Bamboo Forest Manager

There was a bit of a mishap on my way to work, but I wasn’t late.

Now, I don’t get confused by similarly named menu items, and handling side dishes or additional menu items is not particularly challenging, allowing me to work mechanically without much thought.

Usually, I would spend time chatting casually with the assistant managers or bickering with Yu Arin.

Unfortunately, today’s duty manager was Lee Chan-song.

I heard from Se-ah at the karaoke earlier that the manager and the assistant manager had another fight yesterday.

Perhaps that’s why, if we even tried to take a short break or work leisurely, he would come down on us hard.

As a result, we were just folding an already overflowing stack of napkins. We weren’t even allowed to sit down, so we were working while standing.

“When we first came, we did things by the book, but isn’t it fine now?”

It was as Yu Arin grumbled.

We did it that way initially to avoid getting too lax, but things are different now.

Even the managers acknowledged our skills, especially during slack times like dawn.

Manager Lee Chan-song didn’t hesitate.

You could say he had a firm stance.

“You know the seniors have been on edge lately. Of course, the manager would be sensitive too.”

“Why take it out on us?”

Since it wasn’t wrong, I just shrugged and accepted Yu Arin’s complaints.

At that moment.

“Yah, an order came in.”

“Yah?”

Yu Arin, glaring at Chief Lee Chan-song with his somewhat rough language and behavior, retorted, but he handed over the bill without looking this way.

While preparing the food in the kitchen, we set up the cart and check where the order came from.

“Room 1007?”

“Hmm? Room 1007?”

As I repeated the familiar number, Yu Arin, frowning deeply, tapped my shoulder, saying she remembered.

“That blonde woman from last time.”

“Oh, her.”

Honestly, it’s nice to have something to chat about each time I see her. When I talked about seeing her in her underwear last time, I became a hero in the dorm.

However, since unexpected situations arise every time I see her, personally, it wasn’t a room I looked forward to going.

“I’m going with you.”

Yu Arin, glaring sharply at me, not knowing my feelings.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Even though I said that, Yu Arin was adamant. It seemed like she wanted not only to keep an eye on me but also to mess with manager Lee Chan-song, who had just made a rude remark.

“If you get caught, you’ll be in big trouble.”

“What does it matter? I’m just going to be gone for a bit, they won’t notice. I’ll just say I went to the bathroom.”

“……”

When I stared at her intently, Yu Arin eventually glared back at me with her arms crossed.

“When I’m with the manager, he subtly asks all sorts of things.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, never mind. I didn’t tell you because I thought you’d worry for no reason. But I heard he does that to Se-ah and Bom as well.”

This is something I can’t just ignore.

As my expression darkened, Yu Arin gave an awkward smile.

“What, it’s nothing major. Just subtle sexual harassment, you know? Like saying that kids these days are well-developed, or that the Gold One uniform fits you perfectly…stuff like that.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Does it keep happening?”

It was obvious from Yu Arin’s reaction that she had only mentioned the mildest examples of what happened.

“Yah, I got annoyed and told him right away that it was sexual harassment and to stop. That’s why he dislikes me even more now.”

“Well, you did the right thing.”

“He doesn’t do it to me anymore, but it still feels uncomfortable when we’re alone together.”

“Sigh.”

A bitter breath escaped. I disliked myself for only now understanding why the other guys particularly loathed Manager Lee Chan-song.

“Still, the guys say that things have calmed down a bit thanks to the recent lawsuit incident.”

Even so, the information was uncomfortable and unsettling.

“Let’s go together.”

In the end, I allowed Yu Arin to accompany me. Even though leaving her here wouldn’t cause any major issues, I wasn’t keen on leaving her with someone whom she felt uncomfortable with.

The 10th floor, where I arrived with Yu Arin. Since she doesn’t come up here often, Yu Arin continues to look around and hums.

“But are there really a lot of gangster-like people?”

“I’ve seen a lot of people with tattoos on their bodies.”

“Wow, I saw that around the hotel, there are pawn shops everywhere. They take watches, gold, car keys, and stuff.”

“That’s why it’s a casino. I also avoid eye contact with rough-looking people.”

“Do you think there would be someone who drags a female employee in if she comes up?”

“……”

I can’t say that would never happen. I’ve heard there were actual cases.

Knock, knock.

“Room service.”

Knocking on the door and getting ready to dance, she looks at me with a cold gaze.

“You know that’s really not funny, right?”

“Ahem, isn’t it kind of okay?”

Awkwardly scratching my head, I wait for the guest.

Yu Arin deliberately stands next to the door, hiding from the guest’s view.

Creak.

The door opens.

“Come in.”

‘Huh?’

Today, somewhat unusually.

The lady is wearing glasses and a suit, protecting herself firmly. Unlike last time when she had a more casual demeanor, she now exudes the vibe of a competent career woman.

‘What’s this?’

She gives off an impression that makes me forget I’m on night duty, as if she’s about to head off to work.

With a gentle smile, she lets me in and quickly closes the door.

“Huh?”

Yu Arin’s small exclamation is heard through the door crack but doesn’t continue further.

“I never thought something like this would happen.”

The conversation I just had with Yu Arin now came to mind.

She asked if there really were stories of people being taken inside.

I never imagined that I, who was not a female employee, would be the one involved.

“Inside.”

The blonde woman smiled and led me in. As I was pushed inside, I wondered if I was going to be devoured like this.

If I really were to be devoured, I hoped Yu Arin would report it a little late while thinking about what underwear I wore today.

“Ah, shit.”

The moment I saw the man inside, a curse slipped out, and the man frowned.

“You have nothing you can’t say to your hyung, huh.”

Hyung.

Yeah.

The person in front of me now was my big brother, Kim Jae-won.

It was extremely unpleasant to be looked down on so arrogantly by him, dressed in a suit with his hands in his pockets.

“Damn it.”

I took the fork and knife from the cart and started cutting into the steak.

“I’ve been wanting to try this.”

But since we couldn’t order it, it was a bit disappointing. It’s better that our eldest brother is the one that ordered it.

As I was cutting the steak and taking a bite, the blonde lady behind me murmured in embarrassment.

“You really are the Vice President’s brother.”

“That’s not a compliment, you know?”

When I responded irritably, she immediately bowed her head and apologized.

Until a moment ago, she was full of confidence, but seeing me cut the steak must have made her realize something unusual.

“Who orders steak at this hour? The kitchen staff must be having a hard time.”

As I sat on the bed and grumbled, my eldest brother replied bluntly.

“I ordered it because I thought you’d like it.”

“…Oh, geez.”

So you’re saying you ordered this knowing I’d eat it?

Feeling annoyed that I acted just as my hyung thought I would, I push the cart aside and look at him.

“Why are you here? You know the employees are having a hard time because they’re wary of you, right?”

They’re making a big fuss because the vice-chairman of the parent company is here.

Since the cause is right in front of me, I express my grievances honestly.

But my hyung calmly responded.

“I’m here because of you. I heard that you’re working here.”

“……”

“It seems you really don’t plan to come home during the break. At least call Mommy and Dad.”

“I talked to Mom.”

“Huh?”

I respond nonchalantly to my brother, who looks at me with a puzzled expression.

“Really. Ask Mom if you don’t believe me. And what’s with ‘Mommy’? How long has it been since you stopped following her around calling her ‘Mommy’?”

I heard the sound of a blonde woman trying to hold back her laughter from behind. My brother’s gaze turned sharp, and he signaled me to go out with a nod.

“Tell the person outside not to worry and just go down.”

“Yes, understood.”

Yu Arin must be worried. There was a need to go out quickly and explain before she might call the police.

“The, the door is open! Woojin! Kim Woojin! Are you okay?”

“Yeah! I’m fine! Just do as the lady says!”

“What?!”

“Hello?”

Hearing my voice from inside the room seemed to have somewhat relieved Yu Arin, as her voice lost some of its tension.

There seemed to be more she wanted to say, but it was drowned out as the door closed.

“Is that your secretary?”

When I quickly turned and asked, my brother nodded.

“Yeah, seeing as you’re working part-time, it seemed like you didn’t want to reveal our family relationship.”

That’s not really the case, though.

I didn’t hide it on purpose; I just didn’t find it necessary to inform you.

“I intentionally had my secretary book a room alone, and then I joined her a few days later.”

“Are you dating your secretary?”

“Sigh, don’t say such pointless things.”

“If you’re not dating, I’m telling you to date her. Because of you, our middle hyung can’t get married.”

My words leave my eldest hyung speechless, furrowing his brow.

I knew he hated hearing that the most, so I said it on purpose.

Now, let’s get to the main point.

“You must have something to say, that’s why you came, right?”

I tilt my head and ask. Honestly, I had something to confront him regarding Oh Yoon-ji, but I decided to hear him out first.

If I was going to retaliate, I wanted to hear everything he had to say before doing so.

But surprisingly.

“I don’t.”

The eldest brother responded boldly.

“Hmm?”

“Nothing. I just came to check if you’re doing well. Mother is worried.”

“……”

A subtle atmosphere.

The eldest brother was staring at me indifferently without changing his expression.

“Sorry, but even if you say that, I won’t let it slide.”

I frowned irritably and confronted the eldest brother.

“How did you know I was dating Oh Yoon-ji?”

Whether it was an explanation or an excuse.

Whatever it was, he must have had something in mind to appear before me.

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