Time approached Christmas.
During Christmas, Tokai Shizen had no days off.
Because this was the catering industry; when all of Europe was on holiday, the catering industry rarely closed.
So, even on this day, which foreigners treated as New Year's, Tokai Shizen still couldn't spend the day with Speed Symbol and Mochizuki.
"Perhaps I should consider resigning…"
After working at L'Ambroisie for six months and confirming that she had earned enough money to open a restaurant, Tokai Shizen naturally began to ponder this matter on her way home.
Of course, the same question also arose from another person's mouth.
"Shizen, Christmas…"
The words were unfinished, but they already revealed Speed Symbol's unspoken thoughts.
"Yes, I know."
Tokai Shizen, indicating that she was aware of this, took a bite of rice before continuing: "As for resigning, it might take some more time. I should take a day off then."
She didn't tell Speed Symbol her true thoughts.
Because the money was only enough to open a restaurant. As for what would happen if the restaurant failed,
Tokai Shizen hadn't included that in her budget yet.
But Tokai Shizen's words reached Speed Symbol's ears.
Speed Symbol, who was still teaching Mochizuki how to use chopsticks, looked up, and her eyes held a hint of surprise as she looked at Tokai Shizen.
She remembered that Tokai Shizen had almost never spent holidays with them.
But now, Tokai Shizen had chosen to take a day off.
Taking a day off in itself didn't have much meaning.
What truly caught Speed Symbol's attention was the motivation behind taking a day off.
Tokai Shizen's lack of trust in herself was due to Rudolph.
Therefore, she kept working tirelessly, fearing being driven away again.
And now, Tokai Shizen was taking a day off.
The meaning behind this action made Speed Symbol understand something.
So, without asking questions, Speed Symbol merely kept the change in Tokai Shizen's heart in mind, and then responded: "What do we need to buy that day?"
"I don't know. Neither of us is a native European, so there's no need to specially prepare anything."
"In that case, then…"
She looked down at Mochizuki: "Mochizuki, do you want to eat sushi?"
"Sushi?"
"Hmm…" Speed Symbol, pondering how to explain it to Mochizuki, finally looked up at Tokai Shizen: "Are you still going back?"
With a little thought, what Speed Symbol wanted to convey became clear.
Because if she were going back, it would indeed be something that should be done to let Mochizuki get used to the local diet.
Tokai Shizen fell silent, thinking about this matter.
If she were to go back… Thinking of Rudolph Symboli's face, Tokai Shizen's body involuntarily trembled.
Tokai Shizen's reaction made Speed Symbol realize that she might have asked the wrong question, but it was a necessary one.
Even if it caused Tokai Shizen pain now,
Speed Symbol had to make her find the answer.
Because Tokai Teio was still there; that was Tokai Shizen's daughter. If Tokai Shizen only realized this problem after returning to Japan on an impulse, then it would be very troublesome.
So… Tokai Shizen's expression changed quickly, and catching the momentary look of fear on Tokai Shizen's face also made Speed Symbol begin to question whether her action of asking the question just now was wrong.
And after several minutes of internal struggle, Tokai Shizen saw Mochizuki.
Mochizuki, held in Speed Symbol's arms, was looking at her.
Young Mochizuki couldn't understand the choice before Tokai Shizen, but she could see the pain on Tokai Shizen's face.
She reached out to Tokai Shizen: "Mama, no!"
Although she was nearly two years old, her language learning was slow due to early malnutrition, making it difficult for her to speak complete sentences. However, Shizen still felt her daughter's concern.
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it tightly.
After several seconds of deliberation, Tokai Shizen finally spoke: "Yes, I'm going back."
Having made this response, Tokai Shizen smiled at Mochizuki.
Speed Symbol, hearing this, merely turned her head away.
She felt apologetic for her actions just now, but didn't know how to express it.
Speed Symbol, who had turned her head away, intended to hide for a bit longer, but was quickly pulled back to reality by Mochizuki.
Her gaze returned to normal.
Like vehicles traveling in opposite directions on a single lane, Tokai Shizen's and Speed Symbol's gazes crossed.
Looking at Speed Symbol's slightly evasive eyes, Tokai Shizen didn't mind, merely asking: "Sushi requires quite a few ingredients."
She didn't dwell on the previous question.
Tokai Shizen simply brought up the question Speed Symbol had originally wanted to ask.
"Vinegared rice, salmon, nori, roe, and some other fresh ingredients."
Tokai Shizen, listing the things she needed, looked at Speed Symbol: "Can I leave it to you?"
"Mhm, no problem."
Speed Symbol, who immediately responded, was thinking of apologizing through her actions.
Speed Symbol's response brought a slight smile to Tokai Shizen's face.
Looking at the smile on her face, Speed Symbol paused.
She looked at Tokai Shizen, seemingly understanding why Sirius had acted.
Thinking of this, Speed Symbol simply lowered her head and looked at Tokai Mochizuki, who was sitting on her lap: "Will Mochizuki be coming along for the next few days too?"
"Yes!"
Hearing Tokai Mochizuki's reply, Speed Symbol cheered just as enthusiastically: "Let's go together!"
Their similar states only made Tokai Shizen smile.
She thought of that child.
The child far away on the other side of the world.
She knew she would definitely go back.
No matter what happened, she would choose to return.
Just as she had been willing to give up everything for Mochizuki in the past, Teio's condition was also something Tokai Shizen worried about.
Although Teio had already been entrusted to her sister, Shizen still hoped to return and see Tokai Teio if possible.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Tokai Roman, holding Teio, once again arrived at the rehabilitation center where Tokai Shizen had given birth.
Standing before the rather large wooden gate, Tokai Roman planned to determine the situation of the center before deciding whether to move in.
However, with Sirius Symboli stating that the Symboli Family would cover the land tax and maintenance fees for the place, the matter was pretty much settled.
-------------------------------
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.