Two days had passed since Tokai's Valentine's Day date.
She looked at Tokai and Representative Chiaki and Chiyo O in front of Tokai.
She just felt the atmosphere was very subtle.
This was natural.
After all... looking at her mother's situation, Mochizuki just felt a strong aura of a man-eating Uma Musume permeating the entire restaurant.
And Tokai and Tokai Teio seemed like they could be caught up in such an overwhelmingly powerful atmosphere at any moment.
Tokai Teio, enveloped by the aura, looked at those people.
Then, she swallowed, and quickly retracted her gaze.
She sat back down in front of her sister.
"See, I told you before, Mom was like that every day around Valentine's Day."
Seeing Teio sit back down, Mochizuki shifted her gaze slightly, then continued, "The next few days should be even more troublesome, after all..."
Recalling the pile of love debts her mother had accumulated, Mochizuki just took a sip of the hot water that had long since cooled, then continued, "Mom's life is also very subtle."
Although it wasn't obvious, Teio still heard the schadenfreude in Mochizuki's words.
Teio, hearing this, just looked at Mochizuki, "Isn't it bad to evaluate Aunt Shizen like that?"
"Strictly speaking, it's not good, but Mom probably doesn't care that much, after all, Mom herself can barely take care of herself."
Mochizuki, who had completely transformed into a 'troublemaker' persona, just faced Teio's gaze and gave this response..
And then, after a brief thought, she added another sentence, "If Mom...
"What's wrong?"
"No, nothing, I just hope Mom won't be troubled by such things in the future."
Saying this, Mochizuki looked up again at Tokai, who was troubled by love.
Clearly, as her mother's daughter, or rather, as the daughter who had accompanied Tokai the longest, Mochizuki understood very well what her mother would become if she continued like this.
However, compared to Mochizuki, who had seen through everything, Teio began to look at her mother's direction with a headache.
Tokai Teio, who had only been with Shizen for less than a year.
She didn't know much about Tokai, at least not about Tokai's relationship network.
And at this moment, Tokai, being watched by Teio, was trying her best to deal with the girl in front of her, "I know, I'll go out with you in a few days first."
Saying this, Tokai looked at Chiyo O, who was sitting in another corner.
After confirming that Chiyo O hadn't said anything, Tokai returned her gaze to Representative Chiaki, who was sitting in front of her:
"But I've already made an appointment with Chiyo O later, so that day won't work."
Tokai's refusal didn't surprise Representative Chiaki, after all, Tokai always kept her promises, so she nodded, "Okay, then let's do that, but you have to spend a lot of time with me later, got it?"
Saying this, Representative Chiaki drank her drink in one gulp, and then... "Ugh~~~"
She made a very distressed sound.
This was the reaction one would have after drinking a drink made by Tokai, but even so, Representative Chiaki didn't spit it out. She just endured the discomfort and swallowed the drink in her mouth.
Chiyo O, attracted by Representative Chiaki's reaction, immediately looked at the cup next to her, which she hadn't taken a sip of yet.
It was a brightly colored drink that seemed to taste good. Chiyo O's ears perked up, "Um, Tokai-nee, are you..."
"What's wrong?"
"This cup of mine wouldn't also be..."
Chiyo O, who didn't directly point out the problem, raised the drink she had been holding next to her, "This, is it also...?"
"Chiyo O, it would be better to drink it."
Saying this, Tokai pointed to Representative Chiaki, "I think Chiaki probably won't give you a chance to refuse."
Chiyo O, hearing Tokai say this, turned to look at Representative Chiaki, who was one empty seat away from her.
At this moment, Representative Chiaki was staring at Chiyo O.
Clearly, she was very concerned that she was the only one who drank this, so she wanted to watch Chiyo O drink it too.
But... as if her mind suddenly opened up, Chiyo O immediately responded, "Tokai-nee, I think if I don't want to drink something, it's absolutely impossible to sell it to Tracen Academy students."
Chiyo O, whose mind had opened up at a critical juncture, immediately looked at Tokai after giving this response, begging her not to make her drink that stuff.
Tokai was also stunned for a second when she heard this. She hadn't expected Chiyo O's mind to actually work, and after realizing this, Tokai just stood on her tiptoes and took the drink from Chiyo O's hand, following her wishes, "In that case, I'll pour it out. I'll pour you something else later."
After pouring out the drink, Tokai returned to her work and then turned her attention to Representative Chiaki.
"Eh? But I drank it!"
Representative Chiaki's words made Tokai shake her head helplessly.
Then she turned her attention to Chiyo O again.
Facing Representative Chiaki's gaze, Chiyo O still didn't know what was happening; she was still relieved that she didn't have to drink that.
Noticing Chiyo O's completely unresponsive expression, Representative Chiaki responded while lamenting that these two had little tension, "It's to prepare some things for the date. Of course, it's also compensation for me. Of course, I don't mind if it's after Chiyo O's date..."
"Eh? Date? Compensation?"
Representative Chiaki's words made Tokai even more confused.
And facing Tokai's confusion, Representative Chiaki just looked at Tokai again, "It's to prepare some things for you, Shizen."
Saying this, Representative Chiaki rubbed her head.
Clearly, she had already realized that Tokai had no concept of holidays, which was why she was having such a hard time now.
Looking at Tokai, who suddenly understood after being reminded by her, Chiyo O continued, "You can't just wear your usual clothes, can you? It's best to buy a new one."
"But this..."
Tokai's words carried a hint of apprehension.
And Representative Chiaki naturally understood Tokai's apprehension, after all, she had no money.
So, she chose to skip Tokai's thoughts, "Chiyo O, you don't mind, do you?"
The question to Chiyo O made her immediately turn her head.
And after a short while, Chiyo O finally reacted, responding with a slightly flushed face, "Um, I don't mind."
"What about my opinion!"
Listening to Representative Chiaki and Chiyo O so easily deciding what she was going to do.
Tokai made a very loud noise, enough to cover up all facts.
Then, Tokai Roman's pat on the shoulder brought Tokai's voice to an abrupt halt.
"Shizen, just go ahead, that day is a holiday anyway, and Teio will have a new test during that time."
Tokai Roman's words made Tokai's expression worsen:
"You're my sister!"
"Hmm, I guess so."
Saying this, Tokai Roman placed two small dishes in front of Representative Chiaki and Chiyo O, "Take your time, it's better not to rush so much."
Hearing Tokai Roman's words to the two, Tokai's expression became even more subtle:
"Hey!"
"Um, thank you..."
"Thanks for the reminder."
Looking at the four people's different reactions, Tokai Teio looked at Mochizuki again, "Aunt Shizen...
"A few more people might come in a few days, Teio, just watch."
Saying this, Mochizuki returned her gaze to her exercise book, "I just hope Mom doesn't get a bigger headache."
One hundred seventy-nine. Tokai, are you also a Stand user?
Looking at Air Groove and Representative Chiaki sitting in front of her, Tokai was slightly puzzled.
After all, Tokai wasn't sure why Representative Chiaki would bring Air Groove here.
But... looking at the personal information and medical examination report prepared by Representative Chiaki, Air Groove's expression looked like an old doctor sitting in a hospital, frowning deeply.
It was clear that Tokai's situation was very complicated, or rather, the situation Tokai was facing could even be named after Tokai.
After staring at the documents for a while, Air Groove finally put down the two printed sheets of paper.
Following Air Groove's movement, Tokai finally realized that the two documents Air Groove was looking at were her medical examination report and personal information.
But before Tokai could think further, Air Groove spoke: "The matter is quite troublesome, but we should be able to quickly produce samples for testing."
Listening to Air Groove's words, Tokai understood why she had been dragged to the restaurant by Representative Chiaki.
After all, Tokai's current situation indeed didn't seem like a normal Uma Musume.
At least, her body shouldn't have so many problems.
And Air Groove, understanding this, didn't have much confidence.
So she could only look at Tokai: "Madam Yayoi, are you willing to be the test subject?"
Tokai, of course, knew what Air Groove meant by 'test subject', but... after a slight hesitation, recalling the story Rudolph told that day, Tokai just frowned, and then looked back at Air Groove: "Mm, alright." (The previous actions of Mejiro Sanfeng have been corrected; only Shizen was tied up, nothing else was done. The reason for Rudolph's lie has also been changed, which is why Shizen sought to recall.)
Watching Tokai agree to her request after only a brief thought, Air Groove's eyebrows twitched slightly.
After all, Tokai hadn't intended to be her guinea pig before, which piqued Air Groove's curiosity.
But... "Never mind, it's not something worth dwelling on."
After a simple thought, Air Groove still gave up on this line of thinking, which wasn't her area of expertise: "As for compensation..."
"We've already settled it. Your underground laboratory can be used, and we won't investigate it normally."
Interrupting Air Groove's words, Representative Chiaki, who had been silent, continued: "After all, a stable workplace is very important to you, isn't it?"
Seeing Representative Chiaki's direct reply, Air Groove simply raised her hands, covered by the sleeves of her lab coat, and made a helpless expression: "Yes, yes~"
Watching the two of them, Tokai, knowing there was more to worry about, simply turned her head in another direction.
That was Manchester Cafe, who had come along with Air Groove.
Unlike Air Groove, who had been looking at Tokai's information without eating or drinking anything, Manchester Cafe was slowly eating the curry rice prepared by Tokai.
Seeing how deliciously Manchester Cafe was eating, Tokai thought for a few seconds, then spoke: "Would you like some more?"
"No, thank you."
Saying this, Manchester Cafe looked up.
As a rather special Uma Musume, Manchester Cafe could often see things that ordinary people and Uma Musume couldn't.
And behind Tokai, Manchester Cafe saw a slightly transparent child, invisible to everyone but herself.
Watching the child floating behind Tokai, she raised a finger to her lips, as if telling Manchester Cafe not to say anything.
Seeing the other party's gesture, Manchester Cafe silently retracted her gaze:
"Madam, what you made was delicious."
After diverting the topic of her staring at Tokai with such a compliment, the girl immediately turned her head to Air Groove: "Do you need me to provide cover during this time?"
As a girl who had witnessed the dirty transaction between Representative Chiaki and Air Groove, she naturally understood that what these two were doing now was beyond her power to stop.
However, she wouldn't report it, as Air Groove was, after all, a friend of hers.
So she posed the question.
Facing Manchester Cafe's question, Air Groove simply shook her head: "No need, there won't be any inspections during this period."
Saying this, Air Groove looked at Representative Chiaki: "Right, current Student Council President?"
"That's correct."
After giving this response, Representative Chiaki spoke again: "Also, it's not 'current Student Council President', it's 'Student Council President'."
After correcting the other party's mistake, Representative Chiaki looked at Tokai: "Shizen, Air Groove and I will be leaving now. Don't forget about the matter in a few days."
With these words, Representative Chiaki directly grabbed Air Groove by the back of her collar, pulling her and the drink in front of her away.
Watching Air Groove being dragged off to work by Representative Chiaki, Tokai simply waved at the two of them.
Then, Tokai looked back at Manchester Cafe.
Manchester Cafe looking at her just now made Tokai very concerned.
Or rather, what concerned Tokai was actually this:
Although Manchester Cafe was looking at her, it felt as if she wasn't really looking at her.
Noticing Tokai's gaze, Manchester Cafe simply looked up slightly: "Shop owner, is something wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. I was just wondering if you wanted another serving, since you've almost finished eating."
Facing Tokai's question, Manchester Cafe thought for a few seconds, then nodded.
The compliment she had used to divert Tokai's attention earlier was not false.
What she said was her true feeling.
However, recalling her previous refusal, Manchester Cafe ultimately shook her head: "No, I'm already full."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Chiyo O, sitting at home, was troubled by an outing a few days later.
She had no experience with dating.
At least, she had absolutely no experience with a first date being on Valentine's Day.
After all, before meeting Tokai, Chiyo O could be said to have never even thought about romance.
So... "What should I wear?"
Chiyo O, holding two outfits and comparing them in front of a changing mirror, was very hesitant.
She didn't know whether to wear her usual everyday clothes or something different.
But fortunately, she quickly thought of a solution to the problem.
Although she didn't know what to wear herself, she could ask someone for help.
With this thought, Chiyo O took out her phone and called her most trusted senior: Maruzensky.
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