Bamboo Forest Manager-Chapter 200: Looking For A Part-Time Job

“Hmm.”

Recently, I bought a bicycle.

Living in the dorms, it was a hassle to get around campus, so I bought it as a form of exercise.

I ended up splurging on something more expensive than I intended.

‘I didn’t plan on this originally.’

I was satisfied looking at the sleek black bicycle, but a sense of unease grew in my heart.

Initially, I intended to buy a bicycle that was just good enough to ride around.

After all, as long as it rolls, that’s enough, right?

But then I realized I still have two and a half years until I graduate from university.

During that time, unless something big happens, I’ll likely continue living in the dorms.

If it breaks down in the middle, wouldn’t it cost more to repair or buy a new one?

So, I decided to choose something that wouldn’t break easily and could last a long time.

“……”

As I kept pondering over it, the grade and price gradually increased, and before I knew it, I ended up buying something quite expensive.

I’m worried that if I leave it in the dormitory bike storage, someone might steal it.

But I can’t exactly keep the bike in my room.

Anyway.

‘It does run smoothly, though.’

I took a quick test ride around the university, and it definitely glides smoothly.

As I pedaled, I thought it was a good purchase despite the high price.

But once I got off the bike, reality hit me hard.

Walking back, I wondered if I really needed to spend that much on it.

At this rate, I might as well live on the bike forever.

“Ah, this is why I can’t be a chaebol.”

After blaming my family lineage once, I shake it off. I bought something expensive, but isn’t it enough if I ride it diligently?

‘Should I try a bicycle tour this time?’

Last time, I planned to go camping during the vacation, but I couldn’t because I ran out of money.

This time, it seemed not bad to save up diligently and travel by bicycle during the summer break, going camping as well.

‘Oh, it sounds exciting.’

It was just a meaningless thought, but imagining it seemed quite enjoyable.

Wouldn’t it be a fulfilling vacation to leisurely ride a bicycle around the country while taking in the surrounding scenery?

‘Well, there’s still a lot of time left for that.’

The midterms are over now.

There’s still a long way to go until summer vacation.

Recently, the university has been bustling with preparations for the sports festival.

In the case of the English department, they weren’t very involved with the sports festival, so the reactions were rather indifferent.

The Arts and Physical Education groups were preparing with all their heart and soul as if this were their battlefield.

For some reason, Yu Arin was into basketball and was diligently playing with the women’s basketball club recently.

She often said she would definitely participate if basketball were included in the sports festival.

Well, anyway.

While everyone was busy working hard.

I, too, had my own concerns.

It was somewhat related to the bicycle.

‘I have no money.’

Although I still had some living expenses left, I needed some spare cash just in case.

Having spent my emergency fund on the bicycle, I now truly needed a part-time job.

The first place I considered was the café where senior Ju-hee worked.

Honestly, if I wanted to work comfortably, that would be the easiest choice.

It was a café, and with senior Min Ju-hee there, the work itself would be easier to handle.

‘But it’s a bit awkward.’

It hasn’t been long since I got the cold stares from three people because of Oh Yoon-ji at the last drinking party.

If I stick around with senior Ju-hee, who confessed to me here, that would really be crossing a line.

‘Should I browse through job search sites?’

Returning to my dorm room, I turn on the laptop and enter a job search site.

Recently, these things have been well-organized, so I’ve heard that finding a part-time job isn’t too difficult.

‘Oh, there are quite a variety of part-time jobs.’

I wanted to avoid anything too strenuous, and also steer clear of jobs that required long hours.

I did need money, but it wasn’t that urgent.

I wanted to spend time with the kids whenever possible.

‘There are quite a few convenience stores.’

That seemed like a decent option. I had worked at Gold One before, but this was my first time doing a separate part-time job.

The convenience store seems to have the lowest hurdle, and the work doesn’t look too hard compared to other places.

Of course, they say it’s tough when there’s a troublesome customer or during busy hours.

Honestly, isn’t that the same everywhere?

“A factory? Is there a factory nearby? What’s this? They seem to pay a lot.”

But there were also places that felt strangely unpleasant or that I shouldn’t contact carelessly.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

The phone was ringing.

It was Choi Yiseo.

“Hello.”

- Hello? Woojin, what are you doing now?

“Me? I’m looking for a part-time job. My money’s almost gone.”

- …Did you buy an expensive bicycle?

“Ahem.”

- Sigh, that’s why I told you not to look at high-priced ones for no reason.

“No, but it rides so smoothly. I think it was a good buy.”

- Since you bought an expensive one, of course it rides smoothly. If it didn’t, why would you buy an expensive one?

Anyway, look at her hitting me with a sound argument.

This could be considered domestic violence.

When I kept my mouth shut, Choi Yiseo didn’t insist on the bicycle topic and revealed her purpose.

- I made some side dishes with Minji. Should I bring them over?

“Oh, that sounds great! I’ll come over. No need for you to come. I should make use of the bike since I bought it.”

- Okay, got it. We’ll lend you our containers, so just bring a bag.

“Okay.”

Click.

Hanging up, I felt a sense of relief.

Anyway, Choi Yiseo definitely has a good sense in these matters.

Maybe she anticipated that I’d buy an expensive bike and made side dishes so I wouldn’t go hungry.

‘Is that too far-fetched?’

Well, anyway.

Before heading out, I browse the job site a bit more to make sure I’m thorough.

I was planning to take one last look before going to Choi Yiseo’s house.

“Hmm?”

There was a familiar store.

I discreetly checked my phone, and it turned out I had the number of the store owner.

“Oh, this place looks nice. Seems like it’ll be fun.”

An unexpected connection was made.

I immediately called to schedule an interview.

“Oh, what’s this? Is it braised beef?”

I came to Choi Yiseo’s apartment to get some side dishes.

Choi Yiseo, already prepared and wearing an apron, handed me a container of side dishes with a smile.

“Yeah, you probably only have instant rice. I made it a bit salty so it goes well with rice.”

“Ooooh. Can I give you a hug just once?”

“Don’t people usually ask if they can taste it first?”

As I reached out with both hands and rushed forward, Choi Yiseo pushed my chest with her hand and checked behind her.

Seeing her roommate Minji in the bathroom, she nodded.

Squeeze!

As I rushed to hug her, Choi Yiseo let out a sigh mixed with relief and patted my back.

“Don’t just eat ramen or order something. If there’s really nothing to eat, come to our house, okay?”

“Mom…”

Unknowingly, I muttered that, and Choi Yiseo slapped my back with strength in her hand.

“Do you want to die?”

“G-girlfriend?”

“Phew, not yet though.”

Choi Yiseo smiled softly and buried her face in my chest.

“Sounds good.”

While we were like that, the sound of water flushing came from the bathroom, and we quickly separated.

There’s no need to show what doesn’t need to be seen.

“Did you find a part-time job?”

Choi Yiseo asked while putting the leftover side dishes in my bag.

It felt so natural, as if what just happened was nothing.

“I decided to go to the interview. They told me to come right away, so I’ll drop by after getting some side dishes from you.”

“Oh, where is it? A café? Convenience store? Restaurant? I should visit you if you get a part-time job.”

“Well, it might be like that.”

“…Hmm?”

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“Anyway, be sure to visit. I have to go now since it’s almost interview time.”

“Yeah, good luck.”

Yiseo clenches her fist tightly to cheer me on.

I smile and wave back, then get back on my bike parked outside.

Riding the bike swiftly forward, I happily arrive at the location.

It was an adult store.

A shop decorated entirely in a pinkish atmosphere from the outside.

A place that naturally piques curiosity since the interior can’t be seen from the outside.

I entered without hesitation.

“You’re here.”

The bald man and the dizzyingly obscene adult products greeted me.

“Wow, if Woojin works here, it would be great for me. I’ve been struggling because there’s no one to work the afternoon shift.”

“Don’t you usually operate at night?”

“That’s not quite the case. Maybe because it’s near the university, we get a lot of visitors, and there are many regulars as well.”

“Oh. It’s much larger inside than it looks from the outside.”

It looks worth exploring.

“It’s not much different from a convenience store. It’s just about ringing up the items the customers pick.”

“I see.”

“But sometimes customers ask for reviews or how to use things, and then you have to answer sincerely.”

What to do.

I’m already curious about what they’ll ask.

“What do they usually ask?”

Curiously, I ask, and the man grins widely.

“They ask all sorts of things. Last time, some people even asked me how to perform an enema.”

“Holy shit!”

Honestly, that’s not really my taste. But thinking about how they must have asked out of embarrassment, surprisingly-

“A man.”

“Ah, fuck. I’m quitting.”

Suddenly, I feel disgusted.

Why would a guy ask about that?

“Hey, but there’s no place that pays better than here, right? Since it’s you, Woojin, I’ll pay you more than the minimum wage.”

“…Fine. But make sure of one thing.”

“What?”

“Prohibit workplace sexual harassment.”

“……”

“Answer me.”

“…Of course.”

Why hesitate?

“Fuck, the moment you do anything weird to me, I’ll put up a sign in front of the store saying ‘Gay Hotspot’.”

“Just kidding, just kidding. I know my boundaries. You know that.”

Well, that’s true.

If you hadn’t respected the boundaries, our lives would have changed a lot already on the day we all slept in my room.

It seemed like the man really wasn’t that interested in me.

Anyway, he’s the boss now.

I share some good information, thinking I might earn some points.

“Go to Chan-woo. His girlfriends change often. You could at least have a one-night stand with him.”

“…Sometimes I feel like you’re using me too much.”

Caught me.