I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City-Chapter 171: Here’s the Admission Fee

“You’re finally here!”

A mysterious figure burst out from the Ichinose estate.

The tone of someone who had clearly been waiting, paired with those beast-like eyes—so familiar in shape.

Rohan’s brain kicked into gear, and in a flash, he figured out who the woman was.

Anyone could tell she looked an awful lot like Noah.

‘First Ichinose’s mother, and now even Noah’s... what is this...’

Just like with Momo, she looked so young that anyone would believe she was just the older sister born a year before her daughter.

Thankfully, Ichinose had provided some info in advance.

So, he began with a greeting.

“Hello. I’m Rohan, a classmate of Noah’s.”

“What a boring guy! Not even giving me a chance to tease him.”

Maybe because her identity had been figured out too easily,

Jane pouted, swinging her thick tail.

“I apologize for not meeting your expectations. Honestly... if Noah hadn’t told me she only had an older brother, I might’ve made the mistake of thinking you two were sisters.”

“Wahaha!!! That’s a bit much, but hey, I guess I do look young!”

Jane tucked in her duck-like pout and laughed heartily, slapping Rohan on the back.

It seemed like things were going smoothly—but Rohan couldn’t laugh.

‘What kind of strength is this...!’

There was no malice in Jane’s actions.

She wasn’t using any magic, nor was she putting her muscles into it—it was just a light pat.

And yet, it was no joke.

Every time she slapped his back, Rohan had to focus all his strength in his lower body and waist to avoid stumbling forward like a fool.

To keep hold of the gift he was carrying, he urgently circulated his mana to steady himself.

As Jane’s laughter faded, her gaze softened.

She looked at Shion and Clara, who were quietly standing to the side, and her lips curled upward.

“These pretty girls are also Noah’s friends?”

Thanks to Rohan mentioning Noah and bowing first,

Shion and Clara remembered what they’d been told on the way here and immediately understood who she was.

“C-Clara... ma’am...!”

“Shion Testarossa.”

Jane’s interest visibly piqued at Shion’s name. Her eyes opened wide.

She’d heard about how close she was to Noah and that she was in Academy City.

But she hadn’t expected to meet her like this.

“That Testarossa? No wonder you’re ridiculously pretty. You’re the most beautiful elf I’ve ever seen.”

“Thank you... Since I’m backed by Tigrova, I should’ve come to greet you first. I apologize for the delay.”

Jane’s smile shifted in tone at Shion’s courteous response.

It was no longer just amused interest. Her mouth and eyes now held a touch of sorrow.

She took a step forward toward Shion.

With both arms spread wide, she clearly intended to hug her.

Then she slowly wrapped her arms around Shion.

Shion didn’t resist, and Rohan and Clara simply watched the ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) scene unfold.

“Sweetheart. It’s the other way around. We of Frozenheart should’ve sought out the Testarossas first.”

“...”

“Do you resent Frozenheart?”

Shion let out a long breath in Jane’s arms.

Thinking of how the Grandmaster Seolho had respected her father as a friend, she shook her head.

“I do not. I was only angry at my own foolishness... and those who deceived me...”

“Mm. You were angry, but?”

Shion turned to look at Rohan and Clara.

And she realized once again—there was no longer a thorn stuck in her heart.

“...Now I can move forward.”

“Wonderful. You’re such a strong and clear-headed girl. Please stay close to Noah.”

Jane gently patted Shion’s back as she praised her.

Then, cutting off the serious mood like a knife, Jane turned her gaze to Clara, who was hiding behind Rohan and minimizing her presence.

A playful glint returned to her eyes.

“You said your name was Clara, right?”

“Y-Yes, ma’am...!”

“Oh my! How can someone be this cute~ Just looking at you makes me want another daughter.”

“Auuu...”

Jane reached out and stroked Clara’s head, causing her to shrink and chew her lip nervously.

While softly playing with Clara’s hand, Jane’s gaze drifted back to Rohan—

But she didn’t get a chance to say anything more.

She clicked her tongue with disappointment as she looked back.

“My daughters sure are quick on the uptake.”

Just as Jane finished her sentence, Ichinose came rushing over at full speed.

Right behind her, Noah came bounding in.

And in the distance, Momo could be seen slowly strolling over.

“Yay! You got here sooner than I thought!”

“W-Welcome! You must be tired from the long trip...”

As she spoke, Ichinose finely scanned the atmosphere.

It didn’t look like anything had happened yet.

She swallowed a sigh of relief.

“I’m glad to see you both looking healthy.”

“Mm, nothing better than that.”

“H-Hi, unnies...”

As light greetings were exchanged, Momo silently arrived from the far end.

Rohan bowed his head and held out the gift he’d brought.

“Mother. Hello. This isn’t much, but...”

“Oh my, thank you. I hope inviting you over didn’t place any burden on you, Cadet Rohan?”

“Not at all. I simply wanted to express my gratitude in my own way.”

Momo accepted Rohan’s greeting and gestured for them to come inside.

“Even if it’s just a short visit, let’s talk inside. We can’t leave such important guests standing out in the street.”

As Momo moved, the rest followed behind in a small crowd.

Once they passed through the Ichinose family’s front gate, a wide courtyard came into view.

A well-maintained pond and buildings—Rohan and the others couldn’t hide their admiration as they took it all in.

That’s how they arrived at the Ichinose household.

And the moment they did, Jane spoke up.

“Just think of me and Momo as invisible. Go ahead and enjoy your reunion. I’m sure you friends have a lot to talk about.”

“...”

Baby-nose avoided Jane’s grinning gaze and approached Rohan.

It was true—they hadn’t properly greeted each other earlier. So her behavior probably didn’t seem strange.

As Baby-nose drew close, Rohan smiled and spoke first.

“Been doing well?”

“Yes... Have you been doing well too, Rohan?”

“Me? I’ve just been training and waiting for today.”

“H-Hmph... You’ve been waiting just for today...? I see...”

The innocent look of a girl facing the boy she had a crush on.

She tried to act indifferent and composed, but anyone who knew her could see right through it.

“That outfit—you don’t usually wear it, right? Is it new? Or something you had at home?”

“I bought it when I went shopping with Noah. D-Do you think it suits me...?”

“It’s pretty.”

When Rohan casually gave his honest opinion,

Ichinose instinctively curled her pale toes, which Jane didn’t miss.

‘So this stiff Ichinose Yui acts like this when she’s in love, huh.’

The heat and ticklish awkwardness of youth. Just watching it was entertaining.

Jane bit her lower lip to keep from bursting out in laughter as she stood beside Momo.

‘Oh my, oh my.’

Momo felt the same joy.

Seeing a new side of her daughter brought a unique sense of fulfillment only a parent could know.

Shion and Clara were chatting more loudly with Noah now, but—

Both Jane’s and Momo’s attention remained fixed on Rohan and Ichinose.

“Are you all ready for the beach?”

“Yeah... Did you prepare properly too, Rohan? You brought your swim gear, right?”

“Bought a swimsuit online. Not much to it for guys.”

“Tch...”

“I still picked one carefully though. Even exchanged it once.”

“Hmph, since Rohan picked it with his own sense of style, I guess I can look forward to it?”

“Then I get to look forward to yours too, right?”

“Pervert...”

Realizing what he meant, Baby-nose blushed and gave Rohan a little shove with her shoulder.

That movie-like scene was too much for Jane—she broke into applause.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

After clapping, Jane pulled a wallet from her bosom and took out a thick stack of checks.

She held them out to Rohan.

“Take it.”

“Pardon? This is...?”

Rohan blinked at the bundle of money.

Jane, in a voice half-drunk in tone, replied:

“Admission fee.”

“Excuse me?”

“W-What are you even saying!”

Ichinose jumped and quickly dragged Jane away to a corner.

Left behind with Momo, Rohan gave an awkward smile and asked something that had been on his mind.

“Ma’am.”

“Yes~?”

“I’d also like to pay my respects to your husband, if I may.”

At Rohan’s polite inquiry,

Momo chuckled into her sleeve as she replied.

“My husband’s at the company right now. He really wanted to make time, but he’s been so busy lately it turned out this way.”

“Ah... Then I’ll be sure to visit again before I head back.”

Momo nodded with a pleased smile.

Just then, Noah, with a camera slung around her neck, lightly tapped Rohan with her tail and asked,

“So, when are we leaving? What if the sun sets before we get anywhere?”

“We have to at least say goodbye. If it gets too late, we can just eat something good and go swimming tomorrow.”

“Then let’s get meat! Meat!”

“It’s my first time in Samhwa Nation—I want to do a little sightseeing too.”

Noah nodded in understanding.

Just then, Ichinose returned, face flushed, along with Jane, who was smirking mischievously.

“L-Let’s go now...”

Ichinose grabbed her suitcase by the entrance.

At that signal, everyone put on their shoes and finished getting ready to leave.

Ichinose cooled her face with a hand fan, then turned to Momo to say goodbye.

“...Mother. We’ll be back soon.”

“Have a good time. All of you, enjoy yourselves.”

“Thank you!”

Momo and Jane waved cheerfully as the group bid them farewell.

Their bright smiles made Rohan feel completely at ease.

Out in the courtyard, Rohan picked up both Ichinose’s and Noah’s suitcases with ease.

“Since I’m the servant on this trip, give me your bags. I get antsy if I don’t use my stamina.”

“Ah! It’s fine, really...”

“Hehe, I’m not turning that down! Thanks!”

Ichinose and Noah each responded in their own way as they headed toward the vehicle.

Jane and Momo watched from afar, completely satisfied with the scene.