173 – A Hungry Tiger Cannot Write a Haiku

‘Keys, wallet, and just grab the gear, then I’m done.’

Rohan, having washed away the saltiness left by the sea, equipped himself with weapons over his comfortable clothes.

He would have to leave his sword in the trunk or passenger seat while driving, but neglecting to bring weapons because summer was hot and annoying was not an option.

Even driving up from the Academy City, he always carried a pistol on his person.

*Click!*

Opening the door, a briny breeze greeted him.

‘No one else will be out yet, probably.’

Rohan was always the fastest to get ready for an outing. He headed down the stairs.

Emerging from the building, he saw the sea painted crimson by the setting sun. A true spectacle.

“…”

Out of habit, he pulled out his phone. No new messages.

The girls who constantly messaged him were with him now, and the smartphone, which never got a break and vibrated constantly, was enjoying a vacation along with its owner.

‘Ah, come to think of it.’

It occurred to him anew. He hadn’t contacted Lethe recently.

It wasn’t his imagination that her replies had become less frequent. Since then, they’d gradually stopped exchanging messages.

Perhaps the relationship, sustained by mere contact, had reached its limit. Or maybe, during the repetitive conversations on limited topics, he’d sensed that something was off.

‘That could be. It’s the age for it.’

Rohan didn’t think much of it.

It wasn’t as if they shared a relationship to regret.

‘Peaceful. Nice.’

—Click! He captured the sun-drenched sea with his phone camera.

Seemed to turn out alright, so he wove in a note about arriving safely in Samhwa and sent it to Juyeon.

Zhee-ing!

A reply arrived quickly. The corners of Rohan’s mouth lifted as he read it.

[Juyeon Instructor: Looks like you’re getting some proper rest. Excellent.]

The importance of rest for growth.

It was something figures who’d reached great heights always emphasized, but he’d only ever known it in theory.

An ambiguous, middling position meant you always had to push yourself to survive.

But lately, Rohan was realizing the necessity of rest.

Considering the pitch-black things he was bound to face in the future, having time to ease his mind like this was crucial. He was certain this time would become a great source of strength.

‘Our Instructor must be bored.’

He was sending Juyeon simple impressions of Samhwa and asking how she was doing, passing the time, when…

Click!

Noah burst out of the door and called out.

“I’m hungry! I’m hungry! I’m hungry!”

Her tail was drooping, as if the hunger after playing in the water was making its presence known.

Rohan asked Noah, who was listlessly making her way down, with weary eyes.

“Can you hold out until I get back from grocery shopping? If you really can’t, go out and grab a bite.”

Noah crossed her arms, looking like she was weighing the options after Rohan’s suggestion.

Then, as if she’d found the perfect solution, her eyes lit up.

“I’ll go out and get a snack!”

“That sounds good too. What about the others?”

“They’re still getting ready. Girls always take a while, apparently.”

“Says the girl acting like it’s someone else’s problem.”

“Don’t know~ I’m hot, so turn on the AC~”

For the wilting Noah, he started the car and got the AC running.

“Hehehe!”

Noah, satisfied with the cool breeze, flopped down in the back seat, wagging her tail.

Rohan glanced up again at the second floor as the door opened once more.

“Oppa! Did you wait long…?”

“Rohan is always quick.”

“Sorry. I tried to get ready as fast as I could…”

Rohan said that he’d only just come out, too, and got into the driver’s seat.

Ichinose, sitting in the passenger seat, voluntarily took charge of Rohan’s sword.

She held both swords, including her own, but didn’t seem uncomfortable.

“Ready to go?”

“Let’s hurry! I’m starving!”

Rohan, agreeing with Noah’s response, left the estate and stepped onto the road.

“Ooh.”

Before long, a dazzling, vibrant street came into view.

Lanterns, swallowing the lamplight, hung swaying gently, and buildings radiating Eastern beauty lined the street.

If it weren’t for the passing vehicles, it would feel like stepping into a wuxia story.

As they approached the area bustling with pedestrians, Ichinose became restless.

Pulling her mask up and her hat down low. Rohan, watching Ichinose’s frantic movements from the passenger seat, grew curious.

“Aren’t you hot?”

“Ah, this is… well…”

Ichinose hesitated, as if embarrassed to explain.

A cool explanation came from the back seat.

“Nose should really cover her face. Unlike Academy City, there are people in Samhwa who recognize Nose in busy areas and bother her sometimes.”

“Really? I thought there wouldn’t be any problems in her homeland. Isn’t Academy City more like that?”

In Samhwa, the prestige of Chunwaecheon (天外天), the company run by Noah’s parents, was deeply ingrained.

Moreover, Ichinose Jun’s reputation was among the best in the martial arts world.

So, it was difficult to understand with a normal mind.

It wasn’t like they were trying to kidnap Ichinose Jun’s only daughter. Lightly harassing or flirting was unlikely with normal judgement.

When Rohan showed such doubt, Noah shook her head.

“It should be like that in theory, but reality is different. There were even people who openly begged for money, and lots of those who flirted… I can’t just beat everyone down in Samhwa like I do in Tigrova, so it’s a pain.”

“Is it okay for Noah unnie not to cover up…?”

As Clara said, Noah’s appearance and presence were also far beyond the ordinary intensity.

If Samhwa citizens recognized Ichinose, there was a chance they would recognize her friend who was always with her.

“Me? I’m more like that feeling of ‘a pretty girl imitating Noah Frozenheart’ who was actually the real Noah Frozenheart?”

“So it’s the same as in Academy City.”

Rohan could only laugh and agree at the self-loving statement.

In Academy City, she had seen quite a few female students who had dyed their hair similar colors, influenced by Noah.

Following that, after parking,

She looked at the passenger seat.

“Ichinose.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“It’s alright. I’m used to it.”

“Just relax and be comfortable. It’s hot to go around like that in summer.”

“But…”

“If any problems arise, I’ll take care of it somehow. Use me as a shield.”

“…”

Ichinose pressed her hat down to cover her face.

She seemed to be hesitating, but that was not the case. Sione and Clara could be sure what kind of face Ichinose was making under the hat.

“That’s right. She’s got good durability, let’s use her as a shield.”

Noah chimed in, adding a playful quip.

Ichinose chuckled, removing her mask and hat.

“Rohan. Please, take care of me.”

··

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Stepping out of the car, Rohan and the others strolled along, soaking in an atmosphere unseen in the Academy City.

Naturally, nothing out of the ordinary had occurred… yet.

There was a sense of being watched, of attracting too many gazes. But they were all just passing pedestrians.

“Left here!”

Their first goal wasn’t groceries.

It was filling Noah’s belly, first and foremost.

“Straight ahead!”

He followed Noah. The tiger-striped girl twitched her tail as she focused on the map on her smartphone.

He didn’t know what she intended to eat, but he followed along for now.

“I see it!”

What was she talking about? There were so many shops, he couldn’t tell where Noah was headed.

But Ichinose seemed to have caught on.

“Noah. You’re going for *that* again, aren’t you?”

“Yep! If you come to the Samhwa Nation, you gotta try it! Will you eat it too, Nose?”

“It’s too…stimulating for my palate. Watching you will suffice.”

Hearing their exchange only piqued his curiosity.

Rohan couldn’t resist asking.

“Where are we going?”

“Here!”

Noah’s steps came to a well-timed halt.

Rohan looked up at the sign, his jaw dropping in astonishment.

[To Pass This By Without Eating It? A Keijime Offense! – Samkyo Branch #7]

‘Why is the store’s name like *that*?’

Was Rohan the only one baffled?

Sion and Clara wore expressions of understanding, accepting that this was the atmosphere of the Samhwa Nation.

Inside, staff dressed as ninja bustled about.

Quite a few customers were already seated, filling their bellies. The place seemed quite popular.

They primarily sold dumplings, but there were also odd foods shaped like shuriken, secret messages, and bamboo tubes, as well as various merchandise.

‘Samhwa Nation Capital, Branch #7… This is a franchise?’

From Rohan’s perspective, that was the most unbelievable thing of all.

Noah, familiar with the place, scampered to the counter and placed her order.

“Ninja *unni*! Five Sayonara Singles and one Calorie Bomb Haiku Set!”

“Those who recite a haiku receive a discount on the Haiku Set. Would you like to try?”

“I’m too hungry right now. Just ring me up.”

“Ha-i!”

Noah presented his card, and the ninja offered a hand seal of thanks, then politely swiped.

Food, swiftly delivered, followed.

Two black paper bags emblazoned with the kanji 忍.

Noah, beaming, rejoined the group and began devouring a meat bun as they walked.

Watching Noah eat with such gusto, Rohan couldn’t suppress a smile.

“Delicious?”

Noah, as if asked the most obvious thing, nodded, his eyes taking on a wistful cast, mourning the bun’s diminishing size.

“You gotta eat these when you come to Samhwa. I wish they’d open one in the academy city.”

“I heard there are plans. If all goes well, maybe one will open next year.”

“Really!?”

At Ichinose’s welcome news, Noah’s tail swished back and forth with abandon.

Rohan dodged the wildly swinging, thick tail and pulled out his phone.

“Off to the market now, then?”

He scanned the grocery list, moving forward.

Following the towering signs towards the mart.

‘Hmm?’

A truck waiting at a red light caught Rohan’s eye.

The container attached to the truck bore the logo of a company called Cheongrim.

Nothing particularly stood out.

And yet, Rohan couldn’t shake the feeling, his gaze locked on.

‘Cheongrim? Where have I…’

The company name felt vaguely familiar. He even stopped walking.

“Oppa…?”

“Rohan, what’s wrong?”

Sion and Clara, quickest to notice the change in Rohan’s demeanor, raised their hands towards their weapons.

“Ah.”

After sifting through his memories, Rohan remembered.

[Quest Initiated]