Two months passed. Christmas had arrived, and just as Yayoi Natural had almost forgotten a certain someone's promise...
Mr. C.B. showed up.
Natural glanced up at Mr. C.B., who flashed her a gentle smile. "Remember?"
Prompted like this, Natural awkwardly tilted her head. "I mean...yes, I do remember…"
"Then let's head out. It's Christmas, after all; nobody will think twice if the Umamusume aren't around."
Saying this, Mr. C.B. stood up decisively.
Natural looked toward Teio and Mochizuki. Thanks to the holidays, both were currently relaxing at home.
Meeting Natural's eyes, Mochizuki casually waved her off, as if reassuring her mom: Don't worry, just go.
Unlike Mochizuki, Teio seemed visibly confused. She genuinely had no idea what kind of relationship Natural had with Mr. C.B. She glanced uncertainly at Mochizuki, who simply waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry, Mom will be fine."
Seeing her daughter sell her out without hesitation, Natural sighed quietly and turned back to Mr. C.B.
"Okay, just wait a moment," Natural said softly. Then, addressing Mochizuki, she continued, "Mochizuki, please clean up the shop after I leave. Roman, can you help out too?"
"…Sure," Tokai Roman responded quietly.
Satisfied, Natural turned back to Mr. C.B. "Just give me a minute."
Due to her professional habits, Natural always changed into a chef's uniform when arriving at the restaurant. Roman had even teased her about it, saying it wasn't necessary for their casual family eatery.
But right now, it turned out to be a blessing. Without that habit, going out on short notice would have been impossible.
Natural went upstairs, quickly changed into casual clothes, and came back down.
Seeing her outfit, Mr. C.B. thoughtfully stroked her chin for a moment, then approached Natural's side. "Alright, let's go~"
"Hey, don't pull me like that!"
Ignoring her protest, Mr. C.B. dragged her toward the exit.
Watching her mother being pulled away, Mochizuki stood silently for a moment, then calmly took out her phone.
"What are you doing, Mochizuki?" Teio asked curiously.
"Just letting Auntie Maruzensky know what's going on," Mochizuki replied, typing a message swiftly.
Hearing this, Teio froze briefly. After considering it, she quickly grasped Mochizuki's intention. "Wait, isn't that gonna land Mom in trouble?!"
"Exactly. Or rather, it's a precaution," Mochizuki explained lightly. "It's Christmas, the mood's perfect. Who knows what might happen? But Mom's health…"
Mochizuki shrugged helplessly. "Honestly, if Mom could settle down with just one of them, we wouldn't need to worry about money again."
"…I guess you're right," Teio murmured after thinking briefly, looking at the closed shop door. "Yeah, you're right."
...
Meanwhile, oblivious to her daughters' scheming, Natural continued being pulled along by Mr. C.B.
"Where are we even going?"
"Right now?"
"Yes…"
"First, we'll get your hair done, then we'll buy you an outfit. You're really not in the best shape for what's planned."
Turning slightly, Mr. C.B. met Natural's gaze. "So, have you guessed what we're up to yet?"
"…Wait, just to clarify, tonight's final destination isn't a love hotel, right?"
Natural stared at her suspiciously. Mr. C.B. merely waved dismissively.
"Why would we go to a love hotel?"
"Then…"
"If anything, we'd just head straight to my place."
That single sentence froze the words in Natural's throat.
Natural's expression shifted subtly before she cautiously asked, "What exactly are you planning?"
"I have a cat at home that can do backflips!"
"That meme came out of nowhere! Plus, you don't even have a cat!"
After throwing out a casual retort, Natural glanced aside. "So… hair salon first, or clothing store?"
"Hair first. Honestly, when's the last time you took care of that properly?"
Mr. C.B.'s blunt question made Natural look away in embarrassment.
But it was true. She'd never really paid attention to things like that.
She had neither the money nor the time. At most, she washed her hair daily. Regular maintenance? Impossible.
Even though Umamusume generally had great natural hair, neglecting it for too long still had consequences.
Seeing Natural's evasiveness, Mr. C.B. forcefully turned her head back toward her, making her face her directly.
"Natural, you need to take better care of yourself from now on."
"Fine, fine, I get it! I'll do that once Teio enters Tracen."
"That's three years from now."
"Three years isn't long at all! Besides, self-care takes time. Running a restaurant leaves no room for that."
Mr. C.B. sighed deeply at Natural's excuses. "It looks like I'll have to take you out once a month from now on."
"That's such a waste of time!"
Seeing Natural still resisting, Mr. C.B. paused thoughtfully, then suddenly scooped her into her arms.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
"Carrying you."
"People are watching!"
"I'll be doing this every time from now on," Mr. C.B. stated calmly, looking down at her. "With your size and strength, you can't exactly stop me, can you?"
Hearing her declaration, Natural finally understood Mr. C.B.'s plan. Imagining herself being carried out every month like this, she quickly protested, "Wait, you weren't serious, right?"
"Oh, you finally realized?"
"Put me down! I'll go out with you every month from now on, okay?!"
"Nope, I'll be carrying you every time."
"Noooo…!"
---
T/N: heuhuehueh lmaoooo >.> wanna see my cat at home guys? meow~
so cuteee
are u guys ready for the cup
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