In the afternoon, the door opened, but this time the doorbell didn't ring.
And after pushing open the front door, Chiyo O saw the usual scene, looking completely devoid of any celebratory atmosphere.
Looking at the house, Chiyo O didn't say much; she just looked in the direction of the kitchen.
Tokai Shizen's hearing was very sharp.
If it were normal, Tokai Shizen should have spoken by now.
But now... After walking to the kitchen door, Chiyo O saw Tokai Shizen standing on a small stool.
Unlike before, Tokai Shizen was frowning, as if thinking about something.
Looking at Tokai Shizen like this, Chiyo O just tilted her head.
She hadn't investigated Tokai Shizen's background like Maruzensky and Representative Chiaki.
She merely saw Tokai Shizen as a wife abandoned by a heartless man.
So, she now only thought that Tokai Shizen was troubled by something else.
"Tokai-nee?"
"Ah? Ah!" Turning her head, Tokai Shizen saw Chiyo O standing behind her: "Chiyo O, you're here so soon?"
"It's just the usual time, but Tokai-nee, are you..."
She pointedly looked at the stew pot in front of Tokai Shizen.
Chiyo O's gaze very smoothly reminded Shizen.
And Shizen saw the liquid that was already gradually thickening. Seeing this liquid, Tokai Shizen knew that if she didn't prepare for the next step, it would probably burn.
So she immediately got ready: "Ah, could you help me get that large shrimp from the cutting board?"
"Is this it?"
She handed the shrimp, which had already been cut down to just the shrimp, to Tokai Shizen.
Tokai Shizen took the shrimp without any hesitation, added a small amount of water to the pot, and then put in the lobster.
After doing all this, Tokai Shizen looked at Chiyo O: "Thank you, if it weren't for your reminder..."
"It's not that serious, it's just..."
Recalling Tokai Shizen's previous state, Chiyo O raised another question.
"Tokai-nee, what are you thinking about?"
"Oh, I was just thinking about whether I should move out later. You see, if the restaurant opens, or if I go to the Mejiro Family, I won't have to bother Maruzen here anymore, right?"
After subtly masking the real reason, Tokai Shizen continued: "And if I can move closer to the restaurant, it will be more convenient for business. There are still quite a few preparations before the restaurant opens."
Tokai Shizen's layered words prevented Chiyo O from realizing the essence of the problem.
Moreover, Tokai Shizen's explanation was so reasonable and well-founded.
Chiyo O couldn't find any reason to refuse.
It's just... a hint of sadness lingered between Tokai Shizen's eyebrows.
Chiyo O didn't know why that sadness was there, but... "Tokai-nee, do you think this is good?"
"...It's pretty good."
After a slight hesitation, Tokai Shizen gave this response.
Listening to Tokai Shizen's answer, Chiyo O opened her mouth.
She sensed something was a little off.
She wanted to say something.
But, in the end, she still shifted her gaze: "If Tokai-nee thinks it's okay, then it's okay, it's just..."
"Tokai-nee, do you really think doing that is good?"
Chiyo O's words made Tokai Shizen freeze for a moment.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something,
But a slight movement caught by her keen hearing brought Tokai Shizen's gaze back to the dish.
Opening the lid, she directly poured in the seasonings she had prepared earlier, and then Tokai Shizen turned her gaze back to Chiyo O: "I... I think doing that is pretty good..."
Her gradually lowering tone made Chiyo O feel that Tokai Shizen was not satisfied with this decision. But... she looked up at Tokai Shizen.
Chiyo O believed that since the person involved didn't think there was anything wrong with the matter, she had no right to interfere, even if the other person's expression was already so sad.
Looking at Tokai Shizen's face, Chiyo O was silent for a few seconds, then shifted her gaze: "It's fine if Tokai-nee thinks it's okay, but if you run into any difficulties, be sure to tell us, and we'll help you solve them."
After adding that last sentence, Chiyo O looked at the pot Tokai Shizen was holding.
A faint aroma was already emanating from the pot.
It looked like it would be ready to eat very soon.
Tokai Shizen, who had spoken, didn't say much more; she simply refocused her attention on the pot, which she held by the handle with one hand.
"Can you get me a plate?"
"Okay!"
Saying this, Chiyo O directly took a plate from the dish rack and placed it next to Tokai Shizen.
Then she saw a large shrimp, cut in half and beautifully colored, come out of the pot.
"Quick-braised swamp shrimp. This was a meal I originally planned to eat as a stamina boost before the celebration banquet, but..." Looking at Chiyo O, Tokai Shizen said these words. "Would you like to try some?"
"Eh? Can I?"
Seeing the light flash in Chiyo O's eyes, Tokai Shizen simply picked up a fork and handed it to Chiyo O: "Please."
Chiyo O, taking the fork Tokai Shizen handed her, didn't hesitate. She directly speared a piece and put it into her mouth.
"Delicious!"
Hearing that response, Tokai Shizen's face showed only a soft smile, then her gaze returned to the other pile of purchased ingredients.
"Eh? Tokai-nee, aren't you eating?"
"No, since you're back, then..."
"Chiaki and Maruzen should be back soon too; I need to get ready."
As she uttered the names of those two, Tokai Shizen's voice changed slightly, but it went unnoticed.
"Ah, about that, Maruzensky-senpai said she has a lot of work today and might be back a bit late."
Only after Tokai Shizen reminded her did Chiyo O remember what Maruzensky had told her earlier.
"She'll be back late, huh..." Tokai Shizen said, then looked at Chiyo O: "If that's the case..."
"Has Tokai-nee decided what to make?"
"Hmm, I'm still thinking..."
"Then, Tokai-nee, could you make it a little sweeter? I keep tasting a bit of bitterness..."
"Bitterness?"
She remembered that she hadn't added anything that would make that large shrimp bitter, right? But bitterness?
"It's probably just my imagination. It's just that, when I took the second bite, it suddenly tasted very, very bitter..."