture.

Senior Ju-hee was fiddling with the mouse, doing something. Her grip seemed a bit odd making me wonder if she wasnt that great with computers, but then she began to type with the hunt-and-peck method.

Woah.

Seeing a 21st-century sophomore student handling a computer and typing like that felt strange to me.

Is she really the reincarnation of Joan of Arc?

Honestly, at this point, shouldnt she be called a primordial being in modern humanity?

Senior, I am here.

As I approached, offering one of the two sports drinks I bought from the vending machine, senior Ju-hee immediately turned around.

Oh, youre here. Good choice with the drink?

Despite the words, her expression was far from happy. It seemed she was stressed about something happening with the computer.

Click.

Senior Ju-hee opened the cap with her tough grip and immediately gulped it.

Crush.

Crushing the can as if to display her own feelings, she said,

Are you planning to decide on a few scripts first? Were thinking of arranging them to suit our taste, but Im not sure how much editing skills you have.

So, it has come to editing after all.

Ive found a few videos related to editing. Tell me what you think is possible from here.

The videos that senior Ju-hee played around as she asked about editing techniques.

Probably, she wanted to select the most efficient script after filtering out what I can do and what skills I have.

Her work method felt so quick and precise.

Contrary to her way of speaking.

I can do everything up to 7 minutes, but almost everything after that is above me. Though I think that I might be able to do it if I can learn.

Really? Then, what do you think about this?

Hmm, I kind of get the feeling. But I guess I will have to learn it once to be sure of it.

Dont just copy things, but if you can add in such effects, I think it will greatly enhance the visual appeal.

Really? That seems doable though. These days, its well shown in YouTube videos.

Ah, youre a pretty good one. So reliably impressive. If only the others were half as good as you.

As they exchanged various views, an hour passed.

Hungry? Ill buy you food. What do you like?

If it is at such a late hour

Pork belly place?

Ah, pork belly then? The Hanjip one is famous for that. But it would be closed by ow.

No wonder she is a senior.

Seo Yerin and Choi Yiseo didnt like it, but senior Ju-hee could immediately come up with anything related.

Judging by the way she was smacking her lips, it seemed like even she wanted it.

How about Manna pork cutlet?

If we go there now, theyll fry it in used oil now, so it wont taste that good. We should go for lunch, the owner changes to fresh oil for the kids who come for lunch.

What now?

Realizing she knew more about my favorite places than I do made me feel like the Monkey King in the palm of Buddha.

It was like coming across someone with incredible talent and experience.

Yah! I forgot. Lets go drinking. I know a place where we can have side dishes as a meal? Lets have a simple meal with a couple of drinks.

You like drinking?

I love it!

She really did seem to love it.

I nodded my understanding, and the senior said she would stop by the dorms to change and then leave for the place.

Outside the building.

As the weather began to turn chilly, I huddled up, hands in my pockets and looking at the people who passed by.

Hmm? Isnt that Kim Woojin?

A sharp yet familiar male voice was heard. Wondering who was calling me, I turned to see people from my department walking past.

Hey, Woojin, what are you doing here?

Ahn Hyeon-ho, a fellow student, called out to me.

I thought he hated me. He even cursed me on the anonymous Bamboo Forest site, saying he wanted me dead.

But there was a reason why he was acting this way.

Because Choi Yiseo, the student representative, was beside him.

Aha.

Was he expecting me to be jealous of him?

Choi Yiseo raised her hand in greeting, and I quickly waved mine too, wanting them to get on their way.

At Ahn Hyeon-hos lead, they came up to me.

Hey, Woojin, what are you up to here? On the way home?

Ahn Hyeon-ho was definitely smirking.

Well, if this makes you feel better, I guess it doesnt really matter, so I just nodded.

Ah, I have some assignments to do after the lecture, so Im heading home now.

You want to join us for drinks? Will you come?

The others were curious as to why Ahn Hyeon-ho was so keenly looking out for me, but instead he was stepping closer to Choi Yiseo as if to flaunt his close relationship with her.

Actually, Choi Yiseo wasnt even looking at Ahn Hyeon-ho but at me.

Just as I was about to say no.

Yah, what are you all doing to my boyfriend, you jerks.

A female voice came from behind.

With her hands deeply buried in the puffy jackets, senior Ju-hee walked up with a bright smile.