Bamboo Forest Manager

Chapter 52: Hospital Visit

Chapter 52: Hospital Visit

The midterm exam period has come to a close.

Without a moments pause, the festival season had begun, vibrant and lively in contrast to the exam period.

Typically, on Mondays, people would be dragging themselves around, looking deflated, but not today.

From the festival banners to the tents erected in the playground, it truly felt like the festival was kicking off.

There were rumors circulating about some rappers and a singer making appearances.

It will be bothersome.

I was somewhat doubtful about the festival.

Especially after hearing that first-year students were almost compelled to participate, which only added to my negative feelings.

Regardless, since it was Monday, I had no plans to meet anyone and thought I could just attend the lectures alone and head home after.

A notification popped up in the English Literature department group chat.

-Choi Yiseo: There is an announcement regarding the festival today, so please gather in Lecture Room 1 at 5 p.m..

-Choi Yiseo: If you cant make it, inform me via DM.

It was right after the final lecture, but I still didnt feel like going, so I messaged Choi Yiseo.

-Kim Woojin: Class rep, I dont think I can make it today.

-Choi Yiseo: Why?

-Kim Woojin: A personal matter.

-Choi Yiseo: Do you want to die?

-Kim Woojin: Actually, I am feeling sick.

-Choi Yiseo: You really wish to be sick?

-Kim Woojin: You are being harsh.

-Choi Yiseo: If you dont want to come, its okay not to.

-Kim Woojin: For real?

-Choi Yiseo: I told you not to reply with abbreviations.

-Kim Woojin: I am sick, so I wont come.

Woah, what!

Honestly, I had just messaged Choi Yiseo as a joke, unaware that I could skip the event.

I suppose its crucial to maintain a good relationship with the class representative.

No point in wasting time needlessly, so I hurried and made my way to the lecture.

Ah, why did I do that!

Lecture Hall 1.

Choi Yiseo was seated in the front row, sighing for no apparent reason.

Except for those with truly unavoidable situations, all the freshmen from the English Literature department participated.

It was the first festival they experienced since entering university, so the attendance rate was quite good as everyone seemed to be looking forward to it.

A sophomore class president and one of the professors were about to come and start talking.

I should have just told him to come.

Choi Yiseo was regretting letting Kim Woojin off.

The reason was that Kim Woojins reputation was at rock bottom in the department so he might cause trouble if he came.

Ah, but!

Having confessed yesterday, it was both nice and difficult to see his face right away.

So when Kim Woojin sent a message, she quickly chose the path that would immediately make her feel at ease.

But when she couldnt see him, she felt disappointed. And she also started to resent Kim Woojin for sending a message as if nothing changed.

Does he not care?

She seemed to have confessed her feelings, so why did Kim Woojin send a message just like any other day?

Her head was concerned with many things, and then Ahn Hyeon-ho, who was sitting next to her in class, called her.

Yiseo, when is the professor coming?

Hell be here soon.

Something on your mind?

Choi Yiseo glanced at Ahn Hyeon-ho. She realized that Ahn Hyeon-ho had been quite obvious about his feelings for her, but lately, it seemed like he was holding back.

It started from the time at the pork cutlet restaurant when Kim Woojin made the false confession and said Choi Yiseo didnt plan on dating anyone.

Has he moved on? Or is he hiding his feelings?

If he gave up, then great, but if he was hiding it, she wanted to know.

No, its just because of the festival.

Did you hear about the celebrity whos coming to the festival?

I dont really know about it.

She responded casually to Ahn Hyeon-ho, who kept starting various conversations.

Yiseo.

Seo Yerin approached quietly.

She wondered why she, who had been chatting in another group of friends, suddenly came over.

After glancing around, Seo Yerin asked in a low voice.

Where is Woojin?

Ah, he couldnt come today.

I see.

She thought she would say more, but she walked away briskly. Watching Seo Yerins back with a lukewarm expression, someone else from that clique came over.

It was Yu Arin with a listless expression.

Why isnt he here?

There was no need to ask who she was asking about, so Choi Yiseo said,

You should contact him.

Hes not answering, thats why.

It seems she finished cooking while I was washing up since they are dishes that can be prepared quickly.

Try it. You need to know the taste to give your opinion during the team meeting.

I wasnt planning on giving any opinions.

Hurry up.

Sitting in front of the dining table, I start eating one by one. I wanted to say it tastes incredibly good, but it was just average.

Average.

Hearing me say so, Choi Yiseo puffed her cheeks and lightly hit my shoulder.

Even these small gestures seem cute to me. I guess Ive allowed myself to open up to her more than I realized.

Yiseo.

Setting down my chopsticks, I begin to speak. I had planned to discuss this when we meet tomorrow, but since shes here, the timing doesnt seem bad.

I dont plan on doing CC anymore.

Saying thank you, youll meet someone nice, all those words are meaningless and only serve to prolong the pain.

Lets end it quickly.

I expressed my true feelings.

I was hurt too much by Oh Yoon-ji. So, I dont plan on meeting anyone or pursuing anything like that.

Choi Yiseo gazed at me as I spoke. Perhaps she had expected such a response; she didnt seem too surprised.

Instead, she rested her chin on her hand and inquired.

If I ask you to touch my chest now, would you do it?

Yes.

Was that wrong?

But then again, if shes permitting it, would it be wrong to decline?

Wait! Its instinctive! Who would refuse when given permission to touch!

Sigh.

Choi Yiseo let out a deep sigh.

Then, with a small chuckle, she replied.

I dont plan on dating anyone immediately either. Ill only start meeting and dating people next year.

I-is that so?

Indeed, she mentioned something similar yesterday.

What if, by that time, my feelings for you have faded?

True, you can never predict peoples feelings.

I never imagined I would come to think this way after Oh Yoon-ji, whom I adored so much during the first and second semesters.

So lets just be friends for now. Lets get to know each other and consider it while being friends. We got close too quickly to jump into dating.

Right, that sounds sensible.

I felt a bit relieved.

Ultimately, my bond with Choi Yiseo hasnt changed much from what it is now.

Shes one of the few friends I have in the department, so I cant afford to lose her like this.

But the chest?

With the mood lightened, I asked, and she moved next to me.

And she thrust her chest forward.

Go on.

?!

The curves in front of me.

The chest of a woman, firm and elastic from working out, beautifully shaped, is placed before me.

Meanwhile, my mind raced.

She didnt say I have to catch it with one hand.

Given Choi Yiseos personality, shell tell me to let go once I catch it.

Thinking to let go after catching it with both hands, I put both hands out.

Clench.

Choi Yiseo slips her fingers between mine.

Seeing my expression turn to disappointment, she smiled.

Not yet.

Not yet?

Does it mean it will be allowed later?

A flicker of hope sprang up in me.

Choi Yiseos face drew closer to mine.

I had no time to react.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Yah, are you faking illness?

At that moment, Yu Arin came knocking on the door.

Our breaths were close, almost touching each other, our noses almost brushing.

A brief silence followed.

How many messages will you ignore? Come out already!

Yu Arin kept calling, so I awkwardly smiled, pretending this never happened, and pulled back.

Ill go open the door.

Just as I was about to stand up and release our interlocked fingers,

both shoulders were grabbed, and I was seated back down. My bodys center of gravity shifted back as I momentarily fell over.

Choi Yiseo climbed on top of me and kissed me right then.