Tokai Teio is an energetic elementary schooler.
She could even be considered somewhat gifted for an Uma Musume.
But occasionally, Teio wondered if having such talent was truly beneficial for her family.
It wasn't surprising she felt this way.
Because the Tokai household lived rather frugally—precisely due to Teio's talent.
Her abilities meant constant spending on all kinds of sports equipment.
That's why Tokai Teio occasionally thought things might improve if she could enroll at Tracen Academy sooner.
But Tracen Academy only had middle school, high school, college, and support divisions.
And Tokai Teio was still just an elementary schooler.
So…
...
"Today, we have a transfer student joining our class. She previously lived in France due to her parents' work, so…"
As the teacher spoke, she turned toward the classroom entrance.
A girl—who somewhat resembled Tokai Teio herself—entered the room.
She glanced around before clearly writing her name on the blackboard.
"I'm Yayoi Mochizuki."
Her gentle voice immediately caught Tokai Teio's attention.
Teio lifted her head.
Looking at the girl standing next to the teacher, someone about her own age, Teio couldn't shake the feeling she'd met her before.
"Hmm, it seems the only empty seat is next to Tokai Teio."
With that, the teacher turned toward Yayoi Mochizuki. "Why don't you sit over there?"
"Okay."
Yayoi Mochizuki carried her schoolbag toward Tokai Teio.
Her seat was at the back, next to the window, meaning she only had one neighbor to meet.
When Mochizuki turned to look at her seatmate, she momentarily froze.
After a brief pause, Mochizuki softly greeted, "Um, hello?"
"Huh? Oh! Hello."
Finally reacting, Tokai Teio quickly faced her new classmate. "Um, I'm Tokai Teio."
"Tokai Teio, huh… Mm, I'll remember it."
Saying this, Mochizuki smiled warmly at Teio.
...
Holding the shop's keys, Tokai Natural turned toward Maruzensky. "Thanks again~"
"The store was always meant to be yours, though…"
The smile on Natural's face was something Maruzensky had never seen before—Natural seemed, for the first time, to stand before her as an equal.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"Why are you coming back to Tracen Academy?"
Rudolf was at Tracen Academy. Opening a shop here meant inevitably seeing Rudolf again.
That's what Maruzensky implied.
"Oh, this? Well, I'm broke~"
"Broke? But I thought you were doing well in Europe..."
"To put it simply, restaurants are most profitable near schools. Especially fully residential academies like Tracen, where you all rarely leave, even during breaks, right?"
"Well, that's true."
"And if I opened in the city…" Natural lightly tossed the keys in her hand, "…it would be tough to find a suitable location."
As she spoke, Natural turned away. "Besides, if I want Teio back, I need to prepare some basics. Plus, I have to repay my sister…"
Hearing this, Maruzensky smiled gently. "Well then, do your best."
"Mm, I will!"
After replying, Tokai Natural waved goodbye and walked away.
Though she'd explained her plans clearly to Maruzensky, Natural had deliberately avoided answering the most crucial question—
What about Rudolf?
Even though Natural felt she'd already settled that issue.
Still…
Natural ended her contemplation and stared down at the keys in her hand. "I'll have to get the original keys back from Tamtam soon. Always using the spare set isn't ideal…"
Muttering to herself, Natural walked out through Tracen Academy's front gates.
Watching Natural leave, Maruzensky said nothing more. She simply turned around and returned to the academy grounds.
...
Walking along the familiar street near Tracen, Natural soon arrived at the place she remembered.
The shopfront was unchanged. As for the interior…
Opening the door with the spare keys, Natural found the small shop tidy and clean, exactly as she'd left it.
The decor was untouched, though now coated in a thin layer of dust.
"Has Tamtam not been around lately…?"
Murmuring, Natural glanced toward the staircase leading to the second floor. On the wall beside the stairs was a slight indentation—left behind by Rudolf years ago.
Natural stared at it for about five seconds before deliberately shifting her gaze away.
That spot no longer mattered much to her…
Ignoring the mark, Natural climbed up to the second floor.
Upstairs was exactly as she remembered: just a single bed board propped up by wooden crates.
The bedding had been neatly folded and covered with a dust sheet.
"Tamtam sure has been doing a lot around here. I'll have to properly thank her later."
Saying this, Natural thoughtfully stroked her chin, carefully surveying the spacious second floor.
She hadn't minded these conditions when it was just her. But now, considering her daughter would also be living here…
"A wardrobe, a basic shower setup, and…"
Natural quietly listed the items she needed.
When she reached the last item…
"Ah, seems like I don't have enough money…"
Yayoi Natural had officially fallen into the despair unique to working adults.
Though she'd earned plenty of money in Europe, considering her own fragile health, repayment to Roman, and the costs of reopening the restaurant, there was barely enough left—even for minor refurbishments.
After all, in Europe, she'd strictly operated until sold out each day. Even though she'd managed to save a decent sum, it was just enough to restart the shop and buy basic living necessities for her daughter.
She hadn't even seriously started thinking about repaying her sister for raising Tokai Teio over the past several years.
Without the family's support, Tokai Roman had shouldered all of Teio's expenses herself.
If Natural couldn't at least repay those costs…
Thinking about this, Natural made her decision:
"I'll pay my sister back first. Teio is already six years old, and basic training and talent assessments will begin soon. If there's not enough money for that, things could get troublesome… Furniture and stuff will just have to wait."
---
T/N: TAMTAM its orginally Tama but I just loveddddddddd Super Creek's nickname for tamamo... and since Natural is a mother figure hehehe Tamtam TAMTAMTAMTAMTAMTA
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