I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City-Chapter 157: Could It Have Been Obvious?

"U-Um, my mother wants to talk to Rohan for a bit..."

"Not Noah, but me?"

Ichinose mumbled, awkwardly nodding.

If what she says is true, it would be unacceptable to make her wait.

Rohan immediately stood up and reached out for the phone.

After a brief hesitation, Ichinose handed the phone to Rohan.

"Yes, I've changed the phone."

─ Rohan, it's Yui's mom. How are you doing?

A gentle voice.

Rohan bit back the words "Oh my" and responded, keeping his mouth shut.

"Of course. How has your mother been?"

─ Of course, she's been fine. I feel bad for forcing this on you when you were probably having fun.

"Not at all. I was just about to get up."

─ I heard from Yui that you're planning to go to the beach?

Momo's voice, as always, had a cheerful tone, but there was something different about it this time.

Though Rohan couldn’t pinpoint why, he could clearly sense that there was a deeper emotion than usual. What it was, though, was still unclear.

"...It's just been mentioned so far. There are no fixed dates or locations."

Rohan, giving a vague answer, glanced at Ichinose, who was listening to the phone conversation.

Rohan had only seen Momo once, so he couldn’t quite gauge her reaction.

Was she telling him not to take her daughter to the beach?

Ichinose fidgeted with her hands for a few seconds, unable to respond.

Then, Rohan heard Momo’s laughter through the phone, followed by a request.

─ Yui seems really excited about going to the beach with you, Rohan, so please take good care of her.

"U-Um, mother...!"

Ichinose shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Her face was bright red, and she couldn’t hide it.

However, Yui wouldn’t shout at her parents to stop—such an option didn’t exist for her.

She could only squirm uncomfortably and pray that no more words would follow.

Rohan, relieved that the situation wasn’t as bad as he feared, smiled and replied.

"I'm also already excited about going with Yui."

─ Oh, Rohan, you’re so straightforward, I like that! Well then, I’ll take care of the beach and the accommodations for you.

"Eh? You’ll provide the beach...?"

The offer of providing accommodations was something Rohan could understand, regardless of whether he accepted or declined.

But offering to provide the beach was a statement he couldn’t make sense of.

─ When Yui was younger, she loved hearing the sound of the waves and collecting seashells, so she often begged me to take her to the beach.

"That sounds like a very heartwarming and happy picture."

Rohan showed he was listening, and Momo immediately continued speaking.

─ My husband bought a private beach back then, so you can use it. You, Rohan, and your friends would probably prefer enjoying the clean waters away from the crowds, right?

"...Huh?"

The sentence was vague and full of omissions that made it hard for an ordinary person to immediately understand.

Rohan slowly mulled over Momo’s words.

'So... Yui liked going to the beach when she was younger, and they bought a beach for that? Is she suggesting we use it?'

Rohan was at a loss for words.

This was the scale of a wealthy family from Samhwa. Could this be «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» the "private beach" he had only heard about?

"Oh! I know which beach you mean!"

Noah, who had been quietly listening and eating the remaining meat on the plate, perked up his round ears.

It seemed like Noah had been to the beach Momo was referring to.

─ Heh heh, Noah, you should come too! I’ll prepare some delicious food and take care of everything while you enjoy.

"I’ll definitely go!"

Noah naturally joined the conversation.

In that brief moment, Rohan exchanged a glance with Ichinose.

"..."

After a silent exchange, Ichinose reached over and wrote something clearly on Rohan's shoulder.

She was firmly expressing her intentions.

'Do as you wish.'

With that clear message, Rohan brought the phone closer again.

"Mother."

─ Rohan, I assume the other friends are coming too, right? The beach has been sitting unused for a while, so it would be nice if you all came to liven it up.

"Thank you. I was in a rush last time, so I couldn’t properly greet you, but I’m glad to have this chance to do so now."

─ So I can take it as a yes? I’m so excited I’ll get everything ready for you.

Rohan couldn’t help but chuckle.

Was there anyone else who would refer to themselves as "Auntie" and still sound so fitting?

"However, we’ll take care of the food and plan the places to visit ourselves."

─ Hmm... Wouldn’t my food not suit young people’s tastes?

In an instant, Momo’s voice turned a little gloomy.

Rohan, startled, straightened his posture and quickly denied it in a firm voice.

"Not at all! That’s absolutely not the case. It’s just... I think one of the joys of a trip is planning it together and figuring out what to eat. I’d like to enjoy that process."

─ Heh~ Well, that’s not wrong.

Momo let out a pleased sound, and it seemed her response wasn’t bad.

─ So, you’re definitely going to the beach with Yui, right?

"I heard Yui is looking forward to it, so I will definitely go."

─ That’s enough for me. I got a little excited.

"I’m sorry for my impolite response after you kindly suggested it. Thank you for understanding."

─ I didn’t think it was impolite. Also, since you’re coming to Samhwa, it would be nice if you could visit my house too.

"I’ll try to coordinate the schedule with everyone as best as I can."

Click!

Rohan, mixing in several words of thanks, ended the call with Momo.

After receiving the smartphone back, Ichinose immediately apologized.

"It must have been surprising to suddenly talk to my mother... Sorry..."

Rohan smiled as he looked at Ichinose, who couldn’t lift her head.

Rather than saying it’s fine or no problem, a better choice presented itself.

"Ichinose."

"Yes..."

"If we go to the beach, I’ll make instant noodles. We’ve been postponing it."

"!"

"There’s nothing more delicious than eating ramen after playing in the water."

"I-I see...?"

Ichinose couldn’t hide her grin at Rohan’s memory.

She hadn’t been able to seize the opportunity and let time pass, but he had remembered.

After finishing their meal, they didn’t immediately disperse.

They moved to a café and continued talking about the practical exam until late, sharing excitement about the upcoming vacation as well.

And then, they parted ways.

Though Ichinose had a desire to see Rohan more, she was satisfied and headed back to the dorm with Noah.

‘Perfect.’

For Ichinose, the most important thing was that she would have a chance to see Rohan even during the vacation.

That alone kept her in a bubbly mood.

After finishing her shower, her smile was still intact.

After drying her hair, taking care of her skin, and slipping into soft pajamas, she lay on her bed, fiddling with her phone when Noah opened the door.

"Did you come back?"

"Excuse me~"

Noah, also having finished showering, entered Ichinose’s room as if it were natural.

She flopped down on the bed beside Ichinose, claiming a spot.

"Noah. Your hair is still wet. I told you to dry it properly."

"Too lazy. You can dry it later, Nose."

Noah’s chubby tail wagged around before resting on Ichinose’s belly.

"Hmmm... If we’re going to the beach, I guess I need to buy a new swimsuit. You’re going to buy one too, right?"

"Of course. Let’s go together."

Ichinose had already been talking about swimsuits with Shion and Clara, who had created a group for that.

The conversation revolved around what kind of swimsuit Rohan would like.

The images and details exchanged were quite suggestive.

***

─ Dear subscribers! From now on, I’m going to survive a month on just one coin!

The sound of Noah watching a video caught in the algorithm filled the room.

But soon, Noah paused the video and turned to see Ichinose messaging someone while lying down.

"Nosé. I suddenly got curious about something."

"Curious about something? What is it?"

"Well... um... I mean..."

The tail that had been resting on Ichinose’s belly moved, rising and swaying.

Ichinose put down her smartphone and turned toward Noah. She met Noah’s eyes, wide open.

"Something’s up? Noah, you’re stalling this much. Did you do something?"

"No! I’m just trying to figure out how to ask."

"Just say what comes to your mind."

Following the advice, Noah flapped her round ears and stared at Ichinose with her blue eyes.

Then she asked.

"Do you like Rohan?"

"···!" ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Noah, who had never been interested in this kind of thing, was suddenly curious.

And so, Ichinose was shocked by the question.

‘No way.’

Then came the thought.

Was it that obvious? Did her behavior give it away so much that even Noah, who wasn’t interested in romance, could tell?

"Isn’t it? Did I misunderstand?"

"···."

Noah asked again, but Ichinose, with her face flushed red, couldn’t respond.