Another day passed.
Yesterday's press conference with Symboli Rudolf didn't cause too much disruption in Yayoi Natural's daily routine.
After all, the only thing that could seriously affect her life right now was income.
Thinking about this, Natural glanced once more at the broth simmering gently in the pot.
If the upcoming event between the Mejiro Family and China's Tracen Academy went smoothly tomorrow, then the financial pressure might finally ease...
As she mulled this over, Natural's eyes drifted toward Mochizuki.
She'd managed to set aside enough for Mochizuki's living and school expenses, and she'd even carefully budgeted funds for Teio, in case she joined them later.
But for the restaurant's daily operations...
The Mejiro Family's event absolutely could not fail.
With a sigh, Natural pulled her gaze away from Mochizuki. Instead of returning to the broth, she glanced anxiously at the clock.
The clock read exactly 3:00 PM, and her expression shifted subtly.
Natural thought the change was slight enough to go unnoticed, but her daughter had caught it clearly.
Noticing her mother's frequent glances at the clock, Mochizuki turned her head to follow her mother's line of sight.
The clock read slightly past the time Natural had checked.
It was Mochizuki's first time checking the time today.
The reason was simple: it was already the eighth time Natural had done so.
Although Mochizuki didn't know why her mother was so concerned with the clock, she glanced toward the shop entrance and quietly withdrew her gaze.
She knew that, sooner or later, she'd find out.
Time passed slowly, finally settling at 5:00 PM—the peak hour for dinner. Even though Natural's small restaurant wasn't particularly popular yet, there were always a few customers during this hour.
As Natural's daughter, Mochizuki was typically quite busy at this time.
But she hadn't forgotten Natural's earlier actions, so she carefully watched every customer who came in.
Eventually, as the door swung open once more, Mochizuki saw clearly who stepped into the restaurant.
Tokai Teio...
At that moment, Mochizuki was finally certain—beyond any doubt—that Tokai Teio was indeed her older sister.
Even though she really didn't want to call Teio "Onee-chan," given the circumstances...
With a deeply resigned sigh, Mochizuki already began imagining the inevitable awkwardness she'd face.
The jingle of the bell prompted Natural to turn her head.
And then, finally, she saw Tokai Teio.
This was her first time seeing Teio since the split with the Tokai Family.
Looking at Teio's face, which resembled Mochizuki's so closely, Natural froze for a moment before she softly began, "Wel—"
"Welcome~"
But Mochizuki immediately cut in, noticing the subtle change in Natural's tone.
"Mochizuki-chan?"
Teio's eyes immediately sparkled when she saw Mochizuki dressed up as the restaurant's poster girl. "Mochizuki-chan, you look adorable!"
Saying this, Teio immediately tried to pounce on her.
Before she could reach Mochizuki, Tokai Roman swiftly grabbed Teio's collar from behind. "I brought you here just to familiarize you. Tracen Academy's open day is next week. If you don't feel like coming home, you can stay over here for the night."
After gently scolding Teio, Roman turned to Natural. "Do you have curry?"
"Yes."
Natural nodded, slightly diverting her gaze. "It's closer to English-style curry. I hope you're okay with that."
She turned toward the kitchen but suddenly noticed Mochizuki's stare.
Natural looked back, puzzled by her daughter's gaze, but Mochizuki remained silent.
Roman and Teio found an empty table and sat down.
"Natural?"
"Yes?"
"Make it sweet."
Roman's request clearly took Teio into consideration—after all, children usually preferred something sweet.
Natural nodded gently. "Alright, no problem~"
Watching Natural's careful, gentle interaction, Mochizuki sighed helplessly again before speaking up. "The open day at Tracen Academy is soon, huh?"
"It has nothing to do with you," Natural replied casually. "It's only open to Uma Musume anyway." She paused briefly before adding thoughtfully, "But if you really want to visit, it's not impossible."
Glancing toward Teio, Natural then continued, "You could ask Maruzen-san or C.B.-san to bring you in. It wouldn't be difficult for either of them."
Natural returned her focus to the curry, placing several pieces of beef over rice before ladling curry sauce on top. "Curry's ready~"
Mochizuki promptly picked up two plates, placing them in front of Tokai Roman and Tokai Teio.
As Mochizuki set down the plates, Teio immediately seized the opportunity, hugging Mochizuki tightly.
"You look even cuter than usual, Mochizuki-chan!"
"Teio, could you please let go?"
Realizing fully that this Uma Musume was her older sister, Mochizuki's expression turned increasingly unwilling.
"Nope!"
"That's enough, Teio."
Roman's gentle scolding immediately paused Teio's movements—and temporarily suppressed whatever further mischief was stirring behind her eager eyes.
Seeing Teio hesitate, Mochizuki sighed again, turning toward Roman. "Tokai-san, it's fine."
"Eh? Really?!"
Detecting the hidden concession in Mochizuki's voice, Teio's eyes sparkled with excitement once more.
"…Well, we don't have other customers right now anyway."
Mochizuki turned her gaze slightly away from Teio, avoiding eye contact.
Her reason for giving in wasn't just the lack of customers. When Teio had hugged her earlier, Mochizuki had felt strangely comforted—as if they'd always been close to each other.
But Teio didn't overthink it as Mochizuki did.
The instant she heard Mochizuki's reluctant permission, Teio pounced again, happily exclaiming, "Mochizuki-chan's adorable!"
"What are you even saying?" Mochizuki swiftly slapped away Teio's hand, which had reached up to pinch her cheek.
"Just let me touch you once!"
Teio's other hand reached out again.
"Nope, sorry."
It was slapped away immediately.
Observing their interaction, Natural's expression gradually softened.
She still didn't know whether Teio would ever truly accept her as a mother.
But simply seeing her once in a while like this wasn't bad either.
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl
Okay, real talk: I am extremely hungry for money, so I'm raising membership prices soon.
BUT.
If you're already subscribed before the change, your current price stays the same as long as you remain subscribed.
So for example:
Person A is already subscribed at $7/month
Price later goes up to $14/month
Person A still pays $7/month if they stay subscribed
Meanwhile:
Person B was not subscribed before the change
After the price becomes $14/month
Person B has to pay $14/month
So yes, prices are going up, but existing members get to keep their current rate if they stay in.
Which means:
If you want the cheaper price, join before the change. Otherwise, if you subscribe later, you'll be paying the new higher amount.
Price changes happen on Monday 16th, North America time.