She tidied up her clothes.
Even though students should act like students, appearing in public neatly clad in their uniforms…
Due to the close ties between the Symboli Family and the Mejiro Family, even Symboli Rudolf had no choice but to change into attire arranged specifically by her family.
After placing the final decorative piece from her desk into its proper position, Symboli Rudolf stepped out of her room.
Her next destination was the Mejiro Family's banquet.
As for the Symboli Family's own gathering?
With only three direct members in the Symboli main household—and Symboli Speed still overseas—holding a family banquet was impossible, thus there was no need for any internal event.
She pulled out her phone to confirm the time.
There were still thirty minutes before departure.
...
Tokai Natural wasn't sure if she should change into a chef's uniform, but after some brief consideration decided against it—after all, she didn't own one.
Without any cooking utensils, Tokai Natural locked up her little shop, then sent emails to Maruzensky and Mr. C.B., asking them to watch over Mochizuki for her. With that done, she left the restaurant behind.
...
Seated in the private car, Symboli Rudolf watched the scenery flying by outside the window.
She wondered if she'd overlooked anything.
The Tokai Family issue was already handled by Symboli Sirius, so Rudolf didn't have to worry about it herself.
Still…
A faint yet nagging sense of unease made Symboli Rudolf wonder again if she'd overlooked something crucial.
...
Sitting on the bus, Tokai Natural gazed out at the passing scenery, her mind occupied with thoughts of what dishes would be suitable today.
After all, this was a family banquet—her usual home-cooking style probably wouldn't fit, yet preparing a formal French course might feel overly stiff.
As various possibilities ran through her mind, Tokai Natural took out her phone.
She needed to look into what would be best for this kind of gathering.
Thus, she spent the ride absorbed in her research.
Even after getting off the bus, Tokai Natural didn't pause her search, continuing forward while staring at her phone.
And as Tokai Natural walked onward, engrossed in her research, a black sedan quietly drove past on the road.
...
Although the banquet was an internal family event, some inter-family socializing was inevitable, prompting Symboli Rudolf to arrive early.
"Are we near the Mejiro Estate?"
"We'll be there shortly."
After hearing the driver's reply, Symboli Rudolf didn't say anything further. She withdrew her gaze from the window and corrected her posture, returning to her usual dignified bearing.
And precisely because of this—looking straight ahead—she missed the sight of someone walking slowly on the sidewalk.
...
Noticing the changing scenery around her, Tokai Natural finally lifted her head.
Only then did she realize she'd already entered the Mejiro Family grounds.
Putting her phone away, she directed her attention forward.
The Mejiro butler stood waiting at the gate, apparently to welcome guests.
Behind the butler, within the Mejiro Estate grounds, a black sedan was slowly pulling toward the parking lot.
Tokai Natural didn't pay much attention to this scene. She simply quickened her pace slightly, approaching the butler.
"Ms. Yayoi, the kitchen is ready. Please follow me."
The butler treated Tokai Natural exactly as he would any guest—politely, without extra ceremony.
Tokai Natural quietly followed behind him without questions.
After all, she was here to work. Asking unnecessary questions and causing discomfort would be inappropriate.
Together with the butler, she bypassed the main entrance used by most guests, entering the Mejiro mansion through a side door. Soon, they arrived at the kitchen.
The butler opened the kitchen door for her.
Inside, Tokai Natural saw the chefs already lined up, fully prepared and awaiting her.
Facing them, Tokai Natural—smaller in stature—looked visibly nervous: "Um… Please follow the usual menu you've always prepared. I'll only add one extra dish at the end."
She decided against handling all the dishes herself, feeling uncertain about whether she could manage them properly.
Hearing her words, the original head chef turned to look at her.
He knew Tokai Natural still wasn't familiar with Mejiro Family's traditional dishes, which explained her approach.
Yet…
"I'll leave seasoning and heat control entirely up to you, Chef."
Tokai Natural simply nodded at his words, then took out her phone again to finish the research she'd begun earlier.
...
Mejiro Ardan gazed down at the familiar dishes on the table, her expression unchanged from previous years.
Symboli Rudolf likewise didn't comment upon seeing the dishes she knew so well; she simply picked up her cutlery and began eating.
However, upon taking the first bite, both Uma Musume realized something was different.
Though the dishes appeared the same as always…
The taste had entirely transformed.
It was a level of deliciousness that could compel anyone to declare it tasty.
Finally, a main course—completely different from previous years—was placed on the table.
But rather than a main course, its presentation made it seem more like dessert.
Seeing the carefully stacked, thinly sliced root vegetables arranged into a dessert-like shape, Symboli Rudolf's expression softened slightly.
Even someone like her would feel gentler upon tasting something wonderful.
She lifted a small bite with her fork, tasting it, and felt her expression shift once again.
It wasn't necessarily superior to the previous dishes, but it made the diner feel something even more pleasant and comforting.
Tasting such a dish, Rudolf's features finally relaxed completely.
She wasn't certain who had prepared it, yet she could clearly sense the earnestness behind it.
Moreover…
Something in this flavor carried a familiar echo.
With this thought lingering, Rudolf finished the final bite before gently setting her fork down. "This chef truly has remarkable skill."
Her voice and tone were softer than usual.
"Yes, she's a chef we recently happened upon. She only comes here when invited."
As Mejiro Ardan spoke, her gaze lingered briefly on the plate now holding nothing but traces of sauce.
The emptied plate affirmed the dish's excellence.
With another subtle shift in expression, the young lady continued, "She runs a restaurant near the shopping street close to Tracen Academy, so it's actually possible to taste her cooking at other times, too."
Mejiro Ardan's words drew a simple nod from Symboli Rudolf.
After completing her work, Tokai Natural had no intention of lingering—just as the Mejiro Family had their holiday dinners, Tokai Natural also had people to celebrate with.
Thus, as soon as she'd finished her duties, she quietly left the Mejiro mansion behind.
---
T/N: AAAAAAAAAAAA WHAT IS THISSS