Another day passed.
The press conference Rudolph Symboli participated in yesterday did not have too much impact on Tokai Shizen's life.
Because what truly affected Tokai Shizen's life was the issue of income.
Thinking of this, Tokai Shizen looked at the broth in the pot again.
If the exchange between the Mejiro Family and Tracen China goes smoothly tomorrow, then next…
Thinking of this, Tokai Shizen merely glanced at Mochizuki.
Tokai Shizen still had reserves for Mochizuki's living expenses and other costs.
If Teio came here, there was also a portion set aside for Teio's living expenses.
However, the money for opening the shop…
So, the Mejiro Family matter absolutely could not fail.
Thinking this, Tokai Shizen withdrew her gaze from Mochizuki.
After withdrawing her gaze from Mochizuki, she didn't immediately return it to the broth,
but instead looked at the grandfather clock.
The grandfather clock showed three o'clock in the afternoon,
which caused Tokai Shizen's expression to change slightly.
The slight change in expression was not so obvious to Tokai Shizen,
but it was still caught by her daughter's eyes.
Mochizuki, who caught the change in Tokai Shizen's expression,
turned her head to look in the direction of the grandfather clock.
She saw a time that was a bit later than what Tokai Shizen had seen.
This was Tokai Mochizuki's first time checking the time today.
The reason she checked the time was simple:
this was Tokai Shizen's eighth time checking the time today.
Although Mochizuki didn't know why Shizen was checking the time,
she… after glancing at the shop door, Mochizuki withdrew her gaze.
She knew, it wouldn't be long before she would find out.
Time passed bit by bit, eventually stopping at five o'clock in the afternoon.
At this dinner time, even if Tokai Shizen's small shop didn't have much popularity,
quite a few people would still come.
And Mochizuki, as Tokai Shizen's daughter, was also very busy at this time.
However, she still hadn't forgotten Tokai Shizen's earlier action of checking the time,
so she paid attention to every customer.
Finally, as the shop door opened, Tokai Mochizuki saw the person who pushed it open.
Tokai Teio…
The moment she saw her, Tokai Mochizuki could finally be 100% certain:
Tokai Teio was her older sister.
Although she didn't really want to call her 'older sister,' given the current situation...
Tokai Mochizuki, sighing with a helpless expression,
had already anticipated the situation she might face in the future.
The sound of the bell behind the door made Tokai Shizen turn her head.
Then, she finally saw Tokai Teio.
This was the first time Tokai Shizen had seen Tokai Teio since the Tokai Family separated.
Looking at the face somewhat similar to Mochizuki's,
Tokai Shizen's hand paused for a moment before she spoke:
"Wel…"
"Welcome!"
The change in tone was directly caught by Mochizuki.
This made Mochizuki directly bypass her mother and say those words to Teio.
"Tokai-san?"
Seeing Teio dressed in a signboard girl's outfit, Teio's eyes lit up:
"How cute, Mochizuki-san!"
Saying this, Teio was about to pounce directly.
Before Teio could do anything, she was grabbed by Roman by the back of her collar:
"This is to bring you here to get acquainted.
After all, next week is Tracen Academy's Open Day.
If you don't want to go back, you can also stay here for a day."
After lecturing Tokai Teio, Tokai Roman turned to look at Tokai Shizen:
"Do you have curry?"
"Yes."
Saying this, Tokai Shizen slightly averted her gaze, then continued:
"But it's more on the English side. I hope you can get used to it."
Saying this, Tokai Shizen turned slightly, facing the kitchen.
But a slight gaze caught her attention.
It was Mochizuki staring at her.
Looking at Mochizuki's eyes, Tokai Shizen felt a little puzzled.
She wasn't quite sure why Mochizuki was staring at her.
Then, the two found an empty table and sat down.
"Shizen?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Sweet."
Tokai Shizen knew very well who Roman's words were meant to accommodate,
as children preferred sweeter flavors.
Thinking of this, Tokai Shizen simply nodded:
"Okay, no problem~"
Watching Tokai Shizen's cautious interaction, Mochizuki just sighed helplessly, then asked:
"Tracen Academy's Open Day is approaching."
"It has nothing to do with you, since it's only open to Uma Musume."
Saying this, Tokai Shizen slightly averted her gaze:
"But if you want to go in, it's not impossible."
Saying this, Tokai Shizen looked at Teio, then withdrew her gaze:
"You can have Chiaki or Maruzen take you in.
It's not difficult for those two to bring someone in."
After withdrawing her gaze, Tokai Shizen placed a few pieces of beef on the rice,
then poured curry over it:
"Curry's ready~"
The next second, Tokai Mochizuki picked up two plates of curry
and placed them in front of Tokai Roman and Tokai Teio.
And as she placed the curry in front of them,
Mochizuki was hugged by Tokai Teio:
"You're even cuter than usual."
"Teio, can you let go?"
After realizing that this Uma Musume was indeed her older sister,
Tokai Mochizuki's expression became even more unwilling.
"No!"
"Alright, Teio."
A slightly biased voice made Teio's movements stop.
Of course, what also stopped was the restless thought in Teio's eyes.
But, seeing Teio stop, Mochizuki merely looked at Teio's expression,
then turned her head to Tokai Roman:
"Tokai-auntie, it's fine."
"Eh! Is that okay?"
Teio's eyes lit up again, sensing the hidden meaning in Tokai Mochizuki's words.
"...Anyway, there are no customers."
Saying this, Mochizuki's eyes slightly shifted, not looking at Teio.
Mochizuki's reason for not refusing Teio was not just because there were no customers.
It was also because when Teio approached her just now,
she felt a slight sense of peace,
as if she felt she and the other person were inherently very close.
And Teio didn't think as much as Mochizuki.
After hearing Mochizuki's response, she immediately pounced.
"Mochizuki is so cute."
"What are you saying?"
Saying this, Mochizuki slapped away Teio's hand that was trying to pinch her cheek.
"It's okay if I touch you a little, right!"
Saying this, Teio extended her other hand.
"Sorry, no."
Then it was slapped away again.
Watching their interaction, Tokai Shizen's expression softened slightly.
However, she didn't know if Teio would accept her now.
But, being able to meet occasionally was also quite nice.
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