At dinner time, Tokai Shizen and Maruzensky seemed to have returned to their usual state.
But... looking at Tokai Shizen, who was sitting opposite her with her head down.
She was scared.
"Shizen?"
"Ah? Oh."
She frantically looked up and saw Maruzensky looking at her.
Facing Maruzensky's gaze, Tokai Shizen just lowered her head slightly, "Is there a problem?"
"Tokai, what do you think you would open if you bought that storefront?"
She didn't mention what happened before, but instead shifted the topic to the future.
"That shop..."
Recalling the appearance of the shop she had visited with Chiyo O earlier, Tokai Shizen thought for a few seconds before speaking: "If possible, a traditional Western restaurant would be better, wouldn't it?"
She looked up slightly at Maruzensky.
Tokai Shizen was worried she might say something wrong.
After hearing Tokai Shizen's suggestion, Maruzensky just nodded: "Indeed, a traditional Western restaurant would be better, especially since it's near Tracen Academy. Some Uma Musume might also come out after training to try flavors outside of Tracen Academy."
"If you're opening a restaurant, it's certainly a good choice, but why a Western restaurant?"
Looking at Tokai Shizen, Maruzensky posed this question.
"I went to see it with Chiyo O before. That shop was originally a Western restaurant. If it were to be operated as a Western restaurant, in the simplest case, you would only need to change the internal tables and chairs to continue operating."
After stating her reasons, Tokai Shizen simply lowered her gaze, waiting for Maruzensky's conclusion.
Looking at Tokai Shizen, who seemed to have returned to her initial state upon arriving here, Maruzensky thought for a few seconds, then continued: "Then let's operate it as a Western restaurant. It wouldn't be difficult for you to operate there with your abilities."
She made her voice as gentle as possible and her movements as calm as possible.
She spoke in a way that tried not to scare her.
To be honest, Maruzensky hadn't expected to instinctively say such words at the time.
However, just thinking about Tokai Shizen leaving her made Maruzensky feel that her actions at that moment were not entirely incomprehensible.
It was just... seeing Tokai Shizen's worried expression, Maruzensky felt that it would be better not to do anything for now.
Thinking about this, Maruzensky thought of another thing.
Something Chiyo O had told her.
"By the way, are you very interested in Tamamo Cross?"
Looking at Tokai Shizen, Maruzensky asked this question.
These words were used to alleviate Tokai Shizen's tension.
"Hmm..."
Apparently, the effect of this sentence was not good.
Looking at Tokai Shizen, who still dared not look up, Maruzensky thought for a few seconds before speaking again: "I checked her race schedule. She has another race in July. Do you want to go see it?"
"...Can I?"
"Of course you can. How could I restrict your personal freedom?"
Saying words completely different from those in the afternoon, Maruzensky just stood up and then spoke again: "If you want to go see it, of course you can."
Saying this, Maruzensky just looked at Tokai Shizen.
Maruzensky was thinking about how to explain next.
Listening to Maruzensky's answer, Tokai Shizen's expression still hadn't changed much.
Just like Maruzensky, Tokai Shizen was also thinking about how to face the other party next.
Because of what happened in the afternoon, Tokai Shizen's attitude towards Maruzensky naturally couldn't completely revert, but Tokai Shizen had to change her attitude back.
So, she just adjusted her expression slightly, then looked up at Maruzensky: "That's really great."
Listening to Tokai Shizen's words, Maruzensky also responded: "Do you need to bring some money with you?"
"Eh?"
"The racecourse is quite far, so you'll need to bring some money, but going with Chiyo O should also be fine."
Hearing these words, Tokai Shizen was stunned for a moment: "Aren't you coming with me?"
"Of course not. If you go to watch the race, the other person will definitely follow, right? If that happens, you'll probably see Rudolph, but you don't want to see her, do you?"
Maruzensky paused for a moment as she said this, as if she had thought of something, and looked at Tokai Shizen: "By the way, if we're going that far, we'll need to buy a stroller too."
"Shall we go look tomorrow?"
Facing Maruzensky's invitation, Tokai Shizen nodded.
Maruzensky and Representative Chiaki, facing the demands of these two, Tokai Shizen had no option to refuse.
So, Tokai Shizen gave an affirmative reply.
After seeing Tokai Shizen nod, Maruzensky simply shifted her gaze from Tokai Shizen to the dinner in front of her.
She couldn't put any more pressure on Tokai Shizen.
After that, after dinner, due to the dorm manager, Maruzensky still needed to return to the Tracen Academy dormitory to live.
And the large empty room was left with only Tokai Shizen.
After tidying everything up, Tokai Shizen just watched TV for a while before returning to her room and falling asleep again.
————————————
Two o'clock in the morning.
There was no sound of children crying; everything seemed so quiet.
But Tokai Shizen, sleeping in bed, was frowning tightly.
The next moment, Tokai Shizen sat up.
Her breathing was very rapid, and her eyes were filled only with panic.
She dreamed that she was well cared for by Maruzensky, but... she reached out to touch her neck.
There were no accessories, and no wounds.
"Nothing..."
A voice of slight relief escaped Tokai Shizen's lips.
For Tokai Shizen, she was not afraid of such things.
Because as early as when she married Rudolph Symboli, Tokai Shizen had already prepared to be locked up by the Symboli Family if her identity was discovered.
Therefore, Tokai Shizen was not afraid of being imprisoned by Maruzensky.
For Tokai Shizen, the truly frightening part of this dream was elsewhere.
In that dream, Yayoi Mochizuki and Tokai Teio were also involved.
This was what Tokai Shizen was afraid of.
Recalling that scene, Tokai Shizen just looked at Yayoi Mochizuki.
Yayoi Mochizuki was still sleeping soundly, seemingly unaffected.
Reaching out to touch Yayoi Mochizuki's face, Tokai Shizen's breathing gradually calmed down.
She didn't know if Maruzensky's words this afternoon were Maruzensky's true thoughts. But Tokai Shizen had no choice; she could only stay here now.
So, after briefly adjusting her emotions, Tokai Shizen lay back down on the bed.
She had to sleep; life would continue tomorrow.