Her keen intuition had already sensed the truth of the matter, but she dared not bring all the issues into the open.
Tokai Teio could only passively follow behind Tokai.
The training and recuperation facility, which she once thought was perfect as a training ground, now seemed excessively vast in Tokai Teio's eyes.
The sense of emptiness created by the footsteps of just two people made Tokai Teio feel that this place was a bit too immense.
So immense that no secret could be hidden within its space.
She didn't notice the change in Tokai Teio's expression.
Tokai just kept walking forward.
Walking along the corridor, little by little.
Soon, the two of them stopped in front of a door.
Standing before the door, Tokai's expression subtly changed, but she still forced herself to turn and look at Tokai Teio: "Here..."
Her words did not continue.
Her actions paused.
All of this made Teio realize the problem.
But facing this room, neither Tokai Teio nor Tokai did anything; they couldn't do anything.
The two of them merely looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
----------
At a local convenience store.
Tokai and Tokai Roman strolled around, a silent understanding between them.
Their planned return time was three hours later.
Not three hours from when they set out.
But to begin their return in the third hour after entering the town.
They intended to give Tokai and Tokai Teio more, sufficient time.
Looking at the ingredients in front of her, Tokai merely pondered whether they needed to be placed in the shopping basket.
Tokai Roman, however, was thinking more deeply.
Finally, after about ten seconds of thought.
Tokai Roman asked a question: "Mochizuki,"
"Hmm?"
"Do you think those two can have a good talk?"
Tokai Roman, turning to look at Mochizuki, posed this question.
"I don't know."
"What a coincidence, I don't know either."
Such simple exchanges confirmed that both were very concerned about the state of Tokai and Teio.
After a brief silence, Tokai shifted her gaze to the other side: "Hmm... Mom seemed to have said something before."
"What?"
"If they make up, they should eat a donburi with five kinds of meat." Mochizuki, recalling this line from her fuzzy memory, turned to look at Tokai Roman: "You two, you'll probably need this, right?"
Tokai's words made Tokai Roman pause for a moment.
She was silent for about ten seconds, then continued, "Indeed, we need a little method to do this."
Tokai's words had already told Tokai Roman that she knew some things.
But... it seemed there was no need to dwell on such matters.
Thinking of this, Tokai Roman simply returned her gaze to the vegetable rack, then continued, "What do we need to prepare?"
Listening to her, Tokai thought for a few seconds, then spoke: "I don't know, but anyway, meat should be enough; Mom should be able to handle it."
Saying this, Mochizuki looked at Tokai Roman: "Later, Aunt Roman, will you help Mom?"
"...Mm, okay."
----------
The two looked at each other, Tokai contemplating what was to come.
After a brief silence, Tokai Teio then asked, "Can, can we open it?"
"...Mm."
The hesitation lasted only a second before Tokai made her choice.
She placed her hand on the doorknob, then, as if using all her strength, twisted it.
Accompanying the sound of the latch slowly retracting, Tokai turned to look at the other person: "Teio, someone is waiting for you."
"..."
Tokai Teio slightly averted her gaze, not daring to look directly at Tokai.
And seeing Teio like this, Tokai pushed the door open.
Then, a room with only a single bed appeared before the two of them.
Looking at this room, the two of them.
Tokai Teio didn't know what to say.
Tokai's breathing was slightly hurried; she looked at the room, almost perfectly etched in her memory.
Her eyes held a hint of fear.
Fear compelled Tokai to turn and look at Teio again: "Do you want to see it?"
"...Mm." Saying this, Teio looked at Tokai, then the next second, shifted her gaze to the inside of the room.
Tokai had said someone was waiting for her, but there was no one in the room.
Or rather, now... in this huge and empty recuperation facility, there were only two people.
So... after a brief thought, Tokai Teio walked into the room.
Just like what she saw from outside the door, there was only a bed in the room; besides that, there was nothing else.
After looking around the room, Tokai Teio turned to look at Tokai, who was still standing outside the door.
Due to the building's construction, Tokai Teio couldn't see Tokai's face clearly by natural light.
But, there was no need to see clearly.
She only needed to ask one question.
"Is it, are you waiting for me?"
Her voice trembled.
Tokai Teio was afraid of meeting her parents, not knowing how to face them.
But... she still asked the question.
Facing the question Teio posed, Tokai's expression changed only slightly before she spoke: "...Mm."
Both of their words were filled with trepidation; both were worried about the other's upcoming response.
And after hearing Tokai's reply.
Tokai Teio just froze for a second, then her voice changed slightly: "Then why did you abandon me..."
"It's a long story. If you want to hear it, I can tell you."
"I want to hear it."
"Is that so..." After taking a slight deep breath, Tokai took a step forward.
She entered the room she had always feared.
Then, she continued: "Sit down, and listen to the whole story properly."
Saying this, Tokai patted the bed, gesturing for Teio to sit beside her.
Teio looked at Tokai, and after a few seconds of silence, she walked to Tokai's side and obediently sat down.
----------------------------------------
Three hours later, Tokai and Tokai Roman walked side by side on their way back.
"Aunt Roman, do you think Mama can get along with Teio?"
"She can. Teio is a good child..."
"Is that so..."
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