Chapter 144
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After finishing the intense investigation on the first day of dispatch, we were at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn with hot spring baths) in Nagoya that the Clan of <Man’s Term> had reserved for us.
The Ryokan is located on the outskirts of Nagoya. At first glance, I saw its antique atmosphere and colorful designs.
According to Shimizu, they intentionally avoided places with many tourists and booked this location. Indeed, as recommended by the locals, it was quiet yet equipped with all the amenities a ryokan should have.
[A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn that typically features tatami-matted rooms]
“Did the Judgment of Fire side go east?”
By the way, our lodging was separated from the Hunting Team 5.
Depending on the direction of the investigation that would begin in earnest tomorrow, the <Judgment of Fire> team went east and the <Anti-Villain> team went west for lodging.
Of course, we would further divide into teams for the investigation within that.
Shimizu, who was in charge of guiding us, nodded at my question.
“Yes. An inland area called Mizuho-gura. Kwon Oh-jun must be quite familiar with the geography since he has visited our clan several times.”
In short, they wouldn’t need a guide over there.
The <Man’s Term> Clan also had accommodations in Nagoya that they frequently used through partnerships, and Kwon Oh-jun seemed to know those quite well since he had come to Japan several times.
After checking in at the lodging, I thanked Shimizu at the entrance.
“Thank you for guiding us this late evening.”
“Not at all. Since we promised to collaborate, I must do my best to assist. Our clan also views this matter as very important.”
Of course.
Since they lacked the manpower to lead the investigation themselves.
Cracking down on smuggling crimes was important for the <Man’s Term> clan as well.
It was an issue directly and indirectly related to their profits.
However, considering that Akiba had gathered all this information yet field investigations hadn’t been carried out… I could see how frustrating the situation must have been before we came.
I briefly thought.
‘Can’t they just pull some escort team members?’
But from the clan’s perspective, that seemed to be beyond the acceptable range.
Plus, despite smuggling crimes needing to be resolved universally, they didn’t share this information.
The reason was probably to monopolize the benefits gained from directly cracking down on smuggling themselves.
Taking all those veiled circumstances into account, the <Man’s Term> clan was just another ordinary clan moving for their own benefit.
Well, it wasn’t something we, who came to collaborate, needed to worry about.
“If any issues arise tonight, please contact me here.”
Shimizu took out a business card.
It had flashy decorations and the clan logo, along with a phone number written on it.
“Thank you.”
“Yes, well then, have a comfortable night.”
With those words, Shimizu left the ryokan.
I put the business card in my wallet, then headed towards the reserved men’s lodge.
The room layouts and designs of Japanese ryokans vary widely by type, but our lodge on the outskirts of Nagoya had the form of a traditional two-story ryokan.
Shimizu said it was reconstructed in a modern style from an old private farmhouse, though honestly I didn’t really understand what that meant and it just looked similar to a Korean hanok hotel to me.
Especially due to the atmosphere and designs, it gave off a distinctly upscale feeling that couldn’t be found in ordinary lodgings.
The men’s rooms were on the left side of the two divided lodges
With the help of the front desk attendant, I was able to arrive at our 2nd floor room quickly.
“Oh, you’re here.”
Of course, there was already a guest in the room.
While I briefly spoke with Shimizu, Park Jin-woo had come up earlier after getting instructions and was resting here.
Sprawled out on the floor in the middle of the living room, he muttered without even looking at me.
This bastard really has no manners.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you mean what am I doing? I’m lying down.”
“Why are you doing this here instead of going into the room?”
“I don’t have the strength to go to the room. I haven’t unpacked either.”
Glancing around, his luggage was haphazardly sitting in one corner of the living room.
Wow…
What a jerk.
Has he just been doing this since arriving?
“Hey. Go unpack. Wash up and rest.”
“Oh… too lazy. And this room is so big, I feel like I could just fall asleep like this without any issues.”
As Park Jin-woo said, our suite was quite spacious.
Starting from this large living room where he was sprawled out, there were two separate bedrooms to sleep in, a multipurpose room to casually eat and chat, shower and toilet facilities.
It was too big to be called a two-person room.
They probably gave us the best premium suite in this ryokan.
I was impressed by the tremendous size, but seeing Park Jin-woo try to just sleep here in the living room made me sigh.
I scratched my head and changed my approach to convince him.
“Come on, does it make sense to come all the way to a ryokan and not use the hot springs?”
“Too lazy. And I’m tired. I used up all my magic with the ultimate skill today.”
“That’s exactly why you should relieve your fatigue. Huh?”
“Nah, not going. Gonna sleep.”
Just like that, Park Jin-woo closed his eyes again.
This jerk is hopeless.
Does everything aside from fighting seem troublesome to him?
I felt like a fool for being impressed with his tactical proposal today.
“Sheesh… I’ll go alone then.”
I sighed and gave up, leaving the lodge alone.
The time wasn’t too late yet, so lights glittered inside and outside the ryokan.
When I arrived at the end of the 2nd floor, the front desk attendant I saw earlier greeted me.
“Do you need anything, sir?”
“Ah, I’d like to use the hot springs.”
“Then may I guide you there?”
“Yes, please do.”
The attendant bowed to me once then led the way to the hot springs.
Going down to the 1st floor and opening the door behind the men’s lodge, an open space appeared.
And there was a small building that looked like shower rooms, with the hot spring area screened off behind it.
“After showering in this building, you may enter the hot springs through the inner entrance. It’s available until 2 AM, and if you need to call for anything, please press the buttons provided in the hot spring and shower rooms.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
The hot spring operation was very professional.
Though it seemed strangely empty of guests…
I guessed it was probably because the lodging fee here was quite expensive despite being located on the outskirts.
I hadn’t seen anyone coming in and out when entering the lodging earlier.
After thanking the attendant, I went into the shower room.
“Oh….”
As expected of a high-end lodging, the shower room was also clean and neat.
Did they clean the shower room every hour here?
It was so clean, without any traces of other guests having come and gone.
After showering, large towels were neatly arranged by the hot spring entrance.
<Please be sure to cover your lower body with a towel before entering.>
I knew Japanese hot springs had an image of going semi-covered, but didn’t realize there were hot springs that required towels.
Was this thoroughness due to it being a high-end lodge?
I smiled absently and entered the hot springs with a towel wrapped around me.
“Oh…!!”
I was impressed at first glance inside.
Colorful flowers and trees appeared to have been cultivated by the ryokan, growing around the area. Beneath them were hot spring baths made of small rocks.
The water was a clear cobalt blue color.
It was a hot spring encapsulating natural scenery and an antique atmosphere all at once.
“Damn…”
As expected, there wasn’t a soul around.
I didn’t know for sure since the <Man’s Term> clan seemed to be covering all expenses, but somehow the lodging fee here seemed quite expensive.
I hadn’t seen anyone coming and going since entering the lodge.
I directly entered the wide open hot spring bath and immersed my body in the water.
“Wow….”
A third exclamation escapes me.
Park Jin-woo, that jerk.
Why would he give this up?
I’ll have to tease him a lot when he wakes up.
I closed my eyes and leaned against a rock.
My mind became tranquil, and my body soaked in a lazy feeling.
It felt like all the fatigue from the day was washing away.
So this is the appeal of hot springs.
I understood why people insist on including a hot springs ryokan when traveling in Japan.
Seeuck-
After about 10 minutes…
Maybe 20 minutes had passed.
I suddenly sensed movement in the solo hot spring.
WasPark Jin-woo not finallyable to resist and decided to come?
Or was it a guest from another room?
With that thought, I slowly opened my eyes.
The sound of movement gradually got closer as another hot spring guest revealed themselves.
And….
“Huh?”
“….Huh?”
A beautiful appearance that instantly filled my vision.
A slender, petite body and long hair.
A towel far larger than mine covering that person.
My close friend who knew me well.
The too familiar appearance of a ‘woman’….
Was right before my eyes.
“Ah.”
And then I finally realized.
Here was.
A mixed bath.
Tl/n: I am not dropping the novel, this is a hobby and I do not expect to make funds on this but there is literally only one supporter for this novel and the cost of the site and editor per month cost more than what 1 supporter can do. Thanks to them though, I can support site and this novel for a while and that is why the chapters per week will be reducing and that alone is not enough cause cost of site.
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