"Damn it, that Barbatos, she's really something else."
"Feels like that Barbatos has snatched my precious granddaughter away from me."
Grandpa repeated these words in his mind as he stirred the fish soup. He had originally thought that with Seiun Sky coming home this time, the two of them could spend a nice, quiet New Year together—just grandfather and granddaughter.
But then, just like that!
Barbatos had to show up, shamelessly dragging herself over with an injured leg.
She completely stole Sky's attention.
He wasn't some stubborn old fossil—he knew it was normal for his granddaughter to start dating during her school years. But at least, at the very least, she could've waited a few years before bringing Barbatos home!
Instead, she brought her home right now.
How long have you two even known each other? Less than half a year, and you're already bringing her home!
And now she's meeting the family, just like that, taking over my precious granddaughter!
It was fine that Sky cared about her roommate, her teammates, or someone she liked. Bringing Barbatos home to take care of her and spend the New Year together—that wasn't the problem.
The problem was Barbatos!
How on earth did she manage to injure her leg just from running a race?
Whether Barbatos won the Dream Cup or not had nothing to do with him. But if Barbatos lost, Sky would be upset—and now, with her leg injured, Sky would worry even more and have to take care of her.
Barbatos was just plain trouble!
After the Dream Cup ended and he learned about Barbatos' injury, as the wise grandfather of Seiun Sky, he had naturally considered the possibility that she might be brought home.
He could usually guess what his granddaughter was thinking pretty well, but the moment he laid eyes on Barbatos, he still felt a surge of irritation.
Grandpa let out a disdainful humph as he carefully divided the fish soup he'd been simmering for a while.
Into one portion, he secretly added a little something extra.
Since he'd anticipated Barbatos might show up, he'd prepared for it this morning—he was determined to teach that girl a lesson.
Not only had he gone winter fishing early today, but he'd also asked a friend to help buy some medicinal herbs that could aid leg recovery.
He planned to sneak them into Barbatos' fish soup without her noticing.
As long as she recovered sooner, Sky's attention would shift away from her a little earlier.
Then she'd have more time to spend with her dear old grandpa.
Of course, even with these herbs added, he was no miracle healer—Barbatos wouldn't recover instantly. At best, if they were effective, she might heal a day or two sooner.
But even if she recovered a few days early, by then Seiun and Barbatos would have already returned to Tracen Academy for classes.
It was really just a small comfort to himself.
At the very least, it might ease Seiun Sky's worries about Barbatos for a few days.
--+--
"The fish soup is ready!"
"Sky-chan, come taste this and tell me if Grandpa's cooking has improved."
Lunchtime arrived quickly. Watching Grandpa interact affectionately with Seiun Sky, Barbatos glanced down at her own bowl of fish soup, which clearly had something extra added to it.
Combined with his earlier remark, the follow-up dialogue from that famous scene automatically played out in her mind.
Of course, she didn't actually think her soup was poisoned.
She could guess what was in it.
In her previous life, she wasn't a medical student, but as a Chinese person reincarnated into Japan, she could instantly recognize the smell of traditional Chinese medicine.
There was definitely some kind of herbal ingredient—or several—in her soup, which explained why its color and even its aroma differed noticeably from Seiun Sky's portion.
She wasn't sure about the exact effects, but remembering what Seiun Sky had told her earlier in Minamizaka's van on the way here, she could roughly guess.
Grandpa had probably added some Chinese medicinal herbs to help her leg recover faster.
Even though he hadn't shown her much warmth on the surface—quite different from most parents—he was really a kind grandfather, looking out for his granddaughter's "roommate" like this.
"Let's eat."
The three of them sat around the table, hands clasped together.
Seiun Sky also noticed the difference in Barbatos' fish soup. As a native Japanese Uma Musume, she wasn't very familiar with Chinese medicine, but she could still guess her grandpa's good intentions.
Though what she guessed went a few layers deeper than what Barbatos had figured out.
"Sky-chan, are you planning to compete in the Classic Triple Crown races next?"
"Mhm."
"I've already made arrangements with my senior, and our trainer has entered me in some classic-level races in advance."
Over lunch, Seiun Sky chatted with her grandpa.
Barbatos had no way to join the conversation, nor did she particularly want to. Even if staying quiet felt a bit awkward, it was better than interrupting and upsetting Grandpa.
Throughout the meal, Seiun Sky and her grandpa talked about many things.
They discussed upcoming races, teammates, funny stories from school, relay marathons, and even the strange rumors circulating around the academy.
Barbatos listened quietly, putting on a well-behaved front.
But even by the end of the meal, they hadn't mentioned tonight's New Year's shrine visit. Was it already a given, not worth discussing?
After visiting Shinshō-ji Temple, she and Seiun Sky would return and share a room to sleep.
Back at the academy dorm, they already shared a room, and when traveling for races, they usually stayed in the same hotel room too. But this time, it felt… different somehow.
Maybe because they were at Seiun Sky's own home?
It really felt like some novel plot—going home with your girlfriend for New Year's, her father not too pleased with the guy who 'stole his cabbage,' and then the boyfriend ending up sharing a room with the daughter anyway.
Though Grandpa wasn't the father, but the grandfather, in practice it wasn't much different.
And another thing… why wouldn't Grandpa take off his sunglasses even during the meal?!
This wasn't an anime—there was no 'the sunglasses are my true form' kind of setting here.
Even after finishing her meal and returning to her room, Barbatos still couldn't figure that one out.
Seiun Sky stayed outside to help Grandpa wash the dishes.
The sound of running water echoed from the kitchen as Seiun Sky scrubbed each bowl and utensil before passing them to Grandpa to dry.
Once the water stopped, Seiun Sky clasped her hands together. "Sorry, Grandpa. I won't be able to visit the shrine with you this year."
"You're all grown up now. It's fine to make your own decisions."
Grandpa's gentle voice carried a hint of wrong. Behind his sunglasses, his eyes were slightly red. The moment the meal ended, he'd already guessed—this New Year, he'd be spending it alone.
During dinner, his granddaughter hadn't mentioned the shrine visit at all, which meant she wasn't planning to take him along this year.
'Girls really do drift away once they grow up,' he thought, 'even leaving their grandpa behind.'
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.