Unlike Maruzensky, who still had to contend with Rudolph, Representative Chiaki, walking home alone, was in a very happy, extremely happy state of mind.
After continuing down the road and making a quick stop at the supermarket for some groceries, Representative Chiaki arrived at Maruzensky's house once again.
Skillfully using the new key to open the door, Representative Chiaki saw Tokai Shizen reading a magazine.
Seeing Tokai Shizen hadn't reacted yet, Representative Chiaki quietly walked behind her.
Then she leaned directly onto Tokai Shizen's back.
Caught by Representative Chiaki, Tokai Shizen was slightly flustered.
But Representative Chiaki quickly spoke, "It's me, no need to worry."
"Oh, it's you, Chiaki."
Saying this, Tokai Shizen turned her head slightly and saw the groceries in Representative Chiaki's hands. "Put the things in the kitchen first."
"Okay~"
After responding, Representative Chiaki released her embrace of Tokai Shizen and walked towards the kitchen.
And once Representative Chiaki emerged from the kitchen, she spoke, "What were you looking at? You didn't even notice I was back."
"It's news about work. It's not good to always let Maruzen pay," Tokai Shizen said, falling silent for a few seconds before speaking again, "And if the day comes when I can't live here anymore, I'll have to consider these things."
"I see."
Representative Chiaki had never considered working a part-time job.
After all, after she entered Tracen Academy, she was training, and then came the Triple Crown.
After the Triple Crown, the prize money from races was enough for her to live quite comfortably.
Under these circumstances, Representative Chiaki had indeed never done anything related to part-time work.
However, she did have some concept of what part-time work entailed.
So, after hearing Tokai Shizen say this, Representative Chiaki merely looked in the direction of the stairs.
Clearly, the issue she was concerned about was Tokai Mochizuki.
"Um, Mochizuki..."
"I plan to consider these matters when Mochizuki is one year old. After she's one, I can feel a little more at ease going to work."
Hearing this, Representative Chiaki pondered for a few seconds before posing a new question, "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine, I won't overexert myself. But after all, I'm an Uma Musume, so I have a bit of an advantage compared to humans," Tokai Shizen said, standing up. "Is Maruzen not coming back today?"
"Maruzen hasn't stayed in the dorms for a long time recently, and her application for off-campus housing hasn't been approved, so she has to go back and show her face to the dorm manager."
Saying this, Representative Chiaki slightly adjusted her sitting posture before speaking again, "Chiyo O also seems to be nearing her debut race recently, so she can't come over either."
"Hmm, in that case, I only need to make your dinner for this period."
Hearing this, Tokai Shizen quickly came to this conclusion after a brief thought.
Looking at Tokai Shizen, Representative Chiaki thought for a few seconds before responding, "Aren't you worried I might do something to you?"
"...It's okay."
After a slight silence, Tokai Shizen gave this response.
Tokai Shizen's response left Representative Chiaki at a loss for words.
Because she knew Tokai Shizen's living environment, she understood that if she were to truly do something, Tokai Shizen would not resist.
So, this might be the reason why Tokai Shizen was completely defenseless.
Looking at Tokai Shizen, who had already entered the kitchen, Representative Chiaki just sighed.
Tokai Shizen's completely defenseless attitude was precisely what made both Maruzensky and Representative Chiaki feel awkward.
After all, when faced with a young woman who was already prepared to dedicate herself, they lacked the courage to take a step forward.
This was the reason why both Representative Chiaki and Maruzensky were progressing slowly.
"Really..."
After sighing, Representative Chiaki stood up. She intended to go into the kitchen to help Tokai Shizen a little.
Then, she was chased out.
This was only natural, as Representative Chiaki was not good at cooking herself.
So, being chased out by Tokai Shizen was only to be expected.
However...recalling Tokai Shizen's culinary skills, Representative Chiaki pondered for a few seconds.
She remembered the Shopping Street seemed to have... After a few seconds of thought, Representative Chiaki stood up from the sofa again. "Tokai, I'm going out for a bit~"
"Dinner is in an hour, remember to come back."
A faint sound came from the kitchen.
Hearing this, Representative Chiaki simply responded and then quickly ran out of Maruzensky's small house.
After walking along the road to the nearby Shopping Street, Representative Chiaki began to wander around inside.
Clearly, she knew exactly what she was looking for.
So, searching with a purpose, she quickly found what she needed.
"Ah..."
Looking at the Western restaurant, filled with the flavor of the Showa era, with a "For Sale" sign posted, Representative Chiaki knew she had found what she was looking for.
However...looking at the "For Rent" sign, Representative Chiaki merely recalled Tokai Shizen's thoughts, and then, after a few seconds, she turned around.
She didn't plan to directly buy this not-so-large shop right now.
After all, it wasn't her opening the shop, so she really needed to think carefully about this matter.
Of course, if she were opening the shop herself, she would just buy it and be done with it.
But the person opening the shop was Tokai Shizen, so Representative Chiaki wouldn't make a decision on this matter privately.
So, she just turned around and walked back in the direction of Maruzensky's house.
Opening the door once more, Representative Chiaki saw Tokai Shizen, who had already neatly arranged the tableware, and two plates of curry on the table.
"Welcome back."
Tokai Shizen, greeting Representative Chiaki, had no intention of asking where she had been earlier.
Because Tokai Shizen didn't want to lose her current environment, she wouldn't ask anything.
Seeing Tokai Shizen's behavior, Representative Chiaki simply sat down at one side of the table.
Representative Chiaki also didn't plan to mention what she had seen earlier.
The reason, of course, was as just stated: she wasn't the one opening the shop, Tokai Shizen was.
So, this matter should be told to Tokai Shizen, allowing her to make her own decision, but before that, it was necessary to first assess it with Maruzensky to see if that location was suitable for Tokai Shizen.