"Thank you for the offer. I'll think about it."
"That's an interesting opportunity. I'm not sure about my availability."
"I appreciate your interest. I need time to consider my options."
The repetitive deflections eventually took effect. People began to understand that the new champion had no interest in leveraging his victory for social connections or business opportunities. The crowd of opportunists slowly thinned as they recognised the futility of pressing someone who clearly wanted to be left alone.
Hours passed as Noah waited for his scheduled departure, using the time to chill and wait for the journey home. The resort that had been his temporary residence felt oddly empty now that the tournament had concluded.
Finally, his transportation arrived. The bus ride back toward Tokyo felt peaceful after the constant interruptions at the resort, giving Noah time to reflect on everything that had transpired over the past week.
