The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 213

213. Trip to Japan (1)

‘Oh, a reply.’

A text arrived from Song Tae-won.

[Nothing unusual happened. Thank you for your concern.]

It was a reply to my message congratulating him on clearing the dungeon safely and asking if anything strange had happened inside and if he was okay. Did Song Tae-won not notice the gaze?

‘Then is it really related to me?’

Yoohyun, Yerim, and Sung Hyunjae had entered dungeons with me several times. On the other hand, Song Tae-won hadn’t. It’s not certain, but it’s better to be careful.

[Please visit the breeding center sometime. I brought in a very cute and fluffy baby sheep, and it reminded me of Chief Song. Or I can come to you. It’s really cute.]

I wonder if Chief Song would fall for it if he touched it. It had an addictive texture. If Peace hadn’t been around, I might have brought it home. It was really fluffy. But at home, my lap is Peace’s designated spot… Should I bring it along slightly when entering a dungeon with Peace?

“Really, it’s not allowed?”

While I was texting, Yerim asked again, pleading. Yoohyun firmly cut her off on my behalf.

“No.”

“I didn’t ask you, Han Yoohyun! This is Ahjussi’s house!”

“Peace and Park Yerim alone are enough to shed fur.”

“What? Fur? Hey! Do you think your hair doesn’t fall out? Your hair stands out the most!”

Yerim shouted, hugging the puppies in her arms. The baby wolves held by Yerim whined softly.

When I told Yerim, who came home, about Blue, she said she had brought more baby monsters to the breeding center. She said she hadn’t seen them when she was at Haeyeon and was going to take a look, and then she came with baby wolves on both sides. She said she had wanted to raise a puppy since she was young.

“Yerim, it’s right downstairs, so you can go see them anytime.”

“But they already like me so much. Can’t I take them to my room?”

As Yerim said, the two white fur balls were clinging to Yerim. But that’s not because they liked Yerim…

‘They seem scared.’

From a short distance away, Peace was slowly hitting the floor with his tail, glaring at the puppies. He didn’t seem to like the baby wolves coming into the house. They’re monsters, but since they’re in the cat and dog families, it doesn’t seem like they’ll get along easily.

Every time Peace occasionally showed his fangs, the baby wolves seemed to stiffen. I can’t do that, even if I feel sorry for them.

“I’m sorry, Yerim, but the house is still a no. And you’ll have your own exclusive mount someday, Yerim. Then I’ll let you live with them from when they’re babies.”

Yerim nodded obediently, even though she was disappointed. She’s so kind.

“Noona [older sister] will come see you often, Milky, Blanc.”

When did she give them those names? I think those names were among Yerim’s dolls. I felt sorry as I watched Yerim turn away. She wanted to raise a puppy. It’s going to be right downstairs, though.

– Growl.

When Yerim and the baby wolves left, Peace came and rubbed his body against my leg. You seem happy, Peace.

“You’re taking Peace to Japan, too?”

Yoohyun said, turning around. I nodded, following my brother’s steps.

“They asked you to bring him. Japan is really unique. I thought they would feel resistant if several S-ranks went, but they actually like it.”

I was thinking of coordinating to allow at least two S-rank hunters to accompany her, using safety as an excuse, because I thought they wouldn’t accept Yerim’s entry. But the Japanese side said they wanted Han Yoohyun Hunter to come too. They said they would welcome any other hunters.

“It’s probably because they think they can lure Noah and Liete, who are from other countries, to Japan.”

Especially since both of them are currently free hunters, so it’s tempting. But Liete said she wouldn’t go. I picked up Peace and sat on the sofa. When I turned on the TV, another broadcast related to the Korea-Japan match was on. They were analyzing Yerim and the Japanese hunter who was her opponent.

[Park Yerim Hunter’s lack of experience is her biggest weakness, but the advantageous geographical conditions are instead…]

At the same time, there was criticism about her clearing the slime dungeon. It was mentioned only briefly because it was decided to refrain from pouring cold water on it. It’s scary how the media can manipulate things. If they hide or downplay the problems and convey them, most people easily accept them. The opposite is also true.

“Yerim and Sung Han might be exceptions, but you’re the guild leader, Yoohyun, so you can’t be pulled out. Are they going to offer some huge condition? Was the Thunderbird’s Ye-jang [ornamental knife] a bait of some sort?”

“I don’t care what they offer.”

Yoohyun, who was sitting next to me, said.

“Because I already have enough. I’m satisfied if I can protect my current daily life.”

“…You don’t need anything else?”

“We came back to our house. Home. Unless they give me an item in Japan that can definitely protect hyung [older brother], but that’s not going to happen.”

It would be funny if an item that could save the world suddenly popped out in Japan.

“Yeah, I hope we can just… keep living like this.”

Having puppies in the house is a big deal! I wish I could live worrying about what to eat for dinner.

But if the kids go into the dungeon, I’ll be anxious again. There’s a lot of work piled up, and I don’t know what problems will arise in the future. Why is my life so tough?

“…You know, hyung.”

Yoohyun carefully brought up the topic. I wondered what was wrong and turned to look at him, and his face was full of dejectedness. What is it? Did he cause an accident without me knowing?

“After I awakened, when I hadn’t been awakened for very long… I made things very difficult for hyung, didn’t I.”

My mind went blank at his hesitant words. That time, that is.

“No.”

“Hyung.”

“I don’t even remember it well.”

It’s been eight years. So I don’t remember it well. It’s been so long that it’s getting hazy.

“So don’t worry about it. It’s okay. It’s a thing of the past.”

I smiled, saying it was okay. Still, it wasn’t that bad until then. The current Yoohyun doesn’t know what happened after that. It’s irrelevant. It’s just that I’m a little, occasionally, bothered by it.

“We just went astray for a while. Families can do that. As you live, you fight severely and then reconcile. Everything’s fine now, so it’s okay.”

It’s a memory that doesn’t need to be brought up now. I turned my gaze to the TV. Yerim’s interview was being replayed. She was smiling confidently and brightly.

“Hey, if they try to take you out in Japan, pretend to be tempted and take everything they give you. There’s no need to refuse what they give you. Just take everything and return home.”

Especially, wouldn’t they launch a gift offensive to Myungwoo and Noah? I’m secretly looking forward to it because I liked everything I received in advance. Then I heard the sound of the door opening.

“Yerim, take off the fur and come in.”

“Yes!”

Maybe it’s because they’re baby wolves, but not as much fur falls out as you’d expect for something so fluffy, but it still falls out. Yerim ran and plopped down next to me.

“Pack your bags in advance tonight.”

“I packed everything this morning~”

She’s so fast. There’s not much to pack anyway. I bought three more spare cell phones just in case. I shouldn’t forget to pack side dishes separately in the morning in case the food doesn’t suit the kids’ tastes.

I hope they come back safely without any problems.

The airport was crowded with people. There were reporters, of course, but also many simple onlookers. Yerim was busy thanking the people who came to cheer her on as a group, giving interviews, and posing for photos.

“I’ll win and come back!”

When Yerim waved her hand, there was a roar. She was as popular as a famous celebrity. In fact, she’s not at all inferior even if you put her in front of a celebrity. She had received many advertisement offers even in normal times, but with this event, there were many brands begging her to accept advertisements and even sponsorships. The hat she’s wearing now was also a sponsored item that Yerim chose herself.

Amid the continuous cheers, we finished the procedures and headed to the lounge. Moon Hyuna was already there in the spacious lounge. There were also people from the Hunter Association.

“Director Han, you’re dressed up nicely.”

What do you mean, nicely?

“I didn’t know you were close to Liete Hunter, Breaker Guild Leader.”

As S-rank hunters went abroad in droves, concerns naturally arose about domestic safety. They had each cleared dungeons, but if a dungeon were to burst, they needed hunters to clean it up.

So Haeyeon left S-rank hunter Kim Sunghan in place and entrusted him with the mark of Blue, an S-rank mount. There was also S-rank hunter Evelyn in Seseong, so there was no problem.

The problem was Breaker, but they solved it by temporarily hiring Liete.

“She’s straightforward and easygoing. We get along pretty well. There are hardly any female hunters who don’t get along with me in the first place. I’m quite popular.”

“Except for Evelyn Hunter, you mean.”

“Ah, I really don’t get along with her. Why would I want to be close to someone who’s capable but likes to play tricks behind the scenes?”

Then she warned me to be careful too.

“Please be careful not to let the monsters wander around inside the plane.”

The association employee said, looking at the chick floating around the lounge. Of course, I should, but I hope that chick doesn’t suddenly teleport. Bellare also wanted to wander around, but I kept her from falling off my wrist for safety.

Peace was sitting quietly on the chair, and Yerim was picking out snacks with Noah. Myungwoo said he had been pushing himself to finish work before going on vacation, and he looked tired. He was busy helping the blacksmiths with their training instead of making items.

Just two days ago, I heard that Seo Dongbaek and Lee Minseok, who belonged to Myungwoo’s smithy, had succeeded in making low-grade items. The value of the completed items was low, but they were able to make items without crafting skills. They were planning to announce it on a large scale when they could make mid-grade items.

“Hyung, do you want something to eat too? You didn’t have a proper breakfast.”

“Should I? I didn’t know there would be a buffet in the airport lounge.”

I didn’t stop by the lounge when I went to Hong Kong. In fact, I didn’t even know there was such a place. I should have had a chance to take a plane. There were quite a few kinds of food. There was also wine. Should I just have a sandwich? As I was putting sandwiches on a plate, Song Tae-won came in. What’s going on?

“You must be busy, but did you come all the way here to see us off?”

Is it okay for him to be here with so many S-ranks? There are many ordinary people, but. Song Tae-won answered quietly to my words.

“It’s in preparation for an accident. I can’t interfere with things overseas…”

He looked at the lounge scenery and continued, with an expression as if he was swallowing a sigh.

“I hope you come back safely.”

His expression seems to be saying, please don’t cause an accident.

“I’ll be a quiet spectator on this trip to Japan, so don’t worry. I hope Chief Song is doing well, and please stop by the breeding center when you have time. I’ve already told them in advance.”

Song Tae-won went to one side without answering my words, ‘Just touch the baby sheep once. It’s really cute.’ I wonder if he had a proper meal. Should I ask if he wants a sandwich?

While I was putting a sandwich on a plate, Yoohyun poured me a drink. Yerim said this cookie was delicious and put it on my plate, then ran to get ice cream. Noah, who said that cake was also delicious, asked Myungwoo if he wanted coffee. Moon Hyuna ordered a meal separately. Why is there a chef in the lounge? Is this a restaurant or an airport?

I liked that it already felt like we were on vacation. The smell of steak spread. Yerim shouted, ‘Me too.’

“Yoohyun, why don’t you eat something too?”

“I’m not very hungry.”

He’s secretly picky. He hardly ever complains about food at home, though. I handed him a cookie to eat as a snack. Still, he took what I gave him.

– Peep!

The door opened again, and the chick made a sound. I wondered if it had bumped into something and turned around, and it was sitting on top of faded, light-colored hair. Sung Hyunjae walked in as if nothing was wrong. I was about to throw out a casual greeting, as usual, but I met his eyes.

…For a moment, I couldn’t say anything and avoided his gaze.

“Is everyone here now? What time is departure?”

In response to Moon Hyuna’s question, the answer came back that the plane was already ready. I heard the sound of forks touching plates, saying let’s eat this all and go right away. Yerim also asked if she could take the ice cream with her. I took a breath and looked at Sung Hyunjae again. He was holding the chick in his hand and smiling at me. It’s the same expression as usual.

“The chick has committed a discourtesy. Give it to me.”

Sung Hyunjae, who had approached silently, handed me the chick. I held the chirping baby bird in my arms. …Say something first. Yoohyun grabbed my hesitating arm.

“Let’s go.”

“Oh, okay.”

We left the lounge, received another group of camera flashes, and boarded the plane. The plane soon departed and arrived in Japan in a few hours.