Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Japan Trip (1)
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"..."
Having lain frozen on the bed for a while, Se-yeon Jeong slowly pushed herself upright.
The fact that she'd let Ha-seong see such an embarrassing scene had hit her hard.
But she couldn't just stay put forever.
"Haa..."
Se-yeon thought it would be awkward facing Ha-seong starting tomorrow, let out a deep sigh, and picked up her smartphone from the charger.
She preferred to handle any issues immediately.
That's why she planned to request the Hunter Association's help with the Japan trip right away.
It might not be polite to call so late.
But Se-yeon was one of the fewer than twenty S-rank Hunters in Korea.
Her guild and the Association both had dedicated teams running 24/7 to address her concerns.
So she could make the call without hesitation.
Ring ring.
The call connected before the second ring.
[This is Team Leader from Hunter Association Team 1.]
"Ah, hello, Team Leader."
[Yes, Hunter Se-yeon Jeong. What can I do for you?]
"I have a small favor to ask."
[Just say the word!]
"My family and I are planning a trip to Japan."
[When do you plan to depart?]
"The sooner, the better."
[Hmm... How about tomorrow?]
Se-yeon pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Tomorrow works. But we'll need to adjust everyone's work schedules."
[We'll coordinate with the guilds on our end. Your family can just relax and enjoy the trip.]
"That would be a huge help. Thank you."
[It's the least we can do for Korea's treasure, Hunter Se-yeon Jeong!]
The brief call ended, and details on flights and hotels arranged by the Association flooded her smartphone.
"Hm."
Korea's Hunter Association was a highly competent organization.
Narita Airport, Japan.
I passed through the diplomat-exclusive customs line and emerged into the airport.
The interior buzzed entirely in Japanese.
That's when it finally sank in that I was in a foreign country, not Korea.
"This actually worked..."
Even though I'd asked my big sister, I figured a trip like this would take a lot of time.
Surprisingly, less than half a day after entrusting it to her, everything had gone smoothly.
"Wow... We're really overseas..."
"Yeah..."
My little big sister and big sister had overseas work trips under their belts.
But for my younger sister and me, this was our first time abroad.
Naturally, we felt wonder from the airport onward.
As we looked around, my little big sister sidled up slyly.
"Little bro."
"Yeah?"
"Got any plans set?"
This was a family trip, but at my younger sister's strong insistence as the original proposer, we'd decided on free time during the day and family activities from evening on.
She'd filled hers with anime pilgrimage spots, but I hadn't planned mine yet.
"Nah, nothing firm so far."
"Hmm..."
My little big sister flashed a sultry smile and slipped her arm through mine.
"Then date with your big sis."
"..."
"Wandering a strange foreign country alone sounds scary... I feel safe with a reliable guy like Ha-seong!"
"You're S-rank... And I have no combat skills..."
"W-Well, true."
I watched her look a bit awkward and sank into thought.
A date with my little big sister.
Memories of what happened before naturally surfaced.
We'd gone beyond kissing to something like sex.
Acting like it was a normal date now felt too far gone.
If more time had passed, maybe, but it hadn't even been a week.
I was about to refuse.
"..."
But seeing her sparkling eyes made it hard.
She'd definitely be disappointed if I said no.
I hated seeing that dejected face.
Hesitantly, I asked.
"You're okay dating me?"
"Yep!"
"Even after... what happened?"
She paused briefly.
Then answered nonchalantly.
"That was as lovers. Now we're family, right?"
"..."
She was terrible at lying.
She clearly didn't think that way inside.
But she didn't realize it showed.
"Dating between siblings isn't weird at all."
"You won't cross the line for real?"
"Nope. Just a nice date between close siblings. I'll keep it there."
"..."
The moment she mentioned the line, it wasn't a normal sibling date.
But I stopped playing hard to get and nodded.
"Alright. Looking forward to today."
"Leave it to me!"
I gently detached my little big sister's arm and approached my big sister.
She was talking with someone from the Japanese Association.
I waited for them to finish and sidled up.
"Sis?"
"Huh...?"
She froze when I spoke.
Probably awkward from yesterday's massage.
I'd gotten used to it from past experiences as the little brother, so her shy reaction only fazed me briefly, but she was still embarrassed.
"I'll hang with little big sis today and be back by night."
"With Da-jeong...?"
The air grew heavy at the mention.
Given the overnight stay suspicions, my big sister eyed us warily.
She didn't like us going together.
"...You'll be back by dinner?"
"Yeah, we promised family time evenings. I'll head to the hotel before then."
"In that case... okay."
"Thanks."
I gave a quick thanks and returned to my little big sister.
She'd overheard and smiled brightly.
"Let's head out! No time to waste."
"Sure."
To make it back to the hotel by evening reservation, we had to hustle.
Our luggage from Korea would be delivered by the Japanese Association staff, so no worries there.
I linked arms again with my little big sister and left the airport.
My big sister's meaningful expression at the end nagged at me.
But what could go wrong?
"Heehee, what do you wanna eat, Ha-seong?"
"Anything you like is fine."
"Aw, come on. You must want something on a Japan trip."
"Hmm... Not really anything specific."
"Hmmm... Okay. What to eat then..."
Outside the airport, she fiddled with her phone.
Searching for good eats, probably.
Japan food tour.
Not bad, but since it was just us, maybe something more memorable.
A spot popped into my head.
"Sis."
"Yeah?"
"We planned an amusement park before but didn't go."
"Oh... Right."
She nodded, memory jogged.
We'd aimed for one, but she looked exhausted, so we did the Han River instead.
I'd forgotten briefly, but thinking of memories in Japan brought it back.
Two famous ones here.
"Wanna make up for it this time?"
Her eyes sparkled.
"I'd love to!"
"Hmm..."
At the airport after Da-jeong Jeong and Ha-seong left, just Se-yeon and Yu-rim remained.
Se-yeon hadn't planned much despite the trip, so she pondered over lunch with Yu-rim.
They'd left midday and promised to return before dinner, so nothing weird would happen in that time.
But the unease deep in her heart wouldn't fade.
"Sis, not eating?"
Oblivious to her worry, Yu-rim smiled brightly while eating matcha ice cream.
"Nah, no appetite. You have it."
"If you're offering... can't say no."
After dumping her ice cream on Yu-rim, Se-yeon sighed deeply.
Then resolved herself and stood.
"Huh?"
Yu-rim eyed her oddly.
Se-yeon ignored the gaze.
"You're heading out in an hour, right?"
"Yeah, got train tickets."
"Then I'll pop somewhere and be back."
"Okay."
"See you later."
She bolted from the restaurant and called the Japanese Association contact.
[Yes, Hunter Se-yeon Jeong.]
"You're tracking my family, right?"
[Not tailing, but we have rough locations.]
"Where are they headed?"
[...Appears to be an amusement park.]
"Send a car. I'll follow."
[Right away. Anything else?]
She hesitated at the staff's question, then cautiously added.
"A mask and a deep-brimmed hat. And spare clothes if possible."