Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Hot Springs
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That was the moment Akira grabbed my collar, veins bulging on his forehead.
"What are you doing?"
"Let that go, you fucking bastard!"
Erina and Baek A-rin appeared, dressed in gowns.
Baek A-rin wore a deep blue gown, while Erina's was a lighter shade of blue.
'This is insane.'
Honestly, they were stunning.
They'd always turned heads, but this was on another level entirely.
It was as if they belonged to a different species altogether—their beauty drew every passerby's gaze without fail.
Even Akira stood there dumbfounded, staring at them.
Then he abruptly released my collar, shoving me aside as he approached them.
"Haha, a pleasure, ladies. I'm Akira of the Hanakiryu Clan. Might I have the honor of your beautiful names?"
Akira flashed a smile, greeting Baek A-rin and Erina.
The way he emphasized 'Hanakiryu Clan' was almost comical.
But Baek A-rin ignored his greeting, her expression icy as she spoke.
"I asked you—what's going on here?"
Either misreading her face or just dense, Akira chuckled slyly.
"There was this arrogant punk, so I was just about to teach him a lesson. A mere waiter lacking any manners..."
Baek A-rin stared at him in disbelief.
"You? Teach him a lesson?"
She pointed at me repeatedly, double-checking.
"Yes, that's right."
Baek A-rin shrugged with an amused smirk.
"In that case, go ahead and give it a try. Who knows? Impress me, and I might even dance with you."
She glanced my way as she said it.
That was definitely aimed at me.
Why drag yourself into this mess?
Akira leaned in close and whispered to me.
"Consider yourself lucky, punk. If it weren't for the ladies, I'd make you regret being born."
No, the moment you started threatening me, my feelings were already wrecked.
"Aigoo, if I don't concede to avoid a beating, what else can I do?"
I scratched my head and grinned. Akira's eyes narrowed.
"You mocking me right now?"
"Yep, sure am."
Akira reached for me, clearly intent on flipping me over.
'Fast.'
The Hanakiryu Clan was definitely martial arts-related.
Probably using some body-enhancement skill.
But that wasn't enough to catch me.
I lightly deflected his hand and dodged.
Akira stared at me, flustered as I evaded.
"No way an amateur swing like that was gonna land."
"You little shit!"
He charged at my taunt, just like that.
This must be what it felt like against a weakened Lee Seong-hyeon.
This time, he put real weight behind it, closing in fast.
Fine, then I'd respond in kind.
I grabbed his incoming wrist and shoved him forward in his momentum.
Unable to control his force, his center of gravity pitched forward.
His chin slammed straight into the carpet.
"Gahk!"
Ouch, that had to hurt.
To onlookers, it probably looked like he'd tripped over his own stupidity.
From the clumsy skill use, he seemed hopeless in a real fight.
What gave him the confidence to jump in?
Akira staggered to his feet, legs shaking, pointing at me furiously.
"You! You just insulted the Hanakiryu Clan. Better pray you can watch your own back."
Hopeless.
Couldn't handle it personally, so now he's dragging in his clan.
What a headache.
Baek A-rin cut in before he could continue.
"I'm Baek A-rin, legitimate heir of Korea's Snow Mountain Clan. You're Akira of the Hanakiryu Clan, right?"
Akira's eyes widened in shock.
"S-Snow Mountain?"
"That's right—the Snow Mountain Clan that supports your clan's traditional martial arts hunter activities. I think my father mentioned something about being impressed by that martial spirit."
Akira forced a laugh.
"Haha..."
"But what I just heard sounded an awful lot like a threat. Lose to one guy, then bully him with your family's power—is that the martial spirit your clan prides itself on?"
"No, that's not—"
Baek A-rin scowled, her gaze freezing over.
"Apologize to him. Beg properly. Then I'll let it slide."
She must've walked in on this power trip.
Who knew the Hanakiryu and Snow Mountain Clans were connected like that?
Akira shot to his feet, unable to take it anymore.
"Even so, to a damn waiter!"
Baek A-rin and Erina stepped up to flank me on both sides.
"He's the man under my protection—and my fiancé. Oh, and by the way, he's also the owner of Erina Esnatia standing right here."
"A-rin, what the hell are you saying?! Owner?!"
I'd never heard that one before. Blindsided.
Who decided we were engaged?
Akira's eyes glazed over at their words.
Then his face twisted in regret as he looked at me.
Baek A-rin pressed on, eyeing him.
"He's also the hottest hunter in Korea right now. Even if you live off your parents' fame, surely you keep up with basic news?"
Akira ground his teeth, glaring at me.
"My apologies. I must've been mistaken."
"Now get lost. Hanakiryu? Never heard of it. Shitty name from the start."
Damn, Erina, at least do some research.
Akira trembled, teeth clenched at their words.
I turned to the smugly smiling Baek A-rin and Erina.
"You two okay with going that far?"
Baek A-rin gave me a puzzled look.
"The fiancé thing? Why, you hate it?"
"No, not that. Your reputation, connections—all that."
I figured she'd care a ton about stuff like that.
"What could a pipsqueak clan bragging like that even do? Besides, look around."
The commotion had drawn a crowd of stares.
"See? Made you famous."
"What if it's infamous?"
Baek A-rin spread her hands innocently.
"Hunters? Skill is everything.
No need to bother introducing you anymore—makes things easier for me."
"If you're fine with it."
"Plus, the best way to handle idiots flashing family power is to crush 'em with the same. Teaches 'em the pecking order so they don't try it again."
Baek A-rin smiled sweetly.
Erina sidled up, twirling once.
"More importantly, got nothing to say, Si-woo?"
She was clearly fishing for compliments on her gown.
Better be honest.
"Insane. Gorgeous. No denying it. World's top GOAT!"
"Wh-what's that supposed to mean?!"
Caught off guard, she shoved me away and clutched her flushed cheeks with both hands.
"Just calling pretty what is. What else?"
"W-well, the gown is definitely pretty."
Erina glanced shyly at her dress.
What was she misunderstanding? This girl.
Time to clear it up.
"Your stunning looks and unreal figure make the gown shine, Erina! You're the best here tonight!"
Erina squirmed, twisting side to side.
"Y-you look great too, Si-woo."
"No! You're the best. No one's topping you here!"
At my shout, Erina—genuinely embarrassed—scurried to a corner and vanished.
"What was that?"
Baek A-rin stared at me quizzically.
"She asked for my thoughts, so I gave 'em."
Truth was, her reactions were too fun—I got carried away.
But not a single word was a lie.
Then Baek A-rin kicked my shin.
"Gahk..."
Ouch. Really hurt.
She meant it as a joke, but her kicking power was no joke.
Baek A-rin pouted primly.
"That's all you got to say?"
"No, there was one more, but I forgot. Ma'am."
Only then did she look satisfied.
"Out with it."
"Eyes deep as the sea and blue as gems. Your smile blooms cold and elegant like a winter flower, utterly captivating. Your short silver hair sparkles like stars in the night sky. Your petite frame and delicate build..."
My shin throbbed again.
"Ow! It hurts!"
"Kim Si-woo, let's just die together tonight."
Unfair.
Not a single lie in what I said, either.
...
Thanks to the unexpected drama, we bailed on the social early.
"So, that's it? We're done here?"
I asked Baek A-rin. She looked at me like I'd lost it.
"You come all the way to Japan and think we're just heading back?"
"Well, shopping or something?"
"First time in Japan?"
"Yeah, never had the chance."
Baek A-rin nodded, grinning.
"I know a great ryokan. Least I can do is treat you to some hot springs."
"Hot springs, huh."
A day off wouldn't hurt.
The academy was still far from repaired, anyway.
Erina shook her head at Baek A-rin.
"A-rin! What's this hot spring nonsense? Don't be ridiculous—let's go home! Everyone knows Korean saunas are the best for bathing!"
Who the hell raised this girl?