Tokai, who couldn't go out with Chiyo O, had her plans canceled at the last minute.
So she couldn't receive another invitation.
She could only keep her shop open as usual.
As if nothing had happened.
Of course, the only difference was that...
Tokai's small shop didn't have that many people.
Since Chiyo O had proactively canceled the date, others hadn't noticed, and Teio and Mochizuki also didn't have the day off.
Plus, today was Valentine's Day, so Tokai's small shop was enjoying a rare quietness.
Sitting on a chair behind the counter, she browsed a drink mixing guide on her phone.
Time without work was relaxing for Tokai.
But the ringing of the door still forced her to look up towards the entrance.
The person who opened the door was Mejiro Ardan.
But compared to Mejiro Ardan, who hadn't been to the shop in a while, the child beside her was what caught Tokai's attention more.
"Tokai, long time no see."
Saying this, Mejiro Ardan sat in front of Tokai, then she spoke: "I've been in charge of the Uma Musume exchange students from China, so I haven't been able to come."
"I see, so that means she is too?"
"Yes, her name is Muteki, and I don't know why she particularly likes to cling to me."
Saying this, Mejiro Ardan stroked the head of the little Uma Musume who was already sitting beside her, then she spoke again: "Can you make some chinese food? She's a bit unaccustomed to the flavors here."
"I see, what flavor would you like then?"
Saying this, Tokai turned her head to look at the little Uma Musume who was following Mejiro Ardan.
"sichuan cuisine."
Hearing this, Tokai, who was still a bit surprised, paused for a second, then she quickly understood why.
Because in Tokai's understanding, the business scope of sichuan cuisine restaurants could be said to be exceptionally vast, so if one were to look at it from this point of view,
It was natural for the other party to order the most representative sichuan cuisine.
And realizing this, Tokai merely thought for a few seconds, then nodded at the other party: "Yes, okay, I'll prepare it right away."
Saying these words, Tokai turned around and began to prepare the sichuan cuisine.
And looking at Tokai's movements, Mejiro Ardan merely stretched, then shifted her gaze to Muteki.
Because she was handling the Uma Musume exchange students from China, Mejiro McQueen had been alone for this recent period.
Thinking of this, Mejiro Ardan looked up at Tokai: "Tokai, has McQueen been here recently?"
"She has, but she's always being taken out to play by Teio, so I haven't paid much attention."
Hearing Tokai's words, Mejiro Ardan didn't say much; she just nodded, then shifted her gaze in another direction: "Tokai, do you not have a date today?"
"I did originally, but perhaps they thought I was too old, so they canceled it."
With a slightly joking tone, Tokai stated this fact.
And listening to Tokai's words, Mejiro Ardan merely took a sip of the cold water Tokai had initially placed for both of them, then looked at Tokai.
Unlike most of the Uma Musume around Tokai,
Mejiro Ardan only held feelings of friendship for Tokai.
So in this situation, Mejiro Ardan merely teased slightly: "In that case, can I ask you out on a date?"
"Al Dan, I think you should forget about it, after all, you don't have that intention, do you?"
Saying this, Tokai plated a small dish of Mapo Tofu, then turned around and continued: "Besides, if you really wanted to invite me, shouldn't you have done it a few days in advance?"
"Then it seems I've missed my chance."
Saying this, Mejiro Ardan shifted her gaze to the dish Tokai had already finished plating: "This is Mapo Tofu."
"Yes, the last time I made chinese food was at your family's banquet, and I haven't really looked at recipes since then, so I could only remember this one." Saying this, Tokai placed a small bowl of rice and a pair of bamboo chopsticks in front of Muteki: "Try it."
Looking at the disposable chopsticks Tokai placed in front of her,
Muteki just looked at Mejiro Ardan.
She was just as Mejiro Ardan said.
Muteki was very concerned about Mejiro Ardan.
So, at this moment, she would look at her.
Mejiro Ardan, being watched by Muteki, only looked at Tokai: "Tokai, could you give me a regular… um… creative dish?"
"Aren't you worried I'll make something unpalatable?"
Although she said that, Tokai still began the basic preparations.
Looking at Tokai, Mejiro Ardan just shifted her gaze slightly: "Tokai, it's impossible for you to make anything unpalatable, right?"
"If I deliberately made it unpalatable, maybe I could… right?"
Saying this, Tokai turned her head slightly and looked in Mejiro Ardan's direction.
Facing Tokai's gaze, Mejiro Ardan was silent for a few seconds before finally speaking: "If it's intentional, but, Tokai, you wouldn't do that, would you?"
Tokai didn't respond to Mejiro Ardan's question; she just looked at the lunch she was preparing for Mejiro Ardan: "Do you want to turn on the TV?"
Tokai's suggestion made Mejiro Ardan look at Muteki: "If it's alright?"
"Here."
Saying this, Tokai tossed the remote control to Mejiro Ardan.
Mejiro Ardan, catching the remote control thrown by Tokai, didn't hesitate and immediately turned on the TV.
Subsequently, some sounds entered the ears of both Mejiro Ardan and Tokai.
"Due to some dissatisfaction with Tracen's actions, we are currently planning to re-establish a school specifically for Uma Musume training…"
This sound made Tokai turn her head slightly, but before the broadcast ended, Mejiro Ardan had already changed the channel.
Looking at the TV that had changed channels, Tokai didn't say much.
Although she was indeed very interested in that news report, both Tokai and Mejiro Ardan knew that it was not suitable for Muteki to watch.
So, both of them just mentally marked the matter.
Then they casually continued their small talk.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
"Is this for Tokai to test the medicine?"
Looking at the pill Air Groove placed in her hand, Representative Chiaki raised her head and looked at her.
Facing Representative Chiaki's gaze, Air Groove just nodded: "Ah, it is indeed for her, but no extra ingredients have been added, especially not the part you requested."
"What do you want to say?"
"Just marveling, the jealousy of a Triple Crown Uma Musume is truly terrifying. It's only the first time someone got ahead of you, and already…"
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