Spending Maruzensky's money, using Maruzensky's kitchen, sitting on Maruzensky's chair—eating food cooked by the girl Maruzensky wanted to help.
Mr. C.B. couldn't help but think:
Delicious!
Of course, more importantly...
"You're a really good cook."
Setting down her chopsticks, Mr. C.B. glanced toward Tokai Natural, who sat quietly to one side, not eating, just waiting nervously.
"You're not going to eat?"
"I… only bought enough for one person."
Her voice trembled timidly, just as it did when she faced Maruzensky.
That was only natural; after all, Mr. C.B. currently held her future—and by extension, her daughter's future—in her hands.
Seeing Tokai Natural act so cautiously, Mr. C.B. gave her a gentle smile and said, "You can eat with me, you know."
Upon hearing those words, Tokai Natural glanced briefly toward the document placed on the far end of the table, then slowly looked back at Mr. C.B.
They both clearly understood what the other wanted.
So Tokai Natural quietly shook her head. "I'm not hungry."
"Is that so?"
Mr. C.B. deliberately turned the document, which had been facing away from Tokai Natural, toward her. "Then, how about now?"
Tokai Natural's eyes immediately caught the words stamped clearly across the document:
[Approved]
This meant the document had already passed the initial review stage, making future steps considerably less troublesome.
Realizing this, Tokai Natural quickly looked up at Mr. C.B.
Mr. C.B. simply continued smiling, watching her quietly, as if waiting for something.
Facing that gaze, Tokai Natural finally reached out, picking up the chopsticks Mr. C.B. had set down, and silently took a small bite of the pan-fried fish.
Seeing her reaction, Mr. C.B.'s lips curled slightly upward. "Originally, I just came to find out why Maruzensky was going out of her way to help you, but given how things turned out…"
She stood up from the chair gracefully. "I'll have your new documents sent over soon~."
In just a few moments, Mr. C.B. stood at the tightly shut wooden door. "Well then, see you next time~."
...
Having finally finished all her other tasks, Maruzensky returned only to find the documents she had prepared—the very ones she'd planned to secretly approve using Symboli Rudolf's stamp, or at least privately submit to Mr. C.B.—had vanished without a trace.
"Maruzen, is something the matter?"
Noticing Maruzensky's sudden change in expression, Symboli Rudolf looked at her with mild curiosity.
Faced with Rudolf's inquiry, Maruzensky hesitated briefly, then shook her head. "No, it's nothing…"
After quickly scanning her desk again, making sure none of the documents had simply fallen to the floor, she continued, "No, there's no issue."
Symboli Rudolf was slightly puzzled by Maruzensky's unusual behavior, but fortunately, she wasn't the type to pry deeply. After another glance at Maruzensky, she simply moved on:
"Next is…"
"The local race observation."
Maruzensky finished Rudolf's sentence.
Then, speaking quickly, Maruzensky added, "I'll step out of Tracen Academy for a bit; please cover for me with the dormitory supervisor…"
"Forget it," Rudolf waved her hand casually, "they're already used to you sneaking out anyway."
Maruzensky nodded briefly. "I won't neglect my responsibilities."
"Just keep it short."
A simple exchange.
At Rudolf's words, Maruzensky silently nodded again.
...
Closing the door behind her, Mr. C.B. stepped out into the small courtyard and immediately spotted Maruzensky standing there, clearly waiting.
"Oh my~."
"C.B.…"
Maruzensky's expression darkened. After all, she knew perfectly well that if Mr. C.B. had appeared here, then surely—
Her gaze drifted momentarily to the house behind Mr. C.B., and she stepped forward quietly.
The two Umas—nearly identical in height—locked eyes as they drew closer, their gazes clashing silently in the dim evening light.
"Something wrong?" Mr. C.B. asked with gentle curiosity, unfazed.
Maruzensky, noting Mr. C.B.'s calm expression, simply frowned slightly.
Facing Maruzensky's gaze, Mr. C.B. thought carefully for a few seconds before quietly commenting:
"Tokai Natural—no, I should say, Yayoi Natural—is a very talented cook~."
"What did you do to her?"
"Oh, nothing~ I just stopped by to tell her the application was approved—that's all." With these words, Mr. C.B. stepped slightly aside, clearing a path for Maruzensky.
From Maruzensky's immediate reaction, Mr. C.B. quickly realized something important—Maruzensky had come to care very deeply about Tokai Natural.
Understanding this clearly, Mr. C.B. then posed one final question: "By the way…"
Maruzensky stopped, turning back briefly to face Mr. C.B.
"What?"
"Yayoi Natural, an Uma abandoned by the Tokai family… Is she really worth all this trouble?"
"It's just… a momentary whim of kindness."
Hearing this, Mr. C.B. raised her eyebrows slightly, clearly aware that Maruzensky was not telling the full truth. But she had no intention of pointing it out. After all, Tokai Natural was indeed quite an interesting Uma herself.
With no more to say, Mr. C.B. simply turned away, vanishing quickly into the darkness.
Watching Mr. C.B.'s departure, Maruzensky's brows tightened further, and she walked up to the closed wooden door of her home.
She stood quietly, staring at the tightly shut door for several seconds before inserting her key and finally opening it.
Inside, she was greeted by the sight of Tokai Natural quietly cleaning up the dinner dishes.
Such a simple scene—yet something Maruzensky hadn't seen much of in the past two weeks.
Yet watching this simple moment, Maruzensky felt an unexpected sense of relief.
This faint, comforting feeling quietly soothed away some of her previous anxiety.
"…Natural."
"Ah—!" Startled by Maruzensky's sudden call, Tokai Natural nearly dropped the dishes and chopsticks she was holding.
"What's wrong? Are you surprised to see me back?"
"N-no, umm, I was just…"
Seeing the mostly untouched food Tokai Natural still held, Maruzensky fell silent for a moment, then carefully spoke again:
"You…"
Her voice faltered slightly, expression stiff. Noticing this, Tokai Natural hastily interrupted, speaking before Maruzensky could continue:
"This was what Mr. C.B. ate. I haven't had dinner myself yet, so… I can go out and buy ingredients to cook again. Would you like to eat together?"
Hearing Tokai Natural's timid response, Maruzensky's tense expression softened slightly. "I can go out and buy them myself."
"Um, I could come with you…"
At Tokai Natural's quiet, pleading words, Maruzensky finally noticed the faint look of fear and worry in her expression.
Realizing Tokai Natural was worried that she'd upset her, Maruzensky gently lowered her head, taking a slow breath as she recomposed her expression.
Gradually, the reassuring smile she usually wore returned to her face.
"If you want to come along, then… let's go together."