Two hundred and five. What kind of cuteness is an old, faded hag trying to pull!
After Maruzensky left, the entire restaurant became quiet again.
After Rudolph sat by Tokai's bed, she became quiet. It seemed that because there was a familiar person nearby, she... Rudolph Symboli, noticing this, just took a deep breath, and then finally relaxed a little.
Rudolph knew that Tokai Nature had been forcing herself to be energetic recently.
After all, even an Uma Musume like Tokai Nature, plagued by illness, would not actually be weaker than an adult male.
So at that time, Tokai Nature should have been able to steadily pick Rudolph up.
There should be no problem with this.
But Tokai Nature... Thinking of this, Rudolph slightly tightened her grip on Tokai Nature's hand.
The lingering warmth in their palms passed between them.
Rudolph understood... but she couldn't be sure that conclusion was the final result; she was afraid of such a result happening.
So... "Ding-a-ling~"
The sound of a bell being shaken interrupted Rudolph's thoughts.
She knew where the sound came from.
So she stood up and walked back to the first floor.
Then, she saw the only person who had come to see her, besides Tokai Nature and Mejiro Sanfeng, and who knew her well.
"Grandma."
"Mm."
After a slight response.
Speed Symbol looked at Rudolph: "Have you figured it out?"
"No!"
The overly direct response made Speed Symbol look at her with a bewildered expression. She had thought her silly granddaughter would only return to Tokyo after figuring things out.
But Rudolph's response was... Seeing Speed Symbol's huge reaction, Rudolph continued: "Someone wants me to come back, so..."
Saying this, Rudolph looked at Speed Symbol.
Their gazes collided in the air, almost producing a slight crackling sound.
After staring at each other for a few seconds, Speed Symbol sighed helplessly and voluntarily averted her gaze.
How could she not know that Rudolph's "no" just now was a lie?
It's just that Speed Symbol hadn't expected Rudolph to grow again in such a short time.
Realizing this, Speed Symbol looked back at Rudolph.
As Speed Symbol initially showed weakness, Rudolph also withdrew her gaze, so this time, their gazes did not collide.
They looked at each other like family.
And only now did Speed Symbol finally notice Rudolph's attire. Looking at her completely casual clothing.
Speed Symbol was silent for a few seconds, then continued: "The Mejiro Family basically has no problems. If you want to take over, you can do so anytime."
Saying this, Speed Symbol paused slightly, then continued: "Also, such clothes probably won't command respect."
"There's no need to do those things. I just changed clothes, I didn't change as a person."
Saying this, Rudolph shifted her gaze slightly, then she looked back at Speed Symbol: "Wearing this outfit will be fine."
Rudolph's words made Speed Symbol look in the direction she was looking.
That was the location of the stairs on the second floor of the restaurant.
And just by seeing the internal structure of the building, one could roughly guess what Rudolph was looking at.
Noticing this, Speed Symbol looked back at Rudolph, and looking at her, Speed Symbol asked a question: "Is it Tokai?"
"...Mm."
Rudolph did not correct her address; she just nodded.
After all, the difference between Tokai Nature and Tokai could only be realized by those who had interacted with them.
So Rudolph did not correct Speed Symbol, because she might not have even met Tokai Nature.
And looking at Rudolph's unchanging gaze.
Speed Symbol continued: "You have to handle the Mejiro Family's matters yourself, but specifically..."
"Perhaps you can handle it well?"
The matter Speed Symbol spoke of was Mejiro Sanfeng's matter, after all, Mejiro Sanfeng was still the treasure of the Mejiro Family.
So... only if Rudolph resolved this matter, could Rudolph gain the support of the Mejiro Family.
And for Mejiro Sanfeng, Rudolph had already thought of a way to deal with it.
So... "No problem, I can resolve that matter." Saying this, Rudolph looked at Speed Symbol: "The Shadai matters also require the Mejiro Family's involvement, so Mejiro Sanfeng's problem must be resolved. This is only natural."
Looking at Rudolph, who had already made her decision, Speed Symbol didn't say much. She just turned around: "Then I'll be going first."
"Aren't you going to see Shizen?"
"I'm an old lady, I won't disturb you two. There are quite a lot of family matters." Saying this, Speed Symbol turned her head to look at Rudolph.
With a mischievous smile on her face, Speed Symbol looked at Rudolph: "You'll be taking over soon, so there's no need to specifically pick a time to come over."
Listening to Speed Symbol's words, Rudolph was silent for a few seconds.
Then, she picked out a sentence from the words Tokai Nature had said:
"You old hag are already old and faded; no one will like such an expression."
Rudolph's mocking words instantly made Speed Symbol frown: "You brat!"
"If you're going, hurry up and go. Aren't there a lot of family matters?"
The overly direct dismissal made Speed Symbol so angry that she couldn't speak properly.
But she still looked at Rudolph: "Fine."
The two words contained dissatisfaction with Rudolph's change.
Rudolph didn't care; she just watched Speed Symbol leave the restaurant, then returned to the second floor.
After returning to the second floor, Rudolph found that Tokai Nature had already woken up.
Rudolph, noticing this, walked to the bed: "Do you need something to eat?"
"That was… "
Ignoring Rudolph's question, Tokai Nature simply asked that.
"It was Grandma who came over. She must have come after hearing the news of my return."
Rudolph, having answered the question, merely looked at Tokai Nature, then asked a new question with concern: "Do you want to rest a bit more?"
"…No more rest, I'm getting up!"
Tokai Nature paused briefly, then immediately threw off the covers, only to lie back down again: "No, I want to spend my life with the blanket."
"Alright, what do you want to eat then? I'll bring it back for you."
Saying this, Rudolph looked at Tokai Nature: "I won't go too far."
"Oh, is that so? Then I want to eat… never mind, Luna, just bring anything back. I don't really feel like choosing anymore."
"Okay, I understand."
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