After all, they were just there to eat.
And Mochizuki relaxed after Teio and Tokai Roman left.
The reason for her relaxation was simple: Teio was finally gone.
Dealing with Teio was quite tiring for Mochizuki.
After resting for a few minutes, Mochizuki immediately looked at her mother.
Her gaze was so sharp that Tokai Shizen couldn't easily ignore it.
Soon, Tokai Shizen turned her head to look at her daughter, who was staring intently at her.
"Um, wh-what is it?"
Her voice was weak, a reaction Tokai Shizen only displayed when facing her daughter.
Looking at Shizen's subtle expression, Mochizuki thought for a few seconds before speaking:
"Teio, she's my sister, right?"
"Eh? Wh-what do you mean..."
"Mom!"
Her direct shout forced Tokai Shizen to meet Mochizuki's gaze.
Mochizuki stared intently at Tokai Shizen.
But Tokai Shizen didn't know how to respond.
Finally, after about ten seconds of silence, Tokai Shizen nodded:
"Mm..."
"It really is her. Am I really going to have to call her 'Sister' in the future?"
"Calling her 'Little Sister' is fine, too..."
Shizen quietly corrected her words.
"Huh?"
"You two are twins..."
"Even with twins, who is the older sister should be..."
As Mochizuki spoke, she saw a hint of sadness on her mother's face.
Seeing the expression on Shizen's face, Mochizuki knew she had asked something she shouldn't have.
So... she paused for a moment before continuing:
"It's fine to call her 'Sister,' but Mom, if I hadn't asked, how long were you planning to keep it a secret?"
Her tone didn't change much.
She didn't know her mother's past, but she had never asked.
Because for Mochizuki, a sensible and precocious child, she could notice many issues from her mother's attitude.
And, most importantly:
The unusual family structure.
This made Mochizuki understand that some things shouldn't be asked too much.
After all... her mother looked distressed over that ledger every day, so Mochizuki had no reason to ask more.
So, she just looked at her mother:
"Then, when are you planning to tell Teio? And Tokai Auntie is..."
"Roman is my older sister, you can call her Auntie.
As for Teio, Sister Roman should have already told her, but she just doesn't know who it is yet."
Tokai Shizen, explaining the current situation piece by piece, finally returned her gaze to Mochizuki:
"If Teio comes back, you must get along well with her."
Tokai Shizen's words carried considerable expectation.
She looked at Mochizuki, worried that Mochizuki would deny something.
At the same time... the expectation from her mother made Mochizuki think about getting along with Teio.
Finally, Mochizuki nodded:
"Okay, I understand. If Teio decides to come back, I will try my best to get along with her."
Mochizuki said this while looking at her mother:
"But Mom, you're going to attend to the Mejiro Family's affairs tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, I'm just going as a chef. I don't have to be responsible for anything specific;
I can come back after I finish. But because of that, the restaurant won't open here."
Saying this, Shizen looked at Mochizuki:
"Tomorrow you can go find Maruzen and the others. They probably don't have anything to do."
"Okay, I understand. So, besides this, is there anything else you need to do, Mom?"
A deliberate reminder came from Tokai Mochizuki's mouth.
This reminder made Tokai Shizen silent for a few seconds before she responded:
"Hmm, about Teio, right?"
Mochizuki said nothing; she just looked at Tokai Shizen.
"What exactly is it..."
"Birthday."
"Ah... I forgot about that."
Reminded by her daughter, Tokai Shizen finally remembered this most important matter.
But, even if it was a birthday, the family's financial situation was...
"I don't need anything, but Teio..."
Tokai Mochizuki's reminder informed Shizen.
"But..."
"Mom, you've been with me for so long. What about my sister?"
This question left Tokai Shizen at a loss for how to respond,
but in the end, she just nodded:
"Okay."
With that direct response, Tokai Mochizuki turned her head and began to clean up the leftovers from Tokai Teio and the others.
Watching Mochizuki's actions, Tokai Shizen was silent for a few seconds before continuing to tend to the pot of broth.
Tokai Shizen hadn't expected to be encouraged by her daughter.
Although... it wasn't really unexpected, as Mochizuki had always been like this.
Thinking of this, Shizen just looked at the broth in the pot.
The broth in the pot was the most crucial part.
Because the ingredients were provided by the Mejiro Family,
Tokai Shizen essentially used ingredients imported from China to prepare everything.
This pot of broth was worth Tokai Shizen's effort.
If the Mejiro Family's venture succeeded, Tokai Shizen's income should increase somewhat.
But how much it would increase... Tokai Shizen wasn't sure.
However, it should at least completely reverse the restaurant's already turning deficit.
And then she should be able to...
She turned her head to look at Mochizuki, Shizen's expression changed slightly.
She knew why Mochizuki insisted on living with her, even if it meant living very far from school.
After all, her health issues had never been hidden from Mochizuki.
Moreover, Mochizuki had been a child from a single-parent family since she was young.
To take good care of Shizen, at least ensuring someone could take her to the hospital if something happened.
Mochizuki understood this very well.
That's why Mochizuki lived with her.
Thinking of this, Tokai Shizen just sighed.
A restaurant near a school was essentially in high-intensity internal competition with its neighbors.
However, if she could rent a house nearby, perhaps neither she nor Roman would have to let go.
Thinking this, Tokai Shizen's gaze returned to the pot of broth in front of her.
She remembered, there was one last thing today.
That was about the Mejiro Family.
Tomorrow was when the Mejiro Family would have detailed discussions with the Chinese Uma Musume,
so the Mejiro Family's chef would specifically come to check today.
Of course, also coming along were...
The shop door was pushed open, and the bell hanging behind the door rang.
"Welcome..."
"Miss Tokai, we're here."
"Auntie Tokai!"
"Chef Tokai."
Two familiar voices and one that sounded slightly unfamiliar.
Their addresses made Tokai Shizen pause for a moment, then she turned her head:
"What's needed for tomorrow is already prepared.
Today, you all can finalize any taste-related issues."
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