That night, Yayoi Natural finally made it back to the restaurant before dinner.
The reason was simple: people.
After all, most Umamusume were the same—hardly anyone had family in Tokyo.
So in a situation like that, Yayoi Natural's place naturally became where familiar faces gathered.
Of course, the first thing she faced after returning was her daughter's interrogation.
"Mom, did you seal the deal?"
Mochizuki asked it bluntly, staring straight at her.
Yayoi Natural reached out and pressed a palm onto the top of her head. "You little brat—what are you thinking about all day?!"
While trying to "correct" her daughter's warped ideas through sheer force, Yayoi Natural turned to Tokai Roman. "Roman-nee, can you get things ready? We might have a few people coming by in a bit."
As she said it, her gaze slid to Teio.
Under that look, Teio took a step back. "I-I don't know anything!"
Seeing that reaction, Yayoi Natural simply looked down at Mochizuki—whose head she was still holding.
"Mom, my skull's gonna split!"
Yayoi Natural sighed and finally let go. "Don't say stuff like that next time."
"Mm…"
After that, Yayoi Natural didn't linger on the first floor. She went straight upstairs, changed into her chef's clothes, and started prepping New Year's Eve dinner.
Before long, the first person arrived.
Someone no one expected—
"Gold Ship?"
"Ohhh, Owner-san! I'm here to spend the very last day of the year with you!"
Looking at the little gremlin whose white forelock seemed to be spreading by the second, Yayoi Natural stared for a few beats… then pulled out her phone and called Gold Ship's guardian.
And just like that, the first "guest" was escorted back home by her parent.
After that small detour, Chiyono O became the first one to actually make it through the door.
"Yayoi-nee, I brought some beef and vegetables."
"Mm, just set them over there~"
Yayoi Natural checked the pot, then walked over to Chiyono O. "You're not going back this year?"
"Yeah. If I go back, Mom'll nag me about things again, so I'm staying here."
Chiyono O shook her head, helpless, then glanced off to the side. "If she didn't keep pestering me, it wouldn't have come to this."
Yayoi Natural smiled. "What's she nagging you about?"
"Like telling me to get a boyfriend, and stuff. She says the prize money's enough to live on, so from her point of view…" Chiyono O rubbed her temple, a headache made visible. "It feels like she's just saying it casually, but it's still so annoying to hear."
The complaint was thick in her voice; she looked genuinely worn down by her mother bringing it up over and over.
Yayoi Natural took the meat and vegetables off the table and said, "That's probably just parents worrying. Though, Chiyono… you'd date an Umamusume, wouldn't you?"
Chiyono O nodded. "Yeah. I don't meet that many people normally, so dating an Umamusume is easier. And…"
She hesitated, then added, "I'm not really in the mood to think about it right now, either. I only just graduated from the Twinkle Series."
As she spoke, Chiyono O lifted her chin slightly—just enough to look up at Yayoi Natural—and continued, "There are other races coming up. If I'm going to compete in those too, it feels like staying in Tokyo is better."
Yayoi Natural thought for a few seconds, then looked back at her. "Then why not tell your mom you're still busy with your career?"
Chiyono O shook her head. "She's just bringing it up because she wants to bring it up. It's just… when you hear it too many times…"
Clearly, she was at a loss against her mother's nagging.
Mochizuki, who'd been listening from the side, quietly averted her gaze.
She'd thought Chiyono O just didn't have those kinds of thoughts about Mom…
But… she took a sip of water, then turned away with a look that screamed, My mom is hopeless.
Teio, who didn't understand any of that, simply turned her head and looked between Chiyono O and Yayoi Natural.
And as someone who really wasn't savvy about that sort of thing, Tokai Teio could stare as directly as she wanted and still not notice a thing.
Meanwhile, the two being stared at kept chatting as if nothing was happening.
"Anyway, forget that. Yayoi-nee—what are we making tonight?"
"Tonight? No idea."
As she spoke, Yayoi Natural glanced back at the pot of soup simmering.
Soup was the first thing to lock in, so she could start without worrying about ingredients.
As for everything else…
Because of Maruzensky, Yayoi Natural hadn't had time to buy groceries.
But it was fine. Most people who came would bring ingredients, and the restaurant kept plenty of seasonings on hand—so cooking wouldn't be a problem.
Hearing her say that, Chiyono O pictured what dinner might look like, then faced Yayoi Natural. "Yayoi-nee didn't prepare ingredients?"
"Simply put, I didn't have time to shop."
After that casual explanation, Yayoi Natural added, "Yesterday Maruzen and I went out together. By the time we were done it was too late, so I stayed over at Maruzen's."
"I see. Maruzen-senpai's place, huh…"
Chiyono O looked a little wistful. "Back then, Yayoi-nee used to live at Maruzen-senpai's, too."
"Yeah. That was years ago. Mochizuki wasn't even one yet."
Yayoi Natural smiled with a touch of nostalgia. "But I've finally managed to get my footing in Tokyo now."
"That's true. Yayoi-nee, you're amazing—raising a kid and still hanging on all this time."
Chiyono O was about to say more but then the front door opened again.
"Yayoi, I'm here~"
Mr. C.B. spoke as she walked in, then sat right down beside Chiyono O. "I grabbed a few things on the way."
Yayoi Natural took the ingredients from her and replied, "Thanks~"
"What were you two talking about just now?"
"Nothing much—just old stories. Now we're just waiting for Maruzen."
With that, Yayoi Natural turned away. "You two chat. I'm going to get dinner ready."
"Mhm."
"Okay."
---
T/N: heuheuheuheuhuehuehuehehuehuehohohohohohohoho golshi i wonder if golshi is gonna be an actual contender it can't be right...?
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