By the time both Rudolf-senpai and I finished getting ready, about forty minutes had passed since we woke up. Well, taking time for washing my face, changing clothes, and everything concerning personal grooming is something unavoidable for a girl. In fact, since we weren't going out anywhere, I'd say I finished quite quickly.
Though honestly, one of the main reasons we took that long was because it took Rudolf-senpai quite a while to fully wake up…
Anyway, once we were ready, the maid guided us to breakfast—but the place we were brought to was surprisingly simple. To put it bluntly, it wasn't any different in size from the dining room of an ordinary single-family home.
Since I had been half-prepared to see some spacious, luxurious dining hall appropriate for a wealthy family, the sight actually relaxed me in a good way. And when Rudolf-senpai and I sat down, what we were served was also just normal Japanese breakfast. Beautifully grilled salmon, lightly pickled radish and cucumber, miso soup with tofu and wakame, and steaming white rice where each grain stood plump. They probably used high-quality ingredients, but even so, the menu itself was absolutely standard. Just looking at it made saliva gather in my mouth. The maid placed the meal in front of me.
It looked very delicious. Delicious enough to make my mouth water, yet the hunger I had felt earlier vanished, and just like yesterday, that creeping stomach pain began taking over again. On the opposite side of the steaming breakfast sat two people—a dignified middle-aged man with a neat and stylish beard, unlike Okino-san's scruffy stubble, and a very beautiful Uma Musume who looked young enough to pass as a student.
"Nice Nature-san, wasn't it? You're not eating—do you prefer bread for breakfast? If so, my apologies. We should have asked beforehand."
The middle-aged man spoke to me. I hurriedly said, "It's fine," and took a sip of the miso soup.
…Ahh… it seeps right into my aching stomach. It's delicious.
"I've heard from my daughter Rudolf that you've really been looking after her."
This time it was the Uma Musume beside the man who spoke. Yes—these two were Rudolf-senpai's parents.
Well, I knew from the moment we sat down together that they must be relatives of the Symboli family, but still—leaving aside her father, her mother simply looked too young. She looked genuinely like a student. I think anyone would be shocked after hearing introductions before eating.
Sure, I'd been told by Sebas earlier this morning that Rudolf-senpai's parents would join us for breakfast. But, you know… how should I say this… I imagined that distinctive aura wealthy or prestigious family members have. Like the kind you see in movies or manga or anime. Since I expected that kind of atmosphere, at first, I genuinely thought they were other visiting relatives during summer break.
Because Rudolf-senpai's father was dressed so casually, like a normal dad on a weekend day off, and her mother—like I said—looked young enough to pass as a student. You wouldn't think she had a child at all.
"By the way, Nice Nature-san, did you know? Whenever Rudolf phones home, she always talks about you."
"Eh!?"
"W-wait! Mother, what are you saying!?"
As I had finally begun eating, Rudolf-senpai's mother said that with a bright smile. Startled, I let out a strange sound, while Rudolf-senpai practically shot up from her seat in panic.
"You don't have to panic like that. You're always saying, 'Today I did this with Nice Nature-san, tomorrow I'm going to do that,' sounding so happy."
"That may be so, but this is hardly the time to say such a thing!"
"What? So you only called Mother? You never call your father."
"Father, please stay out of this right now!"
"…I see."
As Rudolf-senpai blushed furiously and argued with her mother, her father tried entering the conversation, only to be rejected instantly. Looking dejected, he quietly resumed eating. Somehow… as someone in my previous life who experienced dealing with a much younger sister during her rebellious phase, I couldn't help sympathizing with her father a little.
"Um… is Rudolf-senpai always like this at home?"
Not really deliberately, but perhaps wanting to avoid being dragged into the mother-daughter dispute, I ended up talking to Rudolf-senpai's father.
"No, normally she only engages in harmless small talk. But I suppose Mother is just happy she finally brought a friend home."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. It's been ages since Rudolf openly showed emotions like that. It's thanks to you, Nice Nature-san."
"No, I'm only a junior roommate, and though we get along, being called friends is a bit…"
"Roommate, close junior, spending time together—that's no different. Rudolf must be genuinely happy."
He smiled kindly as he spoke, while I could only nod faintly.
"Honestly, Rudolf has never been straightforward."
"If you're saying that, Mother, then so are you!"
The two continued arguing animatedly. At this point, Rudolf-senpai and her mother were totally absorbed in their dispute, leaving her father and me completely outside the conversation. So we sat quietly sipping our miso soup while watching them.
"A lively breakfast like this hasn't happened since Rudolf was very small."
"Is that so?"
He muttered as if talking to himself, and I unintentionally responded.
"Yes. When Luna—no, Rudolf—was younger, she talked happily during meals about her day, and sometimes sulked when her mother teased her."
"…That's surprising."
"You heard from Sebas, didn't you? The past few years, she stopped smiling altogether. Without meaning to, we pushed expectations onto her. Children are sensitive to adults' feelings. She worked hard to meet our expectations—but as a result, she lost the chance to have real friends."
Was he sad? Or regretful? I wasn't sure. While watching the two arguing across the table, Rudolf-senpai's father smiled faintly as he spoke.
"But Nice Nature-san, ever since you became her roommate, she started smiling again like she used to. I joked earlier about not receiving calls, but when she comes home, she talks so joyfully."
He turned toward me again as he continued.
"So both Mother and I are grateful to you—for bringing back that brightness to Rudolf… no, for allowing her to be cheerful in a way befitting her age."
"I really didn't do anything…"
"It's fine. Sebas explained things. Think of this as the irresponsible gratitude of adults. Don't let it weigh on you."
"…Alright."
"Thank you… for being close to Luna. She's actually quite stubborn and spoiled—though I don't know who she inherited that from—but please continue looking after Rudolf."
What I saw there wasn't the head of the Symboli family—but an ordinary parent showing a gentle smile only possible from someone who deeply loves their child.
"Father! How long are you talking to Nature!?"
"That's right, dear. I want to talk with Nice Nature-san too!"
"Haha… sorry. Since the two of you were talking for so long, I got carried away. Come now, finish eating first. If you do, all three of you can chat afterward."
Apparently, at some point, their argument had ended. Rudolf-senpai's father returned to his usual smile as he responded to them.
Her father and I had already finished eating and were enjoying green tea, but those two had food remaining, having been busy quarreling. After hearing her father's words, Rudolf-senpai and her mother hurried—but still politely—to finish their meals. Meanwhile, her father and I watched them with soft smiles. And then suddenly, I realized something—my stomachache had vanished completely.
I think it was probably because of what her father told me. Because standing here weren't just wealthy people from a powerful elite family. They were simply normal parents—loving their child like any ordinary mother and father.
I still felt out of place. Quite a lot, actually. But at least I no longer felt so tense that my stomach hurt.
"By the way, Rudolf. You're taking Nice Nature-san to the turf today, aren't you?"
"Yes. I was thinking of doing my daily training while we're there."
"Then make sure to hydrate properly. The forecast says it will be quite hot today."
"Yes. Shall I have the servants deliver sports drinks later?"
"Mother. They're both current Tracen students. They can prepare something like that themselves."
"Father is correct. Nature taught me how to adjust sports drinks efficiently during training, so don't worry."
"Oh, really?"
"I only shared something I read in a book. It's nothing impressive."
Now that everyone had finished eating, we drank tea and leisurely chatted. At some point, the maid had already cleared the table.
Well, according to Rudolf-senpai's father, today is supposed to be hot, so I should make some sports drink later. I brought the ingredients in my bag, so it won't take long. I'm also curious about the Symboli family's private course. Once the conversation settles, I'll prepare.
Those thoughts drifted through my mind as I sipped warm green tea—but I completely forgot something important. That this was the Symboli household. Which meant that aside from Rudolf-senpai, that other Uma Musume might appear…
"Heh… so you're Nice Nature."
On the humid turf under the blazing heat, I had come face-to-face with that Uma Musume.