The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 215

215. Trip to Japan (3)

The schedule for Park Yerim of Korea VS Iwahata Kakuto of Japan was roughly as follows:

A press conference at the hotel, a dinner, and a day of rest, followed by a move to the Shizuoka region on the second day. They would stay in Shizuoka for another day, allowing time to check the arena in advance and adjust, before the official match began on the third day.

‘And then I go to the Black Ooze Forest, get the stamina potion ingredients, and return home.’

There was also a sightseeing schedule after the match, but if Japan lost, the atmosphere would be terrible, so no sightseeing. I’d have to return immediately. I planned to reveal the stamina potion ingredients after returning to Korea. Judging by Shishionji’s attitude, he would make a fuss, but Guild Leader Sesung would take care of that.

The assigned hotel room was spacious. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large living room, a dining room, and even a separate study. Rooms were assigned one per person, but since my stats were F-rank, I decided to share with Yoohyun. Yerim expressed dissatisfaction, but it’s not like we’re at home, so why share a room even when we’re away? Even if it’s as spacious as a house.

– Peep!

Peep, who had entered the hotel room, went straight to the living room sofa. Bellare followed. The jewel snake, after being touched lightly, jumped onto the sofa as if bouncing.

– Peep peep.

Peep looked around as if searching for the remote control. I can’t understand Japanese… well, does he even know Korean? Yoohyun went into the bedroom with my luggage and rummaged through the drawers to turn on the TV, when the door burst open and Yerim came in.

“Uncle!”

I thought the door was automatically locked. Or was it not?

“It’s probably what the Guild Leader said.”

Yerim continued with a grin.

“I just heard from Hyunah unni [older sister/female friend] that ‘Shishio’ means ‘Lion King.’”

“…What?”

“Lion King. Roar.”

Wait a minute. Lion. That, the guild uniform’s emblem looks like a lion, but.

“…It’s not a nickname, it’s used as a name… right?”

“But that’s what it means.”

A deflated laugh unconsciously escaped. No, what is that? I’m embarrassed for him. Really? Really that… Lion King? Not like a Hunter’s alias, just that? Really? Lion King?

Remembering his appearance at the airport and his obsession with Peace, I couldn’t hold back anymore. Ah, crazy. How am I supposed to look at Lion King’s face now? I feel like I’ll burst out laughing as soon as I meet him. Seriously, *cough*.

“St, still, making fun of, *sniff*, people’s names, is not……”

“You don’t look convincing at all, Uncle.”

Ah, seriously. Crazy. I picked up a cushion and buried my face in it. No, someone who’s old enough to be… Definitely not a teenager, and looks like he’s easily over twenty, almost thirty. Thinking of Lion King’s face made me laugh again.

I’m going to die. I have to go to the dinner later. Should I say I have a stomachache?

“Hyung [older brother/male friend]?”

Yoohyun came out to the living room, sounding puzzled. I couldn’t answer, but instead waved my hand to say I was okay. Yerim told him, “He’s just laughing.”

– Peep peep!

“Wa, wait a minute, Peep.”

I found the remote control and turned on the TV. Then.

[Here is a photo of Hunter Han Yoohyun at age 17!]

[Ooh~]

…What? This is definitely a Japanese broadcast, so why is Yoohyun… no, of course he would come out. But why 17? I was flustered and quickly turned my gaze to the TV. The photo on the screen was small and blurry, as if taken from a distance. There were collapsed buildings around, as if a dungeon break had occurred.

The Japanese people on TV were chattering, and unreadable subtitles appeared. What did they write? Then, Yoohyun’s past appearances appeared in photos and videos. I remember seeing those in Korea… before.

[A high school S-Rank Hunter who controls flames! He was amazing back then.]

[I fell completely in love as soon as I saw him. I still love Yoohyun-kun [term of endearment] so much!]

This time, recent videos began to appear. I let out the breath I had been holding and listened to the chattering voices.

That… uh… something, the atmosphere seems very different from Korean broadcasts. More than that, my brother is a college student. He’s twenty years old. Why do they keep calling him a high school student, a high school student? And what are those amazing compliments? Dazzlingly radiant… beautiful… the most handsome young man of the century… Ah, that. My brother is handsome, but, yeah…….

[Ah, I still prefer Sung Hyunjae. He’s mature and has a dangerous charm. Very cool.]

[That’s right, that’s right. He’s the very definition of perfection! Like a thunder god descended from the sky.]

…I felt like my hands and feet were curling up at the continuous praise. Sung Hyunjae is good, but isn’t this too much? More than that, he’s a hunter from another country. Why are they like this? I thought they would try to put him down since he came to fight.

[Park Yerim-yang [term of endearment]! Cute~! A beautiful middle school S-Rank Hunter! To control ice with such a cute face, the contrast is so lovely!]

Even Yerim, who is the opponent, was showered with praise. They kept calling her a beautiful girl and talking about how she lost her parents and persevered, which was embarrassing. Similar stories came out about Yoohyun. Naturally, my story came out too, ugh.

Unable to bear it, I changed the channel.

[Dragon! A golden dragon!]

[The word ‘beautiful’ is perfect for it! Next to it is the owner of the Golden Blacksmith. A great artisan~ The protagonist with golden hands who can create S-Rank weapons!]

[Oh, Hunter Han Yoohyun is also seen there. He has a cold face.]

[An ice-like handsome young man. Ah, looking at his older brother-]

Why again, crazy. I changed the channel again, but this time it was also about the hunters from Korea. At least this channel was talking about Sung Hyunjae and Moon Hyunah in a slightly calmer manner. Wow, really. His popularity was really true.

“I think I was on TV too, what did they say?”

Yerim, who didn’t have a translation item, asked. Translation items are precious, so besides the one I received, Haeyeon had two more, one of which was kept in reserve in case of emergency. Yoohyun and Yerim were supposed to share the remaining one, but Yoohyun had it now. In addition, Noah was supposed to translate for Myungwoo.

“Uh… they said you’re cute and pretty.”

Beautiful middle school girl… I couldn’t bring myself to say it. Not just Yerim, but especially Yoohyun, I was amazed at how they could praise him so much even though he was a complete stranger. I also say my brother is great, but not to that extent……. And I only think that in my head, not saying it out loud, beautiful, um, uh, um.

Amazing, Japanese people. I’m grateful for the praise, but.

I gave the remote control to Peep and moved away from the TV. Yoohyun must have understood all that, but he had a nonchalant expression. As expected, Ice Prince, no. Damn it, I’ve been infected.

“The rooftop pool here has a great view. They say you can see the Rainbow Bridge clearly.”

Yerim whined to go swimming. She’s full of energy.

“We have a conference and dinner today. Let’s go tomorrow morning. They said we’ll leave for Shizuoka after lunch.”

“In the morning? Then shall we go out at night? I want to do some sightseeing since we came all the way here!”

It’s her first time in Japan, so she wants to see the sights. I just want to laze around in the hotel.

“Do you want to go out with Yoohyun? I’ll lend you the translation item. I can stay with Noah.”

At my words, the two frowned at the same time.

“I have no intention of doing any sightseeing.”

“I’ll just go out with Hyunah unni.”

They seem to have become much closer than before, but kids are difficult. I want to see Yoohyun, Yerim, and Noah-ssi laughing and holding hands, going out to play. Just imagining it warms my heart. It’s a beautiful sight.

I felt sorry for refusing Yerim’s suggestion to go out, and since I came all the way here, I decided to take a look around the hotel. I left Bellare to Peep and left the room, holding only Peace. The hotel staff bowed politely every time they met me. The Hong Kong hotel staff was also friendly, but here they bow so much it’s embarrassing.

A hotel employee recommended the lounge, saying that they had specially invited a confectionery master. It was said to be a place that serves traditional confectionery, but the lounge’s interior was like a Western royal palace. As soon as I saw the lion emblem flag hanging large on one wall, I barely managed to hold back another laugh.

Isn’t Shishio-ssi’s house built like a palace? The guild building is also a medieval fortress.

“The chairs are pretty! I should have brought my doll.”

Yerim touched the ornate chair, looking disappointed. It was a table set that would look good with a large doll wearing a dress sitting on it. Yerim would like it if she went to Europe, but is the Palace of Versailles safe? It was half destroyed before the regression, but it should be okay now.

“Hunter Park Yerim.”

Before we even sat down, someone approached. It was a man wearing a sword and Japanese clothes. He really didn’t fit the background.

“I am Iwahata Kakuto.”

“Yes, hello.”

Yerim, who bowed slightly, fiddled with the decorations on the table.

“Yerim, he’s the person you’re going to fight.”

“I know.”

She knows. Kakuto pressed his lips into a straight line.

“To disregard a legitimate opponent like this is rude.”

“I said hello. But why do the hunters in this town all talk like that? Even the Guild Leader uses polite language to me outside.”

Shishio-ssi was the Guild Leader and much older, but Kakuto, who looked to be in his early twenties, was speaking informally, which seemed to bother her. Yerim may be young, but she is now officially an invited S-Rank Hunter. It’s not a private occasion, but an official guest, so he shouldn’t be like that.

“Hey, Kakuto. Unless you want to change the match venue to the hotel, pass by quietly.”

“Just a three-month-old little girl-”

Bang!

Kakuto’s figure disappeared from sight in an instant. Instinctively, I turned my head towards the sound, and saw Kakuto, who had smashed a decorative pillar and flew further, embedded in the wall.

“Han Yoohyun! He’s mine, that one!”

Only then could I grasp the situation at Yerim’s shout. Yoohyun did something. With a clattering sound, the Japanese people sitting around the lounge all stood up at once. Yoohyun looked at them with a raised corner of his mouth.

“As a Guild Leader, I cannot stand by and watch someone disrespect a precious guild member.”

“He’s mine, really.”

Yerim, who frowned at the word ‘precious,’ grumbled. Kakuto, who was embedded, got up and brushed off the stone dust on his body. Still, he seemed unaffected as an S-Rank. I asked the hotel employee, who had stiffened while coming towards us.

“What’s good here?”

Let’s get some confectionery before the lounge is destroyed. But Kakuto didn’t rush in any further. He just glared fiercely at Yerim and Yoohyun before returning to his group.

“It was my turn this time, but he’s not rushing in.”

Yerim sat down, looking disappointed. Yoohyun had a slightly refreshed face.

“What, did you cause an accident again?”

Moon Hyunah appeared in the lounge, having heard the loud noise. Looking at the traces Kakuto had made with his body, she muttered, “Do it when I’m here,” and came to sit with us.

“Han Yoohyun? Park Yerim? Judging by your expression, you must be the Haeyeon Guild Leader.”

“He’s mine, but he stole him. Unni, shall we go shopping at night? There must be a Hunter Market here too. There will be many items that aren’t in Korea.”

At Yerim’s words, Moon Hyunah shook her head and frowned.

“This place is about three times worse than Korea. In Korea, they say ‘items suitable for female hunters,’ which is ridiculous, but Japan is one, no, five times worse? The crazy guys put ribbons or lace on perfectly good equipment, change the colors to be flashy, and then say ‘special items for female hunters!’ and charge more money.”

“Seriously? It would be cumbersome and easily noticeable to monsters?”

“Very popular with female hunters! They talk about appealing to charm, which made me want to go crazy. In the first place, useful items are monopolized by large guilds. In Korea, transactions between guilds are minimized and preferably done through the market. There’s no such thing here.”

So the market itself was not very active. It was said that even if high-level hunters went, they would only waste their time.

Noah and Myungwoo also came down, wondering what was going on, and confectionery was set on the long table. Myungwoo, who had been sleeping throughout the flight, yawned slightly.

“Why don’t you sleep more? I don’t think anyone would say anything to you even if you skipped the schedule.”

“I’m going to go to the sauna later. They say it’s hot spring water.”

“Sauna is good. I wonder if Japan is similar to Korea.”

As expected, public baths are good. I haven’t been able to go much lately. Since there are few guests, the water will be clean whenever I go. Should I go to the sauna tonight and sleep? Just thinking about the hot and humid air made me feel relaxed.

Yerim and Moon Hyunah coaxed Noah to go out with them at night. Noah nodded and told me and Myungwoo that she would buy souvenirs. It would be nice if Yoohyun could go too. Well, then there would be no one to protect this place… Sung Hyunjae is here, though.

‘Come to think of it, it’s quiet.’

There’s no way he wouldn’t know about the accident in the lounge. I took out my phone for no reason and put it back in. Should I send Song Siljang-nim [team leader] a text saying there are no problems yet?

Before the evening dinner, a conference was prepared. Sung Hyunjae appeared with the Amaterasu Guild Leader. Had they talked separately? Perhaps they had discussed future dungeon management.

As soon as I met Lion King-ssi, I quickly gave him a bright smile. I’m just smiling because I’m happy to see you, Shishio-ssi. At this point, it wouldn’t look like I’m mocking him, right? I’m just smiling, just. Fortunately, Lion King-nim smiled back, perhaps because my expression wasn’t strange.

Yoohyun and Yerim looked at me strangely, but whatever.

Now that I see it, Shishio-ssi’s hairstyle is also made like a lion’s mane. Cool, it suits him well. Still, he looks decent and Western-like as an S-Rank Awakened [a hunter with special abilities]. Yeah, it’s okay. He’s Lion King-like. Don’t laugh.

At the conference, Yerim and Kakuto sat side by side in the center. Apart from the reporter who made the crazy statement that the two looked good together getting splashed with water, it proceeded without any problems.

At the following dinner, Lion King-ssi appeared dressed like an emperor. It was fortunate that he didn’t wear a fur-trimmed cloak. At this point, I thought he was living happily. I liked that he prepared a separate seat for Peace and gave him fresh, high-level monster meat that he had specially procured.

‘It’s burdensome to keep staring.’

Because Peace refused the dedicated seat and sat on my lap, not only Peace but even I was about to be worn out by the hot gazes. My brother’s expression is getting colder and colder. Do it moderately. He even moved his seat right across from me.

“I’ve heard of 3W [a group of hunters]. A pair of white wolves, very cool. Haeyeon is really lucky. I’m jealous.”

“They are not that difficult to obtain as there are many individuals.”

“Still, lions are the best.”

Ah, yes, Lion King-ssi. I could smell the possibility of extorting a large sum of money using the Flame Horn Lion dungeon as bait. Thinking that, a sliver of goodwill towards the Amaterasu Guild Leader sprouted. He’s as good as the Japanese king, so he must have a lot of good things. Thank you so much for the Thunder Bird’s Vestige. Do you have any more SS-Rank equipment?

After eating dinner and soaking in the water for a long time, it was already well past 9 o’clock. The lights twinkled outside the darkened window. It was still early to sleep, so I was wondering if I should watch TV when a text message came.

[To my partner. I request a meeting.]

It was Sung Hyunjae. I felt like what was coming had come.