Tokai Shizen, current profession: single mother, also part-time as the 'kept' in a 'kept woman' scenario.
For such a profession, Tokai Shizen, who had already lived in Maruzensky's residence for a week, had nothing to refute.
Because the facts were exactly as such.
It was just that Maruzensky hadn't done anything to her yet.
And... glancing at Maruzensky, who was sitting on a wooden chair, Tokai Shizen's expression didn't change much.
Tokai Shizen didn't know why Maruzensky had spent an entire week at this residence, nor did she have any intention of finding out.
She just looked at the other party, thought for a long time, and then cautiously spoke: "Um..."
"Hm?"
"There's no food left."
Hearing this, Maruzensky, who was originally thinking about how to completely modify Tokai Shizen's file, was stunned for a moment, and then remembered that for the past few days, it seemed Tokai Shizen had always been cooking, and... looking at Tokai Shizen, Maruzensky thought of a possibility, a subtle possibility, so, without any hesitation, she asked a question:
"Have you been eating instant food all this time?"
Maruzensky's question was very direct, as if she had already confirmed the answer.
Tokai Shizen, realizing this, just nodded: "Mm."
"So, you've been using your own money to prepare my three meals this whole time?"
"Yes, yes."
Tokai Shizen's movements were cautious, and combined with her petite figure, so small that Maruzensky could pick her up and her toes wouldn't even touch the ground, it made her even more pitiable.
Looking at Tokai Shizen, whose expression had become somewhat unnatural due to her worry about losing her residence again, Maruzensky thought for a few seconds, then gave her response to Tokai Shizen: "I can take responsibility for this."
"Eh, in that case, wouldn't it cause you trouble?"
Although Tokai Shizen was sincere in saying this, she also knew that Maruzensky had other intentions for her, so she had to show as much of herself as possible to avoid being driven out.
After all, she didn't even have a legal identity; if she were to go out, she would probably... So, Tokai Shizen said those words.
"No, it wouldn't, after all..."
Maruzensky, looking at Tokai Shizen, continued her words.
"The dinner you make tastes pretty good."
After speaking, Maruzensky slightly adjusted her posture.
She still remembered the information she had investigated.
Tokai Shizen, a sickly young Uma Musume, if she were to continue bearing such a burden...
She might fall ill.
Thinking of this, Maruzensky simply raised a new question.
Looking at the other party, Maruzensky just took a sip of coffee: "You seem to be very good at cooking?"
"Mm, though I've never had a chance to really show it."
"Is that so? You don't have to eat instant food anymore. Your body really needs nutrition, right?"
Faced with such kindness, Tokai Shizen would not refuse; after all, she knew her own body well. She was very aware that if her body continued like this, perhaps... Tokai Shizen, who could imagine the consequences, showed a hint of gratitude on her face: "Oh, thank you."
"Consider it payment for dinner; after all, labor costs are also an expense."
Saying this, Maruzensky stood up: "Let's go, we'll go out together."
"Eh?"
"We're going out to buy some ingredients for dinner. Are you not that concerned about these things?" Looking at Tokai Shizen, who seemed unaware of what was happening, Maruzensky added this sentence.
Listening to Maruzensky's addition, Tokai Shizen just looked at Maruzensky, then shifted her gaze towards the stairs.
To facilitate the completion of the tasks Maruzensky had proposed, Tokai Shizen had actually left her child upstairs.
Because of this, Tokai Shizen would hesitate at this moment; she was worried about her daughter.
Seeing Tokai Shizen's behavior, Maruzensky naturally understood what the other party was worried about.
Fortunately, she understood such a mindset, so she didn't ask too many questions about this matter: "Are there any dietary restrictions?"
Maruzensky's question was met with Tokai Shizen's cautious reply: "Um, no."
The answer was not truthful, Maruzensky could see that, but she also understood why the other party would lie about such a thing, so she just nodded:
"Okay, then I'm leaving."
After speaking, Maruzensky stood up and walked towards the entrance.
"Come back soon."
After giving such a response, as if to a family member, Tokai Shizen turned her head back to the kitchen.
And her only reply was the sound of the door closing.
After closing the door and stepping outside again, the first thing Maruzensky thought of was regret.
Because from her observations these past few days, Tokai Shizen had almost done her best in every aspect she could. If she hadn't been born into a family, but rather a Uma Musume from a commoner family, perhaps she wouldn't have encountered these current problems.
But for now... "After helping her register her identity, perhaps I also need to help her find a job."
Thinking this, Maruzensky just shifted her gaze slightly.
Tokai Shizen's charm as a Uma Musume was not that high, or rather, at first glance, upon initial contact, one wouldn't get the feeling that she was very charming.
It was precisely because of this that after long-term contact, Maruzensky realized that if the other party were to be a wife or mother...
Perhaps she had a very, very suitable mental state.
Maruzensky's body movements paused for a moment when she thought of this, and then she nonchalantly resumed her original actions.
She had to consider what to eat for dinner, and... no dietary restrictions.
This was what Tokai Shizen had said.
Although Tokai Shizen had stated this, as an experienced woman, Maruzensky actually clearly understood that there were many dietary restrictions after childbirth.
So, she still had to specifically consider this when choosing ingredients.
After all, as an experienced woman who survived the Showa era, although she couldn't compare to newly enrolled Uma Musume in terms of trendy things, in terms of human relations, she could say that she could give others one hand, and they might not even be able to contend with her.
So, even if Tokai Shizen didn't intend for her to consider this, Maruzensky would still consider it.
However, after thinking of this, Maruzensky just fell silent for a few seconds, then spoke as if to herself: "Perhaps I should find some time to ask her what she likes to eat."