Time passed swiftly to the days just before Christmas.
During the Christmas period, Tokai Natural had no days off.
Such was life in the restaurant industry—when all of Europe was on holiday, restaurants remained open year-round.
Thus, even on a day treated like New Year's by foreigners, Tokai Natural had no choice but to spend it apart from Symboli Speed and Mochizuki.
"Maybe it really is time to think about resigning…"
After six months working at L'Ambroisie, and having confirmed she'd saved enough money to open her own place, Tokai Natural naturally began considering this matter while walking home.
Of course, the same question was also being pondered by someone else.
"Natural, about Christmas…"
The unfinished sentence clearly expressed what Symboli Speed wanted to say.
"I know," Tokai Natural responded, acknowledging the unspoken thought. She took a bite of rice, then continued, "It'll still be some time before I resign, but I'll probably take the day off."
She did not express her true intentions to Symboli Speed.
Because, while the money was barely enough to start her restaurant, Tokai Natural had yet to budget for what might happen if the business failed.
Yet her casual reply caught Symboli Speed's full attention.
Symboli Speed, who had been busy teaching Mochizuki how to use chopsticks, lifted her head. Looking at Tokai Natural, surprise flashed across her eyes.
Symboli Speed clearly remembered that Tokai Natural had rarely spent holidays with them.
Yet now, Tokai Natural was voluntarily taking a day off.
The day off itself wasn't especially meaningful.
What truly mattered to Symboli Speed was the motive behind taking that day off.
Tokai Natural's persistent lack of trust toward her was caused by Symboli Rudolf.
That fear of being cast away again had driven Tokai Natural to work endlessly.
But now, Tokai Natural was choosing to rest.
The significance behind this gesture was clear to Symboli Speed.
Without asking further questions, Symboli Speed quietly noted the shift within Tokai Natural's heart and gently asked, "Do we need to buy anything special for that day?"
"Not particularly. Neither of us is truly European, so there's no need to specially prepare anything."
"In that case…" Symboli Speed lowered her gaze toward Mochizuki. "Mochizuki, would you like sushi?"
"Sushi?"
"Hmm…" Symboli Speed paused briefly, considering how to explain it, before eventually raising her head to ask Tokai Natural directly, "Do you plan to return home?"
With just a bit of thought, it became clear what Symboli Speed was implying.
If they were going back someday, helping Mochizuki adjust to the cuisine there was something they needed to start thinking about.
Realizing this, Tokai Natural suddenly fell silent.
If I do return…
Symboli Rudolf's face flashed into her mind, and Tokai Natural's body unconsciously shivered.
Seeing Tokai Natural's reaction, Symboli Speed immediately worried she might have asked the wrong question. Yet, despite its painful nature, this question had to be asked.
Even if it brought discomfort right now...
Symboli Speed needed Natural to find her answer clearly.
After all, Tokai Teio was still there, still her daughter. If Tokai Natural only realized this issue after impulsively returning to Japan, things could become very complicated.
Thus…
Tokai Natural's expression shifted rapidly, and noticing the brief flash of fear across her face made Symboli Speed question again if asking this question had been a mistake.
After several minutes of internal conflict, Tokai Natural's gaze finally landed on Mochizuki.
Held within Symboli Speed's embrace, Mochizuki stared at her mother.
Though still very young and unable to fully understand the decision facing Tokai Natural, Mochizuki clearly saw the distress on her mother's face.
Reaching out with her tiny hand, Mochizuki called out softly, "Mama, no!"
Although Mochizuki was nearly two years old, malnutrition from her early days had slowed her language development, making it difficult for her to articulate complete sentences. Yet, Tokai Natural still clearly felt her daughter's worry.
She opened her mouth slightly—
Then quickly shut it again.
Only after several more seconds did Tokai Natural finally speak clearly:
"Yes, I will return."
Having made that decision, Tokai Natural offered Mochizuki a reassuring smile.
Upon hearing this response, Symboli Speed quietly turned her head aside.
She felt remorseful for having pressed Tokai Natural, yet wasn't sure how to properly voice an apology.
Symboli Speed intended to keep avoiding Tokai Natural's eyes, but Mochizuki's presence quickly pulled her back to reality.
As her gaze returned forward—
Like cars passing each other on a narrow road, Symboli Speed's eyes briefly crossed with Tokai Natural's.
Seeing the slightly evasive look from Symboli Speed, Tokai Natural didn't seem bothered, instead casually bringing up the next topic:
"Sushi will need quite a few ingredients, though."
Without dwelling on the earlier painful conversation, Tokai Natural addressed the question Symboli Speed had originally intended to ask.
"Vinegared rice, salmon, seaweed, fish roe, and a few other fresh ingredients."
After listing everything they needed, Tokai Natural glanced up at Symboli Speed. "Can I leave that to you?"
"Yes, of course."
Symboli Speed answered immediately, hoping her actions would serve as an apology.
Her quick reply made Tokai Natural smile slightly.
Seeing Tokai Natural's gentle smile, Symboli Speed froze for a brief moment.
Staring at Tokai Natural, Symboli Speed suddenly understood why Symboli Sirius had acted the way she did.
Shaking off the thought, Symboli Speed turned her attention back down toward Mochizuki sitting on her lap. "Will Mochizuki come shopping with me over the next few days?"
"Yes!"
Hearing Mochizuki's enthusiastic response, Symboli Speed echoed her joyfully, "Then let's go together!"
The identical enthusiasm of those two simply made Tokai Natural smile once more.
Her thoughts turned toward that other child—
The child who remained on the opposite side of the world.
She knew, without a doubt, that she would return.
No matter what happened, she would choose to return.
Just as she'd once given everything for Mochizuki's sake, Tokai Teio's situation was equally a matter of deep concern to Tokai Natural.
Though Teio had already been entrusted to her older sister's care, if it were at all possible, Natural still wanted to return to see Tokai Teio again.
Holding Teio in his arms, Tokai Roman once again arrived at the secluded rehabilitation center where Tokai Natural had given birth.
Standing before the imposing wooden gates, Tokai Roman planned to first confirm the current state of the facility before deciding whether or not to move in.
Yet, with Symboli Sirius's promise that the Symboli Family would cover the land taxes and maintenance costs—
This matter was essentially already settled.