After leaving the Shopping Street, Speed Symbol did not linger.
Returning to Japan this time, Speed Symbol had many things to attend to.
For example:
Looking at the address confirmed after investigation on her phone, Speed Symbol looked up to confirm she was at the correct location.
Only then did she raise her hand and press the doorbell.
"Just a moment!"
The voice from inside was not loud, just enough for Speed Symbol to hear.
Listening to the voice, Speed Symbol was not in a hurry.
She simply waited for the other person to open the door.
Soon, the door was opened.
A young Uma Musume stood before her.
Looking at her, Speed Symbol was silent for a few seconds before speaking:
"Tokai Roman?"
"Um, may I ask who you are?"
Looking at Speed Symbol, Tokai Roman seemed a little confused, as she couldn't find any Uma Musume she knew who matched her description.
"I am Speed Symbol, the grandmother of Rudolph Symboli and Sirius Symboli. I've come to see Tokai Teio this time."
Her self-introduction only stated her name and identity, but for Tokai Roman, it was enough.
She looked at Speed Symbol, opened her mouth, unsure what to say.
Speed Symbol was the actual true power holder of the Symbol Family.
Although she had fully delegated her authority to Rudolph and Sirius, she could still, in essence, reclaim it.
So, upon hearing that the other party wanted to see Tokai Teio, Tokai Roman didn't know how to respond.
"May I see Tokai Teio?"
Ignoring the slight change in Tokai Roman's expression:
"As a relative's concern."
This was a title that neither Rudolph nor Sirius had been able to utter.
The difference in address made Tokai Roman freeze.
"Is that alright?"
The not-so-loud inquiry finally brought Tokai Roman back to her senses.
She just nodded:
"Ye-yes, please come in."
Turning around, she walked directly into the room, while Speed Symbol followed behind Tokai Roman.
After entering the room, Speed Symbol finally confirmed that Tokai Roman's family situation was not good.
Perhaps, this was normal, as Tokai Teio's training expenses were very high, and starting to be frugal now was not a bad thing.
Her gaze retracted, and Speed Symbol then noticed the tightly closed bedroom door.
She knew Tokai Teio was in there.
But...
"Is Tokai Teio resting?"
"Hmm, do I need to wake her up?"
"Can you open the door and let me see her?"
Speed Symbol's request made Tokai Roman hesitate for a moment, then she nodded.
Looking at Tokai Roman who agreed to her request, Speed Symbol walked towards the bedroom door.
She gently turned the doorknob, pushed the door open a little, and then Speed Symbol saw Tokai Teio lying on the bed.
Compared to Tokai Teio's twin sister, Tokai Teio's development could be said to be very good.
After all, she didn't experience such a long period of malnutrition in infancy like Tokai Mochizuki, so it was only natural that her physical development would be very good.
The sound of the door opening did not wake Tokai Teio.
Noticing this, Speed Symbol slowly pushed the door open and then walked to Tokai Teio's side.
There were still a few months until Tokai Teio and Mochizuki's second birthday, but in terms of actual age, both of them were already two years old.
And at the same age of two, Tokai Mochizuki and Tokai Teio could be said to be worlds apart.
Moreover, because she was an Uma Musume, Tokai Teio had some additional Uma Musume characteristics, such as...
"The blaze inherited from Luna."
After gently stroking the long white hair on Tokai Teio's forehead, Speed Symbol stood up and left the room at the same speed as before.
Leaving the room, Speed Symbol carefully closed the door, trying her best not to wake Tokai Teio.
After completing this, Speed Symbol turned her head to look at Tokai Roman:
"What do you plan to do about Tokai Teio?"
"I will raise her. After all, my sister's body..."
Without any hesitation, she gave such a response.
Tokai Roman's response made Speed Symbol feel satisfied, after all, Tokai Shizen could be said to have been in a very delicate family environment before.
But in such a family, the sisterly bond could still be well preserved, which was also a good thing.
So, Speed Symbol spoke her final words:
"If you encounter any trouble, go to the Symboli Family or Mejiro. Although I haven't greeted Mejiro yet, I will contact them then."
After speaking, Speed Symbol turned around:
"I probably won't be coming over again."
"Huh?"
The emotions Speed Symbol expressed towards Tokai Teio were very subtle, like a grandmother seeing her granddaughter, and because of this, what Speed Symbol said made Tokai Roman feel strange.
"This visit was kept secret from someone else. If she were told, she might be very worried."
Speed Symbol's response made Tokai Roman think of someone.
However, she did not say anything more, only raising another question:
"Is she doing well?"
"Go ask her yourself. Also, don't tell her I was here."
She turned her face, placed a finger on her lips, looking as if she was warning, but Speed Symbol's expression was not like that.
Then, Speed Symbol turned back and closed the apartment door.
As before, it did not make a particularly loud sound.
So, Tokai Teio was still sleeping, as if nothing had happened.
——————
An hour later, Tokai Teio woke up.
Tokai Teio, who jumped off the bed, rubbed her eyes and pushed open the door:
"Auntie, did someone come just now?"
"Yes, someone came, your great-grandmother."
"Great... grandmother? Who is that?"
Tokai Teio, who was bewildered by this address, put down her hand that was rubbing her eyes:
"Auntie?"
A voice came from the kitchen, Tokai Roman was making lunch for Tokai Teio.
"Simply put, your great-grandmother is your father's grandmother."
"Eh eh eh! Then I just now!"
Immediately, Tokai Teio ran, wanting to find her great-grandmother.
"No need to chase, your great-grandmother left an hour ago."
Hearing this, Tokai Teio stopped:
"Then why didn't Auntie wake me up just now!"
"Because your great-grandmother saw you sleeping very comfortably."
"Eh!!!"
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