She had to prepare for upcoming events.
The Autumn Tenno Sho race.
She knew her current condition was not good, or rather, it was very poor.
After all, she had been on the track for six years, so a decline in condition was natural. Besides that, there was another matter troubling her.
The matter concerning Tokai Shizen was still bothering Sirius Symboli.
She remembered how scared Tokai Shizen was when she first saw her.
So she also understood that she shouldn't appear before her at this time.
Moreover, before seeing Tokai Shizen again, Sirius Symboli hoped to do something to make her at least not afraid anymore.
After all, always leaving a bad impression wasn't good.
But the key issue was still… "Rudolph Symboli."
Recalling the entire incident, Sirius Symboli could easily pinpoint the fundamental reason why Tokai Shizen feared her so much.
She punched the dormitory wall.
"That Rudolph definitely did something to her!"
What Sirius Symboli meant by "did something" did not refer to what Rudolph Symboli initially did to Tokai Shizen.
It referred to something else, something more crucial.
Something she couldn't find in the records.
Thinking of this, Sirius Symboli wanted to confront Rudolph Symboli about it immediately.
However, because of the upcoming Autumn Tenno Sho race, Sirius Symboli had to temporarily suppress this urge.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Night fell… Looking at the small shop, where it seemed no more customers would come.
Tokai Shizen, who seemed to be waiting for someone, looked up at the wall clock and let out a long sigh.
She had to close up.
She locked the shop door, gathered the chairs together, and turned off the lights.
She walked up to the second floor of the restaurant.
There was a significant difference in lighting between the two floors.
The first floor of the restaurant still used warm tones, but the second floor had completely transformed into a cool tone dominated by white.
In this environment, Tokai Shizen simply looked in the direction of the baby's cradle.
Tokai Mochizuki had not yet woken up, looking nothing like a child under one year old.
Looking at Mochizuki lying in the cradle, Tokai Shizen's heart, which had been tense because Sirius Symboli hadn't come, relaxed a little.
"If only I could provide you with more nutrition…" Saying this, Tokai Shizen traced her finger across Tokai Mochizuki's cheek.
All Tokai Shizen could provide Mochizuki was breast milk.
The nutrition of breast milk is generally affected by the mother's physical condition, nutritional intake, and emotional stability.
Knowing all this, Tokai Shizen looked at Mochizuki for a long time, then spoke again: "If only she could have Teio's luck, perhaps it would be better."
Unlike the malnutrition Mochizuki might still face.
Tokai Teio would certainly not have any problems in this regard before her first talent test.
Because Tokai Teio was, after all, a bloodline continuation of Rudolph Symboli, so for the sake of a potential genius, the Tokai Family would absolutely not neglect Tokai Teio in this aspect.
And the luck Tokai Shizen spoke of referred to this aspect.
If Mochizuki were also an Uma Musume, perhaps she wouldn't have to be dragged around by Shizen, nor would she have to face the current possibility of malnutrition.
But Shizen knew very well that it was impossible.
Because there were some rumors.
For example, twin Uma Musume wouldn't achieve much because they split their nutrients.
If Mochizuki had also been identified as an Uma Musume at the time, Tokai Shizen might have been driven out of her home even before giving birth to them.
But, if she had been driven out when she first became pregnant, Tokai Shizen wouldn't have to worry about freezing to death on the streets.
Thinking of this, Tokai Shizen simply kissed Mochizuki's forehead.
Then she lay down on the bed made of several stacked boxes.
Lying on the bed, Tokai Shizen looked at the ceiling; she couldn't quite fall asleep.
The ceiling, pieced together like a wooden floor, had nothing on it, only the wood grain that should be present on wooden products.
Looking at those wood grains, Tokai Shizen pondered how she should live her life next.
With the work at the Mejiro Family and the restaurant's income, there wasn't too much Tokai Shizen needed to do.
At least the most basic sustenance was barely resolved.
And next, as long as the Tokai Family and the Symboli Family didn't have intentions against her, she would be able to live well here.
Although… recalling Sirius Symboli, who hadn't appeared at the opening ceremony today.
Tokai Shizen's expression changed slightly.
Sirius Symboli might be a good person, but the Symboli Family was a family.
Thinking about this, Tokai Shizen adjusted her body posture.
She couldn't continue thinking about these problems.
She knew she could only think of the worst‑case scenario, and if she continued to think, she couldn't even be sure what she would come up with.
Therefore, she could no longer think.
She had to stop.
————————————————
The next day, business was as usual, and not many people visited the Shopping Street outside the shop, which was to be expected.
Because Tracen Academy, due to its large area, was located in the suburbs of Tokyo, and this Shopping Street, while benefiting from Tracen Academy's presence,
Conversely, there wouldn't be many people until the active hours.
Looking at the empty restaurant, Tokai Shizen simply looked at the broth she was preparing in her pot.
Tracen Academy's classes were in the morning, and the afternoon was entirely dedicated to training.
Uma Musume's appetites are generally huge, so a lot of preparation work had to be completed now.
"Today's menu is..."
Tokai Shizen, pondering this question, turned her gaze to the soup pot.
Simmering in the soup pot was broth; making broth wasn't troublesome, it just took a long time.
As for things other than broth... she didn't plan to finish them now, because doing so would involve a lot of preparation.
Of course, the most basic ingredient processing had been completed.
As for later... she wondered who would come today?
Thinking this, Tokai Shizen looked towards the door.
Through the glass on the shop door, she could see the world outside the shop.
Looking at the world outside the shop, Tokai Shizen's expression changed slightly.
"I hope this peaceful life can continue."