The Three Ichinoses
Before the man and woman caught up in the Monolith plummeted into the Nest of Dream Demons.
Rohan and Ichinose Yui had reunited after classes at Orion Academy ended.
In this world, the two had been missing for roughly ten hours.
Which meant it was now the transition from early dawn to morning.
Friday had flipped over into Saturday.
Fortunately, it was the weekend, and the academy was closed.
Instructor Juyeon had some time on her hands too, so she could attend the Public Security Bureau investigation as a guardian for the cadets.
Rohan and Ichinose Yui had no issues either.
On top of that, Ichinose Momo had cleverly carved out some extra time.
—Shouldn't we fill our stomachs before the investigation? You haven't done anything wrong, after all.
—How about a good nap and then lunch?
Lunch was scheduled loosely for late afternoon.
Both Rohan and Ichinose Yui needed this tension-free break right now.
Rohan, who had to head to the Public Security Bureau with Ichinose Yui, was obviously joining. Momo had invited Sion Testarosa and Clara, who were there, to the meal as well.
The restaurant, set as the meeting spot everyone knew, was confirmed as Ansimjeong.
And the bureau visit was vaguely scheduled for after the meal.
"Yui, have you cleaned your room properly?"
"Don't worry! Nose's room is super clean!"
Noah Frozenheart wagged her tail, answering Momo's question in her place.
As you can see, Ichinose Yui had returned to the academy dormitory with her mother and Noah in tow.
"Should Mom make some side dishes before I go? Are you eating well?"
"Mother worries too much."
This was the girls' dormitory, so men couldn't enter certain areas.
Ichinose Jun was at a nearby café with Juyeon, discussing the uninhabited island incident and this latest mess.
Noah had naturally claimed Ichinose Yui's bed.
With innocent eyes, she blurted out a question that had just occurred to her.
"I just realized—were you with Rohan, Nose?"
"Uh... y-yeah..."
"What'd you two do?"
"N-nothing special... We were just on our way to eat."
"Aha!"
Noah seemed convinced by the simple explanation.
But Ichinose Yui fled the spot as if fearing deeper probing from anyone else.
"...I'm gonna go wash up!"
The girl headed to the bathroom, piling her torn clothes—ones that needed partial disposal—next to the laundry basket.
She started showering to clean herself up.
—Is our Noah enjoying academy life? Anything uncomfortable?
—Yep! It's even more fun going with Nose. For this exam, I even studied on my own—
Even with the door closed, voices drifted in from outside.
The sound wasn't unpleasant. It actually lifted her spirits.
Ichinose Yui smiled faintly as she adjusted the hot water.
...We're really back.
The realization sank in—they'd survived a dungeon with needle-thin odds.
As she lathered her porcelain skin with smooth foam, she reflected on the dungeon's harshness.
If it weren't for Rohan, I wouldn't have made it back either.
She finally understood why so few survived dungeons. It wasn't just monsters—food, water, everything was a killer.
She'd simply been lucky to have Rohan with her.
"..."
Reflecting on her helpless past should have fueled her motivation to train and overcome her shortcomings.
But the girl's thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Her hands, bubbling shampoo into her jet-black hair, froze.
Rohan with those two...
She pictured Rohan waving goodbye, saying they'd meet after rest. Sion Testarosa and Clara had stayed by his side.
She envied how natural it felt for them.
Ichinose Yui finished showering and emerged in pajamas.
Her body, loosened by the hot water, felt ready to collapse into sleep the moment she lay down. With tension gone, mental fatigue crashed in.
"Nose! Let's sleep quick!"
"..."
Noah had already made her spot on the floor.
The blanket, crammed with white tiger characters and meat drawings, was clearly from her own room.
Ichinose Yui lacked the energy to tackle or shove away Noah, who was full of desire to sleep together here. She was too exhausted.
"Mom and Dad will be nearby, so call when you wake up."
"Have you booked a place to rest?"
"Yeah. But we're in Academy City for once, right? Gotta have a little date with Dad."
Momo knew her husband well.
Ichinose Jun's mind must be roiling like massive waves, confronting his daughter's changes.
She found his effort not to show it endearing.
Momo tucked in Ichinose Yui and Noah, turned off the lights with a click, and quietly left the dormitory.
Ansimjeong at 2 p.m.
After a solid nap and shower, Rohan arrived at the restaurant fresh and clean.
He ran into Ichinose Yui's group just as they pulled up with Sion Testarosa and Clara in tow.
"R-Rohan..."
Ichinose Yui whispered like she was signaling him, waving a small hand.
Noah twitched her round ears as she approached, flashing her palm.
"High five!"
Rohan grinned at the inexplicable burst of energy.
He slapped the waiting palm, then bowed to Ichinose Yui's parents.
Sion Testarosa and Clara followed suit politely.
"Thank you for inviting us."
"Feeding my daughter's friends till they're stuffed is a parent's joy. Thanks for coming."
Momo smiled at Rohan and the girls trailing him.
"Mm. Let's go in."
Ichinose Jun's greeting was a mere nod. The opposite of Momo—few words, heavy aura.
He led the way inside.
Despite running a conglomerate, Ichinose Jun had stayed in Academy City with his wife to attend.
Nothing was more precious than family.
And this boy his daughter showed interest in? He weighed heavily on his mind.
"You girls hungry?"
"Starving!"
Noah answered loudest.
Momo, used to Ichinose Jun forging ahead alone, guided the group.
Rohan, following, eyed Ichinose Jun intently.
He was inwardly marveling nonstop.
Is he on Juyeon Instructor's level? Total monster.
Like Juyeon, Ichinose Jun far exceeded what Rohan could gauge.
Walking over the entryway grass without a sound.
Rohan wondered what arc his drawn sword would trace.
"I'm Manager Maeng Do-hyeon. It's an honor to guide you."
The manager emerged upon hearing the news.
After a crisp greeting, he led them on.
The group was shown to a private room deep inside, with its own garden.
Rrrumble—
The door slid open smoothly.
Ichinose Jun, still at the front, took his seat first.
Sion Testarosa and Clara's eyes sparkled as they sat, leaving the middle spot open.
The girls patted the empty seats, calling Rohan.
"O-Oppa...! Sit here!"
"Rohan. Sit already."
Left and right of Rohan were predictably claimed by Sion Testarosa and Clara, as if it were natural.
Despite the spacious table, they pressed close enough for shoulders to touch.
Momo found the fidgety girls utterly adorable.
Ah, young love. So cute.
Among them, the most lovable was her own daughter, who took even that impatient behavior as anxiety.
A glance sideways showed her ready to chew her nails.
"Hehe."
Across from Rohan sat the Ichinose mother and daughter.
Every eye contact with Momo brought a mix of kindness and mischief in her smile, leaving Rohan flustered inside.
As small talk flowed, the food arrived swiftly.
The feast filled the wide table to breaking point.
Noah started devouring like she was drinking the food.
Momo naturally steered the conversation. The twin-tailed and elf girls tensing up every time she spoke was amusing.
How'd he capture an elf's heart at that age?
"Cadet Rohan, surviving two dungeons speaks to a bright future. It'll make an excellent record. Right, dear?"
"Mm..."
Ichinose Jun vaguely affirmed Momo's words.
It was unprecedented, after all.
"I wouldn't have made it back without Ichinose. I got lucky."
"Ichinose... you mean me? Or my husband?"
"..."
Momo's smile deepened at Rohan's stunned silence.
This Rohan cadet had a fierce look but was mature and polite.
The cute glimpses in between made her want to tease him more.
"You should call her Yui, right? There are three people with the same family name here."
"M-Mother...?!"
Ichinose Yui nearly dropped her chopsticks in shock, grabbing them as she spoke.
Momo kept staring at Rohan, not her daughter. Understanding, he corrected himself.
"...I wouldn't have made it without Yui."
Baby Yui ducked her head, face turning tomato-red at being called Yui by Rohan.
Momo, satisfied, continued smoothly.
"Is that so? Our daughter said the same. You two get along well."
"I think we've grown close through academy life."
Momo stifled laughter at her husband's twitching brow.
Time for the real talk.
"Cadet Rohan. Mind sharing some dungeon details? What kind was it?"