Girls in Crisis of Being Neglected for 5 Days -1-
Rex Frozenheart asks how Noah Frozenheart is doing in Academy City.
Sion Testarosa recalls their encounter and honestly replies that she just seemed healthy and happy.
From a parent's perspective, that's the best answer possible, so Rex Frozenheart looks satisfied.
He gives straightforward answers to the few questions Sion had been curious about.
"I've put in the request, so your identity should be restored within 30 minutes."
"Thank you."
Guided by Yoho, Sion heads to the place holding the Testarosa legacy.
Walking a corridor deep underground, they pass hundreds of doors.
Yoho, who is guiding Sion, stops in front of a door that looks utterly identical to all the others around it.
"This is it."
"..."
The doors lining the corridor have no numbers or distinguishing features.
How did she find it? Does Yoho have the entire space memorized?
As Sion harbors that curiosity, Yoho taps the entrance with her fan.
With that alone, the tightly shut door slides open smoothly, as if well-oiled.
"Shall we go in?"
"Yes."
Sion follows confidently behind Yoho as she enters.
They face a space piled high with enormous wealth and treasures.
Yoho's tail swishes in admiration at the items that still impress her every time she sees them, and she announces:
"With this much property, even the most reckless spending wouldn't make a dent. You could live lavishly forever without a care. It's the dream of most people, after all."
Yoho calls it the dream of the masses, but to Sion, it's a future that holds no appeal.
She even feels a fear that simply settling down would let Rohan and Clara slip away to an unreachable distance.
"Still, I have things I want to do, so I don't think I'll stay idle. I feel like I lack all sorts of experiences..."
"Indeed! That's the right attitude. Then think of it as having the privilege to weather a few failures."
"Thank you for the kind words."
Yoho takes a liking to Sion.
Perhaps because she had a good impression of the Testarosa she met in the past.
"If there's anything you're curious about or need explained, just let me know anytime."
"Thank you."
The moment her words end, Sion takes a step forward and looks around.
More eye-catching than the opulent jewels and ornaments neatly arranged in antique cases are certain things.
"..."
Portraits of her parents hanging on the wall.
Paintings Sion saw when she was little. Definitely the ones that hung in the old Testarosa palace.
The instant she faces them, emotions surge, tears welling up.
And below them, books meticulously preserved and arranged.
Her mother's parenting diary and a photo album of Sion's childhood. Items that should have been filled without leaving empty spaces.
Her emotions churn, her nose stinging, but Sion steadies her breathing to calmly compose herself.
She has no intention of turning this place into a sea of tears.
Tears... I've already shed enough.
The treasures reclaimed under the name of legacy are enough as a driving force for growth and a mental pillar to endure hardships.
After a long while gazing at the photos and sorting her emotions, Sion lifts her head.
Yoho politely informs Sion, who maintains the status of Tigrova's precious guest:
"There's no need to take everything by force. You can leave the room as is, or if you tell me your residence, we can transport them for you."
She doesn't need to sort what to dispose of today.
Yoho lets her know there's no need for hasty judgment, but Sion isn't in such a leisurely position.
"Even so... I want to secure at least some living expenses. I've received so much help from everyone around me."
Right now, Sion is so broke that even coming to Tigrova required relying on Rohan.
Once she returns, she needs to find a place in Academy City and prepare consumables for contingencies.
Having explained her situation, Sion ponders the jewels and ornaments she has no knowledge of.
Yoho looks at the girl with pity curving her lips.
Those are such precious gems... She'd probably sell them off for peanuts and call it good.
She's a worrisome girl in a different way from Noah Frozenheart, the youngest daughter of Rex Frozenheart.
Every treasure here has ancient history and extreme rarity.
The thought of such fine items being undervalued by snake-tongued merchants? It's a picture that even Yoho, a collector, can't stomach without murderous intent.
That's probably why His Majesty assigned me to this.
As a retainer, she must follow the king's will.
Yoho pulls out her smartphone from her dangling sleeve and approaches Sion.
"Then, may I, Yoho, recommend some items suitable for disposal here?"
*****
Is it because Sion and Clara slept there?
Lately, the bed exudes an intoxicatingly sweet scent beyond limits.
Lying there, Rohan is on speakerphone with Sion.
"Anyway, my disappearance status has been lifted like that. It felt weird coming back from 'deceased,' but... my identity is sorted for now."
"That's a relief."
"Separately... I want to show at least minimal courtesy to Lady Yoho, who's helped so much. She invited me to dinner first, so refusing would be rude."
"Do that. It's a good opportunity."
Rohan knows who Yoho is too.
She's appeared briefly in Abyss City world lore videos.
As a famous figure in Tigrova, searching her on his phone brings up a flood of info.
"So you'll stay one more day?"
"No, I'll head back right after dinner. It won't cross into the next day."
"That's just a few hours' difference. If the timing works, Clara and I can meet you at the station."
"If there's time, sure. I won't refuse a welcome."
Rohan naturally smiles.
Sion seems more talkative than usual, probably because things went well in Tigrova, and he likes it.
He's definitely worked hard to see this side of her.
A comfortable silence follows.
The call falls briefly quiet.
"Hehe..."
"Something good happen?"
"I'll show you when I get back. Look forward to it."
Excitement colors Sion's voice.
Something's up.
They chat lightly for a bit after.
Then Rohan realizes there's news he hasn't shared yet. Something he'll tell Clara tomorrow at the bookstore, since prep just finished.
"Oh, and just in case, I made as many side dishes as possible?"
"Hm?"
"The academy practical exam schedule changed. Monday through Friday, we'll be on the uninhabited island."
"..."
Before he can even say there's plenty so eat well with Clara, Sion declares in a voice that sinks heavily.
"I'm heading back to Academy City right now."
"...?"
"If something urgent came up, Lady Yoho would understand."
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
Her voice is dead serious, no joke.
Rohan bolts upright in bed.
"It's not like you won't see my face. It's not years away."
"That's true, but...!"
"Do what you need to properly. A proper goodbye is important too, right?"
"...Fine."
She'll do it if told, but her reply and tone subtly pouty.
Rohan can barely hold back his laugh.
"Sion."
"Yeah..."
"I've got something to show you when you get back too, so look forward to it."
"!"
Rohan's gaze shifts to the shopping bag on the table.
Inside are two dolls bought after consulting the Drop Friends expert, Ichinose Yui, for advice and recommendations.
A teary-eyed pink dragon and a somewhat dopey-looking shark.
Classic versions of the characters Uloolee and Bluebie, apparently.
Of course Rohan knows Sion has a subtle interest in those characters. It was obvious from the notepad back when they first met.
And separately.
For Clara, he's prepared a hairpin instead of a doll.
He considered surprising her with clothes or shoes, but not knowing her size was the biggest issue.
Enclosing a receipt for exchanges is an option, but even that might be tough for Clara.
It's not like I grabbed something random.
As if dusted with gold, the hairpin costs more than the dolls.
But how can you skimp on something like this?
The black sheen on the hairpin seems perfect with Clara's purple hair, drawing his hand inevitably.
This is truly rational spending.
Considering Abyss City never released character skins, the answer's clear.
For Rohan, this is an irresistible desire.
"...I'll look forward to it."
"Don't expect too much—just the right amount."
The faint sulk seems to have evaporated.
The chat flows smoothly, topics shifting nimbly.
"Rohan. I have a question."
"What?"
"Tell me the name of the perfume you use."
"Perfume? What perfume?"
"The one you wear around normally."
"I don't use perfume?"
He's been scrimping lately—why would he splurge on luxury like perfume?
Even with financial leeway now, it's not something he'd care much about.
He thinks each person's natural scent is best.
"You don't use perfume?"
"Nope. Never have. Don't even own any."
"...That can't be?"
Rustling comes through the phone.
Whatever she's doing, it feels like Sion's attention drifts from the call, so Rohan speaks up.
"Sion."
"Ah!"
"Call Clara too and update her. She's probably waiting."
"Y-yeah... Got it."
Sion fumbles confusedly and hangs up.
Rohan scratches his head at her baffling reaction and starts prepping for tomorrow.
The uninhabited island life is right around the corner now.