The day after Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky left for central—
Mr. C.B. walked alone into the residential district.
It was quiet there—at this hour, almost nobody would be home.
But Mr. C.B. knew that person would definitely be there, waiting for her to come.
She walked forward alone along the road.
Mr. C.B. wasn't worried the other party would be absent—after all, that girl still lacked identity papers, and she had a daughter to care for.
Aside from going out to buy groceries each day, Yayoi-san basically had nowhere else to go.
Thinking of this, Mr. C.B.'s pace quickened.
She hadn't planned to accomplish anything particular today.
In short, she was here to mooch a meal.
After all, Yayoi Natural's cooking skills really were impressive, making her an ideal person to mooch from.
But...
"Come to think of it, she should be using the money Maruzensky-san left behind, shouldn't she? If that's the case, then..." At that thought, the girl's gaze shifted slightly.
Unlike Maruzensky, she wasn't particularly adept at navigating these social nuances. Yet directly freeloading off what little money a single mother had left still made Mr. C.B. feel rather guilty.
Thus, she didn't go straight to Maruzensky's home, but first visited the neighborhood supermarket.
She planned to buy ingredients that looked suitable enough to cover lunch and dinner.
Shortly after, Mr. C.B. arrived in front of Maruzensky's house carrying a bag of groceries.
A moment after she rang the doorbell, she heard a chair being dragged across the floor inside.
She knew Yayoi Natural was moving a chair.
Considering the other girl's height, this wasn't particularly surprising.
Thus, Mr. C.B. just waved at the peephole.
"I've come to mooch some food~"
Having said this, she stepped slightly back and waited quietly.
Before long, the door opened.
Unlike last time, this time, the door opened just a crack.
Yayoi Natural's lovely face was mostly hidden behind the door.
She was wary of her.
This was so conspicuously unnatural that even Mr. C.B. could immediately notice it.
Yet facing Yayoi Natural's reaction, Mr. C.B. just casually tossed out a single sentence:
"Did you know? A few days ago, the Tokai family adopted an abandoned baby. Right now, the child's name is... Tokai... something?"
She understood clearly that her relationship with Yayoi Natural wasn't yet at that level.
So, she had no choice but to test whether the other party might lower her guard through this.
In an instant, Yayoi Natural's expression changed.
It was a dramatic shift.
Seeing that reaction, Mr. C.B. knew at once that the child recently adopted by the Tokai family was indeed Yayoi Natural's daughter.
"Well then, can you help me make lunch? I brought the ingredients~"
Only after she displayed the groceries did Yayoi Natural fully open the door.
Looking at the girl standing inside the doorway, Mr. C.B. just gave a satisfied smile:
"That child's name is Tokai Teio. Sounds quite a bit like someone else's nickname, doesn't it?"
While saying this, Mr. C.B. simply walked inside.
Entering the house, she set the groceries down in the kitchen before stepping back out.
Next to the sofa, Mr. C.B. noticed a neatly folded pile of clothes—and Yayoi Natural, who stood at a distance, silently observing her.
Meeting that gaze, Mr. C.B. merely smiled.
"No need to stare—I'm only here to mooch a meal. Even though I brought the ingredients."
Saying this, Mr. C.B. walked to another empty sofa and sat down.
Only after sitting did she notice another, unsorted pile of clothes—and among them, almost everything was...
Realizing this, Mr. C.B. turned to Yayoi Natural:
"You don't have any clothes of your own?"
"Mm."
"Maruzen-san actually forgot something like this?" Mr. C.B. shook her head slightly. "But the Tokai family really went too far, didn't they? Taking your child away and then throwing you out afterward."
"...Mm."
A rare agreement.
On this matter, the Tokai family truly had acted too harshly.
Yayoi Natural's acknowledgment made Mr. C.B. want to say something more—but she heard faint crying.
At that moment, Yayoi Natural stood up quickly.
Then, as if suddenly remembering Mr. C.B. was still here, she stiffly sat back down.
Seeing her behavior, Mr. C.B. only asked casually:
"Oh, could it be twins?"
"Yes—yes, it is."
"Then hurry up and go. It'd be bad if something happened to the child."
"Thank you."
Hearing that expression of gratitude, Mr. C.B. couldn't understand why the other girl thanked her.
After briefly organizing the logic in her head, she finally realized why Yayoi Natural had said thank you.
Was it because...I gave her permission? She's really quite timid, huh?
Thinking like this, Mr. C.B. stretched lazily and turned her gaze slightly away. The entire house was very clean, seemingly cleaned every day.
Knowing Maruzensky's personality, Mr. C.B. couldn't imagine her meticulously cleaning daily, so...
Quiet footsteps approached. Turning, Mr. C.B. saw the girl descending the stairs again.
Watching her, Mr. C.B. spoke once more:
"What was the issue~?"
"...She just woke up." Saying this, Yayoi Natural returned to the sofa and continued folding Maruzensky's clothes.
Watching Yayoi Natural act like this, Mr. C.B. didn't push further, instead continuing their earlier conversation:
"So, that Tokai Teio—she really is your daughter?"
"Mm."
Seeing Yayoi Natural nod again, Mr. C.B.'s thoughts drifted a bit, but finally she just asked a simple question:
"You... don't mind?"
Yayoi Natural lifted her head.
On her face, Mr. C.B. could read many emotions—but in the end, they all dissolved into bitter silence.
"Seems I asked a question I shouldn't have," Mr. C.B. murmured, slowly rising from her seat. "Maybe... I should get going."
She took a step, preparing to leave, but felt something tugging at the corner of her clothes. Glancing back, she saw Yayoi Natural gripping tightly onto her sleeve.
"...You haven't eaten yet."
A quiet reminder from Yayoi Natural.
Looking directly at her face, Mr. C.B. saw the forced smile that she struggled to form.
It was a smile even harder to look at than tears.
Yet, seeing that face, Mr. C.B. suddenly understood exactly why Maruzensky had decided to shelter this girl.
And so, Mr. C.B. nodded lightly:
"Ah, right. I almost forgot. Let's eat before I leave."