Ever since spotting that small shopfront, Mr. C.B. hadn't been able to stop thinking about it.
But whether to buy it or not was something she couldn't discuss until Maruzensky returned.
Yet Maruzensky was still occupied dealing with the dorm supervisor, so the discussion had to wait.
Thus, sitting on the sofa, Mr. C.B. just turned her head toward Tokai Natural, who was holding her child, and asked, "Natural, if someone gave you a shop, what would you do with it?"
"…"
After glancing briefly at Mr. C.B.,
Tokai Natural turned her eyes back toward her child: "I'm not sure."
Mr. C.B. knew—Tokai Natural probably already had something in mind, and precisely because she had, she chose to say she didn't know.
Because Tokai Natural felt it would be better for Mr. C.B. to make this sort of decision.
Seeing her respond like this, Mr. C.B. thought for a few seconds before continuing, "It's just hypothetical anyway. If I had to decide, maybe a western-style restaurant or something like a simple diner."
"Oh, so you like those kinds of places?"
"Well, Natural, your cooking is actually pretty tasty."
After saying that, Mr. C.B. reached out, playfully teasing the child in Tokai Natural's arms before speaking again: "But considering your health, maybe something simpler like a snack shop would be better."
"That way, it'd still earn a bit of money. Maybe not much, but probably enough."
Listening to Mr. C.B. describe the future, Tokai Natural just smiled faintly and didn't say anything further.
She knew exactly what Mr. C.B. was thinking, but since the other hadn't formally brought it up yet, Tokai Natural had no intention of making things explicit.
Seeing the expression on Tokai Natural's face, Mr. C.B. just leaned her head gently onto Tokai Natural's shoulder, and spoke again softly: "Yayoi."
"Hm?"
"I…" After a brief hesitation, Mr. C.B. still couldn't manage to say what she wanted.
She was indeed someone who lived freely.
But even she knew that if she spoke that request out loud right now, Tokai Natural would surely agree—but that kind of agreement might not truly be from Tokai Natural's heart.
Thinking of this, Mr. C.B. stayed silent for a few seconds, then shifted her gaze away from Tokai Natural: "Come to think of it, that shopping street is pretty close to Tracen Academy. If you opened a shop there, I could visit you often."
Hearing these words, Tokai Natural opened her mouth slightly.
A hint of worry flashed across her expression.
Noticing Tokai Natural's reaction, Mr. C.B. realized she'd accidentally said something she shouldn't have.
After all, everyone among Uma Musume knew Symboli Rudolf was currently the Student Council president at Tracen Academy.
If that shopping street was close to Tracen Academy, then that meant—
Realizing this, Mr. C.B. paused for just a moment, then continued quickly: "But don't worry. She wouldn't appear at the shopping street. Usually, she just moves between Tracen Academy, her dorm, and the Symboli Family home. She doesn't have many other places she needs to go."
Mr. C.B. hesitated briefly before adding:
"And even if she really did come looking for you, I'm still here, aren't I?"
Tokai Natural only nodded quietly at Mr. C.B.'s words.
But she still didn't respond directly.
Clearly, she was still worried about this matter.
Yet, unlike what Mr. C.B. thought, Tokai Natural wasn't concerned about herself—rather, she worried about Mr. C.B. and Maruzensky.
After all, right now, the Symboli Family was still the largest power around. Perhaps someday the SS bloodline would overtake the Symboli Family, but before the SS bloodline appeared—
Uma Musume racing was basically a monopoly dominated by the Symboli Family. The Seven Crown winner was currently the peak of Japanese Uma Musume, unmatched until the arrival of Almond Eye.
Therefore, Tokai Natural's worry wasn't for herself—it was for Mr. C.B.
Listening to Mr. C.B.'s reassurances, Tokai Natural adjusted her expression slightly, forcing herself to smile a little once again.
Then she spoke gently: "But it's all just hypothetical, right? We haven't even decided to buy the shop yet."
Saying this, Tokai Natural turned her head to look at Mr. C.B.: "So discussing it this much isn't actually very useful."
Hearing Tokai Natural's words,
Mr. C.B. didn't press further.
She could clearly see that Tokai Natural wasn't happy about this topic.
Because Tokai Natural's ears had drooped slightly downward.
A clear sign her mood wasn't good.
Realizing this, Mr. C.B. nodded gently: "You're right. Since we haven't bought it yet, there's not really much point worrying about it now."
Unlike before—
Mr. C.B. didn't continue discussing the thing worrying Tokai Natural.
Instead, she chose to be considerate of Tokai Natural's feelings.
A choice exactly like what Maruzensky would make—a choice she herself would normally never consider.
Hearing Mr. C.B.'s somewhat awkward change of topic—
Tokai Natural simply followed along: "Come to think of it, Chiyono O-chan's debut race is coming up soon, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I remember her debut is around August—still four months away."
Hearing this, Tokai Natural nodded slightly: "It might be good to watch her race when the time comes."
"You want to see Chiyono O-chan's race?"
"Mm." Saying this, Tokai Natural looked straight at Mr. C.B. and spoke again gently: "After all, she's helped me a lot. If I didn't even go watch her debut, it'd be inappropriate."
Hearing Tokai Natural say this, Mr. C.B. just nodded thoughtfully: "Speaking of Uma Musume, who do you think is promising this year?"
"Among this year's Uma?"
Seeing Mr. C.B.'s expression returning naturally, Tokai Natural pretended to think seriously for a moment before giving an answer: "If I had to choose one, maybe Tamamo Cross?"
"Tamamo Cross?"
Hearing this unfamiliar name, Mr. C.B. was visibly confused.
After all, she really had no idea who Tamamo Cross was.
Though, admittedly, that was normal—because right now, Tamamo Cross was still getting utterly destroyed in dirt-track races. If her performance kept deteriorating, she might even switch to steeplechase instead.
Thus, Mr. C.B. forgetting her was only natural.
Seeing Mr. C.B.'s reaction, Tokai Natural just smiled quietly: "Her results aren't very good right now, but later on…"
"Later on?"
"Maybe she'll get better—or maybe she'll keep losing forever."