Standing at the door of the orphanage, Yayoi Natural took out her phone to check the time.
It was now 9:58. She still had about an hour until the eleven o'clock train.
With that thought, Yayoi Natural lifted her hand and knocked on the orphanage's closed door.
Soon after, the door opened.
A woman in her forties stood in front of Yayoi Natural.
Both of them remained silent for a moment.
Then Yayoi Natural finally spoke. "Director Tsurumaru, it's been a long time."
"Tokai Natural-san..."
"I came here to visit."
Lifting her head to meet the director's gaze, Yayoi Natural continued, "Also, I changed my surname. Given the Tokai Family's decision back then…"
Her voice trailed off, and Director Tsurumaru didn't press further.
The director simply looked at Yayoi Natural. "What brought you here today?"
"I just wanted to visit since the rehab clinic was transferred to my name, so…" Yayoi Natural paused, looking directly at the other woman before continuing, "Could I come inside?"
"Of course."
Director Tsurumaru turned around as she spoke. "Natural-san, is there a particular reason for your visit this time?"
"It's about my daughter."
"Your daughter…"
Director Tsurumaru briefly recalled the infant Yayoi Natural had cared for back then and paused for a second before speaking again. "How is she doing?"
Back then, fearing retaliation from the Tokai Family, Yayoi Natural hadn't stayed long.
This made Director Tsurumaru worry deeply about Yayoi Natural's child, wondering whether the harsh conditions had left any lasting effects.
Facing the director's concern, Yayoi Natural smiled warmly. "She's doing very well. There's really no need to worry."
As she spoke, Yayoi Natural glanced at the children playing inside the orphanage. "There seem to be a lot more kids here now."
"Yes, thanks to the Symboli Family's generous funding. We also relocated to a better place. Otherwise, things would still be quite difficult."
Listening to the director, Yayoi Natural's gaze remained fixed on the children.
Soon, her eyes fell upon a particular child who stood out from the others.
"There's an Uma Musume here…"
"You mean Tsurumaru, right?"
Watching the young Uma Musume play naturally alongside the other children, Yayoi Natural's expression shifted slightly. "So her name is Tsurumaru?"
"Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi. We found her left outside the orphanage. Her medical report wasn't very good—her parents probably couldn't afford her treatment, so they sent her here."
Director Tsurumaru paused briefly, then added, "But she's already scheduled for adoption by the Symboli Family, so there's no need to worry too much about her future."
Listening to the director's genuine concern, Yayoi Natural gave no reply.
She simply observed the young Uma Musume for several more seconds before finally looking away. "Being adopted by the Symboli Family…that's a good thing."
After saying that, Yayoi Natural fell silent briefly before continuing, "By the way, Director."
"Yes?"
"There's something I'd like to ask you." Yayoi Natural hesitated a few seconds, then asked directly, "Back then, why did you decide to help me?"
Her question was simple—and direct.
Director Tsurumaru's response was equally straightforward. "Because I thought if I didn't help you then, you might die."
"That simple?"
"Do you need a reason to save someone?"
Director Tsurumaru's question prompted her to finally look directly at Yayoi Natural.
Facing this question, Yayoi Natural fell into uncertainty. Finally, in an uncertain tone, she responded, "I don't know. Maybe you do."
Director Tsurumaru didn't comment further on Yayoi Natural's answer, instead shifting her gaze away.
"Whether there's a reason or not isn't important. What's important is that a life was saved."
After saying this, Director Tsurumaru paused briefly before adding, "Although kindness did play a part, I admit I had a reason when I saved you back then."
"A reason?"
"Yes."
Turning toward the children, Director Tsurumaru fell quiet for about ten seconds, then continued, "It was the Tokai Family's request. Knowing that, will you resent me?"
"The Tokai Family…"
"You were expelled by the Tokai Family. If you'd died right afterward, responsibility would fall on them. But if you chose to leave…"
Director Tsurumaru shifted her gaze back to Yayoi Natural. "How does this truth taste to you?"
Director Tsurumaru's words left Yayoi Natural silent for a long while as she stared into the director's face.
She struggled with how she should face this person who had first helped her—because if what the director said was true…
Thinking this, Yayoi Natural turned her eyes toward the orphanage's children again.
Those kids didn't have it easy. Even with the orphanage funded by the Symboli Family, feeding this many children required careful budgeting and sacrifice.
Observing these children, Yayoi Natural asked another question.
"When you took them in, did you consider the reason for doing so?"
"No."
Director Tsurumaru replied immediately, without even a fraction of a second's hesitation.
Hearing that, Yayoi Natural was silent for several seconds before finally responding, "I see. Then, regarding you helping me because of the Tokai Family's request—I have nothing against you."
"Really?"
"Whether there's a reason for saving someone doesn't matter. The circumstances behind saving someone don't matter either." Yayoi Natural paused for a second before continuing, "The important thing is that the person was saved, right?"
"You…"
"At that time, Mochizuki and I would have died without your help. And back then, this orphanage was receiving funding from the Tokai Family, right? If you hadn't followed their instructions, the orphanage would've lost their support."
After saying this, Yayoi Natural smiled gently at Director Tsurumaru. "Thank you for your kindness and your actions back then."
She then looked straight at the director and continued warmly, "Next time, I'll bring my daughter along to visit."
"I…"
Director Tsurumaru's words faltered as she looked at Yayoi Natural, who so easily brushed aside the complex issue. The director had prepared herself to be scolded—but instead received such a gentle response.
Thus, she knew exactly how to respond now:
"No… The orphanage would be happy to welcome you back anytime."