Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Making an Appointment
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'She's sulking.'
Lee Jae-hoon chuckled softly to himself as Cheon I-ryeong's expression came to mind while he drove the sedan toward the address she'd texted him.
A light sulk? Hopefully at least a medium one...
It seemed like she'd gotten upset because he'd contacted someone before her, but a medium sulk was something he could smooth over.
'She has so many delicate sides.'
After his commanding officer's death, Lee Jae-hoon had awakened in disillusionment with the military and left the service. It had been two years now since he'd stayed by the officer's daughter's side to protect her.
Blood couldn't be denied, after all. She was always rushing around busily to save people, yet she'd sulk at the drop of a hat if he didn't show her any attention.
Women were truly hard to understand.
'Maybe if I ask Iroha to reach out to her directly...'
That should do it.
Her eyes would light up the moment the topic turned to their cute little saintess. One phone call ought to be enough.
-You have arrived at your destination.
Lee Jae-hoon parked at the navigation prompt and checked the house at the address. When he rang the bell, Iroha emerged from the yard in a light t-shirt to greet him.
"Thank you for coming."
"No trouble at all. Call me anytime."
He followed the bashful Iroha inside. There was a pool in one corner of the yard, along with piles of materials scattered about. Otherwise, everything felt pristine and brand new.
The association must have set this up.
He recalled Hunter Bureau Minister Jin Tae-san shielding Iroha right after they exited the gate. They'd put in some effort on their end too, but the government had somehow gotten there first...
The guild recruitment had fallen through, but he'd rushed over at her request anyway—partly for any possible future opportunities, and—
'What does it matter when she saved our lives?'
She had appeared amid that land of death, radiant with brilliant light.
It was awe at the literal descent of a saintess.
"Have you moved in? The place is quite spacious."
"Yes, but it's unnecessarily big, so cleaning is a hassle."
"...And your family?"
"Uh, um..."
Ah—why had he made such a slip?
Lee Jae-hoon let out a deep internal sigh at Iroha's hesitant response. What reason could this young girl have had for asking for help?
Whatever her circumstances, the irony was that Iroha—who seemed to have lived independently without anyone to rely on—had become the healer every hunter longed for.
"Is this it?"
"Yes. That, the shelves, and the frames... Sorry about this."
"It's fine."
The computer, a toppled shelf, and unmounted frames were just taking up space around the living room.
She'd gotten excited about moving and bought all sorts of things, but apparently couldn't handle it all. It was a little amusing.
Once he placed the main unit on the desk and sorted the frames and shelves, the living room felt much roomier.
'So light...'
The grace she'd bestowed weighed like a thousand gold, yet the help he could offer was this trivial.
"I'm really sorry. Next time, I'll call an installer—"
"No need. I'll come."
"Pardon?"
The world might be safe, but it was still harsh.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't tolerate her letting just anyone into her home with that tiny frame and striking looks.
"Let me know whenever you need anything. It'd be best that way, to avoid exposing your identity."
"Th-thank... you?"
"What's that outside?"
"Th-that! It's nothing, nothing at all!"
"Hmm... Looks like you were trying to assemble something. Let me take a look."
The materials by the pool were visible through the living room's floor-to-ceiling windows.
A screwdriver lay abandoned—clearly Iroha's handiwork.
He sidestepped Iroha, who was frantically shaking her head in apology and trying to block him, and headed to the pool—
"A slide?"
There was a slide shaped perfectly for smooth gliding.
"Uh, this is— um..."
"Heh... Ah, my apologies. I'll assemble it for you."
Iroha's face turned beet red as she fidgeted beside him. Lee Jae-hoon stifled his laughter and quickly put the slide together.
"Where would you like it?"
"...In the, uh, pool... sort of..."
"I see."
She'd wanted to try a waterslide.
He positioned it right against the pool and finished the installation. Iroha expressed her thanks with her flushed face.
"Thank you... It's hot out—come in for some refreshments and drinks."
"Much appreciated, Iroha."
Back in the living room, Lee Jae-hoon watched Iroha rummaging through the kitchen fridge for a moment.
It was pitiful seeing her tiny body work so hard, but then the slide made him think she was a kid after all.
"Here, have some of this."
The tray Iroha brought out was loaded with gummy bears, banana kicks, peanut sandwiches, turtle chips, and strawberry milk.
'This is insane.'
He'd expected fruit juice or something, but seeing the tray packed with kid-friendly treats made it feel like a low birth rate PSA ad.
If only he had a daughter like this—
No, what unholy thoughts were these?
Startled back to his senses, Lee Jae-hoon took the banana kick packet from Iroha—who was struggling to open it—and easily tore it open onto the tray.
"Delicious."
The sweet snack crumbled sweetly in his mouth for the first time in ages.
He smiled after sipping the even sweeter strawberry milk, and the awkward air eased.
"By the way, Iroha. Your clothes—"
Iroha was sitting on the sofa in just an oversized t-shirt, looking quite precarious.
"Ah, I'm wearing pants!"
She flipped up the hem with a flourish, and Lee Jae-hoon hastily turned his head away.
"Understood, just please lower the shirt."
"I dressed too lightly while doing chores. Sorry."
Was it innocence, or total lack of awareness? Either way, Lee Jae-hoon decided he needed to check on her regularly.
There was always the guild master option too. She might be sulking now, but it'd blow over quick for Iroha's sake.
"The guild master will be disappointed."
"Ah, sorry. I should've told you about joining the association, but things were hectic."
"No need for apologies from you, Iroha. We just fell short. Choose what's best for you."
Having seen Jin Tae-san's press conference, Lee Jae-hoon could guess why she'd chosen that path. The gate had exposed guild rivalries plainly, so Iroha had likely picked it to help more people.
Free treatment rubbed him the wrong way a bit, but Jin Tae-san wouldn't take losses, so it'd be worth watching.
"How's the guild master doing?"
"She recovered quickly thanks to you. She's resting now but should return to duty soon."
"She doesn't know yet, then... I'd like to meet her in person and relay the message. Is that alright?"
It was exactly what he'd hoped for.
He needed Iroha's contact to soothe Cheon I-ryeong's sulk.
"Of course. That might be better. No gates for a while, so take your time chatting."
"Thank you."
"The orb registered well, I take it? Satisfied?"
"I feel like I received something too precious."
"Don't say that. The guild master approved, so use it without worry. The materials are in processing now—should deliver within two weeks at earliest."
"That's too much—"
He insisted she not feel burdened and stood.
"My, time flew. Can't leave the guild master unattended or she'll bolt again... I'll be off, Iroha."
"Ah, yes! Take care! Thank you so much today!"
"No need. Until next time."
He stopped Iroha from seeing him out, got back in the sedan, and headed to the guild with a satisfied smile.
'Association or not, nothing's forever.'
After Lee Jae-hoon left, Dali—the one who'd been hiding—immediately headed to the pool and hopped on the slide. I watched for a bit before curling up on the sofa and tearing at my hair.
"Ugh... I'm dying of embarrassment."
Calling Lee Jae-hoon had been fine.
I'd meant to discuss the association while asking for minor help with the computer and shelves in the living room—
But of all things, he'd spotted the slide. Would he think I was some kid who loved stuff like that?
Come to think of it, the "refreshments" were all kid favorites too. But what could I do? Ever since this body, I'd been craving sweets like crazy.
The fridge didn't have fruit, let alone orange juice.
It was stuffed with zero cola, strawberry milk, and chocolate milk.
Anyway, putting that aside.
Unlike my slight worry, Lee Jae-hoon hadn't seemed too disappointed about me joining the association.
But what about Cheon I-ryeong? She'd chased me all the way to the art academy for recruitment. I needed to meet her to pass on Jin Tae-san's request.
Eh, might as well rip the band-aid off.
I grabbed Cheon I-ryeong's business card, dialed on speakerphone, and after a moment—
"Iroha!!! Are you okay?! Any injuries?!"
"Pardon? No, I'm fine. How's the guild master?"
"Perfect thanks to you! I can't repay this grace—"
Cheon I-ryeong picked up with a vigorous voice that burst through the speaker, sounding anything but freshly recovered from passing out after a monster attack.
She was going on about more favors when I'd already received plenty, so I cut in and got to the point.
"Haha... Glad to hear it. Ah, that— I have a message to pass on. When are you free?"
"Of course! Shall I head out now?"
"No, no. Rest first. The wound was serious—better take it easy just in case."
"Then, date-wise—schedule! Ah! Iroha! Day after tomorrow, Saturday?"
"Sure. See you then."
"Yes! I'll text the location!"
Whew, startling.
I was thrown by her energetic tone, unfit for someone who'd just woken from a monster-induced faint.
Was it my Overpainting skill's power, or just her usual self? Either way, the appointment was set.
Now then, time for a Tower visit after so long?
I hugged the giant beanbag my size, called Dali over, and teleported toward the distant Tower.