December 31st, New Year's Eve.
This day, the restaurant would not be open.
Because… "Eh~ Why… don't touch me randomly when you're helping me with my obi!" "Tokai-nee, your waist is so thin…"
Tokai Shizen's voice, coming from the second floor of the restaurant, made Maruzensky and Representative Chiaki exchange awkward glances.
Tomorrow was New Year's Day in Japan. According to Uma Musume custom, every New Year, they would go to shrines or similar places to pray for smooth races or no health problems in the coming year.
In short, these were common wishes for Uma Musume.
And precisely because of this.
Representative Chiaki and Maruzensky were now sitting in the closed restaurant.
And it was precisely because these two had jointly bought a kimono for Tokai Shizen that the current situation arose.
Before long, Tokai Shizen, wearing wooden clogs, carefully descended the stairs, accompanied by Chiyo O.
Tokai Shizen, in her kimono, looked at Maruzensky and Representative Chiaki: "H-how is it?"
Tokai Shizen had almost never worn a kimono. Due to her health, she couldn't freely go to shrines or similar places for New Year's prayers every year.
So, a kimono was unfamiliar clothing to Tokai Shizen.
And if there was one type of clothing that was somewhat similar, it would probably only be the shiromuku she wore when she married Rudolph.
Therefore, Tokai Shizen was quite concerned about how she looked in it.
The dark kimono, paired with Tokai Shizen's 棗-red hair, made the expression on her face much more lively.
Looking at Tokai Shizen like this, Representative Chiaki just turned her head: "It's… it's a good match."
After receiving Representative Chiaki's evaluation, Tokai Shizen's gaze shifted slightly, finally settling on Maruzensky.
As the first person to take in Tokai Shizen.
What Tokai Shizen most wanted to hear was Maruzensky's evaluation.
Tokai Shizen's gaze was naturally noticed by Maruzensky.
Facing her gaze, Maruzensky's eyes trembled slightly, but eventually, they settled down. She suppressed her desire to do something.
So, at this moment, she gave an unbiased evaluation: "It's very beautiful."
Saying this, Maruzensky stood up: "Let's go. I'll drive. Let's go to a shrine a bit further away."
The "shrine a bit further away" Maruzensky mentioned was so that Tokai Shizen wouldn't run into Rudolph Symboli.
Although Rudolph Symboli was highly likely to be praying at a shrine near the Symboli Family, it was also possible for her to come to a shrine near Tracen Academy, which is why Maruzensky didn't say much.
Listening to Maruzensky's words, Tokai Shizen hadn't yet responded.
Representative Chiaki looked at her: "You're driving?"
"It's a modified civilian car; the speed can't be picked up."
This explanation made Representative Chiaki and Chiyo O look at her with disbelief.
"No! I'll drive!"
"Do you have a driver's license?"
"This…"
Representative Chiaki, whose reality was shattered by Maruzensky's single sentence, could only declare defeat.
Listening to the linguistic battle between the two, Tokai Shizen just looked at Maruzensky, then at Representative Chiaki.
Tokai Shizen was well aware of Maruzensky's interests, but Tokai Shizen had almost never seen Maruzensky speed.
Only occasionally, Tokai Shizen would see Maruzensky park her red supercar in the garage.
And seeing that Representative Chiaki had no objections, Maruzensky just looked at Tokai Shizen: "Let's go. My car is parked not far away."
"Mm."
After a soft response, Tokai Shizen and the others followed Maruzensky out of the restaurant.
————————————
By the time they reached the shrine, it was already almost 11:30 PM.
In about half an hour, a new year would begin.
Chiyo O, wearing a thick outer coat, merely helped Tokai Shizen out of the car, then looked around.
The shrine Maruzensky chose was very far from downtown Tokyo. If there was no one to pick them up, returning would mean staying overnight in a small town near the shrine before considering leaving.
After Tokai Shizen got out of the car, Maruzensky took Representative Chiaki to find a parking spot.
And as Maruzensky once again stepped on the accelerator, the roar of the engine, mixed with Representative Chiaki's screams, reached Tokai Shizen's ears.
"Maruzen!!!"
Hearing such a sound, Tokai Shizen turned her head, but all she saw were the taillights at the end of the bend.
Chiaki… is she okay?
Before Tokai Shizen could think further, Chiyo O's voice reached her ears: "Tokai-nee, we should go now."
"Mm, okay."
After responding, Tokai Shizen no longer worried about Representative Chiaki. She just turned around and walked up the stone steps behind her.
Chiyo O, beside Tokai Shizen, also didn't quicken her pace. She just walked at the same speed as Tokai Shizen, staying by her side to prevent any accidents to Tokai Shizen.
Soon, the two of them reached the top of the mountain.
There were many people around the shrine. Seeing this scene, Tokai Shizen was slightly surprised.
After all, due to her illness, she had never once attended a New Year's Hatsumōde, so she naturally couldn't imagine that even a small town's shrine could have so many people.
Noticing this, Tokai Shizen said nothing. She just moved slightly off the main path to the side; the two of them still had to wait for Representative Chiaki and Maruzensky.
And Chiyo O, seeing that Tokai Shizen wasn't continuing forward, also said nothing, just stood by Tokai Shizen's side.
About twenty minutes later, Maruzensky and a pale-faced Representative Chiaki finally made it up the mountain.
Looking at their condition, Tokai Shizen wanted to say something, but Maruzensky spoke first: "Chiaki's condition is just from the wind; no need to worry."
Maruzensky's explanation wasn't enough to convince Tokai Shizen, but… "…Yes, that's right, it's like that."
Representative Chiaki's slightly weak voice dispelled Tokai Shizen's worries, but Tokai Shizen still asked: "Do you need to rest for a bit?"
"No, no need. Let's go draw fortunes directly."
Saying this, Representative Chiaki took a deep breath, and then the expression on her face recovered a bit, but her pale complexion hadn't yet normalized.
She just looked at Tokai Shizen: "Let's go, we still need to make it for Hatsumōde."
Seeing Representative Chiaki's behavior, Tokai Shizen finally felt completely relieved.
She turned around and walked forward with small steps.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 chapters of this story on Patreon.
If you're enjoying it and want to read ahead, feel free to check them out here:
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thanks a lot for your support, it really helps me keep going.