Using the money Maruzensky gave, using Maruzensky's kitchen, using Maruzensky's chair.
Eating the meal prepared by the person Maruzensky wanted to help.
Representative Chiaki couldn't help but say,
It's really delicious!
Of course, the most important thing was... "You cook very well."
After putting down her chopsticks, Representative Chiaki turned her head to look at Tokai Nature, who was sitting aside, not eating, waiting for her.
"Aren't you eating?"
"Um, I only bought that much."
Her voice was as timid as when she faced Maruzensky.
This was natural, after all, her daughter was still in the other party's hands.
And seeing Tokai Nature's behavior, Representative Chiaki's gaze lingered on Tokai Nature for a moment: "You can eat with me."
Hearing Representative Chiaki say this.
Tokai Nature just glanced at the document placed at the other end of the table, then looked at Representative Chiaki.
Both of them clearly understood what the other wanted.
So, Tokai Nature just shook her head: "I'm not hungry."
"Is that so."
Representative Chiaki just turned over the document that had been facing away from Tokai Nature: "How about this?"
Tokai Nature saw the words "Reviewed."
This meant the document had passed the initial review, and what followed would almost certainly not be as troublesome as it was now.
And after thinking about this, Tokai Nature just looked at Representative Chiaki.
Representative Chiaki was still looking at her, as if waiting for something.
Facing the other party's gaze, Tokai Nature just picked up the chopsticks Representative Chiaki had placed on the table earlier and ate a piece of fried fish.
Seeing Tokai Nature's behavior, Representative Chiaki's lips curved slightly upward: "I originally just wanted to come and see why Maruzensky would help you, but judging from the outcome..."
Representative Chiaki, who had said this, just stood up: "I'll send your identity documents over later~"
Soon, Representative Chiaki walked to the closed wooden door: "Then, see you next time~"
After everything was handled, Maruzensky couldn't find the document she had originally planned to either directly stamp with Rudolph Symboli's seal or get Representative Chiaki to approve. It was gone.
"Maruzen, is something wrong?"
Rudolph Symboli, seeing the change in Maruzensky's expression, looked at her.
Facing the question Rudolph Symboli posed, Maruzensky was silent for a moment, then shook her head: "No, it's just..."
She glanced around her desk, and after finding no scattered documents, Maruzensky continued: "No, there's no problem."
Maruzensky's behavior made Rudolph Symboli feel a bit puzzled, but fortunately, she wasn't too concerned about these matters. So, she just glanced at Maruzensky, then spoke again: "Next is..."
"Watching the local races."
She gave Rudolph Symboli this reminder.
Then Maruzensky spoke again: "I'm going outside Tracen Academy for a bit. The dorm manager's side will be a bother..."
"Forget it, they're used to it anyway."
"Hmm, just don't delay important matters."
A simple response.
Hearing this, Maruzensky just nodded.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
After closing the door.
Standing in the small courtyard, Representative Chiaki saw Maruzensky.
"Oh my~"
"Chiaki..."
Clearly, Maruzensky's expression wasn't good, because she knew that if Representative Chiaki was here, then... she glanced at the house behind Representative Chiaki, and Maruzensky just walked forward.
The two people, of similar height, approached each other, and their gazes clashed, gradually becoming more intense.
"Is there a problem?"
Looking at Maruzensky, Representative Chiaki just asked this question.
Looking at Representative Chiaki's unchanging expression, Maruzensky just frowned.
Facing Maruzensky's gaze, Representative Chiaki thought for a few seconds, then said: "Tokai Nature, no, Yayoi Shizen, she's excellent at cooking~"
"What did you do to her?"
"Nothing, I just came to inform her that the application was approved, that's all." Saying this, Representative Chiaki slightly turned her body, making way for Maruzensky.
From her previous actions, Representative Chiaki had realized one thing: Maruzensky now cared deeply about Tokai Nature.
And realizing this, Representative Chiaki just asked a question: "By the way."
She turned her head to look at Representative Chiaki, who had moved around her:
"What is it?"
"Yayoi Shizen, an Uma Musume discarded by the Tokai Family, is she worth all this for you?"
"It's just... occasional kindness."
Representative Chiaki raised an eyebrow. Clearly, she could tell this wasn't Maruzensky's true feelings, but Representative Chiaki didn't intend to say anything about it. After all, Tokai Nature was indeed a rather interesting Uma Musume.
So, she didn't plan to say that sentence. Therefore, Representative Chiaki directly left Maruzensky's line of sight.
Watching Representative Chiaki leave, Maruzensky just frowned, then walked to the wooden door.
She looked at the closed door, and after a few seconds of silence, she inserted the key and opened the door.
What met her eyes was Tokai Nature tidying up the dinnerware.
This was a sight Maruzensky hadn't seen much of in the past two weeks.
And looking at this scene, what Maruzensky felt was a slight sense of relief.
A slight sense of relief smoothed away some of the anxiety in Maruzensky's heart.
...Shizen.
"Huh?" Hearing Maruzensky's call, Tokai Nature almost dropped the dinner plate and chopsticks she was holding.
"What? Are you surprised I'm back?"
"No, um, it's just..."
Looking at the dinner Tokai Nature hadn't eaten much of, Maruzensky was silent for a few seconds, then spoke again: "You..."
Maruzensky's expression wasn't good, and noticing this, Tokai Nature spoke before Maruzensky could.
"This is what Miss Chiaki ate. I haven't had dinner yet. I can go out and buy some ingredients to cook again now. Would you like to eat together?"
Hearing Tokai Nature's response, Maruzensky's eyebrows relaxed slightly: "I can go out for a bit."
"Um, I can actually go with you."
Hearing Tokai Nature's words, which sounded like a request, Maruzensky noticed a hint of fear in Tokai Nature's expression.
Realizing this, Maruzensky understood one thing: Tokai Nature was afraid she would get angry.
Thinking of this, Maruzensky lowered her head.
She slightly adjusted her expression.
She put the smile that had always been on her face back on.
"Since you want to go together, then let's go together."