A night in mid-December. Tokai Natural sat alone inside her restaurant, the heater gently humming.
Visitors had become fewer with winter's arrival. After all, few people wanted to venture out into the cold for a meal.
Besides…
She glanced out the window at the drifting snowflakes. "When will the snow stop, I wonder…?"
Every December, Tokyo would see snowfall, sometimes continuing until February of the next year.
Given the circumstances, Tokai Natural seriously considered closing early during this period.
Ding-ling~
The bell hanging on the door chimed, signaling a customer's arrival.
"Welcome—"
Her voice abruptly cut off as she turned and saw the person who had entered.
Someone who shouldn't know her whereabouts.
Tokai… Roman.
Staring at the newcomer, Tokai Natural opened her mouth, but the last word she'd prepared never made it out.
Unlike Tokai Natural's stunned silence, Tokai Roman's eyes filled instantly with both excitement and sorrow.
They stared at each other for nearly ten seconds before Tokai Roman finally approached, quietly seating herself across from Tokai Natural.
"Is…is there a menu?"
Roman's voice was hesitant, almost fearful—like a child stepping nervously into a fancy restaurant for the first time.
"Yes, here you go."
Tokai Natural responded softly, placing a hand-drawn menu and a cup of oolong tea before her.
Without making further eye contact, the two behaved as if they were merely a normal customer and a restaurant owner.
Tokai Roman picked up the menu, glanced at dishes whose names revealed almost nothing, then set it back down gently.
"Could you…make something that takes a little longer to prepare?"
Tokai Natural nodded lightly. "Mm."
Turning, Tokai Natural briefly checked her remaining ingredients before starting the preparations.
Watching Tokai Natural begin the meal from scratch, kneading dough in silence, Tokai Roman didn't speak.
Just like earlier, both tacitly chose to remain quiet, as if they truly were strangers.
As Tokai Natural stood with her back turned, quietly kneading the dough, Roman glanced away.
Her gaze slowly scanned the restaurant, eventually settling on the staircase leading to the second floor.
Various personal items were placed at the corner near the top.
Just one glance told Tokai Roman clearly: the second floor was where Natural lived.
Realizing this, Roman quietly shifted her gaze back to the person working silently just a short distance away.
Tokai Natural's figure hadn't changed much from two years prior. Watching her sister's back, Roman quietly waited for the meal to arrive.
Nearly an hour later—by the time the clock had reached 11 p.m.—Tokai Natural finally placed a small plate of steamed dumplings before Tokai Roman.
"Steamed shrimp dumplings."
Gazing at the delicate, translucent dumplings and the small dish of vinegar beside them, Tokai Roman raised her eyes toward Tokai Natural, who'd already begun tidying up the kitchen.
She had never known her younger sister's cooking skills were this good.
Thinking silently for a few seconds, Roman quietly picked up her chopsticks and started to eat.
It didn't take her long to finish the small serving of dumplings.
After finishing, Roman stood up. "How much?"
"Two thousand yen."
Upon hearing the answer, Tokai Roman quietly placed two bills onto the table, then turned toward the door. "I'll come again later—probably around the same time at night."
With those words, Roman exited the shop just as abruptly as she had entered.
Only after Roman had left did Tokai Natural finally turn around again.
She stared at the closed door for several minutes before glancing down at the money left behind.
Two Fukuzawa Yukichis sat on the table.
"Didn't I say two thousand yen…?"
With a quiet murmur, she picked up the two bills and tucked them into the cash drawer before collecting Roman's plate and tidying up.
She had to open early tomorrow, after all. It was time to rest.
But Tokai Roman hadn't actually left yet. For her, returning late now would mean trouble with the dorm manager anyway—better to stay outside just a bit longer.
Standing a short distance away, she watched as the restaurant lights gradually dimmed.
Then—
The second-floor lights flickered on.
Watching the noticeably colder color of the upper-floor lighting, Tokai Roman softly exhaled, her breath forming a gentle mist.
A few more minutes passed, and the second-floor lights finally switched off again.
Tokai Natural had clearly gone to sleep.
Roman stood silently for several seconds, gazing at the darkened windows. Finally, she turned away.
"It's time to go back."
With a final glance, she walked off toward Tracen Academy's dormitory.
...
The next day, the restaurant opened as usual, with Tokai Natural once again quietly seated in her usual spot. But...
The two regulars, who had arrived again for their tea and coffee, stared openly at her.
After about ten minutes, Mr. C.B. finally turned to Maruzensky:
"Natural seems to be in a pretty good mood, huh?"
"She really does."
Maruzensky briefly glanced at Tokai Natural, then smiled softly. "Something good probably happened."
Her expression was noticeably warmer than usual.
Although Maruzensky wasn't particularly empathetic by nature, seeing Natural constantly weighed down by worries inevitably affected her own mood.
Especially because she knew exactly what Natural was facing—problems she couldn't help her with.
Watching Maruzensky's improved expression, Mr. C.B. suddenly raised a hand. "Natural!"
Attracted by the call, Tokai Natural looked toward Mr. C.B. "Yes?"
"Make dinner for me and Maruzensky tonight!"
The request came shamelessly.
Natural simply responded lightly, "Mm, what would you like?"
"Something meaty as the main dish, served with rice."
"I see. Please wait a moment—I'll prepare it right away."
Hearing Natural's slightly brighter tone, Mr. C.B. leaned back comfortably in her seat. "Maruzensky, what do you want?"
Glancing briefly at Mr. C.B., Maruzensky turned to watch Natural, busy in the kitchen. After quietly observing for a few seconds, she gently called out:
"Natural?"
"Yes, I'm listening."
"Can I have gaijiaofan?"
Hearing this, Tokai Natural paused briefly before giving her reply:
"Yes, of course."