In the afternoon, the front door opened—but this time, the doorbell didn't ring.
After pushing open the door—Chiyono O saw the same ordinary scene as always, with no celebratory atmosphere whatsoever.
Looking around the quiet house, Chiyono O didn't say anything further; she only turned toward the kitchen.
Tokai Natural's hearing was sharp.
Normally, by now, Tokai Natural would already have greeted her.
But right now…
Walking up to the kitchen door, Chiyono O saw Tokai Natural standing on a small step-stool.
Different from usual, Tokai Natural's brows were furrowed tightly, as if deep in thought.
Watching this, Chiyono O tilted her head slightly.
She wasn't like Maruzensky or Mr. C.B., who'd investigated Tokai Natural's background.
To Chiyono O, Tokai Natural was simply like a wife abandoned by a heartless scoundrel.
So, right now, she merely assumed Tokai Natural was worried about some ordinary issue.
"Yayoi-san?"
"Ah—ah!" Turning abruptly, Tokai Natural noticed Chiyono O standing behind her. "Chiyono O, you're already here?"
"It's just the usual time, actually. Yayoi-san, are you…"
Chiyono O pointedly glanced at the stew pot in front of Tokai Natural.
Following her gaze, Tokai Natural was immediately reminded.
What she saw was the slowly thickening sauce in the pot. At this rate, if she didn't quickly proceed with the next step, it would soon burn.
Reacting instantly, Tokai Natural said: "Ah! Can you hand me the big shrimp on the cutting board?"
"This one?"
Handing over the lobster, already neatly sliced, to Tokai Natural.
Taking it without hesitation, Tokai Natural quickly added a bit of water into the pot, then carefully placed the lobster inside.
Only after completing these steps did Tokai Natural turn back to Chiyono O:
"Thanks… If you hadn't reminded me just now…"
"It wasn't a big deal, it's just…"
Recalling Tokai Natural's earlier distracted appearance, Chiyono O hesitated before asking another question.
"Yayoi-san, what were you thinking about just now?"
"Ah, that? I was just thinking about whether I should move out soon. You know—once the restaurant opens or if I start working for the Mejiro Family, I wouldn't have to trouble Maruzen-san here anymore, right?"
After casually disguising her true reasons, Tokai Natural continued, "Besides, moving closer to the restaurant would make things easier. There's quite a bit of prep work before opening, after all."
Tokai Natural's layered explanation successfully masked the underlying issue from Chiyono O.
And because the reasoning was perfectly logical—
Chiyono O couldn't find any reason to object.
Yet…
The slight sadness lingering between Tokai Natural's brows didn't disappear.
Chiyono O didn't know the source of this sadness, but…
"Yayoi-san, do you really think that's a good idea?"
"…It's fine."
After a brief pause, Tokai Natural replied softly.
Hearing Tokai Natural's answer, Chiyono O opened her mouth slightly.
She sensed something was wrong.
She wanted to say something more.
But in the end, she quietly shifted her gaze elsewhere. "If Yayoi-san thinks it's fine, then it's probably fine. But…"
"Yayoi-san, do you really believe it's the right decision?"
These words made Tokai Natural freeze momentarily.
She opened her mouth, intending to respond, but—
Her sharp hearing caught the slight sounds from the cooking pot, pulling her attention back.
Quickly opening the lid and adding the previously prepared seasonings, she turned back to Chiyono O and said hesitantly:
"I… I think it's fine…"
Her voice gradually trailed off, making Chiyono O even more certain Tokai Natural wasn't truly satisfied with this decision.
Yet…
Chiyono O raised her head to look closely at Tokai Natural.
Since Yayoi herself insisted there was nothing wrong, Chiyono O had no place to intervene—even if that sadness was so clearly visible on her face.
Looking at Tokai Natural's expression, Chiyono O only stayed silent a few seconds longer before quietly turning her gaze away:
"If you say it's fine, Yayoi-san, then it's fine… But if anything troublesome happens, please tell us immediately. We'll help you."
Adding this final assurance, Chiyono O looked toward the pot in Tokai Natural's hand.
A pleasant aroma was already wafting from inside.
It looked almost ready to eat.
Tokai Natural said nothing more, only returning her attention to the pot she held in one hand.
"Could you hand me a plate?"
"Sure!"
Chiyono O immediately took a plate from the dish rack, placing it beside Tokai Natural.
She watched as a perfectly cooked lobster, cut neatly in half and vibrant in color, came out of the pot.
"This is braised lobster—I initially planned it as an energy-boosting meal before tonight's celebration, but…" Tokai Natural glanced gently at Chiyono O. "Would you like to try some?"
"Eh? Can I really?"
Seeing the light flash in Chiyono O's eyes, Tokai Natural simply smiled and handed over a fork. "Please."
Taking the fork from Tokai Natural without hesitation, Chiyono O picked up a piece and placed it into her mouth.
"It's delicious!"
Hearing this enthusiastic reaction, Tokai Natural's expression softened slightly. Then, she quietly turned back toward another pile of ingredients she'd bought earlier.
"Eh? Yayoi-san, aren't you eating?"
"No, since you're here already, that means…"
"C.B.-san and Maruzen-san will probably be back soon too. I have to prepare dinner."
As she spoke their names, Tokai Natural's voice subtly changed—but it went unnoticed.
"Ah, about that—Maruzen-senpai mentioned earlier that there was a lot of work today, so she'll probably return later than usual."
Chiyono O only remembered Maruzensky's earlier explanation upon Tokai Natural's reminder.
"She'll be back late, huh…" Tokai Natural murmured quietly, glancing briefly toward Chiyono O. "In that case…"
"Yayoi-san, have you already decided what to make?"
"Yes, I was thinking about it just now…"
"Then, Yayoi-san… could you maybe make it a little sweeter? Somehow, it tasted a bit bitter…"
"Bitter?"
Tokai Natural was puzzled. She clearly remembered not adding anything that might cause bitterness to the lobster. Yet, bitter…?
"Maybe I imagined it… But when I took the second bite, suddenly it just tasted incredibly bitter…"