The White Tiger Grand Duke had asked how Noah was doing in Academy City.
Shion recalled the last time she saw him and honestly responded that he seemed healthy and happy.
As a father, that answer was the best possible one, and the Grand Duke looked satisfied.
In return, he answered a few of the questions Shion had been curious about in a straightforward manner.
"I’ve already sent word. Your identity should be reinstated within thirty minutes."
"Thank you."
With Yuhora leading the way, Shion was escorted to the place where the Testarossa estate had been stored.
Walking through a deep underground corridor, she passed by hundreds of doors.
Eventually, Yuhora stopped before one, indistinguishable from the others.
"This is it."
"..."
There were no numbers or distinguishing marks on any of the doors in the hallway.
How had she found it?
Had Yuhora memorized the entire layout of this space?
As Shion pondered, Yuhora simply tapped the entrance lightly with her fan.
With that alone, the tightly shut door slid open smoothly, as if freshly oiled.
"Shall we?"
"Yes."
Following Yuhora’s confident stride, Shion stepped inside—
And was immediately faced with an overwhelming trove of wealth and valuables.
Yuhora, tail swaying as she surveyed the collection once again, remarked with admiration.
"With assets like this, you could waste money on the most foolish indulgences, and it wouldn’t even make a dent. You could live a life of luxury forever without lifting a finger. It’s a dream most people share."
While Yuhora spoke of common aspirations, this was not a future that appealed to Shion.
If she remained idle here, she feared Rohan and Clara would drift beyond her reach.
"Even so, I don’t think I’ll be sitting still. I still have things I want to do, and I’m painfully aware of how much I lack in experience."
"Oh? That’s admirable. In that case, you can think of this as a privilege that allows you to afford a few failures."
"Thank you for your kind words."
Yuhora found herself liking Shion.
Perhaps it was because she had fond memories of the Testarossa she had met in the past.
"If there’s anything you’re curious about or need an explanation for, feel free to ask me anytime."
"Thank you."
As their conversation ended, Shion stepped forward and began examining her surroundings.
More than the brilliantly arranged jewels and antique ornaments in their ornate cases, something else caught her eye first.
"..."
A portrait of her parents, hanging on the wall.
It was a painting she had seen as a child—one that had once hung in the halls of the Testarossa palace.
The moment she laid eyes on it, emotions surged within her, and her vision blurred with unshed tears.
Beneath it, carefully preserved, were books.
Her mother’s child-rearing diary. A photo album filled with images of her childhood.
Things that should have been filled without a single blank space in the pages beyond.
Her emotions welled up, making her nose sting.
But Shion focused on her breathing, calming herself.
She had no intention of turning this place into a sea of tears.
"I’ve already cried enough."
These treasures she had regained under the name of inheritance—
They were no mere possessions. They would serve as the foundation of her strength and the pillar of her endurance in difficult times.
After spending a long moment staring at the photos and regaining her composure, she finally lifted her head.
Yuhora, ever respectful, addressed her again.
"You don’t have to take everything. This room can remain as it is, or we can move the items to a location of your choosing."
There was no need to rush any decisions today.
Yuhora assured her that she had plenty of time to sort through what she wanted to keep or discard.
But Shion didn’t have that kind of luxury.
"Still... I’d like to secure at least some living expenses. I’ve received too much help from others."
Right now, she was completely penniless—she had even relied on Rohan to get to Tigrova.
Once she returned, she would need to secure a place to stay in Academy City and prepare essential supplies.
With that in mind, Shion examined the various gems and accessories, though she had no knowledge of their value.
Watching her, Yuhora couldn’t help but sigh with concern.
"She doesn’t realize how valuable these are... She’ll probably be willing to sell them for a pittance and think it’s a fair deal."
Shion was worrisome, though in a different way than Noah Frozenheart, the Grand Duke’s youngest daughter.
Each of these treasures held immense historical significance and rarity.
The thought of such exquisite items being devalued by some silver-tongued merchant was enough to make Yuhora seethe.
"This must be why the Grand Duke assigned me to assist her."
A subject must always follow the will of the king.
With that in mind, Yuhora pulled a smartphone from her loose sleeve and approached Shion.
"Then, would you like me to recommend a few items that would be worth selling?"
***
Was it because Shion and Clara had slept here?
Recently, the bed had been exuding an overwhelming sweetness, far beyond its usual comfort.
Lying on that very bed, Rohan was on speakerphone with Shion.
─ Anyway, that’s how my missing person status was revoked. It felt strange to be ‘brought back to life’ from a legal standpoint... but at least my identity is resolved.
"That’s a relief."
─ On another note... I’d like to show at least some courtesy to Yuhora, who has helped me extensively. She was the first to invite me to a meal, and rejecting her wouldn’t feel right.
"Go ahead. It’s a good opportunity."
Rohan knew exactly who Yuhora was.
She had made a brief appearance in an Abyss City lore video.
Being a well-known figure in Tigrova, searching for her name online would flood the screen with results.
"So, you’ll be staying an extra day?"
─ No, I’ll return as soon as the meal is over. I won’t be staying overnight.
"So just a few hours’ difference, then. If the timing works out, Clara and I will come meet you at the station."
─ If there’s time, I won’t refuse a pickup.
Rohan smiled naturally.
Shion was chattier than usual—probably because things had gone smoothly in Tigrova.
It felt good to hear her like this.
After all, he had made a conscious effort to help her reach this point.
A comfortable silence settled between them.
A brief pause in the conversation.
Then, Shion let out a faint chuckle.
─ Fufu...
"Something good happen?"
─ I’ll show you when I return. You can look forward to it."
Excitement could be heard in her voice.
She definitely had something planned.
After that, the conversation drifted into casual chatter.
Then, Rohan remembered something he had yet to mention—something that had just been finalized.
It was something Clara would hear about tomorrow at the bookstore, but he might as well let Shion know now.
"Oh, by the way, I went ahead and prepared some side dishes, just in case."
─ Hm?"
"The Academy’s practical exam schedule changed. We’ll be on an uninhabited island from Monday to Friday."
─ ...
Before Rohan could even tell her that there was plenty of food for her and Clara to share, Shion’s voice turned suddenly firm.
─ I’m coming back to Academy City immediately.
"...?"
─ If something urgent has come up, Yuhora will understand."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
There was no hesitation in her tone. She was completely serious.
Rohan abruptly sat up in bed.
"It’s not like you won’t see me. You’re not staying away for years."
─ That’s true, but...!
"You should finish what you need to do properly. Saying a proper farewell is important too, isn’t it?"
─ ...I understand.
She listened well.
Yet, there was an unmistakable hint of sulking in her voice.
Rohan struggled to hold back his laughter.
"Shion."
─ ...Yeah?"
"I have something to show you too when I get back. So look forward to it."
─ !
Rohan’s gaze shifted to the shopping bag on his table.
Inside were two plush toys, carefully selected with advice and recommendations from Waterdrop Friends expert Ichinose.
A teary-eyed pink dragon and a slightly dumb-looking shark.
The classic plush versions of Ululy and Blueby.
Of course, Rohan knew that Shion had a subtle fondness for those characters.
It was obvious, considering how her notes from their first meeting had been full of doodles of them.
As for Clara, he had chosen a hairpin instead of a stuffed toy.
Originally, he had considered surprising her with clothes or shoes, but not knowing her exact size had been an issue.
Sure, he could have included the receipt so she could exchange it—
But for Clara, even that would have been a hassle.
"Not like I bought it on a whim."
Somehow, the hairpin had cost more than the plush toys.
Maybe because it had gold dust embedded in it.
But was this something he could skimp on?
The black shine of the hairpin would blend well with Clara’s violet hair. That alone made him reach for it instinctively.
"This is a rational expense."
Considering how Abyss City never released character skins, this was the only logical conclusion.
This was an irresistible indulgence for Rohan.
─ ...I’ll look forward to it.
"Don’t expect too much. Keep your expectations reasonable."
The traces of her sulking seemed to dissipate.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
The conversation flowed smoothly again, jumping between various topics.
Then—
─ Rohan, I have a question.
"What is it?"
─ Tell me the name of the cologne you use.
"Cologne? What cologne?"
─ The one you wear every day."
"I don’t use cologne."
After all the effort he had put into saving money, why would he splurge on something like that?
Even now, when he had more financial freedom, it wasn’t something he paid attention to.
He firmly believed that a person’s natural scent was the best fragrance.
─ You don’t use cologne?
"Yeah. Not even once. I don’t own any."
─ ...That can’t be right."
A rustling sound came from the other side of the phone.
Whatever Shion was doing, it seemed her attention had drifted away from the call.
Rohan called out to her.
"Shion."
─ Ah!"
"Call Clara too. Let her know what’s going on. She’s probably waiting to hear from you."
─ U-Understood...
Shion, flustered and stumbling over her words, hurriedly ended the call.
Rohan scratched his head at her strange reaction, then began preparing for the next day.
After all—
Their time on the uninhabited island was just around the corner.