The next day, Tokai Teio had a day off.
After all, without the "true form" transformation, even simple training and some tests had to be done with as much caution as possible.
So, in such circumstances, Teio actually had a lot of rest time every day.
It was precisely because of this that Teio's life could only be described as very relaxed at the moment.
Unlike Mochizuki.
Every day, she had to spend time watching her mother, and then also spend a lot of time studying.
As for Roman.
Due to Tokai Shizen's physical condition, Tokai Roman had to be responsible for purchasing the raw ingredients for four people's dinner every day.
Of course, for her, it wasn't difficult, after all, she was an Uma Musume before, so compared to Tokai, it was still relatively easy for her to run.
It was precisely because of this.
When Tokai chose to go grocery shopping with Tokai Roman today.
The only people left in this place were Tokai Teio and Tokai.
Then, the atmosphere fell into awkwardness.
Because there wasn't much common ground between Tokai and Tokai Teio.
But... after looking up at Teio sitting opposite her, Tokai withdrew her gaze.
Clearly, she didn't know how to start.
She couldn't just start with "I'm your mother," could she?
Thinking about this, Tokai's expression changed slightly again.
She wanted to speak, but she didn't know how.
However, it was not Tokai who broke the silence between them.
It was Tokai Teio.
"Um, Aunt Shizen?"
"Wh-what is it?"
"I heard from Mochizuki that you seem to have something you want to tell me, right, Aunt Shizen?"
"..." Hearing Tokai Teio's words, Tokai was stunned for a moment.
Then, she responded: "Yes, I, I do have something I want to explain to you."
Saying this, Tokai looked at Teio, and after thinking for more than ten seconds, she continued: "How much do you know about your mother?"
The direct question made Tokai Teio feel a little uneasy.
During their time together.
Tokai Teio didn't think Tokai would be unaware of her mother's affairs, but... looking at Tokai, Teio paused for another second.
She wasn't Tokai; she hadn't spent that much time with Tokai, so she couldn't tell what Tokai was trying to ask with that question.
But... a slight unease appeared in her heart.
Clearly, Tokai Teio already had a premonition.
Though it was only a slight premonition.
Still, it made Tokai Teio focus all her attention on Tokai: "Aunt Shizen, why do you ask that?"
"I know some things about your mother."
Without directly explaining the matter, Tokai just looked at Teio: "Teio, do you want to know?"
"Eh? Aunt Shizen, do you know those things?"
"I suppose I do." Saying this, Tokai looked at her surroundings, then continued: "You know that this place is an asset of the Tokai Family, right?"
"Mm..."
"Actually, your mother gave birth to you here." Saying this, Tokai paused slightly. She looked at Tokai Teio, waiting for her reaction.
Tokai Teio, hearing Tokai's words, paused for a moment before asking, "Is that, is that true?"
"It's true."
"But, Aunt Roman..."
"During that time, your mother had ostensibly been cast out by the Tokai Family, so Roman wouldn't have known~" Tokai said, speaking of her past in a feigned casual tone.
She then fell silent for about ten seconds before continuing, "As for why things were that way, I can only say that the situation back then was quite complicated, and it would be better if Teio didn't know too much."
Teio is different from Mochizuki.
Because of her nature as an Uma Musume, Teio doesn't ponder things as deeply as Tokai does.
At least not yet.
So Tokai wouldn't reveal the true nature of the problem; she only needed to state the superficial facts.
"But Roman should know by now.
After all, the ownership of this place is actually in your mother's hands, but her health wasn't very good at the time, so she entrusted it to Roman to handle."
Listening to Tokai's words, Tokai Teio's eyes were full of confusion; clearly, she wasn't very familiar with these matters.
Ignoring Tokai Teio's confusion, Tokai continued, "I..."
After a moment of hesitation, Tokai went on, "I know where your mother gave birth to you."
"But, Aunt Shizen, didn't you say my mother gave birth to me here?"
The premonition in her heart grew stronger and stronger.
Looking at Tokai in front of her, Teio seemed to realize that she had already glimpsed a part of the truth.
The initial sense of incongruity had, in a short time, connected.
The relationship between Tokai and Tokai Roman.
Her own resemblance to Mochizuki.
Tokai Roman entrusting her care to Tokai without hesitation.
The training and recuperation facility, which she and Tokai Roman could have come to alone, had two additional people.
The sense of incongruity she had once noticed due to her keen senses now, with Tokai able to directly recount some stories about her mother—stories even Tokai Roman didn't know—
It all connected.
But... even so, Tokai Teio still didn't dare to say anything.
Like Tokai, she was afraid of certain things happening, so she asked a question.
Waiting for Tokai's answer.
And soon, Tokai Teio heard the words that even she could discern.
"Actually..."
Saying this, Tokai stood up and looked at Teio: "Your mother, throughout her ten-month pregnancy, lived in one room."
"Do you..."
After a slight hesitation, Tokai made up her mind again: "Do you want to see it? That room?"
Tokai's words validated Tokai Teio's premonition step by step.
Although Tokai Teio wasn't as sensible as Mochizuki, nor could she guess some facts just by Tokai's reactions like Mochizuki could.
But... Tokai Teio wasn't foolish.
Her ability to connect those incongruities meant she could infer some facts.
Though... she still wasn't quite sure of the facts.
Because there was still a possibility of a twist.
For instance, why Tokai had the surname Yayoi.
For instance, the Tokai Family must have hired a specialist to care for her mother back then, and Tokai was that person... there were too many reasons to refute that speculation.
As long as Tokai Teio could refuse Tokai... but.
Looking at Tokai standing before her, Tokai Teio chose to confront her fear.
Standing up, Tokai Teio followed behind Tokai.
She had to confirm matters concerning her most important relative.
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