Uma Musume… Nase Fumino.
As Super Creek's Trainer, she could be said to worry herself sick over Super Creek every day.
Super Creek, originally scheduled to debut in the summer, had to postpone her debut due to physical issues, waiting until Super Creek's body recovered before considering her debut race.
Recently, due to Super Creek's own anxiety about her current condition.
Nase Fumino had to start dealing with issues like sprained ankles again.
The reason was Super Creek's individual extra training.
Because of Super Creek's injury this time, Nase Fumino had to work overtime to adjust the training plan.
She also started considering eating near Tracen Academy.
However, the main reason Nase Fumino ate outside the school was still… "Come, ah…"
Recalling Super Creek's actions and words when feeding her.
Nase Fumino, after enduring for several months, finally couldn't take it anymore.
After all, she was just a rookie Trainer, and being able to last this long was already quite good.
So, under such circumstances, Nase Fumino had no choice but to use the excuse of going out to find information.
Walking down the Shopping Street, Nase Fumino merely glanced around before sighing.
To be honest, if she had a choice, she didn't really want to come here for dinner. After all, it was too close to Tracen Academy, and the risk of being discovered by Super Creek was high.
However, she genuinely needed to go out and search for information, and on the way, the only convenient place with options was this Shopping Street.
Walking along one side of the Shopping Street, Nase Fumino's gaze constantly swept over the shops along the street.
Although there were many shops on the Shopping Street, most were small eateries or snack shops; proper restaurants were few.
So, there weren't many choices.
But... recalling Super Creek's state, Nase Fumino decided to look around this Shopping Street after all.
"Will tomorrow's menu also change?"
A slight sound drew Nase Fumino's attention.
Turning her head, Nase Fumino saw Sirius Symboli closing the door of a shop.
"Yes, I'll be back tomorrow too."
After saying that, Sirius Symboli turned and left.
"That is..."
Looking at the shop Sirius Symboli had just exited, Nase Fumino pondered for a few seconds before looking inside the restaurant.
Through the glass window, Nase Fumino could just make out the interior of the shop.
A small Uma Musume was clearing plates.
Seeing this, Nase Fumino merely looked around.
They were all convenience food stores.
Looking at the convenience food stores or snack shops, Nase Fumino finally sighed and then walked forward.
Arriving at the storefront, Nase Fumino saw a notice posted on the door.
"[During the trial operation phase, menu prices are not yet determined, and the daily menu will be subject to changes.]"
Reading the words on the paper notice, Nase Fumino hesitated for a moment, then pushed open the door.
"Welcome~ Just find a seat anywhere."
Tokai Shizen, who had just finished clearing the table where Sirius Symboli had dined, looked at her.
"Oh, oh..."
Tokai Shizen's words made Nase Fumino slightly unsure how to react.
Because she felt something familiar from the Uma Musume in front of her, something she didn't really want to recall.
But... she looked up at her.
The vast difference in size from Super Creek seemed to tell Nase Fumino that her previous feeling was false.
It was precisely this observation that dispelled Nase Fumino's initial doubts, leading her to sit at the counter.
The next second after she sat down, a menu and a glass of water were placed in front of her.
"Since it's a trial operation period, currently only main dishes are available. Side dishes and appetizers are not yet determined, and only water can be provided." Saying this, Tokai Shizen didn't continue to look at her; she only needed to wait for Nase Fumino to make a decision.
Picking up the menu Tokai Shizen had placed in front of her.
Nase Fumino quickly noticed that the menu only had five options.
Moreover, there were no pictures, not even prices.
It was just a photocopy with dish names printed on it.
Nase Fumino didn't say much about this, as the notice had already made it clear that the menu would change daily, so using photocopies was more convenient.
However... most of the dishes listed were beyond Nase Fumino's understanding.
So, she chose the only dish for which she could identify the basic ingredients: "Um, could I get a portion of this minced beef and mashed potatoes, please?"
Hearing the name, Tokai Shizen merely looked at her, then spoke: "This portion is a bit large. Do you need a smaller amount?"
"Is the portion very large?"
"A full portion is probably enough for four people. In the future, it will mainly be served as a staple food for Uma Musume with big appetites, since this place is very close to Tracen Academy." Saying this, Tokai Shizen slightly turned: "Reducing it to half or one-third should be enough for you."
"I see. In that case, please do."
"Okay, sure."
Saying this, Tokai Shizen washed several potatoes and then directly threw them into a pot to boil.
After all, mashed potatoes still need to be boiled first.
But before the water even boiled, the young girl heard some crying.
Hearing this, Tokai Shizen merely looked at her: "Excuse me, I'll be away for a moment."
"It's fine."
Hearing this, Tokai Shizen quickly left.
Not long after, Nase Fumino saw Tokai Shizen return to the kitchen holding a baby.
As a chef, she still had to check the doneness of the dishes. Although mashed potatoes are better the mushier they are, considering they would be baked later, she still had to check them.
Seeing this scene, Nase Fumino finally understood where her previous feeling of the other person being very similar to Super Creek came from.
After all, Super Creek could be said to be overly maternal, but the person in front of her was a real mother... so it was not strange that she would give Nase Fumino such a familiar feeling.
But compared to that, Nase Fumino was now more concerned about her age. Although the age boundaries for Uma Musume are very blurred due to the existence of individualization, it felt, somehow, a bit too young.
Having reached this conclusion, Nase Fumino frowned.
She knew that an Uma Musume being able to open a shop as an owner meant she must be an adult, but... after much deliberation, a not-so-small portion of mashed potatoes was placed in front of Nase Fumino.
"Please enjoy."
By this time, Tokai Shizen had already returned Mochizuki to the baby cradle.
Looking at the mashed potatoes in front of her, Nase Fumino no longer dwelled on her previous questions. After all, one Super Creek was already almost too much for her to handle, and another would be even more... so for now, she would just enjoy the delicious food.