Time came to September.
Before leaving the Maruzen Family's residence, Tokai Shizen decided to temporarily open the store first.
Temporary opening could actually be called a soft opening.
Simply put, it was to test whether the flavors in the small shop suited the habits of the local people.
Although Tokai Shizen had already let Chiyo O and others taste it and received good reviews, she was still worried.
Therefore, Tokai Shizen prepared for a soft opening.
On September 10th, the five-day soft opening officially began.
Ever since Tokai Shizen reminded her that day, Tamamo Cross's performance gradually improved slightly.
This caused her fanbase to gradually grow.
However, she still wanted to find the fan who had given her advice that day.
So occasionally, Tamamo Cross would come to this Shopping Street.
But she could never find Tokai Shizen again.
This was natural, because Tokai Shizen had only come here that day to look at the storefront.
Therefore, it was impossible for Tamamo Cross to find Tokai Shizen on this Shopping Street, and Tokai Shizen had also been troubled by various things for the past two months, so she had no chance to go to the racecourse to watch Tamamo Cross's races.
So it was natural that Tamamo Cross couldn't see Tokai Shizen.
But, just like that accidental meeting that day.
Tamamo Cross saw that fan again.
She was carrying a board and placing it at the entrance of the shop.
Seeing Tokai Shizen contemplating where to place the sign, Tamamo Cross confirmed that the other party had been busy opening a shop during this time, which was why she hadn't been able to come to watch the races.
"Hmm, this should be fine, right?"
After adjusting the position of the wooden board, Tokai Shizen turned around: "Eh?"
Tamamo Cross was standing not far away.
Looking at the other person's face, Tokai Shizen thought for a second, then raised her hand: "Tamamo?"
"Ah..."
Facing the other person's greeting, which seemed like a normal person's, Tamamo Cross was also stunned for a second. She suddenly didn't know what to say.
Because originally, she had intended to say thank you or something, but now... "Are you planning to open a shop here?"
Without mentioning her thanks for the race advice, she just walked up to Tokai Shizen and asked this question.
"Yes, I came here earlier to look at the storefront. What about you? Did you win the race?"
"No, but my performance is much better than before, and I should be staying on the turf from now on." Saying this, Tamamo Cross paused briefly, then spoke again: "Thank you for the advice before."
"I'm glad it helped."
Saying this, Tokai Shizen looked at Tamamo Cross, then looked through the glass at the wall clock inside the shop.
The time was 5:30 PM, which was Just right dinner time.
Noticing this, Tokai Shizen just shifted her gaze to Tamamo Cross: "Do you want to eat? It's free."
"Eh? No, no need."
"It's fine. Consider it a celebration. Besides, it's just a soft opening right now. It would be best if you could eat and provide a taste sample from a Tracen student."
Hearing Tokai Shizen say this, Tamamo Cross initially wanted to refuse, but seeing Tokai Shizen already entering the shop, Tamamo Cross just paused for a second, then pushed open the shop door.
The decorations inside the shop were all old.
It didn't look like a newly opened shop at all, but the open kitchen area looked very simple and clean, with all the basic kitchen utensils readily available.
"Just find an empty seat and sit down."
Listening to Tokai Shizen's voice, Tamamo Cross just found an empty seat and sat down.
Then, Tokai Shizen placed a menu in front of Tamamo Cross: "For now, there are only these few main dishes. The others haven't been prepared yet."
Saying this, Tokai Shizen looked at Tamamo Cross.
Looking at the menu placed in front of her, Tamamo Cross just nodded, then picked up the menu Tokai Shizen provided.
The menu only had a few simple dishes, quite different from most businesses.
And looking at the five dishes on the menu, Tamamo Cross thought for a few seconds, then spoke: "Um, I'll have this grilled meat."
"This one? Please wait a moment."
Saying this, Tokai Shizen first poured Tamamo Cross a glass of water, then began to prepare her dinner.
Watching Tokai Shizen sit in the open kitchen and begin preparing her dinner, Tamamo Cross just turned her head to observe the interior of the shop.
As with her first impression, the shop's interior was old, but everything was very clean.
It seemed that a lot of time must have been spent specifically cleaning it.
And the green plants on the tables were not plastic flowers, but real plants. It seemed that the daily expenses for these should also be a considerable sum. After surveying the entire shop, Tamamo Cross finally turned her gaze back to Tokai Shizen.
Although she had noticed it before, seeing it again now, she realized that their heights were similar.
Tamamo Cross, noticing this, did not ask any questions, as it is common for Uma Musume to have little change in height after their full transformation.
Therefore, there was not much need to inquire about this aspect.
After about thirty minutes, a grilled meat dish, completely different from what Tamamo Cross had imagined, was placed in front of her.
"Huh?"
Looking at the grilled meat that resembled bread, Tamamo Cross tilted her head, a little unsure of what it was.
"This grilled meat contains mashed potatoes mixed with an appropriate amount of chopped carrots and onions. Although I had a few other Uma Musume taste-test it, but…"
At this point, Tokai Shizen sighed, "I just feel like it won't quite suit your tastes, which is why we're having a soft opening."
"I see, then I'll give it a try first."
Saying this, Tamamo Cross picked up her knife and cut into the grilled meat in front of her.
Then, the light yellow of the potato was revealed.
Looking at the "grilled meat" on the plate, Tamamo Cross merely looked up at Tokai Shizen.
"Please enjoy it~"
"Oh…"
Saying this, Tamamo Cross cut off a piece and ate it in one bite.
A few seconds later, she spoke, "It's delicious. Although the taste is a bit different from real meat, the rich texture makes it a very suitable dish for an Uma Musume to eat after training."
"Is that so? That's good…"
Before Tokai Shizen could fully relax, she heard the shop door open.
"Sorry…"
Turning her head, Tokai Shizen, who was about to tell the person that the soft opening wouldn't start until tomorrow, saw someone, someone with whom she should have had a close relationship.
Sirius Symboli.
Sirius Symboli, who had pushed open the shop door, glanced at Tokai Shizen, then shifted her gaze, "There's a new person."
"Yes, yes. Right now, we're just preparing before opening. The soft opening will begin tomorrow."
"I see, then I'll come back tomorrow."
Saying this, Sirius Symboli turned around and closed the door again.
And while she was at it, she flipped the "Open" sign, which Tokai Shizen had forgotten to turn, to "Closed."