In the evening, Tokai Mochizuki was brought back to the restaurant by Representative Chiaki.
Just like yesterday, after putting down her school bag, Mochizuki immediately found a spot and quickly finished her homework for the day.
Seeing Mochizuki's sensible demeanor, Tokai Shizen merely glanced at the curry in the pot before shifting her gaze away.
Representative Chiaki and Maruzensky were still sitting together as usual.
Chiyo O, on the other hand, sat beside Mochizuki, watching her do her homework.
Although… Tokai Shizen didn't know who was teaching whom.
After glancing at the curry in the pot, Tokai Shizen was still thinking about whether to add something to it when her phone rang.
She picked up her phone and looked at the name.
Mejiro Ardan.
"…"
Tokai Shizen paused for a moment looking at the name.
She remembered that the last time she received a call from Al Dan was…
Tokai Shizen had rarely received calls from Mejiro Ardan since then.
And most of those calls were to inquire about her health.
Now…
After a few seconds of thought, Tokai Shizen answered the call from Al Dan.
"Is that Miss Shizen?"
"Ah, yes."
"How is your health now?"
It was the usual inquiry about her health, but unlike before, this time the voice carried a hint of urgency.
It seemed there was something she wished to discuss with Tokai Shizen.
"The treatment has entered a stable phase. From now on, I just need to take my medication regularly. Is there something you need, Miss Al Dan?"
Tokai Shizen, who asked this question, looked at Maruzensky and Representative Chiaki, who were still looking at each other.
Those two didn't seem to notice what was happening on this side.
After her gaze retracted, Mejiro Ardan also stated the reason for contacting Tokai Shizen now.
"It's like this, Miss Shizen, the Mejiro Family will be hosting a Chinese guest recently. Could you come and help?"
"China? I remember the Uma Musume industry in China hasn't developed yet, has it?"
"That's right, but the person coming this time seems to be from the Chinese Tracen Academy, and they hope our Mejiro Family can send a few Uma Musume over there to take a look."
Listening to Mejiro Ardan's words, Tokai Shizen finally understood the matter.
So she just replied,
"Hmm, that's not much of a problem, but regarding the taste…"
"The Mejiro Family will provide the ingredients. As long as the trial products are sufficient, that will be fine."
But from these words, Tokai Shizen could already sense the Mejiro Family's attitude towards this banquet.
Of course, this was also normal.
After all, if they could influence the Chinese Tracen Academy, then even if the Mejiro Family didn't have much output later, they could still continue to exist by relying on that connection.
Noticing this, Tokai Shizen responded,
"If that's the case, I'll start preparing. I'll begin the trial cooking tomorrow. Could you come over and taste it to check the flavor?"
"Okay, no problem."
After this response, the call was hung up.
Looking at the disconnected call, Tokai Shizen's expression relaxed considerably, and the reason was simple.
Because the money problem was finally solved.
The money for Mochizuki's schooling and opening the shop had almost depleted a significant portion of the funds Tokai Shizen had set aside.
If she didn't start making a profit this month, she would have to start cutting expenses.
This call from the Mejiro Family could be said to have alleviated the problems Tokai Shizen was facing.
After all, the Mejiro Family could be said to be very, very wealthy.
If this cooperation with China could be successfully completed, the fee this time should directly resolve the current issues.
Therefore, it was normal for Tokai Shizen's expression to relax.
"Shizen, what's wrong?"
"It's about the Mejiro Family."
Listening to Tokai Shizen's reply, Maruzensky merely frowned slightly.
The news that the Chinese Tracen Academy wanted to develop the Uma Musume industry had been circulating in Central recently.
To be honest, basically everyone with a bit of capability wanted to get involved in this line of work.
After all, the development potential of the two sides was different.
But Japan, well… it can only be said that most of the time their minds aren't quite right,
so the person in charge from China hadn't found a suitable Uma Musume family to help.
Of course, the biggest reason was mainly due to the Japanese people's xenophobia.
However, judging by the Mejiro Family's contact.
It seemed that the other party had already found a suitable family.
Thinking of this, Maruzensky was silent for a few seconds, then shifted her gaze away.
"Oh, that sounds good then."
Saying this, Maruzensky took a sip of the tea on the table.
"All in all, it's a good thing."
"But speaking of the Mejiro Family…"
After a brief pause, Maruzensky continued,
"The younger generation of the Mejiro Family has been quite capable recently. If nothing unexpected happens, they should also…"
She turned to Tokai Shizen,
"If they invite you to the kitchen, remember that leaning towards child-friendly flavors would be better."
Maruzensky's suggestion was very sound,
as it would be better for Tokai Shizen to get to know the people there earlier if she planned to bring Teio back.
"Is that so? I'll consider it, but let's first try to make something that satisfies them. If I can't manage it…"
Taken literally, Tokai Shizen seemed not to have much confidence,
but both Representative Chiaki and Maruzensky knew that Tokai Shizen's ability had always been there.
She would at most be stumped by matters of cuisine, as for anything more…
"Are we having curry tonight?"
She was more concerned about Tokai Shizen's dinner tonight.
"Yes, European-style curry. I don't know if you all will get used to it."
Saying this, Tokai Shizen shifted her gaze to Mochizuki.
She didn't know if it was her imagination, but for the past two days, she always felt that Mochizuki was acting strange.
But now, looking at Mochizuki, Tokai Shizen felt as if there was nothing amiss.
So Tokai Shizen finally withdrew her gaze and refocused on the curry in front of her.
"I wonder if the shop can open smoothly tomorrow. If not, I'll have to fully prepare for the Mejiro Family's matters."
Looking at Shizen, Representative Chiaki turned her head.
"If you don't want to go, just refuse."
"Actually, no, it's just that… Chinese food, I've never tried it, so I don't know how much preparation time it will take."
"I can be the taste tester."
Representative Chiaki raised her hand without hesitation, a greedy expression on her face.
Seeing Representative Chiaki's expression, Tokai Shizen just smiled:
"Alright, tomorrow, after Al Dan and I taste the dishes, I'll give them to you. No problem, right?"
"Yay!"
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