Unlike Maruzensky, who still had to face Symboli Rudolf, Mr. C.B., walking home alone, was feeling happy—very happy. After picking up some groceries at the supermarket along the way, Mr. C.B. once again arrived at Maruzensky's house.
Unlocking the door with practiced ease using her new key, Mr. C.B. saw Tokai Natural reading a magazine quietly.
Seeing Tokai Natural hadn't noticed her yet—
Mr. C.B. crept carefully behind her.
And then leaned directly onto Tokai Natural's back.
Caught off guard, Tokai Natural was slightly flustered.
But Mr. C.B. quickly spoke up: "It's just me, don't worry."
"Oh, it's you, C.B."
Tokai Natural turned her head slightly, noticing the groceries Mr. C.B. was holding: "You should put those in the kitchen first."
"Okaaay~"
With this response, Mr. C.B. released Tokai Natural from her embrace and walked into the kitchen.
Only after returning from the kitchen did she speak again: "What were you reading that you didn't even notice me coming in?"
"It's about job hunting. Constantly relying on Maruzen-san's money isn't really good." Tokai Natural fell silent for a few seconds before continuing, "And if someday I can't live here anymore, I need to think about this in advance."
"I see."
Mr. C.B. had never thought about getting a job herself.
After all, ever since entering Tracen Academy, she had been training nonstop, and shortly after, she'd become a Triple Crown winner.
After winning the Triple Crown, prize money alone allowed her to live quite lavishly.
Under these circumstances, Mr. C.B. truly had no experience working part-time.
But she still had some understanding of part-time jobs.
After hearing Tokai Natural's words, Mr. C.B. glanced briefly toward the staircase.
Clearly, the issue on her mind was Mochizuki.
"About Mochizuki..."
"I plan to wait until Mochizuki is one year old before seriously considering work. By then, I'll feel a bit more at ease leaving her side."
After hearing this, Mr. C.B. paused for a few seconds before asking a new question: "Is your health really okay?"
"I'm fine. I won't push myself too far. Besides, I'm an Uma Musume, after all—I still have some advantages compared to humans." Saying this, Tokai Natural stood up. "Is Maruzen-san not coming home tonight?"
"Maruzen-san hasn't stayed in her dorm for quite some time, and her off-campus living application hasn't been approved yet. She needs to show her face to the dorm manager."
Explaining this, Mr. C.B. adjusted her sitting position slightly and spoke again: "And Chiyono O-chan's debut race is coming up soon, so she can't make it over either."
"Hm. Then, in the meantime, I only need to cook dinner for you."
After hearing this, Tokai Natural thought briefly before drawing this conclusion.
Looking at Tokai Natural's reaction, Mr. C.B. hesitated a few seconds before responding teasingly: "Aren't you worried I might try something with you?"
"...It's fine."
After a brief silence, Tokai Natural gave this answer.
Her reply left Mr. C.B. unsure what to say next.
Because she knew what kind of life Tokai Natural had led, she understood clearly: even if she really did something, Tokai Natural would not resist at all.
Perhaps this, then, was exactly why Tokai Natural lowered her defenses completely.
Watching Tokai Natural walk into the kitchen—
Mr. C.B. could only let out a sigh.
Tokai Natural's complete lack of defenses had, ironically, become the reason both Maruzensky and Mr. C.B. were walking on eggshells.
After all, faced with a girl who had long since prepared herself for sacrifice, neither of them could summon the courage to take a step forward.
This was exactly why both Mr. C.B. and Maruzensky's progress was so painfully slow.
"Really..."
Sighing again, Mr. C.B. stood up, planning to help Tokai Natural in the kitchen.
And was promptly kicked out.
Naturally, that was expected, since Mr. C.B. was hopeless at cooking herself.
Being driven out by Tokai Natural was the most logical outcome.
But…
After recalling Tokai Natural's cooking skills, Mr. C.B. briefly thought about something.
If she remembered correctly, there seemed to be a place on the shopping street…
After a few seconds of consideration, Mr. C.B. stood up once more: "Yayoi-san, I'm going out for a bit~"
"Dinner will be ready in an hour, make sure to come back."
Tokai Natural's voice drifted faintly from the kitchen.
Hearing this, Mr. C.B. answered briefly and hurried out of Maruzensky's little house.
Walking briskly down the road toward the nearby shopping street, Mr. C.B. began casually strolling, looking around.
Clearly, she knew exactly what she was looking for.
When searching with a clear goal in mind, it didn't take her long at all to find exactly what she needed.
"Ah…"
Looking at the retro-style Western restaurant, exuding a strong Shōwa-era charm with a "For Sale" sign in the window, Mr. C.B. knew she'd found exactly what she'd wanted.
But…
Seeing the notice about the shop's lease posted above, Mr. C.B. recalled Tokai Natural's thoughts from earlier. A few seconds later, she turned away.
She didn't plan on impulsively buying this small shop right now.
After all, she wouldn't be the one running it, so she needed to think carefully about it first.
Of course, if she herself were opening a shop, she'd buy it without hesitation.
But since it would be Tokai Natural running it, Mr. C.B. had no intention of making that decision alone.
Thus, she simply turned and headed back toward Maruzensky's home.
Opening the door again—
Mr. C.B. saw Tokai Natural, who had already neatly arranged the tableware, alongside two plates of curry placed neatly on the table.
"Welcome back."
Greeting Mr. C.B., Tokai Natural didn't ask her where she'd just gone.
Because Tokai Natural didn't want to lose the environment she had now, she wouldn't question anything.
Seeing Tokai Natural's reaction, Mr. C.B. merely sat down at the table without mentioning what she'd seen earlier.
Her reasons, naturally, were as she'd just thought: the person who would open the restaurant wasn't her, but Tokai Natural.
Therefore, she should first inform Tokai Natural and let her decide for herself. But before doing that, it would be better to consult Maruzensky to properly evaluate if it was suitable for Tokai Natural or not.